Ripples in the Rain

Chapter Four

My ex husband rarely came into my apartment. Even when he dropped our children home, he would just stay in his chauffeured car and send my daughters up by themselves. That morning, he showed up at my door with my twelve year old daughter Sophie. It was such a rare occasion indeed.

"Bonsoir, ma chérie, " Yves said as he kissed both my cheeks. "Comment ça va?"

"I'm fine, Yves, " I answered brusquely. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"May I come in? Sîl-te-plaît?"

"Sure," I said, opening the door wider and letting him in.

He laid his tall, lanky body on the couch. He was still attractive and very slim at 45 years old. That's why all those models loved being with him. He wasn't only wealthy, he also looked after himself well. His various gym memberships were definitely put in good use.

"I need a favour, " he said. Straight to the point, that's my Yves. I meant my ex, Yves.

"My mum is having her 75th birthday in Paris next week and I'm wondering if we can all go, as a family."

"What?" I said, perplexed. We haven't been a family for over a year. "Why would we do that?"

He laid a hand in my lap and said, "My mum loves you and I couldn't bear to tell her that we're divorced. "

He added, "It's only for one day. I will of course pay for everything."

"Will you also be taking Annette, Claudette or whatever your current girlfriend's name is?"

"It's Juliette, and yes, she's coming to Paris. But she won't be anywhere near my parent's party."

He touched my cheek and said, "I missed you, chérie. I know we didn't get along when we were married, but I still like you, a lot. You are the mother of my only children."

"How do you know you don't have a dozen illegitimate children out there, Yves? " I paused. "I've had enough of your lies."

I said firmly. "I will do this. Not for you, but for your Mum."

"Merci beaucoup, ma chérie," he said joyfully and kissed my hand like a gentleman that he's not. "I will send you the details via email."

"Is that all? Or is there anything else I can help you with?" I said, icily.

"I guess that's it. Au revoir, chérie" he said as he walked to the door.

Before I could open the door for him, I heard a knock. When I opened the door, I saw Oscar, standing in front of the door with a wide smile and carrying two takeaway coffee cups.

"Oh," he said, disappointment evident in his voice when he saw Yves standing beside me.

"Hi Oscar," I said as cheerfully as I could. "My ex-husband is just about to leave. Please come in."

Yves looked suspiciously at Oscar and asked me, "Who is he?"

"None of your business, " I said as I pushed him out of my apartment. "We'll talk later, okay?"

I sat down beside Oscar and took a sip of the coffee he brought for me. It was an unusually strong but very aromatic blend.

"This coffee is great," I said. "Where did you get it from?"

"A cafe close to my place," he said. "I'm a regular there and they kindly supplied Guatemalan coffee for me, because that's where I'm from."

"Really? That sounds amazing. Not that I've ever been to Guatemala, but I heard it's a beautiful place." I added, "And if you can get this kind of coffee over there, it sounds like heaven to me."