Nelisile has started working at my company. Her and I would murder each other if she reported directly into me. It just wouldn’t work. I don’t trust her for reception because she has bad days five out of the seven days in a week. If there is a person who can really make sure that she brings out the best in her, it’s Thando. So, I asked Thando if Neli could be in her team and manage the admin aspect of her business manager role. Neli will report into Thando. That way, I’m keeping her close while keeping our relationship professional.
She’s been with Thando for three days and Thando runs such a tight ship that Nelisile tried to be a brat and Thando made sure that she remembers why she’s here in the first place and that here, I’m her CEO, not her sister. So as an employee, she can be fired.
I haven’t checked in on how things are since that reality check conversation. But Neli is at work today and Thando is the most unbothered person I know. She gives you work whether you are speaking to her or not. She’s done well with my PA and secretary to a point where I barely manage them. I have faith that she will pull through with Neli.

But anyway, today, I decided that maybe it would be nice if I could cheer her up a bit. My mom says she’s been grumpy lately. It may be because of Thando and maybe her hoping that she’d have a more senior position around here. But this is Nelisile. It is also possible that she just has other things happening in her life.

I leave my office and make my way to her desk. I come bringing food and flowers. I would have summoned her to my office, but this is Neli. I would have got attitude nje. I told Thando I’d steal her for an hour and she said it’s fine.

“Madam”, I say as I get to her desk.
She is looking sour and people around the space are observing us very carefully.
“Sawubona”, she says to me. But her face seems to be brightening up.
“I come bringing lunch. Should we go into the lunch area perhaps?” I propose.
“Hai, let’s go to your office. I’ve only been in there once. Yaz, you’d swear you are not my sister.”
I should have just summoned her to my office. She says this so loud she wants everyone to KNOW!
Lol.

We make our way to my office and when we get there, we settle at the table that Rofhiwa and Khanyisa sit and do their homework.
We help each other unpack the food and dish up onto paper plates. I got us a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino.
“What’s this now, Fikile?” She asks me while looking at the Frappuccinos.
“It’s a Frappuccino. It’s nice. I promise.” I say.
She just looks at me and says, “If you say so.”
She hasn’t even tasted it. She needs to try new things. Coke can’t be all she knows. Hai bo.

We finally start eating.
“How are you finding your new job?” I ask her.
“I like it here. Abantu ba la bayaphapha, but they are nice. Thando is so strict, but I’m thankful for her because she trains me so well for the next level. She told me that if there’s anyone who can really progress in this company, it’s me because my sister is the founder and CEO. All you want is a hard worker and she’s proof of that because when she started, she was your PA.”
That’s deep.
She’s in good hands mos.
“That’s very true, Neli. It would be nice to work with you at a management level. I need to be certain that you can handle it because it gets crazy.” I say.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. Thank you for this opportunity, Fikile. I’m really thankful.” She sincerely says.
But she really is down shame.
“Neli, what’s wrong?” I just ask.
She starts crying. She’s swallowing her tears and her food.
I eat and wait until she’s ready to say something.

“I don’t want this HIV, Fikile”, she finally says.
I look at her because I really don’t know what to say.
“I know I did this to myself and this me being punished for how I’ve been handling myself. But I don’t want this HIV.” She says. I forgot about that element. I must have a meeting with Thandeka and let her know that she will be bumping it her husband’s ex-mistress around here. I hope that shit doesn’t get awkward around here.
“Neli, are you getting counselling?” I ask her.
“From where, Fikile?” She must always find a way to be rude.
“Would you consider it? Maybe you really need it because it’s happening. You have it and it’s not going anywhere. Kamva needs you to deal with this so you can be her mom again.” I say.
“Maybe I should just die. Her life would be better if I died. You’ll take her and she will live like Rofhiwa and Khanyisa”. She says and she’s not even laughing so clearly, it’s not a joke.
HAI KE NGOKU!
“Nelisile, why would you say something like that? Uthatha kahle wena la ekhanda?”
“It’s true. It’s what you do. You don’t want your own children, so you take those whose mothers are either dead or neglectful.”
I’m going to bitch slap this girl.
“Fikile, you don’t know what it’s like to be us. To be me. You’ve always lived your perfect little life of dating princes and marrying one of the richest men in South Africa.”
“Yes, and let’s not mention the fact that I’ve fucken worked for everything that I have. Let’s not mention that I’ve always had a career. I didn’t just wake up one day after sleeping for eighteen years of my life and just land a rich man who gave me everything.”
She looks at me.
How dare she simplifies my hard work and everything I have to the men that I’ve had in my life.
“Nelisile, we were born from the same parents and under the same circumstances. I wanted to get out. I made plans to get out. I started working at the age of sixteen, doing random promo jobs just to get extra money for lunch and have my foot in the marketing door. When I was in grade eleven, I was knocking on doors and asking for funding to go to university. Mom and dad didn’t deprive you all of school then sent me to university. I was working while studying from first year and yes, I got international opportunities from that. Khotso was a bonus in my life, he didn’t make me. Thomas is a bonus in my life. He didn’t make me. I’m a self-made businesswoman and how dare you sit there and tell me I don’t know what it’s like to be you. I used to be you. I chose to get out.”
She is silent.

There is a knock on my door then the door opens. Sbo walks in with Noni and Thomas.
“Sanibonani”, Sbo says.
Before we can even respond, he starts eating from my plate saying, “why didn’t you invite us to your lunch date?”
“Fikile does everything for you. Why are you greedy? You got taxis. I just got lunch and flowers.” I’m going to smack Neli. And what taxis is she talking about?
“And a job. And your child’s school fees. And Woolworths that you can’t even afford. Yini ngawe wena?” Sbo.
“Did we walk in on something?” Noni asks.
“No. I’m going back to work. Please excuse me.” Neli says.
She leaves my office.

“Love, are you okay? What did we walk in on?” Thomas asks me as he kisses me.
“I was about to smack that cow”, I say.
“Hai Fikile”, Noni.
“I’ve tried. I really have. This is where I draw the fucken line with Neli. She can go to hell”, I say.
Thomas hugs me and says, “We’ve brought good news. Hopefully it will cheer you up.”
I smile and say, “Okay?”
“I’ve just put my taxi in the ranking line.” Sbo says.
“You bought a taxi?” I say.
“Ja. I used that R120 000 as a down payment. Then I gave them the payslips that you guys created for me guaranteeing the R30 000 payment I’ll be receiving as a salary monthly… plus the takes from the taxi business.”
“Congratulations, bhuti! I’m so proud of you.” I say.
“I wanted to take you for a spin before I start working. I’ll be driving myself until I’ve made enough to buy another taxi and hire a driver.” He says.
Lol.
“Okay”, I say.
I get my handbag and we leave.

It’s a white Quantum. It’s very nice. And it’s clean and comfortable. Noni sits at the front. Thomas and I sit at the back. Noni must have phoned Neli to join us because she’s here with us. Now, we are going to pick up my parents then pick up Rofhiwa and Khanyisa. Then I don’t know where he is taking us.

“So, you gave Sibongiseni R120 000 and you’ll be giving him R30 000 every month?” Noni asks me.
Thomas is on his phone replying to emails and not entertaining this conversation.
“I work for them, Noni. There’s property that they have that I look after for them. So they pay me for the work that I do for them”, Sbo provides the response.
“I’m just saying that if we got the chances and support that Fikile gives you, Sibongiseni, we would also be doing well. Phela you were exactly like us before Fikile came back and couldn’t hide her favouritism amongst us.” Noni says.
“Neli, how much do you get paid at Fikile’s company?” Sbo asks Neli.
Neli is quiet.
“Please answer us.” Sbo.
“My take home is R35 000.” Neli says.
“And how much did you take home from your previous job where you were working for over ten years?” Sbo enquires.
“R12 000.” Neli says.
“Noni, do you still think I’m getting unfair treatment? An admin person is getting paid R35 000 after deductions. Admin.” Sbo.
There is silence.
“Aniyekeni umona. Yerrrr!” Sbo says.

Thank you, Sibongiseni Mbatha.

…

We have just got home – Thomas, our kids and me. I still need to get dinner started and Thomas has a meeting he has to dial into.

I start preparing supper. Rofhiwa and Khanyisa are somewhere in the house changing and studying. They know they have to give two hours of studying before supper.
I’m close to finishing cooking when Thomas comes into the kitchen.
He wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek.
“Baby”, he says.
“Yes, love”. Me.
“You know that I love you, right?” He says
“Yep. You haven’t been cheating on me, have you?” I say.
He laughs and says, “No. Those days are over for me. I’m a one-woman man now.”
“Good”, I say, pointing a fork at him. He laughs.
“How was your meeting?” I ask him.
“That’s what I was buttering you up for. I need your help on something”, he says.
“Okay?”
“We were not called to pitch for the new building for an alcoholic beverage that you were working with when you were in Tholoana Kingdom. I don’t know if you still have those contacts… but, I’m hoping you can organise a meeting for Mthunzi and I.” He says.
“I didn’t know they were moving to South Africa?”
“Not just South Africa, the whole of Africa. It’s a big contract and it would do well for insurance and the lodges and hotels. We want to give them a contract where every time they are traveling or have clients traveling, they sleep in our accommodation”. He says.
I nod my head.
“So, can you get me a meeting?” Him.
I start dialling Kenneth’s number.

“Kenneth, hello?”
“Hi Kenneth. It’s Fikile.”
“Fikile Mbatha?”
“Yes. But it’s Fikile Ramaru now.”
“Congratulations. I thought the plan was to be Fikile Mohale.”
“Plans change. Just like your plans have change about expanding across Tholoana Kingdom. I hear you are expanding into South Africa.”
“We are. And indeed those plans have changed. I heard you have your own Brand and Marketing company now. My PA will be in touch with you soon because we want you to actually do our branding and marketing.”
“Thank you for thinking about me. I was also calling you because when I heard about your expansion, I thought of the perfect company that could help you build exactly what you want.”
He starts laughing then says, “Let me guess, Mrs Ramaru is going to vouch for Ramaru Holdings.”
“Yep. And not because I’m married to the boss. But I’ve actually seen their work. And they’ve stood out of so many companies for massive projects.”
“But aren’t they pitching soon?”
“They didn’t get a pitch.”
“Jabu is handling that.”
“That’s why I’m phoning you and asking you to give them an opportunity to pitch. You’ll see that they are the best fit for the job. If it will be better, invite Jabu and his wife to dinner. Bring your wife, I’ll come with Mr Ramaru and his second in command. He will also have his wife there. Let’s all have dinner and some alcoholic beverages together. Maybe certain pitches make sense when you know the people behind the brand.”
“I like that idea. How about tonight?”
Thomas nods his head profusely. I’m thinking about the girls.
“Sure.” I say.
“I’ll send you the location to the restaurant that my wife just opened. We can eat there.” He says.
“You know, if Ramaru Holdings get a stronger consideration than the others, I’ll brand and market your wife’s restaurant for free.” I say.
“I love that! Then please, make sure you chat to her tonight.” He says.
“I will.” Me.
We hang up.
“That man has a crush on you.” Thomas says.
“Ewu!”
“I’ll fucken punch him after building his companies if he tries anything sideways.”
I laugh. Then I kiss him and say, “You are my man. Just mine. Only you do it for me, my love.”

…

This restaurant is nice, but you can see that the wife is not exactly clued up on aesthetics. It’s trying to be expensive, but it comes across as if it’s trying too hard. I can see why she’s not getting any business.
Koena’s face shows that she’s thinking the same things as well.

“What would you like to order as a starter?” A waiter asks us.
“What would you recommend to be the best thing on your menu?” Thomas asks the safe question.
This lady mentions something we all don’t know.
“Does it have any traces of nuts or fish?” Koena asks.
“No, ma’am”, the waitress.
“We will all have that. Thank you.” Mthunzi says.
“And to drink?” The waiter.
“Champaign for the ladies and your best bottle of whiskey for the gentlemen.” Kenneth says.
By the way, the bill is on us.”

Naturally, we all start talking small talk. Then we get into business. Koena and I take the ladies to a different table and we talk about our own things while the men discuss their business.
Kenneth’s wife starts asking me about branding her place and now I must entertain this because I promised and put my promise on the line. Thomas better get this deal. This place looks like it’s managed by a Madam and she brings her girls and their clients here to eat before the business of the night starts.
You can just tell that she was a bored housewife who needed a hobby then hubby gave her money to start a business. She opened a restaurant. Now look.
When I ask her about her vision for the place, she tells me more about wanting to be independent and not being the woman who relies on her husband for everything. I’ve learned nothing about her vision for the restaurant. But I’ve learned all about her issues with her husband and why it’s important to her that the restaurant does well.

The night is concluded at midnight and Thomas was already drawing on things. I think they got it. We drive home and he keeps brushing my thighs.
“You should come work with us and head up the business area that is assigned to get business”, he says.
“I’m not going to work for you, Thomas.” I say.
We both laugh.
“I’m going to give you thank you sex tonight.” He says.
“You got the deal?”
“He has already emailed me the paperwork. I’m on it tomorrow morning with my brothers. He agreed to the insurance deal and the hotels and chalets deals.”
I smile at him. He is so proud.
“You are the best, baby. You are everything that’s perfect in my life. You are my partner in literally everything. Thank you for choosing me.” He says.
“Park the car on the side.” I say.
“Huh?”
He sees me undressing myself.
“We could get arrested for public indecency.” He says.
I start undressing him.
He parks the car just outside the security house of our complex. They are not going to arrest us.
I’m on top of him now and I’m quite sure that the security is having quite the show.
He gets into it. And when we both get to our happy ending, we look at each other and we smile at each other.
“I love you, Mr Ramaru.”
“I love you, Mrs Ramaru.”

…

I feel someone having sex with me. But I don’t see them. I hear the noise, but I can’t respond to it. I feel so numb. I don’t feel like I can move. I’m just lying here. No, I’m tied up to something. Now that I am taking in my surroundings, I’m in a room. There’s a wall between my lower body and my upper body. My legs feel like they are tied up behind the whole and men are just coming in and out inserting and pulling out their penises inside of me.
I start crying. But it’s a silent cry. I suddenly cannot make a loud cry. What the hell is going on?

The last thing I remember is me being at a club then someone putting something over my mouth. I’ve been sleeping ever since. Now I’m waking up to this? I’m an object of a gloryhole?
I just cry.

I hear noise dying down on the other side of the wall. No one is busy raping me now. My legs are untied and I’ve got pins and needles for days. I was clearly in this position for a long time.
“Good, you are finally awake. We were beginning to think that pope sent us a corpse.” Some woman says as she comes into the room and unties me.
“Who are you?” I ask her.
“Madam Vicky”, she says.
“Madam?” Me. My voice is low and my body still feels like it’s very slow to return to operating with my mind.
“Yes. Now come on, darling. You need to hurry up or you will miss the bus back home.” She says.
Home?

I need help walking because I’m falling all over the place. These girls that are here with me are so much younger than me. Others are around my age group. We follow each other to the bus that will be taking us to our “home”. We have big men in overalls and guns escorting us to the bus.
We sit in here and we have bags thrown over our heads as we drive back to our “home”.

I really don’t know what’s happening. I don’t even know where I am. Why am I even here? Why? I just cry. I hear sobs all around me and I just know that none of us are here by our own free will. We are all very upset to even be here.

The vehicle stops and I’m pulled out the car. I’m still naked, by the way. Then I’m thrown into something, but I land on a bed. The bag is taken off my bag. The people helping us get dressed and untying us have masks on. When I’m dressed, these people and lock the cage that I’m in. We are all in cages. Each cage just has a bed. Nothing else. We are all next to each other and we are all not talking to each other.
Why am I here?
Where am I?
I don’t understand how I closed my eyes one day and now find myself here.
I just lie down on my bed and I try hard to think about how I got here. My brain is blank. Blank!
Yoh, modimo waka.

I wake up the next morning feeling slightly better. I think whatever drug was inside of me is wearing out of my system.
I pretend to still be sleeping because I hear the Madam shouting at people.
“Today is your off day! I want to see you washing all your things, or else there will be no food for a week for you.” She says. But her accent is so strong.
“Come on! Come on! Take your bedding and clothes, pick a basin and get washing.” She says.
Now I must work with my hands too? Ai! When last did I wash anything using my hands? Ai!
“Sleeping beauty, wake up! This is not a hotel! Wake up!” She says. I assume sleeping beauty is me.
I get up and I stretch. I look at her.
“Come! Take what needs to be cleaned and go find a basin and get cleaning.” She shouts at me.
I take my bedding and the only clothes that I see here. I make my way to the gate of my cage.
She looks at me for a long time. Then she says, “You are a beauty, hey! You are going to make us a lot of money.”
Mxm.
She opens my cage and I follow the girls to the basin area. I take the last available basin and I fill it with water.
There is soap here provided and everything. I start washing. We are not allowed to talk to each other for whatever reason and I’m okay with that. I don’t need to be talking to anyone around here. I just need to study the place and find a way to get out.

After I’ve put my clothes on the washing line to dry up, I take a bucket as instructed, fill it with soap and start cleaning my cage. We are watched very closely around here. Even as I do this, I have a guard with a gun watching me and making sure that I’m not doing anything shady as I clean.
“Ey! You are on toilet duty today”, some girl says to me. I nod my head.
As I finish cleaning my cage, I go to the bathroom and I clean. It’s quiet in here. It’s peaceful. I’m alone. I like it.
I wash the showers – taking my time. Then I clean the toilets as well. I take my time, but it’s spotless when I’m done.
“Very good”, Madam Vicky says as I finish cleaning and take off my cleaning gloves.
I nod my head.
“Let’s go to my office, darling”. She says.
I indeed follow her to her office.

When I walk in, I see morena, Shaka, Zithulele, Maboko and the Mohale twins.
I’ve never been this excited to see them!
They see the hope in my eyes.
“I’ll give you all some space”, Madam Vicky says. She leaves me here with these guys.

“You look well”, Ona says.
“Ona, why am I here? Where am I?” I ask him.
“What did you say to my mother? You threatened her on that boat and said what?” Ona says.
“I didn’t mean that. She had said something about telling morena to not see our wedding through and I was simply trying to tell her that she can’t call the wedding off.”
“By threatening her to be a Regodise if you didn’t get your way?” Morena.
“You have to believe me. I would never do anything to put the family in trouble.”
“I don’t believe you”, Shaka says.
“Everything I’m saying is true. I promise you, everything I’m saying is true. Please.” I beg them.
“We will leave you here for a few weeks. Let’s see how you turn out after a few weeks of knowing how we can unleash a hell on earth for you if you think you are clever. We will review again after a few weeks. We might let you walk… or we will kill you. Either way, you’ll only be here for a few weeks. It would be in your best interest to behave”. Morena says.
I start crying. I beg them while in tears. They don’t hear me. They just keep walking out the office one by one. Madam Vicky ends up coming to get me and takes me back to my cage.

My food is already here waiting for me. I’m not even hungry. I’m just so hurt. As we eat, we see a girl being whipped and that whip is peeling her skin off. Every whip leaves her body with a piece of her skin. She screams but no one is hearing her. How are we supposed to eat while this is happening in front of us?
“What did she do?” Someone asks.
“She try run away”, someone says with an accent and a half.
“Who found her?” The other one asks.
“Donno”. I guess she’s trying to say that she doesn’t know.
I face the other way to not watch this whipping happening. I have my own issues. The food is not even going down well because my tears, snots and food have to go down one pipe.
I wish I could just think of one thing that I can do to remain sane. Just one thing.

“Hey!” I hear a voice as my body is being shook.
I open my eyes.
It’s Madam Vicky and one of the security guards.
“Wake up. You have work”. Madam Vicky says.
I get up.
I’m given a tracksuit to wear.
Work with a tracksuit?
They even give me sneakers.

I follow them to wherever they take me. I see the outside of this building for the first time. It looks like a decent business building. I’m led to a V300. I get in and Madam Vicky closes the door behind me.
Morena is here. Shaka is here. Zithulele, Maboko and the twins are here. In front of me is Kea. The bitch responsible for this.
She stares at me for a very long time.
I stare at her then look away.
“I decided to be nice and forgive you. I believe you’ve learned your lesson. A week in here should do the trick.” She says.
I nod my head.
“But I still don’t trust you. I don’t know why. I just don’t trust you. So, I’ll let you out of here. We got you a back room somewhere dingy that you’ll live in. There are people there in that area who are paid to watch your every move. You don’t know them. You never will. One step out of line – and I mean one step, Rethabile… you will be tied down to a chair and watch an individual peel your skin off with a vegetable peeler until your heart stops beating. Do you understand me?”
My body shivers instantly. I can’t believe she just said that. All this because of the –
“Have I made myself clear, Rethabile?”
I nod my head.
“Good”, she says. Then she, morena and Shaka step out of the car.

I’m on the road now with Maboko, Zithulele and the twins. No one is saying anything. Absolutely no one. It feels like a long ride.
We finally get to some strip.
I’m led to a private plane.
I look at Ona.
He uses his head to tell me to get into the plane.
I get inside the plane.
I buckle up and Ona sits next to me. Khotso is in front of me. Maboko and Zithulele sit in a short distance to us.
Imagine.

The plane takes off and again, the flight is silent.
“We can still fix this, Ona. We can still get married and be okay. We can make it work.” I say.
“Please stop talking”, Ona says.
“Please Ona –
“Ey wena, you are making a noise.” Khotso says.
I nod my head and look out the window.
“I want to be able to go back home. Please.” I beg.
“Why did you threaten my mother?” Ona asks me.
“I didn’t mean to. You have to believe me. I’m so sorry. I’ll never do it again. I promise you. It will never happen again, Ona. I promise you. It will never happen again.”
He looks at me.

He gets on his phone and FaceTimes someone.
“I think I’m convinced”, he says.
It’s his mother.
“You sure?” Kea says.
“Yeah.”
“Khotso?”
“I still don’t like her. I say we throw her to the wolves.” Khotso says.
I plead with him with my face and not necessarily my words.
“Maboko? Zithulele?”
“She can be put up in Tholoana Kingdom. We will keep her there until we are satisfied for her to be out in public. One foot out of line – especially on home ground- we put her in a can and take her to Nigeria.” Zithulele says.
These people!
“That’s a good idea. I’m happy for you to proceed that way.” Kea says.

…

We arrive in Tholoana Kingdom and when we land, I’m taken from the plane and put in some black car with these men. We are in Merementse.
“Home. Just as you requested.” Khotso says.
I just look at him.
The car takes us deep in the homelands. Then there is a massive building that I’ve never seen before. It looks like we are slightly out of Merementse.
“You’ll stay here for some time. Remember. Someone is always watching. You fuck up one more time, we will not be this nice. It would work in your interest if you rather became an asset than a problem.” Khotso says.
I nod my head.

I’m thrown into some room. The room is like a motel room. It’s clean – nothing fancy.
“Your first client will be here in a few minutes. Make sure that he’s satisfied.” Ona says then they all leave.
Yoh modimo waka.
For the first time ever, I kneel down and start praying.
I really need the power of God at this point in my life. I cannot believe that this is happening to me.

…

It is evening.
I’m patiently waiting for the client that I’m expected to entertain.
After a few minutes of my wait, my door opens and in enters Queen Kearabetsoe Mohale. The wicked witch of the west. But I cannot exactly express that right now. My life depends on my ability to pretend.
She is wearing a navy-blue power suit and stunning heels. She looks like a queen! She looks like the only woman that makes sense next to Mohato Mohale.
Oh… he is here too.
He is right behind her… in a black slim-fit suit. He looks at her like he’s obsessed with her. That look that he is giving her – this very one he is giving to her right now – it is making me understand why I’m in this position just because I hurt her little feelings. He would kill someone for hurting her pinky finger. How dare I, Rethabile, disrespect his pretty little thing.

Chairs are brought in for them and they sit. I’m sitting on the mattress that has been given to me in this room. It’s the only thing I have in here anyway.

“Hello Rethabile”, Kea starts.
“Dumela Mofomahadi”, I say.
She starts laughing.
Mohato stares at me and his face tightens.
“You do understand why you are here right?” Kea.
I nod my head. I understand perfectly. Also, I’m scared that if I say no, she’ll take greater offense and call for my death.
“It’s a pity that Ona had started growing a like towards you. That’s the only reason that you are still alive. He pleaded for your life.” She says.
Really?
Wow!
“You see, Rethabile, Ona and Khotso are my babies. They are the fruit of my womb. You hurt them, you’ve offended my womb. I don’t expect you to understand seeing that you’ve removed your womb, but I do expect you to respect it. To respect my sons. That’s all I ever ask of anyone that my sons bring to me and tell me that they love. I don’t expect anything but respect, love and loyalty. That’s why I’ve never supported arranged marriages. I don’t believe that much can be achieved in a marriage without love. So when Ona started feeling things for you, I had to pay attention. Even Oluremi paid attention and assured me that she will mother the Mohale grandchildren because it’s clearly too much for you. So all that’s left for you to do is love Ona, respect our entire family and be loyal to us. Even that was too much for you.”
I don’t know how to talk myself out of this. I really don’t. I have absolutely no comebacks for what she is saying to me.
“You know, I don’t even think death is enough for you. It’s too easy. Regodise died because she deserved a lighter punishment. She acted out because Ona couldn’t be a faithful husband. So she was actually provoked. She didn’t just walk into our lives and be forward the way that you have done. But still, she hurt my baby. And no one hurts my child the way that she did – threaten our entire stability and lives to tell the tale. I told everyone that she died in her sleep. It was important to me that Ona didn’t feel bad about her death. But, she hurt my child and she threatened our stability. So she went into the grave sleeping. She woke up six feet underground. She died from just being in there and not being able to do anything about it. I was never going to make it that easy for her to leave this earth when she clearly wanted to leave with a bang. So, what do you think I’ll do to you?”
This woman is actually frightening.
She’s actually more evil than her husband. And he’s supposed to be a god of all evil.
“Mofomahadi, I messed up. Truly I did. And I’m so sorry. I have no excuse for my behaviour and I won’t waste your time trying to make up any excuses. I throw myself at your mercy and I throw myself at the mercy of the throne and of your forgiveness. I’m so sorry, Mofomahadi. I’m so so sorry.” I just keep saying.
“I don’t believe you. But Ona wants to give you a chance. So, we will take you back with us, start your lobola negotiations, marry you into the family and start putting some of the illegal activities around here in your name. That will control you a little bit. You fuck up, you take the fall for everything.” She says.
I’m sorry… what?!
“And if you ever speak to me nkari you are speaking to chomi yahao ever again… or if you ever speak to my husband nkari you are speaking to a silly little boy who has a crush on you… or if you ever hurt my children in anyway – including Oluremi… or if you ever hurt my grandchildren… or if you ever threaten my family ever again, I will kill you, Rethabile. I’ll make it slow. I’ll make it painful. I’ll make sure your life flashes before you in fifty different angles before you shut your eyes for the last time on this earth. And I’ll just tell Ona you died of something cute. Am I clear?”
I nod my head.
“You were born in a royal family. Your parents are of royal lineage. It’s time you started behaving like a princess. Get up and let’s go”, she says.

I stand up. I follow her and morena is behind me. We step outside of the room and there is security all around us. We are led to a black Toyota Fortuner. I climb at the back. The royal couple are in the front seat.
Morena is the one driving us.

After a four hour drive, we arrive at the royal house. I guess the cleansing ceremony has been done. He parks the car next to the other cars in this yard.
I sit still until I’m told to move. I see Ona and Khotso coming towards the car. They both help me get out the car. I don’t have any bags or anything. It’s just me and the clothes on my body right now.
Ona and Khotso lead me to Ona’s outside flat.
Oluremi is in here and she’s placing shopping bags in the TV room.
“Hey”, she greets me as she sees me. Her belly is growing Hey.
I smile at her and say, “hi”.
“I had a brief idea of your size and got you a few essentials from the mall… like clothes and underwear and sleepwear. We can always go shopping for anything more when you are ready”, she says.
I smile at her and say thank you.
“Your toiletries are in the bathroom. I unpacked it for you.” She says.
She keeps rubbing her belly.
She’s really happy about this pregnancy shame.
“Thank you, Lulu. For all of this. Seriously. Thank you.” I say.
She nods her head.
“Goodnight guys.” She says then she and Khotso leave the flat.

It’s just Ona and I now.
“Can I maybe shower first, please?” I say to him.
“Sure.” He says.
I go to the bathroom.
My body is covered in bruises. I even have weird ringworm like things on my skin.
I just breakdown inside of this shower. I’m marrying into the most evil family I’ll ever know. And that queen… yerrr! She is going to burn in hell one day.
I shower and when I’m done, I lotion myself. At least Oluremi got me adequate toiletries. My skin is even feeling and looking supple and happy.
I wrap my body in a towel and get into the bedroom. Ona is not in here. He’s probably giving me space. I look through these bags here – Ona must have brought them into the bedroom while I was showering.
I find a nice set of pyjamas and I wear them. I’d slip into bed and just sleep, but I know Ona is waiting downstairs and we have to talk.

I step into the kitchen and find him drinking beer and chatting to someone on his cellphone. It must be one of his side pieces because he has one hell of a smile on his face.
“Come see this! Maboko is such an idiot”, he says to me.
Okay.
I walk up to him and he shows me his screen. It’s a video of something that actually is funny. So I also let out a light laugh.
He puts his phone away and leads me to the couch in his TV room area.
We both sit down. We are sitting next to each other.
He is quiet, so I begin.
“I’m sorry, Ona.” I say.
“I know. It seems I’m the only one who believes you.”
“Your parents hate me. Your brother too.”
“They do. But they love and support me more than they hate you. So if you even convince me that they are right about you, you are more than screwed”.
“I won’t. I promise. I’ll gain everyone’s trust again. I promise.”
He looks at me for a long time then he says, “How are you? Really? How are you?” He asks me.
“My body is in pain. I feel violated. I don’t know how I am psychologically or emotionally. I’ll figure it out eventually and I’ll deal with it.”
He nods his head.
“Well, welcome home.” He says.
“How are things going with all these things that Regodise has left everywhere?” I ask.
“We are dealing with it. We will try our best to fix it. Don’t worry. Get some rest. We will sleep in different bedrooms today. You can take the guest bedroom. I missed my master bedroom.”
We both laugh, but I can see that he is being serious.
“Anything is better than what I’ve just experienced”, I say.
“Good. Because I’m really sleeping in my own room. You can move in there after the wedding.” He says.
I laugh and say okay.
“Goodnight. I’ll see you at breakfast.” He says as he stands up and walks towards the door.
“You are going somewhere?”
“You not even my wife yet and you already questioning me like you are.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m going to say goodnight to my sons.” He says.
I nod my head.
“Shup.” He says.
“Goodnight.” I say then make my way to bed.

The guest bedroom is actually nice. I could even live in here. It doesn’t take me long to pass out.