A/N: The image above does not belong to me. It belongs to the person who uploaded it on the internet.

Third Person POV

Off packed all his belongings into two suitcases. He tried to hurry with his packing as much as he could because his dad was waiting for him in the parking lot of the St. Dominic Seminary building A/N: this is a fictitious name for a Catholic seminary. Author doesn't know if it does exist)

Off looked around his emptied room to make sure that he had not left anything behind. He was going to be gone from this seminary for one whole year so he needed to make sure that he didn't forget anything important.

Off had been studying in this seminary for the last eight years. He had graduated with highest honors and just like all the  others who had reached the last year of theological studies, he was being awarded a one year period of freedom from the seminary. This one year period was called the regency period where a seminarian who is one year away from ordination as a priest, is given the chance to go out into the world to test himself whether he does have the vocation or the calling to the priesthood or not.

If after one year, the seminarian decides that he does have the calling to the priesthood, he goes back to the seminary to inform his superiors that he would like to proceed with his ordination.

Off took one last look around his room before stepping out and closing the door behind him, wondering whether he would ever come back to this place again.

One of his superiors was already at the lobby to say good bye to him and to advise him to pray constantly for guidance and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Off said he would, and went through the heavy wooden double doors and started his short walk to the parking lot, pulling his two suitcases with him with each hand.

He greeted his father who told him to put his suitcases in the trunk of the car. Then he got into the passenger seat beside his father.

The two and a half hour trip to their house was awkwardly silent. Off knew that his father was hesitant to ask him the question that was hanging in the air. Off knew that his father dearly wanted to know if he had any plans to go back to the seminary and push through with his ordination or if he had decided to stay in the secular world and go the way of most men who went on to get a job and raise a family. In Off's case, if he would decide to stay in the secular world and get a job, his father would certainly offer him to run the family business with his father and eventually take over when his father got too old to run it.

When they finally reached their house it was early evening. 

After his father had parked the car in their detached garage, his father turned to him and placed his hand heavily on his shoulder before Off had a chance to open the door on his side.

Before his father could say a word, Off said, "Thank you, Dad, for giving me a ride home. Right now, there's nothing on my mind except to lie on my bed and rest a bit before dinner. I don't even have the energy to unpack my suitcases so if you don't mind I will leave them in the trunk of your car for now."

His father let out a heavy sigh. His father understood that it was his son's way of saying that he did not want to discuss his plans about the priesthood at this time.

"Alright, son, if that is how you feel," his father said in resignation. "As you can see, your car is still here, ready for you to use at any time. The key is still hanging in its usual place in the hallway leading to the kitchen."

"Thank you, Dad, I appreciate your kind understanding," said Off. "During this regency period I will of course help you with the business."

Off kept his promise in the succeeding days and helped out as much as he could with the family business. His father owned a musical instruments store. The store carried the brands of well known high quality musical instruments from Japan and Germany and the store was located close to a university which offered Bachelor of Music courses to students and their store was very popular among the music students of the university.

On Friday evening after coming home from their shop, Off's father casually asked him, "Don't you want to go out and have some fun after a hard week's work? Your routine has been home to work and work to home this whole week. I think it's time for you to go out and make new friends out there."

Off knew exactly what his father was hinting at. His father had always been against his going off to the seminary to study to become a priest. He was his father's only son and his father had been deeply disappointed when he showed no interest in running the business with his father.

Off thought that maybe just this once he should try to make his father happy.

"Alright then, Dad," Off said making his way to the end of the hallway where his car key was hanging from the wall. "Don't expect me home till very late."

His father laughed. "I don't expect you to be home till early Monday morning."

Off shook his head. His father was making himself too obvious.

Off drove to a pub that was located in the high end area of the city. It was a pub that was frequented by young urban professionals and young businessmen and the city's socialites.

He drove his car to the entrance of the pub where a valet came forward and took his car key to park his car for him.

He was met at the door by a uniformed staff who politely led him inside.

"I would like a quiet corner table, please," Off whispered to the staff, pressing a large bill into his hand.

"Of course," said the staff with a smile.

The staff led him to the one remaining empty table at a dimly lit corner.

"Thank you," said Off.

"I will be back to bring you the menu," said the staff even before Off could seat himself, and walked away to fetch the booklet for Off.

"Sure," said Off, and had just taken his seat when someone appeared in front of him.

"I'm afraid you are taking over my table," said a slim not too tall young man who looked a few years younger than Off. "I just went to the rest room for a few minutes after a staff brought me to this table."

Soon a staff who was different from the one who had brought Off to the corner table arrived bringing a booklet with him.

"Houston, we have a problem," the young man said to the staff.