THE PRIEST's DAUGHTER (Mafia and Roses - #1)

Kiki's POV. "Amazing grace, how sweet thou sound that saved a wretch like me... I was once lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." I sing as I stand at the back of the crowded auditorium. Unnoticed because my dad wants to keep me safe, if only he knows... "Congratulations baby, that song you sang was shit." A husky voice says as he bends down at the same time with me to pick up my fallen Bible. "How sweet of you to rub it right on my face." I reply and my tongue gets twisted in my mouth as I stare at the god of handsomeness in front me. "You aren't going to talk anymore? It's kind of rude to stare like that." He says, cutting me off from my day dream of kissing his pink lips. I want to run my hand on his slightly noticeable stubble and rub my thumb on his soft lips. In the presence of the Lord? You are having dirty thoughts... And how do you even know if his lips are soft or not? Your first seen white man. And yes, I forgot to mention that I have a very mad subconscious, but thankfully she keeps me company and that's why I was called crazy in secondary school. He asked you a question, didn't he? Of course, you can't answer because you are having dirty thoughts... Just shut up! "Thanks." Is all I say as I collect my Bible from him and turn on my very flat heels, while adjusting my scarf to cover my face a bit as I move to walk out of the auditorium which is now empty as I was busy drooling and listening to my right subconscious. "Just thanks? You aren't going to tell me your name? This is my first time in a church in Nigeria." He says stopping me from moving out. "I don't have a name." I reply and walk out without bordering to listen to any other word he has to say. "Oh lord forgive me for being unclean once more.." I murmur to myself as I walk towards my dad's office, which by now must be very furious. "Where were you Kiki?" My dad asks as soon as I step in and I bow my head. "I was..." "Don't even think of lying to me, Okiki!" He shouts and I flinch. I wasn't thinking of lying. "Dad." "Don't call me that if you can't keep to the rules...." You are a mistake... I don't know how your mom got into my life and that's a mistake too! I always said to keep yourself hidden. "You are a mistake... I don't know how your mom got into my life and that's a mistake too! I always said to keep yourself hidden." He says as I have finished for him right before he said that out, because it is not the first time. "I'm sorry, Dad." I say and he moves to stand in front of me. "Don't call me dad outside... Call me priest! I don't know how many times I have to correct a nineteen year old child." He scolds and I blink rapidly to hold back my tears. "I know. It's why I have to live in my own father's house like a total stranger, why I have to live in my own father's house as a covenant child who must never get involved with a man." I say and move my hand to my nose. "You know all that and you decided to trespass? You stayed back in the tabernacle to speak to a man! You were so distracted because you have never touched a white person before? I will send you back to Osun state." He says and I go on my knees without thinking twice. "I didn't talk to him because I wanted to da... priest, but because my Bible fell and he gave it to me." I try to explain. "But because my Bible fell and he gave it to me yen yen yen... Everyone already left the tabernacle, you two were the only ones left. I should never lose my position as the head of all priests in Lagos." He shouts and finally make a sign for me to get out, but my knees stays glued to the cold tiled floor. "Dad... sorry Da.. priest, please don't send me back. I have to finish in Unilag first." I beg and he gives me a deadly glare, making me to stand up and scurry out of his office with tears streaming down my face. I run off, without a destination... feeling lost in the big compound before finding a perfect place for me to cry, which happens to be between the empty church buses. I crouch and bury my face between my legs as I cry hard. That's the best thing I know how to do, to cry because I am weak. Just because my mom deserted me when I was just a baby and I have to live a painful life. "Kiki?" A voice I never want to hear in my life calls out to me and I quickly clean my face as I stand on my now cramped feet. "What do you want?" I ask as he moves closer to me and hold me by my wrist, digging his nails into my fair skin causing red marks to show. "You." "Stop it, you are hurting me James." I say between gritted teeth and he moves to hold my waist. "Don't even think of stopping me. You do not want your secret to be exposed, do you? Not only will your dad lose his position, but you will also be punished severally and your education will come to a stop."  He threatens and I swallow hard. "I regret one thing and that's breaking rules because of you." I manage to sound bold, but my betraying voice comes out as a shaky one. "Why are your eyes red?" He asks and I look away. "Stop acting like you care." I reply and he forces my chin, turning my head and my eyes to meets his once lovely ones. The dark eyes I thought were filled with love for me, the eyes I thought were the replicate of his supposed good heart. "Just because I was still f*****g around with my Ex? I told you I was just playing around with her! You said you loved me so why couldn't you understand?" "You should hear yourself out, James. I hate myself for being a weak b***h to watch you upload pictures of other girls you play around with them and all I could do was cry." I shout a bit. "I still love you." "I don't love you anymore. I never want to love again, because you are my first and you are a mistake." "You can't break things just like that..." He says and move his lips closer to mine and I struggle to push him away, which of course is useless to a man who works out. "Stop it please." I beg as he move his irritating hands on my tummy. "No, I couldn't even f**k you once all because of your stupid virginity rules. I will now between this buses. I will take what means a lot to you and you know what?, You can't tell a soul about me because I will tell the whole world everything." He says as he rips my gown, causing me to scream. "The lady said you should stop." A voice says and I fall to the concreted  floor. I wipe my tears stricken face and raise my head.   "The lady said you should stop." Mr White Handsomeness says and I fall to the concreted floor. "And who are you?"  James asks shamelessly and I draw my legs to myself. "r**e is an offense and I believe it so too in Nigeria. I will call the police on you." He says and move his hand to the pocket of his trouser. "Kiki, we will meet again. You know nah." James threatens as he walks away, causing me to hiccup. "Are you okay?" Mr White Handsomeness asks as he stoops to my level. "What do you expect? Of course I am not okay. Thanks for saving me." I say as I stand up, but crouch back immediately when I feel the cold air on my skin. "You're welcome and you owe me one now." He says and I frown. "You do something to get something." "There's nothing free in this world, even the air we breath in isn't as free as you think. The Lord requests for us to serve him." He says as he takes off his coat and wrap it around me. "Thanks, you just gave me your coat, does that mean I owe you two now?" I ask and he smiles. "You are very intelligent." "I am." I reply, adjusting his coat as it's kind of too big for me. “Okay, tell me more about yourself.” He says and I give him a long stare.   “I don’t tell my story to strangers.” I say and he laughs.   “No problem then, see you around.” He says and walk away.   “How about your coat?” I ask and he waves his hand without turning to face me.   “If you want me to see your body naked, then you can give it to me now. If not, when next I see you I will collect it from you.” He says and I shake my head.   “You expect me to keep carrying your coat around until the day I see you? And besides, we can’t see each other again.” I say and he turns to look at me.   “Are you going somewhere? You aren’t going to be in church next Sunday?” He asks.   “No.” I reply, clutching tightly to his coat.   What is wrong with me?!   “Then, see you around.” He says and walk away finally.   My dad is sending me to France soon…