A thing of envy

As planned and agreed between the two of them, Laila was getting ready to have dinner with Noah at his office. She had spent almost two hours in the kitchen preparing all the things she knew he liked from early on and things he had grown to like according to the chef. She needed him in the best of moods in order to increase the chances of him parting with her willingly for a week and Laila had thought of just what to do and say. The first part being, using his stomach as the way to his heart. If the stomach is content, then the heart should be too. Softening the blow of the news she had to tell him. Part two was wrapping the message in the sandwich method. Starting with some good news and then swiftly giving him the news of her leaving for a week. She would then add some seasoning in the form of logic, before topping the news-sandwich with another layer of positive news and some cute behaviouristics.

After putting all she had prepared in a large picnic basket and a shopper filled with Tupperware, Laila quickly headed up to the bedroom in order to have a quick shower and a change of clothes. Because although she had enjoyed cooking and preparing such an extensive meal and didn't mind having spent two hours in the kitchen for it, she didn't want to smell like she had spent two hours in the kitchen. She wanted this to be a perfect date, that including smelling and looking just as nice as the meal she had worked so hard on! After another hour, Laila was dressed to the nines. Perfectly styled hair, simple and elegant make-up and a subtle scent of her favourite perfume, which apparently hadn't been affected by her living a different life.

For this evening she had chosen a gorgeous dress that revealed just enough to get Noah's mind a bit distracted and his body excited but not too much as to make Laila feel like she had worn something that should be saved for the bedroom and wasn't suitable to be worn outside. It was a tight-fitting red dress, with a small slit and a Queen Anne neckline. The dress showed off all her curves and the colour made all her stunning dark features stand out even more. It made Laila feel sexy without giving her the feeling of being dressed improperly and despite being pregnant.

After double checking the food and her outfit in the hallway mirror, Laila was ready to leave the house. She took a deep breath, before stepping out the door in order to step in the car that was waiting for her out front. Before she could even take one of the three small stone steps that lead to the driveway, the driver that was waiting in front of the car, rushed to her as he called out, "Please wait just a moment ma'am." In just a second he had reached Laila and took the basket and shopper containing the food out of her hands. When he saw that Laila was about to get down on her own now that her hands had been emptied, he gestured for her to wait a moment as he placed food inside the car.

After that he ran back and offered his hand in order to help her get down the steps safely as he said, "You are pregnant ma'am. These steps can be slippery sometimes and you are wearing such high heels. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you or the unborn child. Especially not if I could have done something to prevent it."

With a shy smile Laila said, "Thank you for your concern but I would have been fine." Despite these words the man, who had just helped her down those three-stepped stairs, was adamant. He said, "It is better to be safe than sorry ma'am. Any unnecessary risk should be avoided when possible." Laila smiled once more but this time it was a smile of gratefulness. Gratefulness for having employees that cared so much about her wellbeing. This level of care and concern was closer to being that of a family member than one of an employee for his employer. That is a level that goes beyond desire and should be a thing of envy.

As Laila was being driven, she went over what she would say to Noah one more time. As she imagined how things would play out, she was pulled out of her thoughts by the driver telling her she had arrived. In just twenty short minutes, Laila found herself across an impressive and beautiful building that she expected was Noah's company. Her eyes went over the large gold letters that spelled out the name of his company and she watched as people entered and exited the building. With a smile filled of the proud feelings that filled her heart, Laila let out a soft, deep breath before she grabbed the basket and shopper from the driver's hand. She thanked him and declined his offer to carry the food inside for him. Then she made her way inside and headed for the reception.

There she was greeted warmly and it appeared that Noah had informed them of her visit. Without asking any questions, one of the young ladies behind the stone round desk got up and said in a cheerful voice, "Mister Stephens is expecting you." She stepped from behind the desk and grabbed the shopper before walking with her to the elevator. With an amused and happy voice she continued to talk to Laila as the were walking. "He has been talking about your visit all day. Well, bragging might be a better word for it. Telling us how great you are and how you are going out of your way to come have dinner with him. But seeing all this food that you have brought for him, I can see that his marriage is indeed something we should envy!"