Chapter 170: An Affair
"Love is a mysterious thing, like being under a spell," Frank mused.
"So, are you still with Monica?" Gretchen asked.
"No, we parted ways long ago," Frank shook his head.
"And your kids?" Gretchen remembered Frank mentioning he had six children.
"They're all Monica's. Our relationship was complicated, on and off. But after our youngest was born, she left, and that was over two years ago," Frank explained.
"I'm sorry," Gretchen offered.
"It's fine; I wasn't too invested anyway. Enough about me. What about you?" Frank countered.
"Me?" Gretchen was taken aback.
"What happened between you and Walter? In school, everyone thought you'd end up married. You were the ideal couple, yet you broke up," Frank remarked.
"Walter never told you?" Gretchen asked.
"No, he avoids talking about the past. Did you dump him, or was it the other way around?" Frank inquired.
"He sort of left me. Walter was incredibly talented, proud, and had a fierce temper, which could be hard to handle."
"I remember a weekend in Newport, July 4th, with Walter, my father, and my brother."
"After an argument, he packed his bags and left without a word."
"We used to argue, but we'd always make up through our shared research. This time was different."
"Shortly after, he withdrew from our projects and the company we started, asking Elliott and me to buy out his shares."
"He never officially broke up, just left, abandoning us and our work," Gretchen reminisced.
Frank had known Walter and Gretchen were together since college. They were still a couple when Frank dropped out and Walter pursued his postgraduate studies.
It seemed their breakup occurred after graduation, during their research and startup phase.
Walter and Gretchen had been together for seven or eight years, a significant duration compared to many marriages.
Perhaps the infamous "seven-year itch" prompted Walter's departure.
"Did you try to win him back?" Frank asked.
"I did, but he avoided us completely. He vanished. The next I heard was his wedding to Skyler," Gretchen said.
"So, you moved on with Elliott," Frank noted.
"Yes, Elliott was there for me. I always knew he liked me, even in school," Gretchen acknowledged.
Frank had noticed Elliott's interest back in their school days, always hovering around Gretchen as a "friend."
This irked Frank, as he and Walter were close, and Elliott's intentions were clear.
However, Frank wasn't innocent either, having done far worse.
Elliott's story was one of patience rewarded.
"We wanted Walter back at Grey Matter. Things were tough in the beginning, and his skills would have helped. But he refused, and we eventually lost touch," Gretchen sighed.
"It's not your fault. Everyone has their youthful pride," Frank said.
"By the way, after you broke up, did you tell Walter about us?" Frank asked.
Gretchen hesitated.
Frank, massaging Gretchen's calf, noticed her tensing at the question.
"No, that was a long time ago," Gretchen replied, looking away.
"Really? It feels more recent," Frank said, his hand moving up her leg.
"Frank, stop. We both have our own lives now," Gretchen protested, holding his arm, unsure whether to push it away or pull it closer.
"So what? You were with Walter then, and you still flirted with me," Frank continued.
"That was different," Gretchen blushed.
"How so? Nothing's changed," Frank responded.
Gretchen shivered.
"Seems your marriage isn't fulfilling," Frank observed, releasing her foot and grabbing tissues.
"Can you stand?" Frank helped Gretchen up.
Supported by Frank, Gretchen leaned heavily on him as they moved to a room, unlocking the door.
A soft click indicated the door was locked behind them.
Yes, Frank and Gretchen had an affair, starting back in their school days, initiated by Gretchen.
Young passions, much like Lip and Karen's relationship, and neither Walter nor Elliott knew.
Frank felt he had no right to judge Elliott.
As Frank and Gretchen rekindled old flames, Walter and Elliott chatted at the party.
"Remember that chubby guy we used to call 'Snotty' because of his runny nose?"
"That was Dopkins. He was notorious for his stink."
"No, that wasn't Dopkins. That guy always wore patched-up jackets, thinking it was cool," Walter and Elliott laughed, reminiscing.
(End of Chapter)