>* Choose not to fear what may be lost. because you are not the pebbles that have fallen but a flower, ever growing. *****The trio were in Mira's room chatting after Sir Roberts left.“ I must say, Sir Roberts is indeed very handsome. I can't help but wonder if he has a son who's around my age. ” Evie said dreamily.“ Girl, don't be silly! ” Mira said, throwing a cushion at Evie.“ Hey, I am not silly. I was just appreciating the work of God in his life, okay? ” She said defensively, attempting to throw back the pillow at Mira. But one glare from Joseph stopped her.‘ How frightening! ’ she cringed.“ Still, you shouldn't be thinking like that. What if he has a son who is a Playboy? ”“ Then, I will just give up, okay? You don't have to be so serious alright? ”“ Guys, don't you think you are thinking too far? Sir Roberts has never been married and so of course doesn't have a child. ” Joseph said.“ Oh. But how do you know about that? ” Evie questioned.“ I just did a simple ba
>* You can't let one difficult situation or person define the rest of your life. ***** The next day.As they packed all Mira's belongings. She couldn't help but feel nostalgic as memories rushed through her mind. The good ones and bad ones. She recalled the first time she was brought to the orphanage. How she refused to stay at first. Those times, when she felt lonely. As she was being ignored by the children in the orphanage she was always alone. Days when she had to go to bed on an empty stomach due to her not getting to the dinner table on time. She recalled the tears, the sad times and everything.And now she was leaving the place she had spent eight years of her life! She felt happily sad at that moment.On one hand she was happy to be free from all the rules, and on the other hand she felt sad as reality dawned on her. She was no longer a teenager but now an adult, she'll have to take responsibility for her survival from now on!She will now have to survive witho
>* Sometimes you have to help someone else in order to help yourself. *****The next day.A car drove to a stop, at The Queen's Boutique, one of the most luxurious boutiques in the city. Joseph got out of the driver's seat, and headed over to the passenger's seat to open the door for Mira.“ Thank you. ” She smiled at him.“ You welcome, princess. ” Joseph replied with a wink. Joseph locked the car before heading into the boutique with Mira.To say that, Mira was amazed by the interior design of the boutique would be an understatement. It was breathtaking! She couldn't help but wonder why Joseph had to choose a boutique as grand as this when all she needed was a simple gown to wear to a birthday party. Though she didn't understand what Joseph was doing currently, she'll soon. And yeah, she'll realize that it was all for her own good. “ Hello, welcome to The Queen's Boutique! How may I help you? ” An attendant came over to them and welcomed them enthusiastically.Mira
>* If you give your heart to doing God's will, you'll find your true self. *****Saturday evening,The Edison's mansion was hustling and bustling with guests from different parts of the country. The large mansion was beautifully and tastefully decorated for the occasion – The 18th year birthday of Elina Edison. Mira's younger cousin. All her friends were gathered at her birthday to celebrate with her, they were all showering her with praises and adoration. That kept complimenting her look and dress.Today, she was wearing a v-necked body hugging vintage red dress which highlighted all her curves.She looked so tempting and inviting that the males present couldn't help but be attracted to her.Some even sent her flirtatious stares which only made her happy.She felt proud of herself and “ her achievements. ”“ Mom, Dad, isn't Miranda coming to my party today? ” She said to her parents who were also dressed elegantly for the occasion.“ Oh. She will, I informed her about i
>* Everyone has a perspective, you can't go around trying to change them. *****“ Hello, Uncle, Aunt. ” Mira greeted with a smile when she got to where they were.“ Happy birthday, Cousin Elina! '' She said in spite of their silence.The people in question were all tongue tied as they stared at Mira who stood confidently in front of them.They couldn't help but wonder where she got her confidence from.Wasn't she the same miserable girl that they had dumped at the substandard orphanage years ago?So how did she become so beautiful and elegant? They wondered.Seeing them all being so tongue tied, Mira was happy.Indeed, Joseph was right. All she needed to do was show how confident she was.She couldn't appear weak in front of them or they'll think she's still the same helpless girl from years ago.Joseph squeezed her waist a little as if to remind her of his presence. “ Oh my! Aren't you, Miranda Edison? The daughter of George Edison? ” The voice of one of the onlookers snappe
>* God knew all of our faults when he accepted us, and he'll never reject us because of them. *.....By the time they were to leave, The party. Joseph was obviously intoxicated. Seeing him this way, Mira felt very guilty as she knew that he was this way because of her. Mira took the driver's seat and began driving towards Joseph's home. Thankfully she had taken driving lessons during the summer for the past two years and had managed to secure a valid driver's license. So she had no problem driving. At first, the alcohol in his system didn't react much so he was able to get into the car himself.But as the car continued moving, the alcohol in his system began reacting.That was his first tasting alcohol and he would have avoided taking it if he knew that the drink contained more alcohol than it was meant to. And now? He was drunk beyond remedy. When they got to the house, Mira packed the car before calling up on the gardener to help her carry Joseph into the house. Som
>* God of the lightened part, lead me, guide me, show me the way. And thank you for your patience. ***** Mira went back to her room where she freshened up before going to bed.At first, she wasn't able to sleep as her mind kept bringing back the memories of earlier, how she shared her first kiss with her best friend.She remembered how Joseph stared lovingly at her and told her just how much he loved her.It was now she realized how blind she had been.It was so obvious that Joseph loved her that almost everyone around was aware. Well, Perhaps it's because she didn't feel good enough for him. So that fuelled her belief into thinking he could never fall in love with her. But now she realized just how wrong she was! He actually loved her!So that really explains why he had been overly kind, nice and caring towards her, it's just too beautiful!“ Aw. Jose loves me! ” She exclaimed in her mind. To her, Joseph meant everything. She knew that apart from her creator Joseph was t
>* We are bankrupt in our own ability apart from Christ. Without God, we are helpless; with him nothing is impossible to us. *****Mira came downstairs for breakfast later in a pink top and white pajamas pants. “ Good morning, nanny. ” She said when she got to the breakfast table and saw nanny sipping a glass of juice. “ Oh. You are finally here! How was your night? ” Nanny stared up at her with a smile.“ It was fine, Nanny. ” Mira said, taking a seat and serving herself some rice, veggies and turkey slices.“ That's good. How was your cousin's birthday party yesterday? ”“ Well. It was fine. ” Miranda replied, avoiding her gaze.“ Really? ” Nanny said with a deeper meaning.Mira looked around and when she didn't see Joseph around she was about to ask after him when Nanny Interrupted her. “ He went for his morning run. I can't help but wonder why he isn't back yet. ”“ Oh. Thanks for the information, Nanny. ” Mira said before she commenced eating her food.“ Hm. ” ****Lat
Epilogue.“ The end of a thing is better than its beginning. ”****—- Miranda —-It's said that friendship is the backbone of every relationship, I can't help but agree more at this point. I stared into the ever beautiful eyes of my groom and the love and adoration in it couldn't be denied. It's been fifty years of friendship and thirty eight years of marriage, yet it feels like a lifetime.Is this really how beautiful love is?I've always heard about love being beautiful from my parents and now? I couldn't help agreeing more. Years ago, I had questioned why some things happened to me which weren't meant to. I know better now that God has been in my story all along. Slowly crafting and editing out unimportant details, to create a wonderful masterpiece. And now? After so many years and me being surrounded by my friends, family, kids and grandchildren, I can only say. God is good and his timings are always perfect. “ Didn't I say we'll celebrate fifty years of friendship? ” I s
“ Smile because your world brightens up when you do. ” *** —- Miranda —-“ Mom… ” It felt like my heart got caught in my throat at the sight of my daughter in white.I couldn't form a word as emotions rushed through me, I could see flashes of our moments together. The first time I'd held her, the first time she'd said Mom. Her first day at school, the day she'd finally opened up to me about her crush. I would never forget how long the conversation was that day on a small picnic by the lake. The blush on her cheeks and the glow in her eyes made me realize just how smitten my daughter was. “ I love him, Mom. ” I would never forget so soon how beautiful the words sounded when they echoed in the blue sky. And now? The same girl I had held as a baby and vowed to love and protect was now getting married to the love of her life. “ Babe. ” I couldn't control the tears that fell out of my eyes, as I stared at my daughter in the most beautiful dress I've seen. I've always admired supe
“ Having a guy best friend who truly loves and cares about you is indeed super priceless. ” *** “ Dad. ” “ Yes, Baby girl? ” He stared his little sweet sixteen who was looking more and more like her mom on a daily basis. “ Do you know I have a crush on someone? ” Her words made him pause from swinging the swing they were currently on. He'd made it a routine to spend quality time with both his children every weekend so he could get to know them and their personalities better. Though lately, he'd been spending more time with his daughter as it seemed the latter needs his time and attention most.“ Oh, really? Who's the lucky guy? ” He grinned, on seeing the red blush on her cheeks.“ He's Noel. ” She replied in a chicken-like manner. “ And he is? ” “ My Best Friend. ” “ Oh wow. ” Joseph instantly felt history about to repeat itself as he stared at his daughter.“ Does he know about it? ” He inquired softly, taking her hands in his. “ No… I don't think he sees me that way thoug
“ Pain is temporary. ”***“ I wish we can always choose the one we fall in love with. Perhaps it wouldn't be a big deal now that I'm in this case. I am Ava Smith and this is my story. A year ago, I fell in love with a young man who was 20 at the time of our meeting. He wasn't the most beautiful man I've ever come across but in my heart, he'll always be the best definition of beauty. Black beauty is what I'll call him. His smile was ever beautiful and never ceased to warm my heart. His voice was like the sound of many waters and the sound of his laughter was like a waterfall. I fell for this innocence, his honesty and thoughtfulness.I was attracted to him by his love for dancing and acting. I've never met someone as talented as him. Matthew was his name and I must say, his name did great justice to his personality, but I would have preferred for him to be named Daniel. I loved him in a way, I've never loved anyone before. When asked what I love about him, I get confused a
“ Be with someone who is afraid to lose you. ”*** “ How do you feel, Jose. ” Joseph turned to face his beautiful wife, who looked ever stunning at thirty. Perhaps it's true that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, cos even after so many years he still found her as stunning as she'd always been. “ You've asked that question three times already. ” He smiled seeing her pout. “ But it's okay, I get it. ” He turned to face her. “ It's Vera's wedding, I know. ” He pulled her to a seat on the bed beside him as he cupped her face. “ I'd once been infatuated with her, and couldn't imagine a life without her once. ” He paused to search her eyes. “ But that's in the post now, you know. I love you and you are my forever so you don't have to worry about me, Kay? ” “ Um… ” “ Besides, you look unusually beautiful today. ” He tucked her hair behind her face, as she blushed. “ Should we roll on the sheets for a few minutes before we leave? ” “ In your dreams. ” She stood up in an attemp
“ I cry when you cry. ”*** Five years later,Miranda opened the door to her daughter's room and sighed helplessly when she didn't find her there. She matched towards her son's and there she met them spooned together on the bed. “ Gosh, how many times do I have to tell them not to sleep together. ” She muttered under her breath. She'd thought the doctor had been over exaggerating when she said they'll be literally inseparable. Now? She figured Angelina was more than right. They couldn't even stay a moment without each other. “ Nuel, Nuella. ” She patted them lovingly and slowly but steadily she was welcomed by two deep blue eyes. Ones she'd come to fall in love with. “ Mom… ” Nuella was the first to react as she detached herself from her brother's embrace and went into her mother's arms. “ Good morning, Hon. ” She pecked her cheeks and straightened her short hair which was tied in two messy buns. “ Morning, Mom. ” She rubbed her head on Miranda's chest as she'd always done
“ Forgiveness sets you free. ”*** “ Can I take a seat? ” The duo stared at each other before nodding. “ I know you guys have a million and one questions to ask me. ” She smiled, “ That's not unexpected, right? Since I disappeared months ago and suddenly reappeared. ” The duo nodded. “ Well, I was imprisoned for three months due to my involvement in a crime relating to Miranda. ” “ What crime? ” Evie inquired, staring at the two.“ I planned to have her miscarry, but my plan failed as always. ” Her tone was solemn. “ Um… ” Evelyn sighed, realizing her Bestie had forgiven her already. So what right does she have to overreact?“ I heard God for the very first time in the police’s van. ”“ God? ” They were left completely stunned by her words.“ As you both know, I've always been an atheist. But for the first time, I heard the deity which you and Joseph had always spoken about. Prior to that, I've always believed he was nothing but a figment of your imaginations. But the single enc
“ Hard Work sets the difference between great and average. ”***“ You are pregnant, Bestie? ” The latter blushed heavily at the question directed to her.“ Yeah. ” She replied shyly.“ But why didn't you tell me? ” Miranda felt happy, yet a little disappointed at that. Best friends are meant to tell each other everything, right?So why hide that important detail from her?“ I just found out, okay? ” Evie replied defensively, not totally comfortable under her accusing gaze.“ Okay. ” Miranda nodded with a tight smile. ***Later in their car. “ You've been silent, Honey. ” He mused, pulling her into his arms. He'd never totally understand how quickly her mood changes. Thankfully he'd read a lot on post childbirth depression and understood that her feelings and reactions are absolutely normal. Though not totally normal to him as he craves for his wife to be completely alright. “ I feel Evie should have told me about her pregnancy earlier. ” Joseph sighed hearing her words.He'd nev
“ God never comes too late, he comes right on time. ”*** The day seemed to go slowly until the middle aged bride was handed a mirror. “ Oh my. ” Hannah couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips at her reflection in the mirror. For some reason, she'd always believed she'd never be as beautiful as she was at her previous wedding ceremony. But who knew. Her short almond colored hair was beautifully styled on her head, her makeup and mascara was perfect further adding to her stunning look. “ You make a beautiful bride, Nanny. ” She turned to hear the exact words she'd said at the latter’s wedding. “ Thank you. ”“ I'm super glad I got to witness your happy day, Mom. ” Those simple words made her emotional. She'd always believed she would never experience the joy and gladness this day brings. After her husband left her. She'd literally lost all hope in finding love again. She believed she can never be happy again as she'll never find a man better than Joshua.But who knew.“ Th