The angel he lost

Lies and slandering

third POV

"So? What did you learn about the girl?" - Liam asked not even trying to hide his impatience

"She got you hooked, and don’t I like this" - James raised his eyebrows, making a face of disapproval

"James!" - the deep voice of Liam, felt like he was losing his last string

"Ok, ok" - James raised his hands like he was surrendering "Her name is Ana Maria, which obviously you know. She comes from a totally broken home, which I can relate to, so I felt sorry for the girl. Her father is the town drunkard, while her mother has the reputation of a slut, because she has had a couple of affairs, with other married men. She has only one younger sister. Ana Maria goes regularly to the church, but that's because the priest hired her for a couple of years, as a librarian of a sort. So I guess she attends church, for the donations mostly, because her family is poor as f**k. I also found out that Ana Maria works at the factory, she is the only girl of her age to do so because people here are too backward to allow such a thing for their daughters. I respect the hustle, but... many men claim to have had relationships with her... not very Christian of the church girl" - James smirked

"So she is a regular gold digger" - Liam said with a cold voice, holding an emotionless face, but deep down she felt disappointed.

"Yeah, but it's no wonder. All the people I spoke to, claimed that she was a rare beauty. I would be stupid of her, not to take advantage of her look... I almost forgot, she is also engaged, with a disgusting old man, who is old enough to be her grandfather. Actually, his only son is older the Ana Maria"

"What?" - Liam frowned his brows "Are you sure"

"I am always sure! If you want to bed her, I can offer some money. I am sure, she will be thrilled"

Before Liam could reply, suddenly a maid interrupted their conversation, knocking lightly at the door.

"Sir! I am sorry to disturb you, but your mother and younger sister is here, asking to meet you"

"How did they found out I have arrived?" - Liam asked surprised

"This is a very small town, Liam, I warned you. So have fun having everybody nose in your business" - James smirked.

"Should I let them in, sir?" - the maid asked confused

"Well, since they are here..." - Liam took a deep breath "Let them in"

....................................

Third pov

"Father Andrew? Can we talk? I have a very important concern, that I want to address to you" - Alberta, one of the oldest members of the woman volunteers said in a serious tone

"What is it, Alberta? Can we talk later? As you can see, we are in the middle of the preparation for the upcoming annual festival" - the priest replied, without paying much attention to her

"I think is much more important than that! This is about preserving the morale of the community and the foundation of our faith" - she said with a stiff facial expression, taking a firm position

"Is it that serious?"

"It is!" - she replied "And I am certain the distinguished ladies present here, will agree with me"

Suddenly, father Andrew noticed that all of the women were staying in silence, in anticipation of what was about to happen.

'What is it? Speak" - he said with a slight tone of worry in his tone

"About Ana Maria..." - Alberta took a deep breath, lowering her eyes to the ground

"What about Ana Maria? Is she okay?" - Father Andrew looked around anxious about bad news "For heaven's sake, speak!"

"Lately, a lot of ... unpleasant things have happened in her life, which has come to our attention. We don't want a woman, because she is a woman now..." - Alberta nodded with her head as she was proving a point "... we don't want a woman of such low moral values, to teach our children in the Sunday school"

"Your children are not in the Sunday school, they are older the Ana Maria. And I don't understand where this is coming from! She has been a prime example of morals, selflessness, and devotion for all of our youth. Not to mention that she is the only one to volunteer for the festival"

"She is not the only one, father! My daughter, Adele has also volunteered" -Catherine forced a bright fake smile.

"Yes! But only after Maria has finished most of the work. Mind you that she was at school, and also at work" -father Andrew replied feeling angry

"Exactly, father! What descends young lady would go work in a factory, constantly being in the company of other men? And I sure you have heard a lot of what people are saying about her..." - Alberta answered quickly, almost like she had rehearsed the answers in her head

"I don't know! What are they saying?" - he replied with a strict gaze

"Well... hmmm... you know..." - Alberta started sweating, feeling embarrassed to discuss certain things

"Ana Maria has been having many s****l affairs, with men, in exchange for money" - Catherine said out loud holding a firm stand, as everyone around her gasped, and started whispering

"And how do you know that, Catherine? Were you also there, when such shameless acts were happening?" - Father Andrew asked with an angry tone, while his face which was usually calmed and slightly pink, turned to a dangerous shade of red.

"What? No! Of course not! But everybody says that..."

"Everybody should know that gossiping is also a sin! A very dangerous sin! Unless you have a proof for things as such, I never want to hear anything bad about Ana Maria. And shame on you! You were once all friends of her late mother, and now are gossiping and slandering her daughter, despite knowing well what kind of girl she is, and with how many struggles and challenges the poor girl had to grow up"

"But.. father Andrew..." - Alberta felt ashamed, never in her long life had she been criticized so harshly

"I don't want to hear any more lies. I'll be in my chamber, praying for you all" - the priest turned his back and left the meetings room fuming"

..........................

Alan POV

I was hoping there were not many people at the barbershop, but the line was so long I had to wait for my turn, for quite a while. It was quite crowded, since tomorrow was the church's annual spring festival, and everyone would attend. This is a small town, and events like this are highly anticipated.

I didn't care about the festival though, I just wanted a fresh cut so I can look presentable. Finally, I had made up my mind, to propose to Ana Maria. I love her, it's not just a crush. And since we have known each other since we were kids, I am sure she will know I am honest and serious.

But I can't stop thinking of what Adele said to me. That snake has a way to poison one's mind, without even feeling it at first. I have been drowning in doubts, but I realized that I don't care about money, as much as I do for Ana Maria. And after all, Sophia is a close friend to her, she would never forgive me if I intently hurt her friend.

"There she is" - the fat man next to me said out loud, with a big smile on his round face. He was staring at the glass wall, like a kid staring at a candy shop. Suddenly, I noticed that the whole shop was starting too, no one was working or talking anymore.

"Who is it?" - I turned around curious, of what was happening. To my surprise, I saw Ana Maria passing by the boulevard. She was alone, and I could only see the delicate side profile of her face, the long blonde hair, and the silhouette of her elegant body. Even though the weather was warmer now, she was still covered in her long old coat, which she had worn for years. She wasn't really doing anything, but the mix of innocence, mystery, and soft feminity that radiated from her made her irresistible.

I never felt so angry, or jealous in my life! All these perverts were staring at her like sick puppies in love.

"I wonder if she is as good in bed, as that b***h Bianca" - the barber said with a smirk

"Hope that old b***h had taught her a thing or two" - another man replied, and soon others started commenting horrible things too.

"A friend that works in the factory told me she knows a lot of tricks, especially for her age"

"With those hips, she must have become a woman a long time ago"

"I would give half of everything I own for a night with her" - the fat man next to said drooling

"She is way cheaper than that, my friend" - the barbed replied to him "That drunk of her father has given her hand to marriage the old man Arthur, because he paid off his gambling debts, and has a pension fund"

"He should have waited for Liam Anderson to arrive in town. He will certainly pay well for her, to warm his bed for a while"

"What would the poor Vincent do? If she was my daughter, I would have killed her with my bare hands"

"Why to kill such a beautiful woman, when we can all enjoy her?" - the fat man said again and everybody laughed. I couldn't stand it anymore and left the place feeling like throwing up.