Chapter 2. The Meeting.

Walking out of the chapel just after concluding her penance, with strong hopes that this sacrament of reconciliation will bring good tidings to her. She searched through her bespoke Hermes bag to fetch a keyless remote control. Pointing same towards an obsidian black Mercedes-Maybach S650 seated on the all paved parking lot just about 100 feet outside the chapel. Those new pair of silhouette heels still hurts terribly regardless, she needs to walk like a queen.

The short walk to the car had Amelia Steels wondering what her life would have been if she didn't have these luxuries and this marriage that has turned her into just 'an existing human' whose only source of love and comfort was her expensive wardrobe. Thoughts of what could have been lingered through her bewildered mind.

Flashes of her youth.

Those years she lived and smiled. The years she had less but somewhat fulfilled and honestly happy.

"Hey".

"Hey". Responded the startled Amy as she turned almost immediately while taking a few steps back just Incase she needed to run. "Oh! You are a priest". She continued while visibly relaxing her facial muscles which had tightened up out of fear just few minutes before. "I am sorry..." she continued.

"No . It's fine. I shouldn't have interrupted your thoughts that way" he cuts in.

"I was scared stiff. I thought I was gonna get mugged but then who would do that in a holy place" she giggled through the last part of her sentence.

He just stood there smiling as he looked at her fingers run through her dark silky hair which flew towards her face in an uncontrollable way. She was obviously struggling to keep her hair away from her face but each time they came back.

"I am no genius but I think you should stand just..." He held both of her arms with both hands of his, as he switched their places. "... here!" He said just when she was in the place he previously was standing. "Now the wind is going to push them back for you" he looked at her hair suggesting that he was referring to them and somehow still not loosing the smile on his face.

"Thank you" she said returning the smile. "I think I need to get going"

"Sure. I was wondering if you would like to join in the choir. Your voice is beautiful and could be the great enhancement we need." He paused while he searched her face for a reaction. "You don't have to do it if you ain't ok with it..."

"No no no!" She cuts in. "I have never been asked to be a part of Christ's community so I was a bit surprised. This seems so new for me".

"It's fine. Do take all the time you need to think about it".

He continued to walk with her towards the car "however, we would be pleased to have you perform with us on Sundays".

"Sundays?"

"Yes." He said as he halted to look at her. "Will that be a problem?"

Her eyes widen. The few seconds of quietness felt like forever. It was obvious Amy was trying to lie or better still, find a non complex way to respond.

"I understand if that's not convenient for you and your already existing schedule"

"I will talk to my husband about this. I am not sure of his response but I believe it would be quiet negative"

"That's not so bad afterall. It's better than not trying at all. Right?"

She nodded in affirmative as they began to walk to her car which was less that 20 feet's away from them.

"I am Fr Gregory. I am a priest here".

"Oh! I am Amelia, I hardly attend sunday mass"

She said with a grin on her face. It looked innocent even though she tried to make it appear evil. May be she could have tried harder.

"By chance do you wish to do better?" He said giving an expressionless gaze at her innocent evil grin.

This was hard to explain. She wanted to say a few words as the grin transitioned to a puzzled pre-lying face. "It's......" She began "I.. I..." She rephrased. "Not that...em...em..." She continued. This definitely was a little difficult to divulge.

He stood there waiting for her to decide the right words that would finally deliver her response. He didn't bother to react or interrupt and this made it worse for Amy.

"I must go now!"

"Sure"

She carefully sat in Her car exposing the interiors that screams 'luxury'.

"May be I should have your cell number. I would need to call in few days for feedback on your husband's response. This is highly important to the community"

She nodded in affirmation as he pulled out a cell phone from the left pocket of his cassock.

"[phone]" she slowly counted

"Got it!"

"Please call in the day. I wouldn't like to present a thesis statement just to explain why a male is calling my phone"

"Oh. I certainly do understand", he responded in a reassuring tone. "Would it be better if you call when you have feedback? Just so I can keep you safe and away from trouble".

Few moments of silence and it seems she was weighing her odds.

"I will dial your number , then you could just save same".

"Perfect!" She blurred from her engrossed thoughts.

"Calling now. Kindly check your phone ma'am"

Amy reached for her black Hermes bag as she carefully took out the phone in it. "Seen. That ends with 457?"

"Exactly!"

"Alright. I would save that once I get home". Turning her face towards the passenger seat ready to drop her phone back into her bag when this deep voice caught her attention.

"No" blurted Fr Gregory. "I am sorry I can't take the chance".

Their eyes met. It spoke few solid words. More of 'who is in control here?'.

"I know you think I will forget to save it but I promise I will save it right when I get home" Amy broke the long silence .

Giving a few nods which would easily be interpreted as conceding "with that honeyed voice, it's hard to concur with you. I am sorry I wish I can believe you".

Amy needed to be at the saloon in less than 20 minutes but this priest doesn't seem to be backing down anytime soon. She took a few interrogative and quick examining glances at him. "The stubbornness!" She muttered under her breath.

"I think I heard that but it's fine too"

This time she wasn't smiling. She was livid and obviously wasn't trying to hide same. Fr Gregory on his part wasn't ready to walk away without having his way.

"You would have been long gone if you had just saved the phone number." Maybe something else was not right. "May be you do not want to serve Christ with your voice. Your husband wasn't going to stop you either way".

"That's not true!..."

"Then save the number." He softly cuts in.

Her eyes narrowed skeptically as her lips formed a pout. 'This human that is a priest is getting on my last nerves and I certainly can't entertain this much further'. She thought to herself.

His audacity was quiet shocking and Amy wasn't ready to break through his toughness. Maybe this would be dealt with some other day but certainly not today.

She unlocked her phone as she still had her eyes fixated on the priest standing beside her car in a fierce manner. For the sake of Christ, she was going to hold back her anger and not act upon it. Finally making a light sigh, she clicked on the missed call to save the number in her contact folder.

"Excellent!" Father Gregory gruffed. "Now you are free to go. Have a wonderful evening".

"It doesn't mean I can't still delete it if I wanted to" Amy Simpered looking pleased with herself as she drove off.

He stood there puzzled. Maybe he didn't think it all through to the end. He had his way but somehow he has to pray and hope on her finally decision. Well, either way she still had the last call to honor the choir or ditch them.

"I did my best" he murmured as he turned towards the church.