Layla does the deed and thinks the promotion is hers. She is relieved and happy that it is over and that she can get back to being Charlie's loving wife. Oh, how the Gods laugh when we mortals plan!
Thanks as always to LadyCibelle.
Part Two
Charlie
That night at dinner, Charlie noticed almost immediately that Layla alternated between forced gaiety and unintended sadness. He had been waiting for some indication that something was going to happen and this was as clear as a flashing light to Charlie that Layla had decided on something significant. Without any more facts, Charlie knew that he had to wait for anything unusual to surface. He remained alert but said nothing about his suspicions. Layla for her part did not notice anything different about Charlie. Of course, Charlie's intuition was heightened by his suspicions and Layla's instincts were dulled by her obsession with what she intended on doing.
Tuesday night was a rather wild night by most standards. Layla wanted to make love and she wanted to take the lead. Charlie loved this most times, but tonight it saddened him since he felt it signaled Layla's intentions to do something she felt she needed to apologize or make up for. As a man, Charlie was almost helpless to do otherwise than enjoy the attention and her ministrations, which he did. Layla was insatiable and Charlie was pressed to keep up with her. The evening passed, both were sexually satisfied and Layla fell soundly asleep wrapped in Charlie's arms. Charlie followed, but much later and less deep; his mind in a turmoil of anxiety.
When Charlie received a call from Layla the following afternoon telling him she would be home at the regular time, but that she had to go back out that same evening for a dinner meeting with some clients, he knew that the unusual occurrence he had been expecting had come. Normally she met her clients right after work and they would go to dinner together from there. Never had she gone back later. He told her that it was fine, and yes, he could stay with Christine. Maybe they could do something special together. She said she would be home by ten so not to worry.
Charlie thought about it and decided he would take the initiative now that he had more to go on. His analytical mind planned and planned and finally came up with actions. He called his neighbor and asked their daughter Sheila if she could help him set up a surprise for his wife. Layla was leaving to go to a business dinner that evening and would she come over as soon as she saw Layla leave so that Charlie could make a few trips to make arrangements for the surprise. She agreed, which would free Charlie up to drive to his wife's place of work where she would supposedly meet the clients before taking them out to dinner. According to Layla, she would make a quick presentation at the office then they would discuss details over dinner.
When he arrived home that evening, he found Layla making a quick dinner for him and Christine before running upstairs to change for the dinner meeting. Layla seemed nervous, a fact that was not lost on Charlie as he pretended everything was as it should be. It was almost seven when Layla came down, kissed him and Christine before leaving. She hesitated once; seeming like she wanted to say something, then went out the door. Once she was in the garage, Charlie called Sheila and told her that Layla was about to leave. As Layla pulled out of the garage, Sheila was coming in the back door.
Charlie gave Layla five minutes to get started before kissing Christine goodbye and pulling out to drive to her office. He was nervous, but resolute as he pulled up just in sight of her SUV. It was at the office as she said she would be but it was not more than five minutes later that she came out, followed by a tall, distinguished looking older man who Charlie assumed was Carson Jennings. She spoke to him for a second, then got into her car, but instead of driving away, she seemed to be waiting. Seconds later, the man drove past her in a sedan and pulled out of the lot with Layla right behind him.
Charlie watched the two cars pull away and as soon as he could, he pulled out to follow them at a distance. He stayed well behind them until the sedan pulled into the lot of a small motel just off the interstate. The sedan pulled up to the office and the man got out. Layla pulled in close behind and waited. When the man exited the office and got into his car, the two of them drove toward the back of the parking lot. Charlie followed, grateful that it was dark enough that with the lights on, Layla could not make out his car or who was driving. He stopped in sight of the two as they exited their cars. Charlie stopped, raised his small digital camera and waited. He was rewarded with several shots of the two of them in intimate contact before entering one of the rooms. Charlie got a good shot of them with the door open and the room number shining from the inside light.
He waited until the door closed, remained almost fifteen minutes more to be sure, then drove home. He went inside, packed two suitcases with essentials and added a small overnighter with toiletries. Before leaving, he printed out most of the better pictures and left them on the bed for Layla. She would understand. He took his bags downstairs and gave his instructions to Sheila. Once he was sure she had everything straight, he took his bags and went out to his car. It was all he could do to make it out the door before breaking down. When he finally recovered his control, he drove away.
Layla
Layla set it up with Charlie after speaking with Carson Wednesday morning. Carson was pleased at her acquiescence to his proposal and looked forward to an enjoyable evening with the beautiful younger woman. He promised her that it would be enjoyable for her as well but she didn't give him any encouragement. She simply agreed, nodded when he told her to come to the office about seven to follow him to a motel room he had reserved. They would spend a couple of hours in bed together and that would be that. He would do as he promised and she would get her promotion.
She finished out the day somehow without breaking down and when it was time, she drove home. She fixed dinner for Charlie and Christine so that they would have a nice dinner while she was with Carson. She was nervous and afraid Charlie would notice but he seemed to be fine. She wondered again why she was doing this and she reminded herself once again that it was for the promotion, the benefits she and Charlie would receive and the fact that Charlie would never know. A thought crossed her mind that this seemed to be what they meant when they said once a cheater, always a cheater. The fact that she had gotten away with it once before gave her the courage to do it again. If she hadn't done it that one time, would she have been as willing this time? Probably not!
Once Charlie was home, she ran upstairs, found some fancy underwear that she kept for special occasions and put that on. She wore a short skirt, but not too short. The blouse was nice but not special and she put on just a little makeup. She thought about her appearance for a few seconds, then went back in the bathroom and changed out of the fancy underwear and put on her regular cotton briefs. She didn't want to give Carson the idea that she would do anything special to look extra nice for him and the fancy underwear would make her look too sexy. Once dressed she went downstairs, began to leave a couple of times before finally forcing herself out the door.