Chapter 27

CATHERINE POV

What is wrong with him, see the way he is smiling. I am sure he has completely forgotten the purpose of this meeting. We really need to think of a way out.

"So tell me, if my dad or any of my family ask how we met, what should we say?"

"I don't know, what do you suggest?" He asked. Finally he has stopped smiling and has entered serious mode.

After much thought I was able to think of something "Let us say we met during my masters degree. How about that?"

"That is fine by me, so what next?" He ask

"What!" I ask confuse as to what he is asking

"What will be the story behind how we met?"

"Oh, I don't Know about that. Why don't you think of something?" I ask, throwing the question back. "After all, that is the purpose of this date, that we both think of something together."

"Yes you are right" he said, nodding his head in agreement.

"Good, so why are you putting all the responsibilities on me" I ask, raising a brow at him

"Like I said, I don't do these things. I will suggest we go with the flow"

"And what flow are you talking about boss" I ask, purposely adding the boss part just to remind myself of my place. I don't want to get too comfortable and forget my reality because this whole dating thing is nothing but pretense.

Although I don't mind if it can be something more, that is my heart speaking at the moment.

"Are you kidding me, like for real? You are seriously calling me boss?" He asked in disbelief as he furrowed his eyebrow at me.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" I ask, not understanding why he is reacting this way.

"Common Cherry, we are supposed to be dating and do not need to be too formal with each other. So what happened?"

"Nothing, I just don't want to forget my place" I said with a voice void of emotion just like him. He just stared at me, unable to respond.

"What happened?" I asked, and when he didn't respond I continued. Don't have all day, I need to go home and rest for tomorrow. "What do you mean by going with the flow?" Finally, he responds

"I meant from time to time we can spend time together you know like what real couples do"

I look at him in disbelief, he wants us to spend time together? "You know that is not needed right" I said, rolling my eyes at him.

"Why?" He ask

"Because some minutes ago you made it clear to me outside that this is nothing but pretense. So if that is the case why do we have to go on dates and do what couples do?" I ask sarcastically hoping he will get the message now and stop staring at me like that. Ah!

"Yes I said that but how does this have anything to do with that?"

"It does Adam, it does. We only need to act in front of my parents and if they are not there why do we need to pretend?" Adam just stared at me, unable to say a word. For a moment I thought he would speak because he opened his mouth but closed it afterwards.

Then acting like nothing I did ask a question he brought out his phone from his pants pocket, ignoring me on the table. I felt safe,in my heart I was hoping he would say something like

Because you mean something to me and I will love to know you. You know something sweet but as usual nothing.

"Oh shit!" He exclaimed out of the blue, scaring the hell out of me.

I looked at him to see what the problem might be only to find him staring at his phone. "What is it?" I ask

"Just found out about an impromptu meeting I needs to attend to on Tuesday"

"Really, I am not aware of that"

"Yes. I just got the mail now. We need to leave as soon as possible."

What does he mean by we, and what meeting is he talking about? I don't think this meeting has to do with Rutherford oil and gas where I work.

"I am not going"

"I wasn't asking, it is an order." He said, looking at me coldly. "So get ready, we are leaving tomorrow evening. I will call Sandra to cover up during our stay there."

"What do you mean by our stay there, how long are we staying there?"

"It depends, a week or less. Since it is an impromptu time, you don't have to pack much, we will go shopping once we arrive. You can take just a few important things you will need."

"This is not part of my agreement Adam"

"Cherry, that means you didn't go through it properly before signing. Tsk tsk tsk, I am disappointed sweetheart"

I was about the object but I remembered he is right, I didn't go through it completely. Was in a hurry to work, I signed without double checking and now, I have to pay for it.

"Where are we going?"

"Korea"

…….

"Don't hang up on me, don't you dare Michael"

"What has gotten into you babe?"

"I should be asking you that! We are engaged. Do you even know what that means?"

"I am not answering that, what type of a silly question is that"

"No Michael you have to answer it, tell me!"

"We are engaged means we will be getting married soon"

"Exactly. And whenever I talk about our engagement you keep postponing it. Not to mention our wedding date, it hasn't been fixed yet! Tell me Michael when is it going to be?" Patricia asks, feeling so stressed with the whole situation.

Her suspicion was confirmed last night after she brought the topic up but he just waved it away dismissively. At first she thought it was the whole Adam thing, maybe he felt betrayed she didn't know. And now, he doesn't seem to have an answer to her questions.

"You know what the worst part is Michael? It is your mom challant attitude, you don't seem bothered at all!"

"Tell me, why will I be when it is all in your head babe. I love you and we will get married so please for Christ sake, calm down!" He yelled for the first time at me.Yes, something is definitely wrong.

"Don't you dare yell at me Michael, don't you dare! You know exactly what I am talking about, and get you are openly denying it"

"What are you saying? Baby listen to me, whatever you are thinking is not true. Okay, I love you"

"Then prove it. Fix our wedding date, l can't be Lord of the rings for God knows how long!"

"For God sake Patty, we have been engaged for just a month; and today will make it one month."

"Yeah, so you want it to be for 10 years right before you will do something about it? You don't have to wait that long Michael so fix the damn date!" I yelled uncontrollably, I don't care who is listening to me right now.

"Are you drunk, where are you?"

"That doesn't matter, what.."

"Answer Patty, where are you?!"

"Hey, calm down babe. I'm in a bar, Weston bar okay, happy now?"

"Stay right there I'm coming to pick you"

"Hey Michael, don't hang up on me, hey.."

Bastard, how dare he hang up? This is just his lame excuse to avoid the question. Why is he treating me this way, after everything I done and put in this stupid relationship? What an asshole.

He threw my love and affection away, I can't help but cry so hard my head began to ache.

"Hey, bartender, fill this up and mustn't go empty" I warn him

"Yes ma'am, on it"

Heading to Weston bar I wonder what could be the cause of Patty's behavior. Lately, she has been acting weird, sending negative vibes. I agree I have been off for some weeks now but that shouldn't be a good enough reason for this behavior. The sweet loving Patty I know has become a nagging woman, I don't find this funny at all.

Driving so fast, I want to get to the bar before she makes a fool of herself. Thankfully, the road is free. Within 15 minutes I arrived. Getting off my car fast, I head inside.

Scanning the room, I found her sitting at the counter wasted. She was telling the bartender something I know isn't pleasing to him. What a poor guy he has to put up with this. Quickly I went to her to save him.

"Babe, what are you doing come let us go" Taking her hands I help her stand. Paying her bill before we left

"Thank you man" I muttered to him, "Keep the change"

"Michael, is it you?" Patty asks, trying to touch my face with her free hand. I love you Michael, I can't lose you

"Babe, get a grip of yourself. I will take you to my place, you can't go home in this state"

Opening the backseat door,I gently put her inside and fastened her seat belt. Entering the driver's seat, I drove off straight to my place. Seeing her in this condition breaks my heart. Patricia is not one to drink, not to mention drink and get drunk. Whatever that is bothering her must be serious.

And she is putting the blame on me, blaming it on the unfixed wedding date. Perhaps she is right? I know I have been a little hesitant in fixing the date but didn't know it was quite obvious.

Patricia is a good woman, this past few months I have known her has been good. I came to see the real Patricia not the one she paints to the world.

Although initially she wasn't the one I wanted, I have grown fond of her. She is beautiful, smart and classy, what is there not to like about.

"Have we gotten to your place already?"

Patricia asked as the car came to a halt. I arrived at my place faster than I expected, maybe because I drove a little too fast. Before Patricia called my mobile I was about to go to bed.

If I had known the conversation would be long I wouldn't have answered. But I am happy I did, goodness knows what would have happened to her if I hadn't gone to pick her.

Getting inside my penthouse, I carried Patricia to my bedroom. Due to her state she can't walk properly, too slow for my liking. I had to carry her to make it fast, now I am exhausted, I will call it a night.