Chapter 17
His decision to be home soon after Jilian's happy hour announcement came in handy as far as Delia's sexual hormones were concerned. As much as she would have felt much better with another round, she could not complain that much. They had made a decent follow-up to last night's sexual extravaganza. She had delivered the goods in a way that Jason had not seen before. That being the case, his lingering and wavering stance on both Jilian and Delia represented a case of addiction versus ascension. His sudden addiction to Jilian's sexual brainwash had been challenged by Delia's unseen ascension to unprecedently higher levels of intimate theatrics. No doubt, his mind was shrouded in mixed feelings. As they sat down on minerals after having a well-prepared lunch of stewed beef and rice accompanied by vegetable salads, his phone rang. It was his boss and extra-marital sex partner Jilian herself.
"Hello," he answered.
"When will you be here?" she inquired right away.
"Isn't it that the function is slated for 6 bells?" he gave a noncommittal but linked answer.
"Of course, but most of your guys are already here. This party is for you guys" she uttered with a spirited tone.
"I will be there shortly then" he answered.
He looked at his wife who was all ears in the midst of their seemingly innocent conversation.
"Isn't it supposed to start in 3 hrs.? You can go! Don't worry about me, darling. I will remain watching TV" she said whilst picking her glass of cranberry juice.
"Whose wine is in the dresser Jason" she inquired.
"I got it from my boss" he replied.
"Would you mind if I take a glass?" she inquired.
"I see no problem, but why don't we go to the party together?" he responded before making a proposal.
"I work for Greylands High School, and not JCC. I hate gate-crushing darling, I think you know me better" she spoke arrogantly as she rolled her beautiful eyes.
"Does that matter? You are the JCC site Manager's wife, isn't it? Let's dress up and head there" he responded with encouragement.
They took to their bedroom after Delia's removal of the cutlery and plates that they had used. She told him how she wished they had not eaten lunch as she felt they would easily get blotted.
Jilian who had jumped into the logistical arrangements of the impulsive party had to request for some cash from her financial Manager who had to do the onus at short notice. Paul whom she had invited earlier on had already pitched up and was downing some gin and tonic.
"I am very happy to be home Jilian," he said as they sat side by side.
"I only remembered when you said it that you once told me that you hail from Redbury" she spoke as she also helped herself to her own kind of poison.
"There is absolutely no place like home, you know," he remarked.
"You can say that again, home is best" she echoed the same sentiments.
"By the way, don't forget to weigh your influence on my bid" she reminded him about the Manburg/Zonex road project.
"Don't worry, consider it done" he responded with some reassurance.
"Pleeeease, let it be Paul, there will be a good kickback for you, trust me!" she insinuated bribery.
"Consider it done, don't worry" he reiterated.
The other inspectors had also given a nod to influencing JCC to land the multi-million-dollar project. She felt that the industry was getting more and more sophisticated as competition grew hence the need to augment her decorated record as a construction guru with some dose of tactical corruption. The defiance and ferocious challenge from fellow road construction contractors like Alex had led to her employment of counter-intelligence tactics. Her ambition to be on top had also suggested that she grew her business empire by hook and crook. Based on that, she was prepared to patronize whoever is involved in her growth cause. She had told herself that she would do anything that is beyond her reach to keep the pivotal Jason around for his vast experience, top-notch expertise, and enviable workmanship. For that, she was ready to use her seductive prowess to have him hoodwinked and blinkered towards her project plans and had already done so successfully.
"Today is a special Friday sir," said one of JCC 's boy-looking site laboureres to Chris.
"I agree, especially for you guys who drink beer" he responded tepidly as he walked away from the young gentleman who was about to light a cigarette.
As he had promised in their telephone conversation, Jason pitched up. Only Chris had been able to see Delia since her arrival. Her unseen appearance, side by side with Jason, let alone with a glass of wine in her hand, did not only invite signals of surprise from the onlooking party attendees, but also Jilian. She could relate to the lady she saw on Instagram and Facebook. but was surprised to discover that what she had in her hand was wine. She remembered Jason describing her as an ardent Christian who would not associate with party lifestyle outside religious circles. As they drank out at the golf club as had fast become their leisure activity, Jason had told Jilian that his Christian background and wife were the reasons why he had not embraced the life of beer with open arms. He also told her that she had made him feel somewhat unhindered to drink as opposed to Delia who was strictly an occasion of occasions beer sipper and not necessarily drinker. The fact that he was away from those who looked at him as a person of sober habits, had made him graduate to the bigger leagues of drinkers. He had not yet reached the levels of strong but organized boozers like Jilian, but had undoubtedly embraced the call to be her drink mate as their clandestine romance raged on uncensored.
Delia's unseen arrival had somewhat cut one of such liquor outings short. As she chatted with her headmistress, she had been advised to start doing certain things differently so as to get his close attention, let alone make him feel the sudden difference. It had never occurred to her that she would request a glass of wine as she had done before coming to the party venue. On all the isolated occasions she had sipped wines, it was Jason who had extended the offer usually to try and spiritually involve her, but she had never taken to the invitations with keen interest. Wouldn't the headmistress's advice lead to a scenario where she would start drinking more often? Wouldn't that cause complications and conflicts in her matrimonial institution either?