Hector watched Mikhail, as if to make sure he could handle the rest of the conversation. He took one last sip before setting his glass down. Crossing his arms, he leaned back in his chair, fixing his gaze directly on Mikhail.

—Yes, I’ve already welcomed her here.

Mikhail turned pale. He wanted to insult him with all his might, but his jaw tightened, and his mouth went dry. He looked down for a moment. His heavy breathing and deep groans filled the room.

—You slept with my wife?

—What difference does it make to you?

—Excuse me?

—I’ve been married three times. I know women. I can tell when a woman is neglected by her husband. And Sandrine is one of them. So what does it matter to you if she’s seeing someone else?

Mikhail got up, moving towards Hector, forgetting his pain.

—You bastard! Mikhail said, rising towards Hector, ignoring his physical pain. I’ll…

—Hey! Hey! Take it easy! Hector warned, again pointing his gun at him.

Mikhail froze at the sight of the gun aimed at him. He took a deep breath to regain his calm, forced to sit back down, his gaze more hostile than ever. The guard, Riccardo, opened the living room door, alerted by the tone of Mikhail’s voice. Hector signaled that everything was fine and ordered him to leave again.

He got up, turning his back to Mikhail, facing the window. Thoughtful.

Mikhail considered attacking him from behind but thought better of it. It would be unproductive and dangerous. His bodyguard would intervene in a moment. Besides, he needed answers, and Hector seemed willing to give them.

—I want to know. What kind of relationship do you have with my wife?

—My relationship with Sandrine is purely professional. A year and a half ago, I needed a competent financial director to manage my French branches. Sandrine was recommended to me. At first glance, and by reviewing her resume, she wasn’t the most qualified for the position, given the scope of my business and the significant turnover it represented. But when I interviewed her, I immediately sensed she had something different. She was particularly determined to get this position. She had meticulously researched my business and affairs. I was impressed. But it was her resemblance to my mother, I think, that was the decisive point.

—Your mother is a redhead? Mikhail asked, surprised.

—No, estúpido. I’m not talking about her physical appearance. I mean her spirit. She has something my mother also possesses. She exudes a particular aura. Her mere presence is enough to calm the atmosphere. Furthermore, she always has the right words and proposals to keep my company safe from catastrophic decisions. A true gem.

Hector turned around and noticed Mikhail’s incredulous look.

—No one is ever a prophet in his own land,” Hector smiled. “I feel like I’m describing a complete stranger to you. This is clearly a side of your wife you don’t know.

—I’m mostly surprised to see that a man like you believes in spirits and all that nonsense.

—Little pretender,” Hector laughed. “You really are so naive. Maybe Audrey rushed things with you, after all. If you think the world we live in stops at what we see, know that your rise to the top is already doomed.

—I don’t understand…

—Merced®. I don’t intend to explain it all to you. Tonight, at your initiation meeting, you’ll certainly learn much more. They’ll explain these things to you.

—An initiation meeting?

—Yes, that’s what it is.

—But you won’t be there at tonight’s meeting… Since your private jet is about to take off for Malaga.

Hector stared at Mikhail for a moment, stunned that he had access to such confidential information about his flight plan, before turning back to the suite window.

—This meeting is for active members of the ‘Collegium’… And I am not a part of it. I’m just a voice on the leadership team with veto power.

—And why aren’t you fully part of it? Mikhail asked, puzzled.

—My mother’s faith.

—Your mother’s faith? What does that have to do with the ‘Collegium’?

—It’s all connected. She imposed certain limits on me when I was a young boy still clinging to her apron strings. As I grew up, it became hard to shake off some principles. I’ll miss her…

—She passed away?

—No. She also left today. Like Sandrine.

—She also… disappeared? So Sandrine is definitely not here?

Mikhail slumped onto the padded chair. He felt a wave of dizziness take over him. He struggled to think clearly. A sudden headache gripped him. The Spaniard picked up the gun he had set on the dining table and approached Mikhail with a confident step.

Mikhail felt the cold metal of the barrel trace the contours of his face. Hector whispered in his ear.

—You were afraid to find your wife in another man’s bed. But in some ways, it would have reassured you if she were in my rooms, wouldn’t it? At least you would have found your wife and known where you stood. I’d be a visible enemy, someone you could try to fight. But now, your distress is far greater than you ever imagined. You’ve completely lost control of the situation.

—I don’t understand. And those plane tickets. You’re the one who bought them!-

—Yes, that’s true. I didn’t have an affair with your wife. But it’s not like I didn’t try.

—What?” Mikhail gasped.

—Calm down, he said, standing back. She always resisted me. With a lot of class and elegance, I must admit.

Mikhail forced a relieved smile.

—Don’t rejoice too quickly. It wasn’t out of respect for you that she said no. She has strong values and a firm faith. She is a beautiful soul. She is so… charming.

A sudden sweat replaced Mikhail’s dizziness. He squirmed in his seat as he observed Hector’s affectionate look while recalling Sandrine. His broad mustache revealed an unconscious smile. His tone became tender and smooth.

—I quickly realized that your marriage was struggling,” Hector continued, seemingly suddenly aware. “So I suggested she take a break by coming to join me with your son. She didn’t want to. I insisted and personally bought them both tickets, to Malaga, my stronghold. My home. I wanted to show her who I really am, at home. She could come whenever she wanted, for as long as she wanted. That was my last attempt, two weeks ago.

—Two weeks ago, you say? That’s impossible! You’re lying! Because last night you were at my place.

—And what makes you think I came to your place last night?

—I found one of these cigars at my place this morning, Mikhail said, angrily pointing at a second cigar box adorning the bar.

—One of my companies produces these cigars. But personally, I don’t smoke. Old military habits. Know that I have dignity and a sense of respect. I didn’t go to your house.

—I don’t understand anymore… I thought your absence at your own party was due to…

—I had an important conversation with my mother. She was passing through Paris and insisted on seeing me. To me, mamà is more important than all my businesses combined. I spent the evening with her here in my hotel. She has her own suite on the same floor as mine.

Mikhail detected a sudden tremor in his voice, betraying a painful emotion. Hector turned his face, on which tears were streaming down. He leaned on the bar, gripping the counter so hard the wood cracked.

—She spent the whole evening trying to bring me to my senses, as she liked to say. It wasn’t the first time she tried to share her faith with me. Since our childhood, she always taught my brothers and me the importance of believing in a Supreme Being in whom we should trust. I always struggled to believe in this supposedly Almighty God who let a beautiful woman like mamà manage alone to raise four boys and endure so much suffering to provide for her children’s needs after being abandoned by her cowardly husband… An unworthy father. That’s why I fought and vowed never to lack for anything.

He struck the bar’s furniture, which instantly cracked under the intensity of the blow. Mikhail strangely felt empathy for Hector. He saw something of himself in his story. Was that why Sandrine had tried so hard to work with his company? Did she see some resemblance between her husband and this powerful businessman? The empathy gradually turned into admiration.

Mikhail surprised himself by giving Hector a reassuring pat on the back. Just as unexpectedly, Hector placed his hand on his as a sign of approval. Mikhail immediately pulled his hand away, stepping back a few paces, trying not to show his sudden discomfort.

—But she’s always been beautiful and strong. Hector continued, gently wiping his eyes with a handkerchief he took from his pocket.

—She never spoke negatively. Always confident in her God. ‘Confia en el Señor, bijo miolo,’ she encouraged me on every occasion. Mamà is truly an incredible woman.

He turned back to Mikhail.

—But last night, she had an extremely serious tone. I didn’t recognize her. She urged me to make the right choice and accept faith in my heart. She almost threatened me, as if she sensed a disaster was imminent and that I was in danger. She wasn’t worried for herself at all… She wept for the world that ignored her Señor. And this morning, she was gone. She had left.

— Do you know where your mother has gone?
— Certainly, she went to be with her Señor.
— So, you mean… she’s dead?
— I already told you, mamá didn’t die. She left with her Señor. She always told me that one day He would come for her, and that she would go with Him. That it would be a day of joy for her and for all who awaited this moment. But a time of dread for everyone else who didn’t believe. People like you and me…
— I don’t understand…
— Neither do I. I don’t fully grasp it myself. It’s all so unreal, isn’t it? Especially for someone like you, who doesn’t believe in the existence of another world.
The sliding door opened, and the guard urged his boss to head to the airport. Hector took his jacket, which was hanging over the back of one of the dining room chairs, and followed him out.
— No, wait, Mikhail said, blocking his path. If you know where your mother went, you must tell me. It’s possible that my wife and son are there too. I need answers.
— If I had those answers, I’d give them to you. But I don’t have them. If mamá were still here, she’d surely share them with you gladly. She was the one with faith. Not me.
— But you already know a lot. Much more than me and more than many others outside.
— Yes, you’re right. I know, in my head. Mamá always told me I had to know with my heart, not my mind, because faith comes from the heart. But I always feared taking that step.
— So, is it this so-called shared faith of your mother and my wife that led to their disappearance?
Mikhail’s voice rose unintentionally as he anxiously clutched Hector’s shoulders. He stared at him intensely, unable to control the tremor in his hands.
— Is that what you’re trying to make me believe? he shouted.
— I’m not trying to make you believe anything, Hector said, forcefully pushing Mikhail out of his way. All I know is that mamá and Sandrine shared a common faith. I don’t have all the answers, and I no longer have time to talk to you. My plane is waiting at Le Bourget Airport. I’m going to ask you to leave now.
He pointed Mikhail toward the door and returned his weapon, having taken care to empty the magazine. Mikhail was about to reach the hallway when Hector called out to him one last time.
— If you want to know where Sandrine and mamá are, go find someone with faith like theirs. If you can still find someone. You must have hacked into my phone to track me down here. So, I’d appreciate it if you kept me informed in case you find them.
— Understood. I’ll be sure to.
— Thank you, amigo. For your safety, Riccardo will escort you out of the hotel. Now, get out of my house!
He said with a mischievous smile…

This text is an excerpt from the book ““THEY ARE LEFT” by Teddy NGBANDA.

We invite you to read the following article, “The Silent Ordeal Of Sandrine”.