I married early and I had two kids by the time I was thirty two. I had managed a fairly successful career and was on track to make it big in my organisation. I was well-respected in my office and was known as one of the guys our boss depended most on. On the flip side, my peers often called me boring. Many of them had deferred their marriage plans and were still 'playing the field'. I never accompanied them on their Friday night outs and usually went home to perform my job as a father and husband dutifully. I often had a lot of household chores to catch up on during the weekends, apart from attending to the kids' school activities and related social commitments. I could barely remember the last time I had sex, if a five-minute roll about under the covers counts as one. I had nearly forgotten what romance and passionate sex meant. So, a part of me knew that the adjective 'boring' had some merit. I didn't complain and never once brought this up with my wife for I knew as working mother she probably went through a lot more than me.
Sally had been working in our team for about three years. She was also my age and married. And the similarities between us ended there. She acted like she was twenty two, making silly jokes and generally being a chatterbox even when deadlines were tight. She always wore heavy makeup, high heels and low cut blouses. She was short and bot plump but well endowed. She flaunted her assets and made no pretensions about it.
She had absolutely no sense of boundaries both in terms of physical space as well as personal subjects. She would often stand so close to me while looking into my computer that I could sense her breasts brushing my shoulder. She'd also divulge many things which were too personal that I never wanted to hear about, such as her menstrual cramps or other gynaecological issues (she always seemed to have one at any given moment). I always gave her the benefit of doubt because she was like that to most of her co-workers.
She'd probably tell you we're close friends but in truth, I did my best to tolerate her. My soft nature always got the better of me and I'd do whatever it takes to avoid friction. So I always smiled at her and acted in a friendly way.
My boss and Sally were scheduled to go to Cyprus for a few days to negotiate business contracts and I was looking forward to some peace in the office. But lady luck had other plans and my boss had to pull out at the last moment and as always the responsibility fell on me, Mr. Dependable.
As I was at home that night packing my suitcase, my wife's disapproving glares were crushing me. She did not appreciate me travelling at such short notice. It unsettled the daily plans. I must give her credit though for not directing her anger at me but rather at my office.
