˗ˏˋ꒰ 💭 ꒱ ━ ☐ The serenpidity is the ability to make an unexpected discovery by chance. The serendipitist is the person who knows how to take advantage of unforeseen circumstances and, above all, does not allow chance to dominate them.
France, 1963...
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♡
:; And I thought I was yours forever Or maybe I was mistaken but I just cannot manage To make it through the day Without thinking of you lately. - arctic monkeys 🎭
Montclair Residence, 4:34 PM
The price to pay for this escapade had been much higher than she had anticipated. Five days had passed since Lily-Rose had been confined to her room, like a bird in a cage.
Upon her return from her escape, she had not anticipated the fury of her father, usually stern but rarely so enraged. He had slapped her violently and ordered her to confine herself to her room until the end of the school holidays.
You are a disgrace to our family ! A foolish, senseless idiot, a disgrace, each word had struck Lily-Rose like a whip. Her father had continued his verbal assault, mercilessly belittling her. You have hurt Guillaume, you humiliated him in front of everyone, you are ungrateful and selfish !
At this very moment, she sat before her vanity, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her hand grazed her still-sore cheek, feeling the fresh mark of the slap. A purplish tint testified to the violence of the impact.
Since those five days, her meals were brought to her, but any attempt to leave was futile, the window having been locked to prevent any further escapade. Since her return, she had not seen her father or Guillaume, only a maid who brought her meals.
As she contemplated her marked face, her mind wandered to the memories of her escapade with Joseph. The bursting fireworks in the night sky, illuminating their faces with a magical glow, the Christmas market, the snowball fight they had engaged in, childlike and freed from all constraints, the creation of that snowman.
And then there was that precious moment at his place, savoring hot chocolate and losing themselves in passionate kisses.
But despite the sweetness of those moments, bitterness persisted. The escapade had led to a painful return, to a confrontation with the brutal reality of her existence.
Regretting her escapade with Joseph seemed futile, but she could not ignore the consequences of her actions. Alone in her room, she wondered if she would ever have the courage to defy conventions again and follow her heart. Could she ever live freely, away from the gilded chains that bound her destiny ?
Tomorrow is December 31st, and with it comes the prospect of finally leaving her room. Her entire family is invited to a grand dinner at their house, as every year. Lily-Rose couldn't help but sigh at the thought of this annual gathering.
She knows all too well the façade that will unfold tomorrow. Her family will come together under the pretext of celebration, feigning harmony and camaraderie.
It will be a true farce of hypocrisy. For behind the forced smiles and polite exchanges, lie tensions and ancient rivalries that Lily-Rose cannot ignore.
Despite her discomfort and tacit disapproval, she knows she will have to play her part, as she always has.
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𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐘
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Home of Descamps, 4:34 PM
The enticing scent of appetizers baking filled the kitchen, alive with the preparations for the New Year's Eve festivities.
Joseph, his hands skilled, worked alongside his mother, who cheerfully hummed an old folk song. Her face radiated joy, but she quickly noticed that her son was far from sharing her enthusiasm.
"What's wrong, my angel ?" she asked in a gentle voice, interrupting her melody.
Absorbed in his thoughts, he made a vague gesture with his hand and attempted to smile. "It's nothing, Mom. I'm just a little tired, that's all."
However, his mother knew him too well to be deceived by his forced smile. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, gently insisting on an honest answer. "You know you can tell me anything. Is it about your eye patch ? Is your injured eye hurting you ?"
Joseph shook his head. "No, it's not that," he replied sincerely.
His mother persisted, undeterred. "Then, is it about that girl, isn't it ?" she asked, carefully observing her son's reaction.
Joseph flinched slightly, surprised by her question. "Which girl are you talking about ?"
His mother smiled softly, seeing through his stratagem.
"You can't hide much from me, my son. I've noticed changes in your behavior these past few days. You have a girlfriend, don't you ?"
"Mom, it's not what you think..." he began, but his mother cut him off with a mischievous smile.
"Ah, don't play innocent, my son. I've seen how you act. I know you."
"Mom, she's not... she's not my... well, it's not like that," he stammered, searching for his words. His mother watched him with amusement, knowing full well that she had touched a sensitive spot.
"So, spill it all. What's she like ? Does she have good grades ?" she insisted, her eyes sparkling with maternal curiosity.
He hesitated for a moment, then launched into a clumsy description of the girl who haunted his thoughts. "She's blonde, pretty... and well, she has good grades," he finally blurted out, feeling relieved to have finally confessed to his mother.
His mother's reaction was immediate. "Oh, she sounds lovely !" she exclaimed enthusiastically. Her eyes lit up at the thought of her son possibly meeting someone. "But then, what's wrong with this charming young lady ? Why the expression ?" she finally asked, this time more seriously.
Joseph smiled, feeling both embarrassed and relieved to have shared this secret with his mother. "Well... it's complicated. It's just that... Lily-Rose..." he began without even finishing his sentence, the name of the young girl barely slipping from his lips.
"Lily-Rose, did you say ? What a lovely name ! And on top of that, a blonde with good grades ? No wonder you're interested in her !" she joked. "You should invite her to dinner someday."
He looked away, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Mom, it's not that simple," he murmured, regretting having opened this Pandora's box.
Yet, his mother seemed unwilling to give up. "But do you love this Lily-Rose ?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
Embarrassed by the direct question, he desperately searched for an escape. "It's complicated," he repeated, hoping to end the conversation.
His mother then burst into laughter, evidently finding great pleasure in teasing her son. "Ah, the mysteries of love ! Come on, don't tell me you can't share your concerns with your own mother !" she exclaimed joyfully, leaving her son blushing even more at her insistence.
However, seeing her son's genuinely preoccupied look, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"My angel, let me give you some advice. Love doesn't rush. You have to let time do its work. If what you feel for her is true, then let things develop naturally."
He nodded, but couldn't help but keep his thoughts to himself, knowing that his relationship with Lily-Rose was far more complicated than his mother could imagine.
