Corporate Impasse

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Proviso: this is a slice of drama with no graphic sex. Will there be a HEA? This is a long story. If you prefer to avoid long tales or simply don't have time right now, please skip this. For those with adequate time and patience to continue, I placed evenly spaced chapter markers in bold for your convenience. Please forgive my preference for not breaking my stories into sequential posts. I will never write a willing cuckold story.

Chapter-1

I met the woman of my dreams while attending college at UNC-Chapel Hill. Matilda Rehnquist was all business in every way, from her timeless prescient professional appearance down to her no-nonsense glasses. She owned the girl next door look, which made her all the more appealing in her business attire to me. She reminded me remarkably of actress, Hailee Steinfeld, of the Pitch Perfect movies.

I'd glimpsed her across the way in a couple of shared classes, and though she was on my radar of women I'd fully hoped to meet, an opportunity never presented itself until after we both had graduated at the same time with our four-year degrees and resumed classes toward our Master's in Business Administration.

As luck would have it, I finagled a seat next to her in one of our mutual classes. We were taking nearly identical courses toward our Masters', but three of our classes were with different professors or at different times of the day. Before class started, I struck up a friendly conversation, hoping to turn it into more.

"Hi, Matilda, I'm Ryan Matheson."

"How do you know my name?"

"Well, for one, we're both business majors who recently graduated and now we're both working on our Masters. I've seen you quite often and, quite frankly, had hoped to meet you long before today."

"You're right, Ryan. I knew you looked familiar. I recall seeing you on graduation day. Do you have plans to go for your Ph.D.?"

"Nope, not me. I have no desire to teach. I'll be happy to secure a Master's degree and jump into the business world with both feet."

"I couldn't agree more. A graduate degree will give us a feather in our caps when we apply for a prized position. We seem to have similar goals, Ryan." Then she gave me a smile that lit up the room.

"I hope we do. Say, if you're available this Friday evening, would you allow me to take you to a real restaurant? I promise it won't be pizza or fast food."

"I'm sorry, Ryan, I already have plans with my roommate for Friday, but I'm free Saturday evening if that would work."

"Saturday would be perfect," I responded with enthusiasm. "Meet me in front of the Student Center at 6 pm?"

"See you Saturday at 6," she rejoined.

I walked on clouds until Saturday finally arrived.

Our first date was a breath of fresh air that I never knew I was missing. We were never lost for words and discovered that our life goals perfectly matched. By our third date, I felt as though I'd met my soulmate, but I didn't want to scare her off with such heady talk so soon. We worked to mesh our schedules such that we spent as much time together as we could arrange. We'd already planned to take all of the same classes and courses together next semester. Matilda Rehnquist and I were both stellar students and helped each other fully grasp all of the business principles to enhance our chances at future success in the business world. We became intimate during our third week of dating. There were no pretenses or subterfuge between us. I couldn't imagine two people who could mesh better than I did with her. She was vivacious and physically held nothing back from me.

Three weeks later, I had asked her out Saturday night to grab a bite and catch a movie. I had already purchased the movie tickets in advance at the local IMAX Theater. She apologized citing pre-made plans with her roommate. Of course, I understood but was disappointed. I decided to go ahead with the special dinner reservations I'd made but took my roommate, Jerry. We went Dutch at the restaurant but I didn't ask him to reimburse me for the movie ticket. We were watching the Top Gun: Maverick sequel on the big IMAX screen. I knew Jerry would like it as much as me. About halfway through the movie I needed the men's room. As I was exiting, I saw a couple in the back row passionately kissing, oblivious of their surroundings. I was about to pass them by when I noticed that the girl looked oddly familiar.

"Ahem!" I loudly cleared my throat.

Shortly afterward, the couple broke loose from one another and glanced my way. I received an immediate embarrassed look from Matilda. Certain now of recognition, I made a quick exit to the men's room, relieved myself, and abruptly left the theater. As I quickly stepped away, I texted Jerry indicating that I wasn't feeling well but for him to stay and enjoy the rest of the movie and tell me what I missed later. After three minutes elapsed, my phone rang. It was Matilda. I figured that she must have made her way to the ladies' room to call me. What I had seen required no explanation. Not wishing to receive any more calls or texts, I turned my phone off. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone anyway.

When Jerry returned to our dorm room, I explained what I'd seen. He felt terrible for me knowing how hard I was falling for Matilda. I asked a favor of him to misdirect her if she ever came to our dorm looking for me. Honestly, after what I'd seen, I didn't expect to hear from her. From her perspective, I now believed that I was in the category of

easy come, easy go

. Strangely enough, on Sunday morning, she did knock at our door. Jerry didn't let her in and told her I'd gone out with a couple of frat brothers. She left word for me to call her.

Not wanting to hear any cliché excuses, I steered clear of her. We didn't have any classes together on Monday, so I managed to evade her when I saw her walking toward my building after class. I ducked out the back way. We did have a class together Tuesday afternoon but I came in at the last second and sat far in the back out of her line of sight. I saw her rubbernecking several times but I was never seen by her. After a full week of eluding her, she came out of the shadows and blindsided me as I was entering my dorm room after my last class of the day. Jerry hadn't returned yet, so I couldn't use him as a buffer. She pushed us both inside the room and shut the door solidly behind us.

"Alright, Ryan. Enough of this hide and seek. We're going to act like two adults and have an adult conversation where we both get to have our say. Afterward, if you insist, I'll never darken your door again. Agreed?"

"Everything's always business with you, isn't it, Matilda? Even personal relationships. Setting terms for personal conversations now, are we?"

"In order to move forward, with or without you, this conversation is long overdue. I didn't come here to argue. I came here to discuss. I'd like your participation in this interaction after I start with some foundational information."

"Foundational information?" I chuckled. "Is that what you call swapping spit with another guy and letting him grope you in public like two animals in heat?"

"What do you think you and I do, Ryan? Haven't we done the same thing or have you already forgotten me?"

"As hard as I've tried to forget you, I've been unsuccessful. No, I haven't forgotten anything, especially what I saw you doing with another guy in the theater."

"Yes, I had a date. I admit it. So what? That's what people do isn't it?"

"A date? If you recall, I asked you to go out on that same night but you lied to me and blew me off. I've met your roommate and that wasn't Glenda that you were making out with. I thought we had something special, Matilda. You proved me wrong. Don't worry, I won't come between you and Mr. Wonderful. I'm a one-woman man but it is clear to me that you're not a one-man woman. I refuse to compete with another guy for your affection. I wish you two every happiness. Now, if you don't mind, I've got studying to do for a test tomorrow."

"I knew it! Ryan, I want you to think back on every conversation we've had since we met. Remind me of

any

discussion we ever had about either of us not dating others."

I paused and considered her challenge. I was certain that we had talked about it at some point but I was unable to recall it. Damn, she was right.

"Okay, Matilda. Though I'll not challenge your claim, I have no desire to be in a one-sided relationship where only one party is committed. Feel free to exercise your freedom and right to date and have sex with anyone else you want but I won't be a party to it. There's the door, don't let it hit you in the ass as you leave," I angrily spat.

"Listen, Ryan. Think logically for a moment. We're both students of business administration. There has been no spoken agreement binding us exclusively to one another, so it is grossly unfair of you to convict me of a crime in your heart for an offense I never committed. Besides, what you saw that night in the theater isn't exactly what you think it was."

"Maybe we haven't said the specific words but I believed we had an unspoken understanding of such a commitment. However, setting that topic aside for the moment, you lied to me. You blew me off and lied about having plans with your roommate. There's no way around that. And what I saw

exactly

was you all but having sex with another guy. I'm not blind, Matilda. Tell me I'm wrong," I said heatedly.

"You're partly right, Ryan, and partly wrong. I did lie to you; I admit it. I didn't want to hurt you or damage our relationship. I care deeply about you and that's why I lied. And although what you saw

looked

as if I was enjoying making out with another guy, what you

actually

saw was me breaking everything off from him permanently. Darrell and I dated off and on for about six months but I dated others at the same time and not him alone. When you and I began dating, I had no idea just how hard I was going to fall for you. Darrell called me many times after I began dating you and I kept putting him off. Until that night in the theater, you're the only one I've dated. Darrell pleaded with me not to break it off with him. He even said that he was okay with me dating others. He begged me not to break up with him over the phone, so, out of respect, I agreed to meet him one last time to end things with him. I figured the theater would be the perfect place because there could be no loud protests. He literally begged me to kiss him one last time as he gave me his very best moves and swore that if he was unable to change my mind about him, he would never bother me again. What you witnessed was me ending everything with him as politely as I knew how. Nothing more happened that night between him and me. I'll give you his number and he'll confirm every word I just explained."

She continued, "So basically, I'm guilty of lying to you; however, it was done as a protective measure. That's

all

I'm guilty of, Ryan. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me of that one offense, I'll never lie to you again for any reason. I love you, and I don't want to lose you. Darrell is my past and, if you'll allow it, you'll be my future. Every word I've just spoken is true. I know you're upset right now, so I'll go now and let you think about us and everything I've shared. It'll break my heart if you let me go but I'll honor whatever you decide to do with me, with us."

With that, she leaned over, kissed my cheek, and left me to my thoughts. I was stunned. She didn't deny anything and she did explain why she lied and what she was doing with him. I was stymied about what to do. Basically, she was pleading

guilty with an explanation

and placing herself at my mercy. Three days went by with no contact. She smiled brightly at me across the classrooms and waved as I kept my distance but she never crowded me. There were no texts or calls. Whatever anger I had about her lie was powerfully overwhelmed by her absence. Though I missed her terribly, I waited a full week before contacting her. I knocked on her door.

"Hello, Ryan."

"Okay, here's the thing. I'm not happy that you lied to me and blew me off to date another guy. Yet you provided what I believe to be an honest explanation. If you maintain that Darrell is in your past and you're done with him for good, and no other suitors are waiting in the wings to be dealt with, then I will forgive you under one non-negotiable condition."

She gave me a smile that melted my heart as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Non-negotiable, huh? And just what is your condition?"

"That we both swear unequivocal exclusivity to one another right here and now. If you ever desire to date anyone else besides me, you will formally end things with me

before

having that first date. No exceptions, no exclusions, no subterfuge."

"I embrace your condition enthusiastically. I'll honor my word and never lie to you again. There's no one else for me but you, Ryan. I'm yours, heart, mind, soul, and body," and she placed a burning kiss on my mouth that cemented her vow by sealing it with a kiss. Needless to say, I responded with equal passion.

"One more thing," I injected. "Let's both abandon our pasts to the past. I give you my word not to badger you about your history nor should you worry about mine. Let's fully embrace our future by restricting our intimacy solely to one another.

"I couldn't agree with you more, honey. I can't wait to build a future with you," she confirmed.

With that hiccup behind us, we fell madly in love, holding nothing back; communication became paramount. We never left anything unsaid. We helped each other finish our college curriculum and receive our Master's degrees with honors in Business Administration. On graduation night, I dropped to one knee, and in the presence of family and friends, I proposed. Seven months later, we became Ryan and Matilda Matheson, ready to take on the world of business.

Matilda and I engaged in numerous discussions about our career goals and life objectives. We were both completely devoted to one another yet, at the same time, bound and determined to pursue our paths up the ladder of success in the business world. Equally driven to succeed at our career ambitions, we confirmed our mutual goals.

She recounted our mutually agreed-upon resolutions. "Leaving no stone unturned, Ryan, I believe it's great that we communicate as well as we do. That's how I know we are a

forever

couple. Our marriage is an invincible covenant. We're a team that cannot be defeated or overcome by obstacles. We have a bond that is so strong and unshakeable that it cannot be challenged, damaged, or destroyed. Neither of us wants children for quite some time, if ever. We want nothing to interfere with our career aspirations. Right?"

"Precisely, Matilda. Who knows? Maybe one day but that will be way down the road if at all. We are both career-minded individuals who are willing to do what it takes to succeed in our careers. Our friends will call us DINKs (

dual incomes no kids

) and our parents may frustratingly call us selfish for not giving them grandchildren. When that happens, we'll have each other's backs," I assented.

"It seems unfair to me to subject a kid to having business maniacs for parents. Having kids is pure narcissism, people spitting out carbon copies of themselves. To that end, and because we both abhor condoms and don't trust birth control pills, I'll get a tubal ligation to ensure that there are no surprises. I think it best that I get the snip because my body will only be tasked to deal with one egg per month for disposal. If you undergo a vasectomy, your body would have to contend with millions upon millions of sperm every month. If we ever change our minds about children down the road, my tubal ligation could be reversed."

"I won't argue with you about your choice to undergo the procedure, Matilda, but if you change your mind at the last minute, I have no reservations whatsoever about a vasectomy. However, what you say makes sense and sex will be even more fun with no fear of pregnancy to haunt us." In complete agreement, we were both happier than either of us believed possible.

Matilda and I both poured over every business opportunity together to enable us to make the best choices for our jobs to embark on our career paths. We agreed that it would be best to work for different companies for several reasons. One would be to avoid any husband/wife prohibitions that many companies still observe. A second reason was so that we would not be competing for the same ladder rungs within the company, pitting us against one another as we strive to advance our careers. A third reason would be to avoid any improprieties and office politics with coworkers thinking that we were secretly helping each other rather than our fellow team members. Working for different companies would also free us to discuss our options and obstacles and together brainstorm ways to help each other overcome any impediments to advancing within our respective companies. At the same time, we agreed to respect our employers by not disclosing proprietary information that might compromise them in any way with the competition. With these provisions firmly entrenched, we began the process of selecting potential employers for interviews.

Separately, we each chose seven businesses with which we wanted to interview, businesses whose vision and business plans aligned with our career objectives. We agreed to wait and not contact the companies that we had both unknowingly selected and decided to interview with them as a last resort, only after failing to secure other employment. We encouraged each other daily and compared notes on interview questions and the most effective ways to promote ourselves as assets.

I was offered employment at two firms that I felt good about and accepted an entry-level managerial position with Alliance Enterprises. It took Matilda an additional week to nail down a position with Fusion Group Corporation. Both companies were conglomerates and also venture capitalists with multiple divisions. Alliance was heavily invested in the sports industry while Fusion Group was an amalgam of food handling, distribution, and food service companies, among multiple smaller diverse divisions. Since there was no direct competition between our employers, we often shared ideas and problems to overcome to assist both of us in climbing our respective corporate ladders.

Matilda and I were fully engaged with our careers and often spent extra hours in the office to maximize our effectiveness and make inroads toward promotions. Though we often had fast food delivered to our respective desks in the early evening hours, we always managed to save one weeknight for dinner together, usually Wednesdays but the day was subject to the demands of our jobs. We enthusiastically supported one another in every way and made a point of frequent intimacy to cement our bond. After several years of advancing within our companies, many of our friends and coworkers were dealing with the needs and demands of children. We often privately reveled in remaining DINKs. We were members of a high-class country club where we hobnobbed with the uber-wealthy and were able to travel to exotic vacation destinations without adversely affecting our savings.