The Reverend And His Plaything

Chapter One. Mia pov.

The ride from the city to San Malerio was long and bumpy, but I didn't mind much. I was just glad to be getting away. My phone buzzed a few times in my pocket during the trip, but I ignored it. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone-not after everything that happened to me. Getting cheated by my boyfriend because I refused to let him have my virginity.

When the car finally pulled up in front of Grandma's house, I felt this weird mix of relief and nerves. The place was huge, almost intimidating. A little too quiet, too still. Not like the noisy city I'd left behind.

"Here we are, ma'am," the driver said as he stepped out of the car.

I followed him, stretching my legs. He walked to the back and opened the trunk, then started hauling my suitcases out like they weighed nothing.

"Hope you can manage the rest from here."

"Yes, sir. I've got it. Thank you," I said quickly, grabbing one of the bags. I hated people fussing over me.

He nodded and got back in his car without another word. I stood there for a moment, looking at the front door, then at the bags. Great. Two hands, three suitcases.

Just as I bent to grab the second one, I heard it.

"Mia!"

I looked up, and there she was-Grandma. Walking fast for her age, arms already outstretched like she was going to crush me in a hug.

"Grandma!" I shouted back, dropping everything and running to her.

She pulled me into a tight hug, her hands patting my back, her perfume filling my nose. That scent hadn't changed. It smelled like home.

"I missed you so much," I mumbled into her shoulder, planting kisses on her cheek like I used to as a little girl.

"Silly girl," she said, tapping me on the arm.

"Ow! Grandma!" I winced, rubbing the spot with a pout. "Why'd you hit me?"

She narrowed her eyes, mock-annoyed. "If I didn't beg your parents to let you come, you'd never have bothered. And now you're here saying you missed me?" She scoffed and turned her head like she was offended.

I groaned. "I did miss you. You know how life gets. School, and stuff..."

"And when your grandfather died?" she snapped, hand on her hip. "Too busy then, too?"

I swallowed and looked down. That one stung a bit.

"Okay, fine," I said, lifting my hands in surrender. "I messed up. Can you forgive me, please?" I gave a dramatic bow, hoping to win her over.

She tried to keep a straight face but then burst out laughing.

"That's more like it," I said as she chuckled.

"Come on. Let me be your husband, your granddaughter, your everything, huh?"

I laughed, wrapping my arm around her as I pulled one of the suitcases behind me.

"Deal." she said sharply.

We walked into the house together. It felt surreal. Like stepping back into a memory. The smell of baked bread and old wood hit me first. The hallway still had that same faded wallpaper and the same picture of Grandpa above the side table.

"You didn't change anything," I said, glancing around.

"Nope," she replied simply. "I like it the way it is."

I know it's different from how it used to be when you were little," Grandma said, stepping into the room with me. "But you can take your time to arrange it the way you like."