A note to readers:
This is a long story that unfolds chapter by chapter through the eyes of two protagonists -- Mark and Elsa, and as in many of my other stories involves a growing spate of horny characters. Every ten chapters or so I will provide a short summary at the start of that episode to bring new readers up to date. This story could appear in a number of genres (Loving Wives, Incest, Lesbian, Fetish, and more) depending on the chapter, but the overall theme is Group, so I have applied this moniker to all chapters. The story is still being written, yet I intend to post a new chapter every couple of days. Enjoy.
Chapter 1 -- Happy fallout from meeting at a party
Elsa
I stood near the corner of the room and watched all the happy people at the party.
I was not happy. I was a dark force in an otherwise joyful house. A lone dark rain cloud on an otherwise sunny day. The off-key screech in the middle of a perfect piece of music.
I had been unceremoniously dumped by my boyfriend of two years. The dumping had been a public event, taking place over what I thought would be a nice lunch for the two of us at Panera's. He announced we were through. I upchucked the half sandwich and soup I'd eaten, fortunately getting some of my vomit on his meticulously clean shirt and slacks.
I believe I also screamed a number of epithets at him as the rest of the restaurant watched open mouthed, many with food partway to their mouths. When I stomped out, there were over a hundred people who knew that Malcolm was a big shit, a cad, a player, and a first class asshole extraordinaire, and my detailed list of the reasons why. I hoped the city had a strong rumor mill.
That was Wednesday. This was Saturday. I had cried for most of that time. The fantasy I had of a happy marriage, two-point-one beautiful children, a dog, a cat, a gerbil, and a little love nest in the suburbs behind a white picket fence had been blown to smithereens, because Malcolm had to 'find himself' before he could continue in a committed relationship. Finding himself would apparently involve seeing other girls. I had the feeling he'd already started in that process.
I wish I'd thought to use my pepper spray on him in the restaurant. I also thought of a hundred other things I wished I'd screamed at him.
I was nursing additional revenge thoughts when I became aware of a masculine presence next to me.
He smiled down at me, "Don't look so sad. I saw you smile at our hostess earlier, but you went back to the dark side. Don't listen to Darth Vader; come back into the force."
"Bad week," I mumbled.
"Break up with somebody?" he inquired, accurately nailing the situation.
I glanced at him. I wondered just how much was written on my face. Did everybody at this party know my story? I only knew a couple of the people, including my sister Cindy who dragged me out of my bedroom and away from my box of Kleenex. I still wanted to cry, but doing that in public seemed out of place.
I nodded. "Yeah. He took a couple of cheap shots, and left. At least we weren't married or engaged. Two years down the drain."
"I'm sympathetic. It happens to everyone. I think it's part of becoming a real adult."
"How's that?" I asked.
He opined, "Well, despite a few experiences here and there I think we get to about age twenty-five and most of us still have a naΓ―ve streak about relationships running down our backs. We think that there's a soul mate and some perfection out there, and we pursue that goal. If we find someone reasonably acceptable, we force fit them into that mold of perfection we've created in our minds. Later, we discover that no one is perfect, the concept of a soul mate is probably a myth perpetuated by greeting card makers to sell anniversary and Valentine's Day cards, and that everyone is a little bit broken with no hope of fixing those terminal faults. The force fit you made no longer works."
I smirked, "Spoken like a true life cynic." I liked this man, whoever he was.
"At your service." He bowed slightly.
"I'm Elsa."
"Mark." We shook hands. Already, he'd made me feel better. I actually smiled at him.
I sized him up. About six foot two, dark hair, insightful eyes, trim athletic form, and clothes that looked custom designed for him. They fit perfectly. His shoes were highly shined too, and they looked expensive -- Italian leather. I felt good vibes from him, although we'd said little to each other.