Her Arms, His Sanctuary

Chapter 12

The week passed by very fast. Apart from the constant bother from Terence, Naledi was in a jovial mood.

Finally Kay was opening up and letting her into his world. Who would have thought that he could actually invite her to his events?

He had always been cagey about his life. The fact that she would be meeting his associates and business partner left her ecstatic.

Counsellor was a popular figure known in the corporate world. His face was everywhere, on televisions, newspapers and other media platforms.

He was known especially as a ‘top dog’, loaded with so much cash that he did not know what to do with it.

Most times he was seen doing charity work and giving away a huge amount of money to the less privileged members of the society.

His latest act of kindness was towards a hospice, he donated a huge amount of money to help with the running of the place.

He was also known to be a fashionista. He loved latest styles and certain particular trends. It was a must for him to be in-the-know about what was hot. Some would call him a metrosexual man.

Most people envied him and were mystified, wondering how someone in his late twenties was able to accumulate so much wealth.

The type of women he attracted were those who equally considered themselves fashionable, who would wear little black or bodycon dresses, lace elements, bare shoulders, off-shoulder or backless clothes. A pair of high heels were a must have. The ones who would ensure that they own a couple of colour red clothing items.

When Naledi got to know that he was Kay’s business partner, at first she did not believe him. But when he rocked up unannounced at her work place three days ago, it dawned on her that he had been playing it low the whole time.

He had emerged from a large luxury sedan vehicle and he had a chauffeur.

She remembered how awkward the lunch date was after she realised that it was indeed true, Kay was a very wealthy man.

He had taken her to a place that was not for the faint of heart, one had to be affluent and prepared to part with a large sum of money in settling the bill.

It was purportedly one of the most expensive and luxurious five star hotel in the country.

Everything in it had to be high priced including the restaurants.

The place was in the Central Business District.

She learnt that it was part of their establishment.

All the information was too much to process it even made her uncomfortable and to some extend rather intimidated.

Never in her life had she felt that way. She had always been confident and not easily intimidated.

Money was not a problem because she had a comfortable job without much responsibilities other than helping her parents whenever needed. She could afford a holiday once off and other things that really mattered to her.

But, that dulled by comparison to what the man sitting in front of her was worth.

She had always taken him for granted, although she got to realise that he actually had vehicles.

She never thought his wealth would be matched alongside the Counsellor.

Poor girl, she had no idea that, it was just the tip of an iceberg, there was a lot more to it than meets the eye.

As if sensing her discomfort at the realisation of his wealth, he had taken her hands in both of his and clasped them whilst looking intently at her.

“Look at me Star” he had said.

“This should not make you think too much about me and the whole situation. I’m still the same Kay you met weeks ago and no amount of money would change that.”

She lowered her eyes to avert his fixed stare.

“What I am going to confess will probably make you angry but I will say it anyway.”

“I did downplay it because I wanted to be liked for ‘me’ and nothing else.” He continued.

“Remember you even offered to take me in your car and drop me off at my place when I supposedly did not have a vehicle?”

Her eyes shot up at his last statement. “Did you seriously played that trick on me? Wow! Kay, you are something else!”

He held her hands firmly and said, “That was the turning point in my life. That was when I realised that you are for keeps, if I did not grab on to the opportunity of making you mine, I would have lost out big”

He smiled at her revealing his killer smile that got her every time. How could she stay mad at him…

“I know Star without any doubt in my mind that I want you by my side” He reassured her.

Naledi was not convinced. Doubt was rearing its ugly head and she was starting to have conflicting feelings, making her insecure in the process. The playing field was no longer level.

Her mind soared to the previously unattainable heights of insight.

What baffled her the most was how completely different in terms of lifestyle Kay and Counsellor were, with Kay living a simple life and his partner very extra life filled with women and parties.

What if like before, Kay was downplaying his partying ways the same way he did about owning a car, his wealth and other things that she might discover in the course of their relationship.

Would she be able to handle the truth…

There was only one thing left, to find out on her own. The dinner party was the chance to snoop around and figure out the real Kay and what made him tick.

One thing for sure, she was looking forward to the invitation. It was to be a black tie dinner party.

She had brought with her a surprise for Kay but after what she discovered, she was feeling embarrassed to give him the small box she had covered in a silver wrapping with a gold bow ribbon.

She decided to give it to him anyway. “I always meant to get you these”

Kay was surprised. No woman had ever bought him anything, let alone take him to dinner, movie or anything that would have suggested that she cared.

Instead they all wanted to take as much as they could.

But deep down Kay knew that he was partly to be blamed. He had never given them a chance to know him and he also chose the wrong type specifically for the purpose they were intended for.

Naledi was special and the gesture made her even more special.

“It is nothing much, but I felt you needed them”

He unwrapped the box and was dumbfounded to find hair ties which were a distinct brand of loc ties. He had always wanted such but had always dismissed the thought from his mind.

He was speechless as he took out one and stretched it.

“Promise me that you will use them for the dinner party?”

Anything for his beautiful Star. He would travel the length and breadth of the earth to make her happy.

 He was going to surprise her. With that thought in mind they dined.