Timothy was in the office the next day by the time Mercy arrived.She knocked and then walked in to find him at his desk,typing.

'Good morning,sorry I'm late,'she said as she put her bag down and took a seat.

'You came just in time.So uuumn,I've been getting a lot of criticism lately.Someone brought it up during the last Management meeting.He said it's not right for me to have a Marketing and Research Assistant.My demand for one was inappropriate.'

'Are they firing me?'

'No,they're not.You're staying,on a probation period of three months.If your work is satisfactory,you will be awarded a contract.'

'Oh okay,so where will I be stationed.'

'Cathy,the HR Officer will direct you...It's good to have you back,'He smiled

'It's good to be back.A taste of freedom,'she commented as she examined the room.

'How's your sister,Maya doing?'

'She's fine,'Mercy shrugged.'Last I checked,she was talking about raising funds to pay for her tuition.'

'Oh,I thought she's working.'

'Her salary is not enough to cover groceries,personal expenses and tuition.'

The door opened and in came Cathy.

'Hello,I hope I'm not interrupting something,'She walked up to the desk area and placed her hand on Mercy's chair.

'You're late,'she said to Mercy.

'I delayed her,'Timothy commented.'I told her about the arrangements.'

'Yes, you'll be working with me for a bit, just so we see how good you are. May I have a word with you Timothy?'

'Yeah sure,'he turned to Mercy and she reached for her bag.

'I will be outside,'she walked out and left them alone.

'How was your weekend Tim?'

'It was good, How was yours?'

'It was kinda boring but yeah...there is a cocktail party happening soon, in celebration of our year end. I was hoping you could be my plus one.'

'Uuumn, thank you for the offer but I'd have to bring my girlfriend, if I'm attending that is.'

'Staff members only and everyone is required to attend.'

'Uuumn....'

'Timothy, how many times have I done favours for you.You almost cost me my job, hiring that girl.'

'Cathy I....'

'Think about it Tim. It's just one night. Anyway I'll see you at lunch, 'she winked at him and left.

Timothy finished work early and waited for Mercy by the entrance. He walked up to her as she approached and she stopped.

'Hey, is there something I forgot to do?'

'No, I want to drop you home.'

'Drop me home? 'Mercy asked.

'Yes, if you don't mind. And even if you do mind, I'm still dropping you home.'

'Wow, seems like I have no choice then, 'she followed him to the car.

He started the engine and was about to start off when Cathy walked up to them.

'Hey Tim, where are you going?'

'I'm going to the gym, after I drop her home.'

'Oh, so you're dropping each other home now?'

Mercy unfastened her seat belt and was about to open the door when Tim locked it.

'Mercy, you don't have to go anywhere. Cathy, I don't see a problem with giving a fellow colleague a ride home.'

'Timothy, you're asking for trouble,' she waved her finger at him and walked away.

Five minutes later, they were on the main road and headed in the direction that led to Mercy's place.Timothy broke the silence.

'I'm sorry I locked the doors on you.'

'It's okay...I feel like there is or was unresolved business with you two.'

'There is none.'

'I've seen the way she looks at you. I'msorry, I know she is like my boss now, and you're my former boss and I shouldn't be talking about you two like that.'

'There is nothing going on between us.'

'It's obvious that she likes you.'

'I have a girlfriend.'

'But are you happy?'

'What? Are you saying my unhappiness is what attracts her to me?'

'No, your good looks do all the work...and sorry, I'm doing it again. It's just that, it seems like no one is happy in relationships these days. Not surprising at all, there is no such thing as love.'

'I don't believe that.'

'Are you happy?'

'You don't go into relationships to be happy. Happiness is overrated. Commitment is the key. Whether in the good or the bad.'

'It's all about the status. At least it's what they all say.'

'Who is all?'

'The men I've met. Once you've got that wedding and wife, nothing else to it.Work all week, party on the weekends. Show up at home just in time to make it to church the next day with her and the kids.'

'How did you meet these men?'

Mercy looked at him and then out the window.Timothy kept his eyes on the road, as he processed the thoughts that were taking residence. His heart hurt as he thought about the possibility that Mercy was promiscuous. She was young, talented and beautiful.She was hurting from the broken relationships she was entangled in. He wished he could heal her, but something in him told him it was not his calling.They got to her place fifteen minutes later.They came out of the car and Timothy walked her to the front door.

'Please don't do anything you're going to regret,' she said.

'Like what?'

'Like trying to kiss me.'

'I wasn't going to do that.'

'You deserve someone better.'

'Mercy...I'm sorry if you read more than a kind gesture.'

'I can't believe I'm going to let you walk,' Mercy stepped closer to him and touched his lips. She stood on her tippy toes and was about to kiss him when he stopped her.They stood,as if frozen in place, while she placed her arms around his waist.

'Timothy,you don't want to do this,' she whispered as she looked into his eyes. It seemed as if her eyes were welling with tears.

'You are not like the men I was describing earlier on.You're different.'

'I'm tired of being different,' he whispered back. His heart raced. He wondered where this voice was coming from. Had this been bottling up in him without him knowing? Here he was, in the arms of another woman. Doing what he had sworn he'd never do.He looked into her eyes again and held his breath. She was way too close to let go of now.He bent further and their lips locked.Entranced, she took his hand and led him into the house. He carefully followed her as she led them into the bedroom. She flashed another smile and pulled him closer to her. Their lips came together again.

'You're throwing away everything...'a voice sounded in his head.

'Timothy...Timothy...Tim,'Mercy's voice echoed through his head, bringing him back to reality.

They were parked outside her place.He shook himself and turned to face her.

'Is everything okay?'

'Eeeerm, yes...how long have we been here?'

'The past two minutes.You just zoned out...almost freaked me out.'She jumped out the car and he followed her.

'I'll see you tomorrow,' he muttered.

'Yes, thank you.'

'Is your sister home?'

'No, she's probably at her night shift. Good night.'

'Good night.' He got back in the car and drove away.

'But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed' Pastor Dumi read aloud a passage from Isaiah 53 to Timothy.

'Thank you for the reminder Pastor. I needed that,' he sipped from his glass of water.

'I hope I didn't eat up too much of your time'. Pastor Dumi got up from his chair and placed his bible on the bookshelf in his office.

'Not at all.My lunch break ends in fifteen minutes.Thank you once again for agreeing to meet with me today. I couldn't sleep last night.'

'You know what you need to do.'

'What should I do?'

'Address the root. Where do you think these thoughts are coming from? You can say you'll avoid this lady Mercy; Cathy, but that's just a sign of the real struggle inside of you. What are you fighting?'

'I don't know,'Timothy whispered.

Timothy bade farewell to Pastor Dumi and headed for his car. He was about to get in when he saw Maya walk in through the gate. She noticed him and walked up to him.

'Hello, what are you doing here? 'He asked her.

'Oh, I came to get Pastor Dumi to write me a referral letter. I'm going to enroll for a course in Business Administration.'

'That's great. Good to hear that.'

'Yes, thanks. I do need one more referee to complete my application.'

'I could fill the second one, if you don't mind.'

'Really,come on...you have done too much for me already.'

'I don't mind Maya. 'He opened the front door and sat on the driver's seat. 'Pass me the documents'.

Maya handed over one of the forms and a pen. It took him five minutes and he gave them back to her.

'Thank you so much'

'Have a good day Maya. Hope to see you again soon.'

'Thank you.Hope to see you too.'She took some steps back and watched him as he drove off. She then proceeded to the Church Office and was about to knock on Pastor Dumi's door when Pastor Brian opened from the other side

'Maya.Are you looking for Pastor Dumi?'

'Uuumn,actually...I was here to see you.'