CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 37

[MNOTHO]

I walk in and settle on the sofa next to her. I'll have to add a fireplace in our house soon, she's so sensitive to the cold. She tilts her head toward me, then moves closer, settling on my lap. Her legs wrap around my waist.
"Are you still sulking?" she asks softly.
I shake my head. No. I'm not sulking, just curious. Very curious.
Who is this man she almost married?
"I'm just curious, that's all," I say quietly. "That's probably why your mother still likes him. What if your family got something from him… money, maybe?" I shrug. "It's possible. Maybe he gave your mother money or even a cow without you knowing. That could be why she's still stuck in the past."
She frowns and shakes her head slowly.
"That's impossible," she says firmly. "Even if he did give my mother money, that man does not own me. It was only an engagement, and it ended there. No letter was sent home. Nothing was done properly. And he is married now, Letsatsi told me that."
Her voice is calm but reassuring, like she wants to settle the storm in my chest.
She gets closer and throws her arms around my shoulders, holding me tight.
"Don't worry, baby," she says softly. "No one will ever come and tell you I'm his wife or anything like that."
She smiles and presses a gentle kiss on my forehead.
I don't want her to think I'm insecure. I'm not. I'm just cautious, curious, that's all.
"Where is he? That guy… who is he?" I ask. I could find him easily.
She rolls her eyes.
"Mnotho, no. Please don't go looking for him. Let him stay in the past. He's a destructive person, him and his family and I don't want to deal with that. I want to focus on us," she says gently but firmly, her eyes soft and pleading.
That makes me even more curious, but I need to respect her wishes. I don't want to hurt her or reopen wounds. I promised her peace, nothing else.
I nod and place a soft kiss on her lips.
"I hear you, Peaches," I say.
"Good," she says, raising an eyebrow. "Because you wouldn't like it if I went looking for Bonga's mother, or that woman you were busy comparing me to."
I freeze for a second. She's right, I wouldn't like that at all. Still, one day, we'll have to face our pasts together.
"Bonga's mother is married and happy. Sthembile too. I almost married her, but it didn't work out," I say honestly.
"You see?" she says. "And I understand that. They're your past, and they should stay there. They've moved on. There's no need for me to bring them into our space, unless they interfere with what we have. Then we can talk about them. But for now, no."
They wouldn't dare interfere, because I don't interfere in their lives either. I haven't seen Lungani or Sthembile in a long time. It's like the universe made sure I wouldn't even run into them by mistake.
Lungani was kicked out of our team after that scandal after betraying me. As good as he was in business, we couldn't risk trusting him again. A man with no morals is dangerous, not just to the business, but to the people we love. I realised then that he wanted my life. He wanted to be me so badly.
He was just a coward about it. Instead of facing me, he went for the weakest link, Sthembile.
And thank God I found out when I did. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be here today. I would be dead by now. Maybe killed by both of them or maybe not, because I've always been on guard with everyone, except my son.
But if I had continued being petty with Lungani after sleeping with his wife, if I had allowed that war to continue, it would have backfired. I would have lost myself in all that mess. Rage, Pride and Ego.
I wouldn't have lived long enough to meet this woman.
The one who makes me feel alive again.
The one who scares me too not because she hurts me, but because she matters.
Scared in a good way. Scared because now I have something real to lose.
"You know we will have to face our pasts one day," I say, then lean in and kiss her again, slow and gentle.
"I know," she replies quietly, her eyes dropping. "But not now, please. I just want to enjoy us."
I sigh softly. For now, I'll respect her wishes. I won't go looking for that douche. Not yet.
Then something clicks in my mind.
"Meeting your family… will I meet all of them?" I ask carefully. "Including your father's brother from the military?"
She giggles softly, shaking her head.
"No," she says. "Just my sisters and my mom. I don't want to ruin Ntobe's day with that man's drama."
I smile, relieved.
"Okay, that's better," I say lightly. "I don't want to die and leave you alone in this world. I'd be a very dangerous ghost."
Half joke. Half truth.
She bursts into laughter, resting her face against my shoulder.
I laugh too, holding her tighter.
"I'm serious," I say with a chuckle.
I wouldn't rest in peace. And besides, I can't just meet her father's brother like that. That man must hear about me the right way, the day I send cattle to his kraal.
She lifts her head and looks at me, her eyes mischievous, playful.
"I believe you'd definitely be an angry ghost," she says, teasing. "Last night, you sold your soul to me."
I pause for a second, then smile slowly.
"Maybe I did," I say quietly. "And I don't even want it back."
I lean in and kiss her again, slow and deep, my hand finding its way to her breast.
"Then at least I know exactly who owns it," I whisper against her mouth.
She giggles softly, that dangerous little sound that always weakens me.
"You're a very tempting man, Mr Mlambo," she says, her hands cupping my face, forcing me to look at her. Her eyes are playful, confident, in control. "But as your soulkeeper…" she pauses, enjoying the way my body freezes under her words, "I need you to go get a pill, now."
I blink, caught off guard.
She smiles wider, amused by my silence.
"You have a healthy hairline, perfect eyes, a full beard," she continues, her thumb brushing my jaw slowly. "Very good genes. Very good future father material."
She leans closer, her lips hovering just near mine.
"But not now," she whispers. "Not yet. We need a pill."
I exhale a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. She has me. Completely.
"Yes, ma'am," I murmur, surrendering without a fight.
"Say it properly," she whispers.
I exhale, defeated in the best way.
"Yes… my soulkeeper."
She laughs, satisfied, resting her forehead against mine.
"Good," she says softly. "I like it when you listen."
I smile like a boy with a crush, nodding slowly, already weakened.
Her gaze softens, but the control never leaves her eyes. She knows exactly what she's doing to me.
"Good," she repeats, voice calm. "Now go. Get the pill. Then come back to me."
"There's no command louder than the way she says it, soft-spoken and gentle.
Of course I'll do as she says.
And of course, I'll come back to her. I always do.

_

"I drove for an hour just to get this pill," I say, handing her the brown paper bag.
She smiles softly, eyes warm.
"Thank you. But you're here now," she says gratefully. "Do you want something to drink?"
I nod. I could use a drink.
"Yes, please. Wine is fine," I reply, walking closer to her. "You should be resting. We're supposed to be celebrating your 28th belated birthday," I add quietly.
I watch her move around the kitchen, completely in her element. She ignores me, and I sit on a stool, just observing. She's so comfortable here.
I wonder if she's ever thought of going to culinary school. She loves cooking, and her food is good, really good. She should capitalise on it. It's not just a hobby, it's clearly her passion.
"Peaches, have you thought of going to culinary school?" I ask, curiosity in my voice.
She pauses, turning toward me. Her eyes meet mine briefly, then she looks away, focused on the glasses and the wine. Finally, she walks over and sits on the stool next to me.
"Please, open it," she says politely.
I do as I'm told and pour the wine into our glasses. She lifts hers, takes a sip, and gazes at me. There's a softness in her eyes, but also a sadness.
"I did… someone had promised to pay for all my tuition fees," she begins, voice quiet, lingering on me for reaction. I stay silent, giving her space to continue.
"I had found the school, got all the information about it, but…" She sighs, a soft, bitter exhale. "They changed their minds. I don't know why, but… they told me I'm fine, that there's no need for me to waste money on culinary school. I should just study for something else." She takes a slow sip of wine, eyes still on me.
My heart sinks. I can hear the hurt in her voice. Who promised her this? Her family?
"My sister, the eldest, was very lucky. My father's company paid for her nursing school. But when it came to me, there were… issues." Her voice hesitates slightly.
"Huh?" I ask, my curiosity sharpening.
"What issues?"
She shrugs, a little giggle escaping her.
"I really don't know. Bankruptcy," she says, almost as if the words themselves are absurd. "So, when I met my… that dog, his family, especially his father and him, they had promised to take me to culinary school. I agreed to their request because it was a life-changing opportunity, but they changed their minds. And to this day, I don't know why. So, I worked in the wife's company kitchen."
I blink rapidly, feeling my blood boil. That… fucking bastard.
"A wife?" I ask, confused and angry at the same time. "He had another wife?"
She giggles softly and shakes her head.
"No," she says. "His mother. She was actually very sweet."
Nx. I don't care how sweet she was. Right now, all I can think about is walking into that family's house and putting a bullet through every single one of them.
My jaw tightens, my thoughts racing.
"Sweet?" I snap, lifting the glass and swallowing the wine in one go before pouring more. "She watched you get tricked by those bastards and did nothing."
"She had no say, Mnotho," she says calmly. "The men in that family are… not good people. That's why I don't want anything to do with them again. I'm okay now. I found a school. I'm not studying what I love, but my life is moving."
No. They still need to be dealt with.
"You can't just give up on your dream," I say, softer now, forcing my anger down. My mind keeps circling back to her words. Her father's company. Bankruptcy? None of it is adding up.
"Life moves on, Mnotho," she says, dismissing it like it's settled.
"Yes," I say quietly, staring at her. "Life moves on. And I'm here now."
She looks at me, surprised.
"It does move on," I continue, my voice calm. "But now things can change. Let me help you."
She scoffs, shaking her head.
"Mnotho, I know you mean well, but I'm okay," she says. I don't know if she's trying to convince me or herself. And I hate the idea of her staying in a life that doesn't make her happy.
"Nikky," I say, leaning closer. "Just let me help you. I won't change my mind like those losers did. I'll find them and.." I stop myself, dragging in a deep breath, forcing control.
She frowns, her expression hardening.
"Mnotho," she says sharply. "You won't do that. You won't go looking for them. Please."
Her tone isn't gentle anymore.
She's annoyed. No, she's pissed.
I blink, caught off guard.
"Please," she continues, her voice tight now. "I don't want those people anywhere near you or me. You promised."
She pauses, letting that sink in. "I don't want my past touching my present."
I sigh softly and close my eyes for a moment. My chest feels tight. My mind is loud. Angry. Protective.
I need to talk to Diamond soon. Something here doesn't add up.
I open my eyes and force myself to stay calm. For her.
"Sthandwa sami," I say quietly, reaching for her hand. "I love you. And when I say that, I mean I want to take care of you. I want to see you happy. I want to see you win."
She doesn't pull her hand away, but she doesn't squeeze back either. Her face is blank.
"Allow me to help you achieve your dreams," I continue gently. "Not because you're broken. Not because you failed. But because you deserve them."
She looks at me, searching my face, like she's trying to figure out what I really want or what it will cost her.
I swallow and soften my voice even more.
"Okay… look," I say, slowing down. "Just think about it. That's all I'm asking. No pressure, no promises. Just think about it."
I lean in and press a soft kiss to her forehead.
She doesn't respond right away.
She stares at her glass, then sighs softly, like she's tired of fighting.
"I'll think about it," she finally says, her voice low as she looks at me. "Those people are dangerous, Mnotho. I don't want to lose you."
It sounds like a plea. Honest and afraid.
I don't answer. Words will only make it worse.
I pull her closer instead, holding her tighter.
Dangerous? They haven't met me yet. The real danger.

••••

[KUKHOKONKE]

Zenzele says he wants nothing to do with that throne.
I honestly don't know what he's planning, because it's clear the ancestors want him to be the next chief. And on top of that, they want my younger sister there with him. That part really pisses me off.
Yibanathi is still young. She should be focused on varsity, on being a child, on living her life not on leading people. What does she really know about leadership? She can't even make decisions without our mother influencing her. Sometimes I truly don't understand ancestors. They move slowly, then suddenly change direction like the wind, and everyone is just expected to accept it.
And what's worse? I have no say in any of this. She can marry that boy without my permission. She has a father, and I already know he'll accept the lobola from those Zungus with a big smile on his face. Nx. The thought makes my blood boil. I'm really pissed off.
So Zenzele went back home to fight with his family, that's what he said. He'll be fine. They won't touch him or harm him. The ancestor walking with him doesn't play about him, and that much I know is true. As much as I dislike him, Celo will grow up one day and ask about his stupid father. I don't want that child growing up with nothing but anger and bitterness.
This Monday, I'll be tackling that Motha family drama.
Josh agreed of course he did. He loves money. Apparently that old man is going to invest at Y3.
The strange thing about all of this is the sign I've been getting. Fruits.
I keep seeing fruits everywhere. People giving me fruits. Fruits showing up in my visions. And a bottle of water.
At first, I almost had a mini panic attack. I thought, what if it means Diamond is pregnant?
But no. It can't be her. It can't be her. She's 28, not 33. The pregnancy is supposed to come when she's 33 or maybe me? When I turn 33?
I shake my head slowly. I'm not sure anymore.
When I get back to my apartment, I need to check my dream journal. I need clarity. Something is shifting, and I don't like not knowing what it means.

And Cothoza too? Jesus Christ. I regret saying yes to Ndleleni. My life is complicated now.
So now I have two things to deal with,
the Motha family, and the monkey's paw issue.
It's Saturday, and my fasting starts tomorrow. Seven days.
"Deep in your thoughts," Mehluko says, snapping me out of it.
I blink and look at him. We're at his place. There's a braai going on. He invited a few friends, a cousin who talks like he's in a talking competition, and of course, Sne.
"Just thinking. Nothing much," I say with a shrug.
I'm drinking juice. I need to meet up with Diamond later. That was the plan for today, but she's at work. I need to stay sober.
Speaking of Dee, the love of my life, her ex, Paul, was found dead. Him and his father. Something to do with a disgusting, evil crime. No one knows who did it. Just like I saw in my vision, people are happy that a demon is dead, Paul's father.
As for Paul's death, people believe it's because he was part of a human trafficking ring. But my intuition tells me something else.
This has something to do with Diamond's friend, Nikky.
She didn't plan it, of course, but Paul's death was no accident.
It was punishment for kidnapping Nikky.
I need to meet this girl.
"So, when are we meeting your girl?" Mafika asks. Mehluko's cousin.
I frown slightly and look at Mehluko. He really has a big mouth.
"Not now. Maybe… never," I say with a shrug.
Mafika laughs.
"That means she's not good-looking. Why are you hiding her?"
I stare at him. In my younger days, I would've punched him. But not today.
I lean closer.
"Maybe you should go be a father to the kids you abandoned," I say calmly, with a smug edge. "They need you."
His face hardens.
"You…"
"Stop it, Mafika," Mehluko cuts in. "You started it."
"What? I was just asking if his girlfriend is ugly or not," Mafika says, trying to intimidate me. "Nothing personal."
"It is personal," I say, standing up.
I've had enough.
"You're leaving?" Mehluko asks, disappointed.
"Yeah," I say. "And this music is blocking my ears. Low vibration."
I walk toward the house to get water, already planning my exit. Some battles aren't worth staying for.
I ignore the ladies in the kitchen chatting with Sne, as I place the glass in the sink, and head straight to the bathroom. I close the door behind me. My body tenses.
Mafika looks like a mad man. The kind that can snap anytime. He might even attack me here. I'm only here to breathe, wash my hands, and leave. That's it. The music outside is loud, aggressive, and empty. Low vibration. It irritates my spirit.
As I reach for the tap, I pause.
I gasp.
My reflection in the mirror is not mine.
The figure staring back at me has bandages wrapped all over his face. Tight and messy. Like someone stitched together after a violent fight. My heart jumps into my throat.
I move my head.
The figure moves too.
I touch my face slowly. It touches its face.
I stumble backwards, my breath shaky, my legs weak. My back hits the wall.
"No… no," I whisper.
I close my eyes, breathing hard.
Just a vision. Just my mind playing tricks.
I open my eyes.
The figure is still there.
My heart starts racing. My body feels cold and hot at the same time. I step forward, slowly, fear crawling up my spine. I stretch my hand toward the mirror.
It does the same.
Our fingers almost touch.
Suddenly, I hear screaming outside. Bottles smashing. Chaos.
I freeze. "What the hell…?"
I rush to unlock the door and run outside. As I reach the doorway, I stop dead in my tracks.
Three crows. Big and furious.
They are attacking Mehluko and Mafika.
Wings flapping. Chaos everywhere.
Mehluko and Mafika try to fight them off, but it's useless. People start running, screaming, knocking over chairs. Some of Mehluko's friends flee immediately.
My blood turns cold.
Those are Ndleleni's crows. Or mine.
It doesn't matter.
I need to leave. Now!!
What if they turn to me? What if they obey me?
This is a township. I can't be accused of witchcraft, no, never.
As I'm about to turn and run, the crows suddenly turn and snap in my direction, right where I'm standing.
I freeze.
Mafika notices it. His eyes widen. He grabs Mehluko by the arm and pulls him hard.
"Inside!" he shouts.
They rush back into the house, panicking, pushing past me. In the chaos, Mafika shoves me hard. I lose my balance and fall forward, landing on my knees and hands outside.
"Bite him!" Mafika laughs from inside.
I hear the door slam shut.
That bastard.
I groan, trying to push myself up, but my body feels heavy, like something is pressing me into the ground. My heart is racing. My head is pounding. I don't have time to be angry.
The crows need to leave. Now.
I slowly lift my head. They're right there.
Standing close and watching me.
Not attacking, Just staring..
"Please… leave," I whisper.
My voice shakes.
They tilt their heads at the same time, black eyes sharp, almost curious. Like they understand me.
My vision blurs. A sharp pain pulses behind my eyes.
"We don't have time for this," I murmur, my breathing stuttering.
"Please… leave."
If they don't leave, these people will kill me.
Or worse… they'll say I did this.
Township rules and accusations stick like glue.
"Please," I say
One of them steps closer and pecks my forehead with its mouth, letting out a sharp scream.
The others scream too, their wings flapping wildly as they finally fly away.
I close my eyes, sighing in relief, ignoring the pain throbbing on my forehead. My chest rises and falls unevenly as I try to calm myself. I let out one last heavy breath when I hear voices nearby, people. The community.
Panic hits me.
I quickly stand up, dusting myself off, my hands shaking as I rush to my car.
Today, I almost died.
And today, I lost a friend I've known for five years.
What a humiliation ritual.

•••••

[DIAMOND]

Mnotho replaced me. I can't get hold of Nikky.
I just want to check on her, hear her voice, know if she's okay and where she is. I miss her, really.
Sika made me question Mnotho not in a bad way, just out of curiosity.
If he's the one who killed Paul… then honestly, he did good. Paul deserved it, that piece of shit.
But at the same time, I worry about Nikky's safety.
If Mnotho deals with people like that, it means he's a man with skeletons. A man who doesn't care about rules.
I've seen how he looks at Nikky. He loves her, that much is clear.
But knowing Nikky… She hates anything involving crime and violence. And I don't want her to get hurt again when she finds out who Mnotho really is behind the scenes.
When they come back from that vacation, I need to have a word with him.
Lol… I'm a hypocrite though.
I also do crime, yet here I am, worried about another criminal.
The crew is waiting for my answer. I told them I'd give it today or tomorrow so planning can start.
The heist is in two months, right around the time Konke goes under water.
I grunt softly, resting my head on my desk.
The money is good. Very good. Too good to ignore.
If we pull this off, we'll hit a jackpot. Just thinking about it makes my heart skip a beat.
Fuck.
My ancestors need to stop showing Konke visions about me. Why now?
I've been doing this for years, and not once have I been shot or seriously hurt.
This vision is confusing me. Maybe I'll get shot here. In this fancy law firm.
And I wouldn't be the first person to get shot in a place like this.
I'll be meeting Konke when I knock off today. He's already under too much pressure, and I can't add more of my stress on top of that. He's the sweetest man, even when the world keeps testing him. And the spiritual world too.
"Diamond, there's a lady asking for you at reception," the security guard says as I lift my head from my desk.
A lady?
My heart drops immediately.
Who?
I stand up fast, my heart jumping. My aunt always just walks in when she visits, she never waits at reception. My mind runs wild for a second, what if someone is here to hurt me? What if this is it?
I follow the guard down the passage, my heels clicking louder than usual.
We reach reception. Then I freeze.
"Sno," I breathe out in shock.
She looks terrible. Broken. Her hair, God, she cut it. She looks like a mess. A wounded animal. A witch who finally lost control.
My blood starts boiling instantly.
Without thinking, I grab her wrist and pull her outside. We are not doing this in front of people.
Once we're far enough, I spin around and face her, my hands shaking with anger.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss.
Lord help me, because I want to put my hands on her so badly.
She sniffs, wiping her nose like a child.
"Where is Nikky?" she asks.
I blink. Excuse me?
After everything she did, all the damage, the obsession, Now she's here crying for Nikky?
"No," I snap. "I won't tell you, because I also don't know."
Even if I did know, I wouldn't tell her. Never.
She starts sobbing properly now, her body trembling.
My eyes widen slightly.
What the hell?
"Please," she cries. "I can't live without her."
Of course she can't.
She has no identity of her own. She needs the original so she can copy, mirror, and feed off her.
"Please," she begs again. "Just call her. Let me talk to her."
My face hardens completely.
Enough of this gremlin.
"Listen to me," I say coldly. "Get lost, little girl. Go put on a wig, you look like a gremlin."
I click my tongue and turn to walk away.
Then I stop. I turn back one last time, my voice cold and firm.
"Maybe it's better this way," I say. "Nikky being far away from you. You're a virus, Sno."
I don't wait for her response.
I walk away.
"What the hell did I just witness?"
Jesus Christ, who are her parents?
No. I'm calling Zola. Her brother is in danger, and we need to move forward with the exposure plan as soon as possible.