Beneath The Orange Sunset ✔️

6

~6~

The highway sign up ahead read, 18TH ARR. Samuel had travelled from Senlis then to Provins, for work purposes, now he was headed back to Paris.

The city was so sunny; he had to slide the sun shade in the roof of the car, over his head to shield his skin... and eyes.

And eyes. His eyes. Maxime's eyes. Remember he is blind...

Rochelle's words hunted him. He was at a crossroad, a little confused and tired. He couldn't stop seeing that poor heir in that miserable state at the mansion.

What if she was right? What if all she heard and saw turned out to be true? Samuel doubted it. No the Lacroix were too organized and civilised to create murderous menaces in the family.

But what if?

The mid morning traffic was already set. He navigated his way out of the highway and took a short lane that led him straight to the heart of 18TH ARR.

He pulled over at a free parking spot in front of a tall apartment.

He burst to a heartwarming laughter when he saw someone happily running down the front steps to welcome him.

"Oh! Samuel..."

He stepped out of the car to hug his sister.

He had been born five years after her, but their sibling bond was strong. Joelene passed freshly prepared sandwich across the kitchen table. She watched the coffee maker keenly as it brewed the cocoa beans.

"I thought you would never come, Samuel," she smiled. She passed the coffee to her brother who was already crunching down the sandwich.

"I dare not. You will chop off my head if I didn't."

Joelene laughed. She had never been married. Says she's too soft to live with a masculine figure. Maybe because she got all the attention from father and she never met a man to replace him.

Her olive tanned skin was dotted with some freckles. There was no sign of aging.

She had always been Samuel's confidant. She loved hearing about new things; new theories and new stories.

She had been elated when Samuel hinted the story of the Lacroix on the phone. She couldn't wait to hear the rest of the news.

"So how did it go? Did you meet Maxime?" she asked excitedly.

She sat beside her brother and sipped her creamed coffee.

"Yes. I met him," Samuel tried to look serious but a smile gave him away.

"Wait, don't tell me," Joelene placed her hand on his knees as if holding him in place. "Is he cute?"

"Joey, I was stunned when I saw him. He really looks more handsome than last time I saw him."

Joelene sipped her coffee.

"He is totally different from his brother," Samuel added.

"Did you see anything suspicious? Do you think Rochelle was right about the things she said?"

"That is the problem here. I really can't get my head to balance what Rochelle said and what I think about the Lacroix."

Joelene nodded casually. "If something is happening in that house, that means her death is not natural."

"Exactly."

"But the police says she died of heart attack."

"Few weeks to when Maxime was supposed to have his eyes checked for improvement."

"This is crazy," Joelene straightened her back.

Samuel stood up and traipsed his way to the refrigerator. "Something tells me Maxime is in danger."

"He is the first son, he is the heir... why would anybody want to hurt him?"

"Joey, that is exactly the same question I have asked myself since I saw him."

Samuel opened the door to the fridge. "You've got some beer?"

"Isn't it too early?" Her voice was commanding like the big sister she is.

"Don't preach, sis."
Samuel took a canned beer and closed the fridge.

"What am I going to do about all this?"

"There's only one way to find out?"

"How?"

"You said he needs a nurse, right?"

Samuel nodded. He uncorked the can and gulped down.

"Become his nurse," Joelene said with a shrug. "As simple as ABC..."

"Joey? Do you hate me this much? This is a matter of life and death we are talking about..."

Samuel thought about his whole life in a flash. He went to Paris-Sud school of medicine, not long after he bagged a masters in psychology. His first book on health, "NutriLiving: A New Approach to Insightful Living" became a work that was credited with having a positive impact of the lives of people of different ages.

He earned several awards for its success. He spent two years traveling from city to city enlightening teenagers and adults alike.

He was only thirty, a licensed medical practitioner. He had always done the right thing, made the right decisions. Attaching the Lacroix to his list of achievements was definitely a bad idea.

He was sure his dead body will be rolled out like meat balls for all to see.

"But you like him."

"I barely even know him. I don't have to die for him."

"You're thirty. Maybe you have to."

Samuel laughed at the expensive joke.

Maybe...

He swallowed more beer.

Joelene glanced at her brother.
"You need to save that kid," she said.

"Joey, what if I don't make it out alive?"

"Oh well, you died saving someone's life, it's pretty much an amazing achievement."

"Oh really? Then you can have him all to yourself."

Joelene laughed. She admitted the whole stuff was risky. But what to do...

"Why me?"

"Samuel," Joelene said. "If I were you, I'd have to, save that boy's life. You just have to try. If Maxime Lacroix is in danger and, God forbids, something happens to him, you will never forgive yourself and you will live with that hurt forever. Do what you have to do - help him, please."

"Oh yeah, then be ready to lose a brother. I'm sure you have no problem with that, sis?"

"Absolutely none. Just make sure you don't get hit by cupid's arrow," Joelene made a funny face at him.

It was the second time he admitted he was attracted to someone, but an odd numbness came over him.

He took his sister for lunch and exited the town of Paris. He couldn't wait to meet Maxime Lacroix. He can only follow what Joelene suggested, but he couldn't help it.

The truth was, his heart had already been hit by cupid's arrow.