CHAPTER 44: MEETING HUBBY'S FRIENDS VI
Inside the kitchen, the air hummed with a playful tension. Diana shooed Nicodemus away, leaving only her and James. She gestured for him to sit, her eyes sparkling with an unspoken invitation. As she cooked, her movements were fluid and graceful, each stir of the sauce, each slice of the meat, imbued with a subtle sensuality.
He watched, mesmerized, as she transformed simple ingredients into a feast - chicken noodles, rich with sauce, decorated with vibrant slivers of beef and sausage. The way she moved, her hands sure and graceful, was a dance he couldn't tear his eyes away from.
When the noodles were prepared, glistening with golden sauce and adorned with vibrant vegetables, his stomach rumbled, but his gaze remained fixed on her.
When she was done, she poured it out in two plates.
"This chicken sauce recipe," she explained, her voice soft yet confident, "it's one my grandmother taught me".
"Is this how you eat noodles in Nigeria?" he asked, finally tearing his eyes away.
A soft laugh escaped her lips, melodic and full of warmth.
"This is how some people eat noodles in Africa," Diana declared, plating the food with a flourish.
"There are many styles," she replied, a playful wink in her eyes. "This is one for special occasions, for loved ones."
James, intrigued, accepted a plate. The first bite was an explosion of flavors - savory, spicy, and strangely comforting. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation.
"Delicious?" Diana asked, her smile as warm as the spices in the dish.
"Incredible," James admitted, his voice low and husky. "You're a sorceress in the kitchen, Mrs. Alfred."
Diana chuckled, her gaze lingering on his lips. The playful banter hung heavy in the air, charged with unspoken desire.
As they ate, the clinking of cutlery was an intimate counterpoint to their comfortable silence. James savored each bite, the explosion of flavors a testament to her skill and care. Her smile, bright and genuine, was the sweetest dessert.
After dinner, James insisted on washing the dishes. But upon facing the unfamiliar dishwasher, his confidence faltered. He'd tackled billion-dollar deals with ease, but this modern marvel of technology left him bewildered.
Diana, witnessing his struggle from the doorway, burst into a hearty laughter. Her laughter, light and teasing, filled the room. "Something the almighty CEO doesn't know? And small me gets to teach him. Hmm, this should come out in the tabloids" she teased, her laughter like music to his ears.
James grinned, his facade crumbling. "Don't push your luck, wife."
She sashayed closer, her laughter fading into a knowing smile. "Let me show you the magic of buttons, Mr. Alfred."
But her husband was just too slow to grasp. He could tackle a trillion dollar deal but was automatically useless when it came to kitchen affairs, Diana thought resentfully. It took her a whole 20 minutes to get him to operate the dishwasher before he finally grasped it.
Later, in the quiet sanctuary of their bedroom, James pulled her close. Diana nestled in his embrace, a comfortable silence settling around them. But a spark of longing flickered in her eyes.
Diana turned to look at her husband when she noticed that he just held her and asked; "are you not going to do anything?"
"Anything like what?" he asked with a very straight face, his voice a low rumble.
Diana bit her lips and rested her head back on his chest. 'Damn the man, had he forgotten his promise so soon?'
James looked at the woman that lay in his arms and smiled. He knew what she was asking but he wanted her to ask first so she will stop being so shy. Up until now, she always stopped the both of them from bathing together. So until she asked, their life was going to continue with just making out.
"Sleep honey", James said and kissed her hair.
"You mean you are sleeping now?" Diana asked him again, this time a bit apprehensive.
"Yes" James responded. "Besides your tired, you should rest" he finished.
Diana bit her lips harder. How could she sleep when she felt so uncomfortable. She wanted something but she could not ask. It will be a cold day in hell before she did or so she thought.
Diana laid still on his body till the tiredness finally claimed her, sending her into the darkness of sleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Sunday morning sun filtered through the curtains, painting stripes of light across Diana's face, rousing her from sleep. But unlike the sunshine, she felt a lingering chill. James wasn't beside her. A pang of disappointment settled in her chest, tinged with the lingering frustration from last night.
They'd talked, laughed, yet his advances never went further. He hadn't touched her at all last night, despite her unspoken hopes. Why did he always stop short? It was when she wasn't ready that he always turned to a beast and make his move.
She brushed her teeth, bitterness clinging to her tongue like leftover toothpaste.
Descending the stairs, she found James at the dining table, sipping coffee and engrossed in the newspaper.
"Good morning," she said, her voice cool.
"Good morning Diana. Sleep well?" James asked without giving her so much as a glance.
"Fine," she replied, the word hollow. "You?"
"Good," he answered, glancing at her briefly before returning to the paper.
Diana felt a familiar resentment bubble up. He looked rested, energized, while she felt drained and he even left her alone on the bed to come drink coffee downstairs. Did he even notice her disappointment? Diana smirked in her heart as her eyes landed on Nicodemus, their elderly butler.
"Good morning, Ma'am," he greeted, his voice kind.
"Morning, Uncle Nik. How was your night?"
Nicodemus hesitated, glancing nervously at James, who remained silent. When he did not get any response from him, he responded. "It was pleasant, Ma'am. Yours?"
"Passable," she answered, masking her frustration.
"Do you care for breakfast now or tea?", Nicodemus asked.
"Coffee, black please, Uncle Nik. Breakfast can come later."
James finally put down the paper, his brow furrowed as he looked at her. "Did you just say black coffee?"
"Yes James, black coffee" Diana cut him off, her voice firm and managing to sound nonchalant at the same time.
Nicodemus swallowed and looked at his boss, he was even smiling. What the hell?
James looked at Nicodemus with a straight face, "well what are you waiting for Nik, the lady says she wants black coffee and black coffee you will get her".
Nicodemus bowed slightly and scurried away.
James went back to his newspaper without saying anything.