30 Days In Rome

Chapter 24

*a week later*

7 more days to go

"Go in peace. The mass is ended" the priest said

"Thanks be to God"

After the recessional hymns, all students left the chapel. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, nothing could go wrong

Annabelle and I linked our hands together as we exited the chapel and stepped into the warm breeze.

We spotted Jomar with his friends and waved to him. He grinned and waved to us back

"Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Sure is"

It was a week after the sex tape was leaked and I had completely forgotten about it with the help of John and my friends.

As we walked down, I overheard a group of girls talking

"Mr John's on the list"

"Really? He's getting ordained soon?"

"Yup. In a week"

I walked over to the notice board and checked the list for myself.

Right there, written in bold letters was his name. He was to be ordained in exactly a week from now

I felt heartbroken. Memories of our time together came crashing down like a pile of Lego building blocks.

It felt surreal

"Well, well, well" Cindy said suddenly appearing beside me "He's going to be taken by the Lord afterall. How do you feel?"

I feel pained

"Back off" Annabelle growled

"Oh! The side kick speaks"

"I'll show you what a side kick can do"

I held Annabelle's hands before she could do something stupid

"Good job Adams" Cindy said "Tame your dog before she does something she'll regret. You of all people should understand"

She flipped her hair and walked away

"Don't let her get to you" Annabelle said to me

I couldn't say anything because I felt him. I felt his presence without even seeing him. I turned to my right and caught him looking at me with knowledge in his eyes

He knew

He knew I had seen the list

My phone vibrated. I checked it. It was a message from him

He sent me an address and told me to meet him there

*

John's P.O.V

*knock knock*

'What?" I muttered as I got out of bed

"Shit" I swore blindly looking for a t shirt to pair it with my sweatpants. The loud sound of thunder did nothing to wipe away the sleep from my eyes. I yawned, making my way to the door.

I opened it

It was Ruby – rain soaked with a bad over her shoulder

I blinked like a deer caught in headlights. I didn't think she would actually come. She was dressed in a Harry Potter T shirt, black shorts and sneakers. Her beautiful hair was packed in a high ponytail. How could someone look so simple yet stunning.

Right there and then, I wanted nothing more than to press her wet body to mine and kiss her hard till her lips started to swell

"Do not give into temptation of the flesh. Go after the needs of the soul for that is the way into eternal life" the priest taught the seminarians today.

I have tried my best to be righteous but Ruby Adams is one temptation I cannot resist no matter how hard I try. I didn't even want to try

"Hi" she said "Can I come in?"

I'm such a fool. I got lost in my own thoughts leaving the poor girl in the rain

"I'm sorry. Please come in"

I shut the door when she entered. She looked around the living room

"This is a nice place" she complimented

She's the residents daughter for Christ's sake. She has probably seen better mansions than my cramped one bedroom apartment

"I thought seminarians were supposed to live on campus" she said

"I like my privacy"

She sat on the chair next to the fireplace. I went to my room and brought out a blanket to give her. I handed it to her and she wrapped it around herself.

"Thank you" she said

"Want some coffee?"

"No thanks"

I sat beside her. I didn't even know what to say

"I didn't know you liked Harry Potter" I said referring to her T shirt.

"It's my best movie"

"Oh"

Silence

"What are we doing?" she asked

'I don't know"

That is true. I don't know what we are doing. It started as a soon to be priest wanting to convert a lost soul but it turned out to be so much more. Now I am confused

"What we're doing is bad" she said

"It doesn't feel like that"

"You're going to be a priest soon"

"I" I took a deep breath "I know"

"And there's nothing I can do about it"

I have never felt an attraction so deep like this before but then, my mother's last wish on her deathbed was for me to become a priest.

Am I willing to throw it away just for a mere attraction? I have dedicated my life to serving the Lord and preparing to worship him for as long as I live but then again I wasn't expecting a blonde rebel to make me question my intentions.

She moved closer to me and rested her head on my shoulder. On impulse, I wrapped my arms around her in an attempt to bring her closer

I kissed her forehead softly

"I like you a lot" she said

"I like you a lot too"

No words were said in that moment. Why? Actions speak louder than words.

The only sounds that could be head were the loud pouring of rain, the ticking of the clock and the heartbeats of two hearts desperately aching to become one.