Thinking back on the story I am about to tell, I'm not sure how it even happened it seems so, so strange to look back on it and remember that it actually did happen. A bit of background, I travel for business a fair bit and have employees around the world. I wouldn't class myself as super successful or anything but life isn't a struggle financially at least. I'm 52, 6 foot 3 and while not in bad shape definitely carrying a few extra pounds than I did in my 20's. I'm married, kids the usual and live in the UK when I am at home.
This event did not happen anywhere near my home and was a happy accident! Let me tell you about it.
I had received an invitation to a networking event in Madrid, I normally ignored these types of events but this one did seem quite lavish and it would actually give me a good excuse to visit with my team locally without incurring too many company expenses. I accepted, planned travel and honestly didn't give it too much thought.
However once the invitations and itinerary dropped in I came to the slow realisation that this even was really set-up to impress the attendees and no doubt to do some hard selling to us at the same time. The day of arrival had an informal reception for Guests and partner, a formal dinner and Gala the next day after the networking event and usual sales pitches!
I decided to check in with the organisers on what the norm was for this event and quickly got a reply back that it was for execs and their wives/partners to enjoy a couple of days of indulgence while hopefully learning something new. I had assumed this as I had noticed the attendee events included the symposium and networking while the partner events did not but they did have spa type activities instead.
To be honest spa would have been my choice rather than listen to Derek from Marketing drone on about whatever process improvement their software could provide!
If I disliked this kind of event it would be safe to say my wife deplored them, however that evening over dinner I brought up the subject.
"So, I have to hang around with other trophy wives while you go to meetings?" Was my wives opening comment.
"Yeah I guess, maybe you could go to the meetings and I can hang out with the trophy wives instead." I chuckled.
"You could but no way am I going to those meetings." She replied. "I know even you think these events are only good if the socialising is good." She added.
"True, true, look I can go myself just wanted to make sure you didn't want to come."
"Thanks but I think it would be difficult with the kids and work to even make it work." My wives pragmatic side came quickly to the fore.
I nodded and handed her a glass of wine.
"Fine, I'll go stag."
She kind of shook her head at me a bit and then surprised me by saying, "Is there not someone at work that would like the networking opportunity and could pretend to be me? I assume no-one there will actually know you?"
Now that was a thought I had not entertained!
I smiled at my wife as I said, "Are you actually telling me to take a pretend wife?"
"Yes." She simply replied.
"I'm not sure if that would work, we'd need separate rooms, because anyone I ask is gonna think it is an elaborate scheme to fuck them."
"Haha, you should be so devious, but yes, I suppose it would. Well, if it is stupid idea you can just go on your own."
I nodded and conversation drifted onto other things and being honest I forgot about it all as it really wasn't a big issue.
A couple of days later, I was on a call with my Madrid team and mentioned I was going to the event, several of them made wow type comments that made me think maybe one of them would like the opportunity to come but the call was not the right place to open that conversation up but I did find myself mulling over it a fair bit until lunchtime.
I had one team member Ines, she was one of the more senior members of the team and while not super ambitious I figured she might like the benefits surrounding the event, even if she had to hang around with me. The only thing was I couldn't figure out a way to frame not like I could just ask her to pretend to be my wife, or could I?
Now I am not going to lie, Ines sprung to mind as she was young (well 30 ish), had a young family (and I reckoned would welcome a break), but she was also a very good-looking woman and I could only imagine she would look great done up and in a cocktail or evening dress.
In the end this was one of those things that happened almost by accident, I had mentioned it in the meeting and obviously this event was well known locally, so I was not surprised to get a few messages from the team about it. When a message came in from Ines after giving her details about when I was arriving etc, time I would be in the office the usual small talk I asked her if she was free for a quick chat.
I quickly phoned her and figured I may as well get straight to the point.
"Ines, I know you were one of the team members that was impressed by the event."
"Hey boss, yeah it is famous locally, very extravagant, very exclusive. Many free things."
I chuckled, not surprised that it had a reputation. "Well, the thing is I can take an additional person." I let that comment hang.
"Oh my god that would be amazing." She excitedly replied.
I quickly cut in before she could get ahead of herself, "There's only one downside, you would have to pretend to be my wife." I quickly said.
There was a silence on the other end of the line.
"I'm sorry did you say I have to pretend to be your wife?"
"You heard me clearly enough, let me explain. The invitation is for me and wife/partner. It gets you invited to 2 parties, a full spa day and then a Gala but yes sadly you do have to pretend to be my wife."
Another moment of silence was followed with, "I would need to discuss with my Husband anyway, but would we have separated rooms?"
Obvious question really.
"Yes, the event pays for one room, but I have checked with the resort and can book another room."
I could tell her initial excitement had somewhat subsided. "OK let me think about it, when do you need to know?"
"No rush really but I will need to book that other room so the sooner the better really.
"OK thanks for thinking about me Boss, I think I can pretend to be your trophy wife but let me talk OK?"
"Sure, let me know."
We said our goodbyes and I left it at that. On one hand I was excited by the whole idea, on the other slightly terrified.
2 days later she messaged me to ask if we could talk. I called her directly.
"Hi."
"Hi Goran, I talked to my Husband, he is not so happy about me pretending to be your wife, but I assured him this is only when we are in public so just means being near you and maybe holding arms occasionally."