Chapter 4: Temptations
“You know, I’m really not proud of what I’m doing here with you, Sbu. Buhle is my friend and I really feel bad for betraying her like this, especially after what happened on Monday during her birthday party” Katlego says as she lay on Sbu's chest in under the sheets at a hotel. It’s been a couple of days since that drama which turned Buhle’s birthday sour when she had an argument with Grace. After that argument at the house gate Buhle went in the house and locked herself in the bedroom and didn’t allow her friends in, so they left, each to their home. Sbu slept on the couch that night after drinking so hard with Jabu since Tsepo never came back from dropping Grace home.“Look, regretting isn’t helping okay? You are killing the mood” Sbu says as she kisses Katlego in the forehead. “I’m sorry I don’t mean to be a mood killer. It’s just that I don’t know how I’ll look at your wife after this, or you for that matter. I mean when I visit your home and you guys are all cozy it will be hard for me to take in” Katlego says as she continues to enjoy the good feeling of laying on Sbu’s chest.
“Look Katli, just try to not overthink it okay?” Sbu says as he looks on to the ceiling. Katlego takes a moment and thinks about it before saying, “I hear you. So let me get this straight though so that I know that we are on the same page” she takes a deep sigh, “So this was a once off or what? After
this we are done and we shall never repeat it? Is that the case? Because then…” she doesn’t finish as Sbu cuts her off, “What did I say Katli?” he asks with a irritable voice. “Did I not say don’t overthink it? I mean I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. And yes, this is wrong on many levels for many different reasons. It shouldn’t have happened okay but it did. And we can’t change that now so stressing about it won’t really help us, would it?” he says he brushes Katlego's back.
“okay I hear you” Katlego says. “you and I will never be in this hotel ever again but I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not regretting this moment right now. It feels so good to lay on your chest like this. To feel your warm skin rubbing against mine. To hold on to your strong muscles” as she kisses Sbu’s chest and he seems to enjoy that.
“Well I’m glad to hear that because I’m enjoying this moment with you myself. It feels so good I wish it never ends” Sbu says as he caresses Katlego’s hair. “And I hope things won’t get weird between us after this hey, I really do” he kisses her hair. “No Mr., things won’t be awkward or weird. We are just living in the moment and I perfectly get that, don’t worry about it” Katlego says as she continues to brush Sbu’s chest. “Oh please don’t get caught when you leave okay, especially by your friend
Lindiwe. She owns this hotel, and I don’t want that drama happening right now” Sbu responds as he takes a drink on the side of the bed and drinks. “Oh don’t worry about it okay? You also make sure you are not caught okay?” Katlego says as she kisses him.
“Oh no, Lindiwe knows that we always book this hotel’s conference hall for our regional meetings and today is one of those” Sbu says looking at the time. “So what time is your meeting.?” Katlego asks as she takes a sip of her drink. “It’s at 15:00, why?” Sbu asks curiously but Katlego doesn’t respond but just climbs on top of him and starts kissing him passionately and Sbu accepts the invitation.
***
At the same hotel but another floor, Lindiwe had come to see Tsego the journalist who had promised to cover Lindiwe's booming business. Tsego is a very ambitious journalist who really works hard for a story, the dangerous the better for him. He has gained reputation for having impeccable sources and being a thorn on politicians' flesh because he is well researched.
“You know, you said this was about you writing a story about my hotel but what happened after
that? I’m now naked and sweaty under your hotel room sheets” Lindiwe says, looking embarrassed by it as she brushes Tsego's chest who just smiles and ignores what is being said. “Tsego, but why me though? I mean you know I’m married, to a politician no less. Couldn’t you find yourself another girl somewhere that is unattached?” as she kisses his chest. “Where is the fun in that really?” Tsego
jokes as he laughs but it doesn’t look like Lindiwe enjoyed that but then he gets serious again, “You ask why you? I mean I’ve always loved you Lindi, always. You are special to me” he says to which Lindiwe smiles as she kisses him.
From the first time I laid my eyes on you I knew that’s you my heart wanted. And you can deny it if you want Lindi but when our eyes met that day at the shop, we stared at each other for a moment before we greeted, didn’t we?” Tsego says to a smiling Lindi, who seems to be enjoying going down memory lane. She is not verbally responding but she continues to brush Tsego’s chest to show that she’s listening and enjoying the conversation.
“Yes I admit, the ring did discourage me a little bit at the shop and we went our separate ways but when we bumped into each other again two weeks later at that concert I think it’s safe to say that we both didn’t want to let that opportunity pass us again as we ended up making love in my car. But then after that I never saw you again, in person that is” Tsego says as he caresses Lindiwe’s hair, but she jumps in, “Oh come on, T, you knew I was married, that was bound to happen, right?” she says as she gives him a kiss. “But yes I loved every moment in your car, without any regrets. For what’s worth I didn’t forget either but being married meant you and would handle this different. Had I been unmarried I probably would have searched for you, you know” she says to which Tsego smiles and gives her a kiss. and gives her a kiss.
“So what do you call today? What is this that we are doing?” he asks curiously to which Lindiwe
takes a moment to think. “Look, why give it a name at all? I mean let’s just enjoy this moment please and not ruin it. My husband is away on business so I don’t have to worry about having to rush home on time, hey” she says with a smile as she continues to lay in Tsego’s chest.
“Well, okay then I hear you. But can I ask though?” Tsego says. “Do you still have feelings for me at all Lindi?” as he looks to the ceiling. This seems to have caught Lindiwe off guard as she thinks for a second. “But what good will that do Tsego it really doesn’t matter if I have feelings for you or not.
I’m a married woman, I shouldn’t even be naked in this bed with you. My husband would kill us both if he can find out” as she sighs deeply. “But of course I wouldn’t be here with you in this bed right now if I didn’t have feelings for you. I’m not the type that sleeps around with men who mean nothing to her” to that, Tsego just kisses her on the forehead and then lips. A little silence passes by as both of them seem to be thinking about this very moment. Tsego has a smile on his face but it’s a little difficult to read what Lindiwe is actually thinking about.
“But I really need you to do something for me, T” she says as she climbs on top of Tsego and looks at him in the eyes. “Can you please delay airing of the story about my husband?” well, well, well were those words not a deal breaker for Tsego who looks irritated by them as he removes Lindi from top of him and sits straight in the bed.
“Oh wow, so this was all that about huh? So you are here in this bed with me because you want to beg for your husband? Well, nicely played okay. So all this talk about feelings is just…” the upset Tsego doesn’t finish as Lindiwe cuts him off, “Oh come you know better than that, of course I meant what I said okay?” she says. “But I’m begging you to hold out on this story, just for a little longer. I’m not saying forever but just for now okay? And I would really…” she doesn’t herself as Tsego cuts her off, “What’s the difference Lindi, if we release the story now or later huh?” he asks as he raises his voice. “Your husband is corrupt and I have evidence, so that won’t change between now and whenever time the story may be released” as he looks away in frustration.
Lindiwe also sits up straight and lean on Tsego’s shoulder as she takes a second to think. “Look I don’t know what sort of evidence you have against my husband and I’m not saying don’t do your job okay? But I’m asking that you delay a little bit in the release of this story, for my sake please” as she looks at an annoyed Tsego with begging eyes.
“Look, the timing is really bad for me right now. My business is doing so well as you can see this hotel has become an attraction. We are in the middle of an acquisition and will be launching satellite hotels across the country soon, so much money has been invested in this. I have no dealings with my husband’s businesses and I have nothing to do with whatever you have on him but I’m still his wife so whatever affects him affects me. If I become associated with corrupt politicians, then I can kiss all my business goodbye because it won’t survive the scandal. So please I’m begging you” her voice is trembling a little bit.
This makes Tsego to take a minute a think, he looks a lot calmer now after this. He puts his hand over his mouth and thinks hard.
“so basically what you are saying to me Lindi is that I must kill this story because if I don’t you will
lose everything huh?” he asks as he looks away to avoid eye contact. “No, no, no babe” Lindi says as she pulls his face to look at her. “I’m saying only just for now, you know until I’ve signed these deals and done the launch. After that then you can release it and I will deal with the aftermath. At least then deals would have been made” she says as she looks at Tsego in the eyes.
He takes a minute to think, “Okay then I will freeze this story for now even though this may cost me my job. But let’s be clear on something okay? I’m not doing this for your husband, but for you because I love you” he says which comes a relief to Lindiwe who smiles at him and pulls him closer to kiss him. Tsego accepts the invitation as he kisses her back. “Thank you so much. This means a lot to me babe, you know that right?” Lindiwe says. “And I will show you just how much I appreciate you, right now” as she pins Tsego down and climbs on top of him again and he doesn’t fight it himself. They make love one more time with double passion under the sheets.
***
On the same day, Buhle has gone unconventional by visiting MEC Tendai at his home. This is the same day he was meant to come back for his test results after having been examined by Buhle at the hospital. Tendai has a beautiful mansion in the upper class suburbs, and shockingly he lives alone. He has a 8 year old daughter who lives with her mother, even though she comes to visit every other weekend since they have shared custody.
“Well, thank you doctor for bringing my results at my home since I couldn’t be able to honor my appointment. I really apologize for the inconvenience caused” Tendai says as he pours drinks for both him and Buhle he sits on the couch rather nervously. “So I suppose it’s something I should
worry about since you couldn’t tell me over the phone, huh?” he says as he comes to sit down next
to Buhle as he gives her a glass. “Oh no, you have nothing to worry about really. I was just in the neighborhood so I thought I might as well pass by you?” Buhle says as she takes a sip but Tendai looks at her and let out a little smile. “What?” Buhle asks curiously as she looks at him in the eyes. “Oh no, it’s just I was wondering if you keep all your patients’ files in your bag, you know just in case you go pass their neighborhood, hahaha” he bursts out laughing.
But this joke seems to have caught Buhle off guard as she is embarrassed by it. “Oh well you really got me there” she says. “Actually I was wondering if that lunch offer was still on the table, well even though it would probably be dinner now, looking at the time” she says as she blushes but Tendai just smiles at her without saying anything.
“Oh but if your wife, girlfriend, mother or whatever woman you are hiding upstairs approves, hahaha” Buhle bursts out laughing. She really had to get back at him about that files joke. Tendai gets the joke as he also laughs, “Hahaha. No actually there’s no one hidden upstairs. We can go to the bedroom now if you want to check” he says naughtily and Buhle blushes as she looks away while
taking a sip of her drink. “But on a serious note, I live by myself. I have a daughter though and she lives with her mother. She comes over for a visit every other weekend” Tendai says as he takes another sip. “So who cooks for you here than in this big house? Or you eat takeaways every day? You know that’s really not healthy for you Mr. MEC” Buhle says with a smile.
“Well get your apron on, doctor and cook for me hahaha” Tendai says laughing. “Oh no, I haven’t done that even in my house lately, for my own family and now I must do it in a stranger’s house? No ways, hahaha” Buhle says as she takes another sip. “Hahaha, stranger’s? I don’t think we are strangers anymore Buhle, you have my file which is confidential. That means you know more about me than most people do” Tendai says as he also takes a sip of his drink.
This makes Buhle think for a second as she finishes whatever was in the glass. Whatever it was, it has clearly loosened her up a little bit. “Tell you what, Mr. MEC, why don’t we make this fun? We will both go to the kitchen and we will cook together and come up with our own unique dish, how’s that?” she says with a naughty smile. With that Tender’s eyes brighten up with excitement. “Now you are talking. Let’s do this” he says as he stands and go to the kitchen drawer and pulls two aprons. He throws one to Buhle’s face. She just smiles and wears it. For the next two hours they fun- cook something that looks super delicious. They were occasionally dancing to whatever music was playing since they were just going with the flow of the evening.
“So are you and your baby mama still together?” Buhle asks as she sips her wine. They are now seated down after two hours of preparing for this dinner. They decided to make it a candlelight dinner set up. It could have been cocktails that led to that but they seem to be enjoying each other’s company and seem quite comfortable to talk about anything.
“Well I’m not sure if we are together or not” Tendai says as he sips his wine too and this seems to puzzle Buhle a little bit., “What do you mean you don’t know? How can you not know if you are with someone or not?” she asks which seems to make Tendai a little uncomfortable. “Well I know it sounds crazy but I’m serious. The only time we see each other is when she comes to drop my daughter for a visit. We are friendly but we just drifted apart with time plus I have been busy as well. It’s nobody’s fault though” he says as he drinks his wine. He really seems uncomfortable with this topic but he thought oh what the heck? I might as well tell her
“Thank you for your honesty” Buhle says as she smiles. “Do you still love her though?” she is persistent. Tendai thinks for a second. “Well yeah I do I mean she’s the mother of my child and she’s a good person. Whatever drifted us apart…I don’t know hey” he says as he looks down as if he’s embarrassed. “okay enough about me. You? Do you still love your husband?” he asks.
Buhle almost falls off the sofa as she’s caught off guard by that. “yeah of course I love my husband hey, very much. But I suppose just like in your case, we fight a lot lately, over stupid things. But yes I love my family very much” she says as she takes a huge sip of her drink. “So honestly, Buhle. I’ve been honest with you; so can you be honest with me also? Why are you here?” Tendai asks as he fixes his eyes on Buhle a d she is fixing hers on his. But without a moment’s notice she jumps on him with a kiss and he accepts it. Before they knew it, they were making love on the sofa, clothes all over the floor. After a while they found themselves in a bath tub.
“So did you enjoy that Mr. MEC?” Buhle asks as she blows off foam bubbles from her hand. She leans against a tired looking Tendai's chest. “well, of course I did doctor” Tendai says as he kisses her in the head. “It was really amazing I’m still trying to catch a breath” he says holding Buhle from behind and she really likes that.
“So can I ask? Does this mean you will be coming for cooking lessons more often now?” Tendai says as he kisses Buhle in the neck. She just bursts out laughing, “Hahaha, cooking lessons? Wow! Is that what you call that? So who was the teacher and who was the learner? Hahaha” Tendai joins in on the laughter, “Hahaha, of course I was the teacher hahaha” as he lays another kiss on the neck.
“Oh okay then if you say so” Buhle says. “But as for me coming here often, I don’t think that’s a good idea. As much as this fantasy was beautiful and definitely enjoyable, I’m still married Tendai” as her voice changes to being a little serious. “I don’t want to lose my family over this. And please don’t get me wrong I really loved this a lot and honestly I want more of it but it may not be realistic. You also have your girlfriend to work things out with. Agreed?” as she turns to look at a rather disappointed Tendai and gives him a kiss.
“Okay I hear you. You make sense and I won’t argue with that” Tendai says with a low voice as he continues to hold Buhle from behind. She turns around and looks at him, “Hey, hey, hey don’t be so disappointed okay?” she says. “I didn’t say I regret this. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to do this more often. I love being here” she kisses him passionately. In no time they were making love again in the bath tub.
***
At the Lindy Hotel, Katlego waited in the hotel room for Sbu to finish with work meeting and after that they continued from where they left off. But now it’s getting late and it’s time to part ways. The trick is to ensure that they are not seen together here by people who may know them.
For Sbu it may not be that hard because this hotel always hosts meetings for his company and most of the guests from outside the province or from overseas are booked here, so they tend to host parties after these meetings. So it won’t be out of the ordinary for anyone to see him here in the hallway after work hours, not even for Lindiwe who owns this beautiful hotel. But it’s a little tricky for Katlego because if she bumps into Lindiwe, she may ask questions that she may not be able to answer.
So as Katlego left the room, she decided to take the stairs instead of an elevator to avoid bumping on to someone she knows. Luckily for her the room was in 8th floor. It would have been a mission and half if Sbu was booked at 20th floor in this 30-floor building. Or maybe she could have taken it, since she works out a lot.
Finally, she makes to the ground floor and her eyes are fixed on the exit door ahead. There are a few people sitting in the waiting area and when she takes a peek at them she sees that she doesn’t recognize any of them, that’s good news. This is always the tricky part about sneaking into hotels to cheat on people, you become paranoid and think everyone is looking at you.
Few more steps, and I’m out of here, Katlego thinks to herself as she is almost there but she almost falls to the floor when she hears a voice that sounds familiar calling her name from behind her. At that very moment she wishes earth could open up and swallow her, she was almost in the clear. If she had upped her pace a little bit, she would have been out of this place a long time ago.
She turns around slowly, dreading to have eye contact with the person calling for name. It’s one person she really didn’t to see, Lindiwe standing at the reception with one of her employees. It’s the last place she expected her to be. Their eyes meet and suddenly it dawned on her, What the hell have I done? She thinks as Lindiwe comes to her.
“Hey my friend, what are you doing here at this hour?” Lindiwe says as she hugs Katlego who has become frozen for a second. “Hey, hey my friend. I’m okay hey, how are you?” she says with a trembling voice. “Uhmm, I was meeting someone here and you? What are you still doing here passed working hours?” she says, with a nervous smile but Lindiwe is having none of it, “Hey this is my hotel so I leave anytime when I want. My husband is away so there’s no rush for me” she says.
“But you? Who were you serving with that fine *** in my hotel? Hahaha” she bursts out laughing to which Katlego feels compelled to join in order to brush off any suspensions. “Hahaha, oh come on friend. I was meeting up some guy that could be a potential you know? Hahaha. Who knows maybe I could be inviting you to my wedding soon hahaha” she says with another laughter.
“Hey you never told us about any potential my friend come on” Lindiwe persists but this is becoming a little awkward for Katlego who is desperate for a way out of this hole. “My friend I will tell you all about it when we meet up okay? But right now I got to rush okay? I love you darling” she says as she hugs and kiss Lindiwe who accepts. In a flash Katlego was heading for the door, leaving her friend Lindiwe hanging there by herself.
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