EMPIRE OF LIES

ARIEL

"Quien a hierro mata, a hierro muere."

"He who kills by the sword, dies by the sword. Matthew 26:52."

My eyes were sharp as I stared at the man preaching on the beautiful altar, but I had a relaxed expression on my face.

This was one of the places I found my peace.

My gaze flickered to the guy in grey suit on the chair beside mine, as he flipped through his bible to find Matthew 26:52. Even after the pastor had gone on to another verse, he didn't seem to be impatient. He continued flipping pages after pages, as slowly as a snail.

It was obvious he didn't know Matthew was the first book in the New testament. My lips twitched, itching for a smile.

"Marco, Matthew is the first book in the new testament."

He glanced at me and then turned back to his bible, nodding his head in satisfaction when he finally got to the verse he was looking for and stared at it, for a long time, before proceeding to another passage which the pastor had called.

I didn't hear what he said but I think Marco was searching for Obadiah or Ezekiel in the New Testament now.

"Let's invite Mr Saint D'Angelo for the benediction and prayers for sinners."

The man in front of me stood up and I scoffed lightly as I did what all the other members of the large beautiful church did. Standing up.

"Our Father in heaven...."

Was the Father going to listen to him? That man?

If I prayed...was the Father going to listen to me? Would He forgive me for all the bad things that I had done and would the Father look past all of my lies, those that threatened my very existense.

I closed my eyes, fixed my fingers into each other and locked them tightly. "Father, please forgive me all of my trespasses."

I was very sure I was going to trespass again. But I needed the guilt to wash down for just this moment. It didn't do the trick. Prayers don't ever trick.

"Amen!" The chorus of the church jolted me out from my reverie as I opened my eyes just in time to see the man walk down the alter and towards me.

"Ariel, let's go home." He said to me with a sweet calm voice and I smiled back at him.

"Yes, father."

"Mr D'Angelo." The pastor's voice made us halt and we turned back to look at him. My father had a smile plastered on his face as he stared at the pastor with utmost respect.

"I heard about the 10 million donation you made into the church account." He said naturally. This wasn't the first time Saint D'Angelo donated. "I'm very grateful for that. "

"Aah," My father enveloped the pastor's hands in his. "Don't be, sir. The mercy of the Lord on my family has been overflowing since I joined this ministry. I would forever serve here."

Forever. The word lingered in my heart. Forever was a long time.

The pastor's eyes turned towards me. "Ariel."

"Pastor." I bowed a little in reverence and he smiled.

"I heard that you went to the orphanage home to adopt more kids." He said.

"Yes. But they did turn me down." I replied curtly but politely.

"I asked them to, Ariel. I hope you aren't disappointed?"

"I was. A little bit. But I would like to know your reason."

He sighed lightly, regarding me smartly. "We wanted the members to adopt the kids in time past because we didn't have enough resources to take care of them. But right now, the Lord had grown us massively, so we could take care of the kids. Also, with the massive contributions your father makes monthly into the account, we are more than capable to take care of the kids. So we have decided to stop the adoption process. Your family has also adopted a lot of the children and they are doing well and coming to church." He didn't notice the way my eyes narrowed at him as he placed his hands on my shoulder, "Thank you so much, Ariel." He said gratefully.

"That's nice, Pastor. We thank the Father for the increase." My father interrupted and my lips curved into a small smile.

"Hallelujah." I said, almost silently.

"I guess if we want to take more kids under our wings to ease the suffering of others, we would have to look outside."

"Yes, Mr Saint." He replied. "But Ariel, I know you love little kids. So if you want to be close to them, you can... volunteer at the children's center. Of course, I know no matter how much we pay you, it can never be enough."

"No Pastor. You don't have to pay me." I said pleasantly.

"Thank you Ariel. Mr Saint, goodbye." He said and left us instantly.

"Let's go."

I followed Dad out of the church as we walked towards the car park where rows of black cars lined up. Our cars covered the entire car park and the other members had to walk out of church to get to their own cars parked outside. It didn't bother them, because we were so generous to them. But I know beyond those facades called faces, some of them were seriously annoyed. Just to scared to show it, or...they knew they would never win the public to their side.

"Ride with me, Ariel," At the mention of that, I abandoned my own car, knowing Marco would take it home and got into dad's car instead. It rode out of the large car compound immediately.

He was silent for half of the ride until he closed his bible and drew the sign of the cross on his forehead.

"Why didn't you tell me about the failed process of adoption?" He asked, voice calm.

A tick sounded in my head, like a bomb. "I thought I could handle it."

"Did you," He glanced at me, "handle it?"

"No. I failed. I had no idea the pastor gave the order for no more adoptions."

My father was silent as he looked out of the window.

"We have fed him enough. Because of my donations, the adoption process went down the drain." He scoffed lightly.

"What do you think, Ariel? We should get rid of the pest that's trying to block our path." He flicked his finger.