This is a work of fiction. It's a multi-part story and is more for connoisseurs of erotic stories and not for those looking for quick and explicit sex. It's advisable to start with part 1.
***
After an uneventful flight from Bern I touched down at London City Airport on time. Thankfully this is also a small airport so it wasn't long before I passed through customs and was out. To my surprise, Chris, the founder of our start-up was waiting for me. He still looked a bit worse for wear and was joined by his long-time girlfriend Jackie.
"So, how'd it go? We got your message that everything was OK and that you were having dinner with a key decision maker and then just silence!"
"Um, yeah, sorry about that but I was busy. Like I said everything went well and I think we'll probably get the contract."
"Well that's great news! Well done Paul, I knew you had it in you!"
"Um, thanks."
"So who was it you went to dinner with?"
"It was Martin Kessler and his wife."
Chris whistled and said "Wow, he's their top guy!"
"Really? I knew he was important but not the number one. Anyway, he said he was impressed with us and that he'd already decided to push for us to get the contract."
"Fan-f-ing-tastic!"
"How are you by the way?"
"A lot better now! I was shitting bricks the whole time hoping things would be OK and when you went all silent on us, I thought something had gone wrong."
"Sorry about that." I tried to think of an excuse and decided to tell the truth minus a few details. "I was exhausted after the dinner and then went to this water park next to the hotel then went again the next morning and ended up staying there all day."
"Forget it! Let's call the crew and go out for a celebratory dinner."
With that Chris whipped out his phone and started calling the rest of the team.
"Um, shouldn't we wait till everything is signed and sealed?" I asked.
"Nah, if Kessler said it's us that's enough for me."
While Chris was calling, Jackie said "You look different somehow Paul, everything OK?"
"Yeah, just a bit tired."
"I don't mean you look bad, just something about you is different."
I wondered what she meant and was about to ask when Chris re-joined the conversation. "So ladies, let's get out of here! The others will meet us at the restaurant."
I wasn't really in the mood and would much rather just go home and call Sylvie but I could see that Chris was really upbeat and excited and didn't want to ruin the moment for him. It ended up being a really long night. Because I'm the only teetotaller in the crew I ended up having to make sure everyone got home safely before I could return to my own flat. It was almost 3 in the morning when I finally collapsed in bed and fell into a deep sleep.
I was jolted awake by the ringing of my mobile. I groggily reached over and checked the display. It was Chris. I groaned and shook myself awake before pressing the answer button. "Hello?"
"Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauty - we've got work to do!"
"Oh man, what time is it?"
"It's already 10 and the rest of us are in the office waiting for you. We've got to follow-up on your presentation."
"OK, OK, I'll try and get there in about 30 minutes."
"See you then!"
I jumped into the shower then brushed my teeth and took as swig of orange juice before getting dressed and leaving. I walked into our offices 40 minutes later and was stunned when everyone started clapping and cheering! "What's going on?" I asked.
Chris stepped forward and said "We just got an email from IPX confirming the deal!"
I was surprised that they had been proactive and said "Wow, I wasn't expecting them to be that quick!"
"Nor were we! When I called you it hadn't arrived yet and I wanted you to help draft a follow-up email. You must have really impressed Kessler because he specifically mentions you and said that it was thanks to your presentation and your confident and honest personality that they had decided to work with us."
I didn't know how to respond but luckily Chris carried on talking "Next step is to get their infrastructure ready to handle our system. Now I know you won't be happy to hear this but you're going to have to go back and stay there until everything's working perfectly."
Go back! Fantastic!! I was about to say that I was happy to return when Chris said "I know, I know, you don't like leaving London but Kessler specifically asked for you and you know the system best anyway. We can't risk any screw-ups with our first installation."
Did I already mention that Chris can be a bit of an arse sometimes? When I could finally get a word out I said "That's fine. I really liked it there and don't have a problem staying for a while."
He looked at me with a surprised expression and said "Who are you and what have they done with the real Paul?"
Everyone laughed and I blushed slightly as I wondered what they would say if they knew the truth.
Chris then said "Anyway, before all that I want to talk to you in private. The rest of you get back to work, we've got a lot to do! Come with me Paul."
I followed him to his office and after he closed the door he said "OK, spill the beans, what's going on?"
Shit! Does he know something? How could he know? "Um, what do you mean?"
"Come on! Look Paul, you know I think you're a great guy and you're brilliant at what you do, but you'd be the first to admit that you're not exactly confident when it comes to dealing with people. Kessler goes on and on about you in his email and it seems like he's talking about a totally different person!"
I decided to stick to truth and said "I don't know - we did see each other after the meeting and maybe that helped."
"You mean the dinner?"
"Yes, that and before."