The Ninth Commandment

Chapter 1

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or in this case, girlfriend. This phrase flitted through Mike's brain. To covet, to desire wrongfully, to yearn to possess. That was the dictionary definition he liked the best. To yearn to possess. Leaning back in the swivel chair, he used his toes to swing the chair from side to side, in lazy fashion. Mike Reid and Adam Green, friends from childhood. Lived next to each other as kids and now renting similar two bedroom houses side by side in a nicely landscaped area known as Seabreeze. No sea, but plenty of breeze. Growing up, they had played the same sports, but Adam was always that little bit sharper. Adam's grades in college, always that little bit better. The girls Adam dated through his teenage years and early twenties, always that little bit hotter, which brought Mike to the problem at hand. Adam's latest girlfriend, Rochelle.
         
When they first set eyes on her, it was at the local disco. Nothing new about that. She appeared to be on her own. This turned out not to be true. Her sidekick was outside, making a phone call, away from the rhythmic, pulsating disco beat. They both introduced themselves to the young lady who waited patiently for her friend to return. Mike thought that he would be one up if he insisted on buying her and her missing friend, a drink. When he returned to the table, Adam and Rochelle were on the dance floor. As it turned out, Mike got the drink, and Adam the girl. This time though, it stung. Mike was in love with Rochelle. He had convinced himself that life without her would be unbearable. He hoped against all odds that Adam and Rochelle would split up, but even that desire seemed hopeless. He stared at the ceiling as the chair continued its path from side to side. Six months had passed. Mike was dating one of Rochelle's friends. Amanda is cute, and sexy... but she's no Rochelle. Mike had one ace in the hole, though. A promotion was up for grabs with the retirement of a manager at the firm, due mainly to ill health. Adam and he both harbored ambition toward the position, and an insider source suggested that he would be given the nod. This was not confirmed, but the source was usually reliable. Men with position were coveted by women. There was that word again. Coveted.