Icing on the Cake

Chapter Thirteen

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the shore. The sun goes down but gentle warmth lingers on the land. The music stops but yet it echoes on in sweet refrains. For every experience that passes, something beautiful remains.
Angus Dike.

“You like horror movies?” Jaden asked, bewildered.
She nodded, smiling. “I love them, especially those ones with suspense. And I also love watching thrillers and romantic comedies too.”
Jaden grinned. “You’re my type of woman.” Sylvia stopped smiling and he realized he just said the wrong thing. “Um... I meant we think alike.”
Sylvia gave a lop-sided smile.
Jaden held her hand and took her into the cinema. He’d learn to keep his big mouth shut. They found a spot to sit and settled down.
“What film did you rent?”
“A thriller. Romantic comedies make me cry at times and I don’t want to do that with you present. And horror movies were not available.”
Sylvia nodded. “You cry?”
“At times.”
“Wow! I’d love to see you cry.”
He arched a brow at her.
“Well, not that I’d be happy to see you cry or make you cry, but it’d be something nice to watch,” she explained and grinned fatuously.
He smiled slightly. Then, she turned to look forward at the screen as the movie had just started. He sighed inwardly. What she didn’t know was how he was hoping he wouldn’t do that – cry – when he left for Port-Harcourt. He guessed he would anyway. He didn’t know how it had happened but she’d gotten him nailed to the floor now. He just hoped he’d see her again.
He turned to face the screen and watched the movie alongside her. He bought a large bag of popcorn and two ice lollies for the both of them. After about three hours, they were through with the movie.
Sylvia stretched and grinned at Jaden. “It was interesting.”
Jaden nodded. He had not paid much attention to the movie while it played although, he had watched it before. “It’s supposed to be,” he replied, grinning too and hoping he didn’t reveal that he’d been thinking about the next day practically throughout the movie. “Are you ready to leave?”
She nodded.
He got up and led her out of the cinema, his hand on the small of her back. They got to the car and got in. Then, Jaden drove to a small restaurant. It was not full when they entered and Jaden sighed, relieved. He had wished for privacy.
They sat down at a table and ordered for drinks.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Sylvia nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know.”
“I’ll come to the house before I leave anyway.”
“My mum told me.”
He nodded. It was suddenly awkward. He didn’t even know what to say anymore. He drank a little from his glass. “Is Sid still around?”
“Yeah, he is. He tells me to greet you every time I’m going out with you. And the workers too, in case they ask you about it tomorrow.”
He smiled.
“Will you come by early?”
“What kind of early?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“Why?”
“I’m planning a surprise of my own.”
“Hmm,” he murmured, thinking. “I’ll have to bring Nadia along if I come early.”
She shrugged. “There’s no problem with that. She’s amiable, right?”
He nodded.
“Then, she can stay with Mary and Momma.”
He nodded again. “I’ll come, just that it’ll be hard waking up early.”
She snorted. “I always knew you were lazy.”
He gave a short laugh. “Are you giving me any hint on your surprise?”
“Nah. You didn’t give me any so it’s payback time.”
He grinned. “It’s not good to remember someone’s slight.”
“It won’t kill me.”
He smiled and they talked about other things. Sylvia did most of the talking though and Jaden, though he was listening at times, was actually admiring her all the while she talked. She was unlike any other woman he’d gone out with and although it was frightening, he couldn’t help but admit that he liked her a lot.
He told her a few jokes and was stricken each time she laughed. She said the jokes she knew of and they laughed together.
Then, he looked at his wristwatch. It was already few minutes to eight. “Finish up your drink. It’s late already.”
“What’s the time?” she asked, looking at her phone since she wasn’t wearing any watch.
“Few minutes to eight.”
She nodded and downed her drink. She sighed aloud. “That was refreshing.”
Jaden downed his drink too and got up. He paid the waiter and they left. They got to Sylvia’s house in no time.
“Thanks for today again, Jade. I’ll be expecting you tomorrow morning.”
Jaden nodded.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
As she made to open the door, he held her arm. She turned to face him and before she could utter anything, he leaned in and kissed a spot on her face, very close to her mouth. Her breath caught and thrills of pleasure travelled down her spine. Then, she quivered a little. Jaden straightened a little and they stared at each other for a while.
“Goodnight,” Jaden repeated.
She barely nodded and got out of the car. Then, he drove away to pick Nadia from Sally’s house with Sylvia staring at his car, not believing the way she had responded to his kiss.