"You wouldn't believe how everyone has been talking about you since you wowed the shareholders last week," Juliet said with a grin. "I proudly posed as the best friend of the heroine in a fictional movie."
They both burst into laughter.
"Honestly, when you asked me about the organization that day, the last thing on my mind was you stepping in to handle the situation. I had no idea you had already gone as far as negotiating a solution! You're absolutely incredible!"
Catarina giggled, shaking her head."Why do you always exaggerate everything?"
"Exaggerate? I even told Anabel about it, and she said you must resign this week."
Catarina gasped. "You're lying!"
"Catarina, I love you so much as my best friend, and I know Raymond needs you right now in Bower Bound."
"I can't go! He doesn't even like me."
"Even a blind man could see he loves you. Not just now—he's been in love with you since you first came to Bower Bound. I've never seen him look at any woman the way he looks at you."
"He only did that because I was helping Bower Bound. Nothing more."
"That's not what I saw in his eyes every time he looked at you. Even your late husband knew it. That's why he proposed—to gain the upper hand!"
"Stop jumping to conclusions!"
"We both know I'm right! It was no coincidence that he proposed right after the rumors about you and the boss started. What kind of coincidence is that?"
"I don't want to get angry with you, Juliet."
"Why not? Richard ruined our friendship when he was alive, and he could do it again, even in death."
I watched her march into her room.
As I recalled helping in the boardroom and the helpless look on Raymond's face, I knew he needed me.
***
I was arranging the calculation books in the ushering room when the pastor walked in.
It was the first time I was meeting the general church pastor alone.
He looked as though he had been searching for me."Sister Catarina, I've noticed you're one of the most diligent ladies in church."
I avoided his piercing eyes. "Good day, sir," was all I said.
"I heard you're a widow and were accused of killing your husband until his blood sister defended you."
I sighed deeply.
Our pastor was close to Bernie.
Was he bringing this up to point out how unfit I was for Raymond?
I kept a bold composure and stayed silent.
"When are you getting married?" he asked suddenly.
His words shocked me.
Despite his close relationship with Bernie, he was still insisting on his dream.
He smiled as if reading my mind. "Bernie is my niece. Even the birds in the air know she likes him. But we must not judge by the flesh but by the spirit. I've been watching you for almost a year now. You have a special love for the things of God, and despite the fact that other ushers try to pick on you because you're very intelligent and capable, you remain focused on why you're in church. From now on, see me as a father you can talk to. I know you've been through a lot with your ex-husband, but I promise you that your relationship with Ray will be like heaven on earth. I can vouch for that. Ray has never cried for a woman, but he cried for you. He loves you without reservation. He's been like a son to me since he was a teenager. I know deep down that you love him too. Don't make it harder than it needs to be; do the right thing." He smiled warmly and patted me on the shoulder.
I watched him walk out.
His presence was so full of the Holy Spirit.
Was this confirmation from God?
But Raymond didn't seem to like me, and our deal was ending soon.
I grabbed my bag and headed out of the church.
It was quiet.
I was usually one of the last to leave because of the church records I had to calculate.
As I stepped outside, I saw Bernie parked at the gate beside my new car—Raymond had given it to me because of the deal.
I ignored her and tried to get into my car, but she got out of hers and slammed my door shut.
She grinned wickedly and pulled out a sheet of paper.
Curious, I snatched it from her and looked at it. I gasped—it was the exact three-month agreement deal I had signed with Raymond about our counterfeit relationship.
She laughed mockingly as she saw the look on my face. "Why do you look so surprised?"
It dawned on me that she had stolen the confidential information from Raymond's lawyer.
Realizing she planned to use it against me, I tore it into pieces but stopped short at her knowing laughter.
"Why are you tearing up an already scanned document?"
My heart raced as I watched her. "What are you planning to do?"
"I thought you were the formidable Catarina Johnson? Why are you panicking now?"
She sat on my car bonnet and grinned mischievously. "I'm going to expose to the church how you were announced as Raymond's girlfriend in a counterfeit relationship. I want the whole world to know that Raymond would only date you as part of a deal."
"Why don't you wait till next week since our deal will be ending then?"
"No. I want to disgrace you just like you humiliated me in the ladies' room."
Catarina shook her head in disbelief. "The church is like a hospital. Even mental patients are here."
"I heard Juliet drives your new car more than you because Raymond always picks you up from school."
She chuckled. "Really? I never knew models had so much idle times in their hands but to play detective on other people because they were basically employed to do nothing."
"How dare you!"
Catarina grinned. "It's not dignified to see you become a detective and obsess over a man like this. It should be the other way around. Or are you covering up for two?" she asked with a mocking glint in her eyes.
"Haven't you seen how Raymond takes care of me?"
Catarina shrugged.
Bernie sighed deeply. "Since your relationship is ending, what if Raymond asks you for a genuine one? Will you say yes?"
Catarina grinned. "It depends on how I feel."
"How do you feel? I thought you only liked Jeremy?"
She shrugged. "If you say so."
"Are you suddenly interested in Raymond because everyone seems to like him?"
"No. I'm suddenly interested in the man I now know."
"You now know? How? Didn't you know Raymond before?"
"Yeah. But not this much."
Bernie sighed, her voice trembling with fear."Please, don't try to like him for my sake."
Without a word, I got into my car and drove off.
I didn't have strong feelings for Raymond, but I wanted to instill some fear in her for always thinking she could get her way.
Surprisingly, Bernie didn't expose us the following week—probably waiting for the right time.
Now that Raymond and I were done with the counterfeit relationship, I was going to return to Bower Bound with no strings attached.