CHAPTER 56

CHAPTER 56

SELLO MOTHA

Nothing cuts deeper than betrayal. Not the betrayal of strangers, the people who don't know you, that's easy to understand. No, the real pain comes from those closest to you: friends, family, people you trusted with your heart.
Sello has reached a breaking point. Nothing, from now on, will sway him from his decision. He received a call from his lawyer today regarding the company he sold to Konke, everything went smoothly. Knowing that gives him some measure of peace.
A boy, someone who helped him uncover even more disturbing truths about his own family, reminded him why this was necessary. Sello knows this choice will shatter Konke, and yet, it is the only path left. He is exhausted, hurt to the core, and all he wants now is rest.
He sold his construction company to a family who truly understands the business, people who will handle it with care and ensure it thrives. That knowledge eases his mind. At least the company, a piece of him will be safe, even if his trust in people is not.
Sello is done being betrayed. He is done being hurt. He is done carrying what others refuse to bear. And though it pains him, he knows that sometimes, letting go is the only way to survive. Survive? No, that's not even the right word at this moment. Tonight, no one will survive. All of them are leaving this planet, and going to hell, if hell is real.
His family doesn't know that he's sold most of his companies: Kediboni, Molapo, even that murderer of a son, Tsietsi, who is not truly his, the one he raised. They will all find out now, when they are about to face their last supper. His butler will be taken care of, his butler, the one loyal soldier who has stood by him through everything.
As Sello walks into the dining room, he finds his family already drinking, chatting, laughing as if they're mocking him. Mocking the betrayal he endured. Kedi and Molapo continued their affair, right under his nose. Tsietsi murdered Pule, an innocent child, the only child so determined to reveal the truth about this family. And now, Sello sees no reason for any of them to live. None. They should all die.

He pulls out a chair and sits down slowly, letting out a bitter chuckle.
"Must be nice," Sello says, his voice cold and heavy. Both Kedi and Molapo frown at his words. Tsietsi doesn't even look up, glued to his phone, drinking casually.
"What's wrong?" Kedi asks, curiosity and a hint of caution in her voice, placing her glass of champagne carefully on the table.
Sello just moves his gaze slowly from Kedi, to Molapo, to their son. He lets the silence hang in the air. He already made sure all their favorite drinks are drugged, so when this house catches fire, they won't run screaming. They won't escape.
"I've sold all my companies," Sello begins, his tone flat, sharp, and deadly calm. Tsietsi finally pauses, looking at him, shocked.
"What?" Tsietsi asks, his voice tight. "Without informing us, Dad?"
Sello frowns, eyes cold as ice.
"I'm not your father," he says, his voice low and final.
Everyone gasps around the table.
"Se…"
"Shut up, Kedi. Just… shhh," Sello cuts her off, his gaze slicing across the room, landing hard on his brother.
"You went and slept with my wife," Sello says, voice rising but controlled, each word dripping venom. "You and your family went behind my back. You made decisions for me. And you… you went and slept with my wife," he repeats, letting his eyes burn into Molapo.
Molapo opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Not a single one.
"Can't speak now, brother? Huh? It was so nice, wasn't it? Betraying me, watching me raise your children, laughing at me behind my back. You loved that, didn't you?" Sello asks, his voice low but cutting.
"Sello, we were trying to help you," Molapo says softly.
That makes Sello laugh out loud, bitter and cruel.
"My love," Kedi whispers. That makes Sello's blood boil even more.
"My love? My love? You continued having an affair with my brother even after Pule was born! And my poor boy… he saw you, caught you in the act. And what did you do? You wanted to kill him. Poison him. You abused him… you abused your son, repeatedly," Sello says, his voice rising with visible anger. "You did it on purpose, huh? You knew you were pregnant with Pule and drank alcohol to harm him," he adds, his eyes burning.
Kedi is sobbing now, softly shaking her head.
"No… no, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. I was under so much pressure, Sello… your family was demanding too much. I didn't mean to harm Pule," Kedi cries, tears streaming down her face.
Sello clicks his tongue sharply, his stare piercing.
"You should have come to me, Kedibone. I would have protected you from my family! But no… you decided to betray me. Slept with my brother, had children with him. Even after the kids were born, you kept going back… over and over again. Don't act like a victim, Kedibone. Please… don't," Sello says, his voice harsh, full of hurt and fury.
Kedi cries even louder, shaking violently. Sello turns his eyes to Tsietsi.
"And you… you went and killed your own brother. Threw him out of the window," Sello hisses, his words like knives.
Tsietsi's eyes widen, shaking his head.
"No, Pa, I didn't…"
"Shut up!!!" Sello roars, making Tsietsi jump back in fear. "I have all the proof. The notes, the phone… everything Pule hid from you and your parents, because you knew exactly what you were doing to him when I wasn't watching, you evil piece of shit," Sello adds, clicking his tongue again. His anger radiates, every word piercing and heavy.
"Sello, please, let's all talk calmly," Molapo jumps in.
"I am calm, Molapo. I am calm," Sello says, his eyes still fixed on Tsietsi.
"Why did you kill him? You thought I wasn't going to find out? Huh? You wanted to be the one who got all the inheritance? Inheritance that was never yours? You are not my child, you are not mine, so you won't get shit. Ask your dad to work hard and build you a legacy. Oh, he won't, because he is a loser like you. Like father, like son," Sello hisses.
A table rattles as Molapo bangs his fist, his eyes full of fury. Sello just scoffs.
"What now? You're going to kill me, like your son killed his brother?" Sello asks, taunting him. "Your son is a murderer, Molapo," he adds, clicking his tongue as he finally stands.
"Pa, please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I was so angry," Tsietsi says, dropping to his knees, tears streaming.
Sello laughs, dark and bitter. He doesn't care if he is the villain now, he should have cut them all off long ago. Maybe then Pule would still be alive. Maybe then he could have focused on himself, instead of a family that betrayed him.
"I don't care, you fuckin murderer. Your night has come. Tonight, you will pay for your sins," Sello says, chuckling coldly.
Tsietsi's eyes widen. Sello ignores him and turns toward his wife and brother.
"Why don't you take your woman and comfort her brother? While at it, go make another child," Sello says, laughing.
He turns to walk away, his plan set, to take his last breath in Pule's room, the only good thing he ever had in his life.
But at the doorway, he feels a hard push. He slips and falls face-first onto the floor, groaning softly. That person turns him around and stands over him, it's Tsietsi. Sello is not even shocked; he expected this boy to turn against him.
"You want to kill me too?" Sello asks.
Tsietsi lunges, pressing his hand around Sello's neck. Sello feels his eyes widen with shock. With the last of his strength, he takes a small remote from his pocket, hiding it so Tsietsi can't see.
With one last look at the boy he raised, now a monster he says: "You are not my son."
He presses the button.
The house bursts into flames.

••••
[MNOTHO]

I just secured a contract to supply that pharmacy. A full year. If they are happy with our service, they will renew it. This is big. This is worth celebrating.
But the woman of the house is leaving for Durban this afternoon, so the celebration will have to wait. I want to celebrate with her. With Nikky.
Bangizwe and Jobe arrived this morning. They went straight to Mtho's place. Bangizwe is already angry because I did not allow them into my house. His suspicion is growing by the minute. He keeps asking what I am hiding. He keeps asking why he can't see Nikky.
I ignore him completely.
He will see Nikky when the time is right. And now is not the right time. I know Bangizwe very well. He will ruin everything if I let him. He always does.
Sisanda once brought home a man who was older than her. Bangizwe lost his mind. He disowned his own daughter. Less than a month after that, the man died mysteriously. Just like that. Gone.
Sisanda was forced to come back home. She was already pregnant with that man's child.
Strangely, Bangizwe accepted her back. He even accepted the baby.
But my gut knows the truth.
Bangizwe is the reason that man died. I know it. I feel it deep inside me.
Sometimes I wonder what will happen if Sisanda and her child ever find out. How will Bangizwe fix that? How will he explain that he took away a father from his own grandchild? Sisanda will never forgive him.
Thandolwethu, Sisanda's daughter, is grown now. She is about four… maybe three. Around that age.
I am not scared that Bangizwe might make Nikky disappear. No. That will never happen. Bangizwe knows better than to cross me like that.
But I don't want Nikky to feel unwelcome. I don't want her to walk into a house filled with judgment and cold eyes.
Before Nikky meets them, I will sit down with my siblings. I will tell them everything. And I will warn them clearly.
If anyone harms Nikky in any way, I will deal with them myself.
Nikky has already been through too much. I will not allow her to suffer again because of the world I am about to introduce her to.
The moment I sit down on my chair, the door opens.
Fanyana walks in.
"Sorry to barge in," he says politely. "There's an issue with Bonga's container," he adds.
I frown.
"Container?" I ask, confused.
He nods. "Yes. He called me. He says it might be leaking and he's asking you to please check it."
I stare at him.
"What container now?" I ask.
"The one he brought here," Fanyana says. "The container house."
Oh. That container.
The container house Bonga recklessly spent his money on. I shake my head slowly.
"Why don't you go check it?" I ask.
"No," Fanyana says quickly. "Only you and Bonga have the access code. He said you are the one who must go."
Then he walks out.
I huff loudly and grab my phone. Bonga really thinks we are his employers now. One day I will call people and remove that container completely.
The phone rings twice before he answers.
"Bonga," I say sharply. "You should come and deal with whatever issue is happening with that container house of yours."
"Please go and check it, Dad," he says. "What if it blows up? Don't act like you've never used it before."
He is right. I have used it before. I was too lazy to drive home one night, so I slept there. It even has a bathroom.
"Please, Dad," he continues. "Go check it. I can't allow anyone else to go there, especially Fanyana. He will go in, steal inside, and you'll regret it. You'll end up going around shooting people." Then he drops the call.
I gasp loudly.
This idiot.
Fanyana is one of my most loyal employees. He would never steal.
I huff again and stand up. Not because I am listening to Bonga, but because I am curious now.
What exactly is wrong with that container?
.
.
.
I lazily make my way to the container. These days, people live in container homes like it's nothing. Bonga bought this one so that if he or I, were too tired to drive home, we could sleep here. I've used it maybe twice. Still, I say he wasted his money or the company's money.
I stop at the door and sigh softly, punching in the code.
The door opens.
The moment I step inside, I freeze.
"It's rude to make a lady wait, Mr. Mlambo," Nikky says softly, a wicked smile playing on her lips.
My breath catches.
I quietly turn back and check the door, making sure it's locked. It is. I swallow hard and turn to face her
She is sitting there like she owns the room. Like she owns me.
I walk slowly toward the couch. Before I can say a word, she lifts her leg and blocks my path, her movement calm.
"Kneel," she whispers, that same dangerous smile still on her face.
Kneel?
I stare at her. She tilts her head slightly and nods once, calmly, as if she knows I heard her right. My eyes drop to my clothes. A full three-piece suit. My perfect expensive suit.
This woman is insane.
But she is also looking at me like she already owns me. Which she does.
Slowly, I loosen my shoulders. I straighten my jacket once, then lower myself down. One knee first. Then the other. The cold floor meets my skin through the fabric.
Nikky exhales softly, pleased.
"Good," she says, softly. "You still look like a powerful man," she murmurs. "Even on your knees."
My jaw tightens.
Thank God the windows have blinds, and they are closed. If any of my employees saw me like this. on my knees, silent, obedient. It would be the end of my reputation.
Her heel slides slowly down, tracing the line of my tie, then my chest. My hands resting on my thighs, doing absolutely nothing unless she tells me to.
I gasp quietly before I can stop myself and look up at her.
"Nikky…" I whisper.
She leans forward and presses one finger gently against my lips.
"Shh, baby," she says softly, amused. "Let me enjoy my view in peace."
She giggles, low and playful, then leans back into the couch, completely relaxed and completely in control, her foot still on me like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.
Her heel continues its slow movement, teasing, deliberate. She knows exactly what she is doing. She watches my reaction closely, enjoying every second of it.
She suddenly stops and bites her lip.
She smiles, tapping the side of the couch.
"Come sit next to me, baby," she says with that sweet, innocent voice. I sigh heavily. She knows exactly how to push my buttons. Slowly, I crawl onto the couch, stand briefly, and sit beside her.
"Trying to kill me?" I mutter with a shaky sigh. She just smiles again.
"That was only the beginning," she says softly, standing in front of me. The beginning? I watch her, frozen. She slowly removes her dress, leaving only that red lingerie, the one I almost died seeing her in. My body stiffens. I'm losing control again, just like always.
She climbs on top of me, her hands tracing mine as they tremble slightly.
"Peaches…we're at work," I whisper, my voice hoarse. She smells amazing.
"That makes it perfect," she murmurs, running her fingers along my beard. "The rush, the adrenaline." I gasp, nodding like a fool.
"Just don't scream…your workers will hear you," she warns. A shiver runs through me. I glance around, windows closed, blinds down.
With lightning speed, she drops to her knees, undoing my belt, opening my zipper, and sliding down my trousers. My boxer briefs follow. I'm completely exposed to her. My heart races, a mix of fear, excitement, and raw desire. My breaths come fast, shallow and desperate.
She takes me in, and the sudden heat, the closeness, leaves me shivering. My hands twitch, wanting to hold her, but I don't resist. How could I? She already owns me in every way that matters.
I can't help myself. My hands move almost on their own, cupping her head gently, holding her close. The warmth of her, the soft heat of her lips, leaves me shivering more, my body humming with a tension I can't control.
"Nikky…" I breathe, voice low and rough, desperate and lost at the same time. Her eyes meet mine, full of mischief and power, and I feel every inch of control slipping away.
Her teeth graze me softly, and a shaky, rough groan escapes my mouth.
My heart pounds faster and faster, like it might just stop. I close my eyes, feeling my whole body shiver once more, my lips trembling too.
She keeps her teeth grazing, teasing, deliberate.
"Ni…" I gasp, pressing my hand over my mouth, trying not to make a sound.
Then, a loud knock on the door.
"Mnotho!"
That's Bangizwe's voice. What the hell is he doing here?
My whole body freezes, shaking. I can't move. I can't even answer him.
.
.
.
I really feel used now. Nikky wants to leave, telling me she's rushing somewhere, and I'm just lying here on the floor, tired. Our session moved from the couch to the floor, and I don't even know what Bangizwe is doing here, I ignored him completely.
"Can't you leave later? You're going to leave me like this?" I ask, my voice a little hurt.
She finally slips her dress on and turns to look at me.
"I can't, baby. You know we're leaving this afternoon, and your brother is here. What if he sees me?" she says, shrugging.
I frown.
"I'm sure he left," I say.
She smiles and shakes her head. "I can't. I need to get ready for the trip. Don't worry, I'll come back, safe and sound."
Of course she'll come back safe and sound. I made sure of it. I sit up.
"And also, I want to call my sister. She was rude yesterday because I said no to Mom," she adds.
"What did your mom want?" I ask, curiosity creeping in. I hope that woman isn't forcing her to attend Zacharia's funeral.
She sighs heavily before answering.
"Well, my mother asked me to bake seven buckets of biscuits for the funeral. Imagine that. I went to tell her no, I won't bake or attend that man's funeral. I guess she felt I disrespected her and called Ntobe," she says quietly.
I don't like this at all. So she actually wanted to force Nikky to participate, to help with that funeral of the man who didn't protect her when she was a child? Hell no. I was going to fetch Nikky personally from that funeral and take her to a psychiatrist if I had to.
"You did good. They can't force you to attend that man's funeral," I say firmly.
Next is Zorro. I wanted to deal with him right after Zacharia, but Nikky would ask too many questions. Since she already told me what they did to her, I'm giving Zorro two days. Then I'll handle him.
"I wasn't going to go anyway, forced or not. Ntobe told me Mom found a catering company, so I guess they'll bake," she says, leaning closer and dropping a soft kiss.
"I love you. See you Monday, baby," she says.
I frown. Monday?
"Not Sunday?" I ask, shocked.
"Baby, no. The car will drop us at my flat, and I'll be tired. So… yeah, let me go," she says, picking up her bag and walking out.
I sigh and lie back, staring at the ceiling. I need to do something to ruin that man's funeral, and I already know how.

••••
[KUKHOKONKE]

I never thought I would ever be called into a police station because of a serious case they are working on. The detective, whose name I've already forgotten, places my picture on the table. I blink as I notice Snes' face plastered on it. I grab it and look closer.
It's a picture of me receiving an award years ago, and the woman standing next to me, it's my sister Fanele. She had flown from Durban to attend this event.
"Why is Sne's face hiding my sister's face?" I ask the detective, shocked.
"Oh, so you know her? You met her?" he asks. I nod.
"She's dating… a guy who used to be my friend," I reply. He nods and jots something down in his notebook.
"You mean Mehluko? That was your friend?" he asks.
"Yes, him," I agree.
He writes again and looks up at me.
"Why did you stop being friends?"
I scoff. "How is this going to help? And why is Sne on my picture?" I ask, annoyed.
The detective sighs. "We got an anonymous tip and these pictures. Sne and her sister and friend are running a syndicate. They target rich, wealthy, and working men. They trap them, then file cases against them, like rape or assault."
My eyes widen.
"You were her next target. We think she went to date Mehluko so she could be closer to you, ask him personal questions about you, approach you, and trap you," he explains, shrugging. I gasp in shock.
So that's why Mehluko got arrested. Wait… is he part of this syndicate too?
"Is Mehluko part of this?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "He's not. He's just another victim, like all these men. You were very lucky Sne couldn't get to you," he says, closing his notebook and taking the picture from me. I frown.
"It's for evidence," he adds, standing up. He places his pen on the table.
"I'll be back. You need to write a statement and fill an affidavit," he says and walks off.
"Hey, won't I need my lawyer?" I call after him.
He ignores me and leaves.
He's so rude. I click my tongue, take out my phone, and text my lawyer. I place my phone on the table, and the pen rolls toward me. I catch it and hold it; it's engraved with N. Baloyi.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see who's touching me, and suddenly, I'm somewhere else. I've shifted. I'm near a house. I look around, it looks like a village. An older woman stands in front of me, and it startles me a bit.
"I'm sorry," she says. "Please, follow me," she pleads softly.
She starts walking, and I follow her. I don't even know where I am, but I follow this elderly woman I don't know. We stop by a garden, under a large mango tree. She points to a plant growing under it.
"Tell Nhlamulo to give this to his mother," she says.
I frown. Who is Nhlamulo? I look at the plant and the woman, confused.
"Who is Nhlamulo?" I ask again.
"Just tell him. His mother will need this plant," she repeats. She keeps repeating it, over and over, and the sound grows louder, piercing my ears. I groan softly, fall to my knees, and everything goes black.
.
.
.
I hear voices around me. I slowly open my eyes. I'm still at the detective's office, now lying on the couch.
"I didn't attack him, I swear," the detective says.
"Well, why was my client on the floor? Can someone explain that?" That's my lawyer speaking. I try to sit up.
"Are you okay?" the detective asks, rushing to me. His rudeness is gone now. He helps me sit up and quickly hands me a glass of water. I take it slowly and gulp it down in one go. I shake my head, trying to stay awake, there's that headache again. I look at them.
"I'm okay. I just fainted," I say softly. I sigh, resting my face in my hands. Who the hell is Nhlamulo, and where will I even find him? He or his mother needs that plant, as soon as possible. I raise my head; they are still looking at me.
"Is there anything you need from me?" I ask, standing and looking at the detective.
"No, you're going home, Mr. Hadebe. But there's something serious I need to tell you," my lawyer says firmly. The detective shakes his head, jots something down, and quickly hands it to me.
"Please, if you remember anything that will help me with this case, call me," he says softly. I take the paper from him, N. Baloyi again and his number. I look up at him.
"N?" I ask.
"Oh, I'm Nhlamulo Baloyi. Earlier I gave you a wrong name, sorry," he says apologetically.
I freeze. I hear my lawyer gasp loudly and scoff beside me. Oh… it all makes sense now. I was holding his pen and shifted, I saw that spirit. I turn to my lawyer.
"Can you please wait for me outside?" I ask politely. "This is personal. It's about Mr. Baloyi, not the case." He looks at me and Nhlamulo, nods, and walks out.
"What about me?" Nhlamulo asks, curious.
"Look, I know this will sound weird, and I will understand if you don't believe me," I start. He crosses his arms and watches me. "I'm… a seer, kind of," I add.
He scoffs.
"I'm sorry… continue," he says, reluctantly.
I sigh. "I saw a woman in a village near a blue house. She took me to her garden, and we stopped under a big mango tree, and…" My mouth moves, but no words come out. I touch my lips. His eyes widen.
"What the…?" Nhlamulo whispers.
Oh my god… they took my voice. Why?
"Mango tree in the garden?" he asks. I nod. I motion for him to give me a pen and paper. He quickly turns and hands them to me. I write as fast as I can that his mother needs… and my hand freezes. Oh no. He notices immediately and grabs the paper.
"My mother?" he whispers. "My mother is in the hospital. She's been sick, and the doctors don't know how to help her," he adds. Yes, that's why the old woman said the plant will help his mother. But since I'm mute and my hand is frozen, I can't tell him everything. Where is Ndleleni? Or Gogo? Can they help me?
"Mango tree?" Nhlamulo says, rubbing his hair, thinking hard.
The door suddenly swings open. An officer walks in and drops a newspaper on the desk.
"The Motha family made it to the front page," the officer says, and walks away.
Nhlamulo is still stuck on what I wrote, but my eyes catch the headline:
"Motha residence caught in flames, no one survived."