"Jillian, would you please hurry up? We're already late for the party."
"Honey, I'm almost ready. Now stop rushing me!"
Of course, I should've known her response would have been something like that. After ten years of marriage, Jillian still behaved as if everyone else was on some level below her and somehow just almost worth her time. And now tonight, we were late for a fairly important business party at a colleague's home. You could say I was more than a little anxious.
" Henry, aren't we leaving yet?" Jillian stepped out into the living room, where I was waiting. At her 40's, Jillian had become increasingly attentive to her looks and appearance. And now thanks to her exercise, yoga and not to mention a boob job that I paid for on her last birthday, Jillian was more beautiful than ever. More to the point, she was very well aware of it.
Jillian's highlighted blonde hair just reaches her shoulders, framing her face that always seems to be in a perpetual pout thanks to the full lips that she's always had. She's 5'4" and I'd say 110lbs, but she would undoubtedly correct me. Tonight she was wearing a tight, long sleeved low cut black top that hung just off her shoulders, showing enough cleavage that made it was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra. Her full 36C breasts strained against the thin material of her top. The black skirt she had on was short and tight, showing off her slender, tanned legs accentuated by the black strappy high heels she wore.
One of my colleagues, Ted was having the party at his home. There were to be at least thirty people at the party, the majority being my colleagues and their wives, perhaps a few other clients and guests. One of the most important guests was Ryo Takashi, a Japanese businessman worth millions. He was a potential client to our firm. My boss, Glenn Burke, had suggested to Ted that he make his home available for a party in Mr. Takashi's honor. Of course Ted agreed.
Glenn Burke was used to getting his way. I suppose that's how he became the corporate leader that he was. He was an ex-college football quarterback who now ran his father's Fortune 500 company that I was an executive at. His wife Janet was a plain looking woman. It was rumored that Glenn had affairs throughout their marriage, but his forceful personality kept her from doing anything about it.
When we arrived at the party, Ted and his wife Martha greeted us at the door. Martha was a very prim and proper woman. She smiled at Jillian, but I could sense in the way that she looked at my wife that she did not approve of her outfit and walked away to socialize with other guests. Jillian went straight to the bar and I followed her. She had Ted fix us drinks. While Ted and I made small talk, I noticed he was constantly glancing at Jillian's cleavage. Jillian seemed quite aware of it, too. She kept leaning forward just enough to encourage his stares. Martha also seemed to notice Jillian's behavior. She was casting disapproving looks in Jillian's direction while whispering to the other wives she was standing with.
I was quite aware that Jillian had a bit of a reputation at these parties as somewhat of a tease. It was something she always did. She seemed to love the attention and jealousy she often created among the guests. There were times I wanted to say something, but I was never very good at confrontations, public or private.
"Meyers, there you are." Glenn and his wife Janet approached us the bar. Even though he was 45, and my age, he was considerably younger looking. He was tall, broad shouldered, and had the arrogant looks of someone always in charge. Janet was a prim woman, her style leaning more toward a matronly librarian. She gave Jillian a little hug and air-kiss while I shook Glenn's hand, trying not to grimace at his grip.
"That is such a beautiful top, Jillian," Janet said, the jealousy and cattiness only barely disguised. "I wish I had the figure to wear something like that."
Jillian sipped her vodka tonic, smiling at Janet. "I've always said if you've got it, why not flaunt it? "
"Jillian, you're looking amazing as usual." Glenn gave Jillian a hug, then stood next to her, his arm around her waist while he spoke to me. "Now listen, Meyers. Takashi is over there by the stairs with his wife. I need your full concentration on him tonight. Pitch him the company. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how important his business could be for us. Not to mention the possible boost to the executive's career who lands him."
"Yes, sir. I'll do my best." I tried not to stammer as Glenn stared me down.
"Make sure you do better than that," Glenn replied. He and Janet walked away without another word.
Jillian took a drink from her vodka tonic. "That Glenn can be such a pompous jerk sometimes," she said almost loud enough for him to hear, causing Glenn and a few others to glance over in our direction. I quickly tried to smile.
"Jillian, honey, would you please keep it down? This could be a good opportunity for my career tonight," I whispered.
Jillian had another sip of her drink and looked at me disappointingly. "Henry, you can be such a doormat sometimes. Why don't you just go scamper off and kiss the client's ass like Glenn told you to do? I'll be having another drink and enjoying myself." Jillian walked away from me. I couldn't help noticing that some of my colleagues and their wives had heard her remarks. Flushed with embarrassment, I downed my drink and made my way through the party to over Ryo Takashi .
I introduced myself to Takashi and tried to casually explain our company's divisions. I was very nervous. Takashi seemed barely interested. His attention throughout the party was constantly being drawn across the room.
