For Better And For Worse
Chapter 72

Mexico

Home of Gordjo.

Krist wakes up early this morning, says his morning prayer and looks at his wife’s photo. He gives it a k**s and goes down from his bedroom to the living room. Gordjo joins him. He greets him and then leads him to the basement where there is a large gym equipped with surveillance cameras.

Gordjo: Now you can train here at any time. Thanks for yesterday, you brought me a lot of money.

Krist: thank you, is that all I deserve?

Gordjo: what do you want?

Krist: I need my wife to know I’m alive.

Gordjo: sorry, I can’t do that. Maybe later, when I have more confidence in you.

Krist: put yourself in my place…

Gordjo: I don’t have a wife… come on, train and then go upstairs for breakfast.

Gordjo goes back up and Krist starts training. He thinks about everything that happened and takes out all his anger on the punching bag. Gordjo observes him on the surveillance videos and smiles. A few minutes later, he comes back up and they sit down at the table. After that, Gordjo goes to work and he orders François and Rodrigue to take Krist to visit the city, while keeping an eye on him.

FEW WEEKS LATER.

Bruno’s company.

The secretary tells her CEO that he has a visitor.

Bruno: Please bring the person in.

The secretary therefore introduces Mr. Francis into his office.

Francis: hello Bruno.

Bruno: ah Francis, today is not a good day, because I know why you are here.

Francis: so much the better, it saves me from wasting too much saliva.

Bruno: you have to give me a little more time, you know that I lost everything, I need more time to collect all of Gordjo’s money…

Francis: time! There isn’t one Bruno, make arrangements otherwise… a man forewarned is forearmed…

Francis comes out and leaves. Bruno grabs his head.

Bruno: shit! How am I going to get out of this?

He takes his phone and calls Séverin.

Séverin: hello sir!

Bruno: yes, hello my son, how are you?

Séverin: I’m fine, thank you, and you, sir?

Bruno: It’s not really going well, my business has been going backwards for a while. If you don’t help me, I’ll go bankrupt…

Séverin: how can I help you?

Bruno: I need a loan.

Severin: how much?

Bruno: 10 million!

Séverin: 10 million, what is that for?

Bruno: I have to settle some debts and raise the level of my business a little.

Séverin: take out a loan from the bank. If I give you that much money, I might go bankrupt.

Bruno: okay, I understand. And what about our association?

Séverin: you know the condition sir.

Bruno: yes and now that her husband is no longer there, she would have no choice so we could anticipate things?

Séverin: no, your daughter is really a very tough woman, sir, so we can’t anticipate anything.

Bruno: ok, have a good day.

Séverin: have a good day sir.

He hangs up and calls his debtors.

Guillaume: what is happening to you sir, according to the contract, I should only pay you in a month so I don’t understand why you are putting pressure on me.

Bruno: oh yes, it’s true! Sorry Mr. Guillaume, it was Gérôme I was going to call. All my excuses.

Guillaume: no problem, have a good day, Mr. Bruno.

Bruno: have a good day Guillaume.

He continues to make a few calls and he wins the case of two of his debtors. Which makes him a sum of six million.

Isabelle’s home.

It’s been three weeks since her husband’s death. It’s official, Krist is definitely a thing of the past for everyone. Isabelle hardly receives any visitors or support anymore. She is now all alone. Doctor Roger for his part no longer harasses her. Today, she decides to return to her work at the Grace Hospital. She goes to Doctor Charles’ office.

Isabelle: hello doctor!

Charles: ah, hello Isabelle. What a pleasure to see you again! Take place !

Isabelle: thank you. I’m here to resume my service.

Charles: Ah, I’m glad to hear it. I hope you solved all your problems?

Isabelle: yes, we can say that.

Charles: In that case, welcome back.

Isabelle: thank you doctor, have a good day.

Charles: have a good day Isabelle.

She leaves her office to return to hers and chats with her colleagues. A woman about to give birth is brought in and they take care of her.

Hector’s home.

This afternoon, Séverin visits Claire. She was just in black panties and a black tank top, home alone drinking beer. She comes to open.

Séverin: hello!

Claire: hi Séverin! Please come in.

Séverin: thank you, you look hot in this outfit!

He doesn’t stop watching her when she moves her h**s in front of him. She gives him a seat and brings him a drink.

Severin: how are you?

Claire: well, I don’t know, my heart is grieving.

Séverin: I’m sorry, I could understand that you really liked him. I was passing by by chance, I didn’t think I could replace you at home.

Claire: and why, where do you want me to go?

Séverin: you no longer work in this prison?

Claire: no, I resigned.

Séverin: because he is no longer there?

Claire: he saved my life Séverin. He told me to never go near him again but when I was in danger, he still saved me. If you could see him fight alone against his bullies to save his guardians who despise them so much! You have to be an angel and have the heart of God to save someone who mistreats you so much. I was in love with an angel Severin and you don’t know what I would give to be with him.

She grabs his head with both hands and starts crying. Séverin comes near her and touches her on the shoulder. When she turns around, she sees Krist instead of Séverin.

Séverin: I’m here Claire, I won’t leave you alone in this painful moment, you can count on me…

Claire: my love, you’re alive!…

Séverin: what?… I…

He didn’t says anything again that she falls into his arms. He had to hold her very tightly too.

Séverin: It’s going to be okay, it’s going to pass one day.

She starts kissing him on the lips. At first, Séverin was hesitant but he ended up getting involved in the game. He starts by undressing her and she does the same.

Claire: I love you so much my love, I’m completely crazy about you. I’m going to die of love for you Krist, I’m really going to explode. Ask me to die and I obey you my love…

Without saying a word, Séverin caresses her here and there and carries her into the bedroom where they make passionate love. After the act, Claire realizes that there never was a Krist. She starts to cry while Séverin rejoices.

Séverin: wow, wow, it was really fantastic!

Claire: no, no, what did I just do, no!…

Séverin: Claire, why are you crying?

She suddenly turns around and starts hitting him.

Claire: why did you do that to me Séverin, why did you do that to me?…

Séverin: I’m sorry Claire, you didn’t really give me a choice…

Claire: go away, I don’t I don’t want to see you anymore, get out!

Séverin gets out of bed and goes to the living room. This is where he wears the rest of his clothes. Claire joins him.

Claire: I apologize to you Séverin, it’s all my fault.

Séverin: don’t apologize, you were great, I loved it!

Claire: Let me be clear, nothing happened between us. Now that Krist is dead, Isabelle is a widow so you can have what you want. Which means that our collaboration is no longer of any use, so goodbye Séverin.

Séverin: you’re right Claire, you’re right. I’m going to marry Isabelle so it’s better to forget what just happened. And you are also right about one thing, our collaboration is no longer of any use. It was a pleasure knowing you.

Claire: shared pleasure.

They hug and look at each other for a moment before she walks him to his car to leave. She goes back inside and thinks about that moment.

Claire: Holy shit!

Isabelle’s home.

Séverin then goes to Isabelle’s house, Stella comes to open the door for him.

Séverin: hello Stella!

Stella: hi! Please come in!

Séverin: thank you.

He opens the big gate for her to enter with his car then they go inside.

Séverin: Has Isabelle gone out?

Stella: yes he is at work.

Séverin: oh, that’s a shame then!

Stella: what’s a shame, do you think it’s a shame that she works?

Séverin: no, it’s a shame for me…

Stella: I know your intentions towards her Séverin but know that she doesn’t love you so go replace yourself elsewhere. I know, you’re probably thinking that now that her husband is no longer here, you could have her but no, she won’t be yours. If she should ever remarry, it will be up to her to choose who she wants to marry.

Séverin: thank you for telling me everything you felt Stella, all your hatred…

Stella: I don’t hate you, I have no hatred towards you. If it was, you would know. On the contrary, I like you but I don’t like the fact that you want Isabelle to absolutely love you, or to marry you even if she feels nothing for you. Love must be reciprocal Séverin, it works in two directions and not one way.

Séverin: I understand what you are saying Stella but unfortunately, the heart has its reasons that reason ignores. Goodbye Stella!

He gets up and leaves. Stella follows him to open the portal for him and he leaves.