Song for the Chapter: I am THINE, O LORD

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Time flies and we never see whither it goes... just where it lands us.

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"So I will want a Burrata bruschetta for a start. Don't forget I only want homemade balsamic vinegar with it..."

And that was where Vincenzo lost Violet. She had thought preparing meals for the whole family was the hardest task she had undertaken. But, she was in for more it seemed.

How on earth am I going to make balsamic vinegar myself?

"And, I will probably want Timballo di Maccheroni as the main dish. And for dessert..."

Oh, there is more? She arched an eyebrow. She braced herself feeling like a prey a predator had finally caught.

LORD, if ever we have a say in the timing of the Rapture, I think now will be the best time. I am ready to be spirited away.

"And where will he end up if I come now?" The Soft Gentle Voice chided.

Violet felt a twinge of shame at the direction of her thoughts.

Forgive me, LORD. But, a thought hit her. Can YOU save him now and take us all right now?

She did not know if it was her imagination, but, she thought she felt her SAVIOUR chuckle.

"You know what? Forget the dessert." Whew. "But, there are more papers you need to check on and grade afterwards."

"Afterwards?" She gulped. "You mean... today?"

"No, I mean in a millennium."

She clamped her mouth shut and nodded—like a robot she thought. Giving a slight bow, she hurried to her tasks.

She sure was glad school was on break.

~~~

Walking down the stone path, Violet felt she had fought a long battle. A battle with vegetables and meat.

She was glad Clarice had left her with a recipe book, yet, she had researched over and over again on the internet to find the right combinations. And after 10 tries, she had been sure the meal was at best, edible.

"You look like you're been through a tornado."

She was caught off guard by Isabella's voice—again. The two had met near the triclinium earlier that day, when Prince Vincenzo had been arguing with Queen Sofia.

Isabella was presently lounging on a bench which had a portion of the garden as its background.

Isabella seemed to be the friendliest of the four siblings and had assured Violet to pay no heed to the argument.

"They do that every time, like it's their career." She had said nonchalantly.

"Yeah, a tornado called Vincenzo." The words were out before she could curb them. She slapped her hand to her mouth with widened eyes.

Fire and lightning! Dear mouth, shouldn't you know when to keep quiet by now? I ought to get a lock and a key.

To her surprise, Isabella laughed.

"I know my brother is a handful. I'm not surprised. Sometimes I wish I were old enough to whip his tail." She motioned for Violet to sit next to her.

"Yeah, I guess," Violet sighed. "But, I believe, everyone is unique in their own way. I guess that's his own uniqueness."

Isabella shot her a quizzical look.

"You know? I thought you would have wanted out of here already. Apart from Clarice and the guards, hardly anyone stays for a week."

"Really?" That amazed Violet. But, she could not argue. Had it not been for her LORD'S Presence illuminating her path, she would have likely fled too.

"Yeah... No one really stays long enough. It gets kind of lonely sometimes..." Isabella's voice trailed off, a sad look in her eyes.

"Don't you have friends who visit you or anything like that?" Violet tried to sound cheery, wishing to lighten the mood.

"We are not really allowed to have friends over. Due to security and what not." She tried to shrug it off with indifference. Yet, the deep feeling of  loneliness in her tone was not easily abated.

LORD, here is another soul that needs YOU... Violet silently prayed in her mind.

"What are you holding in your hand?" Isabella's gaze had drifted to the book in Violet's hand.

"Oh?" Violet looked down. "It's my BIBLE. I hope to get some reading done as I have not yet been able to today."

Isabella's interest seemed piqued, as though she had never seen anyone holding one in the presence of others before—or ever.

Violet had carried it along, hoping to get some reading done before facing her last dreaded task for the day—grading the papers in My Icy's own office.

"I once tried it. Didn't know where to start. I thought "Numbers" sounded interesting, but, could not figure out who was who or why that mattered," she leaned back casually. "Never tried it again."

"I see..." Violet drawled. "I once thought same actually, till I picked it up one day with a desire to understand. I don't know... when I started again, it felt like I had been thirsty my whole life and had finally found a cool refreshing drink."

Maybe it wasn't exactly what she had said, but, the look of pure rapture on Violet's face as she spoke of the WORD sparked a desire in Isabella.

"Sorry, I doubt you actually get any of what I'm saying." Violet chuckled softly, slightly chagrined at her own lack of articulation on the subject. She thought the look on Isabella's face akin to one who thought she had lost her marbles.

"No... not that at all," the latter responded softly. "And I think I will try... no, I am going to try it again."

Violet tried to quickly mask her surprise.

"You can start with the Book of John. It's somewhere past the middle of the BIBLE."

Isabella smiled softly.

"I will. Thanks," she began to rise. "See you later, and... thanks again."

She had turned towards her quarters when she glanced back.

"Oh, and Violet? I think there is some macaroni stuck in your hair."

Violet immediately touched her hair with Isabella laughing out loud as she walked away.

~~~

Vincenzo found himself in a state he had not experienced in a long time. He knew he had asked the impossible when he gave the girl his preferred meals for that day.

A side of him had justified his actions to torture her. But, on seeing her humble acquiescence, he had been baffled.

Many had returned with resignation letters whenever he had so tasked them. But, when she had brought his meals—which were nothing short of perfection—he couldn't hide the fact that he was intrigued by her efforts and courage.

Maybe she has nowhere else to turn to, he reasoned with himself. That must be it.

Yet, he had also felt time and time again the Light she radiated. And the warmth that coursed through his being whenever she was around. He longed to have that Light around himself as much as he could.

You are only doing this to torture her, Vincenzo. You want nothing to do with her. You want her to leave and never return.

But still, he had to wonder. And his anticipating her return to his home office, did not make it any easier to understand.

~~~

"Arise and pray," the Angel prodded Violet awake, tapping her gently yet firmly on her shoulder.

By now, one would think Violet would have gotten used to such commands. But, with varying levels of urgency with each command, they managed to—as her brother would often say—spin the axis of her world from its orbit.

But, she had learnt to listen, and obey.

Evil was drawing close again and it was in the form of a man—Giuseppe.

——————-

Nǐ hǎo! 👋🏻

So sorry it's been a while. How are we all doing?

Writing this book is proving to be a test. But, we know THE LORD will see us through by HIS Mercies.

What did you think of this chapter? I so love and long to hear from you all.

Oh, and the song above is one I love a lot. 🥰

Shalom Shalom!

Phela.