CHAPTER FIFTEEN
While he waited for his guest at the Chinese restaurant, he began scrolling through his phone for any alert about the organization.
It was obviously in good shape because his PA had not contacted him yet.
As usual, his sister had bought the restaurant for the day, so he was the only customer seated there.
He heard footsteps and surprisingly, his heart began to pound faster.
It was two years now since his sister organized a blind date for him and he was at that moment scared that Catarina might throw a fit and walk away while he loose his chance of understanding what he felt for her.
He immediately rose to his feet when he sighted her and suddenly told himself to maintain composure.
She had her phone placed on her ear, looking very shocked to see him. "Hello ma'am, I can only see one person at the restaurant and...But you didn't tell me you were Swanta's mother, if not I would definitely not have come. No problem. I won't stay too long though". She angrily sat on the seat.
He glared at her and helped himself back to the seat.
They were both silent, communicating with their angry breathing.
The waiter, sighting the tension in the air rushed to their table to take their order.
Glaring at Raymond, she touched anything on the menu and he did the same.
She finally found her voice. "You are not the only one that feels very disgusted right now".
He smirked. "Disgusted? You don't have any right to be because this is a privilege to you. You have the privilege to sit with men of Godly standards and still a reputable income . This opportunity doesn't come all the time".
She stifled laughter. "I understand that you have only been meeting ladies that have total ignorance about their self worth but I am definitely not the same".
He stared. "What are you worth?".
"I am priceless".
"That man deceiving you only wants to get in between your legs". He tried to convince himself again as he looked away to avoid her fiery eyes.
She looked cynically at him. "Every single time, I doubt your Christainity because you don't even behave like one that goes to church, not to talk of someone that has a relationship with God. You are so bitter, toxic, aggressive ".
"...and what right do you have to judge me when you only came to our church because of a man instead of Jesus?".
She was confused. "What are you talking about?".
"The first parish you worshipped in told me how you and your friend left the church because Jeremiah Lewis was transferred to my current parish".
She gasped. Who on earth would have narrated it that way? "It was definitely not like that".
The waiter placed their orders on the table.
Raymond leaned to eat.
"I came to the church for the sake of Christ".She cleared.
"Eat your food and stop pouring saliva into mine".
She reluctantly picked her chopsticks and began to eat.
He cleared his throat. "My sister is threatening to tell the head pastors of Christ Love Ministry that I am not in a relationship. They are going to pair me up with a random lady in church because it is the doctrine of the church that all ministers on my level must be married. I want you to tell them that we are in a relationship this Sunday".
She gasped. "I will never do that ".
"Don't you need a new car? Your current old one is always allowing you end up at the mechanic shop, spending all your savings. The general overseer will transfer me out of the country in four months time. For these four months while I am here,can you help me? I will get you a wonderful car and a monthly paid mechanic".
She licked her lips.
It was a very tempting offer because she really wanted to change her car.
"We only have to appear like we are dating in church right?".
"We are also trying to convince my sister so that she wouldn't suspect that this is a deal. We are the perfect people for this deal because we both know we are not compatible and there can never be anything like feelings that will go on between us. We will just go on a lot of dates, I will visit your workplace and you visit my workplace. Even your friend, Juliet must not know that this relationship is fake".
She nodded thoughtfully. "That is not an issue. But I will only do this on one condition...".
"What condition?".
"We sign a contract and a lawyer will witness all these so that defaulters will be easily sued. After four months, we go our separate ways after being sorted out".
"Perfect".
"Okay, perfect then".
***
"Oh my God! I am so happy for you!!!". Juliet jumped excitedly. "I knew this your hate relationship was getting somewhere. That is how it happens in movies these days! You hate each other and then fall in love!".
Catarina feigned a smile.
Juliet observed her closely. "You don't look genuinely happy about this. Tell me the truth and nothing but the truth best friend! Don't lie to me!".
"Why do you think I am lying?".
"I have known you for over twenty years and I know your facial expressions and when something is coming from your heart ".
"Why not? I love him".
Juliet burst into laughter. "You are not the type that will say you love a man so fast. You always take your time to know what you truly feel. Is this an arranged relationship?".
Catarina bit her lower lip. "He promised to change my car. It is just four months. He doesn't want to get married now".
"Did you sign any contract?".
Catarina brought out the file from her bag and showed Juliet. "We signed this contract".
Juliet examined it closely. "Are you saying that in four months, you will be in a relationship with someone as attractive as my boss and not fall in love?".
"I have passed the stage of emotions. I have experienced a toxic marriage. You don't expect me to still be swayed by attraction ".
Juliet bit her lower lip. "We will see about that".
They read their bible together before Catarina cooked beans for dinner.
***
Very early in the morning, a sound woke me up.
It was coming from outside my window.
Jumping off my bed to check, it was Juliet washing my car.
Was she thinking we were going with my car today?
I was wondering if I had forgotten to tell her that Raymond was coming to pick us up today. "You don't have to wash the car. Raymond is coming to...".
"I know". She said with a light smile. "I am going to be going with this car to work and start refuelling it myself ".
"But it will be easier for you because Ray is going to always stop at our organization".
"You don't have to worry my best friend ".
"Why are you trying so hard to give us privacy in this counterfeit relationship?" .
She shrugged. "I want you to be happy my dear friend ".
"Happy? This has got nothing to do with being happy!".
"Why are you trying so hard to be single forever? Did anyone swear on you that you will die a bitter widow? I want you to take this moment and enjoy yourself. Enjoy the moment. You deserve happiness my best friend ".
My heart melted as I could feel Juliet's love for me.
But enjoy the moment with someone like Raymond?
How on earth was that possible?
In less than two hours, his car arrived.
Juliet was already driving out of the compound.
I joined Raymond and whispered a 'Good morning'.
"Why is Juliet using a different car?". He looked towards the car as it drove out.
"She said she wants to give us privacy". I told him emotionlessly as I buckled my seat belt.
He nodded thoughtfully and turned on the stereo.
It was playing Carry me by Moses Bliss.
Why was he playing a love song so early in the morning?
"Can we switch to something else?".
"What do you want?".
"Maybe a Don Moen music".
"I don't have that. But I have Victoria Orenze's music".
He switched on to a Victoria Orenze music.
As he drove on, he turned to me. "Let's get you food to eat during break hours".
He drove to a restaurant and got my order while he left me in the car to get it.
My heart was pounding as I remained in the car, feeling like I was truly in a relationship because who cared if I spend my money during break hours if not my new counterfeit boyfriend?
I excitedly watched him join me in the car and dropped my order on my laps. "Thank you very much, Ray. What about yours? You didn't get for yourself?".
"I don't eat in the morning. We will be going to the boutique this weekend. I don't want you to come to church with those your faded dresses because you are now identified as my girlfriend ".
I bopped surprised eyes at him. "Those beautiful dresses my dad got from the UK are faded?".
"Five years ago or ten years ago dresses should be thrown into the bin".
I stifled laughter. "It was not ten years ago!".
He rolled his eyes and continued driving.
How was i going to cope with Raymond's untrained mouth for four months?