The sound of sliding glass door made Ella's head reluctantly shoot up from the King James Bible she was reading.

Oh well, it was high time somebody distracted her from this enchanting activity. She had been at it for minutes on end, soaking.
Initially, she had intended reading the scriptures as an antidote to the boredom that tore at her. Five chapters into the book of Judges and she could see herself as the representation of the stubborn Israelites—only God's mercy had kept her from self destruction.

A man, clad in a grey, three-piece suit, walked in and scanned the store with bright, cocoa eyes. Ella gaped at him, incredulously.
Was he immune to the scorching heat blazing outside?
Ella couldn't have been more grateful for the Air Conditioning in this mega-sized store.

He was definitely a Caucasian. A good looking one. Most possibly a tourist. His olive skin shone and his hair cut suited his face nicely.

"Good afternoon, Sir. Are you lost?" she asked, sitting upright behind the counter where she was, cautious not to sound like he was unwanted here.

This was Mrs Ruth Layson's Fashion Store. A place where no one ever felt unwanted, that she knew for sure.

Mrs Layson, who in the few weeks Ella had known her had been nothing short of an angel, had received this calling from God to help the female specie dress modestly. Her area of speciality was wedding dresses and other fancy party dresses.

The Laysons had taken Ella like a daughter, discipling her in the way of the Lord.
Not only did Mrs Layson smother her like she was a baby, she also offered her a job as her personal assistant in her Fashion Store.
Ella gladly accepted the post, grateful that she'd be useful and not just a leech to Deborah who had vehemently insisted that she continue to stay with her. And the pay was handsome. 

After her rebirth experience, Ella had a time of personal retreat to re-evaluate her life. Truth was, she didn't have anything to call hers, not even a pin, all thanks to the fire that licked up her former rented apartment.

However, she didn't feel the loss too much. Those things were inconsequential.
Her life was beginning to take a nice, meaningful turn. No more nightmares. No more fears. No more guilt clawing up her throat.

She never knew it possible that she could actually converse with God. God? Just the thought in her old self would have made her clam up. But testing it—talking to the Redeemer—turned out to be the best thing she'd ever done. And surprisingly, it was the simplest, though not easiest, thing to do. And she proceeded, fought sleep and fatigue even, to do it every single day before the cock crew.

After many prayers on where to go next, she'd decided to try out academics again. In an open university where she could work while studying and still earn a certified degree. Aquaculture felt like the perfect course for her, the Holy Spirit bearing witness of peace in her. She didn't think anything else would have caught her fancy.
 
She had a sizable GSCE result that she used to apply to the Coasta Hera Open University, which was in actual fact an offshoot of the main university where Deborah would soon graduate from.

Here she was, working in Rutie Fashion House, awaiting her admission letter.

Deborah had been really busy with her final year projects and keeping up with her practicals at the teaching hospital. Plus, little by little, underground preparations were already underway for the joining in marriage of her and Jeremiah. It was evident the girl was packed and couldn't spare time to hang out with Ella like she used to.

Ella couldn't bear the boringness of staying home alone.
Here was better. The occasional drama of a blushing bride-to-be turning the place upside down in search of her dream wedding dress, or a sulking teenage girl dragged in by her mom to buy some real clothes instead of rags for her prom party, always fascinated Ella.

Ella couldn't imagine how Mrs Layson even managed to survive it. She seemed to float like a tooth fairy with sweet smiles and a wave of her magic wand to solve the customers' problem of dress combo, colour blending, choice of accessories and what not's.

Ella's attempts to do the same were like a carnivore trying to eat grass. She just wasn't cut out for the fashion world. But indeed she was learning a great deal by relating with different kinds of human beings, a skill she needed desperately to develop if she was to survive university. Her shy, quiet nature was coming undone bit by bit.

A man stumbling into the store was a once-in-blue-moon phenomenon. Except he was a tourist. That would explain everything.

"Good afternoon, Miss. I'm not lost. I came to see Mrs Layson actually."
Oh! Strike that. He was not a tourist after all. His altered, European accent would have convinced her otherwise.

Ella gave him a small smile. He blinked.
She'd gotten that reaction from quite a number of customers and was getting used to it already. It wasn't everyday they met someone with a rare eye colour like hers.

"Mrs Layson just left a few hours ago to attend to something. I'll call her to let her know she has a visitor. You can have your seat over there, Sir."

She called. Mrs Layson picked after the second ring.

"A visitor? Okay dear. I'm on my way. I was just rounding up confirming the shoe shippings and arranging for the transport."

When Mrs Layson arrived and saw who the man was, she lit up like a bulb. Obviously, he was a guy who had gone abroad for his studies and was just returning home, a member of Burning Light Ministries.

Ella tried not to stick out like a sore thumb and tried to preoccupy herself with helping the other workers bring in the stacks of shoe boxes in and putting them in their respective places. However, she couldn't help listening in on their conversation.

"Oh my word, Matthew, you have grown so. See how you're towering over me?"

Hmmm... Mathew huh? Ella thought. The name suited him.

"Ma, it's all God," he said chuckling.

"And what do you mean? That God has left me? I haven't grown an inch?"

Matthew gave a soft laugh. Ella noted how easily his laughter came. "I never meant it that way."

"Of course, of course." She patted his shoulder. Mrs Layson and her teasing, bubbly nature.

"And how does it feel to be back, Eng. Matthew?"

"It feels good. Studying Marine Engineering for five years is no child's play. Ivory Town hasn't changed much though. The air is still choking. It's so hot." And then he wiggled out of his grey suit. The baby blue shirt he wore underneath showed traces of sweat now dried by Air Conditioning.

"I know. And does Jeremiah know you're back?"

"Not really. He would have come to pick me up from the airport but he once mentioned how hard he was tied down by work. And that would have spoilt the sweet taste of my surprise package. After all his pestering calls demanding that I return home as soon as I obtained my certification because he couldn't have another person as his best man at his wedding. Just how much that guy misses me, I intend to know."

"Right, that reminds me. Have you met his sister?"

Ella grimaced. Here it comes.

Matthew's brow arched. Mrs Layson never lied so he knew she wasn't kidding.
"Jeremiah has a sister? How come? I've been his friend since forever and he kept it a secret. He is so going to get it from me this time."

"It's a long story, Matthew. Ella?" she called.

"Yes ma," Ella answered and came towards them where they sat on a chaise lounge, cold fruit juice in glass cups before them.

"Ella, meet Matthew Pegamon, my spiritual son who didn't care to look back home until now," she continued, ignoring Matthew who gasped in mock pain, "and Jeremiah's bosom friend. Matthew, here is Ella Macmillior, Jeremiah's sister."

Matthew looked her over with his dark hazel eyes and Ella suddenly felt underdressed in her simple, ruby-coloured  pleated gown.

"Macmillior?"

Mrs Layson gave a rueful smile. "It's complicated, I know. But I guess Jeremiah will have to do the explaining."

"Oh, he will."

"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Ella," he said as he took her hand which she had stretched for a polite handshake and gave it a feathered peck.

The natural impulse would have been to blush, but it felt like a natural thing for a man to kiss her hand. How gentlemanly.
No, he was her brother's friend. Or maybe it was the brethren-hood syndrome.
And the way he called her name...

Ella mentally shook out of her analysis.

"Same here, Matthew." She smiled sheepishly at him. 

"Please excuse me. The phone's ringing," Mrs Layson said as she got up and strode to pick up the store's phone that was vibrating on the counter.

Ella bit back a chuckle that almost escaped her mouth. This was so classic. So cliché. According to the movies and books, this was the moment the couple were abandoned by their company and expected to make a bond.

"So, you're Jeremiah's sister huh?" His accent came stronger now and Ella couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to impress her.

"We're half siblings. We only got to know that just recently."

"I see." He looked pensive.

"Is Ella like a short form of Emmanuella or something?"

"No, no. It's just Ella."

"It's a beautiful name."

The air conditioner seemed to be malfunctioning because Ella felt all sweaty under her armpits as he stared at her.

Ella didn't know what to ask him. She wasn't mentally prepared for an interview.
Awkward silence descended.

Ella could have withered. It was clear he was trying to figure out this girl who popped out of nowhere and says she's his best friend's sister.
Not that she had really had time to discuss with her brother about his life, but she never knew he had a best friend.

The case was even.

The doors opened sharply, startling them both.

In bounced Deborah in her black skirt suit and white camisole.
She removed the suit, flung it onto an empty chair and skipped like a lamb towards Ella.
Not noticing Matthew or his amused face, she lifted Ella and spun her in a short dance.

"I'm done, oh Ella! It's finally over. I've done the final defense of my project today and my lecturers absolutely loved it!"

Ella laughed. This was so Deborah.

"Do you know what this means? All that's left is my clearance. I'm finally going to have enough time to plan my wedding!"

"Deb," Ella said as she hugged her friend, "I am so happy for you. Victory at last. We should celebrate. "

"Yup! It's definitely my special chocolate cake recipe first. Then whatever you'd like."

"Oh my world! Matthew? You're back already?" she chirped when her eyes saw the fella seated comfortably watching her drama.

"As you can see," he said, spreading his arm in a flourish. He stood. Ella noted his height more closely. He was really tall, but it wasn't over much.

Deborah grinned and gave him a side hug.

"Congratulations Deborah. Now the nurse huh? And where is your groom?"

"I haven't seen him since he escorted me for morale support to my presentation hall. I didn't take my car. Have you called him?"

"I should, in a second. I was just relaxing here with Ella."

"Oooohhh, I see..." Deborah said with a smile that held secret knowledge, darting her eyes between them both.

Ella scoffed softly. "I don't know what everyone is seeing," she mumbled.

Mrs Layson returned and greeted Deborah with a kiss.

"Please ma, can you release Ella for the day. I promised her we'd celebrate together once I'm done with my defense," Deborah asked.

"Sure, sure. Ella has been bored to her bones since. Aren't I right, darling?"

"I could stay. You'll need help," Ella said, not really meaning it.

"Don't bother. I'll be fine. You deserve a break. And besides what are all these workers here for?"

"Thanks Mommy," Ella said as she hugged Mrs Layson. The 'Mommy' part was an extra cherry topping of gratitude.

"So, we'll be off then. I'll take them with me," Matthew said.

"Awwwnnn. That's so sweet of you, Matthew," Deborah cooed as they began to walk out the store. They'd taken their suits with them.

"Don't think too much of it. I just want to yank a silly boy's ear off once I set my eyes on him," Matthew said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Jay is gonna kill you if he knows you said that," Deborah said after laughing so hard that she gripped Ella's hand tight to stop herself from falling over.

"Hop in!" Matthew said easily as he unlocked his car.

Ella stood transfixed, lips slightly parted.

Deborah circled the sleek ride with round eyes.

"No way! Oh my God. Matthew! You didn't tell me this was yours. We're riding this baby? Jay is going to be so jealous. Is it too late to change my course to engineer?"

The 'baby' was a silver and ash sports car. The kind with low center of gravity, a retractable roof, slightly tinted glass and an AI system installed.



"Uhm... I didn't want to brag," he said with a shrug and a grin.

Deborah sat in the front seat and strapped her belt.
Ella, seated in the soft leather seat of the back, was still in a daze. Never for once had she thought she'd enter a car so expensive-looking.

"If it wasn't so hot out there, I'd have you open the roof so I could scream to the world."

"We've had enough roasting for one day, I know."

As he put his finger on the dashboard ignition spot, the car recognized his DNA and started. The computerized voice of the AI asked for their destination. Matthew asked Deborah if Jeremiah hadn't changed his office address and she said yes. He replied the waiting car, Le Jave Corporations Headquarters.
It was a voice recognition program.

The car automatically began to move with Matthew's hand on the steering wheel. Christian rock and roll played from the MP3 player.

Matthew stole a quick glance at Ella through the rear mirror. She noticed him and was surprised by the intense look.

"You're okay back there, Ella?"

She wanted to spill how she was mind blown to be in this dope vehicle. Instead, she feigned a neutral look. "Yeah."

When his gaze lingered, she distracted herself by looking out the window.

Sure, he was handsome, learned and rich. But he'd balk if he ever got wind of her past life. She was just beginning to make sense of her future.

Besides, she had to do things the God way now.

The car sped on smoothly.

**********

Author's note: You're all excited to see a new face, right?😄  I sure am. Matthew is cool, don't you think?😆 Or is it too early for us to judge him.
And hey! All matchmakers will have to go through me first. ☺️☺️☺️

Ella is settling in to her new Christian life.✨ That's good. And such a wise choice she has made to start schooling again. But let's see what comes out of it all, shall we?😉

News flash: The sequel to my first book is out. Fans of Radiance can hop over to continue the sizzling adventure with her in college. 💃💃🤩🤩🥳🥳

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.🤗

I love you all. 😘