Unholy Matrimony

by Brenda Barrett

  “But...” she stammered.

  “No ‘buts’, Phoebe,” Ezekiel said gently. “You have to start sometime.”

  Phoebe digested that piece of information and groaned. Ezekiel was not playing fair. He wasn’t going to give her any space to make up her mind about him alone.

  “Okay, I'll do it,” she said feeling burdened all over again.

  “Well, see you tomorrow,” he said gently and hung up the phone.

  *****

  “So, she said yes.” Sonia was sitting across from him with a cross look on her face.

  “That's right,” Ezekiel said, smiling. “If you hadn’t suggested that I need a hostess for the party, I would have just hosted it alone, but Phoebe will manage.”

  “She is from Flatbush Scheme,” Sonia said scornfully. “She probably doesn't know how to use the place settings.”

  “Then we'll dine buffet style,” Ezekiel shrugged.

  “What's with you and this girl?” Sonia asked exasperatedly. “I have never seen you so...so...dreamy looking and off kilter. You are really taking this ‘charity begins at home’ saying too far.”

  “I love her,” Ezekiel said simply, “I can't explain it. Frankly, I have never felt this way before.”

  “I can explain it,” Sonia said getting up and pacing. “You are going through a mid-life crisis. You feel jaded and confused with your jetting to different places every other week. Take a vacation; relax. Stop obsessing about her. So she's young and pretty, but clearly you can see that she is after your money.”

  Ezekiel laughed. “I have a lot of it. I don't mind that she wants financial security. I’m banking on just that for her to say yes when I officially propose to her.”

  “You have gone mad,” Sonia shook her head at him, “and you are thinking with your lower brain.”

  Ezekiel reclined in his chair and swiveled to gaze at the scenery. He could clearly see the beach from his study; its blue arms hugging and flirting with the rocks on the shore. He wanted to shout at Sonia and tell her to get out of his office, but she was right. He had gone mad over Phoebe and couldn't wait to make her his. He wanted her in his bed, in his home, and in his life.

  Several times he was tempted to act possessive and jealous over her. He had been sputtering mad when she had all but admitted that her happiest moments were with Charles Black.

  He had to restrain himself from ruining Charles Black for daring to steal his woman. He had thought about it several times, but he had become lucid enough in his thoughts to know that nothing good could ever come from treating people as possessions.

  He had been on the verge of acting like King David in the Bible, but remembered that his little act of self-indulgence had caused generations of family problems. He had purposed in his heart that he would honor God in his approach to pursuing Phoebe, but he also had a steely determination that he would have her.

  “There you go, zoning out on me again,” Sonia said exasperatedly.

  “Ah.” Ezekiel swiveled back his chair to face her and fanned her to sit down. “I don't care where Phoebe is from, or that she's after my money. I have a sneaking fear that I love her enough for both of us and that is enough for me.”

  Sonia grimaced at that statement. She really needed to pay Phoebe Bridge a visit in Flatbush Scheme and sort this out once and for all.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Phoebe arrived home from work, a blue BMW was parked in the space she usually parked her car; she parked behind it, intrigued. The front door of her house was wide open, but she couldn't see into its dim interior. She swiftly went up the walkway and entered the house to see Sonia Beaumont sitting on her mother's faded red velvet settee. Her mother was sitting across from her with an awestruck look on her face.

  “Phoebe, this lady here says she has some business with you.”

  Phoebe looked at Sonia quizzically. “What do you want?”

  Sonia was in an African print dress with brown and red patterns. Her hair was piled high on her head in a sophisticated curly pony tail.. She looked expensive and alien against the shabby background of her home.

  “No need to sound hostile,” Sonia said graciously. “I came by to talk to you.”

  “You and I have nothing to say to each other,” Phoebe said, playing with her car keys.

  “But we do,” Sonia said unhurriedly. She reached into her brown tote bag and pulled out a checkbook. “What will it take for you to leave Ezekiel alone?”

  She had her pen poised over the checkbook, looking at Phoebe enquiringly. Nishta gasped; she had been quietly observing them during the exchange and she could feel the hostility in the air.

  “You can't buy me off,” Phoebe said, sitting down across from Sonia and beside her mother who was wide-eyed with anticipation. “I’m not stupid. If you are so eager to get rid of me, you must be running scared.”

  Nishta grunted. “That’s right, she must be scared. But I say let's start the bargaining at ten million Jamaican dollars.”

  “Mama,” Phoebe said, glancing at her mother, “are you out of your mind?”

  Nishta shook her head. “Money is money; she has it and she's offering it. Why not take it?”

  “She wants me to leave Ezekiel alone,” Phoebe said, looking at Sonia.

  “You don't love him you don't even like him,” Sonia said to her earnestly. “I can write a check for ten million dollars as your mother said, and we'll never speak of this again.”

  “You hear that, Phoebe,” Nishta said, her voice high with anticipation. “Take the money, there is a lot we can do with that money. We can buy a house, leave this place, and take a vacation. You can even have the freedom to go out with that poor guy next door without worrying about money.”

  Phoebe worried her lip and thought about it. It was tempting to send Sonia away and act affronted that she wouldn't take the money because she was above such bribery, but deep inside she knew she wasn't that noble and as her mother said, money was money. But there was something about Ezekiel that she liked and she found that she didn't want to cut him out of her life just like that.

  Contrary to what Sonia said she did like him. He was an acquired taste and the more time she spent with him the more necessary he was beginning to be in her life. She was not that cold-blooded to barter away her bourgeoning feelings for Ezekiel for ten million dollars. She looked across at Nishta who was practically salivating at the thought of having the money.

  Phoebe shook her head. “I can't take your money.” She looked at Sonia balefully. “I won't be leaving Ezekiel alone. I’m going to host a dinner party for him tomorrow.”

  Sonia hissed her teeth. “Are you nuts?”

  “Yes Phoebe, are you crazy?” Nishta piped in. “Maybe she wants more...fifteen million maybe?” Nishta asked Sonia craftily.

  Sonia was poised to write again. “So is that it? Fifteen million? Will that be enough for you to leave Ezekiel alone?”

  Phoebe shook her head. “No."

  “Phoebe!” Nishta squealed.

  Sonia closed her checkbook. “Maybe you need some time to think about it then? My offer will not be opened forever.” She handed a business card to Phoebe. “Call me when you have made up your mind.”

  Phoebe stared at the business card long after Sonia had left. Nishta was beside herself highlighting how they could spend the money, but Phoebe didn't hear a word; her hands were trembling with the business card.

  “Maybe you don't think we are poor enough then,” Nishta said huffily.

  Phoebe's thoughts were echoing the same refrain. She looked at Sonia's fancily designed business card, with its gold engraving, and then tore it up slowly. She was uneasy with bribes; had always been.

  Nishta's eyes widened after each tear, her lips were trembling with shock. “Phoebe,” she whispered, “what are you doing?”

  Phoebe looked at her mother and patted her knee. “What does it profit a man if he gains this whole world and lose his own soul. That was a soulless bargain, Mama.”

&n
bsp; *****

  At Ezekiel's dinner party, they dined buffet style and even though at first Phoebe was overawed at the atmosphere and the guests, she relaxed when she remembered the words Ezekiel had whispered in her ear earlier. “You'll be fine, they are just people who happen to have some extra money that they are eager to give away to make a difference in the society they live. This makes them a good crowd. Relax.”

  She had relaxed after the first ten minutes and was enjoying the company. They were a younger set of people; one girl was even the same age as Phoebe, the first wife of a senator who was head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband was a rotund man with a heavily whiskered face. Phoebe couldn't see the attraction but she could feel the love between them and got a bit envious. Every few words from the girl's mouth were, 'honey says.' She wasn't especially pretty but was vivacious. Her name was Rachel, and she was an Investment Banking Analyst.

  “I love my job,” she was telling Phoebe, “that's how I met my honey bunny. How did you meet Ezekiel?” Her bright brown eyes were curious.

  “Church,” Phoebe said, smiling.

  “I didn't know Ezekiel goes to church,” the girl gasped.

  Phoebe nodded. “He does.”

  “So was it love at first sight?” Rachel was sipping at her cocktail and settling in for the romantic details.

  Phoebe shrugged and just then Ezekiel sauntered over to them and put his arms around her. “It was for me.”

  Rachel smiled. “Awww, that's so sweet.”

  Ezekiel smiled. “I have loved Phoebe for a long time. Sometimes I feel as if I have loved her forever.”

  Rachel gasped. “Do I hear wedding bells for the most eligible bachelor in Jamaica?”

  Ezekiel kissed a stunned Phoebe on her cheeks. “Stay tuned…”

  He sauntered off to join a group of men who were beckoning to him; leaving a very shaken Phoebe staring off into space. Could she do it? Could she really marry Ezekiel? Would it be fair to him? Would it be fair to her?

  She barely heard the conversation floating around her. Her mind was buzzing. She had really changed. In the past all she could think about was marrying rich but now when it was on the table, a fear deep in her heart was overtaking her thoughts.

  “How are you?” An older lady in a green dress with a boat collar was staring at her interestedly. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun and her eyes were bright and warm.

  “I am fine.” Phoebe looked at her curiously. She was dressed simply and had a humble air about her.

  “I’m Carol,” she held out her hands for Phoebe to shake, “Ezekiel's aunt.” She stared at Phoebe assessingly. “Are you interested in charity work?”

  Phoebe was still digesting the fact that Ezekiel had an aunt. “Uh...sure. I volunteer for the feeding program at our church. I had no idea Ezekiel had family here.”

  Carol chuckled. “He has a boatload of cousins and two aunts from his mother's side living in Jamaica. Most of the family lives in Kingston. I am the head of the charity organization Child Of Promise. Have you ever heard of it?”

  Phoebe shook her head. “No.”

  “Well, Ezekiel started it ten years ago. He helps poor children through school: from basic school to university, even to the doctoral level. Many of them wouldn’t have had easy access to educational opportunities because of their poverty. I think this latest charity is an extension of that.”

  Phoebe filed that information away and felt slightly ashamed that in her dreams of having great wealth she hadn’t once thought about sharing it with someone else. All her dreams were of selfish indulgences.

  Ezekiel's charity work put her to shame. He wasn’t only rich but he cared. He had some purpose in his life; he took stewardship of his wealth and his responsibility to the society in which he lived quite seriously.

  He deserved somebody who would compliment him—not a mindless gold-digger. She chit-chatted with Carol for a few more minutes learning even more about Ezekiel; the more she learned about him, the more she felt like a shallow fraud.

  *****

  “That went well.” Ezekiel turned to her in the marble foyer as the last guest departed. “I am so proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” Phoebe smiled at him shyly. “I didn't do anything, really. Your guests were really outgoing; that made it easier. And your aunt was extremely entertaining. She told me a lot about your childhood.”

  Ezekiel pulled her into his arms. “I have been wanting to do this all night.” He bent his head and kissed her, a soul searching kiss that had Phoebe's toes curling and the two of them heaving for breath. When he released her, they looked at each other.

  Ezekiel was staring at her deeply. “Marry me Phoebe. I love you.”

  Phoebe opened her mouth and he put a finger over her lips. “I don't want to hear no. I love you enough for both of us,” he whispered. He kissed her again softly and placed his forehead on hers. They looked into each other's eyes for a while.

  “I just don't know what to say,” Phoebe whispered.

  “Say yes,” Ezekiel whispered back.

  “Can I think about it?” Phoebe cleared her throat.

  Ezekiel straightened up. “Okay, but please don't leave me waiting too long for a response. I think I'll need time to set my business affairs in order and book myself into an asylum if you refuse.”

  Phoebe giggled nervously.

  Chapter Nineteen

  For a full week, Ezekiel called her everyday, and proposed to her everyday, and bombarded her with gifts and tokens. He sent her flowers at work and at home, and gift baskets with exotic fruits.

  For her birthday, he took her to Rock Face, an exclusive eatery that was located in a cave. Their table was situated in a bracket of stalactite and stalagmite rocks. The lighting was low and perfect, and violin played while they ate. It was super romantic; he was appealing to her every sense. It was obvious that Ezekiel knew how to woo a woman. Phoebe found herself feeling dizzy after each outing with him, especially after he kissed her. His kisses were long and had her yearning for more.

  The next day when she got back from her romantic whirlwind dinner and turned on her phone she was bombarded with messages from Tanya, Erica, and Charles. She had been deliberately trying to avoid Charles.

  She found herself tiptoeing down her walkway in the mornings, watching to see if his bike was at the front of his house before she dashed to her car. She was feeling all guilty and sneaky rolled into one.

  Today she called him, pressing his phone numbers gingerly, wishing he wouldn't pick up, but it seemed as if Charles was sitting and waiting for her to call; as soon as the phone rang he answered.

  “I have something to show you later,” he said, no hint in his voice that she had been ignoring him.

  “Oh,” Phoebe responded cautiously, “what is it?”

  “Later, after work I'll show you.” He had a grin in his voice.

  “Okay.” Phoebe relaxed.

  “By the way, happy belated birthday, Phoebe,” he said light heartedly. “I didn't hear from you yesterday. I suppose you were out with your rich friend.” Phoebe went silent.

  “Okay, I promised myself I wouldn't say a thing.” Charles sighed. “See you later.”

  Phoebe hung up and sat on her bed. She dialed Tanya's number and a sleepy Tanya came on the line. “I thought you were going walking with your friends this morning,” Phoebe said cheerfully.

  “It rained last night,” Tanya said grumpily, “so we put it off till in the evening. Happy belated birthday. How are things going? You've been so busy these days.”

  Phoebe gave her a run down of how she was spending her time and how Ezekiel had proposed to her.

  Tanya was silent for a while. “If a man says he loves you enough for both of you, you should take him…”

  Phoebe hung up the phone from Tanya and dialed Erica's number.

  Erica answered giggling. “Stop it.” She was talking to someone in the background. Phoebe could imagine her and Caleb playing and enjoying th
eir time together. She really wanted that for herself—to be comfortable with a man, like Caleb and Erica were with each other. Their love was genuine.

  “Sorry to call at this hour,” Phoebe said, smiling, “but you two always seem to be at it.”

  Erica giggled again and then said in the phone, “Phoebe Bridge, I baked a cake for your birthday and have a present for you, but when I called you yesterday you were nowhere to be found.”

  “I went out,” Phoebe said cautiously.

  “Oh, Charles took you out?” Erica asked suddenly sounding serious.

  “No,” Phoebe sighed, “long story, but Ezekiel asked me to marry him.”

  Erica gasped. “Don’t do it, Pheebs. It would be like an unholy matrimony—you marrying him for money; him marrying you for your looks.”

  “It's not like that,” Phoebe sighed. “I genuinely like Ezekiel and he loves me.”

  “What about Charles, huh?” Erica asked. “I like him for you.”

  “I know,” Phoebe said, “but didn't you hear, Ezekiel loves me. Love trumps like.”

  Erica was silent for a while. “Don’t you dare settle with Ezekiel just because of money. I want you to be happy and comfortable in your mind and in your relationship. When you walk down that aisle you should be a hundred percent sure that you are doing the right thing. No settling. You hear me?”

  Phoebe sighed. “I hear you. We'll talk later.”

  “Yes,” Erica said readily. “I'll drop off your present on my way to work later this morning…will leave it with your Mom. And if you come to church this Sabbath we'll talk, okay.”

  “Okay.” Phoebe hung up the phone.

  *****

  As soon as Phoebe got home from work that day, she called Charles. She couldn't wait to see what he had to show her. He had seemed so excited over the phone.

  “I’m outside,” Charles said importantly, a tinge of excitement in his voice.