Paradise Found Ch. 06

I gave a smart nod, feeling ready. "Don't worry, I won't screw this up for you." It was unintentional, but I realized my words reflected the truth of who this was really benefitting.

We walked to the administration building, making our way to the conference room where we were to meet. The veep's aide had already arrived.

"Good morning. I believe we have an appointment, Ms..."

"McComb. And you're Ms. Hinson, correct?"

"Patricia. And this is Mr. Gray, as requested."

"Right. Ms. Ayres is waiting for you in the conference room."

We both made for the door, and she held up her hand. "A moment, please. Ms. Ayres requested to do the interviews one at a time."

Patricia looked at me at the same time I looked up. Nothing for it, I guess. I wished her luck.

She entered, closing the door behind her. I smiled at the veep's aide, hoping to get a read on the situation, but I had ceased to exist for her as she continued working on her laptop.

Waiting sucked. My leg bounced restlessly while I looked about the room, pretending to focus on meaningless décor details for extended periods of time. Finally, the door opened. Patricia emerged with a small smile on her face. Looks like it went well!

"Mr. Gray, Ms. Ayres will see you now. Please go on in."

Patricia looked at me, nodding. "Nothing to it. I'll wait here for you."

"My apologies, Ms. Hinson. I've been instructed to tell you to return to your home while Mr. Gray speaks with Ms. Ayres. I will personally escort him home after the interview is concluded."

I expected more resistance, but Patricia just knelt down and looked me in the eyes. A small smile bloomed on her face. Her concern bled through in her expression, if briefly. I still don't know why, but for some reason, I reached out and hugged her with all my might. She gave back as good as she got. Moments later, I ended it.

"See you later" I said with a nervous smile.

The aide politely opened the door for me, since there was no man's handle. Walking in, I saw a single woman in a charcoal suit seated at the head of the conference table, making notes while facing away from me.

I grabbed a booster seat and stool from the stack near the door and selected a chair a respectful distance away. Fumbling to get seated properly, I heard a voice I never thought I'd hear again.

"Hello, Alex. How have you been?"

I froze, looking up.

"Ash?"

"Nothing wrong with your memory, I guess." She smirked. Her little mannerisms flooded back.

"But... what are you doing here?"

She chuckled. "...still not so quick on the uptake though."

Setting her pen down, she clasped her hands and gave me her undivided attention. Just seeing her almost brought tears to my eyes. That part of my life was slowly fading away; her presence just gave it a jolt from a defibrillator.

"You're the VP?"

Her eyebrows dove, indicating what she thought of my query. "Yes, Alex." She spoke like one would address a small child. Laying it all out in my head, I had to admit that the pieces fit. I'd never met anyone who had known more about the virus than Ash, and I knew she had money, and connections.

"I-I don't know what to say. You look good, uh...Ms. Ayres." I snickered.

She smiled crookedly, raising one eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure we're on a first name basis at this point, don't you?

"But seriously, I'm glad to see you Alex. It's been awhile, and the years look good on you. But I didn't come here for idle chat. You're here for an interview...of sorts."

My mood turned as quickly as the conversation's tide. Anger swept over me as it dawned on me that she could have known about me being caged with the Matriarchy all these years. Hell, maybe she even had something to do with it.

Ash was perceptive as ever, reading my thoughts. She frowned, her eyes sympathetic. "Before you judge me, please listen to what I have to say.

"I told Patricia that I'm here today to interview you for a promotion."

I nodded impatiently.

"This is only partially true. She is being considered for the promotion, but you, I want to give a choice. The choice to leave the Matriarchy and return to your life as a free man, or stay on as you've been with Patricia in her new position."

"Go back, of course!" I blurted, "What do I need to do?" What was this nonsense? What kind of choice was that?

"Please, hear me out. I will only accept your answer if you give it all due consideration. Right now you see freedom being dangled before you, and you jump at it, not thinking of what that might mean for your life, or the lives of others. Ever since you came to my attention not long ago, I've learned quite a bit about your situation.

"Consider this -- is freedom worth a life of comfort, luxury, enjoyment, and fulfillment?"

"That's-"

Forestalling me, she bulled on, "Wait. Think it through for a second. Look how happy you are with us. You want for nothing -- fine clothes, good food, entertainments..." she smirked. I blushed, thinking of our rendezvous years ago in my dorm room.

"Where else could you -- safely! -- have a parade of desirable women served up to you? Do you think you'll be able to go about in society with your pheromone output and escape harm? I suspect, after so many partners, it's even stronger than you know. Are you aware that Patricia has everyone in your chapter on double the recommended dose of suppressant? Too many fights, too much bad behavior."

Wow, that was eye opening. I'd seen fights before, but..."I didn't realize she actually cared."

"She does, and largely for your benefit. I took several pills myself in preparation for our chat, and I can still feel your pull. If I hadn't, I can assure you we'd be having a very different conversation right now." She leered at me to drive the point home.

"And don't forget, you have purpose here. The noblest goal of all: procreation of the species. You get to use your loins as they were intended. What man out there can say that? Which one wouldn't want to take your place? A man in your unique position, as a Mate, is doing good work by spreading his seed.

"Could you say the same if you went home? I'll admit that things were bad for men at the beginning. It's unfortunate, but some growing pains are unavoidable. We've seen many improvements. Some of them are the same safeguards that society has put in place. With these improvements, we haven't lost a man in over a year, and our inspection teams report broad compliance with our no-tolerance abuse policy.

"If you choose to stay with us, you and Patricia will be moved to a new compound. This compound is similar in size and scope to a modest sized, fully functional town. And Patricia would be its highest authority. I suspect you know by now, but I can tell she cares for you by how she spoke. Against all odds, you two work well together. You've polished her rough edges, and she's made you into a fine man."

"So, sell my freedom for a golden cage? What about the drugs? Will you still use them on me to control me?"

She laughed uneasily, getting up from her seat and walking about the room with her hands behind her.

"Did I say something funny?"

"No. Well...sort of. I'll tell you, but I'd like your word that you will never repeat this. Not even to Patricia. I only say this now because I want you to make this choice with your eyes wide open. Full disclosure."

Slowly, I nodded.

"You haven't been administered any drugs for years. The pills you take now are placebo. I can't make excuses for everything that is done with those, but the women are instructed to use commands sparingly.

"In the vast majority of test cases, after 10-12 months on the drug, subjects showed no significant difference in response to commands between the drug and the control groups."

I stared at her in horror.

"I'm sure you think I'm evil right now, and perhaps there is truth to it. I do not agree with everything the Matriarchy does." She stopped pacing and sat down across from me, looking into my eyes. "But know that it is out of a genuine desire to do good that we do this." Her words oozed sincerity. Bright green eyes stared back at me with sadness, seemingly desperate for my approval.

At worst, I had to change my assessment from mind-bendingly evil to simply insane, but if she was right about the other things -- and after some of the arguments that she had made, I was starting to think this may be the case -- what about this? What if the best thing for men really was to be under woman's rule, at least to some extent? I had lived that life for years now, and had to admit that it wasn't as abhorrent as I would have thought. Moreover, there were times when relinquishing control could be freeing, strangely enough.

Slowly, I nodded, hearing her exhale in relief.

"You know how to make an argument, I'll give you that. But the most important factor, you've completely ignored."

"Which is?"

"Love"

"Ahh, yes. Well, what do I know about love, anyway? I suppose you think you'd go back to Elise and pick up where you left off. Get married, buy a house, the 2.5 kids and the car. That sort of thing?"

I shrugged as if to say "why not?"

"Yes, you could be with one another again, but be warned: she is not the same naïve, young girl you fell in love with. And what about you? Aren't you different too? No doubt you've felt the same fears in your heart. Could you find love with each other again? I won't deny that it's possible. But make no mistake, that path will not be easy."

Letting the thought float through the air for a minute, I stayed silent for the requisite amount of time I assumed she thought I needed to make a well-formed decision.

"Ash, I've listened to your words, and I have your answer -- I choose Elise. I will always choose Elise. Not because I don't agree with your arguments for staying, but because of them. Have I known comfort with the Matriarchy and Patricia? I cannot deny it. It's surprising what human beings can tolerate -- hell, even grow to like -- given time and repetition. But as you extoled the virtues of this carefully constructed utopia, I realized how devoid of true happiness my life is now.

"Can someone be happy without material things? Maybe it's possible, but it's probably pretty damned hard. But those things don't make you happy. People do. People that put your needs before their own. Patricia may have come a long way since I met her -- she can at least understanding how to relate to men now, and people in general, but she doesn't know how to love anyone but herself.

"Of course I choose Elise. What we had was beyond your understanding. It'll be ours again."

She looked at me for a long minute. Her face was blank, betraying nothing of whether I had chosen as she hoped.

"Hmm. I suppose I should be glad for your confidence, at least. Very well, I'll respect your decision. We must leave at once, in order to minimize complications. You will travel with my aide, Ms. McComb, by car. I will join you shortly at the airport. We will deliver you wherever you want to go. Please inform Ms. McComb of your chosen destination."

"Wait, before I go, can I ask you something? Why are you doing this for me?"

"My reasons are my own, but I will say that this is only a small part in how I'm trying to personally make the world better. The Matriarchy is just a tool. You are a good person Alex. I'm sincerely hope that, one day, you'll be able to look back on this experience, and believe that you've gained something, as strange as that may sound."

"And Patricia? She hasn't always been kind to me, and we may not love one another, but we shared a deep friendship, and I wish her well."

"Don't worry for Patricia. She'll get her promotion. We have plans for her."

Hopping down, I walked around the table to her side, and reaching up, laid my hands upon hers. "Thank you." She nodded toward the door.

As I walked through the door out of the conference room, I turned briefly, looking back toward her. I can't be sure, but I still swear that I saw her grin out of the side of my eye.

Wait for me Elise. We'll be together again soon.

Elise

The plush black leather seat squeaked in time with the bouncing of my restless leg. For what must have been the dozenth time, I checked myself in the mirror above the bar on the opposite side of the dimly lit limo. Makeup still perfect. Not a hair out of place.

My mind still struggled to wrap itself around the fact that it was really happening. I didn't want to trust in hope as I had so many times in the past, but the message from Ash was convincing. Certainly, I never thought I'd hear from her again...

Alex was coming back to me.

Since she had called yesterday afternoon, our reunion occupied my every thought. I left work immediately, canceling my appointments and taking a leave of absence for the rest of the week. Rushing home, I reviewed every detail of my living space to see what I might do to make him more comfortable. It needed to be perfect.

I realized that I was so deliriously happy that I hadn't even thought to be angry that Ash was connected to his kidnapping. We hadn't actually spoken -- she told Jeremy that he was to record her message precisely and relay it to me. She kept it brief, saying that I could expect him to arrive at Dulles airport at 9:40am. The rest of it was slightly more mysterious:

"Remember, Alex has been through a difficult time. His experience, likely, has been life-altering. He will need your self-restraint, guidance, and above all, patience, if you intend to make a relationship work with him again. I foresee that the days ahead will be challenging for both of you, but I wish you the best.

"Make your experience an inspiration to others.

"Oh, and when you greet him, use plenty of suppressant. Really -- too much is not enough."

Difficult time, indeed...that tended to understate the whole enslavement bit.

Bah, we'd figure all that out later. Every negative thought was like a toddler trying to stand on the icy pond of my mind. Happiness brooked no challengers today.

Now I sat, waiting for my driver to deliver him to me.

My heart nearly burst as I saw him round the corner. He looked so small and vulnerable next to the much larger woman as they walked in my direction. I restrained myself from leaping out to pick him up and embrace him. Patience, Elise, let him make the first move.

There was something different about his walk. Something not like I remembered it. It was difficult to put my finger on. Not arrogance, or even confidence, exactly, but there was...something that drew the eye. Almost as though he knew he was the center of attention, and welcomed it, but in a demure way. Whatever it was, it appeared that every woman in section eight of the Dulles arrivals area noticed it too. From the way they stared, I could tell their blood was pumping just like mine was.

He looked around, meeting their eyes, and all of a sudden icy fear shot through my stomach. I hadn't even thought about it, but what if he didn't want me back? Who knows what Ash had told him? He probably just saw the sign with his name on it and followed. Maybe he didn't even know he was coming to meet me...

Calm down Elise. It'd be a pretty big coincidence if he just happened to fly to my closest airport. Of course he was coming back to me.

The driver was running interference now, sheltering him as women went from smiling, to greeting, to outright chasing after him.

Finally, he reached the limo, and the driver assisted him in, shutting the door behind him. My hands were little birds, not knowing where to perch.

I missed you? I love you? Thank God you're back? Word rarely escaped me anymore, but I stumbled through that moment with:

"Alex-"

Whatever I had thought to follow his name with was cut off as he launched himself at me. With our size difference, I was only able to draw him to my chest as I sat within the confined limo. Each square inch of bodily contact was precious. Drawing him in, my thighs hugged his waist, arms encircled his chest, breasts pillowed his face, and cheek laid upon his head. Right then I wanted nothing more than to cocoon him entirely. To make it so that we could never be parted again.

His smell brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Feeling him squirm, I realized I had to let him go, so I did. The blue eyes that looked up at me were a worthwhile trade.

I lowered my face to his, lips parted and dying for his kiss, letting him lead as I was supposed to. Alex didn't disappoint, reaching as high as he could to draw my face further down to his, passionately attacking my lips. I fought down the impulse to open my mouth wide and find every corner of his with my tongue. His soft, wet little lips were everywhere. My small moan slipped out before he drew back.

"My God, Elise, it's been so long. I love you. I'm so sorry.

"Oh, wait, I, uh... I guess I shouldn't have assumed you were single. That was stupid of me. I'm sure you have someone special after so many years..."

He looked at the floor. I'd never seen him so vulnerable. Still teary-eyed, I shook my head emphatically.

"Only you-"

Choking up for a second, I cut off. Alex smiled and reached for my face with his hand. I pulled it to my cheek, closing my eyes and savoring his touch.

When I was able to continue without embarrassing myself, I went on.

"What are you sorry for? This is all my fault. I failed you."

He shook his head, "No, Elise, it wasn't your fault. I left; acted like a child. I was angry. Angry at the world, not you. I realize that now, but I was feeling very low. Every day I thought about how things might have turned out differently if I had only swallowed my pride."

My lip quivered slightly at his words. I felt equal parts sympathy for his anguish and anger for the hand that life had dealt him. I had built my life upon trying to right the same wrongs that had affected him, but never had it been more personal.

Wiping my eye, I said, "What do you say we put the past behind us for awhile? You're back now, and I don't want to waste another second."

He grinned, nodding. My heart continued to thaw. I warred internally, wanting to hold him in my lap, yet desperate to see his eyes as we spoke. The decision was made for me as he backed toward the seat across from me.

When I made to lift him up to the seat, I was somewhat surprised that he just put his arms up to allow it. Hmm, I don't remember that.

"So, what now, my love? We can do anything you want."

He looked around for a second, nodding in appreciation at the limo.

"This yours? I knew you're a big deal now from when I saw you on TV, but I didn't realize how far you had come. I'm impressed El."

Why did it make me feel so good to hear him say that? His praise was like a blanket pulled fresh from the dryer on a cold winter night.

"No, not mine, just a rental." I smirked, "I figured it'd be poor form to get you back only to cause an accident twenty minutes later because I couldn't stop staring at my devastatingly handsome boyfriend."

He chuckled. It was almost painful how good he looked. Those few years looked very good on him. He ran his hand through his disheveled hair as though he were shirtless on one of those old men's cologne commericals. Despite his somewhat rumpled appearance from the red eye flight and the double dose of the latest, greatest suppressants I was on, my arousal flared hard. I tamped down on it. Not the time.

"Well, if your offer still stands to take me anywhere, I guess I need to look into a place to live. Maybe we could look into an apartment for me? Then again, it might be tough to land something without a job. Or money, for that matter." He winced.