My love, my hate, my hope

In a luxury boutique in the town of Litto, capital of the state of Goat in East Africa, three young women were trying on several outfits.

- Are you really sure you want to do this Regina?

- Why do you bother asking him the question Kelly? You know she always does whatever she wants!

- Oh shut up Anna! It's not cool to think that way about Regina, she's our friend!

- What if you stopped talking about me as if I wasn't there? Listen girls, Peter and I have been together for a year and I think it's time to take action.

- You don't have to do it. Said Kelly who was trying to dissuade her friend.

- I know I don't have to do it, but you see, it will be my birthday and I want to do something special with the man of my life!

- Okay if you're really sure of yourself then it's good for me and you Anna?

- What am I going to say? This is Regina Lewis, the darling daughter of the all-powerful governor of the state of Goat! She can get away with anything and act as she pleases. She replied sarcastically.

- It's okay girls! Don't worry about me okay. It was my decision to give myself to my man on the evening of my twenty-first birthday. Now let's change topics and talk about rags, it's nicer, my birthday party is in two days and we still have a lot of things to do.

They spent another hour in the store then went to lunch in a famous restaurant before going their separate ways.

On the other side of the city, more precisely at the airport, a private jet had just landed and a very handsome man, tall and elegant in his black suit appeared. On the track his partner and friend Lucien was waiting for him.

-Hey buddy! Welcome to Goat! He said, giving him a friendly hug.

- Hello my friend, I'm finally here. And this time I'm here to set the record straight.

- I'm totally with you, my friend. I booked you a suite at the ADVAN hotel.

- A suite? Sorry Lucien but you're going to have to change this suite into a premium room. The rest will be too big for me.

- It's weird, I've known you for years and I never knew that the great Charles Belfort was afraid of wide open spaces. Said Lucien mockingly.

- I'm not afraid of wide open spaces, I intend to buy a large property in the area, and in the meantime I'm going to stay in a hotel room, it's better for me.

- Very well my friend. I'm going to call my assistant who will take care of the problem before we arrive at the hotel. Let's go there for lunch first.

A black Lincoln parked in front of them, and they got in.

In the governor's private residence, in Regina's room, Kelly, Anna and the team of professionals who came to take care of the young girl's beauty, were all speechless.

- SO? asked the young woman anxiously.

- You are divine Regina! Kelly exclaimed sincerely.

- It's true Miss, you are very beautiful.

- It's normal! You are wearing an exclusive dress from a great designer, a magnificent long pink dress in satin and lace, it is encrusted with diamonds and as if that wasn't enough, your jewelry is also made of diamonds, you are wearing glass shoes and a tiara! A fairytale princess! How could you not be the most beautiful at your own birthday party!

- Anna my darling, I love you too and thank you for all your compliments. Said Regina smiling.

- It's okay now, Miss, your father is waiting for you. You are perfect, everything is perfect! Said the organizer of the evening eagerly.

- Okay, okay, okay! Let's go girls, daddy must be very impatient down there.

Mathieu Lewis was waiting for his daughter at the bottom of the stairs, looking at the watch on his wrist.

- Isn't it over up there yet? he asked the organizer who was walking down the markets in front of Anna.

- She's ready, excellence! She comes right behind me. Replied the nervous woman.

- Oh there she is! Mathieu exclaimed as he saw his daughter coming down the steps accompanied by Kelly.

- You are beautiful, my daughter. He added once she was in front of him. With a happy smile, he kissed her on both d

- Thank you dad! Said Regina delighted.

- Are you ready? Can we go?

- Yes dad, I'm more than ready, let's go!

The procession of a dozen cars including the governor's favorite BMW 750Li xDrive limousine headed towards the main ADVAN hotel where Regina's birthday party was taking place.

The father and daughter were the last to enter to the applause of the hundreds of people invited that evening. After the welcoming words said by Regina's older brother, then followed by that of her father who was proud of his daughter, the evening itself began. The young girl only had eyes for her boyfriend who was sitting near her parents. After giving the governor's majestic gift to her daughter, a very old set of priceless jewelry, and a white Mercedes Maybach, she let loose on the dance floor with her friends. Several hours later, she went to join Peter.

- Good evening darling ! She said, throwing herself on his neck.

- Good evening Gina! You are magnificent, I didn't have time to give you my gift. Well here he is!

She took the little blue velvet box and opened it. It was a magnificent white gold bracelet with the girl's first name engraved inside!

- Oh it's magnificent! Thank you my dear. She said sincerely before kissing him on the lips.

- Happy birthday my love!

- Thank you darling. You know what? At the end of this evening I will have a gift for you! She said mischievously

- And what is it?

- Be patient, you will see! The party isn't over yet, I still have to cut my cake!

- Okay, I will wait patiently for your surprise darling. Regina went to show her beautiful bracelet to her friends Kelly and Anna.

- He's very beautiful! Peter loves you, it shows. Said Kelly

- I know! That's why we want to take it to the next level with him tonight!

- Okay, everything is ready, don't worry. The room is waiting for you. Once you are ready, I will accompany you personally. Anna told him.

- Good girls. I'm going to make sure my crush finally notices me tonight. Kelly retorted.

The three young girls laughed and Kelly left, leaving Regina and Anna to have fun on the VIP track set up just for the queen of the evening and her friends. A little later, Anna took two glasses of champagne from a server's tray and discreetly added a little powder inside and offered it to Regina.

- Go ahead, let's drink to you Regina, from tonight onwards, may you live the life you deserve. Said Anna, raising her glass with a scowl.

Obviously, Regina did not notice her friend's behavior and drank the contents of the flute in one gulp. Some time later, the young girl began to feel very excited. She was hot and sweating profusely, her vision was blurring. She still had a little lucidity to try to see Peter.

- Hey! Regina, what's wrong? Anna asked innocently!

- I think I drank a lot of alcohol. I have to go rest, and I have to see peter.

- Look, you've had too much to drink, you'd better go up and take a shower. I'll come and tell Peter and show him your room, okay?

- Okay Anna. You are a good friend.

The two young women took the elevator, Regina was leaning on her friend because she was completely drugged Anna opened the bedroom door and brought Regina to the edge of the bed.

- Hey! You have to be ready for your man okay? I'm going to look for it now.

Once alone, Regina undressed completely while waddling, she was very hot and wanted to cool off. Following the sound of running water, she entered the bathroom.

- But! Who are you? What are you doing in my room? asked the angry man in the shower.

- I am your darling gift. This evening I offer myself to you!

- Oh! In this case, I am happy to take this beautiful gift. Said the young man. Sacred Lucien! He added before dragging the young girl into the shower, capturing her lips in a nervous and wild kiss.

Charles separated from the young girl to catch his breath, but she still demanded the young men's lips.

- Calm down my beauty, we have all night for that.

- I have waited for this moment all my life and I no longer have the patience to waste a single minute. The young girl whispered in a trance.

- Well, your desires are orders, my beauty!

He took the young girl in his arms and placed her on the bed, while lavishing caresses all over her body. Regina moaned and squirmed in every direction to Charles' delight as the body was kissed for desire. He couldn't wait long and suddenly penetrated Regina's intimacy, who uttered a cry of pain that Charles took for a cry of pleasure. He continued with a dance of love until he reached the peak of pleasure and released himself inside her.

- Phew! My beauty, it was so good! Fortunately we have all night to do better. He said getting up from the bed. I'm going to take my phone in my car and I'll come back immediately, then we'll get to know each other better, okay beauty?

He quickly put on blue denim pants, a white t-shirt and leather sandals and left the room, leaving Regina who had fallen asleep immediately.

- Regina! Peter shouted. What are you doing in this room all naked on the bed? asked the angry young man!

Which woke the young girl from her sleep. Disoriented, she tried to understand what was happening in vain.

- Honey ? Why aren't you lying next to me? Anna what are you doing there and who is he? Stammered the young girl who felt lost.

-Regina? What did you do? I went to get peter at your request and we came to find that you slept with another man? Anna said indignantly.

- But... I slept with Peter and no one else! Regina defended herself.

- Stop lying! You're just a slut! You just cheated on me with another man and you're trying to convince me otherwise? It's over for the two of us, you hear me? Peter thundered.

- That's enough ! Kelly intervened, who had just entered the room furiously. Leave her alone and get out of this room. Aren't you ashamed Anna? Do you dare to broadcast such an unhealthy video of your so-called friend?

- What? Asked Regina, who tried as best she could to cover herself.

- That's why I came here. They live-streamed the video as soon as they entered the room. Explained Kelly who had chased away the intruders and was now helping her friend get dressed.

- We need to get out of here immediately before all the paparazzi in town come after you! Kelly added.

The two young girls ran out of the room, took the emergency stairs to find themselves in the basement, where a car with a driver was waiting for them.

- John, please take us to my parents' property outside of town, and make sure no one follows us, not even the governor's bodyguards.

- At your command Miss Kelly.

Regina opened her eyes and the daylight hit her face, as she tried to sit up, her head hurt like she had been hit in the back of the neck. She moaned in pain. Kelly entered carrying a breakfast tray.

- Hello Gina! You woke up, that's great.

- Ooooh Kelly, my head hurts a lot! The young girl complained, sitting up on the bed.

- It's a hangover I think. With this mixture you will get back on your feet very quickly. Do me the pleasure of drinking it all in one gulp, my darling.

She gave Regine a steaming bowl of hot drink that smelled very strong.

- Beuurckkk! How am I going to manage to swallow all this?

- Drink slowly so as not to burn your tongue. Trust me it may smell strong, but the taste is not bad. Go ahead, drink Gina, you need to gain strength to face what awaits you.

- Please Kelly, tell me what happened yesterday! I'm sure I'm not at home here, not in a hotel room either and my whole body hurts like a truck ran over me.

- My darling, I'll tell you everything but first, please drink the contents of the bowl.

- All right. I'm going for it .

Bravely, Regina drank the entire contents of the bowl and placed it on the tray when finished.

- Well done, big girl! You did the hard part. Kelly encouraged him.

- Now tell me everything that happened yesterday please.

- Okay, anyway it's all the buzz on social media at the moment. Peter surprised you naked in a hotel room. He was with Anna and someone else who filmed and posted the video live.

- Oh my God! How could this happen to me? I was supposed to spend the night with Peter! How did I end up with another man? And then who is he?

- Unfortunately Gina, I don't have answers to these questions.

- I didn't think I had drunk too much to act like that. I don't remember anything anymore. How I got into this room and how I slept with a complete stranger. Said Regina with full tears on her face

- This scandal will affect my father and my brother! How could I do such a thing Kelly!

- Don't cry my dear, we will solve this problem don't worry.

- And how Kelly? Tell me please! I can't face my father or even the world yet. Said the young girl, crying very unhappy.

Kelly took her in her arms to rock her.

- I'm sorry my dear, you didn't deserve such misfortune on your birthday.

- Where is my phone? Regina asked suddenly, coming back to her senses.

- I put it on charge in my room. But I don't think it's the right time for you to open it, you'll be inundated with messages and calls which will stress you out even more.

- I need to talk to my father and reassure him that I'm okay. You have to, Kelly, he must be worried to death. And even though I know he is angry and disappointed in me, I have to reach out to calm him down.

- Okay, you're right, that's what you need to do. Wait for me here, I'll get it.

Regina got out of bed and sat down in the armchair in the corner of the room. This is how Kelly found her back in the room. She handed the phone to her friend, who immediately dialed her father's number.

The governor picked up on the first ring.

- Hello ! Regina, where the hell do you find yourself? His father scolded on the other end of the line.

- Dad, I'm fine. I'm just calling you so you don't worry anymore. I know you are angry and disappointed in me, but please dad understand that right now I don't want to talk to anyone.

- My dear, I'm not angry! I'm angry yes but at all the people who put you in this situation. Tell me where you are, my daughter, I will go find you and I will personally take charge of making all of them pay for every tear you have shed.

- No dad! The only thing I can ask you to do is to delete this video if possible. I don't want to go home at the moment and don't worry I'm fine, I'm with Kelly who takes good care of me!

- Okay honey, I understand. Can you pass me Kelly? I would like to talk to him.

- Ok daddy. Here, Kelly, he wants to talk to you.

She gave him the phone and took the opportunity to freshen up in the bathroom. When Kelly returned, he had finished speaking with the governor.

- SO? What did my father tell you?

- He asked me to take care of you. Some members of his bodyguard will arrive here in a few hours to take care of our security. Don't ask me how he knew we were here, I don't know, but what is certain is that you have the support of your father in this ordeal.

They were silent for a few moments then Regina asked the question that had been burning on her lips for a while.

- What is being said about me on social media?

- You know how it works, on one side there are those who are happy with the situation, they make fun of you and insult you and on the other side those who are against this action and support you.

- And Peter?

- Sorry my darling, since the incident he has remained silent. I think it's because of your father that he is silent. But the one who surprises me in all this is Anna!

- What Anna? What did she do ?

- It seems like she takes pleasure in stirring up internet users' hatred of you! I have the impression that she is rejoicing in your misfortune.

- Hmm....!

- Listen, you told me that she accompanied you to your room, right?

Regina nodded.

- So she's the one who got into the wrong room.

- Yes it is possible, but for what purpose? She didn't force me to give myself to another man! - - It's true. Gina, let's forget about this subject for the moment, it's making you suffer too much. Let's go make breakfast and enjoy our retirement, okay?

Regina followed her friend into the kitchen, what she hadn't admitted to Kelly was that she had vague memories of her first night of love coming back to her. Without being able to explain it to herself, she wanted to keep it to herself. She smiled and shook her head to chase away the naughty memory that came back to her just now.

Regina had been walking in circles like a caged animal for several minutes.

- Gina please sit down, you're making me dizzy at the end.

- How long does it take to get information from a hotel guest? I mean this is our hotel and Bruce as the general manager he has access to this kind of information!

- But Gina, your brother told you that he would call you in an hour, and it's barely been half an hour! So come join me and taste this freshly picked guava juice!

Docile Regina obeyed and drank the juice that her friend lovingly gave her. She was determined to stay in retirement far from everything and everyone. But it wasn't her brother Bruce's intention to leave her alone.

He called Kelly to get his sister, since she had turned off her phone.

- Hello little sister! How much longer do you plan to hide?

- Hello Bruce, I'm fine if you're interested. She replied sarcastically.

- Yes Yes Yes! I know you're fine, otherwise you'd think our father would have gone to pick you up in person! Replied Bruce.

- All right! What do you want?

- Listen! Someone has decided to ruin your reputation and at the same time mine and Dad's, and I'm not going to allow that. What really happened?

- I do not know! I ask myself a lot of questions that remain unanswered since that night.

- You are serious? How come you don't remember anything? Did you drink too much or what?

- I don't know anything about it, I tell you! Regina shouted in frustration.

- Okay! It's okay, I believe you! But tell me what you plan to do now.

- The occupant of premium room four hundred and twelve, I would like to know who it is and their address if possible.

- This is the guy Peter is talking about?

- Please don't ask questions and give me what I want.

- Hey who do you take me for? Your lackey? You should have come to me instead of running away like you did. But that's okay, I'll find out who this customer is and I'll call you back in an hour.

- Thanks Bruce!

- You'll thank me later.

And since then Regina hasn't stopped looking at Kelly's phone, too impatient to receive her brother's call. She drank the guava juice without really liking the taste, she was eager to know who the stranger was who had made her a woman. Even if she didn't remember him, all she had to do was close her eyes to feel all his caresses, his kisses, his perfume! Hold! she remembered its scent, a woody blend of tangerine and lavender. She smiled happy to have this bit of memory of this man who had taken an important place in her life.

The ringing of the phone pulled her out of her reverie, reading the name that appeared, Kelly handed the phone to Regina.

-Bruce? Do you have news?

- Yes little sister, the room was in the name of a company ALMO Construction for one of their executives whose name was not mentioned. I say was because the occupant vacated the room yesterday morning and left. We have a photo of him when he arrived, I don't know if it will help you. I send it to you.

- Thanks Bruce.

- Please, sister. Too bad your lover left, your breakup with Peter would have been worth something at least.

- Stop making jokes, it's not funny!

- I know sister, you know I love to tease you. Well when you're ready to resurface, tell me and I'll come get you.

- Alright it's noted.

- See you later, little sister. Bruce had sent the photo of the stranger, we couldn't see much because he was wearing a red cap, sunglasses and a t-shirt.

- This photo doesn't help me much! Regina complained.

- Maybe, but we can see that he is a handsome guy! Say you haven't kept a tiny memory of your first night? Even a little bit that you can share with your best friend?

- No nothing Kelly! And it would kill me if you knew!

- I imagine. Perhaps with time memories will come back to you little by little.

- I hope so, anyway.

- Well Gina let's eat, with all these emotions, we didn't have lunch.

The two friends were seated on the veranda of the house, enjoying a good hot meal, and a security agent approached her quickly.

- Are you waiting for someone, ladies? he asked

- No why ? Kelly replied.

- There is a man at the entrance to the property, he refused to give us his name. He simply said that Miss Lewis left an indelible mark last night and he was coming to deliver it to her in person since she left without saying goodbye.

- Damn, he's here! Regina exclaimed.

- Who is here ? Asked Kelly who had not understood the message.

Instead of answering him, Regina asked the security guard to let the man pass.

- Kelly, I'm finally going to meet the stranger from the other night.

Charles quickly returned to the room. He had responded to a call from his business partners in China, which took him longer than expected. Upon entering his room, he was surprised and disappointed to find it empty, the young girl had disappeared! But why had she left this way? he wondered.

He sat back on the bed and angrily pulled at the blanket which he threw on the side of the bed. He took off his clothes and was about to go to bed when he noticed a red stain on the bed, he turned on the ceiling light to check and he confirmed that it was blood.

- Damn Lucien, what is this story? A virgin! . He said to himself out loud.

He opened the social media messaging app and sent a message to his friend:

"Good evening Lucien. I enjoyed your gift tonight, it was intense but short!"

"Good evening my friend. Glad you liked it."

"I need to see her again"

"Okay, we'll talk about it tomorrow buddy, now I'm falling asleep."

"Okay, good night."

"Good night Charles"

He lay on his back with his arms crossed behind his neck, remembering the sweet moments he had spent with the beautiful stranger! He smiled and his whole body was shot through with shivers of pleasure, he had to see his virgin again as soon as possible, their night had not been over! Charles closed his eyes and slipped into a restful sleep

Charles was back at the hotel, after last night's incident, he had asked Lucien to change his room. And as usual, his friend had booked another room under another assumed name. It was very important that Charles' identity remained secret. For years, he had used this method for the need for discretion.

Alain and Monique Howard, his adoptive parents, were an American couple who had made their fortune in luxury jewelry. Their flagship materials were diamonds. They were unable to have biological children so they turned to adoption. Initially they adopted a girl of Asian origin whom they named Nia Suzy Howard and subsequently they adopted the son of their servant of African origin who died in childbirth Charles Édouard Howard.The family was swimming in happiness until Alain's lifelong friend Mathieu Lewis suggested he invest in a diamond mine in the state of Goat where he was from. Alain had great confidence in his friend and followed him in this adventure with his wife. Some time later Alain Howard was arrested and thrown in prison on several charges including fraudulent acquisition of a diamond mine, incitement to rebellion which were very serious offenses in the state of Goat. His wife Monique had decided to use all her relationships around the world and unfortunately, she died in a mysterious car accident and the investigations had been closed. A desperate Alain had killed himself in his cell, not only had he lost his fortune but also his wife. Mathieu Lewis then appropriated all the Howard family property by throwing their children into the street. So they grew up in children's homes.

Charles being a good student, diligent and intelligent, he had several times benefited from school scholarships which allowed him to obtain university diplomas. At sixteen, he worked on construction sites during vacations and on his weekends off. Basically, he was passionate about architecture and working with professionals very quickly allowed him to acquire the skills necessary to evolve in this field. At seventeen, he participated in the renovation of an old building which the owner then put up for sale. He had promised a commission of twenty percent on the sale price to anyone who managed to bring in a buyer. Charles was the first to find a buyer who gave four times the purchase price to the greatest happiness of the owner. The young man thus earned a substantial sum which allowed him to launch into real estate. Three years later, he was at the head of a major empire and Forbes magazine had ranked him among the five greatest fortunes on the planet.

He was a discreet man, few people could recognize him in the street, he had created mystery around his person and most often used assumed names that Lucien was responsible for creating for him. Speaking of Lucien, his name appeared on Charles' phone screen.

- Hi buddy. Said Lucien once the call was answered. Have you moved into your new room?

- Hi Lucien, I came in a few minutes ago.

- Very good, we have collected all the videos in which you appear. A real titanic job!

- You are more than a titan my friend that's why you are my shield! Adds Charles.

It was a way of speaking because of the two men Charles was the one with a tall height and an athletic body.

- Fortunately my annual bonuses are very attractive! Lucien retorted mischievously.

- Mmmm... Let's get back to more important things please.

- Hi buddy. Said Lucien once the call was answered. Have you moved into your new room?

- Hi Lucien, I arrived a few minutes ago.

- Alright, we've collected all the videos you appear in. A truly titanic job!

- You are more than a titan my friend that's why you are my shield! Adds Charles.

It was a way of speaking because Charles was the one who had a tall height and an athletic body.

- Fortunately my annual bonuses are very attractive! Lucien retorted mischievously.

- Mmmm... Let's get back to more important things please. What do you know about the girl?

- You will never believe me, this girl is called Regina Lewis, the daughter of whom you know!

- No, that's not possible ! Destiny delights us with funny tricks. He has just offered me the instrument of my revenge on a platter! Lucien where is Regina Lewis right now?

- Everything suggests that she is outside this city.

- Then take me to her! Lucien I want to see her in twenty-four hours, otherwise heads will roll.

- Mate, our agents are on the case. They watched the hotel and traffic videos. We know that she left with her friend Kelly Barnes and it is very likely that they are hiding somewhere outside the city.

- What do you know about this Kelly Barnes?

- She is the daughter of Paul Barnes, a rich farmer in the region. He owns a property four hours away from here, our men have gone out into the field to scout around and we will have results in a few hours. You have to be patient!

- Okay, thank you Lucien.

- Please, I'm here for that! See you soon, I'll call you as soon as I have any news.

Charles hung up the phone and threw it on the bed. He needed to exercise, unfortunately he had to remain discreet and not be noticed. He had changed rooms under a different name, but, someone could recognize his face and he didn't need that right now. So, he sat down in front of his computer to work out new plans for his future projects.