In a jiffy, Marina was inside, seated beside me on a glass stool. She was holding a keg of oil and two hand gloves and was munching nuts loudly. That was what I heard that made me realize she had been with me and possibly might have overheard my soliloquy.
"Babe, you've been here since?" Marina asked.
"Yes, dear."
"How are you doing and how about your work?"
"Well, my darling."
After replying her, we left for my house for a rest. She continued teasing me with her seemingly curt anecdotes and sarcasm. I almost got more tired.
"Your replies are short, why?"
"If you think so, it's fine; I think I'm stressed out now."
"Oh, sorry" she said.
"Thanks, what are these trivial things for?"
"You call them trivial?"
"Sorry, what are you doing with oil?"
"I brought them for you to be massaged."
"Oh?"
"Tonight is for our first n***d massage...."
"While we aren't yet married?"
"Yeah, what?"
"No, it's not possible."
"It might not be on your side but we're doing it this night, if you still want me in your life."
"Marina, why are you like this?"
"Like what, dear?"
"I have many things to attend to, in our workplace and many ideas to iron out!"
"Don't shout on me now.... Wait till we meet in bed tonight." She said and left for her own room, leaving all she brought behind.
"It seems I'll have to keep these things somewhere."
So, I carried the keg of oil and picked the gloves up and headed for my wardrobe. I placed them there and locked the wardrobe door and left there.
Five minutes later, I went to see if those things were safe in where I kept them but I met the wardrobe door wide open. What!
"How come?" I wondered and turned back to see if anyone was there who probably was the one who opened it. I saw Marina again!
"Marina Barbie.... My one and only sweetheart." I hailed.
"Yes, love?"
"Did you open this wardrobe door?"
"Yeah, I did with this remote...." She mumbled, showing me a very little remote control in her left hand. She had appeared more beautiful this time and I wondered where she went to, to change it that fast.
"Marina looks like the lilies along the valley!"
"Aww, love." She blushed.
"Our massage is tonight and will be done willingly, on my side!"
"C'mon, baby...." She spread her hands for a hug and so, I entered into them for a sweet embrace. I wasn't willing to leave those soft hands of hers. She had times two of Stella's beauty. There was barely no one that never dated Marina in one way or the other, in Saunders Company where I worked. Even Mr Humby, as mature as he was, once asked her for a night stand which she refused rudely.
"What's my work like, tomorrow?"
"Babe, you're to sign our contract letters to Jeholla and Brothers...."
"Oh, that company in Venzemeno?"
"Yeah, you even remember."
"Why haven't Humby given you the authority to receive contract letters and documents, by now?"
"I wonder, I don't just know!"
"Don't worry, I'll actualize that for you, soon or later."
I brought out some documents and started reading, editing and proofreading them, for tomorrow. I was the Head Checker of Files and Contracts in Saunders Company. There, we produced a lot of things like automobile, phones and their accessories, appliances, foodstuffs, fruits and vegetables, all kinds of provisions, clothing, oil, gas and electric wires and accessories.
Saunders Company was built by Humby's father, Cristiano Saunderé from the Seed City, Marantonez in Manelda here. It was when he had stroke that he gave the company to his son, Humby to manage. The later was seriously advised to allow innovations from his workers-to-be. Not too long, he met with Marina, Stella and Yoshua and started with them.
The first thing we produced, according to Humby, was automobile and stationery only.
It had been very interesting working with Humby's company because, allowances were given to each and every workers there, including the gatekeepers, cleaners, chaffeurs, public drivers, chefs, private plumbers, messengers, advertisers, graphic designers and other sub-workers in accorded hierarchy.
I held Marina suddenly and dragged her into my room.
"Marina, when last did you pray?"
"Thirty minutes ago."
"That's good!" I applauded.
"Let us pray as we go for the massage."
"O Lord, we pray your children you strengthen for the activities in the to-do list, that we may fulfil our s****l desires according to your will and ours, too, amen!"
"Amen."
"But baby, I don't want a n***d massage, that will be an overactivity by now...."
"I understand you, at least romance me a little."
"I'll do that, promise!"
"Come close and remove only your shirt...."