Jacob pushed away the files on his desk and looked at the invitation card. He smiled as his eyes ran over the contents. The Kenya Ports Authority was hosting its fifteenth anniversary and had invited his company to attend the cocktail at the Whispering Palms.
Jacob knew that several senior executives of his company would attend as Transocean was one of the client companies of the corporation. As Jacob put the card into his jacket pocket, he hoped it would be a nice evening to enjoy.
Ever since he became busy studying for the chartered examinations, he had not had the opportunity to enjoy the social life, and he knew he missed a lot. But he never blamed himself; however, since he knew he had to study seriously for the final part of the chartered exams.
He arrived at the Whispering Palms at eight that evening and tried to find good parking space. He saw parking space between two cars: a Volvo and white Ford Cortina. Jacob manoeuvred and parked his car.
Then he walked fast towards the hotel when he noticed he was a few minutes late. But he knew he would find the hosts ready to receive him.
"Can you please direct me where the KPA fifteenth anniversary celebrations are being hosted?" Jacob, who had paused at the reception, asked.
"Uhuru Hall," the receptionist, a plump man with quick darting eyes, answered. "Go past the dining hall, and you'll see a number of people gathered there."
Then he pointed the way, and Jacob made his way slowly towards the dining hall. He saw people gathered at the far end of the hall and stopped briefly to survey the place.
Meanwhile, Gloria, who had been standing impatiently that evening, saw Jacob as he made his way slowly towards the crowd of people.
"Esau!" She cried out suddenly and rushed towards him.
Then Jacob saw her coming fast towards him, and he paused in his footsteps. Gloria could not believe her lover had finally made it to the cocktail, and she stared unbelievingly at him. Jacob also stared at her, but his face was expressionless.
Then she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Darling, Esau!" She spoke joyfully, "I thought you were not going to make it. But somehow, I knew you would eventually get the message. Thank God you've finally arrived!"
For a while, Jacob was confused by the embrace of the stunning woman and seconds later nonplussed as she kissed him. It was then he realized it was a case of mistaken identity, and he tried to speak.
"Well, I'm not…" he paused as Gloria cut him short.
"Don't worry, darling! You're not very late but just in good time." She spoke joyfully as she smiled and held his hands.
Then Jacob's eyes opened up, and he saw her curved figure. A wasp of a woman, Jacob thought as he stared at her heavy ass and slim waist, which made her figure quite attractive.
She was also fairly complexioned and pretty. Yet he knew he had not had a woman for a long time. And her lips had been quite warm and tasted fresh.
He who hesitates is lost, he reflected. Now Jacob made up his mind to go along with her being ready to offer and put on his act. If she mistook him for someone else, he told himself it was not his mistake or problem. He was still staring at her as she led him to the crowd.
Then, as they were walking, a pang of desire took control of his body. Or was it love? He started wondering, but it was just too early to say.
But one thing he was sure of. If there was any woman he wanted to make love to that evening, then it was this woman who had apparently mistaken him for someone else.
He watched in silence as she began to introduce him to some members of the party.
"That's Edward Kisaka, our Human Resources Manager." She pointed to someone in a dark blue suit.
Then another woman walked towards them. She was smiling. Gloria watched as she came and smiled at her.
"Gloria!" The woman spoke loudly, "Who's that with you?"
That was when Jacob learnt her name. Gloria! What a beautiful name, he was thinking, just like you.
"This is Esau," she said and added, "the one I've been telling you about."
People were now drinking and chatting about company matters. Gloria, who felt that her lover had come, just wanted to stay undisturbed at a quiet corner where they would drink and talk.
"Let's go to and find a quiet corner and relax as the guests start streaming in." She led the way towards the far end of the hall, and he followed her quite willingly.
As they stood there, one of the bartenders in maroon uniform walked over to them and asked, "What will you have, please?"
Gloria knew Esau's tastes as they had gone out several times both at the university and when they started working. She said simply: "Red wine for us, please!"
Jacob almost said he would not take wine but just soda. Then he recalled he was supposed to be someone else and had to accept whatever came along. He would not spoil his chances with this gorgeous woman.
The bartender returned with the two glasses of wine on a tray. Gloria picked one and gave Jacob and took the other for herself. Then she was ready to toast.
"This is to our wedding and happiness!"
"And so be it; let it be to that great day!" Jacob replied almost immediately.
They sipped their drinks in silence for a few seconds. Gloria was the first to speak. "I tried calling you the whole day, but you were not in office. Did you finally get my message?"
As she was talking, Jacob was doing very fast thinking. I've got to play my cards right with this gorgeous wasp of a woman, he told himself, otherwise one wrong move or word and I will give myself away.
"Of course," Jacob replied, "but rather late."
"I'm so happy that you've finally come, sweetie. I was almost giving up."
"Don't worry, Gloria. I've now come. We'll enjoy ourselves this evening."
Then he saw Gloria stare at him strangely. What was wrong? He wondered. Had he said something that gave him away?
Then, it came quickly to his mind like a flash of inspiration.
His voice!
And his guess was right as Gloria asked suddenly: "What's wrong? Your voice is so different and deep today."
"I've got a cold. The wine has also worsened it. I'll be okay."
"Sure. You'll be okay."
Jacob knew he had to keep as far as possible from the gathering. Any of his staff members who arrived would call him by his name, and this would also give him away. The further they got away, the better.
He had to excuse himself, so he said, "Darling, as you can see I've a cold and in no mood to continue being around. I came because I got your message and didn't want to let you down. Otherwise, I feel like leaving."
"Are you suggesting we leave right now?" Gloria was visibly surprised. "Why don't we wait a little bit longer? I'm also feeling tight."
"No, sweetie," he said. "Why don't we relax somewhere in a room and enjoy ourselves."
"It's okay if that's the way you feel about it. But where shall we relax here?"
"Don't worry. I'll go and book a room for the two of us for the night." He suggested. "Just excuse me for a minute. I'll be back."
"It's alright. Meanwhile, let me tell my colleagues I'll be leaving." She said and went to join the gathering near the bar.
Jacob walked out of the hall and went to see the receptionist. A woman had replaced the burly man who had been there when Jacob came.
"Can I have a single room for the night?" He asked the receptionist.
"Sure. It will cost you five thousand shillings."
"Okay," Jacob took a roll of bills from his wallet and gave him. "That'll take care of the room."
The lady took the money and issued him a receipt. Then, her hands picked the key from one of the hooks on the board.
"This is the key to room number 217. Would you require room service?"
"Not at the moment. But I'll let you know."
"There's a phone in your room for the purpose. Just call when you need room service and someone will come."
Jacob took the key and walked away towards the hall. He found her waiting for him. He told her, "I've managed to book ourselves a room for the rest of the evening. Come on baby, let's leave!"
They started to walk away. Jacob led the way as she followed him. Outside the hall, Jacob's hand went round her waist as he held her while they walked. They could hear the guests talking in loud voices and even laughing as they drank wine and beer.
Then, as they reached the stairs, he heard someone shout: "Jacob! Jacob! Why are you leaving?"
It was a woman's voice.
The loud cheers, laughter, and drunken talk of the guests drowned her voice. But Jacob had heard the voice which he recognized. He turned his head and saw Jenny and Katerega just walking in to join the gathering. He waved at her and winked.
Then he held Gloria tightly on her waist as they went up the stairs to their room. But Gloria had seen Jacob waving at the woman whom she saw also waving back.
Outside room 217, they stopped as Jacob put the key in the key hole and opened the door. It was a richly furnished room with a large divan bed and a mahogany wardrobe. The room overlooked the ocean, and the floor had a red Persian carpet.
After locking the door, Jacob walked across the room and sat on the bed. Gloria paused briefly as she opened the door to the bathroom and washroom, and her head nodded with satisfaction. Then she followed him and sat next to him.
They had all the time in the world. The wine was affecting them, and Jacob felt desire overwhelming him. Slowly, he began to undress as she watched him.
Then she saw the gold chain!
She said, "Darling, you've got a very nice chain. How come you've never worn it until today? And you should have told me when you went to buy so that we can select together. Anyway it is classic!"
"I'm sorry, my love. I wanted it to come as a surprise on our wedding day. I'll buy you a different type very soon."
She was thrilled. "No. I'd love just like this one!"
"It may be difficult to get as this was the only one left."
"Well, you'll ask them to order because mine has to be like yours too."
"Okay, then!" He gave in as he did not want any argument at this hour when he had her safely in his room.
Then she began to undress, too. Jacob caught his breath as he saw her nude. Desire overwhelmed him as he began to caress her. Then gently he pulled her closer to him and saw her eyes were shining with love; and overwhelming passion.
Five minuted later, the match kicked off as they surrendered their bodies to the passion and rhythm of desire.