˗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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
♡
:; I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me. - foreigner 🧣
Montclair residence, 6:12 PM
On this last day of April, a palpable tension hung in the air as Joseph and Lily-Rose entered the opulent Montclair residence. They stood side by side, their hearts pounding.
Joseph felt both determined and nervous. He clenched his fist, feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he mentally prepared to confront the strict and authoritative patriarch.
On the other hand, Lily-Rose, accustomed to the luxury and rigor of her noble upbringing, also felt the weight of apprehension on her delicate shoulders. She knew her father was uncompromising and traditional.
They advanced together toward the massive door of the mansion, their footsteps echoing in the richly decorated entryway. With hearts racing, they exchanged a knowing glance, supporting each other.
She opened the door. The beating of their hearts seemed to resonate in the silent hall as they walked forward with determined steps. Lily-Rose grasped the handle of another door and cautiously opened it, revealing the opulence of the living room where her father sat.
Mr. de Montclair was seated on the couch, a cup of coffee in hand. Seeing his daughter accompanied, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Joseph felt his stomach tighten as they moved toward the living room. He knew that convincing Lily-Rose's father to accept them as a couple would not be an easy task.
Lily-Rose stepped forward confidently, with Joseph by her side, and began the introductions. "Father, this is Joseph— " she started, but her father interrupted her with an icy voice.
"I already know your friend," he declared curtly.
She felt a pang of anxiety shoot through her spine. The previous encounter between Joseph and her father had not gone as planned.
"Perhaps it would be best to start over on the right foot," she suggested cautiously, hoping to ease the situation.
But her father did not seem inclined to listen. "What do you want ?" he asked abruptly, his eyes scrutinizing the two young people with suspicion.
Joseph took a deep breath before responding. "Mr. de Montclair, I am deeply in love with your daughter. And I am willing to do anything for her. We came to ask for your blessing."
The silence that followed was heavy, each second seeming to last an eternity. Mr. de Montclair stared at Joseph intensely, his thoughts difficult to read. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke.
"Joseph, I know you and I know your reputation. I am not convinced that our family is compatible with yours. A relationship between you and my daughter cannot work."
Lily-Rose, taking a deep breath, added in a trembling voice, "I don't want to marry a stranger chosen for his money, Father. I want to be with Joseph."
But her father, stubborn, persisted in his refusal, ignoring his daughter's pleas. Frustration welled up inside her, and she decided to speak more bluntly.
"If you force me to marry someone else, I will do what Mother did," she declared in a broken voice.
Joseph sought to understand her words, questioning her with his eyes. Mr. de Montclair sighed and ran a trembling hand over his face, his emotions overwhelming him.
They were shocked to see this reserved man on the verge of tears. And when he looked up at Joseph, he began to explain their history.
"My wife and I were forced into marriage by our parents. That's what the wealthy do, after all. But Lily-Rose's mother was a very revolutionary person, someone very libertine, I would even say. Yet, she wasn't given a choice. She and I married, swearing our mutual feelings in church. But never was there a day when she felt even a shred of affection for me. The only person who made her happy was Lily-Rose. Only she could comfort her. I was never a very good husband, to be honest. She couldn't bear the situation, and despite her love for her daughter, she ended her life."
Joseph and Lily-Rose listened in silence, their hearts heavy, as Mr. de Montclair confided in them. The tragic end of his wife hung in the air like a dark cloud.
"I am so sorry, Mr. de Montclair. I didn't know..." Joseph said. But he brushed aside the apology with a weary gesture.
"I can no longer bear to see my daughter suffer as her mother did. I can't bear to see her trapped in a loveless marriage."
Mr. de Montclair's gaze softened as he looked at his daughter. He knew he couldn't refuse her happiness, not after all she had endured.
"Does he make you laugh ?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her.
"He doesn't make me cry, Father. Not like..." Her father raised his hand to silence her, understanding the implication.
He sighed, realizing that perhaps, despite his reservations, this relationship was different.
"Very well," he said at last, with a slight nod. "I will tolerate this relationship until Lily-Rose comes of age."
Mr. de Montclair stood, signaling the end of their meeting.
"I think it's time for you two to leave now," he declared in a calm but firm voice. "I need to be alone to think."
They exchanged a final look before heading toward the living room door. Without a word, Lily-Rose led Joseph through the silent corridors of the grand family home to their destination, her bedroom.
Joseph followed her, his heart racing at the thought of being alone with her. They climbed the stairs in silence, the tension between them palpable. Arriving at her bedroom door, she opened it cautiously and invited him in.
Once sheltered from prying eyes, she nestled against him, seeking comfort and security in his arms. They kissed, the tension that had weighed on their shoulders dissipating. They let themselves fall onto the bed, their bodies instinctively drawing closer, seeking solace and peace in each other's embrace.
