Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Jason drove to the restaurant Rebecca had told him about and thank goodness found that Rebecca was already there. He had thought that he would have to wait for her to make a grand entrance but that was not the case. He was impressed.

He walked towards her and sat at the table she was already seated on.

Rebecca had considered keeping him waiting but she had thought better of it. She wanted to give the right impression and it was possible if he waited for a little while, he would have left, thinking that she was not serious and then all her scheming to get him to a dinner date would be a waste and it may be virtually impossible to get him to agree to another date no matter how shrewd she was.

'Ypu are here. Thanks for coming', Rebecca said smiling happily. She had almost thought that he would not come.

'It is a dinner date afterall and I am first a business man, what is the business proposal you have for me?' he asked, wanting her to get the impression that he was there for only business and nothing personal.

'Wait a minute. What's the rush? You will have to have something to eat first. Afterall,it is a dinner date'. she said signalling a waiter who came and took their orders.

Jason was not really hungry. He had eaten something light that Mrs. Potts made him before coming out but he didn't want to appear childish and there was no use dragging it out or arguing. The earlier they got over this meeting, the better. He just did not want to be seen with Rebecca or to give anyone any false impressions.

They ate their meal. While it was going on, Jason kept looking at the extensive wrist watch he had on.

This was irritating Rebecca but she kept her cool. She had to play her cards right and she was prepared to endure any slight to get what she wanted.

She pushed her food away, she had not really been hungry. She had thought that the meal would lessen the tension and made Jason more receptive of what she was about telling him but he seemed to be anxious to be gone from her. He had been toying with his food as well and as soon as she pushed her plate away, he did likewise.

'Jason, there was a time that you could have spent all your time in my company. But look how anxious you seem to be gone from me. Am I such a monster that you can't bear the thought of spending any more time than necessary in my presence?' she said injecting hurt into her voice. Of it took emotional blackmail, she was equal to the task.

'Rebecca, it isn't that. We are here for a business dinner and since we are through with our food,I would like it for us to get down to business. So what was it you wanted to discuss with me?'

'That girl Phoebe is not the right girl for you Jason', she said and Jason was shocked. He had not expected her to change the topic so abruptly as she did and definitely not a criticism of his voice of a lady friend.

'You have a right to whoever you wish to date. It is none of my business but I just felt in my bones and that she isn't right for you but you must definitely have felt the same way. Do you love her and do you have plans to marry her?' she said before he could say a word.

'Rebecca! If you have come to discuss my person life then we should just halt this dinner right away. I do not owe you any explanations'. He got up and made to leave.

'Dont you want to know why I left? I mean the real reason?' she asked gently looking up at him imploringly.

He had wanted answers but agreeing to it now could lead to some display of emotions that he was not ready to cope with right then.

He signalled the waiter who brought their bill. Jason brought out his wallet and counted the money for both their meal and a handsome tip for the waiter and walked out the hotel.

Rebecca waited a moment before going out after him. He met him about to get into his car and held his hands.

'Jason hear me out. You must have questions and I am here to answer them all. What would you lose if you listened to me?'

'Well speak and make it quick because I have someone waiting for me'.

'Okay. But since we are already out of the hotel,could we find a place to sit and not just stand beside your car this way or should we get into your car?'

Jason felt that sitting close to her in the car was going to be too cozy. He looked around and saw a pool where he took her so they could sit in the chairs close by.

'There, we are seated. What do you have to say for yourself?' he said looking at her impatiently.

'I realised immediately I left you that I did not really love Terry but that it was you who I really loved'.

Jason had thought that nothing she said or did could ever surprise him anymore but she kept proving him wrong.

'You seemed to be confused Rebecca. You did not realise that you didn't love Terry when the both of you were having an affair behind by back that you did not love him, you didn't realize it when you eloped with him, and even when you sent me those divorce papers and cleared the money in our account,you are just realising it now? Yell me. Did Terry put you up to this. No!he couldn't the poor man. He must be a victim of bad choices like I had been. I pity him.If he were here to hear you say this, I bet he would have had a heart attack.

Bit then again,he must have heard an earful. Are you both no longer together? I am now very curious'.

'We did not last Four months'.

'Four months!'

'Yes four months Jason. I regretted everything. I could not believe that I had been misled by Terry and he was your best friend. He told me alot of lies and I started doubting you my darling husband. The way he painted it, I had no option but to start looking up to him, and then that day, you had gone to work and I just got out of the bathroom, with my bath robe round me and he had come onto me so strongly and he professed his undying love to me. I was so taken in that I felt list and confused. I didn't know when my robe fell off and he was stroking me and I do not want to get into details but we had it there and after that I felt that I was not worthy to be your wife and that I had to agree to his terms be ause he also started threatening me'.

'You are unbelievable Rebecca. But thanks for soaring me the hory details of your sexual exploits with Terry in my own house and ony bed. How long did this go on. How long was I taken for a fool before your so - called guilt made you elope with him? Many times I presume. Many passionate days in your lovers arms on my bed without either of you feeling any remorse

What had I done to deserve that?

You said he deceived you but I am sure it was the other way round. And he started threatening and blackmailing you? You must think that I am a nitwit and would swallow all that, right?'

'But it's the truth. Terry told me that you didn't really love me but that you were just attracted to my beauty and that you had confided in him. He told me that if I remained with you and we started making babie,and I lose my figure and maybe beauty, you would discard me and bring in another. He was so convincing and I recalled you also complimenting my beauty and ft that he must be tight. Afterall what did he have to gain from lying to me?

He told me that he wished that he had seen me first because then,he would have married me and soared me the trouble ahead. I wanted to confront you with what I heard....'

'Why didn't you?'

'He told me there was no need for that since you would deny it and very convincingly and it would paint him bad and he would laugh at me when I was eventually thrown out of the house. He advised me to make good use of my time with you now that you were infatuated with my beauty and get all that I could and that we would run away and get married and he would give me a better life.

I was convinced and though I had my doubts, I decided to run off with him like the coward I was'.

'And where is Terry now?'

'I do not really know and neither do I care. He could not love me as much as you did, do I had to....'

'Don't tell me. You ran away again with maybe one of his friends who may also have convinced you that he did not live you well enough but was deceiving you?

How long did you stay with his friend before running off with another?'

'You are making it sound like I was doing all that intentionally!'

'Rebecca, It's okay. You have had your say. I now have the answers to my questions and I understand fully now. I do not need any other clarifications.

You do not have to be anxious to explain yourself to me'.

'But you do believe all that I have told you don't you?' she asked hopefully.

'Whether I believe what you have said or not is besides the point. The point is that what had happened had happened and we cannot change that. So, we just have to learn how to live with our choices and decisions'. he said with finality.

Rebecca held him tight, caressing his cheek and back, her mouth dangerously close to his. Then whispered to him, ' I still love you. I never stopped loving you', and she kissed him on the lips.

He stood rooted to the spot, his body betraying him yet again. He felt like wrapping his arms round her but remembered all the men she had dealt with and was just back to ruin his life further. He pushed her away.

'Stay away and keep your hands to yourself. We are no longer an item and I do not want you back in my life. I have gone on with my life as you have. Let us continue that way. There is no future for the both of us. So, don't start now'.

Jason left her standing there and went into his car and drove off.