Favor From Above

Chapter 15 ~ Visitor

Matthew was confused as he drove to work that Thursday morning. Matthew was one person who didn't like doing anything for himself but made an exception when it came to driving. He loved driving alone. He loved the silence and the cool air splashing on his face.

His thoughts were captivated by his mother. His mother had been a devout Christian. She used to take him to church every Sunday. Matthew grew to like church, he even read to bible. That was until his mother took ill to cancer. Matthew prayed to God day and night to save her, but he didn't. Instead, he let her die. Matthew blamed himself for her death. Maybe if he hadn't spent so much time praying and had looked for alternative ways to get her healed, she would still be alive. He failed his mom.

Matthew got a realization that time. God didn't exist. If he did, he would have done something to save his mother. Now he wasn't so sure anymore. He didn't know whether he existed or not but he knew that he wasn't going to allow himself to be brainwashed. If and only if he was there, he would prove himself enough times.

Matthew pulled up into his private parking space. He wasn't ready for the hustle of a busy day at work, he never was since he met Lily. Matthew's father had finally convinced him to come and visit him.

He had to make the hour long drive there so he had to miss a bit of work that day. Matthew's phone rang and he was shocked to see that it was Lily calling.

"Yes." Was his cold reply.

"Good morning Matthew, it's good to hear your voice. I hope you had a lovely night." She said sarcastically.

"Get to the point alright? I don't have the whole day."

"Okay okay Mr Serious. Sorry for wasting your time. There's an outing on Sunday after church and I would love for you to go with us."

"I don't have time for all that. Bye-"

"Wait!" Lily cut him off.

"What?" Matthew asked.

"I'm sorry I don't think I said it correctly. I meant to say that you have to be there. I'm not giving you a choice."

Damn! Matthew had taken enough orders from this girl. He was done. He gave the quickest response he could form.

"To hell with all your demands. I've had enough! I'm done." Matthew screamed.

Lily could not form the words to say back.

"W-What?" Was all she managed to say.

"I said I'm done. Don't call me again or come to my office. When I say I'm done, I'm really done."

Lily wasn't expecting that. She tried to feel bad about forcing him to go but she felt nothing. It was part of the terms of the deal anyway. Lily wasn't gonna force him to continue with something he didn't want to do.

"The deal is off then?" Lily asked.

"Yes." Matthew confirmed.

"Great! I will delete your number with immediate effect. I hope you find what you're looking for Matthew. Bye." Lily said.

Definitely not the response Matthew was expecting. He expected some sort of objection from her but nothing. All she'd said was 'great!'. Its like she'd been waiting for this to happen. They both hung up at the same time.

Unbeknownst to them, they had the same feeling after that call. Emptiness. Almost like they were numb and didn't know how to feel. They were both disappointed but they didn't know the main reason for the disappointment.

Lily thought for a little while but she didn't know what to think about. Where did she go wrong. She discovered that she didn't, she had followed the terms. If he wasn't happy then that was okay. She wasn't going to drown in self pity for something she didn't do.

Matthew got off the phone and he packed his belongings and headed out. He loved being the CEO. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. That didn't mean he could be irresponsible but on days like these were work was the last thing on his mind, he could leave without having to answer to anyone. He could always catch up later.

Matthew drove to nowhere in particular. He just wanted some time to think. Matthew really thought that Lily liked him to some extent but he was wrong. She wasn't hurt about his pulling out of the deal. He hated that because dissapointment filled him but he knew that she was feeling nothing. He didn't even know how he got to this point.When he had finally calmed down, he decided to go to his father's. Lily and her drama could jump into a river and drown for all he cared.

                                ★★★★★★★

Matthew drove home just before sunset. He had seen his father and something had moved in him. He never had anything to bring home but business reports. His personal life was just work, work and more work. His social life was non existent unless it involved work of course.

He realized that Lily wasn't the drama queen, he was. Well drama king if such a word existed. He had snapped at her that morning when all she was trying to do was get him to keep his end of the deal. At first this whole thing was for his dad but Matthew wasn't sure why he did it anymore. Was it for him? Or his dad? Or maybe because he was curious? He didn't know the answer but he knew what he had to do.

Lily sang Lauren Daigle's Trust in you as she washed the dishes. She had decided to make herself a great dinner to celebrate her freedom from following Matthew around. The dinner was lovely but now she had to do the not so lovely part, the dishes. There was a loud knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked.

Lily wasn't expecting anyone. It was almost 8pm for goodness sake.

"Its me."

Matthew? What was he doing there at such an odd hour.

"I'm coming!"

A minute later she was fully dressed and she opened the door. She couldn't believe what she saw on the other side of the door. Matthew was holding flowers on one hand and a wrapped gift on the other. Lily struggled not to laugh. She was even confused.

"Are you sure you are at the right place?" She asked.

"A 100% sure. Look I'm sorry for this morning. I'm sorry about my explosive reaction and-"

Matthew stopped because Lily was grinning like crazy. He looked stupid and he knew it.

"Go on." She urged.

"I'm trying to be sincere here but you're not making it easy for me." Matthew complained.

"I'm sorry. Do go on."

"I'm sorry about this morning and I would like to continue with the deal, if you'll allow me. Please."

Matthew didn't like begging but here he was. He had to get the deal going on because he realized that whatever happened, he would win either way. If he became Christian, his dad would be happy because he'd tried times without number to get him praying again but he'd failed. If he dated Lily he'd still be happy again. Either way, he'd win.

Lily laughed her heart out which made Matthew uncomfortable.

"Apology accepted." Lily said.

"Phew." Matthew sighed and handed the flowers to her.

"Wow. This is so romantic." Lily said before she could stop herself.

Oh no! Did I just say romantic. I didn't say romantic did I? The smirk on Matthew's face said it all. Great Lily sighed.

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15/07/2017