Sunday, 12 April 2020

THE POISONED HAPPINESS (PART 3) (FICTION)


To really enjoy the story read Parts 1&2 first
With both families now in agreement, Giorgio and Yusuf entered into discussions. This went on for about a month. Everything was discussed in detail, especially, the corporate and political infrastructure of the business. Giorgio secured the necessary technical support and Yusuf cemented the necessary political and bureaucratic pillars that would make the business a success. Both husbands visited Rome and Abuja several times to fine-tune the business and, within six months they had a workable business machine in place.
        A year later, Giorgio, Maria, and the children relocated to Abuja, and business commenced in earnest. Maria partnered me in my interior design business and we were having the fun and times of our lives. It was like when we were in the university, we were reliving our youths. The men were also having their fun. Money was rolling in, one job after the other was being done. Life was good.
       Seven years later, and completely out of the blues, things began to go sour. Maria came to my house one evening, very distraught. I calmed her down and listen to what she had to say. She claimed that she believed that Giorgio was having an affair. She said that he was now coming home at odd hours and, he always seemed to have “foreign” smells on him. She said she was getting tired of his lies, and his excuses were becoming ridiculous. I told her to be calm and watchful. She should also have a serious heart-to-heart with Giorgio, she should remember that they’ve been together for a long time.

 Giorgio’s madness now seemed total.

       A week later, Maria told me that she had information that Giorgio was having an affair with his secretary, who was employed six months earlier. I knew she was not given to flights of fancy, and whatever she was saying was the truth. I advised her to take the matter to our local parish priest. She agreed to do so and did.
       However, things didn’t get better. Giorgio continued with his bad behaviour. He continued to behave horribly, coming back to the house at odd hours. Things got to a head when Maria asked for housekeeping money. Instead of paying it into the account meant for that purpose, as usual, he told her to come to the office. After a bitter argument, she reluctantly agreed.
      Maria went to Giorgio’s office the next day as agreed, only to meet his absence. He left a message that she should collect the money from Vicky. This really infuriated her, but she went and confronted her tormentor. To her chagrin, Vicky had the guts to ask her what she needed the money for. Maria was so furious that she beat her up, took all the money in the office and wrecked the place.
      Giorgio was very mad when he got home. He scolded Maria and they had a terrible fight, and they weren’t on speaking terms for a week. The situation at home became progressively worse and it started affecting the children. The hostile atmosphere was very palpable.
      Giorgio’s madness now seemed total. He went everywhere with Vicky and the whole city was agog with scandal. This was a very horrible time for Maria and the girls. Imagine the shame of everybody knowing and seeing, that your husband is openly having an affair.
       I told my husband to do something about the situation, in fact, I begged him. In fairness to Yusuf, he did his best to correct Giorgio’s errant behaviour but; Maria’s husband was beyond salvation. His behaviour at home and in public became more and more obnoxious. It was as if he had been bewitched.          
This amazing story is to be concluded in Part 4. Watch out!!!      
       

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