Facing the Music - Option #3

You go to work as usual, but the minutes tick by slowly. You pondering fleeing the country, leaving Ashely and this life behind, but then you're certain the blackmailer would release everything and take your money. Even the $100,000 you have stashed in the woods wouldn't get you very far. You want to text Ashley and see how she's doing, beg her to not turn you in, but you know you can't. So you wait and try to focus on your work. Finally, at 3 p.m., you're called into the CEO's private meeting room. You take a deep breath. It could mean anything. You meet with the CEO once per quarter and you're about due. Yeah, that's it. This is nothing. Just business.

As you enter the room you see CEO Michael Taylor sitting next to the company attorney. On the table is a photo. A glance is all you need to know what it is. It's the last undestroyed photo and it prominently features you balls deep doggy style in the CEO's wife. Michael's face is red with rage. You can tell he wants to scream at your but he stays quiet as you take a seat.

The attorney speaks, "Mr. Doe, let's make this easy. I'm sure you know by the photo on the table as to why you're here. And while adultery isn't technically a crime in our state, I think you understand why Michael would prefer you no longer work for his company."

"IT IS A CRIME!" Michael, unable to contain himself, bursts out. A vein throbs in his forehead. You worry he might jump across the table and slug you. "HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FUCKING HER, John?"

You open your mouth to apologize but the attorney interrupts and places a calming hand on the CEO's arm. "Please, Michael, I asked that you let me handle this. We can deal with these questions later. Now, Mr. Doe, as I was saying, we've prepared an exit package of four months pay as long as you agree to resign immediately and never see or speak to Tanya Taylor again."

You almost grin at the option. Sure, Tanya was a great fuck and it would be sad to no longer get a piece, but if you're understanding the situation it means Ashley chose to only turn over the photo and not the financial documents. You still have a cool million after the blackmailer takes their share plus four months exit pay and, maybe, Ashley. "Michael, listen, it shouldn't have happened. I'm really sorry."

The CEO stands up as you address him. He forcefully places his palms flat on the table. "SHE'S MY WORLD, John! YOU'VE RUINED HER FOR ME!! YOU DON'T DESERVE EXIT PAY BUT I CAN'T SIMPLY FIRE YOU FOR THIS."

"Now, Michael," the attorney says, "please, I advise you to remain calm. Mr. Doe, please speak only to me. Do you agree to these terms? And if so, please sign this document." He pushes a short one-page document across the table. It's already signed by Michael. Basically, in legalese, it says exactly what was proposed. Knowing to not look a gift horse in the mouth, you sign the document. Michael is still standing. You're pretty sure you can see steam coming out of his ears.

"Thank you," the attorney says, "now, please pack up your things and exit the building in the next 30 minutes. If not, we'll have security remove you."

You don't need to be told twice. As you open the door to exit the conference room, the CEO yells again. "THIS ISN'T OVER! I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU SUFFER - LIKE YOU MADE ME!!"

"Michael! I told you I'd fix it, but it doesn't help if you run around making threats publicly. I've already made a phone call." You hear the attorney say in a hushed whisper, but loud enough that you think he purposely wants you to hear. You decide you don't need anything in your office. The blackmailer made it clear that you need to flee the country with Ashley, so you better get a move on. And if there are any teeth to the CEO's threat, well, that makes it even more urgent.

You drive like a bat out of hell to get home. You're ready to tell Ashely you'll buy her a new wardrobe when you get to Mexico, so she should just grab some toiletries and get in the car. When you pull in the driveway you ****. Your wife Melissa's car is parked. You're a little shocked that you were so focused on being with Ashley that you'd forgotten about your wife of 20 years. "Fuck," you say getting out of the car. This probably isn't going to go smoothly.

Hesitantly, you walk into the house. "STAY UPSTAIRS, YOUNG LADY! I'LL DEAL WITH YOU AFTER YOUR FATHER!" Melissa yells from the living room. You see a photo envelope on the kitchen table.

Melissa storms into the kitchen. She has a similar look to the one you just witnessed on Michael Taylor's face. It's a mixture of anger and grief. She also looks like she wants to slug you and by the pace of her walk, you get ready to duck. She doesn't. Instead, she stops by the kitchen table and places her hand on the envelope. She picks it up and throws it at you. You let it bounce off your chest and fall to the floor. "You bastard," Melissa says with venom in her voice. "Do you know how embarrassing it was to have a courier show up at my mother's and see me open...that?" She points to the envelope on the floor.

"Melissa, please, I can explain."

"Explain? The photo is pretty FUCKING CLEAR, John. It explains a lot about so much that's been going on. Your late nights, those weekend trips, and Ashley's behavior. How the fuck could you do this to us?!"

"What do you mean Ashley's behavior?"

The question seems to enrage Melissa even more. "KIDS KNOW, John! Studies show kids often know when a father is CHEATING before the spouse. They start acting out because they're angry and don't know why. It's probably why Ashley started acting the way she did. Why she went to the strip club and why..." Melissa sobs and covers her face. She can't seem to get the words out.

"Why what, Melissa?"

She points over to the sink. In it you see a butt plug and a pink vibrator. "Wh-why I walked in on her bare-ass...*sniffs* naked using those things on the couch. *sniffs* Wh-where did she learn about butt plugs, John?"

You're speechless. Apparently after telling the blackmailer what to do Ashley spent the rest of the day masturbating and waiting for you.

"This is on me," Melissa says, "I knew something was wrong but I left anyway. I shouldn't have left her with you. Clearly knowing her father IS A CHEATING ADULTERER made her want to explore her sexuality." She continues to sob.

You can't help but step forward and offer support. "Melissa, I'm so sorry. I-I got carried away. Please, let's talk about this. We can fix it."

She pulls herself away from you. "NO! You ruined this family! I want you out. Now!"

You look at the stairs toward Ashley's room. You can't leave without her.

"Melissa, please..."

She points to the door. "GO!"

"Can I at least see Ashley before I go? Please. She's probably blaming herself now. Let me tell her this is my fault."

Melissa releases a guttural sound of frustration from the pit of her stomach.