LA CANDIDATE

AIMER ENCORE

"Noëm, can you get the door?"

The boy went to open the door. Of course, he first saw Faryil, who stepped aside to let Severine greet her son.

"Maman."

"Ça va toi?"

Noëm embraced her. Although it had only been six days, it felt like a lifetime for Noëm and an eternity for Severine.

They went inside Isiah's house while the other from the protection service covered the ground around it. Severine's father had moved to the Parisian suburbs in a three-bedroom house he bought for his retirement after selling his boxing club.

"Papa."

"Ah, ma fille," Isiah hugged Severine with all his might. "I'm so proud of you. You were amazing."

"I was so stressed."

"You didn't look it. You were perfect."

"Hi, Severine."

The woman turned to find Laulati.

"Hi," Severine replied.

Even years later, Severine had difficulty accepting the woman who took her mother's place. Laulati and Isiah met online.

She owned a beauty institute close to St Honoré in Paris. Laulati was a rags-to-riches success story. Her parents moved to France during the Laos civil war in 1971. Her mother opened the beauty institute in the 1980s. Laulati became a beautician and took over the business when her parents retired. She was divorced and had three children. One was still at college, majoring in engineering. Laulati had an good financial situation; life became a vacation and relaxation for Isiah since they met.

Cara immediately accepted her into their family, while Severine remained distant despite Laulati's efforts.

"I agree with your father. You were great. Your answers were pertinent."

"You watched?"

The older woman beamed," Yes, we were all squeezed up on the sofa."

"Laula almost broke my eardrums with her go, Severine anthem," Isiah said, taking Laulati in a side hug.

There was no doubt that Isiah was happy. It feels good to love again; the sentence her father pronounced still played in Severine's mind.

To love again, her father was lucky to have found another love.

Who was she to judge or impose her will?

Wouldn't she wish for people to be diligent if she fell in love?

Suddenly, Abel Ramirez appeared in her mind. Their furtive encounter marked Severine. It had been a while since any man had given her desires gaze. The candidate forgot how it was to flirt. Actually, she didn't think of romance, and she didn't want to let the thought invade her.

Severine hid her secret well; even Alexis saw smoke. Consumed by her studies, Severine didn't find time to party and date. After Keri came Alexis and the end of her love experience.

Could she or would she love again? Severine didn't have the answer then.

There's a man, he comes for you.

Severine released her inner chuckle. One could think Madame Mado spoke of a potential lover. No, Severine was sure the witch referred to another enemy she had to defeat to survive.

"Come, Severine, have a seat. We're just going to have dessert. You just missed Cara," Laulati said.

"Cara was here?"