~THE DEVIL ON THE ALTAR~
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Patricia pushed her way into Paul’s room and saw Cordelia, the choir mistress, coming out of his kitchen. She stopped in her tracks and they both stared at each other for close to five minutes. A lot went through Patricia’s mind and she didn’t even know the right words to say.
Was Cordelia her rival and also sleeping with Paul? Has she ever aborted any pregnancy for Paul? Is she the reason for Paul’s recent behaviour? Was Paul cheating all along? Is she just a friend and no strings attached? Many more questions kept popping up in her head and she wanted to scream to get them out. She felt cold and her limbs were growing weak.
A quick glance at Cordelia and Patricia knew beyond any reasonable doubt that she spent the night in Paul’s room. She still had her night wear on, a net to cover her hair, her face didn’t look washed and she was barefooted. Patricia continued to do the math while standing and didn’t even know when Paul started talking.
“Sis Cordelia, can you please excuse us?” He said to the equally confused sister who didn’t know what to do as she was not expecting that anyone could visit Paul that early. She took her phone and walked out of the room but was determined to know what a sister would be doing in Paul’s room that early.
“Please don’t eavesdrop. She wants to discuss a private matter,” Paul said as though he could read her thoughts and Cordelia obeyed. She walked away from earshot and sat there.
“So?” Paul asked, looking at Patricia who was yet to recover from the shock of seeing another woman in his room.
“Who is she and what is she doing here?”
“She is Cordelia, the choir mistress. Don’t you know her?”
“Answer the second part of the question?”
“Which is?”
“What the hell is she doing here?”
“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me!” Paul shouted and Patricia calmed down.
“You said you were busy and wouldn’t have allowed me in if I had not pushed you. What were you doing with her?”
“Did you leave your hostel this early in the morning to ask me ridiculous questions?”
“It is not ridiculous, Paul. You have been ignoring me since you made me kill our baby and I came here to find out your reason for that and I have seen it clearly. How long has this been going on?”
“What!”
“Your affair with Cordelia.”
“I am not having an affair with her.”
“What then is she doing here?”
“Why are we going back and forth? You have asked this earlier.”
“And you couldn’t produce an answer. You are quick to answer every other thing except that one. What have I done to deserve this from you, Paul?” She said and fell on the floor crying. Paul didn’t like the noise she was making and wanted to do everything to get her to keep it low or better still walk away.
“Stop giving yourself unnecessary headaches. We can discuss this when you are calmer,” Paul said persuasively.
“Nice try,” she said and clapped. You want me to leave so you can continue, right? You must be joking! I would remain here until you tell me what is going on.”
“Don’t be stupid, Patricia, you can’t do that.”
“I have been stupid all along and it is too late for you to give me that kind of counsel.”
“What do you want?” Paul asked after a brief silence and he could read that Patricia was determined to remain there until she had her way and he knew Cordelia might get tired of waiting and come to eavesdrop which would be bad for him.
“I want to know what is going on.”
“Nothing is going on.”
“Then, why have you been avoiding me and ignoring all my approach to reach out to you?”
“I’m sorry but I think we need a break from this relationship. I mean…” Paul could not finish when Patricia interrupted
“Why? Is it because of her?”
“No!”
“Then what is it?” Paul hesitated for a while before he finally spoke.
“I can’t marry a lady without a womb,” Paul said and left Patricia in total confusion as to what he meant.
To be continued…
