Unholy Matrimony

by Brenda Barrett

  “No,” Phoebe stammered.

  Ezekiel approached her and stood directly in front of her, towering over her and almost touching her. “I would want to. I think about us being together pretty much everyday.” Phoebe's heart leapt. He bent his head and kissed her lips gently; he nibbled a bit and then kissed her deeply. It was electrifying, Phoebe closed her eyes and her lips clung to his. When he raised his head Phoebe was trembling.

  He was staring at her in an intent way. “I want us to get to know each other in person. We already did the phone thing. This kiss proves we have chemistry. Not a bad move for a man who is intent on getting the most beautiful girl in the world to love him.” Phoebe gasped.

  He touched her cheek gently. “I'll be cooking dinner. You can come and join me in the kitchen downstairs.”

  Phoebe sat on the bed, shell-shocked, when he left the room—chemistry, between her and Ezekiel Hoppings? A few weeks ago the thought would have been laughable, but these days her world was really topsy-turvy and she had strayed from her exacting preferences in men.

  She liked and kissed a handsome guy, who was poor, and just now she kissed an ugly guy, who was rich. She threw herself across the bed and admitted that both men were great kissers.

  *****

  Phoebe had opened up the closet after she had stirred herself from her feverish thoughts of Charles and Ezekiel and found it full of obviously expensive clothes that were all in her size—she loved them all. She had only ever seen this quality clothes in those snooty shops where the sales person followed her around because she wasn’t known.

  After a shower she put on a long hot-looking pink maxi dress and a soft slipper of the same shade. She chose to let down her long black hair and put on some pink lip-gloss, she assessed herself in the mirror. She looked and felt like a princess and the setting really complimented her.

  “Watch out world.” She whispered to her reflection.

  She found Ezekiel in the kitchen making something that smelled really good. He looked up when she entered, a tender look in his eyes. “You look spectacular.”

  “Thank you.” Phoebe smiled back at him.

  “I am making smoked sausage jambalaya.”

  “Hmm, that sounds good. I had no idea you can cook.”

  Ezekiel chopped up the onions and garlic efficiently, and threw them into the pot. “My mother made sure that I could. She was adamant that all her boys would grow up doing the practical things. When my father protested that she was teaching me to do girl's things she would laugh.”

  Phoebe leaned her head to the side and viewed him coquettishly. “I thought that rich people weren't bothered by these menial things and have maids and butlers and gardeners and all manner of service people.”

  Ezekiel laughed. “Service people are necessary only because I’m too busy doing other things, but I like being alone sometimes. I do have staff here but usually when I am coming I have the place stocked for my comfort and I stay here alone. These past ten years, I hardly come by this particular house, I’m afraid my business associates and friends stay here more than I do. I just had it re-decorated the other day, it was languishing in neglect.”

  They had dinner by candlelight in the kitchen alcove as they listened to the waves on the seashore. He looked dark and mysterious in the half-light and Phoebe's new awareness of him was causing her pulse to beat erratically.

  What on earth was happening to her? She tried to drum up her feeling of repulsion toward him but she kept remembering how drawn she had been to him from the earlier days of seeing him at church, even though she had always thought him ugly. Now suddenly her opinion of him was undergoing a metamorphosis because of that kiss, or was it because she realized how rich he was. Was the lure of money that powerful?

  He kept her laughing through dinner with tales of his trips to various countries and Phoebe found him to be entertaining. The food was also very good.

  “Have you had many girlfriends?” Phoebe asked suddenly. She had been itching to ask. Was he planning to make her another notch on one of his expensive bed posts?

  Ezekiel scratched his chin. “Let's see. A woman would ask a man that question because a, she wants to be a girlfriend, or b, she kissed him and found out that there was passion between them, or c, she's jealous.”

  Phoebe could feel her cheek growing warm. “Forget I asked.”

  “Not many girlfriends,” Ezekiel said, his eyes twinkling. “Believe it or not, this whole tycoon business thing does not leave much space for romance. I will have to seriously cut back on my traveling and interests in the near future; I want a wife; I want children and I want a home life.”

  Phoebe's heart pumped erratically. “That lady, Sonia, that told me off at the poolside, is up for the role, isn't she?”

  Ezekiel laughed softly. “No. My interest is in one, Phoebe Bridge. She knows I want her. She just wants me to say it out loud.”

  Phoebe hung her head and worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

  “The question is,” Ezekiel pushed her hair away from her cheek, “how do you feel about me?”

  Phoebe looked at him and then out the window into the darkness. “I am not sure.”

  “That's good enough for me,” Ezekiel said briskly. “Let's get married tomorrow.”

  Phoebe looked at him and gasped. “You are not serious.”

  Ezekiel grinned. “I would be, if you were sure of your feelings. I would be honored to love and cherish you forever. But of course, I know you have to sort out your feelings toward Charles Black and I know my kind of lifestyle will take a lot of getting used to.”

  Phoebe's mind was racing, no it wouldn't. She had always wanted this lifestyle and how did he know about Charles?

  “There is nothing to sort out with Charles,” she said lightly, “and I thought marriage was a big deal especially for rich men? And shouldn't we go for counseling to find out if we are compatible.”

  “I know we are compatible,” Ezekiel said, “that kiss and your response proved it. I would prefer spending time with you than with a counselor to find out if we are compatible.”

  Phoebe looked at him contemplatively. “Then that's what we'll do then, spend time together.”

  Ezekiel took up her fingers from the table and kissed them one by one. It caused a tingle to run through her body and when he released her fingers Phoebe put them in her other palm to stop them from trembling.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Phoebe and Ezekiel went to church together for the first time; Phoebe wore a powder blue dress and a matching hat. She loved the ensemble, and on her way to church she wondered if she could keep all the gorgeous clothes that were in the closet at the house. She felt curiously euphoric and had slept peacefully last night, after Ezekiel had walked her to her door. She woke up this morning feeling as if she was on the verge of some major discovery.

  When they drove up to the church, it looked plain enough on the outside but when she entered the building she could see, through the widows, that there was a lake and a garden to the side of the building. It would make a picturesque spot for a wedding and Phoebe allowed her mind to wander on about weddings.

  Last night Ezekiel had insinuated that he wanted to marry her as soon as possible and she castigated herself for not accepting and going forward with it. This morning she would have been Mrs. Ezekiel Hoppings, with all the wealth and privileges that the title came with. She would finally be where she was supposed to be in this life. Why she had held back is anybody's guess. Ezekiel was still ugly and that wasn't going to change; she thought about Charles—he was all the way back in Jamaica and he was not going anywhere anytime soon.

  “Phoebe Bridge,” a bright voice said behind her. When Phoebe turned around she saw that it was Kelly Palmer. She had her toddler in her lap and he was trying to reach for Phoebe's hair.

  “Hi Sister Kelly,” Phoebe smiled. “How are you?”

  Kelly smiled. “I am fine and quite pleased to see you.” Kelly then looked at the man beside Phoebe and g
asped, “Ezekiel Hoppings?”

  Ezekiel turned around and gave her a smile. “Nice to see you again, Kelly.”

  Phoebe looked at the little boy in Kelly's lap—he was the spitting image of Chris Donahue. Now she realized why they didn’t carry him back to Jamaica for Erica's wedding. He didn’t have any of Kelly's features. She wondered how they were dealing with the situation, though Kelly appeared to be happy and relaxed.

  “Where is Pastor Theo?” Phoebe asked curiously, unable to drag her eyes from the toddler.

  “He is outside,” Kelly said, a note of discomfort in her voice at the way that Phoebe was staring at her son fixedly.

  Phoebe finally dragged her eyes away from him and asked, “What's his name again?”

  Kelly was looking like she regretted calling to Phoebe now. “His name is Mark.”

  “He looks just like Chris,” Phoebe whispered in fascination. When she saw the mutinous look in Kelly's eyes she realized that she had spoken out loud.

  Ezekiel stiffened beside her. He had been listening to their conversation but had faced forward; he turned around just then and smiled at Kelly apologetically.

  Kelly shrugged. “It is what it is.” She looked at both Ezekiel and Phoebe and raised her eyebrows.

  Ezekiel put his arm around Phoebe and Kelly laughed. “Well, well, Ezekiel; you dark horse you. We will speak later.”

  Phoebe could not wait for the service to be over to question Ezekiel about Kelly. They knew each other and seemed friendly? Phoebe couldn’t fight the uncomfortable feeling that Kelly was sitting behind her and judging her for being there with Ezekiel. In her opinion Kelly should be the one feeling guilty, not her, but then she remembered that Kelly was Erica's sister. What if Erica had said something to her about Phoebe's intention to marry rich?

  Then Ezekiel would think she was a gold digger and ditch her just when she was getting so close to her goal. She was in for a shock though, because after church, Theo and Ezekiel were shaking hands and talking chummy.

  “Why don't you come back to our place for lunch?” Ezekiel was asking Theo and Kelly.

  “Would love to,” Kelly grinned, “I have not seen that place since I refurbished it.”

  Kelly was responsible for all of that luxury? Phoebe gasped. She was really good then. She now saw the connection without having to ask. Kelly was the talented designer who did Ezekiel’s house. She then realized that he had said 'our' place and felt warm all over—she liked the sound of that.

  *****

  The dinner was going remarkably well, Phoebe had to admit. They were dining on the patio overlooking the sea. Ezekiel had served more of his jambalaya rice and salad. He and Theo had prepped the food together, talking and laughing in the kitchen.

  Kelly hardly spoke to Phoebe when they were gone. She was not very comfortable around her and Phoebe could understand why, so she didn't push. She didn't want to invite any confidences with Kelly and then have her asking her why she was in Cayman with Ezekiel. But she couldn't help staring at the little boy in fascination. He was supposed to be around two years old now. He was super-cute, with his pink rose bud mouth and his big bright hazel eyes.

  When they were all seated together she realized that Theo and Kelly were very easy to be around. Their children were well behaved, but their little girl kept staring at Phoebe and she was tempted to ask the brat to stop contemplating her so hard—she tried to remember her name but couldn't.

  Finally, she asked her in her friendliest voice, “What’s your name again?”

  “Thea,” the little girl replied.

  “Is there something on my face why you are looking at me so long?”

  The little girl scrunched up her nose. “No, I was just wondering if you and Uncle Ezekiel are married.”

  Phoebe started fidgeting and thought, note to self, never question a child in public again; they have no tact or diplomacy.

  “No, we are not.” Phoebe cleared her throat.

  The conversation that had been going on around them stopped and everyone was listening in. Ezekiel had a big smile on his face and Kelly was looking on inquiringly.

  Why don't you tell your child to mind her own business, Phoebe felt like screaming at the grinning couple.

  “So,” Thea continued, “if you are not married to Uncle Ezekiel why are you two here together?”

  “That's enough, Thea,” Theo said, a warning in his voice. “I think this line of conversation comes under adult conversation.”

  Theo looked at Phoebe warmly. “Sorry about the questions. Our daughter is going through that stage where everybody's business is fair game.”

  Well bully for you, when she starts asking why the baby does not look like the two of you, Phoebe thought wildly.

  Ezekiel laughed. “To your question, Thea, I would marry her right now.”

  “Is that so?” Kelly asked interestedly.

  “Oh yes,” Ezekiel said easily, not realizing that Phoebe was looking uncomfortable. Kelly knew all about her little stalking episode on Chris, and how she hadn't made any secret of the fact that she wanted to marry rich.

  Phoebe could see Kelly calling Ezekiel and warning him off; he would probably listen to her too; she was his designer and they seemed to have a good relationship. Drat it, she cursed in her mind.

  She forced a smile on her face and looked somewhere in Kelly's direction. “People change and mature.” Kelly's eyebrows sprung even higher at that.

  Phoebe could see Kelly, in her mind's eye, talking about it with Erica. Erica would tell her all her secrets and Kelly would tell Ezekiel that she was a gold-digger. All her dreams of marrying rich would be dashed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  They went to the party that night on a yacht; it was fairly pleasant. The women spoke about their children and babies and their charity work. The men gathered off to one side and spoke about fishing and property deals.

  This was a group of Ezekiel's closest friends. She felt ridiculously young and gauche compared to them. The hosts were pleasant, the food was good, and the women tried to include her in their chatter, but she didn't know them and felt detached from their conversations and found herself smiling vaguely at their jokes.

  She was half listening to the old reggae songs from the 60's and suddenly felt nostalgic. She could remember listening to these songs when her father played them on his LP record. She would lie in her bed and imagine that she was rich and far away from the world she lived in.

  Somehow, the reality was not meeting up to her dreams. She still yearned for something more.

  She heard Dobby Dobson's song ‘The Loving Pauper’ and for the first time the words resonated with her. She found herself thinking that the words were something that Charles would sing to her—now she couldn't stop thinking about him.

  She had called him hurriedly before she left for the weekend and told him she would be out of the country and then hung up before he could answer. She found herself standing alone to one side of the boat, staring out at the darkness of the sea and hearing the sea lap against the expensive boat.

  She had no idea what she was yearning for, or wanted, but she felt lonely and unsettled. She came to the realization that she would probably feel this way forever, even if she married Ezekiel and was instantly rich. Maybe she was chronically unhappy, maybe it was something in her genes from her mother's side of the family.

  She felt an arm around her and looked up jerkily. It was Ezekiel. He was standing beside her with a drink in his hand.

  “You look unhappy, like you are on the verge of tears.”

  Phoebe sniffed. “I don't know what's wrong with me.” Tears welled in her eyes.

  “Do you want us to get out of here, go somewhere quiet, and talk?”

  Phoebe nodded. “Can we? We are some ways from shore.”

  Ezekiel squeezed her arm. “Give me five minutes.”

  He went on the upper deck and whispered to his friend and in a few moments they were heading for shore. Phoebe had a fake smile plaster
ed on her face when she was waving to the people who were commiserating with her for not feeling well.

  When she was finally alone with Ezekiel he turned her around and looked on her face searchingly, and then hugged her. They stood in the quiet night of the Barcadere Marina and hugged.

  Phoebe burrowed herself in his strong arms, hoping to calm the storms that were raging in her mind; he hugged her tightly, trying to be her anchor.

  Then she started to sob because she saw Charles in her mind with that carefree grin on his face and she knew that she would probably hurt him. She also knew that Ezekiel was far more invested in her than she deserved; she was confused and unsure of what to do.

  He let her sob, then he dried her tears and they sat on one of the benches in the marina park, just staring off into the night.

  He hugged her and she leaned her head on his shoulder, tendrils of her hair sneaked down the front of his shirt and he played with them.

  “I thought parties are supposed to be happy.” His voice was hoarse.

  Phoebe giggled nervously. “They are, maybe I’m just not a happy person. Maybe I’m incapable of enjoying myself.”

  Ezekiel swallowed. “Close your eyes and think about it; what is the one occasion in your life that when in that moment you wished it could last forever.”

  Phoebe closed her eyes and her mind could only conjure up that time when she kissed Charles. She wished she could kiss him forever, inhale his scent, and spend every day in his arms. She wasn't poor then or thinking about money. She hadn't been thinking or calculating; she had just felt light and free.

  She took her head up from Ezekiel's shoulder; she couldn't tell him that. She put some distance between them and sighed. He intertwined their hands and squeezed them. “Your happiest time in your entire life till now was with Charles Black?”

  Phoebe gasped. “How'd you know...I mean what gave you that impression?”