5

Flora: (pushes him away) are you crazy? For...

Emmanuel takes her back in his arms strongly

Flora: (Think but what is he doing? Isn't he sick by any chance? This one?)

Emmanuel (whisper) : I'll give you anything you want just to help me please

Flora: (smile) everything you say? OK!

Emmanuel: (looks at Amina) mum, she's the woman I love, I can't marry another

Amina: is this a joke? She doesn't even seem to know you Flora are you...

Flora: mrs I didn't know he was your son, which is why I was surprised uh.. (Think: what am I supposed to say now?)

Emmanuel: Flora I'm sorry I know we had a fight but I love you so much believe me

Flora: (smiles) do you really love me? You hurt me and you say you love me?

Emmanuel: (Think: why is she exaggerating?) He makes a sign to her not to talk too much

and Flora nods her head to say no

Emmanuel: (Surprised).

Flora: I don't want to continue with you anymore, it's over (she leaves

Emmanuel: (Think: Did I ask him that much exaggerated?)

Amina: well she just said herself that it was over, no need to offer her a sum to convince her

Emmanuel: (looks at Amina) mom I'm not going to marry any other girl except Flora if it doesn't suit you then....then...

Amina: then what? Why are you stuttering? eh

Emmanuel: I don't stutter but mom why don't you listen to me? I love this girl full stop

Amina: I'm going home (she leaves)

Emmanuel: she didn't argue with me, that means she's wondering! (Smile) I think that if I continue like this I will get rid of her

He turns around and Flora was standing behind him

Emmanuel: (startled) Oh. You who... is it normal to stand like that? I almost had a heart attack! Do you know how much my heart is worth? Oh

Flora: Not much in my opinion

Emmanuel: what? Are you serious !

Flora: (holds out her hand) give me what you owe me and one last thing don't touch me with your dirty hands or I'll kill you

Emmanuel: huh! (looks at his hand) How is that… Ohh are you calling me a room?

Flora: yes what are you going to do to me?

Emmanuel: I don't think I'm in a position to do anything to you, I need your help

Flora: hmm?

Emmanuel: the woman who was here is...

Flora: she's your mother, I know that, thank you for teaching me

Emmanuel: yes but she wants me to get married (Flora is intrigued) but I'm not interested I have my reasons and .. Uh I had the idea that if I had to introduce a daughter to my mother who did not correspond to her expectations she would normally have to say no to me and leave her crazy ideas and therefore I have...

Flora: do you want me to be that girl?

Emmanuel: exactly

Flora looks at Emmanuel for a few seconds before bursting out laughing

Emmanuel: is it that funny?

Flora: my God... Hahahahahahaha think... do you think I'm that crazy?

Emmanuel: Well no but...

Flora: I don't even want to help you and why would I do this for you?

Emmanuel: because I'm a handsome boy! (smiles at him) if I'm wrong

Flora: Oh! Yes you're right, you look like my first boyfriend (she tells him smiling)

Emmanuel (surprised): Really?

Flora: (nods her head) he was ugly I only went out with him because his family was considered Ah he stank from his mouth

Emmanuel: (takes his phone and looks) am I ugly?

Flora: (smile) anyway, at least you understood the message, I don't want to help you, that's all Flora starts to leave when...

Emmanuel: I give you 5 million CFA francs for only two months

Flora: (turns around) Huh? Are you crazy

Emmanuel: I inquired and you earn 100 thousand CFA francs per month I think it's a good proposal but if you don't want

Flora: (smile) I don't want to! (She wants to leave)

Emmanuel: (runs in front of her)

Flora: ah you're so boring what do you want? I tell you I'm not interested so leave me alone

Emmanuel: But I want you to help me, why be difficult? (folds her hands) please help me

Floral: (makes eyes roll)

Emmanuel: I'm really going to give you the money but please help me

Flora: and what should I do as... Oh your girlfriend!

Emmanuel: not my girlfriend... But my wife

Floral: Huh?

Emmanuel : uh we have to get married and live together for two months

Flora: and you think I'll accept? Do you take me for an easy girl? Eh

Emmanuel: it's still a job and in addition you will be paid, Plus the money you will have as my wife.. Please Flora just for a month it should not be very difficult for you to pretend , And you will be able to participate in big events from what I learned from Ezi you really like that, don't you?

Flora: (looks at him, smiles) At least he knows something about me anyway, I'll help you, but don't worry, give me everything I want and do what I want, I hope we're okay. Okay

Emmanuel: Really? Oh thank you (was going to hug her)

Flora: you touch me I break your jaw

Emmanuel: (touches his cheek)

Flora: anything! (She goes)

Emmanuel: at least she helped me maybe she's nice... Hahaha what am I talking about she's so horrible she... (Touches her cheek) she's so mean to act like a tomboy really what man would want to marry her?

At the University of Lome

Patricia was in the library Abel comes to sit by her side:

Abel: (takes a book)

Patricia: (Think: why come and sit next to me?)

Abel: (pause)

Patricia: (working her exercises) oh no normally it should give two! Ah what is this mathematics? It's so boring

Abel: we are in a library you are disturbing

Patricia: (embarrassed, looks around) sorry Abel looks at her then takes her notebook...

Patricia: uh! ...what are you doingu?

Abel: I want you to let me study in peace, Listen to solve this equation… he begins to explain to her while

Patricia looks at him smiling and after the explanations

Abel: Do you understand?

Patricia: (nods her head)

Abel: now let me work and go

Patricia: uh... (Looks at her notebook, Thinks: I forgot everything, why is it so difficult?)

Abel: (laughs) really you're still so stupid?

Patricia: b... dumb? I'm not stupid just that I don't understand maths that's my problem

Abel: it's college math and you're at university, that's being stupid! (Takes his things and leaves)

Patricia: (smiles) it did help me after all, maybe these students aren't that bad?

Back home, Emmanuel returns Marie and Bénédicte run up to him:

Marie: my little boy we heard the news is it true?

Bénédicte: Is Emmanuel the reality?

Emmanuel: (Think: what is she talking about?)

Amina: (coming down the stairs) they're talking about your famous girlfriend, we all wonder if it's true or not

Emmanuel: mom I already told you

Amina: but I don't believe it

Emmanuel: do what you want but I'm in love and I won't do anything you tell me put it in your head (he leaves)

Bénédicte: At least he's not gay

Amina: Benedict! Benedict:. what ! We were really wondering, he had several girlfriends but never introduced us to a girl, don't you think it's serious?

Amina: (sighs): pouf

Bénédicte: think about it, maybe he's really in love this time

Emmanuel listened to them while being hidden and laughing

Emmanuel: (Think: it works as expected! Hahahaha)

At the end of class Patricia came home with Audrey and met Franck who was waiting for them at the corner of the street

Franck: hello Patricia

Patricia: Let's go Audrey

Franck: wait (retain his hand) ah I know you must be angry after the tragedy that happened the other day but you know very well that I just wanted your sister to respect my wife who is also your mother-in-law

Patricia: Dad!

Franck it's nice to hear you call me that

Patricia: I don't hate you like my sister does and if you really want to keep it that way get away from us... I think it's not going to be hard for you after all you've done to us Audrey let's- there now

Franck: Patricia here

Patricia: what! He gives him a habit of the traditional type

Franck:: I bought it for you (smile) I also wanted to give some to Flora but really it would be useless she is much too cold with me

Patricia: (take) let's go (they go)

Franck: I hope she won't become like her insolent sister

Later Patricia arrives at the house Flora was doing her nails as she likes:

Hortense: you're back my heart (sees the traditional dress) what is that?

Patricia: uhnothing

Flora: since when does nothing have a shape? (Takes the traditional dress) did you buy a dress? Where did you get the money?

Patricia: why ask me all these questions I... In fact I saw dad and he...

Flora: Him again! She takes a lighter throws the clothes and burns it

Patricia: (shocked) but are you crazy or what it must be extremely expensive

Flora: you're not going to break the rules for this outfit did you understand me correctly!

Patricia: Flora I...

Flora: don't even dare to take anything from this man, he's not part of our family he never was, If you really want me to erase you from my life talk to this man and I'll pretend you're dead to me

Hortense: Flora!

Flora: Flora what? You should be ashamed of a girl who has no common sense and no self-esteem.. (Looks at Patricia) you should look like me and never look back instead of acting like a poor beggar i hate that! (Goes away)

Hortense: Patricia, what did you do? You know she doesn't like it and neither do I, but you're stubborn

Patricia: (looks down)

Hortense: Anyway, now that it's done, just take a good bath and forget about it

In the evening, Flora was asleep in her bed when a hand held her by the waist and woke her up.

Patricia: are you awake?

Flora: (pause) ...

Patricia: I'm sorry I must really disappoint you! But I'm not as strong as you I.... I really feel emotions more and I find it hard to hide them I would like to look like you but it's too hard, I know you suffer from being you even and I don't want to be like that Flora! (shed a tear) but i'm gonna do my best to be the best sister... You and mom are the only people who have always been in my life dad... dad is not that important to me you know it well

Flora: go to your room you're just an idiot

Patricia: (smiles) I love you big sister

Flora: (closes her eyes)

The next day, Flora was during her working hours,

His superior: Flora there is a man looking for you

Flora: a man? Ah don't tell me it's that crazy mark

The superior: no I know almost all your exes but he seems richer than the others

Flora: richer? (Think: the richest was Ezi why would he be here?)

The superior: he has a beautiful Mercedes you are really lucky you only come across big fish Oh you better go get changed he gave me 150 thousand francs for your day

Flora: (surprised)

Superior: Go ahead!

Her colleagues looked at her enviously. Flora exchanges then leaves the restaurant to her surprise it was Emmanuel waiting for her:

Flora: oh no not him

Emmanuel: you must be happy to see me, aren't you?

Flora: (forced smile) I'm happy can't you see it on my face, what you want from me?

Emmanuel: see you! This evening

Flora: I think you are reallyyou're sick

Emmanuel: Listen! For my mother to be convinced that we are really going out, it would take little dates.

Flora: Oh no! No way

Emmanuel: I'll buy you clothes, jewelry whatever you want please accept

Flora: (smiles) it's funnier to be your girlfriend than Ezi's Suddenly

Ezi rolls down the car window

Flora: him! what is he doing here?

Ezi: (smile) I'll go with you I'm his friend and I don't want you to take advantage of him, knowing you you're ready for anything

Flora: hahahahaha look at me who is talking Mr. King of imbeciles

Ezi: me fool? You profit I will...

Flora: what are you going to do to me! Eh ? Get out of the car for a bit and you...

Emmanuel: but shut up

Flora: (yells) what?

Emmanuel: why are you screaming? We can go ? come with us to help us he's my friend

Flora: and me it's one of my trash numbers

Ezi: (surprised)

Emmanuel: (laughs)

Flora: let's go all my colleagues are watching me it's starting to be embarrassing Emmanuel takes Flora's hand,

Flora: (surprised)

Emmanuel: if we want to pretend to be a couple, this must be more credible, don't you think so?

Flora: (smile)... No!

She pushes him away and gets in the car Ezi looks at Flora and makes a face at her.

Flora: what a kid this one!...

TO BE CONTINUED..