The Sin of Love

Final Chapter

Sam hadn't slept very well. He had imagined a Rosalie in love with another, the real Alexander, before his eyes. It was silly in a way since Rosalie had never met Alexander. She only knew Sam, dead or alive. However, he was determined to do everything so that she could remember him. So he called Maria with a very special request.

- A suit ? - she exclaimed on the phone.

- I ... I would like to impress a girl ... - he whispered.

- Oh ... I see ... you know young people your age content themselves with a shirt and jeans these days ...

- It's a bit special, - he said,- I have a feeling that it is linked to a memory ...

Sam blamed himself for lying to Maria, but that wording was ambiguous enough to reflect the truth.

- I know it costs money, - he added, - a little fortune ... But now that I'm going to work at James' I will be able to repay my debt, I promise.

- Alexander, don't take the trouble to do so,- she smiles. - In more than a month that you have been here, you haven't asked for anything for yourself. We know that you are not a profiteer who wants our money, you are part of the family.

Sam swallowed. He still blamed himself for not revealing the truth about his identity but ... did he really have a choice?

***

Saligia had chosen a beige suit of great beauty for Sam for his romantic evening with Rosalie a few weeks before. Finding the same was impossible, so he had to try and choose something similar. Sam had described in detail the suit he wanted to Maria as she drove him to a shopping mall specializing in wedding costumes and all kinds of ceremonies. The dark-haired man tried on some suits under Maria's critical gaze. She walked around him, gauged the waist, folded up the fabric to see if the length would fit more. Sam was grateful to see her so invested. He had simply asked her to drive him there, but Maria had insisted on accompanying him. Her presence, her frowning, her pout when she grumbled, Sam was smiling tenderly.

- Thank you for trying to find it with me, Maria,- he said as he wore a beige suit that was obviously too big for the shoulders.

- Don't mention it,- she smiles while remaining focused.- Unfortunately, I did not have children. Taking care of you is a bit like having a son ... vicariously.

- Anyone would have been lucky to have a mother like you,- he smiles.

Maria was touched by this remark.

- Your mother ... was a loving and wonderful woman, despite her careerist side,- Maria explained, smoothing out the fabric of the jacket.- You knew how to grow independently, taking care of your brother and your sister. You were ... you are ... someone whose mother would be proud.

- I'm touched, -Sam admitted.- Even though I don't remember anything ... Maria ... I'm afraid I'm not the one I used to be anymore ...

Obviously he knew it. He was not the same Alexander. He was afraid to betray the feelings of Maria and Carmen. He felt like an impostor in the eyes of these two women who gave time, money and direct attention.

- It doesn't matter if you're not the same anymore,- she replied, looking him in the eye.- We all evolve. The person you are today really looks admirable. The more we see you grow with us, the more we are proud of who you are.

Sam was very touched by Maria's remark. He felt like she had just said that he, Sam, was a good person. Something he had never been told, or even, it was the opposite that was whispered when he passed through a door. He was seing himself as the embodiment of sins had not thought that he could appear appreciable in the eyes of anyone.