After practice, while waiting for Kingsley who was deeply engaged in a discussion with Matt, a young lady, average height, heavy on make-up strolled past. She came to a halt and gave her a cold, hard look.
"Your status as his girlfriend is insignificant..."
Natasha raised her brows in surprise.
"I am not swayed by your wealth or power. The approval of Pastor Rick has already been given for our marriage. Don't get too close"
Natasha gazed at her disappearing rival and mused, "I wonder who Pastor Rick is."
"What are you looking at?" Behind her, Kingsley questioned, smiles radiating all over his face.
"Who is she?" Natasha asked, with no trace of emotion. Kingsley looked ahead and broke into a smile.
"That's our Lead Soprano Singer."
"Who is Pastor Rick?"
"That was our branch Pastor before his transfer. What's up?" He replied, taking her hand in his.
"Why are you asking about people and how did you know Pastor Rick?"
"Did he approve of your marriage with her?" She asked instead.
"Marriage? I've never discussed with him. We weren't even close" He rolled his eyes.
"Okay..." Natasha replied with laughter
"Why are you asking all these questions?
What did she tell you?" Kingsley was curious. He knew Betsy was infatuated with him.
"Don't worry," Natasha wasn't ready to explain herself. It was clear what the woman wanted. She had been briefed by Kingsley, so she did not need to pursue the matter further.
Seeing that she had no intentions of discussing what happened, he decided to let it slide.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked searching her eyes. Her happiness was his primary concern.
"Definitely. Thank you very much for a beautiful evening." She smiled. He nodded in relief.
"I love you, Natasha"
***
She tossed and turned restlessly on her bed. Turning to the left, she picked up her phone.
1 AM.
Frowning, she ducked under the covers. Antsy, she got up and turned on the bedside lamp. The rehearsal gave her many thoughts.
What if she could have a relationship with God?
"Are you really far away?" she whispered in the dimly lit room.
She got up and reached for a box in her closet. From there she took out a note. The cover was fading after all these years even the edges were torn.
Really she missed it. She missed writing gospel songs.After the death of her mother, her affection for Church gradually faded. Alpha and retaining the family legacy slowly became top priority.
"Can we have what we used to?" She asked again, flipping through the pages.
Wiping her tears, she pulled out her Bible and scrolled through her phone for an appropriate reading plan. She would begin with 90 days.
Perhaps she would be healed... healed from depression and the opinion of others.
****
The next day, it surprised Kingsley to see her in Church. There she was, standing confidently at the entrance in a bright green floral maxi dress. He blinked his eyes repeatedly to be sure he wasn't making a mistake.
But when he saw Mara, Samantha, Smart and a few bodyguards, he knew something miraculous had happened. He walked over to meet them.
"Hello. " He waved and pulled her close...
"You didn't tell me you were coming" He stated, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Isn't this my father's house?" she smiled looking around.
He tugged her arm. "I'm very curious about what happened last night."
"Good for you but I think someone needs your attention" she smiled as Matt coughed behind him.
"Ahem... It's time to pray..."
"Okay…" Kingsley replied but Matt wasn't ready to leave.
"Would you like to sing with us in the choir?" He asked Natasha cautiously.
"I don't think I have the proper dress code,"
"We're wearing robes," Matt explained. He was ready for whatever excuse she gave. Finally she had to agree. There was nothing to lose anyway. However, she was even more surprised when she was asked to conduct a session.
"I didn't do any other rehearsal" She replied panic-mode.
"You're perfect," he replied pushing her forward.
Mara, Smart, and Samantha were wide-eyed. But when she called on everyone to stand up and raise their hands towards Heaven, they knew it was real.
It was so perfect, that she knew it wasn't her. It couldn't be. The presence of the Lord was tangible that after the ministration, several in the congregation re-dedicated themselves.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she handed the microphone to Pastor James.
"God is here this morning. Is there any of you who would like to give him your life back?"
Natasha knew her time had come. She looked around hesitatingly. Kingsley saw through her anxiety and flashed a megawatt smile. She nodded and stepped forward. Samantha followed suit, and more people flocked to the altar.
"From this moment on, you will shine like a million stars"Pastor James prayed afterwards. She didn't understand the severity of his statement but one thing was clear, she was back in the Lord's camp.
Kingsley who had been waiting for this moment, recorded a video on his mobile phone.
After the service, several came to see her, especially after Reverend James announced that she was Alpha's heir and their current CEO.
"My depression was cured while you ministered. I used to think God didn't love me...but when you sang 'Jesus is,' I knew God was really with me," A girl was saying. Natasha bowed her head in gratitude. She signed some autographs and after that was whisked away by Kingsley and some bodyguards.
"I would like to see Pastor James..." she told him. He nodded, immediately taking her to the office.
She was about to enter when Betsy walked out...
"Aren't you stupid? You led the praise session and you weren't born again. Are you happy now that you have succeeded in deceiving God's people?"