Flesh-Eater

This story is by Andrew Milton and was part of our 2018 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

“It will be different this time!” mentioned Malcom Jennings, as he retrieved his rental vehicle. He traveled across the country as a disaster management consultant. He was married with two children. They were the love of his life. They made him proud, as he believed to be a disgrace.

Last year, he discovered that he was a sex addict. During one of his last trips, he lost complete control. Backpage and pornography were his masters. He started several affairs with several women, including prostitutes.

After the conclusion of his last trip, he realized that he was going to lose his family “Never again,” he reiterated.

His latest customer was the Mayor of Carville. He arrived to City Hall, he noticed a group of construction workers speaking with a woman.

She wore business attire, a navy blue suit with ruby red shoes. Blonde hair and an amazing curvy figure.

“Enough of distractions,” he said. He turn off the engine and locked the car.

As he approached the entrance of City Hall, he realized the conversation paused.

“Was she looking at me?” Malcom asked as he entered the main office.

The main office was empty. He saw a desk, inundated by manila folders at the vanguard of the Mayor’s Office. He noticed someone in the office. The mayor wouldn’t care if I spoke with him.

He approached the office. “Excuse me! Mr. Mayor. My name is Malcolm Jennings,” he mentioned as he attempted to shake the man’s hand.

“Mr. Jennings, of course. The Mayor has been wanting to see you,” he claimed.

He is not the mayor. Then who? He was embarrassed by the confusion. But his embarrassment turned into self-humiliation when the blonde woman returned to her desk.

“Yes, I have. I have been expecting you Mr. Jennings,” the woman reaching out her hand to shake the foolish Malcom.

Malcolm glanced her pristine office. It was full of awards from previous employments and pictures of her family and friends.

“Please call me Malcolm. Mrs. Mayor,” attempting to bounce back from his failed assumption.

“No Mrs. Mayor. Call me Maddy,” she responded with a smile.

Her assistant closed the door on his way out.

Malcolm knew that he was in the lion’s den. She started piercing right through him with her emerald green eyes.

“Your employer told us you could assist us with our problem,” she continued. “The floods devasted most of our public infrastructure. We needed someone that could guide us through the process of recovery with federal funding.”

Malcolm was not nervous. He was captivated. He knew he was there for business. But to realize that a powerful person like her require his assistance made him feel valued.

“Absolutely Maddy. I have worked with previous local government in regards to the grant process with the federal government. All I need is for full cooperation from your staff in acquiring the documents needed. As well as making sure that everything is in order,” Malcolm responded.

His respond was exactly what the Mayor wanted to hear. Her body language said it all.

“Sounds like a plan,” the Mayor stood up for her chair towards the door. “I will make some calls and send some emails to my staff. You can have everything that you need.”

Anything! He was trapped in a mental labyrinth. His heartbeat was fast. He looked in control in the outside, but inside he was in a state of chaos. He wanted her now. In her office. But it was not worth the price. His job. His family.

“I need to check-in my hotel. How about I come back at 9am in the morning?” Malcolm asked.

“Would it be possible earlier? We have a meeting with the staff leads. I would like to introduce you,” she requested. There is nothing he can’t deny to her.

“Certainty! I work at your pleasure.” She reciprocated with a seductive smirk.

“I am grateful for your dedication,” she replied, as Malcolm left the office and City Hall.

This statement meant to be more customer service oriented. But he meant to say that word to get a response. Did she find him attractive, as he did? And why did he care?

The next morning, he was realizing that all resistance was futile. But as long as he didn’t cross his “line in the sand” he would be fine.

City Hall’s parking lot was full. It was difficult to find a space. But luckily, he found one next to the local library. It was a two-block distance from City Hall. Nothing too bad. He walked towards the building.

When he entered the building, he realizes that the Mayor’s assistant would be in the meeting. He looked in three different floors with no luck. Then, he was able to hear her voice. It was leading him to the location of the meeting, either heaven. Or hell.

He entered the meeting room.

“I see you were able to find us,” the Mayor was relieved. “I apologize.”

“No need to apologize, Maddy.” He responded with a smile. Malcom thought that she looked spectacular with her red dress in combination with cowboy boots.

Maddy addressed to the staff leads. “You will provide everything he needs. Any questions, let me know.”

The staff nodded their head. She looked at him and gave him a wink.

“Easier said than done,” he thought. Temptation was looking right at him. After the meeting, he was able to arrange a meeting with every department. Maddy had already left, and with it calm returned.

He left City Hall to retrieve his car, and noticed a police car park next to it.

Malcolm approached his vehicle. The police officer was writing a ticket and noticed Malcolm, “Sir, is this your car?”

“Yes officer. I was participating in the Mayor’s staff meeting,” Malcolm responded as a legitimate excuse.

“Well, City Hall has their own parking. You can’t park in the library’s premises, unless you have business with the library,” the office stated as he was continuing writing a ticket.

Malcolm couldn’t believe it. It never happened before.

Then a red car stopped next to them, “Jerry, what are you doing to my guy?” Maddy asked the officer.

“He is your guy, Maddy. I didn’t know,” responded the officer with a tamed voice.

“He is here to help us resolve this bureaucratic quagmire. Give him a break,” Maddy imposing her municipal authority.

“You are the boss, Maddy,” he answered to the Mayor. “My apologies, sir. I didn’t know you worked with the Mayor.”

“It’s okay!” Malcom responded. It was a sign of relief, but also of his impending defeat.

As he approached the Mayor, she apologized. “I’m sorry about our officers. We have been recent reports on anti-social activities in the premises,” Maddy explained to Malcom, and reached into her jacket “I know you will be busy today. But in case you need me, here is my card. It has my office number and my personal cellphone.”

Malcolm was in shock but didn’t care. “Sure Maddy! Thank you!”

As her vehicle departed, Malcolm was stunned by the entire ordeal. He never encountered a situation like this. A profound attraction towards one of his customers. It wasn’t only physical attraction.

His time was a scarce. But, he could use it wisely to get his mind focused on his work. He had a lot of work.

Throughout the day, he meet with different staff leadership. They were grateful, as he was able to provide the assistance they needed. He simplified the federal process of grants for disaster recovery. After six hours of working, he was confident that City Hall will be prepare for their upcoming meetings with Federal officials. He wanted to return to his hotel as soon as possible. But it was his duty to update Maddy on his meetings.

As he entered City Hall, her personal assistant was on his way out. “Is the mayor here?” Malcolm asked.

“She is here. I think she went to the bathroom. You can wait in her office,” Maddy’s assistant stated as he walked out of the door.

Malcom took a seat in the Mayor’s office. A very productive day, and no incidents to report.

As he got comfortable in the Mayor’s office, he felt two hands two hands caressing his shoulder.

His state of mind changed from tranquility to chaos.

“Finally some alone time,” Maddy mentioned as her right hand moved to his chest.

“Does this make you uncomfortable?” she asked in her assault against his body. His heartbeat racing. Breathing increased with every movement from her hands and every word coming out of her mouth.

It was like he lost total control of his body. Like a parasite was slowly conquering his mind.

“I guess that means, No,” Maddy continued.

He knew this was wrong. She was wrong. But it was too late.

Right there, he made a decision.

Lips connected. Passion reign over reason. He knew there will be consequences as the voices of his conscience were silenced.