Between our hands

Chapter 67: Alliances and Determination.

The sun barely peeked over the horizon, painting the sky a pale blue. Maëlle slowly awoke, her head resting on the still-warm pillow, while Samy was already getting ready in a corner of the room. The soft murmur of the palace corridors could barely be heard, signaling a busy day ahead. Stretching her arms above her head, Maëlle turned toward him, silently observing his profile. He was carefully buttoning his shirt, his focus unwavering.

"You're up already… so early?" she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

Samy turned to her, a tender smile spreading across his lips. "I like waking up before you, so I can enjoy watching you wake up slowly." He approached her, crouched beside the bed, and placed a gentle hand on her face. "Besides, you know days like these require a bit of preparation."

Maëlle smiled faintly, savoring the warmth of his hand against her cheek. "Yes… I know." She sighed softly. "This meeting is bound to be tense. But I’m ready, especially with you by my side."

Samy stood up, extending a hand to help her out of bed. "Together, as always."

Maëlle took his hand and stood up, her feet grazing the cold floor, reminding her that she needed to get ready quickly. She carefully chose a dress with simple yet elegant lines, a deep blue symbolizing the authority and calmness she wished to project. While she adjusted the belt of the dress in front of the mirror, Samy watched her from behind with admiration.

"You look stunning," he whispered.

She slightly turned her head, their eyes meeting in the mirror. "With you by my side, everything becomes easier, Samy."

He smiled silently, knowing that words were unnecessary. Their connection went beyond simple speech. As they left their suite to head to the first meeting of the day, they felt prepared, united.

The palace was buzzing with activity that morning. The corridors were alive with the sound of hurried footsteps, hushed conversations, and the rustling of official documents. Courtiers, advisors, and project managers all converged toward the grand meeting hall, where a series of strategic discussions were to take place. Maëlle and Samy walked side by side, fully aware of the importance of the day's agenda.

As they neared the hall, Samy placed a light hand on the small of Maëlle's back, a subtle yet protective gesture. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, a fleeting smile tugging at her lips, before taking a deep breath. They entered the grand hall, a room adorned with ancient paintings on the walls, with a long wooden table at the center where council members and project leaders were already seated.

Barely had they taken their seats when the atmosphere shifted. A man, the head of a particularly sensitive project, suddenly stood up. His dark eyes gleamed with palpable arrogance, and he stared at Samy with disdain. His voice cut through the room with chilling coldness.

"I don’t want a bodyguard here," he began, his jaw clenched. "It’s an unnecessary distraction. Business should be handled seriously, without such interference."

The entire room held its breath. All eyes immediately turned to Maëlle, some incredulous, others curious to see how she would respond. Samy remained impassive, though inside, he felt a mix of anger and frustration. He knew his role was to ensure Maëlle's safety, but he also sensed the weight of his presence in this professional setting.

Maëlle, her eyes fixed on the man, remained silent for a moment. The calm radiating from her was intimidating, almost palpable. Then, in a low but sharp voice, she responded, "If you insist on refusing my bodyguard, I assure you I will replace you as the head of this project." Her words were icy, her determination unwavering. "I will not tolerate such disrespect toward my bodyguard. Samy is an integral part of this team, and I will not allow anyone to demean him."

The man, caught off guard, stood frozen for a moment. His gaze wavered slightly, and he looked away, feeling the pressure building in the room. A heavy silence fell, with everyone barely daring to breathe.

To reinforce her point, Maëlle, with quiet confidence, reached for Samy's hand under the table and squeezed it gently, a nearly imperceptible gesture but strong enough for the entire room to grasp its significance. Samy felt a shiver of emotion run through his body. That simple, intimate contact reassured him more than any words could.

The project leader, still standing, eventually sat down heavily, visibly uncomfortable. "Very well," he muttered, defeated, though his tone still betrayed some frustration.

Maëlle, however, kept her head held high, her hand still linked with Samy's. The rest of the meeting proceeded in a slightly tense atmosphere, with professional exchanges between Maëlle and the other team members continuing, but everyone was acutely aware of this new dynamic, of the silent solidarity between Maëlle and her bodyguard.

Samy, though aware of the attention this was drawing, felt strengthened by Maëlle’s unwavering support. The warmth of her hand in his offered him a quiet confidence. The curious, even disapproving looks no longer bothered him. He knew that at this moment, Maëlle saw him as much more than just a bodyguard. She saw him as a partner, an ally.

Hours passed, the meeting stretching on as they discussed numerous complex issues related to ongoing humanitarian projects. Yet, even as the discussions became more technical, Maëlle continued to maintain that reassuring contact with Samy. They exchanged knowing glances, whispered words of support to each other.

At one point, an older advisor, seated across from them, smiled slightly as he observed them. He leaned toward Maëlle and whispered quietly, low enough for only her and Samy to hear, "It’s rare to see such loyalty and respect in professional relationships. You two make an admirable team."

Maëlle thanked him with a simple nod, her eyes shining with gratitude. After the meeting, as everyone began gathering their things, the same advisor approached Samy, extending a friendly hand. "You’re a lucky man. Someone like Maëlle doesn’t often show such devotion."

Samy, surprised but touched, shook the man’s hand. "I’m well aware of how lucky I am, and I’ll do everything I can to be worthy of it."

The old man smiled before walking away, leaving Maëlle and Samy alone in the now-empty room. Maëlle sighed in relief, sinking into a chair, her shoulders finally relaxing. She looked at Samy, a soft smile on her lips.

"Well, that wasn’t the easiest day," she said with a light laugh, her laughter echoing softly in the large room.

Samy, still standing, looked at her with tenderness. "You were incredible, Maëlle. They had no idea who they were dealing with."

She slowly stood up, walking toward him. "And you… you're essential to my patience. Thank you for being here."

They stood there, in the soothing silence of the empty room, their connection stronger than ever.