Anne knew she had been a very, very bad girl. She didn't really consider the consequences of her speeding in the moment... too careless and too concerned with getting to work on time to really think things through.
She whined when she realised she might have been caught by the red light camera for speeding through.
'God I hope Aaron doesn't see anything in the mail' she thought. Maybe she could keep this one teeny tiny thing from him? That was a dangerous thought...
But it's not like she was doing anything thaaat bad? It's a stupid rule anyway, she thought. No speeding... pfft. Everyone speeds?
Well... most especially... Anne speeds. She spends too much time in bed in the mornings and not enough time making sure she will leave for work on time. Over the years she'd gotten away with quite a lot.. running red lights.. overtaking people and parking without paying for a parking ticket all to make it to work within a respectable time frame. She was a little reckless with this.. which was not her usual manner. It was just a habit over the years that she felt more and more daring and exhilarated by. It was kind of nice to break the rules sometimes....
But since meeting Aaron she knew this was a hard line for him. He was very serious about her safety. She knew he loved and cared for her and adored him for it. A gnawing.. sinking feeling started to spread through her stomach. Guilt and remorse, and a little bit of anxiety in the mix just thinking about her poor bottom if he found out she sped AND refrained from telling him. Her hands subconsciously went to her skirt and patted it down. No... she couldn't tell him, she thought. It would only upset him... she won't do it again. This was the last time.
As she returned home from work a few days later she retrieved the mail. Ah. There it was. The little demon piece of paper she needed to stow away. Black and white evidence of her naughty mistake. She stowed it in he purse and thanked the heavens Aaron hadn't gotten to it first. She opened the door to see her darling Aaron enjoying some whisky and sitting at the dining table. She walked over to him and embraced him as she usually does. Her perfume and stockings engulfing him as she sat on his lap and gave him a kiss. He ran his hands down her back and returned the kiss.
'Hello beautiful.. how was your day?' He exclaimed.
'Great.. just great actually. Work was good today. But I'm so happy to be home'
Aaron smiled and looked deeply into her eyes. He went back to his whisky and tapped the glass before taking a slow sip.
Anne stood and went to the refrigerator to consider their options for dinner. She bent over and perused the contents of the fridge absentmindedly.. humming to herself.
'Annie...' she heard Aaron call to her with what seemed to be a stern and familiar tone, but she was so preoccupied with the fridge that she didn't take too much notice.
'Hmm? Yeah?'
'Nothing at all to tell me about? Are you sure?' Aaron asked.
This was strange.. she thought to herself. Did he know? Surely not. How could he? She had secured the evidence.
She quickly considered her options.... Perhaps she could confess? But maybe this was something else, something little?
She decided to take the risk.
'I'm not sure what you mean darling?' She said as she tried to muster a genuine tone of innocence. Aaron sighed and his eyes turned hard. He set his drink down and turned to her square on.
'Bring me your handbag' he retorted.
There was no going against that tone. She stepped back a couple of steps and considered her actions carefully. Slowly.. Annie went to the counter, took her handbag and handed it to him... his gaze never leaving hers. Annie had the distinct feeling she was sinking in quicksand.
Aaron slowly opened her handbag and retrieved the speeding fine, without taking his eyes away from hers.
'Here it is, exactly what I thought. I'm sure by now you know that I know.. and I can't believe your actions Annie. But what's worse is how deliberate you were in hiding it from me. I knew you had probably taken some small risks.. it's just your personality to do so.. and I let it all go thinking you would at least have learned your lesson not to be reckless or dangerous by now. But I was mistaken. Open the letter Annie and tell me how many over you were". Anne swallowed hard and opened the letter... scanning for the damage.
She lowered her eyes and responded, barely a whisper.
'Seventeen over, Sir... I'm so sorry'
Aaron's eyes were stern but also there was some fear and sadness there. She knew he was worried about her driving like that and would be very sure to make her repent.
'How did you know?' She asked him.
'Annie... you know I always check the mail when I get home. Today was no different. When I saw the infringement notice I knew it certainly wasn't for me. I left it in the mailbox... curious to see if you would bring it up with me. I watched from the window as you placed it in your handbag and proceeded to lie to me'.
Annie winced... this was bad. Caught red handed.. so to speak.
'But.. I didn't lie, it was more of an omission!' She desperately tried to cling to something that would amount to leniency.
Aaron's gaze narrowed. 'Don't you dare.. young lady. You are in so much trouble as it is. You know I expect you to tell me the truth.. even when you've broken the very few rules we have.. rules designed to keep you safe!'
Annie felt very guilty and remorseful.. but something inside her made her fight him. Maybe it was pride?
'No Aaron... it was just a one off and I can keep myself safe! I don't need your rules! I'm a grown woman!'
Aaron raised his eye brow at her. Now she had done it. She knew she was in for it now. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.
