Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

"Honey, what are you doing here?" He greeted her politely as usual. Józef cared about appearances, and although he could go out to one of his lover every evening, having family quarrels beforehand, in public he was always the embodiment of gallantry and marital love.

"I just talked to Konrad," she replied. "I know you're busy, but would you mind giving me a moment?"

"Of course. Dominika, please leave us." He addressed the secretary in an imperious tone.

The door closed behind the blonde. Just before that, Krystyna felt an icy gaze on her back.

"What is going on?" Józef asked sharply as soon as they were alone. "I don't like it when you disturb me."

"Why didn't you tell me Julia was dead?"

"Julia… what Julia? I do not recall…"

"Domejczuk, my husband, Domejczuk. Do you remember? My dear friend, whom you considered to be too low in social status for Mrs. Skalska's friend."

"It's been so long. I thought you knew."

He was lying. Krystyna had no doubts about it. She felt negative emotions overwhelm her. She was starting to tremble.

"The death of Sławoj Domejczuk also took place so long ago?" She asked, keeping calm with difficulty.

"His death shouldn't matter to you."

It should not…

"The Domejczuk family were my friends. Mine," she drawled, trembling. "How could you give them a loan without my knowledge?"

His gaze hit her like a whip - cold, full of hate. If the look could kill, she would be dead. How many times had he treated her with such eyes? It was as if she were an obstacle in his way, a wooden barrier, not a human. She felt pain each time, but she had to be strong for her son. Konrad, although an adult, was still a child. He would always be her child, so she had to protect him. She prayed that his father would never look at his son like that, and that the boy would never discover that his father looked at his mother like that.

But Konrad was not here now. She didn't have to protect him.

"I really don't mean anything to you anymore," she said. Oddly enough, she felt less pain in saying these words than she had expected.

"It's not true. You are my wife."

"And a divorce would be bad for your image," she added resignedly. "Why did you lend Sławoj money?"

"Because he asked me to. No bank wanted to give him a loan. I gave it to him for four years as security. Conditions better than in shadow banking institutions. It's time to pay off."

"But he's dead!"

"You mean I'm going to lose seventy thousand? Even you are not that stupid."

"Seven ... What did he do with the money?"

"I do not know. I do not care. They are to be returned, otherwise I will take his belongings."

"You can not! This boy is your son's age! How is he supposed to get such a sum?!"

"As he wants. Maybe sell a kidney."

"Józef! When you asked me to marry you, you weren't such a mean man. You had a heart!"

"Back then, I was a naive, stupid shit."

It hurt. Probably that's how she would feel a whip on the back.

"So it was stupid to marry me?"

His silence was the only answer.

Choosing just him, she believed that she was loved. She felt it was so. She believed that it would always be so. They were young and naive, true, but they had dreams and a love that kept them going. Józef was crazy about her. He adored her. He followed her everywhere. He forbade meeting others. He showered her with gifts. He loved her, she never doubted it, but maybe it wasn't true love? Maybe it was a mistake?

"I understand," she said, raising her head high. "Then I want to leave for a while. Rest."

"Holidays will do you good," he admitted.

They'll do even better for you, she thought. You will not have to care about me and calmly take care of your lovers. Loud she added:

"Then I'll need the money."

"Only mention the amount."

Yes, the sum didn't matter when Józef was able to get his own wife out of his sight

***

"Prince, your highness."

Yussuf ibn Muhmud looked up at the man speaking. His secretary was only two years older than him, but he showed much greater prudence and knowledge of the world, even though it was the prince who had spent half his life abroad.

Among other things, it was for these reasons that their cooperation was so perfect. Yussuf appreciated his professionalism and reliability. Another factor was the loyalty that resulted from the fact that Amir ibn Hassam's family had worked for his family for four generations.

"You found something?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, this is not good news."

The prince took a deep breath. Amir ibn Hassam has never been fond of exaggeration and building artificial tension. If he said the news was unsuccessful, that was it.

"Speak," Yussuf ordered.

"I fear the man your Majesty is looking for has died."

That was easy to predict. The date of his birth preceded the date of the honorable grandfather of the young prince by several years. People of this age simply go away as called by Allah.

"Long time?"

"Six days ago."

Yussuf felt a sadness overwhelm him. Six days. Isn't it a tragic irony that he was so close to meet this old man? In addition, he left on the day Yussuf ordered him to be found. However, he would not be able to keep his promise to another aged man on his deathbed.

"He had one son, unfortunately this one died many years ago."

"Son too ... And the extended family?"

"We're checking it out right now. It looks like his son got married and they had a baby."

"Find them."

"Yes."

Amir bowed and was about to leave, but Prince Yussuf wanted to share something with him.

"Wait," he ordered. "See what Kowalski sent me."

The secretary came over and leaned over the photos his employer had been viewing a moment earlier. They depicted wooden sculptures of lovers lovingly intertwined. Both men looked filled with the feeling that united them.

"What do you think?" Asked the prince.

Amir did not answer, being charmed by the sculptures. His face took on a slightly softer, more relaxed expression, however.

"That's exactly how I perceive them," prince Yussuf smiled. "The artist is supposedly very young, but in these characters there is an exceptional maturity. And warm."

"Yes," Amir admitted. "It's nice to look at. If your eyes fall on such a sculpture in the morning, it will surely be a good day."

"So it's settled," Yussuf laughed. "We're flying to Poland."

"When to prepare the plane for?" Amir didn't look surprised. Because it shouldn't be like that. He has been working for a young millionaire from Fujairah for a long time. It was one of the many traits that made the prince liked and trusted him more than his own brother.

"I have yet to sign a contract with the Americans ... I'll give you the details later."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"That's it for now. Make sure you find that baby."

"Of course," he bowed and left.

The prince looked at the printed photo again. Then he read the e-mail from the Polish art dealer again. If the pieta that Kowalski mentions is at least half as good as these little nudes, it would be an excellent gift for his mother. The newly built cathedral will gain a true masterpiece.