Chapter 18 - "Enlighten Me Then" Part 2

It may have been a timely reprieve that the topic of Marcus’ picture was forgotten. That was what Ysabelle thought the whole time she listened to their conversation until she was back in her room, sifting through recently developed pictures in her mini studio.

She had this studio built the moment her interest in photography increased. It had been years ago since that happened and over time, the design of the room had changed into a space fit for work and leisure. It was of decent size, with furniture mainly consisting of a sectional enough for taking a short nap, a single-seater leather sofa, two stool chairs, three rectangular tables as her workspace, and glass shelves to place her photo albums. What was different about this particular area though was the light fixture. The bulbs were colored red, making the room seem gloomy and dark, exactly just like the darkrooms of traditional photo studios.

'Printing Complete'

The popup message displayed on Ysabelle’s laptop when one of the print was completed. She rushed to take the picture out of the tray and stared at it for quite some time.

“Yes, this one would do good as a souvenir, ” Ysabelle talked to herself, smiling.

The photo paper showed the controversial picture of the day showing Father Marcus bending low and handing the pastry rolls to the child beggar.

Excluding the issue that she had an undefined relationship with the model of the photo, she couldn’t deny that it was one of the favorite captures she had in her entire life. She had decided to frame the picture and treasure it, and also she had decided to share a copy of it with Father Marcus. Upon learning that they will leave the mansion tomorrow, she hastily printed the picture, planning to give it to Marcus as a parting gift. The man would probably be happy, especially when he expressed interest in seeing it. It was just a gift of appreciation and nothing more. Just a harmless souvenir of his stay here in the mansion.

A soft knock came in front of her main door when she was putting the copy inside a white envelope. Thinking that it was just Mehak, she continued her work, writing a short message of thanks to the priest at the back of the envelope using a black pen.

To Father Marcus,

Thank you for your help, not only for my cousin but for this child.

Yours, Ysabelle

Signed and sealed, she placed the envelope in a small coffee table near the sectional, but just as she did that, another cycle of knocking came.

Mehak was the only family member who usually barges in her room without consent. It didn’t bother Ysabelle actually, and she was welcoming to it. This time however she made a mistake in concluding that it was her niece. When the knock came again, she realized that someone had come to visit her at a late hour.

After exiting the mini studio and crossing the length of her bedroom, she opened the door to see who the visitor was. That’s when her heartbeat jumped like crazy.

“Oh, God!” she exclaimed with eyes wide, “Father Marcus!”

If she could squeak, she would probably sound like a hamster unable to free its belly from the tight ring hole.

“Ms. Ysabelle, good evening, ” Marcus greeted formally. Taking in her appearance, he was relieved to see that she wasn’t in her robe or nightgown. She was still in her sundress, minus the Converse sneakers, of course, wearing a white fur bedroom sandal.

“Good--good evening too. Why are you here Father?” she asked, wanting to know the reason immediately. And how did you find my room? She had thought of that question too but didn’t voice it out.

Marcus produced a short hum in his throat before he answered, “I did say I would like to look at my picture.”

“Huh?” Ysabelle arched her brows.

They stared at each other for a brief moment, each waiting for the other to speak until there was a sign of recognition in her face. Of course, he did say that during dinner, but she didn’t expect that he would look at it tonight!

“Well, I uh... I have it in my mini studio, Father. Please wait here while I get it, ” Ysabelle stated after releasing a defeated sigh. It seems that he was this much excited to see it huh? Anyway, she had a copy of the photo ready. She can just always give it to him and that problem will be solved.

“Can I come inside?” was Marcus’ question when Ysabelle had just turned around.

She gave him a puzzled look then, unable to believe what he had just asked.

Seriously? He wants to enter a woman’s room?

“I will just get the picture, Father. It won’t take long. You don’t need to come inside, ” was her stern reply, warning signals shooting up in her mind like arrows in the preliminaries of war.

“Please Ms. Ysabelle. I insist. Aside from the picture, I do need to ask you a few questions, ” Marcus reasoned. He crossed the threshold and pushed open the door wider. It was a bold, risky move, but what the hell, he was adamant about getting answers tonight anyway, so any show of courtesy was out of the subject.

Ysabelle didn’t need to confirm what questions he was talking about. She knew exactly what they were, and that was the very reason why she had to back away and put a wall in between them.

“I...I don’t think I am the right person for you to ask that Father. Maybe you should find your answers in my Uncle or Auntie. Or André himself.”

But her words were a big fat lie. Not one of them would want to give the priest answers too, and it seems that Father Marcus was aware of that when he said, “I know that they won’t Ms. Ysabelle, that’s why I’m here. To tell you the truth, I have great belief that you are the only person sane here to help me with my...predicament.”

For a moment there, she saw a glimpse of turmoil and pain in his eyes. Why would a priest have that when in fact they are supposed to be worry-free?

It wasn’t supposed to be her concern or even her business, but she was already pushed to the edge with no other options left, so in the end, she conceded. There was no harm sharing a piece of information or two with him right? Just as long as it didn’t get to the point where it would concern her most prized secret.

“Very well, please come inside, ” she said after releasing another sigh of defeat, stepping to the side and gesturing the open way.

This made Marcus smile, pleased with her wise decision.

The closing of the door behind her and the sound of the priest’s boots with each footfall was damnable for her. She could feel the close proximity of their bodies and Marcus’ eyes boring a hole in her back when she walked inside the mini-studio.

“You don’t use modern technology to print photos? It is so much easier than doing it the traditional way, ” was what Marcus commented the moment he entered the red-lighted room.

Ysabelle, realizing what he meant, released a soft chuckle. This at least lifted a small amount of tension between them.

“Oh, no Father. You got it all wrong. I am using modern technology on this hobby don’t worry. I just prefer using red light in this room. I have been accustomed to it for so many years that to put it away would be a hard change for me. And also, the red light is calming. A good way for me to take my mind off of things so to say.”

She took the envelope from the coffee table and handed it to him. Her beaming smile got Marcus in his usual war all over again.

God help him, he knew he needed to know the truth this night, but being in the woman’s bedroom now seemed to weaken his resolve. He couldn’t be sure whether the reason he had for visiting her was because of André’s possession case or because he just wanted to be with her. That plain and simple.

He cleared his throat and eyed the envelope in front of him. He had the notion that inside it was the photo, but he chose not to take it yet.

“Things?” he parroted, unable to hold back his curiosity on her cryptic words. “Hmmm... I don’t see you as being the sulky type, Ms. Ysabelle. With you living in this place and with a family that provides and cares well, I don’t think you have heavy problems at all. Don’t tell me you are one of those few people who take on the burden of the world in their shoulders?”

“Huh, ” she scoffed lightly, thinking of his remark as silly, “You don’t have any idea, Father.”

Marcus quirk a brow. “I don’t, you say?” he said and stepped closer to her as a sign of encouragement. “Enlighten me then.”

God help him again, he doesn’t even know where this conversation was leading to.