Afraid To Love

EPISODE 46

Purity hadn’t turned to looked at the person. Now she had to. Slowly, she turned around. That face-the face she never wanted to see faced her, smiling.

She could feel her heart ripping out of her chest. What was going on? Jeremy had a cousin and he never told her about it until now? And this cousin turns out to be her worst night mare-Ernest. He life was definitely going to come to an end, it had all crumbled. What was she going to do? How could she not have seen this coming? If Ernest tells Jeremy? She’d been involved with Ernest in the past and now, Jeremy? What would he think of her? Ugly and embarrassing picture evoked her mind. She just wished the ground would open and swallow her up. Her legs were planted to the ground. She still couldn’t move.

“Purity? Are you okay?” Jeremy asked. He couldn’t understand her attitude. Didn’t know why she became still. Was she about to faint again? He firmly held her hand and gently shook her.

Feeling Jeremy’s hand on hers, she was startled, almost jumped out of her skin. “Jeremy….why? Um….” She lost the courage to speak, four questioning eyes were boldly staring at her. It was her bad. The shock of seeing Ernest at her party and knowing he was her fiance’s cousin still overwhelmed her. She couldn’t bring herself down, yet. She had to act like she didn’t know him.
She gave a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry. Was just…..you know…..lost in the world of fantasy.”

Jeremy heaved a sigh of relief. He was glad she was alright. Nothing should go wrong on this special night. “Care to share with us this fantasy of yours?”

“She just met me. Maybe it was about me.” Ernest chuckled.

Purity glared furiously at him. “Sorry to burst your bubble. It was about my darling, Jeremy.” She smiled coyly at Jeremy. And held her hand for a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Ernest.”

Ernest shook her hand firmly and refused letting go. He deeply admired her and loved the touch of her palm. “I must confess, my cousin has great taste. You’re fabulous.” At that, he let her hand drop.

“Of course,” Ronald chipped in. “Our baby sister is charming. Jeremy is one lucky guy. He’s bewitched her.”

Purity was beginning to feel better. She wasn’t going to let anyone ruin her night. “For now, I agree I am a baby. I’ve got to many men on my side, who’d give their lives for me.” A smiled played on her lips. That statement was directly for Ernest. It worked. She saw flashes of anger in his eyes. She smiled confidently. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

“Can I come with you?” Jeremy winked at her.

She blushed furiously. “In your dreams.”

“Purity’s one hell of a girl,”Jeremy muttered as she was out of ear shot.

Rodney and Ronald laughed.

“That’s our sister, but she’s precious to us,” Rodney told him.

“How did she even fall for you?” Ronald questioned. “She has always hated men. Melisa, ah….she’s a no go area.”

“Excuse me? Melisa? Who is Melisa?” Jeremy asked, confused.

The twin brothers exchanged glances. “She hasn’t told you?” they asked in unison.

Jeremy shook his head.

“Melisa is Purity. In fact, its her favourite name.” Ronald informed him.

“Oh,” Jeremy smiled. “She loves ‘Purity.’ And I’ll go by that.”

“You wish.”

“I’ll take good care of your sister. I do love her, very much. You don’t need to worry.”

“We don’t doubt that. But how come? She loves yu too?”

Jeremy chuckled. “Its a long story.”
*
*
*
Purity, in the wash room. She raised her head to face the mirror. She was trying to be brave, to face Ernest and then tell Jeremy the truth. She heard the door creak open, she turned to it, but couldn’t see anyone. Sighing, she faced the mirror again. Then, she felt a hand on her waist. A strong masculine hand. He eyes widened with horror.

“I have come, to make you mine.”