Chapter 8: My problems with you
Pepper sat on the chair in the balcony. She gazed at the stars for a while. It was one of the things she kept doing even after her parents died. She would never admit it but it was her way of staying connected to them.
After she got June from the restaurant she drove her straight to her apartment since Pepper knows that June would try to talk to Ethan if she is left alone. The door opened and June sat outside to sit beside Pepper.
"Hey, Junie" Pepper hailed as soon as she saw her friend.
"Do you think I am pathetic? Don't answer that. I know I am" June joined her in starring at the stars.
"I don't think you are pathetic" Pepper turned around and looked at her "You are the best person I know. You've just got a huge heart and people tend to take advantage, that's all"
"I need to change, Pepper…be more like you"
"Please don't. The world cant hand too Pepper but it needs Junie. Don't worry, I will keep you steady and chained to reality while you keep coming up with outrageous ideas. Just be you, okay" Pepper took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"I need to break up with Ethan"
Pepper went back to starring at stars "Yeah, you do"
Pepper turned again when her phone started ringing. It was Gigi.
"Hey, Gigi…it's late. I hope everything is fine. If you talk about a husband, I am hanging up"
"Callie, it is your grandfather"
Pepper was on the phone for a few more minutes before she hung up. When she turned to look at June, she had tears in her eyes.
"What is it, Pepper?"
"It's Gramps. He is dying"
June hugged her.
"He is eighty plus, it's not like he can live forever…but I think, I was kind of expecting him to be. I have to go, Junie"
Pepper took her bag and car keys and she drove to the hospital that Gigi told her they were at.
When she entered Gramp's hospital room he was lying on the bed looking fragile and with a lot of tubes coming out of everywhere.
"Gramps!" Pepper ran to his side.
Gigi was sitting on the stool by Gramps, her face was distorted and her arms were crossed.
"Gramps, are you alright?" Pepper was by his side.
"No. I am not. I am dying" Gramps replied.
"Yeah, sorry…that was a stupid question to ask" Pepper wiped her face and faced Gigi "What is wrong with him."
"He just told you, Callie. He is dying" Gigi said it like it was obvious.
"I know. What is he dying of?"
"He is ancient! Take your pick!" Gigi yelled at her.
"Callie…Callie" Pepper moved closer to him "I am in pain and I can't die in peace unless you marry"
"Wait! What? What does marriage have to do with dying, now gramps?" Pepper was beginning to suspect some foul play.
"I keep going towards the light but they won't let me through" Gramps grabbed her hand "They said I am not fulfilled"
"He has an unfinished business" Gigi completed for Gramps.
"So, I have to get married for you to die…is this a prank?" Pepper asked with a fed up look.
Gramps started coughing. Pepper ignored him and rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic, Grandpa!"
"Callie, he is coughing up blood" Gigi held the old man's hand up.
"My God! Gramps, I am sorry. You are not faking"
"Of course, he is not faking"
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It's been minutes since Pepper came back from the hospital yet she sat in her car and stared at nothing. She heard a knock at the window and it was Junie. Pepper let her inside.
"How bad is it?"
"Bad. He wants to see me married before he dies. Apparently the angels won't let him into heaven"
"I thought Gramps was an atheist" June sounded confused.
"He changed his mind. He wants heaven now and angel Michael won't let him in" Pepper wiped her face.
"I thought Michael is the archangel of war, is he also the gateman too? Wow, talk about multi-tasking. What are you going to do?"
Pepper laughed sadly "Do you know anyone looking for a fake wife?"
June had a look on her face. A look pepper has seen one too many time when she was thinking up an outrageous plan.
"What about your roommate?"
"What about him?" Pepper asked her.
"It makes sense. He is a trust fund baby who got his candy taken away from him. He is used to a certain style of life. I am sure I can talk him into been your husband for a few months, So gramps can die in peace. Oh my god! I am a genius!"
Pepper blinked. It was outrageous.
"Why would this guy do this?" Pepper asked him.
"For a reduced rent of course and some cash after gramps dies, it's the perfect plan" June told her.
Pepper's phone vibrated and she picked it up. It was a message from her company's headquarters.
"What is it?" June asked her.
"I have to leave town for a presentation tomorrow. I will be gone for four days. This is the worst time"
"Don't worry, Pepper. I will take care of everything"
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NOW
"Does it make sense to you, now?" Pepper asked Keller. The panic attack was gone now and she was just holding the brown paper bag.
Keller wanted to say no but he couldn't take the chance that Pepper might tell the story over again and so he simple went with "Yes"
"So, I just came back few hours ago and I am now married to someone named Asher, Who is not my roommate"
"I know that because I am your room mate" Keller replied
"No, you are not. I don't need you anymore" Pepper told him.
"But I signed a contract" Keller reminded her.
"Are we married?" Pepper asked him.
"No"
"Go ahead and tear up the contract" Pepper buried her head in her laps "I misplaced my husband in one day. I am really cursed!"
Keller looked defeated. He wanted to say something when the door bell rang.
Pepper stood up and went to answer it. She opened the door and she gasped.
"Asher!"
"Honey… I am home" The man Pepper got married to earlier said with a big old smile.
Pepper screamed louder.