"It's ok Joyce, trust me, I'm ok, everything is ok," Delilah replied she was numb and detached.
"I know you are ok, but that's the problem Lilah, you never ask for help. I don't want you drowning in your emotions, so tonight we are having a girls' night!"
"Ok then, see you later" Delilah replied the call ended. she had no intention of showing up for the girl's night, she wanted to be left alone.
As Delilah was putting her phone back in her bag, she bumped into someone.
"Omg, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok little dove."
Wide-eyed she looked up to see Morian who wore a dashing smile.
"You?" Delilah couldn't believe her eyes.
"Nice seeing you," Morian replied with a charming smile.
"I did not know the doctor shopped himself, I assumed you would have someone who handled that for you."
Morian laughed; "do you think I am so disconnected from mundane activities because I am a doctor? Contrary to what you may think, times like these are the only moments I get to spend by myself and decompress."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make assumptions."
"It's ok little dove, your curiosity about me is welcomed." They gazed into each other's eyes, these feelings Delilah felt for Morian were complicated, she wasn't ready to explore whatever this connection was. She owed it to herself to mourn Kim, Morian was an unwelcome distraction. She felt she didn't deserve any ounce of happiness after emotionally cheating on Kim.
"How have you been Delilah? It's been months. I understand why you needed to distance yourself from me."
"It has been hard since his death, but I'm getting better." She looked so beaten down and depressed, Morian felt so guilty, an emotion he had never felt in his entire existence. He wanted to comfort her and tell her he loved her. But he couldn't overstep.
"Tunde? My God, how is this possible" said a woman as she walked up to them.
"Excuse me but do I know you?" asked Morian, confused by the woman's reaction.
Delilah was quiet and watched the entire exchange.
"It can't be. I'm so sorry but you look like a friend of mine who passed away about a year ago."
"That must be a mistake because I am alive and well," replied Morian with a nervous chuckle.
"Forgive me, it's just the resemblance is uncanny. I'm sorry to have made you uncomfortable, have a nice day."
The lady turned and walked away.
Delilah looked at Morian, who was perplexed by the woman's expression.
"What was that all about?" Delilah inquired, she felt a suspicious pull, her intuition went off.
"I honestly don't know, super weird right?"
"Yeah, it was."
"Would you like a ride home? I'm done here and wouldn't mind."
"Sure, yes thank you."
They exited the mall and drove away.
Delilah's mind kept replaying the woman's words. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she knew nothing about the doctor. He said little about himself. And she was all too aware of the dangers that came with mysterious, attractive men.
"You've been cripplingly quiet the entire ride, little dove; are you okay?"
"Yes, I was just wondering, do you have family here with you in New Orleans, how many siblings do you have, were you ever married. I just realized I know nothing about you."
Morian laughed; "am I being investigated?"
"No, just curious about you."
"Well, if you wanted to know anything about me, all you had to do was ask." He smiled.
Delilah returned a nervous smile.
"Well, I don't have any family here, both my parents are dead so I am an orphan, I am an only child."
"Wow, so you have no living relatives?"
"I do but they are all distant, we don't really keep in touch."
"I see."
He pulled up to her apartment complex according to Delilah's direction. He got out of the car and opened her door.
"Well, it's been a pleasure, Delilah."
She thought about inviting him inside for a drink but hesitated.
He gave her a kiss on her cheek, and as he turned around to walk away, she held his hand.
He looked at her hand on his and then at her.
"Would you like to stay for a drink?"
"Of course, yes." He couldn't believe his ears, he said with a smile.
She led the way into her apartment.
Morian was hit by a wave of intense spiritual energy the moment he stepped into her apartment. Delilah noticed a subtle shift in his demeanor.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, sorry."
"Come on in then."
She set her bags down, and they sat on the couch.