For Better And For Worse
Chapter 38

Bruno’s home.

Once at the house, a guard comes to open the gate. Isabelle and her mother enter. Isabelle looked at her childhood home like a stranger. She gets out of the car without her mother’s help and begins to contemplate. When you’ve been away from home for so long, something is bound to seem new or not at all. And that was the case with Isabelle. Everything has changed in the house. The land became larger and his father’s house became a very large villa. The garden and swimming pool occupy a larger space than before. They go inside and she is even more dazzled. The decoration of the living room is breathtaking. Her mother makes her sit down and calls the maid who brings her a drink. She then introduces Isabelle to the maid and vice versa. She also calls all the employees of the house to introduce them to her daughter. After that, she told the maid to prepare some food for her daughter. She brings Isabelle to show her her room. Isabelle then goes out to visit the courtyard. She visits the garden, the swimming pool and everything. She then goes back inside. Meanwhile, her colleagues Christelle and the others visit her in the hospital but are told that she has already returned. So they go to her house but she is not there so they call her. This is how she gives them her new address and they go there. They stay together to chat and have a good time together before duty calls them to the hospital. At this moment, Krist’s mother arrives in town following a call from Stella. Unfortunately, she doesn’t find her daughter-in-law at home. She calls Stella back who gives her the address and she goes there. Just after this call, Stella receives another from Master Célestin who invites her to dinner that evening but she tells him the bad news. So he promises to spend the evening. Meanwhile, Odette arrives at Bruno’s home and the guard leads her inside. She greets Isabelle’s mother with respect. She also welcomes him and they talk. It is at this moment that they are meeting for the first time even though their children got married a long time ago. Stella arrives and joins them to keep Isabelle company. She is even more amazed by the grandeur and beauty of this villa. Maître Célestin also arrives in the evening to provide support to Isabelle. Isabelle therefore had a happy convalescence because she was never alone. Throughout his convalescence, Séverin visits him often but the presence of his mother and others prevents him from getting a little closer. Bruno simply tells him to wait.

Meanwhile in prison, Krist does not give up. He’s really trying to execute his escape. But for an action of this magnitude, it takes time and good preparation. Thus, he integrates and becomes familiar with Giscard’s team, trying to find out if he can trust them and seek their help.

On the other side of the brigade, Léon works well with Jeff. Every time he brings him drugs, he takes them back to the squad and takes money to give to Jeff. So he begins to gain her trust. After a week, Mr. Gauthier’s stock has been emptied and he receives the next shipment. A huge quantity of drugs hidden in cartons of drinks for his bar. The cargo arrived at night and having contacts in customs, it managed to cross the border without problem. The shipment arrives late at night at the bar. The drinks are taken to the bar and the drugs to the basement through another door. His employees begin working on it in order to sell it throughout the city. This evening, when Commander Léon finds Jeff, he gives him more drugs than usual.

Léon: wow, we climb quickly!

Jeff: yes my friend, the boss received another shipment the day before yesterday, a very large quantity of drugs that we must deal quickly.

Léon: why don’t you introduce me to your boss, I want to participate directly?

Jeff: no, not so fast, be patient ok?

Leon: okay.

The next day, Léon brings the drugs to the brigade in exchange for money and tells them the news of the new shipment.

FEW WEEKS LATER.

Isabelle has almost recovered her health and decides to return to her husband’s home. Which neither his father nor his mother objects to. This is how Florence herself takes her home. The next day, she goes back to prison with Stella but nothing changes, they are still forbidden from seeing Krist. So they go back home, totally dejected. Meanwhile, Krist starts talking to his new friends about serious stuff. At sports time, they chat while jogging.

Krist: Can I ask you a rather delicate question?

Giscard: go ahead, don’t be in the way!

Krist: Have any of you considered opposing from here?

Giscard: what, escape? What for, I’m at peace here. Besides, the time I spent here exceeds what I have left to do so I prefer to wait and go out freely rather than escape and live on the run.

Caleb: yes, what’s the point? Sooner or later, they will find you.

Val: Hey, are you planning to escape?

Krist: I am considering it yes.

Marcus: You only have five years to go, don’t be stupid buddy.

Krist: I have a pregnant wife and I haven’t had a visit from her in over a month. Plus, I learned that she had an accident and lost our baby, I have to see her.

Giscard: why don’t you call him?

Krist: your so-called champion has banned me from making calls because I’m too stubborn.

Giscard: why didn’t you tell me? I promise you will make that call.

Krist: Okay, thank you.

Giscard: tomorrow, it is possible to make calls so you will make this call.

Krist: Thank you.

Giscard: and regarding your escape story, forget it. But if you don’t want to give it up, try to get the plans of the prison.

Krist: Thank you.

Krist’s home.

This evening, Stella gets dressed up to go out. She chats with Isabelle.

Isabelle: wow, you are truly sublime!

Stella: thank you, I have a date with Célestin, he will come soon.

Stella: Okay, have fun.

Stella: thank you, sorry to leave you alone.

Isabelle: no, you have the right to have fun and above all, to enjoy your life.

Stella: you are the best, you would be a superb mother.

She gives him a pretty smile. They exchange k****s. The doorbell rings and she leaves. Célestin takes her in his car and they leave. Just after they leave, Doctor Roger arrives. It rings and Isabelle comes to open it. She was disappointed when she saw the doctor.

Roger: Aren’t you happy to see me?

Isabelle: why should I be happy when you come to harass me?

Roger: not at all, I just came to see how you were.

Isabelle: you see that I’m fine so you can leave now.

Roger: you’re not inviting me in? Please !

She opens the door for him and he enters. They go to the living room and she sets him up then serves him a drink.

Roger: Thank you, I’m really glad you’re better now.

Isabelle: thank you.

Roger: I was scared of my life when I saw you in the hospital today. I thought I was going to lose you.

Isabelle: I’ll arrest you immediately, doctor, otherwise I’ll throw you out.

Roger: so you are pregnant, my sincere congratulations, although I wish this child was ours.

Isabelle: you are sick!

Roger: yes Isabelle, I’m completely sick, sick with love for you.

He kneels before her.

Roger: believe me Isabelle, I love you, I’m crazy about you. You haunt me every day. You have so many beautiful lips that I dream of kissing every day.

Isabelle: aren’t you ashamed, doctor?

Roger: no, I’m not ashamed of how I feel about you.

He jumps on top of her and k****s her on the lips.

Isabelle: but… what… you are sick… hummm… stop, doctor!

Roger: you drive me crazy Isabelle.

He tries to rape her.

Isabelle: stop, doctor! My baby, my baby!

He gets up suddenly.

Roger: I… I’m sorry, forgive me Isabelle, I don’t know what came over me, please forgive me!

He leaves the house and leaves, regretting his action. Isabelle curls up on top of her and starts to cry.

Meanwhile, Stella spends a romantic evening with Maître Célestin.

Célestin: it’s so good to spend time with you, you exude good humor and joy of life.

Stella: I’m flattered.

Célestin: You and I have known each other for over a month now and honestly, I really admire the person you are, Stella. You are intelligent, beautiful, fascinating,… there are so many qualities that I like about you. I have met a lot of people in my life, but the chance of meeting you is unique and special. And I would like with all my heart for this specialty to grow.

Stella: What do you mean?

Célestin: I’m going to be frank with you Stella, you are not the only girl in my life. I knew several others before you but I assure you that I never felt for them what I feel for you. It was you who made me aware of the emotion of the word love. The first time we met, my heart was beating hard and I wanted to suggest that we be friends but today, my heart wants more than that, it wants to meet the person to walk together. All this to just ask you to go out with me Stella.

Stella: I was wondering when you were going to decide to ask me.

Célestin: seriously, do you accept?

Stella: yes master. I too was not indifferent to your look.

Célestin: wow, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you Stella. There is a saying: “if you want to go faster, walk alone, but if you want to go far, let’s walk together”. I hope we go far together Stella.

Stella: I hope so too.

They toast together and drink. They end their evening around 8 p.m. and he takes Stella home.

Célestin: I had a wonderful evening Stella, thank you very much.

Stella: I had a nice evening too.

Célestin: see you later, k**s me Isabelle.

Stella: OK, A+.

They are separating. Stella opens the door when Célestin tells her to wait. He joins her and holds her chin with his right hand to lift her head a little and tenderly places his lips on hers. Stella does not hesitate to respond to his k**s. After the k**s, they exchange looks.

Célestin: good night, Stella!

She couldn’t answer. That’s crazy ! What she sees in the films comes to pass with her. For a first k**s, it was a rather moving and interesting experience. She touches her lips with her left index finger and looks at Célestin who is leaving in his car. She smiles and enters. She finds Isabelle very sad and her joy disappears.

Stella: Hey, Isabelle, what’s wrong?

Isabelle: Stella, what did I do to cause all these misfortunes to happen to me?

Stella: tell me what happened.

Isabelle: Doctor Roger arrived just after you left.

Stella: that bastard again!

Isabelle: did he try to rape me?

Stella: what, he dared to do that, how could he?

Isabelle: I’m still trying to understand why all this is happening to me but I can’t find it.

Stella: it’s my fault, I should never have left you alone.

Isabelle: no, it’s not your fault. I would be remiss if I didn’t let you enjoy your life Stella. I abandoned my parents for the man I love, I don’t want you to miss out on that because of me. Okay, let’s stop thinking only about myself and tell me how your date went.

Stella: Well, it was amazing. Célestin is really a good guy I think. We decided to take the step. We moved from friendship to love.

Isabelle: I am happy for you Stella, sincerely.

Stella: I know, thank you.

She takes her in her arms.

Stella: why don’t we file a complaint against the doctor?

Isabelle: we have no proof.

Stella: It’s true, but I will help you keep him out of your life, I promise.

Isabelle: thank you Stella, you are my comforter. I don’t know what I would become if you weren’t here.

Stella: but I’m here and all this will change one day, you can believe me. I never imagined that my life would be like this today, and this is what God did for me, he will do the same for you Isabelle. Do not lose faith because after the storm comes calm.

Isabelle: thank you Stella.