See how high we fly, see how high we fly...

The long-awaited evening had finally arrived, the culmination of several days of intensive preparations. Their vast garden had been sumptuously transformed. The majestic fruit trees glistened with the various garlands of light hanging in their foliage. Tables elegantly set up between the different flowerbeds would welcome in a few minutes the thirty or so guests.

They couldn't have wished for better weather; the air was mild, the clear sky was a magnificent canvas on which the multitude of stars shone, and the soft murmur of the waves provided a particularly soothing atmosphere.

Absorbed in untangling her stunning silver necklace, Tiana jumped slightly when Ruddy embraced her from behind.

-You are breathtaking, my sweet.

Tiana blushed to the roots of her hair and shyly blew out a thank you, delighted.

-Stressed?

-A little.

- Can I put your necklace on?

-Please do.

- Not very talkative, I see.

-I'll save my voice for later.

As she spoke, she winked at him and smiled mischievously. It was Ruddy's turn to turn scarlet. And Tiana's soft giggle filled the room.

They moved to the balcony to look out over the garden.

-It's beautiful. You did a wonderful job, my sweet.

-We did a great job, angel.

Ruddy rolled his eyes.

-Always so modest. You know you deserve all the credit.

She smiled shyly at him.

-You know, I have a funny presentiment.

-Oh, yeah, sweetie? In what way?

-I don't know how to explain it. It's...it's the last day of this year, and, I feel like it marks the end of something too, I don't know. Like, in the future, nothing will ever be the same.

Ruddy tried to hide the deep trouble that had taken hold of him after Tiana's words and, in a soft voice, did his best to reassure her.

-A new year is always a time of change, my sweet, of evolution. But that doesn't mean it will be negative.

Tiana looked at him with love.

-You always know how to find the right words to reassure me.

He kissed her forehead and hugged her tenderly.

-I love you, you know that?

-I don't doubt it for a second, Ruddy.

-We should go downstairs, the guests will be here soon.

There followed almost an hour of warm and personal greetings to each of their guests. The party was in full swing; with its share of eating, dancing and merry talk.

Five years ago, the two of them had founded a small orphanage in a slightly outlying suburb. Having been an adopted child herself, this project held a special place in Tiana's heart. It was the realization of a dream she had had since she was a child. And tonight, all the children of the institution were present, happily regaling the guests with their melodious voices.

Tiana contemplated them, tenderized, the veiled glance of tears. Tears of pride for these children, but also of deep sadness for the children she could never have.

Ruddy was watching her and knew exactly what course her thoughts were taking. Anxious to steer her back to more cheerful paths, he distracted her.

-May I have this dance, my lady?

She wiped away the tear that had fallen and took the hand that was held out to her, a big smile on her lips.

-With great pleasure sir.

They waltzed and waltzed, to the rhythm of the sweet melody.

-You look really gorgeous tonight, Madam.

-You are not bad either sir.

-Are you having a pleasant evening?

-It is much better now that I am in your arms.

-Flattery will get you far, madam.

-With you I already feel transported. And besides, it reminds me of something.

-What does?

-I'll tell you afterwards, darling, in opportune time.

-You have greatly piqued my curiosity, madam.

- I would like to pique more than your curiosity, sir.

Ruddy raised an eyebrow, his gaze questioning.

-And what else would you like to pique, madam?

Tiana fluttered her eyelids exaggeratedly, and feigned an innocent shyness.

-Your heart, sir.

Ruddy smiled broadly.

-But my heart has been yours for a long time, madam.

She stared at him lovingly. And he returned the same look.

-My sweet? Do you remember that day? That day when you were fired because of the downsizing of the company that employed you. I wasn't in your head but I could easily guess that it was one of the darkest days of your life.

Tiana laughed, throwing her head back.

-That was the day I was referring to earlier.

-You may not know it, ma'am, but telepathy is one of my superpowers.

She laughed again, her heart filled with joy.

-That's right. And to answer you, yes, it could have been one of the darkest days of my life, but thanks to you it was the opposite. That day had started really badly; as if it wasn't enough that I was still a pile of broken hearts, I had been fired from my job; then as I was leaving the company, all my make-up having run off from the liters of tears I had shed, a young boy on a bike had hit me, making me fall on all fours on the pavement. I barely had time to get up before I saw the boy grab my bag and speed away in the heavy traffic.

-I would have paid dearly to know what had crossed your mind at that moment. When you saw that, what had you done my sweet?

-All I could think of was one thing. To get my bag back. Without missing a beat, I got into the first cab that passed by and asked it to just drive straight on. The driver looked at me strangely but made no comment. Driven by some force, I knew I had to follow the young thief at all costs. After several minutes of driving, I saw him, but I lost sight of him again when he turned at an intersection.

Ruddy listened very carefully, thoughtful. By this time he had obviously hoping that it would happen like this without really daring to believe it. Fortunately, It was as if the planets had aligned in his favor.

-It's like a movie, my sweet, you were in a thrilling chase.

She rolled her eyes.

-That's right, make fun of me.

-Far be it from me, my sweet. Continue your exciting story.

In the meantime, the music had changed to a faster tempo but, lost in their bubble, they didn't even notice.

-We had continued to ride for a good fifteen minutes when I saw the young boy get off his bike and run towards a place that was totally unknown to me.

My surprise was total when I saw you standing in front of a hot air balloon!

He winked at her.

-I approached you with a furious look on my face. You still had the nerve to shout at me that I was beautiful. Arrived in front of you, I had neither the time to speak, nor the occasion to sketch a gesture that you already deposited your lips on mine; At first timidly, delicately, then a little more ardently, a little more passionately. We had not yet left the ground but I already had the impression of gliding in the clouds.

And as if in echo to their reminiscences, tens of lanterns rose in the sky strewn with stars.

Tiana looked up to admire them, both surprised and amazed.

-Ruddy, honey? Did you orchestrate this? Without my knowledge?

-Yes my sweet, do you like it?

For all answer, she put a kiss on his lips.

-Even after many years, you still manage to surprise me.

-We're not going to change the good habits, my sweet.

-That balloon ride was definitely one of the best days of my life. On one hand, it had always been my dream to fly in a balloon, at least once in my life. On the other hand, you had finally accepted to give us a chance.

-And this evening, how do you find it?

-One of my most beautiful evenings. I'm with the man I love, surrounded by the people I care about, and watching such a lovely show, what more could you ask for?

They continued to dance for a while, embracing each other tightly, when Tiana suddenly stopped. All her joy had fallen suddenly and her whole body stiffened. She had spotted someone in the crowd that she didn't expect to have, and what's more, the only person in the world that she disliked deeply.

-What the hell is she doing here?