Gabriel comes into the room and taps Chandice who is deeply thinking
Chandice (startled) : oh hey...
Gabriel: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have walked away like that. Please pardon me
Chandice: I should be the one asking you for forgiveness over all this stress. Please forgive me too, I'm deeply sorry
Gabriel (kisses her forehead and hugs her tightly to himself): C'mon let's go and eat
Chandice: Oh, my goodness, I forgot totally to prepare....
Gabriel: I already did, let's go and have our dinner, ok?
Chandice: Ok thank you very much sweetie
Gabriel (with a weak smile): You are welcome dear
Father and Mother go to see Gabriel and Chandice the next day.
Door-bell rings…
Gabriel goes to open the door and gladly welcomes the visitors.
Gabriel: Ah sir, you are welcome, Madam (to mother), it's nice to see you once again
Father and Mother: Thank you
Gabriel goes into the bedroom to call Chandice who comes down quickly to greet the visitors. After exchanging pleasantries, they have lunch, and everyone is seated in the living room.
Chandice: Thank you for honouring us with your presence today o. We can never stop blessing God for people like you
Father: You are welcome my daughter. If you don't mind, can I speak to your husband alone, as my wife will like to talk to you alone?...
Gabriel and Chandice knowingly exchange looks and agree to the proposal.
As the ladies leave…
Gabriel (without hesitation): Sir, I'm in trouble. Do you know that Amber is dead and from what I see, I seem to be the prime suspect in this case?
Father: Why do you think so?
Gabriel (angry): I was summoned for questioning and as if that's not enough, my wife seems to suspect I'm the culprit too. After all I have passed through these few days, I don't even know if she understands that she's the one who caused all these and shouldn't even have the nerves to suspect me of anything!...
Father: Gabriel, calm down please. This is really serious, so what did they tell you to do now?
Gabriel: They told me to remain in the city. I won't be so bothered if I didn't give Amber some money to leave with the other day. What if the police finds it? How do I bail myself out if I'm constricted to tell them of Amber's accusation against my wife?
Father: It’s really not a good ground to start on
Gabriel (bursts out in anger): And it's all your fault. I told you I wanted to leave this marriage or better still, give ourselves a break till we understand what's going on but you told me to go about it like this… (Starts crying) … Sir, I'm not even sure if I love her anymore. How can she even suspect I killed Amber when I still accepted her back after what she did?
Father (shakes his head): So, you've concluded that she's guilty of the offence levelled against her?
Gabriel: C'mon sir, I'm not saying that
Father: But that's what you just admitted. Gabriel, I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do
Gabriel: I'm not saying that Sir, I'm just tired and I don't want to go to jail for what I didn't do
Father: Then trust God to help you out of this situation and get yourself a good lawyer. Nothing is impossible if you believe
Gabriel (frustrated): Sir, how on earth will they ever believe me if I tell them the truth?
Father: Tell your truth and leave the rest to God. Like I said, impossible is nothing. If you don't have a lawyer, I can help you with one of the best in this city and I bet you, you won't be in jail for some insignificant proofs
Gabriel (kneels down): Please Sir, help me, help us
Father: I trust you didn't do what they suspect, but something I'm bothered about is if you are ever going to love and live with your wife even after this mess clears away
Gabriel: I'm trying Sir, I really am
Father: The truth will set both of you free by his grace in Jesus’ name
Gabriel: Amen sir
Meanwhile, Chandice is crying her heart out as Mother tries to console her. She tries to tell her own side of the story and Mother listens...
Chandice: I didn't know I had a “snake” as a friend. I knew of her looseness, but I never thought that she hated me this much
Mother: It’s really a rampant issue these days because young couples like you refuse to understand the importance of boundaries.
You even had the first alarm, like you said she approached you and you didn't bother letting your husband know.
Chandice: That was because I thought it was over and as my friend, I could trust her never to try that again, but I was mistaken obviously
Mother (irritated): Why would you allow your so called friend to stay in your house for more days than expected even to the discomfort of your husband... (chandice looks at mother in surprise while mother nods her head) I know, my husband confided in me that Gabriel complained to him of Amber, who dresses in a way that doesn't suit a Christian and sometimes, they ended up arguing while you took sides with Amber. How could you?
Chandice (ashamed): I, … I, ...
Mother: Chandice.... before your friends, comes first your husband. Only God comes before your spouse. But in your case, you already had your priority read aloud with your actions.
You frustrated that young man and believe me, there are slim chances that you will find men who will put up with these mistakes and remain married to you. Do you realize that you are the architect of your misfortune right now?
Chandice (crying): I didn't see it that way. But he didn't even believe me when I told him the truth about Amber. I'm not even sure he loves me anymore
Mother: In whose house are you in now? Are you still married to someone now? Who is fighting for your good name?
Chandice (in sudden realization): Gabriel
Mother: There you are... you have your answers but my question to you is this: “Are you willing and ready to honour your crown and build your home, if given another chance?”
Chandice (crying): With everything in me!!!
Mother (smiles, on seeing Gabriel and Father): You will be fine
Gabriel and Father who were coming to the kitchen, heard the question and Chandice's answer.
Gabriel went ahead to hug his wife who is still crying while Father and Mother watched in pity.
In the meantime, there's a new development on the case. The police officers found a box labelled "Chandice" in Amber's bedroom, containing only a couple of video compact discs and a photo of Amber and Chandice together.