Chapter nine

STRING OF PEARLS: NINE

_CAROLINA_

We've spent the past couple of days lost in each other's arms, our passion unstoppable. We only pause to sleep or eat. I've given him my all, and I'm convinced he'll never leave me now.

As I prepare breakfast in the kitchen, wearing his shirt, I feel his arms wrap around me. I turn, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him with all my might.

"I have to go," Nkanyezi says, breaking the kiss and leaving me yearning for more.

"But..." I protest, looking down.

"Sthandwa sam, I've been here for two days. My brother has been blowing up my phone," he says, and I turn off the stove.

He swiftly turns me back to face him, placing his large hand on my flat tummy.

"Did you mean it when you said you wished I planted a seed in here?" he asks, following my gaze as I try to look away.

"I'm not pressuring you, but I also don't want my wife parading her body for the world to see," he says.

I sigh.

"I love modeling. It's always been my dream to walk the runway for Victoria's Secret."

He tries to move away, but I hold him tight.

"I'm not done yet, Mthethwa," I say firmly.

"I'm willing to compromise so we can be together," I add.

"I'll quit modeling," I say, and he smirks.

"Don't celebrate yet," I warn.

"I'll pursue a career as a content creator," I explain.

"What's that?" he asks, confusion etched on his face.

"I'll create videos and post them on social media," I clarify.

He still looks lost.

"I won't post anything distasteful. I'll be fully clothed. Maybe I'll cook or talk about dating a hardcore Zulu man. I haven't figured out the details, but my point is... I want to be independent, not just a 'yes, baby' wife."

He chuckles.

"Ingane zona?" (And kids?) he asks.

"I didn't take the pill the past two days," I say, winking.

A beautiful smile spreads across his face.

"Manje siyashada?" (Are we getting married?) he asks.

I giggle.

"Angazi Mthethwa, ngingezwa ngawe" (I don't know, I should hear that from you), I reply.

He pecks my lips.

"Get in touch with your family; I'm marrying a gorgeous, sexy wife," he says.

I smile faintly, realizing I need to contact my family for him to marry me. My mood drops, but I try to hide it.

_NKANYEZI_

As I leave Carolina's place, I notice she's troubled about contacting her family. Unfortunately, it's unavoidable. I'm a traditional man, and paying Lobola is essential to me and my family.

After enjoying the delicious breakfast she prepared, I drive home. I'm surprised to find my brother, Mcedisi, there. He's usually at the coffee shop or rank, never at home.

"Bafo," I greet, entering the lounge.

He acknowledges me with a nod, looking burdened.

"I'm sorry I went AWOL; I had to fix things with my girlfriend," I explain.

He nods.

"I need a favor," he says, and I give him my full attention. My brother's a proud man; he wouldn't ask for help unless necessary.

"I'm all ears, Bafo," I say.

He sighs.

"I need you to accompany Onezwa to Joburg. She needs access codes and a laptop to work from here until I resolve the Kofi situation."

I study him, sensing something's off.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

He nods.

"Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?"

"Will you take Onezwa?" he snaps, his tone firm.

I sigh.

"When?"

"Tonight, preferably."

"It's short notice," I complain.

Mcedisi's expression turns grave.

"Kofi came to my office yesterday. He's given us a week to find those diamonds or he'll attack. I've done all I can to keep us alive."

My throat dries instantly.

"If he attacks, we're dead. I've heard horrific stories about that man. Qhawe's fate is a warning."

Mcedisi's face contorts in anger.

"Don't you think I know that?"

He pauses, collecting himself.

"Just take Onezwa to Johannesburg and return safely. I'll send Inkabi zase East Coast to accompany you."

I nod.

"We can't die now. Carolina's agreed to marry me, and you're expecting your first child. Qhawe left us this mess. If I die, I'll find him in hell and kill him all over again."

Mcedisi's expression softens.

"No one's dying. I've ensured that."

I frown.

"What do you mean? What have you done?"

Mcedisi looks away, and I want to press for answers, but Onezwa walks in, capturing our attention. Her eyes are swollen and puffy.

"I think I know where the diamonds are," she says softly.

Mcedisi leaps to his feet, his voice thundering.

_ONEZWA_

Mcedisi's reaction startles me. I expected relief, not impatience.

"I...I thought about our conversation yesterday," I explain. "I didn't sleep, trying to recall if your brother truly entrusted me with the diamonds."

Mcedisi's gaze remains impatient.

"The pearl necklace he gave me," I continue. "He said I should never wear it unless I was with him. Don't you find that odd?"

Both brothers stare at me, perplexed.

"I need to get to my place," I realize. "The necklace might hold a hidden code or message."

Mcedisi sighs, glancing at Nkanyezi.

"I think it's best you drive there now," he says.

Nkanyezi nods.

"Do you need anything before we leave?" he asks.

I shake my head.

"Let's go," Nkanyezi says.

I follow him, fueled by hope for a safe and free life.

The drive to Joburg feels longer than usual. I pray my intuition is correct.

Upon arrival, I rush into my apartment.

"Yes! I found the pearls!" I exclaim, holding them.

"And they're so heavy," I observe

Nkanyezi takes the pearls, examining them.

He removes them from the box, holding them up. The long string reaches the floor.

Suddenly, Nkanyezi bursts into laughter, then dials his phone.

"We got the diamonds, Bafo," he says excitedly.

However, his enthusiasm quickly fades, replaced by concern.

He hangs up, kicking my coffee table with his Timberland boot.

I'm frightened.

"Mcedisi just informed me that MaSibiya started bleeding after we left," he says, with his voice pained . "She lost the baby."

I feel like I've been pierced through the lungs. That's so sad.