Destined

Chaper one: A new job

3 years later...

Erina's company had their employees work in different places every year. After she finished working at a rehab center, she was going to get assigned at a different place. "A church!?" her friend asked her. "That's what Mr.Brown told me" Erina sighed. Even though she would only be in the kitchen making food, she still felt weird about going there. "It's a huge church, over 5,000 people" Erina sighed. "I'm sure you'll be fine. You're gonna be in the kitchen all day" her friend comforted  her. "Yeah I guess" Erina sat down on her bed. "I don't know, it feels so unfair, everyone else got cool places" Erina whined.

"We're getting a new cook" Pastor Smith informs the head chef. "That's great. We've been needing some help in the kitchen. This congregation is getting bigger by the minute" a small, old lady, told him. "We ought to thank God for it" he laughed and dismissed her. Pastor Smith. He was the main preacher at Spring Ranch church. He was also a father. His child was all that he had left. His wife had recently passed away from cancer and he was slowly getting over her death. "Hey dad" his son walked in. "Hey Joshua. I assume you'll be ready to pray for tomorrow's service" his father looked at him. "Yes, I'm ready" Joshua smiled. "Also, don't forget we have dinner with the Adams after service tomorrow. You know their daughter, Rachel, is really looking forward to it" Pastor Smith grinned. "Dad, please stop. I don't like her okay. And if God wants me to find someone, He'll send her my way," Joshua sighed and left the room. "He's scared" he heard. "Oh my gosh, Andrew don't creep up on me!" Joshua yelled as his best friend ran up behind him. "Scared of what? Of me dying a virgin? Isn't it better for us to be single anyways," Joshua whined. "Your dad is scared because he thinks if he leaves soon, and by leaves I mean die, that's he going to leave you and the church alone. He doesn't want you to be alone" Andrew looked at him. "Okay but I'm not alone. I have God. And you, "Joshua told him. "You can be so hard headed sometimes Joshy" Andrew laughed and patted his back. "So, are you going to that dinner with the Adams?" Andrew asked him. "Ask me that one more time and I'll tell my dad to hire a new worship leader" Joshua laughed.

It was early. Way too early. Service started at 9 am, so Erina had to be there at 6 am. Erina got dressed and rode the Subway to her destination. "Spring Ranch Church of Christ" she read the the huge billboard when she arrived. "Have I been here before?" she laughed. She walked in and instantly smelled roses and bacon. The church was huge and she almost got lost trying to find the kitchen. "Um hi" she looked at the staff before her. "Hiii" a cheerful, tall guy, with blonde hair and brown eyes yelled. "Don't waste time please. Get to work" a small woman with curly hair stared at her. "Yes, right away," Erina began to put on her gloves and head to the stove area. She was expecting some sort of prayer circle or a worship song. No. Everything seemed normal. She wasn't hating it as much as she thought she would.

After Pastor Smith prayed for lunch, everyone began to head to the dining area. "Don't forget the dinner" Pastor Smith whispered to his son. "Dad, we talked about this" Joshua looked at him. "Joshua," his dad pulled him aside. "I'm only doing what's best for you". "No you're not dad. You're doing what's best for you" Joshua pulled his dad's hand off him and walked away. "Hey Josh you good?" Andrew walked beside him. "Yeah I'm gonna go walk for a bit. I'll catch up with you later" Joshua smiled and walked off.

"Erina darling, could you get us more bread from the storage room," Mrs.Becker, a fellow cook, told Erina. "Yes, will do" and Erina began walking out of the kitchen . She had almost made it through the day without any awkward conversations. "I think it's in this hallway" she mumbled to herself and took a turn. "Why" she suddenly heard. Some guy was leaning against the wall and was  complaining about something. She stopped in her tracks. "I don't understand, God" she heard him say.

Joshua was mad. He couldn't seem to understand why his dad was being so persistent. "Am I really going to have to marry someone I barely know?" he sighed. He heard footsteps and turned around. Oh my gosh. There's no way. He looked at her. She looked at him. It felt like an eternity passed while they were looking at each other in the eyes. Joshua remembered her. He didn't know her name only that he had waited for her 3 years ago at a Sunday service. It's weird that he still remembered, either way he was glad she was here. "Are you lost?" he asked her. "No. I was just looking for something" she turned to leave. "Looking for God.....or looking for me" Joshua smirked. Erina looked at him puzzled and ran off. Joshua Smith, despite being Christian, also had a big issue with flirting. "No way " he mumbled and laughed. Was she working here? How did she even get this job in the first place?

That guy looked oddly familiar, Erina thought. Well, hopefully she wouldn't be bumping into anymore weird church people. "Looking for God, or looking for me?" Erina mocked him. "What the hell" she laughed "these people are insane."  "Don't tell me you got lost" she heard Mrs. Becker come up behind her. Erina jumped. "I did, I was looking for the bread but" "John 6:35" Mrs. Becker exclaimed. "I'm sorry what?" Erina asked. "Oh I forgot, your from HelloFresh, the company right?" Mrs.Becker looked at her. "That's right" Erina smiled. Guess things weren't going to be normal after all.