7 - PATIENCE OF JOB

Song for the Chapter: He Shall Be Like A Tree, JayMikee

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THIRD PERSON POV

"You have nine siblings!?" Violet asked, incredulous. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Yep. Story of my life. I'm surprised another isn't on the way yet," Alex remarked in a jovial tone.

Violet was presently having lunch with Alex, her newfound friend, at the field bleachers. He had helped her in the hallway when Alessandro had shoved her.

They both agreed it was way better than the caste arrangement in the main cafeteria. Apart from sharing the same faith, they were kindred spirits, they had soon discovered.

"You should visit us sometime," Alex concluded.

"Are you sure there will be room for me at the table?" she replied teasingly.

He laughed.

"We have had to expand our home more times than I can count. But sure, my parents always want more company. As though ten children aren't enough."

It was Violet's turn to chuckle. As their lunch break was almost over, they disposed of what they couldn't finish and entered the hallway.

"So, you transferred here after that?" Alex asked.

She had told him of her fencing being brought to a halt due to her injury. She had seen the sincerity in his eyes when he heard about it.

As they parted ways to get to their various classes, Violet noticed Fiona, the class president, approaching her.

She was tall and slender, a pretty brunette with the softest voice Violet had ever heard—though she had only heard her speak a few times.

Nonetheless, she was known for having a temper when irritated.

It must be quite a sight if I have heard of it this quickly.

Violet made a mental note to try not to inflame that trait.

"Hey, Violet," she said softly when she got closer. "Prince Vincenzo asked to see you when classes are over."

Violet froze; eyes widened.

Fire and lighting! What have I done wrong to the Ice Prince this time around?

~~~

"What do you mean you want me to grade all these?" Violet asked in exasperation, eyeing the voluminous pages of essays that were stacked on the table before her.

She was presently in Vincenzo's office. And it looked like his understanding of the word tutoring was giving her a stack of essays the height of Everest to grade. Of course, they belonged to those in a lower grade than her.

But, this was overwhelming.

She eyed the stack once more and turned to look at him.

"And you want them completed by tomorrow?"

He only tilted his head slightly downward and narrowed his eyes a tad bit.

Too much to handle? His eyes seemed to convey.

Oh, so we are down to telepathy now, Violet arched an eyebrow.

"If you can't grade those lower than you, how can you handle the rest of your classes?" His words and tone had a slight edge of condescension to it.

"Shouldn't this be the job of the Top Student or something?"

"So, you can't handle it, then?"

Violet took that as a challenge and straightened her shoulders and raised her chin with resolve.

Challenge accepted Mr Icy, and she reached out to the stack.

"Oh, and one thing, you must complete them right here, in my office."

Violet felt alarmed at those words, for she always felt the forces that strove in his heart whenever she was near him. But, suddenly, a LIGHT settled in her being and her surroundings, silencing the screeching beasts once more.

"I will be back in 4 hours. You should be done by then." And with that, he grabbed his coat which was draped over his seat and left.

LORD, help me, Violet groaned. I think even Job would not have enough patience for this man.

School hours were already over.

How in the world am I going to get all this done in four hours?

Then, a Voice whispered into her ears, reminding her, "I can do all things through CHRIST who gives me Strength..."

~~~

Vincenzo knew he had taken way longer than he had told the girl he would. But, it had been on purpose.

He returned to his office and found her resting and asleep with her head on his desk, the pile of essays beside her.

She looked—peaceful. How long had it been since he had seen or experienced such?

Grabbing the pile, he quickly went over them and saw little need for any corrections to be done.

She had done a neat job, though he noticed the numerous books she had probably consulted in order to grade the essays.

And, that was not the only thing she had accomplished. She had managed to sort out the mess of documents on his desk. They were sorted just right—as he would have done.

He glanced over at her again. A light seemed to radiate from her.

What is she? And how does she do it? A locked part of his heart pondered.

Vincenzo had once seen that light... it had once been in his father before he was no more. And he had seen it in his own reflection whenever he looked into the mirror—before that catastrophic day.

But, that Light in him had died. A part of him wanted to dim hers cause he no longer had it. Yet, somewhere deep within, he felt it will be difficult to vanquish it.

But, I must.

Sensing movements around her, Violet's eyes slowly fluttered open. And stretching whilst stifling a yawn, she glanced around and was met with blue eyes gazing intently at her.

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Here is another chapter by GOD'S Grace, though short. Kindly feel free to let me know your thoughts. I greatly appreciate every single one of them.

Love,

Phela