Chapter 19
I must bethe most annoying person right now, yet my friend remains surprisingly calm in front of me. I wonder how he can tolerate me, especially since he”s been enduring my ramblings for at least half an hour, explaining how to take care of my dog, as if it were the first time he had such responsibility.
“Do you think you”ll manage?”
The grimace crossing his face lets me know he”s on the verge of kicking me out of his apartment. Maybe I”m overdoing it a bit, but it”s true I”ve been so far away from Lola and for such a long period. So, naturally, I”m a bit worried.
“Yes, Florence, I”ll manage to survive half a day without you.”
“I was talking to Lola, but I”m glad it”s the case for you too,” I joke.
He takes the sheet I prepared for him, on which I noted all the instructions. I admit, I can be a bit excessive, but I”ve not left Lola alone for such a long time before. It saddens me to have to part with her, but I can”t take her with me on this company-organized mini-trip. I can”t refuse either because, according to élise, building connections is crucial. So, reluctantly, I accepted, hoping for some improvement between Cécile and me. I don”t claim we”ll become best friends, but at least have a cordial relationship. I don”t want to be afraid of running into her anymore and not be mistreated. I deserve respect, like anyone else.
“Don”t worry, she”ll be in good hands during your absence. You”ll be back tomorrow at noon, after all.”
“Okay, but in case?—”
He interrupts me by placing his hands on my shoulders. “Florence, I”ve been taking care of Lola for over a year when you”re not here. I think I can handle a day without any problem.”
“I know, but in case, you can call me.”
“Do you doubt my abilities?” he teases me, an amused smile stretching his lips.
Corentin feigns indignation, as if I had insulted him by suggesting this hypothesis.
“Of course not, I have more doubts about her. She”s a little rascal, even though right now, she seems surprisingly calm.”
I lower my eyes to my dog, who has comfortably settled on the couch, paying no attention to us. I approach her and gently take her muzzle in my hands, but she ignores me. I stroke the top of her head, she seems tired.
“My love, do you think you”ll be okay with Uncle Corentin? You can climb on any furniture you want; he”ll let you do it.”
She gives me a lick before lying back down. Hands on my hips, I watch her, not knowing exactly how to feel.
“She looks tired; maybe I should stay with her.”
“Florence, you”re worrying for nothing.”
I pout, skeptical. However, when I witness my dog abruptly sitting up and leaving the couch to drink water, I consider Corentin is correct. I”m getting tangled up, fabricating all conceivable excuses to postpone my departure.
“Don”t worry; everything will be fine,” he reassures me. “Now, hurry up; you wouldn”t want to miss your departure. By the way, Manille must be waiting for you.”
I make a face. Since I overheard the conversation between Manille and Charlotte, I preferred not to bring up the subject and wait for her to talk to me about it. It”s not easy to remain silent, but I wasn”t supposed to hear their discussion. It was their moment, and I had no right to play the spy. I”m worried about my best friend, and I don”t like any of this. But Corentin hinted she”s the one blocking the proceedings. The lawyer confirmed the assailant was Jun, her biological brother, and she”s trying to protect him. Despite all efforts, Manille remains entrenched in her positions, and nothing seems able to change her mind. So, even if it exasperates me, we can do nothing more than show her our support and love.
“It”s true; she would slice me into pieces if I arrive late.”
Facing my bewildered expression, Corentin puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. When he releases me, he doesn”t give me time to respond and takes my small travel bag before opening the door to his apartment. I wave to Lola before turning to my friend.
“Have a good time, at least.”
“I plan to.”
I hug him and take the opportunity to kiss his cheek. I feel a slight tremor from him, but he doesn”t pull away. I cherish this moment to recharge before reality takes me away from him. As I descend, I find my roommate waiting for me, hands on her hips. I rush into her arms, but she pushes me away, raising an eyebrow.
“You”re funny, huh? Did you think I was Thomas, and I would accept your hugs because you have a pretty face? Don”t even think about it.”
“I”m sorry, I wanted to make sure Corentin would take good care of our Lola.”
She rolls her eyes. “As if he hasn”t done so already. It”s annoying Charlotte is absent.”
“Yes, otherwise, I would have left Lola at home.”
“She has no choice; she has to help her sister who”s going back to Martinique.”
Manille and I take public transport to get to the meeting point. Obviously, we arrive last and sit in the only available seats at the back. Because of me, we arrived late at the meeting point, where élise welcomed us with her radiant smile. She”s truly my role model, and I hope to age as gracefully as she does.
When she announces the groups she has formed for the activities, I can”t help but think about her fabulous outfit. She’s wearing a red wax-fabric top and white pants, with round yellow earrings enhancing her face. However, now on the way, my brain finally assimilates the information.
Fortunately for me, I”m in the same group as my best friend, promising an extraordinary adventure. Unfortunately, Cécile is also part of it. With this fierce competitor, little chance exists for us to fully enjoy the moment.
Manille turns to me, her shoulders slumping as she releases a heavy sigh, her eyes conveying a sense of helplessness in response to the news. “Thankfully, you”re with me, Florence. If I were alone with Cécile, one of us wouldn”t return alive from this trip.”
“Let”s hope everything goes well. We”re supposed to be a team, so if we want to succeed, we”ll have to cooperate.”
She sinks into her seat, evidently unconvinced.
The rest of the journey, Manille and I spend discussing everything and nothing. During our debate on the most beautiful color to pair with all shades of yellow, I receive a message from Corentin.
Corentin: It seems we”re managing fine without you.
Above the text, a photo of my friend and my dog, snuggled on the couch.
Me: You”re adorable!
Corentin: Have a great stay, Florence :).
When we finally arrive at our destination, élise explains what awaits us.
“As you already know, you”re divided into five groups of three, and you won”t be allowed to keep your phones throughout the entire stay.” A few voices rise in protest, but the big boss silences them with a simple snap of her fingers. “Your phones won”t serve you for anything given what we”ve planned with the management. You”ll follow a somewhat special route and put your skills and teamwork to the test. I hope, as mentioned in the email, you brought appropriate clothing.”
As for me, I”ve opted for a casual outfit: leggings and an old T-shirt borrowed from Corentin.
élise continues. “You”ll participate in an escape game in the heart of the forest. You”ll have to collaborate to succeed in this adventure and discover the mysterious object. No matter which team finishes first, the essential thing is to complete the challenge and, of course, have fun. The overall goal is to strengthen the group”s cohesion!”
This speech seems to boost the troops” morale and motivate even the most hesitant.
We get off the bus to join the Forest Time Out supervisor. The place is isolated but close to a highway. The forest, which seemed dark, desolate, and frightening to me from the beginning, now appears to be quite the opposite. The space we”re in almost takes away my desire to go home. The trees, illuminated by the sunlight, have something warm, previously unnoticed. The birdsong pierces the soothing silence of nature and gives me a sense of well-being.
Shortly after, a woman with short hair approaches us. Wearing a military outfit, she explains exactly the same things as élise, with a few additional details. Once everything is finally over, we gather with Manille, Cécile, and me. The redhead squints slightly, her pupils fixating intensely on each of us, as if she”s trying to read our deepest thoughts. A smirk plays on her lips, tinged with a hint of challenge, making it clear she”s here to win.
Great! This company trip promises to be a real blast.
* * *
I don”t considermyself an accomplished athlete; yet, faced with Manille and Cécile”s level of endurance during the test, I realize I”m not as clumsy as I thought. I refrain from making a comment as I see them join me, panting.
“Are we the only ones left?” Cécile asks, catching her breath.
All the other teams have already moved on to the next stage while I stopped to wait for them. I nod in response to the redhead”s question. Her lips press into a thin line, and her brows furrow slightly, showing her displeasure without a word. Her face tightens, revealing her frustration.
“Darn! Why didn”t you follow the others instead of standing there like an idiot?”
I don”t have time to respond to Cécile as my friend speaks up.
“You”re seriously exaggerating! Stop talking to her like that!” protests Manille.
“Anyway, I couldn”t have done anything without you. So if you want to win, improve your endurance,” I retort to my former superior.
My remark seems enough to put Cécile in her place and silence her for once. On this occasion, she can”t blame anyone but herself. I don”t understand why she”s so obsessed with winning, no matter the situation. She seems to forget the goal of all this: to strengthen our bonds and create a good atmosphere among us.
I show them the bag the instructor gave me before leaving with the others. It contains a shovel, a walkie-talkie, a compass, water, and matches.
“Do you see this shovel, Cécile? Be careful what you say, or you might end up in a hole,” my best friend snips.
Manille”s mischievous smile scares me as much as Cécile, and the three of us fall into an almost religious silence. Feeling awkward, I change the subject.
“We need to find the cabin that”s up to the right,” I say as we enter the forest.
“Is that all she told you?” they ask simultaneously.
“Yes, now we have to figure it out ourselves.”
Fortunately for us, it only takes about ten minutes to discover the place where we will spend the night. As soon as we enter, I am greeted by dust and the musty smell emanating from the cabin. The all-wooden shelter exudes rustic charm despite the multitude of spiders inhabiting the space. Cécile, evidently as terrified of these little creatures as Manille, stays in a corner while I pick them up one by one and put them outside.
When I finish, Cécile inspects the cabin meticulously. “There”s no food!” the redhead exclaims.
“I believe it”s there, but we”ll have to search for it. They wouldn”t have left us here with nothing to eat. They want us to fend for ourselves, that”s all.”
“I”ll let you handle that; I”m too tired to rummage around,” Cecile says.
Cécile lies down on her bed while I meet Manille”s surprised gaze. My friend, not tolerating this attitude, approaches her with irritation.
“Cécile, I”m warning you if you don”t move, you”ll fend for yourself. Treat people like servants if you want, but don”t count on us to serve you.”
“Do as you please; I don”t care! A little girl like you won”t give me orders.”
“A little girl? Because you”re older, you think you can be a jerk?”
Seeing the situation starting to escalate, I intervene.
“Girls, calm down, we”re?—”
The redhead interrupts me with obvious disdain. “Listen, Wonder Woman, no one asked for your input. You”d better draw instead of getting involved in adult conversations.”
“For heaven”s sake, she”s not your dog, Cécile! You don”t have to talk to her like that.”
Manille is tense; I feel she”s about to lose her temper soon. I grab her arm and lead her away.
“It”s not worth it, let it go,” I say.
“I don”t know how you can stay so calm in the face of the viper,” she murmurs, keeping her gaze fixed on Cécile.
The latter no longer seems to pay attention to us, as if we had simply disappeared.
“I guess I”m too kind.”
She nods. “Way too kind, indeed. You”ll have to rebel someday; you can”t let people treat you like this.”
She”s right, I know, but it”s beyond my strength.
“For now, let”s focus on finding food.”
She nods without adding a word. I grab the walkie-talkie before going outside, Manille following me, and we plunge into the thick mist of the forest. I hold on tightly to my friend”s arm.
Oh, darn, what have I gotten myself into again?
When we return, Cécile hasn”t moved an inch. She remains there, impassive, an attitude which exasperates me. We”re in this together, and she should act accordingly. I step forward to offer her a sandwich, which she accepts without the slightest expression of gratitude. I sense in Manille”s gaze she”s about to reply, but I stop her with a simple look.
If she insists, she might end up carrying out her threat and getting rid of Cécile. Instead, I go over to Manille, and together, we gaze at the starry sky.
“These moments are rare,” Manille admits.
I turn my head and simply respond with a faint, “Yes.”
“Florence, do you realize you”ll be organizing a wedding in a few weeks? I”m proud of you for persisting, even when it was tough.”
“I”ve often thought about it, but you wouldn”t have let me quit so easily.”
I can”t see her, but I”m sure she”s smiling.
“Never. You left Toulouse to come to Paris and pursue this career. Do you think we would have let you quit? Certainly not, and I”m convinced you wouldn”t have wanted to either. You love this job.”
“It”s a shame you weren”t my superior, at least I wouldn”t have suffered so much by your side.”
She makes a sad face before sighing. “Think about it, now you”re paving your own way. Cécile can stay in the dumps, but we know you”ve deserved your place for a long time. Always remember this. We all have our place on this earth, despite those who want to make us believe otherwise.”
“Like Jun?” I blurt out involuntarily.
She tenses up, and I quickly put my hands over my mouth, stunned to have let those words slip out loud. Manille hasn”t moved or uttered a single word. She continues to gaze at the sky before emitting a bitter laugh.
“Was it Charlotte or Corentin who told you about it?”
“A bit of both. I overheard your conversation with Charlotte the other day. Then I asked Corentin a few questions, but he confirmed who Jun was.”
“I guess you would have found out sooner or later.”
“You don”t have to tell me anything if you don”t want to.”
I genuinely mean it. While I would like to know more, I wouldn”t put her comfort aside to satisfy my curiosity.
“I know, Florence. I feel relieved you know because I didn”t know how to talk to you about it. I won”t tell you everything because some things are better left buried. Know Jun is my older brother, and sometimes—almost all the time—he asks me for help, and I accept. Charlotte doesn”t understand, but it”s not easy to turn your back on family. I”ve done it in the past, and I don”t want it to happen again. Do you understand?”
I nod, uncertain if my response is entirely sincere.
“I shouldn”t have included you in all this. I feel immensely guilty for making you suffer and continuing to do so by not acting as you would want.”
“I want what”s best for you, Manille. The man frightens me.”
Her eyes reflect all the sadness within them. I”ve rarely seen Manille in this state, and even in the face of my displeasure, it reminds me that, like me, she is human. She can”t be at her best all the time. Despite her smiles and determination to lift me up, she, too, faces demons. We both confront the pains of our pasts, which continue to haunt us daily.
“He will not harm you, Florence. I won”t let him touch you and Charlotte.”
“I”m not worried about us, but about you. I”m afraid he”ll make you suffer again.”
A silence settles in, and she directs her eyes toward the stars. Despite the darkness surrounding us, I perceive a solitary tear sliding down her cheek.
“To me too, Florence,” she whispers.
We remain in this posture, savoring the melodies of the forest, strangely soothing despite the shadows slumbering within us, until we agree it”s time to lie down and conclude this day.
The next day, we prepare for the continuation of the exercise. This time, we decide to take it seriously, despite Cécile”s complaints and Manille”s exasperation. After two hours, we are the last, and they are waiting for us to leave. What we heard over the walkie-talkie compels us to hurry so as not to keep the others waiting any longer. Since we woke up, we”ve been searching for the mysterious object, and saying this surprises me, but I would have preferred playing paintball. This adventure is too long for my liking. Fortunately, we are nearing the end.
I take a deep breath, feeling drops of sweat forming on my forehead and along my spine. I try to ignore Cécile”s complaints, but it”s becoming difficult. She managed to shake our morale, and I don”t know if she realizes her toxic behavior or if she doesn”t care. I hoped this trip would bring us closer, but it”s the opposite. She seems even more unbearable than before.
Manille and I have found all the clues leading to the mysterious object. Soon, we can return to the bus, and I can finally reunite with Lola and Corentin.
“Here”s the treasure cave!” Manille exclaims, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“About time,” the redhead complains again.
Cécile rushes to the area where there are white construction helmets and gloves at the entrance of the cave. It”s the last step before we can finally leave.
“I”m not going in there!” she suddenly exclaims.
I exchange a knowing glance with Manille. “Then stay here; no one is forcing you,” my friend irritates her.
We don”t give her time to reply, and we enter the cave, relieved not to have to endure her complaints for a few minutes. As soon as we enter, I feel like I”m suffocating, but the presence of my friend reassures me.
At least, if something happens, I won”t be alone.
This thought is too gloomy, even for me. I dismiss it with a wave of my hand. As if sensing my discomfort, Manille turns, puts her hand on my shoulder, and applies a slight pressure while smiling warmly.
“Do you think you can handle it, Florence?”
It takes me a moment to answer because of the unease knotting my stomach. My chest hurts, and I struggle to breathe. I feel like the cave walls are closing in on us as we advance. I try to catch my breath when instinctive fear suddenly overwhelms me, reviving dreadful memories.
I have to get out of here! He”s going to hurt me again!
My breathing becomes faster; I”m hot, suffocating. My body trembles, and I lean against one of the rock walls, seeing concern in Manille”s eyes.
“Good Lord, Florence!”
She holds me as best she can to prevent me from collapsing. I feel like I”m losing control, my chest oppressed by the weight of my past. Images of me locked in the narrow room flash behind my closed eyelids. I panic under the alarmed gaze of my friend who can do nothing for me. My breathing accelerates, paced by the frenzied beats of my heart painfully pounding my chest. My vision blurs, and everything turns into a thick fog.
* * *
“Areyou sure you don”t want to call for help?”
With my head resting on Manille”s shoulder, I barely muster a response, my voice barely audible. I can sense her dilemma, faced with the sorry state I”m in. Eventually, I manage to persuade her not to. I hate hospitals! I”ve only been twice before due to asthma attacks, and there”s no way I”m going back. Besides, I can”t see myself bothering emergency services for this, and anyway, we”re almost in Paris. In thirty minutes, I”ll be able to rest at home.
After my episode, I wake up surrounded by Forest Time Out paramedics, and I have to insist that it was just a minor panic attack, that I”m feeling better, and that I absolutely do not need to be transported anywhere.
Of course, news about my condition had already spread to my colleagues. Some came over to make sure I was okay, but Manille shooed them away and insisted they leave me alone. Those who didn”t listen had to deal with Cécile”s fiery temper.
It”s incredible! The one who usually treats me like dirt, constantly putting me down, actually stood up for me! In the end, all it took for our relationship to improve was for me to pass out. I know things will probably go back to normal soon, but it still feels like a small victory.
élise also came to see me, her forehead creased with worry, her usually bright eyes clouded with guilt. I reassure her that it”s not her fault, but she still decides that our next outing will be something more tranquil and soothing.
Despite my misadventure, some of my colleagues who barely spoke to each other before are now closer. This little adventure managed to strengthen and forge bonds for some of us, and that was the goal. Mission accomplished, then.
“Promise me you”ll take care of yourself this weekend.”
I let out a weak groan. “I have things to do.”
“Florence, you need to rest! And besides, I”ve already told Corentin.”
Surprised, I lift my head and gaze at her with wide eyes. “Why?”
I may want to stay active, but Corentin won”t let me out of bed until I”m fully recovered.
“For him to make sure you”re taking care of yourself.”
“I don”t have time for that. I have two projects to organize.”
My friend”s lips curve upwards in a soft smile, and her eyes crinkle at the corners with warmth. She reaches out, her touch light and reassuring, as she speaks in a soothing tone.
“I understand, but forcing things won”t help you succeed. You need to learn to pace yourself to move forward. So please, rest. I won”t be able to watch over you, I”m out of Paris, and Charlotte will be at work.”
I don”t respond because I know she”s right. Even though I”m on the verge of realizing my dream, I mustn”t forget my health along the way. It”s hard for me to stop, especially now that I”m living my passion.
The rest of the journey is a real chore, and when the bus finally stops, élise gives us a brief speech to congratulate us on playing the game. I”m not sure if I deserve it, but I won”t comment on that.
“You can be proud of yourselves. You”re all amazing, and no matter what happened, you did it, you pushed yourselves, that”s what matters.”
My colleagues applaud, and I do the same, and soon, only Manille and I are left. I”m half out of it, my heavy eyelids forcing me to squint. I walk slowly to avoid falling, but it”s getting more and more difficult with each step.
A strong hand lands on my waist, supporting me just in time to prevent me from collapsing. The comforting warmth of a muscular chest presses against my cheek, while the intoxicating scent of Corentin”s menthol fills my senses. I lift my eyes laboriously to his, mixing gratitude and tenderness in my gaze.
“Hi my redhead! I missed you,” I manage to whisper despite my dry mouth.
“I missed you too, tulip.”
I nestle against his protective chest, ready to let myself be carried away by the tranquility of the moment, when Manille”s voice resonates behind me.
“Perfect, you”re here!” she announces, returning with my belongings. “I”ll walk you both to the apartment before I leave. Corentin, I entrust you with my best friend. Take care of her.”
“You don”t have to worry; I”ll take care of Florence. Her well-being is my top priority.” Corentin”s fingers slide under my chin, forcing me to dive into his deep eyes. “We”re spending the weekend together, okay, my tulip?”
“Anything”s fine, as long as I”m with you.”
He places a gentle kiss on my forehead, and I let my eyelids close, savoring the comforting embrace as Corentin holds me tight.