That night, by 10:30pm, Mr James took his family to church. The church was brimming with bodies and was filled with so many persons who had come for various reasons and purposes. The Jordans could not get a row that they could sit on together and they had to separate and join various individuals.
It could be said that the prayers that were being made at that time came from a broken and contrite heart and every one who had come to their Maker, did so with close to total surrender. Resolutions were made, promises were said, tears were shed…each man to his own issue, problem and mode of communication.
Seth prayed to be able to protect his family well if a situation arises where he needs to. None of the Jordans really know Seth's story. Behind that playful and carefree facade he was known with, was a child who had been broken and had been mended gradually over time due to the love he had received from his siblings and father. But the edge is that he is still not completely healed and he feels that the only way to heal totally is if he should be found in the situation he was, when he was eight years old.
When Seth Jordan was eight years, he watched through a crack in the closet, how those vile n whom his father had borrowed some money from, had raped and beaten his mother to death. His mother had made him promise not to come out of there no matter what he was hearing outside. The issue is that he had not just heard, he had seen and the sight was forever etched in his memory. He had stayed in the closet for three whole days, out of fear that the men would come back to kill him, while his mum's lifeless body turned cold.
He prayed to be able to stand before any situation and protect this new family he had been given a second chance to have and love.
Michael prayed for his family and for Samantha. He prayed that the Lord would soften her heart towards him and make her stop being so rigid about their differences and all.
Martha prayed for her family, her friends, the organization and her heart. She prayed that her heart would heal soon from the spell known as Nathan and learn to understand that nothing eternally beautiful could come out of her love for him. She prayed to fall in love with someone else and to completely overcome all her traumas. She ended her prayer by praying for all the children without parents or guardians in the world.
James Jordan prayed for his children, especially Martha. He prayed for protection for her and for her never to discover the danger that looms around her.
By the time they were all done, it was some minutes to 12. The pastor said a few words of exaltation and used the scripture Deuteronomy 31 verse 6 to minister to the congregation. He admonished them to be strong as the times they were in were hard times filled with strife and distress but still, they should be strong and of good courage because the Lord is with them.
From there, the congregation went out and watched the amazing fireworks that rented and painted the skies colourfully. They hugged each other and wished each other a happy new year ahead. When they were done exchanging pleasantries with some members of the church, they headed home to rest. On the road, Martha saw she had a missed call from Marcus and she called him back. They wished each other a Happy New Year ahead and Marcus asked Martha if she had been able to speak with Lily and Martha replied in the negative.
"I have not even been able to speak with her since you both left"
"Same! I'll keep calling her till she picks though and I honestly wish there was someone we know we could reach that could reach her"
"We can only hope that she is safe"
"She would be. Happy New Year again"
Meanwhile Lily was in a cold room. She had been there since she got back from her journey.
"Lily! Lily! Lily!" said her dad immediately she opened the door to the living room and she paused in her tracks. She was really hoping he was not going to be at home so she could get some rest before having to face him but her dad did not want her to even have that. He tossed the content of his wine cup around and watched as the light gold in colour liquid looked twirled..
"I gather that you have not been giving your reports like you are supposed to. You have been a naughty child Lily Mark and you know what happens to naughty children. Don't you?" asked Mr Rudolph.
"I do sir!" said Lily. Her head bowed, facing her luggage before her.
"What is it!" asked Mr Rudolph.
"Naughty children stay in naughty corners till their naughtiness wears off!" said Lily.
"Exactly Lily Rudolph…oh, I'm sorry, Lily Mark I meant. Your naughty corner is the cold room my dearest child, where you would be lashed so badly you would rip all your gowns. This is just to show you what would happen when you resume school and do not begin to tell us what we need to hear"
Lily wanted to shout at the man her mother had conceived her for, she wanted to tell him off. She wanted to look into his eyes and tell him that she does not give two damns about the freaking surname that was supposed to be hers that she had to work for, anymore. But, what came out of her mouth was, "Yes sir. I accept the punishment duly and with all understanding"
They must not find out that she truly considers Martha as a friend. They must not know that she has found a sister in Martha -a family - and a love in Marcus Ranks. They must never know that the goal driven Lily Mark was gone and love had been driven and drilled into her, by the very one she is meant to kill.
If they knew, there was no telling what they would do. But, one thing was sure, whatever it would be, would not be pleasant.
She dropped her luggage right there in the living room and her dad's bodyguard took her to the cold room which is downstairs.
"Strip!" he ordered.
Without as much as a blink of an eye, she did so - showing no emotion before the opposite sex and no sense of humanity within her being as the cold seeped into her skin and began to claim its form in her. He chained her hands apart with a silver chain and did the same to her legs.
From the selection of whips, he chose a cat -o' - nine - tails, used specifically for slaves in the olden days. The aim of this whip was for the slaves to increase productivity.
He whipped her fifty times as ordered by Mr Rudolph and throughout the session, Lily did not scream or cry out loud. What could be heard from her were painful small toned moans that came out of her whenever the whip slashed an open wound that had been hit two to three times before. When he was done, he left her there and after some time, she slept off in that chained position, hanging somewhat loosely. When others were shouting excitedly, a happy new year to each other, she was trying to still her heart to survive. When others saw the beautiful fireworks, she saw only stars. Stars of immense pain.
On the first of the new year, she was released by the bodyguard and immediately the chains fell off her wrists and ankles, she fell to the floor and laid there…totally exhausted and almost frozen. Her throat was parched, her lips chapped and her body without an atom of strength. She looked to the ceiling of the white cold room and tears threatened to spill but she held herself.
'Never in the presence of Rudolph and his men!' thought Lily.
"Mr Rudolph said you should get ready to leave by 12pm for the party"
"What party?" she asked in a shallow breath but he heard her all the same.
"Today is the first of the new year and as per custom, a party to celebrate and re- strategize is being held by the organization"
Lily had to crawl out of the cold room to save her life and when she looked at where she laid, the imprints of her blood were on the ice on the floor.
Whatever gown she had to be wearing for today's occasion had to cover her back fully…that was a must! She barely wrapped her clothes on her body and headed for her room. Luckily, she saw no maids or her dad as she went. She immediately went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water to its almost highest temperature. The water helped relieve the cold and the pain of the wound. When she was done, she dried her body and called for help. The maid that cane, came with some drugs for her, some food and bandage for her wounds.
"Don't look at me that way!" said Lily.
"How my lady?" the maid asked.
"The pity in your eyes is more painful than my injuries. Get rid of it and assist me. Will you?"
"Yes, my lady"
"Thanks"
By 10am, Daddy Jordan was in the kitchen preparing some noodles Beatriz de Costa - a french cuisine- while his children still snored away on their beds. He announced he was done by the beating of a knife on the back of a fry pan and his children were instantly awake. He heard their feet-tapping on the stairs as they ran downstairs and he smiled. "They are never going to change!"
Martha came last into the kitchen with a big yawn, looking like someone who had been run over in her dream.
After eating and thanking their dad for the meal, they began to prepare for the party. Martha had chosen a white sleeveless jumpsuit that was a little lacy below. She decided to go for a makeup - no makeup look and it was perfect. She fixed artificial lashes to make her eye lashes look fluffy and full. Her silver dangling earrings sparkled and glistened whenever light shone on it. With a silver bag and silver matching heels, she slayed the look and was soon ready for the party. She was the second to be done dressing, after her dad and she scolded her brothers for wasting so much time.
"Today is just the first day you are dressed up before us. Chill out woman!"
"Woman? Woman?" Martha asked dramatically as she flung her purse on the nearest couch and set out to chase Seth but her dad grabbed her by the belly and held her in place.
"I guess your new year resolution did not revolve around you guys being more understanding siblings to one another." said Mr James as he shook his head and picked his car key.
"He started it first!" "She started it first!" said Seth and Marcus simultaneously as they pointed fingers at each other. Martha, a well polished, manicured and fixed red nail and Seth, a barely manicured nail.
"What car would we be taking today?" asked Michael.
"My new Chevrolet Corvette!" said Mr James with a smile.