[STORY] BEHIND CHURCH DOORS (Episode 08)

Episode 08.

It’s been thirty days since I started work at the church office as an administrative assistant. Which means it’s also been thirty days since Zyair and I had a huge argument over my decision to accept a Job at Sanna’s church which is slowly turning into mine.

I have been attending the services at Pattern of life church for the past one month despite the fact that Zyair asked me not to. I didn’t want to miss out on the chance for a scholarship to complete my studies. I am currently attending the membership class and in a few weeks I will graduate and become a full time member.

Pattern of life is actually a good church, the pastors are very accommodating. I feel like I am part of the church already. I don’t know why Zyair doesn’t want to join so that doors can begin to open up for him as well.

Speaking of Zyair we rarely talk about my job and church.
I think he avoids this talk as much as possible because he is still hurt about the decisions I made.

In my own defence, I did it for us.

Anyway, today is my payday and I am very excited. Business at the pharmacy has really been down the last couple of weeks and I can see that my Zyair is frustrated. I want to help pay the rent and buy some household stuff. That way Zyair will appreciate the need of having a working wife.

The phone on my desk rings startling me from my thoughts and I pick it up.
“Come to my office now,” Bishop Kingsley says and hangs up without giving me a chance to respond. I stand up quickly and head to his office.

“You look beautiful,” is the first thing he says to me when I walk into the office, looking me over from head to toe.
“Thank you dad.”
I am dressed in a striped shirt and tight, faded jeans.

“Please take a seat.”
When I do that he looks at me and says, “So you have been working here for a month and I am impressed. You are well organized, you pay attention to detail and you are always on time.”
“Thank you.”
“Your pay will be deposited into your account by the end of the day. I hope you take time off to relax and spoil yourself.”
“I will.”
“I got you something.”
“You did?”
“Yes. I just want to thank you for a job well done.”
He places a small wrapped box on the table, “open it,” he urges. I open the box to reveal a silver bracelet with my initials on it. It looks very expensive.
“I don’t think I can accept it.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know and it’s too expensive and…”
“I am your father in faith and father’s are supposed to get gifts for their children. Please accept it.”
I look at it hesitantly.
He takes the bracelet, fastens it on my wrist.
“Thank you papa.”
“You are welcome. How are things with your husband?”
“They are okay.”
“When are you bringing him to church?”
I laugh, “I don’t know if he will ever come here.”
“Do you know you are a very beautiful woman Tia,” he says, catching me off guard.
“You are a very beautiful woman and any man would be lucky to have you as their woman.”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat and he smiles.
“Don’t be shy. You are beautiful. As your father I must tell you that so that you know.”
“Thank you.”
“I would like to take you out over the weekend.”
“Huh?”
He laughs, “I would like to take you out. Take it as a work dinner, I just want you to refresh your mind after the hard work you have put in.”
“Okay.”
“So I will..” he begins to speak but is cut short when the door opens and his wife walks in.
She looks at him then at me, she doesn’t look too pleased to see me in this office.
“Good afternoon mum,” I say.
“Hello. Why aren’t you at your desk?”
“I called her. I was giving her an update on Friday’s meeting.”
“Oh,” she stares at the box on the table.
“Please excuse my husband and I, Tia.”
“Okay,” rising to my feet I walk out quickly and sit back at my desk. I hope she doesn’t have the wrong impression about me.

~PASTOR RUTH~

I look at the small box on the table, it was wrapped and had been ripped open. There’s nothing inside.
“What is this?” I ask.
“It’s a box,” he answers.
“Don’t play with me Kingsley don’t fucking do that.”
“We are at church and anyone could go through this office. Stop cursing.”
“It’s a box. Someone dropped it at Tia’s desk when she went to the loo. She came to ask if she could keep what was inside.”
“Are you sleeping with her?”
“Ruth! That’s absurd. She is married and I am past that stage of sleeping around and you know it.”
“Do I know?”

He stands up and walks towards me, “You need to learn how to trust me.”
“I do trust you but sometimes I can’t help and think you will go back to your old ways. You know that mess you created a few years back, it took a lot for us to clean up.”
“I know, baby. I know, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me.”
“I will never do what I did again.”
“You know what to do when temptation comes running.”
“I will flee.”
I smile, “Great. Can we head out for lunch now?”
“Sure.”
He holds my hand and leads me out of the office. We pass Tia’s desk and I spare her a brief glance. I hope she is just here for work and not to bring confusion in the church.

I will have my eyes on her though. You can never be fully careful with these girls.
To Be Continued…. . . . .

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