Subject:  Sanglant - Chapter 29 |
Author:
Loveroy & Jenn S
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Date Posted: Friday, September 30, 06:17:06am
In reply to:
Loveroy & Jenn S
's message, "Sanglant - Chapter 24" on Monday, July 18, 07:05:09am
Michael Samuelle was no stranger to South Africa given that his enterprises had a business presence in the beautiful region. He owned mineral mines in this highly industrialized nation and a beautiful spread in Cape Town that he visited at least once a year. His connection with the country that sat at the southernmost tip of the African Continent thankfully came after apartheid was repealed in the early 1990s. Michael was a man of integrity and honor and would never have subsidized a government that promoted segregation and prejudice.
Now the handsome tycoon was winging his way, accompanied by a medical team to this land of distinction for a different reason than visiting mines or enjoying safaris, Michael was in search of answers. He wore the clothes that his assistant brought to the hospital, including the jacket that the stewardesses brought to him when they came to visit. The long trip was made in a private jet owned by his company; after the coffeepot incident Michael was not going to chance flying commercial ever again.
As he settled into the plush leather seat and promptly fastened his seatbelt, Michael’s sepia flashbacks paid an unexpected visit. For a brief moment the man thought about sharing with Dr. Chernov, who insisted on accompanying the memory-less patient, the secrets he remembered only sharing once before, but discarded the notion. Michael was worried that the fragmented remembrances were also infringing in his long-term memory - now, with whom did he share these sepia pictures?
The disturbing memories came fast, like a blast of air that takes one’s breath away - a baby, a strange looking rattle, scratches and wailing all enveloped the flashbacks he so certainly remembered having before. But this time the pictures included forceful wind and whipping rain, broken trees, salty sea air and long blonde hair. Michael Samuelle sighed and allowed himself to fall into the false comfort the meds Dr. Chernov injected brought - to sleep perchance to dream.
Before completely falling victim to the drug induced stupor that was sure to follow, Michael made a mental note that he hoped he would remember upon waking. The envelope he found folded securely into his jacket pocket when he donned it before boarding the plane had a South African return address. Michael did not recognize the Johannesburg source or the Canadian recipient that shared the correspondence and vowed that as soon as he was alone he would read the content of the envelope.
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Nikita and Adrian deplaned in the Johannesburg International Airport and the blonde was absolutely taken aback by the modernity of her surroundings. Adrian watched her granddaughter absorb the South African airfield and rejoiced in rediscovering this familiar place through Nikita’s eyes. The women chatted amicably as they exchanged impressions of the breathtaking sight they had caught upon flying over the South African territory.
Of course Adrian’s experiences in Johannesburg were not all momentous, and she remembered the last visit a year prior with a hint of regret. George and Adrian rendezvous regularly in secret locals that they took great pains in hiding from their children, from their family and from everyone else but that always brought them back to the animal sanctuary. On this previous occasion they decided to spend their time in South Africa from the word go and Paul and Madeline happened on the area at the same time. Thankfully the older couple was not discovered, but the freedom they usually experienced in the village was marred by the knowledge that their judgmental children were close by.
The women went through the common hoops that every traveler has to endure during these unordinary times; passports were checked, customs documents filed and luggage inspected before Adrian and Nikita moved to the taxi stand. As they left the luggage concourse and stepped outside to the hustle and bustle of the pickup area Adrian’s sadness dissipated when she spied standing by a black Humvee, none other than George. The sign he held read ‘Dr. Wirth’ and when the women approached he introduced himself as though he had never met the elegant woman he called his wife. The couple knew there would be time later to say their hello's and show how much they missed each other after the long time apart.
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At that precise moment, Michael and Nikita crossed paths while the blonde’s luggage was loaded into George’s all terrain vehicle by a young bloke named Greg. The intensity in the woman’s stare disconcerted the focused man who walked passed her and barely noticed the woman intently looking at him with scorn in her watery eyes. There was recognition in her glance and desperation in his stare and for whatever reason Nikita turned away and boarded the car.
Adrian and George exchanged looks when they saw Michael walk by with Dr. Chernov in tow and Adrian decided to address the fact that Michael was present with Nikita. When she boarded the back seat of the automobile and George closed the doors Adrian could see Nikita’s unhappiness and confusion as she followed Michael with her gaze, as he drove off. Adrian put an arm around the blonde woman and handed her a vintage handkerchief so she could dry her eyes.
Adrian asked, “Wasn’t that Michael, dear?”
Nikita answered with a lot of regret in her voice, “He didn’t even acknowledge me.”
Adrian whispered as George started a conversation about the coming medical conference, “Perhaps he didn’t see you, after all he looked dazed, probably jetlagged.”
Nikita sadly said, “Perhaps,” and then continued addressing George, “We really appreciate your putting us up, I can’t believe there are no available hotel rooms close to where the conference will be held.”
George answered, “Maybe later in your stay there will be less trade, however, I have an enormous spread and I am sure you will enjoy the animals that hang around our house.”
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