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Welcome to this love story which I hope will bring you a lot of emotions. My name is Hope Dess. Of French origin I live in a small village in the South of France in the mountains of Provence and I would like to apologize in advance if sometimes my words are not precisely chosen. I hope the story of Lys will bring you beautiful moments of reading.

Thank you

Hope

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Two years.

It has been two years since I left France to live in Canada. Two years far from my roots and my landmarks. I can hardly believe that I'm back and that I've just spent all this time away from here and away from her. Inès. My best friend. Even if it sounds very cliché, I can only admit that she is the friend everyone would like to have in his life.

So tonight I'm both stressed and happy in a way I've rarely been. I smile as I see the taxi I'm in getting closer to her house. I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure.

Tonight is her birthday and I know she's not expecting me to show up at all.

I rub my hands together frantically as the taxi now pulls into the neighbourhood. Soon I can see the beginning of that familiar street and my smile widens as my heart tightens.

I ask the taxi to drop me off a little further on. I don't want to risk spoiling the surprise by stopping in front of the house.

As I slip out of the car I am surprised by the cold weather and an icy gust of wind rushes through my jacket. I grab my phone from the bottom of my bag and start texting Julian to let him know I'm coming. It only takes him a few seconds to reply.

"Good. I'll be there in two minutes. I just need to get rid of my sister."

It is with a heart full of warmth but a body tense with cold and a hint of stress that I eagerly await him. I can't wait to find my long-time accomplice and my fingers are clearly starting to freeze.

A shadow stands out in the distance. It's him... My stress only increases as he approaches and when he reaches me I can hardly look him in the eye.

He addresses me in a drawl, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Hi Lys. How was your flight?"

Unlike me, he seems absolutely at ease and has lost none of the immense confidence that characterises him.

I swallow hard and try to hide my discomfort by answering him while pretending to observe the street. All I want to do is avoid his gaze. When I open my mouth, my voice is as cold as the wind.

"Everything went well. Thank you."

When I turn my head and my gaze meets his, I notice that a slight smile has settled on his face and my annoyance only increases when he addresses me in a warm voice.

"It's good to see you again. How are you?"

Embarrassed by his overly friendly tone, I answer with another question while shaking my cold hands.

"When did it get so cold in this country?"

He looks at me for a moment before answering in an amused voice.

"-I guess you brought the cold with you..."

I force a smile, making it clear that I have understood the double meaning of his sentence. His subtlety is still to be reviewed, but I promised myself to remain calm and cordial, so I decide to get my act together in the moment.

As his green eyes watch me without blinking, I answer his initial question politely and in the most neutral voice possible.

"I'm fine...and it's good to see you too."

Liar...

We remain silent for a few seconds before he speaks again, not without a certain irony in his voice.

"Yes...I don't doubt it."

I frown slightly and clear my throat before straightening up.

"I think we'd better go."

He nods and his gaze finally breaks away from me then he takes his hands out of his pockets to grab my bags.

With a quick movement, I grab my things.

"That's nice, but I can handle it!"

He arches an eyebrow at my scathing tone, then steps back slightly with his hands raised.

"As you wish. Let's get on with it."

As he walks beside me, I can't take my eyes off him. He smirks. A smile that makes me regret my aggressiveness, I feel so stupid. I had promised myself to show self-control but it only took a few seconds for me to lose my temper with him.

Another silence passes. A lump is created in my stomach and I hate myself for it.

He gives me a questioning look as I pause and put my suitcase down.

"Are you sure you don't need help?"

I blink and nod with determination as I clutch my things.

"I'm sure."

I balance my sports bag on top of my huge suitcase, but when I bend over to grab my other bag, the contents of my handbag spill onto the floor.

Annoyed by the situation, I have to force myself not to insult the whole world. I take a deep breath and begin to clumsily arrange my belongings scattered all over the floor. The fact that my hands are freezing doesn't help.

I feel even more stupid now and I don't even dare look up at Julian for fear of having to face his smirk again.

When I'm done, he walks over to me and, without a word, grabs my suitcase and gym bag. His face has gone cold and his amused look has completely evaporated.

I decide to let him do it and content myself with a slight nod by way of thanks. There's no point in being defensive. I have to keep my head up, because, after all, it's not my place to feel embarrassed.

He looks away and walks towards the house with a determined step. It takes me a few seconds to emerge from the flood of my thoughts. I shake my head and move to join him.

So much for this time. I mustn't let this introduction spoil my stay. I have to think about Inès. After all, she's the only reason I'm here.