Shades of Deception - Page 16/118

Enoff said, "That is quite a story. I have only lived in the neighborhood for two years but have heard people talk about the couple and the house, which was empty for three years."

The photographer then said, "I am running late and on my way to a party."

Enoff said, "What a coincidence, I am having a surprise engagement party for my fiancée."

The woman then asked, "Are you Enoff?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Your friend hired me for the evening," said the woman.

By now, Enoff knew Precious was not going to be at the engagement party. On his way back home, he had to come up with a plausible story to tell the photographer, his parents, and guests.

When he got home, thinking that the woman with him was his fiancée, everyone hollered, "Surprise!"

He told them he had gotten a call from his fiancée, whose girlfriend had a medical emergency and did not want to leave until her friend was okay.

The photographer and guests were disappointed but understood.

He told them to stay and not let the food go to waste and said, "Enjoy! We will plan another party, but this time, we will be celebrating our wedding."

Everyone applauded and started to eat. Even though Precious was not there, the photographer still took pictures and invited Enoff to her studio to look over her work, in case he and his fiancée wanted to hire her for their wedding.

The get-together ended around two in the morning.

It was now Monday. After seeing his parents off at the bus terminal, Enoff went straight to the studio to look at the pictures that the photographer had taken at his party. In addition to showing him the proofs, she thought showing the Awas' wedding album and video would be nice since his fiancée was living in the house, which the couple once owned, and it would be the ideal place to hold their big event.

While looking through the album, he almost had a panic attack. There was a picture of his fiancée posing with an older man, whom Enoff did not know. When he inquired about the couple in the photo, the photographer did recognize the woman but did not know her name and identified the man as Mr. Awa.

Enoff thanked the photographer, took his proofs and left.

He did not know what to think.

Who was this Precious? Why did she not tell him that she knew the previous occupants? He started to wonder if Mr. Awa was her Internet friend, and if so, why did she keep it a secret? There were so many questions but no answers.