03

I'm back to square one. What am I going to do now?

And all of a sudden, I remember this card that I had received. I talk about it to Stéphane who accompanies me to one of Yayi's companies. I was nervous, panicked I did not know what awaited me. Sitting in the waiting room, Mr. Yayi Lee's secretary comes to see me and asks me to follow her to her boss's office. Stéphane is waiting for me.

Arrived in the office, I almost fainted. My God, this office was the size of our house. I was standing in the corner of the front door and there he was, the man who was going to change the course of my life. In traditional Bo'oumba costume, her perfume took over the whole room. It was a wonderful perfume. It's the kind of perfume that lasts three days on your suit just by standing next to the wearer.

He was on the phone and when he turns to me, he shows me the chair facing his desk. I will slowly sit down while waiting for him to finish his call. After a few minutes, he hangs up, sits down in his chair and looks at me.

Yayi: Hello lady, how are you?

Ashley: Hello. I'm fine Mr. Yayi. Please, you asked to see me a month ago.

Yayi: If I understand correctly, you weren't interested.

Ashley: Let's say my grandmother didn't like the approach too much.

Yayi: You received my card over a month ago. Why didn't you call when you got it?

Ashley: In truth, I did not intend to call but hey!

Yayi: Why did you call now?

Ashley: I didn't have much choice. Excuse me if I'm direct...

Yayi: No, I like it.

We have a canteen here and the food has gotten a bit monotonous.

I enjoyed your cooking, it's the best Attièkê I've eaten in a while.

Ashley: Thank you very much Mr. Yayi but I don't really understand. Where are you coming from, sir?

Yayi: I want you to cook for me every day from Monday to Friday to vary my lunch breaks.

Ashley: But sir, I don't have any cooking training or certification. I cook for the street people.

Yayi: That's not a problem for me.

Ashley: Ok okay and do you have any preference of things you don't eat? I mean do you have a totem?

Yayi Lee smiles a little and responds.

Yayi: No, I don't have an allergy. I eat everything except reptiles. As long as you don't bring me back from the snake, I'm fine.

Ashley: No problem. When do you want me to start and where should I drop this off? I mean where?

Yayi: No one's home. Never give my meal to anyone. You will bring it here yourself and give it to me personally. If I'm not there, then you wait.

Ashley: It won't be possible because I have to feed my Idriss. Can my best friend take it to you?

Yayi: No thank you. Idriss is your husband?

Ashley: No it's my...

I haven't finished my sentence, which he tells me in a clear tone.

Yayi: I can wait.

The main thing is that my food is delivered by you and no one else. Can you start tomorrow or is it too early for you?

Ashley: Not at all. I start tomorrow then.

His phone rings again and I say goodbye to him. Even before arriving home, Stéphane and I went to a fancy store to buy some new crockery.

On the way home, I jump.

Ashley: Damn I forgot to mention the salary.

Stéphane: You are too negligent. What will you do now ? You can't go back there anymore. You'll talk to him about it tomorrow if you bring the first meal.

The next day, I start cooking and as soon as I'm done, I load everything into Stéphane's car, who accompanies me to pick up Idriss and deliver the food. As soon as I arrive in the office, I set the table.

Totally disinterested, Mr. Yayi Lee works with his eyes fixed on his computer.

Ashley: Good evening Mr. Yayi. Your meal is ready.

Yayi: Thank you! You can dispose.

Ashley: Bon appetit. I'll pick up the dishes tomorrow.

I had not had the courage to ask him for the money and moreover I believe that the gentleman had not even calculated my departure. Once in the car, Stéphane properly laughs at me.

Stéphane: You who don't play with money, do you do that?

Ashley: My brother, the gentleman wasn't even listening to me.

It's the kind that does not calculate its entourage I think. How do I do ?

Stéphane: Leave it then. We'll see what comes out at the end of the month.

This is the end of the coming month and I'm going to put his meal in the living room side of his office. As I put the dish on the table, I feel his breathing behind me and act like I don't know he's behind me. He places the check on the table next to my hand, stepping back slowly.

Yayi: Your check, I hope that's enough.

Without even having looked at the amount written on the check, I left with a small yes of the head. As I leave his office, I see a small smile on his face. I didn't quite understand what he had just done. I must say that I was quite confused. Arrived at the car, Stéphane already understand that something had happened.

I then tell him everything.

Stéphane: I knew it. You see, it has already started. I'm sure the check is excessive.

I take a deep breath and glance at the check.

Ashley: Whoa! Stéphane 1,500,000 fr?

Stéphane: You see, the guy fell for you. Not for your meals.

Ashley: No, I must have misinterpreted his behavior.

I shake my head from side to side. We go to the bank, I withdraw the money and I give 200 thousand francs to Stéphane and the million in my bank account.

I was so upset that I didn't realize I had just made 1 Million. At night, lying in my bed I wake up with a start. I couldn't speak to my grandmother because she had forbidden me to set foot there. I go back to bed with a smile on my face.

In the same night I tell myself if I hold it for 1 year, I could at least do a little on one of the lands that my father had left. I go back to bed with a small lump in my stomach.

Two months will pass. Yayi Lee does not start again but one afternoon when I am in his office, he takes off his tie and sits at the table while I was doing the service and tells me.

Yayi: I have a party at my house in 4 days and you are going to cook for me and my guests. The check is on the table.

Ashley: Alright. For how many people ?

Yayi: 50 people. You will make Attièkê. It's a reception between friends, nothing professional.

The reception could end late at night. Please try not to be late.

I didn't have the courage to refuse and in my head, I was already looking for valid excuses to be able to go out. In the car Stéphane gives me a brilliant idea. On the crucial day, I prepare everything. I told my grandmother that I was cooking for a small reception that it was Stéphane who got me the contract. She was calm and I too had not lied.

It was a rich party. Women who wore socks that were worth more than an electricity bill. I was unwell. Fortunately, Stéphane was helping me with the service. At one point, I start dozing when one of the maids comes in and asks for another dish. Stéphane motions to me to let him take care of it. I get up at some point to go to the bathroom and before leaving, I hear a noise in the hallway. I open the door slowly and there Yayi and his wife are making love in the hallways. Damn I was so embarrassed and I quickly go back to the bathroom. My God what am I doing? It's 2 a.m. and I'm stuck in my boss' bathroom? After a few minutes, both return to the living room. I breathe again and quickly return to the kitchen.

It's around dawn that everyone goes up to bed. While Stéphane was putting everything away in his car and I was putting the kitchen in order, I see the other Yayi employees leaving the kitchen. I turn around and who was still behind me, Mr. Yayi Lee.

Yayi: You are doing a good job and I like it very much. The next 6, I have a dinner in my villa in Abomey Calavi. It's a pretty big dinner. Try to double up. Take that check, see you on Monday.

Ashley: okay sir. But excuse me the dinner in Abomey Calavi, how many people is it for if I can ask you?

Yayi: 10 people. It is very important European customers. Try to avoid the chilli please. White people don't eat that much.

Ashley: Understood sir. But I don't know your villa there.

Yayi: Don't worry the driver will pick you up.

Ashley: Ok do you have a concrete idea of what I should cook?

Yayi: I'll let you decide.

Ashley: Thank you sir.

When he leaves he calls me back.

Yayi: Have you forgotten anything Ashley?

Ashley: No I don't think so.

He reaches into his pocket and hands me another check saying with a smile.

Yayi: Your check. Where do you not want to be paid for work in Abomey Calavi? You tell me if it's enough.

Ashley: Ah ok I'll let you know.

Suddenly the door opens and his wife enters the kitchen. She looks at me like I'm slaughtering a sheep in her kitchen.

Isabelle: Yayi come to bed we have a score to settle.

Yayi: Come up, I'll join you right away!

When she leaves, she still gives me that same look, but hey, I don't know how I would have reacted if I were in her place. In the car arrived at a traffic light which is to turn red I show the check to Stéphane who shouts.

Stéphane: Even in a brothel I have never seen a huge sum in one evening my darling. The guy wants something from you beyond cassava flour.

Ashley: Stéphane he is married to a model.

Stephane: I know that strike man Ashley. If you can, hold it back as much as possible.

Ashley: Ehh no I'm not into that.

Stéphane: If you play well you'll make a living room on your pitch, you have no idea how fast.

Ashley: No thanks somebody else's husband I won't. Besides, these people are rich and they don't look at the poor like we do.

Stéphane: These rich don't look at us but this Yayi does. He looks at you and soon he will take action. Have your back, Ashley.

Arrival, Stéphane helps me to deposit the pans in the house. And my uncle's wife was waiting for me with firm feet. I was too tired to argue with her. I let her chat, scream as she wanted. I go back to my room after closing the doors. As soon as I lie down on my bed, taking off my shoes, my grandmother enters in turn.

Amandine: Ashley have you seen the time? I hope you're not going to bring a problem here my child.

Ashley: Granny don't worry I just went to work. Go to bed. You have eaten ?

Amandine: Yes, don't worry about me. Go wash and sleep. When it's daylight, we'll talk you and me.

Ashley: Granny don't worry there's nothing to say go to bed.

My grandmother comes and puts her hand on me and returns this bedtime. In my turn I will wash myself and come back to sleep next to Idriss who was sleeping soundly. I hide the check well and I fall asleep completely exhausted.

In the afternoon while I was doing the laundry, my uncle Joseph comes to see me

Joseph: Ashley says you have 50 miles to spend on me there I'll pay you back ASAP.

Ashley: No I only have 30 miles. I can give you 15 miles if you want. I have to buy notebooks from Idriss tomorrow.

Joseph: And yesterday's work you didn't get paid where what?

Ashley: Yes but it's Stéphane's contract so he's the one who will pay me after receiving the check.

Joseph: You haven't had any money lately, huh.

Ashley: It's because the town hall has banned us from selling under the wall so I take all the orders I get.

Joseph: But I see you cooking here every lunchtime, don't I?

Ashley: She's a lady I cook for her lunch.

Joseph: And she doesn't pay you?

Ashley: Of course it is. It's not enough to have something myself. Most of it goes back to the market.

Joseph: Oh ok I see and the funeral money, can't you give me something in it?

Ashley: Uncle the little left is for Idriss plus it's just 60 miles.

Joseph: You have to lend me that, I'll pay you back at the end of the month.

Ashley: Sorry uncle I can't it's a blocked account if I remove this the account will be closed.

Eliane: You see she doesn't want to help us when we have done everything for her. This girl is really hypocritical.

Ashley: Aunt do you pay the electric bills here? Your money goes to what in the house here? It's not in makeup without effects you put your money? And then when I talk about money, don't put your mouth in it. My uncle I'm going to look for the 15 miles I arrive.

I wash my hands and go get the 15 miles to give to my uncle. What they didn't know was that I had messaged Stephane to help me. I had the bad feeling that everyone hid their money and expected me to spend what little I had on household needs. Starting with my uncles. I understand better why my father never had a lot of money and why he hid these two fields from everyone. My uncle takes the money without shame and tells me.

Joseph: You have to do everything to have a lot more money next time.

As if it were an obligation. Without even saying thank you, he leaves the house. As I said, the house we lived in belonged to my grandfather, so my uncles never wanted to work. They had lived off grandfather's hook. Now it was my turn but they lied. I will hold what I can hold. After spreading the laundry on the dryer, I go into the kitchen to cook, Idriss keeps hovering around me to the point where I ask him what he wanted.

Ashley: Baby mama what do you want tell me.

Idriss: Crescent! I want croissants.

Ashley: Sweetie, croissant is during the day honey.

Idriss: Please mom.

Ashley: Idriss between croissant and skewer, what do you want?

Idriss: Brochette after croissant.

Ashley: No you have to pick one.

He stands there thinking for minutes. He looks at me and answers.

Idriss: Brochette but a lot.

Ashley: Look what I'm cooking my baby. Please take this and go watch TV in the bedroom with Mami.

Watching him leave with the dish of skewers, I suddenly remember my mother at that hour when she was already picking on my father's quarrel just to get him to buy her grilled chickens.

I come back to reality, I finish cooking and I go to my room. My grandmother approaches me and asks me questions.

Amandine: My child tell me the truth I know you why you started lying it's not your style.

Ashley: Mami it's a long story I'll tell you about it later.

Amandine: Ashley I hope you don't do anything that would bring shame to me in this neighborhood and in this house.

Ashley: Don't worry Mami. The meal is ready, we are waiting for the others to eat it.

Amandine: Since you don't want to tell me your secret, I'm going to find Idriss. Since I became a witch.

Ashley: Never Mami it's just that the walls have ears.

Grandmother no longer insists, she understands and gives me my space. I'm setting up a new recipe for the Monday dish. I hadn't even noticed that it was already 7 p.m. It's when my uncles and Idriss come to find me in the living room writing the recipes that I come back to myself. I run to serve my grandmother first, then the uncles. The others know the kitchen. Idriss is going to stuff himself with skewers, which pleases me.

The next morning I run to drop Idriss off at school. Stephane and I went to the market to shop for the kitchen meal. I felt like someone was following us. I talk about it to Stéphane who laughs at me.

Stéphane: You watch too many films. Who will even follow us? So someone's gonna get up and follow two moldies like us. Let's go.

We burst out laughing and we continue our shopping.