A Step Too Far

DAN

I heard the distinctive sound of an incoming message on my phone, as the day was approaching midday. I'd been having a pretty normal Monday up till this point. I own and operate a mid-sized consultancy firm that I'd built from scratch almost 20 years ago that now had close to 50 employees, with plans to expand in the near future. I was at my desk, working through my early morning paperwork as per usual.

Hmm, my personal phone, that's unusual. Only a select few people have this number, my wife, my two kids and a few very close friends. They know not to use it unless it's an emergency, so I took close notice and read the message with interest.

'Dan. I've sent you an email you need to see. Alone. I'm sorry'

The 'Alone. I'm sorry' is what sent a small chill up my spine. This was confusing and slightly disturbing, and definitely not like Jason at all. I knew I had to see this email, and now. I buzzed Barbara, my PA and told her to hold all calls and visitors for a while. I opened the email in my personal account and saw a video attachment, which I opened and was shocked at what I saw. There, on the screen, was one of my closest friends, looking...well, looking devastated.

"Hello, my name is Jason Andrews. Initially, everyone seeing this video will know me, that may not be the case for those later on. What I am about to divulge in this video will cause a lot of pain and heartache on some innocent people, and I am honestly sorry for that, but I am also in so much pain that this is all I can think of doing"

At this point I watched as Jase broke down and began to sob before reaching for the mouse in front of him. I was confused. He looked like death warmed up and his words were spoken with great sadness and some slurring.

What the hell is going on? What has happened since Saturday when I was playing golf with him? Sure, he seemed a little distracted and off his game, but nothing like this. The video immediately resumed and it was obviously a short time later as Jason had stopped crying but was still looking so distressed.

"Sorry about that" he smiled sadly and paused, obviously gathering his thoughts. "I have a little story to tell you. About 2 months ago, I discovered that my wife, Sara Andrews, was having an affair with her boss, Clare Summerville. Yes, apparently my wife of the last 14 years, and mother of my two, sent from heaven children, is a cheating lesbian slut! And I have no idea how long they have been fucking each other."

At this I saw the pain and devastation just saying these words had on my friend, as he again broke down before the scene showed a short slideshow of Sara, my friends wife, and Clare, my friend, my married friend, and the Manager of HR and Personnel of my company, clearly kissing and fondling each other, albeit with clothes still on. What the fuck!! I sat in stunned silence as I again watched the tears fall from my friends eyes and drop down his shirt as the screen cut back to Jason.

"I...I....I wish that was all that there was......"

More sobbing from him as I sat and watched the total disintegration of a man I respected more than just about any other. I was fighting the tears myself as the pain he showed was gut wrenching to see.

The screen changed to a scene that will stay with me forever. There, as clear as day, was Clare, laying on a bed on her back, while Sara, was obviously fucking herself onto the strap-on dildo Clare wore, grunting and moaning. This scene only lasted a few seconds, before seeing Clare wave her hand, then another person entered the room. It took only a fraction of a second for me to recognise Derek Wilson, my married Finance Officer and in-house counsel, as he moved in behind Sara and forced his cock into Sara's ass. She shrieked and screamed, before Clare, grabbed her face and kissed her aggressively, wrapping an arm and her legs around Sara, holding her tightly.

I wasn't sure whether it was a scream of pleasure or of pain, but I honestly didn't give a fuck right then. I was surprised that as I looked at these people I didn't really appreciate how gorgeous Sara was. Sure Claire was attractive, but Sara, well she was a few steps above her. Sara's body was delicious and smooth and full bodied. She was erotic in ways that most other women couldn't compete with.

Strangely though, my mind did quickly jump back to this morning's executive meeting, where these three, as well as Marcel, my Manager of Sales and supply and two other PA's were also present. I remembered the increased level of animosity and shortness in speech between them all. I asked what was going on and was assured it was just a personal difference of opinion. Maybe everything wasn't all butterflies and roses in cheater town. Fuckers!

"As you can see, the person I loved more than anything in this world," sob "my best frie..he..he..hend," aching sob. "my love, my life" bawling, wracking, painful crying. "has become a dirty, filthy, disgusting, cheating, sluting, gang-banging, fucking WHORE!!!!"

This was ended with anger, touching on rage as the pain gave way to hate for a moment. I was close to openly crying myself now, seeing this strong, proud and selfless man collapse in on himself right in front of my eyes.

I was so pissed off, I felt like I was going to explode. I wanted to walk out of my office right then and go and slap both those bitches and punch fuck out of Derek. But first I reached for my phone, why hadn't I done this earlier, and tried to ring Jase. His mobile was off and the home phone went straight to voicemail.

There was a knock on my door. "Not now Barbara" I seethed, "I need some more time alone"

"I'm sorry Mr Whittaker, but there are some Sheriff's here and they insist on seeing you"

Sheriffs', what do they want? I went to shut down the video and was shocked to see Jase just staring out at me, looking so tired and destroyed and beaten. I was more shocked now as I noticed the drink in his hand, Jason doesn't drink.

"I'm sorry for what I have to do. I'm sorry for hurting people who don't deserve to be hurt. I hope you can understand and forgive me"

The video ended and went black. What did that mean? Shit, this was worrying me. I went to my door and opened it to find three Officers standing menacingly at Barbara's desk. Each held manila envelopes in their hands and stern expressions on their faces. I recognised two of them, as I had seen them at a few gatherings at Jason and Sara's house.

Jason's sister Elizabeth (Beth) is married to one of the departments officers, Brad, so we all crossed paths a few times, since Jason's place was pretty big and had a lot of room for parties etc, unlike Beth and Brad's. Jason is a big supporter of the Sheriffs kids cancer charity events, like softball and fun-runs etc, so all the guys like him. Jason was one of those guys that could talk to anyone on any level and his easy nature and genuine decency always made people feel at ease around him. You couldn't help but like the guy.

"Mr Daniel Whittaker?" the lead Officer asked. He knew who I was so why the need to ask?

"You know who I am. We've met several times John"

"I'm sorry Daniel. Procedure. You've been served"

I took the envelope that was now almost thrust into my hand with a look that must have been one of shock and confusion. But before I could ponder it too much,

"Can you direct us to a Mrs Sommerville, a Mr Wilson and a thing called Mrs Andrews" The last name was almost hissed through clenched teeth.

I heard Barbara gasp and I glanced to see a wide eyed and very shocked expression on her face. Thankfully, Barbara was a very professional and very discrete PA, so a quick look from me was enough to silence her any further, as she quickly put her head down and pretended to work.

I got another message on my phone and read it. It was another apology from Jase. I had a good idea where this was all going now, and strode off towards their respective offices, indicating to the officers to follow. I walked straight past a confused Sara, sitting at her desk and almost slammed the door off its hinges as I barged into Clare's office.

"Clare Sommerville" I almost spat.

One of the Officers entered and walked towards Clare as I exited and strode towards a confused looking Derek, another Officer in tow.

"Derek Wilson" I said with some disdain. The urge to punch that dopey, confused look off his face, was almost overpowering me right then.

John stayed with Sara, who was looking shocked and confused at what was going on. Naturally, the other employees were all starting to focus on us as to be expected, but once they saw the look in my eyes, they all scattered quickly.

I realised I was breathing heavily and sweating slightly, not with exhaustion, but with a level of rage I had not felt in some time. A drunken sales rep groped my wife and exposed her breasts in a braless gown at a function a few years ago. He regretted that action very quickly. Surprisingly, a smile flitted across my face as I remembered how after going home and getting over the distress of what he did, my wife was very appreciative of her White Knight saving her honour. Very appreciative. I smirked at the memory.

I noticed that Clare's and Derek's doors were closed and a menacing John was now leaning over a sobbing Sara. On the computer screen in front of her was the same video playing that I had already seen.

When the sex scene played, Sara wailed like a wounded animal. I could hear John talking, low and hostile as he removed Sara's hands from her face and directed her to the screen.

"Keep watching you cunt. Watch, and see what you have done to one of the best guys I know. He loved you with everything he had and more. Look! Look at him! See his agony." He paused as Sara babbled on about being sorry, and it's not what it looks like, and it didn't mean anything. She loves Jason, only Jason, forever Jason.

I was totally emotionless at the scene before me as with a long and withering look, John stated coldly, "Sara Andrews'. You've been served" Sara howled and almost collapsed.

John just stood impassively until she looked at his hulking figure again, then he followed with, "And this is a Restraining Order. You are not permitted to be within 100 metres of your home, your husband or your children. You are to have no contact with any of them and to only contact them through your respective lawyers. There are full details contained within the Orders I am now giving you. Do you understand these Orders Ms Andrews?"

Sara was almost hysterical now and John had to ask for a response several times before he got one. Whilst all this was going on, I could hear the odd cry, scream, wail and moan coming from the two offices behind me. I could imagine what was going on in them.

I later found out that the two Officers in with Clare and Derek, also made them watch the video, and served them with papers for Alienation of Affection and Breach of Contract. They also gave them a fairly comprehensive run down of their marital status and the fact that these same videos had been sent to their respective partners.

John came over and spoke quietly to me, asking me to only suspend the three of them without pay until after any legal issues are resolved, that way the spouses will end up with a better result financially in court than if they had no job per say. Why let them screw the people they have betrayed even more. I smirked.

"Sir, would you like us to assist by escorting these employees from the premises pending your internal investigation?" John smirked at me.

We had been joined by the other two Officers and two very distressed and bewildered senior Managers. I looked at the three, god, I couldn't even look at them as people any more, in front of me.

"The three of you are immediately suspended without pay for suspected breaches of the company employment, conduct and ethics code. You have two minutes to collect any personal items from your work area and these fine Officers, who have volunteered to assist, will escort you from the premises. You are to leave behind your work phones, laptops and any memory sticks in your possession, and car keys to your work vehicles. If you have any company property whether physical or intellectual at your private residences it is to returned immediately. Failure to do so will result in criminal charges being pursued." I glared at the three of them.

"I'm sure you gentleman will be happy to enforce these things for me?"

There were three nods of ascent accompanied by satisfied smirks from the Officers as the bewildered three were shuffled to their work areas and watched closely as they gathered their things. Then came the walk of shame as they were all walked slowly, heads down, the two women still sobbing, through the main floor of the office to the elevators.

I heard a weak Sara, "I need to talk to Jason. I need to see my kids!"

"Even try to do that and you will spend the night in gaol" John informed her.

Sobbing again, "But where will I go? Can I go home? I want to go home"

"No!" followed by more sobbing as the elevator doors closed.

"What the hell was that all about?" Marcel whispered from behind me. I hadn't even noticed he was there. I took him into my office and told him the edited story, I didn't show him the video, I didn't feel it was my place just then.

We discussed the immediate issues regarding at least temporarily filling the recent vacancies and the short and long term ramifications to prepare for. Once we had the basics sorted we decided to let it all sit till the morning. It was just before 2pm and I needed to get out of there and clear my head. Plus I was really hungry. I walked outside and took a couple of deep, cleansing breaths. I got my phone out and pressed the speed-dial.

"Hi lover" came the purr from the other end making me smile straight away. After a quick chat I walked uptown, stopping off at a florist and a cafe along the way. I needed her right now to soothe my soul, that now felt tarnished, and to make me feel warm and secure again. I entered her building and went to her quiet, non-descript room, entering silently.

There before me stood the sexiest woman I have ever seen. She smiled and approached me so gracefully and smoothly, her kiss taking my breath away like always. God I love my wife. I told her everything that had occurred that morning and held her as she was sobbing in my arms. We clung to each other tightly as I wondered 'Where was Jason and how was he?'

THE KIDS

"Come on Karen, hurry up", yelled her brother, Patrick. Karen jogged up beside her brother, reaching him as they got to the door. It was always good to get home from school and the pair couldn't wait to have some of the snacks they knew were in the fridge waiting for them. As they entered the house, they didn't even notice that the door wasn't locked, what they did notice was the smell.

"Daddy?!?!" Karen gasped. Patrick swivelled around to look at where his sister was now staring wide eyed and open mouthed. There, lying on his side in the study, was their father, dishevelled and a pool of vomit around his face and head.

"Dad!! Dad!" Patrick yelled as he ran to his Fathers motionless body. He sighed thankfully as he heard his Fathers laboured breathing as he crouched over him. He checked his mouth and made sure it was clear, just like he'd been taught in his first aid courses, and left him on his side.

"Oh my god! Mum?" came a strained and confused gasp from Karen.

'Oh god, what now', thought Patrick, as his eyes shot to hers in complete panic.

Karen was staring in terror over his shoulder at something. He was almost afraid to look, but he knew he had to. Turning with some trepidation, his eyes widened as he saw the image on the computer screen. It was a still of their Mother, and she was....she was.....she was naked, with two other people, doing....having...... Patrick felt the disgust in his stomach as he lunged towards the screen and turned it off, breathing heavily in his own pain.

He looked down at his Father and saw the empty bottle of alcohol nearby, looked back at the now dark screen, that image now etched into his memory, then back to his Father. Suddenly Karen rushed to him and held him tightly as she sobbed into his chest, which helped to break his thoughts and bring his mind back into focus. Looking around he picked up the phone as he held Karen firmly in his other arm. After ringing for an Ambulance, Patrick then rang his Uncle Brad and told him what he found, before hanging up the phone and sitting on the floor by his Father, Karen still clinging to him.

The next 30 minutes were a whirlwind for the children as the Ambulance Paramedics arrived and dealt with their Father. Their Uncle Brad arrived shortly after they did and tried his best to shield them from what was going on, but from what they told him, he was far too late. They had seen far too much for children of their ages to ever see, and he knew the damage would need to be dealt with in the future. He rang his wife and after calming her down, he collected the children and followed the Ambulance to the hospital, where Elizabeth would meet them. 'Damn it Jason.' He thought. 'Why did you do this to yourself? You told me you were ok. Damn it, I should have known better.'

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Jason and Elizabeth's' Father left when he was 14, and she was 11. Their Mother ended up, through a combination of drinking and sleeping pills, leaving this world 4 years later. Their Father had cheated on her and left them all to be with another woman 10 years younger than him. During the couple of years before he left, their Father was emotionally and physically abusive to them all, most of all, their Mother. This totally devastated all of them and at 14, Jason was required to mature too fast and had to take on the role of parent that was now left vacant by those that were supposed to fill the position.

Both kids despised their Father and naturally this flowed on to any and all people who cheated on their partners. After watching how being cheated on destroyed their Mother, especially through the alcohol abuse, Jason never drank a sip of alcohol, ever. And looking after his Sister was more important than going out or partying with his friends. To Elizabeth, Jason was her world. He was her brother, her best friend, her Father and sadly, her Mother all rolled into one person.

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At the hospital, Brad and Beth took the kids aside whilst the medical staff treated their Father. Obviously they were very upset and after what they saw of their Mother, confused and distraught. Once Jason had been treated he was placed in a private room and allowed visitors, even though he was still unconscious.

"He should be just fine once he wakes up. He might have a nasty headache and feel pretty off colour for a while, but otherwise he should recover ok. We had to pump his stomach, so that will leave his throat a bit sore for a few days. We've given him a couple of shots and left him on a drip to replace his fluids and electrolytes" the young Doctor on duty informed them.

"Thanks Doc, that's good news." Elizabeth replied with a relieved sigh as she hugged the kids to her.

After the Doctor left they all stood close to Jason, Karen refusing to let go of his hand. Patrick stood behind his sister, his hands holding her shoulders, comforting her, as she sat in the chair clutching her Fathers hand. They were mirroring Elizabeth and Brad as they did the same, though Elizabeth was leaning in closer whispering into her Brothers' ear and placing soft kisses on his cheek.

The bond between her and her Brother was very strong, so strong that even Brad accepted he would always have to share the love of his wife with him and he was fine with it. He knew all too well the history of them both and what they suffered at the hands of both parents, and understood how this forced them together.