Page 10 of Serenity

Her lips were parted. Her legs spread wide like wings.

“Mike. Mike fuck me harder…”

Those memories plagued me like an unwelcome apparition. My wife and Mike…

“Mr. Stepford?”

Bradley disrupted my thoughts, shifting the attention back toward me. He was an excellent second-in-command replacement, unwavering in his success. His oversight and insight had been flawless. He often was first in and last out of the building as if he’d birthed Colonial himself.

Drinks. He always offered drinks after work. In the office, at a bar, the pool hall, a speakeasy…somewhere we could bond and enter into a consensual bromance. The desire for us to become more than colleagues was noted but not welcomed. Prior to his start, Mike held the position. Never would I position myself to be made a fool of so publicly again.

“Your approval or addition to the previous minutes,” he assisted, bringing me up to speed with the meeting I’d carelessly let my thoughts free me from.

My eyes faltered toward the printed agenda before me.

“DELAY IN THE RELOCATION OF

TRAILER RESIDENTS ON PIPELINE.”

“Right. Ahem, the trailers. How many of them remain?”

“Four were noted on our last reconnaissance. However, one recently burned down. Another caught fire, and they agreed to accept our offer and move.”

“So, two remain?” I asked.

“Two remain,” Bradley confirmed.

With the help of the city government, we’d utilized eminent domain to exercise our right to the land despite a lack of ownership some years back. Now, with the risk to residents of lymphoma and a current civil suit for the very issue, we needed those inhabitants cleared out.

It was integral that all the trailers above our pipeline moved. Shifting the pipeline beneath would be far too risky and expensive. We couldn’t afford the liability nor the loss of income from the trailer park owners’ continued presence. Remaining residents were being offered $100K per household to relocate along with assistance from Ramsay Realty to provide affordable housing.

“A month. They need to be gone within the month,” Bradley suggested.

“Duke,” my father cut in.

I loved my father as anyone would their only parent, but his frequent interference in the way I handled shit was grating at me. I didn’t need his influence or advice.

“A month is more than generous. Aim for within two weeks,” I amended without a glance at my dad.

We breezed through the remainder of our meeting, with the general manager taking over to discuss new business. The floor was opened for others on the board to address any remaining matters of business. A round table evaluation was held briefly, and the meeting was finally adjourned.

Rising from my seat, I dodged two sets of expectant eyes and eager lips, awaiting an opportunity for criticism. Not desiring the pointers my father and grandfather likely held for me, I exited the board room without a wave or a goodbye. Having been in the CEO position for the last seven years, I lacked the need for unsolicited advice. Colonial Pipeline was mine now. They could walk their pointers straight to hell.

“Home, Mr. Stepford?” Reed asked from his position outside the SUV.

Hands folded in front, legs in a wide stance, and a Ruger on his hip, Reed was ready to lay down his life for me should the need arise. He didn’t move an inch when I reached for the back passenger door. Another man opening a door for me never settled in my bones and never would.

“To the house, Reed,” I confirmed.

Motion-activated showerheads competed against my limbs. I cleansed my body from the wavy crown of my mid fade to the soles of my feet, scrubbing away evidence of my misdeeds for the day. My hands gripped the lifeless extension between my legs and lathered him up, too.

Thoroughly rinsed and clean, I dressed in slacks and a button-down. The evening held more business in store for me, but the dress code was casual. Patek on my wrist, bergamot and vanilla on my skin, I ambled through the house I once shared with the woman I’d chosen to walk through eternity with. The evidence of her presence loomed the halls.

Mya Stepford.

Red-boned, sultry Blasian eyes, a genteel smile imprisoned by high cheekbones, and plush pink lips composed my ex-wife. The regality of her presence was undeniable. Far and wide, her beauty stretched. It was depth where she lacked. Mya was stunning. But only on the outside.

She was tall. Legs for miles, they commanded my attention first. Forced me into a reverie of salacious fantasies.

---