A Christian Romance II

Chapter 36 - Some mysteries solved

Brian, the bartender, was well aware of the strong romantic connection between his boss and Miriam. Although he found it beautiful and was happy for Michael, he truly believed that settling down was like entering into a prison. His reasons to save his boss from that commitment were more than plausible, in light of his own experience based on most of his committed relationships. He found his male's worth in the quantity and superficial quality of the women that he slept with. His relationships didn't resume to one-night flings, sometimes their duration extended to months, and the instant he felt that the woman demanded more than he was willing to offer, he quickly moved on to the next fling.

There were many problems regarding his approach on relationships. For one, there wasn't that much supply for that type of demand, meaning also that the circles would become smaller. He would have to be a great performer to keep up his reputation and compete with other candidates, otherwise, it would hurt his chances. Not to mention, the high risk of sexually transmitted diseases that no condom in the world could prevent, and the high chances of getting someone pregnant. Brian didn't think like that because for him sex was a pleasure that outweighed all those troubles. He truly believed that this was the best he could wish for his young and naïve boss.

Michael stopped Brian. "Wait!" He demanded. "Who am I walking to?"

"To a woman." He replied. "And maybe another chance to have a memorable night with a black woman."

Michael studied how Brian looked at something at a distance, following his gaze he found a tall, elegant, black woman. A familiar sight.

"Is that...?" He barely finished the question.

"She's a catch." Brian almost drooled. "She remembered me, and remembered you." he put emphasis on the pronoun. "If I were you," he looked at Michael in the eye. "I wouldn't let go of a woman like her."

Michael was slightly lost for a moment, observing the woman from afar not because of her attractiveness, but trying to make sense of the blurred image he had of her. He realized that she didn't look one bit like Debora Smith. He goggled his eyes for a moment, realizing how his perception of reality had fooled him.

If he were the same Michael from weeks ago, he would have asked Brian to lie for him and say that he wasn't there. And although the thought crossed his mind, he took a deep breath, rearranged his denim jacket and bravely walked to the bar area.

With her elbow on the bar and her chin resting on her hand, the black woman lifted up her head, straightened up, and stood there expecting Michael to meet with her. She could barely discern what feelings went through her in that encounter.

"Deborah," he pronounced her name right, now that he knew that this woman and Debora Smith were two different people.

"I wasn't expecting an encounter with you again." She declared, shy in the moment. "Here," she gestured. "at the same spot where we first met."

"Same here." He declared, not sure of what emotions went through him. "Can I offer you a drink?" He cordially offered, standing closer to the bar hinting to stay there for a moment.

"No, no, I'm good." Deborah replied. "So, what happened since the last time we were together?" Her hands rested on the bar.

"A lot." Michael and his reserved answers. "And you, your ex-boyfriend, you got back together..." he tried to introduce the topic.

"We got back together." She sighed.

Michael almost sighed too when he perceived the sadness that came from Deborah. The world didn't make sense. From this Deborah he had moved to Debora Smith and finally settled for Miriam, who he swore was the one. Now that his feelings for Miriam were reciprocated and they began to flourish, was chance bringing Deborah back to the game? He hoped to be wrong.