POV Jon Arrison
I hadn't planned to go out so early that morning.
The day had barely begun to rise over the city, and yet I was already walking through the streets, hands in my pockets, my mind elsewhere.
I wanted to be here. To see Alex again. To dive back into our memories, into who we once were.
Too many memories. Too many decisions made too quickly.
I was passing near the city center when a scream tore through the morning calm.
— Help! Call an ambulance!
Instinct took over. I moved forward without thinking.
A woman was on the ground, gasping for air, surrounded by confused passersby. Two girls were beside her: a little one, crying, clinging to her mother, and a teenage girl, clearly panicking but trying to keep control.
And then… she arrived.
A young girl.
Calm. Surprisingly calm for her age.
She knelt down without hesitation, as if fear didn't exist for her. Her voice was soft, steady, reassuring. She spoke to the woman with quiet confidence, never raising her voice.
I found myself watching her without realizing it.
When the teenager refused to let her touch her mother—because she wasn't a doctor—something tightened inside me. Her tone was sharp, almost aggressive.
But the young girl didn't react.
Not a trace of irritation.
Not a word too many.
She kept explaining calmly, reassuring them, speaking gently.
Others would have stepped back.
Others would have given up.
Not her.
She was determined.
And that determination… I would recognize it anywhere.
Eventually, the teenager gave in and let her help.
The way she guided the woman's breathing.
The way she reassured both girls, especially the youngest one.
It wasn't rushed.
It was… natural.
When she placed her hand on the woman's chest, I understood that she knew exactly what she was doing.
And then, something hit me.
She reminded me of someone.
Not physically, at first.
But in her attitude.
In the way she stayed strong when everything was falling apart.
Then, when she lifted her eyes…
I felt my heart tighten.
Those eyes.
That way of speaking.
That calm mixed with a disarming kindness.
Alex.
Impossible.
And yet…
When the woman started breathing normally again, I didn't think for long.
— You can take my car, I said.
I didn't even wait for an answer. I knew it was the right thing to do.
After they left, only she and I remained.
She thanked me. Then she added something that struck me harder than I expected:
> "My father often says that when you have the chance to help someone, you should never hesitate."
It felt like hearing Alex's voice from years ago.
The same words.
The same tone.
I looked at her more closely.
She was smiling. A real smile. Bright.
When she talked about her mother being a doctor, about all the things she loved to do… she talked a lot, yes, but with a touching innocence.
I caught myself laughing.
She reminded me of my best friend.
She reminded me of a time when everything was simpler.
I wanted to ask her.
I needed to know.
— You wouldn't happen to be the daughter of—
Her phone rang.
She stepped away for a few seconds.
And I understood that I shouldn't stay. Not yet.
I left without looking back, my heart strangely heavy.
Fate had just placed our lives back on the same path.
---
As soon as I arrived back at my chalet,
I couldn't get that encounter out of my head.
I hate doubts.
And this one was eating me alive.
So I made a decision.
I called Youssef.
Youssef: Hello, Mr. Arrison.
— I need you to find someone, I said gravely.
— A name?
— No. I don't have a name.
I gave him every detail I remembered. Her calm. The way she spoke. The place. The time.
He sighed.
— It won't be easy. I'll need time.
— I want results today.
Silence.
— Alright. Give me a few hours.
I hung up.
The hours passed. The wait felt endless.
Then my phone vibrated.
Youssef.
— I have something. Very little information.
I straightened up.
— Speak.
— This girl isn't easy to find. She's completely absent from social media. No recent public photos. The family protects her private life intensely.
I frowned.
— What do you mean?
— She doesn't expose herself. Her last public appearance was when she was ten years old. Since then, the family refuses any kind of public exposure.
I slowly closed my eyes.
And he continued.
— But I was able to confirm her identity.
He paused.
— Her name is Esther Alex Besson. She's the daughter of Alex Besson and Asael Besson.
My heart tightened.
My doubts were confirmed.
— That's all I could find.
— That's enough. Thank you.
I hung up.
Without hesitation, I sent a message to Alex.
The reply came almost immediately. He was just as impatient as I was.
I smiled despite myself.
This time, I had to talk to him.
It was time to fulfill our promise.