Risking All for Love (Wattpadprize14)

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Margaux?" Gary held her tight. "Do you want to marry me in country or when you get to the United States?"

"Where would I live, Gary?" She turned to kiss his cheek. "It takes time to get a job. Maybe none at all if we do not marry first."

"Dear, my lovely Marge, Mother and Dad already want you to live with them."

"Gary, they love me that much?"

He nodded. "Oh, yes, and they'll look to your every need. Ever hear of Culture Shock?"

"Isn't that a psychological condition that comes with living in a new country?"

"Just as you helped me endure the slings and arrows of Monrovia's absurdities, Mom and Dad will look after you, introduce you to friends, let you get used to things. They won't do everything for you, they'll back off when you can take charge of your life." Gary smiled. "Think that you'll miss Monrovia?"

Margaux backed away. "I'll miss Bolahun." She looked around at the party goers inside. "It's home for me. But I never want to live in Monrovia again!"

************

David leaned over so that his warm, firm arms caressed Lisa. He stroked her hair, his gentle hands having calmed her. Wrapping firm arms around her, this wonderful man raised her up and pressed her tear-soaked face in his shoulder. David didn't need words but kissed her cheek. Everything he did said his love was unmistakable.

"Lisa, no wonder you were into wholesale sex. He devastated you, made you furious." David gave her a soft, loving kiss. "I love you, Lisa. Believe me, it's over."

What would Lisa have done without David?

"David, when I tell you what happened next, do you still think you'd say that?"

"You mean making the porn video?"

With a stunned look, Lisa said, "David. David, how'd you know that?"

"Lisa, slapping me silly in market earned my respect. That day I fell for you. On the beach in Monrovia you were so beautiful in your stunning bikini. Then I knew who you had been and what happened to the mysterious Tempest, who disappeared after one blockbuster porn video. My fraternity brothers loved your video. So did I. So much that we wore out the cassette tape watching it." David had an embarrassed laugh. "Lisa, can you forgive the horny, curious kid that I was?"

Lisa's elbowed him. Then she laughed. "David, I was good in that video, you'd better have liked me!"

Their nervous laugh said it all. Mutual love.

********

"Marge, I see us going two ways. One is to spirit you out of Monrovia at Spriggs-Payne Airport. Fly with my Dad and Mom over to Freetown, Sierra Leone, with that passport of yours."

"Gary, what after that?"

"You and my parents would show up at their airport without reservations."

"So your father would use cash instead of a credit card each time?" Margaux said.

"Dad and I talked it over. What do you think?"

"If we had layovers, and had to spend a night in Conakry or Dakar, would that be dangerous?"

Gary hugged Margaux tight and kissed her. "You're taking the big risk already, sweetheart," he said in a low voice.

************

"Lisa, the lovely girl on the beach was no longer that porn star. The girl in nerdy glasses, baggy clothes, and pulled-back hair meeting Felicia and me at the airstrip was already beautiful within." David reached his warm arms around her. "Lisa, everybody in Monrovia said you were an accomplished teacher living an exemplary life."