Love Affairs

Chapter 4: The Man Who Came Back

Daniel drove through the city without saying much.

Maya sat beside him, staring through the window.

Streetlights passed across her face.

She kept thinking about Samuel.

For five years, she had wanted answers.

Now that she was finally close to getting them, fear had replaced anger.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"A small hotel near the old marina."

"Why there?"

"That's where he asked to meet."

Maya looked at him.

"Did he say why?"

"No."

"Did he sound afraid?"

Daniel kept his eyes on the road.

"Yes."

That answer made Maya nervous.

She looked down at her hands.

"What if he runs?"

"He won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because he called me too."

Maya turned sharply.

"He called you?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

Daniel was quiet for a few seconds.

"He said he made a mistake five years ago."

Maya looked back through the window.

"A mistake?"

"That's what he called it."

She laughed bitterly.

"He ruined my family and calls it a mistake."

Daniel glanced at her.

"I know."

"You don't know."

"I know enough."

Maya looked at him.

"Do you?"

Daniel didn't answer.

They continued driving.

When they arrived at the hotel, Daniel parked near the entrance.

Maya looked at the building.

It was small and old, with faded paint around the doors.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

"Yes."

Daniel got out.

Maya followed.

They entered the lobby.

A receptionist looked at Daniel, then pointed toward a narrow hallway.

"Room twelve."

Daniel nodded.

They walked down the hallway.

Maya could hear her heartbeat.

Daniel stopped outside the door.

He looked at her.

"Stay behind me."

"I can take care of myself."

"I know."

"Then stop treating me like I can't."

Daniel stared at her.

"I'm not."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Trying not to lose you again."

Maya went silent.

Daniel seemed to realise what he had said.

He looked away.

Before either of them could speak, the door opened.

Samuel stood there.

Maya almost didn't recognise him.

He looked thinner.

His hair was longer and there were dark circles under his eyes.

He stared at Maya.

"Maya."

She froze.

For years, she had imagined this moment.

She had imagined shouting.

Slapping him.

Demanding answers.

Instead, nothing came out.

Samuel looked at Daniel.

"You brought him."

"He came with me."

Samuel nodded.

"Come inside."

The room was small.

There was a bed, a table and two chairs.

Samuel sat down.

Maya remained standing.

"Why did you call me?"

Samuel looked at her.

"I owe you the truth."

"You owed me the truth five years ago."

"I know."

"Where were you?"

He looked down.

"I was scared."

"Of what?"

"The people I was working for."

Maya's face hardened.

"Working for?"

Samuel nodded.

"I didn't do everything alone."

Daniel stepped forward.

"Who was behind it?"

Samuel looked at him.

"I don't know all of them."

"You know enough."

Samuel rubbed his hands together.

"The money came through several companies."

"Victoria's family?" Daniel asked.

Samuel looked at Maya.

Then back at Daniel.

"Yes."

Maya felt her stomach drop.

"I knew it."

Samuel shook his head.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it."

"Her father was involved."

Maya stared at him.

"And Victoria?"

Samuel hesitated.

"That's why I asked you to come."

Daniel moved closer.

"Speak."

Samuel looked at Maya.

"Victoria knew."

Maya felt numb.

"What did she know?"

"Everything."

The room seemed to shrink.

Daniel's face became hard.

"You're lying."

Samuel looked at him.

"I wish I was."

Maya looked at Daniel.

He did not look at her.

Samuel continued.

"Your mother found out about the money. She was going to report them."

Maya's voice shook.

"So they killed her?"

Samuel looked away.

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

Maya stepped closer.

"You knew she was in danger."

"Yes."

"And you did nothing?"

Samuel looked at her.

"I tried."

"You sold her house."

"I had no choice."

"You stole everything."

"I was trying to protect myself."

Maya's eyes filled with tears.

"You left me with nothing."

Samuel lowered his head.

"I'm sorry."

Maya laughed through her tears.

"Sorry?"

She turned away.

Daniel reached for her arm.

She pulled away.

"Don't."

He stopped.

Maya wiped her face.

"Why did you tell Daniel I didn't want him at the funeral?"

Samuel looked at her.

"Because he was asking questions."

"What questions?"

"About the money."

Maya stared at him.

"You knew we loved each other."

Samuel said nothing.

"You knew what Daniel meant to me."

"I know."

"And you still lied."

Samuel's eyes filled with regret.

"I thought it would keep you away from him."

"Why?"

"Because Daniel was getting too close."

Daniel stepped forward.

"To what?"

Samuel looked at him.

"The truth."

Nobody spoke.

Then there was a knock on the door.

Samuel's face changed.

He stood quickly.

"Who's that?"

Daniel moved toward the door.

"Stay here."

He opened it slightly.

Nobody was outside.

He looked down.

A small envelope lay on the floor.

Daniel picked it up.

There was no name on it.

He opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

He looked at it.

His face went pale.

Maya walked toward him.

"What is it?"

Daniel turned the photograph over.

Maya took it.

She looked at the picture.

Her mother was standing outside a building.

Beside her was Victoria.

They were talking.

Maya stared at the image.

"When was this?"

Samuel answered.

"Two days before your mother died."

Maya looked at him.

"Why didn't you show me this before?"

"Because I didn't have it."

"Then who sent it?"

Samuel shook his head.

"I don't know."

Daniel looked into the hallway.

"We need to leave."

Maya looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because whoever sent this knows we're here."

Samuel suddenly moved toward the window.

"Wait."

A car had stopped outside.

The lights were off.

Samuel's face drained of colour.

"They found me."

Daniel looked at Maya.

"Stay behind me."

The lights of the car came on.

Someone stepped out.

Samuel whispered,

"That's him."

Maya looked toward the window.

"Who?"

Samuel stared at the man outside.

"The person who made me do it."

Daniel reached for the door.

Then the hotel lights went out.

The room became completely dark.

Maya heard someone scream in the hallway.

A door slammed.

Then came the sound of footsteps running toward their room.

Daniel grabbed Maya's hand.

"Don't move."

The footsteps stopped outside.

Someone tried the door handle.

Once.

Twice.

Then silence.

Maya held her breath.

A second later, the door burst open.