NEPHLEM

CHAPTER TEN

The rest of the dinner was panning out better than I actually expected. It was like Suzan was a different person and not the woman that first showed up to pick me up. I don’t know if it was because she knew I was Mubanga, or it was because she was playing with me. Trying to get into my good books.

“You know when your father finds out about you taking me for dinner, he will be pissed at you right?” I asked as I put the wineglass on the table.

She cleared her throat after taking a swig from her vodka. Who knew? “I can always say I was trying to get something from you. That I was trying to get information about what you and the church are up to,” she smiled at me.

I looked at her as she ate her ribs studiously — trying to see what the hell was up with the woman I was having dinner with. “What is your aim with me, really? Why did you agree to come with me for dinner after I told you I was me?”

She swallowed then looked at me, “well, I couldn’t refuse the offer, could I? and you sounded so tempting,” she took a sip then went on. “To be honest, I don’t really know. Maybe it was because of the speech that you gave me. I’m trying to see why my father says you guys are the bad guys,” she spoke rather respectfully.

I just dipped my head and carried on eating. Hope it was that she wanted to know me for who I’m and not for what her father says I’m.

Half way to our dinner I looked at her. Then smiled, Charlie was going to be happy knowing my date went well. And that I found the girl rather dashing and charming.

“What?” she asked as she found me looking at her.

“Nothing, just surprised about the whole thing. Your father wants me dead and here I’m having dinner with his beautiful daughter. Weird, er,” I spoke and took a long swig from my wine.

“It’s like I said, a forbidden love story,” she smiled.

“Forbidden friend story church girl,” I corrected, and we laughed about it. Both at what we were calling our relationship and my new name for her.

After a while she asked, “so, have I earned the right to know why you think you can stop these murders?” she asked. “You are human and this killing looks nothing human. This is supernatural,” she said, for only me to hear.

“You think? And no, you haven’t earned that trust yet. First, ask your father why he thinks I’m involved just because I was at every scene of the crime. Give me his answer and then we will talk about your question. And lie to me. I will forget about your pretty face. Or double cross me. I will dismember you,” I spoke but smiled, not to freak her out.

“I wouldn’t lie to you about a thing. And I’m not pretty. I’m beautiful. Don’t ever call me that ever again,” she spoke defensively and carried on eating.

What’s the difference between pretty and beautiful? Women.

I just carried on eating as well — not wanting to find out more about her church. Because they just needed a following or her father had something personal with the church or me. That was the only reason he could think I’m involved in the murder because I happened to be at the scene of the crime.

Then something hit me that never crossed my mind all this time. What was her father doing at those scenes of the crime? How was he able to see me? And did he see me fighting any of the victims?

He wouldn’t just say I was involved if he was not there. He must have been present at the same time I was there. But if he was present, then he saw the people that were killing the victims. Then why paint it on me if he knew who killed those people? It doesn’t make sense at all.

Am I missing something here?

I tried to think about the whole thing, but nothing came to mind. My head was filled with questions that I couldn’t even eat.

“What happened?” she asked — mouthful.

I sighed as I looked at her. Not wanting to overwhelm her with my questions. She had already learned a lot. If her father was lying to her about the whole thing and was just using her to get information from me, then the girl might be confused and ruin what I have worked so hard to build tonight.

“I think we need to go. My friend will kill me if I spend any more minute outside than I have,” I smiled at her.

She looked at me questionably, “did I do anything? Or say something that upset you?” she asked. “I thought were having a great time.”

“We are. But I just have to go. We can do this the next time. I think I’m just tired as well,” I said and stood up.

“Alright, if you say so,” she said. I left the money on the table and we left. Forgetting about it being her treat. Acting manly.

It was a lovely night indeed. But I had a whole day with Sunny.

*

After almost an hour of driving, we reached my apartment. The all way the woman kept asking me why I changed my mind and decided to come home sooner. If she said or did anything wrong, that upset me.

“Church girl, you did nothing wrong or said anything stupid. I’m just tired and I’m scared of Charlie. She might not let me in,” I smiled at her as I opened the door.

“Then you can sleep at my place. Promise I won’t do anything stupid,” she raised a hand. “And your roommate is a woman?” she asked, looking at me thoughtfully.

“Yes. My sister. Technically speaking. She is a sweet woman, and she is dating,” I patted her cheeks and went on. “Aren’t you sweet? But no. I just met you and your father will kill me the moment he sees me leaving your house. So, pass. Just do what I asked you, then maybe I will reconsider extending our date the next time. My treat,” I patted his cheek even more.

“I’m escorting you inside. Because I want to meet your friend and talk to her about extending you time out,” she spoke and before I said anything she was already out of the car.

I just shook my head, and we went into the apartment. Entered the elevator and finally it landed on the third flow where my apartment was.

I knocked, and after a few seconds, she opened up.

“Hey Charlie” Suzan said cheerfully.

“Hey, you must be Suzan. Did my baby brother have a good time?” she asked.

“He did, but I wanted to ask if you can extend his time out the next time we go out. Please, I will bring him back before middle night,” she smiled as she looked from me to her.

She looked at me in a we will talk about this way then looked at Suzan, “I will surely look into that. Thanks for bringing him home. You are a real boss lady, Su,” she spoke with a smile on her face.

“Good night church girl,” I said and kissed her on the cheek after seeing she wasn’t making an attempt to leave.

She just smiled with excitement in her eyes then she left. Looking at Charlie she just gestured for me to follow her inside. Well, this will be one hell of a lecture from my mother.