Chapter 6
As time goes by, Oriane notices that Lea is laughing and getting on well with her mother-in-law. Curious and unable to wait for their conversation to end, she decides to join them. Seeing Oriane, Yossa stops laughing, breaks off the conversation with Lea and walks away. Oriane, still dazed, tries to figure out what's going on.
Oh, you're up! I thought you were spending the day in bed. Stop it, please! What was that all about? What did I see? Nothing, we were just talking. Nothing more. You're talking to someone who hates me? Seriously? Ah, she's not so bad, you know. I took some time to get to know her a bit. Really? And now you're going to tell me about my mother-in-law? You're not able to do that. Okay, I can see you're already upset, and you know we can't talk when you're like this. I don't even want to talk because I only have one thing to say to you. I never want to see you talking to that witch again. At least not under my roof. Has it really come to this? Wow! Anyway, I understand. Better for both of us!
Oriane continues her way to the kitchen. Nothing suspicious had happened during the day. Lea and Mami Yossa haven't said a word to each other since the incident, which seems to reassure Oriane.
When Bruno returns, the atmosphere is pleasant because his wife is still up. He's happy because he's finally going to have a serious talk with her. So, with gentleness and subtlety, he approaches his wife to make amends.
Darling, you know I don't like it when we're like this, don't you? Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? Listen! I don't want to talk. If you want to talk, I suggest you go to your mother." We didn't get to that, did we? Why do you talk to me like that?" Do you have the nerve to ask me that? A man who can't keep anything to himself? Who tells his mother every little secret?" She is my mother! The only parent I have in this world. My only family. Oh really? Then what about me? Am I stupid not to share our stories with my family? Am I stupid? Answer me (raising her voice). Hey baby, calm down! I don't want us to fight, OK? Too late because I'm not going to calm down until you change this deplorable behaviour. Okay!! Okay!! I get it. I promise I'll change. Trust me. Are you sure you can do that for me?" (Her tone begins to soften). Yes, darling! I'll do everything I can to not be so talkative. OK, in that case I'll be quiet! I just wanted you to understand that I don't like it. I understand, my love! Now come here."
Oriane calmly gets up and walks into her husband's arms. They embrace and then kiss.
I love to feel you like this, so soft. You'll have to excite me less from now on. Speaking of excite me. I'm not pleased either. What's your friend doing in my house? Actually! She had some problems with her fiance and he left her. So, she's just here to get back on her feet. Doesn't she have a family to go back to when she gets better? I certainly don't, he remarked. Oh, darling! She'll be leaving soon! Well, she's your friend, and if her presence makes you happy, I'll let her stay. But please, no more than a week. OK, darling! Just one week and she'll leave. Done! One week it is.
The couple retired to bed with the intention of making love. Within minutes, Bruno had initiated their intimate encounter. Gradually, he found himself on top of his wife, passionately engaged. Unfortunately, Oriane forgot that they had guests and began to moan, unaware that Yossa and Lea were in the house. Yossa, who was not deeply asleep, heard her daughter-in-law moaning. Enraged, she wasted no time in getting up to air her grievances.
Can no one sleep in this house? What do you think you're doing? Making children, perhaps?
Beyond the shouting, Yossa began banging on the couple's door. Losing all concentration, Bruno felt compelled to stop everything and see what was going on. He put on his night clothes and went to open the door.
Mum, what is it? What's wrong? Why are you wasting your energy on a woman who can't even bear children? Mum, please! For God's sake, respect my wife! Respect her! What, this thing? Let me in, I'm going in.
She pushed past him to enter the room. Oriane, still naked on the bed, quickly grabbed a sheet to cover herself.
Look at that stick! Get out of my son's room! Don't torture him anymore!
She started to pull Oriane off the bed, but Oriane resisted.
Don't touch me or I'll fight back. Oh, really? You want to hit me in my son's house? Your son is my husband, so this is my house! You are in my house! Wow, you're spreading your wings already, aren't you? Take it however you want, whatever you want!
Unable to take it any longer, Bruno felt compelled to kick his mother out.
Mum, with all due respect, please go. You can't be the cause of my unhappiness.
He grabbed her arm and led her out. Yossa, shocked at her son's reaction, cried out.
Get out, oh! My son has been bewitched, oh, to the point where he's beating me! Help, oh (banging on the door)-
Lea, who had been hiding behind her door to witness the scene, came out, pretending to have just woken up and claiming to have come to her aid.
Mum, what's happening? What's going on? Are you waking up now? After I've been hit! Are you coming now? Wehh, I didn't hear anything. Oriane and her husband want to get rid of me! I'll organise a meeting for them (crying). Wehh, mum, calm down! Come, I'll take you to your room. It can't end like this! You'll hear from me, I swear.
Lea managed to take her back to her room despite her constant agitation.
As Bruno sat on his bed, hands on his head, wondering what he had done to deserve all this, Oriane silently shed tears of sadness. Their home seemed to be going up in flames.
As the couple lamented, a sinister plan was being hatched on the other side, and the first results of this conspiracy would soon be seen.