WHAT!!!
Jenny was dumbfounded, they'd been in this place now for almost three weeks now, she could not believe that Vanessa could keep something as important as this from her..
"I'm sorry., I was going to tell you eventually., I just missed the chance to say it to you..
" We stay in the same house., work at the same place., and you're telling me you didn't have the chance to tell me that the man that saved your life on the roof that night was right here with us in Sitka.. Jenny said, trying her possible best not to raise her voice too much..
"yes that's exactly what I'm saying.. She said with a stupid smile on her face..
" VANESSA!!!.. Jenny yelled at her like she was talking to a naughty child.. If he was the one who saved you, then you should worship him and be very grateful to him., but instead I noticed you give him some kind of attitude..
" what do you mean attitude., I don't give him any kind of attitude.. She was quick to get defensive of herself
" Yes you do.. Whenever he's around, you find all possible ways to escape and lock yourself up in your room., and when you're not locked up, if he's talking and you're called into the conversation, all you do is nod your head., or give a simple reply like yes or no.. I first thought it's because he was a preacher, and you didn't want to have anything to do with God, so you were staying away from him.., but now I'm not even sure anymore.. Because the Vanessa I know will not because of her apathy for God act rude towards her savior., or snub him..
So I need to know.. What is going on with you.. Why are you acting like this with him..
"I'm telling you Jenny, nothing is going on I just naturally don't like talking to people..
" Since when..?.. Jenny looks at her.. Tell me Vanessa, do you like him...
"WHAT.. NO.. NO.. Definitely not.. What are you saying Jenny, you know I just got out of my relationship with Mark.. I can't possibly like anyone now.. I hate to admit it but I think I still love Mark...
" are you sure about that..? Are you sure you're not lying to yourself about this., are you sure you're not just trying to cover up your new feelings with a lie that you're still in love with Mark.. Are you sure you're not just scared of being hurt again??
"No.. It's nothing like that..
" Vanessa think about what I'm saying before you answer..
"NO!!.. no Jenny., it's not like that, and I'll appreciate it if you drop this issue..
" okay fine, but don't come crying to me when you realize this.. Jenny says then storms out of the room..
She sat down in her room, head buried in her palm.. Jenny's words replaying in her head.. That she didn't love Mark anymore. But Jenny was wrong. She was sure she still loved Mark. She cried for him every night., he was in her every thought.. So she was sure she still loved him..
But then again., why was she always this way with the preacher. Why did she feel some kind of fire burning in her whenever he was around.. Why did her heart race and her breath seize like she was always running a marathon.. Why.. What was all this confusing feelings..
She didn't like him.. She was sure of it.. Or at least she told herself she was..
The next day when Vanessa woke up., Margaret and Jenny had already left for church.. Then her little food bet came rolling back into her head..
She found herself asking the question 'WHAT IF'..
'What if he is really good at cooking.., but he can't be that good right??
' but what if he is.., what if he actually wins the challenge.. I can't lie about a tasty food..
"so what if I lose.., what if I have to wake up early on a Sunday like today., and go to church like them.. What will I do then.. I don't want to wake up early in the morning just to go to church..
"what did I get myself into now...
When Monday came, she found herself always looking out the door., she went to work but couldn't get her mind off the fact that she might be going to church on Sunday.. She tried to tell herself that he couldn't be that good., but somehow she felt she was deceiving herself if she thought so..
The days had never seemed slower in her entire life. Monday and Tuesday felt like January and February.. When he dropped Em at there house, he didn't even wait for a second.. It was like he was taunting her., putting her in mental and physical torture.. Was it so hard to tell her when the stupid day for the challenge would be.. Why did he have to keep her in suspense..
Like the slimy snail, slowly they crawled into Thursday, and he still had not told her when.. The week was almost over, and the bet was she would go to church that Sunday.. So why is he yet to fix the date for the challenge..
Then it crossed her mind.. 'What if, he actually is a bad cook, and knows he was going to lose, and just didn't have the guts to face her and tell her that he was a bad cook.. This new thought brightened her long darkened week.. That must be it.. He didn't want to say it to her face that he could not go on with the challenge.. 'Yes, Yes.. Yes.. She suddenly stood up jumping around the living room., startling Jenny and Margaret who were busy watching TV..
"she's finally lost it., the screws in her head is finally loose., tsk tsk tsk.. Jenny said shaking her head as she watched her friend going crazy round the house..
But her happiness was to be short-lived.. For the doorbell rang..
" I'll get it.. Jenny stood up to go get the door...
" yeah you go get it., that must be Emily and her father he wouldn't want to see me cause he'd be feeling ashamed.. She said laughing like a maniac..
"what are you saying.. Jenny just walked past her. They say everyone goes mad for five minutes a day.., I bet this is her own five minutes madness..
" Good afternoon Nathan.. Hi Em.. Jenny said picking up the girl who was equally glad to see her..
"Good afternoon Jenny., we're here again.. He said pointing at his little girl..
" and you're always welcome.. Come on in..
"oh no., I can't, I gotta go help pastor Roger with some things.. So just say hi to Margaret for me, and do tell Vanessa that I'll be seeing her tomorrow night by eight for our little challenge.., he saw the questioning look on Jenny's face, and he chuckled.. And yes, you're all invited..
Vanessa could here his voice clearly from inside.. Here she was celebrating that he backed down, but what was he saying now.. She ran to the door..
"what are you saying, is it still on..? I thought you called it off since you didn't say anything since.. She said with wide eyes of disbelief, she was breathing heavily..
" of course not., sorry to disappoint you but I never go back on my word.. So be ready... He said with that irritating, yet dashing smirk that he had on once in a while..
" oh and it's still Thursday.. You still have time to shop for your Sunday dress.. Make sure to pick something nice.. He said then even winked at her.. Before walking away..
And she could see it now.. She had Lost..