Behind Church Doors - S01 E21

8 months ago

Behind Church Doors - S01 E21

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 21

TIA

Wednesday, I am sitting at my desk at the office when Pastor Ruth walks up to me.

It’s a few minutes to lunch, Bishop is not in the office, he left in the morning to attend a meeting and will only be back at 15.

“Mum,” I force a smile onto my face and stand up, greeting her politely.

“Hey Tia. How are you?”

“I am fine thank you. How are you?”

“I am good too.”

“Bishop is currently out of the office,” I say.

“I know,” She says. “I didn’t come here for my husband. I came for you.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” I shot her a questioning look wondering what she could be looking for from me.

“Do you mind going out for lunch with me?”

“Lunch? With you?”

“Yes, there’s something I need to talk to you about but we can’t have the conversation here.”

“Oh.”

“I will be in the car waiting for you while you lock up here,” she says before heading out without giving me a chance to respond. Join Naijatea.com .

I turn off the computer, lock Bishop’s office and grab my bag before heading out. Locking the main door, I join Pastor Ruth in her car and she drives off immediately.

The drive is relatively quiet except for the sound of gospel music playing on the radio.

When Pastor Ruth pulls up in front of a black gate, she steps out of the car and asks me to follow her. For a moment there I thought she was taking me to a restaurant, what’s going on? Am I safe? Does she know what’s been happening between Bishop and I?

When she notices I am not following, she turns, “aren’t you coming?”

“What’s this place?”

“One of my houses, I come here when I need some privacy. You and I need to talk. I figured we could do it here, I don’t want us to be disturbed.”

“Talk about what?”

“Well follow me and find out.”

Figuring I don’t have anything to lose, I follow her, she opens the door, steps aside and allows me to walk in ahead of her. It’s a beautiful house, similar to the one that Bishop took me to the first time we had dinner.

“Can I offer you anything to drink?” She asks.

“I am fine.”

“Okay, feel at home, I will be with you in a second,” she disappears into the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a glass of wine, kicking off her shoes she sits across from me. There is a long silence; Pastor Ruth sips her wine and makes no attempt to break it.

“I would appreciate it if you told me why I am here. I have to be back at the office by 14,” I eventually say.

She drinks from her glass again, places it on the table and leans back.

“How old are you?” She asks.

“Twenty five.”

“And how long have you been married?”

“Two years.”

“Has your husband cheated on you before?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Mine has, he has done it several times, it no longer shocks me. Kingsley cheats almost all the time. Everytime we have beautiful young ladies in church I have to worry about my husband running after them.”

“That’s sad,” I say, trying to be composed. I don’t like where this conversation is heading to.

“I know Kingsely, he is a sweet talker and a charmer. He loves to spoil girls and make them feel like they are on top of the world.”

“And why are you telling me this?”

“When I saw you my gut feeling told me to be careful but I ignored it hoping you were genuine and just looking for a place to congregate.”

My heart slams hard against my chest, she knows.

“You know what else made me ignore what I was feeling? The fact that you are married and still so young. In my head I was thinking why would a young married lady want to destroy her marriage over an old man like Kingsely? But I got my answer yesterday. Money? You are after my husband’s money.”

“What?”

She laughs, “let’s cut the bullshit Tia. I know you have been fucking my husband and that S.A trip was just a cover up for you and him to spend some time together. I saw the receipts of the stuff he got you. I saw how he looked at you at the airport and the shock on your face when I stepped out of the car to get him. I am not a fool, I know what’s going on.”

My eyes flare at her response. I open my mouth to respond but I don’t know what to say.

She unzips her handbag and pulls out a cheque-book, “How much do you want?”

“Excuse me?”

“Kingsley is a man of God. So many people believe in him,you see how packed the church gets. He has worked so hard to build everything he has from scratch. I wouldn’t want a nobody like you to come and tear it down. So name your price, I will pay you whatever you want as long as you promise to leave my husband alone. You resign from your job and leave the church.”

“I am sorry you are mistaken Pastor Ruth. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh did he feed you the bullshit about God being the orchestrater of your affair?” She laughs. “Darling most of you perish due to lack of knowledge.”

I stand up,” I am sorry to disappoint you but I don’t want your money.”

“Oh. I wonder what your husband would do if he found out you were sleeping with Kingsely.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Zyair! Is that what his name is?”

“My husband trusts me. He will not believe anything you tell him. But if you want to destroy your husband’s reputation, you go ahead and tell him.”

She keeps quiet.

“I thought as much. I have to get back to work, thank you for inviting me out Mum,” with that, I head out, slamming the door behind my back.

Sanna told me Pastor Ruth would try this kind of shit with me, she is so insecure and tries to send away the beautiful young girls. She won’t even talk to Zyair, she is just trying to get to me, I don’t even have time to deal with her. She should leave Bishop if she is tired of their marriage.