The Devil In Cassock: Forgive Me Father For You're My Temptation

Riley's Pov "Your beautiful mother left my house that day and never came back," my aunt, Katniss, reveals in a sorrowful voice. "The police haven't found any leads yet. Her disappearance is a total mystery. Such cases do not usually end well," she adds. Her daughter, Freya, doesn't even look up as she is busy scrolling through phone. She smiles shyly as she reads another text from the man she is chatting with. My mother disappeared seven days ago after returning to this city that we left fifteen years ago after the death of my father. Throughout the time we were away my mother had no urge to come back, until katniss called two weeks ago and begged her to visit. It's weird that she went missing immediately and the police are yet to find the tiniest trace of evidence that can lead us to her. She was a kind hearted woman. I worry that nothing good could have made her intentionally disappear and put me through this. I know little about this city as I was only five years old when my father died and mother wanted to leave immediately. I must rely on the incompetent police to find her since aunt Katniss and her daughter are the only people I know here. "Why did she leave the house? Where was she going when she disappeared?" I ask. "She said she was going to meet an old friend. She didn't say much about who or what the meeting was about. I was tired and didn't bother to ask," aunt Katniss answers. "My mother had not kept in contact with anyone from this city," I point. Freya scoffs, looking up from her phone for the first time. "Surely you do not believe that you knew everything about your mother. Everyone has their secrets. Especially adult women that pretend to have no desire to visit their families," she says, causing her mother to angrily frown. "Freya! May Lord have mercy on you!" her mother snaps. "My sister had her reasons for not wanting to come back here and I understood. We should be praying deeply for her safety." Freya shakes her head and goes back to scrolling through her phone. Why does it feel like there is something they are not telling me? Are there things I actually did not know about my mother? Everything she had was left behind by my dead father. I am confident about knowing her enough. But it's wise to hear everyone at a time like this. "Do you have even a vague idea about why she might have disappeared? I do not mind your honest thoughts," I say to aunt Katniss. "Riley . . . I have absolutely no idea why your mother went missing. If I did I would have told you already. God would not forgive me if I kept anything from a grieving child, would he?" she asks. I shake my head. "I am not grieving since she is not dead. She is only missing," I remind. "Oh, my bad! I am sure the Lord is watching over her wherever she is," aunt Katniss apologises. I finally take a sip of her tea. I really hope that my mother is indeed alive somewhere, that nothing awfully bad happened to her. If she didn't agree to come back here I would still be relaxing in my college dorm room thinking of my next art project. I had to leave everything behind and come here because she was the most important thing I had. "You should come with us to church tomorrow," I hear aunt Katniss say and immediately look back at her. Church?! Why? I have never been in one my entire life. And I do not feel like being in one tomorrow when I should be doing anything possible to find my mother. "Since we do not know what might have befallen your mother it is important that we do our best to keep her in prayer. Who knows, the great Lord might even bring her back," aunt Katniss adds. "I will say my prayers here," I say. "No dear. You should show commitment for the Lord to hear you. Come with us to church tomorrow and perhaps the Lord will answer," she replies in a firm voice. I do not think I have a choice. I must stay here to find my mother if she is still in this city. It's strange that Freya isn't complaining about being forced to go to church. She doesn't strike me as the righteous type. If she has been to this church before then so can I. "Fine. I will come with you to church tomorrow," I say. * * * * * * Riley's Pov Freya steps into the living room in a strapless top and denim shorts. Did she forget we are heading to church? "Oh God! Freya, what in Jesus name do you think you're wearing?" her mother angrily barks, looking horrified. "Why do you have to embarass me every Sunday? Showing lots of skin does not automatically make you pretty, you know that, right? Look how decent and elegant your cousin who has never been inside a church before is dressed." Freya glances at me. I put on the only dress I have and luckily it almost reaches my knees. It's a silver-coloured design that mother bought me before she came here and disappeared. Freya grudgingly returns to her room. She comes back minutes later in a tiny, strapless red dress. Her mother sighs in frustration and simply turns away. "Let's go," she says. I grab my purse and follow them out. "You always dress like a nun or is it just today because you're afraid of my mom?" Freya whispers the question as we head towards her mother's car parked outside the house. "We both know that nuns cover their hair. I haven't," I reply. I still find it strange that she isn't complaining about being forced to attend church. Yet she put on a stripper's dress. I wonder whose attention she so desperately hopes to attract. The city's cathedral turns out to be located only a few miles away. "If anyone asks do not let them know your second name," aunt Katniss tellls as we walk in. I have a dozen questions about that. Why do I need to hide my second name? To avoid being related to my missing mother? It's too late to ask since we are already inside and only a few seats remain unoccupied. My aunt and her daughter lead the way to the front nevertheless. I had hoped we would sit in the back where the inactive members of the church probably are. But aunt Katniss and Freya eagerly marches to the front and I realise I must stick with them or seem extremely weird. We find seats not very far away from the choir who seem quite excited. They start singing as more people fill the wide hall to it's capacity. Freya pulls out her pocket mirror and lipstick and quickly add more colour to her lips. "I must warn you both, it is a sin to lust over God's own servants," aunt Katniss says. I am yet to notice anyone worth thirsting over. I won't tell her so now as there are too many people around us that can hear. An hour passes while the congregation still waits for the priest, like sheep waiting for their shepherd. Who does the man think he is to keep hundreds of people waiting? Aren't God's servants supposed to be punctual? Suddenly the crowd near the entrance goes wild with applause. Most of the congregation crane their necks as if in need of watching the person that is about to enter. The priest must be oxygen. Is it so hard to wait for him to walk to the altar? It's not like anyone is being awarded for seeing him first. "Here comes my love!" Freya playfully whispers in my ear before turning her gaze towards the entrance as well. So the priest is the reason she put on the uncomfortable dress? Now I see why her mother had to warn us. Her daughter might have a crush on a priest. That's awfully disgusting. "There!" Freya mutters excitedly just as the faces of the congregation light up. I curiously look back as well. Oh...my!...my! Now I see what everyone is excited about. If that's really the priest, he must be the most exquisitely beautiful creature I have ever seen! Even with the huge distance between us and four altar servants around him, one can't fail to notice his steely eyes whose gaze can cut through steel, poetically of course. They however can slice one's confidence into micro-confidences. His smooth face holds irresistible beauty, causing one's lower abdomen to throb in pleasurable ways. That's definitely a sinful thought to have in a church. I wonder if I can confess. "Breathtaking, right?!" Freya whispers. "Yeah." I agree absentmindedly. He should be banned from public areas for the sake of female sanity!