𝙅𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙚 (18+)

∞

August was an excellent time to visit Lille. The weatherman predicted seventy-two degrees, which would be the warmest temperature in that area for the rest of the month. Joseph sat rigidly behind his desk, an uncomfortable expression forming on his face. The old woman in front of him couldn't possibly imagine that his son had died and that the culprit was right in front of her.

"You're good to go, Miss Dubois." His French was still terrible, but at least they could understand him now. Joseph had decided to isolate himself from his previous world after Martyn died and Anna married another man. He had been residing in Lille for the past two years, and for some reason it was the only place in the entire world that could simultaneously give him solace and also haunt him.

"My granddaughter is a little late." Mrs Dubois was very old, so much that her gentle voice trembled at each word. Because she knew Joseph was still learning the language, she spoke slowly.

"I'll keep you company while you wait for her." His manners remained unchanged, and despite his poor well being, he chose to be kind. Perhaps he was just trying to convince himself that he was a good man.

A vintage T-Bird convertible in baby blue parked right in front of the clinic a few minutes later. From the window, Joseph saw a young woman emerge from the vehicle and lose her pink foulard in the strong late-summer breeze. He followed the piece of cloth with his gaze until it vanished in the distance.

"There she is. Thank you very much, Monsieur Fleming." Miss Dubois flashed a smile at Joseph and walked towards the entrance door. He accompanied her and kept the door open.

"Sorry, Mamie." From behind the door came a young, sweet voice. Her "r"s were guttural, and she spoke in a way that immediately reminded Joseph of how a mermaid would sound. "I got caught up with uncle Elliot."

Mrs Dubois was blocking his view, so he couldn't see her from where he was standing. He had to patiently wait for her to move a little. But that young woman was well worth the wait, because when his gaze fell on her, he was completely captivated. Her petite body was wrapped in a red silky dress that matched the color of her cheekbones. That skirt is way too short, he found himself thinking.
Her blonde, wavy hair was pulled up into a messy chignon and held in place with a single chopstick. When she smiled, you could see a small gap between her upper incisors. And she smiled a lot.

"It's okay, Lollie. Help me down the stairs." The grandmother walked down the stairs, holding her niece's hand. Joseph approached them and stood at the door frame, watching them from a distance. He even looked into the girl's Bambi brown eyes. Her long lashes fluttered as she looked at him. He felt so old at the time, trapped in the feeling that he was wasting his life. Then the thought of Anna intoxicated him in a way that only she could. His son had died as a result of those thoughts, but he still wanted to find her. How could he be so self-centered and evil?

"Au revoir, Mr. Doctor." She whispered, waving her small, soft hand. Joseph's lips curled into a grin. He had no idea he'd become addicted to that woman and her lovely vanilla scent.