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    Second Chances: The Power of Forgiveness
    Second Chances: The Power of Forgiveness
    Second Chances: The Power of Forgiveness
    Ebook254 pages3 hours

    Second Chances: The Power of Forgiveness

    By Gabriela Louis

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    About this ebook

    Mariah, Rosalyn’s daughter runs away from home on her eighteenth birthday. She begins working at a gentleman’s club. She does not know it, but her employers have already sold her. Andrew has come to investigate. Several girls in the area have turned up dead and they all worked for the same business. When he goes there to investigate he sees Mariah. He kidnaps her until he can convince her that her employers are not the nice people she believes them to be.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBooks For The Hungry
    Release dateMay 1, 2015
    ISBN9781310526985
    Second Chances: The Power of Forgiveness
    Author

    Gabriela Louis

    I am a stay-home-mom of four wonderful kids. I went to school with the idea of working. Instead I volunteer at my kids' schools, go on field trips and get ideas from my every day life on what to write or incorporate in my stories.My hobbies are scrapbooking, reading, writing, cooking, and gardening.My favorite radio station is K-Love, and I have Pandora set to Latin music.When I write I like to include God in my stories or books. I feel that without his grace, nothing I am would be possible. I tend to make the wrong choices, and I feel that His teachings and His love help me be a better person.Please friend me at my Facebook Page for promotions and coupons.

    Read more from Gabriela Louis

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      Book preview

      Second Chances - Gabriela Louis

      Acknowledgements

      This book is dedicated to my husband and kids who encouraged me to continue writing and to my wonderful friend Pam who took the time to read each version of the book as it was being revised.

      Table of Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 19

      Chapter 20

      Chapter 21

      Chapter 22

      Chapter 23

      Chapter 24

      Chapter 25

      Chapter 26

      Chapter 27

      Chapter 28

      Chapter 29

      Chapter 30

      Chapter 31

      Chapter 32

      Chapter 33

      Chapter 34

      Chapter 35

      Chapter 36

      Chapter 37

      Chapter 38

      Chapter 39

      Chapter 40

      Chapter 41

      Chapter 42

      Epilogue

      About the Author

      Other books by this author

      Excerpt of Power of Love

      Acknowledgements

      Who has injured thee

      was either stronger or weaker than thee.

      If weaker, spare him;

      if stronger, spare thyself.

      William Shakespeare

      Prologue

      Mariah saw the bride and was astonished at how happy and carefree she was. Only a few people knew what Mariah's mother, Rosalyn, was really like. Rosalyn lived in a world she had created, one where everything was perfect, and did not want to be part of real life. She never showed the world the imperfections of her home or expressed what really went on in that beautiful, empty head of hers. It is very difficult, however, to live under a facade every day of your life, every hour, every minute of every day. Those who lived close to her had to suffer her abuse and tyranny. Mariah wondered how long it would take for John to realize whom he had married.

      Mariah hated her mother’s apathy, but could not help but to admire her class. Rosalyn always knew how to act, dress, and speak in all circles of life. If Rosalyn went to work at the office or at the restaurant she knew how to fit in. In her opinion that was how she fooled everyone into seeing something Mariah could not see living under the same roof.

      Mariah had always admired her mother’s style and today was no different. Her dress, simple yet stunning, showed all of her womanly curves. In a tan color, the dress was sexy but not revealing and Rosalyn looked truly beautiful. Mariah wondered how it was possible for Rosalyn to have kept that youthful look when she was so angry all the time.

      Only God knew how she did it, but somehow she had managed to fool the groom. John was an impressive man, not so much in stature or looks, but in the way he carried himself. Mariah wondered if he might have been in the military, or maybe he was a spy. She laughed at her imagination, thinking, I am really losing it now. Concentrate on today and behave, she told herself, remember the warning. At this reminder, sadness engulfed her.

      Yesterday, while she was seated on the patio, this man whom she had seen only a couple of times had taken a seat on the patio next to her. Mariah knew it was her mother's day off, but where was she? This man just sat and stared at her. When he looked at Mariah with those beautiful brown kind eyes, it felt as if he could see through to her soul. At first he did not say a word, not even Hello. Then he introduced himself. Hi, I'm John. That's all he said. He seemed nice, but he continued to stare as if he was waiting for Mariah to confess her sins… Bless me father for I have sinned.

      Mariah's mother joined them shortly after this and announced that they were getting married the next day. Wait a minute; did I hear her correctly? Did she just say ‘the next day,’ and she was just now telling me? Where have I been all this time that I had not realized my mother was in a relationship?

      When did my mother make the time to date? She has two jobs and never has had time to be with me. If she was getting married, it meant that she had made the time to get to know this man, time she had never given me.

      Mariah realized that she had missed much of the conversation and when she begun to listen again, her mother was telling her that she needed to be there and to make sure she did not embarrass them with any childish behavior.

      Her mother’s announcement hurt. How many times as a child had she prayed for a relationship with her mother? Somehow God had not listened to her prayers. Her mother would visit her at Christmas time, spend a wonderful, glorious week with her, and then be gone. For her birthday she had received a card and a gift card from her mother, but Rosalyn didn’t have time to visit. When Mariah was twelve years old, she moved in with her mother, but the only thing left between the two of them was friction. Rosalyn had been a friend who indulged Mariah during the times she came for visits, but after they moved in together, everything changed; she had become a dictator ruling a nation of one. In Rosalyn’s opinion, there was only one way of doing things, and that was her way. Mariah saw her mother now as the last rays of hope had been removed. It was like the blinders had finally been taken away. Her childhood dreams slowly died. When you live with someone your whole life, it is hard to hide the deeper feelings. Mariah realized her mother had no feelings toward her. If she could not love her daughter, how could she have any true feelings toward her groom?

      The church and the reception were full of people, very few of them were familiar to Mariah, and everyone present seemed to love her mother. Mariah wondered if she was the problem all along. Was she the reason her mother could not stand being with her? Mariah felt tears threaten to come out. I am still her daughter, even if I was the problem. She should not have given up on me.

      The wedding, the dancing, and then the meeting of all the people had Mariah realizing that she was nonexistent to her mother.

      If her mother considered her part of her life Mariah would not be feeling as lost as she was feeling. A normal family would have taken the time to introduce everyone important in the family to each other before the wedding, and in the back of her mind a voice whispered to Mariah, You are not important.

      Let's see, wedding rehearsal and I was not even part of the wedding party. I wonder, did she even tell her husband that I existed?. I am acting very childish. Well, I will choose to behave not because of her, but because of me. Mariah did not need anyone. She realized that she was obsessing about things that could not change and that it needed to stop.

      You see that woman standing over to the side? Marcus asked his friend, What a babe! I need an introduction.

      That’s Mariah. Don’t you think she is a bit young for you?

      Not really, how old is she?

      She is only sixteen. Follow my advice and stay away from her.

      Wow! she sure looks older. Who exactly is she?

      She is Rosalyn’s daughter and I do not think she is happy about the wedding. said Andrew.

      Andrew did not understand why, but Marcus’ notice of Mariah bothered him.

      Don't be so touchy, I did not realize that she was that young, nor did I know she was going to be related to you.

      At that, the two friends went their separate ways. Andrew got busy visiting cousins and aunts he had not seen since the last wedding or funeral. Marcus went in search of that very hot sixteen year old while also keeping and eye on his friend. He could not believe that she was that young, but what had gotten his attention was how sad she looked. He was good at making people laugh, and he knew he had to try something. Marcus loved John and Andrew and was curious about the family they were marrying into.

      Although Andrew knew Marcus well enough to know that Marcus would never do anything to make a scene or embarrass the family, he had heard that Mariah had an explosive temper and he hoped that Marcus would follow his advice, but Andrew knew better. He knew Marcus was going to try to draw Mariah's attention and it might not have the results that Marcus was used to. He needed to keep an eye on him.

      Marcus and Andrew were not the only ones who noticed the beautiful girl who looked much older than sixteen in her strapless red dress. A dress that accentuated all her womanly curves, and the slit all the way up her left thigh had men imagining things. Her long hair cascaded down one shoulder and her stilettos made her tall frame look even taller. She could definitely pass for a model.

      Hello, you look as if this were a funeral instead of a wedding.

      Mariah looked at the stranger, a good looking older man who was probably in his fifties, but she was not in the mood for being friendly. This man sounded drunk and the way he looked at her made her uncomfortable. She had to behave and she did not need to become anyone's best friend. She should have never worn this dress.

      Excuse me, sir. I have friends waiting, Mariah said, as she tried to walk past him.

      He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, Oh, sweet pea, don't call me sir, it makes me feel old.

      Please let me go! Who are you?

      I am your mom’s boss. Hasn't your mom told you that you are supposed to be nice to the boss?

      Please let go of me.

      Ignoring her, he continued to drag her closer to him. My name is Francisco, and I just could not help myself when I saw you and you looked so sad. I had to come and talk with you. Would you care to dance?

      No, thank you, I don't dance. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip on her got.

       Oh, my beauty, I do not take no for an answer and it is just one dance.

      Excuse me, Mariah, your mother needs you. She wants you to meet someone. Marcus could tell that the man did not welcome the interruption, but Mariah took that opportunity, not to walk, but to run away. The man looked Marcus up and down and then shuffled away.

      Andrew saw Mariah and then Marcus. You were told to stay away from her.

      Hey, I was just helping the lady out. Someone– that drunken man over there, was accosting her. I gave her an out.

      Marcus and Andrew both looked at the man as he walked away.

      Rosalyn came at that moment and took Andrew by the hand and pulled him to the dance floor, Don't you know that it is customary for the groom's brother to dance with the bride? As he danced his attention was uncontrollably drawn to Mariah, not the beautiful woman in his arms.

      Mariah had run into the bathroom; she had never been manhandled before and needed to calm herself. If this had happened to Rosalyn, how would she have handled it?

      As she walked out of the bathroom, she felt an arm wrap around her waist, drawing her body flush against his. She felt true fear. She felt that part of his anatomy so intimately close to her. She tried to pull away but his embrace was too strong. He was trying to kiss her, and in her panic she reacted. She screamed and raised her knee to his groin, sending him writhing in pain. She did not know who this man was, but he deserved it.

      At that moment her mother saw her. She saw how disheveled Mariah's dress and hair were and disappointment showed in her eyes and on her face. What have you done? Couldn't you be happy for me? Why did you have to go and ruin this day also?

      At her mother's words Mariah felt as if she had been sucker punched and just walked away with hot tears burning her cheeks. What could she have expected? Her mother would never take her side.

      For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

      and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

      in whom we have redemption,

      the forgiveness of sins.

      Colossians 1:13-14

      Chapter 1

      Okay, game on. They walked toward the stage in the back of the club. The place was a dump, the floor was littered with cigarette butts, ashtrays had not been cleaned, and the place reeked of smoke and urine. They walked towards the only clean table they could see, but then a big meaty hand grabbed Andrew by the arm and another hand clamped around Marcus' shoulder, stopping both of them in their tracks. Andrew noticed that the hand belonged to a big, mean looking man. He suspected the guy to be one of the bouncers.

      That table is reserved, he heard the bouncer say as he began to guide them to another table. He signaled for a waitress, a young woman wearing a very small sequined bikini, who could not be more than twenty, to come and clean it.

      They ordered a couple of beers and watched the show, the customers, and the employees. The show was distasteful and degrading to women. At least this was not a nude bar, or wasn't supposed to be anyhow. If they served alcohol, the girls were not supposed to go nude. It still disgusted him. The girls seemed so young, but they were not supposed to be younger than twenty-one.

      Andrew could not understand why women danced like this for men and put up with such demeaning treatment. He had a hard time understanding why men frequented places like this, especially those who had a female relative. This was just very sad, in Andrew’s eyes.

      Andrew had two mothers. He knew both of them loved him, but his biological mother had worked as a stripper. It had been the only job she could get that paid her well enough to support her addiction.

      His other mother, the woman who raised him since he was eight years old, was a lady. He had been about five when he was noticed by the authorities and placed in different foster homes. By the time he was eight he had been placed in so many foster homes, he did not remember their names. Some were good to him, others not so good, but he had not stayed in any one place long enough to matter.

      Since the moment the Whites took him in, things had been different. They treated him with kindness and respect. They gave him rules, but also rewarded him for following those rules or restricted him for breaking them. They enrolled him in sports and made him go to church. In their home, he did not feel transient. Even though they could not tell how long he was going to stay, they treated him as if he belonged.

      Then one day, Mrs. White sat him down at the kitchen table, put a plate of hot, out of the oven chocolate chip cookies and a cold glass of milk in front of him and then with tears in her eyes told him about the death of his mother. He said nothing. He did not even cry.

      As he reflected on his own feelings he realized that what he felt was relief, concern, and guilt. He pushed the guilt away to stay somewhere in his unconscious mind. His only concerns at that moment had been selfish. He so desperately had wanted a forever home, would he finally have a chance at having one? He wanted a family to love him and care for him. Even as a child he had felt ridiculous for wishing that.

      Andrew reflected that all any child would ever want, was a family. His concern had been about his future. Would the Whites keep him or would they move him to a different foster family? Would someone adopt him? But then again who would want him? He hoped and prayed the Whites wanted him because he loved it with them.

      He loved having the stability of a

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