'Puzzled'

Episode 31 - Proposal

Chapter Four‘I love you as certain dark things to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.’

- Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets   

Episode 31 - ProposalMonte Carlo, France, 28 December

My attempts to dissuade maman bring no results, for the bogus photograph on the f*******: screams out a different truth.

Where has this ‘amorous’ model come from anyway? It’s so unlike maman to invite unfamiliar people to her soirées. She always picks and mixes with such a great care. Perhaps, the 'bikini girl’ is an acquaintance of one of her friends' daughters. But still, it's unclear what this girl aims at achieving by her pestering. For friends we are obviously not, common interests we don't have, models don't attract me, besides asking a permission to take a picture of me she hasn't spoken to me at all, having spent the whole evening at the other end of the table.

My stomach grumbles. I get up, pull my t-shirt and jeans on and go downstairs.

The breakfast’s being served in the dining room, but I don't go there. I don't wish to face maman right now.  Convinced in her righteousness, she'll be throwing meaningful glances at me. Instead, I head to the kitchen.

Improvising on what I find in the fridge, I gather some breakfast for myself.  But as I'm about to leave the kitchen, I bump into Maria at the door.  I try to squeeze by her, but fail. Her imposing figure fills in every bit of the doorframe.

'Are you having breakfast in your room today?' she inquires, examining the tray in my hands.

‘Yes,' I mumble, still trying to find a gap between her and the doorframe.

'Why didn't you ask me?  I'd bring it to you myself,' she says, not moving.

'I didn't wish to bother you with it. You have so much to do,' I reply.

'If you all start cooking your own breakfasts, I'll have nothing left to do in this house,' she proclaims.

'Maria, please, what you're talking about ... '

'I know what I'm talking about! Your Mother's told me everything.  Now, that you have a girlfriend, she'll cook for you, and there is no need for Maria!'

'Maria, honestly, I don't have a girlfriend ... ' I say.

'Monsieur Luke, no need to pretend! It's no secret no more, the whole of Monaco knows about it. Even Rosa!'

'What Rosa?' I ask, startled.

'Well, the cleaner of this, what's his name, this Finnish racer!' she blurts out and, finally, removes herself from my way.

Leaving the 'news' without any comment, I go up the stairs to my room and see Monsieur Moreau, lingering there by the door.

'Bonjour, Monsieur Moreau,’ I greet him.

'Bonjour, mon ami. I've got a proposition for you,' he says with a smile.

'Which one?' I reply, pressing on the door handle with my elbow.

'I'm going to Saint-Tropez. Do you fancy joining me?'

'Saint-Tropez?'

'Yes, I have a yacht anchored there that I'd like to show to you ... '