Chapter 49

Jewel is curious. There is something in her heart that urges her to read the Bible. She swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped her sweaty hand.

The preaching had just finished and Gideon was on the edge of the high platform of the public audi. He was talking to Angela and Sean and minutes had passed yet they were still talking, not a sign that it'll end soon. Jewel pursed her lips into a thin line and looked away.

She watched as people talked in the corner, laughing with each other. They were full of genuine smile that was rare to her. Because she grew up within the elite circle, Jewel was taught to hide her true feelings and cover it up with a smile that she had practiced in her younger years.

In the world she's living, it was impossible to know the true feelings of people towards her. And it was the reason why she never told Tiara, Gabbi, and Hazel all her darkest secrets even though they were 'friends' since Senior HIgh. True to her hunch, they betrayed her.

It was easy for her to accept their betrayal because in the first place, she never hope for them to be with her through difficult times. She never really consider them to be her trusted aide whenever she faces difficulties so she shrugged her shoulders and moved on after knowing what they did to her.

But it was different story when it comes to Gideon. At first, she hated him but she soon learned to love him. And she was hurt when Gideon broke his promise and sent her back to her Dad's mansion. She felt used and betrayed that's why she deliberately went to Cansanit to ask for his explanation even if it's not her nature to chase after people for that mere reason.

And knowing Gideon and Angela's past, she lost her cool and let her emotion took control of her. She let her jealousy to eat her up, not realizing that Gideon was into her.

After all, she hated it when she didn't have the control over the situation, and Gideon was hard to read and control. It made her feel awful and fearful that one day, he'll leave her for another woman. Jewel couldn't imagine her life without him.

"Jewel?" someone called her name.

She looked at Gideon who stood in front of her. The soft rays of the afternoon sun kissed the side of his face, making him looked ethereal. Jewel was at lost of words.

"Wife, why are you staring like that?" he asked, chuckling. Clearly amused by her blank look.

Jewel averted her gaze and cleared her throat. "I'm waiting for an hour here," she said and huffed.

She was surprise to see Angela and Sean in the corner of her eye, walking towards her direction. Jewel stood and faced the two. Her eyes widened when Angela smiled at her and pulled her for a hug.

A, wait. What happened?

Her eyes snapped at Gideon who shrugged his shoulders and still smiling.

"I'm glad that you are safe. We're worried when you went missing last night." Angela released her and sighed. "Gideon told us that you were in the forest. Thank God that you're safe!"

The corner of her lips twitched into a smile. "Thanks. I will not do it again," she promised.

Angela looked at Gideon. "You should take care of her and don't let her wander in the forest again."

"Aye, maam," Gideon joked.

A faint smile appeared on Jewel's lips. She looked at Sean who was also staring at her. She cleared her throat. "What is it, b-brother?" she asked.

The word brother was strange in her lips. Sean shook his head, smiling faintly. "I believe that you are a believer now. Welcome to the family of God, Jewel."

Her smile widened and she looked at the platform when the worship team started to play instruments.

She was surprised when Angela invited her for a dance. Jewel laughed and joined in the fun. In that very same place, at that very same time... Jewel laughed and smiled free. She has never felt this kind of freedom in her life.

A joy that she couldn't explain... her heart heart couldn't contain it! She sang after the worship team.

Is this what Gideon told her? The presence of God will give a kind of joy and fulfillment that surpass understanding.

Well, she's now sure. This experience will really turn her life upside down. Jewel will not be the same girl she were once before.

After dancing in the public audi, Angela invited her and Gideon to a river below Mantalongon.

It was a place she had never seen before. Trees were growing by the riverbank and the water flowed gently. The slight noise made by the water passing through the rocks was soothing in the ear.

"This place is beautiful," she said in amazement.

Angela smiled. "It's just a part of the Dalaguete River. This is where we baptized people."

"Baptized?" she asked in surprise.

Looking around the place, she inhaled the fresh air when cold breeze blew past her. The water rushed into the rocky and shallow part of the river. The passing wind was slightly strong, making the branches of the tree by the riverbank dance.

"Yes, water baptism."

She frowned. "Is it important?"

"It is your declaration that you will follow Christ." Angela glanced at her and smiled again. "Are you willing to follow Him?"

Taking a deep breathe, she nodded. "I am."

Angela guided her to a deeper part of the river.

Her muscles was tense and sometimes stiffened in the cold water but her body eventually got used to it. Her lips curled into a smile as she followed Angela into the deep waters. Sean and Gideon was following behind her.

Angela halted and so was she. Jewel looked across the river where the other side was full of rocks covered in moss. Beyond the riverbank was the thick forest full of tall and sturdy trees.

"I brought her extra clothes," Gideon suddenly said when he stopped behind her.

She looked over her shoulder to glance at her husband, waving a hand at him. She also saw Sean standing not far from him.

Then Sean started baptizing her in the water. She fully submerged into the river, feeling the cold water wrapped around her body as if comforting her. Then few seconds later, she rose from the waters.

"Haah!" she breathed deeply and opened her eyes. She first saw Gideon smiling at her.

"Welcome to God's family, Jewel!" Angela said and clapped her hands, smiling.

She smiled and laughed, clapping her hand as well. She walked to the woman and hugged her, shook hands with Sean, and finally hugged Gideon.

"Congrats, wife," he whispered into her ear.

"Thank you."

He brought out a water-proof digital camera and focused its lens on them. The she heard a click.

"We're going first, Gideon, Jewel. We're still going to Pastor Berion," Sean said their goodbyes.

Gideon lowered the camera and nodded to Sean.

Jewel bit her lip when Gideon approached her. The water was up to her shoulder but because Gideon was taller, the water in the river was only up to his chest.

She saw the smile on his lips and she swallowed. "About last night, I ---"

Gideon cut her words when he grabbed her and kissed her on the lips. Jewel hastily grabbed him by the shoulder and blinked her eyes.

After a few minutes, Gideon released her and rubbed both her cheeks. "I love you," he whispered.

Jewel held her breath as she stared into Gideon's eyes. There was gentleness in his eyes and his smile was true. It was not the first time he confessed his feelings to her but it felt like her time had stopped and all she could do but to stare at him wide-eyed.

"Breathe, Jewel."

She did as she was told and slapped Gideon on the shoulder. "There you go again, making me breathless!" she pouted and huffed.

He laughed and turned her around, hugging her from behind. Jewel's heart skipped a beat when she heard Gideon singing the song that she danced earlier.

She put her hand on Gideon's hand and together they watched the setting sun in the west, while soaking in the cold waters of the Dalaguete River.

THEY HAD dinner at Angela and Sean's house. There were a lot of foods prepared on the table. And some were actually her favorites so she was glancing at Gideon from time to time.

He should have told Angela her favorite dish. Actually, she was thankful that Angela preapared her favorite dish but she didn't want to disturb the woman because of these little things. After all, she didn't have a problem eating what's prepared on the table.

"You doesn't like the dish?" Angela asked when she noticed Jewel not picking up foods.

Jewel shook her head. "It's not that. I do like them."

"Then why aren't you eating?"

"I have disturbed you. You don't have to cook all of these," she said, voice a little shy.

Angela laughed then pointed a finger at Gideon. "Actually, it was Gideon who cooked these foods. I only cooked the rice."

"Huh?" Jewel's eyes snapped at Gideon who was sitting beside her and busy putting foods on her plate.  Jewel smiled wryly.  "Thanks for the food," she whispered.

"Don't thank your husband, Jewel," he whispered back.

Her cheeks burned red when she noticed Angela looking at them with a teasing smile on her lips. She lowered her gaze and eat the foods that Gideon put on her plate.

The smile on Angela's lips did not disappear even when they stood outside of the house, preparing to leave.

"Be careful on the trip," Angela said and bid her goodbye.

Jewel smiled. "Thank you."

Sean waved goodbye at her and Gideon. Both she and her husband got in the car and Gideon drove it out of Mantalongon.

"Can you drive?" she asked when she noticed the tiredness on his face. "We can book a hotel nearby for the night," she suggested.

"I'm okay, Jewel."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and smiled as if he remembered something. "You once made me drive from Oslob to Medellin in hours. I'm good in this long drive," he said, teasing her.

Jewel immediately looked away as she also remembered how she acted as a brat when she instructed him to do it. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Gideon just laughed and reached for her hand resting on her thigh, clasping their hands together.