I glance at the screen, my heart skipping a beat. It's my dad. I hesitate for a second before answering, then I pick up. "Hello, sir."
"Ethan, why are you home?" His voice is sharp, controlled, the kind that cuts through your soul without needing to be loud. I freeze for a moment, my mind scrambling. "Uh… well, everyone had already left, sir," I say slowly, carefully keeping my tone calm. "Including the secretary. The staff… the office… it was quiet, so I thought it was fine to leave early."
There's a pause. A long one. I can almost feel him studying me through the phone, measuring every word, every hesitation. "Ethan," he says again, his voice more precise now, "you are under the full employment of this church. You are supposed to close in the evening by five. Why are you home before that?"
My throat goes dry. I didn't expect that. My pulse starts hammering in my chest and I run a hand over my face, trying to stay composed. "I… I thought it would be alright, sir. Everything was done. The church was empty. There was no one left to attend to. I just thought—"
"Just thought?" he interrupts, his voice tightening. "Ethan, you know the rules. The work of the Lord does not end until every soul, every duty is accounted for. You cannot just leave because it is convenient. This is not a playground. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir. Completely clear," I say quickly, forcing steadiness into my voice, though my stomach is twisting. I'm not supposed to lie, but if I admit the truth about what I've been doing… I might as well dig my own grave.
There's another pause, then his voice returns, slower this time. "After my prayers today at the retreat, the Lord spoke to me." My chest tightens instantly. I don't like the sound of that. "He said it is time for you to be ordained a full-time pastor."
My heart drops. "What? Dad—full-time? No, I'm not ready. I just finished university. I can't—"
"Shut up."
The words hit hard and final, and I immediately clamp my mouth shut. "You have been trained all your life," he continues firmly. "That is why I positioned you strategically from when you were a child. From choir leader, to Sunday school teacher, to being in charge of the teens church—every step has been intentional."
My fingers tighten around the edge of my table. My breathing becomes shallow. "You studied theology. You hear God. You preach. What else are you waiting for?"
Everything inside me is screaming, because I know something he doesn't. I know who I really am.
"Dad…" I try again, lowering my voice. "I don't think—"
"You don't think?" he cuts in sharply. "Since when did your thinking override God's instruction?"
Silence. Heavy silence.
"I am not asking for your opinion, Ethan," he says. "I am telling you what has been revealed."
Revealed? My chest rises slowly. God revealed this? God who sees everything? God who knows what I do when no one is watching? A cold chill runs down my spine. If God truly revealed anything… shouldn't this call be different? Shouldn't I be exposed?
"Your ordination will take place next week Sunday."
My eyes widen. "That's too soon. Dad, that's—"
"It is not too soon. It is long overdue." His tone shuts me down instantly. "I have already informed the elders. Preparations have begun. Ministers will be present. This is not something we delay."
Everything is moving too fast. My grip tightens. I can't breathe properly.
"You will not embarrass me, Ethan." That one lands deep. "I have built this ministry with my life, and you are my son—my legacy. Everything continues through you. I expect excellence. Not hesitation. Not excuses."
I swallow hard. "Yes, sir."
"Good. We will speak again tomorrow. Prepare yourself."
The line goes dead.
I slowly lower the phone and just sit there. Full-time pastor. Next week. A dry laugh escapes me. "Me?" I mutter. It sounds ridiculous. Almost funny. If they knew… if any of them knew… everything would collapse instantly.
I lean back, staring at the ceiling, then sit up and run my hands through my hair. Think. You've handled things before. You've lied before. You've escaped before. This is just bigger. That's all. Just bigger.
My eyes drift to the desktop. The same screen. The same place. The same secret. If I'm going to survive this, I need to be smarter. Careful. No more careless mistakes.
My phone vibrates.
I pause, then reach for it slowly. A message. Zack. My brows pull together as I open it.
It's an emergency. I need to see you now.
My stomach drops. Emergency? What the hell does that mean? I stare at the message, something about it feeling off—too urgent, too direct. I type quickly.
What happened?
The reply comes almost instantly.
I can't explain. Please. I'm close to the church.
Close? My heart starts beating faster. Close as in where? Outside the church? Near the church? Right now? I stand up slowly, my eyes moving toward the door. The house suddenly feels too quiet, too still. Something is wrong. I don't know what it is yet… but I can feel it.
And for the first time today, I'm not thinking about my father, or the church, or even my secret.
I'm thinking about one thing.
What the hell Zack just walked into.