Marriage of Convenience
By Cyndy May
Ken Jenkins was the CEO at Hipcorp manufacturing. He was a tyrant with his staff and frequently abused them verbally and humiliated them. Nobody in the company liked him and they all secretly wished he'd get hit by a bus one day. It wasn't like he was some bitter old man, in fact he was under 35 and single and wealthy from the proceeds of the business. He was just a mean son of a bitch.
Wanda appeared to be just another of the employees around the place. She'd only been working at Hipcorp about a month. Wanda was amazed at how rude and abusive Ken Jenkins was. One day she watched in awe as he completely demeaned young Stacey whose job it was to do Ken's typing and generally run errands for him.
Stacey had taken a slightly longer lunch break to try on her wedding gown for her upcoming marriage. Ken was storming around the office calling her every name under the sun and how she'd make a great housewife because she was good for nothing else. Stacey's tears told the story as she ran into the ladies toilets.
Wanda followed her and was soon comforting the teenager. What Stacey didn't see was Wanda collect one of her tears on the end of her finger and blow on it.
"Don't you wish old man Jenkins got a dose of reality Stacey?" Wanda finally asked.
"Yes I wish Mr. Jenkins had my life, See how he'd feel if he faced a life of housework and childbirth," Stacey said.
Eventually Stacey regained her composure and returned to her duties. Wanda looked long and hard at Stacey's tear.
Stacey came from a very traditional family background and was expected to be a wife and mother first and a woman second. She wasn't looking forward to her marriage as it spelt the end of her independence as she knew it. Her husband to be while nice enough was going to be the sole provider.
All was quiet at work over the next week or two and Stacey's wedding was on the following weekend.
Wanda called Stacey to her desk and asked if she had invited Mr. Jenkins to her wedding. Stacey was horrified Wanda would even think that she would. Wanda put on a serious face and implored Stacey to invite him. Stacey resisted at first but something about Wanda's words and her eyes broke her down and she left Wanda to invite Ken Jenkins to her wedding. Jenkins laughed at the pathetic young thing's invite but he also accepted. Might be a bit of fun he laughed at her as he dismissed her from his office.
The day of the wedding Wanda got a call from Stacey saying one of her bridesmaids was sick and could she, stand-in for her. Wanda said she would be delighted to and high-tailed it over to Stacey's to get ready. Wanda packed the small glass vile in her bag before leaving.
Everyone was in the process of getting ready and Wanda joined the other girls in the pre wedding preparations. Stacey was nervous and Wanda after trying her outfit on to check it fitted pulled Stacey aside for a quiet chat.
"Stacey, remember the day at work when Ken humiliated you about being a housewife?" Wanda asked.
"Yes, I don't think I hated my life more at that moment Wanda."
"Well Stacey what if I said that wish you made could come true?"
"What wish Wanda?"
"You said; I wish Mr. Jenkins had my life? See how he'd feel if he faced a life of housework and childbirth!" Wanda reminded Stacey.
"Well he'd look pretty silly in this dress," Stacey joked.
"Stacey I'm serious, if you want to take his life and condemn him to take yours then all you need to do is drink this." Wanda said as she placed the glass vile into Stacey's hand.
Stacey was about to laugh out loud at the absurdity of such a thing until she caught Wanda's gaze. The seriousness of Wanda's expression told Stacey that something mystical was in the vile. She searched for the words but could find none. Wanda only whispered "its forever Stacey". Stacey looked at the small glass bottle of clear liquid, she looked down at her wedding gown and back to Wanda, she thought of the all the mean nasty tasks Jenkins had had her do and how much she hated him and his power. A silent moment passed as Stacey stared at the bottle. Looking again to Wanda for reassurance Stacey took a deep breath and opened the bottle before downing the contents.
Ken Jenkins was mingling with the other guests at the pre wedding drinks; he had already made up his mind which young silly girl would be his prey for the evening. All of a sudden he got a hot flash through his body and he found a chair before he fell over. He sat down and closed his stinging eyes for a second to clear his head.
When he opened his eyes Wanda Wallace from accounts was staring back at him and he wasn't in the chapel foyer with the other guests and he wasn't in...his...own...body????
He started to ask Wanda what the hell was going on but the sound of his little girl voice saying the words stopped him. He searched Wanda's eyes for answers. She smiled broadly and said "Hello Kenny". Jenkins sucked in hard and quietly and calmly as he could in the situation whispered the words "what the fuck is going on?"
"Oh my, such language from a young bride, careful, your husband may not take kindly to that."
"I'm nobody’s bride Jenkins retorted still in a whisper, he couldn't stand his girly voice.
"I'm afraid you are Kenny, you see I have the power to change people’s lives and you had this coming for such a long time."
"You witch, change me back, now!"
"More like an angel Kenny, or should I say Stacey. You see I gave Stacey the chance to cash in on a wish she made. Sadly for you that involved taking your life and giving you hers."
"Total nonsense Wanda or whoever you are."
"Oh really, take a look around and in the mirror, from this moment forward you are Stacey Watts, well soon to be Mrs. Stacey Kelly of course."
"I'm going to put a stop to this right now!"
"And how do you propose to do that Kenny? I am afraid if you stop for a moment and analyse things you'll find any attempt to try and tell people the truth will be greeted with total bemusement. Besides part of the wish was that you experience Stacey's life as a housewife and mother this means you cannot rebel against it no matter how hard you try."
Wanda said all this as she cupped the frightened man's chin in her hand.
And try Ken Jenkins did. He started by trying to get out of the wedding gown but found himself unable to make his body respond to his intentions. Before long Ken found himself sliding the white silk stockings up his legs and stepping into his white pumps. All the while he wanted to run away but instead he got his veil on and sat with Stacey's father as they rode to the church.
The guests noted how Stacey didn't seem too excited by getting married that day but they knew she wasn't ready for marriage. Still in a couple of years she'll be fine they thought. Ken found himself feeling ill as he walked down the aisle and stood beside Brian Kelly his soon to be husband. As he walked he saw his old body in the church, smiling happily as he stood and watched his personal assistant in all her glory on her special day. He was telling the young girl next to him how Stacey will be missed around the office now she was a housewife.
All through the ceremony Ken wanted to run from the church but he found himself pledging his love and commitment to his husband until death do they part. As the words 'I do' escaped his painted lips he wanted so much to drag them back inside himself. Then the priest announced to the gathering that the couple before him was now man and wife. He turned to see Brian lifting his veil, take him in his arms and move in and kiss him! Ken nearly feinted but he found himself opening his lips and accepting his husbands kiss. When Brian's tongue snaked into his mouth Ken almost wet himself! Actually he thought he actually did leak a little down below.
The reception was one long nightmare for Ken as all he could see was his old body enjoying itself at one of the tables while he sat in the huge white gown and tight shoes. Wanda sat a couple of feet away in her nice bridesmaid dress and wandered over to Ken Jenkins body for an animated chat on more than one occasion. His husband hanging onto him tightly Ken felt trapped; he couldn't seem to break free from being Stacey. The bridal waltz soon followed the toasts and Ken found himself on the dance floor with Brian. Three tunes later, Ken Jenkins came over and offered his arm for the next dance. Ken could not refuse and the boss and his former assistant glided around the room. Ken was seen to be deep in conversation with the bride, offering her some sage words of advice no doubt.
"So Ken sweetie you made a beautiful bride today, I hope you don't mind too much that I have your life and all that goes with it, and don't worry about your company I will take good care of it and make it better than it ever was."
"How could you do this Stacey?" Was all Ken could come up with.
"Oh Ken surely you didn't think I'd actually look forward to keeping house and making babies if I could help it. It's a man's world dear sweet Ken, sadly for you your going to experience that world from the other side of the gender fence."
"Wanda did this didn't she, make her change us back now. I have learnt a valuable lesson and I know I can be a better, kinder, more considerate person from now on. I'll even give you a proper job and a raise."
"Oh thats a good one sweetie, I have all your wealth and your lifestyle, why would I want to go back to being Stacey, even with a raise. Besides, I don't think I could make Wanda do anything, she said it was forever. Oh and don't worry, I'm sure by the time you've had four or five kids to Brian you'll be more comfortable with the whole situation."
The song ended and Ken was left standing on the dance floor a shattered individual. Before he had time to think, Stacey's uncle Arthur was whirling him around the dance floor. Ken's feet hurt and Uncle Arthur had roving hands!
Before long Ken found himself circling the room wishing all his relatives old and new farewell. Wanda gave the new bride a special big hug and wished him well on his wedding night!
Stacey simply took her former boss' hands and smiled broadly before laying a big kiss on his cheek and wishing him well. As Brian led his bride from the reception to the waiting limo Ken looked over his shoulder at Stacey and his old life.
A short time later Ken found himself over Brians shoulder as the new groom carried his bride across the homeymoon suite threshold before deflowering his bride in a long night of passion!
Things at Hipcorp improved and staff were amazed at the new attitude old Jenkins was showing to his staff. He was considerate and generally nice. Productivity improved immediately and profits which increased were given back to the staff as bonuses. Wanda Wallace found herself promoted to CFO and it surprised nobody when she and Ken Jenkins began dating.
Stacey Kelly nee Watts came into work to visit. The other girls concurred, they had never seen such a big bulge on a girl that was only six months pregnant! Probably twins they agreed.
