Page 41 of Felix and the Spy
“It’s nice to meet you.” Felix quickly gathered himself, pasting a smile on his face. Rina was quite young, perhaps twenty-five in human years. She took him in with her large blue eyes, offering a shy smile. He was in no state to greet visitors.
“I’ve looked forward to meeting you for months.” Max marched ahead, leaving the trunk at the door. “The house looks the same as it did.” He was quickly making his way to the bedroom. “We’ve had a long journey. I was wondering if—”
Felix reached to stop him, but it was too late. The door opened before Max could reach for it, and Felix’s heart was in his throat. Amara stood there, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her shirt unbuttoned all the way to her waist, her pants thrown on in a hurry.
“Good morning, Felix—" She stopped. Then, rubbed her eyes. Felix moved to her side in a hurry. Her glance alternated between Max and him, moving behind to take stock of Rina. “What is going on in here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Max crossed his hands over his chest, taking in the rumpled sheets in the background. His mouth curved into a middle disgusted, haughty frown. “Why is a semi-dressed woman coming out of your bedroom, father?”
Fourteen
Amara
Amara, Felix, Rina, and Max sat on the sofa a few minutes later, after she’d made herself presentable. Max’s eyes were identical to his father's, but they lacked the warmth Felix’s had. He eyed her with distrust, as his fiancee threaded her hand in his, rubbing it soothingly and begging him to calm down.
Amara breathed uneasily, trying hard to smile at Rina who blinked at Felix.
“Well, that is an interesting way to make your acquaintance.” She tried to lighten things up, but everyone else was too serious. “Hello, I’m Rina.”
Amara smiled at her. “Hello.”
At least she was nicer than Max.
“I forgot you were coming today.” Felix rubbed the back of his head apologetically, his face turning to Rina. “I’m sorry you had to witness this.”
Rina shook her head, trying to seem unaffected, but she was extremely uncertain. Amara would be too if she came home to find a strange man coming out of her future father-in-law’s bedroom. Deciding to take charge of the situation, she said, “I am Amara. I know you haven’t met me before, but I work with Felix.”
“You work with my father. Does that mean you’re a…” He trailed off, not wanting to reveal his father’s profession. “That doesn’t explain why you were in our bedroom. Naked.”
“Max! Language.” Felix chastised.
“What? I have a right to know why a strange woman is in our house. I come home after all these years and this is what I find? What exactly is going on here?”
“We’re in a relationship.”
“We’re seeing each other.”
They both burst out at once.
“In a relationship? With someone young enough to be your daughter?” He was incredulous. “I can only imagine what kind of relationship that is. I am disappointed in you, father. I didn’t think you would take a lover after all these years.” Amara didn’t like the tone he was taking. If they were having an affair, it was their business. “Not to mention she works with you. You’ve been alone all these years, saying you’d never love anyone but mother. What is this? Is that all she meant to you?”
Amara was confused. Didn’t Max want Felix to move on? That’s what she’d gotten out of his letter. Why was he so angry, then?
Deep worry lines appeared on Felix’s forehead. He pressed his fingers to his temple. Amara wanted to smooth those lines, but she didn’t think now was a good time to do that. Not when Max was studying her like she was a disgusting insect. Amara tried to quell the anger that was rising inside her.
Felix placed a hand on hers. “I think we should let Amara go. I’ll explain everything to you. She has to work today.”
Amara felt she was being dismissed. Though the conversation was turning uncomfortable, she didn’t want to leave him alone. Reluctantly, she stood.
“Do you hope to marry my father?” Max asked.
“No. I don’t want to get married,” she admitted.
“Then, is it for work? Do you think sleeping with him could benefit your career?”
“Max! Stop.” Felix’s voice was raised.
“Because we both know you won’t stick around.”
