Fiction

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The Prayer Book Chapter 2.

By P.M.I Charlotte.

Chapter 2.

Maria.
Day 1, Genesis 1.

I sat in my office and finished reading the first day of the daily devotional. It was about creation and I found out that J. Simmons, the author had written a beautiful description about the beauty of all God had created. I smiled.

‘God made everything by command of His mouth. He had certainty of all He had done when He created every piece…’ The words on the page flowed from my lips.

As I read, I penned down words that were my inner most thoughts, knowing that I was to share my notes with that arrogant man, Damian Hutchinson. Oh, I was still very cross with his words yesterday. He had actually seen me as a person with trust issues. Bah! And I had been forced to listen to his deep baritone voice, chat with my brothers all through yesterday, until I had been forced to return to my place in the evening.
I had been so annoyed that I had had to share even my family with him. Yeah, sharing an inheritance with him was one thing. But having to share my spot on the family with him had given me acid in my gut, all through my presence at grandma’s place.
When I had shared my ire with my mum, sometime after we had come out of the library, I had cried bitterly as I narrated the story to mum. The only thing my mum had said was that perhaps it was grandma’s little way of teaching me a final lesson; to learn to share, to learn to accommodate others. Well that was two lessons actually.

I had nodded my head in understanding, but had pondered what lesson she had desired Damian to learn, to have paired him with me. I had gone on to join the family for small talks, but I couldn’t help but feel the discomfort at having Damian’s eyes fall on mine, more than expected. It was disturbing and I had found myself tearing my gaze away from his, almost as quick as a lightning bolt. And it irritated me the more, whenever I saw that he hadn’t been the least disturbed by my fiery stare at him.

Eventually, I returned to my apartment at Berkeley Square, a small home which I was paying for. A home with a little yard, laced with a lush green lawn and wild roses, red roses and beautiful peonies, my favorites. I reached my home and let myself in the shower to wash the stench of defeat, which stank by the way. Defeat at Damian, sneaking his way into the hearts of everyone in my family, even into the hearts of Grace and Adrian. And defeat at knowing that I had to share a precious possession with the odious man.
When I had found time to talk to Adrian alone, before I had headed back to my place, I had cried out my frustration to him and he had amusedly suggested that I went with the flow and didn’t jinx the entire experience for myself.
“Learn to loosen up, a little pumpkin bun. You’ve been too uptight since Harold dumped you. It’s time to fly.” He had said.
Well, I hadn’t understood the last bit of his words, but somehow I had agreed with the need for me to loosen up.
He was right, since my divorce from Harold, I had become too careful and less trusting. Perhaps I needed this.

A knock on my door and I lifted my eyes to see my friend and staff, Cordelia standing before me, apron over her front. She stared at me curiously. Quietly, I put away the book and the bible and stared back at her.
“A penny for your business?” Cordelia asked, teasingly.
I laughed and shook my head. She was fond of playing that game, whenever she found me engrossed in something.
“So, how was it at your grandma’s place, after I left you all to return to work?” Cordelia asked, coming over to perch on a sofa.
Cordelia and most of my staff, had been present for the funeral, but had all returned to their respective assignments, while we awaited the will hearing. They had all been supportive.
I breathed and rose from my office swing chair. It was 5pm, time to start preparing the meals. Because we usually had many patrons coming into the restaurant for dinner on Sunday nights. Well, they came in every night. But Sunday nights in my restaurant, were reserved for family night.

Peaches and Cherry, was a small restaurant, located in the heart of Mayfair. It would have been a struggle for me to have acquired this business, but somehow, my grandmother had been of great help; giving me a soft loan, getting me the right dealers to help me secure the building. She had even helped me choose the color combination of the place, when we had been decorating. A combination of peach and cherry colors. It had all been worth it. When I had eventually paid grandma back for the loan, I had asked her how she had gotten that much funds to help me. In the end, she had only told me that she was prudent when she was younger. But I hadn’t believed her words. I had always suspected my grandma’s means of livelihood, to have had such a grand house in Mayfair.

“Nothing happened, other than I am to share my inheritance with someone else. A non-family member.” And with that, I narrated the terms of my inheritance with Cordelia, as we reached the kitchen, which was already bursting with activities.
Tonight’s special was lemon cheese cake, laced with nutmeg and cinnamon. A treat which I was certain kids were going to love.

All around me was a cloud of savory food aromas, which brought watery sensations to my palate. Chopping of vegetables, the mixing of frosting. Everyone was busy. I walked over to the counter top to begin preparing the night’s special.

“What do you mean sharing your inheritance? Never heard that one before.” Cordelia declared, after I finished talking, as she joined me in measuring the ingredients.
We were expected to make at least 100 cakes, both for the dining guests and for those who expected the delivery of tonight’s special in their homes.
“Never have either, Cordelia. But apparently am to share it with no other than Damian Hutchinson,” I said, irritatingly as I continued with the measurements.
A gasp escaped Cordelia and I turned in curiousity to the sound. .“You mean the book guy?!” Cordelia exclaimed in obvious excitement.
That didn’t bode well with me. I nodded.
“Marie, the guy is a hot shot. Why didn’t you tell me he was the one you had to share an inheritance with? I would have told you cheerio! Go for it!” Cordelia announced.
I turned around to check if anyone had heard her loud declaration. Thankfully, everyone had their minds and hands full. I dragged her away to the pantry and hushed her.
“Don’t hush me, Marie. This is gold. Imagine you both working together. It would be wonderful. The man is handsome as Hermes and he sure is a rake. Trust me, Marie, this would work out in your favor.” Cordelia advised.
I stared at her in disbelief. “I am not working anything. We are just required to read a book together and study together, that’s all.” I confessed to Cordelia.
“Well, merge me any day with Mr hot shot and I would comply. Look, I am not saying you should date the guy. I am only saying, enjoy the moment with him.” Cordelia added.
“You don’t even have a clue what this would do to me?” I let out, frustrated.
Cordelia’s hands came up to my shoulders as she spoke, “Marie, I have never seen you with a man, since I knew you. I only got to know about your past from your brothers. And when I asked you about it, when I started working for you, you never said a word about it. But I think with what I know, it’s time you had some fun in your life. And am not implying anything inappropriate with the guy. Am just saying, ease yourself. Get to know other men apart from your brothers and your staff. And your customers.”
“What are you saying, Cordelia?” I asked helplessly, tears stinging the back of my eyes.
“Am saying talk. Learn to breathe again above water, Marie.” Cordelia suggested and she kissed my forehead, tenderly.
She smiled and left me alone to ponder on her words.
How was I to breathe above water, when I could choke in the air, if I tried?

***
It was 10:30 pm and I waited in my house for Damian’s call. He had asked me to wait, when I called him seconds ago, as I walked into my place and sat down to drink a cup of chamomile tea. I needed it to distress for the evening, once I returned from dropping the book and discussing our notes at his place, I was going to fall into bed.
I had called him, after my talk with Cordelia and I had asked where I was to drop off the book. He had told me to call him once I reached home.
So when I reached home, minutes back, I called him to inform him that I was already back from work.
Now all I had to do was wait for him to set the drop off point. I laughed at the arrangement. It was like a movie; setting off drop off points for mystery packages.
Somehow, over the turn of the day, I let myself ease into the entire situation and agreed with myself that it wasn’t all that bad. It’s just that it was awkward, having to share something this valuable and again with a complete stranger.
Ten minutes later, I hadn’t heard from him and I got irked up. I reached for my phone to call his cell, only for me to see a call from him. I answered it and his warm voice filled my ear, tingling my insides.
“Come to your door.” I heard him say.
I startled, but obeyed, nonetheless.
Opening the door, I found Damian, dressed in a wool coat, trying to shake off the traces of rain from his body.
“Is it raining outside?” I asked as I peered outside.
“It’s just light showers.” Damian quipped as he straightened himself.
I nodded my head and let him inside, immediately.

When we got inside, I saw Damian gazing at the interior of my living room. It was creepy as he silently did that. Turning his gaze to me, he raised an eyebrow. Uncomfortable, I shifted my eyes away.
“Wouldn’t you offer me a sit?” I heard Damian say.
My eyes came back to his, chiding my bad manners. I smiled and gestured him to sit. The fire in the hearth glowed softly, warming the room. I noticed he extended his hands towards the fire, sighing with relief. His presence was disconcerting to me and I couldn’t wait for this night to be over. Deciding to have everything over and done with, I spoke, gathering the book and my notes from the nearby side board.

“So, I have managed to scribble down some points, which I believe…” “I usually don’t thrive well in a learning environment, without snacks.” A smug smile played on Damian’s lips as I looked at him.
I frowned. “Snacks?” I asked, flabbergasted.
What was he, five? I wondered.
He smiled. “Yes. Tea would be good.” He informed me.
My irritation was palpable, but I tried to taper it with a tight smile. Nodding my head, I walked to the kitchen and put on a pot of lemon tea. I grabbed some butter cookies and plated them.
Once the tea was boiled, I readied the tea tray and came to join him on the sofa. Serving a cup for him, I straightened my back.
“What about your cup?” Damian asked, quietly as he received the cup from me. I shook my head in response.
Ignoring me, Damian rose and walked into my kitchen. I rushed after him and watched him with shock.
“What are you doing in my kitchen?” I asked as I saw him searching through my cupboards.
Opening one of my cupboards, he pulled out one of the clean tea cups.
“Getting an extra cup. I wasn’t going to drink alone.” Damian let out, a smile on his lips.
“It’s not necessary, Damian. I already had something.”
“Perhaps. But indulge me, please.” Damian pleaded.
I softened instantly. I can’t tell if the plea or the way he said it, made me weaken in my knees.
Nodding my head, I allowed him lead me to the living room, where he poured a generous amount of tea into the cup for me.
Sipping our tea in silence, we each stewed in our own thoughts.

I shifted my gaze to him and found myself travel a curious gaze over his form. A gaze that was void of prejudice. There he sat, sipping the tea, his hair a little wet from the rain. I found myself studying him silently, allowing my eyes stray over his entire form. Indeed he was a completely handsome man. With the fine lines of his face defining his features. I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes were striking, mesmerizing even.
What was I thinking, coming up with such thoughts? Admiring him?

“You can talk to me, you know, Miss Moses. You do not have to stare at me, like I am some circus display.”
Damian’s words broke into my thoughts. I stared at him, surprised that he had caught me gawking at him.
“I…I am not staring.” I stuttered, lowering my gaze and scolding myself for being caught. “I was just curious.” I raised my eyes to him.
“Curious? What about, Miss Moses?”
“I thought we had passed the first name basis?” I asked, putting on a shaky smile.
My hand trembled, and I wondered if being in his presence was making me tremble so.
He tilted his head to the side and smiled, slyly.“You have passed the first name basis with me, but I haven’t with you,” Damian said in a low voice.
I shivered at the tone in which he said it. Like a caress. True, I hadn’t given him leave to use my first name.
Deciding to remedy that, I spoke. “Maria.” I whispered.
“Maria.” He echoed. Then he let out a small smile.

Like a moth to a flame, we found ourselves pulled to each other and just like that, we began discussing the first day of the devotional. We found ourselves drifting into how the topic affected our lives, the world in general. He even chipped in points from my note, which he had read out, during our discussion. I found myself curious about him.
Who was Damian Hutchinson, besides what every other person knew?
Heir to the owner of Hut publications which was owned by his grandfather, Brandon Hutchinson. Wealthy. An introvert. A hard competitor for other book publishing houses. An Alumni of Oxford University. But who was the man behind the name? As much as I wished to quell my piqued curiosity about the man, I chose to ignore it.

An hour later and Damian looked at me, thoughtfully.
“You are tired. I should let you sleep, after your hard day at the restaurant.” Damian suggested.
I looked at him with tired eyes and wondered how he had known that I was tired. Surprisingly, I found myself reluctant to let the meeting end. We had talked about so much that concerned creation that we hadn’t even known that an hour had gone by. Feeling displeased that Cordelia had been right when she had reminded me that I hadn’t been in contact with any man, apart from my family, staff and customers, since my divorce with Harold, I stiffened and nodded my head. “You’re right.” I agreed, as I rose from my seat.
Damian equally rose from the seat and held the book, as I walked him to the door.
When we were outside, he turned to me. There was a bit of hesitation from him, before he spoke.
“Can I ask you a question?” He asked, cautiously. I nodded. The rain had stopped and the night air was cool to my face.
“What did you ever see in Harold that made you marry him, years ago?” I startled with surprise from the dimension of his question.
A personal question about me. I don’t think that had been in the rules of our sessions together. I was confused at the question and wondered how he had known of me and Harold. My confusion must have been explicit, but I tried to force the next words from my lips. “My personal life isn’t part of the deal, Damian,” I said curtly, forcing a smile.
Damian’s smile disarmed me, as it was one of such charm. However, I tried to hold my weakness against his smile.
“I didn’t mean any harm, Maria. I apologize, if it seemed that way. I only needed to know. Knowledge they say is power. Don’t you agree?” He asked, his brow raised.
A shaky breath escaped me, just staring at him, as I nodded my head. He wasn’t upset at my response, rather he was cool about it.
“Let me allow you rest. Good night, Maria.” He called softly as he turned and walked away.
“Good night, Damian.” I whispered, watching him as he strolled off into the night.

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