The match lit up her naked body, but she quickly blew it out. The smell of phosphorus blended with that of love.

“Why have you fought me all these days?”

“I never fight. I do nothing.”

“I expressed my feelings about you from the very first.”

She laughed softly and said, “When I saw you ten days ago I said to myself, this is it.”

Triumphantly he cried out, “Alexandria?”

“No, no. I don’t mean that. I said, this is the man I’ve been waiting for.”

“What about Alexandria?”

“What about it?”

“Really? Come off it!”

“Why should I lie to you?”

“Strange that there could be two of you. Identical.”

“Let’s not waste time.”

“How did you manage to come to my room?”

“He took his sleeping pills. All his troubles and worries converge on him in the evening.”

“You have disappointed me. I told myself if you were the girl from Alexandria, then it was a good omen for my search.”

“You mean your father?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your real story?”

“I always thought he was dead. Then I was told otherwise. That’s all there is to my story.”

“Maybe you’re looking for money?”

“That doesn’t matter now. Promise me you’ll come here every night.”

“Whenever I can.”

He kissed her in a passionate embrace, which inevitably led to more lovemaking.

“Whenever I feel like it,” she said breathlessly when they had spent themselves.

He lay on her breast, pleasantly exhausted. “Don’t deny Alexandria.”

“You are obsessed by an image. Take care that your search is not just a mere fantasy.”

“I wish it were. Then I could rest,” he said sadly.

“You really do have worries. More than I thought.”

“Yes. But now my main concern is to stay here as long as possible.”

“What’s to stop you?”

He thought for a while, then said, “If my money runs out before I find my father, I’ll have to go back to Alexandria.”

“And when would you return?”

“I must look for a job.”

She caressed his hand. “No,” she said gently but firmly. He suddenly became aware of the trend the conversation was taking. She asked, “Why don’t you look for a job here?”

“Impossible!”

“You’re very mysterious. But let me tell you that money is not a problem!”

His heart missed a beat. “You must be a millionairess.”

“The hotel, the money, they’re all in my name.”

“And your husband? Is he merely an employee?”

“No. As long as he’s alive, he runs the show.”

“But that doesn’t concern me!” He felt himself blushing at the sly innuendo.

“Well, let’s hope you find your father. That is a much better solution.”

“Yes, that’s very important. But from now on my main concern will be to wait for you.” He tried to embrace her, but she slipped out of bed.

“Dawn is breaking. I’ve got to go.”