“Fikile, maybe we need some time apart”, he says to me. 

“Excuse me?” 

“What was Thato doing at Regodise’s hospital room yesterday?” 

“We had plans to go out for drinks and she had come to pick me up.”

“I thought we spoke about your relationship with Thato.”

“Your family is not going to choose friends for me, Khotso. I am an individual and –

“This is exactly why I say that we are not ready for marriage. And maybe we should spend some time apart and see if our relationship is something that we still want to invest in.” 

I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my throat! How dare he! How dare that damn royal family. First he told me to not go to Ona’s wedding, then I was told to not come to the royal house. Now he is in my apartment telling me this bullshit. 

“You put my mother’s life in danger. You put Regodise’s life in danger. All because of your loyalty to Thato being stronger than your loyalty to me.” What is this man saying to me?

“She got arrested and I haven’t even been able to see her or check-in on her. The next thing you’ll be telling me that I cannot get her a lawyer”, I mean really. 

He takes one long look at me then he walks out of my apartment. 

I’m not even going to run after him. 

I haven’t spoken to Thato in three days. I want to phone her and check on how she is doing, but I also realise and appreciate that my relationship is on the line here. 

I have an event at work today – the launch of an alcoholic brand that I have been working on. This should keep me busy. Khotso generally comes to my events and shows support, but I don’t know if I should expect him today because we are not exactly on good terms.

I slept at my apartment and he slept wherever he slept. I miss him a lot. But I do need to think about my relationship and its direction. I can have any man that I want and I know that any other man on this planet would marry me in a heartbeat. I’m amazing and that’s a fact!It hurts me deeply that the only man that I want to be with is Khotso and I actually think that he is cheating on me – that’s why he doesn’t want to marry me. He but-dialled me the other day and I heard him have sex with another woman. He told me he was watching porn and while he sold his story really well, I don’t buy it. 

I have just met up with Leo, my designer. He and his wife have actually become my friends because of how often I need them to design and make things for me. I mean, Hello, I am Fikile Mbatha. More than being Khotso Mohale’s girlfriend, I am internationally known for my marketing brilliance. This alone makes me a walking brand. So when I attend or host events, I have to give everyone’s eye a show – especially today because the whole of Tholoana Kingdom knows that I was not present at Ona’s wedding and it is embarrassing. Thanks to Leo, I do just give every eye a show without fail. I am looking hot. My wig arrived just before I drove to Leo’s emporium to collect my outfit. I bought simple shoes that are heels, but would have me in pure comfort throughout the day. 

My makeup is done very well. With the amount of time I spend at the royal house, I’ve had to learn how to master doing my own makeup because they are very strict about strangers coming and going around here. So today, I had to do my own make-up and I look HOT!

Khotso walks into the venue looking hella fine. To say that my heart collapsed with relief is an understatement. I love this man. I hurt when we fight. Him just being here today – with his brothers and friends – it is one of the many reasons that I love him. I walk up to them and hug him – sincerely hug him. He hugs me back just as sincerely and we know what this is all about. Most importantly, we know that we are not done with each other. I see that Ona has Regodise’s hand locked into his and Maboko has Teboho’s hand locked into his. Zithulele is also here with a very beautiful girl that I have never seen before. 

“You look gorgeous! Congratulations on this launch”, Regodise says to me as she gives me flowers and a box of chocolate. 

I let go of Khotso’s hug and receive the gifts from her, saying thank you and hugging her. 

“Thank you all for coming. I really hope that you will have a good day.” I say. 

My colleagues are looking at me as I show my guests their seats. Trust me, this is making up for the humiliation of not making it to the wedding. I had invited Linda to come, so I am a bit worried that Maboko is here with Teboho.

“Wow”, Khotso says to me when we are finally alone. He came with me to the boardroom to ensure that all will be going well before I go and join the crowd. 

I told you, I give the eyes a show.

“You look –

I smile at him. He looks extremely fine too. That suit is doing wonders for my eyes. 

“Thank you for coming, love. This really means a lot to me.” I say.

“I love you, Fikile. I am very serious about you even though you don’t seem to know where you stand with me. But I love you and I will not stop just because you would rather be friends with Thato.” Not this again. Then silly me finds myself saying: “Baby, is Ona done with Thato? Like done with her?” I ask. 

“Did you not see him with his wife out there?” he says. 

“Can’t she be like a royal mistress or something?” Me. 

“Fikile! Ona is done with Thato and it would be great if you could be done with her as well”, he says. 

I nod my head. 

His hand starts running up my thighs. This guy though. I look at him. 

“Please”, him. 

I giggle. He giggles too. But hey, we indulge in about an hour of hot and steamy sex. I need to remember to go and see my gynae and ask her to put me on some fertility treatment. Khotso and I have a lot of sex. Like a lot. I don’t understand why I am not getting pregnant. I have been off the pill and my period is regular again. Having a baby will do a lot for my position in Khotso’s life and I need to start taking serious actions towards making this child. 

We are now taking a shower together at the venue to get ready for the launch. It is going for 11am and performances have started outside. We lotion ourselves and dress up yet again. I have to redo my makeup but I still look hot – I still look like Fikile Mbatha. 

Khotso’s phone rings as he wears his suit jacket. My man is so hot bakithi.

“Yeah?” He answers his phone, putting it on speaker. 

“Where are you guys? This event has started”, the caller says. It sounds like Ona. 

“We are coming. Fiks was just sorting out some last minute stuff for the event.” Khotso says. 

“Okay. Linda just got here and apparently Fiks put her at our table. This is awkward because Tebza is here. Can Fiks please do something about this? Regodise took Tebza and they went to go sit in the car. Moringa left with them. Zithulele, Maboko and I are going to join them until the situation is resolved” Ona says. 

“Okay, we will come down just now”, Khotso says. 

He hangs up. 

“Fikile – 

“I thought she was Maboko’s wife, that’s why I invited her.” I defend myself immediately. 

“My family and I will leave if this is not resolved within the next five minutes.” He says. 

“What do you want me to do? I am stressed about this entire event! The last thing on my mind right now is seating arrangements!” 

“FIKILE!”

The look on his face is no longer willing to compromise with me. I get it. I back down. I go to the crowd to resolve this situation. 

How do I put this? If there were to be a Real Housewives of Tholoana Kingdom, the story would be centred upon me and I’d be the queen B. I’ve been around the longest, but I’m not married. Thato found me here. Serathi, Pule’s girlfriend, found me here. Now Ona’s new wife has also found me here. But, I’m still unmarried. So ja, all these girls feel better about being around these men and their events when Fikile Mbatha is bending over backwards trying to accommodate them. I have to be next to my boss right now getting ready to reveal the alcohol brand being launched today. Instead, I am here trying to play referee between Maboko’s wife and Maboko’s baby mama because fucken Regodise is sulking and has left with Maboko’s baby mama because Maboko’s actual wife is here. Trash, I tell you. Absolute trash! 

“Hey gorgeous”, I say to Linda when I find her sitting alone at the table with Kabelo. 

“I cleared the table”, she says as she gulps down her champagne. 

“I see that” I sarcastically say. 

“You invited Teboho Tlou to this thing of yours?” She asks me as if I have betrayed her. 

“I didn’t. I didn’t even know that she was going to be here. Khotso showed up with the guys and they came with plus ones. Maboko showed up with Teboho.” 

“And you couldn’t just pick up the phone and tell me that? You’ve humiliated me in front of the entire Tholoana Kingdom, Fikile.” 

Hai bo! I’ve humiliated her? Her husband humiliated her. I don’t understand how this is falling on my shoulders. 

“You know what? This is exactly why Khotso will never marry your ass! You are nothing but a messy and desperate brand of trying to seal your position in a country you were never even born in by trying to marry its prince. As a future princess, this is not how you behave and this is definitely not the kind of attention that you draw to yourself. I hope he marries Maphito and drops your ass. You are full of shit!” Linda says and all I know is that my hand has landed on her face. Who the hell is Maphito and why is Linda dogging me out for her husband’s actions? 

Linda and I get into a full blown fight and the media is capturing every moment of it. There is commotion coming from all angles and even the performance on stage has stopped. Security throws both of us out of the venue. This is my event! Mine! I could lose my job because of this! This bitch! 

We are all outside now and my dress is torn. Linda is drunk and she pulled my dignity down with hers! I am fuming! All the guys and their women are staring at me. Linda is being nursed by Kabelo and he seems to be taking her home. I am so embarrassed. I am so – 

Teboho, Regodise and Zithulele’s girlfriend are sitting together and are staring at me. The guys are staring at me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.  

“What the hell was that?” My boss is now next to me, scolding me in front of all these people. 

“I –

“This is a professional event, Fikile! You bring your friends and drama to do what exactly? You are the brand lead on this particular product and this is how you honour your own product?!”

I just hold my head because this is honestly becoming the worst day of my life. 

“Fikile, take some time off. You clearly need to give your personal life some attention right now. I am five minutes away from firing you! You are lucky that I like you and your work speaks louder than this street behaviour you clearly have. I am taking you off all your accounts and I am telling you to spend the next month dealing with your life. This unprofessional nonsense will never happen again!” 

He leaves and I just cry. Khotso puts me in his arms, pulls me to the car and drives me away from all of this. 

… 

I wake up in Khotso’s bed with a heavy headache. My eyes feel extremely swollen. It is evening and I just want to lock myself away for many more years to come. I stretch and get out of bed. I quickly pee then make my way to the kitchen. I stumble upon him and Ona talking. 

“And then?” Ona says to me. Does he really have to talk to me? I know he has nothing sensitive to say. 

“I’m not in the mood, Ona. Please.”  

“You are all over social media and the news. Congratulations, you are famous.” Ona says. 

I suddenly feel like crying all over again. This explains the twenty-five missed calls from my mother and my sisters. 

“Fikile – 

“I know, Ona. I know.” 

He nods his head.

“I will see you later”, Ona says to Khotso then they fist pump each other. He leaves. 

“Baby”, him.

“I’m so embarrassed” I say as my sobs start all over again.

“There are people you can no longer associate yourself with anymore. Not only are you fucking up our relationship, but you are now fucking up your job as well”, he says. 

“I don’t know how to fix this, Khotso. I just feel so – ” I cannot stop myself from crying.

“We will fix it, okay. We are all here for you” he says then pulls me towards his chest and just hugs me. 

His cellphone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. The caller ID is Maphito Lentsoe. Linda said that she wishes Khotso leaves me for Maphito. Now Maphito is phoning him? He doesn’t answer the phone. He hangs up and puts the phone back in his pocket. 

“Who is that?” I ask him.

“Huh?” 

“Who is Maphito Lentsoe?” I repeat my question. 

“Just someone we do business with.” 

“So why aren’t you answering the phone?” 

“Because I’m with you.” 

“Since when do you not answer your business calls when you are with me?” 

“But Fikile –

“WHO IS MAPHITO LENTSOE?! And don’t even think about lying to me because Linda told me everything.” I bluff. 

“What did Linda tell you? There is nothing to tell. Maphito is a business associate.” He is still calm. 

“THAT YOU REGULARLY FUCK!” I take my chances with this one. 

“Fikile, what’s wrong with you? So you want to marry me, but – 

“JUST STOP WITH THIS MARRIAGE THING! STOP IT! YES KHOTSO, I WANT TO GET MARRIED TO YOU, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN I’VE GIVEN YOU A PUNCHLINE TO THROW IN MY FACE EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO TELL ME HOW UNPREPARED I AM TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH YOU! SO FOR ME TO BE READY TO MARRY YOU, I MUST ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL BE FUCKING THE MAPHITOS OF THE WORLD ON THE SIDE?” 

I have completely lost my mind. 

This Maphito phones him again. I take the phone out of his hand and answer it. 

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?!”

“Please put Khotso on the phone. It’s urgent.” She says so calmly, but she also sounds like she is laughing at me. 

“Khotso is busy.” Me. 

“Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough for one day? Grow up, sesi.”

Then she hangs up. 

I look at the phone. I look at Khotso. 

Heh! I’m being tested today. I pace around, chuckling to myself really. I cannot believe this. 

“Baby”, him.

“You are doing this to me, Khotso? After all these years that we have invested in what we wanted to be the rest of our lives, this is how you do me?” Me. 

Khotso is speechless. He then says, “I haven’t done anything, Fikile”. 

“Who is Maphito?” Me.

“What exactly did Linda say to you?” he says. 

I look at him, shake my head and just push him out of my way and go into the restroom. I lock the door.

I shower as I think about what Khotso has told me. First he has sex with someone over a call that he accidently dials to me, then Linda tells me that he should pick someone else over me and now that same person is phoning him? Am I about to become another Linda and Thato? Is there a new bitch that’s about to exit me out of Khotso’s life? 

I dress up in a tracksuit and make my way out of the bathroom. The walk-in closet is attached to the bathroom, so it was within my reach. I pack my stuff into a bag. 

“Baby, why are you leaving?” Khotso. 

I ignore him. I keep packing. When I am done, I look for my car keys and I make my way out. Khotso follows me. 

“Baby please”, him. 

“Stop following me. I’m giving you and your trash space to fuck all night. Leave me alone”, me. 

He gets into my car as I pack my bags in the boot. I get in the car and look at him. 

“Please get out of my car.” I ask him nicely. 

“Fikile, don’t do this.” He says. 

“Why are you acting like you care? You know you don’t” me. 

“What?” 

“You won’t even marry me. I allowed this disrespect to happen. I clearly need to go get myself a man who will appreciate me and not do me like you do me.” Me. 

“Fikile –

“Get out of my fucken car! Your family didn’t buy this for me. It’s mine! Now get out and stop trying to control me as if you own me. You can’t even marry me, but you want to pull such stunts?!” 

He is hurt. Good. 

“Fikile, please come inside and sleep. Let’s talk about this in the morning when we are both calm. I don’t know what Linda said to you, but Maphito is just someone we do business with. And I never said I’d never marry you. We just need some time, baby. That’s all. I will marry you. I love you, Fikile. I’m not having this fight with you at flippen 11pm in your car that my family didn’t buy for you. Please, let’s go back inside and sleep. We will talk about this in the morning.” 

I look at him. I’m so pissed. I’m not even sure why I’m upset anymore. I’m just sad and hurt and angry. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want him to stop talking to me. I don’t know why. 

I get out the car. He brings my bags in and locks the car. I get in the bed in my tracksuit and face the other side. He tries to cuddle with me and I say, “Don’t touch me”. 

He obliges. He sighs and faces the other way.

I barely slept last night. Fiks is overly emotional and what the hell did Linda tell Fiks about Maps? I need to meet up with Maboko and understand the depth of his pillow talk. 

I slip out of bed and step outside. I call Maps back. I know it’s 5am, but – 

“Hey handsome”, she says in a yawn.

“Hey baby. What’s going on? You called last night?” 

“Agh, it’s solved. There was an issue with one of the cars that had to cross the border. But I ended up phoning Ona and he resolved the issue. I figured your girlfriend was on her period again.” 

I chuckle without meaning to. 

“Listen baby, I’m leaving Tholoana Kingdom today. Koena’s husband got me a stable job at Tom’s company. So I’ll be starting work next week. I just want to sort out school for my kids and make sure my parents are good.” She says. 

“So you leaving me for Thomas now?” 

“Thomas doesn’t have a crazy Fikile dictating shit to his balls… for a matured woman like me, that’s a better situation for me. Wouldn’t you say?” 

“Don’t do that, Maps.” 

“I’m not getting involved with Thomas. Besides, I told you he was a one-time thing. I take my job extremely seriously and I don’t plan to climb up the ladder using his dick as my staircase. But at least I’ll be in South Africa and not the UK. Come visit me some time.” She says. 

“You know I will. But I want to see you today before you leave.” I say. 

“I plan to drive out in the evening. Call me when you get a minute”, she says. 

“Will do.” 

We hang up. 

“Good morning”, Dise says to me. Where did she come from? She’s looking more and more pregnant by day. But she looks nice.

“Hey. You are up very early.” 

“I want to help set up for breakfast before I head to school. I have class.” She says.

“Let me help you. Ariye.” I say as we walk towards the main house. 

We find my mother already setting up the table. 

“Good morning, mama”, Dise greets my mom. 

“Hello nana”, my mom says to her. 

They have such a good relationship. 

“Khotso, are you okay?” My mom asks me. 

I kiss my mom on her cheek and wish her a good morning. She probably heard the screaming match between Fiks and me last night and she’s going to be salty about it. 

“Your voice is not damaged or anything?” She’s starting. 

Dise chuckles. 

“I’ve come to help set up for breakfast”, I say to my mom. 

“Hai, re a leboha. Clearly fighting with people in the middle of the night has its perks around here”, my mom says.

Why is she being like this? Why? 

Dise looks at me while my mom moves about. Dise starts grabbing things and moving about as well. I just get on my phone because there’s nothing for me to do here right now. 

“Is Fikile joining us for breakfast?” My mom asks. 

I nod my head. 

“Okay, please tell her to come in then. We are about to start.” My mom. 

Ona walks in and starts kissing all over Dise. 

“I was about to go and call you. Breakfast is ready”, Dise tells him. 

Ona just hugs her. 

I never thought I’d see Ona become this person. I honestly take my hat off to Dise. Wow! 

I leave them to and call Fiks. 

She is still fast asleep when I get into the bedroom. I wake her up. She looks at me as she stretches, waking up. 

“Good morning, my love”, I say. 

She smiles at me. Good! Our fight is over. 

“Breakfast is ready. My mom asked me to come and call you. They are waiting for us.” I tell her. 

She gets up, gets into the bathroom and starts freshening up. I also freshen up then wear something comfortable. She wears some dress as well. We make our way to the house. Ngono-Mathabo is here having breakfast with us today. It’s going down. My mom does not fuck with her at all. 

As soon as Fiks and I sit down, the staff starts serving us our breakfast. Dise looks like she’s a bit sick. 

“Are you alright?” I ask Dise. 

“I’m fine. I just feel a bit nauseous.” She says. 

“Is it the smell of the food?” Fiks asks her. Fiks better not tell me that she’s pregnant. My mom and morena look at us. 

“I’m sure it’s nothing”, Dise says. 

“Please give her Mabele porridge”, my mom tells the staff. 

One of them nod their heads then leaves to get the porridge. 

Breakfast goes well. There are no fights at the table. Then morena starts, “So Fikile, what are you going to do with your life now that you’ve basically blown up your appearance work?” 

“Appearance work?” Fikile asks as if feeling insulted. 

“Little girl, please don’t forget who you are speaking to. Iron that face and tongue and address everyone at this table adequately”, Ngono-Mathabo says. 

Fikile closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Dise and my mom look at each other. 

“I’m on forced leave for a month, morena. I’ll just use this time to relax and take care of myself. I’ll be rejuvenated once I’m back at work”, Fiks says. 

“Love, why don’t you include her in that work that you are doing with Teboho?” Morena asks my mother. I didn’t even know my mom was doing work with Tebza. 

“I don’t even know if Teboho and Fikile get along. From what I understand, the fight that broke out between Fikile and Linda had something to do with Teboho.” My mom says. 

“It will be good for her to keep busy and it will be even better for Khotso for her to polish up her image.” Morena says much to Fikile’s offense. 

“Maybe we should include Fikile in this conversation and ask her what she wants”, Ona says.

“Fikile is associated to this family because of her relationship with Khotso. She has no business behaving like a street cat if she’s going to be a makoti in this house one day”, morena. 

Fikile is getting tense now. Her face! 

“Nna I did say that this girl shouldn’t get this close to us until Khotso orders us to go and lobola her. Now she’s dragging us down and her surname is not even Mohale. What more when her surname changes?” Ngono-Mathabo. 

I look at my mom. 

“Fikile, would you like to work with us?” My mom stops the conversation. 

“Kearabetsoe, ngwana oe – 

“Is my child too, mme-Mathabo. Nna, I don’t care what the streets are saying about her. For as long as Khotso loves her, I love her.” My mom says, cutting Ngono-Mathabo’s sentence short. Ngono-Mathabo shakes her head in disapproval. 

“I’d love that, Mofomahadi. Thank you.” Fikile says to my mother. 

“I’ll talk to Teboho and we will take it from there. We are flying out to Johannesburg for a few meeting in the next two hours. Can you get ready? We’ll be back tonight”, my mom says. Thank you, Jesus. I’ll be able to go and see Maps today. 

Fikile smiles at my mom and says thank you. I smile at my mom as well and mouth “Thank you” to her. 

“I’ll go get ready”, Fikile says then excuses herself from the table. 

“I also need to get going. I have class today.” Dise says as she gets up from her chair. 

“I’ll drive you, baby.” Ona says, standing up.

“Before you all go, please give me a minute.” Morena says. Dise and Ona sit down. Fikile is not sure what to do. 

“Fikile, you are excused”, morena says. 

Fikile leaves. Such used to hurt her before, but she gets it now. Until her last name is Mohale, morena will not say certain things in front of her. 

“Kefentse gave birth last night”, morena begins. 

“Wait! What?! When was she pregnant?” Ona. 

I’m just as confused. 

“It was a secret and we need to make sure that this stays away from the media. No one must ever know about that child or that Kefentse has a child with a married man.” Morena continues. 

What the hell are we hearing?! 

“Married man?” Ona enquires. 

“Yeah. A guy called Reitumetsi Thokoane. He is the brother to Zithulele’s girlfriend. We told the family to not talk about it at all. That boy’s wife was furious and she committed to keeping this to herself provided we make sure that no one gets hold of this information.” Morena says. 

“Where’s Kefe now?” I ask. 

“She’s in South Africa with her mother.” My mom says. 

“Pule and Serathi are also there with her”, my mom continues. 

“Love, I know you are headed to South Africa today and you might be tempted to go and see her. If you do go, keep Fikile and Teboho busy. They don’t need to know anything about this.” Morena tells my mom. My mom nods her head. 

“When is she getting married? That Thokoane boy must take her on as a second wife”, ngono-Mathabo says. 

“The wife said no”, morena says. 

“The wife said no? The wife said no so we all listen to the wife?” Ngono-Mathabo. 

“The wife’s people are important people to us. I personally spoke to the father of that girl. They won’t make life difficult for us if we don’t make life difficult for their daughter. We have an agreement in place. Everyone is on board.” Morena. 

…

I finally get to see the highlight of my day today. She even cooked us lunch. We are having lunch by her pool right now as we talk. 

“I can pull some strings and have Fikile brought back into the industry. No one wants to touch her right now.” She says. 

“She will bounce back. She is doing some work with my mom and Tebza Tlou at the moment. That should do the trick. Fikile is good at what she does.” 

“Fikile is a brand, Khotso. When she publicly gambles with her brand, all her hard work and reputation flies out of the window.” 

I am quiet. 

“If you need me to pull some strings, you’ll let me know. Unless you are ready for her to officially be a housewife now and leave the job sector all together.” Maps tells me. 

No, I’m definitely not ready for that. 

“So this thing with Thomas Ramaru, should I be worried?” I ask her. 

“Why would you be worried?” 

“You’ve fucked him.” 

“And?”

“I want to know if it will carry on and if it’s serious.”

“If you make sure that I’m well taken care of, you won’t have anything to worry about.” 

“What does that mean?” 

“I only look for what I’m not getting. But I’m not greedy. I will not be running after you and losing my mind the way that Fikile does over you. What you don’t deliver on, I will seek somewhere else. But if you keep me happy and satisfied, you’ll have nothing to worry about.” She says to me. 

I just look at her. She has an interesting way of making me choose her over Fikile, but does not necessarily spell it out. 

We spend the rest of the day in her pool then fucking in her garden. Yeah, we do things like that. Maps just has a way of making me do things that I’d only do with her. As I help her to the car, I see morena park outside her gate. Her face changes. 

Morena comes out of the car FUMING! 

“My son? You went for my son, Maphito?” Morena says to her. 

“Mohato – 

Morena slaps her instantly and she lands on the floor. 

WTF? 

Morena’s bodyguards force me into one of the range rovers that were escorting morena’s Rolls Royce. As the Range Rover drives off, I see uncle Shaka come out of the Rolls Royce and they drag Maps into her house kicking and screaming.