𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡

P A R T 2

The secrets in the basements

A week had passed since Beyoncé had stumbled upon Mother Superior Onika Maraj in the garden, cigarette in hand. True to her word, she had told no one. The thought of betraying Onika's trust never even crossed her mind. Instead, the moment had forged a deeper, more personal connection between them, one that Beyoncé couldn't shake.

The days at St. Therese Convent continued with their usual rhythm of prayers, chores, and silence. Each novice had their own tasks, and this morning, Beyoncé had been assigned to clean the basement. The basement was a rarely visited, dimly lit space that smelled of dust and old wood, a repository for the convent's forgotten items.

As she descended the creaky stairs, a faint beam of sunlight from a small, high window illuminated motes of dust in the air. She sighed and set to work, sweeping the floor and wiping down surfaces. In the far corner, a stack of old, leather-bound books caught her attention. Curious, she approached and began to sift through them.

Most were religious texts, worn with age and use, but one book was different. Hidden beneath the others, its cover was plain, without a title or any indication of its contents. Intrigued, Beyoncé opened it, her eyes widening as she realized what she had found. It was a smut book, filled with explicit and passionate stories, the kind she had never encountered before.

Her heart raced as she flipped through the pages, the words both shocking and strangely captivating. She couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and embarrassment. How had such a book ended up in the convent's basement? And why did it draw her in so intensely?

Lost in the book, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching until it was too late. The sound of someone clearing their throat made her jump, the book slipping from her hands and falling to the floor with a thud. She turned to see Mother Superior Onika standing at the bottom of the stairs, her expression unreadable.

"Beyoncé," Onika said, her voice steady. "What are you doing down here?"

Beyoncé's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she hastily picked up the book and tried to hide it behind her. "I... I was just cleaning, Mother Superior."

Onika's gaze fell to the book, and she stepped closer, extending her hand. "Let me see that."

Beyoncé reluctantly handed it over, her heart pounding. Onika examined the cover, then opened it, her eyes scanning the first few pages. An inscrutable expression crossed her face before she closed the book and looked at Beyoncé.

"This is not appropriate material for the convent," Onika said, her tone measured. "Where did you find it?"

"It was just there, among the other books," Beyoncé replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Onika sighed, a hint of frustration in her eyes. "There are things in this world, Beyoncé, that can lead us astray, temptations that test our faith and resolve. This book is one of those things."

Beyoncé nodded, feeling a mix of shame and confusion. "I'm sorry, Mother Superior. I didn't mean to..."

Onika softened, her stern demeanor easing. "It's all right, child. You couldn't have known. But you must be careful, Beyoncé. Even in a place of sanctity like this, temptation can find its way."

As Onika turned to leave, she paused at the foot of the stairs. "I will take care of this book. Finish your task, and then join the others for morning prayers."

Beyoncé watched her go, a knot of conflicting emotions tightening in her chest. She felt both chastised and protected, aware that Onika's concern was genuine. But there was also something else...a shared secret, another layer of intimacy between them that neither could deny.

As she resumed her cleaning, Beyoncé couldn't help but think about the past week, about the moments when she felt Onika's eyes on her during vespers, and the unexpected vulnerability she had seen in the Mother Superior. The discovery of the book, and Onika's reaction to it, only deepened the complex bond between them.

Beyoncé finished her chores and headed back upstairs, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She knew she had to be more cautious.

___

The day had dragged on, but night finally fell over St. Therese Convent, bringing with it a stillness that settled heavily over the ancient stone walls. In their shared room, Beyoncé and her roommate Kelly were preparing for bed. The soft rustling of fabric and the quiet creaks of the wooden floor were the only sounds breaking the silence.

Beyoncé had been restless all day, her mind returning again and again to the book she had found in the basement. She had kept the incident to herself, but the need to confide in someone was growing stronger. As she climbed into bed, she glanced over at Kelly, who was reading by the dim light of a bedside lamp.

"Kelly," Beyoncé began hesitantly, "can I tell you something?"

Kelly looked up, her expression curious. "Of course, Beyoncé. What's on your mind?"

Beyoncé took a deep breath, then whispered, "I found a strange book in the basement today. It was... not like any book we should have here."

Kelly's eyes widened slightly, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What kind of book?"

Beyoncé hesitated, then said, "It was a smut book, full of explicit stories. I didn't even know such things existed."

Kelly's reaction was not what Beyoncé expected. Instead of shock or disapproval, Kelly gave a knowing smile. "You're not the only one, Beyoncé. I found one too, hidden in an old chest under my bed. I didn't tell anyone."

Before Beyoncé could respond, Kelly reached under her mattress and pulled out a small, worn book. She held it out to Beyoncé. "Here, take a look. I thought about getting rid of it, but I couldn't bring myself to. It's... intriguing."

Beyoncé shook her head, her pulse quickening. "No, Kelly. I don't think that's a good idea. We shouldn't be reading things like that."

Kelly shrugged, putting the book on her bedside table. "Maybe you're right. But if you ever change your mind, it's here."

The two girls settled into bed, but while Kelly quickly drifted off to sleep, Beyoncé lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The presence of the book in the room was a constant lure, whispering to her in the darkness. She turned on her side, trying to ignore it, but the temptation was too strong.

Quietly, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed to Kelly's side. With trembling hands, she picked up the book and returned to her own bed, pulling the covers over her head and turning on a small flashlight. She opened the book, her heart racing.

The stories were even more explicit than those in the first book she had found. Each word seemed to burn into her mind, awakening feelings she had never experienced before. Her breath quickened as she read, her body responding in ways that were both thrilling and terrifying. She felt a strange heat between her legs, a sensation that was entirely new to her.

Flipping through the pages, she discovered that the book was not only filled with provocative stories but also detailed sketches. The images depicted scenes of passion and intimacy, their raw beauty capturing her attention completely. She found herself mesmerized, unable to look away despite the guilt gnawing at her.

Hours seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, and before she knew it, the faint light of dawn began to creep into the room. Beyoncé quickly closed the book and slipped it back under Kelly's mattress, her heart pounding with the realization of what she had done. She returned to her bed, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and desire.

As she lay there, trying to calm her racing thoughts, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had crossed a line, one that she couldn't easily step back over. The stories and images from the book lingered in her mind.

Beyoncé knew that her faith and her commitment to the convent were being tested in ways she had never anticipated. And as she finally drifted into a restless sleep, she realized that the path ahead was more uncertain than ever, filled with temptations and desires that she was only beginning to understand.

___