CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was the same amusement park he had taken Catarina to that he took his daughter to play this time.

Just like with Catarina, he  used the roundabout with Swanta , the swing and they even ran at the beach.

Swanta pleaded that they should sit down after she was nearly out of breath.

He bought fruits and while they ate, she looked up at him. "I saw the painting you created in my mother's wardrobe".

"What painting?".

"You drew a painting recently right?".

He gasped. "Your mother was the one that bought that portrait?".

She munched the second apple. "You didn't know?".

He knew it that moment that Paula had bought the painting because he was facing bankruptcy.

Did she still care for him that much?

All these years, he had missed the way Paula had cared about him.

She was the only one that reminded him of his mother in the world.

He had huge chemistry with Catarina but anytime he saw Paula, it felt as if he had to fix something about himself.

He hugged Swanta. "Your mother sees my pitiful side but she never condemns me for it".

Swanta sighed. "Dad, you were always picking on mum when you were together. Are you going to go back together again?".

He thought of Catarina Johnson and he was silent.

Despite how Paula reminded him of the good old days, he still wanted to try something new with Catarina.

He was silent and Swanta read his mind.

                                ***

It was that Friday morning that Raymond announced Francis as the new branch manager.

Hearing that, Juliet barged into her boss office. "Good morning sir. Please I heard that a new branch manager has just been appointed for the fish project".

He nodded.

"Sir, he is not qualified ".

"He has five years experience in Rolons fishery".

She gasped. "That is not enough to employ him as branch manager ".

"Why do you seem so bothered Juliet? Did you both have a fling in the past?". He said humorously as he opened his blinds.

She swallowed uneasily. "Er...it is not like that sir". She walked out and saw her female colleagues gathering him in admiration.

It broke her heart and she angrily rushed into her office.

Should she resign?

Her heart was pounding in her mouth and she could never cope with being his subordinate.

What if he avenges because she rejected him?

Now he was richer than her and he would want to prove a point.

She was going to beg her best friend to tell Raymond to warn him to never look for her trouble.

                  ***

It was a Saturday evening, and time for evangelism.

To my surprise, the pastor in charge was present.

Jeremiah Lewis stood nearby, smiling at me, while Raymond engaged the pastor in conversation.

As soon as I arrived, Jeremiah hurried over and waved.

I greeted everyone warmly.

The pastor led us in prayer, but instead of the usual practice of pairing up in twos, he decided to change things up.

He wrote the names of half the group, folded the papers, and announced, "Everyone will pick whomever they're destined to pair up with for evangelism."

I exchanged a nervous glance with Jeremiah.

Both of us were scared that we wouldn't end up together.

When it was my turn, I leaned down to pick a paper, my heart pounding.

But just as I did, I saw another sister select Jeremiah.

When I opened my paper, I gasped. It was Raymond Smith.

I squeezed the paper back and eyed the pastor suspiciously.

Was this planned? Had they made sure I was the last to pick?

The pastor didn't hesitate; he handed the paper to Raymond immediately, saying, "She picked you."

Jeremiah frowned slightly. "Please, I need to go with Sister Catarina," he said confidently, shocking me with his boldness.

The attention of everyone in the room was on us, and I felt deeply embarrassed.

Ignoring Jeremiah's request, Raymond grabbed my hand and led me out of the room.

Once outside, we prayed together before beginning our evangelism.

We encountered various people and shared the word of God.

Raymond led every section with precision, and I could feel the power of God in his words as he spoke about the Kingdom of God and the love of Christ.

It dawned on me that I had underestimated the power of God in him.

                                              ***

During break hour, I was in my office, marking test scores, when I heard a knock at the door.

Anxious to see who it was, I called for them to come in.

It was Swanta, her eyes teary as if she had been crying.

I rushed to her and examined her."What happened to you, Swanta?" I asked.

"Dad and Mum still love each other, but they don't want to be together anymore," she replied, her words piercing my heart.

I realized then that I was developing feelings for a man who should still get back with his wife.

The thought of hurting Swanta crushed me.

I wiped her tears with my handkerchief."Please, stop crying, or you'll make me cry too, Swanta. I promise you, they'll get back together soon," I assured her.

Swanta seemed convinced and allowed herself to be comforted in my arms.

I knew I had to suppress any growing feelings I had for Jeremiah and focus on helping him and his wife reconcile.