Rick went to the Bar in the Study and poured himself a stiff drink. I looked at him wearily as I stood by the door uncertainly, a feeling of déjà vu washed over me; this exact scenario had been enacted before where he ended up kissing me. Not tonight! “Tobs, why have you been avoiding me?” Rick asked quietly.
I avoided his eyes, thinking of how I will talk myself out of a potentially dangerous situation. “Avoiding you, why would I do that? I have been busy that’s all,” I said breathlessly. “I looked up just to ascertain his position and was shocked to see him standing close to me. I took a step back, trying to feel the door, almost tripping in the process and ending up in his arms.
This was not good at all or am I kidding myself? Rick held me close, breathing into my hair as I closed my eyes, trying to still my erratic heart. “Tobs, Tobs,” I heard Jasmine calling from outside. “Yes, Jasmine I am in here,” I responded in a strangled voice. “Saved by the bell,” he said mockingly, letting me go. I rushed out breathless, grateful for the intervention. “Tobs, are you ok? Why are you panting? Did I interrupt anything?” Jasmine asked looking over my dishevelled appearance and giving me a sly look. “I am ready to leave now, are you girls ready?” I asked trying not to look discomfited. “What! I am just getting my groove on and more over there is this hot bloke (said with a British accent) I have been eyeing all evening but there is a girl clinging to him for dear life,” she said darkly. Hot guy in the house? Jasmine never misses a chance to meet such. It was going to be a herculean task dragging Jasmine away from this party but I was done.
Anyway who says the girls must come with me? I can imagine Zara, rolling her eyes and saying they are all grown ass women and didn’t need to be chaperoned. I went to see our Chief Hostess for the evening to bid her goodnight. Rick’s Grandmother never seizes to amaze me with her regal and quintessential look. “Isn’t she beautiful? She’s quite the looker, wouldn’t you agree?” She said referring to me and sounding like a dowager from an Aristocratic British family. I smiled politely at her guests as she proudly introduced me around, politely requested permission to take my leave when she was done. She agreed reluctantly after I promised to have tea with her sometime during the week. Thankfully I left without incident insisting the girls should stay back and have fun. Kaycee was the only one who insisted on leaving same time. I called a cab as I came in Jasmine’s car and didn’t want to bother her. We stood on the front porch soaking in the fresh evening air, appreciating nature. “Tobs, how are preparations for Warien Rose Foundation’s International Women’s Day? You are doing it in conjunction with the United Nations Information Centre right?” Kaycee asked smiling. Yes it’s taking place on Wednesday the 13th and there is still a lot to do. Finance is a concern as many Companies no longer do Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); nepotism is the order of the day.
By the way guys you are all invited to the Event at United Nations Information Centre, Ikoyi Lagos, do google the address if you don’t know the place. The theme this year is as always, interesting, ‘Think equal, Build smart, Innovate for change’. “I will like to invite a few people, are guys allowed to come? Our cab is here” Kaycee asked, pointing at the Taxi ferrying down the driveway. “Sure it is important we have men there, they are the ones disenfranchising women by objectifying us and making us look like we have no brains. So by all means men should attend, at least it will help them understand us better. Women are beautiful, bold, brave, and brilliant, it’s just not about the ‘other room! My blood boils when I remember that statement. I can’t stand sexist men but the world is full of them.