Chapter 6

• I believe we all need to calm down, I wanted to say but bit back my tongue as I met Duncan's eyes. He was scowling at me.
• For the love of God, I just want to spend some time with my husband before kids. Is there anything wrong with that?
• I turned away from him and focused my attention on the two main characters in the room—Susie and Father Ryland.
• I feared one of his veins might pop if he kept on turning more red with anger.
• I glared at Susie but the darn girl barely acknowledged me. Ugh! Typical Susie.
• "Susie, you need to apologize to this honorable council for that foul language you use here," Father Ryland stressed the word "foul" like it was a curse on his tongue.
• Susie made a face, her phone directly in front of Father's face. "Guys, it's not a crime to use the word 'shit' in the church, it's just an exclamation word."
• She was doing a live video and was sharing personal information with the public! The nerve of this girl.
• I facepalmed, then quietly stood up and snatched the phone away from her unsuspecting hands. "I apologize on her behalf, Father. Please continue."
• Sitting down quietly I ignored the missiles Susie shot my way and focused on the council overlooking even my boyfriend and his sorry ass witness.
• They could all...er...fly away? That's better than what I had in mind.
• "Mr. Meade, we're yet to hear your view on Miss Parker's opinion on children," Deacon two prompted the question again.
• I resisted rolling my eyes. Why couldn't he just say 'offer your view' he had to go say such a long sentence.
• I peered at Duncan from beneath my lashes and saw him give a broad smile. Fake, if you ask me.
• "I accept her opinion, of course." He widened his smile that didn't reach his eyes.
• Creepy, I thought.
• "Excellent. Now we may proceed," Deacon one declared, "How will you both handle your relationships with your families?"
• Duncan cleared his throat and gave a nervous smile. "It's going to be alright with me and Hailey's grandmother."
• Deacon one smiled mischievously, "I understand Hailey's granny isn't very agreeable."
• Witness snickered, "Agreeable indeed!"
• I glared at him. I call him to witness because I don't know his name except for his first name which I hate, I mean who calls himself 'Lowell' sounds like well to me.
• "I and Granny Maggie get along well," Duncan replied with a note of finality in his tone.
• Deacon one fixed his gaze on me.
• I smiled, "Duncan's parents and I get along well but right now they aren't in town and they won't be for a while. There isn't any problem with our families we all get along well."
• Father Ryland nodded still jotting down some things in his diary.
• Whatever was he writing? I longed to ask.
• "What does spirituality mean to you?" Deacon two asked in a voice that screamed "Holy!"
• If there was any topic Duncan detested It was this. I watched him as he ran his hands through his hair for the second time today. When he answered the question his voice sounded strained.
• "Spirituality is something we all have in us and I believe I have it in me." That was it, his answer.
• Deacon two was aghast at his short unbearable answer so he turned to me for comfort. I willingly obliged.
• "Spirituality talks about our spiritual connection with God. It's very essential in marriage because God is the foundation and author of marriage. So I and Duncan will always seek the face of God before making any decisions." I smiled when the council gave me an approving nod.
• Susie yawned loudly, "Aren't we done yet?"
• Everyone ignored her. Ouch!
• Father Ryland removed his glasses and dabbed his brows before smiling at us. "You both have done excellently well in this first section, I reckon it's time you all take a break and be back in the next twenty minutes."
• The scrapping of the chair was heard even before he finished his speech and I glared at Susie as she virtually ran out of the room leaving us behind.
• I left the room quietly with the rest of the occupants. My heart was finally at peace now that I knew that the questions were almost over.
• "Can we talk?" I heard Duncan's voice beside me.
• Nodding, I followed him to the other side of the Church. "What's up?"
• He eyed me. "There's something important you should know."
• I whined, "Are you seriously going to bring this up again?"
• He looked at me bewildered, "Bring what up?"
• I rolled my eyes. Way to look, confused dude.
• "The children topic."
• He smiled, "That wasn't what I was talking about I wanted to tell you something else."
• I relaxed, "Okay, I'm all ears."
• "So you see there's this..."
• "The break is over guys!" Susie's loud voice ceased our discussion.
• "Let's go, honey. You can tell me after the interview." In my excited state, as I dragged him off, I didn't see him run his hands through his hair for the third time today.
• ~~~~*
• "Is that a relevant question?"
• I was flustered as I stared at the deaconess one with wide eyes. I'm so not going to discuss my sex life right now especially since I didn't even have one.
• "Mr. Meade, any question asked during this interview is relevant!" The grim tone of Father Ryland gave Duncan the answer to his awaiting question.
• I grimaced. "What was the question again?"
• Deaconess one scowled at me. "What does sex mean for the both of you," then she fixed a piercing gaze on Duncan, "Please answer the question, Mr. Meade."
• "Sex means nothing for us, I've never touched her before," he answered.
• If I didn't know better I would be jumping in joy thinking he was proud of it. I was the only one that heard the venom in those words.
• Father Ryland stared at me with a smile. "Is this true, Hailey?"
• I nodded my head feeling self-conscious. My eyes darted to the ground as a small blush crept on my face.
• "That's nothing to be ashamed of, it's the best gift you can give to your future husband," Father Ryland explained eagerly.
• I heard a snort and heard Susie's mumbled voice, "You're preaching to the choir, Mister."
• I glared at her while the council pretended not to have heard her.
• "How do you look at your bride's spending? Is it greater than her savings?" Deaconess two inquired.
• I pondered on the question for a while, I spend mostly on groceries and I have a savings box in my house. I know that's archaic and all but it's my life savings only to be opened on my wedding night.
• "Hailey isn't extravagant at all if that's what you're inquiring," Duncan replied, "She saves way better than me."
• Deaconess two regarded me with a strange look, "I suppose you're alright with your fiancé excessive spending?"
• I heard a groan beside me then Duncan interrupted, "I didn't say because she saves better than I do that makes me extravagant!"
• Deaconess two smiled eerily, "That is for Hailey to decide."
• I smiled nervously. So maybe Duncan can be a bit impulsive in his spending but that doesn't make him extravagant. It was his money after all.
• "No, Duncan isn't extravagant, he spends wisely and saves accordingly."
• "Touching, isn't this over yet?" Susie asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
• Once again, she was ignored. When will she learn to shut up!
• Deaconess one proceeded with the next question, "How are you going to handle your finances?"
• Duncan threw his head back and laughed, "These questions are so ridiculous."
• Deaconess one smiled a little too brightly at him if you ask me but since no one asked, "Indeed they so answer them."
• Duncan shrugged. "Sure I'll take care of all financial expenses in the house besides she's not working so I believe if she gets a job and wants to help out in the house it's her choice."
• Deaconess one turned to me, "And you're okay with this, Hailey?"
• No, I'm not okay I wanna help out too, but I kept my mouth shut because I had no job yet.
• "Sure, it's fine," I replied instead.
• "How will you resolve family conflict?" Deaconess two asked.
• Duncan shrugged. "We barely argue but when we do, it's just for a few minutes and we resolve it."
• "How?" Deaconess two pressed on.
• Duncan frowned. I could tell he was thinking of what to say seeing as our only disagreement has only been about sex and it wasn't what we were going to discuss with her.
• "We are good okay we don't have any issues whatsoever but should in case we do, I'm sure we can resolve it amicably."
• So once again, I was left to salvage the situation. "We argue over trivial things and we resolve it by talking about it."
• The council clapped at our answers and finally, I realized it was over.
• "Congratulations to you both," Father Ryland beamed at us.
• "So that's all?" Susie questioned curiously.
• "That's all, Susie," Father replied in an icy tone.
• Susie was unperturbed as she bounced happily away from the room but not before yelling, "Remember our deal, Hailey."
• Duncan gave me a quizzical look, "What deal?"
• I shrugged, "Never mind, it's just girl talk."
• He nodded then smiled at him, leading me towards—witness? No freaking way.
• "Why are you taking me to him?" I asked attempting to hide the curiosity in my voice.
• I'm not gonna lie I'm damn curious about who this guy is.
• "To meet someone," was the vague reply I got.
• The witness saw us and his smile widened. "Is this the girl you're talking about?" I noticed he was referring to Duncan and implying I as the girl?
• Duncan smiled at him. "Yes, Sir."
• This is the part where I whack someone with my fist. "Duncan, what is going on here?"
• "Meet my boss, Hailey," he replied smiling at the witness.
• Ugh! He's the boss. No wonder he's so cocky, I felt he gave off bossy vibes though. But what does that has to do with me?
• I glared at him. "Hello."
• He smiled broadly, "Duncan bring her to my place for dinner tonight."
• He ignored me! Like what the actual fuck!! No offense for swearing but I'm shocked. Somebody color me shocked 'cause I'm about to faint right immediately.
• Suddenly, I remembered something. "Duncan, I can't go."
• He ignored me. "We'll be there for sure."
• Witness turned and strolled away calling over his shoulder, "See you tonight, Duncan don't be late."
• "I won't, Sir!" My boyfriend yelled back.
• "You won't of course because I'm not coming," I stated firmly.
• He glared at me. "Yes, you are!" He insisted.
• I shook my head furiously. "Tomorrow okay but tonight I've got a deal to hold up."
• He stared at me surprised as I strode off. Tonight, I've got a deal with the devil.