Chapter 2: 2. The Awkward Turn.
"Tell me everything without skipping!" Lola was excited as she held her fingers.
"Let me be, Lola" She smiled at her. "Go to your office please, I'm reviewing a patient's case" She pushed her off.
The other frowned immediately. "You told me you would and I'm gonna wait" She slumped on the little sofa which was away from her desk.
"Okay.."She took off her glasses. "I never said that" She shrugged into the air..
"You were all smiles this morning and I asked why, you said you would tell me about it" She said back in defense. "And I know it's a man, baby!" She said aloud.
Rissa laughed out loud in response. "Fine, it is a man and you won't believe that he was also...." A knock had interrupted. "Uhmm...come in!" She ushered.
One of the nurses at the reception walked in, she flashed Lola a smile then turned to Rissa.
"Sorry to bother you but someone wants to see you" She said softly.
"It's our break, direct them to another doctor please" Lola responded calmly.
The nurse shook her head. "He's not a patient"
"Who then?" She asked immediately.
"He said his name was Mr Steve Oteo" She replied.
Rissa sighed in annoyance, what was it with this man! Why was he at her working place, she was not going to take this easily. "Direct him here, please"
With that the nurse waded off and Lola got up with her coffee in her hands.
"Your dad?" She raised her brows as she stood in front of her desk.
She digged her face into her hands in frustration. "Him again" She sounded frustrated.
Lola gave her a pat on her hair with a smile. "Just hear the old man out, sweetheart. He misses his daughter." She walked over to the door.
Rissa only eyed her off, she was not ready to have any sort of conversation with her dad. "Yeah right"
That said, Lola went out with a knowing smile and shut the door behind her.
The door squeaks open and Steve's head popped in before he brought his whole body in. This was his first time at her working place even though he knew where it was and he always struggled to speak to her, he was really proud of the woman she was becoming. He was not available to watch that growth and he was trying to make his daughter see reasons for that but she wasn't giving him any chance at all.
"What are you doing here?" She started with a stern face. "The threat is going to have to actualise if this persists" She warned.
"See"He held his jacket firmly. "I took your advice and got thicker ones." He smiled instead.
"Oh.. really! I thought you had a wife who would have given the same advise." She got out of her chair.
"Sonia gives advises too and she felt very happy when I told her you told me to do it.." He smiled continuously ignoring her harsh words.
"Please leave or I'll call the security on you!" She glared into his eyes.
He moved closer to her desk. "If we can't talk like father and daughter, at least let's have a conversation like two normal people.. Marissa" His eyes looked pleadingly.
"I'm only normal around people who don't hurt me and normal people, you are a heartless man who left his sixteen years old daughter for another." Rissa felt her voice shake.
" It's been over five years that I have been trying to talk these things out with you and apologize too" He sounded really sorry and genuine.
" I didn't see you for five years until five years ago.. it's been ten years I became fatherless and as you can see, I am doing great." She pointed out to him.
" I see that Marissa and you aren't fatherless, I am your father please and I love you honey" He tried to reach out to her.
She jerked his hand off angrily. " The only visible connection is your last name which I bear and wanted to change but Mom wouldn't let me. Please leave now, I don't want to have anything to do with you.."She walked to her door and got it open wide.
Steve stared at her and he knew that there was nothing he could possibly say to this woman, her eyes were filled with rage, pain and tears which he wanted to wipe off. " I'll leave Marissa but I promise to keep trying.. and I hope you give me a chance too" He sounded remorseful. He walked out.
She slammed the door behind her and broke down in tears, the door opened again and Lola rushed in and met her squatted on the floor in tears. She got a firm grip around her and led her to the sofa.
"Shh..stop crying Rissa, it's alright" She comforted. "I hate to see you cry and you look hideous too, so stop" She said smiling and the other smiled too..
"Buh..why does he keep showing up" She said drying her tears. "Everything comes back whenever I see him" She added blowing her nose.
"You both need to talk and you aren't making that easy for him too, he has a lot to iron out to you Rissa, give him a chance. Once you do, he would stop bugging" She encouraged.
Rissa got up. "If he sent you, tell him that it ain't working.." She crossed her arms.
"C'mon, no one sent me but it's your choice baby girl." She knew it was no use convincing her. "Now, I can't ask about this man now, but I did not forget either, so you know"
"Luke Maddins, he's the new target and he is a Pastor" She said walking over to her desk..
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She rolled her car into a parking space, she could sight the Preacher from afar, it looked like he was staring into space or maybe just in his meditation the way he had his hands behind his back. She hopped out of the car and made sure to give herself a quick glance, she had a pair of leather boots which she had only wore once, a blue jean and a white rose petaled blouse which she threw her heavy brown jackets on, it was cold this period and her hair was packed in a perfect ponytail.
"Dr.Oteo" He beamed with smiles.
She actually liked the sound of that from him, not that she hadn't heard that before always at work but from him sounded right.
"Hello Preacher"She gave a slight bow with smiles.
"Preacher?" He bursted out laughing. "I've never heard anyone call me that" He smiled hard now.
"Just call me Mr Harven darling" He placed his hand on her shoulder. "That's more right" He said calmly.
Then why the heck do they call him Preacher behind his back and never in his presence, well, Mr Harven sounds better too.
"Sorry.. sir" She was truly apologetic about that. "I see you are taking in the fresh air?" She continued.
He nodded slightly. "Oh..yes, I should be heading home soon too" He turned to her.
"I see" She only smiled.
"Mr Maddins should be in"He pointed into the church and she turned. "He's been praying fora while now, he should be done" He stated.
She could only imagine for how long he had been praying and that sent shivers into her. "I'll go in then"
"Of course, It's going to be tough for you but I am sure you can push through it." His voice was kind of reassuring and honest.
Rissa walked off with a smile but what did the Preacher mean by it was going to be tough but she would push through it, it was just a talk and not a war zone and speaking of talks, she was not exactly sure what he had to say to her anyways.
Walking closer towards the first pew, she saw him sitting calmly as she got closer she saw the bible in his hands.
"Hi" She managed to say and he turned to her with smiles.
"Please sit" He offered getting up which she did sitting by him. He glanced at his wrist watch, "ten minutes past five" he said sitting back.
"Uhn? Am I late already? " She made sure to leave home before five.
"Oh-no, I'm just surprised because it's kinda rare, many parishioners don't even keep to time like you did" He assured her.
She was not sure if that was something she would want to flaunt though. "It's not like I like it but my profession has turned me to that" She stated, being a doctor, she had to be at work at her speculated time because she might be getting if from her superiors, during her first two years at the hospital, her life was never stable. Getting emergency calls were her ringing tune, she was going to die but here she was now being proud of it and happy about it.
"That's true, uhm..." He placed the bible down. "I wanted to meet you because I wanted to know you more Marissa" Wait! What did he just call her? Only her dad called her name in full.
" Marissa? " She blinked.
"I figured that I liked the way it sounded than Rissa" He smiled at her.
"I don't actually like it" She blurted
He adjusted. "I guess you have to deal " He shrugged.
"Oh.. really, Pastor Luke" She crossed her hands, two can play the game, he frowned at it immediately.
He had no idea why he was even mad about it. "Suit yourself!" He said boldly.
"So.." He started. "Tell me a little more about yourself?" He became serious again. Rissa had thought he looked charming in his jackets.
He wanted to know more about her and he thought the church was a good spot for that, well, he was a Pastor and all but it was really ridiculous to her, especially the gigantic Jesus painting staring at them.
"Nothing much, just that random girl" She said taking her eyes off the image now. This could be the tough the Preacher was talking about.
"Why don't you ever talk about your dad? " He suddenly asked.
She was surprised he had asked that but then her mom could have told them about it all.
"You know why Luke" She looked away from him consciously, well, the Pastor didn't just catch on.
"Your Mom said you have been avoiding him ever since?" He continued.
"What does he have to say? I don't even want to hear it. I mean why would he leave us in the first place, mom keeps saying it just didn't work anymore but why?" She was getting caught up in her emotions.
"More reason you should not avoid him Marissa" He said back.
"They looked in love, I don't wanna hear it" She turned to him. "Luke? " She called at him softly.
"Yes?" He saw that she looked maybe uncomfortable
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Let's talk outside, being here is sickening for me especially with that image watching me intensely" She glanced at it.
Luke couldn't handle it, he laughed really hard. Gosh! He never knew the image of Jesus was what made her uncomfortable, this woman had to be one sort of lady he didn't understand.
"Are you mocking me? " She frowned.
He tried to control the smiles coming up. "Oh-no" He held his mouth. "That image was actually painted by me" He said now regaining himself back.
Well, that was a surprise. "You paint too?"
He nodded. "Yeah.. I am an artist and black charcoal and oil are my specialty" He turned to the image which he adored.
"Whao... that's brilliant" She was truly impressed but she had a question. "Why is the image drawn by an ordinary man placed for people to worship?"
Luke smiled, questions only unbelievers asked.
"That is no longer an ordinary image and people do not worship it, yes, I painted this and if you ask me to do it again, I certainly won't be able to because there was a spirit behind it which made me work on it. This image made me a Pastor, I was only a member, unbeliever to be precise when I was painting one night at my studio and things I can't explain happened. The power was so strong, it took me ten days to finish the work and I went to hand it over to the Preacher and immediately he said he had seen my revelation when the lord had told him about it, I was converted because my soul started to work with my body. I was willing and I became a Pastor two years ago.." He paused to see if she was following.
" The image is like a point of contact, when people kneel down to pray, some want to have a candid image of the lord in their head while some need to talk to him, they don't bow to it or anything. It's a point of contact to the lord and not the lord.." He explained and that was when he realized that he was already standing.
Rissa was going to faint, what sort of explanation was that! Now, she knew what the Preacher was talking about concerning being tough.
"Its only normal you are confused, so don't dwell on it too much" He helped her up.
"Our hospital owns an art gallery just across the road and a lot of people visit there to get one or two artwork..." They were finally heading out of the church. "You should bring your work or do you just paint and leave it in your studio?" She asked.
"Oh-no, I have my own website and post about it and I do get orders but when it's done physically, it's awesome too." He sounded excited.
"Cool then, my shift is till noon, so how about I come pick you up at your place? " She suggested.
Rissa had figured he had no car since there was no trace of one, only hers and the Preacher's which was no longer outside, he already left.
"Morning?"
"Yeap, what time works with you?" They had stopped walking and was outside now.
"Ten would be okay" He was so happy about this.
"Good, you know I keep to time, I'll be at your place except I don't know your place?" She laughed.
"I'll text you the address, can I have your number? "He said and they exchanged lines.
"You should leave now I presume? " He asked turning to her. "Miss Howly would be worried"
"Maybe, I could drop you off" She offered.
"Its fine, I still have to lock up around here" He said gently.
Why was he doing the locking up? She felt they should hire someone to do that and she hoped they were not using him here, it irritated her.
"I should leave then" She said with a stern look on her face which she made no effort to hide at all.
"It was nice to have you around, thanks for the offer too.. I'll see you tomorrow" He smiled.
What was so high spirited happening in his life that he was always smiling, he definitely wore them like a cologne.
"Bye" She made no effort to smile as she walked towards her car.
Luke watched her drive off, he wondered what had torn her mood all of a sudden but anyways he was really happy to have had her around.
Rissa could not sleep, she had a lot going through her head, well, she only exaggerated because the only thing she had on her head was Luke Maddins which was slowing down her sleep. She wanted to just probably have sex with him but she realized that might not come easy specially for a man who thinks a painting was achieved through some spirits, disgusting.
"Morning Mom" She walked downstairs and grabbed a toast and a cup of coffee. "What are you watching?"
Rose was sitted in front of the TV unusually this morning. "Morning darling" She flashed her a smile. "Just news and why are you all dressed up, I thought you said your shift is till noon?"
"Yeah.. "She sat on the stool by the counter. "I have to take Luke to our gallery to probably get his work displayed and maybe bought, he's going to have to pay for space though" She took a bite of the warm toast.
"Whao! Thank you" Rose got up excited. "He's good too"
"Why exactly are you thanking me? Are you his Mom or what? "She blinked questioning.
"I'm just being thankful cos he's really good and he loves his work too" She defended.
She sighed. " I see" She sipped in her coffee.
Luke stepped out of the shower, got into a jean pants and a black shirt before heading downstairs. He got his pancakes out of the microwave and sprayed honey on them. He had not been able to get Rissa out of his head which was worrisome, he guess he had to see where all these were headed.
There was some knocking on the door, he went to get it. "Marissa" He called with smiles.
Well, it was obvious he won't stop calling her name that way, she had to continue dealing with that.
"I see you are all dressed up" She took a quick glance at her wrist as she walked into his apartment.
It looked like the perfect bachelor apartment, it was quite small but comfy for someone who lived alone because if it was big, it might just be too awkward.
"My works are here." He pointed at a black bag on the table. "I folded them well" He was really excited.
"I guess we should not waste any time, I already called the man in charge and he would be expecting us" She added.
"Okay then, let's go" He grabbed the bag and they both walked out with him shutting the door behind him.
Luke's works were approved and he paid for a monthly space at the gallery where his works would be exhibited and probably purchased. He felt really grateful since he owed it to Rissa.
"Let's grab lunch, it's all on me" He swung his hand over her shoulder. "You deserve it"
Men would always be men, she said to herself.
"Well, my shift should commence in about thirty minutes and I am hungry" She smiled back.
They both walked to a nearby cafe where she normally had her lunch breaks.
"Your orders please?" The friendly toned female waiter asked but she was only looking at Luke.
"Fish lasagne? Can I have that? " He put the menu down to look at the waiter. She licked her lips together. She was definitely flirting and it got to Rissa.
"Yes you can" She finally said and turned to Rissa.
"You ma'am?" She kept a calm face.
"I guess I am suddenly visible" She raised her brows at her. "I'll have Chinese spaghetti with pepper sauce" She added. The waiter took down their orders and left.
"That waiter was acting funny" He glanced over at her.
"Did you say funny? " Doesn't he know what flirting was. "Dude, she was openly flirting with you and you were smiling there" She gave him a stern look.
"Huhn? Is that what it was" He scratched his hair.
"Just two years of being a Pastor already changed you? Impossible!" She shook her head.
"I am not sure but that flirting was a zero" He said smiling instead which he always did and that made Rissa laugh.
The waiter came in with their orders. "If you need anything else, please let me know" She was obviously talking to Luke alone after which she left.
"I agree with you, it was a zero" She squeezed the sauce into the spaghetti with smiles. "How about your Parents like family?" She asked.
"Well, my mom is the only family I have because my dad died when I was little and uhm... I have no siblings" He stated drinking the spoonful of soup.
"Whao...how old are you? " She suddenly blurted out. Who the fuck asks someone their age that way.
He did not seem to find any problem with that. "I'm thirty" He answered.
She was four years younger which was quite compatible and why was she even weighing it at all. She had expected that he would ask about hers since she had impolitely asked about his but he did not seem to care.
"Rissa" She felt a light tap on her shoulder and there was Lola standing there with smiles, Lola was a nurse at the hospital while she was a doctor, she didn't quite remember how their friendship had come about but all she knew was that Lola was always among the nurses who assisted her at the OR and they started talking. They had a lot in common and Lola was a very friendly character to be around.
"Lola" She said looking at the woman who was only staring at Luke. "I guess you have a noon shift too"
"Mmm" She nodded finally turning to her. "Introduce me to your friend here" She requested giving her a wink.
"Oh..yeah, this is Luke.. Luke Maddins" She turned to him. " This is my friend, you could say the only one I have. Lola Carson" She introduced them.
"Nice to meet you" She offered her hand which he took.
"It's wonderful meeting you too" He said with a big smile.
Letting go of his hand, she whispered into Rissa's ear.
Rissa got up gently grabbing her bag. "I have to leave now Luke, I hope you don't mind" She clutched her bag in her hands.
"Oh.. that's fine. Thank you for everything. I might call you" He stood up.
" Yeah.. bye"She took Lola by the arm and they both walked off.
Crossing the street and heading into the building, they got into the elevator. Rissa knew Lola had a lot to ask her and she was not even ready for it
"What do you want to know? " She said with a funny sigh.
"Girl, you both are already eating together and now you even have each other's contact. Mahn.. you are quick" She grabbed her hand immediately.
"Are you dume or what? There is totally nothing there, I assure you that it was just work" She struggled to get free but Lola wasn't burging.
"The way he kept looking at you, wait, is he the Pastor one? " She suddenly asked.
"Yeah.. I am not sure if I want to have sex with him cos there is a lot of weird things I don't want to get down with" Rissa stated.
"He looks like no Pastor to me, what weird things?"She lessened the grip she had on her.
"I don't even want to talk about it"She reminisced it all, finally the elevator stopped. "I'll see you later Lola" She walked out of the elevator with a smile.
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This chapter done and dusted.
What is your favourite part or scene and what character are you sticking with?
Wait..do you guys think men only want sex??
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