An African Sunset - An Excerpt

“An African Sunset” an excerpt Having just crossed the hotel’s gate, Shatz saw her standing in her bathing gawn on the pool’s edge looking in his direction, watching his approaching car. Janine!!! He almost shouted her name with all the might of his lungs. He waved to her excitedly through the car’s open window, stopped the car and parked it; getting off rather nimbly he slammed the car’s door and quickened his step, as he was climbing the light slop up to the swimming pool. ‘At last,’ he said catching up his breath. ‘How are you? The enchanting creature that you are? I’ll never stop admiring you!’ The smile that lighted up Janine’s face vanished, and her expression changed into a suspicious grave stare. ‘I’m very impressed from the easiness with which you scatter compliments so lavishly all around…’ She remarked rather indifferently and with a clear note of mistrust. ‘What title have you got in heart breaking, a bachlor’s or of a master?’ That sarcastic remark she added in such apathy that quite astonished him, while scrutinizing his face with a stern look of her green eyes. ‘You never heard such words before, you don’t hear such words time and again, how pretty you’re? Am I the only one who admires you? I don’t believe it!’ He whispered to her excitedly. ‘I’m in love with you, with you alone!’ He added dramtically, as if their love affair was extended over several years already; and as if he did declare his love to her long ago. ‘Don’t you know it?’ Janine blushed and became utterly confused; she didn’t expect such a sudden and open assault on her emotions. ‘I’ve waited for you yesterday…’ She answered him in a low voice, breathing hard with a heaving breast. ‘Good God, I’m so sorry, I wanted so much to come but I’d to assist the expert’s family that I’ve replaced, those who have returned to our country,’ hastened Shatz to explain. ‘That expert had some differences with monsieur Miniaron, you know, Pegeauot agency’s manager; about the price Miniaron had to pay him for his car. I’d to accompany him and till that matter was settled the whole day was wasted in vain; and then the commandant had given them a farewell party which I’d to attend, that lasted till midnight…’ He added raising his hand in a gesture of desperation, lying to her brazenly. For a few seconds they stood facing each silently. ‘You’ve to return home don’t you, who was supposed to pick you up?’ He asked her. ‘Annette and Alain, I’m waiting for them for half an hour already…’

‘Wouldn’t it be better if I’ll take you home?’ ‘Yes, let’s go,’ she decided and led the way down to his car. Shatz opened the car’s door seen her settle in her seat, and closed the door with much care. How he did apologize… what a romantic soul he has, the last living specimen of his kind on earth…’ She thought excitedly, biting her lips not to burst out with a laugher of sheer joy – while Shatz was doing his way to his own seat. As soon as he settled himself behind the steering wheel, he turned to her took her hand, and bending down started to kiss the tips of her fingers. Turning round her hand rather gently he sunk his lips in her open palm. Deeply moved, with a throbbing heart, Janine sent her other hand to Shavz’s neck, caressing it. Gripping Janine’s far shoulder Shatz pulled her towards him and bending his head kissed her lips. ‘No please, not here… not now, people might see us…’ She muttered pushing him slightly back. Regretfully Shatz drew back his arms and straightened up in his seat, switched on the engine and drove her home. As he parked the car along the narrow pavement, she sat still in her seat waiting for him to get off and open her door. ‘Won’t you come in for just a few moments?’ She asked hesitantly in a low voice hardly odible. Without uttering a word Shatz followed her to the door, entered and sent his hand to her waist in the semi darkened enterance. She turned back to him with frightened eyes, moving her head from side to side, as if to warn him. ‘Papa,’ she called out moving on into the living room, with Shatz in her wake. At the far end of the broad living room sat the wine grower, next to a round table watching them.