Page 28 of Sins and Virtue

The kitchen was the oldest part of the convent, dating back to the 15th century, so it had the classic Renaissance essence etched into the yellow sandstone cut walls elongated with curved arches and decorative tiles. Mixed in with updated granite countertops, a newly installed island, and wooden cabinetry. The place felt like a living piece of history.

Sister Francis stood still, assessing me in an all-black gown that fell to the floor, her white and black headset covering every inch of skin. Leaving it only to reveal her face.

“Good then.” She pressed her palms together in contemplation. “We must flower the cross beforehand, create wooden baskets for the children, and hang it in front of the church, enlist members of the community for a potluck to see who will cater and market local businesses. Finally, we have the Easter party, which includes the scavenger hunt and sunrise service.”

Anything else?I wanted to sass but knew it would only end in a disciplinary action for me, so I turned the other cheek.

Sometimes it felt like a public service, as they were exploiting my kindness for free manual labor. But on the other hand, if I wanted to free myself of my sins, I would have to be giving and selfless.

Especially for him.

For Ollie.

“Alright, Reverend Mother.” I amicably agreed, lowering my head. “I’ll just finish this and will help you.”

She slammed her hand down on the wooden-cloaked dining table, making Sister Marie jump in her chair. “I need you now.”

I gawked at her hand before raising my gaze to hers. “But I’m doing this at the moment since this Friday we are going into the town to hand them out.” I argued, my brows knitting together at her insolence.

“I tell you what’s important. You don’t get to question it.”

“I’m not. I’m simply saying I’ll get to it when I’m done.”

“You do something when I tell you to do it.”

“Blair—” Marie attempted to cut in, but I didn’t let her.

“You will wait. For I am busy, and you are no one to tell me what to do.”

“Mother, please forgive her because she doesn’t know what she’s doing.” Marie pleaded as she parted from her chair and put herself in between us like a barrier. Preventing us from dragging each other. Which younger Blair from six months ago would already be doing. Not caring who she was. You disrespect me, I disrespect you. Fair is fair.

Francis pinned her grey eyes at her as Marie automatically squealed and shut up. Her spiteful expression turned back to me. “How dare you?”

My glory, my patience, and whatever virtue I had went down the drain as I slowly stood up, the chair legs dragging against the cement as it made a screeching sound. Planting my palms on the table and looking her straight in the eye. “How dare you? Do you think you are God or something to be judging me? Last time I checked, you are not. You are another sinful, corrupted soul.”

Her mouth fell, horrified that I told her the truth. “You insolent girl!” She raised her hand, ready to strike, when Father Andrea came in and grabbed her hand back roughly.

“That’s enough, Mother!”

She gasped, shock bleeding into her eyes. “F-father, I was just—”

“I saw what you were doing, and I don’t like it one bit.” He scowled, and he scanned her up and down. He looked typically handsome as he did in his all-black buttoned robe pulled in with a similarly colored belt, a mantle draped across his shoulder, and a white collar tied around his neck. His hair neatly slicked back, with one loose strand curling like Superman’s.

“B-but, she started it.” She whined worse than a child.

And they say children are bad. Adults are a thousand times worse.

Father Andrea's sight moved to me as I sheepishly wanted to avoid him but only ended up lowering my head.

“Regardless of that fact, you know violence is never the answer!” He reprimanded her. “You better than anyone know that. Don’t you?”

She blinked rapidly, stuttering, “Y-yes, but—”

“Then why are you not leading by example? Have you not given your entire life to this purpose?”

She swallowed, the apples of her cheeks turning as red as beet as she stayed silent.

“Answer me!” He demanded, his voice husky and rough, and his loss of control conjuring a vein on the side of his neck. Well, absolutely a turn-on, as that reckless side of him that was unexplored, and, to be honest, the idea of turning a good man like him bad just made me aroused at the possibility.