The Un-Holy Love of a Priest

Chapter 10: His Fiancée

Grace's POV 

Lucius is sitting at the dining table with a slight frown. His calm deep blue eyes were fierce, staring in empty space, ready to blow something. My breathing raced in anxiety; mood dampened. 

The only thought of him hating whatever happened between us in the bathroom upset me. I hesitated not knowing what to do. Finally, making my way towards the kitchen, I started pulling out the food out. I was thankful that he had the time to turn the oven off. 

When I was done with the setting up the dishes on the already set table, I cleared my throat. His eyes snapped in my direction before softening. I sighed in relief and forced a smile. 

“The food is ready.” Meekly, I pointed at the plate that I served for him. 

With a quick glance at the food and back at me, he passed me that oh-I-am-blessed-by-the-Lord smile and chuckled. 

“Excuse my manners, I should have helped.” He started and I shook my head shyly. 

“You already did so much for me. I am just doing what I can in my efforts. It’s no big deal.” The moment I finished saying this, he was shaking his head. 

“That’s not how I would prefer it. This isn’t a sort of favor so please remember this.” He said with an authority, right and that rendered me speechless. 

I was overwhelmed by his mere words and started digging into my food; mostly playing with it. However, I eventually ate when the warmth made me emotional. Meanwhile, I felt being watched and lifted my eyes before side-glancing. 

My breath stuck in my lungs catching Lucius watching me. However, he made no efforts to lower his eyes; thus, making me nervous. 

Many unwanted thoughts came rushing and I squirmed in my place. The intensity in his eyes was burning my skin and activating my other nerves. 

“Um... Lucius?” I called his name but it seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. 

“Lucius?” This time, I reluctantly turned my body to right so we were facing each other and touched his thigh; giving it a shake in the process. 

His eyes followed my actions with a faint smile and to be honest; it freaked me out. Eventually, he gestured me ‘what’ with his head and I almost forgot what I was asking him. 

Actually, the playfulness and that smirk not belonging-ly belonged to him—like a copyright. 

I felt hot all over. 

That was until the doorbell interrupted us. 

My eyes widened as I wondered who it could be. As far as I know, nobody visited him except Sister Amelia that too he was the one to call her. 

“Were you expecting visitors?” I asked and from the frown of his eyebrows, he wasn’t. 

 “Wait here.” He said and left to check the front door. 

I turned to look at my plate and anxiously waited for him to appear. His company provides hope and strength to me. 

Minutes passed on and he wasn’t back. Afraid, I approached the living area which was right beside and could hear low voices. It sounded like the visitor was a man. 

Right now, I was curious. 

So, I leaned on the wall and tried to listen on the conversation. It was difficult though. All I could hear was muffled voices. 

Adrenaline rushed in the blood system due to the fear of being caught. Tip toeing, I clung to the edge of the living room when suddenly there was a loud sound. 

I yelped and quickly covered my mouth; losing my footing in the process. 

Landing on the floor, I regretted trying to eavesdrop when my eyes found Lucius who turned to stare at me. He wasn’t glad about it however; he didn’t keep his focus on me anymore. 

Instantly, the door was pushed open from the other side and I gasped seeing the person on the doorstep. 

‘Kenneth?’ 

What was he doing here? How come he found me? 

Scared, I watched him sneer. He raked his fingers through his hair. Before I could’ve seen more, Lucius blocked our view. 

“Since you have seen her, now you may go.” He said to Kenneth who wasn’t ready to back out. 

“This is nothing to do with you, Father. So, stay the hell out of it. GRACE! GRACE!” Kenneth started to yell and from my sight, Lucius clenched his fists. 

“Are you coming out or do I tell the Clergy about this? Don’t tempt me, Gracy.” I cringed when he spoke the nick-name he used for me. 

But not wanting to drag Lucius in this, I sprawled to my feet and made my way towards where Lucius was. The moment I put my hand on his shoulder, he relaxed. 

“Lucius let me handle this.” I said but he glared at me. 

He doesn’t want this and trust me nor did I but that would mean adding fuel to the fire that was already flaring in the name of Lucius and me; around the town. 

“Did you hear her, Father? Now let her.” Kenneth’s teasing voice made me angry. 

Feeling coward, I didn’t spare a glance at Lucius. 

Stepping aside, I heard Lucius mutter something before walking away. The thought of disappointing him, saddened me but right now, this was the only option for me. 

“Grace...” Kenneth’s voice was laced with victory and I gathered the courage to look him straight in the face. 

“Why are you here, Kenneth?” I asked and his lips turned downward. 

“I have struggled and took pain to find you. Now, when I have, all you ask me is why am I here? Is there any obvious reason apart from you?” He sounded mad but I was in no mood to deal with him. 

“Last time I knew you didn’t even want to see my face.” I stated crossing my arms over my chest in a protective way. 

My body was shaking with emotions but I don’t want him to see this. 

“Common, Grace! I didn’t mean a word. I was angry and... and... you wouldn’t let me do anything. It just burst out the wrong way.” He spoke and tears welled in my eyes. 

“Huh, really? Just to be very clear, I still reject you or any of your intentions. So, leave!” I gulped down the thick blockage. 

His handsome face contoured and grabbed my hand, pulling me out with him. 

“LET GO OF ME!” I shouted in anger, fear and desperation; hitting him on his arm. 

Regardless, he hauled me outside the doorstep. 

“LET GO OF ME! LUCIUS!!!” I looked back, trying my best to get out of Kenneth’s death grip. 

But I was sure, he wouldn’t. I can feel my bones ready to break under the pressure and had to stop fighting. 

Simultaneously, I kept hitting him and pushed him away while calling for Lucius. No sooner as I finished calling his name; Lucius came out running, looking fierce. 

His face was ‘red’ the instant he saw Kenneth dragging me. I was unaware how far we were until Lucius came for aid. 

So, I fell on the ground intentionally to stop Kenneth from hauling. However, it didn’t. He leaned to grab my hair and pull me up. 

“STOP RIGHT NOW, KENNETH BELL!” Lucius’s booming sound stopped my pleading. 

The wind blew his short hairs and the darkness behind him enlightened his strong aura. From the street lights and the moonlight, his facial features enhanced; the divine enlightenment increased fourfold. A smile of faith appeared on my face. 

Maybe Kenneth will stop or not but his magical façade gave me belief that I will be rescued—by him! 

Suddenly, Kenneth laughed evilly. He continued laughing and I knew it cannot be good. Soon, I was proved right. 

“Is there anybody out there? Hello?” My face fell decoding his move. 

He shouted once again but when I watched Lucius, he was still smiling. 

I bite on Kenneth’s hand. He winced in pain and slapped me hard; my ear hummed for long. 

Stunned by his actions, I sat still in my place. Lucius, growled and he started conveying some biblical phrase that didn’t register in my head. With the spare hand on my cheek, I felt my face hot as hell and tears streaming down my face. 

Kenneth responded something but god knows what. As I sat there, my eyes fixated on Lucius who looked different. He has lost his cool; which was new, odd. 

He appeared helpless and his eyes were staring in a different direction. Managing my emotions, I followed his direction and my heart was crushed instantly. There were few questioning the chaos and from the triumphant look of Kenneth, I had lost my hope. 

They were maliciously eyeing me and then Lucius before paying attention to Kenneth. 

“She was angry and left. Now, when I am here to take her along with me, this man appears out of nowhere.” He smirked in my direction and I lowered my head in dejection. 

“Father Lucius, don’t intervene between this couple. It's their personal issue and needs to handle it, own their own. All you can do is, bless them.” An old woman desperately pleaded to him. 

“Yeah, just one night together will resolve their issue.” Her husband remarked and they all laughed. 

“Oh, that depends on her.” Kenneth replied and my nails dig in my palm, trying to shut their bullshit out of my head. 

“Anyway, her departure would pull you out of the dirt, Father. Why ruin your image for a stranger?” A middle-aged man spoke seriously and my attention turned to Lucius. 

Scrutinizing his face, I inwardly hoped for him to not let me go. 

He just stared like a person unnerved about it all. Though, I know not to conclude right now as this is how he is but a part of me was starting to break. 

"I don’t care. All I want to do is righteous so my Lord, our God would guide my path and stay beside me.” He spoke casually, carefully and spared me a brief look. 

That look was enough to get my heart fluttering. 

“Father, please. She doesn’t belong here. You know this, we all know this so why would you call trouble on your own?” The man spoke again and this time, Kenneth groaned. 

“She’s my fiancée and it’s my choice to take her with me. I don’t know why should I even ask for your permission?” Kenneth’s words shocked me. 

Is this what he has told the others? 

“You don’t talk to our father that way, Mister! Under his territory, it’s what he has decided.” The middle-aged man gritted his teeth towards Kenneth and I was starting to build my dream castle. 

“It’s not what you want rather what she wants. God, our dear Father, has made a man the responsible for a woman to look after what she desires. So, let us leave this decision on her.” Lucius’s words gave me hope. 

I blinked tears off my eyes and lifted my head when Kenneth surprised me with his next words. 

“As far as I can recall, it’s also mentioned in Paul’s letter that ‘Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior’.” Lucius took a sharp breath and I gawked at Kenneth without blinking even an eye. 

“I have visited Church many times.” Kenneth chuckled at my reaction before winking at me. 

“That’s the perception of everyone and that is where you need a priest like me to understand the underlying of such sentences. As I mentioned earlier, Christ wouldn’t want to oppress his disciples and so should a husband, isn’t it?” Lucius soothing voice lighten me up. 

“Christ ensures the safety of all; he cares the choices of his people; so, what should you do? Anyway, you aren’t even a husband to discuss about it, on the first hand.” The smile on Lucius’ face widened before he stepped closer to Kenneth. 

His hand stretched out and my heart started thumping inside my chest. Kenneth scowled, glaring back at Lucius who appeared unfazed. I immediately placed my hand in his warm one and inhaled a sharp breath. 

“This girl will stay under my protection until you prove you are of no threat to her. Being a Father, it’s my duty to look after her. Till then, I am afraid that you need to leave.” He tugged on my arm and I stood on my feet. 

However, Kenneth refused to let go of me. The pressure put on my hand has turned my arm blue with the lack of oxygen. 

“You heard the Father, didn’t you? Now go and come back some other day. Hopefully, you’ll be able to woo your fiancée back.” The middle-aged man patted Kenneth’s shoulder and he knew he has lost it here. 

Scoffing, he threw my hand and stormed away. I rubbed my wrist, thankful to watch him leave. This was only possible because of Father Lucius. 

When the car left and so did the people, Lucius pulled me gently back in the house. He locked it up and stared at me with indescribable emotions. I watched him shake his head and leaving towards his room. As I followed him, the door was shut in my face; leaving me bewildered. 

What is wrong with him?