Five

I believe we all need to calm down, I wanted to say but bit back my tongue as I met Duncan's eyes. He was scowling at me.

For the love of God, I just want to spend some time with my husband before kids. Is there anything wrong with that?

I turned away from him and focused my attention on the two main characters in the room—Susie and Father Ryland.

I feared one of his veins might pop if he kept on turning more red with anger.

I glared at Susie but the darn girl barely acknowledged me. Ugh! Typical Susie.

"Susie, you need to apologize to this honorable council for that foul language you use here," Father Ryland stressed the word "foul" like it was a curse on his tongue.

Susie made a face, her phone directly in front of Father's face. "Guys, it's not a crime to use the word 'shit' in the church, it's just an exclamation word."

She was doing a live video and was sharing personal information with the public! The nerve of this girl.

I facepalmed, then quietly stood up and snatched the phone away from her unsuspecting hands. "I apologize on her behalf, Father. Please continue."

Sitting down quietly I ignored the missiles Susie shot my way and focused on the council overlooking even my boyfriend and his sorry ass witness.

They could all...er...fly away? That's better than what I had in mind.

"Mr. Meade, we're yet to hear your view on Miss Parker's opinion on children," Deacon two prompted the question again.

I resisted rolling my eyes. Why couldn't he just say 'offer your view' he had to go say such a long sentence.

I peered at Duncan from beneath my lashes and saw him give a broad smile. Fake, if you ask me.

"I accept her opinion, of course." He widened his smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Creepy, I thought.

"Excellent. Now we may proceed," Deacon one declared, "How will you both handle your relationships with your families?"

Duncan cleared his throat and gave a nervous smile. "It's going to be alright with me and Hailey's grandmother."

Deacon one smiled mischievously, "I understand Hailey's granny isn't very agreeable."

Witness snickered, "Agreeable indeed!"

I glared at him. I call him to witness because I don't know his name except for his first name which I hate, I mean who calls himself 'Lowell' sounds like well to me.

"I and Granny Maggie get along well," Duncan replied with a note of finality in his tone.

Deacon one fixed his gaze on me.

I smiled, "Duncan's parents and I get along well but right now they aren't in town and they won't be for a while. There isn't any problem with our families, we all get along well."

Father Ryland nodded, still jotting down some things in his diary.

Whatever was he writing? I longed to ask.

"What does spirituality mean to you?" Deacon two asked in a voice that screamed "Holy!"

If there was any topic Duncan detested It was this. I watched him as he ran his hands through his hair for the second time today. When he answered the question his voice sounded strained.

"Spirituality is something we all have in us and I believe I have it in me." That was it, his answer.

Deacon two was aghast at his short unbearable answer so he turned to me for comfort. I willingly obliged.

"Spirituality talks about our spiritual connection with God. It's very essential in marriage because God is the foundation and author of marriage. So I and Duncan will always seek the face of God before making any decisions." I smiled when the council gave me an approving nod.

Susie yawned loudly, "Aren't we done yet?"

Everyone ignored her. Ouch!

Father Ryland removed his glasses and dabbed his brows before smiling at us. "You both have done excellently well in this first section, I reckon it's time you all take a break and be back in the next twenty minutes."

The scrapping of the chair was heard even before he finished his speech and I glared at Susie as she virtually ran out of the room leaving us behind.

I left the room quietly with the rest of the occupants. My heart was finally at peace now that I knew that the questions were almost over.

"Can we talk?" I heard Duncan's voice beside me.

Nodding, I followed him to the other side of the Church. "What's up?"

He eyed me. "There's something important you should know."

I whined, "Are you seriously going to bring this up again?"

He looked at me bewildered, "Bring what up?"

I rolled my eyes. Way to look, confused dude.

"The children's topic."

He smiled, "That wasn't what I was talking about. I wanted to tell you something else."

I relaxed, "Okay, I'm all ears."

"So you see there's this..."

"The break is over guys!" Susie's loud voice ceased our discussion.

"Let's go, honey. You can tell me after the interview." In my excited state, as I dragged him off, I didn't see him run his hands through his hair for the third time today.

~~~~*

"Is that a relevant question?"

I was flustered as I stared at the deaconess one with wide eyes. I'm not going to discuss my sex life right now especially since I didn't even have one.

"Mr. Meade, any question asked during this interview is relevant!" The grim tone of Father Ryland gave Duncan the answer to his awaiting question.

I grimaced. "What was the question again?"

Deaconess one scowled at me. "What does sex mean for the both of you," then she fixed a piercing gaze on Duncan, "Please answer the question, Mr. Meade."

"Sex means nothing to us, I've never touched her before," he answered.

If I didn't know better I would be jumping in joy thinking he was proud of it. I was the only one that heard the venom in those words.

Father Ryland stared at me with a smile. "Is this true, Hailey?"

I nodded my head feeling self-conscious. My eyes darted to the ground as a small blush crept on my face.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of, it's the best gift you can give to your future husband," Father Ryland explained eagerly.

I heard a snort and heard Susie's mumbled voice, "You're preaching to the choir, Mister."

I glared at her while the council pretended not to have heard her.

"How do you look at your bride's spending? Is it greater than her savings?" Deaconess two inquired.

I pondered on the question for a while, I spend mostly on groceries and I have a savings box in my house. I know that's archaic and all but it's my life savings only to be opened on my wedding night.

"Hailey isn't extravagant at all if that's what you're inquiring," Duncan replied, "She saves way better than me."

Deaconess two regarded me with a strange look, "I suppose you're alright with your fiancé's excessive spending?"

I heard a groan beside me then Duncan interrupted, "I didn't say because she saves better than I do that makes me extravagant!"

Deaconess two smiled eerily, "That is for Hailey to decide."

I smiled nervously. So maybe Duncan can be a bit impulsive in his spending but that doesn't make him extravagant. It was his money after all.

"No, Duncan isn't extravagant, he spends wisely and saves accordingly."

"Touching, isn't this over yet?" Susie asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Once again, she was ignored. When will she learn to shut up!

Deaconess one proceeded with the next question, "How are you going to handle your finances?"

Duncan threw his head back and laughed, "These questions are so ridiculous."

Deaconess one smiled a little too brightly at him if you ask me but since no one asked, "Indeed they are so answer them."

Duncan shrugged. "Sure I'll take care of all financial expenses in the house besides she's not working so I believe if she gets a job and wants to help out in the house it's her choice."

Deaconess one turned to me, "And you're okay with this, Hailey?"

No, I'm not okay. I wanna help out too, but I kept my mouth shut because I had no job yet.

"Sure, it's fine," I replied instead.

"How will you resolve family conflict?" Deaconess two asked.

Duncan shrugged. "We barely argue but when we do, it's just for a few minutes and we resolve it."

"How?" Deaconess two pressed on.

Duncan frowned. I could tell he was thinking of what to say seeing as our only disagreement had only been about sex and it wasn't what we were going to discuss with her.

"We are good, okay we don't have any issues whatsoever but should in case we do, I'm sure we can resolve it amicably."

So once again, I was left to salvage the situation. "We argue over trivial things and we resolve it by talking about it."

The council clapped at our answers and finally, I realized it was over.

"Congratulations to you both," Father Ryland beamed at us.

"So that's all?" Susie questioned curiously.

"That's all, Susie," Father replied in an icy tone.

Susie was unperturbed as she bounced happily away from the room but not before yelling, "Remember our deal, Hailey."

Duncan gave me a quizzical look, "What deal?"

I shrugged, "Never mind, it's just girl talk."

He nodded then smiled at him, leading me towards—witness? No freaking way.

"Why are you taking me to him?" I asked, attempting to hide the curiosity in my voice.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm damn curious about who this guy is.

"To meet someone," was the vague reply I got.

The witness saw us and his smile widened. "Is this the girl you're talking about?" I noticed he was referring to Duncan and implying I was the girl?

Duncan smiled at him. "Yes, Sir."

This is the part where I whack someone with my fist. "Duncan, what is going on here?"

"Meet my boss, Hailey," he replied, smiling at the witness.

Ugh! He's the boss. No wonder he's so cocky, I felt he gave off bossy vibes though. But what does that have to do with me?

I glared at him. "Hello."

He smiled broadly, "Duncan brought her to my place for dinner tonight."

He ignored me! Like what the actual fuck!! No offense to swearing but I'm shocked. Somebody color me shocked 'cause I'm about to faint right away.

Suddenly, I remembered something. "Duncan, I can't go."

He ignored me. "We'll be there for sure."

Witness turned and strolled away calling over his shoulder, "See you tonight, Duncan don't be late."

"I won't, Sir!" My boyfriend yelled back.

"You won't of course because I'm not coming," I stated firmly.

He glared at me. "Yes, you are!" He insisted.

I shook my head furiously. "Tomorrow okay but tonight I've got a deal to hold up."

He stared at me surprised as I strode off. Tonight, I've got a deal with the devil.