A Christian Romance II

Chapter 30 - Bitterness

Ferdinand didn't use his mirror as much as before after his encounter with Jesus, but he was also one of those lucky fellas who didn't need much to look well. He had chosen a set of light blue linen and strap sandals to attend the party. He was almost done when the doorbell chimed.

"Michael?" Ferdinand opened the door. "I didn't expect you here!" He exclaimed.

"I didn't expect you dressed in linen!" Michael commented. "You look neat!" He perceived the different light that Ferdinand exuded.

"I'm not trying to make an impression," he confessed, "but thanks!"

With a gesture, Ferdinand invited his mate in for a seat at one of the armchairs at the entryway. Michael sat there, and surprisingly it helped his emotional discomfort.

"Can I ask your opinion on something?" Michael looked up to Ferdinand who leaned onto the wall opposite to him.

"Shoot!"

"Miriam found out that I am the owner of the restaurant." Michael informed.

"To be honest with you, I'm glad it's over."

Michael looked up at Ferdinand not hiding his frustration.

"And seriously, I'm surprised it lasted this long!" Ferdinand added.

"That's not the opinion I asked for." Michael muttered.

Ferdinand stuffed his hands into the pockets of his linen pants and exhaled. "My opinion on what, then?"

"She sent me that text." Michael grabbed his phone and gave it to his mate.

Ferdinand looked at the phone attentively. His face looked puzzled, as he returned the phone. "Do you think she'll resign?"

"100% guarantee." Michael passed his hands through his hair in distress. "She must be disappointed."

Ferdinand observed him, and although he understood how prejudicial Miriam's resignation could be for the restaurant, he hadn't fully comprehended Michael's frustration.

"I never quite understood why you lied about the ownership of the restaurant."

Michael thought it was obvious from the start. He barely believed that Ferdinand couldn't read him that well. "Because I like Miriam."

"Yeah, she's nice!" Ferdinand replied in a friendly manner. "Easy to talk to, very friendly. Nothing bad to say about her."

"Ferdinand?" Michael called for his mate. "I'm in love with Miriam!" He clarified after getting his mate's full attention.

Ferdinand had never thought of Miriam as an attractive female, he had never believed that a man would ever want something more than friendship from her.

"Oh!" He was almost speechless. "Okay...?" He needed to understand how any man could be in love with that type of woman.

"She's not as bad as you think." Michael tried to defend his taste in women. "There's more to her than meets the eye."

"Honestly," Ferdinand shrugged. "I don't know what you see in her."

"Apparently something you don't." Michael retorted.

"And why lie about owning the restaurant?" Ferdinand tried to make some sense of his mate's decision.

Michael was slightly revolted that his mate deemed him as stupid. "As you've seen, Miriam abhorred me, and I wanted her, so I created the occasion to have her nearer."

"Did it work?!"

Michael recalled the progress and regresses he had had along the way. Every step forward meant three or more steps backwards. Therefore, his conclusion was easy to make.