Chapter 25

Lennox had decided to spend an afternoon with Hector. His idea of taking a few hours off work. He'd stepped out of his car only to see Westmoreland speaking with Nora who looked more than eager to leave him standing alone. She looked more beautiful and composed than the last time Lennox had seen her. Today, her hair laid in large curls on her shoulders, her grim office skirt and grim top that clung to her body only to flare at the wrists looked more than beautiful on her. Westmoreland was speaking very fast, making wild gesticulations that for a while Lennox panicked that he might hit Nora in the face before he walked up to them.
"Hello, Nora. Gentleman?"
Nora turned, the cloud of relief that flooded her face at the sight of Lennox was authentic. She had needed the distraction.
"Westmoreland, I believe we've met?".
Westmoreland offered a hand which Lennox took in a tight grasp.
"Met, but not introduced".
He said as he stared Westmoreland over.
"Lennox Mccurdy".
Nora was smiling now.
" Mr. Westmoreland here tells me that he'd like a few more minutes to talk to me even though I show zero interest in whatever he might want to discuss further... he's detained me for longer than I can tolerate".
Nora was still smiling as she made her complaints to Lennox who still had westmoreland's hand in his. He squeezed the hand, a wry smile plastered on his face. Westmoreland winced and tried to free his hand from lennox's grip, bringing up his other hand to pry Lennox's from his but Lennox squeezed a bit more before letting go.
"Ah, Mr. Westmoreland, this is Hector's girlfriend. She doesn't like it when strange men detain her for no good reason, especially when it's a flirtation".
"I'm not a stranger. Nora and I are well acquainted and who told you that I was flirting with the young lady? Who said___"
Lennox cut him short.
" Don't get yourself into trouble. Stay safe. Keep your hands and attention off Miss Nora, here. I'm not sure you know her well enough to address her by her first name but I forgive you".
He grabbed Nora's hand and they got in the elevator and stood worldlessly side by side until they got to the floor where Hector lived.
"Thanks a lot, Lennox".
Nora said as they stepped out. He nodded to acknowledge it. Hector was at the door the moment he heard the bell. Lennox hadn't known that Nora was to be at Hector's or he would have stayed back rather than intruding on their time together. Hector hadn't mentioned anything of the sort to him. He had just finished making lunch when they arrived.
"Welcome, you two!"
He exclaimed as he ushered them in. Nora stepped in, sniffed the air and made her way regally to the dinning area. Hector watched as she inspected a few items and then made her way to the kitchen and set the table.
"Nora, you don't have to do that, really".
Hector protested but she wouldn't relent. The next minute, they were all seated to lunch.
"You didn't say you were expecting Nora, I would have stayed back..you two need all the time you can get together".
Lennox said.
" Don't be a fool. I was expecting both of you".
Hector said as he swallowed.
" I didn't know Lennox was coming either but I'm happy he's here".
Nora spoke. Her attention was solely on her meal even though she seemed to be following even the tiniest sounds from the dining.
"I'm delighted to have you both. I wanted you two to meet, I wanted all three of us to sit and talk a bit".
Nora looked up and so did Lennox. She set down her cutlery and stared at Hector. Hector looked at her and mouthed
"You look gorgeous".
She nodded and smiled.
" Well, I quit wort at Pete's. I got a new job. I'm working for a magazine publication and I enjoy my job so much".
Hector nodded.
" That's some good news, I was at_"
"Abbie called to inform me" she held Hector's hand as she looked like she'd break down and cry the next minute "_she told me. Oh, Hector, I thought you won't ever want to see me again".
She began to cry. Hector held her close and patted her hand. She tested her head on his shoulders and Lennox continued with his meal.
"I'd better finish this before it runs cold. I dislike cold meals ". He said as he began to eat.
Hector had gotten a call from Nora after his visit to her former work place. He was relieved and he'd pleaded with her to come for lunch at his apartment come Wednesday afternoon. She'd sounded a bit distant as she accepted the invitation but he'd hoped she showed up. Lennox called to Inform him that he was coming over and he'd been delighted.
Lennox sat there. He wanted to tell Hector about Westmoreland and how he'd detained Nora downstairs but he decided against it. If she didn't like the man pestering her, she could say that to the man and to Hector herself.
They finished the meal in silence with Hector occasionally glancing at Nora.
Lennox leaned back and watched Nora help Hector clear the table. They held a plate at the same time and looked each other in the eyes then both smiled. They tried again and Hector found his hand closed over hers again, they stood staring at each other until Lennox interrupted
"Will you two idiots get the plates to the kitchen or you need a third party?"
They both laughed.
" You grumpy idiot. I don't wish you die an unhappy fellow".
Lennox rubbed a hand on his jaw before replying.
"Not when there's a Kimberly Foster, jackass".
Nora's eyes came aglow with interest.
"Yeah, I remember her... Kimberly Foster. I did plan a dinner for all four of us and then it happened that you were both off to Scotland for a wedding ceremony__" Lennox's eyes were huge with surprise. He certainly didn't think the lady knew that much about him. She saw the surprise in his eyes and said hastily
"Hector told me. I saw photos of you two in his cellphone...he had known your actress lover for so long. I know her too, and I know about CRADLE!".
She was excited as she spoke and it warmed lennox.
"I see that ".
He muttered. Kimberly's fame was growing as the days progressed and it would get to a point where even her Romantic life (with him) won't be secret.
"I should be headed home, pals"
Lennox said as he stood up. He wouldn't want to distract the couple who just reunited.
"No, man, you just got here"
"Lennox, you really should stay a while"
" I really have some work to do. Catch you both some other time!"
With that, he strode go the door, Nora stood in Hector's arms still with the dishes.
"Oh, baby..I didn't think this day would ever come!"
She said tearfully. Hector shrugged.
" I figured people commit sins and hurt each other compos mentis all the time.. everyone deserves a second chance"
She let the plates lie on the table and turned to face him, her lips hovering around his
"I'm not messing up my second chance for any reason, baby"
She said, the tears welling up in her eyes. He hugged her and brushed the tears away.
"I'm not suffering again.. ah, you're back to me Nora Macpherson. My love"
Lennox had since exited the house and they now stood alone, in each other's arms
Tessy had called Kim for the umpteenth time, reminding her of their plan to meet at a coffee shop for a small evening chat. Kim dressed up lightly and left her hair to play at her back as she found her way to their supposed meeting point. A small crowd of teenagers thronging out stopped and had her autograph. They took photos with her too and she smiled endlessly even though she wished to disappear so she could finally see Tessy. They eventually went their way and Kim stepped in to find Tessy and Joe Hamilton engaged in a conversation that seemed too intense for them to notice her walk up to them. She stood there a few seconds before clearing her throat. Tessy jumped and Joe only turned. Mildly surprised to see her. Kimberly was not prepared to see or meet Joe or Gary after the last time but here he was offering her a seat with Tessy seated right across him. Tessy hadn't informed her of Joe's attendance. She hadn't even mentioned that he was in town and she could feel the exasperation build n her as she took her seat across Joe.
The attendant made her place her order and it was delivered before she could even start talking.
"Kim, Joe came in from Los Angeles yesterday. I wanted you two to meet again, let's catch up on old times, we should really talk about Cradle. It's a lot, guys!"
She said in her usual excitement.
Joe was staring at Kim, probably anticipating her response. He looked better than Kim could remember. His hair was trimmed stylishly to drop on his temple in waves while his shirt looked ironed stiff. He had on the coolest sneakers and pair of jeans that Kim had seen Lennox wear a few times. She gulped some coffee and turned to Tessy.
"You should have informed me that this was some sort of meeting to discuss Cradle. I'm surprised that others are not in attendance though.
And how was your trip, Joe?"
Joe smiled. He'd wanted her to speak to him after they'd exchanged curt pleasantries.
"It was good. A few recognition here and there_ even though she hadn't asked_ I signed up with Barry for a new season of _"
"That's good to know, Joe. I'm impressed and excited that you're excelling"
Kim said. She'd cut him short to her surprise but she'd been immediately grateful that she did. She had an inkling that Joe would've rather gone on and on talking about his new job and his new status and everything that Kim didn't ask him about.
"Thank you".
He said and began to fiddle with his coffee mug. They were talking over cups of coffee. How absurd.
" Kim, how about your relocation plans. How's it going, baby?"
Tessy asked. She probably found talking about work a bit too formal and almost gaudy. Kim focused on her mug letting Tessy's question float for a while. She wished she'd change the subject but Tessy sat there watching her, waiting for a response.
"Tessy, everything's been planned and set just fine. I'll move tomorrow"
Tessy almost slammed her mug on the table in disbelief.
" No way ! You didn't tell me before now. You had no intentions of telling me then?".
She asked. Kim slammed a hand to her head.
"Tess, I was going to tell you!".
"If only I asked?"
" No!. I was going to tell you but you were too brief on the phone. You kept reminding of this meeting! Well I was hoping we'd talk over coffee and that's exactly what we're doing__ only that we're yelling at each other".
Joe was watching the ladies with faint amusement on his face. Kim looked around. Grateful that the few people who'd been in the shop had all left one after the other. The attendant stood staring at them. She nodded at him and he disappeared behind the counter.
"Kim, I was only mildly pissed that you weren't going to tell me if I hadn't asked...and your reluctance to answer, well..".
Tessy trailed off. Kim sighed. She would have to tell her some other time that she had intended to keep her plans of relocation as discreet as possible. Only Tessy knew of her plans back in Florida. She hadn't told her parents even though they didn't care.
"I'm sorry, dear".
They sat in silence a while and then Tessy asked in her usual animated voice
"Joe and I are together now. He came all the way to see me, Kim".
Her gaze was focused on a smiling Joe.
"Oh, I see. That's so sweet of you, Joe. So when are you going back to LA? I learnt you're based there now".
" Ah, yes. I'll be on my way back by tomorrow. Tessy and I should spend today together. Safe trip on your relocation tomorrow, Kim".
He added. He was staring at Kim all the time he spoke and it made her oddly uncomfortable.
"Thanks a lot"
"I'll come and spend the weekend with you, Kim. Maybe I'd consider moving to New York City too!"
Tessy said. She was laughing as she looked from Kim to Joe.
"Maybe you should consider moving to Los Angeles, babe" .
Joe finally spoke to her for the first time since Kim joined the table. She turned her gaze to him and let her left hand raise to rest on her chest.
"That's so sweet, my dear but I have no intentions of moving to LA".
" Not even for my sake?"
Joe tried again. Tessy laughed. Kim felt the warmth spread to her. She smiled.
Lennox knew what bad days where. Bad days, the days you woke up happily and expected to see Kim only to learn that she'd moved. The lady kept amazing him. Two weeks ago, he'd been so sure that he was gaining ground with her. He'd convinced himself that she needed a little time to herself and he'd back to remind her he wanted her for keeps..for marriage and now the woman had left without as much as a word to him. He dialed her number for the umpteenth time without anu success. He sighed as he took the steps to his apartment. He should go out for a stroll. Clear his head. Look at some girls and talk to a few people if he could muster up the strength for it. He would visit the beach again after abstaining for so long. On his way out, he tried to find out from the lady behind the reception desk and the doorman if they knew where Kimberly Foster on the second floor had evacuated her apartment to but they'd only shook their heads, indicating that they knew nothing.
He walked out. Standing in front of the building only for a while before he started to walk down the street, off to the beach. He realized then how long it's been since he last visited the gym. His muscles were sore from the activity of walking long hours and it irked him that his muscles had quickly adjusted to being almost idle.
He reached a waffle house and stopped to grab a few bites only to run into the fastidious Hester Woodhouse.
"Mr. Lennox Mccurdy".
He turned abruptly and saw the lady in her smart fitting work dress. Her hair held up with tiny fancy pins. Her counternance as relaxed and grim as he could remember.
"Mrs. Hester Woodhouse, so good to see you!"
He said, beaming. She held a hand out to him and he took it with and enthusiasm that embarrassed hm. They found a table and sat.
"Mrs. Woodhouse __"
"Oh, address me as Hester"
She offered, a smile suddenly lighting up her austere face.
"Okay, Hester... it's a pleasure to see you. I've particularly had a gloomy day so I decided to take a very long walk and__ well, here we are".
She laughed.
" It's so good to see you. It's past 2: pm and I stopped to grab a few chops and french fries for lunch".
She glanced at her watch to ensure that the time was accurate.
"Want someone to spend time with?__i hear you talk about a gloomy day, if you don't mind, I can spend the afternoon with you".
Shs offered. Lennox began to declined but she added
"Don't worry, I'm totally free for the rest of the day".
Her car was parked just outside and Lennox saw for the first time that she used a Ferrari. She offered to drive him where ever he'd liked to spend the rest of the day and he told her he'd rather drive If she'd let him take the wheels and so they were at Lennox's apartment the next few minutes. Lennox had forgotten about lunch as he stepped into his apartment. She walked in a tiptoe behind him. Looking around the place and saying very little until he ushered her to the sofa.
"Lovely Decor you have here__i have a soft spot for dark furniture, I like your taste, Mr. McCurdy".
She mused as her eyes travelled around the vast living room.
"That's good to know Mrs. __Hester".
She nodded without looking at him.
" What would you like me to offer you?"
She dropped her gaze to her wristwatch and smiled up at him, a feature of her that he'd only seen for the second time. Lennox realized just then how the smile brightened up her features and made her even prettier.
She was a beautiful woman, probably around the same age as Kimberly. With hips just as round and inviting as Kim's and her hair that looked good on her, held atop her head with tiny fancy pins. His lust came awake as he imagined her hair spilled on his pillows just as Kim's had been just two weeks ago. He palmed her buttocks in his mind and he gulped. He was going to make a fool of himself.
"I don't want anything. I'm full, thanks".
She said courteously.
" Would you rather talk about why you've had a gloomy day, Mr. Lennox?"
She asked invitingly. Lennox sat down and racked his head.
"Uhm, say, I've been too immersed in my work that it brings some kind of nostalgia _ not entirely pleasant. Being locked up all day in this place, working, brings certain memories, I hope you do grasp what I'm trying to say?".
He asked. She smiled and nodded.
" I think I do. Being alone for a long time beings sad memories for you. Explains why you took such a long walk out today."
She said. Lennox smiled sighed with relief.
"That's it. I needed to clear my Head and then I ran into you. Thanks for the company".
He reached out and patted her hand lying on the sofa. She didn't let him pull back his hand.
"Can I sit next to you?".
She purred. Suddenly flashing him one of those smiles that had barely left her face since they'd ran into each other. She was still holding his hand as she waited for him to respond.
"Okay, sure".
He said at last. She stood up abruptly and plopped next to him. He shifted to make room for her but she only siddled closer to him and eventually rested her head on his shoulder. He let her stay even though it felt awkward.
They sat like that until she began to speak.
"It's been a hectic day at work. I needed to talk to someone too. I'm glad you came my way today".
Her eyes were half closed.
" If you want a nap, I can prepare the guestroom for you, ma'am".
He was suddenly formal and it amused her. She sat up and kicked her shoes off her legs.
"Oh, no. I'm comfortable sitting here next to you"
Lennox had only one thought. The lady was sex starved and she was trying to get him into her not because she really liked him but because she wanted to take out her lust on someone. There was nothing remotely godly at the way she massaged her ankles and spread her legs out. Lennox started to get up but she held him back.
" Please stay here. Stay a while"..
She implored him. He sat, willing himself to be calm as she lifted her hands and gently turned his face to hers for a kiss which landed them in bed. Naked and tearing at each other.