Love & The Bishop

Love & The Bishop Chapter 2: The Vatican

Walking into the Vatican was like a breath of fresh air to Enrico Maxwell. The place was his home, his heart, his love... Love. The word was as foreign to him as another language. He only had one love in his life and it was Catherine. Catherine Grimm enthralled the cold priests in ways he never knew were possible. From the way her narrow hips swayed when she walked, or the way her fingers would drag across his spine and when they walked by each other through the gardens... But that was no matter. She was gone now. She was gone because he was a fool... He choose madness over love and he knew that fine and well... Sighing, Enrico's spider like fingers reached up to remove his wire framed glasses. He had too much to do to worry about the plight of a silly woman. He had important duties to attend to, pressing matters of the Iscariot that absolutely did not involve Catherine. Enrico eagerly moved through the hallways of the Vatican, his long legs weaving through out pews and hallways. He never would have thought that he was able to fall in love. Catherine. God was that name music to his ears... It had been a few years now since she left. He didn't want to involve her in the Iscariot. It was too dangerous and he wouldn't have been able to live with himself if she would have got hurt. Sighing softly, Enrico moved to sit on the red plush of the pew, his fingers burying in his hair. He could remember telling Catherine to leave clear as day.

Enrico sat with his bare back to Catherine, who's petite sleeping frame was only a mere few inches from his own. He could feel her body heat radiate to him, warming him and his cold heart. Long, grey tresses hung loosely down his back as he turned to Catherine, who's arms had just made their way around his hips.
"Catherine..." Enrico's thick, Italian accent was soft, like morning sunshine. His hands gently placed over hers before he moved her hands entirely from his body.
"Enrico... Please.." Catherine knew that he was leaving her. French accented words were quiet and apprehensive. Enrico had committed a sin... He felt dirty, unclean. As if he had betrayed the Iscariot.
"Catherine. No." Enrico's voice was firm, as he stood, his shoulders squaring and his jaw clenching.
"You know the Iscariot is my life. I need it. And I do not need a woman distracting me from my mission to God."
Of corse Enrico was lying. He loved her more than anything.
"But... I thought I was your life..." Tears welled into the grey-blue hues of the woman as she tenderly reached out to him, before pulling back like a scolded animal.
Enrico froze, before he took in a breath and stared at her with cold eyes. "No. You aren't. You mean nothing to me."
He saw how the words stung her. Good... He didn't want her to love him, he didn't want her to get hurt. This was his final blow of fate.
Rocking on the balls of his heels, Enrico quickly dressed himself, staring over Catherine's perfect form one last time.
Catherine's light eyes were red, from tears which streamed down porcelain toned cheeks.
"Good-bye, Catherine..." Enrico hissed softly before turning and walking out her door, never returning again.

Enrico stared blankly at the floor, regret bubbling up inside of him. He could of had the world. He could of had a family, a wife... But he gave it up. He gave her up.
Grunting silently, Enrico stood and swiftly turned, making his way down the hall. Still lost within his mind, Enrico charged through the hallways, rounding a corner, he was stopped in his tracks. Not paying any mind to his surroundings, Enrico had charged straight into a beautiful woman, whom of which now laid crumpled on the floor. Enrico parter his lips to snap at the stupid whore before he froze. On the ground before him was his life.
His love.
The very air he breathed.
Catherine.