002

CHAPTER TWO

Vincente

~~~~~

The gates pulled open as I stepped out of the quiet apartment, Luca was yet to appoint some cleaning and cooking staffs in.

The morning air was cold and sharp enough to sting a bit.

Luca stood beside the car and bowed slightly. “Boss.” That was his normal way if greeting me. Before I would call it stupid but I've gotten used to it over the years.

I gave him a short nod and got in. He shut the door behind me, then walked around to the driver’s seat.

“Let's go straight to the church,” I said.

“Yes, Boss.”

The car moved, the engine’s low hum filling the silence. I leaned back, watching the city flash by, the streets were quiet, there were just a few people walking by the streets.

Everything looked like how it was last night. I felt nauseous, maybe it was because I hadn't stepped out the whole morning to now.

When we got to the church premises, Luca parked the car at an empty spot, I stepped out before he could open my door. The church gates were slightly open, people moving in and out. The bell rang once clearly.

I went in.

The same scent hit me again, the incense wood smelt weird but for some kind reason I found it amusing. I took a seat at the back watching the little crowd left for the confession.

Kieran portrait was near the alter, he looked better than the picture of him sent last night. He looked calmer than anyone had a right to. His robe brushed the floor in the portrait, the cross on his hands looked more like he was praying.

I almost laughed. This was the man who killed my father’s life without even knowing clearly the job my dad does. He now wore white around his neck like it made him clean.

I waited for ten minutes later, the few people left went in. Some came out wiping tears. I didn’t even know what they were crying about.

I had bigger sins.

When it was finally my turn, I got up slowly. Luca’s gaze met mine from the corner; he didn’t need to follow. I could handle this one.

The booth was small and quiet as I pushed the curtain aside and stepped in.

I hadn’t knelt down for anyone in years, but fine. For this, I could bend once.

The little screen between us glowed faintly. I could see only a blur of his face for the first time in years through it.

I cleared my throat. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

There was a pause. His voice came calm and quiet, just as I expected. “Then speak, my child.”

My lips curved. 'My child?' Cute.

“I have a question, Father,” I said, resting my elbows on my knees. “Is selling a friend out… a sin?”

He was quiet for a moment.

“Yes,” he said finally. “Betrayal is a grave sin.”

“Even if the friend was guilty?”

“God judges guilt, not men.”

“Hmm.” I smirked, even though he couldn’t see it. “So if someone sold a man out and that man ended up dead without being guilty. For instance, they sold him out without knowing the man's real occupation, without thinking about how the man had been there for him, feeding him, clothing him and sheltering him… is that what you would call a betrayal?”

His breathing shifted slightly.

Interesting.

“Yes,” he said again, slower this time. “That would still be a sin.”

I tilted my head. “What if the one who died wasn’t guilty then?”

“Only God can decide who is innocent.”

“God,” I repeated softly. “Right.”

Silence fell. The only sound was the candle burning outside the booth. He didn’t speak again, maybe sensing something off.

“You sound familiar,” he said after a while.

I smiled at that. “Do I?”

“Yes. Have we met before?”

I leaned a bit closer to the screen, my voice low enough for only him to hear.

“Maybe or maybe I just sound like your past catching up.”

He froze.

I could hear his breath hitch, quiet but clear. I didn’t say anything else. I just stood, brushing the dust off my knees.

“Wait—” he started.

But I had already walked out quickly signalling for Luca to follow me out.

Luca looked up when we stepped out. “All good?”

I gave a faint grin. “Perfect.”

Interesting. He really was the one.