Larry

Paula

No! It can't be her!!! I can not believe it! Martina was in the depths of a village, how could she end up here in front of me? This woman is certainly classy and elegantly dressed, but I would recognize Martina among a thousand. This face that has haunted me for years of my life cannot go unnoticed before me. I must surely be dreaming, no I would rather say having a bad nightmare and I better wake up. I'm like frozen in place, my gaze remained riveted on her. I pinch my cheek to make sure I'm awake and not stoned. But reality takes over and I realize that it is indeed Martina, in the flesh.

"Hello, my name is Martina Mballa, I am the new owner of the properties..." At this level, I was no longer following anything. I start running out of air and suffocating. Steve quickly flies to my rescue and others in the room follow. I no longer have control over what is happening at this moment and I am collapsing.

Martina

I attend cheerfully the spectacle which is offered in front of me. If there was a cup of coffee right now, I'd be crossing my feet on the table, sipping it while savoring this scene. I have never felt so amused in ages. I delight passionately in looking at the painting that Paula offers me. O Paula! You haven't seen anything yet my dearest sister! Your descent into hell has only just begun! I say inwardly, while displaying a smile on the corners of my lips. You haven't even seen a quarter of the surprises I have reserved for you yet, and you're already falling apart?! I saw Steve and the others struggling to revive her. While everyone bustled around her, I sat cross-legged. I see Larry's gaze which never left me for a moment. Indeed, since Paula fell, he hasn't stopped looking at me, scrutinizing my actions. I know he detected something was wrong, but too bad! No one can spoil this moment of pure delight. They ended up taking Paula to the hospital and I adjourned the meeting for the next day. Once left alone, Larry questions me looking surprised.

"What happened just now?"

"What happened just now?" I replied, feigning ignorance.

"You know very well what I'm talking about." He said looking me straight in the eye. "Why did she faint at the sight of you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about", I replied, looking away from him.

"And the fact that you have the same surname, is that also a coincidence?" He persists in his interrogations.

"You know what Larry, it's also a coincidence. There are tons of people with the same name. And the fact that she fainted may be due to vertigo, I don't care!" I rattled annoyed by his questions.

"Don't get upset sweetie, I just found it all a bit weird", he said gently.

"Don't bother me anymore with this kind of questions!" I said standing up and grabbing my purse.

"Never mind, I still have the impression that you haven't told me everything and there's something fishy about it."

He starts following me.

"Well, that's your business!" I retaliated when we are already in the hallway. Larry may think he's going to ruin my joy today, but he's got his fingers in the eye. I have no intention of getting angry after the beautiful spectacle in which I have just taken part. As soon as I arrive at the hotel, I call Tania directly and tell her everything.

"Hummmmm," she answered me not too enthusiastic as I expected her to be.

"Is that all you can think of to say to me?" I retort disappointed.

"Do you want me to tell you? You're going too far with this revenge story."

"Is that so?! Is that what you say now?" I asked on edge.

"No matter what she'd did, she's still our sister!" she exclaimed.

"So when I was raped because of her, dad chased us away like dogs, mom and grandma died... Wasn't she our sister?" I outlined very upset.

"Calm down Marti, she's mean by nature, don't let her turn you into her. You don't have to do like her you know?! God has rewarded us well with many good things since then."

"But all those good things didn't bring Mom back." I say with a touch of sadness.

"I've always been afraid of this hatred that you have grown in your heart. I prayed that you forget it. I even thought that with the love of Lorenzo and your children, you would forget, but I was wrong." She said looking sorry.

"Trust me Tany, I won't stop until Paula has paid for all the harm she has done to us."

My sister remains silent then takes leave of me. I know she disagrees with what I do, but she's going to have to come to terms with it. I am not one of those who believe that nature avenges us. And then I don't have time to wait for Mother Nature to do it. Better give it a hand. The next day we held the meeting without Paula present. But Steve was there. I changed the name of the Mballa-N'sang properties to my business name. From now on, I'm in charge and I've made it clear to them. As soon as I return to Douala, I will redo all the staff and I intend to eject Steve and Paula. At the end of the meeting while I was trying to leave, Steve calls me

"Martina! Martina! Martina!" I intended not to stop, but I resign myself to it

"It's Mrs. Lorenzo, please." I correct him in a serious and stern tone. He looks frightened and resumes after hesitation

"Uh, sorry Mrs. Lorenzo!"

"What do you want ?" I ask him harshly.

"I would like to know if it is possible that we continue to work as employees as Mr. Larry had certified to us." he asks worried and stressed.

"You'll find out when I get the staff back."

"But..."

"Have a good day Mr. N'sang!" I cut off our discussion. I turn around and walk out of the meeting room. I tried very hard to hide my feelings. I walk on tiptoe and get into the car. I am very upset. Seeing Steve very close awakens feelings in me that I thought were buried forever. I am disgusted and all upset. As soon as the driver arrives at the hotel, I run to my room and lock it. I lie down, the memories of my painful past come back. I swallow sleeping pills in order to manage to sleep. I wake up early in the morning, we have to go back to Douala. The driver is ready and we are not long in leaving. Throughout the trip, I remained silent despite Larry's efforts to get me to talk. I am very upset by recent events. I didn't know it would bring back so many painful memories. My father's disdainful gaze, Paula laughing at me, my mother's death... These images keep coming back to my mind. I thought I was strong enough to face my past without remorse. I realize the wound hasn't healed yet. Seeing Steve and Paula stirs up a hatred in me that I can't explain. They have taken what is dear to me, and they will only have their eyes to cry. I ask the driver to leave me at work. I prefer to go there because if I go back, I will spend the day remembering my past that I am trying to forget. Larry is probably wondering, but I don't intend to handle it. The driver leaves me in front of the building housing the company. It is an immense building of seven levels. I'm on the seventh level and I don't have much contact with my employees, except purely professionally. As soon as I enter the building, everyone shrinks and concentrates. I impose fear by my mine. Larry followed me despite my efforts to dissuade him. As soon as I enter my office, he attacks me

"Could you at least tell me what happened in Edéa?!"

"We're not friends as far as I know, Mr. Kurt?!"

"You're the one pushing me away, Martina..." He speaks softly and his voice is sincere. "I just want to be on your side, to understand you. Allow me please. I know you're not that femme fatale you hint at. Your soul is much more beautiful. Let me offer you my friendship and prove to you that you are not alone in this cruel world."

I don't know what to say to Larry, but his words touch me deeply.

"Larry..." I whispered. I feel weak in front of him, whereas I always wanted to show this side of strong woman in the eyes of all. I look at him then I tell him.

'Leave me alone today. But I promise to tell you maybe another time."

"Promise?" He asks me, raising his hand as if taking an oath.

"I promise," I replied, lending myself to his game, raising my hand in turn. Larry takes leave of me. Casually, I appreciated his approach and he wins a plus in my eyes