Yes, it’s been a long time coming. Quit your bellyachin’ and enjoy.  :0)

She had known about Samantha and Charles from almost the minute the affair started.  Intelligent, athletic, and ambitious- shit, Sam was a younger version of herself. Most women would be bothered by that. Marilyn was flattered. In an odd way, it simply affirmed that Charles still and always would love her, by finding a Mini-Marilyn to romp with.

To the public, Charles and Marilyn were the poster children for modern marriages: two business powerhouses that supported and complimented one another. They had decided to opt out of child rearing, but had formed several non-profits for children and families. They both believed that you didn’t need to have a kid of your own in order to make a difference in someone’s life. They took their volunteer work and philanthropy very seriously. Big checks were always accompanied by hours of hands on mentoring, building, and teaching. The Andersons were more than detached donors to their community.

As Marilyn threw on a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and some boots, she knew that a phone call from Samantha in the middle of the night only meant trouble.

Marilyn Anderson was no pushover. Far from it. She was a brilliant businesswoman in her own right, and her marriage to Charles had been a merger of two great minds, as much as  it had been a union between lovers. They met in grad school, and from the first day, they duked it out privately and publicly to be top in their class. Not only did she take the top spot in their class, but she also commandeered Charles’ love and affection. Charles had always been attracted to smart women, and with Marilyn, he knew that he would never grow bored.

And he never did. He had been faithful all these years because he had never found an intellectual match to Marilyn. Marilyn, however, was a pragmatist in matters of the heart. She had very little faith in men, and their ability to be monogamous. She knew that many women found power and money to be the strongest aphrodisiac. She was more turned on by her own goals and accomplishments. She never competed with others, just herself. There was no one out there who could match her drive, intellect, and ambition. Until Samantha Reynolds.

Marilyn had never received an “I’m fucking your husband” phone call, but she had counseled many of her friends who had. It was amazing for her to realize that no matter how educated or independent a woman might be, some really held on to the idea that they weren’t complete without a silver, gold, or platinum band on their left hand, even if it came from another woman’s husband. But Samantha was not one of those women, so this call out of the blue was making Marilyn’s heart race.

She decided to drive herself in the SUV, instead of calling Raul to take her, as there would hardly be anyone on the road. She was moving on instinct and she needed to be prepared for any and everything.

Her thoughts kept coming back to Sam as the garage door went up and she backed down the driveway. Ivy league educated. Top notch lawyer. A quiet ambition that could lull you into a false sense of security. You would never see her gunning for you until it was too late.

Six months into the affair, Marilyn held her annual charity event for the local literacy council. It was a big to-do. Everyone who was anyone attended the event. It always started out as an elegant and austere occasion , but about halfway in, it often turned into the party of the year. Last year’s event was no different.

Marilyn had watched Sam work the room. She was confident, sexy, and charming. While the men were busy falling at her feet, she was busy being cool and disinterested, yet still having a great time. At one point, she headed to the restroom to get away from a drooling old moneybag and Marilyn decided to follow her. It was time to have a one-on-one with Samantha.

Marilyn wasn’t about playing games and wasting time, so when Sam came out of the stall and headed to wash her hands, she found Marilyn leaning against the counter.

“How are you enjoying the evening?” Marilyn asked, with genuine interest.

Sam was a little uncertain about the situation, but she wasn’t going to let anyone see her sweat. “This has been a great event. Who knew that the Charleston elite could party like this.” She smiled as she washed her hands.

“Yeah, this is one of the best events of the year. But really,what I’d like to know is how things are going with you and Charles?”

Sam blinked, and was slower than she wanted to be in her response. “Um, business is good. We are about to go after a merger with South Coast Technologies. I’m very excited about it.”

“Yes, I understand, but business is not exactly what I’m talking about?”

There was a moment of silence before Sam spoke again. This time she decided to take the direct approach.

“Is there something specific you would like to discuss Marilyn?”

Marilyn’s smile held no hint of malice. “Actually, there is. I need you to keep Charles focused. This merger will have Anderson Enterprises poised for the world stage in the next three years. I need you to do whatever it takes to make that happen. I definitely think you are up for the challenge. You are so like me. Charles has chosen well.”

Startled by this woman’s bluntness, Samantha simply said nothing.

“Oh, come on Samantha. Did you really think that I had no clue about the two of you. I know everything that goes on in Charles’s life. That is what has made this marriage last- what has made it strong. No pretensions.”

“Marilyn, I…”

“Look, I’m not here to scream and cry and tell you to get out of my marriage. You aren’t in my marriage. I’m telling you that business is everything to me. Get Charles through this deal, and your future will be set. You have as much riding on this as Charles does. Make no mistake.”

Sam was taken aback by Marilyn’s honesty, and her curiosity got the better of her.

“Are you actually saying to me that you don’t care that your husband and I are having an affair?”

Marilyn was enjoying Samantha’s confusion. “What are you, like 35, 36? I’ve been married to that man for the last 25 years. I knew before Charles did that he would take you on as a lover. He has never cheated on me before, but the minute I saw you, I knew that you would be the one.  I no more care about Charles getting it on with you than I would if he were banging his secretary. A very old and boring cliche, I might add. Charles and I are soul mates, but beyond that, we are true partners. Equals. Something most women will never experience because they settle for less.”

Sam could only blink back her surprise.

“Oh come on, Samantha. I thought you were more enlightened than that. I spent my youth watching a generation of women throw their lives into turmoil because of the sexual wanderings of their men. I knew early on that I would never be that woman.”

“Marilyn, I have no interest in trying to come between you and Charles. What happened was totally unexpected. And…. Well, I can’t even stand here and offer a justification to you.”

Marilyn reached out and put a hand on Samantha’s shoulder. “Listen to me Samantha. You can’t come between us. What you can do is help Charles make this deal happen. Help him anticipate the roadblocks and then overcome them before anyone else figures out that they even exist.  This is what I do for Charles, but I’m working on my own big deal, and I need to be fully engaged. Charles has never been intimidated by my intellect. If you want to make this work with him, don’t play dumb. He hates that. Challenge him mentally, and don’t take his shit.”

Sam closely examined Marilyn’s face for some hint of a joke, but she found none.

“If you are going to be with Charles, then it’s important to understand who I am. I am his muse. I am always two steps ahead of everyone around me. I never make a move without knowing what my next few moves will be after that. I plan for every contingency. I even planned for something like this. Stay smart, stay focused, and enjoy your time with my husband. It’s a win-win for us all.”

With that, Marilyn patted her hair into place, turned on her very expensive heels, and headed for the door. By the time Samantha had recovered and left the restroom, Charles and Marilyn were dancing and laughing. They looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Pulling onto the road that lead to the beach house, Marilyn began to feel the panic pull at the edge of her calmness. As far as she knew, Sam had never told Charles of their conversation in that restroom. The two women had made an unusual alliance, but the company was the better for it. No good could come of this late night drama.