U A Professional Affair

"A Professional Affair."
Anna had never spent a night away from Andy in the eight years of
their marriage. But it wasn't her fault that the annual Sales
Convention this year was to be held in Paris. Nor was it her fault that
her boss had asked her to represent the company. It also wasn't her
fault that Andy had an irrational fear of flying and would refuse to
accompany her. She could go for the weekend with a clear conscience,
she told herself determinedly. And, if she had a good time in the
process, then that wasn't her fault either!
Besides, a couple of nights away from Andy would do them both good. He
had started to take her far too much for granted recently - expecting
her to work and do everything around the house. She compressed her lips
and tossed her long auburn hair defiantly. Let him cope with the
household chores for once! He might just start to realise how much she
did instead of complaining about all the things that she didn't do. As
far as she was concerned, the early excitement of married life had
faded. And lovemaking, though enjoyable, sadly seemed to be restricted
to a slot between the shopping and the football on Saturday afternoons.
A couple of nights surrounded by a few amorous Frenchmen might work
wonders for her flailing ego, she thought. After all, French men did
have a certain fascinating reputation.

Andy didn't mind a bit when she told him that she was going, and,
irrationally she felt slightly irritated by his apparent indifference.
This mild resentment simmered inside her as she boarded the plane, so
that by the time it landed she was actively annoyed with him. From the
plane window she could see the early morning spring sunlight glinting
on the buildings of the most romantic city in the world - and suddenly
her anger was replaced by excitement. She was alone in Paris for the
weekend. She was attractive, vivacious and intelligent. A smile curved
her lips as she realised that anything could happen&;#8230;.
A mischievous demon teased some dark recess of her mind with images
that would have made a lady of the night blush and she shivered with
anticipation. Paris was a city for lovers and she longed to experience
its passion. In all honesty she longed to experience any passion!
Whatever she did, Andy would never know! Besides it was his stupid
fears that were allowing her the opportunity to break her marriage vows
and it was his attitude towards her that was making her want to.
Outside the terminal she gave the taxi driver her destination with the
ease of a seasoned traveller. At the reception desk in the hotel she
dealt confidently with the reservation, feeling proudly that she was
completely in control. She had the world at her command and anything
she wanted was possible&;#8230;&;#8230;&;#8230;
When she took her place amongst the representatives of 'Moreau
International' her sharp green eyes raked the rows of mainly male
businessmen, with predatory thoroughness. Finally they settled on the
handsome chiselled profile of a fair-haired man seated to her right on
the row in front. She leaned forward to see him better.
He was thirtyish and wore a pinstriped suit with a red tie. He smiled
at something the speaker had said and as she glimpsed his pearly-white
teeth her heart somersaulted and the word 'perfect' sprang into her
mind. After a moment he seemed to sense her eyes boring into his face,
for he turned towards her, catching her unawares. She gasped at the
brilliance of his cornflower blue eyes, initially light with surprise,
and then darkening with desire as they fused with her own steady green
gaze. Her right eyebrow rose very slightly in invitation and he blinked
once slowly - in acceptance. Thus assured and freed from the need for
further coquetterie, Anna settled back to listen to the speaker.
Over lunch in a quiet corner of a little brasserie Anna rediscovered
the exquisite art of flirting. His name was Herv?, he was thirty, he
was staying in a hotel nearby, his room number was 511 and he was
excellent company. And that was all that she wanted to know. By mutual
agreement they skipped the afternoon conference and hopped on the
nearest M?tro. Herv? knew Paris well, and when she had demanded that he
take her somewhere romantic he had no hesitation in recommending a
stroll through the Latin Quarter and on to the banks of the Seine. A
pleasant glow settled over her body, and she wasn't sure whether it was
the effect of the red wine or being in the company of a handsome man in
the world's most romantic city. And as they stepped off the Metro at
L'Od?on, hand in hand and giggling, she didn't care. She hadn't felt
like this for years and she didn't want to analyse the
reasons&;#8230;..
As they walked up the Boulevard St. Michel he took her hand again and
effortlessly matched his step with hers so that they seemed to glide
along the pavement in complete harmony. All around them the bustle and
excitement of the city seemed to drift past in a rosy haze, sharpening
the features of her companion and enhancing his nearness. The balmy
spring breeze caressed her hair and increased her awareness of the
pressure of his fingers stroking her palm. The masculine scent of his
after shave lotion mingled with the aroma of coffee, Gaulois
cigarettes, waffles and hot bread, and she breathed deeply, growing
more and more intoxicated as time passed. Impatient motorists blasted
their horns, friends shouted greetings, china and cutlery rattled - but
the only sound on which she focused was the soft timbre of Herv?'s
voice, with its lilting accent that made his conversation sound like a
love song.
When they reached the Pont St. Michel she gasped in wonder at the
beautiful cathedral of Notre Dame, which rose majestically from the
banks of the Ile de la Cit?.
"Its beauty is immortal," breathed Herv? in her ear. "Just like
yours." She smiled into his blue eyes.
"Mine will fade," she said sadly. But Herv? shook his head.
"Not in my memory," he whispered. And she knew that he was right. Just
as his would never fade in hers. In fifty years Herv? would still be
young and handsome, and every time she thought of Paris she would
remember him just as he was today. She swayed slightly and he placed a
steadying hand around her waist.
"Come," he said. "There is more to see." And he led her along the Quai
de Montebello, which overlooked the river. Here the horse chestnut
trees were in full blossom and young lovers walked side by side, gazing
into each other's eyes, capturing the same magical moments that would
forever be indelibly imprinted in their memories.
Suddenly Herv? stopped and gently turned her round to face him.
Silently he gazed longingly and questioningly into her soul, seeking
the answer to the unspoken question that screamed from his eyes. Anna
inhaled sharply. It was now or never. This was what she had hoped for
and now all she had to do was nod and she would have it. But still she
hesitated&;#8230;..
And then the unexpected sound of an English voice cut through the
heavy air that hung expectantly between them. Anna blinked and took an
involuntary step backwards, inexplicably experiencing a strong pang of
guilt. What was she doing? An image of she and Herv? furtively going
back into the hotel passed before her eyes, the shame of what they were
about to do emblazoned on their faces. Now they were going into his
room and she was starting to take off her clothes&;#8230;but the
romance had been replaced by acute embarrassment&;#8230;&;#8230;
The bubble of romance had burst and the magic spell of the city was
broken.
She had no need to speak, for Herv? saw the answer in her eyes. She
saw regret cloud the deep blue irises and remained quite still as he
slowly backed away from her, before turning his back and walking away.
Around her nothing had changed - and yet nothing was the same. But as
she retraced her steps to the M?tro station and a wave of loneliness
washed over her, she knew that what was missing was not Herv? - it was
Andy. With Andy she could have yielded honestly and completely to this
beautiful city, enjoying it without guilt and sharing the joy of
experiencing it for the first time with someone she loved. And suddenly
Paris was no longer romantic, because the man she loved wasn't here.
The breathtaking beauty of the Paris of that afternoon had no more
substance than a pretty postcard, which would eventually be thrown away
with the rubbish.
Wearily she passed into the hotel lobby.
"Surprise!" She thought that her ears had deceived her and she swung
round in disbelief, a wide smile smoothing her furrowed brow. Andy! A
lump formed in her throat as she realised that he had braved his fear
of flying to be with her. And only she knew how much sacrifice that
would have taken. Now he was returning her smile and taking her arm,
steering her back the way she had come.
"I thought we'd spend the rest of the weekend seeing the city
together," he explained. "After all - Paris is for lovers, you know."
Anna smiled through her tears and nodded.
"It certainly is," she replied, stepping out onto the street with the
only lover she would ever want.
THE END 1,595 words