Chapter 4 Part 2 (continuation)

I let myself fall on the bed.

- Arrgg Elionne, keep it down and ask your daughter to turn it down. I am not alone in this building.

- Anais is not here. I put the music on. I like this artist's music too. You know very well that I like love songs.

- Anyway, what are you doing here so early in the morning?

- I came to pick you up. We have two hours to get to the airport.

- Airport? To?

- Well, to catch a plane. Our flight is in three hours.

- What? Wait, are you kidding me?

- No, I'm not. I got us two plane tickets to the Ivory Coast. We have a month's vacation.

- WHAT??? Elionne, you can't make such a serious decision for me. Shit, I have a job.

- Yes and I remind you that your boss is my husband so it's with his permission that I did it. I think he'll call you in...

My cell phone is ringing.

- Here, I think it's him.

I am on my ass. I answer anyway and her husband, my boss, confirms that he'll give me a month's vacation. My God, what kind of best friend do I have?

- Well, it's done. Go get ready.

- But...

- I couldn't stand watching you live non-stop in depression. You need a vacation, a change of scenery. In short, you need to get your mind off things. And who knows, (she dances her eyebrows) maybe there you'll meet a real Ivorian male who will make your heart turn.

- You are sick.

- Yes, but go on, get ready.

She pulls me out of bed by force. Well, I have no reason to refuse this vacation. She starts to sing and dance to the rhythm of the music that continues to play.

- (Singing) You are my Queen, you are my baby, you are my wiféééé. When you're near me nothing else matters. There's only you, there's only me in our world.

- Mtchrrr.

- I love this song.

I'm tired of listening to these love songs. Especially those of this French star. First because love destroyed me, but also because my daughter Priscille loved this artist. She listened to his sounds all day long so hearing them again makes me nostalgic.

I finish getting ready and we take the road to the airport. Finally, I think it's a good idea to go on this trip. I really need to visit other skies. And what better than my home country.

IVORY COAST***ABIDJAN

Finally, we arrived at the Hotel Ivoire. Damn, how exhausting this flight was for me. It was really a long time since I had taken the plane. I am happy to find the warm air of my country. It changes me a little bit from France.

Elionne takes us a room for two. This woman does not want to leave me alone for a moment. I feel that she will stick to me like the plague. Our room is on the second to last floor. It is super big. Perfect for relaxing.

- So our only concern here is to have a good time, Elionne informs me. No depression, no sadness. Nothing but joy. We'll do whatever you want. Starting with revisiting our beautiful country that we have abandoned for a long time.

- It works.

ONE WEEK LATER

Oh my gosh! I am close to fainting. Elionne took me all over the capital. Between shopping and eating, I think I had enough for the day. Now I just want to sleep. This woman will end up killing me with her madness.

- Shall we go to the bar and have a drink before going up?

- I am exhausted. And I have to go upstairs and check my email.

- I said no work here.

- That's to see if Priscilla left me a message.

- And you start again.

- But I can't do otherwise. This is my only daughter.

- I brought you here to de-stress, but you don't seem to be making any effort, Angela. Look around you, people are having fun and laughing. Do the same. Meet people and even find a suitor.

- I already told you: no relationship. I'm not going to get my head around it until I get my daughter back.

- I'm not telling you to necessarily fall in love. Just meet people. And if you want, a one-night stand. It's been two years since your garage was cleaned.

- Horr... you're terrible! I'm going upstairs to take a bath and I'm warning you, I'm not coming down anymore.

- Well, I'll drink for two. Besides, I'm still hungry.

- Okay. See you then.

I walk to the elevators. I get on one and as the doors close, a man comes along and pushes them away. I step to the side to give him room.

- Good evening, he greets me with his head down on his laptop that he is manipulating.

- Good evening.

He puts his cap away so that we can't see anything of his face. Anyway, we both go to the same floor. I try to check my mailbox on my cell phone but my battery is running out. All because of this Elionne.

Tomorrow, there's no way I'm leaving this hotel. I can't feel my feet. I need a good day of sleep...

The elevator is suddenly jostled.

- Oh my God, what's going on?" I ask, frightened.

- I think the elevator is stuck," the man replied, pushing the buttons on the elevator. A breakdown, I think.

- Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!

I start to panic. My whole body is shaking. It's a total blackout in my head. The panic becomes master of me. I move in all directions.

- No, not that. I can't stay here. I need the elevator to open. Oh my God! I don't want to die. No. No.

- Ma'am, are you okay?

- No, I'm not okay. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I can't... I can't breathe. I've got to get out of here.

- You need to calm down. It's nothing serious.

I start to cry.

- I don't want to die. Not now. Not without seeing my daughter one last time. My God, don't let me go without finding her. I must tell her that I love her. That she is my whole life.

- Calm down, ma'am," he said, grabbing my hands. No one is going to die.

- I want to see my daughter. I... I... I miss her so much. I can't die like this, without seeing her.

- You're not going to die. You're not going to die. Sit down.

He helps me sit down and crouches in front of me, my hands still in his.

- Look at me!

I obeyed even though my eyesight was obscured by my tears.

- Breathe! There is still air in the elevator. Breathe with me.

I do as he says while letting my tears escape. He doesn't take his eyes off me.

- You're not going to die. It's all right. Now tell me about your daughter. What is she like?

- Like an angel," I said, smiling. She has beautiful little eyes. She loves purple. It's her favorite color. She has long hair like mine and when she was a child she loved it when I braided her hair. Singing and dancing are her favorite pastimes.

I continue to talk about her with a big smile on my lips and my eyes still releasing my tears. I suddenly remember that we are stuck in the elevator. The panic returns.

- I have to see her again. We have to get out of here.

I try to get up but he holds me back. I struggle.

- I start to suffocate.

He lifts me up himself and puts me against the wall.

- Look at me! he orders me this time.

I look up into his eyes. I find myself clinging to him as if my life depended on him.

- I am here and nothing will happen to you. Okay?

I nod my head.

- Breathe very slowly. Do what I do.

I imitate him. Our eyes stay together and our bodies are very close. My heart rate gradually returns to normal. I am no longer afraid, but this time it is palpitations that compress my chest. I realize that he is holding me tightly against him. The warmth of his body envelops me. I feel safe right away. I feel... alive again, for a moment. The elevator starts up again.

- You see, everything is fine, he smiles at me.

- Yes, it is.

The doors open on our floor. He makes sure I'm okay and picks up my purse.

- Come on, I'll walk you to your room.

Without answering, I start walking. He keeps his hand on my back until we arrive in front of my room.

- Is it okay?

- Yes. Thank you! I say a little ashamed.

- You're welcome.

He hands me my bag and turns on his heels. I follow him with my eyes until he opens a door and enters. What the hell just happened there?