Love In The Shadows: Christian Romance

•Nine•

•Mistakes Vs Faith•

The next day at the church meeting, Eric stood before the staff members and addressed them about the events of the previous game night, which had turned into a complete disaster. He began, "I want to express my deepest apologies for what happened last night. My wife had too much to drink, and I take full responsibility as the pastor."

As Eric spoke, Pamela sat at the table, her gaze fixed on him. The staff members, appreciating his honesty, clapped their hands in understanding and support.

Pamela also rose to make an apology. She acknowledged her behavior and, in return, she offered her apology to Pastor Eric. 'I want to apologize for my actions. I should have shown more respect and decency, especially in church. Pastor Eric, could you please convey my apologies to your wife and let her know that I'm sorry? Maybe tell her to lay off the wine bottles when she's giving out the energy she doesn't want to receive."

Pamela sat down with a sly grin on her face and Eric continued with the meeting, dismissing Pamela together. After the meeting was dismissed, most of the staff members left the room. However, Eric and Pamela stayed behind, taking a moment to talk things over.

Eric began, with a serious tone, "Pamela you were out of line!"

Pamela replied, "So was your wife!"

Eric scoffed, "Don't do that Pamela, this ain't about her right now. It's about you."

Pamela sighed, "I could discuss my behavior all day, but remember that she's the one you're committed to, the one you return to every night. Confronting me as a single woman won't resolve the issues within your marriage."

Eric argued, "Don't talk to me about my marriage Pamela, right now it's not about that! It's about taking accountability for yourself too."

"Accountability?" Pamela asked, "Look who's talking, you see the one thing I hate about Pastors is they like to judge everyone off their mistakes. But they can't face their own!"

Eric replied, throwing shade, "I've read about women like you, they say you're a Narcissist. See you're trying to turn this around on me only because you don't want to admit when you're wrong."

Pamela exclaimed in frustration, "Don't forget the part where you slept with this Narcissist! You think you're perfect because you're a pastor, but deep down you're just like the rest of us. Pretending to be perfect when you fall on your shortcomings too."

Pamela continued, "You didn't defend your wife when I called her out. No, you just sat there like the sensitive weakling you are and witnessed everything happening. A real man would've defended his wife but what do I know? I'm just a mistress who got off on you once, and please don't tempt me because it can happen again."

Eric grew agitated, and said, "See and that's your problem now Pamela you're such a Jezebel!"

Pamela laughed out loud and replied, "A Jezebel is cute Eric. Real cute but, let's not pretend that you're any different than me."

"Is that right?" Eric asked.

"You know it is!" Pamela responded, "Your job isn't all that different from mine, Eric. We both profit from the people in this church every Wednesday and Sunday. You have them praising, singing, and hollering, while I make my money off the body God has gifted me. The only difference between us, Eric, is that you collect your money at the pew, while I get mine at the door."

"I think that is the saddest thing." Eric replied, "Unlike you, some people tend to grow out of their ways instead of living in a repetitive state that has kept them in the trenches. I am not a perfect man but I'm a progressing man and I try my hardest to stand by my beliefs. Starting with, not cheating on my wife anymore."