SteveWalker
Moon
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2023
- Location
- Europe
Steve leaned back in his office chair and let his eyes wander out of the window of his small and simply furnished office on the edge of the city. The grey silhouettes of the skyscrapers in the distance unpleasantly reflected what he felt to be the monotony of his own life. At the age of 48, he was living a life that, from the outside, seemed quite desirable: a daughter who was about to enter adulthood, a nice house on the outskirts of the city and a responsible position in the finance department of a well-known company. But behind the surface of the successful businessman was an inner emptiness that Steve found harder to bear every day. The passion in his marriage had died out years ago, leaving behind a silence that weighed heavier than any argument. Sexual frustration and the endless repetition of everyday life had left him with a deep boredom and dissatisfaction against which he seemed powerless.
His attempts to escape this emptiness were limited to fleeting moments of distraction and excitement during his strolls through the smut corners of the internet, but these were passing and only left him feeling all the more empty. Another subtle thrill against the daily routine was provided by a risky game in his profession. Steve was responsible for monitoring and managing the company's financial transactions, a position that gave him both insight and influence. There were moments when he was aware that he was on thin ice, but his skilful handling of the numbers, which meant many a success for the company, kept his secret hidden.
In a few minutes he would be sitting opposite Bree, the new young and attractive colleague whose recruitment he had been largely responsible for. Officially because of her outstanding qualifications and achievements, but there was probably something else that subconsciously attracted him to her. She was exactly his type: blonde, slim, with a slightly challenging look in her eyes that reminded Steve of what was missing in his life and especially in his marriage.
Excitement mixed with a touch of guilt resonated within him as he thought about what this meeting would bring. The conversation would focus on her performance during the probationary period, about which there was nothing to criticise. Deep down, however, Steve hoped that their conversation would go beyond professional boundaries and touch on the personal, perhaps igniting a spark that was sorely missing in his everyday life. It wasn't just her looks that fascinated him, but also her vibrancy and youthfulness, qualities he wanted to rediscover in himself.
As he waited for the interview, Steve considered how to address Bree's commitment and obvious dedication. Since her arrival, she had proven herself extremely capable in the area of financial reporting, which was directly under Steve's supervision. Lately, he had noticed that she had been staying late at the office a few evenings, supposedly to further delve into the company's finances. At the same time, he wondered whether her overtime was really just a way of proving herself in her job or whether there was more to it than that. These thoughts were soon overtaken by reality when there was a knock on his office door. It was time to put on the mask of the competent manager and face Bree, knowing full well that this day would end like any other: with a return to a life that seemed more and more like a well-orchestrated lie.
His attempts to escape this emptiness were limited to fleeting moments of distraction and excitement during his strolls through the smut corners of the internet, but these were passing and only left him feeling all the more empty. Another subtle thrill against the daily routine was provided by a risky game in his profession. Steve was responsible for monitoring and managing the company's financial transactions, a position that gave him both insight and influence. There were moments when he was aware that he was on thin ice, but his skilful handling of the numbers, which meant many a success for the company, kept his secret hidden.
In a few minutes he would be sitting opposite Bree, the new young and attractive colleague whose recruitment he had been largely responsible for. Officially because of her outstanding qualifications and achievements, but there was probably something else that subconsciously attracted him to her. She was exactly his type: blonde, slim, with a slightly challenging look in her eyes that reminded Steve of what was missing in his life and especially in his marriage.
Excitement mixed with a touch of guilt resonated within him as he thought about what this meeting would bring. The conversation would focus on her performance during the probationary period, about which there was nothing to criticise. Deep down, however, Steve hoped that their conversation would go beyond professional boundaries and touch on the personal, perhaps igniting a spark that was sorely missing in his everyday life. It wasn't just her looks that fascinated him, but also her vibrancy and youthfulness, qualities he wanted to rediscover in himself.
As he waited for the interview, Steve considered how to address Bree's commitment and obvious dedication. Since her arrival, she had proven herself extremely capable in the area of financial reporting, which was directly under Steve's supervision. Lately, he had noticed that she had been staying late at the office a few evenings, supposedly to further delve into the company's finances. At the same time, he wondered whether her overtime was really just a way of proving herself in her job or whether there was more to it than that. These thoughts were soon overtaken by reality when there was a knock on his office door. It was time to put on the mask of the competent manager and face Bree, knowing full well that this day would end like any other: with a return to a life that seemed more and more like a well-orchestrated lie.