Hubert and I-Episode Four

“Morning love!” shouted Sam from the other end of the line “I want details, everything, spill it out girl,” “Not now Sam am heading to work but I promise to do so once I get to the office.” I pleaded. Samantha was always concerned and would pry in our lives that we were fond of calling her mother hen. “Okay, but one more thing how is he?” “Sam not now,” I insisted and begged Sam to call me back after an hour. Hardly had I settled in at my desk when the phone rang. It was Sam again still at it and this time round she had done a conference call. Caleb had also picked his mug of coffee and was seated facing me waiting in anticipation. “Hanna, how can you be working today?” shouted Alex, “Yes Hanna tell us why should you be working today?” backed Alan. Alexandra and Alana always behaved more like twins and they shared this special bond that left the group puzzled. “Talk to us Hanna and tell us all about it,” pleaded Tru. True was the modest one in the group and did not talk much. “See! Everyone wants to know what happened” went on Sam. “Ladies, relax I will give you all details in a few but do let me work first.” There was noise and arguments from the end of the line and I knew that the girls would not give me peace unless I gave them a tip of the iceberg. Summarizing the event to the ladies made them grow wild that they wanted to come over to my work place. I had to hang up the phone and work as it was a weekend and we had few hours of work that day. All that time Caleb did not move one inch he had eavesdropped on my conversation with the girls and he still wanted more details on what conspired the previous night. “Caleb what you heard me telling the ladies is just about it, what more do you want? “I argued. Caleb stood pointing his finger towards me “I smell something fishy going on Hanna and you just don’t want to tell me,” he insisted. Shaking my head I turned back to the monitor and continued working. The day seemed shorter as I had so much to handle that afternoon. Aside from the errands and the afternoon meeting with the girls I had also to prepare for my dinner date. Hubert had called me earlier that day reminding me of the dinner date and to give me details of the vehicle, driver and pickup time.

Arriving at Sam’s that evening; I was shocked to find the girls unusually on time and they were even winding up the meeting. Sam’s coffee table had bottles of wine and biting’s. “So what are we celebrating?” I asked looking rather confounded. “Us!” intruded Alex. “I just thought that we could hang out and have a drink,” confessed Sam. “Seat down and have a glass Hanna” offered Alana. Hesitantly, I sat on the sofa and I could tell from their looks that they had something they wanted to tell. “It would have been so nice if we were all included in the dinner plans Hanna.” Spoke up Alex “For us to meet Hubert and also be there for you just in case” went on Alex.  “The media people can be crazy at times you know” added Sam scratching her eyebrow. Nothing they said seemed to make sense. Confused I looked at each one of them trying to figure out what they were trying to say. Not able to hold it, Alana spilled it out. “We were wondering if you could ask Hubert whether it would be okay for us to join you guys on the dinner date” “please Hanna”. There was a chorus of pleading from the girls and it just melted my heart. Picking my handset I dialed Hubert’s number and walked out of the room. I was not sure what his reaction would be but I thought to just give it a try. After the second ring there was an answer from the other end. It was a familiar deep voice. As I spoke to Hubert I could see my girls eavesdropping on our conversation and trying to figure out what we were talking about. “Sorry ladies, but Hubert says that he had made arrangements for only the two of u,” I reported “But he would love to have you all at the dinner table tonight” I added. In a twinkle of an eye I found myself facing the ceiling as I had been lifted up by the girls and they were tossing me up and down in excitement. “Ladies please control yourselves!” I pleaded. My pleading had hit deaf ears as the screaming and shouting became louder. I had never seen those ladies that excited before.

The car that had been assigned to us had arrived at the parking in time. I was picked first and off we went to pick the other ladies from their respective homes. The journey to the venue was rather a long one as none of us knew exactly where we were heading to. The suspense had made my girls and I silent throughout the entire journey. We had shared a few giggles due to the excitement and then everyone and gone mute. The scene at Mtwapa town caught our attention and broke the silence for a while. The town was so alive and the people were so energetic it was as though they had just woken up and were ready to face the night. The vehicle drove five hundred meters from Mtwapa town and took a right turn. Aside from the sign posts that we read, we could hardly see anything outside as it was pitch dark and there were few structures along that route. The car pulled over and looking around all we could see were ruins. Jumba la Mtwana as it is famously known had a different view at night. The displayed lighting made the museum pleasant to look at. “Ladies, here we are, after me please.” Spoke the gentleman who had been assigned to chauffeur us. He was smartly dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a striped tie. Walking through a rough pathway with our high heeled shoes the designated driver led us into a cave. Hubert had stood at the cave entrance waiting for us and as we approached him he could not hide his smile. “Welcome ladies, it must have been a long journey?” he asked. “Not really, since we were enjoying the night view.” interjected Alex. Alex had always been the loudest in the group however at times she would completely shy off. Hubert was in white linen and white sandals. His silver chain and bracelet flickered in the deem lights. The cave ambiance was magnificent with a mixed blend of modern and vintage décor. It was amazingly warm and cozy inside. The cave looked like a small mountain that had had a volcanic eruption once upon a time. You could actually see the stars above from inside the cave. The cave had been beautifully lit and tables well set with lovely skirting’s. The tables had very expensive cutleries displayed. There was a beautiful well equipped bar with tall wooden chairs. I did not fail to notice the bar tender keeping himself busy wiping and tiding up the already cleaned surface. There was a huge well-polished black piano and playing it was a grayed haired man in a black tuxedo and he struggled reading the music notes. However, he was playing nice soft music that took you back in the days. We were surprised to realize that we were the only guests at that small cozy restaurant. Hubert had ushered us to a round six seat table and being a true gentleman he had pulled a seat for each lady and made sure we were all comfortably seated. We were delighted to a three course meal and we all had a wonderful conversation. By the time we were done with dinner everyone was at ease and felt at home in that cave. We were free to get our own drinks from the bar and as if that was not enough, we were entertained with music from Spain. There was a hired group that entertained us with salsa. On few occasions we would join the team and the gentlemen would lead us in the dance. Our enjoyment was suddenly interrupted by a threatening loud sound that had shaken the cave.  Terrified we all gathered at the center of the cave and looking up the roofless cave, we all tried to search the skies for answers.

                       

Hubert and I- Episode Three

“Allow me to get that for you ma’am” Hubert replied trying to put himself together as he walked back to his study table to get my drink. As I took the cocktail glass from Hubert, his hand caressed mine and there was an awkward moment of silence. There was a vibrant sound and then a ring which broke the silence. The sound was coming from Hubert’s pocket. His phone was ringing. “Hubert, I should believe that is your phone ringing.” I suggested. Hubert looking a little confused searched his pockets for his phone which he traced and then answered. He beckoned me to have a seat and walked out of the study as he continuously spoke to the person on the other end. The conversation seemed rather private and I could feel that Hubert did not want me to hear what they were talking about. The huge portrait of a smartly dressed African woman on the wall caught my attention. I stood up from the sofa and moved closer towards the portrait so I could have a clear view. The woman in the picture was admirable to look at but I could sense from the view that she was an iron lady. On the study table, I spotted a photo stand and in it was Hubert who had posed next to an elderly man. The man in the photograph was an older version of Hubert. “That is my old man” a male’s voice confessed and got me leaping. “Hubert you scared me.” “Am sorry for that but I couldn’t help but notice that you were really studying the photo closely.” “I was just trying to figure out who the elderly man was and you just fixed my puzzle.” Smiling I walked back to the sofa. Hubert followed and sat at the other end of the sofa with his cocktail glass. Our eyes locked for a moment and in that gaze Hubert communicated more than his words could ever tell. He spoke deep into my soul and for a moment there I was frightened. “It is getting rather late Hubert.” I reasoned and it saddened him that I was contemplating on leaving. Hubert tried to look for words to beg me to stay but I could not spend another minute at the suite. It was getting extremely late and I needed to get back home to my house, to my family. Hubert had not fully absorbed the fact that I belonged to someone else. It seemed as though he was in denial. He took my left hand gently and placed it on his palm revealing my wedding ring. He looked at my ring as though he could wish it away, shook his head and gently kissed my hand. He was lost for words and all he could do was just sigh. “I need to get you home right?” he asked sadly “Yes.” I responded as I stood up from the chaise longue which we had occupied.  Walking up the staircase from his underground office to the living room Hubert debated on whether to send me home by cab or drive me himself. We both knew that we would be risking a lot if Hubert dropped me for more reason than one. Hubert held a very high position in the country and hence he could not move about anyhow without security. It was not safe for him. We also had reputations to guard. However, Hubert was no longer thinking with his head but his emotions when he adamantly decided that he was going to take me home. There was no debating about it. The man in a black suit had checked on Hubert like three times from the moment we had gotten into the suite. Hubert would take him to the side and the two would exchange few words before the man could leave. Each time the man in a black suit would walk away he would give me the same piercing look. I was already accustomed to the piercing look and would actually wait in anticipation.

Driving me home, Hubert ran me through his itinerary for the following day and being a weekend he had only one meeting to attend to in the morning. “What is your day like tomorrow?” Hubert asked. I could feel that I was having a huge effect on Hubert who could hardly concentrate on the drive. There had been several hooting’s from the other driver’s and he had applied emergency brakes on few occasions. I was forced to hold on tight to my seat as I tensely watched Hubert drive me home. Saturdays were rather tricky for me because that was the only day I had to run my errands. “I will be off to work in the morning then afternoon I should be running some few errands” I responded. Clearing his throat, Hubert confessed that he had to catch an early flight on Sunday and would appreciate if he could dine with me the night before he traveled. Hesitantly but wanting I had agreed to dine with Hubert. There was a mixed feeling of anxiety and thrill about it. The only thing I could think of then was that I was going to dine with Hubert the following day. The feeling brought about shivers to my entire body and it felt good. Finally, I was home. Hubert had parked his black metallic Mercedes few meters from where I lived. The tinted windows had been rolled up for security purpose as Hubert was not allowed to be out alone at that time without his body guard.  I found myself several times forgetting Hubert’s status in the country as he was so humble and down to earth. He most often than not spoke slang and he stood to be very humorous. All in all he never forgot to be a gentleman. “Should I pick you up from here tomorrow?” Hubert asked in his deep masculine voice. “Would you be so kind as to send a cab instead Hubert? It would be safer that way don’t you think?” I pleaded. Hubert agreed with a smile that spoke volume. Hubert had sat facing me and was keenly studying my face in admiration. I liked the way he looked at me and for a moment it felt like nothing but just the two of us existed. There was soft music playing in the background and the air conditioning was moderate. The car had a beautiful vanilla scent and the seats had been well polished. Hubert still smelt as fresh as he did earlier that day. His white shirt and red tie were beaming in the dark. His eyes finally met mine and in that moment none of us spoke. I noticed Hubert magnetically moving towards me and I knew that it was time to exit the car but my feet could not carry me out. I just sat there and did not make any attempt to stop Hubert. I could not think straight then and my entire system was in total confusion. In that moment of confusion Hubert gently took my hand and while still gazing into my eyes he kissed the back of my hand. From the very instant his lips caressed my hand; I felt a warm flash shot up to my entire body. My lips parted as I sat there feeling helpless.

 

 

Hubert and I- Episode Two

There was a man who had been keeping tabs on Hubert and suddenly, it dawned on me that it was the same person I had spotted at the hotel earlier on seated few tables away from Hubert. 

Hubert sat across the table which I had occupied and I could tell by reading his body language that he was not comfortable. Looking deep into his eyes I could tell that Hubert wanted us to be someplace else, alone. “Would you rather we left this spot?” I had asked him and looking across the room he nodded. He gently stretched his hand towards the bill , picked it from the table and before I could utter a word, he had summoned the waitress and settled the bill. “After you ma’am”, he whispered and hurriedly but gently he led me out of Roberto’s an Italian restaurant situated at Cinemax building. Hubert had appeared like he did not want to be spotted by someone or people and he had tried as much as possible to avoid attention. The man in a black suit followed Hubert closely as he led the way to the parking. Hubert walked across to passengers side and opened the passenger’s door for me. It was a black metallic Mercedes Benz which  had been well polished. Hubert had summoned the man in a black suit and from their gestures it was evident that Hubert had asked the man to leave. They stood there talking as  I observed keenly from the passenger’s window. Hubert was looking very handsome in his white official shirt, his black pants and in his red tie which he wore in all his state functions. Looking down at his polished shoes I imagine that they were very expensive shoes, designer perhaps. His face was smooth as if he had just shaved that morning or perhaps the previous night. The setting sun reflected so well upon his brown chocolate skin. The man in a black suit was hesitant for a moment, he glanced at me with a piercing look and away he drove. Hubert hopped into the driver’s seat buckled up his seat belt and turned around to face me. “Buckle up sweetheart it’s gonna be a crazy ride.” Hubert whispered in his hoarse voice  “To where?” I asked gazing into his big brown eyes. “Relax mademoiselle and enjoy the ride,” he responded with wink. Smiling I looked outside the passengers window. There was a nice smell of fresh worn cologne, Hubert smelt nice. He must have worn very expensive cologne I had thought to myself. It had a light, fresh, fruity and musky scent. My mind drifted away for a moment and I could not believe that I was seated next to Hubert the man of my dreams. The man I had a crush on, the man I could have never imagined in a million years would be looking or even talking to someone like me. We belonged to two separate worlds. Hubert came from a royal background. He went to international schools and lived half his life in abroad. Everything about him reflected wealth without him having to show it. Amazingly, he was very humble, gentle and so kind. He appeared to be full of life and there was a mystery about him that I was eager to unravel. “Hannah! Hannah!” I heard Hubert calling out my name from a distance. It felt as though he was calling me from thousand miles away. It is then that I realized I had wandered away . “Where were you?” he asked in a gentle tone. “Felt like I was driving alone,” he complained. “Umm am sorry, my mind drifted there a bit.” “What? You were gone for a while!” he confessed and smiled at me. Hubert looked like a teenage boy going on his first date. All excited and very careful with his moves, it seemed like he calculated every move he made. His smile revealed his perfect dental formula. Nails had been well manicured and I could tell that his touch was gentle by the way he held on to the driver’s wheel. Everything about him was perfect.

The security guard at the entrance to the hotel inspected the vehicle and gave a big salutation to Hubert. The gate was opened wide and as we drove into the hotel I did not fail to observed  how well acquainted Hubert was with the staff and the place. At the entrance to the hotel in bold letters it was written “Voyager Beach Resort”. Observing Hubert, i saw that he felt more at ease here. It was like his second home I had thought to myself. Hubert had a designated parking area and as soon as he had parked his Mercedes he stepped out and ushered me out of the passenger’s seat. You could not have failed to notice how well-mannered Hubert was, it spoke volume about his upbringing.  His good manners were engraved in his heart and they came out naturally. Gently touching my back Hubert led me through to the reception. 

At the sight of Hubert, all staff were alert and yet at ease.  They greeted him with so much respect and admiration. He cracked a few jokes with the security guard at the reception entrance and genuinely complimented the young lady at the reception. It was evident that the entire faculty had a great admiration for Hubert. “They all seem to like you.” I commented. “Well it is because I like them too, and I treated them like family.” He responded with a beam. My admiration for this man was becoming intense with every single gesture he made. As we walked past the swimming pool, I noticed that Hubert was getting acquainted to the residents of the hotel. However, he would rush back to me and to check on me “Are you okay Hannah?”  “Yes Hubert never been better.” “Are you sure?” he would ask as if not contented with my initial response. “Yes, yes I am” and with that assurance he would smile sheepishly. Hubert maintained a distance from me as we walked and I could tell that he was really fighting the forces of nature. He had a reputation to guard, having been newly elected in his new office and having to portray an image of being an ideal family man. I also had reputation of my own to guard and I knew that being with Hubert I had to be very careful since he was a public figure. Such people always made news and I was not going to let myself be part of the media headlines. He was the best tour guide I must admit since he eloquently described every function of the hotel and I could feel how passionate he was about it.

The door that led to the presidential suite was wooden, hard and heavy. One had to be really careful and alert whilst opening it otherwise chances of being smashed by it were very high. I had really felt for the door man as  he really had a hard task there by the expression on his face. Hubert had hurriedly walked straight in and for a moment there it felt like I had been forgotten. “Hannah!” I could hear him call out my name from somewhere inside the building. “Come right in,” he called out. In awe I walked into the building not knowing where exactly I was heading to. Everything in the suite was magnificent. The wall paints had mixed blend of lavender and ivory and the tiled floor was sparkling. I could actually see beneath my dress. The white linen drapes had been drawn revealing the white sheer blinders. There he was pouring us a drink from the bar. The bar had been positioned at the far corner of the living room next to the forty two inch television that had been mounted on the wall. Hubert offered me a seat which I accepted gladly. I could not help but stroke the white fine vintage leather seats with my two hands. It felt exquisite and expensive. I could tell that the paintings on the wall were expensive not that I knew much about painting but it all felt exquisite. Everything in that suite had left me bamboozled. “Would you like a tour around the suite?” Asked Hubert as he offered me a drink, “Oh by the way, sorry I did not ask you what drink you would like to take,” he went on “I felt that since you were my special guest I should offer you one of my special cocktails” he confessed. Sipping the cocktail which I liked, I stood up from the seat with my glass held firmly in my hands and followed Hubert. The suite had five master en suite bedrooms and in each bedroom there was a queen size bed with sheets and duvet neatly spread. Each room had a closet the size of a normal  bedroom with a huge dressing mirror. As if that was not enough, in each bathroom there was not only a shower and bath tub but also a Jacuzzi. The seats in each room were white leather seats. There was a thirty two inch television in each room. The presidential suite had a well equipped kitchen which had been fully stocked. There were other two separate bedrooms that had been fully furnished and beds well spread. These two rooms had one bathroom to be shared. There was also a study room located underground. It had shelves filled with books, an executive table with an executive leather seat. “This is where I spend most of my time when am here,” admitted Hubert as he sat on the executive leather seat and swung from one end to the other. He looked so handsome seated on that seat and it had suit him perfectly. I had noticed a pool table at the far end corner of the study room. “So you play pool?” I had asked in admiration. “Yes! I love pool!” he had exclaimed with enthusiasm. It helps me a lot when my mind becomes stale. “You play yourself?”  “No, never have.” “It is interesting!” He exclaimed and insisted on showing me. Hubert had arranged the balls on the table with a triangle object and as he was putting the balls in place he briefly explained the pool game to me. He had lifted what he referred to as the cue stick from the corner of the wall where they had been placed and asked me to join him at the pool table. Standing close behind me, Hubert took both my hands gently placed them as supposed to on the cue stick. His touch was as gentle just as I had imagined it to be. His hands were masculine and yet very soft as if he had never worked in his entire life. As he moved closer I could smell his light, fresh, fruity and musky cologne. I could feel him breath heavily behind my back. As much as he wanted to remain professional I could tell that my curvaceous body was having a huge effect on him. I could feel the room suddenly becoming hot or was it that our bodies were unexpectedly generating excessive heat. Hubert’s gentle touch became firm, his breath much closer than it was before. My heart was beating faster than normal and I knew then that it was time for a drink. “Hubert, I think I need to get my drink now.”

Hubert and I-Episode One

The meeting had been scheduled 
to take place at The Tamarind Dhow Hotel in Mombasa. Hubert was to be part of the attendees and he had just been newly appointed to his new function.   Caleb had informed me of Hubert’s presence in town and where he would be residing. Caleb had been a colleague with whom I had shared my fantasies and dreams and he had always assured that one day he would make it possible for that fantasy to become a reality. Caleb had connections with influential people which made it easy for him.

It was a warm Friday afternoon and the sun rays could be felt gently stroking the skin. The skies were blue and the birds could be heard chapping. I could smell the sea from where stood and it felt great. “Finally I would have a chance to see Hubert today” I had whispered to myself as I gazed at my reflection through the full length  mirror. My heart was racing and I could feel my blood freezing in my veins. I felt a cold shiver running down my spine with every thought of  what awaited me that Friday evening. Caleb was on time to pick me as planned and as I stepped into the back seat of the car I could see the admiration in his eyes.  “Hubert is in big trouble!” exclaimed Caleb as he whistled back on to the wheels. The drive was shorter than I anticipated no sooner had I buckled up my seat belt than we arrived at The Tamarind Hotel. The red attire that had hugged my curvaceous body left the men dazzled. As I walked past the waiters and waitresses at The Tamarind Hotel I could only think of Hubert. There he was seated with a pen clasped in his hands I could see him from a distance he looked somewhat distracted. 

It was my time to make a move I had thought to myself. Taking a deep breath, I begun to walk towards the  table which had been occupied by four gentlemen. Walking luxuriously passed the table, I could tell that the discussion being tabled was intense but I could not get exactly what the gentlemen were discussing. There was a man seated few meters from where Hubert was seated and by the look  I could tell that he was Hubert’s body guard. He had given me a sharp security glance that made my feet jelly. I could not give it all up I had to stay strong. Caleb and I had come a long way just to mess things up now because of a glance. I walked back passed Hubert pretending I had left something behind and as soon as I got closer to where he was seated, I had gently lifted my head up and there our eyes met. I had held on to his gaze for about three seconds and then looked away having given him a  girlish smile. Hubert had gazed into my eyes and I could tell that the look had  a huge effect on him. The red attire, the luxurious walk, the look everything had captured his attention. It was then time to exit. 

Hurriedly, I had walked back to the parking lot to narrate the story to Caleb who had been waiting for me.  Suddenly, I heard a hoarse voice call out behind me “excuse ma’am, excuse me” turning around there he was my Hubert. My mouth went dry and I could hear my heart pounding so fast. He extended his hand to me and looking down at his masculine hand, I stretched mine towards his. Clearing his throat he asked, “Are you a resident here?” “No I confessed shyly narrating to him my reasons for being there". There was an awkward moment of silence and in that silence I could feel my body paralysed by his presence. He hesitated for a moment then asked me if I could wait for a few minutes as he needed to wind up his meeting. “Umm I have a few errands to run” I responded with a shaky voice “why don’t you take my number and as soon as you dare one with your meeting you can give me a call ” without hesitation Hubert took out his phone from his pocket and with a touch on his screen he keyed in my number into his I pad. Scratching his forehead he assured me that he was going to call me immediately. Smiling, I walked back to where Caleb was breathing a sigh of relief. “Tell me, tell me everything! “Exclaimed Caleb from the driver’s seat,” “Shuuush Caleb not here.” I pleaded. Caleb restlessly drove us out of Tamarind as he was eager to know what had conspired between Hubert and I. Caleb was observing the entire encounter from where he had parked the vehicle. Observing from the rear view mirror I could see Caleb trying to read my facial expression. “Take me to Cinemax” I requested and Caleb drove us there and parked the vehicle. Narrating the entire episode to Caleb brought about a mixed feeling of anxiety and excitement at the same time. “Finally, I was going to meet Hubert” those words played over and over again in my mind.

“Hanna, isn’t that your phone ringing?” shouted Caleb. I had been lost deep in thoughts and my phone had rung like twice. Hurriedly, I answered the phone and from the other end I heard a strong masculine voice, his English was well polished and he spoke like he was in no hurry. The sound of my name in his voice felt so good. It felt like I had known Hubert before in another life. Hubert had wanted to see me and there was no way I was going to let that chance slip away. I directed Hubert to where I was and I had made sure Caleb was long gone and nowhere to be seen.  

 Hubert walked into Roberto’s an Italian restaurant situated at Cinemax few meters away from Tamarind Hotel . Like a teenage boy looking for adventure Hubert looked across the room and spotted where I had sat. As he walked towards the table I had occupied, my heart throbbed, my body shivered and I could hardly breathe.