Chapter Ten - Welcome home Daddy

Roger's Airbus landed at the only airport in Kingston at 11:15am a non-stop flight from London. He was surprised how quickly he went through customs and he was eager to see Yolande after almost two years of being apart from his lovely wife. He was surprised that the house phone and her cell phone rang unanswered, but just maybe she had gone out to one of her charity events and had misplaced the cell phone as she frequently stated.

He enjoyed how sophisticated and first world the airport had become with an ambiance that match many of the first world countries that he had flown to over the years. The familiar strains of patios bathed his ears as the red capped porters jostled each other for his bags. However, he decided to give the lone female Porter a chance to carry his luggage as she reminded him of his wife about 25 years earlier, with a strong shoulder, wide hips and slim waist and her face was also quite pleasant to look at as well. While it was not the norm to allow porters to carry his luggage today, he was just an ordinary man returning home to the country that he loved. There was no fanfare of his arrival with Sienta or Yolande or even Jason his driver to meet him. The ride in the luxury SUV from the airport to Cherry Gardens driven by Dominique Martin was entertaining and funny.

Dominique was able to show him the hotspots along the route for a man that needed horizontal refreshments in the event that wifey after two years had forgotten how to fulfil him.

"No Dominique, I am sure from the day that I left Yolande, she has not had a need or felt the urge to go near another man and for me coming from Dubai, and it should be like riding a bicycle."

"Well, Roger my boy I would not dream of leaving my wife Marsha unattended for such a long period, especially based on how good she looks, somebody else would be musing around her."

"Hey if the roles were reversed do you think women would be discussing this sort of thing with a perfect stranger Dominique?" Roger asked.

"Are you crazy Roger? Our wives would have carried our dicks along with them on the trip and behaved as if they were nuns just out of the convent," Dominique replied.

"Hey, it's so pleasant to be able to relax and drive home after the hustle and bustle of working in Dubai and I can't wait to just chill out over the next couple of days with my wife and my princess. The roads are just as a remembered Dominique, bumpy and rough with lumps, even though the verges are cut not much else has changed, but the motor vehicles are top of the line, I have lost count of the number of high-end German vehicles I have counted."

"Well, prosperity is the mantra of the Government and some persons have embraced that, as a man on the street it's hard but without hard work you cannot have success. The backroads to Cherry Gardens through Mountain view were a stark contrast to those in upper St. Andrew the zinc fences gave way to masonry walls to the Upper St. Andrew are mere replicas of lush, green grass meeting the sidewalks and top of the line vehicles parked in the fenceless yards."

It took Dominique almost 45 minutes from the Airport to Lot 235 Cherry Drive.

Roger said, "Thank you God," as the car pulled into the driveway of his house.

"Hey nice house, I wish I could live without a high wall and automatic gate."

"Where do you live Dominique?" Roger asked.

"Havendale," Dominique responded.

"Nice not bad, we owned a house there once, but we sold it and moved here many years ago. Maybe we can get together one of these evening with the wives and go out to dinner and drinks?"

"I would definitely like that," Dominique replied, "I'd like to hear about what life in Dubai was like and who knows maybe there is a chance for business venture, like Diplomatic Airlines."

"Can I swipe my credit card Dominique?"

"Sure, at Diplomatic Transporter Incorporated, we are tech savvy Mr. Alexander and bookings can be made online from anywhere in the world, just like what your travel agent did."

"Thank you, Dominique, I enjoyed the ride and the talk, I am always looking for new business ventures and chances to make money especially if a business plan and financials indicate that it will be a profitable venture."

"I will put together a package and drop it off early next week," Dominique swiped the credit card on his mobile point of sale machine and handed back the black card. The bags were heavy and he made sure to take his time and move the three bags into the entry foyer of the house.

"Hello!" Roger shouted, but his voice echoed throughout the house.

"So where are your people?" Dominique asked.

"Seems my surprise is really a surprise; the front door is open and yet it seems everybody are on the road. Thank you, Dominique, for bringing the bags inside, I know you did not have to do that at all. Hey since you are here, do you mind drinking a beer with me at this time of the day and talk about the business venture."

"Sure! I am the boss and I have no other jobs until later this afternoon and as long as it's a light beer and I stick to under three. So how sure are you that beers would be in the fridge after being away for two years?"

"I know my wife; there is always beer and alcohol in an Alexander House."

"You guys have a lovely house by the way; my wife would just die for a kitchen this size with so much counter space. The things women get men to discuss I am sure before you were married no one would catch you even noticing the size of a kitchen Roger?"

"Trust me Dominique, I have learned a lot about the things to make a woman comfortable as a husband and making sure her house contains what she needs to make her happy. We all know that a happy wife equates to a happy home."

The double door stainless, steel fridge contained assorted liquor and the icy, cold air made Dominique shiver.

"Are you sure they weren't expecting your Roger, that fridge is stocked as if a man is living in this house?"

"Are you crazy Dominique? The only other man around my women is my trusted driver Jason and he has a quarters downstairs if he desires and the last thing I heard is that he lives in Portmore. There is no way that Yolande, would have been entertaining a man in my house. I pay the bills and buy the food, plus the wife has been so engrossed in charity and church she has no time for a man."

As they sat by the pool, and looked at the crystal-clear water, the interlocking pavers matched the coping of the pool and the furniture were so comfortable that Dominique closed his eyes and was enveloped by the soft cushion of the lazy chair.

"So, Roger, which woman drinks beer and eats potato chips?"

"Leave it alone my brother, let's talk business I am tired and just came from a long flight and just wanted to relax and chat a little, but since the women in my life have deserted me, you will suffice."

The seed of doubt that Dominique had planted started to grow in Roger's mind and he reached for his cell phone and dialled Yolande number and listened until it rang until voice mail answered. The hiss of his teeth followed by the tossing of the phone on the table revealed his frustration,

"Oh well, maybe Sienta will answer."

A buoyant smile began to spread like wild fire and dialled his princess's number a groggy sounding Sienta answered,

"Daddy! Where are you? Are you at home in Dubai?" Sienta asked.

"Nope Princess, I am at home at Cherry Drive." Roger replied.

"Daddy don't lie to me, you were not supposed to be here for another couple of months, I am so happy that you are home."

"Where are you child and why do you sound as if you are still in bed at 1p.m. on a Saturday? I actually wanted to surprise you and your mother, but I can't find your Mummy anywhere, she is not answering her phone and the front door to the house was open. Not even Jason can be found," Roger said with disappointment bathing his words.

"Oh Daddy, I had a long night last night and I am staying over at a friend's place for a couple of days. You know mummy already she is probably doing something with Jason and only God Knows where she is right now. She is always on a mission. Oh daddy! I love you so much and I miss you. I am so glad that you are finally home. So, daddy what are you up to?"

She had purposefully avoided answering the question about her mother and in her mind, she rationalised that Nathan was the general manager of the hotel and for now he was her friend so technically she had not lied. Similarly, she did not know where mummy and Jason where at this time so even though she felt a pang on guilt it did not feel so bad.

"I'm chilling with a friend at home and then after that I am going to take a nap, can we link up for dinner Sienta, I would say maybe by about 8 p.m. Your Mummy should be home by then anyway. I can't wait to see and hug my girls, anyway babes go back to sleep and I hope that no boys are involved in that sleep over."

"Daddy, I am a grown woman and not fifteen anymore."

"Sorry baby, it's just that you will always be my baby and I can't wrap my mind around the fact that you are twenty already."

"Daddy, it's too early to be drunk I am all of twenty-two, I will try and make dinner later but I am not sure what my friend has planned for me, but I would love to see you. Just tell me where."

"What do you mean where?" Sienta Alexander.

"I am home. The king has returned and wants to be in his castle with his queen and princess beside him. Where is what s her name again the helper, she used to be able to cook a nice pot of stew peas and I'd love that. As a matter of fact, I would like to invite my new friend Dominique and his wife over to dinner tonight after all we might become business partners.

"Daddy, I thought it would have been better if we went out to dinner just you and me so we could catch up and I let you in on what has been happening in your baby's life. After all it has been a long time since we have had a father/daughter conversation."

"Thinking about it now, Sienta that sounds like a good idea, but I wanted your mummy too."

"Daddy, why do you want to spoil up our date, I even started to plan my outfit already," she giggled like a schoolgirl.

"Alright Sienta, your wish is my command."

"Bye Daddy, I will see you later."

She breathed a sigh of relief; she had just saved her mother's ass but she needed to contact Jason to inform him that daddy was home early and he was demanding to see his wife. Why did I persuade daddy to have dinner with me alone, but I love my daddy too much for his spirit to be crushed if he actually found out that Yolande had gone on a trip for a weekend with Jason the driver and it sounded as if it was a romantic one at that. Mummy had become a slut, but daddy was my knight in shining armour and she would ensure that daddy would always be happy.

She laughed as she typed the message to Jason

"Daddy is at home on Cherry Drive and he wants his woman now."

She watched as the ticks beside her message became blue and then Jason responded.

Shit will advise.

There was an uncomfortable and long pause, then he wrote:

Sienta, I have consulted with her will be back in Kingston by 4 p.m. or thereabouts. Thanks for the heads up.

Jason, I did it for you and not my mother.

What is that supposed to mean Sienta? Does it mean that I owe you a favour or two because you gave me a heads up on the premature return of Sir Roger?

Think what you may Jason, but what did you do with the house you bought in Portmore; is it available for rent?

It's available and I can let you have it for about twenty-five thousand dollars a month and Sienta that is a steal, other properties are going for about thirty five thousand a month.

Sienta sighed at the thought of having to pay rent to her driver and possibility of living in such close quarters with the everyday Jamaican, made her almost vomit. If she got the house from Jason, how would he commute to work at the Oasis? Bus or taxi from Portmore and with her skin tone and complexion she was sure that she would be ridiculed by most. She was sure that Nathan would come through for her with the job as the public relations manager.

"When can I have a look at it Jason?"

"We could do it later tonight," he replied.

"Thanks, and rest assured I have said nothing to daddy."

"It would not be in your best interest Sienta to say a word, let us the adults handle this."

"Shaving cream Jason, when since have you been an adult in this situation? If I were you Jason I would run as far away as possible from the Alexander House and never come back. You are the hired help and if this were in the days of slavery and the master found out about your affair you would be hanged by the neck until you are dead or worse fed to the dogs."

"That is why Sienta, we were emancipated in 1838 and we live in a modern time where people utilise their discretion and can discuss things as men and women and come to logical and rationale conclusions."

"Where is my mother, Jason? I would not want her to get a wind of our discussion."

There was a pause and silence on the other end of the line.

"Oh, she is in the shower," Jason replied.

"It's so hard to imagine you and my mummy being intimate."

"Stop making an ass of yourself Sienta making assumptions, she is by the shower on the beach, I am having a drink at the bar and I can see her from here almost forty feet away, You thought that this was a romantic get-away between two hot young lovers? That is why I told you earlier, stay out and let the adults handle this Sienta," Jason said through his clenched teeth.

"You can't tell me anything otherwise Jason, you have been involved with my mother and when my daddy finds out he will kill both of you. I won't say anything unless I am forced to," Sienta shouted.

"Sienta, later I don't have time for this and you won't drag a confession of me anyway so bye," Jason replied equally loud.

The line went dead and she threw the phone against the wall and it shattered into four pieces.

"Shit, I know I am going to regret that but he makes me so angry."