C3 3

***COLLINS

- "Dad is mad as hell. He's threatening to get us all fired from the production."

- You know he can't. That's just a bluff.

- "We know that, don't worry. So how's it going over there? You got us a new baby?"

- Nothing. My brain is just starting to settle down. But I feel like by the time I get back I'll have something.

- "Speaking of your return, when is it due?"

- I don't know. Maybe in a month. I mean, it depends on my inspiration. If my head is full of sounds right now, I'll come back and we'll start working again. I miss the studio.

- We're all ready to get back to the show. But take your time. Look, I'm going to hang up. There's Daddy who keeps yelling my name."

- Okay don't forget to erase my number. I don't want him to find out it's mine.

- Don't worry. I never leave a trace of our conversations. Bye."

I stare at my phone for a moment as if I'm going to find an answer to some question. Then I go to the window to admire the landscape. This country is beautiful. I've only been here twice, but it's my home country. I was born in France and have lived here all my life. My two visits here were for concerts. Today I come back here to recharge my batteries. I haven't found inspiration yet, but I have found peace. I feel calmer, more settled since I'm here. It will allow me to concentrate better. But maybe if I see people it will give me ideas. Yes, I will do that. Since I've been here I haven't really been outside. I was more interested in avoiding being seen and waking up hysterical fans at the same time. But now I really need to see people. I've never liked being alone. I like being

surrounded. Especially now that I have become a star. That's why I always travel with my staff, which is composed only of my best friends and my little brother. If they were here right now, they would have forced me to visit the whole city of Abidjan. I miss the fun. But I have to stay focused. I have to go back to Paris with lyrics for my next album that I was supposed to start months ago.

I put the hood of my sweater over my cap and go out. I really want to stay in the shadows. When I meet a group of girls, I look down. One of them's cell phone plays my music. It makes me smile with pleasure. I like to see people listening to me. I rush into the elevator very quickly before they recognize me.

Sitting at a table in a corner of the hotel lobby, I observe the people around. They are laughing, chatting, courting, sharing a cocktail. In short, everything is in motion. There is a bit of everything. Couples, families, friends. All this should give me a theme to talk about in one of my sounds. I take out my little notepad from the pocket of my blouse with the little pen that goes with it. I try to write down small themes or expressions that I could use. I look around and write. But I immediately cross out what I have written. It doesn't make sense. These terms are already used in my previous sounds. I want something new. Something that will make me even more popular with the public. I want something that will go boom in my career. My previous sounds usually revolve around the same world. Love disappointments, love games, gambling, settling of scores, in short the dark side of love. People love it, but I want to stand out. Do something different. To...

- Hello!

I raise my head towards this female voice.

- Yes, hello," I answered, hoping that it wasn't a fan who recognized me.

- Uh, I'm sorry to bother you. By the way, I'm the woman you helped yesterday in the elevator when it broke down. Do you remember that?

I look at her, trying to find in my memory what she is talking about. I finally see.

- Oh yes. Yes, I remember. Uh... are you better now?

- Yes, and it's really thanks to you. The last time I had a seizure like that I ended up in the hospital.

- That bad?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

- Yes. But never mind. I wanted to buy you a drink to thank you.

- You don't have to do that.

- Oh no, I don't mind. Anyway, I was coming to get some when I saw you.

And I'm really surprised that she recognized me despite all my camouflage.

- Ok so take a seat.

I look at my watch.

- And since it's noon, you buy me the drink and I'll buy you lunch.

- It's a deal," she agrees, sitting down.

I signal to one of the waiters who takes our orders.

- So tell me about this crisis in the elevator, if it's not indiscreet, I ask him when the waiter leaves.

- Oh, it goes back to my childhood. My mother and I had been stuck in an elevator. It was my first time and it was horrible. There was a fire in the building and we were choked by smoke. After that it took me five

years before I agreed to go back up in an elevator. I preferred the stairs. Besides, it made me lose calories.

I laugh softly. She smiles. I feel something move inside me. I stay for a moment obsessed with her smile. It's just a smile but I don't understand why it makes me feel... all weird. I feel a warmth radiating through my body. I don't know what's going on but I feel something change inside me.

- Do I have something on my face?" she asks suddenly, having noticed my fixed gaze on her.

- Uh no sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.

The waiter brings us our drinks. She immediately pulls on her straw. The woofers play my music in the background. I knew they would play it. They know I'm here.

- Oh boy, I can't take this music anymore.

I suddenly look at her. By the look on her face, I think she's been thinking out loud.

- I feel like she's following me around," she continues.

- What do you mean?

- I just ran out of the room because my best friend keeps harping on this artist's songs. First it was my daughter who was a huge fan. Then it was my goddaughter's turn and now her mother is into it.

- Don't you like the artist?" I asked, strangely interested in what she had to say about this "artist".

- No, it's nothing to do with that. I don't even know him. I know he calls himself Mister Cool and I don't really know what. Collins, Collen... Anyway. The problem is that by hearing it every day, it started to bore me. But I must admit that at one point in my life I was moping around to his music.

Mainly the one where he talks about a failed relationship. Where the woman had given her soul to save her relationship but one day she got fed up and said fuck it. But then I stopped. I didn't want to listen to any more songs about disappointment in love so I didn't care anymore. That's when my best friend became a fan and I've been paying for it ever since.

I smile. Maybe I was supposed to be offended, but on the contrary, I like to hear a review of my music. Finally, I find a woman who is not a hysterical fan. My cell phone rings suddenly, interrupting my thoughts. It's the same song playing again, echoing through my cell phone. I mute my brother's call. The woman starts to smile as she looks up at me. Again that smile that does not leave me indifferent.

- Oh my God! Are you a fan too?

- You could say that, yes.

She bursts out laughing. I have a hard time taking my eyes off of her when she smiles or laughs. I seem to be magnetized by it.

- I'm sorry I spoke about your idol like that.

- Oh, that's okay. Everyone has their own taste. But I know you'll end up liking it," I assured him, smiling.

- Oh, you will? Why is that?

- It must be said that no woman resists him.

She starts to laugh again. This woman has something. I don't know what it is, but she has something that doesn't leave me indifferent. Especially when she smiles. We stay for hours and hours discussing entertaining topics. We stay there until it gets dark. Neither of us has gotten up for a second to go to the bathroom despite all the drinks we've lined up.

- I can't believe it," she writes. We sat there talking until 7pm. My goodness I didn't even see the hour go by.

- Did you have plans?

- No, I didn't. I just didn't feel like staying in one position for so long, as I'm used to doing anything and everything.

- I guess I'm good company.

- That's right, you show-off.

We exchange a smile. I can't believe we've become so familiar in just a few hours. It's crazy. A woman approaches our table. I bow my head after responding to her politeness. I fiddle with my phone.

- Angie, I have to go see my mother.

- Tonight?

- Yes. She wants to see me. I don't know if I'll be home tonight. But I can see you're in very good company," she teases, laughter in her throat.

- Stop it," whispers my partner of the day, whose name is Angie from what I hear.

I smile under my breath.

- Well, I leave you. And above all, have fun my dear.

She kisses him and leaves.

- I see we'll have to have dinner again," I say, staring at her.

That is, if you're not tired of hearing me talk.

- Of course not. Dinner it is. But I think I need to go to the bathroom. I've had too much to drink.

I watch her run to the bathroom. That woman is up to something, this time I'm sure of it. I've never been so talkative with a woman in my life. The only people who see me as extroverted are my best friends with whom I make crazy videos that animate my different accounts. Generally with women I am not enterprising. Normal, they all fall at my feet. Luckily I'm not a fickle man. I never have been. I'm a bit of an airhead, but not to the point of lining up girls in my bed. If I need sex, I pay and then I'm done. No flirting or anything. Before I was a super star, I was just in my bubble living my life normally. Dreaming of the day when the whole world would recognize my talent. I've had relationships. None of them lasted a year. They all wanted something I didn't have. Money. I had the middle ground that allowed me to live decently. But now they all want to come back because the whole world is singing Collins' music. Even in my life as a star I had relationships but still they didn't like me. Well, they liked the star, not the man. So I decided to put a stop to all this woman stuff and concentrate on my next album. My second one. When it is ready I will see if I can fall in love again. Yes, I want to start a family, but not with just anyone.

- Here I am again! she said while sitting down.

- I've already placed the orders.

- Mine too?

- Yes, I did. Lasagna.

- Really?

- You mentioned lasagna in all the stories you told me. I assumed you loved it.

- Oh my God ! So you paid attention to all the nonsense I told you?

I nodded. She smiles. It's crazy how much I can appreciate her smile. Really crazy.

After dinner, we take the elevator. We are both on the same floor. We don't stop talking. I walk her to her door.

- So, have a good night, I wish her without taking my eyes off her.

- You have a good night too. And thank you for this day.

- The thanks to you. Bye?

- Bye!

I watch her go home. I then go back to my room and call my brother.

- Hello brother.

- You've been busy this day. You didn't answer any calls or messages. Am I to understand that you were too busy dialing?"

- No, I wasn't dialing. I spent the whole day with a woman.

- A fan? I guess you had a good time."

- Not a fan. Let's just say the opposite. She hates my music, and oddly enough I enjoyed my day with her.

- "She dared to tell you that she doesn't like your music?"

- To tell the truth, she doesn't know it's me," I say with a laugh in my throat.

- Really? Well, that. At least she gave you a nice day, that's cool."

- Yeah. So what's new over there?

- Same old thing with Daddy, who keeps threatening to tell us all where you are. Ah there's also your little darling who keeps asking about you."

- I'll write to her later.

- "I heard Daddy talking about your wedding again."

- Leave him in his delirium.

- "Anyway, tell me about this woman."

I burst out laughing.

***ANGELA

- Elionne where are you? I've been waiting for you for hours.

- Stuck in a traffic jam. I'm sorry. But get ahead of me, I'll meet you there as soon as I get there."

- Pfff you and your fake plans. You got me excited about watching this movie and now you're blowing me off.

- "I'm not letting you down. You're just ahead of me."

- Okay. But if you don't come, you're going to pay me back the ticket money.

- "You got it, baby. See you."

This woman is terrible. She always has last-minute plans. After I spent two days locked in our room, she begged me to go down to the hotel theater to watch a movie that came out this week. I agreed and now she's giving me the cold shoulder. I will finally spend the evening alone. No big deal. I'm used to solitude.

I take a pot of popcorn and enter the room. There are not enough people. Which is not so bad. The movie hasn't started yet. I walk to a row and as soon as I sit down I meet the eyes of this man who has turned his head in my direction. It's him again. The man from the elevator. I don't know how I can recognize him even though he has a hood on his head every time.

- Are you here too?

I walk over and sit down next to him.

- I thought you were gone, he says.

- Why is that?

- I haven't seen you for two days.

- Oh, I was locked up. I am very homey.

But tonight I decided to go out for a while and I ran into you.

- Yeah. We're going to spend the evening together again.

We exchange a smile. I realize at this moment that we are already on a first-name basis. It happened naturally. The movie starts at this moment. I invite her to nibble on the popcorn with me. The touch of our fingers in the bowl moves me, but I keep my eyes on the screen to not let on. It's a comical and romantic movie at the same time. There are times when I don't feel like laughing, but my partner's laughter compels me to follow.

- Stop laughing. You're making it hard for me to concentrate," I say, laughing along with him.

- I can't help it, he laughs more and more. By the way I lived the same scene with my little brother, that's why.

- Really?

- You don't say.

We continue the film in this beautiful atmosphere until a touching scene comes up. A reunion scene between a mother and her daughter who has returned from a wild adventure. It's the only moving scene in the film and it immediately grabs me. I didn't expect it at all. Seeing the joy and emotion on the face of this woman who hugs her daughter so tightly brings tears to my eyes. I dream of living this moment too. My God, how long will I have to live without my daughter? How much longer will I have to suffer?

- Hey, are you okay? Is this the movie that makes you cry?

I give her the bowl of popcorn.

- I have to go.

I run out the door. The closer I get to the exit, the more tears flow. I hate crying in front of strangers. I don't want to be pitied. I barely make it out of the room when I am turned around by my arm.

- What is happening to you?

- I have to go back to the room. I... I...

- Hey, talk to me! Is it about your daughter?

- Yes. I miss her so much. I... I don't want to confuse you with all this. Please let me go back to my room! I need to clear my head.

And I start crying again. I want to stop crying in front of him but I can't. He takes me in his arms. He strokes my back and it's so soothing that little by little I calm down.

- Let's go upstairs!

He leads us to his room. He gives me something to cool my throat. I am ashamed to have cried like that in front of him. Again. Sitting on the couch next to me, his hand supporting his head, he stares at me. I can finally see his face because he has taken off his hood. I avoid looking at him for fear of finding him more beautiful than I already think.

- So are you okay?

- I'm fine. I'm sorry I ruined your night. You didn't even finish the movie.

- Oh, it was already over. Do you feel like talking? I think you need to.

I empty the glass.

- It's been three years since I was separated from my daughter by my ex-husband. I don't know where she is. She was only 15 years old, so still a minor. She could not decide for herself.

- Wait, you're telling me that you have an 18-year-old daughter? Is that right?

- Yes, that's right.

His eyes widen.

- But at what age did you get it? You are very young.

- I'm not that young. I'm 33 and my daughter I had at 15.

- Wow!!! I thought you were 27 at the most. You're really a beautiful woman. I guess you work out.

- Yes. And thank you for the compliment.

- You have to stop crying. You'll get sick and you won't have enough strength to hold your daughter when you see her again. I'm sure she's thinking about you very much too.

He puts away a lock of my hair.

- You've gone all red. Wait until I get you some aspirin, otherwise you'll wake up tomorrow with a terrible headache.

He leaves and comes back with a bottle of water and the tablets. While I take them he goes away to answer a call.

***COLLINS

- Okay, we'll call you later.

I go back to the living room and it's a sleeping woman that I find in the armchair. She looks exhausted to me. When I take her in my arms, she clings to me. This gesture makes me want to protect her against anyone who would make her cry. Gently, I put her in my bed and I sit down in my bed.

the armchair in front of me. I don't know what I'm doing but I know I want to watch her sleep. Never in a million years would I have imagined that she would be the mother of such a big girl. I thought of a little girl. She is so beautiful with a perfectly sculpted body that you would think she was still in her twenties.

She looks like a goddess as she peacefully sleeps.

What is happening to me? I, who usually have all women at my feet, am fascinated by a woman I hardly know.

"The more I look at her, the more I want more. More of what exactly?

I can't figure out what more but I want more. Maybe more days with her.

No more laughing with her.

No more nights watching her sleep and looking after her. I want more of everything as long as it's with her."

My fingers begin to tap on my thigh. My head gently follows the same rhythm as my fingers. My throat makes a sound. Without ever taking my eyes off her, I hum a melody.

My lips open and there, words that I had never written before come out.