Ashley 01: Happiness
Ashley wasn't sure what to think of Heather. They'd grown up in the same house, been raised by the same loving parents, and even been baptized by the same Catholic priest. That was why the latest news in her younger twin sister's life made Ashley's heart sink in her chest. "You're cheating on Jerry?"
The phone was silent for a while and Ashley truly felt like she would cry. It had been a double wedding, Ashley marrying her husband Peter while Heather and Jerry tied the knot. The ceremony was beautiful, performed outside the house they'd grown up in just as the sun was setting, both couples dressed in white, exactly one hundred guests witnessing their vows. Ashley had been so happy that day and now she could feel the tears in her eyes.
"I can't help it, Ash," Heather defended. "Michael is everything I ever wanted."
"What kind of name is Michael?" Ashley was getting angrier now. She had introduced Heather to Jerry at a party near the end of their last semester of college. Jerry was still in his first year as a finance consultant and Heather was close to earning her bachelor's degree in biology. Six months later they were engaged with a wonderful future ahead of them.
"I don't think his name is important, Ash."
"I don't think you know what's important right now," Ashley scolded her sister through clenched teeth. "And don't call me 'Ash'."
"Alright, I'm sorry." Heather gave a low sigh while Ashley tried to calm down. "What should I do?"
"Have you told Jerry?"
"No."
"How long has this been going on?"
"About three months."
"Well, first thing's first. You should—" Just then Ashley turned her attention to the older, balding man approaching her desk. "Okay then Mrs. Micheals, I'll contact you once I have an answer. Goodbye." Ashley quickly hung up the phone and greeted the man with a smile.
"How's it going, Ashley?" the man asked. Ashley had just been hired four months before, making her the newest addition to his office staff. She had a proper but humble manner that he admired. With her five foot six, slender frame she could have any man in the office she wanted, but so far she had been nothing but friendly with her coworkers. Her strawberry blonde hair curled down to reach just passed her shoulders. Her light green eyes were almost as inviting as her smile.
"Great, Mr. Phillips. Just finished speaking with one of my clients."
"Good to hear," he said with a grin and continued to his office. A potential minx for sure, he thought, closing the door behind him.
The way Mr. Phillips stared at her always made Ashley feel uneasy. A part of her feared that he would never stop studying her and looking over her shoulder until someone newer was hired to take her place. It was Ashley's turn to sigh now as she looked at the clock. Ten minutes until her lunch break, her cheating sister would have to wait.
Ashley was just finishing her food when her eyes wandered a few tables over. Jeph was sitting at a table with three girls from an office on the fifth floor. The man was simply amazing, a new collection of girls every week. His muscular body, bleach-blonde hair, and pretty smile surely didn't hurt his efforts.
"I don't believe anyone with your blood could ever cheat on her husband," Marlo joked. The entire office new that Ashley was as loyal as women came.
"And she doesn't even seem to feel guilty about it," Ashley added, taking her friend's compliment as truth. She took the final bite of her veggie burger and wiped her fingers on a napkin. "I just don't see how."
"She's only human, Ashley. You're gonna have to let her sort things out for herself."
Ashley considered her friend's advice. She respected Marlo's opinion more than she'd openly admit to anyone she'd only known for a few weeks. Marlo had taken the newest girl in the office under her wing and shown her things that it would have taken months or more to learn. Ashley watched as Jeph stood from his chair and left his flock to stare at his ass while he walked back to his office. Ashley finally asked, "Would you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Cheat on your husband."
Marlo had never married but could easily have any man she chose. Marlo was just a bit taller, perhaps five foot eight, blonde, blue-eyed, and had full, red lips to die for. Men paid more attention to Marlo's perfect figure, though, the hourglass shape and flat stomach were the envy of many women at the company. Ashley was no sore to look at, of course, but Marlo had the bearing of a confident, single woman that attracted all the men. "I'm not easy, Ashley."
"That's not what I meant," Ashley said quickly. She had no intention of offending her new friend during their first lunch together.
Marlo laughed, almost spilling her coffee. "I'm just messing with you." She put her cup down gently and looked Ashley in the eye. "Its been a long time since I met a man interesting enough to go out with, much less have sex with."