For Better And For Worse
Chapter 76

MEXICO.

Fighting club.

The fighting club is a Chinese fighting club opened in Mexico and which receives fighters from several countries. For some time now, the best fighter remains Jin Fing. Gordjo and his men arrive in front of the club.

Krist: it’s a Chinese club, I don’t know Chinese kung fu.

Gordjo: don’t worry, you’ll learn quickly. Besides, it’s not just the Chinese who are fighting here.

They enter the club. First of all, it’s a bar. They pass the bar and enter a striptease room before arriving in the boxing gym. The fights happen as they happen. Gordjo joins the club owner.

Gordjo: Mr. Kung, how are you?

Kung: I’m fine Mr. Gordjo, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you around here.

Gordjo: It’s true. After this crushing defeat that Jin Fing inflicted on my fighter, I couldn’t come back with anything.

Kung: So I guess you have a new fighter? (looking at Krist).

Gordjo: absolutely and I’m coming to collect my wheat.

Kung: are you sure he can be a match for my champion?

Gordjo: no need to comment, we’ll know later.

Kung: you’re right, go take a seat!

Gordjo: thank you Mr. Kung.

Gordjo joins other mafia godfathers in the seats. In the meantime, François and Rodrigue enter a room to prepare Krist. The fights continue, Jin Fing remains the undefeated fighter and brings big profits to Mr. Kung. He won 10 fights and Kung took him out of the ring to rest and recharge. And then, Krist enters the ring, announced by the commentator.

Commentator: Tonight we have a new fighter among us, he comes from far away, he is fierce and strong, welcome Krist the undefeated fighter, the one and only who beat Barock in the cave.

Jin Fing comes out to see this person. Another fighter has been announced and he joins Krist in the ring. Having heard of his victory against Barock, many bet on him. The first fight begins against a Chinese. Krist just watches and learns from him. So, he was just dodging without punching even if he received a few surprise blows sometimes. The first round is over and they are resting. A godfather next to Gordjo discusses.

Robio (laughing): Gordjo, do you call that a fighter?

Garcia: I wonder how he was able to defeat Barock.

Gordjo: is the fight over?

Robio: no, but he has no chance.

Gordjo: you will be surprised.

DOTTAN.

Bruno’s home.

Bruno comes home after work and finds Francis at home again. They go out to talk under the shed.

Bruno: Francis, you can’t afford to come to my house as you please!

Francis: I bring you good news.

Bruno: can’t you call me?

Francis: no.

Bruno: So tell me what it is and you’re gone for good.

Francis: ok, Gordjo has decided to give you a few moments to find his money. But I will come and remind you from time to time. Goodbye Mr Bruno.

Francis leaves. Florence arrives.

Florence: darling, where is your friend?

Bruno: he received an emergency call and he had to leave. He offers you his sincere apologies.

Florence: ok, come on, let’s eat.

So they go back inside to have dinner.

MEXICO.

Fithing club.

The second round begins and Krist’s opponent charges towards him. Krist dodges and blocks his blows then begins to hit him until he puts him on the ground unable to get up. The referee then raises Krist’s hand as the winner. Gordjo looks at his peers and smiles. He gets his money back. Jin Fing returns inside after observing this first fight of the new fighter. Kung approaches him.

Kung: he defeated Barock, do you think you can defeat him?

Jin Fing: he is not an opponent of my size. If he went two rounds with this mediocre fighter, he’ll be like a piece of cake to me.

Kung: Glad to hear it. I’m going to organize a special fight between you two. The stake will be $50,000 in total.

Jin: okay, you can even put in $100,000 boss, you’ll earn a lot more.

The fights continue and Krist wins up to 10 successive fights.

Kung: he won up to 10 successive fights.

Jin: And so, I did more than that. Go announce this fight.

Kung comes out and goes into the ring. He takes the microphone.

Kung: ladies and gentlemen, good evening, I hope you enjoyed tonight’s show? I am announcing a special fight that will take place between Jin Fing, my undefeated champion and Krist. Bets start from $50,000 in amount. Come watch this fight and fill your pockets. The appointment is made in a week right here at the fitness club.

Gordjo: it’s excellent! The opportunity for me to recover all my wheat.

Garcia: You’re sure!

Gordjo: I have confidence in my fighter.

Gordjo gets up and joins his men then they return home. Gordjo’s masseuses take care of Krist.

DOTTAN.

Bruno’s home.

This evening at bedtime, Florence talks with her husband.

Florence: Honey, how many children do we have?

Bruno: what a question, you know very well, we only have one daughter.

Florence: were you a good father to her?

Bruno: I always wanted the best for her.

Florence: you mean, the best for you thanks to her?

Bruno: where are you going with this?

Florence: since our daughter was 18, she had become for you an object that you can sell to increase your business. You made our darling daughter suffer so much and you continue to inflict more suffering on her now, haven’t you had enough?

Bruno: all I want is his happiness.

Florence: you always want to force her to get married and that’s not good darling.

Bruno: you’re wrong, I just suggested it to him.

Florence: ok, if you say it, but you have to apologize to her for what she just discovered and please, be a little sincere.

Bruno: I plan to do it but his anger has to fade first.

Florence: OK. Good night.

Bruno: good night.

Isabelle’s home.

Alone in her room, Isabelle cannot sleep. She thinks of her husband when she receives a WhatsApp message from Séverin with the same photo.

Séverin: this photo has kept me from sleeping since I took it my love, I hope to see you like that next to me, on the same bed in the days to come.

She gets angry and says:

Isabelle: what an idiot, what a pervert! As if I don’t already have enough worries! Why did you take my husband away from me so soon my God, what will become of me?

Stella for her part also cannot get to sleep. She probably imagines her love life is drifting. He who thought he had found true love, she has surely just lost him.

Stella: How stupid I was to think he was the ideal man! I’m sure he’s in this woman’s arms right now.

Célestin’s home.

Célestin in his room can’t sleep either. She thinks about Stella, especially what she might feel and what she might think. He hears a knock at the door and goes to open it. Mélanie is there with her daughter.

Célestin: Mélanie, what do you want?

Mélanie: the baby won’t stop crying, she wants to feel her father by her side.

Célestin: ok, give it to me!

She gives him the baby.

Célestin: good night.

Mélanie: she needs both of us to sleep well.

He lets her in. So they lie down on the bed but he puts the baby between them.

A few days later.

Isabelle’s home.

This evening, Stella goes out for a date with Célestin and after she leaves, Séverin arrives at the same time. Isabelle comes to open the door.

Séverin: good evening my love.

Isabelle: you pervert, I don’t want to see you.

Séverin: I think we need to have a serious discussion, you and I.

He enters and goes directly to the living room, Isabelle closes the door and follows him.

Isabelle: are you going to tell me how you got this photo?

Séverin: I spied on you in the shower and took a photo of you. Now that you know, what are you going to do?

Isabelle: why did you do that, you’re just a pervert.

Séverin: I know, man is not evil by nature, it’s society that transforms him, do you know? You’re the one who turned me into a pervert.

Isabelle: what do you want Séverin?

Séverin: you already know what I want Isabelle, I want you to become my wife.

Isabelle: I can’t, I have no love for you.

Séverin: then you leave me no other choice Isabelle. If you don’t marry me, I’m going to post this photo on social media.

Isabelle: no, you won’t do that?…

Séverin: I’m not joking Isabelle, I’m very serious. I’ll give you a few days to think and make the right decision. Goodbye My Love.

Isabelle: I considered you a friend Séverin, I raised a viper in my home…

Séverin: these are the realities of life, my heart. Go k**s!

He leaves and Isabelle starts to cry. She looks at the photo of her husband.

Isabelle: why did you leave my love, why did you leave me all alone among these wolves?…

Public garden.

Célestin and Stella talk in a public garden. Stella probably already knows what it would be about.

Célestin: I’m not going to beat around the bush Stella. You know that I love you with all my heart, my love for you is sincere but the situation that is happening to us at the moment is completely beyond us. For the sake of my child, I must stay with his mother, even if I don’t love her, I must sacrifice myself for her. I hope you understand me ?

Stella didn’t want to cry but she couldn’t help it.

Stella: yes, of course I understand but, what about me in all this, what am I becoming, what am I doing with my feelings for you, what am I doing with this love that bubbles in me for you Célestin, if you leave me, I will die Célestin.

Célestin: I’m sorry to have to put you through this pain Stella, I’m so sorry.

Stella: I love you Célestin, don’t leave me.

He hugs her.

Célestin: forgive me Stella, I’m so sorry. Know that I will always love you Stella. Goodbye My Love !

He leaves her and goes to his car.

Stella: no, no don’t go, don’t leave me…

He doesn’t look back and continues his way to his car and gets in to go home. Stella cries for a moment before going home. Isabelle comes to open it for him, tears were still in her eyes!

Stella: he returned with the mother of his child.

She hugs her tightly.