The road twisted and turned in between the lava fields of Lanzarote. The road was rutted and badly kept so Gerald was concentrating on driving rather than talking. This suited Carolyn who had plenty on her mind at that moment apart from the beautiful scenery and the size of the residence that they were approaching.
After the plane had landed, Gerald had suggested that they go and eat at the local village. It was already late and both of them were hungry. It meant that they would arrive very late but Gerald assured Carolyn that the housekeeper would have everything ready. Precisely what the housekeeper would have ready for them was the matter preoccupying Carolyn’s mind at the moment.
“Is this romantic enough,” Gerald had said, as he raised his wine glass to Carolyn’s in the early evening. They had been sitting at a table for two apart from other diners. The only sound was a lapping of water against the boats in the harbour and the occasional burst of Spanish music drifting up on the wind from the town below.
“It’s beautiful,” Carolyn had said, enthusiastically, and then yawned. She was trying to establish that she was tired after the four-hour journey from the UK. She didn’t know whether it would work but it was worth putting down a marker.
“There are some other people coming to join us tomorrow. Close business associates and they will be bringing their partners,” Gerald had said seriously. He’d looked a little bit embarrassed.
“I felt that I needed to warn you. My position in the organisation carries with it as amount of respect. So therefore respect will also be shown to you and you must expect it. Indeed, If anybody does not show the proper respect, you must tell me and I will show them my disapproval. This will be something that they will not want so it is unlikely to rise.”
“You make me sound like the First Lady, should I call you President? Or should it be El Presidente?”
She tried to look casual and light-hearted, but icicles were now running down her back. She was wearing a light blue knee length dress, low cut in deference to the Saharan warmth. Yet she pulled her cardigan over her shoulders as she felt the cool breeze of Gerald’s power.
“Yes, you will be a lot like that First Lady and I think you will wear the mantle well. However, I don’t like names and titles. It is enough that people understand and do their jobs.”
He reached forward and grasped Carolyn’s hands between his.
“In the short time that we have got to know each other, I have developed an affection for you which I hope will grow as will yours for me. It would have been better for this weekend to happen perhaps later in our relationship. You are being thrown in at the deep end. However I’m sure you will manage admirably.”
He’s telling me to behave myself, thought Carolyn, suddenly. He’s telling me not to let him down. What a cheek. And I think he’s threatening me, subtly, but he’s threatening me nevertheless. The others will get into trouble if they don’t show me respect but I will get into trouble if I dont show him respect. They had finished the meal in thoughtful silence.
The air-conditioned Range Rover bumped over the last bit of the track and turned into an oasis of greenery, bright flowers and running water. Although it was now late in the evening, the overhead lighting picked out the colours and enhance their shape and beauty with the shadows of the night that fell outside the glare.
A round lady, wearing a headscarf and an apron opened the door and welcomed them in. The hall was huge with mirrors and marble everywhere. In a colder climate, it would have appeared austere, but here it gave a cool and welcoming atmosphere to the large dwelling.
The lady spoke good English with a strong Spanish accent.
“Your room is ready, signor, you are overlooking the bay at the back. It sees the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening and you have a dressing room attached with en-suite bathroom.”
Carolyn’s spine tingled again and her legs felt weak. Unless she said something now, there was no going back, and, after what Gerald had said, there was nothing she could say.
“Thank you Miranda, “said Gerald. “We are both tired and have eaten so we’ll go up now.”
“I will arrange to have your cases brought up,” said Miranda.
The cases arrived five minutes later carried by the young teenage boy who was wearing a waistcoat. Carolyn was still surveying the rooms and a wonderful balcony that swept alongside only yards from the sea.
She was leaning on the balcony and looking at the lights of the town in the distance and the dark sea that shimmered below. Gerald appeared behind her, his hands resting gently on her hips. Then he moved besides her and also leaned on the balcony with his arm across her shoulders.
“Do you own this place or are you just renting it,” said Carolyn.
“Ownership is not a clear thing in business. It is owned by a subsidiary of one of the companies in which I have an interest. However, it is enough that I can come here when I like and with whom I like. Are you glad you’re here?”
“It is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Carolyn. “The lights, the sea, the apartment and the incredible colours of those flowers outside.”
“Then for that alone, it has been worth bringing you,” said Gerald, simply. He turned her to him and tilted up her chin. His lips descended and his left arm pulled her forward, smothering her lips with his. It was then that Carolyn realised a terrible truth. Of all the things about Gerald, it was his lips that she hated most. They were cold and fleshy. They even felt the wrong shape when they kissed her. She slid her lips away from his so that their heads were side by side. His hand was now at the base of her spine and pressing her towards him.
Her mind raced for a solution. She reached out and one came into her mind.
“I once saw a picture in an Art gallery,” she said, softly in his ear. “It was a picture of a young woman on a bed waiting for her King. I think she was his mistress.”
“I know the one you mean,” said Gerald, “it’s very famous.”
“It’s always embodied for me a combination of perfect sensuality and submission. The beautiful young woman and the powerful King. She waits for him with her face cradled in her arms on the bed, the delicate shades of her pink body caught in the soft light. She has just bathed and her flesh still blushes with the warmth of the scented water. She feels the door open and feels the presence of her King but she does not turn her head. She feels him in the darkness beside her but she doesn’t turn around. She is there in all her radiant beauty for him to desire and take for his own.”
Gerald reached for her face again but she turned her head so his lips met her forehead.
“El Presidente… go and drink whatever it is that El Presidente’s drink. I will go and find some sweet smelling salts in which to bathe and in half-an-hour, you will return.
