The Ministry Child

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound.

Chapter 23!

December 1996 - The Ministry, Los Angeles

The festive season had fallen upon the the world, the unholy church didn't celebrate Christmas like other religions. They did decorate the Ministry with paper chains, mistletoe and pretty red lights. There was a Christmas Tree near the main stairway on the ground floor and a wreath hanging on the front door, but the joy of Christmas was far away from this unholy place. The tales of Krampus haunted the hallways, this place wasn't full of festive cheer.

Albany folded the last of her clothes and placed them inside her suitcase, she was traveling light. She was returning back to Italy until the New Year, she was due some holiday time. Terzo had arranged the flights for her, but her Brothers weren't accompanying her on her journey. They were busy with work, she would be visiting her Father alone this year. But she didn't mind, she was looking forward to seeing the ghouls and her Father again, she hadn't seen them since she moved to Los Angeles. She missed them dearly, she couldn't wait to tell them all about her clerk position. Closing her suitcase she put her coat on before she checked her room, she needed to make sure things were locked and turned off before she went to order a taxi cab to the airport. Unplugging the kettle and locking her bedside cabinet she made sure her room was tidy, she then bolted the room's window. She closed the bathroom's door and hid her favourite Biscotti biscuits inside her sugar pot, they had been going missing lately. But she knew who the cullprit was behind the disappearing buscuit mystery, it was Copia's favourite rat. She had been informed by Copia himself that his rat had been sneaking into her room between her errands, she was still trying to figure out how the rats were getting into her room.

Turning the lamp off Albany left her room, her flight wasn't until 5pm. Walking down the hallway she checked her handbag, she had her passport and some money. Her tickets were waiting for her at the airport. Opening the double doors she made her way towards the elevator, she pressed the button and waited for the elevator to get to the second floor. She watched the elevator's floor numbers counting down, it stopped on the third floor. Her eyebrows furrowed when the elevator starting counting upwards, she pressed the button more than once whilst she cursed to herself. The elevators had been playing up lately, some employees had gotten stuck in the elevator a few days ago. Groaning to herself she picked her suitcase up from the floor, she was going to use the stairway instead. Turning to leave she bumped into someone, she immediately apologised. She heard a familiar voice, her gaze was met by a pair of mismatched eyes. It was Copia, they had developed a habit of bumping into each other lately around the unholy church.

" Good afternoon, how are you doing?" He asked.

" I'm doing good, how are you?" She asked.

" I'm good, very good. Thank you for asking." He replied, his gaze lingered on her suitcase for a brief second. " You are going home for the holidays, yes? I was coming to say goodbye to you, I wanted to wish you a safe journey."

" Yes, I'm going to stay with my Father until the New Year." She replied.

" I hope you have a very good time." He said with a smile. " It's been over a decade since I visited Italy, I sometimes miss helping out at the vineyards. But have fun, come back refreshed."

" Thank you, enjoy the rest of the holiday." She said, her attention was caught by the ping of the elevator's bell. " I have to go now, but I will see you very soon."

" I will try. Bye, bye." He said.

Albany gave him a smile before she approached the elevator, but Copia stopped her by her arm. Their gaze met, the doors of the elevator closed. She had no idea what he wanted until he gestured above her head, her hand immediately went to her hair. He shook his head at her and motioned towards the ceiling. Looking up Albany noticed she was standing beneath some mistletoe. She never understood why people kissed beneath the festive plant, it was just an old custom that was suppose to increase a young lady's chances of marriage. If a single girl isn't kissed beaneth the mistletoe she will remain single until next Christmas. Secondo was known for playing these kind of tricks on the Sister's of Sin to bed them, he was renowned for it. Their gaze meeting once again Albany didn't know what to do, her gaze lowered towards the floor. Her attention was soon drawn to her hand when she felt something brushing against it, her gaze soon fell upon Copia once again. Taking her hand in his own he brought it to his lips, he softly kissed it. Albany smiled shyly at him, he was always a gentleman in her presence. Most men would take advantage of a woman in this kind of situation, but never him. The elevator's doors opening caught her attention, her hand slipped away from his own before she backed into elevator, her fingers fumbling on the elevator pad she finally managed to press the ground floor button. Their gaze remained on each other, he waved his fingers at her. She returned his wave while the elevator's doors began to close. But his voice soon broke the silence of the hallway.