Chapter 1
In the gentle silence of a peaceful twilight, Bruno, burdened by the weight of loneliness and the boredom of his existence, decides to take a short trip to the sea to soothe his troubled mind after a hard day's work. The sea, with its majesty and vastness, offers his troubled mind a conducive space for reflection.
Lost in his thoughts, Bruno ponders the twists and turns of his lonely existence. Where have I failed? Why am I condemned to loneliness while my friends find companionship? Am I unworthy of affection? Is it my appearance that condemns me?
As he lost himself in his thoughts, a silhouette crossed his vision and aroused his curiosity. A young woman with a melancholy face was sitting not far from him, gazing at the sunset with tears in her eyes. Bruno's sensitive soul could not bear to see a woman in distress without reacting. Armed with courage, he approached her.
- Hello, miss. May I offer you, my companionship? he kindly suggests.
The young woman, who was quickly wiping away her tears, nodded in agreement.
- Please allow me to sit next to you, he continues respectfully.
She accepts, her emotions still unstable.
- I do not know what is troubling you, but I want you to know that you are not alone," he tries to comfort her.
Surprised by this unexpected concern, the young woman raised her eyes to his.
- Excuse me, my name is Bruno. I must confess that I am not fond of talking to strangers, hence this introduction," he explains.
- I am Oriane. Pleased to meet you, Bruno, she replies, holding out her hand, which Bruno gently shakes.
- A name as charming as it is unique. Normally, a woman with this name should not know sadness, he remarks sympathetically.
- Unfortunately, life and its torments care little for names, she replies, her eyes filled with melancholy.
- If I understand correctly, you are suffering from a broken heart? he continues cautiously.
- Indeed. What else could trouble me so deeply? she replies resignedly.
- I am sorry for your pain. I hope it will subside soon; he says sincerely.
- Easy to say, but harder to live when you catch your fiancé with someone else, she admits bitterly.
- I can imagine. For someone who has known loneliness for a long time, it seems understandable, he says, revealing his own experience.
- You, lonely? But you are a handsome man, how is that possible? she wonders.
- Appearances can be deceptive. Unfortunately, this is my case, he replies with a hint of sadness.
- So, you would be a mysterious loner? A riddle to solve, she jokes to lighten the mood.
- It seems so. But I'm afraid I don't fit the cliché of the bad boy," he replies, guiltily.
- Then perhaps we should put you to the test of a pastor, she teases, a smile on her lips.
Laughter erupts between these two sad souls, creating an unexpected bond. Carried away by this unique connection, Bruno offers Oriane an ice cream to bring back her smile. Before they part, he makes sure they stay in touch by getting her number.
Thus, two strangers, tormented by emotional loneliness, find comfort and friendship in each other before giving way to a budding romance. Oriane, moved by this encounter, shares the beginnings of this new love with her best friend Lea.
- You must meet this man, Lea! I think I have found the love of my life; she exclaims with emotion.
- Oh I... see., Lea replies, curious.
- Since I've been with him, I feel revived. He is my ideal, my other half," Oriane confides, her eyes shining with happiness.
- He must be extraordinary to make you feel like this, Lea remarks, touched by her friend's emotion.
- Yes, he is everything I have ever dreamed of, assures Oriane, her heart swelling with love.
- Let's organise a meeting tomorrow if you like. Will your darling agree? Lea suggests.
- Perfect, that works! Oriane replies, thrilled at the idea of introducing her partner to her best friend.
The conversation then turns to Lea's situation with her fiancé, with whom she keeps postponing the wedding. The two friends joke about how long it takes to make this decision.
- I hope he is worth waiting for, Oriane teases.
- Don't worry about me, let's focus on your happiness, Lea replies kindly.
In the intricate dance of forming family bonds, Oriane and her mother-in-law Yossa come together with a shared excitement that speaks volumes of their mutual respect and burgeoning affection. An unexpected bond blossoms between the two, elevating their relationship beyond the usual mother-in-law/daughter-in-law dynamic to a deep-seated camaraderie.
- At last, my son has met his match, a woman of true African virtue," Yossa beams, her joy unmistakable.
- Oh, Mama, you're too kind, you know how to make me blush," Oriane replies, her voice full of affection.
- Is it flattery when it's the truth? Of all the young women Bruno has brought home, you are the only one who has won my heart," Yossa says sincerely.
- So, he's had a lot of introductions? Oriane inquires, a hint of jealousy in her tone.
- Do not let it bother you. In my eyes, no one could ever compare to you, Yossa assures her, her faith firm and unshakable.
- Are you sure of that, Mother? Oriane seeks reassurance.
- Beyond doubt, my dear. Forget such worries. The most important thing is that it's you who will bless me with grandchildren, Yossa says confidently.
- No doubt, my dear. Forget such worries. The most important thing is that it's you who will bless me with grandchildren, Yossa says confidently.
- Absolutely! Beautiful grandchildren, I'm sure, Oriane answers with a smile.
- I trust you, my dear daughter, Yossa concludes, her warmth palpable.
For Oriane, a harmonious relationship with her mother-in-law was one of her greatest wishes for married life. With her heart at ease, Oriane is more convinced than ever that Bruno is her soul mate.
The wedding goes off without a hitch, sealing the deep love between Bruno and Oriane. They are now free to embrace the life they've always dreamed of, leaving all the struggles of the past behind.
-Finally, I can have you officially, Bruno declares tenderly.
- Oh, really? So, you admit you used to be a thief? Oriane teases playfully.
-Yes, I was a bit of a scoundrel, but now I'm seeking redemption, Bruno replies, his humour shining through.
He pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her and showering her with kisses.
-What is it you really want? she asks, curiosity in her voice.
-You know exactly, my love. You know exactly, he whispers, stroking her cheek.
In their moment of shared anticipation, she urges him to express his desires, her eyes alight with expectation. He responds not with words but by pulling her closer, their physical connection deepening as he confesses his longing not only for her body but for a union that transcends time.
-Oh, yes, I long for your nearness, she breathes back, her desire mirroring his.
He teases with a warning, hinting at desires far beyond tenderness. Her playful questioning of his intentions is met with a promise of ecstasy, an invitation to lose herself in him. And so, they entwine in passionate surrender, their love a palpable force that fills the room.
But life, in its unpredictable flow, casts a shadow over their bliss. Oriane's sudden illness leads to a devastating loss, plunging them into a deep sea of grief. Their shared dream of a future together, of a family, crumbles, leaving them to navigate a world of grief, their once bright horizon now obscured.
Thinking they have reached the depths of despair, Bruno and Oriane are dealt a devastating blow by their doctor, who delivers news that casts a shadow darker than any they have encountered in their already tragic history. It's as if the gates of hell themselves have swung open and an unseen adversary is lurking, ready to drag them into the abyss.