She woke up to the warmth of his breath on her neck. He nibbled in her ear, and his hand was rubbing her belly from behind.


    “Wake up, birthday girl … it’s your big day today,” Den whispered in her ear.


    She smiled with her eyes still closed, “Oh God … it’s today?”


    Heughed softly; she’s been dreading her 40th birthday for months. The big 4-O was like an official number for women, putting them in a different category.


    “How are you feeling? It’s gonna be a big day; I was too excited to sleepst night,” he had prepared something extraordinary for his wife. Her birthday was their wedding anniversary, so they will also be celebrating their 15th year of marriage.


    She sighed deeply, “I feel old,” sheughed.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “Honey … whenever you feel that way, remember that I will always be 6 years ahead of you,” he kissed her neck and slowly slid down her panty from under the nket.


    “Let’s start the day with something nice,” he turned her face to kiss him.


    His hand was under her nightgown, caressing her breast. She felt him rubbing against her now bare bottom, and he was gaining momentum. It was his favorite position. It was quick and easy but pleasurable just the same.


    Sex with Den was practical; they were not experimental as a couple. Sometimes she thinks their sex life could use a slight change to spice things up, but they’ve been together too long to start something new. They just go with what works.


    It works just fine. She still gasped as he entered her gently. Den knew what his wife liked and what didn’t work for her; he tried to please her to the best of his ability. Although sometimes he was toozy to make sure she had the same amount of pleasure he was having, that morning, he was doing it all the right way. She wriggled in his embrace as he moved her; she heightened as he picked up his pace and moaned at the peak of her climax. And they were done.


    “I’ve got to go to the office and finish things up over there … reservation’s at 8, I’ll be home before 6, and we’ll go together,” he kissed her from behind.


    She stretchedzily as her climax petered out of her body, “Okay … I gotta go to the studio too, just a quick run with everyone. I’ll see you here at 6?”


    Den was already halfway pulling up his pants, “Don’t bete, my mom’s gonna be there … you know how she is. Brian Murphy is also going to be there with his new wife.”


    She rolled to her back, “Right … is she going to join the new wives club?” she giggled.


    “She’s 24 … can you imagine? His kids are older than her,” Den chuckled, he was putting on his tie. “It’s been the talk in the office, but this new deal is so important; I told everyone to keep their mouth shut about the new wife … the old geezer is going to put her in charge of one of the projects, so I don’t know how that’s gonna go …”


    Olivia rubbed her eyes, she was the least interested in office gossip, but Den was never short of gossip. He would tell her all about the weird things his rich business partners do, and they wouldugh about it over wine. He would fill her in with thetest news before any event so she knew what was happening before meeting them at parties. “I was that age when I worked for yourpany; maybe it won’t be so bad.”


    “That’s true … I doubt she would be as smart as you, though,” he winked at her. “Can you tie this for me, honey? I can’t seem to get it right,” he kneeled beside the bed.


    She fixed his tie without getting up from the bed, “You’re inviting business partners to my birthday party. This better be one hell of a deal you’re making … and please, whatever you do, don’t make me mingle with his new wife.”


    Theyughed.


    “Of course not, but … I would do anything to make sure this deal gets through, even if it means we have to let his new wife get the corner office, you know what I mean?”


    It was a question that didn’t need an answer. Den knew how to sway his business partners to get the deals he wanted. That was part of why he sessfully carried his family’s legacy.


    “You have your dress, right?” he asked.


    She nodded.


    “Good … I have a surprise for youter, it goes really well with the dress,” his eyes twinkled as he said it.


    She bit her lower lip, “Really? What is it?”


    “It’s not a surprise if I tell you now, wouldn’t it? This deal with Brian Murphy is going to be huge, we can buy a summer house in London like you wanted, and we can go house hunting thereafter it’s all settled … maybe we can stay there for a month and bid on the houses you like?”


    She smiled; she had mentioned how nice it would be to have a summer home in London. Although she didn’t mean for him to buy one, that happened after the affair. He always took her words seriously; he wanted her to have everything. “That sounds nice,” she said.


    “Okay … I have to go, or I’m gonna bete,” he kissed her lips, “Happy birthday.”


    They look at each other smiling.


    “I love you,” he said.


    “I love you,” she replied.


    —


    She looked in the mirror for the first time on the first day of being 40. She didn’t look any different from the day before. Obviously, she looked closer. She didn’t look much different from two years prior, either. These changes didn’t happen overnight, but the concern was heavy in her mind.


    The talk about Brian Murphy’s new wife got to her. Brian was 68 years old and was recently married to a 24-year-old model. She couldn’t help but think, what if the same thing happened to Den? It wasn’t impossible. He had proven that he was not the man she thought he was. These things can happen to anyone.


    She put on a day cream she’d been using for years to postpone any wrinkles from showing up on her face. She looked again. She’ll be fine. She took her phone, opened her browser, and searched for Marion Cotird. Her favorite French actress who was 45 years old at the time. People mentioned she resembled the actress; it was the bestpliment she ever received. She thought that if she could look like Marion in 5 years, she would be all good.


    She smiled at the rows of pictures showing up in her search engine. Marion was such an elegant beauty, something sweet and vulnerable about her yet sensual and captivating. She considered borrowing one of Marion’s looks for the night party. The soft makeup and the elegant yet light and easy look would work well for her.


    A lot of people will be there. Many of them are the so-called ‘friends’ she had collected since she married into Den’s family and life. People who will say the nicest things in front of her but talk about her behind her back. These are the people she and Den call friends. Most of them are Den’s business colleagues and their wives.


    She must look her best. She heard some wives make rudements about other wives who got divorced. They me the wives for not caring enough for their looks to keep their rich husbands interested. She wondered what they talked about years ago when they knew about Den’s affair. Did they me her too? As if it’s not enough to be cheated on, she had to take the me too. If these are the people she calls ‘friends’, then she doesn’t really have one. But she has to dress up anyway.