CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 13

[NIKEZINKOSI]

We left the car dealership, and Diamond was not happy, not even a little. She rolled her eyes the whole time, muttering under her breath about those second-hand cars. "Fifty thousand rands," she said, "that's my whole savings, and you expect me to buy a car that looks like it's been to hell and back?" I tried not to laugh. Honestly, she can't expect to buy a Mercedes-Benz with fifty thousand. She can't be serious, right?

Now we are heading to Mulbarton to see Mnotho's house. Diamond is coming along with Sika, one of Sbo's friends. I haven't seen Sbo in days, and a small part of me is starting to worry about him. I will call him later, check in, and tell him everything is fine, that he doesn't need to worry about me anymore.

Before we even planned this visit, I had asked Mnotho to buy a new bed. There's no way, absolutely no way, I'm sleeping on a bed he once shared with another woman. No, thank you. I told him straight, and as the gentleman he is, he didn't argue. He simply said, "I'll get a new one." That's how you handle things. I will probably find Bonga at the house instead since Mnotho said he's dealing with some family issue involving his nephew, Mtholephi. I nearly choked laughing when I first heard that name, honestly, who names their child that?

"I think we've arrived. This place is beautiful," Sika says, whistling softly as we drive through the gate. And he's right. The area is breathtaking, peaceful and calm, with tall green trees and houses that seem to breathe money. There's hardly any noise. No shouting, no chaos. Just birds chirping and the occasional sound of a car passing by.
"This guy of yours has money," Dee says with a teasing smirk. "But then again, you're lucky when it comes to rich men." Her tone isn't unkind, more playful than anything, but I can feel her studying me from the corner of her eye.
I laugh softly and glance at her.
"I'll see you later. Or are you going to your aunt's house?" I ask. I hate the idea of leaving her alone and bored. I don't trust Sno, that one never keeps her promises. She only visits when she feels like it. That's actually the reason I haven't told her about my new relationship yet. Sno's too close to my mother, and I can't risk her running her mouth and spilling my secret.
"Don't worry about me," Diamond says, waving her hand dramatically. "Go, have fun. And take pictures too so I can post them on Instagram and get paid."
I shake my head, laughing. This fool.
"I need to go to another dealership anyway, see if I can find better deals. So when you're ready, we can finally get our car," she adds with a grin.
She's so sweet. I love her, she's one of the few people who genuinely wants to see me happy.
"Okay, my angel. I'll keep in touch," I say, grabbing my handbag. "Since he's not available, I might as well start investigating the house. Who knows, maybe there's a locked room with a snake inside."
They both burst out laughing.
"Good thinking," Dee says between giggles. "Please be safe, though. These men can't always be trusted."

She hugs me tightly, and for a moment, I just hold her here, grateful.

__

I take my time walking through the house, touching everything like it might disappear if I don't. The black and marble kitchen counters shine under the sunlight spilling through the windows, reflecting in tiny, perfect streaks. The dining area is dominated by a long wooden table with sleek black chairs, a statement of power and taste. Every corner of the house screams wealth, but not in a flashy way, it's calm, restrained, deliberate. The silence of the place makes me uneasy ; I can tell Bonga isn't here. I need to explore upstairs, see what other rooms hold.

Upstairs, the master bedroom stops me in my tracks. The first thing I notice is the empty space where the bed should be. I guess it's yet to be delivered. My chest skips in a mixture of awe and appreciation. He listened. Of course he listened, he's trying to impress me, trying to win me over, and probably imagining how close we could be. The walls are painted a warm cream, soft and inviting, and the curtains sway lightly from the breeze coming through the balcony doors.

I move toward the balcony, stepping outside. The view steals my breath. Below, the garden below is quiet perfection, green and peaceful, with a few tall trees shading the swimming pool. A small table with two chairs sits neatly in a corner, accompanied by a little couch. I can already picture us here in the evenings, wine in hand, the sun dipping behind the hills, laughing, talking, maybe even just sitting in silence together. I sink onto the couch, placing my bag on the table, and let out a soft, contented sigh.
I remind myself to move slowly, to let things unfold without rushing, without complicating them. He may look perfect, kind, sweet, and respectful, but I am still guarding my heart. After Sphephelo, I don't see myself diving into a serious, long-term relationship, or dreaming of marriage and children. I hope he isn't already imagining me as his wife. That conversation, the boundaries, the expectations… will come later, when the time is right. Not now.

I think back to Sphephelo's mother, the only person in his family who was truly kind and loving toward me. She welcomed me, cared for me, and made me feel safe. Unfortunately, she married a monster, and from that union came another. So much cruelty followed, so much heartbreak. One memory strikes sharply, the day they killed my cat. My heart still aches when I recall it. Sphephelo and his girlfriend at the time had been cheating, and the next thing I knew, my cat was drowned in the pool. I remember the hollow feeling, the disbelief as I saw my little companion floating there, lifeless. He had the audacity to act hurt, shocked, as if he knew nothing. Later, through his phone, I discovered the truth, him and that girl laughing at what they had done, joking about being tired of the cat staring at them every time she came around.

I squeeze my hands, trying to hold myself together, the memory raw. I shake my head softly, trying to dislodge it, trying to focus on the here and now. This house, this space, this man, he is not that monster. He is kind. He is respectful. But still… I can't let my guard down completely. My heart has scars that don't heal overnight.
I lean back against the couch, looking at the garden again. The gentle sway of the trees, the calm water of the pool, the soft sound of birds in the distance, it all whispers that maybe, just maybe, some things can be different. Some things can be gentle.

Some things might be mine to hold without fear. And maybe, just maybe, crossing this boundary could bring me happiness.

••••

Bangizwe and Mtho are with him. Mnotho parks the car in front of a house with just a small fence gate. Bangizwe shakes his head, clearly annoyed by all this. They're here to face Alfred and help Mtho with whatever is troubling him. Mtho had agreed to come because he trusts his uncle Mnotho and of course, he's the only person he listens to. He wants to change and silence the voices in his head that have been troubling him. Mnotho turns and looks at Mtho in the backseat.

"Are you ready?" he asks gently.
Mtho doesn't even know if he's ready. The last time he saw this man was a long time ago. After a long pause, he nods.
They all jump out and quickly lock the car doors. There are already kids in the yard, playing, and music drifts from the back rooms.
"Kids, are your parents in?" Bangizwe asks, stopping the children from playing. One of them nods and calls out for his mother.
The three men stand there, waiting. Soon, a woman comes out, frowning as her eyes land on them. She crosses her arms.
"And who are you?" she asks, her voice sharp and hostile.
Bangizwe's irritation flares, but Mnotho stays calm. He's not here to get easily rattled; he's here to help his nephew and move forward with his life.
"We are here to see Alfred," Mnotho begins gently. "Can we get inside and talk?" His voice is calm, measured.
The woman scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Alfred? What has he done now?" she asks, laughing a little.
"Can we get inside the house and talk?" Bangizwe says, voice firm.
The woman just laughs and claps her hands, mocking them.
Mtho shifts uneasily, restless and tense.
"Okay, let's get inside," she finally agrees.
Bangizwe shakes his head, his annoyance evident, pissed is an understatement. He follows, still irritated, while Mnotho stays composed, eyes focused on helping his nephew.

"What do you want from Alfred?" the woman asks as they sit down, not even offering them a drink. Her tone is sharp, hostile.
Mnotho exhales calmly and meets her gaze.
"We brought his son here. We need him to step up and be a father," Mnotho says gently. Mtho doesn't speak; he just shifts uncomfortably in his seat, the woman's eyes on him making him even more uneasy.
She chuckles in disbelief, a bitter, mocking sound.
"Well, boy, I'm sorry. Your father no longer stays here. I kicked him out months ago," she says, her voice still cold.
Bangizwe shakes his head, annoyed but holding back, while Mnotho remains calm, focusing on the task.
"Woman, we are dealing with something serious. Don't hide that man. His son needs him," Bangizwe barks, frustration leaking through.
"Hey, hey! You have no right to come here and demand Alfred in my house. I will call the cops," she fires back sharply.
"Can you tell us where he went? We need to talk to him," Mnotho asks, as calm as possible.
"I don't know exactly, but he went to the mother of his children," she replies, shrugging.
Mtho exhales heavily, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He feels powerless, unable to speak, trapped between hope and frustration.
Mnotho lets out a long sigh, a rare note of defeat slipping through his composed demeanor.
"Can we at least get his numbers? We need them, sisi. His child is not well," Mnotho pleads. They cannot leave without some way to reach Alfred.
The woman studies them for a long moment before finally standing and disappearing into another room.
Bangizwe clicks his tongue sharply.
"We wasted our time here. Let's leave," he mutters, already standing. Mtho rises too, his discomfort clear as humiliation courses through him.
"Let's…" Mnotho starts but is cut off when the woman returns with a piece of paper. She hands it to Bangizwe.
"That's my sister's number. She is the one who can help. Alfred got her pregnant; I'm sure she's with him. And I hope none of you come back to annoy me about Alfred," she says firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Mnotho rises, relief flickering across his face. At least they have a lead.
"Thank you. We will not come back," he says, voice calm but grateful. The woman, still stern, gestures for them to leave, and they quickly comply, the tension lingering as they step out.

.
.
.

The silence in the car is thick and heavy, pressing down on all of them. Joy, the woman's sister, is written clearly on the paper, along with her number. Mnotho wants to call her immediately, but he's drained from everything that just happened. He can see Mtho in the backseat, quiet, staring out the window, small frame tense, heart aching from the rejection and absence of his father.

Mnotho's own chest feels heavy. All he wants is to go home and see Nikky, if she hasn't left yet. He had asked Bonga to handle the bed situation since he couldn't face it himself. Bonga's call goes straight to voicemail; the bed's arrival remains unknown. Nikky's phone is off, which sparks a tiny flicker of worry, but he quickly brushes it off. She's probably busy.

"I'm going to take you to my other house," Mnotho says softly to Mtho, who simply nods, lost in thought.
Bangizwe frowns, narrowing his eyes as he studies Mnotho's calm, almost too-controlled expression. Something about Mnotho's sudden insistence on changing locations doesn't sit right with him.
"Why? What's happening at your mansion?" he asks, suspicion threading his voice.
Mnotho meets his gaze, calm but deliberate.
"I have meetings. They will be held there," he says, though the words are a careful lie. He can't let them know Nikky is there, and he definitely isn't ready to explain the bed situation.
Bangizwe leans slightly forward, gaze sharp and questioning. He doesn't miss the subtle tension in Mnotho's posture, the way his jaw tightens, the faint hesitation in his voice.
"Does that include me too?" he asks, disbelief and unease rising. Something tells him Mnotho isn't being entirely truthful, and that makes his stomach knot.
"Yes. Stay with Mtho. Tomorrow, we go and look for Joy and Alfred. I'm really busy at my house today," Mnotho says, voice steady, firm, final. He offers no room for argument, and there's a quiet authority in the way he speaks.
Bangizwe leans back slightly, watching him with sharp suspicion. He doesn't trust the sudden secrecy, the evasive tone. Something is going on at that house, and he intends to figure it out. His mind starts spinning through possibilities while Mtho fidgets silently in the backseat, eyes still on the passing scenery, lost in his own storm of thoughts.

The car moves again, and the quiet stretches, heavy with tension. Mnotho's thoughts drift to Nikky, her safety, her smile, whether she's waiting for him or already gone. Meanwhile, Bangizwe watches, calculating, uneasy, sensing there's more beneath Mnotho's composed exterior than he's letting on.

.
.
.
Mnotho calls out for Bonga, but silence answers him. He sighs heavily, shoulders tense, and steps onto the stairs. He had trusted Bonga to handle the bed situation, but now he just wants to see Nikky and know everything is okay. As he walks into his bedroom, relief hits him like a wave. Nikky is there, curled up on the new bed, taking a nap. A soft smile crosses his lips, and he exhales, the tightness in his chest loosening. She's here, and of course, with the bed she demanded. All irritation toward Bonga vanishes. Today, he can spend as much money as he wants, no questions asked.

He quietly closes the door behind him and locks it, aware of Bangizwe's suspicious nature. Knowing his brother could easily show up makes him uneasy. Maybe he should change the locks. He slides off his shoes, careful not to make a sound, not wanting to wake her.
Seeing her lying there, soft and vulnerable, makes him forget all else. And his family drama. He steps onto the bed, the mattress sinking slightly under his weight. He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to her cheek. Nikky stirs, eyes fluttering open, heavy with sleep yet sparkling with amusement at his presence.

"Let's sleep," she murmurs, scooting closer. Her voice is soft, but there's a teasing edge that makes his heart race. He chuckles quietly. As much as he wants to cuddle her right now, he knows he needs to shower and change into something comfortable.
He leans down and brushes his lips against hers in a quick, teasing peck.
"I need to shower and change, Peaches," he whispers, his voice low, but his eyes are locked on hers, already drinking in the sight of her.
Nikky doesn't reply. Instead, she slides on top of him, sudden and bold. He gasps, eyes widening, heart hammering. His hands hover awkwardly, caught between the urge to pull her closer and the fear of breaking the delicate moment.
She smirks, that mischievous, confident grin that makes his chest ache and stomach twist.
"Why are you tense?" she asks, bending down to brush her lips over his cheeks, then his mouth, her hands teasingly running over his chest.

Mnotho freezes, heart racing, pulse threatening to burst through his ribs. Oh God. She's literally on top of me. I'm doomed. Stay calm, stay calm… His mind is a whirlwind. He can feel sweat forming on his palms, and he awkwardly shifts, trying not to topple her off the bed. His brain refuses to function normally, every nerve screaming with a mixture of fear, desire, and something else he can't name.

"Baby… let me go shower first, and I'll be all yours," he says, a nervous laugh escaping, voice cracking just slightly. He's aware of the sudden boldness she exudes, but her confidence is terrifying and exhilarating.
Nikky tilts her head, lips curved in an amused, teasing smile.
"Hmm… shower later, maybe?" she whispers, leaning closer, letting her warmth press against him. Her eyes gleam with mischief, and she nudges him playfully.
Mnotho's thoughts spiral. I can't. I just… she's going to eat me alive. My pulse… my chest… I can't breathe. Why is she doing this to me?
"You're… dangerous," he admits, voice low and rough, a nervous laugh trailing. His hands twitch, uncertain if he should grab her or push her lightly away.
Nikky grins, satisfied with his reaction, her fingers brushing his jaw. "I know," she teases, her confidence daring him to lose control.

Suddenly, his careful calm snaps. His heart is hammering, his mind screaming run. He pushes lightly against her, mumbling, "I… I need… I'll just… shower first!" His cheeks burn, his pulse racing as if it might explode.
Nikky laughs, a soft, teasing sound that fills the room. "Shower? Now? You're running away from me?" she giggles, shaking her head.
Without another word, Mnotho jumps off the bed, barefoot, still muttering to himself. "Calm down, woman! You're scaring me! Let me shower!" He rushes toward the bathroom, half-tripping over his own feet, heart hammering out of control.

Nikky collapses back onto the bed, laughter spilling from her lips. She shakes her head, amused and triumphant.

•••••

[BONGA]

His father always tells him that he and the company don't want to deal with the government sector and its people. But Bonga loves the thrill, the exposure to power, influence, and danger. His father runs a legitimate business, nothing too risky. Sure, they occasionally deal with people looking for tenders and favors, but overall, it's boring. That's why most of Bonga's little illegal deals stay hidden, unknown to his father or even his uncle Bangizwe. He prefers the shadows, the underworld. He steps into his underground casino in Hillbrow, where the high rollers play by their own rules.

He is still mad at himself for losing that tender, the one he misses out on when he accidentally knocks Nikky with his car. He's tired of living under his father's shadow. He wants to prove himself, show that he can handle the power, the pressure, the game. The hostess approaches him, her voice polite yet sharp. "The big man is already in the office."
Bonga nods and exhales hard. It's time. He has to face this man, the one who can grant him the tender he desperately needs, the tender that can change his life and put him on the map. His father's generational wealth is more than enough, but boring businesses aren't his thing. He wants to involve Mtho, but his nephew's drug issues make that impossible.

As Bonga walks into the office, he doesn't find the big boss waiting for him. Instead, Thabang, the assistant, stands there, his face unreadable. Bonga frowns, confused.
"Mr. Mlambo, how are you doing?" Thabang asks, calm and collected.
"I'm good," Bonga replies, trying to mask his tension. "I thought I was going to meet the boss."
Thabang chuckles, shaking his head as he steps closer. "He sent me," he says, his voice now cold. "And he wants to know if you really know what you're doing."
Bonga forces a chuckle, telling himself he won't be shaken by this. This is how these people operate.
"Yes, I know what I'm doing," he says firmly, locking eyes with Thabang. "And I want to meet him."
"Nc nc nc, Cheese Boy," Thabang says, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Are you willing to cross boundaries? Are you willing to test your morals and values? Do you know what they do to fresh boys like you?"
Bonga stays quiet, saying nothing, letting the words hang in the air.
"Stay in your lane," Thabang warns, his voice low and dangerous. "Even your father can't protect you." Then, without another word, he turns and leaves, whistling lightly.

Bonga exhales, a soft huff escaping him. He won't be intimidated. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Nothing, not even the warnings of a man like Thabang, will stop him.
As Bonga is about to leave his office, his phone vibrates.
A text from the big boss flashes on the screen.
"My hotel. Tomorrow. Room 786. Come alone."

Bonga blinks in disbelief, mouth slightly open. Hotel? Alone? His heart skips a beat, a mix of shock, excitement, and a pinch of fear twisting in his stomach. He exhales shakily, trying to steady his racing thoughts. This is it; the moment that could change everything.