9

Marie and Bénédicte look at each other and try to relax the atmosphere by laughing,

Marie: we should start having dinner now uh Amina try this dish it's really delicious isn't it

Bénédicte?

Bénédicte: yes mom step sister try that

Amina: (tries to calm down)

Flora: (Takes a dish) that looks good madam (to Bénédicte) did you prepare it?

Bénédicte: uh no it's the maids and then you can call me aunt no formalities between us

Flora: (smile) as you wish! (Call a servant)

- Yes Miss

Flora: I'm on a diet please give me something light

Amina: who do you think you are to give orders to my employees? Emmanuel, are these the kinds of women you want to marry? (Looks at her) You don't seem to be from a wealthy family so why.

Flora: I'm sorry madam but you don't have to talk about my family, what does my family have to do with this story

Amina: definitely! Did your parents ever teach you to be quiet when an elder speaks?

Flora: I don't need my parents to know when to respond to people and then when an elder makes a mistake isn't it the younger ones who have to put it under the right path?

Bénédicte: (shocked) my God

Flora: don't you agree my aunt?

Benedict: Me? Um... I.... Amina calm down it's her first time being with us and you….You're so cold with her

Flora: it's not that serious aunt (look at Amina I really like the behavior of my future mother-in-law

Amina: whatever!

Marie: and when are we going to meet your parents to talk about marriage?

Flora: my parents? Oh I.... I'm going to talk to my mother

Marie: okay, I hope we can meet them as soon as possible, right Bénédicte?

Amina: and why? Did I say I accept this girl? I want the best for my only son and she's not the best girl for him

BELIVE: honey stop it

Emmanuel : mum please, you know my feelings and even then you don't give a damn what kind of mother would do that to her son?

Amina: Emmanuel you're not a kid anymore stop acting like one ok?

Emmanuel: as you just said I'm not a kid anymore so don't make decisions for me anymore

Mary: Oh calm down! Amina lets him choose the girl he loves is more compassionate and I remind you that he finally wants to get married and it's a miracle instead of judging his choice makes an effort! And you Emmanuel think a little about your mom she only wants the best for you

Emmanuel: I know it but I don't like her acting like that

Amina: okay anyway only my son's happiness matters to me!

Emmanuel: (smiles)

Amina: and what are your parents doing?

Flora: I don't have a father but my mother is a fairly honest woman, she works as a seller of loincloths at the big market

Bénédicte: (surprised) saleswoman?

Mari:(surprised)

Amina: ha ha-ha I must say that I expected worse but hey...

Flora: (smiles) Madam, I will ask you to respect my mother's work, I don't allow anyone to make fun of her!

Amina: it's good At least you're a good girl even if you try to hide the truth we all know that you come from a poor family

Mary: Amina!

BELIVE: Amina! that's enough

Amina: What! why are you yelling at me, i'm only telling the truth

Emmanuel: my.... (Look at Flora) Flora didn't seem to be touched by these words,

Flora: I'm not ashamed of where I come from so why worry about it? (takes her bag)

Emmanuel I feel a little tired I'm going to leave now

Amina: how insolent are you leaving while we are in the middle of a discussion?

Flora: making fun of a person is not called arguinment

Amina: (raises her eyebrows)

Flora: it's called belittling yourself (Amina is surprised as well as the others) I don't want the mother of a man like Emmanuel to belittle herself even if you have already done it .... Have a good evening (she goes)

Amina: throws away her plates)

Emmanuel: uh.. I'm going to drop her off at her place, good evening, grandmother (he's leaving quickly)

Amina: she really manages to get me out of myself, even I don't want this badly brought up and poor kid in my house! She's so proud I don't want her

Marie: Amina don't you think you're the one who started this war?

Amina: and what did I do except worry about my son? Isn't that what you did with your son?

Marie: yes but I remind you that my son was not in love with anyone unlike yours! (Takes her hand) calm down and think about Emmanuel's happiness if he loves her it's sure it will work

Amina: I'm going to rest Mica!

Mical: yes ma'am Amina: take all this out of my house and purify the house this girl is too rude for my beautiful house

Bénédicte: seriously Amina

Amina: (goes upstairs) and as soon as Emmanuel comes in let him know that I want to talk to him In the rue Flora was walking to take the metro when Emmanuel's car stops in front of her:

Flora: do you want to kill me because your mother didn't do it with her words?

Emmanuel: (comes down) Yah do you think I'm as tough as my mother?

Flora: She treats me rude but she should look in a mirror

Emmanuel: respect my mother I hired you but I never allowed you to disrespect her

Flora: and I never promised you to change my personality! (cross your arms) and then i never said that i would bear to be insulted just for your money i don't allow anyone to insult my mother even if it's for billions she is worth much more than yours! (hustle him and move forward)

Emmanuel: I didn't know she was such a model girl Uh wait (walks past her) I'm sorry okay? I will talk to my mother but don't be mad sinon I'm afraid that you... that you're ruining everything

Flora: and what is the next step?

Emmanuel: tell your parents about us

Flora: I already talked about this with my mother but I don't think she agrees

Emmanuel: Really? Should I do something?

Flora: even if she's against it, we're going to get to the bottom of the plan and I forbid you to come near my family, did you understand me correctly? My mother and my sister are sensitive I don't want them to get attached to you

Emmanuel: Really? I can't wait to see what they look like because you're not sensitive at all how could a sensitive woman give you life?

Flora: Go home I'll take the bus

Emmanuel: (holding her by the hand) ..

Flora: what are you doing? (pushes him away) do you think we're Romeo and Juliet? Why act so cheesy if you want to flirt with me just tell me and my answer is no you don't interest me

Emmanuel : Waoh how can you be imaginative and well no I just wanted to drop you off because it's already dark

Flora: (surprised) and why would you do that?

Emmanuel: because it's normal for a man to drop off a woman when it's dark (opens the door) between I don't want to be late

Flora: okay (go up)

Later Emmanuel and Flora arrive home

Emmanuel: is this where you live?

Flora: (nods her head)

Emmanuel: I must admit that this place does not suit you

Flora: and how does that concern you? Are you paying my rent? You don't look very strong go away before the neighborhood thugs come

Emmanuel who... who told you that I wasn't strong?

Flora: (smile) good night (leaves)

Emmanuel: did she just smile at me? Wow was that a plan?...Are there really thugs? I should leave you never know (leaving)

Flora: (enters) I'm back

Patricia: finally mom got worried, where were you?

Flora: and why should I tell you?

Patricia: Flora!

Flora: (sits down)

Patricia: do you want me to serve you something?

Flora: no, I ate luxurious dishes and my stomach is full, well I'm going to go to sleep now and tell mum not to worry, it's pathetic to always have to justify myself (she enters her room)

Patricia: is it the nice car from earlier that dropped her off? (Think: I hope Flora won't have any problems) In her room she had changed and was planning to sleep when she received a call by Emmanuel:

Flora: what do you want from me? Did you forget I'm not your girlfriend I'm engaged so don't call me when you need affection leave me alone ok?

Emmanuel: (surprised) can I now speak

Flora: what do you want?

Emmanuel: I wanted to talk to you about the plan! I think we should get married as soon as possible, this will allow me to be released as soon as possible.

Flora: why don't you just want to marry a woman chosen by your mother and ..Oh I think I guess why

Emmanuel: what!

Flora: you... Do you like men?

Emmanuel: what? are you crazy? Of course not !

Flora: hmm!

Emmanuel: (surprised) I'm just going to hang up and I don't want to get married because all women are materialistic and only run after my money so stop this nonsense (hang up)

Flora: what's wrong with him he's so weird! Another incoming call she picks up,

Flora: what did I just tell you? Leave me alone !

Ezi: Uh lower your voice when you talk to me, who do you think you are?

Flora: Ezi! why are you calling me?

Ezi: I wanted to give you information about the kondo family Emmanuel asked me so don't think I wanted to hear your voice how well I sleep now that we are no longer in a relationship

Flora: (rolls her eyes) what's interesting you're still so boring at least work on your mind and study more to have a conversation

Ezi: what?

Flora: you're so boring and don't call me anymore (hang up) Ah these men are going to kill me what did I do to deserve this? Ah! (She lays down on the bed) I should just…sleep and forget about this hard day!

At the kondo house, Emmanuel had come home and went to talk with Amina in her room:

Emmanuel: why did you ask me to come here? Is there a problem?

Amina: sit here Emmanuel Emmanuel looks at the chair,

Emmanuel: euhhh I prefer to stay standing (Think for fear of dying from a blow to the head)

Amina: okay, you are my only child and I love you more than anyone I only wish your happiness and if your happiness is to be with this girl then I accept your wish

Emmanuel: (surprised) really? What do you agree?

Amina: you would like me to say no otherwise..

Emmanuel: of course not, I'm happy thank you mum (takes her in her arms) thank you mum

Amina: (smile) but I won't make an effort with her and if she makes the slightest mistake then she will have to leave this house even if you have to stay single and you will find better than her

Emmanuel: if I divorce her one day I will never remarry mom I love her too much (forced smile)

Amina: that's okay, I'd like to sleep

Emmanuel: (takes her in his arms) sorry to bother you so much Amina: it's my role as a mom you don't have to apologize

The next day, Flora wakes up to find her mother preparing breakfast:

Flora: Mom I'll go

Hortense: aren't you going to eat anything?

Flora: I'm going to go shopping, it will calm me down

Patricia: Shopping? Is this your new boyfriend?

Flora: how does that concern you? Take care of your business and your notebooks (she leaves)

Later in a shop Flora was trying on jewelry when she met Amina who was there with Bénédicte:

Benedict: oh Flora

Flora: hello my aunt, madam

Amina: let's go Benedict

Bénédicte: but whatwhat are you saying Why not have a cup of tea with us? Besides, I think Amina has good news for you.

Flora: good news?

Bénédicte: hum (nods her head) isn't it Amina?

Amina: (forces a smile) let's have some tea together

Flora (smile): why not

In the rue de Flora in front of her house, Emmanuel's car stops, they get off and knocks on Flora's door:

Ezi: I warn you that when she learns this she will kill you!

Emmanuel: if I don't, she might slow me down and you know mom

Ezi: I would have warned you she will kill you,

Patricia: (opens the door) yes! Hello are you?

Emmanuel: Flora's boyfriend, I guess you're her gorgeous younger sister...I'm here to talk to your mother can I come in?

Patricia: Flora's boyfriend? Wow! mom come here

Hortense: yes you are?

Patricia: mom it's your step son

Hortense: (surprised)

Emmanuel: joins his hands) hello my aunt

Hortense: (surprised) uh hello

Patricia: more respectful at least Flora can bring back good things

Ezi: (shakes his head) Ah Emmanuel what are you doing?

TO BE CONTINUED...