Chapter 1.
Marta Wellman bade good bye to her family in the old country headed for a better life in London,or so did her family thought,only her best friend Cindy knows her main reason for throwing away her dream to be with a man who is married..
Stop Cindy, he is not married and even if he is,it's a contract marriage,his wife is hardly makes out time for the family,which is one of the reasons they are still childless,Marta said,as she select a pair of G string panties, Cindy shaked her head,she wish Marta could read the hands written on wall..
Cohabiting with a man ,who is still married to his wife,is one crazy idea..
All set, Marta said,as she zipped up her boxes, "I will miss you bestie, Cindy said plus I won't advertise your room immediately,just in case..
The train is now approaching the last stop, the Engineer announced..
Marta smiled as she hefted her case along the platform, and out on to the main concourse. The train had been crowded,mostly she suspected ,with Saturday shoppers , and she had to thread get way through a mass of people to find the taxi rank. "Was she doing the right thing?, She asked herself for the fifth time, leaving a comfortable and complete family for a him?.
There hardly seemed a time when he hadn't been part of her life. They'd grown up in the same village, and Marta had always been slightly in awe of his Ebony good looks, and the assurance bestowed by his seven years' seniority over her.she'd grieved silently when he'd left for the university .
During his final year in the university,his parents moved to a smaller property on the coast and she'd decided sadly that she'd never see him again.
Their meeting last year in new Jersey wine bar had been the purest coincidence. Hermes had been with a crowd of people at a far end of the room, tho the wine bar was full and not particularly well lit but she'd recognized him at the first glance, Jeremy ice , she tapped him , And you are?, He doesn't remember me ,Marta said trembling, should I just walk away?, "No", Marta took a deep breath, Marta Wellman,she introduced, bringing out her hand for a shake, "wait... Marta Wellman....
You look terrific. His green eyes took in everything, from her streaked blond hair enhanced by a fortnight in the Greek sun, to the pink enamel on the toenails peeping from her chic, high heeled sandals. He glanced round. Are you with someone,or can we talk?".
' I was just leaving...'
.No, don't do that. Look those people in the corner are leaving, grab their table while I get us a drink. Is spirit all right?.
Moments later,they were sitting at the corner table, and he was pouring wine into her glass.
'Are you sure your friends won't mind?', Marta asked doubtfully..
Hermes shrugged. I've done my duty . The way things are going,my absence won't even be noticed. He handed over her glass. Raised his own in a toast. 'Happy meetings, Marta. Tell me , what are you doing in new jersey ?'.
Waiting for you, Marta almost blurted out..
we are here ma, the driver spoke , bringing Marta back to reality.
Now that she was here,she wanted to be with Hermes. Hermes had made no secret of the fact that he is married and she'd respect him for that.
She couldn't remember the moment when she first registered that all might not be well in his marriage. He always spoke with pride of his wife's career achievements,but was reticent even tight lipped about their personal relationship, and gradually she'd found herself wondering.
Then one day,he'd rung her at work and almost asked if she could have dinner with him that evening. When she arrived at the restaurant,she'd found a candlelit table for two,and a champagne waiting on ice.
It's my birthday, he'd told her quietly.'unfortunately my wife is too busy preparing a major case for the crown court to come out with me. I appreciate you for making the for me, Marta .
Over the dinner, Hermes had spoken openly about hid marriage for the first time.
With Jenny,the job comes first, second and third ,he'd said bitterly. I'm not even sure I end up a poor fourth.
That can't be true , Marta said putting her hand over his. You've been married such a short time. You have to talk it out , perhaps reach some kind of compromise ..
How can you talk to someone who won't admit there's a problem?,he'd shaken his head I'm not certain we've ever had a marriage at all . His fingers had closed round hers. 'i should have waited, Marta ' he'd said huskily. Waited for you. I know what now. Tell me is not too late.
'wake up love'. The taxi driver's strident voice broke impatiently into her reverie . 'Do you want a cab or not ?' 'oh yes. Red faced, Marta gave him her destination and heaved her case on board, collapsing back on to the sear ad the cab moved off..
She hardly knew London at all, she reflected . Her only previous visits had been brief sightseeing trips when she was much younger . Living here would be a totally different matter.
'Did you say number sixteen?, the cabbie called back to her.
'yes ', she said, dry mouthed, as they drew to a halt.
She stood on the pavement,and watched the departing cab as if it was her last link with reality. Then she turned, and looked back at the house.
Slowly she carried her case you the steps. There were two brass bells besides the front door, with one marked 'B', She pressed the unmarked one, and waited. For an eternity, nothing happened,and she was just about to ring again when she heard the sound of locks being unfastened inside the house.
The door opened and Marta found herself confronted by a man who could pass for an angle.
HOLY MOTHER, Marta muttered .
TBC.