Duplex Passion(Dill McLain) Sylvia leaned back in her seat, took a large sip of champagne and looked at her husband. He was sleeping. She felt sorry for him. This was their last flight together but he did not know it. He slept peacefully and his hands rested on his knees. ‘Poor Werner, he will be totally lost without me,’ she thought. She took another sip of champagne and almost triumphantly looked at him. She pushed away these devilish thoughts coming up. ‘What, if something goes wrong ?’ asked her inner voice, or maybe it was her bad conscience, and replied immediately: ‘No, nothing will go wrong. Everything was planned carefully and in all details. Tomorrow she will start her new life. Her life with Juan-Enrique !’

She closed her eyes. Her life with Werner was calm, conservative and comfortable. They married 27 years ago. In spring and autumn they used to spend two to three weeks holidays in a village on the coast about 30 minutes from Malaga. First they used to live in a small hotel, and since 15 years they rented a flat in a villa with a tiny garden with a loggia from where one could see the sea. In all these years they had acquired quite a lot of friends there. They went out for dinner together or celebrated parties at their holiday homes. They did not mix with the locals, but maintained polite relations with them. Of course, the fiestas organised by the locals were absolute highlights for them. There was sort of a local crème de la crème and it was a privilege to belong to it. The local younger generation initiated a lot of new activities and had established shops, restaurants and a very nice beach. Two hotels were built and many town houses were restored. All with the money paid by the tourists from the north.

One man descending from a local family with long tradition was a leading key person. His name was Juan-Enrique. He was not only a clever businessman but also very handsome and superbly educated. A real heartthrob. He was the local star and the owner of the restaurant at the port that was frequented by the tourists and where regularly exuberant parties were celebrated.

Sylvia only lived for these holidays in the south. It was the main focus for her. She underwent special beauty treatments in all sorts of studios, bought expensive clothes in exclusive boutiques and was filled out completely with preparatory actions for the next holidays.

Werner did not pay attention or comment her activities. She had her own bank account with a considerable amount inherited from her parents. Why should she not enjoy life ?

Last year Sylvia started a love affair with Juan-Enrique. While Werner went sailing with a group of friends, she met Juan-Enrique who led her to his house. The flat was a recently finished absolutely stunning duplex with a direct view over the sea. Juan-Enrique told Sylvia that one flat was rented out to a Frenchman and this one was his own.

Juan-Enrique treated her like a princess and Sylvia surrendered completely. They repeated this afternoon romance whenever the others went sailing and the passion of Juan-Enrique transformed her into a vamp. At night when the others were back and celebrating their parties at the restaurant, she exchanged fiery glances with Juan-Enrique. Werner noted her transformation but just smiled.

There was a young and timid woman serving the meals in the restaurant. Her name was Teresa. She came from Latin America and was always very kind to Werner. He was the only one who paid attention, and now and then he talked to her. The others were too absorbed in partying.

Sylvia could not bear the thought to have to live without Juan-Enrique and one afternoon she said to him: ‘I want to stay and live in this duplex forever, I could even buy it, so that you can invest your money in a new project !’

Juan-Enrique sat on a silk pillow and smoked a cigarette. He seemed amused. Sylvia felt released after having proclaimed her important message and looked possessively at this wonderful body. She was ready for any commitment. Her words gushed like a stream. She offered to transfer all her money to an account in his name. And when she mentioned the precise amount, Juan-Enrique kept a sharp eye on her and stretched his perfect body leaning on his elbow. This woman burning for love really meant what she was saying, this was clear.

And then Sylvia said with confident voice: ‘I will immediately file for divorce from Werner.’

Juan-Enrique was speechless, flattered and embarrassed by the plans of this mature woman who was almost 20 years older than he. But at the same time he was absolutely excited about the financial prospect coming up so unexpectedly.

He rolled over, let his gaze slide over her body lustfully, to ensnare her carefully to the last hair, and thought about the huge amount of money. Then he threw his body into the most passionate act of his life.

Sylvia was completely unleashed, as the French neighbour and most probably all other neighbours further away might have heard.

She initiated all necessary divorce steps via her lawyer. Werner, of course, realised that she was very active and obviously possessed by something. However, he was pleased that she seemed happy and not loading him with her business.

As usual on air flights, Werner awoke sharply before the landing. He sat up and smiled at her.

They did not have time to go to their usual flat and deposit the luggage because as Sylvia mentioned, there was a meeting at 5 p.m. in the house of Juan-Enrique. Obviously a great surprise. She seemed totally excited.

They arrived at the house in time. The door to the duplex of Juan-Enrique was open. She let Werner go in first, in order to hide that she was familiar with the place.

It was almost completely dark inside. All curtains were closed. There was only one narrow beam of light falling across the large hall and over the last steps of the spiral marble stairs leading upstairs.

Werner called: ‘Juan-Enrique, are you in ?’

‘Yes, I am here, good-afternoon,’ said a male voice coming from the stairs. Two legs appeared on the bottom stairs and half of the body was visible. Sylvia recognised the brown, soft moccasins and the black slim cut trousers of Juan-Enrique. She was longing for this body. Her heart was throbbing with excitement.

A car stopped in front of the house and a female voice called from outside: ‘Everything is ready, the taxi is waiting !’

‘Now, Sylvia, it is your time, tell your husband the great news !’ The man on the stairs moved down one step, so that the upper part of his body could be seen, his head was still in the shadow.

‘Go ahead, let us start with your plan,’ he said somewhat arrogantly.

Sylvia was shivering but immediately started to talk turning her face to Werner. She told him the facts in one flow without hesitating. The naked facts of her rather cruel action were thrown into the face of her innocent husband.

Werner stood there petrified. He was not able to talk or to move.

Sylvia finished with the words: ‘There is nothing you can do or gain, my money is transferred and the divorce is initiated, there is no way back ! I have always hated you. You are a total conservative and unattractive bore. You are not good enough for me. I deserve something much better !’

After a moment of silence, the shadow man pulled a white envelope out of his pocket. He reached out and offered Werner the envelope with the following words: ‘Here is one third of her money and two air tickets to South America, Teresa is waiting outside for you with a taxi !’

Then the shadow man slowly stepped down the last step and turned his head, so that Sylvia could see his face. A terribly disfigured face full of scars.

He continued with a calm voice: ‘I am his twin brother Juan-Emilio and I am the owner of this house with the two duplex flats, which I built with the money I received as compensation after the boat accident. A spinning propeller hit my face when two boats crashed. My brother Juan-Enrique looked after the house while I was away. Now, I am back at home and you Sylvia will spend the rest of our life here with me in your beloved apartment !’

Sylvia dropped her handbag, wanted to run in the direction of the door, fell over her bag, sank on her knees and started to scream like an injured animal.

‘No, no, you cannot do this ! Werner will never leave me in this mess and go with this poor servant girl. Never !’ And she continued with her terrible screams without interruption, beating her fists alternately in the air and on the ground.

Werner stepped slowly forward, took the envelope and said with a smile: ‘Thank you Juan-Emilio, and good luck with her !’

Then he turned around and left without looking at her again.

In the corridor Werner bumped into the French owner of the other duplex flat who stood in the hallway with completely dishevelled hair and only dressed in boxer shorts, obviously torn from his siesta. He asked totally shocked: ‘What happened, why is she screaming so terribly ?’

Werner replied with a meaningful smile and teasingly raised his eyebrows: ‘Because of endless joy !’ and rushed to the taxi.

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