The Convent's Hidden Secret

Teresa Ellis took a quick gaze out of the convent's stained-glass window, her thoughts began to drift deeply to the world beyond the sacred walls. As a novice nun that she became not by choice but by fate, she was expected to devote herself to prayers and service which her heart never agreed to because she yearned for a life of freedom and adventures.

The Convent was situated in the heart of East Harlem and it was a sanctuary for the community. Teresa's mother was a devout Catholic and that was one of the reasons why the convent chose to nurture Teresa after her parents’ tragic demise. The sisters had now become Teresa's family but she couldn't just shake off the feeling that her life was meant for more beyond the Convent.

As she began to ponder her future, a soft knock interrupted her thoughts. It was Sister Margaret, the convent's wise and compassionate leader. Teresa replied that she could enter the room.

"Teresa, My child, I need to speak with you," Sister Margaret said as her warm eyes lightened up with concern.

Teresa became curious and nervous at the same time. Sister Margaret wasn't someone who approached them all the time due to her position in the Convent. 

Teressa paused for a few minutes and then replied “What's the matter Mother Superior?”

“Kindly follow me.” Sister Margaret said as she headed for the door.

They began to walk their way to the convent's library, a place where books are filled but also where conversations are made low. The room was dimly lit, and the air was so thick with the scent of old books. They both entered the library and sat opposite one another as Sister Margaret began to speak.

"Teresa, your family's past is shrouded in a deep mystery." Sister Margaret spoke with her voice low and measured. 

"My child, we've protected you from the truth all along, but it's time you knew." She further added.

Teresa's heart skipped a beat as she curiously asked "What truth are you talking about?"

Sister Margaret hesitated for some seconds. She felt telling the truth to Teresa was best but she cared also about her emotions. She did a quick observation before she put herself to the continuity of her speech. 

"Your father was involved with the KING mafia gang. He was a key player in their operations but unfortunately, he was caught up in a treacherous act, and that led to the death of your whole family. You're the only survivor, my child."

Teresa couldn't believe her ears as she sat there in shock. 

‘My father, a gangster? It couldn't be true but Mother Superior can't be lying’ she thought to herself as tears began to roll down her eyes. 

"Why didn't you tell me all this while?" Teresa asked with a shaky voice as she wept.

Sister Margaret's expression softened because she didn't mean to make Teresa cry, she only wanted her to know the truth. 

"We wanted to shield you from harm, Teresa. But now, with your 21st birthday approaching, you need to know the truth."

Teresa went deep in thought as she processed the revelation. The falsehood about her father's disappearance, the convent's secrecy – it was just a lot for her to bear and Sister Margaret best understood what was happening to Teresa so she left her to have a quiet moment alone. Teresa cried till her eyes were pumped with blood, reddish and swollen.

She decided to head back to her room after a while of processing the thoughts in the library, not saying a word to anyone. But Teresa admitted that she left the library with a sense of purpose and now she knows the truth. Deep down in her heart, she felt her dad was wrongly judged even though she never got to know his personality that much aside from the fact that she now knows he was a gangster. 

Teresa was determined to uncover more about her father's past and the KING gang regardless of whatever she thought lay ahead of her.

******

It was almost time for dinner and Teresa was still deep in thought, she couldn't find herself shaking off the feeling that she had lived a lie. She then heard a knock on the door and she was quite adamant about responding.

“Hello, are you there Teresa? It's me, Louisa.” Louisa chipped in after realizing she was getting no response.

Teresa quickly headed for the door and unbolted it for Louisa to come in, she was just the one Teresa needed to see at that moment.

“Why is your face swollen? Didn't you get enough sleep?” Louisa asked in shock as she held the jaw of Teresa's face and took a more visible look at her face.

“Louisa, I have been living a lie.” Teresa burst out.

“A lie? What do you mean?” Louisa asked confusedly.

Teresa began to narrate all that the Mother Superior told her earlier in the day and tried as much as possible not to cry any further.

“Oh no, I am so sorry Teresa. I know how bad it is for you to hear such a story about your family.” Louisa said as she stretched forth her hands and hugged Teresa.

“You need to lighten up, friend. I understand you. What could I do to cheer you up?” Louisa said with a big smile as she winked at Teresa.

“Let's go beyond these walls, Louisa. How about we sneak out tonight after dinner? That's all I want.”

“Okay, it's fine. Let's make that happen.”

“Wow, just like that? Is there something you're not telling me, Louisa?” Teresa asked in curiosity due to her quick response to her suggestion without a counter.

Louisa laughed out loud “Well you caught me there, smart girl. Been out of these walls a few times and it's fun, I must confess.”

“You've got yourself the best person for the plan, meet me on the third floor by 9 pm after dinner. I will be waiting for you.” Louisa further added as she stood up on her feet and walked out of the room.

Teresa was amazed and very curious, finally, she would get to see beyond these walls. She screamed for joy as she threw herself into the bed awaiting dinner time and mostly her secret outing.