POV: Maëva
The door opened abruptly onto a small room that appeared to serve as a private lounge. Three girls emerged from behind a low table.
They had probably spent some of their time chatting, judging by the discarded glasses.
The first one looked up at us.
– Maëva!
She exclaimed before rushing towards me. I didn't even have time to say a word before she grabbed my shoulders, clearly delighted to see me again.
– It's been a long time, hasn't it!
(Yes, and I would have preferred it to stay that way)
– You could avoid jumping on me…
She didn't listen to me. Her gaze went behind me and settled on Heresy. Immediately, she pointed at him with a huge smile.
– You came with your handsome boyfriend! He didn't leave you?
I felt eyes turning towards me.
The blonde woman standing in the middle, however, did not share his enthusiasm. She maintained her usual haughty expression, her chin slightly raised.
"He's really brave, how much are you paying him?" she asked in an almost casual tone.
I turned my eyes towards the sky.
She really had a knack for asking her questions as if she were simply commenting on the weather.
– "So glad to see you again" is what we often say when we meet up with a friend.
She shrugged.
– Okay, we'll leave you now. If you want to join us, come up to the roof.
Without waiting for my answer, she grabbed her two accomplices and dragged them towards the exit.
The first one turned around to wave at me before disappearing with them.
I stood for a moment in front of the open door.
Behind me, Adèle and André were clearly having a lot of trouble keeping a straight face. Their sly smiles left no doubt as to what they thought of the little scene.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
– Can you stop?
"We didn't say anything," replied Adèle.
– You don't need to speak.
I glanced at Herese. He remained perfectly neutral, simply observing the place from which the three girls had just left. Not a remark, not a particular reaction.
It was almost more annoying.
I took out my phone out of pure frustration
Still nothing.
Irene did not reply.
I was starting to seriously regret having trusted him.
– Okay, come on.
We went back down the corridor. Since the gentleman had decided not to show up, I was at least going to try to enjoy my evening.
We were going to go into a room at random, but that didn't stop me from asking the employees if he had seen Irene.
He simply shook his head.
Damage.
I continued my search for a few minutes, without success. It would have been difficult to miss him if he had been nearby. Unless, of course, he had deliberately decided to avoid me.
I didn't like this hypothesis at all.
– Why are you looking for him?
The question came from André.
– for nothing
– Do you want us to keep looking?
– No. If he wants to hide, let him stay hidden.
I had no intention of spending the whole evening chasing after him.
I then headed towards another part of the floor. The twins were the most enthusiastic to follow me, staying almost in front, while Heresy walked calmly behind me like a traitor.
So here we are in front of a billiard room, far enough away from the private lounges that we can talk without disturbing anyone.
A large space. Several tables occupied the center, while sofas and armchairs were arranged along the walls. A few customers were already playing, their conversations mingling with the steady clatter of the balls.
I choose an empty sofa in a corner.
– Please take a seat.
Adèle took her seat next to me, followed by her brother. Hérèse sat at the other end, without showing the slightest hesitation.
A waiter soon approached.
I feel like an old predator inviting his ladies to the bar.
– Dove, good evening.
- Good evening.
He gave us a professional smile before quickly taking our order. I didn't need to explain anything to him. He seemed experienced enough to know how to proceed.
The minutes pass and he returns with a full tray.
– Here you go.
- THANKS.
He placed the glasses on the coffee table, then left without lingering.
We were finally settled in.
And now ?
I took my drink, but no topic of conversation came to mind. Adèle seemed to be waiting for someone to start. André was absently watching the other players.
As for Hérèse…
This guy annoys me; if he were my wife, he'd be a secondary concubine.
He was perfectly at ease.
With one foot placed on top of the other, his back comfortably against the sofa, he had stretched his arms over the backrest. His gaze calmly swept around the room, as if he had no reason to feel out of place.
I lowered my eyes to my glass.
Adele did the same.
André took a sip.
Nobody said anything.
Crouuuuullll.
The balls rolled across the felt of a neighboring table before colliding. One player leaned over to examine their position, while his partner was already preparing for the next shot.
The atmosphere was particularly pleasant. The music was kept low, and the air conditioning was at the right temperature.
We could almost have passed for a group of friends who had simply come to relax.
But he hadn't counted on Adèle; he raised his head. His gaze moved from me to Hérèse, then settled on our two silhouettes.
A smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
– It looks like a date.
But he's crazy.