Hidden

Love or lust?

Tom saw the most luxurious cart in his life. The cart was made with aluminum and adorned with gold. The seats were soft and covered with fur, facing each other and could accommodate six people. The floor was covered with gold foil mat and the windows made of sliding glass with diamond crystals. Two white horses pulled the cart, mounted by two men considered to be the best horse riders in Europe. The cart was large.

Tom noticed that they were riding towards Isabella’s farm.

“It has come to my notice that you have improved Isabella’s business modus operandi and productivity within a short period of time. The workers are more committed and happy. What is the secret?”

“There is no secret sire. It is just a little modification here and there.”

“I may need to know some of these modifications my friend.”

“We worked on workers welfare, sire. Like more ex gratia and working conditions. We also introduced a marketing strategy by sending a team of advertisers to carious kingdoms to showcase our new designs.”

“That is impressive. What do you mean by ex gratia?”

“The workers get incentives. They get more food and a more work more pay program, then awards with promotions. I mean recognizing their efforts. We also let them know how important they are and I write speeches for madam to show appreciation.”

Wellington lit a pipe, sipped wine and began to smoke.

“There are over four three thousand slaves in that farm and one thousand workers. How do you achieve these?”

“The more the number of workers, the more the possibility of output so it is not about the number of workers but the output. The workers are now classified in units and from the output of each unit, the ex gratia would come from it. So there is competition and the zeal to produce more.”

“You are saying these includes the black slaves, rights?”

“Yes sire?”

“Black slaves? You pay them and give them more food?” Wellington expressed disgust.

“Yes sire?”

“Tim they are slaves and I know what I go through to get them. I spend millions to sponsor the trips to Africa. I hire captains, buy ship, and get mercenaries all to get them. They are slaves and you must understand that.”

“ They are slaves sire and we tend to forget their significance. Have you imagines waking up to see them all vanished? I mean what will the farms and factories be like without them. A person’s importance is felt more if he is not there. I also try to imagine such things. They are slaves but they do the primary work. These slaves are humans Sire. They  are  anatomically and  physiologically the same as us. They have emotions too. If they are not taken care of, it would affect productivity. They can be forced to work, forced to fear us but can’t be forced to be loyal and dedicated. The best job is the one done with passion and love. Make a worker love his job, have a sense of belonging, have a sense of earning and you will see the outcome.”

“Hmmm...” Wellington puffed out smoke. “Have some wine.”

Tim sipped wine.

“Why are we in Madam’s farm sire?”

“I want to see the improved slaves and workers’ quarters. I believe all of these will add to their metal efficiency, physical balance and all these are tantamount o more productivity. I must say I concur with your strange but reasonable ideas. I am thinking about it. After all, I am a philanthropist and such gestures go in line with my ethics.”

Tom knew that was a lie. Wellington will do anything to get loyalty, love from the people and respect.

They went round the quarters and Wellington noticed that the slaves and workers showed more respect to Tim than him.

What?

He saw that they had more to eat and had small farms around their houses allocated to them. They planted food crops, which were intended to add to choices of food.

As they rode  back, just about half a kilometer away from the quarters, Wellington saw a few cabin which looked more beautiful than the rest.

“What is this?”

“It is the Yorkshire Quarters.”

“What does that mean?”

“We employed them last month and got this place for them. They are all from Yorkshire.”

Wellington raised an eyebrow. He asked the horse men to stop moving.

“It seems a lot has been going on without my consent.” He said. “I mean Isabella does not give me every detail of her work again. Okay, I know she is a better organizer but I am her financier and the one with the connections. I get her workers, slaves, seedlings and coach her in business. Domestic organizing prowess differs from business.”

“I- I don’t know what to say about that, sir.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. You see, I love your cousin so much and she knows this. She has so much influence on me. Some say, she is my weak point. I have met a lot of women in my life but she stands out. She fills up my heart and it hurts that she is moving away from me.”

“Are you not telling me about your private life, sire?”

“Yes and sometimes you need to get external help to save your private life. Plus, you are not so external. You are her cousin.” Wellington said, looking directly into Tom’s eyes. “You are one person I see that she loves so much.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes Timothy. I know most of her relatives but she is not so friendly with them even though she gives them money. You are her favorite and I understand. With your intelligence and assiduity, you are not just another cousin who is here to take from her but also to give which justifies the luxury and money in your reach… and power. I am sure the idea of these Yorkshire family coming here was yours.”

“They helped me a lot.”

“It does not matter. I am just saying you deserve whatever it is. You are a man but what I don’t know is if you ever intend to get married someday. You are in the cathedral and maybe want to become a reverend father who lives in celibacy.”

Tom felt a bang in his heart as the image of him and Isabella having s*x flashed his mind.

“Even if it is so, you preach against a******y and you know what? Nothing hurts more like knowing there is someone else having s*x with your beloved wife.”

While Wellington spoke, he looked directly into Tom’s eyes and that made Tom felt uncomfortable.

“Thou shall not commit adultery.” Tom said.

“Thank you. I am ashamed I am not so conversant with the Bible because of my evangelism.”

“Evangelism?”

“Yes but not the biblical evangelism. I am an evangelist because people need to eat and live well in order to worship God. I spent most of my life creating employment and sources of income for people. I lend money to people and see how many people I feed? I have over ten thousand slaves and six thousand workers. This is evangelism.”

Tom said nothing.

“Timothy..”

“Sire?”

“Do you think your cousin, my wife is seeing another man?”

Timothy made an effort to maintain an expressionless face but his liver was shivering. Did this man know he was sleeping with his wife? Did he bring him here to kill him? What would happen f he died here? That meant he was dead in his world. Oh no!

“God forbid! I don’t think she would do such a thing.”

“Hmm…I was having such a doubt myself but she is going far away from me. She- I am sorry to say this she does not like coming to my bed again. I feel like ice water on her and she gives me not the attention she used to give.”

“I- I don’t know anything about that sir and she would not discuss such a thing with me sir.”

“I agree with you but she may complain to you. Please let me know if she complains about me or suspects anything.”

“I will do that sire.”

“I swear not to do anything to her even if I find out that she is sleeping with another man but I will definitely take care of the man. You are not married but even if you find out that someone is having s*x with your girlfriend, it hurts and this is my wife I am talking about. I swear to God, I will make sure I deal with him in such a manner that killing him with a sword would be sheer mercy. Such a man should take two weeks to die slowly.”

Tom saw anger in his eyes and was tempted to ask if he care what his best friend felt as he constantly had s*x with his wife. But that did not stop the fear infiltrating into him right now. He knew there was something dangerous about Wellington which could be seen in his ruthless expression.

“That will be justice sire but I trust my cousin.”

“I will take that as a relief statement. I think we can leave now….” Tom saw the anger vanish from his eyes and something that looked like shock replaced it. His lips twitched and the words hung. It was like something chocked him and his esophagus was compressed. “Who is this?”

Tom turned around and saw what had caused the sudden change. It was Rose who just came out of their cabin holding a basket.

*******  

Rita stood before the dressing mirror, admiring herself. She Adjusted one of the flowers fixed to her hair, blinked to and placed her hands on her small waist.

The door opened and John came into the large bedroom they shared.

“My gorgeous.” He said with a wide grin. “You are the most beautiful woman on Earth.”

She blushed and smiled.

“Thank you my king.”

“And where is my princess heading to when I am here to have some quality time with her?”

“I have to see Matilda urgently.” She said. “She has some stocks from Al-Andalus. Very beautiful Arabian gowns.”

“Women and clothes.”

“Tell me it is not part of the reasons we win your hearts.”

“Yes but you won my heart firstly our large immaculate eyes, and when you smiled, I saw honey land and I said to myself…I found my missing part.”

“Awwn..I remember like it was yesterday. The Salvar festival. I noticed your dance steps and how moved your lips as you sang.”

“That was a move to get you to notice me. Remember I said hello as I danced pass you.”

“And I only smiled. It was later you said I did not reply and I honestly thought I did.”

“You did my love because that smile was worth more than all the voices in the world put together. That smile was louder than the world most proficient echo machine. I still see that smile and the effect is still fresh in my piled reverie-store.”

“You are so sweet, My king.”

“You are mine alone.”

She felt her heart skip a bit and a wave guilty conscience sweep through her. What if he knew his best friend was her lover for years? John had been a good husband, at least she never caught him cheating on her. He was not as rich as Wellington but he was about the fourth richest man in Dransvalle. She lived like a queen and had all she wanted. Why was she doing this to him? Why could she not accept her faith? She remembered that night as they had dinner with the wellingtons. That was seven years ago and she noticed how Wellington stole glances at her. She realized that that look was the first that he gave her the first time he saw but she did not think twice about it.

She also could not deny the fact that Wellington was good looking and had these manly eyes that radiated a fierce expression which made her imagined how fierce he could be on bed.

When they were to leave, the way he had held her hand, bowed and kissed her hand was sensual. She could feel his tongue touch her and a wave of passion flowed inside of her. That was the kiss of hand that ignited her libido.

Wellington had supported John’s business and gave him the loan that set him up. John felt he owed Wellington and never hesitated when John asked him to represent him on a business transaction which was frequent. Plus, Wellington was very generous he would give John thirty percent cut for the profit

Wellington would check up on her each time john was away like a good friend. He would fill her up with jokes and stories. And come with old wine.

When John was away and it was her birthday, Wellington had come to present her a gift of diamond necklace, and five hundred thousand worth of gold.

He had also offered to make her an expensive fruit salad and juice made from date imported from the Arabian world.

“I feel guilty of sending your husband away and it is your birthday.” He had said with a bow.

“How did you know it my birthday, sir Wellington?”

“You mentioned it the day we had dinner in a statement.”

“Oh my God! I can’t even remember saying that. You did not forget?”

He had smiled and said, “who forgets anything to do with a queen?”

“Thank you for making the day remarkable.”

“You deserve it and I take this as a fine slapped upon me for taking John away.”

She had giggled.

“john never takes birthdays seriously. He hates anything to do with aging.”

He had laughed shortly and the thickness of his voice and hit her stomach. His fierce eyes and pierced through her.

“Would you like to dance with me before I leave?”

“Dance without bands?”

“I have music here.”

She had raised her eye brows.

“Where?”

It’s a day that is embedded in gold

He sang in a deep sonorous voice.

The day the mountains fold

And take the shape of the heart and love is written in bold

Even the weak hearts come out at night and feel bold

And I can lie on ice even though it’s cold

A day that marks the birth of a star

And calls for a fiesta

He moved forward and held her hand, drew her closer and placed the second hand on her waist and they began dancing lowly.

Now it’s a lifetime dance

Dancing with the queen of glamour

At this instance

My heart if full of vigor

With little or no distance

As I look into the eyes with immeasurable splendor

Happy birthday lady of substance

She had been so overwhelmed she was the first to kiss him and that was the first time they had s*x. In fact, he had left the house to show the guards he was gone and come back disguised as a woman and spent the night there. They would go to the farms when John was around or he went to the house when John was out.

These had being going on for years and John never had the slightest idea of what was going on.

“I have to go my love.” She said.

John held her and kissed her.

“Tonight my love. I am in the mood.”

She smiled.

“I will be ready for you.”

Eighteen minutes later, she was standing by her horse I the farm.

“The princess with glamour in excess. The lady with no love recess and that which is priceless. My stainless, my endless and my killer of duress.” Wellington said as he appeared. The adulterers never used a cart when coming to meet here. They used horses so they could come alone.

“I so missed you.” She said and ran into his arms. She had tried to end the relationship a few times but Wellington had those things that made her so submissive. She loved the adventure, secrecy and his vigor.

They did not waste time as they began to fondle. The outdoor s*x was fun to them. On the grass and when it was rainy, they used a mobile camp tent which was kept somewhere.

They were deep into the act when they heard, “I thought it could never be true!”

They disengaged and were shocked to see John standing before them.

*********