To Leap From Heaven [A Romantic Thriller]

13.

Matt had instructed Catherine to wear black from tip to toe, and if she had a black ski mask, she should wear it too. It was not only necessary to blend into the shadows, but to become one. As soon as she's inside the cabin she should lock the door behind her, and he would use his own key to enter. The cabin should remain in darkness, and should she hear any noise outside, she should remain absolutely silent.

It was the second day after the President had left on his tour, and the lovers were to meet at midnight. Trembling with excitement, Catherine had listened to him, and followed his instructions to the letter. She was the first to arrive, locked the door behind her, and stood shaking in the dark, not knowing what to expect, or what to do. Five minutes later she heard a key grating in the lock, and Matt, also dressed in black stood in front of her. A feeling of relief swept over Catherine, and without thinking of what she was doing, she rushed up to him, and threw her arms around him, and held him tight. The secrecy and the waiting in the dark was too much for her. A tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She loved Matt so much, and now that he was holding her, all the negativity rolled away. She was safe in the arms of her lover, and the only thing that mattered was the here and now.

Matt held her tight until he felt that she had sufficiently calmed down, before he held her back, while drying her tears with his thumb.

"Let me look at you, my love. I know how you feel. I feel the same way. The waiting was as bad for me as it was for you. But we are here, and there's no one to disturb us."

Matt bent down to kiss her, and she raised her lips to meet his. She not only offered him her lips, but her life, her body, her soul. It was his to have from that moment on, and while they kissed, their union became as strong as a diamond which was forged by time and pressure. Feelings of loving him, and of being loved by the only man she ever wanted rushed through her body, creating a warm sensation which flowed from her to him.

His embrace was as hot as fire, his touch was gentle, and his kiss said all she wanted to hear. After a while he led Catherine to the sofa, and they sat in the dark while having a whispered conversation. Although the curtains were drawn, they dared not switch in the lights or shine his torch for fear of being seen. They spoke in undertones, because one's voice sounds louder in the dark, and it being new to them they could not help giggling at times. They were two blind people who learned shape and form by touch, and their hands never left each other's bodies. Matt stroked her hair, his fingers trailed down her face to her neck, and she followed his lead.

They spoke about their childhood days, the happy and sad moments of their lives, their first crush, their families and friends, and their hopes and dreams for the future. It was a normal date under abnormal circumstances, but after a while they hardly noticed it, and time flew as they sat talking, kissing and getting to know each other. To love me is to know me, and that was what the evening was about.

"What do you think of Carl?" Catherine asked out of the blue.

"Nothing. Why think of him at all? The only person I care to think about all day every day, is you. Why do you ask?"

"He was my driver before you, and he gives me the creeps. I told my dad…" She stopped feeling a little embarrassed of what she was about to say.

"You told your dad? I'm all ears. Come on, you can tell me. There should be no secrets between us. Secrets lead to lies, and I don't want that for us."

"You're right, but don't be mad at what I'm about to say." Catherine blushed, but thanks to the darkness he did not notice.

"I told my dad that as soon as someone new joins his team he should switch Carl out. The new guy should be my new driver, and I did not care if he was as ugly as sin."
She stopped and waited for his response.

Matt laughed and said, "You must have been really desperate to get rid of him, if you were prepared to be driven around by a gorilla."

"I was, but I'm glad I got the most handsome gorilla."

"Ah! Gorillas are wild beasts. You should not trust them."

"I trust my gorilla. He wouldn't hurt a fly. But I would ask you to stay away from Carl. He's dangerous."

Catherine was on the brink of telling Matt that Kim had spotted him under her window the night of her sleepover, but she stopped herself in time. After that night she had sat by the window in the dark, but she did not see anything out of the ordinary. Either he had stopped spying on her, or he was well camouflaged that she could not see him. Carl had kept his distance, and telling Matt about a one-time incident would be unnecessary, and she would rather let sleeping dogs lie. She did not know Matt well enough to know what he would do. It was their first meeting, and she wanted it to end as pleasantly as it had started.

"Time is our enemy," Matt said. He looked at his watch with a scowl on his face. "Walk slowly Father Time, or I don't know what I'll do to you. Can't you see the Missus and I have a lot to discuss? I know all your tricks. You're so old, and yet you run so fast. The next time you do that I'll break you in half. You hear me? No more monkey business from you. I'm watching you." He gave his left arm a vigorous shake.

Catherine could not help laughing. At that moment she knew that Matt was a keeper. She appreciated nothing more than a man who could make her laugh.

"It's four o'clock, Catherine. We should get a move on. This is the hour in which everyone is in a dead sleep. You should have no difficulty in slipping into the house unnoticed. Do you have the key for the side door I gave you? It's not supposed to be locked, but just in case they did."

"Yes, I do, but give me five more minutes."

She nestled deep under his arm, and lay her head on his shoulder, while the fingers of their free hands lay entwined in her lap. They both felt a contentment which was far more satisfying than a wild night of ecstasy would have given them. They were each immersed in their own worlds while inhaling deeply on the fragrance of their love. The aroma should last until their next meeting, but for now they could not get enough of it.

"Alright, Missy, it's time to go. We don't want to get into trouble," Matt said as he rose to his feet. "Let's cover up and be on our way."

Matt helped her dress, and when they were ready he asked, "When shall we meet again? Tomorrow?"

"No, make it the night after,"

"Why should I wait so long?" Matt asked in the mock voice of a petulant little boy.

"Because I said so," Catherine played along.

They listened for sound, and looked for walking shadows. There were none. They slipped out noiselessly, and Matt left the door unlocked, as it should be. He waited for Catherine to disappear through the side door, before he went through the gate in the wall which was concealed by bougainvillea, and which led straight into Newlands forest. As he made his way through the thick brush, his heart sang with a newfound joy. He had relationships before, but this time around he was really in love.

He was glad they did not have sex on their first date, because it would have altered things drastically. Relationships built on sex on the first date never lasts, and he wants to marry Catherine, and live to tell their grandchildren to what lengths they had to go to to get a first kiss. That would be a story to tell, but it would be only the beginning. Matt had a few interesting and exciting outings planned. He was pulling rabbits out of hats to be with Catherine.

As soon as Catherine arrived in her room, she changed into pj's and climbed into bed. The excitement had not left her, and when day broke, she was still tossing and turning while running over the events in her head. When her alarm finally woke her up, she had had an hour's sleep. She dragged herself out of bed, took a cold shower, got dressed, and went down to breakfast.

When she reached her car Matt had already opened the door for her. He gave a wide grin when he saw the oversized sunglasses.

"Good morning, Miss Catherine. I trust you had a good night's rest?"

"Good morning, Matt, and thanks to you, I did not. And I'm skipping class today. I'm going shopping. But we need to pick up Kim on campus."

"As you wish, Miss Catherine."

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