CHAPTER 21
APRIL
It was a beautiful Sunday and my plan was to go on a drive and dine at an expensive restaurant even though it would create a hold in my pocket but Matilda’s message last night had distorted my plans.
Mind coming to my church tomorrow? Joann has agreed and we plan to hang out in my place after the service. It’ll be fun.
She ended it a pleading emoji and I had to stare at the message for a while before deciding. It’ll be great to hang out with my friends since we rarely have the time to do that but Matilda’s church wasn’t somewhere fun. I wasn’t a religious person so it was always tiring but Matilda being Matilda, she loved church a lot and was even one of the choristers.
To me, their three hour long service was always boring, the few times I’d gone there, it seemed like everyone was trained in the same way and were really serious about the service. While contemplating, Joann’s message popped up too.
It’s an avenue to meet gorgeous guys. Remember we’re starting all over again so meeting a guy at the church would be great.
I sighed as I read the message. Joann wasn’t the churchy type and the fact that she agreed to go to a church in hope of meeting a new guy just shows she was really determined to get a boyfriend but I wasn’t.
The problem is, I don’t think I’m ready for any new guy at the moment. I’m taking a break of all the relationship problems and heartbreak and I don’t know when that’ll end but I don’t want my friends putting in efforts to get the thoughts out of my bed and pair me up with new guys so it’s best to just play along with them.
The following morning, Matilda’s call woke me. Sophia groaned beside me but she didn’t open her eyes. The day was her day-off so she was definitely sleeping in.
“Just calling to remind you that you have to get out of bed now. I’ll be in your place in the new forty-five minutes,” Matilda said as soon as I picked up her call and without waiting for my response, she ended the call and I dumped my phone on the bed side table.
I got out of bed reluctantly and made my way to the closet to pick the best fit for the day. I’d intended to do that last night but the game I’d been playing took up my mind.
With my eyes going around the closet, I tried looking for the best fit for church and after a few minutes, I finally settled on a black and white flounce skirt dress.
“Are you going somewhere?” Sophia groaned and I turned back to her.
“Church.”
Her eyes peeled open instantly.
“You’re going to a church?” She asked again and I nodded.
“Yeah, I’m going with my friends. I won’t be back until evening though.”
“Wow, that’s surprising. I’m hanging out with my friends too and I’ll return at night.”
“That’s okay then.”
I glanced at the wall clock and realised I had only thirty minutes left. Going to the bathroom, I stared at my bird nest hair in the mirror and shook my head before washing my face.
After my bath, I had to plead with Sophia to help straighten my hair and apply a little makeup before getting dressed. My phone bumped at that moment and without looking at it, I knew it was a message from Matilda.
Five minutes left. I picked up my stuffs and dumped it into my black purse before waving Sophia bye. Once outside the house, I bumped into Ray and his baby mama and anger filled me.
The fact that they still had the audacity to greet me with wide smile as if nothing happened was enough for me to slap their faces but I ignored them and got into Matilda’s car.
“Is that not your ex?” She questioned as soon as I got into the car.
“It’s Ray. That bimbo is his baby mama.”
“Wow, bumping into him and the lady almost every time is really terrible.”
“Just don’t mind them. Let’s get going.”
She nodded and soon started the car. On our way to the church, we had little talks until we arrived. While Matilda went to her designated place in the church, I went to the seats assigned for the congregation.
Saint Ministry was a very big church and even though the service hadn’t started yet, it was already filled to the brim. I brought out my phone to call Joann asking for her whereabouts since I didn’t want to be alone but a tap on my shoulder made a sigh of relief escape from my mouth.
“Thank goodness. I thought you changed your mind,” I started and she shook her head.
“Of course not. I had a small misunderstanding with a cute guy at the parking lot,” and replied and I quirk my brows.
“A cute guy?” I teased and she rolled her eyes.
“Forget about me saying that. He was actually annoying so I think he’s no longer cute at all,” she explained before pointing at the empty seats.
“Does that mean you’ve met a guy already in just few minutes?” I nudged her shoulders as we walked to the empty seats and she scoffed.
“I don’t mean annoying guys like that. The fact that he even had the guts to ask for my contact details still pisses me off,” she continued and I lifted my brows before taking my seat. She took her seat beside me.
“He asked for your details?”
“It’s for him to pay for the scratch on my car. He needed my number so he’ll inform me after he’s done,” and explained and I wriggled my brows.
“Hmm, this sounds like the start of a new love story,” I commented and before she could talk, the speaker came on and the service commenced.
Three long hours. Three long boring hours.
“Gosh! I need something sweet to rejuvenate,” Joann said as we finally walked out of the church.
“We’ll just stop at a dessert cafe on our way home,” Matilda said as she joined us.
“Great,” I commented showing how hungry I was. Since I hadn’t eaten anything that day, the boring service had just added more to my hunger.
While Joann went to her car, I joined Matilda and we all headed to the dessert café just down Matilda’s street.
“So, Matilda, your birthday is coming up. Any plans?” Joann started and we both exchanged knowing glanced while Matilda shrugged.
“I’ve totally forgotten about it. I guess there won’t be any party or such,” she replied.
“You want it to go just that way.”
“I’ll probably be busy the whole day so I won’t realise. Anyway, thanks for introducing me to that sexy billionaire neighbour of yours,” she said with a wink and I scoffed.
When Ailey told me she needed a psychologist, I never knew she was talking about Rowan. Did the shooting incident have such effect on him? Is that why he thinks we’re somehow close or something.
“What’s wrong with him?” I inquired and she squeezed her face before the waiter appeared with other others. While I went with croissants and raspberry juice, Matilda and Joann both ordered Tiramisu and iced tea.
“That’s confidential. He offered huge bucks though so I’ll be visiting your patient for this month until he recovers from the broken legs,” she replied.
“So, you’re both working for the billionaire now? Well, how is he?” Joann inquired and Matilda sipped on her tea before responding.
“Well contrary to April, he seems like the cold and aloof type, you know the typical guys in romance novels. I wonder why April finds him friendly and…”
“I don’t find him friendly but annoying,” I cut in and Matilda rolled her eyes.
Joann waved her palm.
“Whatever, the fact that he’s different with you means there’s something underneath. Maybe he’s attracted to you and the only way he can gain your attention is to be annoying,” Joann pointed out like someone who had just solved a puzzle and I almost gagged.
“That’s your imagination taking over. I don’t think that guy is attracted to me at all, he just sees me as someone he can tease,” I told her.
Matilda shook her head.
“From my view, I don’t think he’s that way with other people, his friend had to beg him to speak with me earlier. I guess he’s just comfortable with you and finds you fun to be with,” Matilda stated and I huffed.
“That’s what I think too. He might be attracted to you, anyways,” Joann concluded and I shook my head.
There’s no way that guy is attracted to me. It’s impossible!