Night By Night

“That was one of the most delicious foods I have ever tried. I have got to come back here,” she said, still smacking her lips.

“I thought you might like it. But now I think I should let you get back to your job, before they fire you already,” he smiled, even though he desperately wanted nothing more than to sit here and remain in her company.

“You are right,” she said and sprang up instantly. “I need to get back.”

“Let me give you a ride,” he offered.

“No need,” she replied hastily. “We would have to walk all the way back. I think it would be easier if I took a cab outside.”

“You may be right,” he conceded. He signalled the waiter and cleared the bill and then ushered her outside. They had to wait ten minutes before they finally found one.

“I could have gone back for my car,” he said. Then, almost as if lightning struck him, “I don’t have your number.”

“I know that,” she smiled.

“Well can I have it?” he asked.

She smiled. “Sure.” She took out a business card and handed it to him.

“May I see you another time?” he asked, pressing his luck.

“Call me and we will see,” she said encouragingly. He grinned and slipped the thin piece of paper into the inside pocket of his blazer. “You are right. We should have gone back for your car,” she finally agreed. He chuckled.

Just then a cab came and Jennifer directed him to her office. Adrian paid the cab driver before he drove off. Jennifer sat there in the car, reliving her second encounter with this man. She had been so adamant that she didn’t want to be with another white man, but he just may be different from the rest. He was in no way imposing and he was a gentleman through and through. She couldn’t help thinking about him and when she glanced back, he was still standing there at the curb, his hands dug deep into his pocket and a hopeful look on his face.

She hadn’t gone out of sight for five minutes when her cell phone rang. She dug around inside her bag until she found it and answered. It was Adrian. She couldn’t help smiling then.

“What did I forget?” she asked.

“Me,” he said matter of factly. “You forgot to take me with you and for that, I want to see you tonight.”

“Tonight? Haven’t you had your fill for one day?” she asked playfully.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said, and her heart sank that he hadn’t pursued the carrot she was dangling at him. “I did have too much Onigiri.” There was a pause. “Caught you, didn’t I?” he laughed.

“At this rate you won’t be seeing me ever again,” she said, feeling embarrassed that she had fallen for his little trick.

“Come on, say yes will you? I rather enjoy your company,” he continued.

This seemed to tickle her and she smiled. “Alright, before you start begging. What time should I expect you? I assume you will call for directions,” she said.

“Don’t worry. I will find you one way or another,” and with that he hung up. Her heart seemed as if it was going to swell right out of her chest and she threw her hand there in an effort to quieten it. Why was she so anxious? She got back to the office and got out of the cab. As it turned out, Mr. Jacobs would not be in for the remainder of the day so she was free to head home. She checked her watch and realised that it was only half past three. Needless to say, she was feeling rather drowsy and she appreciated the extra time that she could use to rest. She didn’t want to meet Adrian later looking like a beat up rag. She told Zoe goodbye and walked out into the street. She was in no mood to walk now so she hailed a cab to take her home; on other days she would walk here and she hoped she would get her car soon.

When she got home she made sure to tidy her small space. Her apartment was not as grand as others, or even as his, but it had a homely feel with its little fireplace, her oval couch and her neatly packed cupboards. She wasn’t a neat freak, but she liked keeping things in order. Even now there wasn’t much to re-arrange and she sat on the sofa, intending to rest a little before she showered. It wasn’t until night had fallen that she opened her eyes again. She jumped up in fright, not realising she had fallen asleep. How long had she been asleep? What time was it?

She scrambled around in the dark until she was lucid enough to find the switch. She flicked it on and instantly made a beeline for her bag. She fished out her cell phone and breathed a sigh of relief; there were no missed calls, but she only had thirty minutes before he would call her. She hastily slipped from her clothes and literally ran into the shower. She hadn’t even decided what to wear because she didn’t know where he would be taking her. She couldn’t enjoy the water as it made a waterfall down her body. All she could do were the bare necessities and get out.

She had only just robed herself and was towelling her hair dry when she heard a knock at the door. Who could that be? She tossed the towel over the bar and crept to the door, all the while curious. She opened it, only to see a grinning Adrian standing there.

“How on earth did you find me?” she asked.

“I am a very resourceful man,” he said in return, and then stopped to notice the nothingness she was clothed in. Something in him moved and he stepped inside, forcing her to retreat, and he pushed the door closed behind him, leaning on it for support. He stared at her now with wild eyes, ravaging her with it, and when she bit her lips back, his madness could no longer be contained. He stepped forward with a purpose and grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her to him in heated fervour. Their lips collided and the stars were aligned as a winter’s solstice.

She eased off of him now and went to retrieve her robe, pulling it to the front and making a bow before sitting down next to him. He pulled her to him so that her head was now resting on his shoulder. “Do you still want to go out? I mean, we can stay here and watch a movie if you like,” he said.