Between our hands

Chapter 84 : Laughter and Shared Secrets

Back at the palace, Maëlle and Samy made their way to one of the lounges, drawn by the soothing calm and the soft afternoon light filtering through the large windows. The sun bathed the room in a golden glow, creating dancing patterns on the polished wooden floor. The atmosphere was enveloping, almost intimate, as if the outside world had retreated to make space for a suspended moment between them. They settled comfortably into deep armchairs covered in soft fabric, enjoying this quietness that invited reflection and complicity. Maëlle relaxed into her chair, crossing her legs, while Samy leaned back against the headrest with a peaceful smile on his face.

After a few minutes of shared silence, the tranquility was broken by the loud entrance of Sacha, Daniel, and Nohé. Their laughter filled the room, bringing a burst of energy. They greeted Maëlle and Samy with exaggerated gestures and contagious smiles before taking seats in nearby chairs, continuing an animated conversation they had started in the hallway.

The boys were talking about girls, a topic that often triggered teasing and playful provocations among them. “Remember Clara?” Sacha said with a mischievous grin. “She was so obsessed with basketball she even tried to challenge us one-on-one!” Nohé burst into laughter, mocking Clara’s determination. “You lost, didn’t you?”

The banter continued, punctuated by bets and jokes. Each of them described the type of girl they preferred, with Sacha teasing Daniel about his obvious attraction to sporty girls, while Nohé mocked Sacha for his short-lived flings. “And I bet you promised her the world, like always!” he added, making his companions burst out laughing.

Maëlle, her lips curving into a curious smile, intervened and turned to Nohé. “And what about Camille? How are things going with her?” she asked with a playful glint in her eye. Nohé shrugged, a nonchalant expression on his face. “Oh, I broke up with her. I couldn’t take it anymore. She’s back in France.”

Maëlle’s light laughter echoed in the lounge, amused by her cousin’s carefree tone. “I kind of suspected that…” she teased, her eyes sparkling with irony. She recalled the numerous times Camille had tried to show off, her haughty demeanor never going unnoticed.

The conversation quickly picked up again, with the boys trading more jests and placing bets. Then, in a burst of curiosity, Sacha turned to Samy. “And you, Samy? Did you have any girlfriends before Maëlle? What were they like?”

Before Samy could answer, Daniel and Nohé lightly smacked Sacha on the back of the head, laughing. “Seriously, Sacha, could you be any more clueless?” Daniel said with a mocking smile, while Sacha pretended to be wounded.

Samy, slightly embarrassed by the attention, replied calmly. “No, I never had a girlfriend. I did get flirted with a lot, but I wasn’t looking for a relationship that would only last a few months. I wanted something genuine, even if it took years.” His words carried an authenticity that resonated deeply with Maëlle. She felt flattered and touched by his honesty.

Sacha, ever curious, continued with a teasing smile. “So how did you know Maëlle was the one, huh?”

Samy smiled softly, his gaze resting on Maëlle, who was illuminated by the golden light of the lounge. “I don’t know… I just felt it. From the very beginning, I knew.” The intensity of his look made Maëlle’s heart race, and in that shared silence, there was a profound gratitude and a growing love, an unspoken bond that needed no words to be understood. It was an unbreakable connection, woven through genuine moments and shared laughter.

Samy, in a playful mood, turned to Maëlle with a teasing smile. “And what about you, Maëlle? Did you have any suitors before me?”

Maëlle grinned, amused by the turn of the conversation. “Oh, of course. I had plenty of admirers, but none of them really interested me.” She turned to Sacha and Daniel with a knowing look. “Do you remember all those idiots who would go through you to try to ask me out? It was ridiculous. I hated it.”

Sacha burst into laughter, his voice ringing out like a familiar melody. “Oh yeah, we remember that! Some of them were so desperate they’d promise us stuff just to get us to talk to you about them!”

Daniel shook his head, laughing as he recalled the hilarious moments. “It was insane… We had to drive off quite a few of them for you.”

Maëlle nodded, a nostalgic smile on her face as her thoughts drifted back to those memories, sometimes painful but often funny. “The boys at my school never really interested me. Too arrogant, too superficial.” She remembered the awkward attempts of some of her classmates, their desperate efforts to win her attention, often accompanied by empty promises.

Samy looked at her tenderly, his hand finding Maëlle’s in a protective gesture.

She responded with a gentle smile, filled with emotion. “And I don’t regret a thing.” Her words were a balm, a testament to their unique connection, a promise of a future they wished to build together.

The conversation quieted for a moment, the laughter gradually fading. Everyone savored the warmth of the lounge, the soft light, and the light-hearted exchanges filling the room. It was a moment of simplicity, shared among cousins, a priceless treasure, a bubble of happiness in the chaos of the outside world. The boys began discussing the latest soccer matches, their voices rising in enthusiastic harmony, but Maëlle and Samy stayed apart for a while, cherishing their silent complicity. She nestled into his arms, seeking to feel his presence deeply.

With one arm around Samy’s shoulders, she gently stroked his hair, playing with a lock she delicately twisted around her fingers. Each gesture was a soft declaration of her affection, a way of connecting with him. Samy, in turn, cherished every caress. He frequently glanced at Maëlle, observing every detail of her face with quiet admiration: her long lashes, her deep eyes that shone with a unique light as she watched her brothers and cousin.

He loved her, and that thought swirled in his mind, reinforcing the bond between them. Her presence, her scent, her warmth, everything about her drew him in irresistibly. Samy wished these moments, filled with tenderness and understanding, would never end. He lost himself in that contemplation, savoring the beauty of their connection.

Maëlle, finally aware of Samy’s fixed gaze, locked her eyes with his. She got lost in the depths of his eyes, which, in just a few months, had become everything she needed. Their silent exchange was far from awkward; instead, it was filled with sincerity, sending butterflies fluttering through both of their stomachs.

Maëlle’s brothers and cousin observed the scene with particular attention. For once, no teasing emerged, replaced by a palpable respect. They were proud and moved to see their sister in such an authentic moment, and deep down, they hoped to one day experience a relationship as precious as the one Maëlle and Samy shared.

Finally, as the sun began to set, casting elongated shadows across the lounge, Maëlle and Samy exchanged a knowing look, realizing how precious this moment was. They knew these moments of lightness, these shared laughs, were the foundations on which their love could flourish.

In this sanctuary of complicity, the future seemed bright, full of promises and adventures to share together. They were surrounded by laughter and warmth, but their gaze, tender and sincere, said everything that needed to be said.