I ask her, what are you doing? She says as she tries to type on the desktop, the senior pastor asked I send him a file from his desktop, and when I checked, it happens that the file is here on yours. So he told me to come send it immediately because he has called you five times and you didn't pick up. "I guess it's because you were in the spirit". But I think you have changed the password of your computer. I'm lost, I said...I didn't change anything. My dad said the passwords were changed and he sent me mine.
"Oh," the secretary exclaims, "I think he forgot to tell me he changed yours. Can you please tell me the new password?"
Hell to the fuck no, I say in my head. Does she honestly think I'm giving her access to this? I look at her, keeping my tone calm, almost casual. "Miss, that won't be necessary. I'll pick up my phone, call him back, and then send it to him myself. Thank you. You can go now."
She looks at me, brows raised, like she suspects something—but she leaves anyway. I hear the old, foolish elders shuffle past the door behind her. Such pathetic losers. As the door clicks shut, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I unlock the desktop, and thank God, the video is still stirring there, paused exactly where I left it. I can't even imagine if that stupid secretary had caught a glance of that… I'd be dead. My reputation, my carefully constructed image, all gone in a single glance.
I call my dad immediately. I start the conversation with the perfect lie: "I was praying and giving God thanks for the success of the service, that's why I didn't hear my phone ring." He doesn't sound convinced—his tone is just slightly skeptical—but I genuinely don't care. He goes straight to the point: "Send me the file on the new church growth plan, okay?
"Yes, sir," I reply as quickly as possible, cutting the line so I can get to work. I go through the files, my eyes scanning quickly, until I find the one he wants. A few clicks later, it's sent. Done. Efficiency. I clear my search history, because I don't want any stories that might "touch the heart". My secret is mine.
I grab my car keys and head to the house. I get home, trying to sneak quietly into my room, but my mom calls me before I can make it upstairs. "Come join your whole family for lunch," she says, her tone warm but insistent. I dread it. Eating with my sisters is like stepping into a battlefield—I know we'll end up quarreling over something petty.
I sit at the table. My mom dishes out my food. "Thank you," I say, and pray before I eat, even though it's a half-hearted performance. I'm such a hypocrite; I never remember to pray when I eat alone. But here, in front of them, I have to pretend.
The first question comes, the one I've been expecting: "How was service today?" My mind races, trying to conjure a plausible lie, when my big-mouthed younger sister just blurts out: "Mummy, service was boring today. He seems unprepared because it felt like he was preaching what daddy would typically preach."
Faith, watch your mouth, I snap internally.
My mom steps in quickly: "If he preached like your father would, then it wasn't boring—it was inspired by the Holy Spirit."
I bite back a sigh of relief and mutter an amen in my head. Mom's tone softens, and she asks, "Were souls led to Christ today?"
"Oh yes," I say aloud, exaggerating just enough to sound impressive. "More than fifteen youths surrendered to Jesus today. The most interesting part… after the service, a young man came to the office for counseling. It turns out he is—or, sorry, was—a porn star. Just from casually following his parents to the service, the Lord touched his heart, and he surrendered."
I add, smoothly, "He will be going through counseling with me. We began today, and I can already see that the Lord will use him mightily." (Of course, I also know the Lord will use him to connect me to my lover… Scarlet.)
My mom beams. "Amen! I bless the day the Lord revealed to your father that he had chosen you to lead his flock. You've been so faithful since then, and I pray the Lord keeps you steadfast, and may you never lose your reward."
Shut the fuck up, mom, I think. The actual fuck? What good Lord revealed what? God definitely didn't call anyone here specifically. They just want this pastoral shit to become a family business. From the Bible, the Lord knows everything from beginning to end, nothing surprises Him—so why would He call me, knowing I'm so filthy and sinful? Ah well. I mutter a perfunctory amen to appease my delusional mother.
I rush through my food, anxious to get back upstairs. Scarlet waits, and I refuse to keep her waiting. She's too precious for that. But before I can run to my room, I remember Zack. I have to remind him about our meeting on Tuesday. He better cancel everything else—he is my only chance to finally meet Scarlet.
I reach my room and dial his number. He picks up.
"Hello, who is this?" he asks.
"The Lord bless you, brother. It's me, Pastor Ethan. I took your number to remind you that you have a counseling appointment on Tuesday."
"Oh, the secretary called me about that, but she said it will be with your dad…"
TF! I think. This bitch is beginning to chew more than she can swallow. Is she insane?
I take a breath. Calm, controlled. "My dad is quite older and… less flexible. You're a new believer, and I'm sure you don't want to be under a harsh situation where you feel judged. I'm not saying my dad will judge you, but I assure you, you would feel judged. So, on Tuesday, when you get to the office complex… insist that you see me. Okay?"
"Sure, Pastor. Thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of your day." He cuts the call.
I exhale, shaking my head. The audacity of the secretary… what is she trying to do? God, I swear, if she thinks she can interfere, she's dead wrong.
I toss my blazer onto the chair and head to the shower. I need to clean up the mess Scarlet and I made in the office earlier—while also preparing for the new mess we are about to make. The thought alone makes my dick twitch, remembering how ready it already is, anticipating her arrival.
I step into the shower, the hot water washing over me, the tension in my body slowly melting away. I think about Scarlet—the curve of her hips, the mischievous look in her eyes, the way she makes my body ache even without touching her. By the time I step out, naked, I can feel my dick hard as rock, impatient, knowing the assignment it has for the evening. My darling Scarlet… how I've missed her.
I log into my desktop and open the site. My fingers hover over the keyboard, anticipation building with every click. The screen lights up, and just as I'm about to settle in for another session of intense worship with Scarlet, my phone rings. I glance at the screen—my heart skips a beat. It's my dad.