Hard time

5 years later
I came back from Canada a year ago. Lorenzo appointed me deputy CEO of his company. I live in Douala because I manage the head office with Lorenzo. However, we see each other every weekend. I go back to the village where we always spend the weekend together. Tania continues her thesis studies still in Canada. Nathan and Lam preferred to go to the United States. I stopped after the Master. The "Lorenzo Exploitation and Exportation Society (LEES)" is the largest company involved in the exploitation and export of country products. Therefore, the large farmers of the country pass through us. On my idea, we have further expanded by establishing subsidiaries throughout the national territory and in neighboring states. We are no longer limited to cocoa, coffee, bananas. We have expanded our market to other crops as well. Later, I intend to ask Lorenzo that we buy or rent large plots of land in the villages for farming. The products will therefore be exploited locally. Lorenzo once told me
"I'm so proud of you! I now know that my heritage is in good hands. I have long dreamed of one of my children taking over, but no one was interested. You make me a happy man and a happy dad."
Yes, I gave birth to twins two years ago, a girl and a boy. Lorenzo was so happy to be once more dad.
"And your wife, how will she react if she learns for both of us?" I asked him as we were in the bedroom.
"I've already told her everything. Since you were pregnant, I informed her about our relationship and she filed for divorce." He responded in a quiet tone.
"Oh! Sorry!" I hastened to say, looking sorry.
"It's nothing sweetie! There was nothing between us. She was unfaithful to me during all that time. Our children are grown and it is minimal. In truth, you've already fulfilled me. You gave me the stability I was looking for throughout my life as a couple. I regret nothing. I could do it again if was given the opportunity."
"I'm also happy to have you in my life Lorenzo. You came like a light into the black hole where I was." I said to him with q grateful gaze.
"I hope that one day, I could manage to make you smile." He made the wish to me with a touch of sincerity in his heart. I do not say anything though.
My life with Lorenzo is going wonderfully. He's so considerate and doesn't give me headaches at all like young men. He understands me on all points and knows how to be patient. Today he will be there to see his doctor. He was unwell when we broke up last weekend. I had to insist that he decide to come. Once there, the doctor asked that he stay in the hospital because he was not well. We spent a week there, but his condition was getting worse day by day. I was very afraid of losing him too.
"My little queen", he said to me. "Why are you even sadder?"
"I don't like seeing you there, sick. In the six years I've known you, you've never been sick. I am scared!" I replied sadly.
"Come here!" He said holding my hand. I take it and sit down next to him.
"You made me happy more than I had been in my whole life. And believe me, I lived enough. Sixty-two years is a lot to experience highs and lows. You were a light that God put on my path and I thank him every day for that."
"It's me who thanks you, love!" I retorted looking grateful.
"Wow! You called me with a pet name!" Lorenzo exclaimed happily.
"You are for me like water in the desert, an Oasis. You are my bandage on a deep wound. I don't know if that's really it, but I think I love you."
"Ouuuuiiii!!!" he shouts! "I hover there! Don't take me away before my day, my little queen." He said making movements with his hands. What has the gift to amuse me and I smile.
"Martina! You smiled sweetie!" He exclaims all moved. "I think my wish is more than granted. I can now leave." He kept saying moved.
"No! I need you, don't leave me too." I pleaded sadly.
"You already have everything you need, my dear. I taught you everything you need to know. But we come on the earth and go each in turn. I feel that mine is close and I feel weaker and weaker everyday passing. Just try to get rid of this hatred and this thirst for revenge, sweetie. Don't let your heart be full of dark feelings or emotions. I plead upon you my sweetheart, forgive those who hurt you in the past and love forward!"
Hearing Lorenzo speak like this awakens feelings in me that I thought were buried. I get up and leave. I'm going to sit in the garden to get a change of air. I don't want to lose Lorenzo. Why must those I love always end up leaving? I spend the night in the hospital. The nanny will spend the night with the children. The next day, I take them to see their father who is so happy to see them. He is very complicit and cuddly with them. They are already two years old, but they are growing more than their age. A week later, Lorenzo succumbed to the disease. Once again, I felt that feeling again. His death shook me more than I imagined. Tania and the boys came, but I felt alone. The embassy repatriated the body. After my brothers left, I locked myself in and barely ate. One morning before the nanny came, Lorencia, my daughter told me
"Mom, I don't want you to die too."
Hearing this, my heart melted. Lorencia is less talkative than her brother and almost never speaks.
"Honey, I'm here. I'll always be here okay?" She nods and throws herself into my arms. I understood from that day that I had no right to let myself go. Because my actions had consequences on my children. A month after the bereavement, Lorenzo's lawyer came to see me. He bequeathed to me all his businesses in Cameroon and the subsidiaries in Africa. All his houses, his real estate in the country and some that are in Italy and other countries in Europe, he put them in the name of our children. He has also well stocked my bank accounts. It is almost half of his heritage that he left us. The other half goes to his sons. It is a great responsibility that he entrusts to me, but I will fight not to disappoint him.