Chapter 3

“I THINK this red dress would look good on you.” Raquel’s mother held the red dress with a plunging neckline in front of her face. “This is perfect for your dinner date.”

Raquel’s mouth fell open. She shook her head in disapproval. “That’s revealing too much, Mom!” she said with a frown. “That man might think I’m working in a club with that dress.”

Her Mom grunted. “Stop being picky in your dress; you’re not a kid anymore to act like that! Show him what you’ve got! Look at me, I don’t look like my age,” she said and showed her another sexy dress again. “How about this one?”

“Nah,” she disapproved. “I think this red tube dress suits my personality.” She ran her hand along with the soft cloth of the dress. “I’ll just top it with a white blazer.”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Blazer? Wear it alone,” she grunted.

Raquel almost chuckled. Her fifty-one-year-old mother doesn’t look like her age. Despite graying hair, the old lady never forgets her nightly skincare routine that maintained the youth in her face.

“And, please, Raquel. Put some makeup on, okay? Look your best because his family will also join us,” her Mom requested. “By the way, do you have cosmetics? Don’t tell me—”

“I do, Mom,” she cut off and sighed. “I can’t believe it’s happening…” she murmured.

“Well, you should, because after tonight, the life that you used to live will change.”

Raquel made a face. “Really?” she asked, which irritates her mother.

“Good gracious! Never do that in front of them, Raquel! I’m warning you.”

Raquel snorted. “Maybe they’re the picky ones.”

“He’s a great doctor. You have to look admirable and presentable in his eyes. And...” A smile formed on the old lady’s lips. “He is a very handsome young man. He’s the best for you.”

Raquel couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Mom, you sound like a pimp—”

“Watch your mouth, for chrissake!” The old lady cupped her forehead. “Why I let your uncle raised you alone?” she asked, shaking her head. “Why I let you live with your two brothers?”

She laughed. “Mom, chill. Uncle Ted, Joshua, and Joseu raised me a good person. They just taught me to enjoy life to the fullest.”

“But they didn’t teach you how to talk, move and act like a nice lady,” she said, sighing. “If your dad is here, you won’t be like that. I’m sure he won’t even let you wear those ripped jeans.”

“And, I’m sure he won’t also let you do this blind date for me,” she added. “Dad will let me choose the man I love.”

“When will it be? When you’re in your menopausal stage?”

Raquel groaned. “I’m sure the guy you’re talking about won’t like me. And, if he refused to get married to me, please, Mom, never do this again.”

Her mother arched a brow. “What are you planning to do? Scare off the man during our dinner with them? Don’t dare, Raquel.”

“Of course not! Why would I do that?” She laughed. “I’ll behave. I want that dinner date to end early. I have a lot of work to do.”

When her mother nodded, Raquel sighed. It’ll be a long night for her.

__________________________

AFTER Ronald performed his last autopsy post for the day at the Medical Examiner’s Office, he went straight home to prepare for the dinner date. His mother reminded him that he should not be late to the restaurant where the meeting with the woman’s family will happen.

Calling it a meeting is an understatement. Ronald knew it. Despite his numerous excuses to not attend the dinner meeting tonight, his mother and sister would not give up on insisting. That’s why after hours of negotiation, they agreed that if that blind date was unsuccessful, they would stop looking for a woman that he will marry.

Ronald was quite busy with work that he doesn’t have time to think about getting married. For him, such things can wait, but the justice in his hands cannot.

He pressed his thumb on the Biometrix scanner of his automatic gate. The Architects designed it to be as convenient as it could be for a busy, solo occupant like Ronald. He can already see his guard dog Zeus waiting for him to get off the car from his garage. Zeus is an American Bulldog he rescued from one of the crime scenes he responded to. When Ronald entered his house, the fluffy Siberian Samoyed Venus jumped on him. This dog was given to him by her younger sister, who was now in California.

“We’re not going to play now, okay? I have an appointment tonight,” he told the two giant dogs following him. “Did my two babies behave?” They gave him barks as an answer, “very good.”

Ronald was also an animal lover. Suppose he’s not a forensic pathologist now, he might be a veterinarian with lots of adopted dogs and cats he rescued from the streets. But, being in Forensics was his calling, and nobody can resist the call of duty.

After making sure all his dogs’ needs were prepared, Ronald took a shower. He wore a muscle fit black long sleeves polo, white pants, and brown leather shoes. It was also his usual attire in the blind dates that his mother set for him before.

He smirked while looking at himself in front of the mirror. Ronald can see their reactions now after they see him in the same clothes again. “And, mom would just shake her head,” he added and laughed.

Half an hour later, his car was out of the garage. He was about to start the car when his phone rang.

“Where are you?” his mother asked from the other line as soon as he put on his Bluetooth earpiece. “You should be here by now.”

Ronald started the engine so that her Mom could hear its roar. “I have to feed Zeus and Venus before I left. They’d eat my couch again if I didn’t.”

He heard his mother sighed. “Whatever, Ronald! Just hurry up! They’re on their way here—”

“I’m on my way,” he cut off and drove his car away. What was Mom’s choice of a woman now? He asked in his mind. It will be another night to waste again for the Forensic Doctor, Ronald.

***