05

- Oh please pretend I'm not here!

I'm going to get comfortable and go back to lie down. Arthur walks into the room and sits on the bed next to me with both hands folded over his face.

- Maguie, what's happening to us? I do not recognize myself anymore….

- ……

- I know I'm hurting you, but there's a deaf force pushing me. Honey please help me get through this!

- Hum!

- Don't abandon me… You're my wife, you're also my mother, if I lose my way, you have to bring me back to the right path.

- Arthur please get out of my room, I have to rest.

- I'm going out… But don't abandon me honey… I need you. Pls…

It really hurts me there. He seems lost disoriented and distraught.

- After everything I've been through here?! Nothing is forever Arthur. All this will end one day

He sadly lowers his head

- Don't say that baby. I am nothing without you. You are my life

I have a ridiculous grin

- Yes Yes ! Believe it or not I am nothing without you. please give me one more chance

- ZOGO please get out!

- Mama please speak softly. You just want the whole neighborhood to hear??

Silence

- Maguie marriage is not an easy task. We are together for better and for worse. I offended you…again. let me redeem myself

- Hum….Ok, I'll think about it. Now get out

- OK….

He gets up to go out

- Arthur is waiting!

- Yes ?

I get up painfully

- What's the matter ? You do not feel well ?

- Like you're finally interested in me!

- Weeeee Maguie! I can't even speak softly to you anymore?

- Su su but you will notice that you only do it when you are caught at fault. Sorry follow me!

It's today he saw he's going to have my time. I go to the kitchen he follows me closely. Anita is in all her states when I find her there. One of his hands held in the other. She takes the 100 steps

- Anita!

She suddenly turns on us, her gaze filled with anguish

- Mrs !

- Where is Evelyn?

- Mrs. she left…

She gets down on her knees

- Mrs. I swear I was not aware; I didn't know that by bringing her to work here she would cause me problems. Please Mrs forgive me. I don't want to lose my job. I need this money

- Get up Anita…. Ok. As you see her outside of here take the trouble to tell her not to set foot here again ok?

- Asshhh You don't even bother to tell me. Tonight it's going to spoil in the family! Asshhhh Nooooonnnn We don't do that!

Already I wasn't listening to him anymore and I went back and locked myself in the children's room to rest a little. Arthur returns to ours. I think back to what Hono told me. She was right casually. When you forgive once, get ready to forgive all the time but frankly I don't believe in it anymore and I don't even want it in my life anymore

The next morning Arthur insists on accompanying me to the hospital himself. It doesn't bother me in the least

- You come with me and what are you going to say at work?

- The truth ! My wife has health issues. I had to accompany him to the hospital

- Hmm. OK

After consultation, the doctor diagnosed me with severe asthenia and prescribed me tests as well. Arthur walks me home and leaves me at the gate

- Take…

- What is this ?

- Money… For the needs of the house

- Arthur, so for you your children only deserve to eat if you are caught at fault?

- It's not that ! It's that….

- What is it?! Hey Arthur! What is it?! Nothing ! We see your money without crying when you want to be forgiven for something. Arthur money won't buy me. The gap between us has widened greatly. It takes more than an envelope for me to pretend that I haven't experienced anything during all this time.

- I know but I try to do things well here. You're not helping me there!

- You really want me to help you Arthur?

- Yes please…

- Ok, let's go to your girlfriend's

- Pardon ?

- You heard me; Let's go to your Maeva

- What for Maguie? You must be above it all. Don't lower yourself to his level

- Hehehehehe! That I don't lower myself to the level of a woman you sleep with almost every night, my husband? A woman who brags every minute you're with her supporting photos?

- But what are you talking about at the end?

- Tsiup!

I once again pull my phone angrily out of my phone and show it to her. He turns green with rage

- How could she…???!!!

- No ! you, how could you expose us like this?! Do you realize that I'm not even 28 yet that I already have to live through the experiences of women in their fifties? What is waiting for me worse with you tell me?! Do you want me to help you ? Let's go to her place and put her back in front of me. I demand it!

- Maguie is listening…

- It's this or nothing Arthur! At the point where we are, I have nothing more to lose!

He sighs resigned

- OK ! Lets go !

He restarts and we drive in silence and arrive at ndogbong crossroads bifaga. We walk along an entrance and park in front of a building.

- I'm not sure that's a good idea Maguie…

- Tsiup! Excuse me, let's go to her house! Either I'm your wife or I'm your wife today! Enough is enough with insults and mockery!

I realize just then all the anger buried inside me. I didn't know how I really felt until he came to me for forgiveness. He goes down with his shoulders down and opens the gate of the building. At the 1st apartment on the left we ring

- Yeah, who is it?

- It's… It's Arthur Open Nathalie

The door opens to another version of this much younger girl

- Uncle Arthur, you came early today, didn't you?

I glare at him with anger in my eyes. He scratches his head in embarrassment

- So what did you keep for me?

- Nathalie please call Maeva

- Ekie come in norrrr? Is that your little sister here? You look alike until

Well let's see!

- Call your sister Nat please

She gives us a puzzled look and goes inside; The next minute my coep shows up in a very short skirt and a top that hides nothing of her breasts; Her smile drops when she sees me

- What does Arthur mean? What the hell is she doing with me?!

His disdainful gaze goes through me from head to toe. I only look at Arthur that ok, so do it right. He breathes deeply

- Maeva what right do you have to send photos of us to my wife and messages of insults too?

- Ah! Woman of what? She doesn't know what? I'm also there, she needs to know!

- Ok, she knew; and as you want her to know everything, so I took her here today so that she also learns that it's over between the two of us. Don't call me anymore don't contact me anymore and never write to her again! Never !

- Hehehehehe you are funny my friend. When is it over? Who decided that?

- I decided!

- Oh sorry ! Have you finished your little racket? My darling, you and me are for life. She's here I'm here and the baby I carry in my womb testifies to it

- And this is the part of the film where I have to panic, right? You are pregnant and then what? Is it a new pregnancy? Keep it if you want but don't bother me anymore! If my wife tells me one more time that you took it out on her, I'll have you locked up.

This time she turns red and becomes hysterical

- Moof! You can't do anything to me! When you come to sleep in my butt here, that's not what you say! When you call me honey that's not what you say! When you tell me how much you like fucking me and how much better I am than her in bed, you don't have that head!

- But what is going on here?

An older lady comes out from inside the house and comes to meet us.

- What's going on here?

- Hello Mom. Said Arthur I see at the height of embarrassment

- Tsiup! You again? Didn't I tell you that I don't want you around my daughter anymore? You are married, what do you want from him?!

- Ooooo ask him well mum! Ask him well! He has the nerve to show up here with his stupid wife to tell me nonsense!

- Pardon ?! Who are you calling a fool?

- Maeva, you don't really know me! Respect my wife!

The lady looks at me in amazement

- Are you his wife?

My throat is lumpy. I can't even speak. I only shake my head in agreement

- My God ! You are very young! Come, come in please

- No thank you Mrs. I was just accompanying my husband to fulfill his mission, we are going to leave

- Hmm. Nathalie bring me a chair over there. And also bring the chair to the lady. She doesn't look very healthy

She noticed it, she scores a point

- Thank you Mrs.

Nathalie pulls out two chairs, the two lovebirds remain standing. The mother passes her hand across her forehead, looking worried.

- Ms.… What is your husband's mission here exactly?

- Tell your daughter that their relationship ends there and ask her to stop sending me insulting msgs and photos of their antics!

- Oh Lord! She said shaking her head - Then she resumes- Maeva the enemy who wanted to reach me through you really succeeded! I didn't raise my children that way! I have been a widow for so many years! And you've never seen me steal someone's husband let alone brag about it to his wife. Wokooo what a shame!

No one is speaking. Then she continues

- Leave in peace Mrs. and pray for your couple. On behalf of my late husband and my family, I beg your pardon.

- What does that mean ?! I tell you that I am pregnant with him!

- And I guess we have to congratulate you unworthy girl!

- I'm pregnant with him and I'm not having an abortion! It is his child that he assumes!

- You're not pregnant with me, you and I know it! We always took precautions.

- I'm not asking your opinion! I tell you I'm pregnant! And I intend to keep this baby

- Maeva, we will both go to a clinic of my choice and you will do a pregnancy test. If it turns out to be positive, I will take care of the pregnancy and only it according to my means, nothing more. Think about the turn you want to give to your life

He was already turning on his heels to find himself at the gate. I want to get up too but the mom holds both my hands in hers

- Excuse me, my daughter… In the name of my whole family, I beg your pardon; Don't hold it against this child. I don't know what crime I'm paying for through his actions. And pray a lot: for you first then for your couple

I contented myself with a brief nod, looking up at her daughter who she defies me with her gaze, then I got up and joined Arthur who was storming, leaning against the car.

- What kept you there?

- Your sweetheart's mother. She gave me advice

- Hmm. Let's go home, I'll take you back you must be tired

We walked home in silence.

(….)

It's Thursday and it's my birthday. Arthur invites me out for dinner. Jojo has come to babysit Lloyd is thrilled. I hope he holds up when Joel leaves...

The restaurant is very chic, it really wants things to go well and gives itself the means to do so; The last time we went out just the two of us Lloyd was still an infant.

We just parked in front of the restaurant

- You are so Beautiful Darling…

- It's true ? Do you like it?

- Yes my wife. The mother of my children. My choice of life….

I roll my eyes. I find it heavy rather than romantic. The atmosphere around us is discreet and romantic. We are seated on a table in the corner of two, and dine quietly in a rather serene atmosphere. Seems like it's been ages since that happened! I feel the urge to leave myself to some carnal pleasures. The conversation flows easily, he tells me about his job and his project of a secondary activity that he would like me to supervise. This is to open a gas deposit. His words and his attitude encourage me to let my guard down a bit. We remember the circumstances of our meeting and the path we have already taken to date. I don't want to think about recent events at the risk of seeing my morale deteriorate. I quickly push that idea out of my head. Suddenly his phone on the table vibrates he takes it looks at it and changes color

- Excuse me for a moment Mag

And he goes out. I also take my phone in my hands and start chatting a bit with Alma, who I see connected while waiting for him to come back.

- Good evening Margaret

I look up and nearly fall over. It's Mr Bogmis

- M BOGMIS! What a surprise !

He stands very close to Arthur's seat

- Marguerite, I already asked you to call me Brice. And yes, it's a surprise for me too. A very pleasant surprise indeed! I was able to note that you came accompanied?

- Yes, I'm here with my husband….

- OK…. I'm here with a friend

- OK…..

- Margareth can I have your number this time?

- Brice, you're not serious! We are both accompanied! It would be really incongruous and inappropriate to do that!

He smiles slightly and places something 1mm from me; our fingers brush against each other, I shudder.

- So call me

He crosses me and returns to his seat. I don't have the courage to turn around and look where he has gone. I take the card and without even looking at it buried it in my bag. Arthur reconsiders his facts. He seems concerned.

- What is it Arthur? Is there a problem?

- No no.. Nothing serious

- Are you sure ?

- Yes Mag let's eat!

But really the atmosphere is no longer the same. So we are not late. His call that he went to pass outside there, only he knows. Still, it's dead in my body for the night I imagined us.

Once parked at home, the children are already asleep and Jojo is zapping in the living room

- Jojo, how are you not sleeping yet?

- I'm already sleepy Maguie

- Ok. Good night then.

- Uhmm. Good night

I'm going to take a look in the room that I have been occupying for quite a while now with my children. They sleep peacefully. I better fold the blanket over Lloyd although it's a waste of time; He always discovers that one. Then I go to see Arthur in our room, which he now occupies alone. I go into knocking. He's pacing the room with his hands crossed behind his back.

-Arthur?

- Hmm?

He answers me in a very distracted way

- Thank you for this kind attention. I had a very nice evening

- OK

It really doesn't seem with me

- Are you sure that everything is fine Arthur? It does not look like

- Maguie, I already told you that you're fine! Listen I'm a little tired now I'm going to bed

- You don't shower before?

- No. not want

What's the problem with this guy??

- Ok, good well… good night then

- Good night !

I go back to the children's room and undress. I shower and join the single bed near the bed upstairs where the little ones sleep. I suddenly remember that I have Brice's card in the bag. I go to retrieve her I lie down and watch her with a strange mixture of curiosity and excitement

Brice Calvin BOGMIS

Human Resources Manager

Tel: xxxxxxxxx

In another world maybe I could have tried something with him. But every time I meet him he's with a woman of a different color. It doesn't play much in his favor.

But what is really happening Arthur? What could his phone call mean???