Moved

Martina

The next wednesday as planned, we went to Edéa where a meeting has been organized with the former owners and staff of the company. As soon as I enter the room, I find everyone seated. They were just waiting for Larry and me. I see Paula and I can realize that she is in good shape. She looks at me defiantly and I notice a cheekiness in her eyes. I smile in my heart thinking that the game will be even funnier. We take our seats and without delay, we move on to the agenda. Everyone's attention is on me. So, I began

"Very well! Thank you all for being present at this important meeting. You certainly know the reason for holding this meeting. For the first point, this company will no longer be called Mballa-N'sang properties. Now it is a subsidiary of the "Lorenzo Exploitation and Exportation Society", LEES."

While speaking, I could feel Paula's glare on me, but I don't really care. I continue my speech

"Second topic on the today's agenda: all the management personnel of the company remain the same with the exception of the presidents Mrs. Mballa and Mr. N'sang..."

Hearing that, Paula gets up very excited and shouts

"You may think you're smart, huh... I won't let myself be fooled! You think you're going to snatch what's rightfully mine... You don't know me well enough. I will ruin your life! Have you forgotten what I did to you? You came back to get your revenge, but know that I won't let it happen..."

She was talking while shouting. Steve tried to calm her down, but she refused. Finally, she grabbed her bag and stormed out. Steve gives me a reproachful look then follows her.

"The meeting can continue," I say once calm has returned.

We didn't have to delay any longer because I was troubled by what had just happened. I took time off to rest at the hotel and put my thoughts in place. I can't understand Paula and Steve. Despite all the harm they have done to me in the past, they dare to challenge me. They don't even apologize, as I thought they would. So much the better, I won't have to feel guilty about what I'm preparing for them. After a moment of rest, we took the way back in the evening. Larry was driving this time. He didn't mention the incident that took place this morning during the meeting, and that's good for me. The journey takes place in the calmest of silences. I was very pensive. Paula's reaction was predictable. Indeed, I expected it, because knowing Paula, she is not the type to let herself be walked on. She is very bossy and wants everything for herself. This is also one of the reasons why she was jealous of me in childhood. She couldn't stand that I got the compliments more than her. Yet she was no less beautiful. Her morbid jealousy has led her to want everything that belongs to me. Steve, my father's affection... I sigh remembering the past and we enter the city without my realizing it, I was so absorbed in my thoughts. We arrive at my house at nightfall and Larry drives into the gate with his car. I thought he wanted to walk me inside because of the late hour, but he parks and I notice he gets out then follows me.

"It's already late Larry, see you tomorrow." I told him, stopping.

"No, I want to keep you company tonight." He said decisively.

"You mustn't..."

He cuts me off.

"Don't insist, I'm going to stay, you know that."

I resign myself to make him change his mind and I go straight into my room. I lie down on the bed after washing up, then I start thinking back to the events of this morning. Painful memories from my past still haunt me.

"How are you?" I heard say.

I look up and see Larry standing in the doorway. I get up from bed

"What... What are you doing here, Larry? I didn't invite you in as far as I know?!" I said, straightening up and trying to fix my bathrobe which was not properly tied on me.

"I came to make sure everything is going well and to take my leave."

"You could have knocked. What if I was naked?" I replied very furious with him.

"I've already seen you naked, I remind you!" He pointed out smiling.

I grab a pillow and throw it at him. He still dodges smiling. He walks over and sits down on the edge of the bed next to me.

"I knocked at the door more than twice my beautiful wild flower, but you didn't answer and since it wasn't locked, I opened it." He explains to me calmly.

"Oh... Sorry, I was lost in thought. The events of this morning have exhausted me." I stammered quite ashamed of having carried away.

"I could see how upset you were. Martina..." He said with tenderness, then turning to me. "What's going on in Edéa? Who are these people? And why did she talk about revenge?"

At these questions, I tense up and get up

"Thanks for coming with me Larry, but you have to go."

larry

I know that Martina is suffering and that this suffering is linked to the city of Edéa. That's why I want to help her remove this bitterness from her past.

"Talk to me Martina, I want to help you. You can't bear all this burden alone." I said as I approached her.

As soon as I touch her, she starts crying and I take her in my arms. I had never seen her in this state. Martina is a strong woman. She always makes sure not to be seen as weak. If she cries, it is surely because it is a very painful situation for her. She cries a good time in my arms then I lead her and make her sit on the bed. I also sit next to her.

"Would you like to tell me?" I questioned in a soft voice.

She wipes her tears theb tells me

"I'm sorry you see me like this. I'm not used to crying."

"I know, but it feels good to let off steam often. If you won't tell me what's up, I respect that. But just know that I'm here if you need me." I said caressing her cheek.

"Paula is my sister." She let it out sure of herself.

"How is it possible? And why this hatred?" I asked surprised by such an assertion.

"She is the person who hurt me the most on this earth, in complicity with her husband Steve. I thought I was strong enough to go into my past and make them pay for all the harm they did to me, but seeing them brings back memories that I thought had been buried for ages." She narrated to me, crushing a tear that escapes from her cheek.

"What happened? What did they do to you?" I interrogated her curious.

Martina tells me in great detail everything that happened, the rape, how their father chased them away, the death of her mother and her grandmother... It's so hard to hear! I cried while listening to her, it was so moving! I am flabbergasted by all this and I lose my words.

"My God, Martina..." I whispered without really knowing what to say...

Martina is very troubled and I take her in my arms so that she can let go of this full of emotions. I can feel her skin tingle under my embrace. She slowly pulls away from me and looks at me tenderly. It's one of the few times she gives me that look that warms my heart. I take her chin with my index finger and our eyes meet with such intensity that I shudder. We are lost in each other's eyes. Time seems to stop at this precise moment and without delay, our lips stick together like two magnets from different poles attracting each other. We kiss with sweetness and tenderness. Martina has very luscious and soft lips. Beyond the mask of the femme fatale, she is a very silky, soft woman. I savor this moment and without delay, our bodies enter the dance as well. My hands wander along her body covered with a simple untied bathrobe. I quickly pick her up and place her on the bed. I could feel her body on fire under me and sharp the moment I want to take off her bathrobe I stop and shift to one side

"Sorry!" I say in a low voice

"What's the matter?" she whispers, looking at me.

"I can't take advantage of you." I declared with a heavy heart.

"You're not abusing me since I'm consenting." She replied in a beautiful voice.

"Believe me Martina, I dream about that all the time, but I wouldn't want it to be under such circumstances. We can do it another time, when the circumstances are more favourable. Know that it's my dearest wish, but not tonight." I pointed out straightening up then sitting down.

"What if such circumstances server happen?" she asks, looking up at me.

"I won't regret it, because I would have made the right choice. You're a respectable woman and I would never forgive myself for making love to you in a moment of weakness." I replied standing up and adjusting my clothes.

I head for the door and when I hold my wrist to open, I hear Martina calling me

"Larry..." I turn around and look at her.

"Thanks for what you just did. And believe me, you just took my esteem for you up a notch."

I smile and retort

"This warms my heart."

"Would you like to sit on one of the armchairs and wait for me to sleep before leaving?" she asks politely.

"Sure!!!" I hastened to say, joining the action to the word.

I carry the armchair and place it near the bedside. I sing a lullaby to Martina while stroking her hair and finally, she ends up falling asleep. I give her a kiss on the forehead

"Good night my iron lady! Given the late hour it is, I sleep in Martina's room on a sofa, I will return early in my house.