chapter twenty-three

Chapter twenty- three

Lucy made Elena fold back the clothes as she complained of being too tired. They had lunch on the patio. A young boy named Miguel served the food under the guidance of the butler. There was crispy fish tacos with mango salsa, cheesy chicken with roasted Brussels sprouts and chickpea salad, chicken ikka skewers and as promised, fruit salad for dessert.

As the butler poured everyone a glass of the 2006 Miolo Brute Millesime, Lucy said she wanted fresh grape juice because Mariah had recommended it. Elena and Zeke swapped suspicious, confused looks but neither of them said anything.

After Lunch, Lucy invited Elena to their bedroom. "I'm actually happy that you and Regan left your tension behind and moved on. You guys look so good together. Just one month and you are already glowing." She played with a purple plush pillow that rested on her lap.

Elena smiled a wide smile, "I'm happy we put all that Connor crap behind us. I love your brother Mrs Anderson." The two ladies smiled at the address, "By the way, where is Zeke?" she asked as she slurped her grape juice that Lucy had forced her to drink.

And on cue, Zeke appeared from the walk-in closet wearing a simple pair of jeans with nothing on top. Elena tried her best not to stare at her friend's husband. "Babe I can't find any shirt to go with these jeans." He looked like a child asking his mom for something appropriate to wear.

Lucy smiled at her husband and excused herself from Elena. Moments later, she came out wearing a simple white gown, black shoes and a purse to match. Her silver set jewellery framed her face and wrists. Zeke followed behind wearing a big white shirt and a pair of black cargo pants.

"Are you going out?" she asked. She had not made any other plan than to visit them.

"Yes we are going to church." Lucy replied.

"You can join us if you're not going home straight away." Zeke suggested.

"I'd love to but…" she looked down at her ripped jeans and the big shirt that she wore which belonged to Regan. "I can't go like this."

"Let's get that fixed." She turned to her husband. "Honey, you can get the car ready. Miguel can take her car home and get back with a cab. We'll drop Elena off after church. Wait for us in the car, we'll be done in a couple of minutes." She kissed him and whisked Elena into the closet.

He wore his Clive Christian 'x', picked the keys to their black Mercedes maybach and stepped out of the room.

.. .. .. .. .. .. …

Elena immediately fell in love with the closet the moment she walked right into it. Not one thing was out of place, Lucy's clothes stayed in the east wardrobe while Zeke's stayed in the west wardrobe. The north and south walls were covered with their shoes and in the middle sat a beautiful, internally illuminated accessory island. Lucy picked a simple cut brown gown for Elena and tied her hair up in a bun.

"Isn't it late?" Elena asked, "I thought church services were held in the morning, it is 5:43."

"Oblivious, aren't you?" Lucy replied with a light laugh. "There's morning and evening service. We should be done 7:30." She applied a final shade of rouge to her lips covering the pink lipstick she had put on before.

The church service was peaceful and comforting as the preacher talked about love.

"Love each other as I have loved you."

"Hatred stirs up conflict but love covers all wrong."

"Do everything in love."

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

"Above all, love each other deeply as love covers a multitude of sins."

At the end of the service, she prayed whole-heartedly for things to work out between Regan and her as she was willing to commit to entirely to him.