Chapter 17 - "Enlighten Me Then" Part 1

Dinner started at the stroke of seven with all of the usual attendees present, but there was a new addition to them now and it was the youngest member of the family.

Father Marcus and Father Julien were in their same seats and so were Sir Alfon, Madame Regina, and Ysabelle. Mehak, who just arrived from an art class, decided to sit beside her Auntie on the left.

“I would like to make a toast, ” Madame Regina suddenly announced before their meal began. All of their attention was now on her. She stood up, took her glass of champagne, and raised it in the air. “To Father Marcus, for saving my son’s life.”

Alfon somehow looked troubled, thinking whether to take his glass or not, but in the end, he did after Regina added, “And to my son, André, for staying strong and for his good health.”

Cheers!

All of them chorused happily but mostly, the jubilant voices came from Regina, Father Julien, and Mehak. Marcus only nodded, while Ysabelle, conscious of the exorcist priest’s presence, produced a faint smile.

God, how her heart was beating frantically now, especially when their eyes would meet from time to time. Marcus’ civilian wardrobe didn’t help her uneasiness too. With the black cassock out, he almost looked like a normal, handsome man for her; without the vows of holiness and celibacy. It almost made her think that she hadn’t committed a mistake for kissing a priest. Well... technically it wasn’t she who kissed first, but a kiss is still a kiss, and it brought about an unwelcoming effect on her heart, an effect of longing towards him, and that, technically, is a grave mistake towards a priest already.

“Thank you for the toast Madame, ” said Marcus once everyone settled.

Regina shook her head and smiled sweetly back at him, “Not at all Father. I have always wanted to do that.”

Ysabelle was looking at the exchange when Mehak tapped her shoulder. She leaned slightly just enough and Mehak whispered something in her ear whilst looking at Marcus, “Auntie, isn’t that priest the man in your photo?”

There was a considerable tone of curiosity with that and Ysabelle noticed it right away. Of course, the girl saw that particular photo so that didn’t surprise her at all.

“Uhh... yes Sweetie, that is him, ” she answered, her unease spiking up when she glanced at Marcus once again who was by now consuming a slice of chocolate strawberry cake.

‘That is weird of him to eat the dessert first before the main course, ’ Ysabelle made a comment in her mind.

“Wow! You mean I am now meeting one of your photography subjects?!” Mehak exclaimed, all giddy and with eyes twinkling. With the amount of excitement she abruptly released, it didn’t fail to catch the attention of her father.

“What’s the ruckus Mehak?” Alfon asked with knitted brows.

The girl wasn’t afraid or intimidated by her father’s stoic appearance. She had gotten used to it since kindergarten, so to cower behind her Auntie’s side was not needed.

“Ah, nothing Father, ” she sheepishly replied though, suddenly shy due to the puzzled eyes of the two priests looking at her. “I was just ecstatic to see one of Auntie Bella’s photo subject in person.”

“Photo subject?” was what Alfon echoed.

Ysabelle dropped the fork and knife she was holding and immediately waved a hand to dismiss the topic. “Oh, its nothing Uncle. Mehak was just talking about the recent pictures I took in the plaza days ago.” She blinked twice just on impulse but the end result was devastating for her because her line of sight landed on the exorcist priest specifically. “The...the one with Father Marcus in it. No big deal actually.”

Alfon tilted his head and exchanged fleeting glances with his wife. “So you mean to say you have met before here?”

The question was obviously directed to his niece, but then Marcus butted in and said, “Technically, Sir Alfon, we didn’t.”

Anticipating his next sentence, Ysabelle’s breath hitched, when briefly Marcus glanced at her, breaking a small grin.

“But, your niece here is so enthusiastic about being a photographer that she snaps photos in almost everything without the consent of the subjects. She just took a photo of me and went about her way photographing other people.”

Alfon chuckled lightly and commented, “Well, that sounds like you Ysabelle, alright. It doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Ysabelle’s face blushed, but it wasn’t because of her Uncle’s remark, but because of the priest’s clever observation of her. It didn’t cross her mind that he had that kind of impression at all. Maybe that was the reason why he kept on staring at her while she was sitting at the fountain’s base.

“Do I have the privilege of looking at my own photo, Ms. Ysabelle?” Marcus’ sudden question made her blink twice again, but this time, to clear her wandering thoughts.

“Uh, huh?” she reacted, wide-eyed.

“I would like to see it please, ” was Marcus’ stern offer, giving her a look that tells he won’t accept any refusal.

“Maybe...sometime Father, ” Ysabelle responded, doing great lengths to stabilize the shakiness in her voice.

“Probably when he comes back here?” Father Julien then inserted. He looked at Sir Alfon and Madame Regina waiting for them to respond.

“What do you mean Father Julien?” Regina said.

“We are leaving tomorrow morning Madame. Father Marcus has another exorcism to do in a town close here while I am needed in the Vatican for the annual World Youth Day.”

“Oh, really?” It was Alfon who said that, holding up his breath just in order to hide the pleasure gathering inside him.

“Yes, but Father Marcus hopes to come back here after his duty is done. You know, to investigate with André’s case further.”

And it deflated immediately.

“Well...uhmm... you are welcome here anytime Father. Don’t worry about it at all, right Darling?” Regina stated, squeezing her husband’s left hand, making it seem like they were sincere with their words.

“Uh, yes. Yes, ” he answered albeit reluctantly.

“Thank you for being such a good host, ” Father Marcus stated lifting his champagne glass and tipping it towards them. Only time will tell though if they are true to their word, but Marcus knew better. He knew that he’ll have difficulty entering the Rogratiatto Mansion again, especially if his reason was for investigation purposes. He will just have to ensure that he’ll get the right answers tonight with Ysabelle. Already set up a good plan to visit her room later by using his picture as bait, surely she wouldn’t refuse, especially when looking at his photograph was as harmless as capturing it.

Marcus watched the unsuspecting woman carefully occupying herself on eating the contents of her plate. She said nothing during the remainder of the dinner, but almost all attendees were, except for Mehak who volunteered on sharing information to her father and mother with regards to her school four-day tour activity. The details of it weren’t specified yet, but her school administration has already distributed consent and waiver forms with which either Regina or Alfon were to sign. The ecstatic girl also talked about her joy considering her Auntie Ysabelle would accompany her. Being the president of her class, documenting the tour activities was one of her duties. She wanted the photos to be professionally done, so she requested her Aunt to do it and the latter was as accommodating as ever.

The dinner concluded with a greeting of goodnight on each of the members and the priests. They went about their own way, but not before Alfon specifically reminded Father Marcus that André was still indisposed of. Although that created another disappointment, Marcus still nodded anyway, showing a reserved smile and left. When he reached his room, he sprawled in his bed and waited... waited for an hour or so until he called the timing safe for him to visit the target of his questions.