Chapter 4

• Never said I was'
• Mariana's brows pulled together.
• "What gave you the right to be in such a place and pretend to be a priest?"
• He glanced her way, gaze lazy. "I came here for confession or isn't that what this place is for?" The most embarrassing thing about it was that she couldn't tell if he was mocking her or not. It was obvious he was. He had sat there pretending to be a priest while he listened to her embarrassing confession. His stare swept her from head to toe, burning her skin. But when his gaze met hers, watching her with hooded staring into-the-sun expression, waiting for a remark from her.
• They stared at each other. Mariana takes in his appearance. He was handsome and sexy. He had the kind of rugged good looks that belonged to outdoorsy men, like woodcutters. He was wearing an all black suit and a black leather glove. He wore black from head to toe.
• She swallowed. Black ink covered the left side of his neck. Warmth rushed through the pit of her stomach and spread through her like wildfire. His appearance gave her the expression that getting involved with someone like him would bring nothing but danger.
• "Yes, but you're not supposed to be in here. Someone like you shouldn't be in such a sacred place." She told him.
• He raised a brow. "Someone like me?"
• "Someone who isn't a priest." She replied, frowning.
• He let out an unamused breath before saying. "Are you angry with me because I listened to your confession?"
• Mariana's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. He got her right there. "Yes. And, because you pretended to be a priest."
• The smallest yet darkest smile pulled on his lips. "Guess I did. "
• Butterflies blew up in her stomach. That mischievous, wicked smile was the exact reason why most women like bad boys.
• Christ.
• She needed some air.
• He took a step towards her. His expression was serious, and truthfully, with this attraction spiralling out of control between them, dashing under her skin like electricity, she suddenly didn't have it in her to accuse or argue with him anymore.
• "I care less about your stupid confession."
• Her stomach tightened at his statement. She stared at him with her big eyeballs as she watched him take threatening steps towards her direction.
• "W...what do you think you're doing?" She stuttered, as she took a few steps back until her back hit the wall of the confession box. What was he trying to do? She hoped it wasn't what she was thinking.
• "Step aside." Marcello muttered with annoyance.
• "Huh?" Then she realised that she was actually blocking his way of leaving. "Oh, I... I'm sorry..." She said, smiling nervously as she stepped aside for him to leave and watch his back as he continued out of the confession box.
• Mariana finally released the breath that she had been holding for long.
• She stood on shaky legs, moving the curtain of the confession box out of the way. The priest who was supposed to take her confession was standing outside instead of the handsome stranger.
• She found it embarrassing that she told all that stuff to that man.
• Embarrassment flooded Mariana's face.
• How could she have told a stranger that she had dirty thoughts that led her into touching herself?
• Imagine words getting to her father about her confession.
• Oh, no.
• She tried to convince herself that there was no certain chance that she was ever going to meet that man again after this incident.
• She forced a smile. There is no big deal, right? It is not like he is a regular face in the church. It must be his first time coming here.
• And if by chance they meet again, he might have forgotten about meeting her and all that she had said in the confession box. He even said it himself that he cared less about her confession.
• She scoffed. Why should he care?
• As if it would make any difference if he did.
• "Mariana," Reverend John called and Mariana smiled.
• John Smith, a Reverend in the church and also Mariana's long-term crush. Tall, lean and charming was standing in front of her with a worried look. "Are you okay? You look pale "
• "I am fine. I'm just a little bit startled by something..." She said and gave a nervous laugh.
• It was foolish of her to have fallen in love with John, but it happened a long time ago.
• She started having a crush on him at the age of fifteen.
• She still remembered the day it happened. She had gone with her father to Reverend Smith's Villa for a function. John had been home and he'd been assigned to keep her entertained while her father and Reverend Smith had a business meeting before dinner. She had been in the home entertainment room, idly sitting when John came in.
• Her cheeks had literally turned red when he had come in. He had been so tall, lean and stagnantly handsome, with a charming smile that had travelled all the way to his eyes.
• "Hi, Mari." He was the only one who called her that and she loved it. She loved it when he called her name.
• "John," she called in a whisper.
• He came forward and patted her head. "My father said I should keep you entertained. Do you have any idea what I should do to keep you entertained?"
• "Play me the guitar." She stared at him, smiling.
• Gosh, when would he start noticing she had a crush on him.
• Mariana had watched him dreamingly while he played the guitar and sang a song. He is just too good.
• "Mariana," She was brought back to reality when she heard him call her name in a worried voice. "You don't seem fine to me. For a moment there, you looked deep in thoughts like something is making you feel bothered."
• "It's nothing, John."
• "Did your sister tell you about us? Is that what is making you feel bothered?"
• Us?
• What does he mean by that?
• Mariana stared at him, confused.
• "We're dating." He broke the bombshell to her and Mariana could feel her heart tightening. "I wanted to be the first one to tell you but I didn't know she already did."
• Her heart sank.
• "O...I...I think she did." She stuttered.
• How could Isabel have done this to her after knowing she really likes John?
• It's not like Isabel even liked John. She always said he wasn't her type.
• This must be Isabel's way of getting revenge on her.
• Isabel was Mariana's step younger sister and she sees Mariana as nothing but a competition even when she and her mother had already made Mariana's life a living hell.
• "I'm sorry, Mariana." John muttered under his breath.
• Mariana frowned. No wonder he was calling her with her full name.
• She raised a brow. "Why should you be sorry?"
• "Isabel told me that you had a crush on me ever since you were young and she didn't want to hurt you by getting in a relationship with me."
• Mariana's knuckles tightened. Isabel had gone too far by telling him about her feelings for him.
• "I have no idea about that." She forced a smile.
• She needed to get away from him as soon as possible. She didn't want him to see her shed a tear in front of him.
• "I need to get to my father's office. I will see you later." She rushed her words and walked away.
• While walking, a tear rolled down from her eyes to her cheek. She tried blinking back her tears as she used the back of her right hand to wipe the ones on her cheek.
• She knocked on the door of her father's office but there was no response.
• "Father, are you in there?"
• No response.