The Un-Holy Love of a Priest

Chapter 4: Dangerous Thoughts

Lucius’ POV

While preparing dinner, I cannot help but wonder what that was before she took off. Her bottle green eyes shone for a moment and it was surprising to me. Then her white cheeks turned red and I don’t think I liked anything better than this.

As I turned the stove off, I headed to call her but was welcomed by her cries.

Painful, heart breaking cries…

It was astonishing but not unexpected. Standing at the doorway, I glanced up and prayed for this aching, lonely soul for her peace.

“Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Grant, O Lord, peace, love and speedy reconciliation to your people whom You have redeemed with your precious blood. Make your presence known to those who have turned away from You and do not seek You, so that none of them may be lost, but all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, so that everyone, in true love and harmony, O long-suffering Lord, may praise your all holy Name. Amen.”

Crossing us, I strode in watching her struggle to breathe.

Suffocation…

I felt her… I felt her need to let it all release. The ache inside her was bad and I want to help but if only she allows me to.

Reaching beside her, I placed a hand on her shoulder and felt her calm instantly. Smiling at her encouragingly, I turned to glance over her shoulder.

I smiled seeing the darkness outside. It was no doubt that she was upset about something and this darkness overpowered her.

But…

There was a silhouette in my backyard under the tree and I felt it stare right at us.

Frowning, I questioned who it is?

Then my mind went to Grace.

Maybe someone is keeping eyes on her.

Or on the both of you?

My conscience pointed and I didn’t appreciate the thought.

Stalking—another sin!

Shaking my head, I pulled down the curtains and smiled at Grace.

“This is an introspective time. It can play tricks on your mind. If you are tired, you will see the darkness that relaxes your mind; if you are sad, you find the darkness overpowering your life and depressive but if you are happy, you will find it a beautiful piece of art with insects buzzing and stary nights.” She nodded while I tried to look past her eyes; her soul.

“Judging from your appearance, I don’t think you would want to look at the window right now, isn’t it? So, let’s go and eat.” And so we followed to the dining area.

She sat with half-a-heart but grabbed the spoon to eat when I raised my eyebrows.

“What?” She asked with hoarse voice.

“We pray before meals?” I was careful to not sound rude but from her expression it was clear that she didn’t and it was the last thing she wanted to do.

I could have ignored but not my soul. The soul that is solely tied to Lord needs to do my prayer and the more the merrier.

So, I grabbed her wrist and ignored her stunned face. Shaking my head in a ‘no’ I asked her to pray with me while she followed. For her sake, I kept it short.

“O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou are Holy always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

As soon as we were done, I watched her dug into the dish like there’s no tomorrow. It was fascinating and funny. Grace is like any teen would be; she is pretty and carefree.

May God bless her with eternal peace.

“Where are you from, if you don’t mind me asking?” I was hopeful she’ll open up when lost in her food but it was too much for her.

Her face paled and could see her brain working for a proper answer. She had trust issues.

“I am a priest. I won’t judge. That’s what lord has taught me.” I assuringly smiled at her.

She however, took me aback by her words. Wasn’t expecting that.

“Do you not get tired doing that?” She gestured at my face but I didn’t get it.

“That smile. Doesn’t your cheeks hurt?” that made me burst into laughter.

No one dare say things to me, especially seeing a person being annoyed by my smile was first for me. I’ve met the entire 15895 population of Faith city and everyone admired my smile.

“I can ask you the same. Aren’t you tired of that scowl on your beautiful face?” I spoke in a flow not realizing I called her beautiful.

That was unusually shocking.

As I sit across her, I tried to recall a moment where I have complimented others. The fact that Faith City was actually unsafe to live four years ago was a sign that it never happened.

I guess she hasn’t noticed that she’s the only young girl in this city. Girls either become nun to let Jesus protect them or they would pray always for a boy.

That ridiculed me.

Regardless, the remaining girls were sent to another country until before their marriage. The reason was not something to be proud of.

There were cruel-intended men who abused young girls and killed to hide their sins. No one has ever found out the culprits but I have seen Bishop secretly absolute some men. It was never my place to question them as I am a servant of the divine power.

It wasn’t my place to interfere.

“Primrose.” Her voice caught my attention but what had it more was the heaviness in her words.

She missed it and something was holding her back.

“That’s far. Don’t get me wrong but what are you running from?” I made a mistake asking this.

She seemed to have seen a ghost—white like a paper and frozen. Worried, I extended my arm to comfort her but the cutlery fell off her hand.

From her looks I hit a nerve which I never wanted to. She was displeased and terrified. I watched her push the chair and made a dash outside.

The thought of someone hurting her clung to my heart and I shouted her name. She chose to ignore so I ran after her. I was behind her and followed where she ran to.

My heart was strangely ready to jump out of my mouth when I spotted the same lean figure threw a brick at her before shouting

““He’ll suffer and I’ll make sure of it.”

I had my doubts about it but she was bleeding. Her head was bleeding badly so I ran to her while she fell unconscious. Scooping her in my arms; I brought her at home clearly oblivious to my crazily beating heart.

It was unusually high and hard.

The moment we entered the apartment, I prayed for her healing while calling up sister Amelia to treat her.

There was the need to stitch it up.

Meanwhile, I concluded to find the one stalking us and went so far as to attack her. There was more to her; I needed to know in order to protect her.

***

“Do you want to join me at my work?” I asked Grace as she sat with a bandaged head.

Her nose scrunched up; I liked it! It seemed cool but illogical.

“No.” She refused as I expected.

“Alright, remember not to leave the house and keep it securely locked from inside.” I gave her a straight face and left when she agreed.

Deep down, I felt it was a tricky question.

The wind was chilly at this godly hours and I entered the Church saying a prayer beforehand. I was quickly called by Father St. Lemoraie.

We held our arms and kissed his cheeks before ushered to his office.

“You’re keeping a teen?” He asked and I stayed silent for a while.

“Yes, Your Grace,” My answer didn’t please him, rather, I found myself mesmerizing over the name ‘Grace’.

“You know the rules, Lucius? No women inside your house and especially a younger.” He pointed but I waited for him to ask.

“Yes, father but I have sister Amelia check on her; she’s safe under my supervision.” I replied with head still bowed.

He was silent for a while until he opened his mouth in what seems like forever.

“Okay. Hope it’s a temporary arrangement.” He said and left before crossing himself and us.

I stayed there for a while trying to grasp things up.

I knew what his concerns were but it wouldn’t ever happen.

“Father?” I watched a young boy hand me an ID proof.

“Officer Eric sent me to give you this. It belongs to someone named Grace.” He informed and I nodded; thanking him.

I watched the ID and my eyebrows lifted up.

It was Grace’s birthday today!

She is now an Adult; new adult.

Smiling, I shoved it inside my pockets before starting the sermonizing.

Soon, people started lining up and take their seats as I along with our bishop started out morning prayers. It started with me narrating incidents from the testament and explaining it to the crowd; helping them.

The air around was charged with positivity as we continued. Surprisingly, the door to the church opened and all the heads turned to see who the culprit was. There was Grace seemingly out of breath.

She turned around and grabbed the mid section seat which was totally empty. Her eyes darted back to the door before turning to see at the front.

She was shocked to see me here while I smirked at the reaction. Grace frowned while I continued with sermonizing. Her hardened face softened while I continued keeping eyes intact on her.

She is a mystery to me and I want to solve it. As we proceeded to forgiving, it was becoming difficult for her to keep up. She was overwhelmed and I cannot help but link the way she cried that day and now?

It was the sin, forgiveness that is her weakness.

We came to the end and blessed everyone. I saw how some of the people glared at Grace; throwing dirty looks. They would point towards Grace with eyes and whispered. It irked me up!

“Your behavior is unappreciable.” Regardless of how confident I was; I wouldn’t shout.

I don’t want to but I was fuming in anger. Shaking my head, I focused on removing the weird thoughts in it and decided to turn to the listener and do what I do the best.

Smile…

Smile because the thoughts are dangerous!