A NIGHT FULL OF PROMISES

Inès and I are waiting in front of the Club. It's been years since I last set foot in this place, which is still the main meeting point for young people in the area... I see a few groups of students gathered to party and I can't help but grumble inside... I feel even more out of place.

At the same time, I have never felt comfortable in places like this.

Inès takes my arm and pulls me out of my thoughts.

"You look like you're going to a funeral, Lys...We're just having a party!"

Then I see Julian's tall figure a little further away. Inès beckons him to join us. He walks towards us with a nonchalant gait that makes his tall stature seem even more imposing. When he gets close to us, his intense green eyes first rest for a split second on me and then on his sister. When he addresses her, it is with a hint of impatience in his voice.

"You'll never be on time...Everyone's already inside..."

She then pats on his cheek with her hand.

"Oh please! I've already got Lys sulking!"

He glances at me briefly. A slight smile appears at the corner of his lips as I roll my eyes. Inès pulls me by the arm and we head towards the entrance where she exchanges a few words and smiles with the security guards.

Once inside, Julian turns back to us.

"Go and put your things in the changing rooms. I'll wait here."

After getting rid of our coats, we find him from behind in good company. Three women are giggling, obviously under the spell of his jokes.. I arch an eyebrow at this spectacle. I guess some things never change. Inès comes and puts a hand on his shoulder, addressing him with an amused look.

"I see that you have not been slow in finding company."

He turns back to us and his smile disappears when his eyes meet mine. I don't even know how to interpret his attitude. He nods at the women, who are now looking disappointed, and we finally enter the huge club room.

I wince at the noise around me and barely have time to adjust to the dim light of the place when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I raise my eyebrows in surprise as I hear a man's voice.

"I'm glad you came."

I turn around to face John looking at me with a broad smile. He is dressed in simple jeans and a black polo shirt, yet he exudes a class that is unmatched.

His deep blue eyes stare at me...the same eyes that had trouble looking at me yesterday.

It is as if I am looking at a completely different person. He stands there in front of me looking down at me with a confident expression on his face.

Slightly confused I give him a slight smile before replying.

"Good to see you again John."

He continues to smile at me and brings his face close to mine while pointing to two empty seats with a fluid gesture.

"I'm sitting over there. Will you come with me?"

I widen my eyes at his assertive tone...This is definitely not the same John as yesterday. I answer hesitantly.

"Oh...Uh...Okay...Let's go..."

I greet the rest of the group before sitting down next to him. We start chatting about everything and I'm clearly disturbed by his sudden ease, but also by the fact that I'm starting to feel at ease too, whereas I'm naturally rather distant.

There's something in his posture and voice that makes me feel safe, and while I've been avoiding the subject until now, I decide to jump in.

"By the way...I wanted to thank you for the flowers."

"You're welcome...I hope you liked them."

He smiles slightly at me as I nod.

"Yes...They're beautiful..."

He frowns at my annoyed expression. I continue gathering my thoughts, struggling to look him in the eyes.

"But you know... It really wasn't necessary... I mean..."

His deep look makes me lose my temper and he seems to notice.

"Are you uncomfortable because of the bouquet?"

His gaze is softer...And his perfectly frank and appropriate question makes me want to be totally honest with him.

"To tell you the truth...Yes...I admit I'm a bit uncomfortable..."

He grimaces and gives me an embarrassed smile.

"I'm really sorry...That was not my intention..."

He clears his throat and then turns to me as he stands up.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"I'll have a Martini please."

He nods.

"I'll get that for you. I'll be right back."

While John has gone to get me a drink, Inès takes the opportunity to sneak up on me and take his seat. She has a little smile and an inquisitive look just like this morning. She pats my thigh and questions me with enthusiasm.

"So princess? How is your night going? You two seem to be getting on well..."

I clear my throat trying to sound detached.

"Yes...He's nice."

She raises an eyebrow.

"Nice...Yes, of course..."

Then she crosses her arms over her chest, looking annoyed.

"Be serious Lys! I've been watching you for a while now and even though this isn't my first drink, I can still see when two people have a connection!"

I raise my eyes to the sky. She moves closer to me to whisper in my ear.

"He's not just nice...this guy's hot, honey...enjoy!"

I shake my head and smile, then my gaze is drawn to the bar where John and Julian are. Julian has his hand on John's shoulder and is talking into his ear. Inès is now looking in the same direction as me. She has a worried expression on her face. I question her.

"Is there a problem?"

She grimaced and points her finger in the direction of her brother and John.

"Those two...they're far...far from being best friends...so I can tell you for a fact that those aren't sweet words Julian is whispering in his ear."

I frown. I had understood that Julian did not have John in his heart and I wonder about the reasons for their disagreement.

"Why don't they like each other?"-I ask.

She shrugs.

"Oh you know, with men...it's just often a question of who's got the biggest."

I widen my eyes at her comment. She laughs and continues in a disconcertingly natural way.

"This is usually what happens when two alpha males are in the same territory."

I don't really know how to interpret her remark. She sighs before she finishes.

"They could never get along. That's just the way it is."

"There must be a reason?"

Without answering my question, she stands up with a smile on her face.

I turn my head towards the bar and see that John is approaching us with drinks in hand. As he arrives he gives Inès a frank smile.

"I leave for a few minutes and my place is already taken?"

She smoothes her dress with an elegant gesture and then points to the seat that is now free.

"You're welcome. Lys was beginning to find the time long without you, so I just wanted to keep her company, but since you've come back it's time for me to go..."

I almost choke on my saliva as Inès looks at me with an amused expression. I curse her inwardly when I see that John has the same look on his face.

She winks at us and then leaves.

After he sits down again, John hands me my drink and raises an eyebrow.

"So you found the time long without me..."

I squint at his teasing look.

"Please don't add to that...Inès loves to put me in uncomfortable situations...It's even her favourite pastime."

He laughs...His laughter is infectious and I notice once again the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes, which give him an incredible charm. Inès is right. This man is definitely hot. He tilts his head slightly to the side, addressing me in a falsely serious tone.

"I didn't know she was so cruel..."

I laugh again as I think of some of the situations Inès has put me in.

"She has always taken great pleasure in teasing me and I must be a bit crazy, but the truth is I love it."

I cast a tender glance at Inès who is now killing it on the dance floor.

"You've known each other for a long time, I understand" - he asks me.

I turn my head towards him again and nod.

"Long time is a very light word. It's as if we've known each other forever."

John's gaze is so gentle and the attention he seems to pay to my words makes me feel strangely like opening up to him. So I decide to tell him a little about our story.

"We met at primary school and I spent almost every night at her house from the time I was nine until I left for Canada. I am also very close to her mother...She was my only motherly reference, so I guess I can say they are my family."

His eyes pierce me. He questions me in a caring voice.

"Your only mother figure...Does that mean your mother is...?"

He takes a short breath and then changes his mind.

"Forgive me...This is perhaps a little too personal..."

I reassure him with a slight smile. I'm not used to talk about my mother, or rather her absence, but John's deep look pushes me to reveal myself a little more.

"I was raised by my father. I was two years old when my mother left us."

His hand comes to rest on mine. I feel the warmth of his touch radiating through my arm...a soothing warmth. Then he continues in a compassionate voice.

"I'm sorry...I know what it is...I lost my father when I was fifteen."

As his eyes darken I feel the need to show him my sympathy. Without thinking too much, I wrap my fingers around his. We remain silent for a moment and then naturally resume our conversation, our hands still linked. This unexpected contact does not bother me too much. I would even say that this closeness makes me feel better and I can't help comparing this peaceful feeling to the uneasiness I felt yesterday when I was in contact with Julian. The contrast is so striking that it overwhelms me.

***********

The night is drawing to a close. It's time for everyone to leave. We head for the exit. John accompanies me with his hand resting gently on the middle of my back.

Once outside, he stands in front of me.

"I have really enjoyed this time with you. I hope to see you again before you leave."

His words suddenly bring me out of my bubble. Tonight it was as if I had forgotten that in a few days I would be on the other side of the Atlantic. I answer him hesitantly.

"Oh...well...I'll keep you posted, okay?"

He hands me his mobile phone.

"I let you save your number. I'll write to you so you can have mine."

I take his phone, write down my number and reach out to give it back to him. Our fingers brush against each other. I feel the same comforting warmth as when we held hands earlier.

I smile at him and nod slightly.

"Well...maybe see you later then..."

"See you soon Lys."

He nods back at me, waves to everyone and leaves.

**********

For the return, it is Julian who drives as always, being the only one who never drinks a single drop of alcohol.

The drive is made in silence. Inès is asleep in the back seat, her head on my shoulder.

I find it hard to understand Julian's attitude. He seemed quite happy to see me again yesterday, but now he's cold and distant...but I don't want to waste my energy digging...Anyway, when Julian is like this, there's absolutely nothing to hope for. I know him only too well.

When we arrive in front of the house, Inès wakes up.

"Oh my head!"- she says, her voice broken by a night of drinking.

Julian opens the door to help her out, mumbling.

"You drunk too much sis'. Again..."

He shakes his head as he leads her into the house. I can't help but smile at how protective he still is of her.

**********

When I get to my room, I sit on the edge of the bed. My feet hurt like hell. I take off my shoes when my phone starts ringing. I reach into my bag and read the message on the screen.

"You now have my number. I'd like you to use it in the next few days..."

I am stuck in front of this message not knowing if I should answer him or not.

I have to leave soon...I've had a great time with him but it would be completely ridiculous and inappropriate to get John's hopes up when I'm leaving in a few days.

Eventually, I decide to reply him anyway, out of courtesy.

"Good night John."

I put my phone on the bedside table and decide to go to the bathroom to take a shower. As I walk out into the hallway I hear the voices of Inès and Julian. I have the impression that the discussion is tense.

I sneak to Inès' room to listen.

"Listen Julian! That doesn't give you the right to behave like a bastard!"- she spits fiercely.

"If you don't mind, we'll talk about it when you're sober..."

Obviously stung, Inès raises her voice.

"I'm sober! Stop treating me like an idiot! I've been watching your behaviour all evening. I saw you talking to John near the bar!"

"So? I can't talk to him?" - he replies, keeping his composure.

"I thought you had decided to ignore him! You'd better not cause him any trouble or you'll have to deal with me!" - she said in a threatening voice.

"Don't worry about your little protégé. I won't cause him any trouble. On the contrary...I've given him the steps to follow to avoid them."

I grimace as I hear the bitterness in his voice. Inès retorts in a high-pitched voice.

"You gave him the procedure by threatening him, I suppose!"

"This guy may look like an angel, but he's not, so yes, I threatened him."

Still behind the door, I am shocked by the tone and content of this conversation. I shouldn't be here...

"He's not the guy for her, Inès. I know that."

...I shouldn't be here, but my curiosity intensifies as Inès attacks her brother.

"It's true that you are in a good position to criticise others and know what is good for Lys! Must I remind you of what you've done?"

A ball of anxiety forms in the pit of my stomach as the memories come flooding back.

"There's no need to remind me of my mistakes. I know what I did."

"Do you? Then please stop with the jealous ex-boyfriend act. That's ridiculous!"

"I just don't want her to end up with that mama's boy. I'm not jealous. What's done is done!"

His voice is so cold I can feel spikes in my spine.

"I want to spare her another disappointment. That's all."

Inès' voice softens.

"Julian. It's only been two days since she came back and you can't stop interfering in her life. Please stop. You're hurting yourself."

I hear footsteps approaching the door. I barely have time to duck into the next room before Julian opens the door wide and walks out.

"Good night Inès."

He closes the door and I hear his footsteps heading for his room.

I stand there for a moment thinking about everything that has just been said. Julian does not like John's interest in me.

Questions fly through my mind. Questions about Julian but also questions about John.

Despite our complicated past, I can't understand why Julian would try so hard to keep John away from me. After all, why would he stand in the way of my happiness? As he so aptly put it, what's done is done. I know Julian and I know he means me no harm, but should I side with him and distrust John? Or should I follow my instincts for once?