"What was going on? I didn't understand much," said Quasimodo.
"I know. Mary was hoping you would stay here. But I told her you wouldn't because Notre Dame is your home," I explained.
Quasimodo looked at me with an expression I couldn't read. He stepped up to me and took my hand: "I thank you. It is probably true, you are the only person who really understands me."
I was so flabbergasted by this statement that my mouth stood wide open. I would never have expected that from him. But ... Quasimodo was pretty unpredictable, too.
"Did I ... say something wrong?" Quasimodo asked unsettled.
"No. You just surprised me. I haven't had the feeling that you are someone who speaks openly about your feelings," I said, embarrassed.
"That's probably true. But I realized that you will not stay here forever. Who knows how much time I have left. I am honored because of the feelings you have for me and I am sorry that I behaved so ungratefully. "
I never would have thought that I would ever have such a conversation with Quasimodo. I didn't reply and waited first to see what would come next.
"Indeed, I will go back to Paris. If you would accompany me, it would be an honour.", Quasimodo said and bowed formally.
I felt the heat rush to my head. I didn't know what to think, I didn't know what to say. It felt like all my life I waited for Quasimodo to reciprocate my feelings ... And now I stood there like a statue and just nodded my head, speechless.
"You wanted to change my life for the better, and you did. These people accept me for who I am. Just like you do. I think I can get along well with them and visit them," said Quasimodo.
"I'm glad," I said.
"The fact that I had to spend a little more than usual in bed gave me a lot of time to think."
"That seems to be the case," I said and nodded.
Quasimodo looked around briefly, as if he wanted to make sure that nobody was watching us and then he pulled me to the wall of the house.
"What is this supposed to mean?" I asked, a little startled.
"You said you loved me," he whispered to me.
"Yes ... that's what I meant," I said, embarrassed.
"You don't mind being with someone like me?" He asked, looking at me with an expression so unhappy that I couldn't help myself. I took his face in both hands, pulled him closer to me and then kissed him on the mouth. It was a short but deep kiss that seemed to start a fire in my lower abdomen. Quasimodo stared at me in surprise, he hadn't expected it. I was breathing heavily: "I would hardly have fallen in love with you if I cared about your appearance."
Quasimodo grabbed my hips, which were a little too wide, and breathed to me: "You really are a very special person."
"Just like you," I said and kissed him again. This time longer and more demanding. The heat spread all over my body. Quasimodo had significantly less experience with it, but he quickly understood how it was done and it seemed as if he had found a taste for it. I was already secretly thinking about what it would be like if we went one step further ... But we were here in public ... that was a taboo then as it is now, unless you were a prostitute.
Breathing heavily, we let go of each other and slowly returned to the house hand in hand.
When we entered the house, I saw Jasmine cheering. We looked a bit worn out from the wild smooching behind the house. I stared at her blankly: "What's the matter with you?"
Jasmin turned to us and said: "I thought you would never dare!"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I was in the attic and saw something very interesting ..." said Jasmin and grinned mischievously.
I blushed suddenly: "Now is good!"
Quasimodo looked confusedly from with to Jasmin. Caught up, I let go of his hand and hurried into the guest room, red over my ears.
