"Why are you so jumpy and all smiles, Jophy?" Ruth asked as I walked around the room, packing the basket, "And where are you taking all your stuff to?" I yelped at the closeness of the voice and immediately turned around to see Ruth standing so close and smiling creepily at me.

I shook my head at her and went back to packing the stuff Ruth got me after I came back with a puffy face the other day. She hadn't pressed on when she saw that I wasn't ready to talk, instead, she went out and got me all kinds of junk food to cheer me. Thinking about it right now had me grinning from cheek to cheek.

I never had a friend before. I was homeschooled all my life and when they felt I'd had enough education, they shut all doors to it in my life. Thinking of it was already changing my countenance so I immediately shoved the thoughts of them away and focused on packing the food.

"You still haven't told me why you are all smiles, Miss Jophiel" Ruth pointed out and I glanced at her with a cheeky smile, "wait... Does this have anything to do with a certain president?" Before I could even answer, she turned to the wall clock and immediately squealed. "It's almost 5 and there's only one particular dude you meet by 5 pm" I immediately clamped my hands over her mouth, shushing her and when I sensed she was finally calm, I slowly uncovered her mouth.

But the moment I did, she squealed again before she plopped down on my bed and began wiggling her brows. "You came back like yesterday with puffy eyes after not meeting him for days, and now you're smiling and packing food... Hmmm... Certain dots are connecting in my head, and I'm not liking a particular connection" I arched a brow and tilted my head while processing what she just said. "Is President the reason your face was so puffy and your eyes were swollen yesterday?" Her tone lowered dangerously as she asked and I immediately shook my head.

"No no! He isn't" I lowered my gaze and played with my fingers as I reminisced on the memories of yesterday. Everything ended happily but it didn't erase the fact that they were here."H was the one that comforted me. What happened yesterday had nothing to do with him, I promise" I slowly looked up at her and I felt a surge of guilt at keeping what actually happened from her. My stay in school is now uncertain and it makes me uncomfortable to tell her without knowing if I'd see her tomorrow. "I promise you, Ruthie... I'm going to.."

She didn't let me complete my sentence by softly shaking her head, "You don't have to tell me anything yet, love. Take your time" She held my hand and squeezed it reassuringly, "Now, how about we let go of the depressing talk and talk about why you're packing?" She wiggled her brows and I chuckled.

"Well, Zadkiel and I decided to have our Bible study in the garden and while at it, we can just have a picnic as well" By the time I was done, a loud squeal immediately followed and I covered my ears.

"Is this the start of something good?" She asked, scooting closer to me and I rolled my eyes, "Oh come on, you guys are already so cute but keep it godly!" I turned and saw her staring sternly at me, and I immediately nodded.

"Sure thing ma'am, I'm sorry I'm using stuffs you..."

"That's more than okay, they are yours now" She brought the basket closer to her and peered into her, "Are you sure this is enough? Should I add more food to these?" She stood up from her bed and began walking over to her side to get more food but I immediately held her back.

"No, this is more than enough" I closed the basket and raised it, "Yup, more than enough. I'll be leaving now, Ruthie! I'll see you later" I blew her an air kiss and was about to walk away but she immediately held me back.

"Hold on" She rushed to her bed and brought out her makeup stuff. My eyes immediately widened at the thought and I vehemently shook my head while taking steps back, "you better stop right there" she quickly rushed to me and held me tightly, "just a few things"

And just like that, she set out to pack and repack my hair, apply light makeup and drenched me in a sweet scenting perfume before she let me go. "Have fun sweetie, Godly fun!" She called out as I rushed out of the room. I glanced repeatedly at the wristwatch Ruth slapped against my wrists as I walked to the garden.

A big smile graced my face when I walked into the garden and it was 5 pm on the dot, my cheeks suddenly felt hot and my heart drummed heavily against my chest at the thought of seeing him. I felt so jittery yet so calm at the same time, "phew" I breathed out and fanned my face before I walked into the garden, looking around in search of him.

I slowly came to a halt and my heart that was drumming frantically calmed down, a sense of peace engulfed me and the corners of my lips tugged up in a smile just from seeing him. I could only see his back but still. I let out a breath and gripped the basket a little tighter before I walked up to him.

"Thank you for waiting for me, I came as fast as I could", I said as I plopped down on the mat, but my smile immediately vanished and my eyes widened when I made eye contact with him. His eyes were puffy and almost bloodshot, added to that, were tear stains on his cheek, "Zadkiel..." I breathed out and without saying a word, he placed his head on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around me as he did.

I momentarily forgot how to breathe at the contact, but I recovered my breath just as fast and wrapped my arms around him as well. I felt him relax at my hold and I smiled, tightening my grip on him. I don't know what had happened, but if holding me made him feel even a little bit better, then I'd let him hold me forever. We both stayed in that position for a few minutes and not a single word was said.

"My Dad remarried," Zadkiel said all of a sudden and I froze. "4 months ago, and I just found out today" he chuckled and slowly pulled away from me, facing the pond before us, "I wasn't even wanted in my dad's wedding, makes me wonder if I was that horrible of a son." He paused and I took that as an opportunity to grab his hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

I'd first-hand experienced how horrible parents can be and no matter what he might have done, it won't change the fact that his father chose not to invite him because he is an irresponsible father. "I pass all my courses with straight As, I manage and represent the school excellently, I serve God, and I let him show me off like a trophy. I did his work as a husband and my work as a son when my mother lay on her sick bed... So why? Why exactly is he treating me like I'm not worth anything?" He turned to me as he asked and my heart broke at both the pain in his eyes and in his voice.

Without thinking twice, I pulled him into my arms "It's not your fault, wasn't your fault and will never be your fault. I'm sorry but your Dad chose not to invite you because he's irresponsible, as a son, you don't have to justify yourself through your actions. Your position should already justify you but you didn't let it, you instead put in the work and that is more than enough" I placed a kiss on his forehead without thinking twice and pulled him closer to me, "you're enough, Zadkiel" he inhaled sharply at my words and I held him tighter.

"Do you know you just quoted the scriptures?" My brows shot up and he smiled, "We're not justified by our actions. It's in almost all the Epistles written by Paul. Thank you Jophiel" My face lit up with a smile and I drew the basket closer to us and brought out the bread and peanut butter.

"Here have something to eat. We can study the Bible when you feel all better" I said, handing him the bread with the peanut butter spread on it, but instead of taking it from me, he pushed his face closer to mine and opened his mouth.

"Feed me", he said and my mouth dropped open as my eyes flickered from his eyes to his open mouth, "you don't want to? I thought you wanted to take care of crying Zadkiel?" He asked arching a brow blood immediately rushed to my cheeks and I lowered my gaze. "Too shy? I don't bite tho"

"You're just having fun at my expense now" I mumbled and he laughed. A rich throaty laugh that sounded like music to my ears and I looked up to catch a glimpse of his laughing face. I don't know what I expected as I looked up, but he far exceeded my expectations. He looked angelic laughing, and I felt a sense of warmth and pride knowing I was the reason for that laugh. "If you're done laughing now, open up and eat," I said with a newly found confidence and his laugh died down as he stared at me.

"You're ready to feed me now?"

"Does it look like I am not?" I fired back and brought the bread closer to his lips, and without taking his eyes away from mine, he bit a part of the bread and smiled.

"Just like I guessed, it tastes better" he mumbled as he swallowed down the food and my heart leapt out of my chest, opening up a flood of butterflies in my stomach and that was when I accepted the truth I'd known for a while.

I'd never thought this would happen, but it was happening, and happening way too fast.

"Me first" the now familiar voice whispered and I stilled, "Me first, before anyone else, Jophiel. Love me first, find me first, serve me first"

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

Two chapters as I promised.. phew
It came later than expected 😭 but at least it came!

I dedicate this chapter to y'all!
Thank you for reading and supporting this book.

Goodnight amigos ❤️ but don't log off without
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