The weather was unpleasant, again. This spring had been nothing but rain and I was tired of it. I loved the bright sunshine, light rains, and gentle breezes that defined my normal concept of spring. The weather here in Virginia did not meet those conditions.
Susan Sharp, 28 years old, had moved here after her husband John, who was also 28 and only a year out of law school, had gotten his 'big promotion.' It had been a great opportunity, if she allowed herself to think about it objectively. The pay bump was amazing and the associated perks had been amazing. There was a paid membership at the country club, a spa, a personal driver, maids, a big house, and of course all the social contacts anyone could want. The problem was John was always working, so their time together was almost nonexistent, and it had also required Susan to leave her friends and family in Kentucky. All her family and friends had been back there in Lexington. John and she had met in college and gotten married soon after, he started his career and she ran the house. Her days had been spent in the swirling social circles she had known all her life; it had been great. The promotion 6 months ago had changed all that and she wasn't sure if was for the better.
The ring of the phone startled me as I watched the rain outside. "Alexander residence" I stated as I lifted the receiver.
"Susan thank goodness." It was John. "I need you to bring me my briefcase, I left it in the kitchen this morning." John said in a hurried tone. "I really need one of my files this morning. Can you bring it over to the office right now?" Realizing that Stan, the driver had already headed off to run some errands I knew I would have to take it myself into town. "That's no problem dear. I'll leave in just a few minutes. Do you need anything else?" I asked.
"No that's all I can think of right now." John replied. "Okay then. Do you want to have lunch?" I asked.
"I'm meeting Jim for lunch today, so I'll check with him." John answered. Jim was actually James Baggerton, Senior partner at Baggerton, Bales, and Jones, one of the region's most successful law firms, and more importantly John's boss.
"Sounds good, just let me know. I'll leave here soon. Love you" I replied. "Love you too and thanks." John answered as he hung up the phone.
Hanging up the phone I walked into the kitchen, immediately seeing the aforementioned briefcase sitting beside the table. John and that briefcase were inseparable. Picking it up and being nosy I decided to look inside. The latches popped easily and opening it there was a jumbled mess of pens, file folders, and papers. I started to close it back when a small piece of red fabric in the top pocket caught my eye. Carefully pulling it up revealed a pair of red panties with a small note paper-clipped to the crotch. Say what?!
"Thanks for today. Here's a little something in case you forget what I smell like - Lilly" was written carefully in a bold blue script on the note. Lifting the panties, I could smell they had a soft musty odor.
I was stunned. John was cheating on me with some floozy. Thinking, I could not remember anyone at the office named 'Lilly'. Heartbroken and furious and all around stunned, I carefully slid the panties back into the pocket. Heading to the back I started to change, then pausing and smiling I decided I was going to find out who she was and then I was going to get some revenge, but first I needed to decide what I was going to wear.
Parking downtown would have been a problem, but the law office building had a private section of the parking garage, so I was quickly parked and ready to head into the building. The building was an enormous skyscraper stretching far off into the sky. The law office offices actually only filled the top five floors.
I texted to John as soon as I parked. "I'm here with your case. I'll meet you at the front desk." "K" was John's quick reply.
Walking into the lobby I was once again amazed at the grandeur of the place. Marble and brass were everywhere. Even the lobby desk was composed of blocks of marble. Walking up I saw John, Jim and a woman standing beside the desk talking. "Ah Susan thank you!" John blurted out as he took the briefcase, quickly pecking my cheek, not even noticing the dark blue dress I had chosen especially for today. "Susan, you remember Mr. Baggerton?" John continued holding his arm out to the man.
"Of course. A pleasure to see you again sir" I replied shaking his hand. James Baggerton was in his mid 50's, tall, with a full head of graying hair, a strong chin, and sharp gray eyes. "And you Susan. Please call me Jim." Jim replied. "And Susan this is my wife Lillian, but she prefers Lilly. Lilly, this is Mrs. Susan Sharp, John's wife."
I worked very hard to keep the surprise off my face. Was this the 'Lilly'? She was about the same age as Jim, but very petite. Her hair was dark, almost black, and shoulder length and her eyes seemed to glitter as she smiled. She was much shorter than my unusual 5'11", I guessed she would barely reach 5' tall and she was thin. I was not fat at 130 lbs., but she was beyond petite at maybe 100 lbs., Lilly was stunning though and almost glowed in a simple green dress. I already hated her, but I was beginning to plan my revenge.
"A pleasure to meet you Lilly" I stammered as I shook her delicate porcelain hand. "John said you were coming so I hope you can join us for lunch?" Jim intoned, as the party had already begun walking towards the exit and a waiting car. "Oh that would be lovely dear" Lillian, okay Lilly, added with a warm smile.
I was stunned. As the talk wandered around work and life and how things were going, I kept stealing glances at the dark-haired vision that was sitting beside John. John, at 6'1" and packing about 195 lbs. looked huge beside the woman. Had John been having an affair with his boss' wife? Did Jim suspect? What was going on? The benign conversation continued until we arrived at the restaurant. We were immediately seated in a quiet back corner of the very upscale establishment. We talked and gossiped through the appetizers and into the main course. Until Lilly excused herself to use the restroom. Then while she was still gone John left for the facilities as well.
Sitting with a straight view of the restrooms, I was the only one who saw a brief flash of green dress move from the lady's room directly into the men's room. It was a few minutes later when John reappeared and a few minutes later Lilly, from the Men's room. I could not help but notice John was flushed and there was a slight change in Lilly's hair style. Jim seemed oblivious, but I could see it, had seen it. My suspicions had been confirmed and now the question was what to do about it.
As the car returned us to the office lobby Lilly excused herself and headed to the parking garage. John, briefcase in hand, pecked my cheek and slipped into an elevator, leaving me and Jim alone in the lobby.
"Thank you again for lunch sir." I said as I once more shook Jim's hand. "It appears that we have been abandoned."
"It was my pleasure." Jim replied smiling and opening his hand to release mine, but I did not let go of his hand. This was the moment, I thought, all or nothing. Holding his hand and swallowing I said "Jim... would it be possible to see the city from one of the upper floors? I'm new and... I know it's not really my place..." The smile spread across Jim's rugged features. "Of course! I should have offered you that myself. Forgive this old man and his lack of manners." He replied, sweeping an arm in the direction of the executive elevator.
As the brass doors closed I watched Jim press the top most button, the 57th floor. A gentle bump and the elevator began to rise. "You know this is one of the tallest building in the city?" Jim announced as the numbers climbed. "It is so tall that we actually added an observation lounge and windows on the top floor." Then with a chuckle added "Unfortunately no one except me and my staff are allowed on that floor."