Chapter 22: Sunday

Alexander propped himself up. He winced as the pain ran through his temple and down to the lower back of his skull. Arielle and Julia were frozen in their spots, staring back at him. He couldn't blame them. He had fallen on their bedroom floor- the wood nearly resembling stone in coolness and toughness against his flesh.

Arielle's mouth was agape as she watched him, not knowing where to start or what to say. She pressed the cool leather cover of her Bible against her chest, the dark brown hue contrasted greatly against her pale yellow dress.

Julia's shock had soon worn off, now replaced by a growing curiosity as she watched the strange man cradling himself on the bedroom floor.

"I- I apologize." Alexander began, speaking poorly through the pain. His words came out strangled. He had suffered multiple injuries in the recent past and his body screamed at him. Wondering, mandating even, that he put a stop to his painful ventures.

He could tell that they were waiting for a clear explanation and they were not expecting a man of his status to be writhing in pain before them. Yet there he was. Alexander closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to capture his many thoughts to form a sentence.

"I hope I don't make this worse," he thought to himself.

"I had to go to the bathroom and I heard the two of you speaking... I- I thought to say hello. Just a brief hello and goodbye before leaving," he spoke, his dark eyes connecting with Arielle's first. The pounding in his head had slowed down on its own with the shock from the initial fall wearing off.

"How did you get inside?" Arielle's breathing had calmed. Her large brown eyes weren't filled with judgment, but curiosity. To her knowledge, they were the only two home, but her mother had been taking more time off of work. She had begun working on their garden more, hoping to revive the struggling marigolds she received from a church friend.

Glancing through the window, Arielle smiled, seeing her mom's bun and gardening apron bob about as she hopped from plant to plant, giving it her all. Gracefully, Arielle walked from one side of the room to the other, gingerly placing down the leather Bible. She grabbed a seat across from Julia.

"I saw your mom outside, and she was the one to let me in. During my last visit, I forgot my wallet." He lifted the perfectly crafted fold of genuine leather in the air for both ladies to see. "There's a lot a man can't do without his wallet," he replied sheepishly.

Julia snorted. "I can see why you two were made for each other." She muttered recalling when Arielle had left her wallet at the AMI tower. It was a tale that Julia was never meant to use against her, or so she hoped.

Arielle, who sat closer to her best friend, heard her clearly and restrained herself from responding, not that her words would have done much to save her because her face had become a slight shade of pink.

Alexander glanced down, away from her, biting his inner cheek to hold back his smile. One thing was for certain, he found Arielle to be fascinating, but he was still in hot water and he didn't want to make matters worse.

The guilt he began to feel settled, but he knew what he did was wrong and he hadn't originally intended to do it. He arrived at their home to merely grab his wallet that he had forgotten to grab from the night before, but when he arrived, his need to use the bathroom halted him from leaving immediately.

No one would prepare him for the thin walls of Arielle's home or the location of their bathroom. The house was practically silent, except for their voices and that's when he heard about her fast.

Alexander had been done by that point and walked over to the door, thinking of greeting the two ladies before leaving, but the information only piled on from there. Arielle had been praying for him, that he knew, but she had been praying and fasting about the role he played in her life and that was what he wasn't prepared for.

Yet now his back ached from his sudden fall into her bedroom. The depth of his gaze captured hers and for a moment the world seemed to stop as the two were absorbed by each other's presence. It was as if Julia wasn't standing there with them at all. Or at least it felt that way for Alexander.

He had to hold his heart back. He knew that his feelings for Arielle were still there, but he couldn't allow them to grow out of control. Even if she were certain, he was not. His motives couldn't be about his desires, but about what was right for them. Arielle took it seriously enough to fast and pray, and although this was new to Alexander, he was willing to take it as seriously as she had.

The group of young adults made their way to the kitchen. It took Alexander a moment to get to his feet, but they left the room in a comfortable silence.

Arielle winced as she imagined the pain Alexander felt. He fell pretty hard, but he was trying to keep his bearings, that she could tell. She reached into their freezer, grabbing a pack of frozen vegetables to offer him.

"Here," she spoke as she stared at where his hand held his arm. "I hope this helps." She uttered gently as if her words could incur more pain.

"Once again, I am so sorry," Alexander apologized as he held the frozen package against his upper arm. He took a seat at the top of the island as Arielle walked to the stove to grab the kettle. Her curls danced as she practically twirled from one cupboard to another, to mix his drink. Everything she did seemed melodic to him.

He peered down the island. Julia sat at the end of it, scrolling away on her phone as she always did, leaving Arielle and Alexander to a minute form of privacy.

"No need to apologize," Arielle replied as she poured a cup of tea for him. The dark brown liquid produced steam as she poured and the minty scent was rather soothing, but soon his attention was pulled from that as he watched the scolding liquid lick her hand, causing her to hiss.

"Are you okay?" Alexander lurched forward, grabbing the tea kettle and placing his own hand at risk and that familiar pain in his arm struck again. Arielle nearly stumbled at his sudden movement as it was tugged from her grasp.

"Oh my-I am so sorry," Alexander inwardly scolded himself for his rash movements. In his attempts to help her, he nearly aggravated it.

"You really don't need to keep apologizing," she said as her eyes seemed to shimmer in amusement and gratitude. "Thank you, by the way. I should be more careful," she smiled while pushing the cup of tea toward him.

Alexander itched the side of his neck but he felt relieved that he could help her.

"Well, I do need to apologize for eavesdropping." He dropped his head with a sigh. Surely the same actions from an employee would get them reprimanded, yet he did that to her as if it were nothing in that moment, to coax his own curiosity. It was both selfish and hypocritical.

"I guess you're right, but I forgive you," she answered while picking up a small piece of toast and nibbling on it. "Eavesdropping is wrong, but what you heard is true. Perhaps I should have told you sooner. And if I should have, I apologize."

"Can I ask why you didn't?" He lifted the steaming cup to his lips, finding solace in the flavor and aroma of mint that wafted through the air and danced on his tastebuds.

"It just seemed better to wait, but I believe I may have been wrong. I wanted to tell you this Sunday, with my pastor and mom there too." She explained as she played with wooden patterns on the island.

"Oh, Alexander, I didn't realize you were still here!" Angelina exclaimed as she entered through the front door. Droplets of sweat brandished her forehead and embedded the fibers within the collar of her shirt. Her bun had remained fairly intact despite the day's hard work and she wore a triumphant smile on her face. One that was contagious, causing Arielle and Alexander to smile quickly in return.

"Oh yes, I have surely overstayed my welcome," he replied briefly and came to a stand. "But thank you all for allowing me to come in to grab this," he said as he waved his wallet in the air. "And thank you for this, Arielle," he continued while lifting his teacup to his lips yet again.

Downing the scolding tea faster than any of the ladies there would, Alexander politely excused himself, thanking them again before he exited the home. Once he left through the front doors, his breathing became more akin to heavy huffs.

He recalled his dream from last night and the pounding of his heart refused to slow down. He would wait until Sunday. It only stood two days away from him and then he would talk to her pastor and maybe, just maybe, he would get the opportunity to truly pursue and even wed the woman who caught his eye just a few short months ago.

Devin could be seen laughing with Richard at the long dining room table. Alexander was surprised to see the two men speaking so casually so soon. Devin had mostly kept to himself since he arrived at his residence. The days for Alexander felt fairly short, but he wasn't naive- he knew the days for Devin felt like three days joined together.

They were long and dragged out. Painful. Alexander was used to being lied to and so he didn't realize the pain that it could inflict because those who lied to him were usually not close to him. But he had never experienced a true love story and he could acknowledge that if Arielle were to lie to him, it would take him completely off guard.

But Devin's smile was rather large and his laughter was genuine.

"You're a wise man it seems." Devin chuckled.

"Don't let Greta hear you. She'll quote every moment that'll prove otherwise," Richard laughed along while slapping his hand against the table.

"I'll do what now?" Greta chirped in, patting Alexander's upper arm as she gently made her way around him and into the dining space.

"Oh, is it really important to share, dear?" Richard called over to her with a twinkle in his eye.

Alexander leaned back and watched the pair and their love. No matter how quickly or slowly the years passed, their love did not dim and if it ever did, they never let go of it. They had love and hope- that was more than many could say truthfully.

"Alexander, why don't you take a seat?" Greta called to him. She waved him over, but he gently shook his head.

"I have to sleep early. I have church tomorrow. I was coming to extend an invitation," he explained.

"Oh!" Greta exclaimed joyfully. She tapped Richard's shoulders rapidly as if trying to get him to open his ears further.

"And since I'll be heading to church tomorrow. Would you all like to join?" Alexander asked as his eyes landed on each one of them.

"Oh yes!" Greta cheered. "I've been trying to find one here for the past few months!"

"Then it's a plan," Alexander clapped. Nerves were trying to take over, but he kept a large smile on his face knowing that he'd see her tomorrow and that it would be the start of something.

Sunday morning came sooner than he was prepared for. He tugged at his suit, making sure everything was as it should be, but he couldn't help but chase after the many thoughts scampering around through his brain. He couldn't fathom what the conversation would be like, and he wondered if he was ready for that.

With how his childhood had been, marriage didn't come up often, but now the thoughts of marriage have settled on his mind and his mother wasn't there to jump in excitement neither was his father there to bring much-needed advice. He fought the feeling of loneliness- best described as floating through the sea amid the night, on a raft, but with no one there to encourage him.

He shook his head. "No," he thought. He couldn't allow such sullen thoughts enter into his mind. Thoughts that he knew to be false. He sighed, closed his eyes, and placed his mind on God.

"Jesus," he whispered. A gentle peace fell on him as he recalled the dream from days before. To think that shortly after, he learned of what Arielle had been praying so much about.

After hearing what he heard that day, he repented for his eavesdropping as soon as he had entered his car. He had begun to recognize the feeling of conviction rather quickly. It wasn't right that he had allowed his curiosity to override their privacy and he would choose better from then on.

Yet the knowledge that was bestowed on him remained. She sought God about marriage. Marriage to him.

This would seem rather far-fetched to Alexander weeks before, but now- now it made sense.

Beep beep! He heard the horn.

He chuckled and grabbed his phone. Devin would be coming along while Greta and Richard would be staying back. Richard had caught a nasty bug and woke up with a fever and Greta was beginning to feel a tickle in her throat, leading them both to decide to stay home for the duration of the day.

He hoped that Devin would enjoy their outing. He longed for him to leave the estate more and the inclination to tell him more about God always rested at the tip of his tongue, but when was always the question.

In less than a half hour and one stop at the nearest gas station, both men arrived at the small church. Alexander realized that perhaps everything appeared small compared to his workplace and his home, but he noticed despite the size of the other buildings, they always brought more warmth than money could buy.

Their sign held a big welcome paired with a Bible verse and a large title displayed above it. "Waiting on God," it said. It struck him for a moment, so much so that he had stopped walking, causing Devin to turn and nudge him. People passed them by, not realizing how Alexander, a stranger, had gone abruptly still.

"Are you coming in?" He asked laughing at his friend. Alexander glanced at Devin who, like a puppy, seemed rather intrigued and excited to enter the church. Alexander collected himself, nodding with a nervous smile.

"Yes, yes I am," he replied. He was pleased to realize that his nerves were triggered by excitement, a joy rather than fear.

Alexander and Devin could see people pooling around the entrance, some to chat, and some to gently make their way around those who were chatting.

Alexander smiled and waved back the kind faces that turned to smile at him and Devin. The cool air from inside the building practically greeted them on their way inside. Within moments, he spotted the three women standing in the middle of the church. Arielle's mom was speaking to another lady around her age and Arielle and Julia were chatting with some other women who appeared to be much older than them.

The men walked over to the women. Devin's demeanor switched as he bounced from leg to leg as they waited for the ladies to realize them without their interruption.

"Oh!" Arielle nearly yelled in recognition of their presence. The eyes of all the ladies turned to them causing Alexander to give a bashful smile.

"Hello," he greeted them all with a large smile. "I don't mean to interrupt."

"No, no. We're going to be heading to our seats now," the two older women spoke. Arielle and Julia reached over to give them brief hugs before the ladies walked away.

"Sit sit!" Arielle waved over happily. In between them sat Arielle's mom and Alexander realized that was for the best. He recognized Arielle as the woman who captured his heart without even trying, and therefore she was hard to be near without causing his heart to beat rapidly. Besides, it felt right to have some space between them for the sake of healthy and appropriate boundaries.

They all sat, listened to brief church announcements and the congregation greeted each other just before the sermon began.

Alexander had been in this church before, the day he surprised Arielle by arriving with his guards, but this time was different. He heard everything the Pastor said and it meant something to him. The focus of the sermon was the life of born born-again believer and learning what it meant to wait on God during prayer- a concept that seemed foreign to him.

Yet he appreciated that it was broken down that even a child would understand because he surely felt like a child in matters of Christianity.

"We read in scripture that, "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint..." but what does that mean in prayer when we're also told to pray without ceasing? Here flip with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 and let's delve into how to put these instructions into practice."

"Bro, do you understand this?" Devin leaned over as he whispered.

"I do but..." Alexander began. He did, but whether or not he felt comfortable breaking it down further was an entirely different issue. Maybe it was easy for him to understand somehow as a new Christian, but not for Devin who did not yet believe. "You can ask me after. I'll try to help, but I don't want to miss anything." He offered. Although he was new to this world, he was willing to try.

"That's fine," Devin nodded and they sat quietly, soaking in the words of the Pastor, and although he had yet to speak to the man about the topic that loomed within his mind, something clicked as he listened to the sermon and he knew what he needed to do.

A/N:

Hi readers! I apologize for the long wait. The next chapter has already begun being written and I hope to have it up this week. Preferably within the next 2-3 days. Thank you for your patience!