FATHER PLEASE;

LOOK AT ME 3;

I widen my stance and squared my shoulders.

“I don’t know, you tell me, what did I say?”

When you’ve lived with red heads all your life, and you yourself are one, you either become addicted to nonchalance, or become a permanently angry person.

“What is this I’m hearing about you wanting to rent a place for yourself?”

That’s what she heard? Phew, that was a close one. Father Aryan hadn’t tattled.

“Where did you hear this?”

“From the nuns in there, is it true?”

I didn’t tell anyone any thing, Danny gives me a small nod, she was the one talking.

“I can’t stay at the hotel long term.”

“Melanie Rose! We have spaces back at the dorm, Danielle stays there with us. We have loads of fun, don’t we Danielle?”

We both turn to find Danny gone, she had sneaked out of the conversation.

“It’s good Danny has loads of fun at the convent house, but I won't.”

“It is a dormitory where we stay together and pray together as a family.”

“And right now the last thing I need is a family to remind me of what is gone forever.”

Cheap shot using my family, but as long as it brought me closer to my goal.

Aunt Cheryl’s angry expression turned into concern. Maybe using my family was a bad idea.

“No, what you need now is a family to give you the support you need.”

“So a replacement family?” another cheap shot, but who ever said I was a noble fighter?

“Sister Cheryl... there you are, I was looking for you.”

My head snap up to him, he was desperately avoiding my eyes as he focused his attention at my aunt.

Her own expression quickly turned to reverend as she put her hands together in front of her.

“Yes Father Aryan. Is something wrong?”

Seeing him did things to me. My nipples almost tore a hole through the fabric of my bra as I watched him. Still in his tight shirt, he looked more like an actor than a priest.

“Would you like to give the word today in my place?”

My aunt’s brows flew into her hair.

“What? In your place?”

“yes, I am feeling a bit unwell.”

Unwell? He looked perfectly fine to me. But he wouldn't lie, he was a priest. Then again, he didn't rebuke me or tell anyone what I had said.

“Do you need to go lay down?”

“I’ll do that later, but if you’d be so kind as to teach the word..” he leaves his statement hanging but he's already got my aunt. She is beaming with pride and nodding furiously.

“It will be my honour.” She says before turning around and walking away, determination filling her steps.

We watched her walk away for a terse second. Mine was mostly because I was slightly nervous, worried if he was going to tell me off now.

“You have to go in first, I’m content standing here as long as it will take.” I say to him.

He makes an uncomfortable sound in his throat.

“We can go in together.”

“And miss my chance to stare at your perfectly, well sculpted butt? No thanks.”

He looks like he is struggling with himself.

“Ladies first.”

He winced from his weak line.

“I didn’t ask you make your ass that fine, why do I gotta suffer it?”

He says nothing. I say nothing, neither of us move as we both considered our next move.

“You like that I like your ass don’t you?”

He looks at me with annoyance, but I see something else dancing in those brown eyes, excitement. He was excited as well. This makes me lean forward.

“If it wasn’t affecting you, you would have ignored me. But you love it.”

“I do not.”

“Then go ahead, ignore me. Walk away, if you don't, you like it.”

He looks at me dubiously, obviously trying to make sense of it in his head. It doesn't make sense, but he won't figure it out now, not when he is wrestling with his excitement.

“In any case, you are needed inside, I’m not.”

This time he doesn’t think, he just acts, he walks as fast as he could without breaking into a sprint towards the entrance. Giving me a view of his marvellous and glorious back side. It is gorgeous.

I follow closely behind him.

My great Aunt was in front, teaching with all seriousness to the prisoners.

For the first time, I feel her saddle up to me.

“Why did you tell everyone I was looking to rent a place?” I ask in a low whisper.

“To get people to recommend the priest. So it always looks like you rented there because they asked you to.”

I had to admit, that was a smart idea.

“Has anyone recommended him now?”

She nods.

“Everybody has.”

That concluded our whispered conversation. I made my way to the priest who was listening with rapt attention.

He panicked for a few seconds when he saw me.

“I heard you have a place for rent?”

“Be quiet and listen to the word.”

I snort. Danny was a bad influence.

“You are one to talk. I felt your eyes on me earlier.”

He sighed,

“Yes I do. Why?”

“Good thing, since I’m looking for a place to rent.”

“What? What happened to the dorm?”

“You really think I would willingly stay there?”

He says nothing.

“Exactly. I asked around and everyone recommended your place. Can I move in today?”

“You haven’t seen it.”

“I heard only good things about it.” I heard nothing. It could be in the slumps for all I know.

“You don’t know how much it costs.”

I waved it away.

“Money is no issue.”

“Do you have any rules and regulations I have to follow?”

Oh shit. What if the apartment was close to the dorm? Did he even live there? I hope he did.

“None. You don’t have to follow any rules and regulations.”

That stirred up my insides.

“Yeah? And why is that?”

“Because I don’t want you renting the place. No, I don’t need you renting the place. I’m not renting it out to you.”