Indiscreet
My life began its nosedive on the evening of 14 December, the night of my wife's company Christmas party. I had been to quite a few of these soirees over the years and, generally, had a good time meeting my wife's co-workers. This year, however, saw a change, a big change. To begin with my wife, Julie, had tried very hard to talk me out of going in the first place. Then, while at the party, I noticed she was paying a lot of attention to one co-worker in particular at the exclusion of everyone else, including myself.
I was sitting by myself nursing my glass of wine when the bank's president, Guy Samuels, sat next to me and asked if I was enjoying myself this year. I replied, "Not really. Who is that guy standing with Julie?"
Guy looked over to where I was indicating and said, "That's Julie's new boss, Chad Simmons." Guy looked at me and then asked, "You don't think anything is going on between those two, do you? Our bank has a very strict ethics code which forbids co-workers from any improprieties. Being caught in an indiscretion is cause for immediate termination, so I don't think those two would risk that."
I looked at Guy and said, "The state imposes speed limits on the highways, but that doesn't stop people from speeding. As much as I hope you are right, I'm pretty sure those two are having an affair. She's looking at him the way she used to look at me when we were first dating. She's in love and not with me anymore."
Guy looked at me with pity in his eyes and said, "Sam, I hope you are wrong for everyone's sake. Chad is married with two young children. Actually, I'm surprised that his wife isn't here with him."
"My guess is that he didn't tell his wife about the party. My wife really tried to talk me out of coming tonight. In some ways, I wish I hadn't come and continued my life in blissful ignorance, but alas, here I am."
Guy stood, patted my shoulder and said, "Well, I hope you're wrong about them." He then moved off to talk with other groups of people.
I continued to sit and stare at my wife and her paramour with what I'm sure was a very sour look on my face. Finally, Julie looked over towards me and gave me a half smile until she saw the look in my eyes, then flushed red for a moment and turned her attention back to Chad. Of the 3 hours I was at the party, Julie spent a half an hour with other co-workers, 15 minutes with me and the remaining time staring dotingly at Chad.
I had, finally, had all the fun I could take, so I walked up to Julie and Chad and said, "I think it's about time we went home. Unless you need or want to stay. Perhaps this gentleman can give you a ride. I don't think we've met, I'm Sam Butler, Julie's husband."
I stuck out my hand to shake and Chad took it as he said, "Chad Simmons, nice to meet you. I'd be happy to give Julie a ride home if she would like."
Julie got a look in her eyes like Christmas had come early as she said, "Are you sure you don't mind. I am having a good time and don't really want to leave yet."
"Whatever you want, dear. I'll see you later, but don't be too late."
I gave Julie a peck on the cheek and then turned to leave. As I fetched my coat I surmised that I was 75% correct that those two were having an affair. I went out to my car, turned on the engine to let the heater warm things up and decided to wait until the two lovebirds left to see what they would get up to. An hour later, the party broke up and people began streaming out to the parking lot.
I had moved my car from its original parking spot to a dark corner so I could observe unobtrusively. As it turned out, Chad was parked just on the other side of another car from me. I watched the two of them walking towards his car holding hands like teenage lovers. I began taking a video with my cellphone of their stroll towards the car. When they got to the car, Chad walked Julie to the passenger door, took her in his arms and with a cursory look around began kissing her passionately.
I was able to get a picture of their heads as they kissed through my open window. Much to my chagrin, Julie didn't rebuff Chad in the slightest, but seemed to exult in their embrace. When they broke the kiss, Julie said, "I love you so much, Chad."
"I love you to, Jules. When do you think we can be together again? I want you so bad."
"Sam is due for one of his trips to his corporate headquarters very soon. As you know, he's usually gone for several nights, so we can have some time together besides quickies."
"Well, as soon as you know anything let me know." They then began kissing again.
I had heard enough and started my car, which caused them to hurriedly jump into Chad's car. I pulled out with my lights off making it difficult to identify my car and then headed for home. When I got home, I thought about our daughter Lizzie who was oblivious to the hell that was about to befall our family. I went to her room to see if she was there and found that she was and that she was sound asleep.
I went into my home office, fired up my computer and began doing a check on Chad Simmons. I worked from home for a computer security company, so I have access to a lot of databases not available to ordinary people. I did some preliminary research until Julie came home, about an hour after I arrived. I went out to the living room as she walked in the door and noticed that her lips were a bit puffy, that she had some whisker burn on her cheeks and that her hair was mussed a bit. I told her Lizzie was asleep and that I was going to do a little work before going to bed. I then turned and headed back into my office and closed the door.