Previously: "I guess it is safe to assume that Antonio is not the second coming." Jude said as they headed to the meeting... "It does seem pretty conclusive… Hopefully after this meeting we will have enough information on this man and his manipulative methods to convince people not to buy his cure." Jude nodded. "I'll make sure the Vatican releases an official statement after I submit my report. He is taking advantage of the most vulnerable people in society in order to make money."
A Flaw in the Plan
Chapter 8
Arriving at the meeting, Celine slipped her hand into Jude's. He glanced at her in confusion.
"We are a married couple desperate for children," she reminded him, "we need to look like it."
He nodded and grasped her hand back, leading her towards one of the benches in the hall that Antonio had hired with the money he had taken from sick people. They were soon joined by an elderly couple. After speaking for a few minutes it was revealed that the man had been diagnosed with cancer and had not been given much time to live. Even with the apocalypse coming, they wanted to make sure they had as much time together as possible. When prompted for their reasons for attending, Celine responded, careful with her words once she noticed that they were being watched by a man loitering nearby.
"We've been trying for children for several years, with no result. We've been to several fertility clinics, but they've not been able to help us, this is our last option." Drawing on the loss of her child, she managed to pull off a convincing performance, and Jude's arm slipping around her in comfort added to the pretence. She didn't like lying to the poor couple, but with the man who was likely to be Antonio listening in she didn't want to risk blowing her and Jude's cover.
"I hope the miracle cure works for you as well as for us. Everyone should have the opportunity to bear and raise children."
"Thank you." Celine said, Jude nudged her slightly enough for the old couple not to notice. Looking back she saw that Antonio was no longer watching them and it was safe to speak a little more freely.
"We have to admit we've had some doubts about the legitimacy of this cure." Jude told them confidentially. "We've heard quite a few stories that it is a scam, and that it only causes a placebo effect without actually curing the illness." The couple looked horrified.
"Truly?" The man said. "But why would Antonio do such a thing?"
"The miracle cure is expensive." Celine reminded them. "If it is fake, he is selling us water and making a huge profit."
"If you doubt the claim, why are you here?" The woman asked bluntly.
"Like I said, this is our last option. We don't really have the money to spend if it is fake, but we thought we would hear out Antonio before making our final judgement. It does seem likely that our search for a cure has failed again."
"We don't really have the money either." The man said sadly. "But what else can we do?"
"Sometimes the only thing we can do is accept our fate." Celine said. "Before the news of the meteor, we had set ourselves a deadline. After that we would accept that God does not wish us to have children and we would look to other avenues like adoption. Do you have children?" The couple nodded. "Then maybe the best thing is to return home and enjoy what time you have left with them."
Before the couple could say anything further, a hush fell over the room as the man Jude had identified earlier took to the podium to make his speech. Listening to him, Celine could see how so many had been convinced by it. The man was handsome and charming, he inspired trust and hope with his words. He made you believe that the water would help. She could see that the couple beside them had been taken in by the story, and even she was starting to doubt her earlier convictions. She was abruptly brought back to earth when Antonio began quoting testimonials and she recognised the names and stories as those given by the people she and Jude had interviewed earlier. She whispered her observation to the woman sitting beside her, and was cheered when she saw fresh doubt in the woman's eyes.
Once the speech was over, a worrying number of individuals went up to Antonio to buy his water. Celine shook her head in disappointment at how many had been taken in by the act, at the least the elderly couple after some discussion had come to the conclusion that the risk of it being a scam was not worth their money. Jude and Celine bid the couple farewell, wishing them all the best for the time they had left.
"It's so sad." Celine said glumly watching their retreating backs.
"At least if the world ends, they will not be parted for long." He noted sadly. "There's a few stragglers who look undecided, we should see if we can discourage a few more, I'll take that side of the room." She agreed and turned to take on her own side when she suddenly bumped into Antonio himself. Glancing back she saw that Jude was busy deep in conversation with a young family.
"Hello my dear, I'm sorry I did not get a chance to speak to you earlier, there are so many hopeful people that have needed my help." He smiled charmingly at her, but Celine's skin crawled as she watched him look at her appraisingly. The way he looked at her made her feel violated, and almost made her regret her choice of attire as his gaze lingered on her cleavage. "I understand you and your husband have had difficulty conceiving children."
"Yes, that is correct."
"The Lord told me as much." Antonio confided quietly, clearly assuming she had not noticed him watching her and Jude earlier.
"Really?" She said, trying to hide the incredulity in her tone. She wondered if he would say anything really incriminating that she could include in their report.
"Yes, He also told me that the fault is not with yourself but with your husband." Knowing that she had successfully become pregnant with Jude's child after only a few weeks of being together, Celine knew he was speaking complete bullshit, but his intention was still not clear to her.
"What would you suggest as a solution? Some of your miracle cure?"
"No, the holy water will not cure his malady. The Lord says you will still carry a child, but not his."
"Excuse me?" His hands came to rest at her waist as he leaned in to whisper something to her.
"Your husband would never have to know it wasn't his baby." Suddenly realising the man's motives, Celine immediately pushed him away and slapped him hard. Not noticing that everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch them, she snapped at him furiously.
"You disgust me, you are a vile human being for taking advantage of these poor people." She stormed out of the building, grabbing Jude on the way. To his credit, Jude did not question her and followed her where she dragged him. Behind her she heard several shouts from outraged customers as they realised that Antonio may not have been as honest as he suggested. Once they were some distance away from the building, she calmed down enough to stop.
"Are you okay?" He asked carefully, she nodded sharply.
"We can add 'uses messiah claim to try to convince women to sleep with him' to the report." She said furiously. Jude struggled to keep composed and avoid looking so amused at her predicament.
"A man with power uses it to try to get laid, what a shock." Celine elbowed him for his lack of sympathy. "I can't exactly blame him for trying, you look very nice today." The compliment earned him a smile.
"You're forgiven." She said.
AN: Next chapter Celine moves ahead with her plan.