Beneath The Orange Sunset ✔️

14

~14~

In the afternoon, Samuel wrapped up his medical test kits. He had listened keenly while Maxime narrated what had happened between him and Olga, about how they met.

A pang of jealousy stirred up Samuel's insides when he heard the story.

    "So you think Antoine is behind this?" he asked reluctantly.

Samuel watched him demonstrate as he spoke convincing evidence why Antoine would want to get rid of him. But he was not convinced. The whole Olga story was still new to him. Though a pretty woman in the middle always brings more complications.

    "Do you still love her?" Samuel heard himself say.

    "What?"

    "I said, do you love her?"

Maxime breathed out.
    "I didn't even mention anything about love, I just told you, we just met... And..."

    "And?" Samuel pressed on.

    "I can't answer that. I don't have to tell you everything about my private life."

Samuel was pinched. What private life? He was part of Maxime's life now and needed to know how he feels about such topics as this.

He moved closer in front of Maxime and purposely hit his foot against the white cane stuck in the grass. Maxime flinched at the impact.

    "Olga is Antoine's fiance, you made love with her, what does that make you?"

    "I didn't know she... It was after we... met."

    "So you just did it with her, nothing attached."

    "Samuel?"

    "What? I just want to understand."

    "Understand what?"

    "If you have an opportunity, will you do it again with her?"

    "She's my brother's fiancé!" Maxime breathed.

    "And you love her?"

    "You know what, I am going inside. This session is over."

Maxime made to stand but Samuel held on to his cane.

    "Samuel. Don't try anything stupid."

    "Just answer me."

    "No."

    "No?"

    "You're prying into my private life, so no."

On a second thought Samuel let go of the cane.
    "Why do you think you're not dead yet?"

    "Because... "

    "Because Antoine has no idea about you and Olga."
Samuel watched the young man's throat slid up and down again as he swallowed hard.

    "Antoine would have killed you single handedly if he did know. So thanks to Olga, your little love adventure is kept safe in her heart."

    "You should have said so, not threaten me..."

    "Did I threaten you? Are you angry because of my questions?"

    "I waited for your call, but it never came.."

Samuel smiled when he heard this. Sorry Maxime. Just testing your patience.

    "It's for emergency purposes," Samuel whispered aloud.

    "How am I supposed to know the phone is working?"

Maxime was right. Samuel scratched his ears in thought. This was his bad.

Maxime tilted his head when he heard nothing again. He got to his feet and began striding back to the house.

    "You're changing the topic."
Samuel gritted his teeth when he realized he's been acting a little childish.

    "We need to change your bandage in a week and check the condition of your eyes," Samuel called behind him.

Maxime ignored him. He was already at the door step; managed to slip into the house before he changed his mind.