Another Time, Another Place

“Yes, sir,” Ariel responded.

“Can it be tailored to other types of data?”

“That’s the beauty of this solution. It doesn’t matter what the data is, if it’s being collected and stored in any type of database format, the information can be presented in a format that suits your needs. We can initially concentrate on your major heartburns, and then expand to other aspects of your business.”

The two clients nodded as if accepting the notion. Ariel concluded the presentation by giving the clients the opportunity to manipulate the software through a workflow engine. What a difference a day makes. This time when Ariel left the conference room, her boss and clients were discussing the infinite possibilities the proposed solution offered. Her boss gave her two thumbs up as she closed the door.

A moment later, Ariel stood at her office window looking into the clear blue sky. She had nailed the presentation and the wonderful feeling gave her a new commitment to her craft. She was refreshed.

“I work,” she spoke aloud. “And I’m damn good at it,” she said proudly.

Later that evening during the drive home, Ariel reflected on the magnitude of her day. She was elated. An on-the-spot promotion moved her into a larger office. All of these things mattered little when she walked into the thick air of her home. The air remained thick without Steven being home from work. She somehow managed to push their domestic problems aside to have a productive day, but as she stood in the foyer, a rush of anxiety bombarded her. Part of her felt Steven’s physical abuse was a first-time occurrence, part of her believed the opposite, but all of her stood firmly with the belief that the abuse would never happen again. Everything they’d accomplished as a couple meant nothing while her mental and physical stability was in question.

I ought to cut his dick off, she thought.

She quickly abandoned the notion because it would ruin not only what she accomplished this glorious day, but her entire life. The renewed commitment to her job came with a greater sense of independence. She would start anew, everything fresh and clean.

“Begin with an ending,” she announced as she poured herself a glass of wine and began preparing dinner.

She sat at the table, crossed her legs and to her surprise, she realized she was wet. A vision of the woman in the mirror flashed in her mind and made her wonder what the other woman was doing.

She had just started eating the low-carb stir-fry when Steven entered the kitchen.

“Something smells good,” he said before he kissed her on the neck. “How was your day?”

“There is more on the stove,” Ariel responded. “Shall I fix you a plate?”

“I got it, enjoy your food.” Seconds later, Steven sat across from her at the table. “Your day was?” he inquired again.

“Fantastic! No, my day was way, way better than that. It was more like super-duper fantastic,” Ariel spoke with glee and began to eat again.

“I take it your presentation went well?”

Ariel only nodded.

“You’re still upset about last night?” Steven asked.

Ariel’s piercing glance told all.

“Honey, don’t be. You dropping cum in my mouth took me by surprise. Yet, I know that I should have handled the situation better.”

Ariel raised her head and displayed a “no shit!” expression.

“How long are you going to hold this against me?”

Ariel dropped the fork heavily on her plate. The loud sound indicated to Steven that the redundant question bothered her.

“Just until I walk out the door?” she responded.

“What does that mean?”

“It means…I’m leaving you tonight,” she spoke evenly. “I have one suitcase packed.”

“You can’t be serious,” Steven spoke in disbelief.

“Heart attack serious,” Ariel spoke evenly.

“Why? Because I slapped you?”