Sweet Fire

22.

Samira sat on the sofa, legs pressed together, elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands. The conversation she overheard minutes ago was playing in her mind.

“Marcel?” She whispered his name.

No, maybe Eros was wrong.

It could not be Marcel.

No!

It could not be cousin Ruby’s Marcel. He was not that kind of person. Marcel Russell was a good, hardworking man with good character. Eros might have the wrong person.

“My love,” Samira glanced at Eros, who was sitting beside her.

“You have the wrong person, Eros.” She told him.

“I knew you would say this, that’s why I kept it from you all this while.”

“No! Marcel is really a good man. He would never do something like that!” Samira snapped. “He is hardworking, kind, sweet and loves his wife very much. Eros you are accusing the wrong person.” She said, while searching his eyes.

“Samira, looks can be deceiving.” He told her. “Do not believe a man is innocent just because he acts nice.”

“But Marcel is...”

“I know you see him as a good man. Your whole family sees him like that, I have noticed. You all see him as a saint... but I know who he really is. I have known him for years and Marcel is a shady, backstabbing bastard who deserves to be punished for his crimes.”

There was silence after that.

Eros searched her eyes for something... anything, but he got nothing. At that moment, he wished he knew what she was thinking. He would have given anything to know what was going through her head at that moment.

“You must have proof of what you are saying.” Samira spoke after a while of unrelenting silence. “Because, no one will believe you if you have no evidence.”

“Oh, we have all the evidence.” Ross spoke, gaining their attention. They almost forgot someone was in the room with them. “In fact, we have enough evidence to put him behind bars for the rest of his life.”

Eros continued to gaze deep into her eyes until she looked away. He saw the hurtful look in her eyes. He saw her begging him not to do this, but he had to. He had not come this far just to stop at the last second. Taking her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze and then added. “I know it will be difficult for you and your family, but I have to do this. You told me yourself to seek justice, so that’s what I am going to do.”

Samira slowly removed her hand from his and rose to her feet. “It’s getting late. I have to get back home.” With those words, she ascended the staircase and disappeared into his room.

“She is family with Marcel Russell?” Ross asked in disbelief after Samira’s departure.

“Her cousin is married to him.” Eros sighed, a reply.

“Man, things are going to get really messy.” Ross said. “I hope that doesn’t affect your personal life.”

“I hope so too.” Eros could not agree more.

“Alright, I am leaving.” Ross returned the file to his briefcase and closed it.

“I will call you when everything is ready.” With those words, Ross made his way to the front door.

When he left, Eros wasted no time in rushing up to his bedroom. He found Samira zipping up her dress when he entered. “Samira, please don’t go.” He pleaded, moving towards her.