Favor From Above

Chapter 16 ~ Romantic

"Romantic? You've got a wild mind ma'am." Matthew said.

Lily was more than embarrassed. Her face was flushed as she tried to get through the moment. If the ground had swallowed her up it would have been better.

"Wanna come in?" She asked.

"Sure, only after you accept this from me." he said giving her the wrapped gift.

Lily gracefully accepted and gave way so that he could get in. Once he was in, Matthew's nostrils flared up.

"It smells divine in here." He said taking in the smell with his eyes closed.

"Want a plate?"Lily asked.

Matthew wanted to say no but after such a long time of not eating proper home cooked food he couldn't resist.

"Yes!" Matthew quickly said.

Lily smiled to herself as she went into the kitchen. She dished up for him. Lily had cooked rice, stew, roasted chicken and a potato and egg salad. When Matthew saw the food, his stomach growled. Lily handed him the food which he looked at in awe.

"This is a feast!"

"Yeah that's because it was a celebratory meal." Lily explained.

"Celebratory? What were you celebrating?" Matthew asked.

Lily didn't hide the truth.

"My freedom."

"Freedom? From what?" Matthew was confused. Then it dawned on him.

"Oh." He said.

They was silence for a little while until Matthew finally spoke up.

"Am I that bad?"

"Bad? You're terrible." Lily laughed.

Matthew couldn't help but join in the laughter. When the laughs had died down, Matthew looked straight at Lily. What he said next was music to Lily's ears.

"I will try -to be nicer I mean." Matthew promised.

"Thank you."

Lily smiled. A genuine smile. Matthew couldn't help but notice that she looked beautiful. She was wearing black bottoms and a long hoodie. Nothing out of the ordinary but her face was bright. She was happy and Matthew didn't know why but her happiness made him happy to.

"How do you manage that?"

"Manage what?"

"To be happy always. "

"Well, its the joy of the Lord. As a child of God, I received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives me joy. Even when circumstances are bad and I'm not happy, that joy never leaves me. There's always that joy and hope deep down."

Matthew studied her. She spoke with so much passion and admiration. Whatever she felt was real to her.

"How do you get the Holy Spirit?"

"When you receive Jesus, the Holy Spirit is part of the package."

Matthew went to church when he was younger but he didn't take note of any teachings. He was usually there because of his mom. Now he realised how little he knew about the Christian walk.

"I see." Matthew said.

Lily nodded her head and picked up the present.

"What's in here?" She asked.

"Why don't you open it and find out. "

Lily looked at Matthew then back at the present. Matthew could tell that she wasn't sure whether to open it or not.

"Go on." He encouraged.

Lily tore the wrapping paper away. There was a small box inside. Lily opened it and her mouth went wide open. There was a necklace inside. Lily could tell that it was pure diamond. The pendant was thin and heart shaped. In the middle of the heart shape there was a cross. Her name was engraved at the back of the pendant. It must have been very expensive. Lily put it back in the box and handed it back to him.

"I'm sorry but I can't take this." She said.

"What?" Matthew asked with complete shock in his voice.

"I'm sorry but I can't take this." She repeated.

"I heard you the first time." He said. Lily rolled her eyes. If he knew then why did he ask again. "Can I know why?" Matthew asked.

"You're not supposed to be buying me gifts and when you do, you look for the most expensive one?" 

"I just wanted to show how sorry I was."

"I know how sorry you are. Take this back. I'm not accepting it."

Lily handed it to him.

"But-"

"No buts. I'm not changing my mind. The sooner you realise that, the better."

Matthew thought for a moment and then took the box back. He put it in the inside pocket of his suit. He was still in shock but he managed to talk.

"I would love to stay and chat but it's getting late. I have to take my leave now. Thanks for the food."

He said this as he stood up.

"You're welcome." Lily smiled.

"Bye. Goodnight." Matthew waved as he reached for the door.

He walked out of the house and Lily was behind him.

"Goodnight." She whispered and closed the door.

                                 ★★★★★★★

Lily laid in her bed as she stared at the ceiling in the darkness of the night. There was only one thing on her mind. Matthew. It was no secret that he was the most difficult man she'd ever met but today she saw a different side to him. He didn't try to force her to accept his present. He'd shown a sweeter side, a considerate side and an attractive side. Attractive? Did I just say attractive. No. There's nothing attractive about him. Yeah. Nothing. The plan is to get Matthew saved. That's all. Really? We're going to see about that.

                                   ★★★★★★★

Matthew drove away slightly amazed. He had realized Lily's beauty the first day he met her but now her character, her aura drew him in. Her laugh, her smile, her voice, everything about her was just perfect. Even the small little arguments she made were cute.

She had some form of wisdom he couldn't understand. It was always interesting to spend time with her. She had surprised him by refusing the necklace but he was going to keep it. Keep it for her until she wanted it. Which might be never his mind mocked. Shut up.

He always knew that he was a difficult man to handle but when it came from Lily, something in him moved. The idea of things being difficult for her made him shameful. He would change but only to her.

Matthew felt like he was falling into a deep hole but he couldn't hold himself back. He was ready to face whatever laid ahead. No more running away, he was going to confront each and everything.

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20/07/2017