4

in Emmanuel's arms she pushes him away and readjusts:

Emmanuel: if that's how Madame thanks people for nothing

Flora: (looks at him, smiles) and who told you I was grateful? I didn't ask you for anything, you should have let me down

Emmanuel: (smile) I'm not surprised coming from a girl like you, it looks like you have a grudge against me ne.. Don't tell me it's because I helped my friend break up with you behave like this

Flora: (looks at him) which friend are you talking about? Ohhh (mischievous laugh) sorry but I break up every day with several different guys, please tell me by name because I don't know who you are talking about

Emmanuel: are you trying to be interesting? Eh

Flora: bahh take it as you want I don't care, have a wonderful day sir I have nothing to do with you in my life (she leaves)

Emmanuel: Damn! it's... is it to me that she just spoke like that? This poor woman is real...

- (a saleswoman) sir, are you there?

Emmanuel: yes where is my mother? She asked me to come by her office to see her

-for the moment she has customers but you can wait for a few minutes

Emmanuel: ok

At the University of Lomé

Patricia enters the room and Audrey arrives just after her...

Audrey: Ah! This day is not seriously mine no joke I'm really tired I must admit that today I don't really want to study

Patricia: you never wanted to study I even wonder how you even manage to pass in higher classes

Audrey: ahh but you're there by my side no why fail? Did you want me to fail, eh if that's the case, fire on you

Patricia (laughs): I didn't say that and that thought never crossed my mind

The group of medical student friends arrive, a girl walks up to the most popular guy of all of them (Abel) and gives him flowers:

Girl: Hey! I thought you'd like it and...

- is this a statement?

Audrey: wow what courage she has that one

Patricia: (smiles) isn't that cute?

Abel (looks at the girl): thank you but too bad I don't like flowers and Remember one thing, I'm not interested in girls of your type (puts on his headphones and leaves)

Audrey: My God! Me, I would be super ashamed in his place What an arrogant guy..pff

Patricia: (surprised) it was a bit hard, don't you think?

Audrey: a little but it's none of our business.. I heard we'll have a surprise TD today read for both of us Hein (nice-toothed mouse)

Patricia: Too bad I won't help you today so don't count on me

Audrey: but Patricia if you don't help me who will?

Patricia: your head, try an effort to learn

Flora was back at her post, When her superior arrived:

The superior: thank you Flora if you hadn't delivered these dishes today I was going to lose a good amount of money.

Flora:hahaha next time look for a delivery man sir Superior huh?

Flora: I am a receptionist but not a delivery person! Add me at least 10 thousand francs on my monthly salary, this is equivalent to today's delivery

The superior: you are really categorical when it comes to money..

Flora: (smiles) I would say I'm rational or else

At the same time Ezi enters with a beautiful girl in the restaurant.

Ezi: (Think: she dared to sue me, I'll see how she reacts when she sees my new girlfriend)

The superior: Flora we have new customers! Flora's colleagues are talking to each other...

-Isn't that Flora's boyfriend?

-yes the super rich guy who gave her expensive gifts looks like he is with another girl hahahaha

Flora: (smiling) welcome sir

Ezi: uhhh my girlfriend got a seat here right honey?

The girl: yes in the name of Justine

Flora: ok ma'am... Ohh I saw you can take your seat

The girl is moving... Thank you! Ohh... You're pretty do you have a boyfriend?

Flora: (wry smile) yes sir

Ezi: um? Really !

Flora: I just told you that I have a boyfriend! You seem to be more interested in me than in your girlfriend.. Ohh I understand I'm more beautiful than her but don't worry you're not my kind of man! (Smile) having a good evening sir

Ezi: (jumps at the last word) ohh you trying to play tough? Eh

Superior: Sir, is there a problem?

Flora: no sir, (to Ezi) go join your girlfriend go ahead sir!

Ezi: (walks away) Isn't

the superior the guy who came to pick you up after your working hours? Don't tell me you broke up

Flora: (smile) how does that concern you sir? It's none of your business if I'm wrong

Superior: (surprised) Flora! I'm your boss know that

Flora: (sighs) one you're my superior not my boss two I don't have to report to you on my personal life (smile) look for a wife and we'll talk more about it they're full for you to do the good choice on this excuse me (look on the computer)

Superior: (open-mouthed) Back to the shoe business

Emmanuel joins Amina in her office:

Amina: (gives her an invitation)

Emmanuel: what is that?

Amina: a friend of your father owns the largest jewelry company in all of Togo and he is organizing an auction of the most expensive antique jewelry that can exist!

Emmanuel: and how does that concern me?

Amina: he invited young women and...

Emmanuel: My God! Mom will you stop confusing me with stories of women will you?

Amina: will you let me finish? I said earlier I would like to introduce you to her daughter, she is the same age as you (smile) I think you will like her, She is traditional, respects the elderly and helps her father with the businessisn't that a good thing?

Emmanuel: mum I'm really not interested, I don't want to get married, that's all

Amina: (frowns): You hear yourself talking! is it for that girl?

Emmanuel: Huh?

Amina: that girl who slapped you the other time and today...

Emmanuel remembers Flora,

Emmanuel: (Think: ohh she still believes that me and that girl... Hahahaha it's really funny why not play it?) Uh yes mum! I'm in love with her and I don't want to get married (leaves)

Amina: (troubled) but how can this child.. (calls his secretary) today the girl I was talking to earlier, who is it?

- Madam, She came to deliver food to us regarding your meeting. Did she make any mistakes?

Amina: Really? I would like to have his contact details

-uh we don't have her contact details but we have the company she works for

Amina: okay give me that (Think: I'm going to say two words to her so she can't get near my son anymore, I don't allow my son to marry these kinds of girls)

At the University of Lomé

Patricia had finished her school hours and was waiting for Audrey to come home together when suddenly Abel stops in front of her with his motorbike:

Patricia: (surprised, Think: is there a problem? Why does he stop in front of me)

Abel: (looks at her) are you coming?

Patricia: Hey! (Shows up) me?

Suddenly a girl pushes Patricia and approaches Abel

-I am the

Abel: I don't like waiting for people give me the papers, (the girl gives him and leaves) Oh! (looks at Patricia) I'm not talking to anyone (leaves)

Patricia did I...did I say I wanted to talk to her? Hahahahaha what kind of person is that? Is he a king? It's really boring!

Emmanuel and Ezi were laughing and chatting in his office

Ezi: Really? And what did your mother finally tell you?

Emmanuel: You have no idea

she invited me to an auction all this to introduce me to girls isn't it weird?

Ezi: As you told me, she thinks you and Flora are a couple, right?

Emmanuel: (nods) of course

Ezi: so why not continue in this throw?

Emmanuel: how so? Clear me up man

Ezi: listen man, you don't want to get married because the women for you are all vicious so why not hire a woman like Flora to pretend to be your wife! If your mother sees the behavior of this one it is sure that she will want a divorce and who would like to marry a man madly in love and divorce another woman?

Emmanuel: Wow it's true! serious you inspire me serious But the problem is, do you think Flora will accept?

Ezi: hahahahahaha knowing her she would be ready to sell her soul just for money offer her a nice sum and she will tell you yes I want it! I assure you

Emmanuel: hahahahahaha you're really funny (Think: it's a good ideaso that my mother leave me alone with these Tactics, I should think about it seriously)

In the Arouna house…

Flora returns exhausted Flora(lies) my back ah I have I feel like I'm going to die this man dared to send me delivered things.... Ah my poor feet! (Think: I shouldn't deliver food to this company but rather wear those shoes sold there! hum) She closes her eyes and sees herself trying on this company's beautiful shoes when she is awakened by the calls from his mother:

Flora: WHAT!!!

Hortense: why are you screaming?

Flora: my God can't I rest for a minute? Ah I'm tired of you oh my God (stands up)

Hortense: where are you going honey?

Flora: (looks at her mother) mum is going to cook and leave me alone... I'm tired of always giving explanations ah my poor feet (enters her room)

Hortense: (smiles) she must be really tired my little girl works so hard Flora looks at herself in the mirror and touches her dark circles,

Flora: 26 years old now! Hmm I'm getting older but still pretty not like those girls who are bloated with surgery but still look ugly! And then this plastic doll that Ezi brought hahahaha my God she looks like such an ugly chuky doll... (caresses her cheeks) I'm just going to sleep, you deserve better Flora never forget it (goes to her bed)

At the kondo family, Emmanuel remembered his conversation with Ezi

Emmanuel: Ezi is really right if I did less for a while but will this woman accept? Nothing ventured, nothing gained! (takes his phone) yes Hello Ezi can you send me the address where this girl works? …Yeah I finally decided The day after,

Flora was at work... When

Amina arrived:

Flora: welcome can I have the name of the reservation?

Amina: (smiles) I can't believe

Flora: sorry?

Amina: can we talk?

Flora: as you can see, Madam, I'm at my workstation, I can't

Amina: I'll pay you your monthly salary if you only give me 10 minutes

Flora: Huh? Really ? (smile) ok let's go then

Amina: (Think: you can easily buy it with the money where did my son find it?) They will sit outside on a bench

Flora: what do you want to talk to me about? Mrs.

Amina: I know about you and my son!

Flora: your son?

Amina: I know he likes you but knowing our family's position in society I can't let him come near you

Flora: (Think: is this Ezi's mother?)

Amina: (takes an envelope) hold this and please stay away from my son, hope this is clear

Flora: (stands up) it really seems like it's in the family of deceived people, who do you take me for?

Amina: what?

Flora: ehhh madam come home with your money I need money I must admit but I'm not interested. (wry smile) yousent to give me this?

Amina: (smile) besides, you're badly brought up

Flora: how you are has nothing to do with you what does it have to do with you. Go home and never come back to talk to me

Amina: you !

Suddenly Emmanuel arrives and holds Flora's hand...

Flora: (surprised) what..you!

Emmanuel takes Flora in his arms

Emmanuel: (whispers to him) please help me! (Scream) I'm sorry my love

Flora: (Surprised, Thinks: a.... .... love?)..

TO BE CONTINUED..