CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22

Meanwhile, Konke smiles. Paul's blood boils.
He wants to knock that smile off Konke's face.
He wants to scream, flip the table, beat someone until the rage inside him calms down.
But he forces himself to stay still. Calm. Collected.
Every pair of eyes in the boardroom is on him. Some worried. Some shocked. Some in pure disbelief.
He cannot believe this. Thabang? A rapist?
Never.
Yes, rough around the edges, yes, trouble sometimes… but he was a good person.
Whoever did this is pure evil and Paul swears in his heart he will find them.
His vision blurs.
He blinks hard, willing the tears to fall so the pressure in his chest can ease.
"I have to go. I need to go," he stammers.
Josh is the first to stand and rush to him.
"It's fine, Paul. We can postpone. Go see what's going on," Josh says, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him comfort he desperately needs.
Paul needs to call his dad.
Why didn't his father tell him?
Why did he have to find out online?
No wonder Thabang did not answer his calls.
The board members give him soft, supportive looks…
except his enemy Konke. Paul grits his teeth. He will deal with this wizard.
He hopes Konke did not see this coming.
And now, after hearing Konke lied and claimed Paul's dad was the one "meant to die," Paul feels a sick satisfaction.
Konke's abilities are clearly not as powerful as he pretends.
He will pay for this.
Paul nods at the board. A thankful, shaky nod.
But when his eyes land on Konke, he gives a cold, deadly smirk and walks out.

.
.
.
The police are useless. They think it is a crime of passion because they found lipstick.
They think a woman was involved.
They bring up old reports of women saying Thabang raped them.
Now, because he was a high member of society, they want to investigate publicly.
Paul begged them to keep things quiet until after the funeral.
He already called the family back home.
His uncles are coming, but he still cannot reach his father.
The hotel said his father went out for a business meeting, and the only person who knew anything was Thabang.
Paul lets out a dry chuckle and rests his forehead against the steering wheel.
Whoever did this has ruined everything.
Fine.
He will demand a funeral in two days.
A cremation.
His uncles will fight him on culture and rituals, they always do, but they must agree.
Thabang's private part was cut off.
Whoever did this meant business. And online, people are celebrating because they think a rapist was punished.
He ignored Nelly's calls. She will understand.
Nelly is sweet, soft-spoken, kind.
She reminds him of his prisoner, Nikky.
He closes his eyes at the thought of Nikky.
Yes. Maybe this whole Thabang disaster can still work in his favour.
He grabs one of his phones and calls Diamond. They are both going through hell right now.
The phone rings.
Then gets answered on the second ring.
"Nikky? Is that you?" Diamond says, panic in her voice.
Paul's heart jumps. He missed her voice too much.
Sometimes he wonders if Diamond bewitched him.
He has never felt this way about any woman.
"Uhm, Dee… it is me. What is wrong?" he asks, making his voice soft and gentle.
"Paul? What do you want?" Her tone changes, firm now.
"I just needed someone to talk to. Thabang is gone," he says. His voice trembles. He sniffs.
Diamond sighs softly.
"I heard. I am so sorry," she says, and Paul melts.
She still cares. There is still hope.
"And you? You sound down," he adds, wanting her to spill the truth about missing Nikky.
"Nikky is missing. I think someone took her," Diamond cries. "We think it is someone she knows…"
A slow smile creeps over Paul's face.
His plan is working perfectly.
"Oh my God. Nikky? That sweet girl? Who would do something so evil? If you need any help, I am here," Paul says softly, pretending to care.
"No, we will be fine. A private intelligence team has already been hired to find her," Diamond says and sniffs.
Paul frowns.
Private intelligence?
"Oh. Wow. That is good. Really good. Let us hope they find her. And just remember, I am here for you. Call me if you need anything," he says, keeping his voice calm and gentle. But inside, his mind is racing.
Private intelligence?
Who exactly is Nikky's fiancé?
Poor families do not hire those kinds of people.
A quiet groan slips out of him.
This is a problem.A big one.
He needs help. Real help.
And he needs to move Nikky to another province before they start closing in. Before he asks for ransom.

__

As Paul steps inside the house, he is greeted by a sudden crash.
He freezes. Something fell.
He frowns and rushes toward the kitchen, following the sound. When he reaches the doorway, he stops short.
Nikky is on the floor, curled slightly, breathing unevenly.
Pain is written all over her face.
Paul blinks, confused, then slowly walks toward her. Nikky lifts her head, her eyes glassy.
"Why did you switch off the electricity?" she groans softly. "I need warm water."
He stares down at her. This has to be an act.
Soft girls. Quiet girls. They're the most dangerous. Everyone knows that.
She's trying to manipulate him. She must be.
"Why?" he asks, voice bored and flat.
"My abdomen is in pain… I think I'm about to get my period," she sighs, her hand pressed against her lower stomach. Her breathing is shaky, real.
But Paul feels irritation bubbling up.
He doesn't understand. Don't women know when their period is coming? His mother always did.
"And you kept quiet all night? Why didn't you tell me this was coming?" he snaps.
Nikky shakes her head weakly.
"Paul… stop arguing with me. I need pills. And a warm bottle of water for my stomach. I'm in serious pain."
Her voice is pleading, fragile.
Paul just stares.
And then a thought, dark and wicked, slides into his mind.
This look. Her desperation.
Her pain. Her agony.
Perfect for the ransom photos.
He smiles slowly and slips his phone from his pocket.
Nikky squints at the camera.
"What the hell…?" she whispers, shocked.
"I need this," he says casually as the shutter clicks. "It'll make our story believable. Don't worry, I'll help you."
He pockets the phone and crouches to help her up, then freezes when he sees the blood on the tiles.
"Oh my God… you were serious." His voice softens instantly, shifting into something almost gentle. "You're bleeding."
Nikky doesn't respond. She only breathes through another wave of pain.
"Don't worry," he murmurs, steadying her as they stand. "I'll run you a bath. Get you cleaned up. And I guess I'll have to rush to the shops after… Do you have cravings too?"
There's a strange satisfaction blooming in his chest
being in control
being needed, being the only help this helpless woman has.
Nikky stays silent, groaning softly as Paul guides her toward the bathroom.

"Are you okay in there?" Paul asks from outside the bathroom door. He can't go in while Nikky is bathing.
He stands there with a small list in his hand, the things Nikky needs and the things he needs.
One of them is a voice changer device, the gadget he plans to use when he calls Diamond and Nikky's man for ransom.
Nikky had told him she needs special pills because her periods are very painful, so he plans to rush to the pharmacy to get them.
He knocks again.
"Come in," Nikky's soft voice calls.
He walks in. Nikky is already dressed.
Paul smiles, a warm, caring smile that doesn't match the fact that he kidnapped her.
"Let me take you to your bedroom. It's warm there," he says gently. It's cold today, and he suddenly feels protective. He wants her warm, safe, dependent.
"Paul, I can walk by myself. I'm in pain, but I can walk," Nikky says quietly.
Paul shakes his head and steps closer, taking her arm.
"No. I'll walk with you. Let's go."
Nikky doesn't argue again. She walks beside him until they reach her bedroom.
Paul pulls back the blankets and helps her climb in.
"You'll be fine. I'm here for you," he says softly. "Let me rush to the shops."
He reaches for the door, pauses, then turns back with a small, mischievous grin.
"And Nikky, you won't be able to escape. I made sure of it. Be a good girl, and you'll walk out of here alive."

•••••

[DIAMOND]

I have to tell Ntobe at least.
She is coming for Nikky's party too, and if Nikky still hasn't been found by then, she will ask where her sister is. I can already see that conversation breaking me.
Last night I had to text Nikky's mother, pretending to be Nikky.
She kept calling, confused, worried, wanting to understand why her daughter was suddenly contacting her so late.
My hands were shaking so much I could barely type.
I forced myself to sound like Nikky.
I forced myself to lie. I hated it.
Sbo, did call this morning telling me he was fine… but I know he is not.
He is broken. Terrified.
Trying so hard to sound strong because that is who he is.
I told him that Mnotho was handling everything, that he shouldn't worry.
But I think that hurt him. He didn't even answer me.
He just hung up.
And that alone told me how scared he truly is.
Everyone's emotions are running wild.
Sadness. Fear. Confusion.
All of us hanging by a thread as we wait for any sign of Nikky.
Even breathing feels wrong without her.
Yes, we did get the names of everyone Nikky knows.
Mnotho and I decided to give each person a different version of the story, so if anyone slips…
we will know who took her.
Who betrayed her. Who put her in danger.
I never imagined we would reach a point where we have to test the loyalty of the people in her life like this. But here we are.
I came to work because staying alone in that flat would have destroyed me.
The silence there is cruel.
Every sound feels like Nikky calling.
Every minute feels like the walls are closing in.
So I chose work.
Chose noise. Chose distraction.
And because I know I will see Konke.
Right now he is the only place my heart feels still.
He is my safe space. My calm in this storm that keeps swallowing us.
The CCTV from the nearby shops and buildings will be released to us.
I don't know what Mnotho said to them, but whatever it was, it worked.
And honestly, I don't care if he threatened them or their families.
I don't care about anything except finding her.
I want to see Nikky alive.
I want her home. I want this nightmare to end.
I want to breathe again.
And until she is back…
nothing inside me will ever feel right.

.
.
.
Nicole told me to go home and rest.
She said she could see I'm not focused and she's right.
My mind hasn't been here since Nikky went missing.
I haven't even spoken to Mnotho today… and funny enough, I trust him more than anyone to find her. He loves her.
He actually does.
He turned that entire building upside down looking for her.
Even the building owner came, a man who never shows up for anything.
Last year there was a shootout and he didn't bother coming to check if his tenants were alive or dead. But today?
He came because Mnotho demanded it.
That alone tells me how serious this is.
Now I'm sitting in a nearby coffee shop, waiting for Konke to fetch me.
He told me Y3 is a mess because of Thabang's death.
Apparently he was a rapist and a woman with the help of some people, hanged him as punishment. The investigation is still ongoing.
Even Paul called me, crying about it…
I even told him about Nikky. He knows her too.
He's a suspect, even though I honestly doubt it. I gave him a different version of the story.
There's no "private intelligence" involved.
Mnotho said he will find Nikky himself.
Nokuzola said she'll come sleep by me later. She's also heartbroken and scared.
My phone vibrates, and I almost drop it.
Every call feels like life or death now.
Even scam calls make my heart jump.
I check the screen.
Snothando.
I sigh hard.
"Hi," I say, already tired.
"Hi? Why didn't you tell me about Nikky!!" she screams.
Who the hell does she think she is yelling at me?
"She's my friend too! People are calling me like I'm a suspect," she snaps.
"Everyone is a suspect, Snothando," I fire back. "Especially you. You have motive."
She gasps like I slapped her.
"Me? Motive?? Don't piss me off! I'm in the Eastern Cape, how would I kidnap her? She's my BEST friend!"
I actually laugh. I can't help it.
"Best friends don't behave like you," I say, voice cold.
"You slept with Sphephelo. Now you're sleeping with Hlumelo because you think he loves Nikky. You dress like Nikky. You buy what she buys. You copy everything she does. You want to BE her. So yes, you could kidnap her. Even kill her. Because you want her life." I scoff. "What's next? Get a BBL, fool?"
"You are crazy," she hisses. "I'm coming to Joburg. I want to know EVERYTHING."
"No. Don't come. I can deal with this," I snap.
"Oh you've done a GOOD job, sisi. You even let people kidnap her. I'm coming," she shouts.
This bitch.
"Don't tell her family. Especially her mother. It will break her," I warn, then hang up before she can respond.
I drop my head into my hands.
Oh God.
I'm going to beat her up. For real.
I feel a hand gently squeezing my shoulder.
I lift my head. It's Konke.
And I just break.
I stand up so fast my chair scrapes against the floor, and I throw myself into his arms.
I cling to him like I'm drowning, my fingers curling desperately into his shirt as the sobs tear out of me.
He wraps his arms around me immediately, steady, warm, calming, and somehow that makes me cry even harder.
"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm here," he whispers against my temple.
I nod, still crying, unable to speak, because right now his voice is the only thing holding me together.

.
.
.
"You should rest. You look tired," Konke says as he starts the car.
He's right. I didn't sleep at all last night. I just nod.
"I will when I get home. I'm just stressed, that's all," I say honestly. Because I am.
"I know. And I'm so sorry about what happened to your friend. I'm sure she's fine and okay. It annoys me that we have to wait for those bastards to contact us," he mutters, clicking his tongue in frustration.
I nod, but inside my chest something warms.
I love how he always says we, never you. He includes himself in my life without even trying. It breaks me a little that I never introduced him to Nikky… the most important person in my world.
"Well, there are people looking for her. I'll just have to wait and hear if there are any developments," I say softly.
He smiles gently and nods.
"Everything will be okay. She'll come back alive. I just hate that I'll be far away instead of here with you."
He sounds defeated, and it hurts, because I know he has to go. He told me about his spiritual gift, what calls him back home. I can't fight that.
"It's okay. Your support means the world to me," I say, meaning it with everything I have.
I've known him only a few days, but somehow he's become a lifeline. I like him so much it scares me. How do you feel this deeply for someone you just met?
He's gentle, calm, steady. His presence feels like a warm blanket I never want to remove. I'm terrified I might just pack my bags and follow him.
"I have an idea to help, and I don't know if it will work," he says suddenly.
I turn to look at him.
"If you can give me something of hers… clothes, or her favourite item. I can pray, or speak to my guides, or even hers, to help us locate her. It's worth a shot," he says as the car rolls to a stop at a red light.
I gasp and drop my head onto his shoulder, relief and desperation washing over me at the same time.
I nod quickly.
"Anything, Konke. Anything to find her."

••••

The CCTV footage finally arrives.
Bonga stands behind his father, watching silently as the stranger they brought in sets up the laptop. He did not bother to ask many questions about the man, all that matters is that he can help find Nikky. the woman his father loves. The woman who has become part of their family. The one person he never imagined his father losing. He feels sick with guilt even though he knows this has nothing to do with Thabang or Richie. Still, a part of him feels responsible somehow. Like he should have been there. Like he should have protected her, or protected his father from this pain.
His eyes burn from staring at the laptop, watching every angle, every shadow, every car that enters the building. His father has already ordered every vehicle that drove in around the time he called Nikky to be traced. He wants to know the owners, what business they had, and who they came to see. No one is above suspicion.
"Pause," Mnotho says suddenly.
A car catches his eye.
It drives through the gate without signing in. The driver moves fast and the guards do nothing. They do not even raise their heads.
"This is probably our suspect. Look for this car. And the guards who watched it pass and did nothing. I want to interrogate them," Mnotho commands.
Bonga stays silent behind his father and the man assisting them. His heart skips painfully, each beat louder than the next.
"We will try. There are many cars like this and the windows are tinted," the man replies. "There's no number plate on this car too,"
Bonga nods inside his own head. The man is right. They will need another angle. Something clearer. Something more than shadows and guesses.
"I do not want excuses. I need to find her. It is already night and nothing has been found or done," Mnotho says, rubbing his forehead with frustration.
Bonga does not know how to comfort him.
He knows his father is still angry with him about the casino. Even Bangizwe tried speaking to him about Mtho and Alfred, but that turned into a fight as well.
"Another day cannot pass without finding her," Mnotho says, his voice quieter now. Cracked. Defeated.
The man nods and stands up.
"Let me call them and ask about those guards," he says before leaving the room, leaving father and son alone with the silent footage.
Bonga moves to sit closer to his father, their shoulders almost touching.
"Baba, I know you are worried about her. So am I. There is no need to shout and yell," Bonga says softly.
Mnotho keeps his eyes locked on the screen as if it holds the world.
"I am sure someone saw something. And we should wait for the lab to send those DNA results," Bonga adds.
His father had called forensics earlier, demanding they sweep every corner for DNA. Every possible trace. Anything that could lead to Nikky. The man is relentless.
Suddenly, Mnotho pauses the footage again.
He lowers his head until his forehead touches the table. His shoulders shake once, then twice.
"Anything could have happened to her. We do not know what kind of sick bastard we are dealing with. No calls. No ransom. Nothing. It is like she was taken by a ghost," Mnotho finally says, voice breaking as he falls apart.
Something inside Bonga breaks.
He reaches out and gently places his hand on his father's shoulder, feeling the tremble beneath his palm.
"We will find her. There is always a slip. Humans always make errors. Let us keep watching the footage. We might find something," Bonga says, trying to be strong, trying to be the calm one now. He needs to give his father at least a thread of hope.
He has not even asked about Richard since seeing Thabang trending online.
A part of him hopes Richie is dead too.
Mnotho finally raises his head, his eyes red, and presses play on the footage. The room is tense, the air filled with worry. Every car, every shadow, every movement is scrutinized, yet nothing gives them a clue.
Suddenly, the study door bursts open. Diamond walks in, tears streaming, shaking with fear, followed closely by the man helping them. Bonga frowns, and both he and his father rise immediately, rushing toward her.

.
.
.
"Are you sure he will call?" Bonga asks nervously, his feet shifting, kicking at the floor.
Mnotho just stares at the phone, waiting. Diamond's hands tremble as she watches.
"He said he wanted you there. Nikky told them you are her fiancé," Diamond says, her voice shaking.
Bonga looks at his father. In normal times, that would have made him proud. But now… it only makes his stomach sink with fear.
The phone finally ring's, a private number flashing on the screen. The man helping them whispers to Mnotho to put it on loudspeaker and try to trace the call.
"Hello," Mnotho answers calmly. His composure makes Bonga frown.
"I guess you are the woman's fiancé," a distorted voice says, cold and cruel.
Bonga swallows hard. They knew the voice would be changed, but hearing it still makes his chest tense.
"Yes, I am. I guess you have her," Mnotho says, calm.
The voice laughs wickedly. "Oh yes, I do. I hope no cops get involved, or you'll lose her. But I'm generous. A little ransom won't kill anyone. I've learned about you. You can pay, right?"
Bonga wants to scream. He wants to curse the caller. But no sound comes out.
"How much? How much do you want?" Mnotho asks, still calm. Composed.
"I don't know yet. I'm still thinking about it. But I'll send you pictures first, to show I'm serious. Tomorrow, we'll talk about the money," the voice says and hangs up.
Everyone groans.
"The call came from Johannesburg," the man says. "But he could be anywhere." He shrugs.
"Can you find her? She's close, right?" Diamond asks, relief and fear mixing in her voice.
The man keeps quiet.
Bonga doesn't answer either. He knows the kidnapper is playing with them.
"The message," Mnotho says softly. He presses the message.
Bonga freezes. Diamond gasps, her hands flying to her mouth.
The screen shows photos of Nikky. She's crying, her face full of pain. Her clothes are bloody.
Mnotho's hands swipe across the images, each one breaking his heart more. Bonga can barely breathe. They all feel it, their Nikky, trapped, scared, in someone else's hands.

Bonga's eyes flick to his father, who is still frozen, staring at the pictures. His face is tight, jaw clenched, eyes red.
He prays silently that his father's terror or anger doesn't take over, and doesn't make him lose focus. He knows his father is capable of turning this place upside down in a heartbeat if he lets his emotions control him.
He swallows hard, heart pounding, and stays close, hoping that together, they can keep their minds sharp long enough to find Nikky. Find her alive.