38
WHAT’S MY BROTHER UP TO
I could hear a familiar voice coming from inside the library, causing my heart to become restless. The voice belonged to Damien.
That’s impossible. What’s my brother up to?
Seeing how the priest stuttered and blushed when he saw us, I immediately knew he was introverted. There used to be a time when I was so attracted to introverts like my ex Micheal, but not anymore.
The house was nice. I could stay here for a few days. However, if it was Damien in there instead of Julian, then I don’t know what I would do.
What if both of them were here?
“Elijah! I hope you are not playing any games with me?” I whispered to my brother, who just shrugged.
He shrugged what! This can only mean I’m right, and he’s up to something.
I became eager for us to get into the library so that I could confirm my suspicions to be true.
Father Jose took one whole minute to open the door. His hands were shaking, so he spent one minute putting the key in its lock. I was starting to get annoyed with how scared he seemed to be. Which only fed to my suspicions.
I looked at my brother to see if he felt the same way, but he looked relaxed.
This is some kind of punishment. He is trying to tame me. He sees I am losing myself and is trying to bring me back. But how could he tame me with someone who reminded me so much of the one who made me wild in the first place? He didn’t know that, though.
We got into the library, and God, it was huge. As a Catholic, I’ve been to the Library of other Priests, but never had I been to a library like this.
It had eight rolls up and six rolls down, each filled with books: a glass table and three black chairs were in the middle of the room.
Sofas lay on the side of the wall behind us. Everything in this room was painted ash-the rug, wall, chairs, except items that can’t be painted.
There were more paintings than sculptures here, Mostly landscape drawings and flowers. One picture stood out from the others. It was the painting of a boy drowning underwater. It looked so real I got lost in it. The painter must have been feeling a lot of pain or was used to pain. Goosebumps decorated my skin the more I studied the painting.
There was a piano at the side and a violin on the table. He’s a fan of music, too.
There was one thing missing. Damien! I was sure I heard his voice.
“You can both sit,” Jose said, motioning to the chair in front of us
“Thanks.” My brother said.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
We both sat first, with Jose sitting last. He looked unsure of whether he should sit or stand.
How did he become a priest? How did he survive seminary? Was he bullied? What was he scared of? Me?
“I know we already agreed my sister would stay here for a week, but If it will inconvenience you in any way, don’t hesitate to decline. I can easily find another alternative.” Elijah paused and looked at me, urging me to add to his words.
“My brother is right. I really do not want to inconvenience you in any way.”
Elijah kept her gaze steady on Jose, but Jose kept shifting his eyes.
I didn’t want to think he was scared of my brother; there was no reason for him to. No logical reason.
If he wasn’t afraid of him, who was he scared of?
His fear was becoming annoying and unsettling. We made eye contact once, and he looked away.
“It is no inconvenience. This is the lord’s house, and the children of God can come in at any time.” He finally replied. Elijah breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you very much, Father, thank you. We are devoted Catholics, and my sister here is a very good girl, an angel even. I know she won’t disturb you in any way, and she will obey you. She can be stubborn, but it’s always for a good cause. Please don’t take any of her attitude to heart. She has been through a lot in recent times.”
I fought the urge to laugh. Elijah did not believe a word of what he said, but he sold it so well I almost started believing him. If I didn’t know myself, I would have.
Jose smiled slightly. He looked convinced.
“Yes, Father Phillip has spoken so much about her. He says she is really good and obedient. I will take his word for it since he is your parish priest. He is also a very good man. He is like a father to me.” Jose adds.
Father Phillip was my priest when I was still a little girl. He hasn’t seen me in so long and doesn’t know I’ve changed. How can he vouch for me?
To not worsen my bad mood, I shifted my eyes to something interesting-the paintings. I started remembering how I always wanted to be painted like an angel. I moved that dream to the corner of my mind. They were no longer part of me. The side of me that longed for silly dreams like that was a fool. A big joke! She paid the price of her foolishness in full. The door was pushed open, and someone walked in. I can recognize that light but fast feet from anywhere. Anytime.
“Teacher Samantha?” Holland asked rhetorically, for she could already see that it was me. She ran to me, and I stood up to hug her.
Julian walked in and caught sight of me. He was so shocked he stood at the door motionless with his hands in his pocket. He was wearing a white shirt with the first three buttons open, which revealed a very sexy hairy chest. He was neatly shaven now, and his short hair looked fuller and darker.
Fuck!
This man might make me do something silly in this church. That’s if he lets me near him at all. I can still see the anger in his eyes, but there was something else too. Lust.