Corruption - Rafe Cameron

chapter four

The next morning, you were in the car with your mother on the way to mass. She kept glancing over at you. You thought there was something on your face or something of the sort.

"Is something wrong, mother?" You asked.

"No, nothing. You just seem more excited than usual to go to church." She pointed out as she looked back at the road in front of her.

Your eyes widen momentarily, "I just... feel like I've been connecting with God on another level lately, mother." You answered, lying through your teeth and immediately regretting it. You couldn't pass this off as anything other than what it was: a lie.

"That's great, sweetie." Your mother said with a smile as she looked ahead.

You looked out the window. I'm sorry, God. I'm sorry for lying using your name. I'm sorry.

When we arrived in the church parking lot, your mom and you got out of the car after she parked and started to head towards the entrance. As you were walking, you saw Rafe getting out of that familiar car of his and heading towards the church entrance as well. He immediately saw you, specifically, saw you looking at him, and he gave you a discreet nod of acknowledgment as you blushed and looked away, following your mother up the steps and inside.

She led you to a row she wanted to sit in and the both of you made your way to the center of the seat and sat down. You were simply people-watching as you waited for mass to start when you saw Rafe sliding into the row behind you and sitting directly behind you. Your cheeks heated up as you looked down at your lap.

The whole mass, you were completely distracted by the fact that Rafe was directly behind you while your mother sat beside you, unaware of what was going on between him and you. Eventually, it came time to receive the Eucharist. You stood and followed after your mother as she left the aisle. You hadn't realized Rafe getting in line behind you. That was until you felt a small pinch on your hip. You glanced back and made eye contact with him as he looked down at you, raising his eyebrows a little momentarily. You smiled to yourself as you turned forward again, looking down as you tried your best to conceal your smile.

You received the body of Christ and put it in your mouth, letting it melt down on your tongue a little as you made your way back to your seat where you saw your mother kneeling down and beginning to pray. You slowed down a little without even thinking about it as Rafe walked away from the priest after receiving the body of Christ as well. He walked closer to you and noticed you slowing down a little for him.

He looked down at you, amused by your involuntary need to be near him. You were so hooked already. He was too, especially after seeing how much you seemed to like him. Maybe even love him.

You went into your respective row and kneeled down on the kneeler to pray but your mind was racing with thoughts of the man currently kneeled down behind you. He wouldn't escape your thoughts and you didn't want him to. You hadn't realized how much you were beginning to drift from the things you had found so valuable.

After mass, as always, everyone gathered outside and talked for a bit before leaving. You were standing with your mother as you waited while she spoke to a woman. You were just waiting to leave when suddenly, Rafe approached you and your mother, and suddenly your heart was nearly pounding out of your chest. Your mother looked at him with a small smile as he spoke first.

"Hello, ma'am. You're Y/m/n Y/l/n, right?" He asked my mother.

"Yes, sir." She nodded.

"I'm Rafe Cameron. I'm from here but uh, moved away for a while." He told her.

"Oh, yes. I knew your mother. I'm very sorry for what happened. I prayed she made it to heaven for a while after she passed on." My mother said and you furrowed your eyebrows a bit. Why would she have to pray for her to go to heaven? You didn't understand.