A hundred hot summers

mer in

. Sophie took a deep breath, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She had b

a stood before her, a grand stone mansion with ivy-covered walls and a tiled roof that glinted in the afternoon sun. She paused to take in the scent of flowers

inviting. "I'm Luc, a friend of the villa's owner. Pl

The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with high ceilings, elegan

"If there's anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask", he said again, when they arrived at he

fe. She had been working hectic for the past year on a case she had lost hopes on winning. But then a miracle

he bed, enjoying the bouncy feeling it gave off. With a smile on her face she laid down on the bed sp

loss, success and failure. He was born into a wealthy family, with a prestigious lineage that traced ba

accolades for his skill and dedication. But beneath his outward success, Luc harbored a deep sense of loneliness and longing

He had several relationships, but none of them fulfilled him. He yearned f

ever met-beautiful, charming, and full of life. They fell in love quickly, their passion

red that Stephanie had been unfaithful, betraying him in the most painful way possible. Heart

y, a chance to heal and find himself again. Little did he know that his life was about to take a ne

the garden having tea, some older guests who had been here long talked about stories of scary ghosts, ghosts with their haunting presence, wandering the corridors in the dead of night. She sat in her chair listening, but feigning disinterest. The story app

roduced himself as luc had handed her some days ago from her little purse. She dialed the number. Again and again it rang but there was no response. Disappointed, she t

nterrupted. He switched off his phone immediately, in the hopes of going back to sleep. He laid on the bed trying to fall right back into sleep,

o the villa, reflecting on the choices he had made and the path that had led him here. He remembered the struggles he had faced, the heartaches

h flowers and trees that whispered secrets of love and loss. He walked among the flowers, their sweet fragrance filling his

lding a small purse in her hand. She looked at h

ded slowly, unsure of what to say. Sophie smiled, a

nted to ask you about something." She held

he had first met her, her beauty and grace leaving a lasting im

help you w

ome of the other guests talking about ghosts in the villa," she began, "and I remem

, Sophie," he said, his voice low and

ll of thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat. She could sense

d hidden treasures". He continued, speaking of a curse that was said to haunt the vil

id to suppress the laughter trying to escape from his mouth. "Don't tell me you believed that?", She heard him ask. S

uth to them. The villa has been here for centuries, and like any old place, it has its share of

ght too. I tried calling you to prove a poin

sorry about that. I must have been asleep

concern. "Is everything al

ie that made him want to open up. "I have a lot on my mind," he admitted. "Life hasn'

derstand. Sometimes, all we need is a change of scenery to f

"Thank you, Sophie. T

he hadn't felt in a long time. He realized that maybe, just maybe, his life was about to take a ne

ing from the mundane to the profound. They laughed, they argued, they shared secrets they

hat this summer in Provence would be unlike anything she had ever experienced. And as she drifted