Eventually I became his defacto Plus One. I've never seen him with another woman or hear him talk about one. I don't think he's ever had a date in all the time I've known him. He's an attractive man. Tall at 6 foot 1, carries his weight well. With a full head of hair and white teeth. He could have any woman he wanted. My friends talk about him all the time. Some have even asked for me to hook them up. That's not happening.
After the trial and as business grew he started to get invited to social functions. At first he declined. I had to force him to go because it would be good for business. But than rumors about his sexuality started when he would always appear by himself. Its not that being gay is bad. Its just that he's not gay. We talked about. He was upset that people had the wrong opinion of him. I told him he needed to find someone to take to these parties. For the first time I saw fear in his eyes. It might have been easier to ask him to kill someone. I didn't know of his past. We never talked about. From that minute I knew he had been hurt terribly by someone he loved deeply.
I said he could hire an escort. He was against it. He knew some of the girls and they knew people who would be at the same social functions. It would be awkward.
To ease his mind I told him I would go with him when he needed a date. I had been divorced for some years by then. He gave me a questioning look. I explained. "All I do now is work and go home to my cat. And my cat is asking why I don't have a social life. So I have no problem being your date for these events. I don't have a lot of party clothes so it might cost you a dress once in a while. And some shoes and a purse. A girl as to look good".
"Let me think about it Alice, I'm afraid it might cause some issues here at work".
"Oh Stop Frank, no one cares what the boss does. And its not like we're in a relationship. We're two employees representing White Investigation at social events".
That was five years ago. As business grew we were invited to more and more events. He was even given a couple of community awards. We average an event a month. We have a lunch once a week to go over business. Its always away from the office. Strictly business.
Once in a while we were asked when we would get married. We never showed affection to each other but after being seen together so often it was bound to be asked. We deflected, well I deflected because during those times I thought Frank was going to pass out. Its easy to laugh it off and gave a vague answer. Once and a while I'll catch Frank looking at me when he thinks I'm not looking.
So here I am again, preparing for another civic event as a Plus One. I'm a good looking women at 52. the little gray highlights don't detract from my appearance. Even though I sit all day genetics have kept me slim but not skinny. I've been asked out many times. Some even when I was out with Frank. I've always turned them down. My girlfriends always ask me why. I say I have my reasons.
Frank is punctual as usual. I'm wearing an off the shoulder emerald green dress with a long slit that shows my legs. 4 inch heels and red lipstick. I know his favorite color, green, I went and had my hair done plus a mani/pedi. I've been a Plus One for five years. I know what I want. Tonight I'm going to get it. Mr. White won't stand a chance tonight.
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This was originally going to be a 750 word story, Then I realized it needed to be fleshed out more. So I'm 7 words short of 1000.
I have 4 stories including this I've written since submitting a story to someone who offered to edit a story. While I appreciate that he offered I'm submitting my stories without an editor.
Frank White was a secondary character in Double Fault.
