Chapter 12

Samantha

“Good morning, Ms. Samantha, how are you today?” George was always polite and jovial to me and we’d become good friends.

“I have a little something for you here, George,” I said, handing him a gold bag with a tie string.”

“What you got there?”

“Inside that bag are sixty-nine invitations, George. One for each and every tenant in the building, plus one for you.”

He shook his head. “Oh, Ms. Samantha, I appreciate you thinking of me, but I can’t hobnob with the people here, you understand?”

“Very well, George, that’s up to you. But, I need you to see to it that one invitation is delivered to each and every floor, including the sixty-ninth. I’m having an open house. As you know, I’ve been redecorating Dom’s apartment and I think it came out splendidly. What better time to get to know my neighbors?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Ms. Samantha. You know what you’re in for?” He wasn’t stating the obvious but he and I both knew what he was warning me of.

“I know very well what I’m doing, please deliver them for me will you?”

“Oh, I wish I could be there. I’d love to be a fly on that wall.”

“Don’t turn me down just yet, George. You might be surprised what you’re going to find out.”

I climbed into the elevator and shot up to our apartment. John was waiting for me inside.

“Did he say he’d do it?”

I nodded. “I invited him, too, but he said he wouldn’t be able to come. It would be inappropriate, according to him. I told him not to decide too soon because he might find out more than what he was expecting.”

“How are you feeling?”

“It’s too soon for morning sickness, so right now I feel very normal. At least I’m not showing yet. I don’t want anyone to know until we decide if we want to tell them. Hopefully, everything will settle down and you and I can be married and off on our merry way. But we’ve got a couple things to deal with first.”

“I’ve got my own plans underway. Don’t ever think I wasn’t handling this, Samantha.”

I shook my head and looked at him with wonder. “Dom, you’re the last person on earth I’d want as an enemy. I know you would take care of all of this and I wouldn’t have to worry. That’s what you do and you’re very good at it. At the same time, I’m asking you to let me deal with it my way, too. Otherwise, I’ll always feel dirty about all this. I have to go back and in the face of my attacker in order to regain my self-confidence. Please tell me you understand this?”

He was nodding and motioned for me to come and give him a hug. “I completely understand and I’m proud of you,” he said through the thickness of my hair into my ear.

“Thank you, Dom. For now, let’s make a pact. I’m going to handle the party and you do whatever you had planned. Between the two of us, he’ll be done for. What do you say?”

“Works for me.”

From that moment forward, I focused strictly on the party. I hired a party planner to help with the details of the event itself. She was a very tall woman named Barbara. She had been recommended by George and I figured if anyone knew about party planners, it would be him. She came up to the apartment that next day and we closeted ourselves in the master sitting area. I told her I didn’t have a guest list, but she should expect sixty-eight guests, plus or minus, as they had the option of bringing a plus one. Since we knew all of them to be single, they would be considered dates. She was fine with that and we planned a very grand buffet that could accommodate the entire guest list.

I asked to have a Grecian God and Goddess theme. I hadn’t included the theme in the invitation, preferring instead to provide costumes and accessories for everyone when they arrived. Barbara was then asked to source these, most likely togas, golden lamé belts with tassels, sandals, and most assuredly, woven crowns. I knew they would be particularly thrilled with the crowns, even if they were nothing more than woven, spray-painted eucalyptus leaves. I decided to have the furniture moved back and to fill the rooms with massive pillows. There would be a fountain which would continually spill out wine and the platters of food would be situated on tables throughout the apartment. Barbara had also suggested some strategically placed Grecian columns and tapestry to add authenticity and I heartily agreed. I could see why George recommended her—she knew what to do.

Don worked primarily in his office and I heard his voice through the door on the phone frequently. A couple of times I’d heard him shouting, and I tried to ignore it, but I had to admit I wondered whether it had anything to do with Satterly. On the few occasions when I tapped on his door and asked to go in, Dom had been facing a wall covered with computer flat screens which issued a blue tinge to the room. He was watching the markets, both stock in Forex and positioning his finances according to critical times when markets opened around the globe. I admired him for his discipline and comprehension of the financial reactions to events around the world. It was something I knew nothing about, so we made a good pair. There were some things we shared, and some things we enjoyed separately. It gave us both a sense of fulfillment without stepping on the other’s toes.

Whatever it was Dom was planning, he let me know that he’d reveal the outcome at the party. “Actually, I’m very glad you’ve planned that. It works out perfectly for me and I’m proud to show off my fiancé. Have you given any thought to where you’d like to live once we’re married?”

“I didn’t realize the decision was being left to me. Is there anywhere you need to be for your businesses?”

“No, I can work from anywhere, although I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind being near New York City. It is the heart of the financial world, not to mention at the top of the list when it comes to culture and opportunities for the best lifestyle imaginable. I would like our child to go to a private school here on the coast.”

I nodded, although I didn’t necessarily agree about the schools. I felt like I’d turned out pretty well for my little town, but if Dom felt strongly about it, who was I to oppose him on that? He was looking after our children, after all.

As the evening for the open house drew closer, I began to get more and more excited. I asked Barbara if she wouldn’t mind accompanying me on a shopping trip to find just the right costumes for Dom and me. While our guests were slated to wear white togas, I felt it would be more festive if Dom and I wore something unique. She was only too happy to do as I asked.

She took me to an upscale costume shop, something she was experienced in sourcing. Dom was the perfect physical specimen for a shortened toga with a leather belt, massive codpiece, tall boots, and they could just be topped by a cape of layered golden scales adorned with colorful gemstones. He would be also the only one wearing a sword, carried in a scabbard suspended from his belt.

On the other hand, I was going to wear gold. I chose a long dress that was opened to the upper thigh and my belt would be jewel encrusted. I chose a heavy, oversized necklace made from gold and inset topaz. I would wear a matching headband, controlling my long hair for easy movement. Layers of bangle bracelets completed my ensemble and I had to admit to myself in the mirror, I looked fairly enticing. Even the neckline exposed a healthy portion of my large breasts, the largest of all topaz would lie between them. We were all set.

The day had arrived, and Barbara’s crew were forming a steady stream of coming and going from the apartment. Their arms were filled with boxes, covered trays, and garment bags. Burly furniture movers came to arrange the furniture and hung the overlapping drapes, punctuated by white Grecian columns. The wine fountain was installed and when Dom strolled in from his office later that afternoon, I could see he was very impressed.

“Your costume is on our bed,” I told him, but he waited until everyone was gone before he went back to investigate. I could hear his bellow from the kitchen.

“You want me to wear this? There’s hardly anything to it!”

I slowly walked the hallway back to our room, a smile on my face. “Is there any rule that says I can’t show off my husband’s gorgeous body?”

“Which only makes me ask, what are you wearing?” He was holding up the codpiece, deciding where it was to be worn.

“You go ahead and put your costume on while I go in the other room and get dressed. I’ll meet you in the living room in a few minutes. Our guests should begin arriving in about half an hour.”

He looked doubtful but agreed. I’d forgotten to remind him that all the marble tubs would be filled with bubbling hot water and their jets running. It was important to the theme of the party to be as authentic as possible. In the meantime, I went into one of the guestrooms and pulled out my costume, sliding into it easily. I marveled at its simplistic lines that were at the same time, very flattering. I piled my hair on the top of my head and let the curls cascade down my back. I painted my eyes as was the custom at that time, and even though Cleopatra was Queen of Egypt, I made the assumption that the Greeks probably were likewise made up.

When I exited the bedroom, I turned into the living room and found Dom standing there, his feet spread and the sword in his scabbard. I felt the hot rush between my legs as I beheld him. He was absolutely gorgeous. His hair, naturally longish and curly held the crown of leaves as though he’d stepped out of that century. I hoped there weren’t a lot of women who would be showing up, as I knew I’d have to keep an eye on him. He was mine.

In return, his mouth dropped open when he saw me. “You are absolutely stunning, my Queen.”

“Wrong country, but thank you all the same. Our guests will be suitably impressed as well, I’m hoping. Their costumes are far less elaborate, but that’s what they get for letting me throw the party.”

“You women have your own special way of getting back at people.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“So, there’s more to your plan?”

I looked at him, tells of it on my face. “Oh, this is only the beginning. The best will be coming later this evening. Is everything on schedule for you, too?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s all lined up.”

Staff began to arrive, including the musicians who set up in one corner and strummed medieval music on a harp, a lute, and a small golden recorder. I was really proud of the way everything turned out. The food was truly a banquet and very artfully arranged. Barbara was on hand, also in toga costume, directing her staff were to place the platters and so forth. She was worth every bit and I would recommend her highly.

As I expected, the guests were late in arriving. They filtered in the door, either solitary or in groups of two. Everything was going according to plan. I’d made nametags because I hadn’t met any of the other tenants. Some of them declined to give their names, and I could respect their desire for privacy. That included whoever the tenant for the sixty-ninth floor might be. The nametags didn’t include which floor they lived on, so that was anyone’s guess. In that sense, it was a secret ball with costumes and the overall result was rather titillating.

The apartment was beginning to become crowded when Satterly finally arrived. He made his way in and around the other guests anonymously and while I pretended not to notice him, I could tell his eyes were watching for me. Dom stationed himself near me, although I had asked him to keep enough distance that Satterly would approach me when I allowed it. I had a couple of late arrival guests who needed some special accommodation and I busied myself with them.

Finally, the time came when I pretended to finally notice Satterly’s presence. “Mr. Satterly. What a surprise. I had no idea you were on the guest list.”

“I promised you I would buy you a floor in the building, don’t you remember?”

“To tell you the truth, I thought you were just trying to impress me and really didn’t realize you were serious.”

“Oh, I was serious, all right. You look stunning, my dear Sam. But then, why should I expect anything less?”

“As charming as it is to converse with you, let me direct you toward the banquet table and the wine fountain. I will see you a little later,” I told him as I turned away. I’d phrased it that way intentionally, whetting his appetite for what was yet to come. I suspected most of the guests believed the party would be as authentic as possible and who was I to let them down? I had Dom’s approval, although he did express some reservations.

The time then came for the show to begin. The musicians moved to the center of the room and one by one, disrobed until they stood naked, their bodies painted with gold over breasts and groins. There was a murmur that went through the room, and I knew it to be the sound of approval. The musicians began to play again, this time moving among the guests. One at a time, each would choose a particular guest to titillate, using fingers or the end of an instrument to tug loose the white toga and unveil the guest’s nakedness.

They moved from room to room, and those who weren’t deflowered by the musicians dropped their own clothing. Before too long, it was only Dom and me who remained clothed, except for the serving staff. Two high backed, gilded chairs were brought into the room and placed at the center. Dom and I took our place on these thrones, each of us sitting erect with gilded staffs in our hands as we watched our guests begin to cavort with one another.

The music grew in volume and naked young men painted entirely in gold made their way through the rooms, skins of wine in hand as they feted the guests. One by one, two by two, inhibitions sailed away and was only a matter of time before people began coupling on the white fur rugs the staff had spread throughout the apartment. It was exactly as I had planned—a party of ostentatious food, decoration, music, and overt sex.

At a particular cue, Dom and I rose from our thrones and slowly made our way amongst the copulating bodies. Young men, wearing only their own gilded skins, were positioned throughout with fans made from palm leaves. They were trained to aid our guests in whatever sexual fantasy they desired. We finally made our way back to the fourth bedroom and it was just as I’d planned.

On the floor lay Satterly, his obese body naked to anyone who had the misfortune to look his way. There were two servants working on him, one with his mouth and another with his hands while Satterly was sprawled wide legged, exposing his privates. Of all the guests in all the rooms, Satterly was the only one who chose two young men for his personal orgy. Every other couple there that evening was engaging in heterosexual experiences.

Don looked at Satterly and then at me as I smiled gently and nodded. Dom shook his head and I could tell he was amazed at what I’d planned. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

No one seemed to notice that Dom and I were still fully dressed. We made our way back to the living room and regained our thrones as new guests arrived. These gentlemen were dressed in dark gray suits and while they may have gawked a bit, they were there on business. Dom stood long enough to whisper into the ear of the lead gentleman and point, and then he resumed his stance on his throne.

The gentlemen made their way down the hallway to the fourth bedroom, pushing the door open as their mouths dropped open, beholding Satterly. The next thing I knew, Satterly was being dragged naked from the bedroom, which was tantamount to dragging a hog to be butchered. Once they got him to the living room, they forced him to stand up and fastened his wrists behind his body in handcuffs. His arms were so fat that the plastic strips they used to restrain him cut into the flesh and blood streamed down the naked cheeks of his ass.

The gentleman in charge read Satterly his rights and while a list of charges flew past me, I did manage to grasp that Satterly was being arrested for insider trading and fraud. He was dragged from the apartment into the elevator, still undressed, although he was no longer in a state of arousal, as far as I could tell.

The arrest tended to dampen the atmosphere and one by one, the guests quickly found their clothing and departed. Barbara and her team restored the apartment to its original cleanliness and when they left, the sun was rising, and the light shone into the rooms as though nothing had ever happened.

Dom and I had made our way back to our bedroom where we both stripped, slid between the sheets and immediately fell asleep. It was a sleep of peace and satisfaction.