CHRISTA SEE THE ROSE AS A PEACE OFFERING

Waking to see the beautiful rose. Thomas put in a glass, on top of a center table. Near the corner where she slept. Looking around the room, thinking.

'It is Saturday already, Oh Lord a week has completed since our marriage. Also, a week since I woke up to find that. I was no longer a chaste woman.

Now my family knows of my marriage and Lord, You know that I was put in a position having no other choice.

I told them I am happy but what could I tell my family? This is all my fault if only I had listened to Papa. And stayed home, all would have been well.

Papa had already told me that rich people don't care about anyone else except themselves. If they do something for you. They will expect some payment in return. They do nothing for free.

If I had claimed that while I was sleeping someone rapes me. What proof do I have to support what I was saying?

And anyhow who would believe me? We don't have money to fight this matter in court. So I must thank God, he admitted that he slept with me.

And he didn't hesitate to ask me to marry him. At least, he was honest enough to admit what he did.

Someone else would have denied it. Dear God, but how could he invade my body, without my permission?

Hearing how my friends shared their first experience, I so wanted to know and share that with the person I loved.

Now I will never know. Oh God tell me how can I forgive him for what he has stolen from me?

You said to forgive one another but I feel so ashamed just being in the same room with him.

Much less to allow him to touch me. Help me please, I know unforgiveness will block my blessing. And it will hinder my prayer from being answered."

Christa tries to reason out how she was feeling in her heart as she continues to pray. "Lord I feel as though I had fornicated and sin before You. So please my Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness.

Lord, I know he rectifies the problem when it comes to the spiritual aspect of things,

So tell me how am I going to rectify the way I am feeling in my emotions and character. I feel so dirty and used. Please remove this heaviness from my heart.

I beg you so I can have some peace. Thank You, Father, In Jesus's name amen."

Opening her eyes, Christa stretches out her hand and touch the rose, it was beautiful, "This must be a peace offering and I love pink."

Recalling the Sunday morning when she woke up to attend church. All of her clothes and her bag were nowhere in sight.

Thinking he had packed it away only to see new dresses and undergarments. Pondering within her heart.

'Did he have plans of marrying me after what had happened? I am sure that could be the only explanation for all those beautiful clothes being here.

I know it was my fault, and he had said so himself. I should not have gone into his room in the first place.

I was so tired and all the other doors were locked, and his door was the only door that wasn't locked.

How is it I can't seem to remember anything? Was I so tired in a strange place that I felt nothing? Someone could have killed me."

The thing about that alone put fear in Christa's heart as she get on her knees and cry out to the Lord.

"Oh Lord, they could have dumped my body somewhere, without I knowing anything.

That would have left my family broken and so many people would have gotten blamed especially, Errol.

He would have never forgiven himself. Thank You, Lord, for spearing my life and for saving my character from being smudge."

Standing up perceiving deep within her heart, 'If he is offering an olive branch, then the lease I could do is accept. When I see him later, I will tell him thanks.

We are married now and there's so much we need to know about each other." Straightening the room then freshening up. Then went to the kitchen.

Seeing bags with fresh vegetables and a few packs of soya milk.

The same brand I bought Sunday. The house was quiet not even Mrs. Marva was in sight.

Normally when I am in the kitchen she keeps an eye on my movement. 'Well, today must be her day off."

Christer happily prepares one of the eggplants. Add potato and tomato. Also, she was glad to be alone having such solitude and tranquility.

Humming her favorite choruses while fixing breakfast. Almost done when the phone started to ring.

Hoping the butler or one of the servants will answer it. Thinking the house is so big there must be some servant around.

Ignoring the ringing Christa continues with her task. When no one had answered it, the ringing finally stopped.

About to sit down and eat her meal when the ringing started again deciding to get it thinking, 'It might be important, whoever it seems to be very persistent.'

Christa lifted the receiver saying. "Good morning," hearing the person asking for Thomas. "I am sorry ma'am Mr. Fortune is not home.

Yes, you can leave a message..... Okay.....You want him to meet you where?

Excuse me ma'am I am not his secretary. And for your information, this is his home and I am just his guest.

Please ma'am, just repeat the place.....Dragon Palace, thanks I will leave a message."

Christa grumbles covering the mouthpiece.

"This seems to be a joke, and why is it every time I am alone this rowdy person calls to irritate me?"

Taking some deep breaths, "Ma'am listen to me as I said, I am his house guest, no madam, I will not be home.

I am doing some sightseeing and preparing my report. Excuse me, that none of your business and who should I say is calling."

Resting the receiver down walking to the kitchen to get her breakfast.

"Well then it will not make any sense I leave a message.

My husband won't know which one of his woman companions is calling, and I am no one receptionist."