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[size=20pt]THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS THREAD ALIVE.[/size]. [size=20pt]CHAPTER 15!!!



Hannah ensnared!!!![/size]

Tummyyoung, Nancywealth, kingDELE, repogirl, PrettySpicey, Blessinzy, Flakkydagirl, Nancydearie, ellahzy, Smallville10, saraphina,repogirl, Nancydearie, ritababe, obianuju95, nekanzee, osman1996, nancywealth, aprilwise, missmossy, mubzay, morsadh, nabla, shakyroh320, randyblincks

morsadh:
#Kashimawo. God please, deliver Hannah from the evil machinations of Blessing and Emeka.

what abt James?

[size=20pt]CHAPTER 14[/size]


After Sarah and Bukky were dismissed by the Pastor, they both walked together in silence to the main auditorium for different reasons best known to each one of them. For Sarah, she was merely going there to wait for Blessing- they had unfinished business, but Bukky just wanted a quiet place to talk. She wouldn’t allow this moment to pass before asking Sarah what she deserved for her part which she believed she had played well.


Immediately Bukky saw that Sarah was seated alone, she went over to her side and sat silently.


“You know we’re not supposed to be seen together.” Sarah said quietly. “Let’s meet at my place.”

“You see,” Bukky began, “that is exactly where the problem lies. You don’t have a place.”

“How do you mean?”

“How do I see you? People said you were ill, that was why you haven’t been in Church. Some said you travelled.”

“So, what is the point?” Sarah asked confused where she was going.

“Well, it means you cannot be trusted. How do I know I will meet you at home?”

“Listen, come see me this evening, okay?”

She chuckled and scoffed, “no, give me what I want now. The time frame between now and the evening is enough time for you to vaporize.”

“Listen, Bukky, I don’t have it here, okay?”

“What do you mean you don’t have it here? It’s just a phone number! I asked you before going along with the plan if you’ve gotten what I demanded for when you came to my house and ask to help you today, you said yes, now, you’re saying you don’t have it again? Now you see what I meant by…”

“Stop this!” Sarah stopped her. She looked around quickly to be sure no one was hearing them because Bukky was getting lousy about this. “See, you need to…”

“Don’t, don’t, okay?” Bukky interjected.

“Don’t even tell me to lower my voice. This is on you if it blows.”

“Okay, okay,” Sarah forced a smile, “calm down. You don’t even want to hear me out?”

Bukky sighed, she looked away, “Sorry, go ahead.”

“Hey, can we do this later? I mean…”

“No!” Bukky said sternly. “Listen…”

“No, you listen to me,” she stopped her and gestured with her eyes towards the altar. Bukky looked in that direction and saw both Blessing and Hannah talking. They’ve just finished with the Pastor. “I don’t want them to see us talking. They might begin to suspect that we both planned this.”

“That is not my problem, Sarah. I will come see you in the evening. I better meet you or I will meet with the Pastor.”

“You will meet me at home!” Sarah said between clenched teeth.

It is apparent she has bitten more than she can chew. Bukky stood on and dragged her feet along. Sarah watched her leave. As she turned around to check the two ladies who were talking, they were already upon her; Blessing held Hannah by her hand like a good Sister.

“Like I told you, you can’t blame Sister Sarah for looking for her lost phone. And if you insists the condoms were planted, we will get to the bottom of this, okay?” She was talking to Hannah.

“Okay, Ma. Thanks for everything.”

Hannah said and made to leave. She locked her eyes with Sarah who has been staring at her. She hissed as she passed by her. Sarah shook her head and smiled. She watched her exited the building. She stood up and walked towards Blessing, folded her arms and smiled,

“Thanks for everything?” Sarah mimicked Hannah’s voice.

Blessing rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

“If only she knew you were the devil here,” Sarah said to Blessing.

“And what does that make you, an angel?” Blessing countered.

“I still don’t get it, I mean, why are you doing all these? I got Mr Eric’s part, I…I don’t know why you ousted Sister Joy, though, I understand mine too, but her, Hannah, she’s practically harmless to you or your ambition.”

“You don’t have to understand, the Church of God needs to be purged of all atrocities and their incessant perpetrators.”

Sarah’s face lit up and she laughed loudly. Blessing watched in silence, expressionless until suddenly, she looked like she saw a ghost with her serious countenance. She cleared her throat,

“The Coordinator is coming,” she said. “Let’s go, we can talk on our way home.”

Sarah glanced backwards and saw him standing at the entrance, “Oops, you’re right. Let’s go,” she whispered.

They picked their bags and hurried along. The Coordinator wasn’t even worried about them; he was more worried about how not to lose his position.

“So, why were you laughing?” Blessing asked once they were far from the Church premises, walking home.

“What? When?”

“When I said the Church needs…”

“Oh, that?” She started laughing again. Blessing watched her like she was confused.

“You know this is funny, right?” Sarah asked.

“How?”

“How? Are you asking how? Seriously, if you think the Church needs to be purged, what happens to you?”

“What do you mean by that?” Blessing asked. She stopped Sarah and made her face her, “Listen, you may think I am evil here…”

“You are evil,” Sarah calmly cut in.

“Then I am a necessary evil,” she said. “You all need to be purged from the Church of God.”

“You first, Blessing.” Sarah replied.

“The Church needs people like me.” Blessing stood her ground. “People who will make those decisions the Pastors are afraid to make. Who could believe the Pastor wasn’t aware that that dog and that bitch were having an affair.”

“If you’re talking about Brother Ade and Hannah, I don’t think you have a proof.”

“My instincts don’t lie.”

“Oh, yeah? I pretty much doubt that.”

“You shouldn’t. For example, I always knew you were a prostitute, unfit for the role of a leader in the Church of God.”

“I beg your pardon!” Sarah was offended but had little or no choice.

“Please don’t. You disturbed the sleeping dog.”

“Okay, what about Sister Joy? She was practically harmless!”

“Well, my instinct doesn’t agree with that. Besides, since you, the Church-daughter is a prostitute…”

“Was,” Sister Sarah corrected. “And please, stop using that word.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. But like I was saying…”

“It’s…it’s enough, okay? I get it. Let’s forget about this. I’m sure I did my part, I am free now, right?”

“Yeah…I guess so.” She replied. “But wait, I…I am sure all these aren’t connected with that fat thing?”

“What fat thing?”

“Bukky.”

“Oh, that. Well, indirectly.”

“What do you mean ‘indirectly’?”Blessing asked. “You shouldn’t have been near her at all!"

“Are you serious? You asked me to plant a condom, I need to look for a way to make it work, remember?

“You should be smarter than involving Bukky.”

“I see,” she scoffed. “You wanted me to lose my phone, check the bags, and find the phone at the same time? No, I am smarter than that. Besides, who else do you think is dirty to have agreed to play that part?”

“Anyone but Bukky will do,” Blessing insisted. “What is in it for her? How did you made her agree to do it?”

“Well, you’re not the only smart ass, are you? I simply lied that I will connect Jackson and her?”

“What? Jackson and… and…her?” Blessing asked unbelievably.

“I know. Jackson won’t even agree to shake her hands.”

“Then why did you do it, knowing you couldn’t give her what she wanted? I thought you said you’re smart?” Blessing scoffed.

“Bukky won’t do Jack. She’s in this thigh deep as much as I am. She won’t rant about this. She is part of this. So, if I am going down, she will too.”

“And you think she cared about going down? The fatty has no friends; she will gladly go down as long as she takes someone along.”

“Some people, not someone,” Sarah corrected.

“What do you mean?”

“If she rats, which I hope, for our sake, she doesn’t, then they will ask why I did it, and I will tell them why.”

Blessing was silent; both of them looking like a lost sheep.

“You got to do something,” Sister Mary broke the silence.

“You are the smart one, think about something,” Blessing replied Sister Mary, loud enough for Sarah to hear.

“I thought you just said I wasn’t smart,” Sarah said, thinking Blessing was talking to her. “And now you are saying I am the smart…”

“I wasn’t talking to you, dumbass.” Blessing brought her to size.

“Oh…then think about something.” Sarah said with contempt.

“Well, I have,” she smiled. “Tell Bukky that you found out that Jackson has HIV or some disease, and then hook her up with Johnson. Johnson probably will do a pig if he sees one; he doesn’t have a taste. He chases anything in a skirt. And our little miss piggy will agree; she is probably just sex starved. Go talk to Johnson; I will inform him you are coming.”

Sarah sighed, “Thank God ,” she placed her hand on her chest. “I think that will work.”

“I know you are smart,” Sister Mary complimented her lover who answered back,

“Of course, I am.”

“What?” Sarah asked.

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sarah asked, puzzled. “Do you talk to yourself now?”

“Go clean your mess and stop worrying about us,” Blessing goofed again.

“Us?” Sarah asked, now bewildered.

“Have a nice time, Sarah.” She answered evasively and swaggered away.

Sarah watched her in a confused state.



********************


On her way home, Blessing picked her phone and called Emeka’s number, it didn’t ring much before he picked up,

“Hello, honey, you good?”

“The test is three weeks’ time; you need to talk to your boy to do something before that time or we don’t exist anymore.”

“Relax, it will happen.” Emeka said confidently.

“Then until it does, I’m sorry I can’t see you.”

“Don’t do this, Blessing. I have missed you so much. It’s been long since we…”

“Then tell James to hurry up, or it will be forever.” She replied and hung up.



*********************


James’s disconnected Emeka’s call and he became uneasy. He doesn’t know how to explain again that Hannah abides by her rule of not coming over to his place or meeting in the lonely places again. She said she wanted to keep herself holy till she got married. She has been like that since her promotion to the main Choir. Now, Emeka said he has two weeks more or the group comes hard against him. He wouldn’t want that. He picked his phone up and called Hannah, the response was expected,

“James, I’ve told you to come see me in my Sister’s house or we meet at the plank as usual. I already…”

“I know what you said, baby, but you need to understand that it hasn’t been easy…”

“If you’re ready to see me, baby, you know what to do. I am not coming over,” Hannah insisted.

“But…”

“See, James, I have a vocal practice, can we talk later?”

“I…”

“Please, baby,” she interjected with a baby-like voice, more like sexy-like.

“Okay,” James gave in, “call me after the….”

“I will, I will. I love you.” She blew a kiss and disconnected.

James threw away his phone so hard he didn’t mind if it got broken. He looked at the sleeping drug he had purchased from the store earlier. He fiddled with it for a while. He let it slid from his palm to the floor and buried his head in his hands. He started to cry.



END OF 14

[size=20]CHAPTER 13[/size]

The Pastor was on the phone, chatting distinctly like he doesn’t want anyone to hear him. He tapped the butt of his pen on the table as he did so. Any sane individual could see that he was unhappy. The room was dead silent except for his mumblings, the creaky sound of the ceiling fan which swung in slow-motion, and the audible gentle sobs of Hannah who sank on her heels in a half-kneeling position. Her eyes were swollen, red and she looked very ugly. Blessing would deliberately swipe a glance at her and shook her head; this made Hannah wailed more.

Sister Sarah stood behind Sister Blessing where she sat with leg crossed in front of the Pastor’s table, the Coordinator by her side, seated comfortable in the second and last chair available in the office. Sister Bukky, the one who just found the missing phone leaned on the wall, near to the door with arms crossed. Everyone was silent, everywhere was dead. After a while that seemed would not end, the Pastor dropped the receiver. Everyone was on their toes, hairs standing in anticipation.

“First of all,” the Pastor began as he dropped his call, “I don’t want to believe all these are happening. How can these be happening in this Church, under my watch? He shouted and slammed his palm on the table.

Everyone jerked. It was scary to always see the Pastor in such a mood.

“Sir…”

“Please, Mr Coordinator,” he interjected him as he wanted to speak, “this is a slap on your office. I hope you know that?”

“I’m sorry Sir.”

“Sorry?” He scoffed. “Sorry doesn’t even begin to describe how disappointed you must be. This lady here,” he pointed to Hannah who quickly knelt straight, “is part of your member. The same ones I expected you to screen properly before…”

“I did…”

“You did? You think you did? This was the same one you were vouching for to be an assistant to Sister Blessing, isn’t she?”

“Sir…”

“Please, enough!” He shouted him down.

Blessing lets out a scornful chuckle as Brother Ade opened and closed his mouth.

“What is funny here?” The Pastor turned to Blessing who was definitely taken by surprise. “Were you not the same one who came here just this week to tell me you have accepted Hannah as a Church-daughter to you, as our usual practice in this Church for a leader to groom a potential leader?”

“But…” she tried to speak but the Pastor cut in again.

“But you refused to pray and look thoroughly before you decided to accept …”

“But you didn’t believe me when I said she and him,” she turned angrily to the Coordinator, “were having sexual…”

“I beg your pardon!” The Coordinator sprung up from his seat.

Hannah also sprung up from her knees to protest, and Blessing started to laugh,
“You think I didn’t know?” she asked with a dead face.

“I swear to God Ma, that wasn’t true. I…we never did such…such a thing.” Hannah stammered on.

“And yet, used and unused condoms were found…”

“Sir, it wasn’t mine, I swear to God.” Hannah cried aloud again, cutting the Pastor short on his words. She wasn’t afraid of anything more that her parents hearing this.

“Sir, Sir, you really need to do something about this…this…this thing and her rumours. I can’t take this anymore!” The Coordinator was talking about Blessing.

“Of course, you will not take this anymore,” The Pastor replied him in anger. “You have obviously failed in your office and you are… you are just like a waste of space here, right here!” The Pastor shouted at him.

“But…”

“There is no ‘but’, Brother Ade.”

“But this is just a lie from…from this Jezebel!” He finished his statement.

“Watch your tongue, Brother Ade. Can you even hear yourself speak in such languages? Using these foul languages on her? And funny enough, she has proven to be wiser by keeping quiet and watching you dug your grave deeper.”

“I am sorry Sir.” He calmed down.

“Even the Bible says that a fool is thought wise if he could hold his tongue. You are…” he shook his head, “I don’t know…I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry Sir,” the Coordinator maintained. He clamped his hands to his back like a good child.

“You,” he turned to Bukky, “where and how did you found the missing phone?”

“Sir…” she wanted to begin.

“Please, I have a meeting my four o clock, forget the pleasantries.”

“Okay. I went to wash my face at the bathroom when I saw…”

“And did you go to the bathroom?” He asked Sarah who nodded as a ‘yes’.

“So, you agree that you did forget it there, right?”

“Yes, Sir. I…”

“That’s all I need. Both of you should go. Thank you.” He clapped them away and watched them leave his office.

After a long silence, he turned to the Coordinator, “I will get to the bottom of this; be assured of that.”

“Sir…”

“You heard me,” he said firmly. “And you,” he turned to Hannah; you disgraced not only me but your parents and Christ in heaven!”

“Ha!” She shouted. “Sir, this is all…”

“Sir,” Blessing spoke after a long silence, “she…Sister Hannah said she is a virgin. So, this…”

“She…she said so, again?” The Pastor asked.

“Well, I …em….I don’t know if she already told you that…”

“She did,” the Pastor said. “Once when there was this trouble about the accusation….but,” he changed the subject, “I doubt that already.”

“Well, Last week, before I came to see you this week about accepting her as my Church-daughter, I talked to her about how it will be the best for her to shun all sexual sins if she has to take on the mantle of leadership and she said she was a virgin.” She shrugged and looked at Hannah who nodded in agreement.

“This is serious,” the Pastor stood akimbo, confused.

“If that was so, and you know this, why were you keen on tarnishing my image?” The Coordinator shouted at Blessing in anger.

“That was because ever since she has told me, she has always left your school late into the nights; something that wasn’t happening before.”

“Is that that true?” The Pastor asked.

“Sir…”

“I was talking to her, please.” The Pastor interjected the Coordinator.

“Yes, Sir.” Hannah replied in a low voice.

“Why?” The Pastor asked in a whisper.

“He…he only attends to me only when the other students have left.”

The Pastor buried his hands in his head. He gave a very loud sigh.

“Sir…Sir…” the Coordinator started.

“You got something to say to that, right?” The Pastor asked him.

“Yes, Sir. It was all because she was to be groomed separately and…”

“Brother Ade,” the Pastor called his name slowly.

“Yes, Sir.”

“You are suspended until all investigations are concluded.” He said calmly.

“What?” He said. “Sir, this is all a mistake.”

“Yes, you are right. It was a mistake because I thought a male Coordinator will fare better than the fallen females that their scandalous stories have refused to leave as a suffix to the name of this Church each time this parish is mentioned. And now…and now…”

“Sir, this is all a lie. I told you…”

“You are suspended. And that is pretty much all I have to tell you.” He repeated. “You, Hannah...”

“Yes, Sir.” She answered in tears and violent sobs.

“I don’t even know where to start with you.”

“Can I suggest something, Sir?” Blessing asked.

“Go ahead, please.”

“We could ask Doctor Abigail to conduct a virginity test on her so….”

“Yes, yes, I will do that. I will do that, Sir.” Hannah jumped at the suggestion.

It seemed her only way out. The Pastor was surprised and confused altogether.
“You will?” He asked with a frown.

“I will Sir, I will.” She repeated faster.

“Are you sure about this or we should just…”

“Sir, I am sure. I am a….”

“Hold that please” the Pastor halted her before she could say the word ‘virgin’ again. “You already made this claim before. We shall know that later,” the Pastor said. Brace yourself; Deacon Abigail is not going to be back until three weeks’ time. I am sure you all know that. She announced that herself last week. So, I guess we could all wait for her.”

“Thank you, Sir.” They all chorused. The Coordinator’s voice was louder that it caught the attention of the Pastor. Something the Coordinator wanted.

“You, Brother Ade, in your own case, even if you ever passed this sexual scandal test, your position will still be reviewed based on your gross incompetency .”

“Ha.” He said.

“Yes; and that means you may not return back as the Coordinator again if anything as a speckle is found on you.”

“What? Sir?”

“Yes, you heard me. In fact, since Sister Blessing has proven to see far ahead of you, I might have to reconsider the position of a Choir Mistress!”

“Yes!” Sister Mary clenched her fist. “We’re getting there!” She whispered to Blessing who was trying not to betray her emotion. She smiled back at her dead lover, “of course,” she said, inaudibly.

“But, Sir…” Brother Ade wanted to say, but he was stopped again by the Pastor who raised his arm.

“That is all. You can leave now.” He waved them out. “I have a meeting by four. Thank you all.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Blessing and Hannah said.

“Thank you Ma,” Hannah said to Blessing as they were about to leave.
“Don’t mention it,” she smiled back. “I believe you won’t disappoint me when Doctor…”

“I swear Ma, I’m a virgin. I will gladly subject myself to the test.”

“Good.” She replied her and they all exited.

The Pastor watched that little scenery between these two ladies and he was proud of Sister Blessing. As he watched them leave, he realized the Coordinator was still inside his office.

“What are you still waiting for?”

“Sir…”

“Please, leave my office. This meeting is over.” He didn’t even look up as he flipped through his big bible. He didn’t look up until he heard the door closed. He lowered his reading glasses to his nose with a frown,
“Pervert,” he said and hissed.


End of 13

[size=20pt]THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS THREAD ALIVE.[/size]. [size=20pt]CHAPTER 13 & 14[/size]

Tummyyoung, Nancywealth, kingDELE, repogirl, PrettySpicey, Blessinzy, Flakkydagirl, Nancydearie, ellahzy, Smallville10, saraphina,repogirl, Nancydearie, ritababe, obianuju95, nekanzee, osman1996, nancywealth, aprilwise, missmossy, mubzay, morsadh, nabla, shakyroh320

mubzay:
No P's. I wish d pastor will see beyound d circumstances cuz its too obvious. Blessing just accused hannah and cozordinator, hannah swearing to her V and now box of cds with used ones in her bag. Who does that? Only guys keep used cds n not ladies.
Am enjoying d story.

lol
Actually, no one keeps a used condom, except the fetish ones.


I am using a negative protagonist who doubles as an direct antagonist. That is: Sister Blessing. So, it's easy to guess who the culprit is, and it build up the thrills. But, whether Hannah is actually a protagonist, you will have to wait till the end

mubzay:
Oh Lord av mercy! The pastor is deviod of spiritual eyes, if not holy spirit shud av ministered to him.
To be frank, God is not in that church. I pray hannah gets divine victory. Its obvious blessing is at work but d pastor won't see it.

thanks miss. We shall knw this by tomorrow. I hope to see ur comment.

Thanks for the comment guys...it's really encouraging.

Next update soonest

morsadh:
Abeg when would the next chapter be out? Waiting like kilode

Cc. Oludare007

chapter 12 is out already Sir. Chapter 13 on Tuesday

Shakyroh320:
kip it up bro,more MB to ur sim

thanks dear...Chapter 12 is out!!!

[size=25pt]CHAPTER 12[/size]


THREE WEEKS’ LATER

The day was a Sunday, and as usual, the Choirs converged at the basement for their morning rehearsals and prayers. There was nothing unusual about the ritual except the presence of Sarah, a fugitive whom no one, except Blessing knows why she has been running from the Choir. Everyone was on her, but she was already armed with a perfect lie as a backup for her sudden disappearance.
At the gallery, since the service hasn’t started, during the morning rehearsals, most Choir members charges their phones there. But this faithful Sunday, something unusual happened, that was different from the presence of Sarah. After the morning rehearsal, Sister Sarah announced a missing phone.

“Maybe you didn’t bring it along. Have you tried calling your line? You may have forgotten it at home?” Rucks suggested.

“Sister Rucks,” Sarah called her, “I clearly said I was charging my phone at the gallery, and you’re talking about me ‘forgetting it at home’?”

“I’m sorry, but that was just a suggestion. By the way, I didn’t think anyone actually came up here after…”

“Well, since you seem to know this much, kindly explain how I got my phone missing. Look at the charger here,” she dangled it in her face and threw it at her feet. Rucks was taken aback by the sudden outburst.

“I didn’t say you didn’t bring your…”

“Well, you said that.” Bukky came in.

“And you said it right there,” she maintained and pointed to her previous position.

“Oho,” Sarah said, folding her arms.
There was silence, and the aura was tense. There were about six members of the Choir who had either come to the gallery to collect their phones or feed their ears. Eventually, they decided to go meet the Coordinator in his office.

“I don’t know what I can say to this,” he said, leaning back on his chair. “This is just embarrassing; I just hope this won’t get to the Pastor. And that is only if you guys behave as adults.”

“You mean to say if the thief returned the stolen phone?” Sarah asked with a scoff. The Coordinator nodded.

“You know that is not possible,” Sarah countered again. “Who do you think will return a stolen phone? Think about the embarrassment. She would rather not do that…”

“She?” The Coordinator interjected with a chuckle. “You can’t be sure the founder will be a she. We can’t say we are looking for a thief, we should rather say we misplaced it, and will appreciate whoever found and returned it.”

“I didn’t misplace my phone, and the thief is not a founder, a thief is a thief! Besides, the male members, just three of them anyway, went straight to the podium to arrange the musical instruments. None of them was upstairs. The thief is definitely a she!”

“So, who are you suspecting?”

“Sir, I am suspecting no one.”

“So, what are you suggesting then?”

“We search the bags.”

“Come on, that is embarrassing. We need to find another way…”

“There is no other way, Sir. And I got to do this before the Sunday school starts or else…”

“It is okay, it is okay, Sister Sarah.” The Coordinator said and checked his wristwatch. “It’s almost time for the Sunday School. You have just fifteen minutes to do that. I don’t want the Pastor to meet us in this mess.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Sarah said, and exited the Coordinator’s office. At the entrance, Bukky was waiting for her.

“So, what did he say?” She asked as they walked towards the Choirs’ area.

“He wanted me to check your bags,” She replied without stopping.

As they emerged inside the main auditorium, Bukky clapped her hands to gain the attention of the other members. Sister Bukky, a lousy dirty lady who was always left alone due to her incessant gossiping. She is fat, had no friends, not even Blessing was her friend. And she wasn’t alone because she was fat, but because she was always nosy, dirty, cheeky and lousy.

“We are here to catch the thief who stole…”

“Enough please,” Sarah stopped her.

“There is no ‘we’, okay?”

Bukky sighed and sullenly walked through the ambulatory to join the rest of the members standing in front of the altar. The members all converged afar and watched as Sarah went into the Choir stalls and started ransacking the bags- one after the other. The males watched in silence, each one whispering. The suspense was all upon them, and as each bag was picked, hairs were raised in anticipation, and as each one was dropped, people sighed.

“I told her she didn’t bring her phone to Church, I saw her when she came in. she didn’t even bring a bag,” Rucks said again.

“You can’t be sure of that,” Bukky countered again. “Are you scared?” She asked Rucks, half smiling.

“Scared of what? “For your information, my bag has been checked, I don’t think yours has.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Sister Rucks, she just dropped my bag too.” Bukky said with a smirk.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Blessing came in. “This is a total embarrassment and a shame. There is nothing to be proud of here. A colleague just came back after a brief illness and all you welcomed her with was to steal her phone.”

“She said she travelled,” Michelle said, calmly with folded arms.

“What?” Blessing asked, puzzled.
“Sister Sarah said she travelled.” She repeated herself.

Everyone was silent. Blessing looked uneasy and hated Michelle for making her look stupid in front of the others. Michelle continued,

“You said she was sick, but when I asked her, she said she travelled. That was why she hasn’t been around the…”

“Why don’t you just shut your mouth and start living on facts?” Blessing snorted angrily, and the members gasped. “Did you visit her at all to know if she just told you she travelled just to keep you off her tail? I mean, everybody knows you are nosy….and proud!”

Bukky whistled and scratched her head. She looked at Michelle with a squint.

Michelle replied Bukky,“you know, that was why you had no friends!”

“I beg your pardon!” Bukky fought back. “Now, because you were able to get a job with a multinational company, courtesy of the tool between your legs, didn’t give you the permission to just talk to me that way. I wasn’t even the one who said you were nosy and cheeky. I was just a mere observer in all this matter.”

“The truth is, being my leader in this Choir, and being older than I am, coupled with the fact that I was also well brought up, I will not insult you,” Michelle said to Blessing who was expecting trouble.

Blessing hissed. She never liked Michelle for all the reasons she has refused to admit. She is beautiful, brilliant, has a good job, dresses nicely and she live large with a nice car. But she refused to admit that these have been the crux of her attitude towards Sister Michelle, instead, she simply maintained that Michelle was too proud.

“But you,” Michelle turned to Sister Bukky, “we all know you are a ‘nobody’ with a mental case.”

Rucks cleared her throat; she started fanning herself with her hand. “This is too hot.” She said with a smile.

“You are just a fool.” Bukky told Rucks who couldn’t control her laughter.

“Seriously?” Rucks said, “How did mine get into this matter. I was just observing.”

The whole member laughed aloud, but some, like Blessing refused to. Not that she cared what happened to Bukky, but she sure wasn’t comfortable with the easy getaway of Sister Michelle.

“Please, it is enough,” Blessing said.

“Like I said, we haven’t even…”

“This is serious!” Sarah said as she held a bag in her hand, smiling and shaking her head.

“What is it?” Blessing asked, with confusion clearly written on all faces.

Sarah walked between the ambulatory and started coming towards the members who were converged at the front of the altar. She held the black bag, wearing an unbelievable look of surprise.

“What is it, what did you see?” Sister Blessing and others asked.

“That…that is my bag!” A voice shrieked out, and all eyes were on Hannah whose horrific look on her face was priceless!

“You stole her phone?” Bukky asked.

“I didn’t even go upstairs. I was right here; I didn’t go to the gallery after the rehearsals. I was…”

“I couldn’t find my phone inside any bag,” Sarah finally relieved their suspense, but that even brought more suspense.

“But, I found this,” Sarah said, and displayed a pack of condom she took from the bag.

“That is not mine!” Hannah shouted in horror!

The whole members were astonished, more like disappointed.

“Oh, yeah?” Sarah said. “What about these, then?” She lifted up two used condoms tied at the base with semen still lying safely inside it.

“Jesus!” Some of the members shouted.
Blessing wore a look of abject disappointment; she looked at Hannah, shook her head and asked, “Why?”

“I swear Ma, I didn’t know anything about this, I swear to God!”

Hannah started to cry when she saw the look on Blessing’s face. She just accepted her as her Church-daughter and it would be disastrous to have blown it this quick. Blessing, on the other hand, was just disappointed.

“You put it in my bag!” She shouted and charged at Sarah.

She was prevented from getting to her by some of the members. She struggled and kept pointing at Sarah. Sarah stood at bay, looking at the aggressive Hannah who was crying and trying to break free.

“I didn’t put anything in your bag. God only wants us to see who you really are.” Sarah defended herself.

“Ha, Sister Sarah, may you die like…”

“Shut up!” Blessing stopped Hannah.

“This is a house of God, and I will not watch you place a curse on each other! This is embarrassing.”

“I swear to God,” Hannah sobbed hard, “I didn’t know anything about…”

“Then how did it get into your bag?” Sarah queried again.

“Hey guys,” Blessing called out, “we will get back to this later. It is almost time for Sunday school,” she clapped consecutively, “please fall into place.”

She turned at Sarah, “we will get to the root of this. I think someone planted it there.”

“What?” Sarah Shrieked loudly. “You can’t be saying I planted…”

“You did!” Hannah shouted at her amidst her tears.

“Shut up, please,” Blessing barked at Hannah. “You are relieved of every duty today. Sit with the congregation. This is not a punishment. Just try and get yourself together.”

“You found the phone?” The Coordinator asked from nowhere. “You stole the phone?” He immediately asked Hannah when he saw that she was the only one crying.

“We couldn’t find the phone. And no, Hannah didn’t steal the phone,” Blessing responded.

“So, why is she…?”

“She lost someone,” Blessing cut him short. “Please…Sir, if you don’t mind…”

“Sister Hannah, see me in my office after the service, okay?” The Coordinator ignored Blessing.

“No,” a deep voice replied him. It was the Pastor, with a dejected look on his face. Bukky was beside him, half smiling. “You, Brother Ade, Sister Sarah, Sister Blessing, and you,” he shook his head, “Sister Hannah, should all see me in my office after the service. Jesus! I can’t believe this!” He finished and disappeared back into the opening leading to the passage to the office.

Blessing moved to Bukky and whispered, unbelievably, “You told him?”

She tried not to smile, “What? Should I cover this up? I’m sorry. This is the house of God.”

There was a sound of something crashing on plastic chairs; it was Hannah- she fainted! The Coordinator turned to Rucks,

“Sister Rucks, is Hannah the one who stole Sister Sarah’s phone?”

No one replied him!

End of 12

kingDELE:
thumbs up niggah

Osman1996:
Hmmm that is prob of cult

Chai make una help Hannah pray o

More update niggar

next chapter coming on Sunday.

*BLOOD ON THE ALTAR ©2015, 2016, Wale-Joseph Oludare (KINGwax oluwadamilare)

No part of this novel may be reproduced in any form. Any play/movie adaptation without the notice and or authorization of the author (KINGwax oluwadamilare) is an intellectual theft- and will be dealth with under the infringement of copyright laws if Nigeria.

Thank you.


[size=20pt]CHAPTER 11[/size]


James opened the door to his room and slammed it shut in anger. He sat on his bed in such a way that he bounced like three times before sinking still. He buried his face in his hands and kept muttering to himself, audibly enough,


“I can’t believe this. I can’t just believe Emeka wants me to this. This is just too much for me. God, why had I even become a member of such an evil group? No benefit whatsoever! I already told them about her, and our plans, yet, they want me to do this. God, help me out!”


“Who wanted you to do what?” A voice shrieked behind him. He jerked off his bed and landed with his butt on the floor. There was a flick of the switch and his room came alive.


“Jennifer!” He screamed. He stood up and started to dust his butt. “Why are you still here? I thought I asked you to check yourself out.”


“And that is fair to you?” She asked.

“Besides, you said I should wait up, that you will be back.”

She flung the duvet aside and stood up naked. James watched her as she swayed to the table and poured herself some vodka.

“We were in the middle of something nice and you just left like that, making me do myself, and you wanted me to just go? Come on James, you can do better. You promised to show me hell when we chatted on Facebook. Remember?”

“We have to do this later, okay? I have an issue I have…”

“Like Emeka want to you to do something to her?” She took James by surprise.

“How did you…”

“How did I know that?” She moved over and sat by James’s side, on the bed. She offered him the drink in her cup, but troubled-James refused. “Listen, James, I don’t know Emeka, but no matter who he is, you have a choice, you know that, right?” She tried to be nice. James wasn’t comfortable with that.

“Listen, don’t get it all wrong,” James said, “it’s just a simple thing, but…”

“But what, James?” She interjected. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder and took a sip from her cup.

“Listen, I am not interested in whatever Emeka wants you to do. Now, you got to give me your attention. I have been dying to have you right back in.” She smiled, turned her head sideways, slowly and bit her lower lips seductively. James looked at her and shook his head.

She was not deterred, instead, went for his todger, James didn’t fight it. After squeezing and handling it for a while, she was disappointed with the result.

“You didn’t even have an erection!” She said, clearly offended.

James pushed her away.

“I have other pressing issues.” He said, and went over to where she piled her clothes and started throwing it at her. “You need to start going.” James said. “I have to take care of some business.”

“Seriously?” Jennifer asked, bewildered. James didn’t seem to care; he nodded, leaning against the wall. His hands tucked in his jean’s pocket.

“Fine,” Jennifer said. “You’re just a jerk, anyways.” She hissed and started dressing up.

James watched her dress up. She picked up her handbag and opened the door. She turned back at him and asked, “Are you serious about this?”

“I told you, another time.” James replied, calmly.

“Don’t you ever call me again; there will not be another time.” She said as she opened the door to go out.

“Okay, I will do just that. Take care of yourself, Jenny.”

“Really?” Jennifer shouted in annoyance and slammed the door after herself.

James went over to the door and bolted it. As he was just about to go back to have his seat, there was a loud bang on the door. It was loud and consistent James was scared; he quickly went over to the side of the bed and pulled out a club.

“Who is it?” He asked, gripping the club with both hands, getting ready for battle. He wasn’t sure if Emeka has turned against him already. He truly left Emeka with an air which suggested he might not play along, but, that doesn’t mean he’d said ‘no’. “I didn’t say I was not going to do what you asked, boss. I just need more time!” He shouted loud enough for Emeka to hear. He held his club firmly.

“James, it is Jennifer. I’m sorry, okay? Please, open up.”

James shook his head and eased up. He went over to the door, “Jenny, go home. I told you, I will call you…”

“Don’t call me, dunderhead!” Jennifer screamed out. “You are nobody!” She slapped hard on the door and James could hear her footsteps as she walked angrily away.

James sighed. He sat gently on his bed, his head buried in his hands as a sign of distress. He did have a choice, but there will be trouble. Not because he doesn’t want to do what Emeka had ordered him to do, but because it looked like an impossible task. He could still hear Emeka’s voice threatening him if he failed.

“Dude, I can’t help you if you failed this time, okay? The last time you messed up the order given to you by the group, you nearly lost your arm. I had to intervene and remember, you said you owe me. So, now is the time to pay up. You just have to do this or you might not like what I am planning for you if you failed.”

“Boss, listen; please, don’t get this wrong. There’s nothing I wanted more than to get down on Hannah, but…”

“But what? Then get down with her!”

“But this lady insisted on remaining a virgin till she is married. She is devoted to this…this…” he tried to find the right word, but couldn’t, so, he settled for, “this choir business. Since she has been promoted to the senior choir, and accused indirectly by the Pastor that she sleeps around, she decided to prove them wrong by remaining a virgin. She has always does. Even since we met- she never wanted sex.

She doesn’t even come to my place anymore. We either meet at her place, right at the full presence and eyes of her sister, or at a public eatery or something!”

“And so fucking what?” Emeka shouted angrily.

Emeka paused for a moment and starred at James for a long time. James was uneasy, he knew trouble was coming.

“You have a deadline. If Hannah still remained a virgin by that time… like I said, I cannot help you this time.”

James stood up without finishing his drink or making a commitment. He dragged the seat backwards.

“Finish up the drink, James. That’s an order.” Emeka said.

James didn’t even blink. He left Emeka by his table.

And now, James had thought Emeka was back to punish him for leaving him like that.

Then there was another loud knock on his door that dissected his thoughts. He went straight for his club again. It was already on the bed, beside him.

“Who is that?” He screamed loud and clear.

“James, it is I, Jennifer. I said I am sorry! I was only joking when I said you shouldn’t call. Call me, okay?”

James grabbed his face with his hands, “Oh, no; not again!”


END OF CHAPTER 11

[size=20pt]CHAPTER 11[/size]

Tummyyoung, Nancywealth, kingDELE, repogirl, PrettySpicey, Blessinzy, Flakkydagirl, Nancydearie, ellahzy, Smallville10, saraphina,repogirl, Nancydearie, ritababe, obianuju95, nekanzee, osman1996, nancywealth, aprilwise, missmossy

nekanzee:
QUE:does these things really happens at now aday churches ?nice write up, when are you giving us the next update?

many things happen behind the scene.

Next update is on Friday.

Congrats. More success!!

[size=16pt]CHAPTER 10[/size]


“The plank”, was the name of this relaxation center down the street, right after the popular Dede’s close. People named this place ‘the Plank’ because of the popular bible verse that says, ‘remove the plank in your eyes first, before complaining about the dust in your neighbor’s eyes. So, those who come here to drink and merry after the day’s job, will say they are clearing their eyes with the liquors - the reason why they named the place, ‘the plank’. The plank is a very lovely place to be- there are bars, a very big swimming pool, a very big lawn with trees for a good picnic, an open billiard room with a thatched roof and so much more. Dull moments were never part of its offer.


This same Plank was very close to James’s residence. Emeka crossed over to the street behind James’s house and went straight into one of the small bars located inside the Plank. He ordered a bottle of his usual beer and mulled over the next task that Blessing requested of him to do. Not that he has a choice, if he ever wanted to continue his sexual escapades with that brat. He must admit the sex has been good, and he enjoyed every bit of the act, because Blessing has been very unusually surprisingly experienced for a lady who claimed she has never had an intercourse with a man.


The most interesting session was always the oral sexual session. He would like to recollect the memories there at the plank, but it appeared as the wrong place to do that, and the wrong moment too. He hated himself by half because he was nothing but a puppet to this little girl, but he was not ready to end the relationship.


He picked his phone and went straight to the phone book. He swipes down to Jame’s number and dialled. James picked up right away,


“Boss.” He said


“Meet me at the Plank. I’m right at the last table at the left corner of the second bar, before the viewing center.” Emeka said and disconnected.


Emeka knew James wouldn’t have to think twice before yielding to his call. Even if he was about to be slaughtered, he must take the permission to heed his call first and then go back to the slaughterhouse. That was one of the benefits he enjoyed as a leader of their cult group. Insubordination could attract a penalty as harsh as a death sentence. Members may be subjected to the worst treatment they wouldn’t have imagined.


Just last week, a member has been forced to bring his sister forward to be gang-raped as a punishment, in lieu of the death penalty for his failed action. He didn’t have a choice. He only pleaded not to make it obvious to her sister that he knew about the plan. He asked his Sister to follow her to a friend’s place; along the way, he led her to a lonely place and they were accosted. He was beaten as if the ambush was real, while he kept begging them. They carried his Sister to a corner in a bush and three masked guys raped her in turns while he was forced to watch at gunpoint.


After the act, he carried her sister to the hospital and reported to the police. Of course, the investigation cannot lead anywhere.


James jumped off from his sexual act as the ringtone already distinguishes who the caller was. He rushed to the table beside his bed and picked the call. Emeka, his Boss wanted him at the plank right away. The girl he was having sex with was just a random chick he met on the social network. She wasn’t worth the trouble that may arise if he refused.


“Yes, Boss.” He replied Emeka who disconnected from his end.


He looked dejected almost immediately; his throbbing todger wasn’t feeling so good. He turned to the lady in bed, and the girl was already helping herself out to orgasm the moment James disconnected from the sexual flow to pick Emeka’s call. The lady just went straight to masturbation to please herself. James shook his head at the disgusting sight and started putting on his clothes.


“Just wait for me; I will back in no time, okay?” He said as he dressed up.


“Okay, okay, okayyyyy!” The girl replied between her moans as she masturbated frantically.


She grabbed the bed-sheet with one hand, while the other did the work. Her legs almost touched the ceiling. James looked at her with pity and closed the door after himself. He wasn’t even close to the main exit when the girl screamed in a very loud moan that shook the building. He needn’t anyone to tell him she has reached her orgasm. He only stopped, smiled and shook his head again.


“Bitches ain't smiling.” He said as he made his exit into the main streets.

James took a seat in front of Emeka and greeted in the required jargon, known only to their group members as a salutation. Emeka didn’t reply; he only took another gulp from his beer.


“I’m sorry, Boss. I rushed here as soon…”


“That’s not an issue, James. And I want you to ease up.”


“Thanks, Boss.” James smiled. It dawned on him that there wasn’t any trouble. The Boss may just want him to run a personal errand.


Emeka ordered for a bottle of beer to be brought for James.

“Thanks, Boss.” James smiled. He poured himself a stint of the glass cup placed in his front. Emeka watched him had the first taste before he started the briefing of the mission.


“James, you have a very important job you are going to do for me.”


“Anything Boss.” James said, rubbing his palms together in anticipation.


“Don’t get too excited over this, James. This is not going to be pleasant for you. But as you know,” he paused and took a sip, “you don’t have a choice.”


James sank deeper against his chair and sighed deeply. His countenance was frustrated and his shoulders dropped.


“Don’t die before your time bro,” Emeka tried to cheer him up when he saw his face. “it’s not something you can’t handle. In fact, I believe it is something you must have been anticipating on doing. But right now, you just have to hasten the process.”


“I…I don’t understand wha…”


“It’s about your girlfriend, Hannah! Like I said, you don’t have a choice.” Emeka dropped it on him for an introduction.



*******************



Blessing helped Sarah pick up the cloth that fell to the ground, with a smile full on her face. She didn’t seem to act like it was weird for Sarah to do that; she just acted normal. She stretched out her hand for her to take it. Sarah reached out slowly, she collected the cloth and it fell right back on the ground. She started to cry, “Please,” she pleaded, “let me be.”


Blessing looked around like in a suspicion mode and whispered, “What is the meaning of this, Sister Sarah? You didn’t even know why I am here.”


Sarah continued sobbing silently, but Blessing grabbed her by the arms and dragged her towards the main building. Sarah followed reluctantly, rather sluggishly. She didn’t stop crying.


“You are embarrassing yourself, Sister Sarah.” She told her as she dunked her in the only the chair in her room. “You didn’t even allow me to state my cause, you just…”


“You can’t possibly be here for any good, Blessing.” Sarah summoned some courage and snapped back.


“Well, you are wrong. You see, in the books of Hebrews…”


“Jesus Christ!” Sarah interjected. “Spare me your hypocrisy. You can’t possibly be preaching to…”


“You know, Sister Sarah,” she cleared her throat; “do you need to be reminded that I still have the sex tape, intact, with me?”


“Shhh,” Sarah hushed her down. She looked around like someone was listening- nobody was. “Okay,” she said reluctantly, “continue with whatever you wanted to say.” She looked away, scratching her neck.


“I thought you would say that.” She smiled and continued; “the bible says we shouldn’t forsake the gathering of the saints. But it appears you are doing exactly the opposite.”


Sarah scoffed, she already got her message. “Please, Blessing, let me go. I have been demoted to serve under you and I have done this without choice for years. Please, allow me to go elsewhere. Haven’t I been punished enough by you? Haven’t I atoned for my sins? I can’t be attending that Church again.”


“That church? Like it aren’t a member!”


“A member? See, they might as well change the name to ‘st. Blessing’s church’, because you have definitely taken over!”


“Well, the church still remains, ‘st. Jude’s’ okay? Now, to the order of the day.”


“There is no order of the day, Blessing. I already atoned for my sins.”


“Almost.” Blessing said, coldly.


“Almost? What do you mean, ‘almost’?”


“You see, if you can do this last thing for me, then it will be considered that you have fully paid for your sins.”


Sister Sarah scoffed.


“You’re not interested?” Blessing asked.
Sarah scoffed again.


“Listen, if you do this, I will give you the tapes. Do whatever you like with it.”


“Yeah, right. Like you haven’t copied it elsewhere.”


“Sarah, I haven’t. you want to ear this or not?”


Sarah hesitated for a while. “Let’s hear it.” She said, without looking at her. She knew it would never be good.


“Well,” Blessing started, “this is about Hannah, and that dog that was made the Coordinator!”

End of 10

[size=16pt]CHAPTER 9[/size]

Sarah sang along as she washed her clothes. She was washing in a large bowl and sitting on a very low stool. Sarah, also once an important Choir member, but whose time of rave and fame was during Sister Joy’s era. She was then the assistant to the Choir Mistress- Sister Joy, until she found herself right in the prostitution scandal that rocked the Church back then.
Nobody knew Sister Joy wasn’t the real prostitute; Sarah was! And the man who claimed to give his life to Christ knew about this too, but Sarah couldn’t save Sister Joy because it means it will fall back on her. She reminisced about how it all went down:



******************



That faithful day, weeks before the prostitution scandal, Blessing came to blackmail her with hard evidence on her escapades as a prostitute at the hotel where she worked. She will attend the morning class and engage in prostitution in the evening through the night to make ends meet. She lied to people that she worked as a cleaner at the hotel. Surprisingly, when Blessing brought this evidence, she had wanted nothing more from her than for her to step down as assistant to the Choir Mistress- Sister Joy. It was a surprise that Blessing only wanted her to step down, so, that was what she did.


She could have told the Church to go to hell, but prostitution was and is still illegal in her State of residence, and Blessing warned her not to flee. But, she could have fled if not because she was half-way through her college studies already!


Since then, she had avoided attending rehearsals, which meant she couldn’t be allowed to minister. People asked questions, and she said she was busy and couldn’t make the time. Weeks later, she officially announced her stepping down as the assistant to Sister Joy, and by default and rank, Sister Ruth, who was the church-mother to Blessing, became the assistant to Sister Joy.


Weeks after that, Sarah was surprised when Mr Eric came forward to give his life to Christ and confessed that Sister Joy, the Choir mistress, was a prostitute! That was even a surprise to Sarah because Sister Joy was never a prostitute. Nevertheless, Sister Joy fainted that day and was never seen again after being taken to the hospital. This paved way for her assistant, Sister Ruth as the vocal leader. This automatically makes her church-daughter, Blessing, her assistant. Sarah was reduced to the bench as a member.
The most surprising thing about the man who testified was the way he held the lie like it was the truth- it was never the truth. Sarah knew this, but she must never talk about it. Sarah knew why he had to lie- Mr Eric, a Deacon!


But, that was all in the past. She had since stopped attending the Church altogether for months now, and she felt peaceful. She went over to the line and started spreading her wet clothes; she was determined to let the past rest in peace.



****************



Blessing increased her pace as she made her way to Sarah’s abode. She was sure she will meet her at home; the day being Saturday- almost everyone in the country does their laundries on Saturdays. Emeka’s role in her next mission has been handed over to him; she had to ensure that another web was spurned to complete the network of the next unfolding event. As she walked on, she reminded herself how Sarah owed her, and unless she was ready to go to jail, she will play along. She remembered what she did for her, what she did for Sarah…




***************



Mr Eric, the Deacon who was forced to testify against himself, really had no choice. He had to, or risk being jailed too! The scenario was a nice playing ground for blackmail. The Deacon couldn’t keep his old dick in his pants, and went ahead to having sex with a minor! Emeka has many friends, and one of them was dating a friend to the minor.


So, one day, Emeka was arguing with Blessing about how religion was nothing but hypocrisy, given the fact that all they do is going to Church and acting like they’ve never sinned. He was an atheist, and having sex with Blessing and Ruth gave him the audacity to say all Christians, especially the female ones, are hypocrites.


While Blessing was still defending that, Emeka told her about a Deacon in her Church that was also having sex with a minor! And when Blessing wouldn’t believe him, he had brought out his phone and called his friend, James, to bring his girlfriend for a visit to his house at the weekend. He asked him to tell his girlfriend to bring her friend along; knowing that the only friend the girl has, was the minor he was talking about.


So, that weekend, Blessing and Emeka waited for their guests. Blessing was still sure Emeka was talking nonsense, but right inside her mind, she wished it would be a revelation that is worthy of wielding as a weapon. Anything for her ascent is welcome!


Then, there was this soft knock on the door; after all it looked like they were never going to come. She rushed to open the door. The revelation wasn’t much; just this two kids- Hannah and the minor. There was also James, Emeka’s friend, Hannah’s boyfriend. Hannah was then, just a member of the youth Choir; she was never a threat to Blessing back then.


Though, Hannah was the leader of the youth Choir back then, and she led exceptionally well with her soft voice. Blessing didn’t even know that Hannah would be promoted to be a real rival of recent. She used to believe that before Hannah could dream of being in the main Choir, she would either have gained an admission into a college outside the City or die of cancer. But that didn’t happen because Hannah did gain an admission, but it was a college within the City, and she refused to die of cancer.


“Good evening, Sister Blessing.” Hannah beamed as Blessing opened the door. Blessing didn’t say a word; she just went back to her seat.


Emeka tried to hold her hand, but she gave him a stern look, and Emeka got the message and let her be. James went over to Emeka and greeted him with a kind of a coded handshake, known only to both of them and whatever fraternity they belonged to. Kike, the minor, and Hannah’s friend, couldn’t even look up. Blessing kept her calm, even though she couldn’t believe she was seeing properly. Mr Eric, the Deacon, who always makes the special announcements every Sunday, couldn’t have been the one having sex with this little girl. Even Emeka’s friend, James, whom she sees as a guy in his early twenties, would be said to be too old for her.


“Ladies,” Emeka started after they all sat in silence, “this is Blessing…” he wanted to begin an introduction when Blessing cut in before he could start talking about him and her being lovers. She didn’t want that. Not with her status in church. She was supposed to be an example for these kids.


“Yes, Emeka, they know who I am, right?” She asked the girls who nodded.


“Good,” she continued, “and if you are still wondering if I and Emeka are lovers, well, think again, we are not!”


Emeka and James shared a look of surprise between each other. Even Hannah and Kike, the minor, did the same. The only difference being the look of shock in theirs because they knew it would be better if Blessing was also an adulterer like them. Blessing was satisfied with their countenances.


“I am here because of you,” he pointed to the minor, Kike, “I have nothing with you,” he pointed to Hannah who was just seventeen years at that time, and four years older than Kike. “You are old enough to do whatever you like,” she said to Hannah, “but allowing her do the things you do, even worse, is disheartening.”


“Ma,” Hannah wanted to talk, but Blessing hushed her down.


“Could you guys please, excuse us?” Blessing asked both James and Emeka who have been a little bit petrified about the sudden turn of the drama.


They followed each other like lambs to the abattoir. After they have disappeared inside, she turned back to the girls who were already fidgeting.


“You,” she said, pointing to Kike, who never dared to look at her face, “why that old man? Why Mr Eric?” She dropped the bomb on her, and both Kike and her friend were so shocked. Kike went on her knees immediately, and Hannah followed suit.


“Please, I beg of you, don’t tell my Dad. He will kill…”


“Of course, I know he will kill you!” She said. “Now, you need to stop or I will tell your Dad.” Both Kike and Hannah looked at each other and nodded.


“I will stop.” Kike said reluctantly. Hannah flashed a fierce look at Kike and poked her with her elbow.


“What is this?” Blessing asked, noticing the gesture “What are you not saying, Kike?”


“Nothing, Ma.” Kike lied. “I promise to stop seeing him.”


“There is something,” Hannah countered, “but she is scared to tell you.”


“I see.” Blessing said. “Are you pregnant?” She guessed


“No!” Kike screamed, taken aback. “I am not!”


“I hope so. So, what are you scared to…”


“She can’t stop having sex with Mr Eric!” Hannah came in and Kike nodded frantically with a scary face.


“What? What do you mean she can’t stop? Are they into some king of a covenant or…?”


“No!” Kike screamed again. “Why would I enter into a covenant with an old man like that?”


“An old man like that? And he was not too old to have sex with you?”


“Technically, he has never had sex with me.” Kike corrected.


Sister Blessing was disappointed by half. She feared her hold on them might have loosened. If there was no sex, then there will be no scandal. And with no scandal, she has no weapon against them to use for future purposes.


“What… what do you mean by that?” She managed to ask.


“I am always on top. I am the one having sex with him.” Kike jumped at her question.


“Shut up, you idiot!” Hannah pushed her. “You are a slowpoke!”


Blessing couldn’t control her laughter! She couldn’t believe she heard her right. “Don’t ask her to shut up,” she cautioned Hannah, “and don’t call her a slowpoke. You are at fault here. I am sure you know about all…”


“Not really, Ma.” Hannah cut in. “They were really deep into it before I knew about it. It… it appeared to be too late for her to stop.”


“How?” Blessing cared to know more.


“Did you remember the phone that was stolen from the guest minister’s bag some months ago, during the convention?” Hannah asked, and Blessing nodded. “It was her,” she pointed to Kike, “who stole it!”


“Jesus Christ! She did?”


Blessing couldn’t believe her ears. That case actually made Kike’s father, an assistant Pastor, sack the security guard and suspend some workers from the Church since they couldn’t find out who did it. They were all sent packing in relation on the theft scandal. She covered her mouth in surprise. Kike started to cry, silently.


“Well, Mr Eric kind of found out, a few days later, that it was Kike, who stole it, and he promised not to tell her dad if she agrees to…”


“That bald headed idiot took advantage of that?” Blessing asked and they both nodded.


“Almost eight months now.” Kike said and nodded. Hannah patted her gently.
Blessing was very angry, and for the first time, she didn’t care about her ambition this time.


“Who else knows about this?” She asked.


“Sister Sarah.” Hannah said, much to Blessing’s surpise.


“What? The same Sister Sarah? The assistant to the Choir Mistress?” She asked again.


“Yes. Sister Sarah works as a cleaner in the hotel.” Kike said. “But… also as a prostitute!”


“What? Who told you all these?” Blessing asked.

“Mr Eric.” Kike said. “He told me not to be afraid. He said that Sister Sarah is also in the business, and she won’t tell anybody. That was the day Sister Sarah saw me in the hotel with him. Mr Eric called her inside and told her what we always do together. Mr Eric said if she told anyone, he will expose her as a prostitute. He even claimed he had had sex with her several times.”


“Jesus!” Blessing exclaimed. “And you kept all these from….from …the Church?” She asked them.

They were silent, but Kike has started to cry again. Blessing asked Kike to wipe her tears and promised to help her stop Mr Eric. She learnt from Kike that they always choose a particular hotel for the sexual act, so Blessing hacked a plan.

The plan was simple-


Whenever Mr Eric wanted sex with the minor, he always calls her and asks her to wait in the usual room at the hotel. The owner of the hotel was a friend to Mr Eric, so, Kike just goes to the manager, collects the key and waits naked in the room for the paedophile to come. And since all Mr Eric had to do was to always enter the same room with his spare key and goes straight into the act, Hannah was able to hide in the wardrobe and take both pictures and videos.


Four days later, when the kids called her that they’ve gotten the photos and the video, she asked them to bring it to her house straight away. She was satisfied with the results when she saw them.


“Now, we will eliminate the threats, one after the other.” She smiled at the kids who didn’t even know she was now going to use them for her selfish interest. Though, they will be helped too.


The next day, they went straight to Sarah’s house; they met her just in time. She was going for work. She was no doubt shocked to see Kike, Hannah and Blessing together that faithful day. Her fear was justified when Blessing showed her the video and told her the parts she took. She assured her she will report to the police and she will serve a jail time, along with Mr Eric. She was an accomplice to the crime of sex with a minor. Sarah started to cry and she pleaded to be spared. She claimed she felt bad, but she could do anything since Mr Eric was privy to her secret.


“Well,” Blessing began that day, “You are next to Sister Joy in the Choir, and if Sister Joy should leave today, you automatically become the vocal leader, right?”


Sarah nodded with tears.


“Good.” She said, “We all know it is very wrong for someone in your profession to be a leader in the house of God. How do you even feel, standing in the front and asking the congregation to praise God when you know you are only deceiving yourself?”


“I’m sorry.” Sarah wailed.


“Sister Sarah, there is no need for that. It is so disgusting to even think about it. This is what I want you to do if you want us to keep your secret;” she stood up like a Boss and started dishing out the terms and conditions, “one, don’t speak a word about Kike and Mr Eric to anyone. Two, within six weeks, announce that you are stepping down as the assistant to the Choir Mistress.”


“I can even leave the Choir.” She suggested excitedly, glad about the leniency of the condition.


“No, you must not leave. It will be too easy for you.” Blessing halted the idea.


“Please,” she pleaded, “people will ask why I wanted to step down and I will not be able to give…”


“That is your problem,” Blessing snapped at her, “and that is your punishment for being an accomplice to a crime, and a hypocrite.”


Sarah sighed, and nodded. “How am I sure they,” she referred to Kike and Hannah, who have been silent all through, “will not spill the beans?”


“They can’t. For what is worth, I still have a video of her,” she pointed to Kike, “and Mr Eric here with me. And I will not only show it to her dad, I will upload it on my Facebook timeline and tag as many Church members as I would!”


“Ha!” Both Kike and Hannah exclaimed.
“And as for you,” she pointed to Hannah, “don’t you forget you took this video, and you knew about this plan all along and yet, you didn’t report it! It means you abetted the crime!”


Hannah clamped her head with her hands and exclaimed inaudibly.


“So, all we all have to do is keep quiet about this, and I promise, everything will be fine.” She concluded. “I will take care of Mr Eric tonight. Kike, you are free now.” She said and they all dispersed.


At night, she went to Mr Eric, and it was easier for her to get him to agree to leave Kike alone. Not only that, he had two hard choices to make, as laid before him by Blessing as atonement for his sins.


One, he either faces jail and disgrace if he agreed that Blessing may show the video to the police, or, two, he will announce his resignation as a Deacon, and give a confession against Sister Joy that she was a prostitute. As a man afraid of his own works, he accepted to do the latter, which, of course, appeared as his only choice.


That was how Sister Blessing ousted Sister Joy, who wasn’t a prostitute, and Sister Sarah, who was supposed to take the mantle of leadership after Sister Joy. Sister Ruth was the next in line, and Blessing was a church-daughter to her. So, automatically, Sister Ruth was made the vocal leader, and Sister Blessing was made her assistant. It was all a brilliant plan!



*************



“Well, that was then.” She thought to herself as she approached Sarah’s residence. Hannah has been promoted from the youth Choir, and she is now being considered as an assistant to her. She doesn’t want an assistant; it must always be her and Sister Mary. She worked too hard to be that close, ousting Sister Joy, Sister Sarah, and Sister Ruth to be here. In her mind, she believed that Hannah knows too much, and things may not end well between them if they had to work together. That was the reason she was on an urgent visit to Sarah. Only Sarah could help her out. As she entered into Sarah’s compound, she saw her spreading her clothes on the line.


“Good morning, Sister Sarah!” She said aloud, beaming.


Sarah looked petrified like she has seen the devil. Of course, she has seen the devil, because for years, after she relinquished her position due to this same devil, she has suffered in silence, watching as her own influence petered away while Blessing rose to the head. She has been confined to remain in the Choir, just because of this devil. She has witnessed Mr Eric give a fake testimony against Sister Joy and she couldn’t say a word.


She also suspected that Blessing was responsible for the suspension of Sister Ruth. Maybe she planned it all because she thought Blessing was too quick to take her church-mother’s phone to the Pastor. What kind of a devil does that? They haven’t exchanged many words between after Blessing blackmailed her to step down, except the normal pleasantries being shared and expected among choir members.


She watched in silence as the devil grinned and called her name again. She knew the Saturday must be a wrong one. Blessing held her grin as she made her way towards the petrified Sarah and repeated her greeting. Sarah didn’t say a word; she just starred at her with unbelieving eyes. Blessing shrugged when she saw her reaction, but she wasn’t bothered.


“Good morning, Sister Sarah,” She repeated, “how have you been?”


Sarah dropped the wet clothes she was holding and started to cry almost immediately!



End of 9

[size=16pt]THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS THREAD ALIVE.[/size]. [size=20pt]CHAPTER 9 & 10[/size]

Tummyyoung, Nancywealth, kingDELE, repogirl, PrettySpicey, Blessinzy, Flakkydagirl, Nancydearie, ellahzy, Smallville10, saraphina,repogirl, Nancydearie, ritababe, obianuju95, nekanzee, osman1996, nancywealth, aprilwise, missmossy

Tummyyoung:
lol..okay den buh am nad a guy

ops, i'm sorry.

aprilwise:
Blessing is communicating with sister mary ghost.

yes o

Missmossy:
Interesting. Lot of hypocrisy in the church. Keep it coming. Kudos.

you knw that this happens almost everywhere, right?

Thanks for the encouragement.

chapter 9 tomorrow.

thanks for reading.

Tummyyoung:
God punish sister blessinq

ds Pastor sef no get spiritual eyes to see d truth ni

lol..dude, easy na...

sister blessing is just like the regular choir member who is cognisant of her ability.

I have actually dated one who put the church at Ransome because one member she termed 'a junior member' insulted her.

she was to lead the special song at the anniversary, and she decided not to go. and worst, she was the lead tenor.

thanks for the the encouragement. that means a lot

CHAPTER 8

Hannah met the Coordinator on her way to the Pastor’s office, he was moody. They didn’t really say much except him reminding Hannah not to forget her vocal lesson at his school by evening. She knocked on the door to Pastor Akin’s door, and the Pastor invited her in.

“How are you today, Sister Hannah?” The Pastor asked, beaming with smiles.

Hannah was relieved; at least to see someone in a cheerful mood today amounted to something for her.

“I am fine Sir,” she replied, returning the smile.

“Please, seat.” The Pastor ushered her to the seat with his hand.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“How has your vocal training been going with Brother Ade?” He asked, with a slight frown. The smiles are all gone now.

‘”Fi… fine... it has been fine, Sir.” She stammered, getting worried about smile that suddenly vanished.

“And, I understand that sometimes when the night came over you during your training session, you… em… you passed the night at…”

“God forbid, Sir!” Hannah was taken aback.

“It has never happened before Sir. Why should I do that?”

“Well, that is what we heard, and I…em…we were thinking…”

“Sir,” Hannah stood up, “Brother Ade has a fiancé. How will I be sleeping over at his place? This is nothing but rumour, Sir.” Hannah was already shaking, eyes swollen with tears.

“Even the neighbours said they usually see someone with your kind of stature at the late, odd hours.”

“That would be his fiancé, Sir. You have to believe me. I have never done such a thing. I swear to God.” She pleaded her innocence.

“Please, sit down, my daughter.” The Pastor urged her. “Please, relax and sit down.” He said again, after Hannah was reluctant to do so.

The Pastor was only trying to get words out of her, but it seems he overdid it. He started feeling guilty, seeing how profusely the poor girl was crying over the false allegation he had tried to cook up. “Wipe your tears my daughter. It is well.” He reassured the poor girl.

Hannah continued to whimper, and sniff like a drug addict. The Pastor waited for her to calm down before he continued.

“There is a rumour flying around and about to perch on the Church’s altar that you and the Coordinator were having sexual relations.”

“Ha!” She exclaimed. “That is not true Sir. I can never do that.” She shook her head frantically.

“I believe you, my daughter. And the reason why I called you over is to let you know that if ever the Coordinator made any foul move towards you, please, don’t hesitate to report him to me.” She nodded like a throbbing todger.

“This ministry, especially this Church, this branch, has been rocked with so many scandals.”

“I know, Sir.” She nodded again.

“Good. And I was posted her because of my integrity and past records to ensure that this Church comes back on her feet. I will never condone any form of sexual or evil scandal in this Church. If any of you has been indulging in sexual atrocities that could affect this Church again, I will use my anointing to curse such a person!” The Pastor finished with a hardened face, pointing to her. It was clear the Pastor didn’t believe her, and that made her cry more.

“Sir,” she managed to gather her wit, “I am really pained to be in this kind of situation. I know the family where I came from, I know the God that I serve. Why would I pick this moment to indulge in sexual atrocity when I have been able to abstain from sexual relation till now?” She wiped her extremely wet face with her handkerchief, blowing her nose loudly. The Pastor was touched and guilty at the same time.

“You mean you are a virgin?” The Pastor asked, not sure he heard right. Hannah nodded, wiping away her tears.

The Pastor sighed and rested his back on his chair. He was in a dilemma. Could it be that Blessing was just making things up so as to excuse herself from mentoring Hannah? He asked himself with no one to answer, and there would have been total silence if not for the sobbing of Hannah.

“Sister Hannah, wipe your tears and go home. I know how to handle this matter.”

“Thank you, Sir.” She said and knelt down, as a tribal sign of respect.

“Please, be on your feet and go home. All will be well.” He repeated and watched as Hannah slid away through the door of his office.

He sighed as soon as he was alone and shook his head slowly. “This branch has been one hell of a nut-job.” He said aloud and banged his fist on the table. Looking at the ceiling, he placed his palms together and prayed, “God, God, you need to help me now.”

He finished and started packing his files to be closed for the day.


                  *******************


Blessing got home and met Emeka lying naked on her bed; she was irritated but didn’t need to show it. To her, Emeka was just an errand boy, who has been helping her to reach her goal. He hasn’t finished his job yet, she still has one last job for him. If all it takes is for her to be his sex machine, she was ready to feed him with it till he gets constipated. All she wanted was for him to do the dirty jobs.

“Hi, baby.” Emeka smiled; his todger standing at attention. She really didn’t like it, but Sister Mary said that if she wanted to have sex with a man, she should just pretend the todger was a strap-on until the process was over. And so far, it has worked.

“Hey.” She said without looking up as she removed her shoes. She slid the strap of the handbag from her shoulders and allowed the bag to drop with a thud. She said on the bed and ruffled her hair.  Emeka dragged himself to her side and squeezed her a little by her waist. She knew he wanted sex. That’s all he ever wanted. But, that was the best time to refuse; especially when she needed to control him. She slapped his hand. Emeka tried again and she repeated the reaction.

“What happened?” Emeka asked, half-seated on his elbow. “Is something wrong?”

“You know it should be!” She snorted. “I don’t even know, but it seems…” she hissed and shook her head, leaving dusts of suspense in the air.

“Talk to me.” Emeka pressed. He sat with his back against the headboard. “Please.”

“Okay.” Blessing said after a big sigh, “I just hope after I told you, you will help me as you have promised.” She did her eyes like a purring kitten.

“Listen to me, Baby,” Emeka said, “I told you I will do anything for you, right?” He asked, and Blessing nodded.

“Good.” He continued, “And have I ever disappointed on that?” He asked again, and Blessing shook her head, eyes like a doll.

“Well… I … I thought since you have,” she shrugged, “since you have already taken what you wanted, I wouldn’t be carrying so much weight again.” She finished her mind game, but Emeka only starred. So, she continued, “You know, guy’s thing. Before you allow them between your legs, they’re like they’re gonna do this and that….but once they have their way, you become…”

“Blessing!” Emeka cut in, “please stop this, okay? I am not every guy?”

“I’m sorry.” She smiled softly and pushed herself into Emeka’s arm; placing her head on his chest.

“It’s okay.” Emeka said, stroking her hair. “So, are you going to talk now?”

“Yes,” she said softly. She slid her hand downwards and grabbed his todger. She bit her lower lip and looked seductively at him. Emeka went crazy. At that point, she knew she had him again.

“Emeka, the idiot, will do anything now!”  She said and smiled within herself, and Sister Mary also smiled from inside the wardrobe.

Smallville10:
Interesting.
Blessing is joking with God nd dats a big mistake

lol...how is ur novel doing bro?

nekanzee:
He has done it again o. well done for the great work.more

LOL...u're highly appreciated. let me kukuma post the chapter 7 today and save the stress of visiting my blog.


but you may visit just to peep in and eavesdrop on my thoughts.








CHAPTER 7


That was how Blessing and her lover ensured that Sister Ruth’s reign was not long enough. The Coordinator’s voice snapped her back to reality, back into the Pastor’s office from the land of the past,

“Pastor, I already told she will not talk; not when she is guilty of betraying the only Sister who took her in and helped her grow into what she is now.”

“Brother Ade, I have told you to allow the Sister explain the situation herself. Whatever you guys are saying is total darkness to me.”

All these while, Blessing had remained silent, enjoying the session and waiting for the right moment to switch to the next plan. The Coordinator continued, turning to the Pastor,

“Sir, before your arrival, Pastor Ajani, the Pastor that you succeeded, actually called a meeting after he was served a letter to handover, after the series of scandal that rocked his administration; I was privileged to be part of the attendees. He explained to us that Sister Blessing was the one who exposed the text message that incriminated the…”

“Incriminated or exposed?” The Pastor asked him sternly.

Blessing smiled inside of her. She knew the Pastor had seen the situation from her perspective.

“Well…” the Coordinator wanted to say, but the Pastor interjected,

“We need to be very careful about the choice of words here, because the way I am seeing it, I am beginning to accept, just like she accused you, that you are not happy with how Sister Ruth went down in connection to her.” He pointed to Blessing, whose head was still hung low- though, pretentiously.

“I’m sorry about that Sir, but that is not true. We were…I mean, I was glad, but we just thought she shouldn’t have been the one to do that. Not with the way Sister Ruth treated her as a sister.”

“So, you meant to say that if your own flesh and blood is into something that was as bad as that, and yet, held an important office in the Church of God, you would have covered it up?”

“No, Sir.”

“I think you would!” The Pastor said with all certainty. “This is interesting; I believe for the first time, we are really getting to know each other.”

“Ha,” the Coordinator shifted uneasily in his seat, “don’t see it that way, Sir. We were only worried that she should have displayed some kind of loyalty. We believe even a simple loyalty will go a long way.”

“That is true,” the Pastor agreed.

“Thank you Sir,” Brother Ade quickly eased up. “And that was why we were worried when Pastor Ajani said he has prepared a letter of recommendation to suggest Sister Blessing for the post of the Choir Mistress.”

“Interesting,” the Pastor got more interested, “Please continue,” he insisted.

By this time, Blessing knew the plan was hatched, and the result was already out. She sure overheard that Pastor Ajani had recommended her, but she had waited in vain to be announced, only for this new Pastor, Pastor Akin, to make her a vocal leader and blocked all her hope of getting to the coveted throne. But, the way things turned out to be, she realized that Pastor Akin didn’t even know anything about the letter.

“So,” the Coordinator continued, we kicked against it based on the issue you also agreed on- her display of lack of loyalty. We believed that if she can do that to a close colleague, then, she will show no respect to the Church.”

“You see, Brother Ade, the issue of loyalty I agreed with, was not as you are seeing it currently. Sister Blessing has shown her commitment and loyalty to God and not to men, by exposing your friend.” 

He paused to see Brother Ade’s reaction, and his reaction was full of defeat. He shook his head, shifted in his seat, and started sweating. But the Pastor continued, much to Blessing’s gladness.

“So,” Pastor Akin continued, “you people going against her because she exposed a particular person who wasn’t even fit for the post of a leader in a Church, are only against God.”

“Ha, Pastor.” He gaped and became more inconvenient in his seat. As it appeared, the tide had turned against him. The plan was working.

Blessing slowly turned her head to look at him without really raising it and winked at the Coordinator. An action only the Coordinator noticed. The Coordinator looked transfixed with surprise.

“Where is the letter of recommendation, Brother Ade?” The Pastor asked.

“It is in my office, Sir.” He replied, fidgeting.
“Why haven’t I seen this letter?”

“Em…Sir, it was agreed, based on the same issue we were talking about…”

“The issue of lack of loyalty, I suppose?”

“Yes Sir.” He said, and nodded at the same time, raising his finger like a pupil wanting to ask his teacher a question.

“Lack of loyalty,” the Pastor paused, “to men, right?”

“Ha! Not like that Sir.” The Coordinator managed to say, clearly showing his surprise at the sudden turn of things against him. Blessing only managed not to laugh.

“Please, fetch the letter.” The Pastor ordered and turned away from him.

“Now, is your time,” Sister Mary told Blessing. Only she could hear her dead lover talk.

“Sister Blessing,” the Pastor called her softly.

“Sir.” she answered coarsely.

“Are you crying? Please raise your head.” The Pastor pleaded with her. “You don’t need to cry, God has vindicated you once more. Can you hear me, Sister Blessing?”

“Do it, now!” Sister Mary ordered and Blessing bursted into tears. She wailed louder and sniffed harder. The Pastor was helpless- he tried to make her calm. Brother Ade came in; he held the letter to his chest.

“What happened, Sir?” He asked as he closed the door behind him.

“Well, you can hear and see for yourself. It really hurts to think we are doing some good, and people turned it into a bad thing. You people need to apologize to this lady. She has done nothing wrong by exposing the wrong person in this Church,” he lectured.

“I… em…we are very sorry, Sir. I believe we only saw it in a different way back then. But now, I think with all you have said, I know better-God first, Sir.” He finished his damage control speech that was dry anyways.

After a while, Blessing wiped her face and looked up.

“This is your letter of recommendation, I promise to look into it. But I am not promising to go back out of the decision not to have a Choir Mistress for now. You shall remain the vocal leader and we will discuss more on how you can help us with Sister Hannah. I am glad we still have people like you in the Church.”

“Thank you Sir,” she spoke after a long time, half kneeling.

There was a disturbing silence until she broke the silence again, “Can I be excused Sir?” She turned her head backwards to check the time from the wall clock in the Pastor’s office and added, “I need to pray for at least one hour before I break my fast, and as it is, the time is already…”

“Oh, you’re fasting?” The Pastor asked excitedly.

She nodded.

“May the Lord answer your prayers, my daughter,” he prayed.

“Amen Sir,” she replied with a shy smile.

“Please, be quick about it. You can go.” the Pastor said, rubbing his palms together and smiling broadly. It was clear that she has won the Pastor to her side; another step closer.

“Please, remember us in your prayers,” the Pastor called out as she was about to exit the office.

“I will Sir.” She replied and smiled back, closing the door after her.  Once the door was closed behind her, she pressed her ears against the door, ready to eavesdrop.

The voices were faint, but not faint enough for her not to make sense out of it.

“You need to be very careful as a leader, Brother Ade. We cannot afford to lose such a God fearing Character in this Church. I, personally will not accept that!” The Pastor said.

“I understand Sir, but we can’t just judge a book by its cover. Sister Blessing is not who she was pretending to be Sir. You need to open your eyes!” He said that loudly.

“So, I am blind?” The Pastor asked.

“I am talking of the spiritual eyes, Sir,” he corrected.

“Still the same; you will need to get me a spiritual glasses then, since I am supposedly blind spiritually.”

“Sir, I didn’t mean it that way.” He lamented.

“Please, leave. I have a lot of things to attend to.” The Pastor retaliated.

Blessing quickly left the door and headed to the main exit. As she was close to the door to the main auditorium, her bag got hooked by the door latch and its content spilled. She quickly packed them and tucked them bag into the bag. There was a cucumber; a half-emptied plastic bottle of soft drink, a half-eaten snack, a small note and a pen.  She looked around to ensure that nobody saw her and quickly packed her things; she tucked them into the bag with great disorderliness.

As she was closer to the gate, she brought out the snack in her bag and took a quick bite after blowing the dirt from it. Immediately she opened the gate, she bumped into Hannah who was just about to enter. She jumped back in fear.

“I’m sorry, Ma; I didn’t know you were coming.” Hannah apologized.

“Oh, it is okay, Hannah.” She mumbled between mouthfuls and waved her off, trying hard not to let Hannah suspect anything as she forced herself to swallow.

“Alright, take care, Ma.” Hannah said and continued on her way to the office.

Blessing watched her with great hate and contempt as she walked away.

“I hope you are ready for the showdown?” She asked Hannah who has already vanished into the office complex and not within an earshot. “I just hope you can handle the heat?” She said again and moved outside the Church premises.

She closed the gate, brought out the soft drink from her bag and gulped it all down. She closed her eyes and let out a refreshing loud belch and a big sigh.

“Fasting my foot.” She said and flung away the empty plastic bottle. With a great air of victory and ostentation, she swaggered down the way home.

THE END OF CHAPTER 7