My wife Jan has a submissive streak that seems to run deeply through her soul. She has been hoping for me to be more dominant and to take charge more in our relationship. I on the other hand have always thought of us as equal partners; no one is more in control than the other. Several times, through the years of our marriage, I have attempted to be more of the alpha partner, the one in charge. This has never worked as I felt uncomfortable being dominant or controlling of Jan and she would be unhappy as it never felt natural for her when I did that. We were simply two people who were madly in love and on equal footing but she always longed for something more. We had decided to try to find her a dominant playmate/lover to fulfill her need for submission but had been unsuccessful until we met Khalid. That relationship however just was not the situation we were seeking. So Jan continued to yearn and we continued to seek out someone to be her alpha.
After Jan finished her story we sat there in silence looking at one another. I felt very proud of her as she had just told me how she had driven over to Khalid's house to tell him of her decision to terminate their bizarre relationship. She may have been taken completely off-guard by his having already vacated his home for Saudi Arabia and her meeting with Al-Kaziz but she had accomplished her goal. She was now free from Khalid's control.
Within a day of her meeting with Al-Kaziz the news services were filled with reports on the shake-up in the Saudi royal family and the imprisonment of many of the princes. Khalid's name was never in the news reports as he was one of the princes who were aligned with the Crown Prince. Jan and I had listened to the reports in anticipation of hearing his name and his imprisonment. We were not sure if we were relieved or disappointed.
Jan and I did not discuss the rest of her meeting with Al-Kaziz that evening nor in the following days as life often gets in the way. We went to bed shortly after dinner and made love as only a couple who is deeply in love with one another can. It was sweet but intense and we both reached our climaxes together and although it was satisfying for me I just felt that it was not quite enough for Jan. She never said anything but the ending came too soon and our coupling ended too quickly it seemed for her. We both fell asleep in each other's arms from the emotional release as well as from the physical act itself.
Friday, it seemed, was like any other Friday. We both arose early for our run and then it was a repeat of Wednesday as we both ate and made our way to work. I was feeling not just relief but also elation for Jan who would hopefully be told today of her, previously discussed, new sub-contracting job and the implied increase in salary that would accompany it. We always needed the money as we both were paying-off substantial college loans as well as the debts that had accumulated in purchasing and furnishing our home.
I went to work having forgotten or simply dismissing her sexual activity with Al-Kaziz and his offer of a role for her as his mistress from the evening prior. Perhaps I did not want to reflect on it or I hoped that she would also ignore it and it would simply go away. Maybe I wanted her to become more involved with him. Jan did not tell me of her decision and what followed it until later; much later. This is what she told me:
"We had such a wonderful morning on Friday I decided to ignore the card that was tucked-away inside of my purse. My work-out went well and I was feeling alive and refreshed having rid myself of the heavy burden I had been carrying. You were being sweet and understanding, as usual, and I was hoping we could go back to our lives from before we had met Khalid. I drove into work thinking through the list of items I had to accomplish today. I was hoping to lose myself in my work and just enjoy my job.
I logged into the system and was just reviewing my emails and phone messages when I received a call from the managing partner of the firm. He asked me to meet with him and one of the senior partners in a small conference room in 15 minutes. I assumed it was an update on one of several cases that I was involved with and didn't think anything of it. I walked in on the two men as they were conversing. I sat down in one of the empty seats and opened my IPad.
"Good morning Jan, thank you for coming so quickly as we are aware of how busy you have been." Said Gerald Barnes the managing partner of Johnson, Warner and Keys, my boss.
"Yes good morning Jan." Said William Johnson.
"Good morning sirs. How are you this morning?" I asked with a pleasant smile.
They both informed that they were doing well and that they had some important business to discuss about me about a major client. Both of these men had built this firm up to where it was today and they were impressed by my work and wanted to offer me a new position. They were serious but friendly in their demeanor.
"Jan we know that you are familiar with the firm's largest client; S.A. Rofco. They have expressed interest in contracting for some additional services from our firm. This contract should provide revenue enhancement for the firm that will benefit all of us and especially you." Explained Johnson.
"This will mean a change in responsibilities for you and an opportunity for additional growth for you as well." Said Barnes. "Jan we have decided to create a new position in the firm; Director of Information Services."
"This position will report directly to the managing partner and we would like offer you this new position. It will entail a substantial increase in your salary as well as your position with the firm." Explained Johnson.
"Wow this is exciting. When would I start in this new position?" I asked nervously.
"Monday morning and your first assignment will be to be onsite with S.A.R. bright and early Monday morning. You will work for them in this first phase; one day per week. If additional time is needed we will have to work out the details with them." Said Barnes.
The two men then took about an hour to explain how important it was to work together with this important client and how I would be doing the firm a great favor by accepting this new position. They then told me that my salary would increase by $10,000 with this new position. I agreed to the terms and signed the offered contract that afternoon. I was back to my desk by 9:30.
I had almost forgotten about Al-Kaziz and his offer. I pulled out his business card and read through it. I put it back into my purse. I went and got myself a new cup of coffee as my previous one had grown cold. I had a debate going on in my head that almost caused me to spill my coffee due to my preoccupation. I sat back down at my desk. I pulled the business card from my purse again and I read over it. I looked at the clock. It was 9:45. I got up from my desk and went to the restroom, I spent a few minutes in there and then I examined my face in the mirror. I stared into my own eyes for a few minutes pondering what I should do; call or not.