Circle of Trust

part fifteen

   The stranger her parents talked about didn’t show up the following day and even days after it and Precious had long forgotten about it.
The Thanksgiving day finally came as Deacon Matthew would be the one hosting the prayers and Thanksgiving at his church which happened to be amongst the biggest In the neighborhood.
Her father had drove down to the church before any of them to start up the opening prayers while he sent his personal driver to pick them up from home.
By the time they got to the church, the twins had hurriedly went off to the teenage department while her mom had gone to sit with her fellow Deaconess.
Precious had quietly sat down at the back to avoid the attention. The service had continued with praises and prayers until something struck her attention, the guy who happens to be sitting in front of her had the features of Stephen, although she couldn’t see his face as he was looking straight ahead and did not turn for once.
  It was during the Thanksgiving and offering time did Precious get to see that she wasn’t wrong with her conception. The anger fueled In her, she couldn’t understand why Stephen would be in her Thanksgiving ceremony, she had tried to maintain her cool throughout the service and only had the opportunity to lash out at him when the service had ended and her parents were exchanging pleasantries.
   “ what are you doing here?” Precious asked trying to keep her voice as calm as possible.
“I came for the service, Last I checked this is a church and salvation is for everyone isn’t it?” Stephen asked feigning innocent.
“You are right anyways, but please stop stalking me.”  Precious replied getting irritated with the whole thing
“Why would I? I came here for your mom and dad, not you.” Stephen said with a grin
“Stay away from my family and anyone that has a connection with me.” Precious said with clenched teeth.
“Don’t you think your parents are matured enough to know who they want around?” Stephen said with confidence
“Whatever charm you used on them won’t work.” Precious replied very angry
“Speaking of charms, can’t you see it’s working already, by the way you have a very smart sis…..I will be on my way to say hello to them.” Stephen said and walked away.
Precious could see Stephen shaking hands with her dad and hugging her mom as they conversed briefly, the sight further infuriated Precious.
By the time they were done talking with Stephen,  Stephen walked up to Precious who was still waiting for her parents to finish up
“ you seem to be the only one who doesn’t like me.” Stephen said grinning
“Go to hell!” Precious said and walked out of Stephen heading to her father’s car
By the time they were driving home, Mrs. Anna announced to her daughter that she had invited Stephen for lunch. “You can’t be serious mom?” Precious said looking angry.
“ A hard working gentleman is all I see in him” Mr. Matthew said from the driver seat
“And he is good looking and caring sis, he promised to take me out for my first basketball class. I wish he is my boyfriend.” Daniella said.
“Common keep quiet, what do you Know about good looks, guys and relationship…..you are just 18 years and you should be more interested in your books now.”  Precious cautioned harshly.
“Your elder sister is right baby, you don’t need a man in your life now…. All you need is your book.” Mrs. Anna corrected lovingly
“Mom I don’t Know what that guy has done to you all.” Precious said in annoyance
“I suggest that if you have a beef with him, get it settled with him….. he is always welcomed….. all I see is nothing less than discipline.” Mr. Matthew concluded and the whole family went home in silence.
  Just as Mrs. Anna had announced earlier, Stephen turned up hours later for the lunch. Mrs. Anna had prepared a sumptuous meal of goat meat pepper soup and palm wine, they whole family got seated and eat in silence after a brief prayer…… Precious wasn’t herself through out the meal as she avoided Stephen’s eyes and picked at her meal mostly
  By the time they were done eating, Deacon Matthew stood to his feet as he would be anchoring a marriage seminar that evening, looking at his schedule he is always a busy man and rarely had time…… by the time Mr. Matthew left, the kids went to their rooms to get dressed as they had an important outing to attend.
    “Thanks for the meal ma, I enjoyed it.” Stephen said while making use of the napkin.
“You are welcome son, thanks for honoring my invitation.” Mrs. Anna said before taking her leave from the table.
  “Adanne, I and your siblings will be going out…… take your time ok.”  Mrs. Anna said before leaving the sitting room.
By the time the whole family left, Precious glared at Stephen “Lunch is over, can you now take your leave!” Precious said with an unfriendly glare
“Precious please calm down, I am here to apologize to you for the last time……. I am sorry I always have a misconception about you and that’s because I always have always seen you amongst different guys.” Stephen said
   You don’t have any right to judge me!” Precious attacked looking angry
“More reason why I’m still sorry, just that I have loved you from the very first day I saw you and having to see you with different kind of guys further made me jealous, I’m not the kind to chase after ladies and my brain kept fighting against the one lady I have come to love, please just forgive me…… I get haunted by the image of you crying.” Stephen apologized.
“you don’t know what love is Steve, I hope the images haunt you for the rest of your life…… I want you to experience the same pain you made me pass through.” Precious said trying to control her emotions, she hated him and hated herself more for still finding him attractive and the constant skip of her heart whenever she sees him.
“I can never marry someone as unforgiving as you, I was hoping to ask you to marry me before I travel out of the country for a business program…….but I guess it is of no use……my premonition is always right.” Stephen said and threw the small diamond box at her “it is of no use, keep it…..” he said finally and walked out of the house.
Precious was totally speechless, she never believed that Stephen was ever going to ask her out and now she had destroyed everything with her inability to forgive and let go. She made to run after him, but by the time she had gone outside Stephen had zoomed off.
   Precious couldn’t understand the emptiness she felt after Stephen left, the tears was threatening to fall as she closely looked at the beautiful engagement box…… he was going to ask her to marry him and she had lost that too because she had refused to let go of the hurt and build up the trust. Truth be told, not everyone would have stopped after discovering that she was a virgin, but he had did…..he had stopped immediately and had saved her from drowning and had still asked for her forgiveness countless of time.
She had better start counting her losses, because she was very sure that he would never come back for her.