THE ROAD TO YOUR HEART (Completed) ✔

35: A Much Deserved Present

On Sunday, Jacqueline woke up early in order to prepare for church. Though she didn't plan on attending, her mom had spent the final hours of the previous day, convincing her to follow them.

Of course she declined the first couple of times. Her mom was a chorister and the leader of the choir in church. She was known and loved by everyone. The last thing Jacqueline wanted to do was go there and have someone recognize her from the strip club.

Not that she cared about that. The person would have to explain how he or she, saw her there, if they weren't there themselves. And if it's on a video? They must have enjoyed the performance to want to know who the dancer really is.

All the same, she knew the church was her mom's favourite place to be, apart from home, and the last thing she wanted to do, was make the judgemental and perpetually self-righteous people in church, gossip and bad-mouth her mother, thereby making it uncomfortable for her to be there.

Jacqueline alongside her mother and brother went to church after having breakfast and the service lasted for 2 hours.

"Jacqueline, please give me a few minutes to say greet the Reverend and say hello to my friends."

"Alright Mom!" She smiled.

"Don't count on her words. She'll be gone for 30 minutes." Nolan shook his head.

"I see you're used to it." She chuckled.

"Had no other choice." He shrugged. "Oh, we're actually lucky today, here she comes."

"Jacqueline, come on over, I'd like you to meet the Reverend and a few of the members here."

"Uhm, Mom I really don't want to." She declined.

"Why not? They want to say hello. It'll be brief." Jasmine tugged on her arm.

"She was complaining to me just now that she had a bad stomach ache. I think it's best we get her home Mom." Nolan interjected.

"Oh dear! Are you okay?" Jasmine asked, wearing a worried look on her face.

"Uhm... Not really Mom. Must be that milk I drank earlier." She clenched her stomach.

"Oh no! We better get you home then. I'll let them know I'm leaving and join you in the car." She said and darted off.

"Ugh, thanks for saving me. What would I have done if you were not here?" She giggled and looked back to make sure her mom didn't see her laughing.

"You're welcome!" He smiled.

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When they got home Nolan received a text on his phone. It was from Chris.

"I'll like to pay you guys a visit by noon. Ask Mom if she's okay with it." The text read.

"Mom, Chris said he'll like to pay us a visit by 12 pm of you'll have him."

"Of course! Tell him I'll be expecting him." She smiled.

"Wow! Glad to know I'm no longer part of the decision-making in this house." Jacqueline slumped on the couch.

"Well here's a decision for you to make... What do we cook for him?" Jasmine placed her hands on her waist.

"Really Mom? Very funny!" She rolled her eyes.

"Okay then! Guess I have no other choice than to make that decision for you." She laughed and went into the kitchen.

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By noon, Chris pulled up in front of Jacqueline's home with a package in his hand. He walked up to the door and knocked a couple of times.

"Hey there!" Jacqueline said as she opened the door.

"Hey, good afternoon and a happy Sunday." He smiled.

"Same to you. Come on in." She opened the door wider and beckoned on him to enter.

"Thank you! Where's everyone." He asked as his eyes glanced around the room.

"Out back. MOM! ... NOLAN! ... Chris is here!" She yelled.

"Hey Chris! You're welcome." Nolan walked over to him and shook his hand.

"Good to see you Kid. How have you been?"

"Been really good. Thank you!" Nolan smiled.

"Oh, by the way... Here, this is for you." He handed the package over to Nolan.

"Oh wow! What is it?" Nolan looked at him in astonishment.

"You can find out yourself. Open it!" He smiled.

Nolan started unwrapping the package when his mom came in.

"Oh Chris, so lovely to see you again." She said as she walked over to him and gave him and gave him a polite hug.

"Lovely to see you again Mom. How's everything with you?"

"Everything's been great, thanks to the Lord." She smiled and raised her hand in adoration. "Nolan! What have tou got there?"

"I'm yet to find out. Chris got this for me." He said as he cut open the tape holding the box together and opened it.
"No way! No way! Chris... Is this for me?" He stared at Chris in disbelief.

"Yes! It's for you Nolan." Chris smiled.

"Oh my God!" He ran his hands through his curly hair. "I can't believe this!" He chuckled.

"What is it?" Jacqueline stood up and peeked into the box. "Wow! You bought him a PlayStation 5!" Jacqueline looked at Chris and then shifted her eyes to her brother. "Nolan, you must be over the roof by now." She giggled.

"I'm literally dumbfounded!" He brought out the game console and admired it. "Chris... You've made my entire year. I can't believe you did this for me. Mom, take a look." He handed the it over to his mom.

"Oh, Chris, this must have caused you a lot of money. Why did you bother yourself?" Jasmine asked feeling touched by his act of kindness and generosity.

"Hey, you guys are like family to me now. Happy to do it, especially for a wonderful kid like Nolan."

"Oh, thank you so much Chris. May God continue to bless you and enrich you a thousandfold."

"Amen!" He nodded.

"Chris, thank you so much for this. I'm very grateful. You're the best brother anyone could ever wish for." Nolan threw his hands around him and gave him a hug.

"Aw... I'm happy to know you're happy." He hugged him back."

"Chris, thank you so much for Nolan's gift. I haven't seen him this excited in such a long time. Thank you!" She nodded.

"Don't mention it." He smiled.

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