Chapter 5

"Humphrey is gonna be so bored without me," Imogene lamented, making a sad face as she thought about how she had left her dog behind to a helper for catering in her absence.

"Argh!" the twins exclaimed, expressing their frustration at the mention of Humphrey yet again.

"Your dog again?" John wailed, rolling his eyes at the constant thought of Imogene's furry companion.

"What is wrong? My dog has done nothing wrong," Imogene said, slightly frowning at the implication that her mention of Humphrey was causing any inconvenience.

"Yea. But the kids are tired. You speak of him more than you realize, and we are starting to think you are married to it," Piper stressed, making sure her reference of Humphrey as 'it' obvious to her.

"No!" Imogene wailed sadly, "but he is all I have got, and FYI, no one can call him 'it'." She clutched the pillow in her hands closer, seeking comfort in its softness.

Piper had her face twitching as she looked at her sister. "All you've got? It seems that my place in your heart is lower than that of your dog, but I will let it slide. You have me, and I am always here for you. I am your elder sister, and whatever goes on in your life, I will always be there for you. But I have to tell you, your obsession with Humphrey is..." She shook her head, trying to make Imogene see her point with a mix of humour and concern.

"Is what? I have no obsession. Humphrey is my pet; I should naturally love my pet," Imogene defended her bond with her furry companion.

Piper asked, "When was the last time you went out with a guy?"

"Hmm!" Imogene ruminates in thought, reflecting on her recent social interactions.

"You see my point. That's why you don't have a spouse. All you think about is Humphrey. Now that you are here, I'm gonna try and get you fixed up," Piper declared, determined to help her sister find a balance between her love for Humphrey and her social life.

"What... Why would you do that to me?" Imogene voiced out with a fake sob, pretending to be distressed at the idea of being set up on a date.

Piper turned to her son who was watching from the side, "Well, John!" She called. "Didn't you have that app you use to get dates and fail all the time?"

"Mom!" John stamped his foot in a huff of shame. "I might not have a girlfriend but…" he choked in admittance, feeling a bit embarrassed by the conversation.

Piper winced at Imogene and said, "He might have failed in his attempts with those girls, but he has been on that app more than anyone."

"I did not fail; those girls just don't see my charm," John defended himself with a reason he sought previously, trying to salvage his pride in front of his family.

"Hmph…" Piper snorted, she said, "just aid her as I have instructed."

John shrugged, "Fine! I would help her," agreeing to assist his mother's sister in navigating the world of dating.

"Good!" Piper felt slightly relieved, hopeful that her efforts would lead to positive outcomes for Imogene.

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It was a perfect romantic evening for a dinner date. John had pointed out several restaurants to Imogen, and she had chosen the Bougenville restaurant, which was a fancy and a reputable kind, notable for several interesting menus absent from others on their competitive ground. The restaurant was on the outskirts of the city where bubbling was common and its liveliness was accustomed by a large number of people.

Initially, Imogen had expressed her nervousness to Piper, mentioning that she did not want to go through with the date. However, Piper's persistent encouragement eventually persuaded her to give it a try. To further ease Imogen's nerves, John had offered to accompany her to the restaurant, and would be sitting at a separate table nearby, just to provide her with a sense of comfort and support.

Previously, John had come across several profiles on the dating app and had finally chosen a black man who he believed would be a good match for Imogen. Impressed by the man's charming entries and positive remarks on his profile, John thought he would be the suitable companion for Imogene's evening.

As Imogen sat in the restaurant, she anxiously awaited the arrival of the man John had chosen for her. Meanwhile, John was discreetly sitting and would be observing from his table, feeling like an undercover agent on a secret mission. Despite indulging in the restaurant's delicacies, he remained focused on ensuring Imogen's comfort and well-being throughout the evening.

The restaurant door opened and closed momentarily as people came and went. And so, after a short time had passed that she arrived, the entrance door flung open again, yet at the appearance of the man she waited upon. Imogen couldn't help but assess his worth seeing him move confidently towards her. She swiftly took a glance at him, considering from the style his hair was made into, to the shoes his legs were fitted into. He was tall and had brown eyes, he wore a Rolex watch on his left wrist, impeccably shaved, styled his hair to the side, blah blah…. Upon her first impression, Imogen found him to be a decent choice and shrugged off any lingering doubts, feeling surprisingly calm and devoid of anxiety.