A Christian Romance II

Chapter 26 - No more

From Double Bay to his restaurant, Michael was empty minded, looking at the sights through the cab's window. He was so distracted that the driver had to raise his voice to announce that they had arrived. Michael apologetically paid the driver double the amount displayed in the taximeter. As he left the cab, a red car parked on the last vacant spot, in front of the restaurant - a.k.a Michael's most coveted spot. From the red car, a long-haired man descended.

Michael immediately recognized him. "Moses!" He welcomed the man with a firm handshake. "You made it!"

Moses shook his hand in response. "How's the morning been?" He asked with good reason, for he had been praying all night long for a spiritual breakthrough in Michael. Moses wasn't interceding for Michael because he had liked him right away, nor because he thought he'd be a suitable candidate for his daughter, but rather because he was moved with compassion and love.

"Intriguing. With me going back to the past." Michael revealed the truth. "Kind of questioning my existence."

Moses listened to his words and didn't say anything for a while that seemed too long for Michael, who was tacitly and automatically convinced that the older man harbored much more wisdom than him.

"We've all been there!" Moses finally replied.

"Have you?" Michael didn't expect Moses to ever question his existence.

"Of course, I'm human." Moses declared as if alerting him.

Strangely, Michael found that comment hilarious and he laughed. "Anyway," although he was willing to share deeper thoughts with Moses, it fell out of place because the latter was there to view the restaurant and make a decision regarding the event he wanted to host. "Let's get started."

Michael opened the door of the restaurant and the tour unfolded. The restaurant was surprisingly elegant and architecturally clean. It matched with what Moses had envisioned. Before they moved on to the last stage of the tour, Michael stopped for some water at the bar. He got two bottles: one for him, another for Moses.

"It's on the house." Michael informed, as he handed over a bottle.

The final stage of the tour began in the kitchen, passed by the pantry and ended in the patio, where the two men extended their meeting.

"So?" Michael drank from his water, at that point his bottle was almost finished. "Seems suitable?"

Moses knew he was referring to the restaurant as a venue to host his party. "More than suitable." Moses announced. "But, I have to pay for something. At least for the catering." He offered.

"You either take me up on my full offer or you don't." Michael wanted to offer his restaurant and whatever courtesy was possible to the father of the woman he loved.

Moses couldn't help but wonder the reason for that insistence. "Look, Michael," he faced him. "I have nothing to give you in return." He warned. "Not even a free meal at my restaurant, and much less my daughter."

"I don't want anything in return." Michael declared, with no inch of doubt displayed on his face.

Moses looked at him intrigued. "Then help me understand why do you insist on paying for all this. I need to know." He insisted.

As Moses drank some of his water, Michael cogitated on what part of the truth was appropriate to share.

"I trust that you will be honest about it."

Michael took a breather. "I will." He resolutely affirmed, recognizing his inability to lie to that man. "It doesn't cost me that much, Moses, because I am the rightful owner of this building. It has been in the family for generations." He revealed.