Page 22 of His Wife

She greeted the doorman to her building with a smile and a wave. “Beautiful day!” she agreed.

As she entered her luxurious condo, now filled with boxes and suitcases, the phone rang.

“Hello,” she chirped cheerily.

“Hey, Babe.” It was Mac. “It’s all arranged. The movers have picked up my stuff, and are on their way for yours. They’ll take it right to storage. I’ve got our plane tickets, and soon we’re off! “

Megan smiled. She loved how he took over. In every way.

Glancing around the apartment to make sure she had everything she needed, Megan stood before her bathroom mirror. She carelessly slid the band off of her pony-tail and let her hair down.

THE END

Tropical Temptation

Chapter 1

Rain pounded against the windows. The atmosphere inside was equally dreary. Sally stifled a yawn, and a giggle. Looking around the table filled with co-workers she couldn’t help noticing twenty faces, turned toward the head of the table, each one with a glazed-over look. Suddenly, hearing her name jolted her to attention.

“Sally?”

Sally straightened in her chair, looking up at her boss, who sat at the head of the table peering over his wire-rimmed glasses “Um, Yes, Mr. Maxwell?”

“I need your full attention.” Mr. Maxwell used his pointer to hit the chart. “We need you to head our operation for Fierce Fashions in Jamaica.”

“Jamaica?” repeated Sally. And so it all began.

*

“Sally Collins! I can't believe you're leaving me here!”

Sally laughed as she fell onto her sofa, the phone dangling by her ear, “Jade, this is a great opportunity. And besides, it's business. I couldn't turn down a bonus to my salary. Got to get that milk and honey.”

“That's fine and all. But why are you the only one that gets to bathe in the tropical heat. I’m working my ass off too, you know!”

Sally could hear her friend pouting playfully, and she smiled. “Seriously, though, I could use some unwinding in Jamaica. My shoulders are tense and stiff all the time! I really think I need to de-stress.”

“Well,” teased Jade, with a devilish sly tone, “maybe one of the locals can...loosen you up,' eh?”

“I see someone's in a loose mood. I'll have to call you back when you've regained your sobriety.” The two women giggled.

“Okay, bye, Hon. Have fun in sun. I’ll miss you terribly!”

*

*

Two weeks later, armed with her designs in a brief-case and a bag filled with summer clothing, Sally boarded her Caribbean Airlines flight. It was a long one, all the way from London. And when the plane touched down she was rarin’ to go. Outside, the air was like a balm to her skin; warm and sultry. So different than at home. While she rode the cab to the hotel her company had provided, Sally’s eyes were glued to the window. She was awed by the turquoise water, and golden sand bordering the highway, along with high-rise hotels and restaurants. She marvelled at the markets, the restaurants; the streets teeming with life. Everything here seemed to happen out-doors!

When she arrived at her new home, she inhaled with a sigh. The apartment building, a modern, Spanish-style four-story, was surrounded by palm trees. It was covered in bougainvillea; bright pinks, purples and reds. The apartment itself overlooked the beach. Sally traipsed out onto the gallery as a radiant burst of evening sunlight covered her in its glow. She looked up at the clouds lazily passing overhead, seeming to wave at her. The air was almost still, with but a light caress from the gentle breeze. Sally continued staring at the blue sky, and a smile slowly formed on her lips. She could definitely get used to this. Suddenly her phone rang.

“Hello? Sally Collins speaking.”

“Good day, Miss Collins. This is Brent Cobbs, general manager of the Kingston branch of Fierce Fashions and your co-worker. I trust you are enjoying your stay on the island.”

“Very much,” replied Sally, though she had yet to do any exploring. “I look forward to working with you.”

“Same here. I've arranged for a taxi to pick you up and bring you directly to headquarters tomorrow morning. I hope you'll bring that talent I've heard so much about.”

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