Hi All
The comments from this little effort were amazing. I guess I need to go back and rewrite the story to explain Mr. Bowens motivations and actions and then Paul's motivations and actions.
You see to me, I can see a man on the brink of having a huge company wanting to only have honest men work with him. Now, many have said that an honest man would never have a mistress. But my question is why not? Why can a man NOT learn to love two women, especially when he has to learn to love a cheater again? With both women starting from scratch why could a man not fall for both?
The PA was interviewed based on her abilities and talents. Once the selection got down to a few women, they were shown Paul's details. His voice, build, abilities were randomly mixed with others so the women could pick their favorites. and Penny picked Paul every time. So I don't see her as a prostitute as some comments said.
Then there is the issue of Deb and her cheating and trying to get back in Paul's good graces. She chose to cheat when tested and Paul did not. Now she has to find a way back into Paul's life. I do think that I could have done better in the new chapters to explain the building of Paul and Penny's relationship and the stagnating of Paul and Deb's. I'll fix that.
Deb did everything she could to hang on to Paul. It took years for Paul and Deb to move to friends, and then friends with benefits, but he never trusted her like he had in the past. He told her until he trusted her, they would not have kids. I don't see how readers think that Paul screwed her life. He gave her years to get back but it didn't happen.
There have been all sorts of comments on my various stories over the years, but these made me think that people were reading a completely different piece of writing. I guess that is my fault as an author for not making things crystal clear.
I like the premise of the story and I'll go back and address some of the concerns the commenters had. Especially the commenters that I respect like Tefler.
It will take me several days to go back and explain my characters actions. Then I'll repost all six chapters. I know that many of the commenters only ready my efforts because they are stuck at home. Hopefully those who didn't like it will enjoy some of the more light-hearted stuff like in the 'Worship Of The Butt" Universe.
Until then, I have a story in the works that looks at the start of the O'Dell's in the Mick and Renee Universe ("I'll See You When I See You" and "Expect Me When You See Me"). There is also a murder mystery (The Saturday Running Man Killer) that I have several endings in my mind to write.
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and made sure to reverence those who served and gave their all for the right we have to write and read the sort of things on the SOL website.
Mick