A rising love

Martina

I woke up at dawn and saw Larry lying on the couch. I took a blanket then covered him with it. I don't know, but with each passing day, Larry rises a little more in my estimation. Especially with what happened tonight, he showed to me that he is trustworthy and knows how to respect a woman. I was wary of men in general, and a good-looking kid like him, and moreover single. However, his approach proves to me that I was wrong about him. Talking to him made me feel good and allowed me to let go of the bitterness I felt yesterday. I thought I would never shed a tear in my life, but yesterday he managed to get me to cry. Larry managed to exteriorize quite strong emotions, while it had been years since anyone had been able to do so.

I sit down next to him for a moment and watch him. He's a handsome, strong man. Larry is a man who takes good care of himself. His muscular arms, his virile chest emanates a certain strength. He is a handsome man, no doubt. His athletic height, his sea-blue eyes, and his beautiful face would melt the most pious of nuns. His presence imposes security. I even get to feel shivers run through my body just looking at him. I get up quickly so as not to go any further. I'm going to settle in my office and I work on my laptop until morning, as I'm used to.

When Larry woke up, he asked to leave despite my insistence that he have breakfast first. I let him go despite me. All day I was in the clouds. I couldn't concentrate on my work, which is usually almost impossible. My thoughts constantly fly to Larry, even as I play tough by not calling him. This man, he does not leave me indifferent. I who was used to loneliness, I miss him a lot. I want him to be there with me. I want to hear his jokes, his compliments. He succeeded in provoking something in me. However, I have to smother it quickly, before it gets bigger. Love is not for me.

The week nevertheless ends in very good conditions, without Larry and I meeting. I haven't had any further news from those in Edéa. So much the better by the way. I'm just waiting for the next step to move forward with my plan. From what I have learned, Paula's mother is sick and under treatment. She spends at least 100,000f CFA per month to follow her treatment. What they don't know is that the N'sang house belongs to me. I bought it last year thanks to the help of a farmer in town. I am aware of everything that is going on with them. Paula drove my father's first wife out of our house, along with her children. I don't pity them at all. This woman joined forces with Paula and her mother when my father kicked us out of the house. She was happy with our fate. I could see how she taunted me when my dad kicked me out of the house. She didn't even hesitate to prevent me from going to see my father, when I often came to do so. I just bend my fingers. Everyone who hurt me will all end up paying one by one for it. I am patiently waiting for Paula to sell my father's house for lack of means. I'm going to push them to the point where they have no choice but to sell the house. I am patiently waiting for that to happen. I've got plenty of time. Paula and Steve will eventually beg me on their knees to help them.

Paula

Steve and I have been out of work for two months now. It's out of the question that Steve or I work in the plantations of the villagers. Our company had the largest plantations in the village. Everyone was licking my boots as I passed. I know many were waiting for me to fall so they could laugh at me. I always treated the villagers as less than nothing. They were always at my feet like dogs. I cannot offer them the pleasure of seeing me beg them for a job on their plantations. Worse still, there's no way I'm begging my sister to take me back to my old business.

"My daughter, my treatment is quite expensive and you and your husband are unemployed. Don't you think it would be better if you went to beg Martina and ask her forgiveness?" My mother tells me as we sit in her room.

"Never! I would never do such a thing!" I exclaimed annoyed at his proposal. "Listen to me mom, I'd rather die than humiliate myself in front of this girl."

"But what are you going to do now?" she asks concerned.

"I don't know yet. I'm ready to do anything except ask him to apologize." I replied as I walked out of my mother's room. I find Steve sitting in the living room.

"Who pissed you off again?" He asks seeing my tight face.

"Isn't that your mother-in-law?" I say taking a seat next to him.

"What did she do ?"

"Well... She's asking me to go apologize to Martina so she can help us. Can you imagine?!" I exclaimed, still outraged by this proposal.

I turn to Steve who doesn't seem bothered by what I'm saying.

"Well... You're not saying anything?" I asked looking at him.

"What do you want me to tell you?" He replies, avoiding my gaze.

"It suits you to go and ask him for an apology, right?!"

He still doesn't answer. I continue.

"Why am I not at all surprised by your reaction?"

"At the point we've gotten to, better make amends and play less proud, don't you think?" He says, looking away from mine as he jerks me off my feet.

"I will never allow it! Martina will never have this pleasure!" I exclaimed, screaming. I get up instantly.

"Calm down Paula! We're just talking about ways out of our situation." He said trying to get me to sit down.

"If you don't want to, I'll go to Martina in person myself and apologize to her. You know, she's a person with a heart of gold and I'm sure she'll drop the plan to avenge us."

"You'll also have to flirt with her while you're at it. As long as I'm alive, this will never happen! You'll have to pass over my body first!" I yelled as I headed for my room.

It's not true! Did they all give themselves the watchwords or what? I exclaimed overwhelmed as I opened the door to my room.

"Martina, you pay nothing to wait!"

I cursed as I threw the first object I found in my path.

larry

Since what happened the last time at Martina's, I've been trying to please her. I court him assiduous. I send flowers to his office, as well as chocolates and other small presents. I make myself a little rare so as not to appear too sticky. She texts me from time to time to find out how I'm doing. I smile and understand as she bites the bait little by little. Indeed, Martina is tough. At first, she did not respond to my messages. She never called either and rarely picked up my calls. Looks like my attitude back home two months ago paid off. I miss her sorely, but I force myself not to land at any time in her office or at her place. Don't we often say that patience is worth gold? Well, Martina is that gold, even that diamond that I'm waiting for in the end. If, at the start, I still doubted my love for her, I am convinced that she is the woman for me. It took me those two months away from her to figure it out. I love him passionately and would do anything to have him by my side.