The Secret Liaison Read online

  She walked towards Joshua never losing eye contact with him as she took a seat as if she was there for a scheduled meeting. The thickness in the air was too much for Joshua. He continued to rub on the desk as he stared in his wife eyes and said “Are you ready to tell me what is going on with you Julia.” She cleared her throat already making up her mind that she was strong enough to get through this. She was a Custis and Custis women could face any challenge; even this. Holding her head up nice and strong and sticking her chest out to encourage her speech she said “I am pregnant.” Joshua stopped rubbing the desk as a smile broke out from his heart to his eyes and he shouted “That’s wonderful Julia! I am so excited oh my God why are you crying and sad this is wonderful news!” He jumped up from his seat to make his way over to his wife; he couldn’t remember when he had been so happy. Before he could make it all the way around the desk she yelled “It’s not yours Jo… The baby is not yours!”

  The ringing of the phone brought him back from his nightmare. Thinking about that time in his life was more painful than he wanted to admit to anyone. Picking up the phone he said more forcefully than he planned “Hello!” The caller was a reporter with the Ledger and wanted to know if he wanted to comment on his son’s marriage to Dirk Dublin’s daughter. Before Joshua could hang up on him the reporter went on to comment that the rumor mill was saying that Dublin was his archenemy and now Dublin’s daughter was half owner of his family’s business. Once the reporter came up for breath Joshua took his frustration out on him “Your rumor mill knows nothing about my family and I would suggest you get your facts straight before I sue the Ledger and you personally.” He slammed the phone down so hard that it cracked in two places. He was beyond pissed and could feel his pressure rising. He was sixty years old and stress was wrecking havoc on his system causing him to have heart palpitations. Joshua looked back out the window of his study and took some slow smooth breathes of air. He could feel his heart regulating just as Julia walked into the room and said “Jo what are you up too? You have been closed up in here all day.” She had her arms folded across her ample chest with a look of annoyance grazing her beautiful features as she continued “You can’t control your children’s lives Jo! Let the past go! And as for Austin, what is done is done!” With that Julia turned and stormed right back out of the door. He could hear the pleading in her voice and he had promised her years ago that he would let it go but sitting there thirty three years later he just wasn’t sure if he could anymore.

  Round Three

  The sun peeking through the blinds didn’t stop Justin from indulging in his favorite morning snack as he slowly snaked down through his Merino Egyptian thousand count cotton sheets. Justin loved to show women his twenty two carat gold sheets and brag that they were handmade. He didn’t need any help in the bedroom but he loved the look on their face as they contemplated how fast they could remove their clothes to feel those sheets on their body. Most people assumed that he was a square because he was rich and well educated; it was quite the opposite. Out of the two, Justin was the one who was more laid back and fun to be around. He enjoyed a good joke, loved to hang out with his friends and the ladies, well that was another story. Some consider him the quintessential ladies man; with his model looks and sexy physique he never has problems with the ladies. Managing all of this with a professional life in the lime light is a nightmare for his campaign manager. He has been called everything from the gigolo politician to the next sex scandal waiting to happen. All of that could be furthest from the truth; Justin was nothing if not responsible. He was single and he liked women. Things could be much worse. And speaking of women, he nibbled gently on the sweet nectar that he had before him as his conquest moaned loudly. Justin loved when they spoke the sounds of ecstasy in his direction.

  Unfolding the juicy present that lay before him gave him a feeling of joy like kids feel when they open presents; they are both excited and hopeful. Justin was excited to be traveling the canals of sexual ecstasy with one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He was hopeful that he could survive another round with the feisty Monica. She has held him captive for the last three days giving him a run for his money. Justin continued to please her beyond measure enjoying every moment of the way she was pulling in his curly locks and screaming his name “Right there Justin…don’t stop. Yes! YEs! YES!” He liked to swim in her ocean but before she could reach her peak he climbed her body and entered her palace once again. In this moment Justin turned from gentle giant to ravenous beast pounding into Monica with abandon. Her walls collapsed around his girth holding him captive as he dug deeper and deeper “That’s it baby take this dick.” He flipped her on her stomach and entered her from the back as Monica threw the roundest ass he had ever seen back at him panting and still screaming his name. She was about to explode, especially when Justin declared “I’m cumming baby….urrgghhh ohh shit yeah!!” They both reached their peak at the same time collapsing on the bed together. Monica’s body continued to enjoy silent aftershocks as she relished having “Thee Justin Brent” still nestled inside of her body. The ringing of the phone shattered the euphoric moment.

  Reluctantly Justin reached for the phone “Yeah.” His tone let the caller know he was not happy being disturbed. It was Devlin, his campaign manager and best friend, he was snicker a little as he said “Put it back in your pants playboy. Your little sexual hiatus with the bimbo of the week is over. I need you on deck pronto.” Devlin hung up the phone before Justin was able to protest. Shaking his head and smiling at his friends antics Justin hung up the phone and stood to his full 6’3 stretching himself to another foot and a half as he said “I got to go Monica. It has definitely been a fun couple of days though.” He looked over at the beauty in his bed and thought to himself too bad the brains didn’t come with the beauty because she was killer in the sack. Monica was wearing a look of disappointment on her face as she said “Can I come with you?” Justin didn’t even answer that ridiculous question as he headed for the power jets of his shower hoping she would be gone when he came out.

  The Confrontation

  There was plenty of excitement in the days following the announcement of the merger between Brent Electronics and Dublin Engineering. The media was relentless with their pursuit of a story. They continued to try and link the announcement to Justin’s run for the Senate. Austin was anxious to separate his family’s company business from his family’s political life. Sitting behind his high end oak desk he was going over figures for the first project that would be headed under the newly merged company of Brent & Dublin Electrical Engineering. Lately he had been feeling bad; loss of appetite, nausea, and vomitingwere threatening to ruin his day. Of the twins Austin was the more laid back; the one most likely to have a plan designed for everything he did. The timing of the announcement of the merger at his brother’s fundraiser was not by accident. He wanted to publically put the bad blood between the Brent’s and the Dublin’s to bed. Austin and Justin could never get to the source of the conflict between the families and Jessica didn’t seem to know either; however she did confide in Austin that her father was dead set against her associating with the “Brent Bastard’s.” Coughing and shaking and his head Austin said “I can’t believe that’s how he referred to us. He didn’t even know us!” He was jarred from his reflective thought by a slight commotion outside his office door.

  His office door opened and in walked Joshua Brent in all of his self importance with the office assistance Mildred hot on his heals looking exasperated saying “Mr. Brent I tried to stop him.” Austin slowly raised his hand “Don’t worry about it Mildred.” As he shot daggers at his father and said “And what brings you to the building dad? You haven’t stepped foot into this building since uncle Barnacle died of cancer five years ago.” Austin coughed and came from around his desk and attempted to give his father a hug but Joshua had other plans “I don’t plan on staying and might I say you look horrible. I just needed to come and talk some sense into you.” He said as he move
d away from the intended embrace. Joshua never noticed the hurt look on Austin’s face as he moved to the conference table in the corner and took a seat and continued to talk with a nervous look on his face “Austin, son, I really want you to reconsider your marriage to that girl. It’s not too late to have it annulled! You don’t know these people. They will suck you dry and spit you out. Once a Dublin always a Dublin.” He appeared to be out of breath as he completed his plea. The look on Austin’s face was indifferent as he said “Dad, why do you hate the Dublin’s so much? If you would just give Jessica a chance you would find her to be a beautiful soul with the brain of a genius. She is good for me and even better for the company. Why can’t you just be happy for us; for me?” Austin had moved closer to his father, really wanting to know what was causing his father so much distress.

  He looked close to tears and this was something that Austin had never witnessed before. He could tell that this meant a lot to his father, but he refused to allow him to run his personal and business life. Austin cleared his throat and said “How does mother feel about this?” Joshua shot up from his chair quicker than his sixty years should have allowed and giving his son a hard look he said “You will regret this.” With that he turned and moved quickly from the office leaving a confused Austin in his wake.

  Needing a Break

  Julia Custis-Brent was still the ravishing beauty that she has always been even at sixty years young. Every hair was in place and every curve was as tight as a thirty year olds. She still turned heads whenever she entered a room. Her beauty was natural from her blond locks to her statuesque figure. The relaxing massage she was receiving was helping with her stress level. It had been a week since the announcement and the tense atmosphere in her home was about to boil over “What does Jo want me to do about the situation? Our children are grown. Austin is in love. Telling them about the past will only cause more confusion than it’s worth. And if the media gets wind of it!” Julia didn’t even won’t to dwell on what a political firestorm that would be. She was from a long line of Virginian landowners who were very active in Virginia and D.C. politics. Her father Harold General Custis was a lobbyist who helped pass many of the laws that were enjoyed by citizens today. Her family was very proud and didn’t aboard scandal. Julie was raised as a proper lady by a strong mother with strong Christian values. But what her mother Henrietta Custis didn’t know was that her daughter had a bit of a rebellious streak in her. Family pride reeled her in for the most part and Julia married well and raised two very fine young men; but there was the mishap thirty three years ago that has plagued her life and marriage.

  The massage allowed her time to let her memory drift back to a time where her decisions almost caused disaster for her marriage.

  The atmosphere in the Brent home was stifling. Julia’s admission that she was carrying another man’s child had all but destroyed the love and trust in their relationship. It had been a week since the disclosure, Joshua was sleeping in the servants quarters; he had fired all of them. Julia was miserable. She felt a sense of shame, but strangely relief. The affair with Dirk had been going on for three years and had grown from a fling to a full- fledged love affair. There were no more tears left for her to shed because what was done was done. She was thankful that Joseph had not brought her family into the situation before they were able to talk things through themselves. Sitting in her room on the window bench, Julia pulled her legs underneath her chin and starred out into the white snow and thought how simple it looked. She thought about Dirk and what his response to her pregnancy was and smiled slightly.

  The St. Regis on 16th Street has been her escape from the reality of life for the last three years. It was her piece of heaven, where she could close herself off from the world and live in the fantasy that she and Dirk created. The St. Regis was only two blocks from The White House but a world away from the hustle and bustle of politics.

  Whenever Joseph was away on business, which was very often, Julia and Dirk would spend the entire time closed up in their 2500 square foot Presidential Suite. The suite was marvelous and had every luxury that could be dreamed of from an enormous sitting room with two fireplaces, large windows and high ceilings that let the warmth of natural light shine through to the bedroom which was her absolute favorite; it was a paradise with deep purple and gold colors accentuating the space, a huge king bed laced with Remigio Pratesi linens and plush comforters and pillows.

  Dirk was rubbing oil on her feet after a relaxing bath that they enjoyed together “ummm that feels so good love.” She cooed. Dirk was always pampering her and making her feel special; something Julia felt was missing in her young life. “Baby I will do anything to see that glow that you have right now in this relaxed state.” Dirk said with that sexy smile that he only carried for her. Julia knew the glow that he was seeing was being helped by the package that she was carrying. Fully relaxed now and gathering her courage Julia sad “honey I have something that I need to tell you.” Noticing the seriousness in her voice Dirk stopped kneading her feet, placing them on his lap and gave her his undivided attention. She loved how he always did that; made the things that she had to say important to him thinking to herself “I really adore this man!”

  Dirk was now rubbing up and down her legs waiting patiently for her to continue when she said “Dirk I am pregnant!” There she had said it. It was out in the atmosphere. Julia had never been so scared to make a statement in her life. Dirk felt his heart swell as he moved up Julia’s body to plant kisses all over her face saying “I am so happy! I have always wanted children Julia, you know that!” The excitement of the news was not overshadowed by the obvious; they were both married.

  That’s how it was with Julia and Dirk, when they were together they forgot about the outside world and just enjoyed each other. Dirk offered Julia passion and excitement. He listened to her stories and let her cry on his shoulder. They were both stuck in marriages that were long past overdue for retirement; but both felt obligated to their spouse.

  That snow outside was becoming comforting reminding Julia that life could get back to being that simple. Julia knew what she had to do in order to get her life back in balance; she had to end her relationship with Dirk. The quiet of the huge mansion was eerie. For a home that was normally filled with laughter and love it was truly a noticeable change. There were no maids or cooks and the lack of activity in the home was a cause for concern. Julia crept to the servants quarters determined to bring some clarity to the situation.

  As she stood in the dark fumbling for a light switch a match was struck illuminating a gloomy looking Joshua who was sitting on a sofa chair with a bottle of Vodka in arms reach. His eyes held a look of disgust with a back drop of sadness.

  They stared at each other for what appeared to be an eternity before he spoke up “What do you want Julia? Is there more exciting news that you want to share with me.” The sarcasm in his voice could not be mistaken, but Julia refused to be deterred as she came closer and knelt at his feet “I want to talk this out Joshua! I know I have hurt you and if you want a divorce I totally understand. But I at least want us to talk about it first.” The pain in his eyes was matched by the hurt in hers; Joshua hated to see her this way, but this was her doing not his “Why Julia? Why would you do this to us?” Joshua grabbed her shoulders and before he knew it he was shaking her and crying. Julia didn’t stop him, she felt she deserved it “I am so sorry. I I I felt alone and like I needed to feel alive and loved and instead of telling that to you I allowed myself to fall for someone who offered those things to me without me having to ask for them” This was the first time that she admitted it to herself ; the acknowledgment of the reason for her deception caused tears to begin to leak from her eyes. Joshua jumped up from his seat and began pacing around the room “So this is my fault?” pointing at Julia with a determined stare.

  “I didn’t take care of your needs so you found someone who would! Who is it Julia, who is this man that is better for you?” He was yelling so loud that i
t sounding like his voice was reverberating off of the walls. With her legs now pulled up to her chest and sobbing Julia said just as loudly “Dirk Dublin!” The moment it came from her mouth she wished she could take it back.

  The look in Joshua’s eyes went from anger to fury in seconds “Dirty ass Dirk Dublin! You are sleeping with a man that you know has tried to ruin my family for years. What the fuck is wrong with you Julia?” Joshua plopped down on the couch shaking his head as the realization hit him at full speed.

  The masseuse was finishing up the relaxing massage causing Julia to push the unpleasant thoughts to the back burner. She still had to face Joshua when she returned to her life and she wasn’t sure if their marriage could survive another struggle. She had to admit that her body was completely relaxed but her mind was running a mile a minute. She hoped their tragic history would remain that; history. “It appears this marriage between Jessica and Austin is going to bring back all of the bad memories rather I want it to or not.” She thought as she made her way to the mani/pedi area of the spa.

  What a Day

  Dropping the dumbbells to the floor Justin let out a breath. Watching as Devlin finished his reps, he noticed that they were attracting attention. One of their admirers was bold enough to walk over. She had the body of a goddess; breast like huge grape fruits in her hot pink stretch gym clothes. She definitely had his attention when she said “Hi!” her voice was bubbly making her sound like an air head; his kind of girl. “My friend says that you are Justin Brent, but I told her she was mistaken. She bet me $20 bucks. Am I a winner or a loser?” Justin began to look her up and down as he was joined by a heavy panting Devlin who loudly slapped both of his hands together and answered for Justin “Sweet heart you are definitely a winner.” Both men burst into laughter, but the girl said a little too happily “So you are not Justin Brent then! I told her, you don’t look much like him anyway.” Before he could answer her she turned on her heels to retrieve her money. When Justin and Devlin noticed the other girl reach in her fanny pack and hand over money they couldn’t help but burst out laughing again. They moved towards the weight bench where they would take turns pressing in reps of ten. Justin believed in keeping his body straight and could bench three fifty easily. The gym was a daily routine for Justin and Devlin. They spent the time not only getting their body in shape but strategizing the campaign.