“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.
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