A 31-year-old marketing director experiences a tragic event over a decade ago that causes her to lose trust in God and question His so called empathy. Her anger and indifference towards life creates a bitter outlook for herself. Refusing to let go of the past, the Universe sends her another tragic event to test her ill-faith. Nevertheless, the latest event compels her to seek the guidance of a church leader. He assists in transforming her life and teaches invaluable lessons and also instills wisdom that no amount of money can buy. Will she discover true happiness through forgiveness and peace while on her journey to healing? Or remain bitter towards her hatred towards God?
Lessons Learned
By Loretta AsataAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 Loretta Asata
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4567-3961-4Contents
Acknowledgements.....................viiPrologue.............................xiChapter 1............................1Chapter 2............................4Chapter 3............................8Chapter 4............................14Chapter 5............................20Chapter 6............................22Chapter 7............................25Chapter 8............................32Chapter 9............................39Chapter 10...........................43Chapter 11...........................49Chapter 12...........................53Chapter 13...........................64Chapter 14...........................71Chapter 15...........................78Chapter 16...........................93Chapter 17...........................98Chapter 18...........................102Chapter 19...........................110Chapter 20...........................119Chapter 21...........................135Chapter 22...........................139Chapter 23...........................150Chapter 24...........................156Chapter 25...........................166Chapter 26...........................168Chapter 27...........................171Epilogue.............................175
Chapter One
"Well done," said Melvin Rio, the VP of Marketing, as he extended his hand to congratulate his Marketing Director who did it again. That is saved one of their largest customers who have been threatening to withdraw their contract, if changes were not made to improve their ratings.
"Listen up everyone, we are closing early today and going to dinner." replied Mr. Rio. Everyone in the office cheered and started to shut down their computers to prepare for the office dinner celebration. At the far end of the hall was the office of the Director of Marketing, Possable Johnson. She stood about 5'8" with almond shaped hazel eyes, even at age 31 she had the shape and build of a model. Her brownish rich complexion matched the color of her hair which was styled in a bun. Possable had been with KG Marketing for ten years and in her current position for three years now.
Her office was decorated with an oceanic theme sending a cool welcome to anyone who entered. She had a picture on her desk of her dog, Jordan when he was two months old. The office had a phenomenon view overlooking New York's Manhattan Bridge. Besides having a Master's degree in marketing from Penn State University, Possable worked for one of the most prestigious advertising companies in New York making well over six figures plus bonuses per year. To most, her professional life was considered exceptional and very impressive. Long hours and hard work definitely paid off. She was the center of her world and truly did not care what the other employees thought about her. She was a career-driven woman and completely happy with her life. At least she convinced herself she was. Possable was also a perfectionist who believed that All her efforts were because of her only. Her life could be perceived as absolutely perfect on the surface and there was nothing to make it go wrong.
Later that evening the staff of KG Marketing joined Mr. Rio for dinner at Tavern-on-the-Green, one of Manhattan's favorable spots to be seen and be seen. The place was packed like fans lined up to purchase Giants tickets for the Super Bowl. Thank goodness Mr. Rio's secretary made reservation for twelve. The atmosphere was loud yet inviting; medium-tone level music was playing. Servers were taking orders and rushing to tables with large trays of food. At one particularly loud table there was a group of five celebrating a friend's birthday with exchange of gifts, laughter, jokes and liquor.
Mr. Rio and his party followed the waiter to their Table and were seated. After placing their orders they engaged in office conversations. The celebration was supposed to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication, but it ended up being an "all about Possable" celebration. Right in the middle of sharing her time spent at a Canadian winter carnival, she was suddenly interrupted by the ring from Mr. Rio's cell phone. He excused himself and shortly after returned with a worried expression on his face. He explained that his teenage daughter's car broke down on the Beltway and that she had no means of getting home. He wished everyone a nice long weekend, paid the bill upfront with the manager, and left. Thirty minutes later the rest of the group exchanged goodbyes and departed.
Chapter Two
Possible arrived at her 12th floor high-rise luxurious apartment in Manhattan an hour later. The weather was nasty outside, it was pouring heavily with thunder booming and lighting flashing across the sky. She switched on the light near her kaleidoscope lamp. No power. The electricity was out due to the storm. Thank God she had a candle centerpiece for her dining table, just in case of emergencies such as this. She lit the candle and dialed the number to the concierge service desk. On the second ring a friendly voice answered.
"Thank you for calling Steady Seasons"-
"Yes, hello this is Ms. Johnson at Suite 1250, I was calling to report," she interrupted herself after realizing that she was talking to an answering service, but continued with the message. "Hello, where is the concierge? Do you expect me to remain without electricity for the whole night! I am not paying $3,500 a month to sit in the dark."
She unloosed her hair from the bun and ran her hands through it, just frustrated.
A few minutes later, Jordan ran out from the bedroom ecstatic to see her. He jumped up and down, tail wagging; standing on his hind legs, looking puzzled at Possable. She patted and playfully touched him, giving him a few kisses on top of his head. While sitting on her couch she removed her shoes and relaxed. Suddenly lightning struck and Jordan barked, running to the patio window.
Instantaneously a tree tumbled down, crushing the roof of a small doughnut shop. She ran to grab her cell phone of the kitchen counter and dialed 9-1-1. She hoped not to get a recording like during an episode of one of her favorite television drama. It was when a young woman was trapped in her fourth floor apartment when a fire broke out from her downstairs neighbor's apartment.
"Hello, Hello, HELLO!" Yes, hello this is Possable Johnson speaking. I am calling to report an accident. A tree struck by lightening just fell into a little doughnut shop at 23rd and Park Place. You have got to hurry, I don't know if anyone is hurt or dead."
"Try to calm down, help is on the way," the dispatcher said right before the call disconnected.
How could Possable even consider to calm down, all kinds of thoughts were running through her mind. She kept pacing back and forward to look outside her balcony to see if the police and emergency crew arrived yet. Seven minutes later sirens from afar were growing louder and closer. She raced back to her balcony and there were four emergency ambulance vans, five police cars, and a fire truck. They all quickly responded to the scene of accident. A fire that appeared to be coming from the rear of the little doughnut shop caught the attention of one of the fire fighters. Two men raced to the rear with a water hose in hand. A few men with gas masks and body armor decided to enter from the front entrance and then BOOM! A huge explosion came out of nowhere. Anything and everything that was in close proximity to that explosion was dead.
Possable nearly jumped from out of her skin and opened...
