THIRTY THREE

My boyish figure was a tad bit feminine because of the snug fit of the dress. I paired it with a statement red lip and red gladiators. I looked pretty decent, more than l liked to admit. Hilden would be assured of his decision to marry me if he had second thoughts, so l thought.

He had told me to meet up with him at his fathers house which wasn't far from my own apartment. The ride was filled with annoying girl giggles and butterflies in my stomach. This was the moment l had been waiting for for so long and it was about to happen with a man l loved, who returned those feelings as well.

There were two cars parked outside his house, one belonging to him but the other was too expensive to belong to just anybody. It was a person of status and importance. A lover of the finer things in life. I was surprised that he hadn't given me the heads up that he had a guest. I wouldn't mind postponing our engagement to a later date. But l was partly to blame. 

We had agreed to meet at seven because he had a full day at work and liked to come back home and swim because swimming is his comfort zone. But him bringing work home was unheard of. I wasn't worried that it was another woman because most of the women he had casual relations with weren't gold mine owners. They were from rich families but didn't own a fortune. So this had to be an important person.

The security was impenetrable but l was the most important woman in his life and that meant access to all his possessions. Facial recognition was impossible due to the little to no make-up on my face and that meant the finger print scanner which was by far the worst. The amount of germs that lived most probably had a fortune.

Music was playing all over the house but there was no one in sight. But the music wasn't one that a person would use to sign business deals but for extra curricular activities. I went straight to his bedroom knowing l wouldn't like what l would find but l was mistaken. There wasn't a single soul in view.

The sound of the front door opening caught my attention, but l knew l wouldn't make it down the stairs in time. So l went to the guestroom opposite Hilden's bedroom that overlooked the front door to see who the mystery guest is. Scrambling into her one of a kind car, carrying her shoes and her handbag while the contents were spilling out was none other than Celia. 

Her walk of shame was nothing graceful, rather she looked like a drenched rat, running away from deadly cat. Her lipstick smudged all across her face and her hair was in no better condition. It looked like a bird had decided to nest itself. It looked pretty cosy, l wouldn't blame the birds.

She drove off instantly while Hilden stayed outside fixing himself while looking at himself on the rear-view mirror of his car. Satisfied, he ran his hands over his attire one last time before coming back into the house

"Baby?" he called out.

"love" l decided to play along, sitting on his bed, pretending to not have seen anything. Why confront him with something l don't have proof of. Only the ragged appearance was proof of an affair. But Celia was his step-mother. How could he do that to his father.

"I'm sorry l didn't see you when you arrived, l was with a client" he said finding me on his room and plastering his defiled lips on my own

"you never being business home, this must have been a very important client that you wanted to impress after hours" l remarked, sarcasm dropping in my voice.

"Work never ends" he says simply ignoring my insinuation

"That's what sets you apart from other successful men out there" l egged him on. When he saw me he probably saw an idiot, but l would rather be an idiot if it means keeping him in my life.

"Give me a few moments to get ready for dinner. It will be amazing" he said walking to the built in shower.

He dressed up in his everyday-this-is-my-brand-look. His signature black jeans and white button up. According to his help, he had the same white shirt for the different days of the week. Labelled Monday to Sunday.

"shall we?" he says taking a hold of my hand and leading me out of the house. He is a very romantic, chivalrous man. Opening the doer, buying flower, spontaneous trips to exotic places and most of all a very flexible tongue.

We drove for a few minutes but all l could think about was the affair going on right under John and my nose. The two people we trusted the most had no problem betraying us in the worst way possible. I know Hilden in no Saint but stopping as low as dating his father's wife was a whole new low 

"what are you thinking so hard about love?" he asks rubbing soothing circles along the back of my hand

"you wouldn't believe me even if l told you" l said ignoring the throbbing in my heart

"try me" he challenged

" The way tonight seems so special, one will think you are proposing" l said

"you know there is plenty of time to get married, l am focused on becoming a world force. There is no rush for marriage" he says

"we should get going or else we will miss our reservation" and with that he walks out of the car. We got in the restaurant and were immediately seated, knowing that Hilden was a close family friend to the family that owned the restaurant. 

"you know that l love you right" he starts off taking my hand in his 

"And l love you" l say lovingly 

"I don't doubt that. I never want to hurt you with my actions but certain things have to be done." he finishes

"you are scaring me" l say to him knowing that this is indeed not a proposal

"I am getting married"