The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR Chapter 24: Troubled words, rightful thoughts

The next day was a Sunday. The family continued their usual routine of going to church and attending a church service to nearby church minutes from their house. Mr. Asher Wadford, their senior pastor greeted the couple, together with Leylah with a smile.

“Here comes my favorite family again,” He greeted as he walked past them. It’s his usual morning greeting hours before the first service will starts. When he saw Stella’s weak smile and Leylah, not smiling at all, he knew something was wrong.

“My dearest family in Christ, why don’t we sit down and I will pray for the three of you?” Stella, Carson, and Leylah humbly followed Pastor Asher as they sat down to the chairs surrounding them.

"Lord, we thank you for this day. Thank you for giving us life, strength, and will to come into your presence today. Help us to see our purpose. Help us to renew our minds and hearts as we seek your word today. Bless this family, oh Lord, we pray."

The three of them said "amen" in a murmuring chorus.

"Thank you so much, Pastor Asher. God bless you always." Carson smiled as he tapped his shoulder.

"We better get going inside." He said as he told them to sit in some seats that are still empty.

As Pastor Asher came into the pulpit, Stella couldn't help but be emotional as he looked at Pastor Asher's facial reaction as he delivers the Sunday's service message to everyone:

"My dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, let me just remind you a verse in the bible quoted in Ephesians 2:4-5 that says,

'But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. This verse is to remind us that it is only by God’s grace that you and I have been saved!'

He looked at everyone's eyes and smiled.

"Nobody deserves God's love. Our good works, charities, good relationships with anybody do not qualify us alone. It is by His grace that we are saved and not by good works alone. The good news is, He loves us any way that He died for our sins."

Stella couldn't help but be emotional. It used to be her haven but now, she got sadder as every word from that message touched her deeply.

She promised herself that she will not be a fool anymore. She wanted herself to be strong no matter what.

She glanced at Carson and took a deep breath. She could see that he was listening intently to the sermon of Pastor Asher.

They went home but it was the first time attending the Sunday service not talking to anyone. Carson was quite confused. He knew that he had a little misunderstanding with his daughter. It was because Leylah didn’t follow his rule of having any boyfriend when she's still studying. However, the days his daughter became undeniably silent made him realize many things. 

He noticed that Stella went to their room right away without saying a word to him. He could talk to her anytime but to her daughter, it's another story.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Leylah looked at him and said nothing.

"I know you didn't want me to meddle with anything in your life but do you want to be in a relationship at this age?"

"Dad, I just want my phone. I worked hard for it. I own that one and you don't have the right to get it from me."

"I will give you your phone if that's the thing that you want the most." He said as he got the phone from his pocket.

"I've been keeping this one for quite some time now." He held her hand as he put down her phone that he kept for a long time.

"W-What does it mean by this, dad?"

"I can't stay mad at you forever, Leylah. After all, you're my daughter. However, I am just a bit disappointed that you didn't follow what I am reminding you for always."

Leylah looked at him and said nothing. As Carson looked at the face of her daughter, he could see that she was still processing what to say to him next.

He turned back without saying a word and even before she could say anything. Leylah looked at the phone that's in her hand and held it tight.

She suddenly became very confused about what's happening around her. Did he just go easy on her just now? She couldn't even believe it herself. Why would her father do that all of a sudden? She thought that the world became crazy after he did that.

----

Carson went straight to the master's bedroom with a heavy heart. He couldn't even believe that he had just done that to his daughter. However, like what he said to her, he couldn't last a day seeing her daughter gloomy. Seeing her only daughter being sad makes him feel less of a father. Yes, he imposed strictness because he thinks it's the best for her. However, he noticed that the results are becoming the opposite of what he expected.

When he opened the door to their master's bedroom, he saw that Stella didn't take off her dress. Instead, she was retouching her make-up as if going somewhere.

"Do you have something to do on a Sunday?" He asked. Stella glanced at him for a second but she turned her eyes on the full body mirror in front of her as she smiled. She was fixing her earrings.

"Sorry honey, I forgot to tell you that I will be going out with my friends if you don't mind?" Carson stared at her for a while as if studying her facial reaction.

"Y-Yeah, yeah, not at all." He answered, hovering his gaze from her face downwards.

"Okay, so we'll never have a problem with that, right?"

Carson saw his wife more beautiful than ever. Even if they're already in their forties, Stella is having this youthful look as always she would be mistaken as a twenty-five-year-old woman because of her beauty regimen.

"I just noticed that you're well-dressed today, that's all."

"I and my girlfriends will see each other after many years, I can't be ugly in front of them."

"R-Right." Carson nodded as he came closer and hugged her from behind.

"Can I go with you? I promise I'll just be at the other table."

"Are you trying to be silly?" She said between chuckles. "All my friends will notice my handsome husband and it would be impossible for me to stop them if they will all go to you to possibly take pictures with you? My goodness, no way!"

"Well, you have a point."

"That's why you better stay here and look after Leylah."

"She's all grown up,"

"Wow, coming from you?" Stella answered him back with a chuckle again.

"Yeah, I just allowed her, moments ago."

"I didn't understand, what do you mean by that?"

"I returned her phone. I don't know what she'll do next."

"You have to develop trust in our daughter and let her explore the world without your very strict rules."

"Do you consider it 'strict'? Sweetheart, let me remind you, our kid is a girl. She's fragile and curious about a lot of things around her. She's only sixteen and she's still very young to be in a relationship, can you blame me?"

"You're too strict as a father, you know. Just let her grow and discover things on her own. By the way, I'd better get going. I need to return home in four hours or less to prepare dinner."

"Please take care, sweetheart. I love you," He pulled her closer to kiss her lips. She smiled as she waved goodbye to him.

Stella on the other hand believed that he didn't mean to say that to her, either.

----

She looked at the man in front of her beaming with a smile. She was also shocked that there were only both of them inside of that restaurant.

"W-Where are the others?" 

"Do you expect me to invite the others when I only want you in the first place?"

"Sebastian, I am not messing up with you. I thought this was a group outing?"

"Yeah, you and I could be considered a group, right?" He grinned as he stood up to pull a seat beside her. She looked at the place and the people around it were just very few.

She looked at him for a very long time and the seat that's pulled in front of her.

"Wow, it would be an insult if you're not going to accept my dinner invitation right now…" He heard her sigh as she sat in that seat before other people could notice.

"I want you to eat whatever you want on the menu, it's on me."

When Stella opened the menu book, she almost widened her eyes because of the cost of all the things that's listed there.

She thought that even a glass of water cost at least ten dollars. What did they put into the glass of water? Sprinkles of gold? Can she take home the glass after she drinks from it?

"Are you trying to insult me or something?"

"Hey, Stel...for old time's sake. Can you please let me treat you this time around?"

"Why would you make such an effort? You know for a fact that I have a family already, right?" Sebastian grinned as he rested his chin on his clasped fists, while both elbows were resting on the table.

"Yes. I know that and that's what's making it so interesting."

"Everything is over between the two of us before I married my husband now. I guess I made it clear for you back then," She casually answered, this time sipping water from her glass. She was startled a bit when Sebastian held her hand that's resting on the table. She could feel his warmth and his musk scent was intoxicating her little by little.

----

"Dad? Is mom home yet?"

"No." He replied shortly as he randomly switched channels of the TV using the remote control. Leylah went out of her room when she sensed that her father ordered one whole family-sized pizza for both of them.

Leylah glanced at their wall clock and it's half-past ten already.

"That was weird. I knew mom for being the lover of the house. She rarely goes out by herself."

"That's why I worry about her. She's not coming yet." Leylah glanced at her dad and she sensed that he's too worried. He was only trying to be tough on the outside.

"Did you try to call her then?"

"Her phone's dead. I can't contact her."

"Don't worry dad," Leylah smiled as she tapped her father's shoulders. "She'll be back soon. Let's wait for her a little longer."

Another hour has passed. It's past eleven when they both hear the twitching of their doorknob from outside of their house.

Carson immediately walked forward, reaching their main door, and opened it. It was Stella.

"Hi, family! I'm back," She exclaimed excitedly but slurred a lot already. Carson could see the exhaustion on her face. 

"Who brought you home?" Carson asked while looking through their window. A car went away. Carson noticed that a specific car with the latest model was parked outside. However, its engine started and slowly went away after Stella went inside of their house completely.

"It was one of my friends."

"Why did they let you drink? I know you easily get drunk when you do this."

"Sorry, honey." She replied. Carson let her into the living room and he made her sit down from the sofa.

"Mom? I guess you have to sleep now. You looked very tired." Leylah commented. She also agreed that she will come with her to the second floor because she's about to sleep, too.

"Yes, I should be doing that. Thanks to my beautiful daughter." She laughed a little. Carson was just observing both of them when he noticed something on Stella's neck.

Is that a kiss mark?