Behind Closed Doors by Ava Catori Page A

out.
    He
rounded the corner, his back having been to the doorframe, “Yes,
Ma’am?”
    “ Would
you sit and talk with me for a bit? I’ve changed my mind.”
    “ Of
course, Mrs. Michaels,” he said, joining me in the room.
    “ I
hate when you call me Ma’am, it makes me feel old.”
    “ Yes
Ma’am,” he self-corrected, “I’m sorry, Mrs.
Michaels.” I think it was more habit than anything.
    “ I
know you’re on duty, but I much prefer Elle,” I
reiterated for the hundredth time. “I’m only Mrs.
Michaels by marriage, and you know that’s a sham,” I
trailed off, not wanting to go there.
    “ I
understand, it’s just what I’ve been instructed by my
agency,” he started.
    I
knew he was supposed to be proper when referring to me, but I hated
the coldness. I much preferred when he spoke to me like a peer,
rather than his boss. He let it slip out time to time, but he was
good at his job.
    “ Hunter,
can I ask you a question?”
    “ Yes
Ma…” stopping himself, “certainly, Elle.”
    “ Do
you think I’m an attractive woman, or have I passed my prime?”
I was almost embarrassed to ask, but I needed to know.
    He
wasn’t sure how to respond, not wanting to cross boundaries,
“Elle, you’re a lovely woman.”
    “ Lovely,”
I sighed, “that’s the polite version of fine.”
Taking a deep breath, “I’m getting older. Harry used to
think I was beautiful, now he puts his cock in some young slut.”
I shook my head, “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate and
uncalled for,” I said, my frustration building at having seen
his mistress leaving my house earlier.
    Harry
never made an appearance, so I guess once their business was done; he
went about his way – avoiding me as much as possible.
    “ I’m
flawed, Hunter,” I started to cry. “What happened?”
    “ Mrs.
Michaels, you’re not flawed,” he started, and then
stopping to choose his words carefully. “Elle, some men can’t
help themselves. I’m not giving him an excuse, what he’s
doing is wrong, but some men don’t see loyalty as a trait they
need to aspire too sadly. I’ve never understood that. I’m
sorry he’s hurt you.”
    “ You
didn’t answer the question, Hunter. Hunter, is that what your
mom used to call you, or did she call you Alex?”
    “ She
called me Alex, Ma’am. I picked up the nickname in the military
– it stuck.”
    “ I
see.”
    “ Mrs.
Michaels, answering the question would put me in an awkward position,
as you’re my employer, and quite honestly I don’t want to
lose my job.” He was trying to be gracious, not wanting to be
put on the spot, and not wanting to offend me in any manner.
    “ Ahh,
so you don’t have the heart to tell me I’m past my
prime.” I understood, his lack of saying so told me what he
truly thought.
    “ On
the contrary, Elle, you’re quite lovely, and this time I mean
it in the most complimentary way.”
    I
blushed, not expecting that answer. “Thank you, Hunter. I
appreciate you sparing my feelings.” That was sweet of him to
try to make me feel better, but I knew they were words of formality
and not of heart. My luster was dimming as I got older.
    Harry,
my husband, wasn’t always so cold, there was a time he truly
loved me. We were perfect together, me having been raised in a
political family, him having aspirations. It wasn’t until he
got pulled into the crap that goes along with it that his values
changed. One small bit at a time, he corrupted himself, and soon I
was something he was willing to step on to get what he wanted. I
think it was the power – it went to his head.
    Didn’t
he understand these women didn’t truly want him for who he was?
He was simply a public man with money, and these dirty women were
only in it for exposure and a money grab. I’m sure it inflated
his ego to have young women throwing themselves at him, but he never
made the connection that it wouldn’t be happening if he was a
no name tradesman.
    It
didn’t matter, he’d screwed