A Change of Heart

Chapter 43

* I'm so sorry I took so long to make this chapter. I was heavily procrastinating and didn't realise how long it had been since I uploaded the last chapter. Please forgive me and enjoy the chapter. *

"This song is perfect. I should become a professional songwriter," Arthur brags. We've officially finished the song. Which is perfect since tomorrow Joanna's parents are leaving, and we've scheduled our date for tomorrow night.

"I can't thank you enough Arthur," I smile.

"Whatever it takes to get Maya back," Arthur whispers. I take my groceries and head out.

*********************************************

I stand outside my house with the song in my pocket and a bouquet of tiger lilies. We're going out for dinner tonight.

Joanna's car stops in front of my house. She gets out in a black dress. I walk over to her and hand her the bouquet.

"You look quite sharp," Joanna smiles. I chuckle. We walk back to the car, and I drive us to the restaurant. It's nothing like I've ever seen, well I have seen restaurants this expensive, but I've never actually been in them. We walk over to the host.

"Names?" he asks.

"Joanna Clieves, table for two," she answers. He checks the list in front of him, then nods. We walk inside and are instantly greeted by a waitress. She leads us to our table, and we sit down. This place is absolutely breathtaking. The structure, the lights, the colours.

"I take it you've never been to Sauvage before," Joanna smirks, triumphantly.

"I never saw a reason to come to a place this fancy," I say. I'm not letting her have the satisfaction of flaunting her wealth.

"Never wanted to treat your friends a bit? I'm sure there was a special occasion where you could've come here," she asks.

"I moved here after I graduated, and my college life was pretty boring," I answer. I look at the menu to move on from this conversation. I try to ignore the prices next to the meal, but the zeros are not easy to ignore. I can barely afford to pay for a drink.

"So, were you thinking of paying for dinner tonight?" she asks, clearly amused. Ignore her and keep looking at the menu. For once I miss no funny business Joanna. The waitress comes back to take our orders.

"I'll have the steak, medium rare, and a side salad. With a glass of champagne please," I say.

"My usual," Joanna answers. Surprisingly, the waitress starts writing down an order. She then smiles and leaves.

"I thought only cafes and diners remembered usuals," I say.

"I come here a lot more often than you think," Joanna answers. I just nod.

As we're waiting, I can't help feeling a bit giddy about my surprise. Arthur and I have been working pretty hard on this, and tonight I get to present it.

The waitress brings our drinks. Joanna has a white wine, which I probably don't know the name of. I want to ask her what it is, but she'll probably tease me about it.

"So, how have you been these 3 days?" I ask.

"Exhausted, you left a pretty bad impression on my parents," Joanna frowns.

"I'm really sorry if I caused a lot of trouble for you," I say.

"Well, they were definitely disappointed with me. But it was more... bearable than usual," she replies.

"I've been wanting to ask, why did you tell your parents about me?" I ask.

"I never planned on telling them about you, ever. My parents had found out I was working less than usual since you'd been taking me out and confronted me about it over the phone multiple times. I cracked and admitted I was dating someone, but I didn't tell them anything about you," Joanna explains.

"Then, how did they find out?" I say.

"Howard, when my parents want something, they always get it," she answers.

"Well, I'm just glad you aren't letting them walk over you," I smile. The waitress comes with our food.

After dinner, I take Joanna to the park. I tell her to go wait at one of the benches. As she goes, Arthur walks over to me with my guitar case.

"I hope you know that you owe me. I'm going to have to pay Charlie extra for this," Arthur says.

"Don't worry, I'll pay you back," I respond. I take the case and walk over to Joanna.

"Did you really bring me to the park to play me a song?" Joanna asks.

"Yes, but I'll also be singing this time," I answer.

"Let's hear it then," Joanna says. I begin to strum the guitar.

"You've been walking through the shadows, hiding from the light you own. But when I look at you, I see so much more. You're a treasure, a beauty still unknown." I begin to sing. Joanna begins to smile at me, making me feel more at ease.

"The world may not see your worth, but to Him, you're everything. In His arms, you're cherished. And in my heart, joy's what you'll always bring.

You're beloved in His eyes, A masterpiece in disguise. You don't have to change a single thing. 'Cause to Him and I, you're everything." I can see I've struck a chord in her heart (or the Lord has). Tears begin to form in her eyes.

"You're fearfully and wonderfully made. In His love, your beauty won't fade. So take my hand and see, you're all that He meant you to be." I finish the song and put the guitar back in the case.

"So, did you like it?" I tease. She wraps her arms around me, and I hold her.

"Thank you, it's beautiful," she whispers. I smile as I hold her in my arms.

*If you're struggling to understand the format of the song, here it is:

Verse 1:
You've been walking through the shadows,
Doubting the beauty in your soul,
But when I look at you, I see God's grace,
A love story only He could have foretold.

Pre-Chorus:
The world may not see your worth,
But to Him, you're everything,
In His arms, you're cherished,
And in my heart, you'll always sing.

Chorus:
You're beloved in His eyes,
A masterpiece in disguise,
You don't have to change a single thing,
'Cause to Him, you're everything.
You're fearfully and wonderfully made,
In His love, your beauty won't fade,
So take my hand and see,
You're all that He meant you to be.

I didn't make him sing the full song cause I woudn't know how to write that nicely (and I'm still feeling lazy) Anyways, have a great day or night and God bless you*