Chantal's Romantic Savior
(Awakening)
"Oh, I'll bet that one feels good,"
Chantal thought excitedly as she looked at the computer screen in her deserted office.
"If only I had the nerve to order one."
The screen was filled with a large black dildo offered through an online erotic toy supplier. It was six thirty and she was still at her desk. She fantasized about using the toy to satisfy her cravings, or having a deep-voiced gentleman slide the monster into her slippery cove. Her nonexistent sex life was beginning to become a problem, so she surfed and dreamed while looking for a solution. Her timidity and prudishness would probably keep her from acting even if she found something, but the search provided some small measure of excitement.
She was in no hurry to go home. Nothing there enticed her to hurry back. Often, she preferred to stay at work rather than return to find her husband watching TV.
When Bill and Chantal had married in college they were convinced they were in love. But the years had demonstrated how few things they shared and how little they loved each other. They barely talked; they just seemed to lead parallel lives in the same house. The subject of a separation had never been approached, probably because neither was willing to make waves in their lives. Life was running straight into the future with no mountains or valleys, no fights or love, no excitement or depression. It was simply heading unexcitingly to nothing.
Chantal had learned after two years of marriage that her body would never let her have children. Both she and Bill plunged into their respective jobs for fulfillment. Somehow neither had found a calling or a passion to engage their energies completely. So ten years later Chantal was screaming inside for a different, more rewarding life. She had no idea how to alter its course or how to tell Bill how unsatisfactorily she viewed her life.
It was obvious that Bill no longer desired her. Whenever her needs became overbearing, she initiated what little intimacy existed in their marriage. Things had to change. She had to find a way of exciting Bill or she would go crazy. Their love had never been intense or rough, but they had always been comfortable and never fought, so she really didn't feel she could complain. As a couple they both made good salaries, and shared a lovely home.
"Damn, I 'm thirty two, reasonably good looking, and I like sex," Chantal was thinking. "This can't be the best I can get. I want more excitement, no, I just want more!"
Chantal turned off her computer and headed reluctantly home. How to commence the needed transformation mystified her, and occupied her thoughts as she drove home to prepare another dinner for Bill.
After eating, Bill announced, "I'll be going to a construction materials conference next week. I'll be in Reno and should be gone four days, counting the travel time."
"Oh, that's new," answered Chantal. "I thought you hated travel. You always say you don't like to fly when I suggest a vacation far away."
"Well it's important for me to see what's new in my field," he mumbled. "Otherwise I won't be competitive. You know, the clients are always asking for the latest gizmos."
"Can't you send your assistant," she asked.
"No, I want to see for myself," he answered a bit irritated. "Now, let me watch the game," he said as he turned his back on her.
Chantal was surprised, but actually thrilled with the chance to be alone for a few days. She figured it might give her a chance to find a solution to her needs.
The following day she received a call from one of her firm's clients. Richard was an important wine merchant and some cases of wine had been lost in transit from Italy. He had done all the research and was sure they were not recoverable. In the course of numerous calls with Richard to discuss and request documents, Chantal came to enjoy his deep voice and the gentle assuredness of his manner. His rich baritone and the calm patience with which he explained his loss were almost seductive.
She began to realize he had lost an expensive shipment and the company would be sending him a substantial check if all the facts were verified. It looked like Chantal would be putting in some long hours before the case was resolved. She requested all pertinent documents be sent to her and began the exhaustive process of creating a concise dossier of his loss. By the end of the day Chantal knew many questions remained unanswered. She quickly called Richard one more time. Again his resonant voice enthralled her. He asked her if he could have her personal e-mail address as well as her private number.
"We will be talking and sending documents for a few days," he said. "We might as well get to know each other and make this as pleasant as possible. I have no doubt your company will honor my request for reimbursement, but it'll require quite a bit of work on both your and my part to make them consent."
Chantal acceded and gave him all her contact numbers. As the process continued, she found herself calling Richard more often than perhaps necessary, yet he was never annoyed. She did some Internet research on him and his company to know as much as possible about his life and business. On the third day of their working together, he sent her a personal e-mail thanking her for her efforts and apologizing for taking her time away from her family. In her reply, a dam burst and she told him at length about how little her "family" mattered and how pleased she was to assist him. As soon as she pushed the "send" button, she regretted her tirade. She was sure he would think her completely unprofessional.
Bill was again in front of the TV when she returned home late that evening.
"I've already eaten so don't worry about me. I have to pack later; my flight to Reno is leaving early in the morning."
She had forgotten about his trip, but the timing was excellent. She could be alone with her stupidity. She went to the kitchen to fix a salad which she took to the den and turned on her computer. An e-mail was waiting from Richard. She was terrified to open it so she stood up and started to leave the room. At the door, curiosity won over fear and she returned to sit in front of the screen. Still she couldn't make her hand push the read button, and she stared at the screen for two minutes without moving. Finally she clicked the mouse.
"Oh my, Chantal, you sound so unhappy. No one as young and attractive as you should endure a boring life. Yes, I have done my research on the person trying to solve my problem. I hope you don't mind, but I must research all the wines I purchase so why would I not do the same to someone who could save me a great deal of money?
"If you would not be offended I would like to communicate with you on a personal basis.
"Perhaps I could even bring you some joy from time to time.
"This would not impact our professional relationship at all. I expect the insurance issue to last no more than another ten days, but I would enjoy talking and writing to you long after.
"Forgive a 46-year-old widower his forwardness.
Richard"
Chantal almost wept with joy. How could she have become so lucky? This man was offering her the buoy she needed to keep from drowning. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she gushed her thanks and told him of her needs and dreams. She couldn't hold back even truly delicate details of her life. She wrote pages, letting out many thoughts she was unaware lurked in her mind. At the end, just before sending the letter, she read what she had written. She added:
"I hope I have not frightened you away, but your kind offer of friendship has unleashed many emotions lashed in the far corners of my mind.
"Please forgive my imposing, but you have already made me feel better.
Thank you, Chantal"
The act of sending the note gave her the feeling she was finally taking control of her life.
The next day work occupied her completely. She wanted to solve the problem for Richard yet she must do the best job possible for the company. She did not want her special feelings to interfere with her task. At the end of the day, he sent an e-mail asking if he could call her at home during the evening. She answered yes; thrilled she would be able to talk privately to him. She knew she would be alone in her house and anticipated having a wonderful chat.