Afraid to Love
Episode 27
“Jeremy, my boy.” Aaron called out happily.
Jeremy turned around and saw the familiar face calling him. He grinned on seeing him. “Mr. Aaron Theodore.” he walked to meet with him.
“Congratulations.” Aaron and Jeremy shook hands. “You really did good out there. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jeremy humbly replied.
“Welcome on board.” Aaron patted his shoulder.
“Lets talk over lunch.” Jeremy requested.
Aaron agreed.
They walked to the dining room. Before they got there, they had received lots of handshake from different persons that had attended the meeting.
Jeremy was mostly congratulated and Aaron felt so proud of his soon-to-be son-in-law. They were now going to be partners. A family business.
“What would you like to take?” the waitress asked.
“Can we go over the menu?” Jeremy requested.
“Yeah. Lemme go and get it.” the waitress answered and left them.
“Jeremy, I’m glad you agreed to help us.”
“Sir, there’s no need to thank me again and again. I’m really happy I did. I could help and offered it. I am glad you accepted it.”
“Wow! You are-”
“Here, it is.” the waitress interrupted.
Jeremy took it from her and proceeded to hand it over to Aaron.
“No, no. You can pick.” Aaron refused taking it.
“Alright.” Jeremy scanned through the menu and made his choice. “Is fried chicken, macaroni and cheese okay with you?”
Aaron nodded.
“We’ll have that,” Jeremy said to the waitress.
She nodded and strolled to get their order. In no time, she was back, served them and left.
“I haven’t really come up with a name for the new company we’ve formed.” Jeremy broke the silence.
“Me neither,” Aaron replied, swallowing.
“What if we choose ‘Theodore’s&Broderick’s Enterprise’?”
“Hmm.” Aaron nodded. “Nice choice. But the company now belongs to you and my daughter. We, the fathers are no more in control. Something like, ‘JP Business Enterprise.’”
“Wow. Cool name. What does ‘JP’ stand for?” Jeremy asked, pretending not to know.
“Are you kidding me? Jeremy and Purity of course.” Aaron was full of smiles.
Jeremy really liked the new name. Why hadn’t he thought of it? JP. Jeremy and Purity.
“I accept it. I like it.”
“That’s good.”
They continued eating.
“Where is Purity? She was supposed to be here.” Jeremy asked. He really wanted to see her. Never been with her or talked about issues relating to business only when he had stomped into her office the previous day.
“Oh. Should be home with Prudence. She really didn’t want to attend this meeting.”
Jeremy was surprised. “Why? Am I reason?”
“Aaron chuckled. “Not at all. She had to spend time with her mama.”
“Oh, that’s good.” the lurch he felt in his heart was no more there. He was scared, thinking that she’d ran away from him. They still had something to talk about. “Sir-”
Aaron raised a finger. “Don’t call me sir. Call me papa or father.” he grinned.
That was the last thing Jeremy expected to hear from this man. This pending marriage between him and Purity was this serious? He hoped within himself not to shatter their hopes. “Alright, father. I want to ask about Purity. I have observed how humble you are and your wife too- mother.” Never called another woman ‘mother’ after his mum passed away. He had to get used to it. “Purity is so different. Why?”
Aaron shook his head sadly. “I must confess; I don’t really know why. Her mother pampered her when she was still a little girl and taught her so many things. As she turned to a teenager, she withdrew herself. She started acting so disrespectful. At that moment, I decided to have full control over her life, I brought her up with an iron hand. But at certain times, I had to be reasonable and abide by her wish. She has manners but doesn’t know how to practise them. I am glad I can control her, but not for long.”
“She has them. Saw the way she spoke to my father.”
“And you are a daring young man. I believe you can handle her very well. You are the man for her.”
“I’ve been with different ladies, but never came across one like your daughter. What baffles me is the fact that she’s pure but doesn’t act like it. All her life, I am the first and only person she has kssed.”
“Really? I never knew you two have shared something. Its a good sign. She has phobia for men anyway. Help her, please.” Aaron pleaded.
“Not to worry, father. I’ll see to that. She’s my responsibility now.” What had he just done? Promised to handle Purity? He was going to confront her regarding what his father had told him and now, he was going to make her love him.
And he too would have to fall for her. Loving someone wasn’t the problem here. He had always wished to find love and happiness, but not with a woman like Purity. She was innocent and all that, but she had bad manners, how’s he gonna fix her? He had already given his word and there was no going back.
“Thank you, son. You’ll never regret this.”
Jeremy deeply sighed. “I hope so.”
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