The Vengeful Christmas Gift

We've all become accustomed to the standard types of deceit, dishonesty and deception in our lives. Not trusting car salesman and politicians is pretty much a given. And no doubt everyone reading this has worked with a co-worker who is only interested in climbing the corporate ladder at all costs. People who will step on whoever they want to achieve their career goals. But what isn't something we expect or plan for is to have the person we love and trust the most in our lives turn out to be a deceitful selfish person who we begin to feel we don't even know.

That all ran through my head as I looked down at the necklace. Custom made to my exact design. As I looked at it the jeweler asked, "Are you sure that is what you want?"

"Yes it's perfect," I replied.

He shook his head. "You're the customer and it's your money. I hope it's worth it."

I took a deep breath, "Me to."

Let me start from the beginning. I'm Luke Somple. 36 years old, manager of a financial analysis department of a well known manufacturing company. I have a college degree and even an MBA. I grew up and have always lived in Ohio. In college I was lucky enough to see a cute girl sitting in a common area at Youngstown State University and decided I had to say hello. Her name was Samantha Carson and we connected instantly. She is two years younger than me and attractive in an unassuming sort of way. Any time we weren't in class we were talking or coming up with some new adventure for ourselves. I was crazy in love with her and knew I had found my soulmate and life partner. I couldn't envision life without Sam. We got engaged when I graduated with my undergraduate degree. We got married when I got my MBA and she got her undergraduate.

Our marriage was great. We enjoyed being together and were always on the go. Samantha, or Sam as most call her, got a job with a systems implementation company called Crystal Systems. I got a job with a manufacturing company as a plant accounting manager. Sam's job required her to travel from time to time. Usually just a few days here or there.

A little over a year after we married we had twins, Carly and Noah. Noah is a bit quiet and Carly was outgoing. She was self-confident and very much her own person from day one. Having a young family was a challenge and I pitched in a lot. Sam and I had a pretty good 50/50 split on things. But with her job there were times I had to do more than that. I didn't mind since Noah and Carly were such a joy.

Our sex life was good. Ups and downs like any married couple. A few years later Jon was born and we decided that three was a good family size and I got a vasectomy.

Around this time we hit a challenging period in our marriage. The kids were a little more time consuming and Sam was traveling more with a new role she took at Crystal Systems. We tried to carve out time to be together and that helped, but it was still stressful. Looking back on this time in our marriage I can now understand why.

Life continued and all seemed to be going well. Sam always seemed engaged in the marriage and was always affectionate to me. True there were times when our sex life tapered off, but at the least we had sex once a week. The times she had a long trip we would have sex the day before left and the day she got back. About three years ago her travel started to decline. I was happy about that and we had more time together. She started to make a point of us dedicating time alone with each other.

Then two things happened in our lives that were traumatic. First, her Dad was killed in a car accident. Sam was devastated. I was there every second for her and I could tell my support meant a lot to her. Then a year later, a year and a half ago, her Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Sam's sister Claire lives on the West Coast so she didn't have much help with her Mom. That's where myself and my parents filled in.

My Mom Jane is a force to be reckoned with. Strong willed, a solid moral compass, big sense of humor, smart in a practical common sense way. She spent every day helping with Sam's Mom. My Dad Andy did what he could as well. Sam was extremely thankful to them and while my Mom and Sam had a very good relationship, they grew even closer.

Near the end Sam was a wreck and while I always made sure Sam knew that she was the number focus of my life, I tried even more to be supportive. Sam pulled me aside once and said some things to me that in hindsight were very interesting and telling.

The conversation went something like this. "Luke, I want to say something to you if we can spend a few minutes." I recall her looking at the ground and fidgeting a lot. She was clearly nervous but at the time I took it as being related to the overall stress with her Mom's health.

She went on, "I love you. I watch you and I see the most amazing man. I can't live without you next to me. In the morning when I wake up it's the most comforting thing in the world to have you next to me. I," Her voice broke up for a moment, "I feel that I haven't, I know that I haven't always been the wife you deserve. I haven't always been there for you with 100% of myself like you've always been there for me. I know I have some things about myself I have to make better. And I will for you. Believe that. I know I'm the luckiest woman for having you in my life. I mean that with all my heart. Please know that even when that doesn't look like it's the case, I love you. You're my soulmate. I know that absolutely and without question."

We hugged and she broke down sobbing for over five minutes. I just held her. I looked at her and said, "Sam, you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. I can't imagine life without you. I literally feel like I would die and disappear if you weren't in my life. Always know that I'll put 100% of myself into our relationship no matter what." She broke down again and hugged me harder than she ever had before.

She released her hug and kissed me. "I love you. Make love to me tonight when we get home and hold me all night."

I brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her, "I would love that."

The next day we visited her Mom and it was obvious that she wasn't going to be with us much longer. She looked at me and said, "Luke can I have a few minutes alone with Sam?"

I said, "Sure," and left and closed the door.

I sat and waited and it felt like forever. Sam came out of the room absolutely bawling her eyes out. "Oh God is she ok?" I said thinking she had passed away. Sam nodded and practically fell into my arms.

She held on to me sobbing. She didn't say anything and then took a deep breath and said, "she wants to talk to you now." Sam had a concerned look on her face along with the deep grief. I nodded and went in.

I decided to make light of the situation. I adored Sam's Mom. Josephine and I got along great. In some ways she reminded me of my own Mom. I sat down, "So it's my turn for you to give me shit huh?" I gave her a big smile and held her hand.

"Now you deserve to be given shit," she said with the best smile she could muster.

"Jo can I say something first?" She nodded. I said "I sort of hit the mother-in-law lottery with you. I've pretty much enjoyed every minute we've ever spent together. You're an absolute angel and God did it right when he created you. I love you. I feel blessed having had you in my life."

She teared up for a minute. "I love you to. Obviously I've been around a few years and have met lots of people. You're a wonderful man. No secret that a mother watches her daughter's husband like a hawk whenever she's around him. Your demeanor with Sam, the way you look at her and talk to her. I couldn't be more happy that you two are together. I know Sam loves you deeply. I know that and have never questioned that. And I see that you love her with all your heart. I know that no man could love a woman more than you do. Just always remember how she feels about you as you're faced with challenges in life. There may be times when you have to remind yourself about that. Don't forget that even if you need her to prove that she's 100% committed to you and your marriage to get through challenges. Promise me that?"

I was a little confused by what she just said. "Absolutely Jo, I promise."

"You promise what?" she asked wanting me to say back to her what she just said to me. She wanted to be perfectly certain that I heard her and had a very serious look on her face. I restated what she had said and she smiled and had a relieved look on her face, "Good".

She sighed and said she was tired and wanted some rest. I said ok and left the room. Sam came over to me and could see I was a little bit in shock. Sam asked, "What did she say?"

I said, "Just that she sees how much I love you and that no man could love a woman more. And that I need to always remember that you love me even when it looks like you don't."

Sam didn't say anything and just hugged me. "I do love you and I promise that I'll do what it takes so that you never question my commitment to us."

The next day Sam's mom was in rougher shape and that night she passed away.

The weeks after that were a stressful time to say the least. Sam looked distant at times. I would ask her what she was thinking and always got, "Nothing really." I didn't believe that but couldn't put a finger on what it was. I did notice something though a few months later that I put down to her Mom passing away. Sam was traveling even less than she had before and she was more interested in scheduling time with me to do things. That brings us up to the current day.

It was a normal day at work. At least that's how it started. The phone rang and I saw it indicated that the call was coming from Crystal Systems. I thought it must be Sam calling because her cell phone must be dead. I picked up the phone, "Sam?"

"No," a woman's voice said, "But I wanted to call you about her. She's been having an affair with a man named Trent Brewer. It's been going on for years. I thought you should know. Also know that she loves you deeply and is really in turmoil over this. I believe she wants to make things right." Click the phone hung up.

I sat there stunned for a minute thinking what the hell was that. Who was that? My heart raced and I felt like I was going to faint.

There were no indications of Sam cheating that I could quickly point to. In fact if anything it felt like she was more attentive to our relationship. I was in shock. Then I realized something, I had heard that woman's voice before. I'm pretty good with voices and things like that. I was certain I'd talked to her before. I just had to figure out where. Things like this will pop up in the middle of the night or days later. I hoped that would happen this time.

I felt I needed to take this seriously but where to start. I had nothing except a name. A name that was vaguely familiar. That was enough for now. I jotted some ideas on a piece of paper of what to do. The first thing was to call a friend of mine who seemed to know everyone everywhere.

"Stephen, it's Luke," I said with a somewhat frantic tone.

"Hey what's up? I was thinking about you I saw a story about car racing that was interesting," He replied.

I cut him off, "That's great I need some help."

He didn't say anything for a few second and then sounding serious as a heart attack, "What do you need? Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fabulous," I said sarcastically.

He reacted with, "woooo. Ok. How can I help?"

"I, umm, fuck, I need a private investigator." Again silence for a few seconds.

Sounding like someone just died he replied, "Fuck. Ok. I know a guy. He's good from what I know. Was in the Army with him. Matt Leone. Top notch spy shit. Listen Luke, you don't have to say anything else, I'm really sorry. I've seen you guys together and would have never thought this could happen to you."

"I never thought either but I just got a weird call and I need to follow up on it," I said somberly. We caught up quick on his family and I then told him I'd be in touch.

I hung up and called Matt Leone. A woman answered the phone, "Leone and associates investigations. How may I help you?"

"I would like to set up a meeting to talk to Matt Leone," I asked.

"Let's see, he's very busy today. Hmm, let me see," She replied in slow broken up words. She evidently was looking at a calendar. "My name is Abbie by the way. I'm Mr. Leone's assistant and wife."

"Nice to talk to you," I replied not really interested in her life's story.

"He could see you next Tuesday," She eventually answered.

I quickly came back with, "That isn't soon enough. Can you tell him I'm a friend of Stephen Crenshaw he was in the Army with?"

"Ok," She replied. I could hear her saying something to another person then she came back on the phone. "Does five pm today work for you?"

"Perfect! I'll be there," I said glad this call was finally over.

The day dragged on and I wasn't able to concentrate on anything. Being at work was useless. The end of the day didn't come fast enough. I got to Matt Leone's office a little early and entered the front door. There was a cute brown haired woman sitting at a desk. She reminded me of Julia Roberts. Looking at her while I waited would be just fine with me for a little while.

A tall man came out behind a door a few minutes later and putting out his hand said, "You must be Luke. Hi Matt Leone. A friend of Crenshaw's is a friend of mine. Come in." I smiled at his wife as I went through the door. Damn I thought, if I end up divorced I want a girlfriend that looks like her.

Matt started before I even sat down, "Ok give me the story. What do you know and what do you want to know? Mind if I record this to be 100% sure I've got it all and can refer back to this to be certain."

"Yep no problem," I said with a nod. Even though it wasn't much I began running through what I knew at that point. He took tons of notes.

I got done and he sat back and said, "This is an interesting one," and put his hand under his chin. I looked at him and wondered if he trying to look smarter by posing like the sculpture of The Thinker?

He then leaned forward, "Ok here is what I want to do right now if it's ok with you." He then listed off the type of surveillance he wanted to do in our house, Sam's car, and electronics. I approved it all wanting to leave no stone unturned. He said he would have a guy come out to our house the next day at nine am. I said I'd be there to let him set up his gear.

I went home and made myself a drink. A double seven and seven. I needed tranquilized. I waited for Sam to get home. I wasn't sure how I would respond to her when she got there. I knew I had to be as normal as I could. I couldn't tip her off. I heard her car come into the driveway and took a deep breath.

She came in the door, "Home!"

I responded, "In the back lounging."

She came back to me and gave me a kiss. "How was your day? Mine sort of sucked."

I replied, "It was alright. Why did yours suck?"

She sat next to me and began, "Well Frank Powell on my team gave his notice. He's been there ten years and knows everything. It's going to be a bitch to replace him and get a new person up to speed." She shrugged her shoulders, "I guess that's why they pay me the big bucks right?"

I guess I took too long to react or had a funny look on my face. Sam instantly furled her eyebrows and added, "Are you ok? You look down. What's up?" I guess she knew me well.

"I was just talking to someone at work that is having relationship troubles. I just feel bad for him and makes me realize how lucky I am." I have no fucking idea why I said that. Sam looked to the side and then seemed to get a little uncomfortable.

She then tried to recover, "Just be the best friend you can and help if you see an opportunity. You're a very sweet and compassionate guy, that's a rarity and a wonderful trait. You're really special. You know you're kind of like your Mom in many ways. But in a hunky body." She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

At first I hesitated to look at Sam as she was talking with all the ideas swirling in my head from the day. But when I looked I saw someone looking back at me with an honest look of love in their eyes. Am I just a stupid sap who is gullible and easy to take advantage of I thought to myself.

I did recall what the woman on the phone said, she loves you deeply. I smiled at Sam, "that's a beautiful compliment." Oddly I had the urge to just fuck her silly. I decided to go with it since I wasn't sure how long I would still have feelings like this for her given the call I got.

I put my drink down and pushed her back onto the couch and leaned over top of her. I kissed her passionately and started to unbutton her blouse. "Not in the sun room the Henderson's might see," she warned trying to squirm away from me.

"Oh then let them see me take all your clothes off and lick your pussy until you cum in my mouth." I guess I said the magic words because Sam got a big smile on her face and pulled me down on to her.

Slowly our clothes were on the ground as we kissed and grabbed each other. I knelt down and spread her legs and started to lick her. She moaned loudly and quickly climaxed. I then moved up and she had a huge smile on her face. I slide my hard cock inside her and started pumping. First slowly and then I grabbed her ass and begin slamming into her. She was moaning loudly and I soon felt her pussy quiver and tighten on me. A few more pumps and I was cumming inside her.

She reached up and put her arms around me and kissed me passionately. She looked at me and said softly, "I guess I need to compliment you more often if that's the reaction I'll get." We held each other and then got dressed.

We got ready and headed out together to get the kids from their after school programs. As I drove I thought about the last few years. The more I thought the more I felt like Sam was more engaged in our marriage. Was it all a ruse to throw me off her infidelity? That thought gnawed at me.

With the kids picked up we stopped for take out Chinese from our favorite place Yang Tze. I set the table when we got home as the kids put their school stuff in their rooms. Sam got drinks ready and we sat down to dinner. As we ate I couldn't help but watch Sam as she talked to the kids. Could this really be someone that isn't happy being married to me? It didn't seem to fit what I was seeing, but I had to find out.

That night I laid there unable to sleep. I almost felt like I should just get up and do some work. My mind was racing all night. The only good thing about this was that I was thinking of all kinds of information I wanted and how to approach figuring out what was going on and what to do about it.

I left for work early like I always do so that everything looked normal. I was going to then come back home to meet Matt's team at nine am like we planned. As I drove to the office I was in a daze. Partly because I hadn't slept and partly because of all the thoughts I was having. Traffic was bad this morning. "Dumb ass drivers," I mumbled to myself.

I was listening mindless to a song and then out of no where my brain pops up with Lori Canfield. "That's fucking it!" I yelled. That was who called me. Sam's administrative support person. I had met her a few times the past several years. Lori was a few years older than us and was relatively new to Crystal Systems. I decided to call her this morning. I kept myself busy with some financial analysis I needed to get done until then.

It was 8:30 and I decided to give a call a try. The Crystal Systems operator picked up, "Crystal Systems how may I direct your call?"

"Lori Canfield please," I said nervously.

"Just a moment." Waiting felt like hours but I'm sure it was just ten seconds.

"This is Lori how may I help you?" I felt a lump in my throat.