POV Esther
Arriving in front of the chalet, I gently push the door open…
The living room is empty.
Phew.
Maybe I'll manage to get to my bedroom without—
A sharp, cutting voice snaps through the air behind me:
— ESTHER ALEX BESSON, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!
I close my eyes.
That's it.
I'm dead.
I turn around very slowly. Like in movies, when the character knows the end is near but still hopes for a miracle.
She's there. Standing straight. Arms crossed. Murderous look.
Not a good sign.
I try to lighten the mood.
— Uh… good morning, Mom… You know… Palestine is very big and I—
— Don't even start.
You went out alone? Without telling anyone? Without security? Do you want to drive me crazy?!
I smile, trying to calm things down.
Very bad idea.
Her eyebrows frown even more.
— Mom, I just wanted to explore a little… that's all.
She walks toward me. Her face is still firm, but I can clearly see the worry behind the anger.
— Esther, you didn't come here to have fun, but to WORK.
So stop acting childish, okay?
Ouch.
Hit. Sunk.
I lower my head like a student caught red-handed.
— Yes… Mom.
She sighs. A tired sigh. A mother's sigh — the kind that comes from fear more than anger.
— Go. Freshen up and come have breakfast.
I nod and walk away slowly while she starts muttering to herself in the living room.
---
A few minutes later, I'm sitting on the edge of my bed, still shaken by my mother's anger.
I stare at the ceiling.
Sometimes, I feel like she still sees me as a little girl. As if the moment I step outside alone, something terrible is bound to happen.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts.
— My darling… may I come in?
My savior.
— Yes, Dad.
He enters and closes the door behind him, then sits beside me.
— Can you explain why you went out alone without telling anyone?
Even him…
— I just wanted to visit the city… I was tired of being stuck inside.
I wanted to breathe, that's all.
He sighs.
But not like Mom.
His sigh is gentle, almost tender, as if even my mistakes soften him.
— I understand. You're curious. You want to explore.
And honestly… that's a good thing.
I turn my head toward him.
— But you also need to understand something, Esther.
You matter to us. A lot.
We can't let you disappear into the city like that.
I lower my eyes, a little ashamed.
He places his hand on my head, like when I was little.
— You know… when your mother shouted your name earlier, I thought she was going to cause an earthquake.
I laugh despite myself, finally relaxing a little.
— And sometimes she forgets that you're growing up.
You have the right to laugh, to discover, to make mistakes…
as long as you stay safe.
— Are you mad at me?
He looks at me like I've asked the most absurd question in the world.
— Esther… I could never be mad at you.
Then he adds with a mischievous smile:
— I just want you to promise me one thing.
— What?
— Next time you want to go out… take me with you.
I want to explore too!
I burst out laughing.
— Deal, Dad. I promise.
He kisses my forehead.
— Now go freshen up and come have breakfast with your mother and Mina.
— And you?
— I have a meeting with a friend. You know, the one I talk to you about often.
I pretend to think.
— Ahhh yes… I remember.
We talk a bit more, then he leaves.
I'm alone again in my room.
I don't really understand why my parents make such a big deal when I go out alone…
But deep down, something tells me it's not just fear.
It's something else.
And that… intrigues me.
---
After breakfast, I retreat to my room.
I needed to be alone. Calm. Normality.
I sit on the bed and call Leila.
She answers almost immediately.
— Hellooooo, her sing-song voice says. Why are you only calling now? Where were you? — Hello to you too, Leila… how's the family? How are you? — Esther, you're in Palestine, in a luxury chalet, probably surrounded by hot guys, and you're only calling now?!
I smile. This girl is crazy, I swear.
— Leila… I sigh. — Oh oh. That sigh means trouble. What did you do this time, Esther Alex Besson?
I close my eyes.
Why does it always have to be my fault?
— Esther, I know you too well. You definitely did something.
— Okay, fine, you win. I feel like my life has turned into a dramatic TV series with no pause button. — Interesting. Start from the beginning. And don't skip ANY detail.
I smile.
— Okay… first, we're in Palestine. — That, I know. You proved it fifty times by sending me beach photos just to make me jealous. — You know you're the only one I trust, and that I'm not allowed on social media. You were my only option. And anyway, those photos weren't going to stay alone in my gallery, I say with a smile.
— Hmm… okay, go on.
— Then… my parents are weird. Very weird. — Like weird-weird or "they're hiding a body" weird?
— Leila! — Sorry. Continue.
I take a deep breath.
— Dad is overprotective. Way too much. Mom watches me like I'm five. And Mina… Mina looks at me like she knows something I don't.
Silence on the other end.
— Esther…
I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling.
— Did you try asking them? — No. — And what are you waiting for? — I'm analyzing. — Analyzing what? — I don't know… I could be wrong.
— You're sure. You know, you might be right, but knowing you, you'd never want to doubt your parents. Anyway… keep going.
— This morning, I went out very early. — WHAT?! Alone?! — Calm down! Just a short walk.
— Esther, you're the daughter of one of the most powerful businessmen, and you walk around like it's normal?!
I roll my eyes.
— Don't start too. I'm fine, I swear!
She sighs, meaning go on.
— I helped a woman who was having an attack. — Of course… you always help everyone.
— There was a man. He looked at me like… like he knew me. — Wait. What kind of man? — In his forties. Tall. Well-dressed. Intense gaze. And strangely… he reminded me of Dad.
— … — Leila? — Esther. Don't move. — I'm literally lying down.
— Do you realize everything you're saying sounds like the beginning of a huge problem? — Thanks for the moral support.
— Esther… — What? — Haven't you realized yet that your life attracts shady people?
I laugh.
— You're exaggerating. — Not at all.
She pauses, then continues:
— And Malik?
I smile despite myself.
— Malik is fine. — No. Malik is never fine. — Leila…
— Esther, I've always told you: that boy is hiding something. — You say that because you don't like him. — I say that because I read people. And him… I don't trust him.
I sit up.
— He's not bad. He's just… different. — All problems start with "he's just different."
I roll my eyes.
— You could at least pretend to be neutral. — Impossible. I love my best friend too much.
Her voice softens.
— You know what? — What? — I'm taking a few days off… and guess where I'm spending them. — Don't tell me you're— — Yes. You got it.
I literally jump off the bed, hopping like a little girl who just got candy.
— Stop jumping! — How do you expect me to stop when my best friend is coming to spend the holidays with me?! — Calm down, amigo. — When are you coming? — I first need to help Master Gonzalez with some files, and if I calculate right… I'll be there in five days. — WHAT? That's so long! — You'll deal with it.
— I have to hang up. Be careful, okay? — Always. — Kisses. — Ciao.
I hang up.
I stay there for a few seconds, my phone pressed against my chest.
Leila is coming.
We're going to have so much fun.
But for the first time…
a small doubt crosses my mind about Malik.
And I don't know why, but…
it scares me.
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