TEMPTRESS

XXVI.

ANGÈLE JOSÉPHINE MONET LAURENT CHASTIN - TOULOUSE, FRANCE 1968

Ethan sat down at the table, his blood boiling. How could someone not after hearing news like that? All he felt was confusion and disgust. Like he had just seen the universes weirdest creature and couldn't understand why it felt so familiar. He didn't understand how people could be so messed up, how people could have such sentiments they'd be able to do such a thing. This family is disgusting, he thought. Every face he saw was equally as disturbing. Their father, their mother, their friends and themselves. Anyone who admired that family was inhumane and revolting. He didn't understand how such a family acquired such admiration and wealth.

He froze as Angele walked up to him. "Salut." She smiled, that same refreshing smile. She sat down setting down the lunch meal on top of the white coated metal garden table. "Are you okay?" She asked, her eyes searching any signals through his.

Ethan faked a smile. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He awkwardly chuckled.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she nodded. "Okay... I'll be back." She announced, turning her back to him and set foot towards the villa, following her usual path to the kitchen.

He exhaled deeply as he buried his face in his hands. He couldn't even look at her.

The siblings and Julien soon appeared, joining him at the table. Emily hadn't left yet, and Daniel had already headed back to their hotel so he could get some work done. Ethan tried to appear as natural as possible in front of the unhinged family. "Are you okay?" Alexandre whispered, reaching his arm forward trying to grab a hold of Ethan's hand.

Ethan immediately retracted his hand. "Yeah, yeah." He nodded. Alexandre knew exactly what was on his mind and he immediately regretted what he had told the British boy.

"No, wait. Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and Charlie Watts?" Emily guffawed as she heard Adrien retell the story of Angele's brief moments with the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds and the Beatles.

"It was when I would spend time in London to visit Adrien when he was there for his film projects." Angele nodded embarrassed by the story Adrien had revealed. Julien listening with a small smile on his face, he didn't mind the fact that they were discussing Angele's previous sexual encounters, anyone would be impressed if their partner slept with someone famous.

"I can't believe that." Emily giggled. "Who was better?"

Angele shook her head, not wanting to answer. She wanted to keep that to herself. "It's my secret." She timidly chuckled.

"What about the Beatles?" Emily laughed.

"None." Normally, Ethan would've been impressed like everyone at the table but now, he thought it was ridiculous.

"You guys are so disgusting." He blurted out loud, not caring about his words.

The whole table froze. "Um... Pardon me?" Angele croaked. Adrien stared at Ethan, a cigarette trapped between his finger, he stared deeply at the British young man waiting to pounce upon his next words.