An Angel's Redemption

The Truth Be Told (Part 3)

     ~ Pip/Sophie's POV ~
' Allison, where is the Camerlengo? '
' I don't- '
' ALLISON! '
Paralyzed with fear, I was speechless. My heart pounded wildly. Patrick, help me.

~ Pat-Car/Patrick's POV ~

' ALLISON, WHERE IS THE CAMERLENGO?! '

Upon hearing that, I became worried.
' You heard that, Thomas? '
' Yeah. '
' Do we go in? '
' You go, Patrick. '
' Okay. '
  Thomas and I sat a bit far away from the door to my old office. When the Swiss guard walked away, I sneakily walked up to the door. I opened the door and went in. It was time.
   Robert looked at me and face-palmed. Seeing the Pope made my heart pound wildly. I looked over at Pip who was at the brink of tears. What did they do to you, Pip? Don't cry, please. Seeing her like that, made me a bit angry. I hated seeing her like that.
   ' Patricia...or whatever your name is, who told you that you can enter this room? '
   ' Myself. '
   The Pope cut in.
   ' What is your name, young man? '
   ' Patrick, signore. '
   ' Okay, Patrick. Tell me, why did you come into this room? '
    I looked at Pip.
   ' I have something important or rather, very important to say. '
    ' What is it? '
    I took a deep breath.

  ~ 3rd person POV ~

At first, Patrick could not believe that he could set his foot once more in this sacred establishment. It was as if he was in exile for the past week. Here he was again, in his old office. His changed appearance almost made him unrecognizable.
  ' I...I am the former chamberlain. '
  Robert and the Pope laughed hysterically.
  ' Are you sure you're the former chamberlain? As far as I can remember, the former chamberlain does not enter this church, looking as if he just rose out from bed or as if he just ran five kilometers on his way to the church. A lot of people has reported that they have seen the Camerlengo in the past few days. They even bring "him" to us. Some people want to claim that they are him...though it really isn't a pleasure to be him. ' Robert asked, laughing.
  A Swiss guard cut in.
  ' Or walked around with temptation next to him... ' The Swiss guard said, raising an eyebrow at Allison.
  Patrick did not take any offense. He liked his new appearance and Allison was not the definition of temptation. Hearing Allison being called "temptation", made Patrick a little angry.
   ' I have proof, Father. I can change my appearance, my accent and my residence but I am the former chamberlain, Carlo Ventresca. '
   Robert gulped. The ever-familiar conviction in his voice and his Northern accent started to resurface.
   Carlo held out his hands. His hands were full of burn marks and scars.
' I believe you're still not convinced. I can see it from your eyes, Father. '
A Swiss guard cut in again.
  ' A lot has been claiming that they are him, sir. It is very hard to believe you. '
    Carlo laid his hand on the zipper of his black sweater. The Swiss guard's eyes widened at the sight of Carlo slowly pulling down the zipper. Carlo did not even warn Allison who was a woman that he was about to take his jacket off. Carlo was actually wearing a shirt underneath his jacket, much to his relief.
   Without Carlo warning Allison, she knew what he was about to do.
  ' Carlo, do not strip here! Have you forgotten that you are in the Vatican?! '
' This is for validation, Allison. I won't strip. '
Robert cut in.
' Allison, you're playing this " Carlo " game too? '
  Allison did not reply. She looked away, avoiding to see the shirtless former chamberlain.
  Patrick was doing it for the sake of showing the brand mark on his chest but any hormone-driven woman might have found it a deliberate act of seduction. He was unaware of how he took off his shirt, slowly, as if taunting the person in front of him.
   A sickening scar of the intense branding revealed itself on his chest. It was surrounded with half-burned and almost shaved hair. Nobody could imitate this brand; two cross keys upside down. The Swiss guard fell back.
   Robert and the Pope covered their mouths with their hands. The man standing in front of them was the one and only former chamberlain and conspiracy plotter extraordinaire, Carlo Ventresca. Between Carlo's serious face and the dazed expressions of the people that stood in front of him, there was silence, to be broken by Allison's impatient remark.
   ' He's given you all the proof you need. Can you just believe that he's the former Camerlengo so we could end this open-shirt affair? Do you really want to spend a part of your life looking at someone's branded chest? '

  Carlo could not help but giggle. She continued.
  ' Father Carlo Ventresca, lead us not into temptation and put your shirt back on, please? '
  Carlo put his shirt back on, laughing. He covered his shirt with his jacket. He looked wholesome even when he was not in his black cassock.
  She could sense the worry in his face, the small sconces of light fell indirectly on his eyes, still shining even in anxiety. She laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it hard, reminding him to summon up his courage.
Be strong, Carlo. This is for our own good. He grabbed her hand from his shoulder and held it tightly. If needed, excommunicate; exorcise me from your life when I get excommunicated. If needed, forget that I ever became part of your life. You have such a kind soul, Allison.
  Allison could feel his hand turn to ice. They did not let go of each other's hand.
  The Pope eyed Carlo from head to toe. He could not recognize him due to his new appearance. He did not look into his eyes that could mirror any emotion which came out from Carlo. If the Pope were to do so, he would be seeing fear diffusing into contrition. The Pope was glad to see Carlo. He took Carlo into his arms but Carlo did not let go of Allison's hand. The Pope was surprised to find out that Carlo has survived his tragic ordeal; the ordeal with the oil lamp in the Vatican. The Vatican thought he was dead because of the sight of the oil lamp shattered on the floor and a few torn black pieces of Carlo's black cassock on the floor.
    He let go of Carlo. Robert was still dumbfounded. He just realized that he has been very rude towards the former chamberlain.
   ' I apologize for being rude, Father. '
   ' It is okay, Robert. I understand. '
   The Pope cut in and pointed at the couch.
   ' Please...sit down. '

  ~ Pat-Car/Carlo's POV ~

  Plan went well. Thank you, Father. I turned to face Pip. She was crying inconsolably. I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped her tears away. I faced the Pope.
  ' I am ready to face anything, Father. '
  ' You're dispensation is being arranged. You are going to be part of the laity soon. Your trial, I'm afraid, will be public. You still have your rights and if the public sees you as a menace to security, you are still treated humanely. Be ready, Carlo. Your trial will start next week. '
   ' Okay. Thank you, Father. '
  I did not let go of Allison's hand. I was at the brink of tears. I did not want to cry.
   Pip turned to face me.
   ' Remember what I said? '
   ' Come what may, we'll be there for each other. ' We said together.
   Robert and the Pope smiled upon hearing what Allison and I have just said.
   The Pope turned to face Allison.
   ' May I talk to you privately, Allison. '
   ' Yes, Father. '
   I let go of Allison's hand and mouthed the words " Good luck ". Allison and the Pope left the room, leaving me, Robert and a Swiss guard in the room.

  ~ Allison/Pip's POV ~

  ' Father, this is all my fault. If I have not saved him that night, this would not be happening. '
  ' Allison, I believe that saving lives is a noble act. We all deserve second chances and you gave Carlo this opportunity that he sorely needed. Even with the stigma cast by what a person does, the need to save outweighs the reputation. '
   ' Thank you, Father. '
   ' No. Thank you for being such a kind soul. ' 
He continued.
    ' I know that Carlo is extremely worried about you and he is not even afraid of what is to happen to him but he is afraid for you. Do not worry, you will be under the Vatican's protection. Does Carlo stay with you at your house? '
    ' Yes, he does. '
    ' Might I suggest that when his trial starts, he is to stay here at the Vatican? '
    ' If it is for the best, okay. I will still be able to see him, right? '
    ' Yes. Absolutely. Any time that you want. '
    ' Thank you, Father. '

    We ended our conversation and entered the room. Carlo ran up to me and hugged me tight. I hugged back and cried on his shoulder.
God bless us, Carlo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for late upload. Was really tired yesterday. Hehe. I hope you enjoy today's chapter! :) have a great day :)

  That ends " The Truth Be Told" ;)