Chapter eleven

STRING OF PEARLS: ELEVEN -

ONEZWA

It's been a month since my father died. I still can't believe the man who caused me so much pain was my father. I can't even be mad at the Mthethwas; they didn't know he was my father either. He died in my arms, and the image still haunts me.

Mcedisi and Nkanyezi ensured I could bury him. He was laid to rest in his mother's land in Egypt. The sendoff was enormous; clearly, he was known worldwide. Surprisingly, his bodyguards never revealed who killed him. I guess the Mthethwa brothers threatened them effectively.

After seeing my father's final resting place, I finally found some closure. Now, I'm back in Joburg. It's been a week, and I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.

"Let's hit the club tonight," Amber says. I roll my eyes.

"You know I hate clubs," I reply.

She sighs. "How about drinks at my place? We can Netflix and gossip about everything and everyone," I suggest.

Amber giggles. "Woman, you had me at gossip."

"What is it with receptionists and gossip?" I ask, laughing and she shrugs.

"Good, let me go earn my keep," I say, walking past her into my office and firing up the computer.

A few hours later, engrossed in my work, Phil walks in holding a paper bag from Mug and Bean. I smile at him as he pulls up a chair.

We haven't discussed "us" since my return, and I hoped we would talk about our relationship.

"Hi," I greet with a smile, which he reciprocates.

"I knew you'd skip lunch, like you have been for the past couple of days," he says, opening the paper bag. My mouth instantly waters.

"I just have a lot of catching up to do. Phil, you didn't have to pay my salary," I say.

"Well, you need to go to HR and sign for the annual leave. That's how I was able to pay you," he explains.

"How have you been?" he asks.

I heave a sigh. "That bad?"

"You have no idea," I reply.

"I'm no longer tied to the Mthethwas. I have no past to run from. If you'll still have me, I'm yours," I say.

Phil smiles faintly. "That's good news."

"But?" I ask.

He sighs, shifting his gaze from me.

"While you were away, I sort of met someone. Well, not met per se - she's my late wife's cousin. It's nothing serious yet, but we've been sleeping together," he says.

I feel a sting of pain in my heart.

"I'm happy for you," I lie.

"I'm sorry," Phil says.

"Don't be silly. You deserve happiness, and it's not like we were dating," I say with a forced smile.

Arriving home exhausted, I open the door and scream when I find Mcedisi standing in my kitchen.

"Can't you knock like a normal person?" I ask, closing the door behind me.

He chuckles. "Where's the fun in that?"

"What brings you here, Mcedisi?" I ask, walking past him into the lounge and collapsing onto the couch.

He follows, sitting on the opposite couch.

"I came to give you this," he says, handing me a check with numerous zeros.

I frown. "What's this? Who uses checks nowadays?"

"The check is just for ambiance," he explains. "Once you provide your account number, the money will be transferred."

I sigh. "How much is it?"

"It's over 30 million," he replies.

My eyes widen in shock. "Why are you giving me so much money?"

"It's a portion of the diamonds," he says. "I didn't sell all of them, but you deserve compensation, especially after losing your husband and father."

I nod, wiping away tears.

"The money is in an offshore account, and I've set up shell companies for the paper trail," he explains.

"Don't worry, it's simpler than it sounds. Just give me your account number."

I provide the number, and he records it on his phone.

"That's it. No more breaking in, I promise," he says, standing up.

"How's MaSibiya?" I ask.

"We're taking things one day at a time," he replies.

I smile.

"Take care of yourself," he says, helping me up and pecking my forehead.

"All the best," he says before walking out, leaving me with a mix of emotions.

_CAROLINA_

I watch my mother eat, her indifference piercing me like a dagger. "Ma, please," I plead, but she ignores me.

This woman has never shown me kindness. I wonder if she even breastfed me or if she let her cats nurse me instead. I wouldn't put anything past her.

"Richard, do you hear anyone speaking?" she asks, feeding butternut soup to her cat from the same spoon. It's clear she loves her felines more than me.

"I just need one of my uncle's phone numbers, please," I beg, tears streaming down my face. It's been a month of daily visits, but she remains unmoved.

This woman never loved me. Her priorities are her cats and lavish lifestyle. At 16, she tried to marry me off to a Congolese prince, but I refused and fled to a friend's home. We've been estranged ever since.

Blinded by tears, I storm out of her house.

"Please open the gate," I ask the security guard.

"You've been coming here for a while now," the middle-aged man observes in a thick Zimbabwean accent.

"Yes," I reply, wiping away tears.

"Maybe I can help," he offers, sounding genuine.

"Well, unless you can get my mother to give you one of my uncle's numbers, so they can negotiate lobola for me... My mother disowned me for refusing to marry an older man. I don't know any family members except her cousin Tapi, but he's also distanced himself from her. I grew up with just her and those cats," I say, sniffling.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Give me your number; I'll help," he says.

Desperate, I share my contact information.

If this doesn't work, I'll have to convince Nkanyezi to marry me or leave me alone.

_NARRATED_

Mcedisi parks the car in the yard, and his wife, MaSibiya, rushes towards him excitedly.

"Myeni wami!" she shouts, awaiting his exit from the car.

"MaSibiya," he greets with a subtle smile as he steps out.

"How was your trip to Joburg?" she asks, already leading him by the hand into their hut.

Mcedisi halts upon seeing Khosi, a face he'd rather not encounter.

"You remember my cousin Khosi, right?" MaSibiya inquires.

He nods silently.

"Well, I shared our situation with her, and she proposed a brilliant solution," MaSibiya says.

Mcedisi shifts his gaze to Khosi, who suddenly appears innocent and naive

"What situation?" he asks.

"Khosi has offered to carry our child," MaSibiya explains.

"Sthandwa sam, you may be content without children now, but eventually, you'll desire an heir. That might lead you to bring a stranger into our marriage," she continues.

Mcedisi frowns.

"Would you have me marry your cousin instead? How is that different?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

MaSibiya giggles.

"Don't be silly; Khosi will carry our child, and we'll compensate her. It's called...?"

"Surrogacy," Khosi reminds her.

"Yes, Myeni wam, Surrogacy!" MaSibiya exclaims, her eyes sparkling.

"Say yes, baba; I want to be called mama ka Enzo," she says, giggling.

Mcedisi remains speechless.