Between our hands

Chapter 82 : Echoes of a Protective Love

That day, Samy and Maëlle had decided to enjoy a peaceful day away from their royal duties. The idea of having lunch together at a small restaurant outside the palace delighted them. It was a welcome escape from the ever-present gaze of journalists and cameras that constantly followed them. Yet, from the early hours of the morning, Maëlle’s phone hadn’t stopped vibrating.

Sitting at the restaurant table, a frustrated sigh escaped her lips. The incessant vibrations were a source of stress and irritation. She knew she couldn’t turn off her phone because she had to stay reachable at all times. But the constant flood of messages from people who had once been indifferent exasperated her. She silenced the phone, placed her hand over it, and tried to push it out of her mind, though her thoughts kept drifting back to those annoying vibrations.

Samy, always attentive to her mood, noticed Maëlle's growing frustration. Without a word, he gave her a gentle smile, then reached over, took her phone from her fingers, and slipped it into his own pocket before taking her hand. His fingers began softly caressing her palm, trying to ease her tension.

“Listen,” he began calmly, “if something important comes up, I’ll tell you. But for now, forget about the phone. Focus on me, on us, alright?”

Maëlle looked up at him, a spark of gratitude shining in her eyes. He had this way of soothing her even during stressful moments, and she immediately felt more relaxed. She squeezed his hand back and smiled, letting out a small, nervous laugh.

“You’re right,” she murmured, gazing at him tenderly.

Samy shrugged slightly, a playful smile on his lips. “It’s my job, right? Protecting you, even from those damned messages.”

They exchanged a knowing look, and Maëlle finally allowed herself to enjoy the moment with him. The waiter arrived, and they ordered their meal, chatting about light-hearted topics, making no mention of the obligations waiting on the other end of the phone.

Each minute spent away from the irritating phone vibrations felt like a blessing for Maëlle, who gradually felt the stress dissipate. Samy, meanwhile, did everything he could to keep her in the present moment, ensuring she thought of nothing but this serene lunch, far from worries and outside influences.

After this peaceful day, Samy and Maëlle returned to the palace, sharing a family dinner before retreating to their suite for the night. Once in their room, Samy handed Maëlle back her phone, which he had kept all day to shield her from the constant notifications. Curious, Maëlle unlocked her phone and was immediately struck by several new messages. Among them, one from Alexandre caught her attention.

“Is this what’s keeping you busy?” it read, accompanied by a photo of Samy holding her in his arms, clearly taken without their knowledge during their intimate moment at the restaurant. Shock washed over Maëlle, her mouth falling open. She quickly showed the message to Samy, her heart pounding with frustration and anxiety.

Samy, upon seeing the photo and Alexandre’s words, instantly lost his calm. A quiet fury rose within him, not only because of the blatant intrusion into their private life but also because of Alexandre’s disdainful tone. He grabbed the phone from Maëlle’s hands, his jaw clenching, and sat heavily on the bed to compose a response.

Maëlle, frozen in place, felt her heart tighten. The idea that someone had once again followed them, invaded their privacy, made her feel exposed and uneasy. She felt betrayed and vulnerable. As Samy furiously typed on the phone, she collapsed onto the bed, silent, trying to calm her mind.

Samy, unable to contain his rage, typed quickly, each word expressing not only his outrage but also his need to protect Maëlle at all costs.

“Listen carefully, Alexandre. No matter where I am or what I’m doing with Maëlle, it’s none of your business. You think you can meddle in her life just because suddenly she’s someone you find useful. Don’t even think for a second that you can intrude on her life, let alone impose with your unpleasant remarks.

“The photo you sent shows that you rely on paparazzi, unscrupulous people who invade others’ privacy. If you want to stoop to that level, that’s your problem. But know that Maëlle is surrounded, she is loved, and most importantly, she is safe with me. I’m watching over her, and if anyone dares to cross that line or try to reach her through such low means, they’ll have to go through me. And trust me, you don’t want that.

“Maëlle never asked you for anything, she owes you nothing. If you have something to say, you say it to me, not to her. And get this straight: she has someone in her life who loves her more than anything and who protects her. So stay away.”

After rereading his message one last time, Samy firmly pressed “send,” his breath coming in short, angry bursts. He placed the phone on the nightstand and turned to Maëlle, who lay there, her gaze blank. His heart ached at the sight of her.

He approached her, knelt beside the bed, gently took her hand in his, and whispered, “No one will hurt you, okay? I’m here, always. It’s over, don’t think about it anymore.”

Maëlle blinked, trying to regain her composure, then looked into Samy’s eyes. She nodded softly, grateful. “I know… Thank you.”

Samy pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, his embrace strong and reassuring, making her feel loved and safe.

Maëlle, now nestled against him, her head resting on his chest, finally broke down, and tears began to flow silently down her cheeks. She felt overwhelmed by the emotions, the weight of the day, and the constant pressure of unwanted attention.

Samy, instinctively protective, placed one hand on the small of her back, keeping her close, while the other gently stroked her neck. He leaned in to whisper soothing words in her ear, comforting promises: “I’m here, Maëlle… I’ll never let you face this alone. I’ll protect you, no matter what, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

Maëlle said nothing, remaining silent, but her tears continued to fall, a testament to the emotional release she felt. Samy held her close, his lips brushing soft kisses on her temple, her forehead, then her hair. Each gesture was a promise of love, a silent vow to always be by her side.

“You’re my priority, Maëlle. No one will touch you, no one will hurt you as long as I’m here. I love you, I’m here for you…”

Despite the whirlwind of her emotions, Maëlle listened intently. Even though she said nothing, Samy’s words resonated deeply within her, comforting her in a way she had never felt before. She clung to him, her hands gently gripping his shirt, as if anchoring herself to him and letting his love carry her.

Eventually, exhausted from the day and the emotional toll, Maëlle fell asleep peacefully, her heart at ease, enveloped in Samy’s protective warmth. Samy, feeling her breathing slow and steady, continued to hold her, never letting go, watching over her with endless tenderness.

Once he was sure Maëlle was deeply asleep, Samy quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her. He grabbed the phone and looked at the messages he had received. Alexandre’s notifications still infuriated him, but he knew he had to find a way to handle the situation without causing Maëlle more distress.

He composed a message to Victor, informing him of what had happened. Perhaps his cousin would have advice on how to deal with the intrusion without alarming Maëlle further. As he pondered the situation, Samy made a vow: as long as he was there, Maëlle would be safe. With that promise, he slid back under the covers, watching over her until dawn, determined to shield her from all harm, even those lurking behind a screen.