Kemar POV

I was more than ready to be on my way to Cullayne's like a bat out of hell. I could not push aside the fear that laced my mother's voice as she spoke to me on the phone.

I needed to get my car from the garage. I would have made it to her by now instead of being an hour and a half behind seeing that I was working only an hour away from White House when my mother called.

I was grateful to Latrice the dental nurse who worked at Chedwick's Dental Clinic for offering to give me a lift as I was heading out but her driving at a snail's pace and constantly aiming at conversation was grating on my worry-charred nerves.

I looked at my phone impatiently as I silently cursed myself for not waiting for a taxi. I was never the kind to be impatient but as the seconds ticked into minutes and I was still not with Cullayne I started to get irritable.

"Can you just hurry up!" I snapped irritably and thought this was what I get for helping out Micheal.

She gave me a startled look due to my annoyed outburst but with a shrug, she quickly pushed my behaviour aside. I guess due to the kind of job she did she was quite accustomed to uncoordinated behaviour.

"Relax Kemar I am trying to be careful on the road," she returned her cheeks a little red as she glanced at me. "Is something the matter?"

A who she a try fool eee? She think mi born big?

"Yes and sorry for shouting at you," I returned hoping the affirmation and apology would get her moving.

"No worries," she said as she smiled a little too sweetly before turning her attention back to the road. It seemed she was not the type to carry any heart feelings and once again I was sitting there rooted in her unwanted conversation.

I closed my eyes then leaned my head against the seat and drowned her out as I thought of Cullayne but the privilege was not to be as Latrice touched my arm and purposefully pulled me into the conversation.

"I heard you're a member of Priestess Lamais Church is true?"

"Mmhmm," I grumbled wishing she would just shut up.

"Is she as good as they say? I have heard plenty about her since I moved to Dunkley but some things seem too good to be true," she said her face wearing a scowl of perplexity. "And now mi ere her daughter a kick up rumpus over deh."

"Rumpus?! Why you nuh believe God use people in different ways to manifest who He is and what He is for?"

"Well him create doctors fi what she claims she can spiritually do through just reading up people and curing them through oils and concoctions," she said with a frown before adding, "mi nuh truss dem people deh weh play wid dem bush bush sinting an oil."

"If mi come to you an seh mi teet a hurt mi an yuh ask mi fi show yuh d teet and yuh nuh see nothing fi seh a dat cause it fi hurt mi dat mean yuh naah believe mi?"

"Well... no it can be that a something under the teet a cause the issue an ---"

"Jus know seh God place things in everyone to do his will and not because it does not come with a fancy certificate and titles nuh mean it's vile and immoral, " I told her with a hint of disgust at her her behaviour.

"We... Well, I... I kknoow that," she returned lamely.

"Come to convention and see for yourself just who the Priestess is and put her to the test. She is no different from the many Evangelists and Pastors whose prayer and fasting people run to for deliverance and healing," I said to her as my desire to defend Lamais caused me to be rash.

"Will I get to sit by you after all it's you who invite mi," she said with a little smile that further caused my displeasure in her.

"There are plenty of seats waiting for you Ms Palmer so you don't have to take my invite as a means for nothing more than seeing firsthand how God uses vessels willing to be filled with his many gifts."

We were now approaching the intersection that led to White House and I sighed in relief thinking that finally, I could see Cullayne and get out of Latrice's car. I had nothing to do with pessimistic people. They were too doubtful and had an underline haughtiness that grated on my nerves.

"I am coming off here," I said as she made the turn and drove ahead. In mere seconds I will be out of her way and with Cullayne or so I thought.

"Ooo so this is where you going," she said as she looked to where I indicated. There was something on her face that I did not want to comprehend as she parked her car and turned off the engine. "I think I'll pay the Priestess a visit."

"She's not here s---"

"But I heard her daughter is," she said cutting me off. "And dat she can read to."

"Ms Palmer I---"

She was out of the car before I could stop her and my heart beat with irritation as she made for the gate with mischievous intent.

Why was she behaving like this? What did she have against Lamais? Whatever it was Cullayne was going to be on the receiving end of it.

I hurried from the car my concern for Cullayne propelling me to grip Latrice by the arm to stop her from going through the gate but I was too late she was already heading up the walkway.

I sprinted after her and with a quick yank on her arm, I pulled her to a halt only to have her spinning around and colliding with my chest as her hands went up to grip my shoulders for balance causing us to appear in an intimate embrace.

Her coffee-brown eyes stared into mine as her full glossy lips spread into a broad smile.

"I often imagine what it would feel like to be in your arms," she said softly. "And it's better than I ever thought. Before I could pull away she said, "I also imagine this."

Latrice's slim body pressed further into mine and so did her surprisingly soft lips. I told myself to pull away but I was not sure if it was the reality of how easily I was manipulated that kept me standing there or how smoothly she played me into her trap.

I should have known she had no intention to have a reading when clearly such an event was unfavourable to her. This was just an impromptu chance and she played it to the last t.

Anger at being so perfectly manipulated rushed through me and I made to push her away but she had already ended the kiss and was staring victoriously at me.

"Now dat was far better than my imagination," said licking her lips. "But just as tasty as hot dark chocolate."

"Tek yuh self fra mi," I snapped moving away but we had already gained an audience.

"Kemar?!" my mother said with bitter scrutiny, "Wha madness a galang yasso?"

I looked at my mother and Seana who were standing there by the partially open grill of the veranda eyes intent on us.

"Hi Ms Shanty don't mind us I was just dropping off Kemar," Latrice responded smiling like a Cheshire cat.

"Well, yuh chauffeur service is no longer needed so gwaan home," Seana said snidely.

Both women stood staring venomously at each other before my mother shuffled down to me and tugged me towards the steps mumbling under her breath.

I heard the words stupid and viper as I followed her and thought to myself what did I do to deserve this?