Consequences Pt. 15E

As they part, David says softly, "Tell them they can fly home with the rest of us, just keep them out of my way." Olivia smiles warmly, pleased that they can still communicate without words.

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On the eve of their departure, Al asks if they can talk in his study. He starts the conversation with a question that is meant to be 'tongue in cheek.' "Do you need a chauffeur by any chance?"

David acknowledges the underlying message with his own quip, "I'd have to lock up some of my women. But I guess that a certain chauffeur is about to become unemployed."

"And I think my wife needs something else to take up her time. I'm hoping you might have some suggestions."

The guys acknowledge their mutual understanding and David recognises a part of why Al wants to move to another place, he senses that otherwise the marriage won't last much longer. David asks, "What did your wife do before you married her?"

"She was a travel consultant and event organiser."

"I assume she was good at it for you to have noticed her."

"I'd say so, but I am biassed."

"Let me think about it. Why don't you be my guest at one of our hotels? When you are ready."

"Thank you, I will. It won't be long now."

"I understand, if it's soon, come to our Baltimore Hotel. I have an idea germinating. I am just not sure of my own movements but we can discuss this problem further from wherever I am. In the meantime see if you can get your wife interested in charity work for a woman's caurse. You know you can't mention what we do but it might be worth sowing the seed in her mind and if she is enthusiastic let me know in advance. Our present spokeswoman, Nina, is a bit stretched and I reckon a semi-celebrity might be welcomed to help with that role, but she would need to spend time living at the Retreat and working with our people."

Al indicates his agreement, the cause was what he had hoped for to give his wife something else to live for.

So David continues, "While we have been away, negotiations have been underway for one of my sites and by the time you arrive there might be something for us to discuss. At the moment I haven't made up my own mind about what to do in the future so it's difficult for me too."

Al raises a glass to him and says "bonne sante."

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When they land at Baltimore Hotel and Retreat, David ushers the women ahead of him. Staff from the hotel are on hand to help unload luggage. David indicates to the Nurse to delay disembarking.

Beyond the steps down from the plane is a small lounge area where people can wait either for an incoming flight or for a car to collect them. The women make their way and having shut down the engines Honor is shepherded off by David who has been checking that all has been cleared except his own luggage.

Honor joins the others while David waits outside for their transport and is on the phone checking that the bus is on its way. He is told that the passengers are still loading and steps in to join the others. Calling their attention he has a speech prepared and begins with some trepidation, the women must be wondering about the delay. Behind him the plane's tanks are being refuelled and thus far Honor hasn't noticed.

"Ladies, I'm afraid that I have something of a surprise for you. All heads turn his way wondering what he is planning. I've asked for your decision on what you want to happen in the future and even sent a message via Honor." Honor looks perplexed for a moment and then realises he had used her. He looks her way to emphasises his point and she glares back but he shrugs in a way that suggests, 'you had your chance'

Turning back to what he was saying he continues, "I've noticed a general reluctance to talk to me about it and I think that most of you won't or can't decide. This is understandable so I intend to help you decide."

The bus arriving shortly is full of people who have distracted you in the past, disregarding my feelings. I have asked them to meet us here today."

At these last words there is a clamour to see who is on the bus. It's not parked up yet and David waits for them to settle before continuing. "Each of you has had a romance or affair with someone that might have led to something more if you hadn't felt some kind of link to me."

"For example, Roger is here, he has blotted his copybook at Florida Retreat and is now a free agent. Unfortunately, because he was allowed certain liberties here, he thought he could be entitled to more. He doesn't get what we are about, all he saw was me and several women and he couldn't see why he shouldn't have the same, especially after Bree talked me into a very bad decision. We'll say no more about that but it is not something I will ever do again. I think though Bree, that you might have seen a future with him were it not for our bond. In recent times you have made it clear that you regret our bond and have flagrantly abused and dishonoured me. Your attitude to me was made clear in that behaviour on top of the hotel when we were waiting for you. I am freeing you from our bond as of now."

After checking that he still had everyone's attention, David continued. "I can say something similar for you Ana, Jane and Jo. Each of you has had a relationship that might have come to something. Jane, your lies about a long term relationship and behaviour towards me when I returned to Baltimore 3 weeks ago has shown clearly that our bond was pointless. Despite my attempts to reconcile, your continued behaviour supports that and so I free you from our bond and any guilt you had about our long term relationship."

"Ana and Honor you met someone that you were taken with on St.Lukes as did Tania. You flagrantly entered into a sexual relationship more than once and I take it that you really didn't care how I would feel."

At this point David decided to open the door and beckon the bus passengers to join them. The place now became crowded with people either acknowledging each other or pretending they didn't recognise anyone. Amongst others there was Daniel, Greg Porter and Louise's ex- partner, James, who was carrying a large bunch of flowers. Zoe and Ruth are both in the group, Zoe is trying to find a corner to hide and Ruth is pretending that she is just there to greet the arrivals. There are others from the past for Olivia, Ana, Jane and Bree in particular.

David thanks Arthur and PI's John and Alisha, for their sterling work tracking down all the people who have had an important relationship with the women since the Retreat was first conceived, then coaxing and pressing them to join on the day.

There was soon a pervading silence as each person recognised the situation they were in. David took the opportunity to make his final statement.

"In a minute the coach will take you all to the Hotel. I want to give you one last easy chance to decide how you see your future. Each of you at one time or another has made it clear that my feelings were not your priority. I understand that, and you know my feelings about hypocrisy. I want you to be free to decide now without worrying about your home, your job or your baby. Make up your mind what you want and we'll work out the best way forward, I just want honesty. David had used the word baby with some trepidation, the women were liable to start searching for them before he was ready."

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"You have four alternatives..."

"First choice, you can stay with me in a new home with complete dedication to each other, no other men or women from outside our home. It's up to you guys whether polyamory is still on the cards, you know what I said to Honor."

"Or secondly, you can continue to live at the Baltimore Retreat until you meet someone and want to leave. That would then lead to your next option."

"Thirdly you can start living somewhere else and continue to work at the new offices paid in the same way as the other staff."

"Or finally you can leave the Retreat and the work you do and move on to a completely new life."

"Those are the choices, and we have brought back the people you have had a relationship with to help make up your mind."

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So I will be leaving now and when you make your decision I am sure you will find a way to send me a message. Please don't contact me until you have made up your mind. There is no hurry except for one strict rule. There is to be no sex with anyone from outside the Retreat until you leave. You have your home here and your job and despite what you heard there will be no one else coming to this Retreat unless I authorise it. It will be your home until you decide personally for yourselves. If anyone contradicts my orders on this the security will take action.

Jane swore loudly at him, "You Bastard."

"No more than you deserve after your behaviour when I returned to what was supposed to be my home."

David looked at each in turn, reinforcing his intentions, then walked out. He headed towards the plane and thought he heard footsteps behind him but he didn't stop or look over his shoulder. Someone was waiting for him at the top of the aircraft steps, a smartly dressed pilot. The footsteps behind him were close and now he heard the hubbub of several bodies exiting from the building but he held his course. Men were disconnecting fuel pipes and others were moving in position ready to withdraw the steps and the engines were firing up. David headed to the cockpit, leaving the pilot to close the hatch.

David slipped into the co-pilot's seat, a few moments later the pilot slipped into the seat beside him and nodded. He thanked the pilot and closed his eyes thinking, 'New England here I come.' He was looking forward to seeing how his ideas were progressing.

He had no idea who or, if any, of the women came on board, and for a few moments he played with the ideas of who might have rushed out behind him. His phone buzzed, a message arrived, 'I still love you even if you are a shit!'

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This was to be my last effort in this series but some may feel the ending does not tidy up all the loose ends. I am leaving comments open for anyone to express a reasonable opinion on this. I note from reading stories by good authors on this site that there are people out there who like being nasty or unnecessarily picky in their comments. Anything like that will be deleted without my looking at them.

(****note): From Wikipedia: "You Can Call Me Al" is a song by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986)

End of Consequences.

Copyright © Bacchant 2023

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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 gets out of hand. Parents: James (Jim) and Ann

Olivia: David's wife and business partner, a successful designer working in tandem with her husband. Highly sexual woman who begins to find her inner desires taking control of her normal good sense. 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. Unfortunately, she brings Peter, a self-styled gigolo who preys on women and inevitably wrecks marriages.

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, James, 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 sponsoring her through 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. Pulling her life together in a liaison role.

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.

Sharon and Shawn, unconnected professionals that Olivia met at a seminar.

Ciaron, a new friend and client, a golf club operator based near the West Coast. Sister Carol, a Restaurant owner in the same small town.

Olivia's latest secret man-toy, Greg Porter.

Brynn and Elle, new friends that David and Ana meet on the West Coast.

Miranda/Sophia A Judge who likes their ideas!

Dawn a new contact in the search for possible sites. Husband: Peter Father: Aaron

John Horsey - PI from SF

Billy a gardener with big assets

Children: Olivia-Shawn, Jo-Alex, Jane-Bella, Bree-Mia

Children's Nurse Susan and Security Guard Janice

Beth, an astute woman trainee put forward by Florida Retreat to become a lead organisational administrator, training with Jane.

Andrew, a Hotel expert, that they entice away from his present job.

New University sponsored student: Janine; Teacher: Mr Carlson.

Jenny: former employee of the Agents for NDP Holdings.

Emma Hardwick, a famous and nosey TV reporter.

Honor, Grandparents pilot, inherited along with a plane.

New admin/employment specialist: Vanessa - Son: Simon

June Roberts: Chairman of a Women's rights organisation

Jane Tooley: Senator

Gayle: the captain and owner of a cruising boat for hire on the island of St.Lukes.

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