Looking for a Way
906 Words
The room was dim, the sound of rain pattering softly against the glass.
Élise sat at the edge of the couch, fingers turning a coffee cup between them, her eyes distant.
Mr. Lemaire adjusted his glasses, flipping open his folder.
— “Now,” he began calmly, “tell me everything from the start.
Who exactly is this Emir, and what is it you want from me?”
Élise drew in a deep breath, her voice steady but full of emotion.
— “Emir is a Turkish doctor. He came here to work, but his application was rejected.
He has nowhere to go, and his country… doesn’t offer him much to return to.”
The lawyer nodded, jotting something down.
— “So you want him to stay in the U.S.”
— “Yes,” Élise said quickly.
— “I can’t let him leave. What can we do to make him stay?”
Lemaire sighed quietly.
— “To be honest, there aren’t many options.
If his visa expires, it’s nearly impossible to extend it.
And since the hospital rejected him, his work permit will likely be revoked too.
In short… staying here legally will be very difficult.”
Élise’s face tensed; she stood abruptly, anger flickering beneath her calm tone.
— “There must be a way! There’s always a way!”
Lemaire paused, removing his glasses.
He hesitated for a moment, then said slowly:
— “There is one way.”
Élise took a step closer, her heartbeat quickening.
— “What is it?”
He looked at her, voice firm but careful.
— “Marriage. To an American citizen.”
The room went silent.
Even the rain seemed to stop for a moment.
Élise blinked, her lips curling into a faint, almost ironic smile.
— “Marriage?” she repeated softly.
— “So the only way to save him… is to marry him.”
The lawyer gave a small, regretful nod.
— “Yes. But that’s only a legal solution. If it’s not real, it’s risky.”
Élise slowly sat back down, eyes lost in thought.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
— “Real or not… maybe there’s a place in between.”
The Decision
The rain had stopped. The city outside was quiet, holding its breath.
Mr. Lemaire was gathering his papers when Élise suddenly stood up.
There was a fire in her eyes — not impulsive, but absolute.
— “No,” she said firmly. “He’s not leaving. Emir stays.”
Lemaire blinked, startled.
— “Madame Moreau… what do you mean?”
She didn’t hesitate for a second.
— “You said the only way for him to stay is marriage.
Then it will happen.”
The lawyer froze.
— “Happen? What do you mean—”
— “We’re getting married. Tomorrow morning.”
He shot up from his chair, alarmed.
— “That’s impossible! The paperwork, the registration, the officiant—”
Élise raised her hand, her voice sharp but calm.
— “I’ve already told you, Mr. Lemaire.
You are not allowed to question my decisions.”
He stared at her for a moment. There was no hesitation, no doubt.
Finally, he exhaled and lowered his head slightly.
— “Very well,” he said quietly.
— “I’ll need both your legal details — yours and Mr. Emir’s.”
Élise picked up her bag, walked to the door, then turned back with absolute composure.
— “You arrange the ceremony.
We’ll provide the details tomorrow.”
The lawyer stood there, helpless, pen in hand, watching as she left.
After a moment, he whispered to himself:
— “My God… this woman is a storm.”
And that storm was about to change Emir’s life forever.
The Encounter in the Hallway
Mr. Lemaire stepped out of the office, his briefcase in hand.
The calm professionalism he carried moments ago had turned into visible concern.
Down the corridor, raised voices echoed.
A man was arguing with the security guard near the elevator.
— “I’m her manager! You can’t keep me out!”
Lemaire’s head snapped up — he recognized the voice immediately.
Daniel Reed. Élise’s manager.
The guard held his ground, arms outstretched.
— “I’m sorry, sir, but Ms. Moreau isn’t receiving visitors.”
Daniel’s frustration boiled over.
— “She’s been missing for three days and now she’s locking me out?!”
Lemaire approached, his tone low and urgent.
— “Mr. Reed…”
Daniel turned sharply.
— “Lemaire? What the hell are you doing here? Is she all right?”
The lawyer hesitated, lowering his voice as he stepped closer.
— “She’s fine… physically. But she’s lost her reason.
She’s about to do something insane.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
— “What is she doing this time?”
Lemaire looked away briefly, his expression conflicted.
— “I can’t give you details.
But trust me — you need to get in there.
Stop her before it’s too late.”
For a moment, Daniel said nothing. Then his jaw clenched, determination flooding his face.
He turned to the guard.
— “Move aside. I’m going in.”
The guard hesitated, but one look at Lemaire’s grim expression was enough.
Daniel pushed past him and strode down the corridor.
Behind him, Lemaire whispered under his breath:
— “God help us… I hope we’re not too late.”
- Writer
