Chapter 28: Room 223

Two generations ago Adam Slade arrived in Sunset Valley to start a new life.  Not just for himself but for the Slade family, he dreamt of establishing a family legacy.  But to understand Adam's story, and that of his descendants, we have to go back to Twinbrook and learn about his mother, Wanda, and her relationship with two men; Sinbad Rotter and Walter Fisk.

In this chapter Wanda and Walter enjoy the perfect evening  ...


Finishing off a few chores before her date with Walter later in the evening, Wanda received a phone call from Sinbad.

"Hey babe, how y'doing? Heard you saw our man Walter this morning?"

Slightly confused as to how Sinbad knew of her earlier meeting; "Umm, yeah, just making use of his schedule, and I've arranged a dinner date for tonight ..."

"Excellent, I'm really impressed by how well you're handling this assignment. Now, if you're seeing him tonight, perhaps we should move things up a gear. I will arrange a room for the two of you at the City Hotel."

"OK, if you think he will go for that?"

"No problem, how could he resist you? Anyway, it's a smart enough place but not one that anyone he knows uses so he'll have no worries about being recognised."

Wanda wasn't sure that Walter was ready to spend the night with her but Sinbad's confidence was encouraging and she knew that she normally had no trouble convincing men to do her bidding.

"If you're sure, but I haven't got anything useful on his business yet ..."

"That's OK," Sinbad reassured her, "you're doing a great job, don't worry, we'll get what we need."

-- * --

It was another fine, warm, evening in Twinbrook when Wanda and Walter met at the restaurant so, as they had done previously, they dined in the open air, enjoying the intimacy of the small private garden.

Walter certainly knew how to pick a good restaurant. The food was superb, the service attentive yet discreet, and the setting was perfect.

With no need to hurry, and no questioning looks from the staff, Wanda and Walter took their time to enjoy the exquisite cooking and talk of their many shared interests. As starter gave way to main course and then to dessert their conversation flowed effortlessly from one subject to another.

From youthful indiscretions, to growing into adult responsibilities, and so to plans and dreams for the future it seemed that the two, who had lived very different lives, could have been twins in their values and ambitions.

For Walter, as much as he loved his wife and adored his young son, it was as if he had finally met the one woman who had been placed on this world just for him.

Over two hours after they had sat down, Wanda and Walter rounded off their meal, Wanda with a coffee and Walter with a fine old Armagnac.

Leaving the restaurant, Walter didn't want the evening to end. "Wanda, this has been the most perfect of evenings, I cannot believe that it is over and you will be leaving, that I may not see you again."

"And I cannot thank you enough, Walter, for making my time in Twinbrook so special. And you're right, I don't want this to end either, certainly not yet. Stay with me a while longer, the air is still warm and we can watch and remember the stars on this perfect night."

Relaxing back on the soft grass, Walter put his arm around Wanda, not to keep her warm but to bring them as close together physically as he could so, as one, they could take in the wonder of the night sky, the universe around them.

A universe of unimaginable scale but, at the same time, it was if tonight it had been ordered into the perfect arrangement for just the two of them.

"You know," Walter interrupted the silent reverie, "I wish this night would never end. It is just so peaceful, perfect."

Wanda smiled, nodding in agreement and gently clasping Walter's arm. "My friend has had to leave town for the week-end so I have booked a hotel room for my last night here in Twinbrook." She paused, giving Walter a moment to consider what she was about to suggest before she actually said it.

"We could finish the night there ..."

They looked into each other's eyes, searching for any signs of doubt but they both knew that their relationship was going to end up there anyway. It had become inevitable, and neither had done anything to avert this conclusion.

Walter stood up, reaching out his hand to assist Wanda, "Yes, I would like that very much."




They embraced, kissed, passionately, and walked out of the park to find a taxi.

-- * --

As Wanda and Walter entered the lobby of the City Hotel, a smartly dressed desk clerk, smiled broadly at them, "Ahh, Ms. Phoenix, I trust that you have had a pleasant evening. Your key?" Wanda smiled and nodded at the young man, whom she had never seen until that moment, "Yes, thank you."

Reaching behind him to the key rack, he lifted a key from its hook, "There we are, 223. If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to call down."

Taking the single large key from his hand Wanda noted the name badge pinned to his waistcoat, "Thank you, good night James."

The room Sinbad had arranged was smart and clean, as he had promised, a functional room but appointed to a high standard, reassuring the wealthier guest that their Simoleans were buying the comfort they were used to.

Wanda was, however, surprised to see a four-poster bed taking pride of place in this substantial room.

"Very nice," Walter nodded approvingly, "from such an unassuming exterior I wasn't expecting quite such a luxurious room. I may have to consider recommending this place to my visitors."

"But," he continued, sitting on the edge of the bed, "we are not here to discuss hotel furnishings."

He moved up to sit at the head of the bed, patting the covers for Wanda to join him.

They had talked a lot already this evening, but now, relaxing together on this sumptuous bed, words seemed unnecessary.

They held each other close, the warmth of their excited bodies feeding their desire for each other.

They kissed, at first slowly and sensually but then increasing passionately, urgently.

They pushed off their clothes, leaving two disorganised piles beside the bed.

As their bodies intertwined neither was demure or submissive, as one took the lead, the other would reciprocate to heighten the pleasure of the other.

For Walter, it was a night of passion unlike any he had experienced in recent years. There was no questions that he loved his wife and they enjoyed a good sex life but this, with Wanda, was fresh and exciting, and he wasn't used to not always being in control.

Wanda was familiar with short-term relationships and one-night stands with men she never cared for beyond the content of their wallet or who wanted her just for fun or until they found someone 'better'. Maybe it was because he was proper, 'old school' rich but there was definitely something different with Walter; like that he was genuinely concerned that she was enjoying the sex as much as he was.

-- * --

Walter rose early, waking Wanda with a kiss. "I really have to go, but thank you so much for a very special night. Please call me before you leave."

With another long, heartfelt, kiss, he freed himself from Wanda's embrace and left the hotel room.

A couple of hours later, as Wanda was preparing to return to her own home, Sinbad called.

"Hey, kid, how'd it go? You had a good night?"

Still in the glow of her night with Walter, Wanda was surprised by his flippant tone. "Err, yeah, it was good ..."

"Great, great. Look, our clients are ready to bring this assignment to a close so I'll come over to your place in an hour and sort out the final details."

"Umm, yeah, cool, I'm just packing up here, I'll be home soon."

"Right, great, I think we've got all we need on our friend Walter, you've done a great job."



Chapter 29: Scandal!