Through You

Chapter 21 - Under the Rain

The rain was pouring down, beating the ground with a soothing melody, as if welcoming the moments of sharing unfolding inside. Jeanne and her father had spent the end of the day talking, their laughter echoing in the living room. Jeanne told stories of her days with friends, wild nights where they would laugh and have fun until they lost track of time. Her father, amused, shared anecdotes from his professional encounters, mixing work stories with memories of unforgettable evenings.

After a good meal, her father settled on the couch and started a movie. Jeanne, taking the opportunity to relax, headed to the bathroom for a shower. The hot water enveloped her, washing away the weight of the day. She let herself drift into wandering thoughts, recalling moments spent with Daniel, his smile, and his tenderness.

Suddenly, knocks echoed at the front door. Her father got up, curious, and opened it. He found himself face to face with a young man, soaked, wearing only a sweatshirt clinging to his skin. It was Daniel. His face betrayed a palpable shyness.

“Hello, sir, is Jeanne here?” he asked, his voice slightly hesitant.

Jeanne’s father nodded. “She’s in the shower. Do you want to wait for her?”

Daniel nodded, his eyes downcast, a mix of nervousness and excitement. The elder man left the room for a moment, returning with a towel, which he handed to Daniel so he could dry off a little. He invited him to sit on the couch opposite him, his gaze full of curiosity.

Silence settled in, heavy with unspoken thoughts, until Jeanne’s father decided to break the ice. “Tell me, do you love my daughter? I mean sincerely.”

Daniel stopped drying his hair, the towel resting on his knees. He looked up at Jeanne’s father, determined to be honest. “Like I’ve never loved anyone, sir.”

An amused and tender smile appeared on the father’s face. “Good, that’s a relief. Jeanne is my only daughter, and I wouldn’t tolerate her dating a bad guy, let alone someone who would hurt her.”

Daniel lowered his eyes, aware of the seriousness of his words. “I can imagine, sir. But I think I hurt her today... My parents were horrible to her. I’m terribly sorry, and I feel awful.”

Jeanne’s father leaned forward slightly, adopting a reassuring tone. “Do you have something to blame yourself for? If it was your parents who disrespected her and you defended her, as she told me, then you have nothing to feel guilty about.”

Daniel finally raised his eyes, a glimmer of hope piercing through his anxiety. “I suppose you’re right, but Jeanne seems like she doesn’t want to talk to me. I’ve sent her so many messages and tried calling her, but she hasn’t responded.”

The father replied, his tone still understanding. “I think she just needed to clear her head. When she came home, she put her phone on the counter and didn’t touch it again. Besides, we’ve been quite busy talking... She told me how much you mean to her. Don’t doubt that.”

At these words, a bright smile appeared on Daniel’s face, dispelling the shadow of worry that weighed on him.

At that moment, the sound of the shower stopped. Jeanne’s father gave him a wink. “I’m going to have a smoke,” he said before stepping out onto the porch, leaving Daniel alone with his buzzing thoughts.

Jeanne stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a bathrobe. She was heading back to her room when she opened the door and found herself face to face with Daniel. A radiant smile lit up her face, but before she could say anything, he threw himself into her arms.

“What are you doing here? My dad let you in?” she asked, surprised.

Daniel buried his head in her neck and murmured, “He’s way kinder than my parents.” His laughter echoed, and Jeanne couldn’t help but laugh along, her heart warming at the comforting contact.