𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Twenty -Six

......................................

Imani packed for both her and Jamie. She didn't have much in her wardrobe, but she did know that meeting a priest required one to be dressed respectably and honorably. Even though her profession was far from honorable, she wanted to seem confident and decent to him not only because he was a priest but because Matthew loved him. Father Josè's approval meant so much to Imani that she was extremely nervous about meeting him.

She packed everything in twos. Two dresses—a slightly below-the-knee black dress with a nipped-in waist, a tiered floral maxi dress, a pair of clear sandals, red block heels, jeans, and sneakers. Everything was packed in two traveling bags.

The previous day, Matthew had called to let her know they would pass by to pick them up at five in the morning. Luckily, it would still be early and dark for anyone to see them get into a fancy car; at least, that was what Imani was banking on.

She couldn't remember the last time she felt this nervous. Even though it was just a meeting, Imani saw it as a formal introduction to meet Matthew's family; she wondered if he saw it as such. The fact that the priest wanted to meet her made her feel both important and terrified of being judged and found wanting.

Imani woke Jamie up at twenty minutes to the hour. It was easier to have him awake once she reminded him that Matthew was on his way to pick them up for Italy. He spoke nonstop about the trip; he remembered every tidbit of what Matthew had told him of the country he'd come to love like a second home.

"Matthew said he has his own plane." Jamie excitedly said, slipping his hand through a blue checked shirt. "He said you and I are his guests," Imani smiled fondly at him, buttoning up his shirt. She wished she could be as delighted, but that could only be achieved by not caring how father Josè perceived her; however, that was not possible because she loved Matthew way too much not to care.

For the trip, Imani wore jeans, a black t-shirt tucked into the pants, sneakers, and a hoodie. She wondered what Matthew would think, but she put that aside to dip in a few toiletries she might need in her makeup bag.

After preparation, she transferred their luggage to their living room, telling Jamie to follow her. She put everything in one seat, then went to look out the window to see whether she could spot Matthew coming; surprisingly, there was a familiar car parked directly down their window.

"Are you already here?" She asked Matthew when he picked up her call.

"No good morning for me? He laughed joyously, basking in her early morning husky voice. Imani loved hearing him laugh—it always took her by surprise because it was rare. "I'm sorry, I'm just anxious, and there is a car outside our house," she responded.

"It's me. I didn't want to hurry you if you had not finished, and you still have a few minutes remaining."

"That's alright, we have finished."

"You need help with the bags?" Matthew asked, wanting to get out and go for them, but he knew Imani wouldn't appreciate it. Her fear of discovery was genuine. He had never met a girl who wasn't interested in his money or a permanent place in his life; some shamelessly tried to trick him into marriage, but Imani was different. There was a part of him that wished she was an opportunist, yet that would change her core personality.

"No. I can manage. We'll be down in a few." she said as she disconnected the call striding to pick up their bags. She hung one over her shoulder, the other in her right hand, while Jamie's hand held the other.

This is it! She thought, feeling apprehensive, knowing she was about to enter into unknown territory both physically and emotionally. She was about to get her and her brother into a jet with a man she'd known a couple of weeks, go to a foreign country to meet a man she didn't know.