This is my first submission. This work would not have possible without the considerable talents my editor; Dazmine. I look forward to your comments and votes. All mistakes are mine as I couldn't leave well enough alone.
*****
Emily Danton was furiously driving to her house. She couldn't believe her own stupidity. She forgot to pack her outerwear for the trip to New York City. If she hadn't been distracted by the argument with her husband Henry, she would have already been at the executive airport. Her anger started to build, the nerve of the man. It had been a slow drip all week about cancelling the trip. He wasn't being reasonable. No amount of assurances or declarations would get him to understand. This trip was important. It was the first trip with her new boss, Barton Conway.
Henry and Emily worked at the same company; Steadfast Casualty Company. It was a good company, fair and honest. Henry was a mid level manager in the claims department, while Emily worked as administrative assistant to the executive vice president for sales and marketing; Barton Conway.
She had been his assistant for a little over three months. Sally Winters had been his previous executive assistant. She had gone on maternity leave earlier than expected; complications requiring bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy. She didn't envy Sally; three months restricted to bed. Thomas, Sally's husband, would take good care of her. She wondered when they would have the baby shower. She'd have to call Sally again. They hadn't been able to meet since Emily's promotion to her new job.
As she round the last turn to her house, she checked the time. She would be back at the executive airport in plenty of time. She parked the car and exited quickly. She opened the front door and practically ran to the coat closet. She found the coat and closed the door. She stepped to the front door, engaging the lower lock and just happened to peek at the dining room table.
There was a flower on the table with an envelope resting on a single flower. Henry! Did the bastard not understand, he couldn't make up for last night's fight with a flower. Closing the door, she walked to the table. The man had to know she wouldn't be home to enjoy the flower. It was a wasted and futile gesture. It wasn't in water and would be dying or dead by the time she return late Wednesday. As she drew closer, she begin to argue with herself if she had the time for this nonsense. She thought about sending a strongly worded text message to Henry. She decided to read the letter quickly and then head to the airport.
Sitting down, she moved the envelope and smelled the flower, it was her favorite, a Stargazer lily. Roses where perfectly nice, but she preferred the lily in her hand. She smiled in spite of her mood and set the flower down. Taking the envelope in her hand, it felt heavier then expected. Turning it over, she noticed the envelope wasn't sealed and opened it. She removed a letter and noticed a blue ribbon inside the envelope. She pulled on the ribbon and found Henry's wedding band attached. She removed the ribbon from the ring and placed the band on the the index finger of her right hand. She had performed this same action, dozens if not hundreds of times during her marriage to Henry. Whenever he was working on some project or might damage it, he would place it there himself, asking her to safeguard it with her life. An unbidden smile came from remembering the last time he put the ring on her finger.
She shook herself; remembering the time crunch. She opened the letter.
My dearest Emily,
By the time you read this the flower will be dead; like our marriage. I have spent the last six weeks fighting, cajoling and outright begging you to leave the company and move away with me. I tried to warn you about the danger Barton Conway poses to our marriage. Telling you of the damage he has already done to the Winters' marriage. All my words and warnings have gone unheeded and been dismissed as the ravings of a jealous husband.
I admit I am jealous. I'm jealous of any man who has designs on you and your body for improper purposes.
I know my last words to you where harsh, but I knew what this weekend held for you. I know by the time your ready this letter, Barton will have had his way with you. He has thoroughly fucked and used your body. He plans to use you for his sexual wants and most probably get you pregnant with his bastard child, the way he did Sally Winters.
Didn't you wonder why Sally and you could never could catch up and talk?
Sally's not on bedrest for medical reasons. She's hiding at home; attempting to keep away from Barton. Sally, much like you, attended a trip to San Francisco for an industry analyst conference. Her attendance was required and during those four days, he slowly and completely seduced her. No, I haven't spoken with her. However, I know from Thomas that Barton used the first weekend to gain leverage to blackmail her into continuing their sexual escapades. He wasn't sure if there drugs or alcohol involved in the first weekend, but he thinks there might have been. She was so ashamed when she came back and then became ensnared by the videos and pictures Barton had taken.
Yes. Your perfect gentleman Barton is a real son of a bitch, but you know that now. Don't you Emily?
I know he started out nice enough and I wouldn't have believed what Thomas said. I remember when you started working for Barton, he used to come down to my floor and apologize for the late meetings and occasional Saturday overtime. I didn't really suspect much when we had to cancel the two weekend trips I planned. It was amazing how the overtime would pop-up randomly. All very business like and with no warning. He's a predator. He found his target and began separating her from any protection.
I warned you he wasn't to be trusted. I begged you last night and told you all the terrible things he's been saying to me. It seems he learned of my visit with Thomas. He didn't even bother to deny it. He actually smiled when I told him it wouldn't work with you. I think it gave him a thrill. He didn't have to hide his intent or play nice with me. I told him I would lay it all out to you.