I was a typical writer preoccupied with my work and oblivious of mundane details such as paying the bills and planning for a secure future.
My wife, Faith, was exasperated by my free spending ways and finally laid down the law—I had to talk to a banker about our finances or I’d be working out a separation agreement with a lawyer.
So, that’s how I found myself sitting in the downtown Toronto office of The Royal Bank talking to a specialist in investment planning.
The planner was a beautiful woman named Vanity Hall and as her name suggested, she was expert at managing assets.
“You’re wife is right, Jay—you’ve made a ton of dough, but you’re all over the map in your investments. I don’t see any strategy here at all—and certainly nothing that would secure your future.”
Vanity folded her shapely legs, tilting them to one side, and combed her perfectly manicured talons through her silky blonde hair.
There’s something sensual about grooming rituals, subliminal or not—and something fascinating about impossibly long red nails.
Come to think of it, everything about her was fragile and brittle—stilettos and lipstick-red nails. She was a slender, porcelain ballerina pirouetting on a pin.
Now, she was staring intently at me, fixing me with her enormous dark eyes. “You’re lost aren’t you?”
I was truthfully. I was totally captivated by her beauty and intoxicated by the sweet scent of her perfume. My feelings were on a runaway train and I was watching it leave the station.
“I call this lipstick and high heel syndrome,” she chuckled softly. “It’s similar to white coat effect, when you’re in the doctor’s office having your blood pressure checked. Financial planning can be stressful.”
She was right. I would hate to have my blood pressure checked right now. It was caused by lipstick and high heels all right, but had nothing to do with the state of Bay Street.
“Are you finding it hard to concentrate?” she asked.
I blushed, thinking she read my thoughts, but before I could make some lame excuse, she went on, “Board rooms are ‘bored’ rooms, as they say, and somehow stuffy surroundings aren’t congenial to a relaxed perspective.”
She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost noon—why don’t we get out of here and continue our conversation over lunch?”
I had dreaded spending my morning being immersed in figures of the digital type—and certainly did not anticipate being distracted by Vanity’s physical assets.
My heart began racing and I could hear the blood pulsing in my ears. “Sure—why not?”
I said it with feigned indifference, but had to clench my hands to conceal the trembling.
“I’ll clear up a few details here and meet you at Coro’s in about fifteen minutes. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
There was a gleam in her eye. “Order me cab sav and fettuccine alfredo.”
“No salad?” I croaked.
“Do I look like I need to eat salad?” she grinned mischievously.
“No,” I grinned back, “definitely not.”
In a matter of moments I had gone from staring at a gloomy picture of my future to planning a lunch date with an exciting and glamorous woman.
I was vulnerable as a man building a house of straw without fire insurance—and even more reckless, because now I was playing with matches.
And even then I knew this would turn out badly.
Jajajajaja. En que lío se está metiendo nuestro protagonista Jay?Ser atraído por una mujer, en su situación, no sé si sea bueno. Aunque por lo visto tiene problemas en el matrimonio. Es increíble cómo algunos elementos femeninos pueden ser distractores para cualquier persona!! Desde una cabellera larga, faldas ajustadas, zapatos de tacones pueden ser usados para llamar la atención. Veamos hasta dónde es capaz de no caer en la tentación! jajajajaBonito viernes y un abrazo, @johnjgeddes.
Gracias a Dios que es viernes, Nancy :) Sí, Jay está perdido y en conflicto y este tipo de hombre complica innecesariamente su vida al ser guiado por sus emociones instaladas de razón, lo sé, soy uno de esa tribu, jajajaja
Very well composed . upvoted, followed and resteemed.
Thank you!
Your amazing writer...I am enjoying your story....
thanks - I appreciate your response
Hello @johnjgeddes! I hope this finds you well :)
Par for the course, I love this story, and I'm hoping that there will be more to come. I'm afraid poor Jay is in for some trouble :) Going to have a look at Part 1 now too; I've missed your writing, and oddly enough was wondering about you yesterday, when I was reading an actual book haha, then I opened up eSteem right now, and this popped up on the top of the Feed. Serendipitous indeed :)
Hey Lynn! How are you? I was thinking about you two as well - It's been a rough ride here on steemit the last little while and the lack of rewards are beginning to outweigh the time spent producing quality content here, so I'm checking out my options....but I, thankful for you and Brian and our friendship here :)
We are hanging in there. Not pimping my post out by any means, but have a look at my last one and you will see the changes in Brian, but as usual, he's a tough ol' goat and not giving up yet. Although some days, I know he's tempted.
Very well composed.... Made an interesting read... Keep it up
thanks
This post has received a 7.14 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @johnjgeddes.
I got lost in the story, it is interesting indeed. I am sure you will never forgot her.