A Lily Among Thorns

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈

✞ C E L A I   L a C R O I X ✞

Celai takes a deep breath as she and Kassima step closer to the church. This will be the first time the congregation will see the newly renovated church. Celai doesn't know if she should be nervous or excited, but she knows she can't expect a normal service.

Immediately when she and her mother enter the church, they are mixed into a crowd of people. Usually, people are getting to their seats around this time, but instead, everyone is stuck in the hall with the church doors closed to them.

Celai feels a tap on shoulder and she turns to Julian. Her heart flutters seeing him dressed so nice; it's been a while and seeing him in a suit and tie is a classic. "Hi," she says.

"I'm glad you're here," he says. Without saying anything else, he has her follow him through the crowd and the two of them go through a door that leads to the main part of the church.

Inside is Pastor Edmonds and the First Lady absolutely enamored by the new look. "Is this her?" Bernard asks.

"Yes sir, this is the culprit," Julian jokes.

Celai gives him a sly look of fake irritation before turning to the older couple. "Do you like it?" she asks.

"Do I like it?" Bernard starts. "I love it! This looks nothing like it was before. Camille was over here crying when she first walked in," he says, glancing at his wife. "Celai, this is truly a gift from God. You are so talented."

"Thank you so much, it means a lot," Celai smiles.

"No, thank you! Camille and I were debating if we should try looking for a new church because we thought this one lost its potential, but my son over here was telling me about you and made me give you a chance," he says, beaming at Julian. "I don't regret it for a second."

Celai feels tears pricking her eyes at the uplifting comments. "Thank you. Everything God had me going through led up to this moment."

"No, I think there's more coming, this is just a pit stop," Bernard proclaims. He looks at his watch. "I'd love to continue this conversation, but we're already a couple minutes late getting the doors open. I just wanted to personally thank you for this before anyone came in. Camille's the better person to go to for the financial part so how about you two handle that while Julian and I get these church-goers pumped about being in the presence of the Lord?"

Celai nods and follows Camille into a back room. "The price is $4,000 right?" she asks.

"Yes ma'am," Celai responds. Camille sighs and pulls out her card and Celai instantly tries striking up a deal from her reaction. "But we can put a discount on it. What about-"

"I'm not sighing because it's too much, honey. I'm sighing because that work you did deserves more than a measly 4K. Here's a little advice: start upping those prices; you have a gift from God Himself." She begins to whisper. "So with that being said, I'm gonna give you what I think you deserve."

She scribbles down the number $5,000 on a piece of paper, shows Celai, and then looks down at what she wrote. "Hm," she mumbles. She quickly crosses out the number and comes up with a new one: $6,000.

Celai shakes her head. "I can't take that," she states.

"You can and you will. It takes a lot to bring me to tears. And if you really don't want the money, take it and give it to someone who needs it. Alright?"