"I don't get you, bro. Carlos asked. The goddess in this portrait is the girl in your dream? Really?" The taxi halted to a stop. Carden reached into his pocket, pulled out a few bills, and handed them to the driver. They stepped out and walked into their apartment. Carden was still smiling, and Carlos continued questioning him all the way to their room, but Carden said nothing-just smiled like a man possessed. Inside their room. "Come on, man, say something," Carlos finally insisted. "Yes, she is," Carden said, turning to him. "Do you think I'd spend a hundred thousand dollars on a painting without a good reason?" His eyes drifted back to the portrait immediately. The painting showed a girl in a white nightgown standing beside a window, as if waiting for someone-waiting for a savior. Her room looked luxurious, yet she seemed pale and unhappy, even though her skin glowed like moonlight touching the sea. "The moment I saw the portrait, I remembered the dreams," Carden continued. "It shocked me. She's real. She looks exactly like the woman who's been haunting my sleep. A goddess... trapped. I didn't pay that money just for the painting. I did it because I need information about her. And from what the gallery man said, she's a lady in distress." Carlos sighed heavily. "Well, it's your money. I believe you know what you're doing. At least now you won't be dealing with those nightmares anymore. Whatever you decide, bro, I'm here to support you." Carden smiled. "Thanks, man. Really." "You're welcome. But how do you plan to reach her? What's the next move?" Carlos asked. Carden exhaled. "I don't know. The owner of this lady seems powerful. Dangerous. According to the gallery guy, he has men everywhere." "Did he tell you where the man lives?" Carlos asked. "Yes. A mansion in the heart of Sicily. He lives there with her. The place is heavily guarded. He doesn't let her near anyone. And if a man touches her, he calls a priest to pray for her. He thinks her innocence is the reason her portraits sell for so much. He kills anyone who gets close-even someone who picks a flower from his garden. The only person he fears is the priest." "Hmm... this man sounds scary. Trust me," Carlos muttered. "He is. But I need to know what this lady wants... why she keeps invading my dreams," Carden said firmly. "You're right. And you said the only person he fears is a priest?" Carlos asked slowly. "Yeah..." Carden said, looking at him. Then his eyes widened. "No. No way. Don't say it." "That's the only way you can get close to her," Carlos replied with a straight face. "You have to pretend to be a priest. Otherwise, you'll have to sneak in-and that's suicide. I don't want to lose you." Carden stared at the portrait, deep in thought. Then he turned back. "You're right... So how do I become the priest that visits the mansion?" "Leave that to me," Carlos smirked. "But first, you need to learn how to act like a priest without blowing your cover." "I love you, man," Carden said gratefully. "You're welcome," Carlos replied, grinning. "Let me get us something to drink. We need to celebrate, because soon you'll be Father Carden." He joked as he walked to the mini-bar to pour some whiskey. Carden laughed. "Soon," he said, holding the portrait like it was the most precious thing in the world. Later That Night – The Dream Carden saw the woman again-standing miles away, reaching out to him. "Come quickly... come get me," her voice echoed, faint but urgent. He tried to speak, but he couldn't hear his own voice. She drifted farther away. "You're close now... please come," she whispered. He reached for her, but she kept slipping from his grasp. He gasped and opened his eyes. "Another dream..." he whispered, still lying on the bed. "Now I know I'm close. I have her portrait." He turned to look at it hanging beside his bed. "Hold on, stranger... I'm coming," he said softly, before closing his eyes again. In the Mansion A girl sat on a stool facing a mirror, slowly combing her curly hair. Her skin was pale and glowing, her lips red like strawberries. Her blue eyes stared back at her reflection-perfect face, perfect figure. Her portraits hung everywhere in the room. Luxury surrounded her, but she looked anything but happy. "Anna," a man's voice called. She turned to look at him. "The priest is here. You shouldn't have let him hold your hands. I told you to stay away from Mr. Douglas, and now you let him touch you. You need the priest to pray for you, You look unclean to me". She turned toward him crying,"I don't want to be here. Let me go back to my parents. At least it was peaceful there..." "Anna, don't be ungrateful, this beauty of yours is not meant for the countryside," the tall man said, walking toward her slowly. His hair was white, and everything about him screamed wealth and authority. He held a cold silver walking stick. His face hardened. "Don't be ungrateful, dear. Uncle knows what's best for you, at least you are helping your parents to live a better life," he said calmly, but his eyes carried warning. "Don't keep the priest waiting my dear." Anna stood reluctantly, tears welling in her eyes. "Okay, Uncle Arnold..." "And clean your eyes," he added sharply. "Not a word of this to anyone. Not even the priest. Or your parents will pay with their lives." She nodded quickly and walked out, wiping her tears. Arnold stayed behind, staring at his reflection with pride and cruelty. "No one disobeys me," he murmured, smiling wickedly.

"Peace unto this household," Carden said as he stepped into their sitting room, looking at Carlos, who wouldn't stop laughing at him in that priestly attire. He wore a black robe with a small white collar around his collarbone, a fake rosary around his neck, a cross in his left hand, and a Bible in his right hand. Nerdy glasses sat on his eyes as he looked at Carlos, who kept laughing ridiculously. "Man, this is silly. I can't pretend to be like a priest just because of a woman. It doesn't fit my aesthetic." "You don't have a choice, Carden. Any other disguise you choose after this would be suicidal," Carlos said. Carden sighed heavily, like someone without a choice-because he truly had none. "If you say so, Carlos... but still, it's insane." "I know," Carlos replied. "I got something that would brighten your mood." Carden's smile brightened. "You do? Meaning I won't be disguising as a priest?" "Not that. Your disguise still stands." Carden's smile faded instantly. "I have a way of making it seem like you are a real priest. There's this friend of mine in Sicily. I called him and told him everything." "You did what?" Carden frowned. "Wait... I haven't gotten to the interesting part yet." Carlos continued, **"He said he has a way of making it seem like you're a real priest. He said he would pay off the priest that normally goes to that mansion to pray for your dream girl, and make him tell the girl's owner that he's being transferred. Then a new priest would take over his position. Boom-that's where you come in as the new priest without stress." Carden smiled again. "Yes... that's a brilliant idea." "Yes-and you'll be staying at a parish close to the mansion. So anytime you plan an escape, it'll be easier for you to sneak back to the parish," Carlos added. "This is beautiful. How did you manage to make your friend pull this off?" "I told him the girl is your long-time sister, and you need support to get her out of that mansion. I told him the owner kidnapped her when she was little and is using her as his money instrument," Carlos said, leaning back on the chair. "You're such a genius, Carlos. What would I have done without you?" Carden said, walking close for a hug. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Carlos joked as they hugged. "Now all you need to do is master your disguise," Carlos said as they pulled apart. "Yes," Carden said with a big smile. "Now walk back and act like the priest that you are," Carlos laughed. "It's not funny, Carlos. This robe looks ridiculous," Carden complained. "Yes it does," Carlos laughed loudly, "and now I will address you as Father Damien Narvick." "That's a good name. I'll take that," Carden said as he continued his rehearsals with Carlos' help. In the Mansion Anna was on a video call with her parents, pretending all was well. She couldn't tell them the stress she'd been going through all these years. She flashed back to when she was seven. Her father was struggling, working two jobs to keep the family fed. She didn't go to school because her father couldn't afford tuition fees for her and her brother-until her dad's brother, Uncle Arnold, called and said he wanted to take her to Sicily for a good education and a better life. At first, her dad hesitated-he knew Arnold wasn't someone who did good without getting something in return. He became even more suspicious when Arnold insisted he wanted only Anna. But he had no choice; he wanted the best for her, unaware that his decision would cost Anna her freedom. "Anna... Anna," a woman's voice called from the video. "Are you okay, darling?" She wanted to say no, but her uncle was standing opposite her, staring sternly like he was waiting for her to make a mistake so he could deal with her. She looked at her uncle for a while-his gaze was nothing but a warning. Anna turned back to her parents and forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mother. Work has been stressful. It's not easy modeling for different companies at a time." "Oh my dear, sorry about that. You are indeed strong," her mother said. She gasped inwardly. "I know," she said, trying to hide her tears. "Look at what your amazing career has given us-we are now the richest people in the countryside. It's amazing and a blessing to have such a beautiful daughter whose beauty is the talk of the town," her dad added proudly. She smiled faintly. "I'm glad you all are happy," she whispered. "I wish I would be someday..." She turned her face away from the camera so her parents wouldn't see her tears. Her mother noticed and asked again, "Are you sure you're okay?" She nodded. "I'm just happy you guys are good," she said, forcing a smile through teary eyes. "Okay," her mother said, still uneasy. "When can we visit you? I miss you, my little one." Anna looked at her uncle-he shook his head sharply, signaling no. She turned back to her parents. "Not yet, Mum. I still have a lot of companies to model for. If you come, I won't have time to spend with you. And you can't follow me to work because of company rules. So stay calm... I promise I will visit soon." Her uncle cut her off immediately. He walked into the call, greeted them, and told them Anna needed to go back to work. They said their goodbyes awkwardly and hung up. "You don't tell me when and how to talk to my parents!" Anna burst into tears. "Please let me go see them. Please!" Arnold stared at her and muttered, "Soon... I will arrange that. Only if you promise to be a good girl and don't say anything to them. You know the consequences if you do." Anna nodded, wiping her eyes. A heavy-built man walked in, handing a ringing cellphone to Arnold. "It's from the parish, sir." Arnold took the phone. "Hello, Father," he said. The voice responded; they talked, and he hung up. Feeling unstable and uncomfortable with what he'd just heard, Arnold clenched his fist and shouted sharply: "There will be a new priest!!!"

Carden stood with his bags, waiting for his number to be called. He held his ticket in his hand, looking at Carlos-who had been his backbone from the start. "I already told my friend in Silicly that you're coming. Make sure you call me once you get there; he'll tell you and show you all you need to do. Another thing-the parish is hosting a charity fundraising today. You need to be there with your disguise," Carlos said, patting Carden's shoulder. "A charity fundraising... why is everything happening so quickly?" Carden, lost in thought, muttered to himself. "It's a risk you need to take, man. For your little dream girl. At least she'll stop disturbing your night rest once you know why she's appearing in your dreams," Carlos added. "You're right, man. Thanks a lot. I owe you, bro," Carden replied. "Attention everyone! The train is set to move. Passengers with B2 tickets should get on immediately." "Oh, it's time. I need to leave," Carden said, giving Carlos a hug before jumping onto the train. The train horned and soon began to move. Carden kept waving at Carlos until he couldn't see him anymore. He sank into a seat near the entrance and exhaled. "Let me do this... for my peace." In the Mansion "Why am I just hearing about this now? Why is the parish bringing a new priest without my notice? Is someone selling me out? How sure can I trust this new priest with all my dirty confessions?" Arnold barked, throwing everything his hands touched to the floor. "Boss, you need to calm down," one of his men said, trying to soothe him. Arnold walked toward the man slowly. "Calm down, you said?" He pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man's head, finger tightening on the trigger. "You think this is a game of calming down?" The man was already shivering in terror. "I told the parish priest that he must not accept a transfer and that he should inform me if he was being persuaded. Still, he refused and accepted it. And you think I should calm down? He knows all my dirty secrets... and I think one of my rivals is responsible for this transfer." Arnold pulled the gun away from the man's head. The trembling man sighed in relief and dared not speak. "You-come here," Arnold said, pointing at another man. "Gather every information you can about this new priest. Make sure he doesn't know anything about my confessions. Find out if he's someone I can trust." "Yes, sir. I'm on it." "And you-" he pointed at the shivering man, "take this gun and make sure the priest breathes his last." The man took the gun, nodded, and left with the other guard. "Every secret ends here... and that priest needs to seal it with his life," Arnold said through clenched teeth. Carden stepped off the train, looking around the big city of Silicly. He was amazed at the towering structures and how peaceful the air felt against his skin. No one would ever guess that a city so calm lived under the harsh rule of a man everyone feared. Lost in the cool breeze, he didn't notice the man walking toward him. "You must be Carden-Carlos' friend, right?" the man said, extending his hand. Carden shook it and nodded. "You're right, sir... and you are?" "I'm Frederick, but you can call me Fred. An average-tall man," he smiled, his hair neatly combed backward, his face almost too perfect-he even sounded a bit Mexican. "Come, let me get you prepared for your task." He signaled Carden to follow him into a car parked across the road. Inside the Car Fred broke the silence. "I heard what Arnold did to your sister. He's dangerous, and a tough man to pull down. He has men all over the city... and I heard he has one of them watching you already. You must tread carefully. I hope you've mastered your disguise perfectly-one mistake, and he'll pull the trigger." "What? He has his men watching me already?" Carden gasped in shock. "Yes. He knows everyone in this city, and he notices whenever someone new arrives. That's why you must be careful and make sure you don't blow your disguise." Carden nodded, still worried, doubt creeping into his mind. I've gotten this far... I can't pull back now, he told himself, trying to regain confidence. Arrival "Here we are," Fred said. A small gate opened to reveal a building that rose with quiet dignity, its pale stone walls warm under the sun. A tall bell tower crowned the structure, topped with a simple cross cutting against the sky. Narrow arched windows lined the sides, stained glass catching hints of color even from the outside. Heavy wooden doors stood as solemn guardians of silence and prayer. The entire place radiated a calm, sacred stillness, as though holding centuries of whispered devotion. Fred stepped out of the car and gestured for Carden to follow. Carden, still amazed by the structure, which is a cathedral, he could hardly take his eyes off it. "Carden," Fred called, "this is where you'll be staying." He led him into a room. Inside, everything was luxurious-beautiful furniture and everything he would need-while the outside appeared old. No one would ever guess what the interior looked like. Carden entered, eyes wide. "Wow... I wasn't expecting the room to be this furnished," he breathed. "Yes. I made some renovations. Carlos specifically asked me to prepare it this way for your comfort." "Carlos... never ceases to amaze me. Thank you, Fred. I really appreciate it." "You're welcome. I'll leave you to settle in. In a few minutes, we have a charity fundraising to attend-and Arnold, the dreadful man, will be there. Try not to blow your cover. I believe Carlos already told you." "Yes, he did," Carden replied. "And remember-you are Father Damien Narvick. I'll tell you later why I changed the first name. For now, freshen up. The bell will soon ring, and the fundraising will start immediately." Fred left, closing the door. Carden felt anxious-but the beauty of the room distracted him. He began undressing as he walked toward the bathroom. "Let's do this," he whispered.