Chapter 21
I feel much better.The signs of my illness are now a distant memory. I worked all day, kept my mother and élise informed about my condition. In fact, I decided to go out in Paris and meet Lucas. When I enter the gym, his eyes immediately land on me. He quickly says goodbye to his clients and approaches me, a small bouquet in hand.
The late afternoon sun bathes the Parisian streets in golden light, making the facades of elegant Haussmannian buildings sparkle. The trees along the Champs-élysées proudly display their spring leaves, filling the air with a gentle freshness. The scent of Parisian cafes, mixed with the flower fragrances from the stalls of street vendors, tickles my senses, and I breathe in deeply the unique atmosphere of the City of Light.
“We don”t see you much at the gym anymore. Did you quit exercising?” I say to him playfully.
He laughs. “I”m glad to see you. How are you?”
“I”m fine, thank you.”
He hands me the white flowers.
“Are these the ones you want us to hang on the wall for decoration?”
“Exactly. I can”t recall their name, even with the florist repeating it to me a million times, but Rose loves them.”
“They”re gillyflowers.”
“You know everything,” he marvels.
I shrug casually. “It”s my job, Lucas. If I didn”t know at least a little, I”d lose all credibility.”
We stroll together for a little while. My feet are on fire, and I can”t take it anymore. So, when I spot a bench not far from us, I rush to it. Sitting facing a magnificent view of the Arc de Triomphe, I rest my legs, which can no longer bear my boots. I”m used to heels, but with all the movement, my feet are protesting.
“Are you okay?” Lucas asks.
I turn toward him, the pain evident on my grimacing face.
“My feet hurt, but I”ll manage. I need to relax for a few minutes.”
“Do you want me to walk you back?”
I glance up at Lucas and nod. If I decline, I”ll need to take breaks frequently, unable to endure the pain. Considering the time, I”d rather avoid public transportation. It tends to get crowded.
“I accept your offer, friend.”
“I”ll be right back; I”ll bring the car closer so you won”t have much to walk.”
He doesn”t wait for my response and leaves. I don”t know Rose yet, but it”s clear she found an incredible man. He”s kind, a gentleman, and respectful. I”m sure he and Rose make a beautiful couple.
I hope one day I”ll find my other half too.
I sigh, knowing it”s not happening anytime soon. At least, I have an amazing best friend; that”s something. Lucas keeps his word and parks not far from me. In the car, I explain the steps for the smooth execution of his proposal in two days. It will take place in the pizzeria where they met five years ago, a place holding great symbolism for their relationship.
Lucas has become friends with the owner over time, so it”s only natural he agreed to reserve the entire restaurant for the occasion. On Thursday morning, we”ll take care of the decoration with Manille, and in the evening, their loved ones invited to participate in this event will pretend to be normal customers.
I”m proud to have had this idea. It”s simple, but recreating their first date is so romantic, Rose”s heart will surely melt. During the ride, I let Lucas talk lovingly about Rose. Given the description he gives me, I know I”m going to like her; she seems like a lovely woman.
The Boulevard des Champs-élysées stretches majestically before me, illuminated by the sparkling signs of luxury shops. Pedestrians hurry along the sidewalks, emanating an electric energy unique to Paris. In the distance, the Eiffel Tower stands like an elegant silhouette, lit up with a thousand lights, a dream come true for many, including me, who hopes to climb this icon of the City of Light one day. Everything here breathes romance, elegance, and love. In this environment, I feel alive, ready to face the future with optimism.
“By the way, do I need to wear a suit?” My coach suddenly worries.
“Do you wear suits when you go to eat pizza?” I retort with humor.
“No.”
“Do you want her to suspect you”re going to ask for her hand in marriage?”
“Even less!”
“Then you have your answer.”
“Sorry, I ask stupid questions sometimes,” he mutters, feeling uneasy.
“It”s not stupid, you”re stressed, and that”s normal. But you don”t have to worry because I”ve taken care of everything. The only thing you need to think about now is what you”re going to say to make her agree to become your wife.”
I point to my street, and Lucas parks right in front of my building. Against better judgment, I get out of the car barefoot, and the contact with the cold pavement feels good. I reclaim the bouquet and my thigh-high boots as we continue our conversation.
“You know you still owe me a fight?”
I burst into laughter. “Lucas, don”t tempt me too much, or you”ll end up in the cake at your wedding. Kidding,” I say, a teasing smile on my lips.
He laughs too, amused by my comeback. “It”s because I went easy on you.”
“Of course, I believe you,” I say, rolling my eyes.
We arrive in front of the building door, and I hear Lola barking, running straight to me.
“Hi there,” he says to her in a fearful tone.
My furball doesn”t seem to pay him much attention and seeks refuge in my arms. When I lift my eyes and see Corentin busy staring at something in front of us, I turn and see Corentin.
“Hi,” Lucas greets him amicably.
As the lawyer”s eyebrows furrow and his lips tighten, I sense his displeasure at the sight of him.
“Hello,” he replies coldly.
Okay… I sense the remainder of this conversation won”t be enjoyable. Despite his response, the tone in his voice is evident.
“Florence couldn”t walk with her stilts anymore, so I offered to bring her back. As you can see, she”s fine. I was a true gentleman with her.”
Surprised by his words, I glance perplexedly at my coach.
“I”m reassured. Florence is in good hands,” he replies sarcastically.
My throat tightens, and a knot forms in the pit of my stomach. I don”t like this situation, and Lucas doesn”t either, judging by his defeated expression.
“I think I”ll go,” he says then.
“Yes, you think well,” Corentin says, his gaze as sharp as a knife.
Lucas gazes down at me, and I”m surprised to see a smile on his face. He puts his hands on my shoulders and kisses the top of my head.
“Florence, I had a pleasant time, and I”m looking forward to Thursday.”
I turn to Lucas, feeling more puzzled by the moment.
What is he playing at?
I don”t have time to react as he takes my palm and plants a chivalrous kiss on the back of it.
“Good evening.” He”s about to leave when he finally retraces his steps and hands me a necklace with a butterfly. “I almost forgot, but I found the jewelry you lost.”
I can”t find the courage to confess to him it”s not mine, as everything has happened since then is unreal. Lucas disappears for good, and I regain control of my body, turning to Corentin, who is already gone with my dog. I rush inside and run to my best friend, whose silhouette climbs the stairs. With each step he takes, I take four, but it doesn”t matter.
“Corentin, wait for me!”
I know he heard me, but he doesn”t stop. I start running, but missing a step, I fall all the way down. Corentin”s strides cease when I let out a cry of pain. In seconds, the handsome redhead is above me, and despite the anger distorting his features, concern clouds his gaze.
Okay, I have to admit I might have strained my vocal cords a bit to get his attention, but if it prevents his escape, then I have no regrets. He probably noticed my little act because he sighs with exasperation, even as he extends his hand to help me up.
“What do you want?”
I stay frozen in place, not knowing where to start. I don”t fully grasp the reason for his discontent, well, not completely. I can understand he doesn”t like Lucas, but this reaction is exaggerated.
“I”d appreciate it if we could talk, since apparently, you”re angry with me.”
He crosses his arms against his chest. “I”m not.”
That”s not what the vein in his neck, about to explode as he clenches his jaw, shows. Anyway, even without that, we know each other too well for him to deceive me.
“Corentin, for God”s sake! You”re not going to give me the silent treatment.”
“I should have realized from the start you were dangerous. What an idiot I was to think I could be strong enough to overlook it. Why did you have to enter my life? It”s because of you I have to go to Clara”s wedding.”
The coldness of his question hurts me deeply, and in my chest, it”s chaos. It”s the first time he has spoken to me like this, and it breaks my heart. I don”t know what to say. Does he mean it, or is he speaking under the influence of anger? I hold back my tears, devastated by his words.
“Corentin, you can”t say such things to me.”
“Yet, I am.”
“We”re friends; we”re there for each other.”
“Lucas is there for you, from what I see. Why don”t you go see him? He”s such a gentleman,” he sneers.
Surprised by the icy tone of his voice, I take a step back. My lie is catching up with me because Corentin thinks we”re together, but what I don”t understand is why it bothers him so much.
“Is that what you want? Is why you”re so mean because you want me to leave?”
“You could have told me you were a couple, then I would have called your guy to take care of you when you were sick. It would have saved me from wasting my time.”
“Wasting your time? Why does it matter whether I”m with someone or not? Aren”t you supposed to be my friend? I thought I mattered to you, but it seems like you”re wasting your time. Well, go to hell. You don”t have to speak to me like that.”
The pain I feel is indescribable. I”ve experienced hurt in my life, on multiple occasions, and I”m certain it will happen again, but Corentin”s words manage to shatter each fragment of my heart and soul. My tears blur my vision and drown my cheeks. I can”t see clearly enough to say what expression is on his face. I don”t make a move to wipe them away, too stunned to react. Corentin, on the other hand, turns to climb the stairs.
I don”t know if he realizes the impact of his words or their meaning. I took a monumental blow reviving memories I thought were distant. It”s as painful as when my father treated me like an outcast. I”m on the ground, breathless as I watch him hoping he extends his hand, but he doesn”t. Not this time.
With the little strength I have left, I try to approach, wanting to fix things before he leaves, but he acts as if I”m not even there, and damn it hurts.
“Corentin, wait! Please, don”t leave me. Corentin?”
I shout his name, but he ignores me, continues on his way at full speed, and slams his front door behind him as my vision blurs with tears as sharp as the tone he used. I climb the remaining steps and enter the apartment, slamming my door like the lawyer.
“Florence?” Charlotte”s steps approach, and I can see the surprise in her eyes when she sees me. “Florence, what happened?”
I collapse into her arms as she takes me to the living room. Charlotte knocks on the door of my room.
“Manille, red alert.”
I hear the decorator approaching and opening the door wide. When she joins me, surprise is written all over my face. I feel so bad and annoyed.
Damn, he pisses me off!
With Corentin, we”ve had ups and downs, like everyone else, of course, but we”ve not argued before. It”s the first time he”s behaved like this and raised his voice. His harsh words have hurt me to the core. He hit where it hurts the most, to say the least.
This cold and mean man, it”s not him, he”s not like that. He wasn”t in his normal state, I know, but I can”t forget how cruel he was. Since our dance and the kiss we shared, we”re not the same.
Sitting on the couch, head in hands, I curse myself for letting the situation escalate like it has. Manille rubs my back while Charlotte wants to make me tea. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I shouldn”t blame myself. I do what I want with my life; Corentin has no right to scold me for that.
Why does it concern him whether I have a boyfriend, real or fake? And if it were the truth, if Lucas was, would his words be more justified? Would it give him the right to talk to me like that?
Manille goes to get something from her room. I take advantage of being alone to pick up my phone and call Corentin but stop before pressing the green call icon. I have nothing to reproach myself for, but I can”t help feeling uneasy. I set down my phone, preferring the company of the girls.
I pace back and forth, turning my attention to Lola, who faces me. I barely have time to think she seems more fragile than usual when the girls return.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Manille asks.
I sigh, still irritated. “It”s about Corentin.”
I can sense their full attention. Manille sits next to me on the couch, while Charlotte settles on the floor. They”re curious when it comes to my relationship with Corentin because they don”t believe in male/female friendships, and after what I”m about to tell them, I doubt I can ever convince them it exists.
“You have our full attention,” Manille begins.
“We argued about Lucas.”
“What happened?”
“I”m not sure. I didn”t understand anything.”
I try to explain the situation, recounting all the details of the events. I”m not sure if I”m clear in my words, as confusion clouds my thoughts, but the girls seem to decipher these strange phenomena better than I do. They make small hmm sounds here and there.
I”ve chattered away and find myself breathless. A long silence follows my monologue, and I eagerly await their response. In addition to having an outsider”s perspective, they know much more than I do about men. They can guide me and help me interpret Corentin”s reaction. Yet, when Charlotte speaks, her response doesn”t satisfy me.
“I”m willing to believe Corentin acts with you like a big brother, but still. He went too far, even for me.”
I sigh with my head down and nervously fiddle with my fingers, my head resting on Manille”s shoulder.
“Since our dance, things have become strange between us.”
They furrow their brows.
“What dance?”
“At the bar, Corentin joined me, and we danced. Let”s say on this occasion, we let ourselves get carried away a bit.”
Once again, I tell them everything and can”t help the heat rising between my thighs at these memories. The moment ignited something in us I didn”t think was possible, a desire for more. After what feels like an eternity, Manille finally speaks again.
“Interesting. I can understand it might have changed something between you, but still. Did anything else happen?”
I contemplate, and something else immediately comes to mind.
“You kissed!”
“We kissed,” I say at the same time as them.
I furrow my brows, and there”s a deathly silence. For a moment, I wonder if I heard them correctly, but it”s clear I did. They said Corentin and I kissed. They”ve known about it all this time, and they haven”t told me anything.
“What? How do you know?”
I didn”t tell them, so they must have seen us to know.
“Corentin told us. He felt bad about how things ended between the two of you,” Manille informs me in a small voice.
“You didn”t tell me anything?”
Manille shrugs. “You didn”t either, so we figured we wouldn”t bring it up. It amused me to throw jabs at you when we played UNO.”
“Yeah, on this one, Manille, you weren”t discreet.”
“I know. Corentin told me to keep quiet. You had decided to move on and not talk about it anymore.”
“I didn”t see the point since Corentin and I decided to leave it behind.”
I hear her laugh rather skeptically. “If you say so. Anyway, I understand better now. Your Corentin is jealous, I”m sure. There”s no doubt about that; I don”t even know why it didn”t occur to me right away.”
Charlotte furrows her brows, and I do the same.
“You”re talking nonsense. Why would Corentin be jealous? We”re talking about Lucas; there”s nothing to fear on this front.”
“Yes,” Charlotte insists. “Especially since he already has a girlfriend and plans to propose, so why would Corentin be jealous?”
Manille shrugs. “Yeah, it”s the thing I don”t understand.”
I pout. “I didn”t inform him about Lucas”s engagement.”
Manille opens her mouth. “Ah, but if you don”t tell us everything, of course, we won”t understand.”
“We”re talking about Lucas, girls.”
“We”re talking about another guy. For a man used to no competition, it”s a big change, especially since he thinks you”re more or less together.”
I sigh again and run my hand over my neck.
“Manille, I think you”re wrong on this one. We kissed, but it didn”t mean anything. It”s an inconsequential kiss. There”s nothing to make a fuss about.”
“Seriously?”
The tone of her voice proves she”s not convinced, but I insist. “Of course, we”ve moved on.”
“Because you did doesn”t mean he did, Florence.”
I fall silent; what she says gives me pause. I hadn”t considered it, but she might be right. There”s nothing indicating Corentin truly shared my opinion. I thought it was the best choice for our friendship, but since the kiss, most of the time when I think of him, it”s in a sensual way. Even when I was sick, our interactions were far from innocent. I”m deluding myself about our relationship.
And what if it”s the same for him? No, impossible!
“What do you think I should do?” I can hear the girls brainstorming before Manille responds, slightly amused.
“What if you slept together?”
“Manille! Come on,” Charlotte scolds. “You can”t be serious for two minutes.”
I know she”s joking, yet I can”t stop my mind from considering the question. It”s not completely ridiculous, and the more I think about it, the more I consider it might be the solution to all our problems.
Manille had already talked to me about it. I had immediately refused, but now I”m thinking about it. My brain weighs the pros and cons.
Against: it”s dangerous, and I risk losing my best friend.
But on the other side: it would eliminate the tension between us and satisfy my obsessive urges. And then, I admit, I have the curious desire to prove to myself I can attract a man like him. Honestly, deep down, I want it. We could finally get rid of everything polluting our friendship and go back to how it was before.
“Do you think it would be a good idea?” I ask seriously, ready to embark on this madness.
An awkward silence.
“Yes, but I was joking, Florence. Do you want to sleep with him?”
“You”re not obligated to anything, Flo. Don”t listen to Manille, she talks nonsense.” The concerned one nods as if to approve Charlotte”s words. Now it”s my turn to impose silence.
“That”s not what I said, but it”s not a bad plan either,” I whisper, embarrassed.
“Are you drunk?” Manille asks, furrowing her brow.
Strangely, no. There”s been a sexual tension between us since the bar incident, and it”s only getting stronger. So maybe your suggestion isn”t bad after all.
“Don”t you think it might make things worse?” Charlotte wonders.
I sigh, exhausted. “I don”t know. Can it be worse after what happened today?”
“If you hook up, you”ll relieve the tension by giving in to it. But just do it once, or you”ll mess things up,” Manille warns.
I exhale, turning toward the sofa. Images of Corentin and me—all evidence of our good times together, and I want much more in the future.
“Once, you say?”
An awkward pause, and Manille smiles, as does Charlotte.
“Apparently, yes.”
Fine, so be it. I hope I don”t regret my decision.