I stare at the new message he sent for a few more seconds, my heart beating faster than it should. "It's an emergency. I need to see you now". I'm at the church, it reads.
I exhale sharply and grab my keys. This is bad. Whatever this is… it's not small.
As I step out of my room, my mom's voice stops me almost immediately. "Ethan, where are you going?"
I pause mid-step, forcing myself to turn back calmly. "To the church," I say. "One of the new converts just called me. He's in trouble."
Her face tightens with concern. "At this hour?"
"Yes, ma."
"What kind of trouble?"
I shrug slightly. "He didn't explain properly. He just said it's urgent."
She studies me for a moment, then nods slowly. "Go then. This is the work of God. You must be available at all times."
Of course. Always available. Always present. Always perfect.
"I will, ma," I reply.
Just as I'm about to leave, my younger sister suddenly appears from nowhere. "I'll come with you," she says quickly, already reaching for her slippers.
I stop. "No."
She frowns. "Why? It's night. You shouldn't be driving alone."
"I'll be fine."
"I can sit in the car—"
"I said no."
My tone is sharper this time. She pauses, slightly taken aback.
"I'm going for counseling, not a family outing," I add, more controlled now. "Go back inside."
She rolls her eyes. "You're always acting like you're already a full time pastor."
If only you knew., I said in my head.
"Goodnight," I say, cutting her off and heading out before she can say anything else.
I get into the car, start the engine, and pull out almost immediately. My mind is already racing. Emergency. What kind of emergency makes him run back to church the same day? Did something happen? Did someone find out? Did he—No. Calm down. Think.
As I drive, one thought keeps creeping in. Scarlet. Did this have anything to do with her? Did he talk to her again? Did she— I shake my head slightly. Focus. This is about Zack. At least… that's what I tell myself.
By the time I pull into the church compound, the place is empty. The quietness is unsettling, the kind that makes every small sound feel louder than it should be. I park and step out, scanning the area. Then I see him. Sitting on the front steps of the church. Head in his hands. Still. Waiting.
I walk toward him slowly. "Zack."
He looks up immediately, relief flashing across his face. "Pastor… thank you for coming."
I nod slightly. "You said it's an emergency."
He stands up quickly, pacing once before stopping in front of me. "I'm in trouble," he says.
I fold my arms. "Start from the beginning."
He exhales deeply, like he's been holding everything in. "You remember I told you I used to be in the industry."
Used to. That word again.
"Yes," I say.
"Well… apparently, I'm not done with them."
My brows draw together slightly. "Explain."
"I signed a contract," he says. "Ten years."
My body stiffens slightly, but I keep my face neutral. "Okay…"
"I didn't think it mattered at the time," he continues. "I was focused on the money. The lifestyle. They made it sound normal. Like everyone signs it."
Of course they do.
"And now?" I ask.
He laughs bitterly. "Now I'm finding out what it actually means." I stay quiet.
"I still owe them," he says.
"Owe them what?"
"Work," he replies bluntly. "Videos. Appearances. I still have years left."
My stomach tightens.
"And if you don't fulfill it?"
He looks at me directly. "I have to buy my way out."
Silence.
"How much?"
He hesitates, then says it. "Ten million dollars."
For a moment, everything goes still. Ten million. I slowly exhale, leaning back slightly.
"That's… not something you can just solve overnight."
"That's the problem," he snaps. "I can't."
I watch him carefully. "You spoke to them?"
He nods. "My producer called me when I didn't show up for a shoot."
That was fast.
"What did he say?"
Zack lets out a humorless laugh. "He laughed at me. Said I think this is a game. Said nobody just walks away." My jaw tightens slightly.
"And then?"
"He said if I don't show up, I should be ready to pay everything. Every obligation. Every loss."
"Ten million," I repeat quietly.
He nods. Silence falls between us again.
I step into my role now. "Zack… listen to me carefully," I say. He looks at me immediately.
"The church does support people," I begin slowly. "We guide, we help, we stand with members."
Hope flickers in his eyes.
But I shake my head. "But this amount… the church cannot carry that."
The hope dies instantly.
"You're a new member," I continue. "There are structures. Even if the church wanted to help, this is beyond what can be done."
He looks away, nodding slowly. "So what do I do?" he asks.
Now I lean forward slightly. "We think."
He looks back at me. "You said you made money. Good money."
"Yes."
"Cars?"
"Yes."
"Watches?"
He nods. "Rolex. Patek. A few others."
"Sell them," I say immediately. "Liquidate everything you can. Raise as much as possible."
He exhales. "It won't be enough."
"It doesn't have to be everything," I reply. "It just has to be something. You reduce the burden."
He nods slowly, thinking.
"And then…" I pause. This is where it shifts.
"Scarlet."
His head lifts slightly. "You said she was your ex."
"Yeah," he replies.
I keep my expression neutral. "Then talk to her."
He gives a small, tired laugh. "I already did."
My heart skips. Just slightly. But enough.
"Oh?" I say casually.
"Yeah. Today."
Something tightens inside me.
"What did she say?"
He shakes his head slowly. "She doesn't understand."
"Understand what?"
"This whole… change," he says. "Me leaving. Repenting."
Of course she doesn't.
"She thinks I'm confused," he continues. "Or going through something temporary."
I lean back, listening.
"She was actually pissed," he adds.
"Pissed?"
"Yeah. Because she thought we were going to fix things. Get back together."
Something dark stirs in my chest.
"She wanted that?" I ask before I can stop myself.
He nods.
"Yeah."
My jaw tightens slightly.
"And you?"
He exhales slowly. "I still love her."
There it is. That lands heavier than it should.
"But I know I can't go back," he adds quickly. "Not after today."
I nod slowly, masking everything happening inside me.
"That's understandable."
But inside? Something is burning. Because while he's talking about walking away from her… I'm thinking about how close he is to her. How easily he can reach her. How he can call her. Hear her voice. And I—
I've only ever watched her. From a screen. For years. And suddenly… that doesn't feel like enough anymore.
"She said I'm throwing everything away," he continues. "That I'll regret it."
"And what do you think?" I ask.
He looks down. Honest. Too honest.
"She's not a bad person," he adds. "She's just… deep in it."
I nod slowly.
"But you're not responsible for saving her," I say. "Focus on yourself first."
He absorbs that quietly.
"And if she truly cares," I continue, "she'll understand eventually."
"Yeah… maybe."
Silence settles again. But my mind is no longer on him. It's on her. Scarlet. She wanted him back. She's still in the industry. Still active. Still—
I stop myself. Focus.
"Zack," I say, pulling back. "We'll handle this step by step. You're not alone."
He nods, calmer now. "Thank you, Pastor."
I nod. But inside… there's nothing calm about me. Because this isn't just curiosity anymore. It's something else. Something deeper. Something dangerous.
And as I stand there, listening to him talk about her… About their past… About what she feels… One thought keeps repeating in my head. I don't want him to go back to her. I don't want anyone to. Because somehow… in a way I don't fully understand yet— I feel like she's mine.