Pigmentation

"You know what, I'm breaking up with her tonight. Let's go back to my place. I could use someone with experience," said Mika.

As soon as the conversation had ended, Mika entered with the enemy.

"Best time to make our move, be alert," Mr. Phenyo said.

Mika walked towards me and pretended to whisper something in my ear. I acted my part and had to find a way to sob or look worried. Bella smiled crookedly, walking out with my partner and into her trap. As soon as she stepped outside, Mr. Phenyo was in the doorway. He and Mika grabbed the woman and took her to the SUV, while I helped tie her down with a rope invented by Ben, which could turn a tied person into a deep sleep.

We drove to the GOH site and kept her in the interrogation room. But she looked familiar; she indeed was Belinda, even the scars were identical.

When Bella woke up, Mika was there beside her to interrogate her.

"Oh sweetheart, I thought you wanted me. Am I not hot enough for you, boy?" she asked annoyed.

Mika laughed.

"There are so many hot women my age, why would I be interested in you? And please ma'am, don't call me a boy. There are many things I could do to you, things that boys could never endure."

Bella smiled. "What do you want then?" she asked.

"Who are you, who do you work for, and why are you spreading evil spirits to young innocent people?" I asked.

"So many questions, I don't have to say anything," Bella refused to confess her crimes. We had finally caught Bella or Belinda. Mr. Phenyo congratulated all the interns who worked hard in solving the case. All interns who managed to do well were given a position as secret agents of the GOH organization, not forgetting the kit which Ben had promised to give us.

"I spent most of my life yearning for you, but I never knew where to begin my search. Ever since I met you, all the bad I thought you were has been proven wrong. You not only wanted to protect me, you also wanted a good life for me. Thank you for welcoming me into your life. Even if there were risks that I could lose you from the hands of an enemy. Today I want to say to you, I salute you for being brave enough to open up about the special people in your life. Keep at it my skaat," said my father as we were walking on the way home.

"Ok dad, thanks. You also inspire me to better my cooking skills. How come you and mom make good food and I struggle so much in that department?" I joked, and my father chuckled.

It was late in the evening; Mika and I were celebrating our big win, solving the Bella case. Mr. Phenyo promised to arrive but took longer to come. We finally decided to start without him. My father was too tired to stay awake that long; he went to bed early. Finally, a knock came. I thought, what a relief. When I opened the door, I found that it was Mr. Phenyo. He had in one hand a single white rose and on the other hand, he had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I smiled as he gave me the rose. We all celebrated under soothing jazz music; my father eventually woke up and joined in the fun as well. Who knew that the journey of finding my father would become a journey of discovering my hidden talents.

I hadn't visited my mother since January. The leaves were beginning to show signs of discoloration, the cold was worsening; autumn had approached. I was feeling awful for taking so long to visit my mother, so awful that even my relationship with my father was getting affected. We constantly argued about the simple things that could be solved with maturity. But this time things had changed. I was feeling homesick. Mika could sense that there was something wrong with me; he didn't know what.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked with a concerned look in his eyes.

I smiled, giving him a long stare into his brown, Silverstar Stallone's look-alike eyes. I nodded. From the corner of my right eye, I could see Mr. Phenyo coming towards my desk. I started panicking; I could tell he was furious.

"Miss Mokoena, can I have a word!" he said in a sharp tone, pointing me to his office.

I must be in trouble, I thought. I planned my excuse within seconds. With a blue file in my hand, I followed Mr. Phenyo into his office like a good little soldier following his superior, about to be relieved from his duties entirely. Mr. Phenyo shut the door behind me as soon as I had entered his office. With his hands deep inside his black formal trouser, he began to speak.

"Do you mind telling me why I haven't received the K11 report even now?"

As I was about to answer, he continued to speak. The intensity in his tone increased. He sounded really furious.

"I also want to know why you were not paying attention to the GOH meeting we had on Friday. Do you have a problem with me or do you just hate your job? Please answer me, Miss Mokoena," he shouted.

"It's only a family matter, sir, but I promise to work harder. You will receive that report immediately, sir. Please don't fire me," I pleaded.

"I can't fire you; I didn't recruit you and even if I had recruited you, I still wouldn't fire you. You have potential and I want you to use it, not waste it like you're doing now. Be the agent I know you can be. I am on your side. Please don't get killed; if you need a leave, you should tell me."

After reminding me of my responsibilities, Mr. Phenyo gave me a two weeks leave to clear my head. Finally, I thought. Mika was still a bit worried. He even sent me a bunch of white roses with a box of chocolates and a note that said, "get better soon partner," such a good friend, I thought.

My father and I agreed that it would be best for me to visit my mother. The man read my mind. Was he a prophet? I wondered. I kept my work life a secret for a long time. All I had to do was to keep the GOH life part of me a secret. I was relieved that I would be seeing my mother again.

The journey back to Joburg was necessary. I missed my mother. The first thing I saw was the green color covering the house walls; just when I thought things wouldn't get worse, the interior walls were white, the kitchen cabinets green, the chicken on our cuckoo clock was also green, as well as the couch.

"Green monster house!" I yelled.

My mother raised her eyebrow.

"I missed you Lee, come here," she said, giving me a very tight hug, almost choking me.

I was glad to see her face after such a long time; I was so relieved.

"I made bohobe and tripe, go and bathe, I will dish up for you when you're done," she said.

"OH! I can't wait!" I was ecstatic. I missed my mother's cooking.

My mother and I spent some quality time

together doing the things I hadn't done with anyone since I left Joburg. We went window shopping, fitting on different outfits that we couldn't afford then secretly taking pictures in the fitting rooms, but this time was a little different, I could afford all those clothes but I wouldn't be able to explain how to my mother, I bought only two dresses, one for me one for her, to avoid raising any suspicion. We then went out to watch pantsula dancers at the Joburg theatre. If I wasn't so stiff I would be able to pull a move or two. I enjoyed every moment I had spent with my mother.

"I think I need some space; there is a cheap room at the Cape flats. I will be staying there for a while," I said.

My father would not have any of that; he didn't want me to move away angrily. He seemed to understand me more than I understood myself. Perhaps he was a prophet. I laughed at the thought.

"Finally! A smile. I think you should take some time off from this place; your mother misses you."

Just as I said, he understood me better. I gave my father a long tight hug, then began to pack.

"May I drive you there?" My father asked.

"That would be great, but I already have my own transport."

My father laughed then gave me a wink.

I still loved my sedan car; it was small but it could get me far.

I waved my father goodbye, then drove all the way to Jo'burg. I spent the entire weekend with my mother.

Meanwhile... My father received a call from his personal doctor, who was also an agent at the GOH.

"Dr. Simmons, what a pleasure to hear from you. What do the results say?"

"The cancer, it has spread all over; it cannot be treated now. I am so sorry, Chris."

My father was saddened by the news; he hung up the call right at that moment. And began to cry bitterly. How would he explain the sad news to his newly found daughter? How would he explain that the man who was supposed to walk her down the aisle one day was, in fact, dying? He immediately informed Ben of his condition. It took only fifteen minutes; Ben arrived at the house to comfort his friend.

"Have you told your daughter about this?" Ben asked.

My father tilted his head in disapproval.

"But why?"

"It'll just break her. I've only just known her for a few months; I don't want to lose her!" My father explained.

Ben fixed his tie then joined his friend and gulped down a tot of brandy.

"She will need someone, someone who won't make her feel alone!" said Ben.

"I know that!"

"What are you willing to do about that?"

"Phenyo will be a good match for her!" Said my father.

"But they are not seeing each other, at least not yet."

"Then I will have to work hard to draw them to each other."

"They did seem to like each other at the brunch. Phenyo is only waiting for your call."

My father and Ben laughed.

"You should see the way my daughter reacts when she hears me mention his name; she acts as if she is not interested but I have learned to understand her. She does like him."

Back at home, my mother did not even dare ask about father; she just wanted to enjoy the time alone with me. I didn't like the tension that my father was bringing between us, and I needed her to accept my decisions.

"Why is it that there is always tension whenever I mention my father's name? I thought you were happy for me!"

My mother rolled her eyes.

"I thought that this was our weekend, why are you mentioning that man's name in my house!"

I was amazed at my mother's response; she had been supportive in my decision to find my father. I didn't understand what changed now. Did she know something I didn't?

"Are you still angry at him, for leaving us, for leaving you?" I asked, concerned.

My mother sighed, as if she were holding something back.

"Chris is a horrible old man, I wish that he wasn't your father!" My mother stood up from her chair angrily.

"You don't mean that; you're just hurting."

"I want you to never go back there again. Your home is here, with me, like the old times!"

I became red-hot furious. I didn't like how my mother was responding.

I went to my old room to cool off; the following morning I packed all of my clothes and returned back to Montagu. My father was glad to see me again. He prepared bohobe and steak; he knew they were my favorites. He hated tripe, hence the steak. I didn't want to get into my mother's drama; I loved both my parents. I could never choose sides.