A UN Mission, Part 3.

Svea's things are retrieved from the apartelle within the hour. Lars can be sent home now.

With a brief knock on her door, Gerlyn knows that the next step can be made and she sends Lars home to his rooms after adding her cell number to his phone.

When Lars gets back there, he finds that all of Svea's things are gone. But he also has a text on his cell. It is from Svea, telling him, to marry his new girlfriend.

He looks around and makes a call to Svea. It doesn't take but a couple of short exchanges in Swedish to convince him that she is not coming back. The call ends quickly but politely. He texts Gerlyn,

Please come to my rooms in the morning. I am sorry that you cannot stay at the apartelle in the evenings. It would create a problem. I hope you understand.

She texts back an,

I understand. Where I come in the morning?

Following the details of the place, they text good night's and Lars falls into bed.

Svea's first evening is in Joy2x's bedroom and they do not get much sleep. The two stayed up talking half the night. Joy2x, is attempting to convince Svea to stay with us until her assignment ends. It may be working. Time will tell. As with the conversations I reported between Gerlyn and Lars that happened last night, I report this because it is what Joy2x told me about it. I am sure that it is not complete... but at least you know what I heard.

Joy2x, are you a lesbian?

I thought so before, but Lewis tells me I am Bi. I think he is right.

What is your relationship with Lewis?

We are engaged to be married.

Wow! Congratulations! I thought that Maricris was his wife.

Oh she is also engaged to him.

How?

Lewis is not Christian. Maricris say he can have many wives.

So, this is a polygamist home?

Yes, maybe. But he not married to anyone now, so not now.

Which ones, of the little ones, are his children?

None. Well, you did not see her, but little Ann, is his babae.¹ Some of the other young ones are daughters of Angeli and Maricris, but not all. Iay's parents are dead. Moon's father raped her mother and her mother is not OK to take care of her, so she lives here. Noime's parents are poor and she is a niece of Lewis' dead wife. She lives with Lewis for many years now.

Joy2x, who is Lyla's baby's father?

Lewis.

How old is Lyla, Joy2x?

She sixteen and she try hard to get pregnant! Her mother worry that Lewis not get her pregnant.

So, it was not rape? The girl really wanted Lewis' child?

Yes. Lewis not want her to have a child by him but Maricris and Lyla insist he do this.

Why?

I think in the beginning, they look for security, but now I think it is more love, because they know even if there is no baby, they are safe here, Lewis not tell them to leave. So, long after they learn this, they still want Lyla to get pregnant.

Does Lewis love Lyla?

Of course, Yes. He love all of us!

Lewis is the father of Angeli's new baby too?

Yes, silly, who else?

Do you love Lewis?

Yes, very much. I been with Lewis for a long time now. I call him Boss, but he not boss me. I call him Boss, because he is the one in charge here and that is the way I like it.

§ § §

Lars is awakened at 6:00 with a text from Gerlyn,

Gud AM, Mahal! I come now?

When morning arrives for me, I think we have the issue of how to handle Gerlyn and Svea in the same house. But I am wrong again. Joy2x has already figured that out. Gerlyn, is going to my ex-in-laws this evening. Currently, Gerlyn is on her way to see Lars briefly, before she goes to school this morning.

Angeli and Joy2x have been in contact with the 'in-laws' since yesterday. They have agreed to take her for a week and see how things go. They do not know that there might be a financial windfall coming for taking the girl in to their home. The question for them is one of compatibility. While Gerlyn is with Lars, Lyla is transferring Gerlyn's things, to her new if provisionally temporary home.

By the time that Svea is sitting down to a breakfast meal, Gerlyn has been gone for a good hour. The other girls are getting ready to go to school and Joy2x must hurry too!

Joy2x, where is the bitch who fucked Lars last night. I do not see her here now.

Oh, Gerlyn? She is not one of ours. She was just visiting. She has gone back to where she lives.

She's a guest?

Oo. She is a school mate of the girls here. That is all.

I see. She comes here often?

No. It the last two years, she has been here maybe for three days only.

Oh! OK.

Svea, I must get ready and leave for my duties at school. Will you be here tonight?

I am not sure right now. I also must go to work in an hour. I am not sure what I will do. We will see.

The question of how long Svea stays with us and specifically with Joy2x, remains hanging and unresolved. Svea ponders. Where will she go? Should she quit her job and return home to Sweden? Should she get her own apartelle away from Lars? She doesn't work with him and would rarely if ever see him, if she stays. She knows Joy2x wants her to stay with us, but should she? This is one weird house! Svea is not uncomfortable with lesbian sex, and it seems clear that I am shared among the girls, but I am not someone with whom she will settle down, so should she stay and if she does, for how long? All this is going through her head as she sits at the table, with the fried rice and fried egg on her plate. But for now, she needs to finish her breakfast and get going. There is real work to be done. She has an important job and there will be people waiting for her.

§ § §

I get a text from Lars.

Do you know where Svea is?

She has gone to work, but as I have no idea where that is, I can, and do, tell him,

No.

Another text comes in return,

Gerlyn says you want her to stay with your ex? in-laws? It that true?

That one is easy. The answer is,

Yes.

May I meet them?

I will ask them when I see them. Why do you ask?

Before I tell you, can you assure me that they are good people?

Yes, they are very good people.

Gerlyn says they are poor.

That is true.

I want to help them financially if they will agree to host Gerlyn until I can take her with me.

Really? You only met her yesterday!

I know, but yes really.

OK, I will talk to them. May I tell them how much you think you can provide?

I was thinking about €500 a month.

A fast calculation in my head tells me that he is talking about ₱30,000. That is a lot of money for the family!

Well, if you are offering that much, may I make some suggestions?

Yes, please.

Make sure they send her to private school, and provide her an allowance.

Thank you, I will do exactly that. What school do you suggest?

I give him the name of the school to which I send Noime and tell him to make sure it happens. The texts end and I am flummoxed. How did Joy2x figure all this out? She has not missed a thing. It is all falling in place as she expected.

§ § §

In the coming two days, Gerlyn has been permanently moved in with the in-laws, Lars, is their sugar daddy who has access to Gerlyn when he wants. However she is fucking up a storm with the in-laws as well. We have resolved the Gerlyn issue completely. Gerlyn's siblings never come back to school and the family has just disappeared. Gerlyn has no idea where they may have gone.

Svea is still staying here but nothing has been resolved. She is camping with Joy2x, but that does not signify anything other than the power of inertia. Joy2x is surely not complaining. She has access nightly to Svea and the goals she had set have all been met. The topic of the current moment is not Lars, Svea or Gerlyn, it is Analyn. We are no closer to finding a good solution for her than we were when all this started. She isn't complaining but I am stymied. We have avoided talking about this in front of Svea and that has produced some blow back. Svea thinks we are talking about her behind her back. She announces at the supper table that she is leaving because it is clear that she is not welcome. That causes consternation among us all and demands from all sides of the table for elaboration. Svea explains what she sees happening, which elicits eye rolls, cries of foul, and general frustration. Of all the reactions Svea thought her comments would engender, she was not expecting this.

So it is not about me?

And then as if it were a Greek chorus, all at the same time shout, No!

Now Svea is embarrassed as well as frustrated. I break in, quiet all of them and explain, This is about one of the girls here and her personal needs which are not, and cannot, be met in this house. She needs a place to go. She knows this, as do the rest of us. We love her and she loves us. There is no animus in this matter, still she needs to leave us. The problem is we have no idea of where. This is something private between us. You are still a visitor here and we do not want to bother you with a completely internal and very private issue.

But maybe I can help! I am good at solving problems!

Svea, as I said, this is a private matter. There are things you do not know about us and we are choosing not to share them, since you are not part of us. If you were to join us in all ways, then you have to know everything. But for now, we wish to protect ourselves.

What are you protecting me from knowing? You think I do not know that all these girls are yours and I mean sexually? Even the youngest? You think I do not know this?

Ah. Well, yes, I didn't think you knew this. But for the record not all are.

And the one who is not, she is the one that needs to leave?

Yes, that is one way to say it.

Well, it's clear that it's not another man, as you, Lewis, would have gotten her together with the guy, like the way you got Gerlyn with Lars. For some reason, you don't act like a jealous guy. It's odd, considering the girls you have collected. But that's the way I see you.

I am not saying anything. Shit, I do not know what to say.

You think I am as stupid as Lars? You set him up, to give Gerlyn her man. Of course, Joy2x also wanted me, so you figured, it would work out.

We are all silent at the table. You Lewis are not interested in girls with big tits. So I don't think you have anything to do with this. This was Joy2x and maybe Angeli? Correct?

Joy2x nods and murmurs, It was mostly me.

Well, at least you actually love me, which is more than I can say for Lars.

So the question is why would a girl you all love and who seems to love all you based on what I see at this table, need to leave? Every one of you girls is Bi, but if there was one who wasn't and wasn't hetero and able to be with Lewis, she would be loved, but would still need to leave. So which one of you is a real lesbian? I know it isn't Joy2x. You sweetheart are very Bi. I know Angeli and Maricris are not the ones. You two would throw your bodies on a bomb to protect Lewis, plus Angeli, as well as Lyla carry Lewis' children. It can't be Noime, the one who has been here longest. That rock on her finger signifies her as the number one female here in spite of her young age. So which one of you girls is the true lesbian?

I am, Ate. It is me.

You are Analyn? Is that correct?

Yes, Ate.

How long have you lived here child?

Maybe two years?

And you just realized you are lesbian?

No, Ate, I know for all the time, really.

OK, Analyn, why has the problem started now, if you have known for a long time.

Joy2x wanted me to go to Lewis with her. I not want that and not want her to be with him. She my wife but she love Lewis too. I get jealous.

Joy2x! Your very young lover left you! When did it happen?

Joy2x is mortified, crying, as she answers, Saturday.

This past Saturday? Two days before you invited us to dinner?

Oo.

Shit, you move fast!

Analyn, you are wanting to love someone who only loves you?

Opo.

Lewis, it is hard to be a lesbian in the Philippines, correct?

Yes, more than difficult. That is why we are having a real problem finding a solution for Analyn.

You know she needs to leave this country. That is the only option for her to live a happy life.

She is only fourteen. So leaving is not an option.

Oh yes it is. There is a way.

How?

Lewis, we can get her a student visa.

Not to the US.

No, but I can arrange it in Sweden. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Sweden since 2009. While the marriage age is eighteen, the age of consent is fifteen. So Analyn could enter into a legal sexual relationship as soon as her next birthday. Analyn, are you willing to leave the Philippines?

Opo.

OK, I have a sister who is eighteen. I will call her and see if you can stay with her. If she says yes, I will contact my government to get you a visa. But you need to be very sure you want this, Analyn. Maricris, this is your daughter, correct?

Yes.

Is this what you want to happen?

No, but I think it is best for her, so I say, yes, anyway.

You all talk about it for a few days. In a week, if you still want to do this, I will make it happen. ... Now, let's talk about me. I will not stay in the Philippines. I am here because of a position I hold. I cannot stay longer as my visa will run out. I would like to stay with you until I leave. May I?

Joy2x answers before anyone else can speak, Yes!

Joy2x, I think I have a say in this, as does Noime, and others.

Sorry, Boss. You are correct. Boss, will you allow Svea to stay?

Maricris cannot sit still. I see her fidgeting and ask her to say what she wants to say.

Lewis, if you want her to stay, OK, but what she say not right.

That gets the attention of all and I ask Maricris to explain.

Lewis, she say she not able to stay after her position ends. That not right. You, Lewis, you can do something to get her a permanent visa.

How? That is Svea and she may be the only one at the table that has not grasped the salient fact that I am a Philippine citizen. If Svea is my wife, she can get a 13A visa and become a permanent immigrant. That will permit her to work here, without a diplomatic visa. But, and it is a big but, it assumes that Maricris' assumption of multiple spouses will fly. I have significant doubts. Datus can legally have multiple wives, but I am not a Muslim Datu.

I am shaking my head. Svea is demanding to know what this is all about. I explain what Maricris believes. I explain the state of current law. In doing so I am expressing my doubt that it will fly. However, Svea is a 'Provincial Coordinator' and she weighs in. She is taking Maricris's side. She thinks if the Datu recognizes me as a Datu in my religion, then the law requires it. I still think it's nuts. However that brings us back to Svea's initial statement.

So, given you think it is possible for me to marry you, your initial position has now been challenged, as you can stay. What say you now about staying with us? We need to hear this before we consider our response. I will give you a week to think about your options before you answer.

Boss! Why? Maybe she will say she want to stay now!

Joy2x, the reason is simple, even provisionally, I would not trust any such decision that is made so suddenly. In the meantime, Svea, we would like you to stay with us while you consider your options.

Thank you, I do have a question for you. May I ask it now?

Yes.

Why would you want to marry me?

That is a very good question. I do not, right now. You would have to convince me that you could, and eventually do, love me. Failing that, I do not want to marry you. I find you exquisitely beautiful, sexy, smart and intriguing. But along with that, I would need to learn I can trust you implicitly and that you love me deeply before I would marry you.

Can you say that about all these girls here? Are you sure?

Yes.

Addressing the females, Svea looks at each of them and asks, Is there anyone here who has any doubt about that? Is there someone here who you think cannot be trusted? Is there anyone here who does not love Lewis deeply? Is there anyone here who thinks she loves him more than the others do?

Not a one of them says or does anything but stare back. And then Noime speaks. If there was, she would be gone immediately. I would make it happen. There is no one here like that, other than Analyn.

No! This is Analyn! I love Sir, very much. I will do anything he tells me to do. You, Ate, are right, I want to love just one girl for my life, but if he say, stay and get into his bed, I do that. It is he who not allow that. He say no one may be in his bed unless they want to be in his bed. I do not. But no one ever ask me if I love Sir! I do! He is the best father. He is always good to me and he takes care of me. He can always trust me and I will always love him. Just not in his bed!

Lewis, no man is that good. I do not know what you did to convince them that you are that special, but you and I know, it can't be so.

Svea. I have never claimed to be a good man. Never. I am not. All these girls know I am not. That is not what they are saying. I give you a week to even ask for provisional status. After that, you will need to find other digs if you choose not to join us.

§ § §

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Chapter 53