Élisa stood in front of the café with Nasser.
She spoke in a fearful, troubled, and embarrassed tone:
— What do you mean, we're going home together?
Nasser replied:
— Well, like you do every day, but this time with me.
She thought to herself: No, but what does he want? I'm trying to forget about him, and now he wants to walk me home?! What's his problem today?!
Out loud, she responded:
— Thanks, but no thanks, I'll manage on my own.
He insisted:
— I'm just going to walk you home. And from what I know, the area where you live isn't very safe at night. So, it's important that I accompany my future little sister.
She yelled:
— I am NOT your little sister!!
Then, in a calmer voice, she added:
— Besides, I'm not sure your mom would appreciate knowing you're walking around alone at night.
Nasser replied with a smile:
— No, on the contrary, she'd be happy to know I'm with my future sister. So don't worry about that.
She thought to herself: No…! He's got a point. Oh no, I have no choice but to go home with him… I feel like my heart won't survive this.
Nasser looked at her and, with an encouraging smile, said:
— Come on, let's go, little mouse.
Embarrassed, she looked at him for a moment, then lowered her eyes and murmured:
— …Okay…
---
That evening, the city was magnificent, glowing with a thousand lights. Élisa hadn't had the chance to walk through town since her parents' divorce. To her, everything felt incredible that night.
As they walked in silence, Nasser broke the moment by asking:
— By the way, I want to know something.
A shiver ran down Élisa's spine. Did he figure out that I have a crush on him? No, he just asked a question… That's no reason for me to imagine things!
She regained her composure and replied:
— What is it?
— Since we arrived in the city, you seem amazed by everything. Why?
Élisa hesitated for a moment before answering:
— Well… I usually take the bus home, and the last time I was here, it wasn't like this at all… It's actually been a really long time… 12 years.
Nasser raised an eyebrow.
— Wait… 12 years? You haven't been to the city in 12 years?
Embarrassed, she lowered her eyes.
— Uh… yeah.
Nasser checked the time on his phone and said:
— We've got a little over an hour before the online quiz. So, I'm going to give you a tour.
Élisa panicked inside. What?! No! I need to find a way to refuse… What do I do?!
She forced an awkward smile and tried:
— No, no! It's getting late, we should get home quickly, you know…
Nasser sighed and crossed his arms.
— You really are… exhausting.
Then, without warning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him.
Élisa felt her heart race. On one hand, she wanted to run far away… but on the other, she didn't want him to let go of her hand.
Nasser took her to the most beautiful places in the city. When they stopped in front of a jewelry shop, Élisa pretended not to be interested, but she discreetly glanced at the displays out of the corner of her eye. Then, they walked past a store selling cats and other small, affordable pets. Again, she acted indifferent, but her gaze betrayed her curiosity.
Nasser remained silent for a few minutes, observing Élisa and thinking of a place that would truly please her. He stared at her without looking away, and when their eyes met, she immediately averted hers, fixing her gaze on a tree to avoid his.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Remembering a friend who worked as a hotel director, he decided to take Élisa there. Without warning, he grabbed her hand and started running through the streets. Caught completely off guard, Élisa let herself be pulled along, yelling in embarrassment as passersby watched them:
— "Eeeh, Nasser! Where are you taking me?"
— "Somewhere that will really make you happy," he replied with a smile.
She wondered what could possibly make her happy in this situation. After running through several streets, they finally stopped in front of a massive multi-story building. Élisa looked up to admire the impressive structure.
— "Wow... It's huge," she murmured. "But why…"
Then, as she read the name on the façade, her heart started racing. Normally, her skin was a warm brown, but she suddenly turned as red as a tomato.
"GOLDEN NIGHT HOTEL"
Her eyes widened in shock, and she screamed:
— "WHAT?! A HOTEL?!"
She started panicking, flailing her arms and speaking at lightning speed:
— "A hotel?! Why are we in front of a hotel at this hour?! What's going on in your head?! Why are we here?!"
Unfazed, Nasser replied calmly:
— "Relax and follow me."
He took her hand again and led her inside. Trembling and completely flushed, Élisa walked hesitantly, too nervous to lift her gaze.
The hotel was stunning. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, reflecting light in golden hues across the room. The whole place had a dreamlike, almost surreal ambiance. The gold-colored walls added even more grandeur to the space.
Élisa, mesmerized, almost forgot her panic. Without realizing it, she kept walking deeper into the hotel, captivated by its beauty, as Nasser continued to guide her by the hand.
A man in his thirties stood in the hotel lobby. As soon as he spotted Nasser, he called out:
— "Cliff!"
Then, noticing Élisa, he smirked playfully.
— "Oh, I see, I see… You've got something planned."
Nasser nodded.
— "Yeah, I'd like access to the Romantic Star Zone."
At the word "romantic," Élisa panicked.
— "Wh… what? The… the Romantic Star Zone?"
— "It's a surprise."
Blushing, she lowered her gaze, feeling even more flustered. Nasser leaned in and whispered something into Cliff's ear. Once he finished, Cliff nodded.
— "Ah, I get it. I'll be right back."
Élisa, still trying to collect her thoughts, wondered, Why am I freaking out? He's my future brother, he wouldn't have bad intentions toward me… right?
Cliff left for a moment and then returned, holding a blue cloth, which he handed to Nasser. The latter suddenly flashed a mischievous smile and turned to Élisa:
— "Élisa, can you come here, please?"
She approached cautiously.
— "What?"
— "Put this blindfold on."
— "Huh? Why?"
— "It's for the surprise."
She hesitated.
— "Trust me," Nasser insisted.
Finally, she nodded and tied the blindfold over her eyes. Nasser gently took her hands and led her to the elevator. As it started going up, Élisa, still flustered, wondered, What am I doing here? What is he planning? This isn't the arrogant guy I've seen these past few days… He feels like someone else entirely.
When the elevator reached the top floor, Nasser took her by the hands and guided her outside. After a few steps, she felt the wind against her face and suddenly stopped, feeling nervous.
— "Don't be scared, keep walking," he reassured her.
She hesitated but continued forward slowly. Then, Nasser let go of her hands and moved behind her. Suddenly, she felt a slight pressure on her shoulders and jumped.
— "Aaaah! What are you doing?!"
— "Relax," he laughed.
Gently, he removed the blindfold from her eyes.
What she saw left her speechless.
Before her, the entire city sparkled in all its brilliance.
The lights from the buildings, the streetlamps, the moon's reflection on the rooftops… Everything was breathtakingly beautiful.
Overwhelmed, she could only stare in awe.
— "Why… but how…?" she murmured.
Nasser smiled.
— "Since we started walking together, I noticed that anything that shines catches your attention. So, why not give you the biggest view of all?"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Élisa threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face.
— "Thank you… Thank you! This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! No one has ever given me a gift like this… I thought I'd only see something like this in books… never in real life!"
She slowly let go of him, her eyes still teary.
— "Thank you… Thank you so much… I've never seen anything this beautiful."
Nasser looked at her, feeling unexpectedly moved. Seeing her cry tears of joy stirred something strange within him. He glanced away slightly, feeling a bit awkward, and replied:
— "It's nothing…"
Then, regaining his usual tone:
— "If I had to do it again, I would."
Élisa smiled.
— "Thank you, big brother."
She stepped away, her heart full of happiness, while Nasser watched her go.
Suddenly, his heart started pounding.
He frowned.
No… I must just be feeling unwell… It's nothing more than that.
He got out of the car, and his friend offered to drive them home. They got in, and throughout the ride, Élisa, still euphoric, kept pointing at everything she found beautiful outside.
Nasser, on the other hand, watched her in silence, fascinated. Every time she turned her head toward him, he completely lost his composure.
After a long while, they finally arrived in front of Élisa's house. Her father was waiting at the door. She ran out and gave him a big hug.
— "Thank you for bringing her back," he said to Nasser.
— "It was nothing."
— "Thank you as well, Cliff," Élisa's father added.
As Nasser was about to close the car door, he heard Élisa's voice:
— "Nasser!"
He turned his head toward her.
— "See you tomorrow at school!" she said with a bright smile.
Panicked, he quickly shut the door and lowered his head. As he drove away, a serious expression on his face, only one thought ran through his mind:
No, no, no… I can't be in love with my future sister… Impossible…