Blood Diamonds

Champagne Bubbles

"You?!" Mary exclaimed, looking at him dumbfounded.

"Al'ama! Tu es toujours la même," the man said with a satisfied grin.

John had no idea what was happening right in front of him. He looked around: Morel is not there, so he is left to face this sudden problem alone. And so as not to get lost in guesses, Smith asked directly: "Mary, my dear, won't you introduce me to your friend?"

"Oh, Mary, habibi," the stranger said thoughtfully, chuckling again. "You told me another name."

"Don't you dare!" she hissed, looking angrily at him. "I buried my past life and you with it. So don't you dare—"

"Ahlain taloo."

"Tozz Feek!"

"Okay, okay!" He raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Just don't get mad. Oh, I beg your pardon for my sudden appearance."

He held out his hand to John.

"Guillaume Diefenthal, an old acquaintance of this beautiful person. And you?"

"John Smith," The American shook the young man's hand coldly.

"Mary's companion?" Guillaume asked. "You quickly found a replacement for me."

"None of your business," Mary snorted.

Her shoulder brushed his and she tried to move forward, but Guillaume caught her arm deftly and jerked her back. After this he pushed the girl aside with the same abrupt movement, hiding himself and her from other people's eyes behind a wide column. Smith, eyeing the young man with disapproval, took a step toward them.

"Don't rush, chérie," he said softly to Mary, and there is a twinkle in his eyes that made John realize that getting involved with this man is clearly not the best idea. "I guess we met here because of something important—"

"You and I don't have any business in common," Mary said. Her tone so icy that John felt uneasy. "Come on, John, we are busy."

"Oh, Mary," Guillaume sighed, and then he chuckled again, saying her name, and making her stop. "I remember the time when you loved the dresses with an open back."

"Shut up!" Turning to face him, the girl hissed. "Ayreh Feek! Don't you dare!"

"Hush, chérie," he tilted his head to the side, looking at her with a sneer. "I told you, we are not enemies. We met here because of the same business. You are also have an interest in the royal diamond necklace, which is own by a very interesting person who loves to run all over France?"

John and Mary froze. They clearly had not expected this turn of events.

"Bingo! I think Mary will agree that we'd better join our forces," Guillaume continued. "Just admit, that by working together we are more likely to achieve our goal and—"

"Wait, what? Don't make me laugh. It's ridiculous. We have different customers after all." John said. "So--"

"I don't think so," the young man chuckled. "So what? Mary may confirm that I can help you. Isn't that right, chérie?"

He gently cupped her chin in his fingers and forced her to look at him. But Mary shook her head, shrugged off his fingers, and took a step back. Guillaume laughed again.

"I think she confirms what I said. I can get you through the security guards so we can get to the room unhindered. And yes, I know that the jewelry is in the room. He keeps it in a safe, not trusting banks and jewelry stores."

"So, we'll see the necklace with you or will not see it at all?" John asked him.

"Exactly."

John thought about it. He does not like this Guillaume at all, and he realized that Mary does not like him either. Although, Smith is very interested in his words that Mary told him a different name, and her expression that she buried her past life with him. He hoped that this young man would shed some light on Mary's past, but he does not particularly want to get involved with him.