Leyla took a deep breath before answering Sakolomé's question.
— He… he's not here yet.
Sakolomé raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
— He? Who exactly is he? Your brother? Someone from your family?
She shook her head, a slight discomfort crossing her face.
— No… it's… someone I talk to on social media.
Sakolomé tilted his head, puzzled.
— On social media? Did you set up a meeting today? Or is it someone you see often?
Leyla gave a small shy smile.
— It's… the first time we're going to meet.
Sakolomé let out a slight laugh.
— Ah, I see. Is he a friend of yours? Or… your boyfriend?
Leyla's cheeks turned scarlet. She raised her hands in front of her, shaking her head vigorously.
— No! Not at all! He's not my boyfriend…
She slowly lowered her arms, continuing in a softer voice:
— He's just… a friend.
Sakolomé nodded slowly.
— I see… But then, why do you want to introduce me to him?
Leyla lowered her gaze, her fingers clenched on her knees, and her cheeks grew even redder.
— I…
Sakolomé watched her attentively, waiting for her to continue.
— Actually… I lied a little.
— Lied? To whom?
— To the guy you're going to meet… His name is Raymond. He's lived here for a long time and… since we started talking, Raymond has been… violent sometimes.
Sakolomé furrowed his brows slightly.
— Violent? Why do you talk to someone like that?
Leyla sighed, as if she had carried this burden for too long.
— He's… misunderstood. It all comes from traumas he suffered as a child. It made him… unstable.
She clasped her hands together, her voice trembling.
— I'm the only one who didn't turn away when he came into my life. Everyone told me that if I met him in real life, he could… become dangerous with me, like he was with others.
Finally, she raised her eyes to Sakolomé, her gaze shining with a slight fear.
— And I didn't believe it… until he told me he loved me.
Sakolomé shrugged lightly.
— There's nothing wrong with loving someone.
— Yes… except… I told him I didn't like him. And then… he completely lost control. He talked about killing himself because no one loved him… So I… lied.
She took a deep breath before confessing:
— I told him that if I couldn't be with him… it was because I was already in a relationship.
Sakolomé rested his clenched fist against his chin.
— Hmm… and then?
Leyla looked away, her cheeks becoming scarlet.
— He took it badly at first… then he said I was probably lying. He wanted to know who my boyfriend was and…
She pressed her lips, then said quietly:
— I showed him your photo.
Sakolomé blinked, surprised, before blushing slightly.
— What? Raymond thinks that… I'm your boyfriend?
Leyla nodded timidly, red to her ears.
— Yes… He insisted on meeting you in person. And I told him that… the day you came to Gu-Hoit, I would.
She crossed her arms nervously.
— To be honest… I never thought you'd come here. So I told myself that day would never come. But when I found out you were here… I panicked. I almost canceled everything, but I was afraid that one day, you'd run into him by chance and… things would get out of hand.
Sakolomé sighed and straightened slightly.
— I see…
Leyla gathered all her courage, her face even redder than before. Her voice was barely a whisper:
— Sakolomé… please… can you play the role of my boyfriend? Just for tonight. I beg you… I'll owe you one, I promise.
Sakolomé's eyes widened at her desperate expression. He cleared his throat slightly to mask his unease, then showed an amused smile.
— No problem, Leyla. Besides… I feel like this is going to be fun.
Leyla gave a slight shy smile.
— Thank you… really, Sakolomé.
He nodded silently.
Barely a few minutes later, Raymond finally appeared. He was a tall, bulky man, easily 1.95 meters, easily towering over Sakolomé and his one meter eighty. His shadow alone seemed to smother the moonlight.
And he was not alone. Two guys accompanied him, a little less imposing but with hard faces and broad shoulders. Nothing that inspired sympathy.
Sakolomé calmly studied them. Trouble already smelled in the air. Beside him, Leyla had gone pale; her discomfort was obvious.
Raymond approached, his gaze fixed on Sakolomé's, laden with barely concealed contempt.
— So you're… Leyla's guy? Honestly… you're even uglier than in the photo!
A coarse laugh erupted behind him, his two cronies enjoying the provocation.
— Raymond, stop… Leyla murmured, embarrassed. I… I remind you that he's my boyfriend.
She immediately looked away, her cheeks turning red.
Raymond shrugged, a twisted smile on his lips.
— Sorry, dear Leyla… but I would have thought you could find better than… that.
His gaze returned to Sakolomé, still as contemptuous.
Sakolomé held his eyes for a moment, then looked away, a discreet sigh escaping his lips. He's jealous. And he's not even hiding it…
Leyla, uncomfortable, tried to change the subject.
— I… I see you came… with friends.
— Yeah, Raymond answered curtly.
He nodded behind him.
— Let me introduce Larry… and Henry.
— They're… brothers? Leyla asked timidly.
Raymond nodded before saying:
— Can we sit?
Leyla got up immediately, a little too quickly.
— Yes… but not here. Let's go inside, it'll be better.
Sakolomé intervened, calm but firm:
— No. We might as well stay outside. We can just ask for extra chairs.
The less time they spend inside, the less chance they have to break everything.
Raymond stared at him again, his eyes gleaming with a quiet hostility, as if looking for an excuse to start a fight.
Sakolomé acted as if he didn't even notice Raymond's look. He simply called the waiter and asked for extra chairs. Shortly after, everyone was seated, and the order followed.
The dishes arrived, and the atmosphere seemed almost normal. Yet, Raymond had that strange smile on his lips, a sign he was preparing something. Then, suddenly, he said:
— Uh… Leyla!
His voice was a bit too loud, turning heads toward him.
— Yes? she replied, a little worried.
Raymond showed a sly smile.
— I'd like to… test your boyfriend's kindness. Just to see if he really deserves you.
Leyla blinked.
— What do you mean by that, Raymond?
He slowly turned toward Sakolomé, his smile widening.
— With my two friends… and you of course, Leyla, we could eat for free today. And guess who would have to pay?
His gaze locked with Sakolomé's, full of challenge.
— But… we don't have to do that, you know, Leyla tried uneasily.
Raymond interrupted immediately.
— Of course we do! And if he can't… I—
— Raymond, is that right?
This time it was Sakolomé speaking. His calm voice silenced everyone. Raymond stopped smiling, surprised by his composed tone. All eyes turned on him, and the air grew heavy.
— Take whatever you want, he said quietly. I said everything.
He raised his head, a slight smile playing on his lips.
— I'm paying for everything. No problem.
Eyes widened around the table. Even Leyla seemed shocked.
Then, slowly, Sakolomé put his arm around Leyla's shoulders, who instantly turned bright scarlet.
— After all… I have to spoil my sweet little girlfriend, right?
Leyla lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze. Her heart was pounding wildly.
Raymond felt anger boil in his veins. His fists clenched on the table.
— Where do you think you'll find enough money to pay for everything we order, huh? You don't look very old… You can't be more than twenty-seven!
Sakolomé replied calmly, his smile still fixed.
— I have money. And if it bothers you… I won't explain how I have so much.
A heavy silence fell. Raymond's friends exchanged surprised looks. Raymond, meanwhile, ground his teeth.