23, May

The bright morning flittered through the white curtains, rousing the sleeping body awake. Never being a morning person, a low groan escaped before covering closed eyes from any unwanted light.

There was a pleasure being in darkness.

But, as the universe would have it, the light pushed through the darkness, forcing the disgruntled man to wake from peaceful slumber. Rubbing his eyes, the former priest pushed himself up with his elbows, squinting dark eyes open before his vision adjusted.

As with every other morning, Stephen Foley endured for the past 36 years, he was alone. The right side of his king-sized bed was neat and empty, waiting for a warm body to fill the space. When he was younger, the notion of being alone never bothered him too much. He understood that the pathway he'd chosen at that time led to a life of loneliness. He was ready to face the world without the worries of others around him.

What a naive fool he was back then.

As each year began to pass after 30, an empty hole in his heart started to grow.

And it never helped that Tabitha was always on his mind since they first met. Stephen thought saying some quick prayers and Hail Marys would alleviate some of his desires, but that was never the case.

Not having seen her since the Christmas Party for a brief moment, Stephen could not forget her big brown eyes looking at him with scrutiny. Seething anger flowed through his veins, wondering how she had any right to judge him.

Stephen did not enjoy the peaceful morning as his thoughts wandered toward the past. His gums were roughly scratched as his toothbrush gave rough strokes of frustration. All his actions were committed with brazen movements, focusing his emotions on the memories of a haughty Tabitha irking his psyche.

He remembered the night she rejected him clear as day. The storm they faced was one of the worst by far, and foolhardy Stephen was sure he would win at the end of the day.

He never expected her to refuse him with how dire her circumstances were (after she had agreed to marry him) and to find herself an unlikely escape through the kindness of a stranger.

Stephen never felt so lost as he did that day. He wanted to wallow and cry over the loss of his child and love, but he did not want to appear weak. The former priest had walked out of that country club with his head held high, instead driving to the hospital to see if Sonya was alright.

Tabitha would have to figure out that she had abandoned her frail grandmother another day. Stephen needed all the favor he could get from his friend if he wanted to see the young girl again, but that was proven harder than he anticipated.

For several days Stephen took care of Sonya, with no sound of Tabitha in sight. Little action was taken to prove it if she had known of her grandmother's whereabouts. The older woman made no efforts to show forgiveness, and when she was released from the hospital, she spoke up against the heinous man. ("All friendships have their eventual end. I never expected one of this nature. I especially never thought you were capable of this. While I can not say I can forgive you for hurting my precious grandchild, I will show some mercy and not speak of this. It is not my place, and Tabitha has made up her mind about the situation. I no longer need her to suffer by bringing this to light. I hope you suffer loss and defeat you've never known before. I pray you to suffer for all the hurt you brought upon my precious child. I never want to hear you have a happy day in your life. You knew better yet succumbed to your carnal nature. You deserve nothing, and I hope you rot for this evil you've committed.")

Stephen never felt raw bitterness from another person as he did at that moment. There wasn't a day passed in the last five years when Sonya's final words did not haunt him. Of course, she wanted to protect her grandchild, but Stephen thought it was foolish for the older woman to ignore Tabitha's fault in the situation. Maybe if she had heard his side of the matter, she would've agreed that Tabitha would be best with him, creating a healthy family unit for little Issac.

Fixing the collar of his crisp gray button-down, Stephen watched his groomed appearance in the long mirror, making sure he was ready for another day at the office.

As he intended, the former priest decided to join his father's business and expand the firm. He studied hard and passed with few issues. Taking the full CEO role by age 33, Stephen Foley made it his goal to put Foley Industries on the entire map of Western Europe. All of his focus was on the firm, bringing it a fortune in no time.

Soon, he was labeled an eligible bachelor for many high society women to fawn after. Stephen was never one to charm the ladies, but most became attracted to his rough exterior. There were many nights Stephen found himself on dates for the sake of PR and appeasing his parent's demand for an eventual wedding.

But those dates would always end at dinner. Stephen refused to think of these women as potential matches. Most were vapid in thoughts, only caring for material goods. They all caked their faces with makeup and ate morsels of food from the entire meal.

If anything, it only made Stephen miss Tabitha more. He remembered how pretty her bare face was hidden behind her long dark locks. Her chap lips begged to be kissed, and the tiredness in her doe eyes brought forth an innocence that would always draw him in. She would always have heavy helpings of food, not caring about how her figure would look (but there was never any detriment to her. In fact, as Stephen would note, it enhanced it.)

He still remembers how different she looked that night at the Christmas ball. Her hair was short, showing off her shape jawline and high cheekbones. Her face did not carry heavy powder, but her eyes had a glittering shade under the lights, and her supple lips were coated in dark red, complimenting her olive skin tone.

And her dress brought out an animalistic urge to hold onto her curves and kiss her with full passion. Stephen wished they could reunite as old lovers fated to be.

But the flash of her hateful gaze dominated his mind among the flights of adoration passing through his heart. Betrayal slashed him in two, thinking of how she cursed his name over the years.

For the mature woman, she blossomed into that fiery young girl from before who still ignited his loins.

Her incredulous expression dug up a deep-hidden memory when her brazen gaze held up at a standstill.

It was the only time the masses questioned Stephen's attention to Tabitha, and he feared the truth would be revealed.

He drove down a familiar path as the memories of the past came forward to convict his present. A frown was evident as the old clergy uniform flashed before his eyes.

~

The spring dance was one of the few occasions all the girls looked forward to at the end of the school year. It was the only dance where all girls and all boys schools would unite for all the students to have a good time.

Of course, this also meant an increased number of chaperones to ensure nothing lascivious would happen. Being the headmaster of the all-girls school, Stephen's attendance was mandatory. He assigned some of the teachers and nuns also to cover chaperone duty.

There was not going to be any children conceived tonight under his watch.

Despite his demanding, overbearing school leader role, Stephen did his best to give the girls a lovely dance. In addition, he allowed the dance committee a bit more leeway with the budget and even allowed some of the boys from the neighboring school to help some evenings (with the watchful eyes of Sister Nancy nearby).

Tabitha's involvement in the dance committee may or may not have influenced his decision. The priest did not expect her to attend the dance with all her other duties at home (nor did he want her to), but she was excited about working behind the scenes. It gave Stephen some joy to see a smile on her face (from his doing).

From what he saw, she got extra time to stay in school as Brennan took care of Issac. It burned Stephen's mind to think that man cared for his son, but the priest knew he needed to be careful before finding himself in a line of fire. He may have Tabitha under his thumb for the moment, but if he could not control his urges, then his plans would be ruined.

The school gym was decorated nicely, with the theme being 'A MidSpring's Night's Dream'. It was a witty take on Shakespeare's play, and the girls did their best to bring out that theme.

Stephen did trim his beard a little to maintain a neater look, but the fullness of it aged him a few years. Moreover, it was evident that he was tired from the bags under his eyes. As the school year came to an end, all the paperwork would multiply vastly, forcing the headmaster to stay till late in the evening. What he needed was a good night's rest and some days away from the parish.

He only had to wait a few more weeks before that would happen.

For now, he would play his role, having a hawk's eye toward all the girls and boys who tried to dance too close together.

All the students flittered into the dance in their respective groups, girls donned in pretty dresses and boys in button-downs and slacks. Popular music was playing from the speakers, and there were some technicolor lights to get the teens onto the dancefloor.

Father Foley found himself leaning on the sturdy wall, hands stuffed into his pocket with a harsh gaze watching the interactions between the opposite sex together. So far, nothing beyond hugs had happened, but that was not what he needed to worry about.

"Keep your distance, Riley. You don't want to write up this hour of the day! The Lord does not sleep at sunset." Stephen watched Father Brown use a ruler to create distance between a couple dancing, with the pair of teens rolling their eyes toward the obtuse priest.

It was going to be a long night.

Just as Stephen thought his plate was full for the evening, an extra space formed as another group of girls entered, giggling.

His jaw dropped to see who was at the center of that group. He didn't expect to see her here, looking so happy. So...blissful.

She entered the school gymnasium with invisible wings on her back, a light surrounding her petite form.

Stephen's heart started to pound heavily against his chest, taking in her beautiful attire. Her hair was down to her mid-back (it had grown quite a bit since her last haircut a few months ago, one of those things the priest took notice of), curled with wispy bangs framing her cherub face. A crown of flowers was on her head, and her long baby blue dress was flowy but held enough of a silhouette to show off her matured body.

Realizing his stare was squarely on Tabitha, the priest cleared his throat for a moment before quickly averting his eyes elsewhere.

It had been a while since she willingly showed so much skin in public, and a tinge of jealously swarmed in his veins, knowing all those young, hormonal boys would drool once they saw her too. Stephen's balled his fists in his pockets, light brown eyes cutting into the young girl's form once more. His darkening gaze moved to the group of boys horsing off in the corner, all watching the girls who entered the dance.

One boy piqued the priest's interest, with his blue eyes never leaving Tabitha. Some of the boy's friends nudged him and gave taunting looks, making Stephen's assumptions from earlier become a reality.

For the first half-hour of Tabitha's arrival, Stephen found himself at the other side of the gym, ensuring the dancing couples were on their best behavior. She was in his view but far enough away that no one would suspect his lewd expression on her.

The young girl was in her own world, talking with her classmates, unaware of all the eyes set on her ethereal form. Stephen became a void in her universe, forbidden to approach without dire consequences.

Her pretty eyes fluttered his way at one point, but it was in disdain. It was the reminder of his villainy hidden behind his cloaks of honor.

Stephen licked his dry lips as the blue-eyed boy finally had the courage to approach Tabitha, mustering enough bravery not to stumble in her presence.

The priest's head tilted, watching her dark eyes watch the boy curiously before a small smile emerged on her face. She looked back at her friends for a moment, and all those wicked girls sent Tabitha to the wolves as the boy took her hand.

Stephen was glad his beard was still thick, covering his angry cheeks blazing red. He bit his gum harshly, holding his emotions at bay. There she was, his girl, dancing with someone else.

And there was a big grin on her face the entire time.

She flirted with the boy better than a fiddler fiddling to the rhythm. Little time passed as her cheeks were bathed crimson, with her lashes fluttering prettily in the boy's direction. They were at an appropriate distance initially, making their adolescence evident to the regular onlooker. Both gave shy glances to the other, unable to utter a word for the first dance.

As the night wore on and the songs became slower in tempo, the distance between the two started to close in.

"Nolan's gonna get it good tonight! Just look at how she's falling into his hands." A thick brow furrowed hearing the rambunctious boys snickering in the corner, acing worse than a pack of hyenas.

The priest kept his hands folded behind his back as he crept closer to the groups of lonely boys. Nolan seemed the only one to charm his way into getting a dance.

"The boy is at it again! We gotta wait till they head out into the garden; that's where the real fun begins." Some boy from the group gave a low whistle, pointing in the direction of the dancing pair.

Dark eyes narrowed to the hand grazing along the curve of Tabitha's waist. As hasty fingers got closer, Stephen felt a pressing instinct to deter the boy away from what belonged to him.

Without realizing it, the priest gave heavy footsteps toward the dancing couple, and before catching himself, thick fingers pulled the boy's shoulder roughly, separating them.

"Leave some room for the Holy Spirit. Have you no shame in your display?"

Although his fingers squeezed Nolan's growing bones, his eyes were looking straight at Tabitha. While the boy was trying to get some quick action, she knew better than to allow this display to continue with so many eyes watching.

To have Stephen watch her dance with another man.

The gaze was broken went the young boy shoved the priest's hand off. "We weren't doing nothing wrong. Why haven't you stopped anyone else?"

Nolan scanned the other couples before setting his eyes back on his partner. She wasn't even looking at him, but the damn priest instead. Her expression was full of disbelief and frustration, causing a wave of realization to flood over the boy's mind.

It wasn't just a rumor from a pack of devouring schoolgirls.

"Why don't you dance with her then? We all know that's what you want anyway, with how you've been staring at her all night." A cruel smirk emerged on Nolan's face knowing he hit a nerve for the priest.

But he did not consider the mortification his dancing partner felt filling her blood.

Without another word, the boy stormed out of the dance with his friends quickly following behind.

Stephen was taken aback by the boy's statement, slightly staggering backward before collecting himself.

He hadn't realized the music was growing softer as all eyes pointed in his direction.

Instead of admitting any fault, the priest moved closer to a frozen Tabitha, putting a comforting hand on her exposed shoulder.

He tried to hide excitement from the sensual sensation of touching her skin.

"Are you alright? He didn't paw his hands on you, right?"

If he thought for one second Tabitha would join his charade, he was sorely mistaken.

"Can't you ever leave me alone?" She didn't look him in the eyes, snatching herself away as she ran out of the dance.

Stephen stood in the middle of the dancefloor, watching the various sets of eyes look at his pitiful state.

He would not let some little boy and girl show him up. Heavy footsteps followed in the direction leading into the school garden, searching for the young girl.

Relief washed over Stephen, finding Tabitha standing by the bushes of carnations. He walked closer to her, thick brows creasing together, seeing the glistening crystals fall on her face.

"What's wrong, Tabitha? Did he make you feel uncomfortable?" Thick fingers were quick to touch her body, finding comfort in contacting her soft skin after many months.

Stephen cast a worried expression her way, his thumbs moving in a circular motion on her goosebump-riddled skin.

Her pretty face twisted into a snarl, loving herself away from him.

"Have you no shame? He did no such thing, and you know that. He did not touch me in a way that I found displeasing. That's something you should probably learn."

Her words came at him from a tongue of a viper. The fangs sunk into his skin as her poisonous tone seeped into his bloodstream.

"I'm only trying to protect you."

The brave girl rolled her eyes, lacking all respect for Stephen in her actions and tone. "You're only trying to protect yourself. I pray every day that you will be caught in your heinous practices. I hope today was a wake-up call to your true being."

A pin of fear went down his spine, and the priest could not determine what it was from.

"Tabitha, I'm a priest."

Her pretty brown eyes held contempt against him, "You're a priest who also wants to be a man."

Ripping herself away from his embrace, she ran off, finding her haven back at the dance.

So much for having a nice night out.

Stephen stood frozen in place, stunned by Tabitha's words. His fist tightened, refusing to accept her judgment of him.

He was a sanctified man of God (even for a while longer); all his past mistakes were absolved.

And he was making efforts to correct his actions.

He tousled his short curls for a moment, his hand soon running down his face in frustration.

After taking some deep breaths, Stephen regained the courage to face the crowd after the scene.

His confidence was full as no one batted an eyelash his way. As far as they knew, he was a concerned headmaster watching for the well-being of his student.

His sulking position remained by the corner of a wall for the rest of the evening, not knowing where Tabitha had gone.

~

There was a pressing wonder if Tabitha had run back home right after or if she found solace in Nolan Granger's arm that night.

Teeth ground together at the imagination of young Tabitha being cooed by another male, running into their arms to escape him.