MY STRAY WOMAN
Like her name I met her in Paris. I was out on my usual business trips. Long day, busy schedules and a very stubborn assistant for that matter. This Saturday evening, I was relaxed at the club sipping on my whiskey before I could go to my hotel. I was exhausted, you could tell from my unbuttoned shirt. I still remember to date, she was dressed in a blue designer dress that complimented every curve of her body, black heels and way perfectly put make up. She looked perfect, but really why should she be at the club dressed so elegantly, I was a bit perplexed. ‘’You look perfect for a date, what brings you to the club tonight?’’ I asked as I tried to catch a glimpse of the beautiful creation sited right next to me. ‘’Just a little disappointment from a failed turn up dinner date, nothing much! What about you, what is a handsome man like yourself doing here, because you obviously don’t look like the kind to come chill?’’ I felt good about that compliment but didn’t wanna sound so cony, ‘’I’m actually here to relax for a drink then head to my hotel room to rest ,I had a busy day.’’
That was the beginning of us, she was elegant in speech and I remember staring at her lips, which seemed to utter every word in precision and perfect to context. A half Cuban- French lady, it was perfect, even the bartender could see it. She had the beauty of a god, I wouldn’t deny that angels fell from heaven. Masters in MBA, and running a great family business was amazing. How many times do you run into such magnificent acquaintance. ‘’I’m glad we met tonight, though not in the best of place, I hope to see you again sometime, maybe before you leave for Africa.’’ She said as she dialled her number in my phone. Gave me a great hug, peck and boarded a taxi.
Couldn’t help but smile at the car as it turned to the next street. I was wowed that night. Slowly walked into my hired car and drove to the hotel, later after a shower, I decided to ring her and luckily she spoke on the other end. She complained that the guy who just stood her up was sending her lots of messages. My Sunday morning was gorgeous, I felt different and I loved the mood I was in. No calls from my assistant or even anyone from work, but I woke up to a text that read,’’ I know you dozed off since you was tired from your day’s work, though you slept off as we was talking, either way, a good morning to you handsome!’’ It felt great and I loved every complement she told me. Maybe fate found me a lover, a wife or even another girl just looking to drain my bank account, this was Paris and love wasn’t cheap.
We grew fonder, she always felt right around me and her presence was addiction which got us to very many lunches at our favourite spot at KFC, she always loved crunchy chicken and ice cream. She was a little girl when with me but a vigilant lady in business, and that really softened a place for her in my stoned heart and she did it just right. Most of my flights headed to Paris and most of hers landed in Johannesburg. Two business souls and mind engaged in a commitment to marry and settle for life. It wasn’t easy, especially with her choice of residence, so we opted to name our kids with regards to our vacations. Approximately 3 Years after that night at the club , she delivered my 1st son Vegas. This time we had opted to live in the states since I had a contract signed up for 2 years to work in Vegas, and she was on maternity leave.
Things were great raising Vegas and she seemed very relaxed, always there even when I’m caught up in work. She started going out with her new friends and sometimes came so late in the night, a habit that grew till I opted to get time off work to attend to Vegas, she had become so incompetent and it didn’t bother her. She resumed work and I had to take some time off since Vegas had developed issues with his breathing from a young age due to sinuses. I didn’t know parenting was so tough till this day my son was admitted to hospital from school and I was In the middle of a summit, which I went off to attend to him after Paris saying that she was out of town for ‘’business’’ and actually didn’t seem so bothered about it much. She just said that it was my turn to take care of him since she was busy.
Luckily Vegas got treated and recovered from the ailments. Paris became so different, late night commotions, fights at clubs and very rude behaviour. She never made me breakfast anymore, but that didn’t really bother me much, since I could handle me and my son. I heard rumours that she had got involved with some other guys at the club and upon asking she said that I too had met her there! I was never raised to hit a woman so she never really had me lay my hands on her unless to raise her masseur as we made love. It was wrong to act that way, but she did anyway. Most nights I wished I’d driven to the hotel that evening, or even her date showed up, that I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet her. If only fate gave me a chance to choose again.
Some of those late nights, I sat waiting on her to get back home some to which she didn’t and wouldn’t bother to explain too. She was a mess and my cup was overflowing with resentments, I was slowly losing her to the world she opted to choose over me and Vegas. I paid for her rehab bills which she occasionally skipped to go drinking with her friends. I stopped calling to check on her, or even texting to see if she is okay, I took responsibility for Vegas and ensured sufficiency. Her presence faded with every nightfall. I couldn’t see her the same way anymore and her son started to repulse her company, till a day she hit him with a bottle of booze which she held in her hand after he tried to walk out on her. It was crystal, I was out of love or affection towards her, her drunken self-made attempts to make love to me but I pushed her away. She always had whiskey on her breath, trying to drink herself away.
Her beauty faded, her elegancy vanished; she exhausted her self-respect and wore disproof and ill habits. I later sued her for trying to kidnap and elope with Vegas without my consent which led to a divorce and I getting full custody of him. Wasted up in clubs and drugs she drunk her life off, till we spill her ashes in the river as we sang her a whiskey lullaby. She was perfect, beautiful and the best, but I’ve been cautious with what I go or wish for since then because I chose perfect, but stray. Though with all my love for Paris, I choose Vegas.
