This was not a woman I had just met. We were not strangers. We had history.
And I was sure that there was something special between us.
Laila needed more time.
And luckily for me, I was a very patient man.
28
LAILA
As I sat next to Gabriel on the rooftop ready for the winners of the competition to be announced, my heart raced.
It was kind of crazy how invested I’d become in us getting first place, but like I’d said from the beginning, it’d be nice to do well at something for a change.
‘Do not worry.’ Gabriel reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
I should be concerned that someone might see us, considering as far as the Love Alchemists were concerned, Gabriel and I had made a pact just to be friends, but feeling his big, warm palm resting on mine felt too good, so I didn’t move.
‘Hi, everyone!’ Sammie said. ‘It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. In just a few moments, we’ll crown the winners of the Paris Love Hunt. Claude wants to say a few words first.’
‘Thank you, Sammie. I would just like to tell you how impressed we have all been with your commitment to completing the tasks. I hope you enjoyed visiting the stunning locations in this beautiful city with your match. Now Sammie will reveal the results.’
‘Merci, Claude! I feel like a TV talent show judge. Shall we go to a commercial break and reveal the results afterwards?’ Sammie and Romeo laughed. Claude, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow which said:Just get on with it, woman. ‘Soz! I got carried away. As I was saying, the competition winners are… drum roll, please… Laila and Gabriel!’
‘Oh my God!’ I jumped up. ‘That’s us!’
‘Oui!’ Gabriel grinned. ‘Allons-y!’
Gabriel took my hand and led me to the front where all of the Love Alchemists were standing and clapping. The other guests were politely clapping too although, judging by the scowls on a few of their faces, I could tell that they wished it was them.
‘Congratulations!’ Sammie threw her arms around us, whilst Romeo and Claude patted Gabriel on the back.
‘We were very impressed not just because you completed all of the tasks and visited lots of extra locations,’ said Claude, ‘but also because of the originality of your photos and the chemistry that they showed. I know that you had a difficult start, but it is clear from the pictures and the way that you have interacted over this past week that you have overcome them. We feel like you are building a very strong foundation for a long-lasting relationship.’
Really?
My eyes popped. The wholelong-lasting relationshipcomment was a bit of a stretch. Like I’d said to Gabriel earlier, this was just something casual, but I agreed that we’d worked well together.
‘Th-thank you,’ I stuttered. ‘I mean,merci.’
‘Merci beaucoup,’ Gabriel added.
‘Now you probably want to know what you’ve won, right?’ Sammie asked.
‘Yes, please!’ I replied.
‘I’m delighted to tell you that you’ll be jetting off to the South of France for the launch party of the Love Hotel’s brand-new resort, tonight! Woohoo!’
‘Wow!’ My mouth fell open. ‘That’s… amazing!’
Technically, now that the competition was over, I should go back to London, but I was enjoying myself too much. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I didn’t want to miss it.
‘That’s not fair!’ one of the other guests called out.
‘Wewant to go to the South of France too!’ cried another.
‘Everyone, please stay calm,’ Claude said. ‘Do not worry. You willallhave the option to stay at the hotel for your second week. Please see Romeo afterwards and he will make the arrangements. But as winners of the competition, Laila and Gabriel will leave this afternoon to go to the party, a day earlier than everyone else.’
