When it was all over and their passion had been quenched, Gloria began to speak, "We've got to leave. I've got a lot of work to do tomorrow at the office."
"Can't we spend the rest of the night here, my love?" Jacob was now pleading.
He had been amazed and impressed by her bedroom skills and experience on the mattress.
"No, I've to be in the office very early in the morning, and yet this place is far from town."
"It's okay," he gave in.
Inwardly, he did not want her to leave. The woman had just been too good and experienced in bed. But he did not want to spoil his chances in the future by being adamant.
He just watched in silence as she walked into the bathroom and showered.
When she was ready a few minutes later, she came and stood near him. Then she observed, "I don't feel like going back to the party. I know the boss will be quite annoyed with me because he never saw me most of the evening. But I'll explain to him if he asks. As for now, escort me."
"Okay," he said and rose to his feet.
When he was ready, they slipped out of the room and walked along the corridor quite silently. Then, they reached the receptionist and paused.
"I'm going out briefly. I may be back," Jacob said as he gave out the key.
They walked towards the parking lot where he had parked his Renault. Gloria's face lit with surprise when he saw him opening the car door to let her in. "What's all this? What's going on, my love? And whose car is this?"
Jacob looked at her pretty face and saw surprise written all over her. It even made her look prettier. Then he started the car and said gently, "It's mine."
The engine roared into life, and the car surged forward as it moved slowly out of the parking area. Then Jacob switched on the tape, and some sweet melody was heard.
It was Abba's Chiquitita.
Meanwhile, Gloria's mind was racing. Why was Esau full of surprises tonight? She was wondering. Truly, he had showcased his organizational skills as they planned for their wedding.
First the gold chain and now the car! Was he again showcasing his abilities that had remained latent to her? It was then she decided to clear the air.
"But darling," she began, "you've never told me you have a car. Why haven't you?"
"I was just taking my time. I wanted it to come as a surprise."
She was truly shocked but inwardly thrilled by the whole idea. It was good to have a man or husband who owned a car. Cars were the hopes of most modern and sophisticated women. Even the modest ones desired men with cars.
As the car went racing along the road, Jacob suddenly became aware that he never knew her home. And he feared asking her as he knew it would betray him. This was now the most difficult time for him as he tried to find a solution. Then he found it!
He would drop her in town, he decided, and then ask her to take a taxi home. He knew he would offend her, but he decided he would excuse himself and even pay for the cab.
His foot stepped on the accelerator, and the Renault gathered speed. They reached town in twenty minutes. At the Digo Road roundabout, Jacob suddenly put his brakes, and the car came to a standstill.
He looked at her briefly and excused himself, "Darling, I won't go any further. I promised to pick up a friend at Diani after the cocktail. He's now eagerly waiting."
Gloria's shock came back. How could she go home alone at such an hour? And why was Esau behaving quite strangely tonight?
Many thoughts assailed her mind as she tried to find words to say: "Why don't you just drop me home and then pick him up later?"
"No, sweetie. I may not be in good time to find this guy, and he may be disappointed with me. I will get you a cab to take you home."
Gloria was disappointed and also fed up. "Is he more important than me?"
He saw the sad note in her voice. He had better please her, he decided.
"No darling. He isn't. But a friend in need is a friend indeed. I can't let him down since it was a promise."
"Okay then!" She gave up and then suddenly added, "But I'll always remember this. Or are you going back for that lady I saw waving at you? You don't think I am foolish, do you?"
"I don't. Please believe me; I have to pick that friend of mine." Jacob was surprised by her tone and thought she was becoming jealous.
"Who was that woman? I have always told you I dislike a man cheating on me. I hate being engaged in rivalry over a man."
"She is just someone I met in the course of performing my duties. She is not important to me. You are the only one who is important to me," Jacob replied and was now sure she was jealous and disliked competition.
"If I am that important to you, why aren't you taking me home and having to pick a friend instead?"
"I've already explained. It won't ever happen again, darling. I promise," Jacob said as he hailed a passing cab.
The driver stopped a few meters from them, and Jacob opened the car door to let her out. Together, they walked to the taxi, and he started talking to the cab driver.
"Take this lady home. How much is it?"
"Where do you live, sister?" The cab driver wanted to know.
"Tudor!" She said angrily.
"Give me five hundred shillings," the taxi driver demanded.
"I'll pay," Jacob said and gave him the five hundred shillings note.
Then Jacob stood aside to let Gloria take the passenger seat. The cab driver fired the engine, and the car started moving slowly . He saw Gloria wave sadly as the cab gathered speed and raced towards Tudor estate.
A few minutes later, the cab driver brought the car to a standstill outside Gloria's apartment. Even as she jumped out of the cab, she observed that most people had gone to sleep. The bright lights in her lounge caught her attention, and she was alarmed.
What the hell was happening? She was wondering as she walked briskly across the compound.
And then she saw Esau's motorbike!
It was at the foot of the stairs. She imagined Esau had abandoned the motorbike and decided to attend the cocktail in style with the Renault. Men were, after all that way, as they tried to show off, she thought.
Then she remembered she had not left her lights on, and this further alarmed her. What was going on?
Or was it a thief or intruder who had broken into her house and forgot to switch off the lights as he left?
She went up the stairs quickly. As she was climbing, her mind went to her possessions and thought of the loss she would incur if they were stolen.
At the end of the stairs, she paused and reached for the key in her bag. Then gently, she turned the key and pushed the door open.
Facing her and slumping on the sofa with an angry look on his face was Esau. His eyes lit up suddenly when he saw her.
In that brief moment, Gloria saw for the first time in their romantic affair a look of distrust and hate in his eyes.