THE TEMPTRESS

||Prologue||

•STEPHANIE•

I hate going to the cathedral for my confessions. It's not just because it's incredibly boring, but also because the confessional booth always gives me the creeps for some reason.

Father Joseph keeps assuring me that it's the safest place on earth, that nothing can harm me in that tight, dark room with the lattice opening and the closed curtain. He insists that I'm untouchable in there.

Honestly, I have serious doubts about anyone being safe in a confessional booth, even if it only feels that way for a moment. At twelve years old, I'm well aware that my family has connections with all sorts of 'bad' people, the kind who could storm into the cathedral with unstoppable force and pull a trigger before you even blink.

I know these things happen around me all the time, but my parents are super overprotective and hardly ever let me get caught up in such situations.

That's why I always have bodyguards tagging along wherever I go. It doesn't really bother me since they're just following standard safety protocols.

Right now, they're waiting outside this room while I'm about to start my confession with Father Joseph.

I'm catholic, which means my family takes these confessions and daily prayers very seriously. I can't even miss one.

I plop down on the hard, wooden stool and peer through the lattice opening, trying to make out Father Joseph's white cassock, which is barely visible from my side.

I can't wait to get home. I need to feed Sizzle, my cat, and get cracking on my homework. Even though this session usually drags on for an hour, it already feels like years, and we haven't even started.

I finally make the sign of the cross with my fingers and let out a sigh under my breath.

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been a week since my last confession."

I exhale a long sigh and start daydreaming about Sizzle at home instead of launching straight into confessing my sins like Father Joseph probably expects.

Sizzle loves tuna. I'll give her some tonight. And maybe, just maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll sneak some chocolate into my room without Mrs. Ray noticing.

Mrs. Ray is the head housekeeper. She also manages my meal plans at home and keeps an eye on my diet like a strict mentor. I can't stand her.

"Stephanie. Are you still with me, child?"

I snap out of my daze and try to remember what I'm supposed to do next.

"Uh, sorry... Father," I quickly apologize.

I got lost in my thoughts and forgot to move on with the confession. My attention span is a bit short sometimes.

My mom is going to give me a hard time if Father Joseph tells her I was distracted today.

"No worries, dear. Now, let's hear those confessions, shall we?"

"Right. Well, I kissed a boy last night at my friend's sleepover party. I know it's wrong because I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend until I turn eighteen. So, I hope God will forgive me for that."

I continue to list a few other "bad" things I've done over the past few days, keeping my voice low and neutral.

"I'm sorry for all these and for all my sins," I finish before lowering my head.

Oh, God, I hate this next part. When Father Joseph gives me advice as if I've depended on it my whole life.

After listening to Father's advice and thanking him, I grab my school bag from the floor and bolt out of the booth.