TEMPTRESS

III.

ANGÈLE JOSÉPHINE MONET LAURENT CHASTIN - PARIS, FRANCE 1968

Their open white painted front door creaked open revealing, the tall slim figure stepping with a bouquet under his right arm. The tall figure walked past the decorated hallways, past the frames, the tiny sculptures, and the coat hanger. His brown curls bouncing as he ambled towards the living room. The calm, smooth and quite record play slowly getting louder and louder. "Alexandre!" Angele smiled as she lost focus of Julien's sweet words, her eyes landing on her brother whom she hadn't seen in months.

They were resting on the white couch. She was resting her head down against his chest feeling her heartbeat as he sat down on the couch, holding her. He noticed her dainty sliver slip dress and her perfectly mixed gold pendant with the most perfect pearl hanging down. Her hair was ruffled up and set on top of her shoulders as if she was posing for a camera: our eyes.

Upon seeing her brother, she jumped up away from her lover and towards her brother. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him tightly as he gripped her thin waist carefully. She looked up into his green hazel eyes. "Happy anniversary to you." He grinned as he squeezed her tightly.

She grinned and kissing him before sitting back next to her partner. "Merci, Alex." Julien smiled at the young man who set the flowers down on top of the dining table, he glanced at the empty plates of pasta which he noticed smelled divine.

"A few more people are coming up." He smirked at her.

"What?" She laughed looking at her brother. He was serious, his nervous smile and pearly white teeth revealed the truth. "Oh my gosh— I'm not ready, I can't wear this!" She gasped, her eyes moving back and forth looking at her brother and then her lover.

"You look beautiful, mon amour." Julien said and leaned towards the nightstand grabbing the visible blue pack of cigarettes and the tin lighter next to it. He lit up the cigarette inhaling softly and leaned back watching her stand up walking up to the mirror in the hallway.

She examining her figure and if the dress would be 'appropriate' for guests or only her brothers and him. "You do look ravishing." Alexandre said, walking up to her behind her, his hands gripping her waist softly and spun her around.

"Do I?" She smiled. He hummed softly in response. "Still, I'll go put something on." She grumbled and walked back to her room in such hurry, looking for something casual to wear. She settled on plaid cigarette pants and a blouse, so she could at least look presentable. While behind the wall, Alexandre and Julien arranged the area so the guests would find their home organized and clean.

"Voila, voila. On est la!" She heard a familiar voice say. Wine in his two big hands, the familiar freckles on his cheeks and chin. His black hair was disheveled, his coat hung awkwardly as if he had just run three laps. She grinned and ran up to him leaving Alexandre alone.

Alexandre furrowed at his older brother. It had always been like this. The tension between the two brothers because of one girl. Angele hugged her brother, inhaling his sweet scent. "I've missed you!" She semi-whispered in the tall man's ear.

"I've missed you." He repeated, equal opposite reaction. He softly kissed her cheek and let her go to let the other guests in, while Julien and Alexandre went to greet the eldest of them all.