For Better And For Worse
Chapter 78

MEXICO.

Gordjo’s home.

Krist and Shan have been training in Gordjo’s basement for two days. Today, Krist decides to discuss a sensitive subject with him. They talk while training so as not to appear suspicious in front of Gordjo.

Krist: Shan, what kind of relationship do you have with Gordjo?

Shan: I have no relationship with him. If I’m here, it’s only because he pays me.

Krist: ok, so tell me, can I trust you, like really trust?

Shan: Do you want to ask me something?

Krist: Yes, and I need to be sure that I can trust you.

Shan: To know if a person is trustworthy or not, you have to test them once.

Krist: I know but in this case, if you are not trustworthy, it is not only me who will pay the price but also my whole family.

Shan: don’t worry, you can trust me.

Krist: Very good. First of all, know that I don’t fight for Gordjo willingly. Let’s say he’s forcing me to fight for him because he’s sort of holding my family hostage.

Shan: I don’t understand.

Krist: I’m from DOTTAN, a drug trafficker framed me to get me wrongfully convicted. Then when the truth was established and I was going to be released, a riot broke out at the prison and the director sold me to Gordjo then made all my family believe that I was dead, I don’t know. how…

Shan: you mean that currently, you are dead in your country?

Krist: yes, that’s it…

Shan: but it’s great, you can start your life again here peacefully.

Krist: 1, I’m not a criminal on the run and 2, I have a wife who is expecting a baby.

Shan: oh, I see, what do you want me to do??

Gordjo arrives.

Gordjo: that’s it for today, go back up, we’re going to eat.

So they go back up and each take a shower before sitting down at the table.

Gordjo: tomorrow is your last session, do you think he is ready?

Shan: yes I think, he learns very quickly.

Gordjo: excellent news.

After the meal, Shan leaves.

DOTTAN.

Isabelle’s home.

Odette spent a day with her daughter-in-law and decides to return this afternoon. Isabelle accompanies her to the travel agency and she leaves. As soon as Isabelle comes home, there is Séverin waiting for her in front of the door. So they enter together. She serves him a drink without greeting him, without saying anything to him.

Séverin: so, have you thought about what I told you?

Isabelle: I’m not going to marry you Séverin, I’m sorry.

Séverin: no, it’s me who’s sorry.

He logs onto Facebook and enters a group and then writes this.

Pub: Hi, my name is Isabelle, I lost my husband a month ago and I no longer have a taste for life. It’s quite difficult for me so I’m available for anyone who wants to have a good time with me. I’m in the Danmba district (he puts the full address), enjoy my photo.

He adds his naked photo at the end then shows it to Isabelle.

Séverin: There is only one button left to press and then the whole world will know. If you don’t agree to marry me, I’ll press publish.

Isabelle: you won’t do that Séverin…

Séverin: you think I’m joking, right?

Isabelle: please don’t do that, sorry…

Séverin: just agree to marry me and I’ll erase all that.

Isabelle: you can’t force me to marry you Séverin, it’s not fair. Besides, my husband has only been dead for a month.

Séverin: I don’t care Isabelle, all I want is you and I am ready to do anything for you to become my wife.

Isabelle: I should have listened to Stella and rejected you from the start.

Séverin: now it’s too late. What do you decide?

Isabelle: please, I’ll kneel in front of you, don’t do that…

Séverin: very good, you would have wanted it…

He really wants to publish.

Isabelle: no stop, please stop, I agree to marry you.

Séverin: I don’t believe you…

Isabelle: yes, I’m serious, I agree to marry you Séverin.

Séverin: prove it to me!

She then k****s him on the lips. Séverin then takes out a ring and puts it on her finger, removing that of her late husband.

Séverin: my life is fulfilled from today, thank you Isabelle.

Isabelle: please delete this post.

He erases it.

Séverin: it’s done. I have already negotiated with the mayor. In a week we are going to get married. You are going to tell your father and mother about this marriage and you are going to convince them to give their consent and to be witnesses.

Isabelle: okay, I’ll talk to them about it.

Séverin: thank you darling, I love you so much.

He k****s her again on the lips and decides to leave. After his departure, Isabelle cries and laments to God. On the other side, Séverin calls his father-in-law.

Bruno: yes my son!

Séverin: good news father-in-law, Isabelle has agreed to marry me. But pretend you don’t know anything about it when she tells you.

Bruno: wow, that’s great news! How did you manage to convince her?

Séverin: it doesn’t matter dad, the important thing is that she accepted.

Bruno: yes, you are right. When does the wedding take place?

Séverin: in a week.

Bruno: one week, how did you do?

Séverin: nothing is impossible with money.

Bruno: yes, you are absolutely right.

He hangs up and goes home.

Célestin’s home.

Maître Célestin returned from work this afternoon. No one was home so he takes off his jacket and sits on his couch. He leans back and sighs. His thoughts immediately go to Stella. He takes his phone and opens the gallery to look at his photos.

Célestin: my God, I can’t leave this girl, no I can’t leave her. But what should I do, tell me what to do Lord?

Mélanie arrives and greets him but he doesn’t hear. She comes to sit next to him and that’s when he reacts.

Mélanie: Is it always this girl who haunts your mind like that?

Célestin: I love this girl. And besides, where are you from?

Mélanie: I’m coming from a friend’s house.

Célestin: under this sun, you allow yourself to walk under this sun with the child.

Mélanie: I covered it okay, I’m not stupid.

Célestin: What did you prepare to eat?

Mélanie: I didn’t prepare.

Célestin: and what should I eat?

Mélanie: I don’t know, how did you eat before?

Célestin: I didn’t ask anyone for food when I was alone, and now I’m not alone as far as I know.

Mélanie: it’s okay, take the baby, I’ll prepare us something to eat.

So he takes the baby and she goes to the kitchen to prepare.

Hair salon.

After finishing classes this evening, Yves goes behind Stella to the hair salon which had been closed for a while. In fact, she opened it today to be able to occupy her mind and not sink into depression. She finds a few clients and takes care of them. She was alone when Yves arrived with food for two. They spend some time talking while eating. After the meal, a customer arrives and Yve decides to leave them. After finishing work that night, she returns home. Isabelle comes to open the door and they exchange the news of the day. Isabelle serves her a drink before discussing a sensitive subject with her.

Isabelle: Stella, I’m getting married…

Stella: what, I don’t understand…?

Isabelle: I am going to marry Séverin.

Stella: what, what are you talking about, you’re not going to do that…?

Isabelle: I have no choice…

Stella: explain to me!

Isabelle: he has a naked photo of me and he threatened to publish it on all social networks if I don’t marry him.

Stella: what, how did he get a naked photo of you?

Isabelle: he spied on me when I was in the shower. I should have listened to you and cut him out of my life from the start.

Stella: you should have let him do it and filed a complaint Isabelle, but from there, marry him?

Isabelle: I couldn’t bear the humiliation and the trauma it will cause. Besides, with what he had written, perverts will never fail to knock on my door every day and I won’t stand for that.

Stella: I’m sorry Isabelle, really sorry.

Isabelle: no, don’t be. Do not worry about me. We are going to get married but we will live in a loveless home. He will regret.

Stella: I suppose the marriage will take place after you have observed your idduity period?

Isabelle: no, we’re getting married in a week.

Stella: what, no mayor can celebrate such a wedding…

Isabelle: of course yes, with the money, we can afford everything.

Stella: Shit!

She hugs her.