Chapter 20

It was on a Thursday that we went for shopping. I did not want him to start spending so much for my parents or me but Mr Ohio insisted. I went with him as we picked things for my Mom, myself and even for Melinda my sister after I told him I have a younger sister who is also engaged and getting married soon. This time around, I wore the engagement and pretend for that moment to be engaged to Ohio. I wish it was not all a mere act but reality, I will be asking for too much and he is too good to be true. I was more grateful that he agreed to help me do this, I promise him that I won't take it for granted. We agreed to go on Friday afternoon, I don't want him to miss any appointment at all because of me that was why we planned towards the weekend. And my parents have already started making enough room for me and my fake fiancé immediately they heard that we were coming. I and my Mom and also Melinda things were easy to get. But my Dad is very selective about things, I let Ohio to know that. Ohio said he shared few personality with my Dad, and was already liking the old man even though he is yet to meet him. He took me to the men's boutique to get my Dad's wear. I was filled with smile as I walk beside my fine fake fiancé, Ohio was very humble and looks different from the office man in shirt and tie. He appear nice and simple and still smell so good. I wish I can bury myself in his arm just to inhale his body saint. I manage to control my happiness as we walk side by side while talking like old friends and shopping for my Dad. I was filling him in about my strict and funny parents, he was smiling all through. Ohio makes me feel so comfortable with myself. I do not have to pretend to be another person whenever I'm with Ohio. I just show my real character of a happy girl that I used to be. As much as everything was exciting I did not want to forget that Ohio is just there temporary. I hired him without payment to help me accomplish a mission. I don't have to get too attached to him or I will be left broken and in tears when the job I hired him to do is over. I tried to guide my emotion towards him and kept reminding myself that my heart must not get involve and I must try and keep my emotions in check. As we were going round, I was more focused with the task we got and with Ohio and did not notice there was another man behind me. It was until he mentioned my name that I turned in shock, wondering who knows me in this big men boutique that I have never stepped foot before until today. As I turned, my heart double beat, I was shock to see Richard. He has few pack of boat tie in his hand which I guess he wants to use for his wedding or whatever I don't care to know. 'Becca… wow! I wasn't sure you are the one when I saw you from afar. I decided to get close and is truly you. How are you doing? I swallowed hard as I looked at him, he has a deep cut on his fore head which was still fresh. The wound looks swollen too. I guess he just removed the plaster from it because I can see the sign and a little cotton wool sticking to it. Ohio excused us and stroll down to another side of the shelf as he continued checking for things to pick. I wished Ohio stayed but the way he gently walked to another side and continued checking out things made me understand that he was excusing from us or from any sort of drama. Richard stood there staring down at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. I started thanking God inwardly that I was looking my best that day. I took my time to arrange my hair, do my makeup and also select my wears which Ohio commend me with a thumb up when I first appeared. He did not say more than that and I guess he was impress with my appearance but trying to keep things professional. He steals looks at me while we drove down, when we stopped at the traffic light. I caught him staring at me through the car rear-view mirror. He chuckled when I blushed and looked away. 'You are beautiful Becca and your dress is lovely too! I heard butterfly in my stomach when he said that, I managed to mutter a quiet thank you to him. I wish I can also describe how handsome and smashing he looks but I'm too shy to say that and I want to focus with the plan at hand and not go off with the way I was already feeling for him So, with Ohio previously confirming how I looked, it gave me more confidence as I face Richard. I did not say a word to him, I had a lot of thing to say but is better not said. 'Becca, you look beautiful and I can see that you have gotten another replacement for yourself. You finally got engaged…that's interesting. Is that the same boss friend you once cheated on me with or is another? Ooh, I'm sorry…I was only kidding. Becca, I know how you must have felt when I left you but I thought I was going for the best and right now I don't even know any more. "Sometimes,I doubt if I'm sure of what I'm really doing. But all the same, the woman in my life is all fun and very soon we will be saying I do to each other. I must confess that I miss you. What you had for me was real and I miss a lot of things about us. I guess you do too…if you are truthful to yourself. I know you probably hate me for what I did to you but I wish you can understand that i…. I smile and before he could say any other thing I quickly interrupted. 'Is good to see you too Richard and I'm glad you are with the woman who is better off than me. We both moved on with our lives, there is no room for missing you or even thinking or what we used to have. I have better man now and as you can see I am also engaged and very happy than I have ever being because I did not end up with a man like you. It was all for the best Richard. You got what you wanted and I got what I wanted and I'm glad you called it quit and walked away, If not I would have still be wasting my life away all in the name of some stupid love. "Congratulation on your forthcoming wedding, I hope you will enjoy the life you have always wanted with your soul mate. Tell your wife to be that your ex-girlfriend said hi and wish her the best. My man is waiting, so I have to run…take care. He was at the same spot, standing and looking at me as I walked out to meet Ohio who was with the cashier, paying for the things he picked for my Dad. He smile as I joined him, I returned the smile. I helped him with one of the bag as we left. I saw Richard looking at us as we walked pass. When we got into the car, all Ohio said was 'I hope your Dad will love all the things we got for him" He did not ask me about Richard or showed any sign of care to know. I wish he will ask and I will be willing to tell him but he never did. He drove back to my place and dropped me off, it was the following day we planned to leave to see my parents. We have already agreed on a time. Ohio said he will be back to pick me up the next day. When I entered my house, i got my few things ready and start counting the hours as I wait for the following day to come. The truth is I no longer care about anything. Richard and Jojo thought they played me a smart game, they did not see how foolish and confused they are yet. Jojo came over to my place that evening, I was trying to occupy my mind with something else while waiting till tomorrow when I will see Ohio. 'Babe, you are glowing…what is the secret? What is the latest with you and your 'honey". You have being keeping secrets lately and hardly tell me stuffs again. That is unlike you…come on, fill me in Becca and I really want to meet this 'honey"…when will you introduce us? And how about Mr Ohio….any news from him yet? "He is taking forever to come back. I'm so worried and sometime I imagine him kissing me or we are making out. I just can't wait to finally get close to him. I expect you of all people to understand the plight of a woman when she is inlove… I was looking into the face of deceit and selfish woman while staring at Jojo with a mischievous smile on my face.