The afternoon moved slowly at the university.
Aïnis had tried to follow the economics lecture for almost an hour, but the professor's words slipped through her mind without really settling.
Six days.
The number kept circling in her head like a clock that couldn't be stopped.
When the bell announced the end of class, students began leaving the lecture hall in a noisy mix of conversations and scraping chairs.
Sofia immediately grabbed Aïnis's arm.
"Don't tell me you're going straight home."
"Why not?"
"Because you need to clear your mind."
Maya walked over to them, her bag on her shoulder.
"Sofia wants to go to the café near campus."
Sofia raised her hands.
"And I fully admit it."
Aïnis hesitated.
She knew Blake was waiting outside.
He always waited.
And somehow… she wanted to see him.
Even if it was ridiculous.
"Just one hour," she finally said.
Sofia smiled immediately.
"Perfect."
The three girls walked out of the building.
Outside the University
The large metal gate stood in front of them.
And as always…
Blake was there.
Leaning against the black car.
Dark suit.
Straight posture.
Watchful eyes.
When Aïnis appeared, his gaze immediately settled on her.
As if his eyes had been searching for her without him even realizing it.
Sofia noticed right away.
She whispered to Maya,
"I swear he only looks at her."
Maya gave a small, discreet smile.
"Obviously."
Aïnis stopped in front of Blake.
"I'm going to get a coffee with my friends."
Blake nodded.
"Very well."
"The café two streets from here."
"I know the place."
"You're going to follow us?"
"Yes."
Sofia immediately stepped in.
"That's a little creepy when you say it like that."
Blake turned his head slightly toward her.
"It's my job."
Sofia raised her hands.
"Alright, alright."
But as they started walking toward the café, Sofia leaned toward Aïnis.
"Seriously… how do you stay calm with a guy like that behind you all day?"
Aïnis sighed softly.
"I never really had a choice."
But despite her words…
She could feel Blake's presence behind them.
And strangely…
She had gotten used to it.
At the Café
The student café was lively.
Soft music.
The smell of freshly ground coffee.
Laughter in every corner of the room.
The girls sat near the window.
And of course…
Sofia chose the seat that allowed her to see outside.
Blake stood across the street.
At a distance.
But still attentive.
Sofia rested her chin in her hand.
"He never takes his eyes off you."
Aïnis took a sip of her latte.
"It's his job."
"No."
Sofia shook her head.
"It's not just that."
Maya observed the scene calmly.
"You know what's interesting?"
Aïnis looked up.
"What?"
"He always keeps the perfect distance."
"What do you mean?"
"He's far enough to stay professional."
She pointed toward the street.
"But close enough to intervene in two seconds."
Aïnis followed her gaze.
Blake spoke briefly into his earpiece.
Then his eyes turned toward the window.
Toward her.
She immediately looked away.
Her heart started beating faster.
Sofia smiled.
"Oh."
"What?"
"This is getting interesting."
Outside
Blake was looking inside the café.
Aïnis was laughing with her friends.
And for a moment…
He forgot everything else.
Work.
The promotion.
The pressure.
She rarely laughed like that with him.
With him…
She was often defensive.
Or frustrated.
Or silent.
Because their relationship was built on rules.
And distance.
His phone vibrated.
A message.
Léna.
"Tomorrow. 7 p.m. Don't be late."
Blake ran a hand over his face.
Tomorrow.
He would really have to ask for a day off.
And asking something from Victor Morel…
was never simple.
Inside the Café
Sofia suddenly asked a question.
"Aïnis."
"Yes?"
"What would you do if Blake didn't leave?"
The question caught her off guard.
"I… I don't know."
Maya looked at her carefully.
"You know very well."
Aïnis shook her head.
"No."
But deep inside…
She knew.
And that thought scared her.
Because for the first time…
She realized something.
The problem wasn't that Blake might leave.
The problem…
was that she wanted him to stay.
The thought lingered in Aïnis Morel's mind.
She stared at her cup for a few seconds.
As if the answer might appear in the foam of her coffee.
Around them, the café continued to buzz with life. Students were talking loudly at another table. A barista called out an order. Soft music filled the air.
But Aïnis barely heard anything.
Because that thought had opened a door in her mind.
A door she had carefully kept closed until now.
"Aïnis?"
Maya's voice brought her back to reality.
"Are you still with us?"
Aïnis looked up slightly.
"Yes."
Sofia was watching her closely.
"No, you're thinking too much."
"Maybe."
Sofia crossed her arms.
"You know what I think?"
"I'm afraid of the answer."
"You're already in love with him."
Aïnis opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because for once…
She had nothing to say.
Maya studied her silence carefully.
"The problem isn't whether you love him."
Aïnis looked up.
"Then what is it?"
"The problem is whether you're going to do something about it."
Aïnis felt her heart beating faster.
Do something.
Those words sounded simple.
But in her life… nothing was simple.
She looked again toward the window.
Across the street, Blake was still there.
Motionless.
Attentive.
Like a constant presence in her life.
A presence that would disappear in six days.
She took a slow breath.
"And if I say nothing?"
Sofia answered immediately.
"You'll regret it."
Maya nodded gently.
"Probably for the rest of your life."
Silence fell between them again.
Aïnis looked toward the street once more.
Blake had slightly changed his position.
His arms were crossed now.
But his eyes…
his eyes were still fixed on the window.
On her.
She quickly looked away.
Her heart was beating too fast.
Outside
Blake watched the street, but his mind wasn't really there.
His thoughts kept returning to the café.
To the table by the window.
To her.
He could imagine the scene without hearing it.
Friends asking questions.
Glances toward the window.
Silences.
He had seen this kind of situation before.
And he knew what it meant.
That was why his departure was necessary.
Because staying too long…
would change everything.
He briefly closed his eyes.
For weeks, he had tried to stay professional.
To keep his distance.
To remember why he was there.
Protect Victor Morel's daughter.
Not fall in love with her.
And yet…
he had failed.
Not completely.
But enough for it to become dangerous.
He remembered the moment in the car that morning.
When she had whispered:
"There are six days left."
She knew.
Maybe not everything.
But enough.
Blake ran a hand over the back of his neck.
He had made his decision.
The promotion.
The departure.
It was the most logical solution.
The safest one.
For her.
For him.
For everyone.
Because if he stayed longer…
he would eventually cross a line he could never erase.
And yet…
one question remained in his mind.
What if she felt the same way?
He shook his head slightly.
It was dangerous to think like that.
Very dangerous.
In the Café
Aïnis was still looking at the street.
But this time…
she wasn't just looking at Blake.
She was thinking.
Six days.
It was so little time.
If she said nothing…
he would leave.
And maybe she would never see him again.
Sofia noticed her expression.
"You're thinking about him."
Aïnis didn't even deny it.
"Yes."
Maya smiled slightly.
"That's already progress."
"Why?"
"Because at least now you're honest."
Aïnis absentmindedly played with her spoon.
"I don't know what to do."
Sofia sighed.
"It's not that complicated."
"For you maybe."
"For you too."
Aïnis looked up.
"No."
"Why?"
She stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then murmured,
"Because my life doesn't really belong to me."
The name Raphaël didn't even need to be spoken.
Her friends immediately understood.
Maya spoke softly.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"But your feelings… belong to you."
Aïnis felt something tighten in her chest.
Because it was true.
Her feelings…
no one could control them.
She looked back at the street.
Blake looked up at exactly the same moment.
Their eyes met.
Longer than usual.
Aïnis felt her heart beating harder.
And for the first time…
a clear thought crossed her mind.
Maybe I should tell him.
Not today.
Not in front of everyone.
But before he leaves.
Before those six days disappear.
She finally looked away.
But this time…
something had changed.
Because the question was no longer:
Should I tell him?
The real question now was:
*When?