Consequences Pt. 11J

Everyone smiled, it was the answer they were hoping for.

David wandered away leaving them to chat over how they saw the future. It was exciting times. He found himself a quiet spot where he could see everyone but also cogitate on what had past, and what could be the future, for him personally. He was finally feeling settled for the first time since they started trying for a baby. The vendettas he had implemented had at times become fun as he vented and exacted revenge so they did have their good points, whilst he was still angry. But after a while he began to filter the ways he treated individuals. Those young looking ones, whom he thought of eventually as naïve, he called 'boys' regardless of their age, he simply frightened them through rumour and didn't bother with them further. If Olivia chose to hook up with them again that was her problem, as far as he was concerned she was no longer part of his future outside of bringing up their child.

He had particularly disliked the serial womanisers he came across, especially if they were married with children. In those cases he often allowed Aleesha to deal with them but there was only so much money he could afford to send her way.

The exceptions in all categories are those whom he believed Olivia had betrayed him with during the ten years he'd thought they were a committed couple. He felt really hurt by those and dealt them as many blows as he was legally allowed and he thought he might continue to do so if they stayed in the same area. Olivia's 'first love' would always be his target and he would hound him forever he thought. The man's family had been offered help by the Retreats but preferred to stay in their home, however they took advantage of a free advice service that Tania was funding that provided information on the rights of divorced or separated women where the partner was at fault.

David had become used to Olivia being around sometimes and largely went out of his way to avoid or ignore her except where business made it essential. He was however surprised when she interrupted his reflections, with a "penny for them" spoken quietly from behind. "Ohh I was just reflecting on what has happened over the last 12 months, deciding whether I was finished with my revenge"

"And have you?"

"Yes I think I may have, there might still be someone out there whom you had an affair with during the 'Ten Years', in which case they will be severely punished but on the whole I think I got those that I wanted and any others should be scared out of their lives by now. The 'boys' are probably too naïve to see what has happened but I am finished now and if you want to play with them that's your problem."

"So that is the end, do you think?" She asked again quietly.

"Probably, you seem to have an unending need to hurt me but I don't think you will want to lose our son."

"That sounds like a threat David."

"You know the score Olivia, I am no longer naïve, you can taunt me all you like but I'm not interested, there's no more Yes when I really mean No and there's no more second chances, not for you or anyone."

"That surprises me, you liked to play games."

"I was so naïve wasn't I, but I have learnt that I can't have it both ways with some people, they see Yes as an excuse to go one step further and then there are always consequences, you must know that more than anyone."

There was silence as both considered the past.

"Did you ever love me Olivia? Or was I always a way to break free then get back with the person you really wanted to be with?" David caught himself, where did that question come from, he really didn't want an answer because he would never believe her. So he quickly added "No, scratch that one."

Olivia thought about answering to say she had never lied about loving him but then realised the word of a liar meant nothing, so she simply stood silently behind him looking at those broad shoulders wishing he would take her in his arms.

He turned to face her, tears had begun to flow down his face and he pushed past her looking for somewhere to hide but instead went to visit with his son. She followed quietly, staying at a safe distance as he picked the child up, dwarfing it in his arms and murmured words quietly to him that he would always protect him no matter what his mother did. She remembered back to that day in the hotel room when she had coaxed him into believing that the child would be theirs, and how they would love it together. A stubborn determination overtook her, pushing back the tears and she went to him, her arms going around him and the baby and instinctively David enclosed her too so that for a time they were the family they once imagined.

Someone watched their private moment, Arthur decided then that he would do everything he could to put things right.

Then David turned away with his boy.

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End of Consequences 11 J

©2023 Bacchant2

To be continued........

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Main Characters

David: A successful Architect who wants to start a family, they start to play teasing games to spice up their life but it's getting out of hand.

Olivia: David's wife and business partner, a successful designer working in tandem with her husband. Begins to find her inner demon taking over her sexual desires. Inadvertently gathers 'lost' women around her that David calls her 'harem'.

Jane : David's first girlfriend who hurt him badly. The first to join the home after her husband proved to be a slimeball.

Ana: Olivia's former University roommate and sexual partner in their escapades when not studying. Finds herself becoming disenchanted with the city highlife and decides to look up her first love Olivia, almost destroying their marriage.

Bree: Former Wife of a famous ex footballer, Chase. Ex-beauty queen type who is looking for a new life and fresh adventures after the disappointment of her husband becoming a worthless drunk. Came to a truth or dare party and never left.

Jo : A recluse who always received criticism by family and friends because she didn't achieve expectations. Pretty and vivacious underneath layers of shapeless clothes to hide herself, friends drag her along to Olivia's party and she never goes back to her dingy little room.

Michael : An Architect who studied with David through University. Moving to the area and possibly joining their firm but has problems with his wife, Sarah, who is having an affair with Wes Daniels.

Aleesha : A private investigator specialising in family matters. A tough cookie having gone through her own marriage break-up.

Monica: David, and Olivia's business supervisor and now a minor shareholder, totally reliable and a family friend, long term single mother but heading for a 'fling' with a handsome 'player' Mark, from the website company on the next floor up. Her office assistant is Dee.

Joannie & Francine: Real Estate Agents

Lauren: A gay woman who has a crush on Jo

Louise: Former long term girlfriend of a lawyer who lost interest in her.

Amber, Erika, Josh, Aaron and Rachel: New friends from a nightclub.

Rachel: Studied planning and development and now working with the Thurlows.

Erika: The Thurlow Business is to sponsor her to University

Tania: David's first sexual experience and mentor in the art of 'love'.

Ruth: A friend from the ship and an experienced hotelier.

Fay, Diana, Sue: New friends from the Ship

Molly, Kim: New friends at the Resort

Nina: A woman needing help when her husband leaves her with nothing, gets her kicks online webcam.

Ash: A player who preys on married women. He involves his ex-wife Rose as part of the play, but she's a freelance newspaper reporter and can see a story in the retreat.

Phillip: A Detective and friend of David's from way back. A long term single man, known locally as one for the women but as straight as an arrow. He and David enjoy joshing each other whenever they meet.

Bill: An old school friend of Olivia's, reacquainted at the reunion.

Abby: A new friend from the reunion, a teacher. Husband Keith is a top man with an international company.

Olivia's parents Ron and Patricia

Kate: Air hostess and part time Escort, went to the same school as Olivia.

David's previously unknown Grandparents: Rose and George.

Jill, a part of the Grandparents group.

Pat (Patricia), a teacher, first year University Land Use Studies.

Arthur, a friend of David's father, ex-police, wheelchair bound,

specialist in office based investigation and research.

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