Between our hands

Chapter 76: A Glimmer in the Darkness.

Hand in hand, Maëlle and Samy walked toward their suite, the emotions of the evening still resonating between them. As they walked, the soothing silence was punctuated by the soft rustle of their footsteps. Suddenly, Samy stopped, pulling Maëlle close, wrapping her in his arms with a deep tenderness. Maëlle, initially surprised, responded to his embrace with comforting warmth, enveloping him in her arms.

They remained like that for several long seconds, savoring the mutual comfort and the sense of belonging they shared. The warmth of their contact created an intimate bubble around them, protecting them from the outside turmoil. Samy, gazing deeply into Maëlle's eyes, whispered softly in her ear: 
"Thank you for everything... I love you."

These words, simple yet filled with sincerity, echoed like a sweet reminder of their deep connection. Maëlle, her heart swelling with joy and love, responded with a radiant smile, aware that this declaration was a sincere reflection of their commitment to each other.
"I love you too, Samy. What would I do without you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"You are so strong, Maëlle. You inspire me every day," he replied, his gaze filled with admiration.

Their exchanges, punctuated by laughter and promises of future adventures, strengthened their bond. They continued on their way to their suite, their hands still intertwined, knowing they had found together a solid and precious love, ready to face the challenges ahead.

The sun had slowly set behind the mountains, giving way to a soft twilight that enveloped the estate. Maëlle stood by the window of her room, her gaze lost in the infinity of the landscape. The colors of the end of the day blended into one another, and a gentle breeze made the silk curtains flutter. Yet, despite the beauty of the moment, her mind remained troubled.

The past few days had been filled with intense emotions. The discovery of new aspects of her life, the interview that had revived old connections, and above all, the awakening of her feelings for Samy. But that evening, another wave washed over her: that of uncertainty.

Maëlle's heart tightened at the thought of everything that still eluded her. The messages from forgotten contacts echoed like cruel reminders of the superficiality of the world that sometimes surrounded her. Who, among all these people, truly cared for her? And among them, who saw her for who she really was? The sudden popularity had brought faces from the past, but not all shone with sincerity.

She sighed, searching in that growing darkness for an answer, a form of comfort.

Just then, light knocks sounded at the door. She slowly turned around, guessing who stood on the other side. Samy entered with his usual gentleness, closing the door behind him. His gaze immediately sought Maëlle's, and in an instant, he understood. He understood that she felt vulnerable, destabilized by the flood of her thoughts.

Without saying a word, he moved closer to her, sitting on the windowsill beside her. Samy’s proximity always had this soothing effect, as if his mere breath could dispel all the doubts swirling within her.

"I saw your face close up earlier..." he said softly. He wasn’t questioning her; he was simply acknowledging what he had observed. "What’s bothering you?"

Maëlle closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth of his voice before responding. "It’s these messages... From old friends, acquaintances who suddenly seem to remember my existence. But I know they don’t really care about me. They care about what I represent now."

Samy nodded, a compassionate smile stretching his lips slightly. He knew that feeling, perhaps more than she realized. In his profession, he had often been reduced to a role, to a function, without anyone taking the time to see the man behind the uniform. "They don’t really know you," he murmured. "But I do, and I know that you are worth so much more than this image they have of you."