My first attempt in the Romance Category. For the illustrated version, just send me an email - which you can find on my profile page.
Almost Lost but Saved
(From Cheater to True Love)
Within the agency, I assumed the cloak of a senior accountant, a cover that shielded the true nature of my work from my wife and friends. They were oblivious to the fact that I was deeply involved in a highly dangerous position. Instead, they perceived me as a mere desk jockey, a misconception that often led to jests and comments like pencil pusher or file clerk. I did not enjoy their taunts and humiliation, but lived with knowledge of my true role in the FBI.
Our social circle, composed of individuals with powerful positions and successful ventures, only magnified the disparity between their perceptions and my reality. Their high-flying careers cast my own in a dim light, fostering a sense of inadequacy within me which often led to a desire to let them know my true function in the agency.
To add to the humiliation, I sensed a discomfort from some of my family regarding my profession, which only deepened my internal conflict. Compared to all our friends, I had the least interesting position, albeit with the FBI. Despite my fervent desire to disclose the truth and garner the recognition my work deserved; strict nondisclosure agreements bound me to silence. So, I struggled with the burden of their disappointment.
My darling wife, Erica, always took my side and told everyone I had a safe job and was proud that I was working for the FBI. She didn't have to worry about me getting hurt in the field. She was proud of me and respected me for who I was, not the job. We had a strong marriage, and I loved her dearly. We were close and shared everything, which made it hard for me to keep this secret from her.
After 23 years with the bureau, I was being groomed for a promotion and invited up to DC with my partner, Roger Sikes. My name is Brock Williams, and I have been assigned to a dangerous clandestine operation force, designed to uncover terrorist cells in the US for the last 5 years. After taking down several of the largest terror cells in the country, I was being considered for a big position that would be my last job with the agency before I retired in seven years.
As I mentioned already, every aspect of my job was secret, and my cover was meticulously planned. None of our accomplishments were made public, and none of our friends or family had a clue of the dangers and things we had to do in order to take down the bad guys. I couldn't even tell my wife, Erica, much about my job as my position called for complete secrecy and Top-Secret access.
Somehow, I was able to compartmentalize my job and be a normal husband without her knowing the dangers I faced in the field. My cover as an FBI accountant allowed me to explain my travel and career functions. The truth was that I was part of a secret team that infiltrated some of the most dangerous terrorist cells in the country that wanted to inflict great harm on our country.
Over the years, several of my team members were injured and killed on the job, but not a word was ever mentioned or brought into my family life. I traveled often, so this trip did not come as a surprise to Erica. I told her I would be gone for two nights and be flying up to the DC office. I kissed her goodbye at 4 PM when my partner Roger picked me up at our house. My darling wife gave me a warm, loving kiss and waved to us as we drove away.
A little story about Erica, our children, and our 25 years together as husband and wife. Erica and I met in our first year of college and were inseparable. We were soulmates, and everyone knew we were the perfect couple. We married right out of college and for the last 25 years had the perfect marriage. We raised two wonderful children, who were now in college, and looking forward to my retirement in five years.
Not for one minute did Erica ever give me a reason to be jealous or doubt her love. In fact, she seemed proud of the fact that I worked for the FBI and always showed me great respect around our family and friends.
Erica worked as an office manager for a local government contractor and had been approved for Top Secret clearance due to the sensitive information that agency handled. Erica was well respected and loved by her colleagues and myself, her adoring husband. At 47 she still looked great with a wonderful figure kept sexy by her gym workouts and healthy diets. We seemed to have it all, and now my career was about to reach a new level, and I would finally be able to tell Erica about my past work if I got the promotion to assistant director.
As we did on all of my trips, I gave Erica a warm loving kiss goodbye as we exchanged loving words to each other, which Roger found hysterical after 25 years of marriage. On the way to the airport, Roger commented, "Man, are you two really that happy, or is all that just for show for me?"
"Roger, I've loved that woman since the day I met her in the college bookstore. Without her, I would be nothing. Yeah, I love my job, all the action, and success we've had, but without her I would be nothing. I can't wait to get this promotion and to be able to spend more time with her and finally let her know about the job. It's been difficult keeping it a secret for all these years, and I can't wait to tell her the truth after all these years."
As we drove to the airport, I reflected on my life and spent a few minutes in silence sending out my feelings of appreciation for the life I've had with all its blessings. My kids, my wife, our health, and all my dreams that were coming true.
Airport Fiasco
As soon as we got to the gate, we had a one-hour delay, and we did some work on our laptops as we waited in the airport lounge. One hour turned into two hours and finally a canceled flight due to mechanical problems with the plane. We tried to find another flight, but they were all booked and we had to reschedule for the following morning.
As we left the airport, I tried calling Erica, but her phone went directly to voicemail. Since it went into voicemail on the first ring, I knew her phone probably had a dead battery, which was a common issue she had with her phone. I've been after her to get a new one, but she kept putting it off. Oh well, I'll get her one this weekend.
"Brock, I'm hungry, and we're passing by Emilo's on the way home. We're due a nice dinner on Uncle Sam, and I think we should stop for dinner."
"That's a great idea. I'm in the mood for a nice steak, and that's a great place. Yes, it's expensive, but since the agency is paying the bill, I'm in."
Just before 8 PM, we were seated and ordering our first drink. We talked about the delay and left messages with our handler about our flight cancellation. They changed the schedule to accommodate us and took care of the hotel reservations. I was in the middle of my second vodka martini when Roger looked up and laughed.
"Brock, Erica's doppelganger just walked into the restaurant."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, don't turn around just yet, but this woman is an exact copy of your wife. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was her. OK, they're sitting six tables directly behind you. Take a look and tell me I'm crazy."
I slowly turned and saw the woman he was talking about. He was almost right; she wasn't a double, she was my wife. My wife Erica was sitting with some man I didn't recognize.
"Roger, that's not her double. That's my wife. Crap, that's not good. Maybe it's a work meeting or something. I'm going to call her again and see if she answers. It's ringing."
Erica heard her phone, took it out of her purse, looked at the number, and hit the end button. Once again, the call went straight to voicemail. I was shocked as I watched her ignore my call and dismiss me so easily. After she put the phone away, she reached over and took the man's hand and stared into his eyes with a look she used to give to me, and was now giving to another man -- which wasn't me!
This wasn't a business meeting; it was a date. Fuck! My wife waited until I was out of town to go out on a date, cheat on me, and our marriage. Not in a million years would I have expected this. Damn, I was an experienced investigator, how could I have not seen this? I felt anger starting to take over, but using my skills, I was able to calm down and analyze the situation.
Roger knew me well and saw my reactions and realized that I was in a danger zone, "Brock, this sucks. What do you want to do?"
"Nothing yet, let me think this through." I called her phone again, and this time it went straight to voicemail. She obviously turned her phone off so as not to be disturbed. I left a message telling her how hurt I was to watch her intentionally dismiss my call, in order to give her attention to her date. After finishing my drink, I had a plan, "Roger, are you game for some action? I don't want to drag you into my personal problems, but I can use your help."
"Are you kidding, I'm all in, brother. What's the plan?
"When I give you the word, I need you to take the predator outside and do a little field investigation, if you get my drift."
"Copy that. Tell me when, and I'll get the asshole outside and do a little interrogation."
"We better not order any food because I don't think we will be here that long. We can get something on the way after we're done with these two cheaters."
After a few minutes, she was getting out of her chair, "Brock, she's getting up and heading to the ladies room."
"Perfect. You take him outside, and I'll take his place at the table and surprise my loving wife when she returns from the ladies' room. It should make for an interesting conversation, don't you think?"
"Brock, this is bad, and I'm so sorry about all of this."
"Not your fault, now you better get going."
Roger walked up to my wife's date, and his massive body towered over the man. He then took out his FBI ID as he towered over her date. I watched as he asked the man to come outside, so as not to cause a scene. The man hesitated, but Roger said something, and the man stood up and followed Roger out of the restaurant. Roger is six-foot three inches and 240 pounds of muscle, and is an imposing man that most people respected. Once outside, Roger turned on his voice recorder and started asking questions while he had Roger pinned against their car.
"What's your name?"
"Clark Williams"
"Clark, are you aware that you're on a date with my partner's wife? He's also an agent, and is sitting inside with Erica right now."
"No, I didn't know he was with the FBI. I thought he was an accountant."
"But you knew she was married?"
"Well yes, but she said he was OK with her going out with me."
"Do you always date married women?"
"No, but we've become good friends at work."
"Does she work for you?"
"Yes"
