Chapter 39

Muse
Euniel has already gone on the trip to meet his father. He must first confront him and see if he knows anything about his mother. When I think back on it, all this path I went through, these tears and difficult circumstances, it was surely so that this story would be clarified when the time would be favorable. How God has his way of doing things! He puts us through such difficult ordeals that we tell ourselves that we will eventually pass off, while these tests are there for a very specific purpose. He weaves in his secret and in his sovereign council all things and they all work for a happy and glorious end. However, when we go through these trials, we have the impression that everything is over for us, we tell ourselves that it makes no sense to suffer so much. Many are even ready to curse him and tell him that he is wrong. Indeed, the temptation to lash out in the name of God when facing trial is so high. Because at this time, we do not see the coherence of what we are going through, nor the glory that awaits us at the end of the test, but our eyes are just focused on the present moment, the circumstance that makes us shed tears. It all seems so insane and contradictory. While in the end, if we remain firm, we always end up reaping positive fruits of our patience in the test. It is when you have already braved all these difficulties and with hindsight, that you realize that it was worth going through this ordeal. Everything begins to be easily explained at this moment. For my case for example, I did not understand why I should be so mistreated at my uncle's house and persecuted by Pauline and Pen. Despite this suffering they made me endure, as it would have been little, they had no remorse for abandoning me in a city I did not know and where I did not know anyone. Although it was very trying for me to find myself in this circumstance, the lady of the restaurant sold me to the brothel where I suffered worse atrocities. At that precise moment, I felt like it was over for me. All the negative thoughts went through my mind, until suicide. If someone had told me at that time that in the midst of all this turmoil something positive and happy should come out, I would have to call him a big liar, because then there was no logic in what I was passing by. Happiness and success were not obtained by this voice, in my opinion at that time. If someone had asked my opinion on the path to success, I would have said that I had to pass my baccalaureate degree, continue my studies at university, then compose a entrance examination to the public service that I will pass and have a job, and finally that I will marry a young man with whom I will have children and start a family. That was the path to success and happiness that I had set for myself. I was a thousand miles from imagining that there were other formulas as better than the one I had decided on in my mind, and moreover going through my suffering. I never imagined that a person as insignificant as me could have a right to the destiny that is taking shape in front of me now. After all my setbacks, I was able to have a wonderful father, I was able to continue my studies in one of the best universities in the world. I have the right to inherit and work in the most successful companies in the country and the rest of the continent. Even in my wildest dreams, I could never have that kind of hope. And today, this past which was very painful for me, becomes an opportunity to bring a mother back to her son. I understand everything now. I had to go through all of this to be effective. In this day and age, I can stand before any person and tell them with confidence that the suffering, the ordeal they are going through will certainly result in quite a glittering crown. I can ask him not to give up, but to keep faith and hope until the end. Sooner or later, those tears of sadness today will be replaced by tears of joy. However, this would not have been possible if I had not known about my painful past. I had to go through it to speak with a tangible example in support. Many even prefer to commit suicide, instead of holding on, when there is hope for a living dog than for a dead lion. Hope and faith should therefore not leave the hearts of men.
Although I already understand my background better, there are however gray areas that escape me in this case. I have the impression that things are more interrelated than one imagines. There is something that escapes me, while this is the centerpiece of this puzzle. Though I think till I feel a headache, I still can't get my hands on this thing, on this thread that, once pulled, will end this Gordian knot. I have a strong feeling that all of these events are interrelated. That there is a common explanation, or then a person in the middle of all this story who will have to put an end to our questions. This person was there right from the start, always one step ahead of us and in control. But for that, we have to be careful enough to get it. She's mischievous, so we have to play her game. But to catch her, we have to have a little clue. But to have this clue, I will have to be more observant. This person will make a mistake one fine day and I will manage to detect it. This will then be the beginning of the reconstitution of the pieces of the puzzle. So far, we have started small. But the puzzle will soon be fully formed. This person will eventually come up when the vice starts to close around them. I look forward to this moment.
Audrey and me have already started work for a week. Audrey works in the company 'Tech' where my father is the CEO. As for me, I work in the import-export business run by a lady. From the first day, I was put under the responsibility of Mr. Fawa, the Deputy General Manager. He is already at retirement age and in two months he will retire. Consequently, he is responsible for training me and integrating me into the socio-professional environment of the company. I have to familiarize myself with this position and learn everything about the tasks that will fall to me as Deputy General Manager. As for my sister's position, she told me that everything was fine on her end, and that she is under the responsibility of a hot man who is very nice to her. I'm happy for her, that everything is going well on her side. Besides, as far as I'm concerned, I have nothing to complain about. Everything works perfectly. The company employees were very welcoming. I guess the fact that I'm there, the daughter of the founder of the company, also worked in my favor, because everyone is showing respect to me. For my first week of work, I am therefore more satisfied than I expected. As for my father, I asked him, with the complicity of Doctor Maurice, to stay at home for at least a month. Although he shunned this measure, he ended up getting used to it. He knows very well that we are doing this for his good. Two weeks from his discharge from the hospital, he is recovering fairly quickly. Nevertheless, I intend to watch him closely, lest he relapse. He is too dear and precious to me to die so soon. He expects a lot from me to take over. And me too, I want to prove myself in order to prove to him that I am able to take care of his business, and that he does not worry when he is no longer in this world. And above all, I want to lighten the task for him by regularly helping him with his tasks at work.
"While you are going to work in this position, know that it is the position of General Manager that you will occupy once you have proven yourself and that you have demonstrated by your decisions that you are able to assume the task of General Manager. General." My father told me the day before that I should take service at the company.
"Are you sure I'm going to make it dad? There's so much homework to do that I'm already afraid I won't be able to measure up." I inquired with concern.
"You will surely get there my daughter. You are the bravest and smartest woman I know. Don't put limits on your path. Tell yourself that there is nothing that can limit you in this life, as long as God is with you. If others could do it, you can do it too." My father motivates me.
"Okay dad, I hope to follow in your footsteps and do better than you!" I make the wish with a sincere heart.
"You will do better than me my daughter. Know that all this empire that I have built belongs to you and your brother. So you must take good care of it. I was worried about the person to whom I was going to leave this inheritance. You know Muse, when a man amass a fortune as considerable as mine, the only thing he desires above all is to have offspring to whom he will bequeath his property and who will follow in his footsteps. I was already losing hope of having this. But today, I feel so fulfilled to have two children who will succeed me when I am no longer in this world." He tells me about the happy face.
"You deserve all the happiness in the world my darling daddy! And I pray that the Lord gives you a very long life!" I respond with a peck on his cheek.
Euniel is on a trip to his father's house. I hope at least that the latter will be frank enough to tell him the whole truth. I'd put my hand in the fire that he's not that innocent in this story. On the Saturday evening he left, I go out for a walk in the park. The last few weeks have been quite trying for us. Going out, sitting in the open air and breathing clean air from the greenery makes me crazy. It relaxes me enormously and helps me to have ideas in place. So that's how, sitting on one of the concrete benches built for visitors to sit on, I admire the groups of children playing not far from me. Their mothers are not far from them, making sure they don't hurt each other. This painting is so beautiful that I manage to smile without realizing it. Without meaning to, I'm starting to want to be a mother too. How nice it would be to hold my children, see their innocent smiles, cuddle them and hug them. Children are so sincere in their feelings that one is always happy to be in their company. I think I've already had everything I wanted, all that's left is to start a family. But for that, I would at least have to find a man I love, the one who will succeed in replacing Euniel in my heart. This love has become toxic to any potential relationship I may enter into. I would so much like to remove this love from my heart and no longer love it like crazy. Lost in my thoughts, I am violently torn from them by an unknown voice
"So you came back to get me away from my man didn't you?"
I turn my face to my right to see who was speaking. I come across a young woman whose face reminds me of someone I've seen before. Why is she talking about her man? What have I to see there? While I'm asking these questions in my mind, I hear him say again
"Have you lost your tongue or what? Or are you feeling so guilty that you're afraid to answer me?"
"But what are you talking about Madam?" I ask him the question looking lost.
"I'm talking about the Queen of England and the Olympics. Of course I'm referring to your way of going around Euniel my fiancé!" She answers me without failing to display her rudeness. Immediately, her face comes back to me and I remember her. Euniel's bride. He had introduced her to me at the hospital when my father had been hospitalized. Since my mind was saddened by my father's state of health, I hadn't paid so much attention to his physical features that I could remember them so easily.
"Ah... You are Sandra, Euniel's fiancée!" I exclaim looking at her.
"Yes, that's me. And as you pointed out, I'm his fiancee and not you. I'm warning you, stay away from him, otherwise you'll have me on your back all the time." She threatens me with harsh tone.
"I have no desire to harm your relationship. And if you felt that was my intention, please forgive me. I am rather very happy that Euniel can finally find a woman he likes and with whom he can be happy." I reply to him, making sure to be as courteous as possible.
"Your impressions and all the rest, I don't give a fuck! What I came to ask you is to rattle my man like the plague. Find you another guy to set your sights on, because mine is already taken." She picks up again. I already feel annoyed by her and see how I'm starting to lose patience.
"As for avoiding Euniel, know that it is impossible. We will always be called upon to rub shoulders with each other, but I will never attempt anything with the aim of harming you both." I try to reply while making superhuman efforts to keep my composure.
"Are you kidding me or what? How are you telling me you're going to continue dating my fiancé and you want me to take your word that you have no intention of harming our relationship?"
"Mademoiselle, I don't think your fiancé will be happy to hear that you came to threaten me for being around him?!" I tell him losing patience. She shows panic on her face, then I keep telling her "And one thing, learn to trust your fiancé. He's your future husband and the father of your kids. You shouldn't doubt him."
"I don't doubt him, but rather you. With your saintly appearance, you can try to seduce him and talk nonsense to him." She said to me, laying on me a look of mistrust.
"So, you'll have to get used to it. Because Euniel and I are linked and all our lives, nothing and no one can change that." I throw it in his face, angry. His face crumbles upon hearing this statement. She must be panicking right now, imagining the worst. Looking at his face, I want to burst out laughing. She questions me lowering her voice
"What does that mean? So you're pregnant with Euniel?"
"Of course not! I have already told you that I will do nothing to harm your word and I am a woman of my word. It is up to you to choose whether to trust me or not. But know that I do not advise you to take the second choice, because your psychological health is at stake."
"And why did you mention being related to my fiancé?" She questions me again.
"Well, regarding that information, I believe it's best for you to ask your fiancé."
Sandra looks at me in silence for a short moment, then she decides to leave.
Without staying longer, I decide to leave the park. Anyway, this girl took away my desire to stay here a second longer. So, when I arrived home, my father gave me some news with a rather happy note.
"I plan to throw a party."
"Really? On what occasion?" I ask him the very curious question.
"I think there are many occasions to celebrate. But what makes me want to throw a party more is having two children. I found children when I had lost all hope to have it again. It's a blessing from God to me and I'd like to celebrate that." My father says he looks very grateful.
"I think it's a great idea dad! We've had so much good news that I think it's worth celebrating." I go after him.
"In that case, let's do this. As soon as your brother gets back, we'll organize everything."
"Okay! Fingers crossed he comes back with good news!" I make this wish with all my heart.
"My daughter, from the height of my few years of existence, and with all the experiences I have had, I can reassure you that this man will teach her nothing that could be useful to us." My father affirms the air convinced.
"Do you believe Dad?"
"I don't believe it my daughter, I'm rather convinced of it." He reiterates more convinced.
"Maybe he doesn't know what happened to Euniel's mother, maybe he's a victim of this whole thing too and that's why he's fell back on Euniel to get revenge on his father?!"
"No my daughter, I don't believe in the innocence of this guy at all. I think on the contrary that he is anything but innocent." My father said sure of himself.
"Do you think he's part of the plot that brought Euniel's mother to the brothel?" I question him thoughtfully.
"I don't know if he is one of them or not. But what is certain is that he is not innocent."