Chapter 7.
1982
Drink in hand he stood at the one side of the bar talking to some ex- colleagues and watching the crowd. They had arranged to meet at Ciros, a night club in the middle of Johannesburg that held a cocktail hour on Friday evenings from five to eight o'clock.
It was very popular among the young office workers in the area and tonight it was packed with yuppie executives both male and female. The men in their fancy suits and the ladies in their designer dresses were standing around in little groups talking to each other and eyeing the opposite sex, trying to figure out who they would end up spending the night with or who they definitely won't be spending the night with. It was buzzing and above the din one could hear the screams of laughter as some one had just said something funny. Tonight it was extremely busy, busier than normal and a lot noisier because the club had one of the top bands in the country playing.
David noticed a young lady looking in his direction who smiled every time he looked her way. He returned the smile and gave a small wave. He thought to himself If she waves back then I know the smiles were intended for me.'Instead of waving she gestured with her hand for him to come over to her. He made his excuses to the friends he was with and battled his way across to her. When he was closer he realized who she was.
Her name was Cheryl .... She was an actuary and held a senior position at Modern life an assurance company they both worked for. A very clever lady who was qualified to calculate risks. She was a girl who worked with figures and to say she had a lovely figure was an understatement. She had a gorgeous figure and to go with it she was beautiful too.
David grinned then wondered, what brings her here on a Friday night as he walked towards her. "Hello Cheryl." He said."What brings you to a place like this? Where the bands are loud and there's so much noise."
"Well I could ask you the same question." She replied returning a gentle smile. "I haven't seen you for ages, where have you been?"
"I've been around," he said."I very seldom come into the city. I'm only here tonight because some of my mates asked me to join them for a drink."
Cheryl smiled."And now, you're standing here talking to me, instead of them."
Smiling, David said. "That's alright. I'm sure they understand."
"Understand what?" She asked.
"That I would rather be talking to a beautiful lady than talking rugby to them."
"Who are you with?" David asked not wanting to sound too inquisitive.
"One of the chaps in our department Brian Harris has his birthday today and asked a few of us to join him for a drink. That's him over there, the tall guy with glasses. Do you know him?"
David looked at the young gentleman she had pointed out but didn't recognize him. "No I don't, he must have come after I left." He said still looking at the tall not so good looking gent.
"Do you still work for Modern?"She asked."I haven't seen you at head office for ages."
"Yes. But now I'm in direct sales. I have offices in Rosebank."
"That's a big change. From a senior position in pensions to direct sales."
"Yes. It took me a while to decide whether or not to make the change but in the end I'm glad I did. At least I can now afford to go on holiday.To be honest with you, I was bored and achieving nothing. Now I enjoy what I do and really believe in it, in it's worth. I actually feel satisfaction in doing the best for my clients."
She didn't answer. He saw she was holding onto an empty glass. "Can I get you another?" He asked putting out his hand.
"I'll have a glass of white wine please? just the normal house wine is okay."
After squeezing his way through the crowd he finally got to the counter where he waited to be served by the barman. He looked back at her and thought to himself. I'm glad I finally got to talk to her. As he carried the drinks back, he looked at her. She was small and petite, with an olive skin, big brown eyes and a lovely round mouth. She looked very much Italian and then of cause her hair was a dark auburn which almost guarantied it.
"Here you are." He said, handing her the wine.Cheers...Cheryl tell me are you Italian?"
"Nooo." She said. "What makes you think I'm Italian." She laughed.
"Your features, dark hair, olive skin and your height and of course your beauty."
"That's okay." She said and then pushed her hair to the side."I wish I was Italian. I like the language and the country. Especially Rome, I really love Rome. Have you ever been there?"
"No."David replied.
"You should visit it. It's such a lovely city, with all it's historic buildings and beautiful churches; the little side streets and the pavement cafes."
Standing together he almost dwarfed her. He was over six foot tall, well build and to go with that he was very good looking as well.They looked good together.
The band started playing. It was one of Elvis's songs. 'I just can't help believing.' The crowd clapped and shouted in appreciation.
"I love this song." David said raising his voice.
She burst out laughing. "I didn't hear a thing you said."
"I said I love this song."He repeated.
Looking up at him. "Are you an Elvis fan?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied, then pointing to his ears and nodding his head he tried to tell her that he couldn't hear her too well.
A few minutes passed and when they had finished the song David cupped his hand over her ear. "Would your friends mind if we moved into one of the corners, where we can talk to each other?"
"I don't think so. I don't think they've even noticed that I'm talking to you.There's a place over there." She said pointing to a little corner and made their way through the crowd.
While he was at head office he would see Cheryl almost daily but they never spoke to each other, other than to say "Hello" to each other in the lift or passage.It seemed as if they were each in their own cocoon rushing to get things done before the day ends. If there was a meeting or a cocktail party where both were present they would spend their time talking to those in their own departments. Now in just over an hour they had said more to each other than they did in the years he was in head office.
He saw the waiter. 'Can I get you another drink?'
'I'll have the same please."
Looking up at him with her beautiful eyes she said."You're different David. I'm trying to figure out what's changed, since I last saw you."
David laughed."Please let me know what it is, if you ever find out."
She raised her eyebrows slightly. "I'll tell you what I think. You're more mature, self assured. That's it. You're more self assured and you've got better looking and you dress more stylish."
He thought about what she said. "Do you think I've changed that much... I didn't think that you paid so much attention to me."
"Oh yes and believe it or not, I wasn't the only one."She replied.
"You're kidding me, aren't you? I know what you're trying to do. You are trying to pick me up. Aren't you?" Then he burst out laughing.
Through out the evening they spoke more about little things that interested each other and when, the couple of hours were over and the band had stopped playing and the crowd started mulling around, moving towards the exits David said."I hope you don't find it out of place or think me being rude if I asked you to join me for lunch some time?"
"Give me your number and I'll contact you in the week. Is that okay?" She asked.
"I'd like that," he said, then took out a silver case from his pocket and gave her one of his calling cards. "It has my home number as well, so you can contact me on either and that's my office address on the card."He said."Can I walk you to your car?"
"That's very sweet of you." She replied as they walked out the club and when they got to her car he shook her hand.
He only realized it was three weeks ago that she promised to phone the next week when Carol his secretary came on the line."David I have a lady on the line wanting to talk to you."
"Put her through Carol." He leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs. "Hello Cheryl, how are you?" After all this time I thought she had forgotten me.
"David I'm fine. My apologies for not phoning earlier. I've been under so much pressure you can't believe it. You know we're bringing out new products to counter the high inflation that this country is going through and it's all systems go."
"Is that so? sounds interesting. I was wondering when someone would come up with a product like that." David said.
"Please don't mention it to anybody. I'll tell you all about it when we meet, that's if your offer for lunch is it still on?" She asked.
"Of course it's still on. I would be an absolute fool if I let an opportunity, like going to lunch with a lady as beautiful as you, pass me by."
"Oh David, you are a charmer."
"Lunch, okay. When and do you have any place in mind?" He asked.
"No I don't. Anywhere as long as it's not to close to HO."
"How about meeting me at the Top of the Carlton at one o'clock on Wednesday?" David Asked."That's not to close to head office." It was a restaurant inside one of the top hotels in Johannesburg, which catered for the overseas tourists and even though the restaurant was well supported by the local businessman David was sure it would be alright for them to have lunch there.
"That's fine. I must go, somebody is at my door. See you Wednesday." Then she suddenly hung up.
David heard the phone go dead. What happened there.
He went through to Carol's office and told her to put the appointment in his diary. She was his right hand women and he couldn't go a day without her. She was efficient, motivated and loyal and always eager to learn. A woman in her late forties she returned to work after she was widowed. Initially he was weary if he could work with a woman of her age but as it turned out she was a gem. A former maths teacher she was ideal for the job.
He saw her walk out the lift, wearing a grey tweed suit with a blue blouse and blue tights. She looked gorgeous. He walked towards her so she didn't have to walk into the restaurant on her own. "Hi I see you found it okay."
"Oh, I've been here before. I was pleased when you suggested it."
As they entered the dimly lit restaurant the waiter looked in the guest book to see where he had to seat them. "Follow me, please sir." He took them through to a secluded area as David had requested when he made the booking. At night it would be packed out, normally by the hotel guests because it had live music and a cabaret show but during the week days the businessman would lunch there with a client or partner or a lover. David saw eight or nine tables being occupied, it was known for it's food and ambiance and as they sat down David asked."Is the music all-right, not too loud?"
"It's perfect." On the stage they had a pianist playing soft romantic music at just the right volume. She put her handbag on her lap and took out a small mirror, looked at herself then put it back.
He looked at her across the table. There was something womanly, essential about Cheryl Phillips. She was beautiful and if she doubted it she only had to look into his eyes for confirmation. "You look gorgeous like always." He said then smiled at her.
"Thank you."She frowned.
"Would your husband mind if he walked in here and saw us.?"
"Yes. He's the jealous type. I don't know what he'd do. Maybe shoot us." Then she broke out laughing... "You're not worried, are you?"
" A bit. I'm too young to die." He smiled at her. "Where would he normally go for lunch?"He asked.
"Around the stock exchange which is close to his office."She replied."He doesn't take people to lunch so he would grab a roll at a take-away and eat it in the office."
"What does he do?"
"His a lawyer. Not practicing, he's a legal adviser for Anglo America."
The waiter arrived with the wine. He poured a bit in the glass for David to taste and then filled both glasses."The meal will take another ten minutes." He said.
David had a quick look around the restaurant at the people having lunch. At one table was a couple, a man and woman who he noticed hadn't said a word to each other since he first saw them.They must be married. At another table he saw two gentlemen, one of them was making notes on a little pad as they spoke.'That must be a lawyer taking notes from a client.'
"See that couple over there?"David asked looking in their direction.
"Yes, what about them?"She asked.
"I bet that they're married."
"What makes you think that."
"They don't talk to each other. Tell me, you're married how long does it take before you stop talking to each other."
"I don't know. I think it happens gradually without one knowing. By that time you know every thing about each other and you don't have more questions."
"But surely there are a lot more things going on around the world that you don't need only to talk only about yourselves."
"Yes sure." She said. Then didn't say more about the subject.
He returned his attention to her. "Do you have children?"
"No. We're too involved in our careers to think of having children and Desmond is not the fatherly type."
"And what about you. Are you the motherly type?"
She paused then turning her head up slightly she replied."I don't think so, otherwise I would have had children by now."
"Oh, is it." David replied and left it at that. He didn't want to delve too far."So how's it going at the office with the new products that are being introduced."
"Oh, not bad. A bit chaotic, but okay." There was silence for a few minutes as they ate. "This is delicious."
"Yes it's very nice." David replies.
"So what do you do when you're not taking women to lunch?"
"You make it sound like I do this all the time. Fact is, I normally only eat out with friends. Do you think we could be friends."
She looked at him with her beautiful brown eyes."Oh yes. That was a really stupid question. I'm sure we can be friends and there's nothing nicer than having a lunch with a good friend. Not so?" She said.
He agreed. "Do you play tennis?" David asked in surprise.
"Oh God no. I have no co-ordination. I get into trouble when I have to use more than two limbs at the same time. Anyway why do you ask me that." She looked at him then smiled.
"I thought maybe we could have a game some day."
She frowned. "Bad luck. In fact I wish I could play the sport." She replied.
"I could teach you, If you like." He says as he focuses on her lips.
"No David. Don't even think about it." Feeling a little embarrassed she looked away.
"So if you don't play tennis, what do you do in your spare time."
"We travel quite a bit and on our travels I read a lot."
"Where do you go."
"Mainly in South Africa, Cape Town, Drakensburg, or the South Coast."
"Do you like Cape Town?" David asked. What a stupid question. Everybody loves Cape Town.He thought.
"Oh I love it. I could move down their tomorrow if it wasn't for our jobs."She replied.
"Me too. But I don't like the winters down there."
"Oh, but I'm sure you could get used to it."
"I never could. I was born there and the little time we lived there I hated getting out of bed in winter to go to school."
Looking at him in surprised look she said."I was born there too. Isn't that a co-incidence. Where did you live."
"My mom owned a boarding house in Kenilworth. Just up from the race course."
"We lived in Sea Point. On High Level Road. Do you know it."
"Yes very well. I had an aunt who lived in a flat, almost on the road."
"Do you think we could do that again?" David asked.
"Yes that would be nice. But I'm afraid It will have to wait till after the launch of the new product. If you don't mind, I will phone you. Okay." They parted company after leaving the restaurant. David felt good and decided to go down stairs where there was a pub. He wanted to have a Johnny Walker Black before returning to the office.
A few weeks later David drove into his parking area. He sat in his Mercedes for a few minutes to look and think of what he had achieved in such a short time. He took pleasure in seeing what a difference in appearance the building was from the first time he saw it. He had it rebuild and had the garden landscaped and was now a building which he and the ladies could be proud of bringing clients too.
He collected the post. As he relaxed back in his chair he had one of the envelopes that was addressed to him. Just then the girls came into the office. He rose and walked to the window, looking out at the view he slit the envelope open.
"I thought it was something important. It's an invitation to the launch of a new product.."
David looked at the invitation It was being held in one of the conference halls at The Sandton Sun a posh hotel in Johannesburg. Included was a special invitation for him to attend a cocktail party after the presentation where he would be introduced to the executive staff responsible for designing the products.
"What do I have on next Wednesday Carol." He asked
She looked in his diary. "You have two appointments booked. One with mister Brown in the morning at ten o'clock and one at two o'clock with Paul Stevensen."
"Do you think you can reschedule the meeting with Paul Stevenson, Carol." Then he walked back to where he was sitting.
Carol looked at him. "That shouldn't be a problem." She noted it on her pad."Dave do you want to start in order of importance or sequence?"
"David looked at her across the desk. Carol did not think herself beautiful but she was. Her lovely face and slim figure made her very appealing and she would make a good wife to most men. "Let's get on with it, shall we? otherwise I'm going to be late for my appointment with Mr. Brown. Do you have his file."
"Here it is."Carol handed him the file. "You'll find that everything is done. It's up to date unless he's bought something from somebody else."
David looked at her and in a serious tone said."He better not have."
He lay back in his chair with his hands behind his head and smiled to himself. How things had changed for in the last four years. Gone from a deputy manager in the pensions division, where I could not afford to buy anything other than my daily needs with cash. And now I'm a Senior Executive Consultant in sales who drives a Mercedes, have offices of my own bought with money I had earned, can go on holidays when I wanted and have money in my bank account and money overseas. It was something many people could be proud of and it was also something that many people in head office were jealous of.
On the Wednesday he attended the launch of the new products. Attending were brokers from all the major banks and finance houses, investment reporters from the press and agents and consultants from sales and then senior management from the company.
The master of ceremonies introduced Cheryl as the person behind the product and read out a list of all her achievements. David felt a little tinge in his heart as she walked up on stage. She looked as beautiful as ever as she took the wand. As the MD's speech started so did hers. "Good afternoon she went on...Once again thank you for attending."
He didn't hear from Cheryl for about a month and guessed that she was travelling around the country going from one city to another doing presentations.
Carol was on the line."David there is a lady on the line can I put her through?"
"Yes sure; Hello."
"Hello," she said.
"Hello Cheryl, how are you?"
"Dave I'm tired. Thank god we're finished with the product. It's been a long year for me but I don't think it's the end of it. There's sure to be some hiccups but, uh I'm sure they can be ironed out." Her voice was a bit unsteady."I'm feeling sorry for myself. Tell me, how are you."
"I'm fine. Busy as hell selling the new product."
"Hows it going." She asked and he could hear she was concerned.
"It's a winner."He replied.
"I missed you at the cocktail party. Were you cross with me that you didn't attend?"
"No. Not at all. I thought that I would get all the information straight from the horses mouth. Excuse the pun. I don't mean that literally. When can we get together."
"I can get off tomorrow evening if you still want to cook for me."
Exited at the thought of seeing her he said. "Is 7 o'clock okay or even earlier if you want I'm dying to see you. Let me give you my address."
"That's great David."She replied."See you tomorrow."
She looked good like she usually did. David kissed her lightly on her cheek and led her through to sitting room.
"This is nice David?" She asked as she walked around the room.
"What would you like to drink?"He asked.
"A glass of white wine." She said studying all his brick bracks. "Oh I like your paintings David. I see you did them yourself. My you are talented."
"It's my attempt at fame but I'm afraid no one wanted to pay anything for them so I hung them there. I don't think anybody wants to pay good money for bad forgeries."
"I think they're very well done." She said as he handed her a glass of wine."Hmmm. This is nice and just the right temperature."
Earlier he had put on some piano music that was playing softly in the background. They sat on one of the sofas. "Are you hungry."He asked.
"David I'm starving. I haven't eaten since lunch time."
"Come. Bring your wine. I'll bring the bottle through to the dining room." He took her through to the kitchen where he had a small table that they would eat at."Sit here." He said as he pulled out a chair. I'll just finish off the bolognese sauce while the pasta is cooking."
"Oh Dave, this reminds me so much of when I was a kid. We always ate in the kitchen and I love Italian food."
"Yes? so did we."
"Out the draw he pulled a red and white checkered apron and put it on. Here's one for you. I don't want you messing sauce all over you." He said to her as she watched him from where she was sitting.
"You look like an Italian and just as good looking as well."
"Hmmm." He said smiling as he stirred the sauce.
"It smells lovely David. Who taught you to cook?"
"I worked at an Italian restaurant part time and watched the chef. The secret is to cook the pasta. It must be al-dente, not too hard and not too soft either. To do that you need to shock it by pouring cold water over before you have strain it."
He dished up the food for them and then broke up some bread. "Cheers, I hope you enjoy it."
He watched her as she put small amounts into her mouth. She has a good appetite for a small woman. He thought.
They finish eating and he stacked the plates in the sink. "Can I help you clean up."Cheryl asked.
"No."He said. "The maid can do that when she comes in tomorrow." Then he took her hand and led her to the sitting room.They sat on the sofa discussing the new product and how well his clients were accepting it. After having another glass of wine Cheryl decided it was time to go home.
"Don't go yet, it's still early." David said.
"David, I don't want to spoil this. It might not be so easy for me to get out the next time." She said it almost as if she was a school girl being let out by her parents. She stood up and so did he."It was lovely. Why is it that whenever I'm enjoying time with you, it goes so quickly?" She asked.
"Well maybe we can do it again." David replied as he walked her to the door.
He never saw or heard from her again for several months.I wonder what' she's doing with herself. Maybe Desmond has found out about our escapades. At least give me a call, let me know what is happening in your life. I am not going to phone her because that is the arrangement if she want's to meet with me she phones. Then out of the blue he receives a call from her wanting to see him again.
They arranged when to meet the following week and he did the booking. They had a lovely hour together and decided that they would meet each Wednesday. These meetings went on for more than a year. Then one day she phoned and asked if they couldn't meet at his appartment.
She had walked a few steps through the rain before she arrive at his apartment. She looked sexier than he had ever seen her and he knew somehow the evening was going to be different. He took the wet raincoat off her and hung it on the coat stand to dry out.
He looked at her as she stood in front of him with her black skimpy blouse through which he could see the outline of her body. The mini that she had on to match was also black and could not have been shorter. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was only slightly wet and a few drops that had run down onto face shone like little diamonds in the dim light. "Are you cold?" He asked.
"No." She said and just then gave a small shiver.
"Come into the sitting room. After you've had a glass of wine you'll feel better. Are you sure I can't get something to wrap around you?"
"No David, honestly I'm okay. Where's the wine you promised me?"
Earlier he had opened a bottle of red Shiraz to let it breath. He poured some in each of the two glasses and handed her one. "Here you are. Taste it and tell me what you think."
She took a sip and swirled it round in her mouth. "Dave it's lovely. What is it?"
"It's Meerlust Shiraz."
"Okay then you can fill my glass."
He poured more into each glass and sat down beside her. "So how have you been."
"Oh fine."
"You say it as if you don't mean a word."
She ignored his remark and picked up a book that was lying on the coffee table."You never told me that you read Richard Yates." She looked at the cover and then turned the book around."Revelutionery Road, What's it like."
It's his first novel. It's set in 1955 and focuses on on the hopes and inspiration of a young couple who are very different from there neighbors."
"Sounds okay. Have you read Eleven Kinds of Madness?"
"No." He said. "Whats that about."
"It's a collection of short stories. It was published after this."
"What have you cooked? I'm starving."Cheryl asked.
"A veal stew. Because it's raining I thought a stew would go down quite well. Lets go through to the kitchen and we can get stuck in right away."
"She started eating the moment David had put the food on her plate. This is delicious. You don't mind me starting before you've sat down. I'm so hungry."
"No, you go ahead. Can I fill your glass?"
"Mmmm this is lovely. Why can't I cook like you. Could I have a little bit more. You don't mind do you."
When they had finished eating, like normal he put everything in the sink for the maid to tidy up the next day.They went into the sitting room and while David put on some music, Cheryl sat on the sofa and watched him. My God you are a beautiful man. She thought.
He sat down, looked at her and smiled. She felt the desire that she had felt on many occasions when they met before. She wanted him to wrap his strong arms around her body so she could feel the tenderness and passion she so much longed for. They drank a bit more and David noticed that they were both a bit tipsy. He said something funny and she burst out laughing. "Where did you hear that?"
"At the club."He said.
She thought back to the joke and burst out laughing again. She rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down to her. There was a look that he had never seen from her before. He could see from her eyes and mouth that she wanted him to kiss her. He took her in his arms, his mouth to hers and they kissed. He pulled away from her. "Is this what you want." He whispered as she looked up at him."You know that this is going to change our relationship."
She nodded as he kissed her again. There was so much passion that it was now too late to stop, too late to turn to each other and say stop. He pulled away from her and stood up, then bent down and carried her to the bedroom. She took off her blouse and bra while he shook off his trousers. Then he pulled off her skirt and lay down beside her. He looked down at her firm breasts and took the nipple in his mouth. Then he kissed her on her neck and ear.
Their tongues were in each others mouths and he fondled her breast then his mouth sucked on the nipple and his hand went onto her sex. Her felt the panties were wet and when his finger touched her sex she cried out."Oh David." She raised her hips as his finger felt for the clitoris and moaned from pleasure as he massaged the lips lightly.
He pulled her panties off and threw them on the floor, her legs parted and he went between them. He looked at her, lying there with her eyes closed and he felt his penis almost bursting as he entered her. She sighed and then whispered."David, I love you."
"I love you too, my babe."
She moaned as he went deeper. Her whole body shook as she begun to orgasm and the more he went in and out of her the more pleasure she had and when he was ready to orgasm he said to her. "Baby I'm going to fill you with a flood of sperm."
She looked at him and smiling replied."Fill me, please fill, me my love." The bed shook as she tried to move with him while he went in and out as if he wanted to leave nothing behind, to give her everything of him.
When they were finish their bodies stuck together from the sweat. They lay together their arms wrapped around each other and kissed. Never had she had so much pleasure from a man, never had she felt so drained and never had she felt so much passion.
"David. I don't want to go home. I've never felt so frustrated in my life. This is so damned unfair. I'm in love with you. Why am I married to him? Why does our love have to be so complicated." She burst out crying. "Damn him." She shouted.
"He held her tighter. I love you." She whispered then he kissed her and she kissed him back holding onto him like she never wanted to let go. As she lay in his arms they both fell asleep.
"OH MY GOD." She screamed. "IT'S TWO O'CLOCK." She jumped out of bed. Where are my panties. DAVID I CAN'T FIND MY PANTIES."
"Calm down. I'll find them while you get dressed.He humped out of bed and looked around the floor till he found them."
He watched as she dressed."Look why don't you stay here tonight. If you say you are in shit how much worse can it get."
"No I can't. That's not going to solve the problem."
"Look, you can't drive home at this hour. At least let me take you home."
"And then? What's going to happen when he finds my car outside a flat in Hillbrow?"
"Okay, I'll follow you."
"No. I'll phone you tomorrow." She put her arms around him and they hugged and kissed. "David, where's my raincoat." Were the last words she said to him.
They didn't know then that when they said good-bye that would be the last time that they would see each other. She never phoned him. He tried phoning her but she wouldn't take his calls. He had her husband phone and threaten him. He had his car vandalized. It was a scandal at head office and there were all sorts stories going on at head office. He took no notice.
Six months later he heard that She divorced her husband then resigned and moved to Cape Town.Why did she not come back to me? he though.
After going through a rough patch he eventually got over it and carried on his life as normal. He was used to people coming and going in his life.
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