Beneath The Orange Sunset ✔️

Thirteen

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

~13~

There was a visitor sitting in the living room of the Lacroix mansion.

She was a top model at Elite agency, Paris. Olga Dewinski was introduced to Antoine Lacroix, who'd after a few meetings in London and two dates, gotten engaged to the beautiful star.

A female model of Irish decent suited the Lacroix. She will do well to represent the family in applaudable ways possible.

Olga was no ordinary looking lady. She was exquisitely tall, red haired, soft spoken, with a charming personality that threw men off balance.

She appeared reserved and not shaken after a three hour flight to Paris. It was the weekend and she thought it proper to visit her fiancé's home.

Madam Emile trudged down the stairs draping her baby pink long gown. She seemed pleased with the visitor and gave her full attention.

"Olga dear, how was your flight?"

"Quite hectic," Olga smiled as she exchanged warm pecks with the older woman.

"You look really gorgeous. How's it been with work?"

"Here and there, very busy," Olga smiled halfheartedly.

Emile nodded in agreement. "You should take a break sometimes my dear, and come spend time in beautiful Paris."

"I really plan to do that. You have no idea how I miss Paris."

"Excuse me," Emile turned her head towards the kitchen. "Henrietta can you get Olga dear, something to drink?"

"Water is fine."

"A glass of water will do," Emile called. She brought out her iPhone from her pocket and unlocked the screen. "Have you seen Antoine yet?"

"No," Olga waved her hands. "I wanted this to be a surprise. I will be going to his place later in the evening. I wanted to see you first."

"That's sweet. He will really be glad to see you."
Emile mused.

Olga looked around the house. It seemed too quiet. She wondered where he was. Was he still at the hospital or back home. It's been months since she heard anything from him. She missed him.

"Is anything the matter, Olga dear? You look flustered."

Olga's eyes brightened. "No, I'm fine."

"Why don't we go have lunch at Le Meurice. There we can talk about your relationship with Antoine."

"That will be great," Olga nodded. Of course, Emile cared about her son's reputation. Olga knew a marriage certificate with a top model like her would boost the company's already strong ties internationally. Then what will she get, a nice-doing-business-with-you handshake at the end.

"Good. I'll go freshen up," Emile announced.

Olga watch the lady go upstairs. She fidgeted at first. She was scared of Antoine's mother. Her ways was strict and vile. It took wisdom to outsmart the woman. But Olga didn't care. She was here for a reason.

Olga's curiosity got the best of her. She tiptoed quietly behind making her way through the curvy stairs. She heard a door shut by her left as she reached the large floral corridor. She quickly headed to Maxime's room on the right.

"Can I come in?" Olga asked half jokingly poking her head into the room.

Olga? Maxime recognized the voice.

"As long as you're pretty," Maxime said from his bed.

What was she doing here? The last time he'd seen her, Maxime believed he would never see her again. He could still recall their first meeting, on a cruise ship in Venice. They had joked around, playing Romeo and Juliet. Then one feeling led to the other. Next thing they woke up in each others arms.

Three months later, Antoine showed him some photos of her. Says he wants to marry her. Then the accident happened.

Olga was temptation, he thought to himself. A temptation he brought upon himself. This time he wasn't going to impose his feelings on her, like he had done in the past.

"Oh God," he muttered.

He could still see the tall beauty in his memory's eye - her curves slithering as she walk, her long red curly hair laying softly on her slim shoulder.

Olga walked towards the bed to meet the man she had longed for. She reached for his face with her pretty fingers.

"Maxime..."

He could read her mind. He wanted to tell her everything that's been happening but this was not the time nor the place. It was too risky.

The two embraced themselves. Olga's eyes got teary as she heard Maxime whispered some words into her hair. He hushed her before she could say a word.

"Don't look back, there's a hidden camera behind you. Don't say or do anything suspicious. Just act normal. It's dangerous and I think you need to leave."