Love on Notes

12

— What do you think I should do? I asked Eve, who was lying on the bed with her legs resting against the wall

I was lost in my feelings, I'd been thinking about the man writing me notes for days. Eve sat down next to me and tilted her head to one side, biting her lip with a smirk.

— I don't believe it. My Elizabeth is falling in love !

I struggled to my feet.

— But I'm not! That's absolutely not what I said. I've never fallen in love, even after chatting to someone for months, and you think that in just two weeks I'd fall for a stranger through notes? That's ridiculous. I'd like to remind you that I don't know him.

She then looked into my eyes and questioned me with her gaze. I decided to ignore her before leaving my room to warm up leftovers from the night before. Although I clearly wasn't in love with that person, I was confused about the whole thing. How likely was it that I would meet someone so similar to myself through notes? I didn't know what I was feeling, but I wasn't looking forward to finding out. I had all the time in the world, I couldn't see how rushing into anything would help me.

Eve came out a few seconds later and sat down in front of the television, remote control in hand.

— Would you like to watch a film?
— Absolutely, do you have anything in mind?

As I searched for a drink in the kitchen, I waited for her reply, then finally turned to her, suspecting that we were about to watch our favourite film. And I was absolutely right. I lifted the two beers I'd just found hidden behind some food in my fridge.

— Serendipity for the twentieth time! I shouted.

Jeez. I've talked to him for a few seconds and I'm already a smitten kitten. I take a moment to admire his back side, before hurrying after Alyssa to continue the rest of the tour.

Well, you're straight into the heart of the story. Even if it's terribly cliché, I can't deny Karina Halle's remarkable writing style. Her words take us all the way to the west coast of the United States and immerse us in this rather intense atmosphere. What do you think? I'd like to say that you agree with me, but I don't think you appreciate the fact that in this first chapter the heroine falls for her boss on the grounds that, like most bosses, he's a dominant, self—confident figure.

I hadn't expected him to address his note to me at all and bit my lip. Had he decided to address me like this in all his notes? I noticed the second empty Post-it next to his so that I could write my reply.

Anticipation is his middle name.

Bien vu, I don't agree with it at all, but I'm still rational and I understand that this introduction is needed to shape the rest of the narrative.

I continued reading with a smile on my face and saw a new note on a blue Post-it.

It's then that I notice the top button on her blouse has popped open, showingcasing some gorgeous cleavage. Fuck. Her skin looks like cream.

I can't stop but laughing at his thoughts. However, I think this kind of thinking is essential for the adult side of their relationship. Plus, he has this way of expressing himself that doesn't bother Jackie, even though she's sixteen years younger than he is. By the way, do you think sixteen years is a big age difference in a couple?

No, I don't think there's an age for love. After all, you can't control your feelings, and I don't think that's an acceptable reason for not being with the love of your life. It's true that a couple with such a wide age gap isn't that common in literature, but it breaks the convention and stands out from the crowd. What's more, Halle introduces her hero in such a way that we feel empathy for him, we see that he has suffered enormously and has a pure heart, with no ulterior motives. Sure, he has desire, but that doesn't make him a bad man.

I read on and came across a huge number of notes.

"Will", I tell him, leaning forward, placing my hands on his desk. "I don't want your apology. You kissed me. And I wanted it."
There.
I said it.
It has been said.

I was about to continue reading when I came across a note.

I can't believe it. This girl was on the verge of pissing herself a few moments ago and now she's got the guts to tell him. I'm frankly flabbergasted by the way she's grown in confidence since the start of the novel. And you too, I imagine you must be thrilled.

Who wouldn't be?

I smile as I write my feedback on the blank space below his note.

I finished the novel around midnight, with a break for dinner in between. As I closed the book, I felt butterflies in my stomach and I danced in the middle of my living room. I never thought those notes could make me smile so much. I felt like I was living again after so many years.

No... To tell you the truth, I felt like I was simply living.

The next morning, I let my feet guide me through the city. When I'd finished, I decided to stop off at my usual café, Sérendipité.

— Hi Pierre, I said to the boss as I came in. Isn't Aurore here?
— No, she's not well at the moment, so I've given her a few days off.
— What's wrong with her?
— I don't know, one day she was fine and then the next day her smile and good humour had completely disappeared, so I told her to rest and regain her strength, well it's been a week now.

This news made me quite upset. I thanked Pierre, then decided to rush to her house. It took me about ten minutes to get to the red metal door of her little building. Out of breath, I was about to press the intercom when a woman came out. She didn't hesitate to hold the door for me so that I could get in.

I smile at her.

— Thank you very much.

I went up four flights of stairs and rang her doorbell. It wasn't long before the door flew open and Aurore wrapped her arms around me.

— Wow, I said, noticing her tired and reddened eyes. What happened? Are you okay?

As I held her by the shoulders and scrutinised her closely, there was a long silence, as if she was searching for words.

— My father... she said at last in a voice I hardly recognised. He had a heart attack. He didn't make it Liz.

An avalanche of tears washed over her. My heart sank as I knew exactly what she was going through.

— Aurore...

A wave of emotion interrupted me, then I continued:

— I'm so sorry for your loss.

I took her in my arms and we went into her flat. Seeing her in that state caused me so much pain, a feeling that didn't leave me for several hours.

— I know how you feel, and I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. I'll be by your side for as long as you need me. Don't hesitate to talk about him if you feel like it. I remember wanting to talk about my father, but no one dared mention his name.

She looked at me, nodded and whispered "thank you" before crying harder.

— I knew this moment was coming, she admitted after about twenty minutes. But I didn't think it would be so soon.

She eventually fell asleep in my arms.