CHAPTER 16

Helen and Raymond quietly walked into the court attracting Joshua's attention. He looked at Helen who winked at him then at expressionless Raymond but that was an explanation for later

"You may proceed and sign the papers." said the judge making Joshua hold Julia's hand as they moved forward. Julia tensed at his touch but Joshua ignored it, trying by all means not to mess it all up

"Your touch, its different." she whispered once Joshua let go as he signed the papers

"What do you mean by different?" he asked simply, as if he had no idea what she meant

"I don't know. But maybe i am just nervous." she said as Joshua helped her sign the paper as well, "We are married now!" she squealed in excitement as she hugged him, "I love you."

"Hmm...i uhm...yeah me too." he reluctantly hugged her back and the crowd cheered for the newly weds as they walked over to congratulate them. Raymond looked at poor happy Julia feeling guilty about what he had done but it had to be done. Once his turn came he dragged reluctant Helen along who could not help the creeping blush at the sight of the man who will someday become her husband

"Julia, meet my sister Helen, the one i told you about." said Joshua trying to distance himself from Helen

"The one in Qatar?"

"Yes her."

"Oh my God Helen its nice to finally meet you." she said looking out for her and Raymond pushed her forward landing in Julia's arms.

"Its..its good to meet you too. Too bad the circumstance is not too great but i totally understand."

"Thank you so much we really appreciate it." said Julia smiling innocently yet she was the one being made a fool out of, or was she..?

"Where is Joshua?" said Julia surprising everybody, "Where is he? Now that i have married his friend he must be ashamed to accept defeat."

"I uhm...Joshua ran off to get our new home ready, we will meet him at dinner." said Joshua seeing Raymond's silence. Following that, Raymond immediately walked out of the room to get some air and wrap his head around what he had just done. Joshua followed him leaving Julia with envious Helen who kept shooting laser glances at her

"Raymond are you okay?" asked Joshua as soon as he got to him

"I am good i uhm...i just...Julia will never forgive me for this Josh just look at her!"

"Listen man i know its hard but whats done is done, we have to move ahead with the plan all you have to do is marry, get rid of Grace then come get your woman okay?"

"You have to take care of her. I will stay away from her for a while and pretend to be you so that we don't mess up everything." he sighed looking at the passing cars on the road, "It will not be easy."

"I will take care of Julia. Just make sure to do everything quickly else i will suffocate. I don't know how i will handle sharing my space."

"Thanks man...and i am sorry." said Raymond hugging him

"Show how sorry you are by getting me out of this mess!" he patted his back not knowing the real reason why Raymond was apologizing. He had made a deal with the devil, and gambled with his life.

*****

After a very long and tiring day Joshua pulled over by his house Julia seated comfortably by his side

"You took all your luggage right?"

"I did. Lets not sell the house Mandy will not have anywhere to stay."

'Its okay. I will help you out." said Joshua getting out of the car and calling the gate man to come load out the luggage. He then walked over the help Julia out of the car before heading inside, the gate man following closely behind with Julia's luggage

"I will get you something to drink, what would you like?"

"I will have my favorite." she said as soon as she sat down

"Favorite?" Joshua stuttered realizing the extent of the mess he had gotten himself into

"Ray are you okay? You have been acting really strange all day."

"Well i uhm...i am not really feeling too well. Will juice be okay?"

"Yes orange juice." Joshua walked away applauding himself for a guess well done. During their very awkward dinner with Raymond and Helen she had ordered orange juice so he thought to try that one and it surprisingly worked

"Here, i will go freshen up and get our room ready." Julia almost dropped the glass at the sound of those words. She had been enjoying being married to the man of her dreams forgetting about the marriage consummation. She immediately placed the glass on the floor trying to come up with a very firm excuse to avoid sleeping with Raymond which sounded really silly but him seeing her naked was the very last thing she wanted because it would automatically destroy EVERYTHING.

*****

Raymond locked himself up in his room his conscience getting the better of him. He had just sold his girlfriend and made a fool out of her. He had even committed a crime, bribed the judge into changing the names on the marriage certificate from Raymond to Joshua sealing the whole ordeal, it was done, he had officially sold off Julia

"Can i come in?" a feminine voice called from outside trying to open the locked door but Raymond ignored

"Ray open the door!"

"Go away Helen!" he snapped looking out the window. Now that was another problem. Helen. How was he going to tell Joshua about the deal he had made with his sister for his own selfish reason? Joshua was going to freak out:

"I want Joshua. I want to marry Joshua at any cost." she had said tying Raymond to a corner

"Helen you cant! You cannot marry a man that doesn't love you let alone Joshua! He will never love you in fact he has never loved any other woman please!"

"I don't care! Bottom line is i love him and i want him. Get Joshua for me else i will destroy your silly little party."

"Okay fine fine! I will get you Joshua."

"As soon as you get rid of Grace like you said you marry your Julia, and get Joshua to marry me."

He could have been happy with his Julia all cozy in their little home but no, failure was staring him in the face. He kept tossing and turning failing to find some sleep wondering what exactly Julia was up to. It was a matter of time before Julia caught onto their little stunt since Joshua was never going to perform some of the husband duties. He eventually dozed off wondering the sort of excuse Joshua had given to her in order to avoid their consummation.

******

Once Joshua finished his bath he went on to help Julia upstairs where he had already prepared a bath for her

"I will take it from here." she said once she stood next to the steamy water in the tub. For a moment, he thought she knew who he truly was but there was no way, he was just over thinking it.

"Call me when you are done." said Joshua before walking out, tightly closing the door after himself. He paced about within his room looking for the perfect excuse to give to her but couldn't get his finger on one. He took out his phone and went straight to google scrolled around trying to find the perfect excuse.

"What have you gotten yourself into Joshua? You practically look like a fool!" he cursed taking a seat on the cozy leather couch phone still in hand

Julia took forever to finish bathing also wondering how she was going to escape that moment.

"Turn the lights out?" she wondered but it was not going to work, not for Raymond

"Are you done?" his voice echoed from outside and she stuttered a weak yes. Joshua slowly walked inside to find her in a short pink lace nightdress, her hand slight shaking and looking quite nervous

"I uhm....i want to tell you something."

"No let me go first!" said Julia blinking wildly because of the nerves, "I uhm...my period. It just started." Joshua did not know whether to dance, jump, scream or what but at that particular moment he did what he hardly did, gave a silent prayer thanking God for remembering his desperate self.