THE CHURCH GIRL

CHAPTER 45

,................NAOMI'S POV.......

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

''I will have to take my leave now", Devon had gone downstairs to say his goodbyes and I just still at the top of the stairs staring down T him. My mother gave him a hug and smiled sweetly to him.

"You have to come for dinner. We have a little thing we do on days like this", she invited him this time and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't think Naomi will like that very much", he said softly trying not to invade anymore.

"Oh don't worry, she only has a tough exterior with a soft interior, she will come around. Promise to come back for dinner", she pushed further and he gave in. Atleast he tried to say no. Ana Maria beamed in excitement and gave him a hug while opening the door for him. I watched him leave and I felt sad. Maybe I should have hugged him, or kissed him. I unblocked his numbers and smiled at myself for not giving in too soon. I knew he was hurting, but I did too so maybe this is his turn.

Julia called earlier she was coming for dinner so I informed my mom to make more extra plate. Diana was smiling her way around me and nudging Ana Maria to say something. I knew what they wanted to know, I just feigned ignorance and ignored them.

"So...... Naomi", was if him?", Ana Maria blurted out after the nudges from Diana.

"Was it him what Ana?", I asked not looking away from my phone.

"You know...... that famous guy who sings. He is really beautiful. Is like he was hand crafted separately by God....you are so lucky Mimi", Ana was such a fan girl, so I knew she will recognise him.

"Wow Ana, slow down your husband is a stud", I replied laughing. She threw a cookie dough at me and Diana laughed.

"Are you two dating?. His eyes looked sad and worried. When you got up and left the table, he almost tripped over following you. He looked so worried and....scared", Diana was good at reading people and their emotions. I believed her because Devon really did look like he was loosing something too precious to him when he was talking to me.

"Well he deserve that and more. He put me through worse", I murmured provoking a pinch from my mother, "Ouch Mama".

"Forgive him, I don't think he ever meant to hurt you in anyway. Give him another chance. You seem to like him even more. Your eyes look happy anytime you hear his name. Who are you deceiving", my mother again with the defence.

"Okay all of you should leave me alone, mama, stay out of this and you two, I will tell your studs about salivating over another man", I run off before Ana Maria could throw another dough at me. Today's dinner was like a celebration. They did this every year almost to Christmas. Andrew and Sonia had gone out but they walked in as soon as I joined Jose' and Denzel in the living room.

"Mama....", Andrew shouted out to our mother who came out of the kitchen to find out what his problem was, "Sonia invited Ken and his mom over for dinner", I almost fell off the couch. Sonia smiled deviously while staring at me.

"Oh great, two more mouth to feed, how generous", I said smiling back at her. She scoffed and walked over to a seat next to Denzel.

"Sonia, may I ask why you invited them", Denzel asked her looking blankly at her face. She started to fumble over words and then found enough.

"I just thought it won't be a bother since they are not strangers. And I'm sure Naomi wouldn't mind", she replied fishing for a reaction.

"Oh my no my dear, why would I mind. If mama can feed you, why not two more you added. We are all friends anyway", she huffed and left the living room in anger making Denzel smile.

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Julia came thirty minutes early and was just happy to be there. I told her everything that happened during the day and Devon. Also gave her a heads up about Ken coming over with his mom but she seemed to not mind one bit. A couple of minutes later Ken and his mother came in and the house was starting to get full. I stayed to wonder where Devon might be and I was shocking myself as to why. Within the next ten minutes he came in with Ryan who looked well dressed and sweet. I noticed him and Julia exchanged some weird adorable looks and I just smiled. It was as if some of my family were waiting for Devon. They all started to smile and exchange handshakes and greetings. Ken just looked on and nodded. Ken smiled at me and I smiled back making Devon eye him. My mother had intentionally placed Devon right opposite of me, and Ken was beside me because Julia had taken the seat next to Ryan. I was fine with the seating, but Devon didn't seem quiet so mostly because he recognised Ken from the function we danced together and he noticed us being cordial. He was bothered but was trying so hard to hide it. Everyone took their seats and there was chattering and laughter around the table even my father was in good spirits.

"Hello Everyone. So every year my family and I hold this dinner before Christmas and invite anyone we liked as a memory lane for Christmas. This year we didn't invite much because we thought it won't happen. But oh well, here we are...", everyone laughed as my mother did some talking, "So dig in, enjoy and chat how we much you would like", we laughed again and started the small talks others louder, others quieter. Until Sonia thought it was okay to be louder than everyone.

"So, Ken, are you and Naomi still deciding when to get together?", some of us knew what she was doing when we all drew our attention to her. My father cleared his throat but she ignored and Ken looked quite uncomfortable.

"Well we are just friends for now so.... Who knows.... Anything can happen", he replied picking up his cutlery.

"Well you two do look wonderful together. I'm sure Naomi isn't dating anyone so you two will definitely get together", Sonia once again blurred out even with Andrew glaring at her on how she is masking this awkward.

"Sonia, I don't think Naomi ever told you that she wasn't dating. Do you live with her now?", Ana Maria retorted back glaring at her.

"If she did, I'm sure when I said so, she would have retracted it herself whether she was or she wasn't", she sneaked a look at Devon and then at me and then I realised she wanted rile up something to get a reaction to the questions in her head.

"Errrm, Sonia, why is my personal life such an interesting topic for you?", I asked her picking up a spoonful of beef sauce.

"I'm your sister in-law, there is nothing wrong with me asking about your personal life", she replied.

"Well Sonia it kind of is none of your business. She doesn't know about yours. I mean do you mind sharing what you and Andrew argue about every night before bed", Diana was not one to talk but when she did, it was like a terrorist dropping bombs in specific locations. Sonia gasped and frowned.

"See, you don't want to, so maybe stay far off other people's business", added Ana Maria. Sonia was fuming, she went back to her food quietly while the rest chatted on. Ken was telling me about this girl he met in a bar and how much she looks like me which made me laugh. I could feel Devon staring into my souls with every action I took. I didn't look at him. I just ignored him. My brothers indulged him in conversations and my father seemed to like him enough to smile at anything he said. But he still kept stealing glances at Ken and I.

Ryan and Julia were talking and laughing even touching each other. Ken's mom was talking to my mother and my father was talking with his boys and Ken, Sonia was all alone, even Andrew wasn't paying attention to her. Everyone went back to their food and the table became quiet while Ken and I started chuckling like kids and making fun of each other quietly which caused some stares.

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