Manipulation

Months went by, Tarik and Miriam were extremely happy (loved poured out of their auras)! Lover boy would take his most significant other everywhere; he’d parade her at the best restaurants, esplanades, bars, clubs and…at his office. «Where are we going today, love?» asked Miriam while getting in the Jag «Today I’m taking you to the construction site of my newest ethanol plant» replies a proud Tarik while cleaning the window-shield of his car with the sleeve of his coat. [Cell-phone ringing] They both look for their mobiles and Miriam says, «It’s mine, dear! Hello…not a good time to talk…I am not at home…I don’t have my laptop on me [she plays with the cross hung over her chest…Tarik observes her]…dunno, dunno what time I’ll be there…I’ll call you, bye!» Tarik takes hold of her cross (while brushing softly against her left breast) and says «Gorgeous piece: platinum with ruby, topaz, emerald, turquoise…[not sure of the following stone]…a sapphire, a diamond, a jacinth, and agate…an amethyst, a beryl; this one is an onyx (love this stone) and jasper…wow, Miriam, did you have it made?» with glittering eyes Miriam smiles «My dad gave it to me upon my 21st birthday; we are Christians!» Tarik laughs out loud «You don’t say? I wonder what gave you away [while relinquishing the jewel]» he starts the car…
At the construction site, in Grimsby, Tarik encourages Miriam to take a look around the place while he talks to the architect and advisors. Miriam pulls him by his tie, kisses him passionately and lets him part…Tarik softly licks his own lips and walks away while smirking…
Miriam strolls around the site: she turns right, then left; she gets down, grabs a hand full of soil, holds her cross, and seems to be talking by herself! From afar a couple of advisors follow her moves «She is acting rather strangely, isn’t she? Why is she turning right, left and playing with that jewel around her neck? Rather suspicious…» «Oh, for heaven’s sake, Mildred! Don’t tell me that you have been reading those spy books again…you are such a paranoid!»
[Cell-phone ringing] «Hello! Selene! [“Shalom, Miriam!”] Shalom, dear! [“Free to talk now, eh?”] Absolutely! [“The received images are perfect. However you need to go back to his office and capture a new image of the Investment Agreement!”] Will do…Lehitraot ["Lehitraot!"]»… [1]

Jardim de Belém, Lisbon.
Paul looks around and sees her, then walks up to her, places his hand on her shoulder and says «Shalom!» she turns with a broad smile on her face «Shalom, Saul! How are you since yesterday?» «I’m in utter bewilderment…you are dreadful!» «Well…did they fall for it? Did they believe that I’m Her?» «Absolutely! By tomorrow we’ll have met to plan your suicide…» Sheela covers the garden of Belém with a loud yet warm laughter (Paul thought her to be a very striking woman: tall, slender, long neck; a gorgeous oval face, a complexion coated by milk chocolate, mysterious black eyes, long wavy black hair [“Real hair!” he says to himself], white teeth [“Ah, Saul…I see that Opus Dei didn’t kill your humour lol!”] and kissable fleshy lips. She was wearing black silk trousers, a see-through tunic with a top underneath it; her feet were adorned with cerise high-heeled sandals)…«And to think that She is so much light skinned than you are, Saul!» «I know, it’s rather shocking!» «Anyway, H.Q considered the dinner a success and we owe it to you, darling!» «Thank you, Sheela! By the way is the “fiancé” the real one?» «Ha, I wish he were…She is so lucky, what a man! I’d do anything to be near him, even if for 5 minutes…but then I’d be dead! No, my “fiancé” is a co-worker and co-workers are off limits, dear [“What a pity!” Paul thinks]! Walk with me, Saul; we’ve been here for too long and there is a lot to be discussed yet! Let’s taste some “Pastéis de Belém”!» «Yes, let’s!»...
From across the road, in a car, a trembling Julie observes them through a pair of binoculars «Ah, Paul...I knew it! A woman always knows [shedding a tear]…you told me that you were coming to work…some work you’re doing! [Cell-phone rings] Hello…[“Julie, it’s your mom!”] oh, mom…[“What happened? Are you crying, honey?”] It’s Paul, mom…[“What…he didn’t give you the diamond bracelet you wanted or something?”] he is cheating on me, mom [“Oh, that…well, what did you expect? Do you know how many hours you spend at church nowadays?”]…With an Afro- European or whatever they call themselves these days [“I’ll be damned! He’s better than I thought…who would think that little Paul liked a colour in his life? It’s time for you to get pregnant, Julie!”]…You think so, mom? [“He’ll support you and the child for life! Listen, I have been reading about these Opus Dei men…they are very responsible!”] May God help me, mom; but you are right! [“Ain’t I always?”] Yes…


Will Livingsword prove his ability to weave manipulation, let’s check it out!

[1] Hebrew word for “Goodbye!”

Next Episode: Eventualities