Chapter 6 Sixth chapter

Hortavie was on her way to Papa Ebenezer and Mama Mado's house with Roxane and Mimie. They were going to leave her with Mama Mado since she was not going to work that day.

On the way, Roxane's phone rang and it was a ringtone from the platform where she had registered Hortavie to try to win the prince's heart.

"Why are these people calling me? What do they want?

"Who?"

"The people who work for the prince to gather the..."

"It's okay, I get it! What is it?"

"I don't know, I don't want to and I can't touch the phone while I'm driving!"

"Can I?"

"Yes yes, go ahead!"

"Okay, fine!"

She took Roxane's phone from her bag and walked into the platform then saw a message that was neither long nor short.

"It's a message that says this: (Ms. Hortavie hello! You have registered to be one of the prince's candidates and for that you must automatically join the other girls in the villa. You can't register and refuse to participate. It would have been better if you had let someone else take advantage of this opportunity. You are expected here by the prince before the end of the week. Here is the address of the villa and my contact: gmail +237...)".

Hortavie was astonished, as well as Roxane!

"Roxane, you see what you have done? But what is it that has bitten you so much that you have signed me up for this damn adventure? Fucking!!!!! "

"It was the *tse-tse fly* that bit me!"

"I'm serious Roxane! You shouldn't have done that!!!! "

"I'm sorry but what do you want me to do? You had already forgiven me, hadn't you? The rest is not my concern anymore!"

Hortavie started to mutter "oh fuck I'm going to do what?" Then she decided to dial the recruiter's number on her phone to call her and she did. The recruiter picked up.

"Hello ma'am, I am Hortavie MPONDO, the one you just sent a message to regarding..."

She didn't even finish speaking on the recruiter answered her: "Ah yes Hortavie, yes, I know who you are!"

"Okay! Um, could you do another draw quickly to take another person? Because I had signed up by mistake, please!"

Roxane laughed.

"You're saying you signed up by mistake? Haha!"

Hortavie whispered "shut up, it's even because of you that I'm in this mess" then she continued to chat with the lady.

"What are you saying, ma'am?"

- Yes, I'll let you teach me how to swim! Thank you so much! See you later!

She gave him a peck on the cheek and stroked his head before going to join the other girls who had seen the scene.

"Am I dreaming or did you give him a peck on the cheek?" asked Indira, the gospel singer.

"Stay there, you're sleeping!" replied Fanny.

"Hey, you talk to her, you understand? She just asked you a question!" said Valerie who seemed to be angry.

"You shouldn't even have answered, because we answer to idiots by silence!" added Sonya PEMBE.

"That's what I was about to say!" said Diana BOULI.

"Always look for friendly relationships, when she will deny you at some point for the prince, you will see! With thin feet like dental floss!" replied Fanny OWONA before leaving.

Fanny's gang laughed. All the girls went to wash, then they ate before going to take a nap.

In the evening, the prince put on a very nice pair of shorts and went to wait for Fanny in the pool. She arrived with a beautiful black bikini and she entered the water like a princess, pushing her hair back...

"Good evening Pierre!" she smiled and looked him in the eyes.

"You look lovely!"

"Thank you very much! You are... words fail me Pierre!"

They hugged each other and started talking.

"We are in our mood, there is no one to disturb us. That's good isn't it Pierre?"

"Yes you're right, it is good!"

They chatted and at one point, the cook came over with some juice. She gave a glass to the prince and a glass to Fanny. Fanny put her share in the prince's mouth and vice versa. They did this at the same time.

"I feel so good here, with you and I wish this moment would last forever, for eternity I mean!" she whispered in his ear before putting her glass on the edge of the hot tub).

"Oh really?" he replied while also putting his glass).

He pulled her to him and hugged her tightly.

"You are very beautiful, determined too and you know what you want! I really appreciate it!"

"Thank you so much!"

She put her hand on his right cheek and said looking him in the eye:

"There are many of us, I don't know how the others will deal with you, but know that I will do anything to get you. You deserve a good woman, one who loves you, cherishes you, respects you by treating you like a prince and you are a prince!"

Peter smiled.

"Okay, I can't wait to see how you do. Say, are you ready to learn to swim?"

"Of course!

And I'm reassured because you'll be with me and you'll even teach me how to do it!"

They got out of the hot tub and went to the pool and he started teaching her how to swim...

A few minutes later, Hortavie and Roxane arrived at the villa.

Roxane waited in the car and Hortavie went to introduce herself to the guards.

She presented the platform where she had registered, her selection and the message from the recruiter and they let her in...

Just as she entered, she wandered her eyes to admire the beauty of the villa; and when she glanced to her left, she saw Fanny in the arms of the prince. They were hugging and talking:

"Thanks for the swimming lessons, I hope there will be more!"

"You're welcome, you're learning fast and yes, there will be more! Ready to go find out the rules?"

"Yes I'm ready! How about you carry me out of the water?"

He smiled and did so.

Hortavie was still looking at them without saying anything. She felt something strange about this situation, something she could not describe.

Fanny wrapped the towel around her and went inside.

The prince, wanting to take his slippers, met Hortavie's eyes...