With the days passing, the wounds were starting to cover—the people were getting used to the situation. It had been over a month. They were starting to accept Dion’s cancer, and starting to understand why Mpumi was that skinny and shaky, often dizzy and nauseous. The office was slowly becoming a happy place again.
…………………
“Your son will become history in seven months from now,” a man said at the meeting that Dion was absent from,” who will be CEO? We need to start looking for a new CEO.”
Bowman did not like that. He saw a glimpse of satisfaction in the man’s eyes. Bowman gathered all his strength on this one to keep contained, “He is not dead yet, sir Simon. It is insensitive to start plotting his demise so soon.”
“Whoa, whoa. Insensitive? Huh!” the man leaned onto the table as if approaching Bowman who sat opposite him around t
Mpumi was finally evicted by her landlord. She had run to Sam and opened up to her about some of her problems regarding money and homelessness. As a good friend that Sam was, she opened up her little home to Mpumi.Ever since they got back from work, they had been discussing Bowman’s response to what Mpumi did in the office.A short silence…“Did you see how he looked at me? It’s like he hated me before meeting me. He was angry. No. Furious. I’ve never seen that sort of anger before.”Sam reached for Mpumi’s shoulder, “Hey, it’s going to be alright. Now, come on. Let’s get some sleep. We’re working over-time tomorrow, remember?”They finally laid down and brought the blanket over their bodies. “You are so cruel for what you did today. Why would you dare me like that?” Mpumi began laughing, “You are such an evil child!”“You are brave to not
Mpumi had told Sam everything regarding Dion, the CEO. Mpumi had found friendship in Sam, she was glad to finally get to tell someone about everything.Sam was in awe. Such a story didn’t seem possible but hearing it from Mpumi, she was so excited that she wanted to tell Thabo about it too.“Sam, no. It’s best we don’t.” Mpumi did not want Thabo knowing about this. He had professed his love for her and it made her uncomfortable. She had been avoiding him since then.“Oh, you’re right. This so great. All along I didn’t know I was walking around with someone this amazing. You held three jobs for them, and then you had to study. You turned him from a beast of a man to the charming and polite gentleman that he is today. You know, this is like our modern-day society...”Sam continued, “All these young women straining in these toxic relationships grooming the boys for the next woman. It pisses me off.
The next day Sphesihle felt bad, “I’m sorry, Vincent,” about their project which was never completed or submitted.He was all grumpy, turning away from her. They were the last people in the room. Vincent was still packing up his books. He was drained, and strengthless, and Sphesihle could see that.It was after school. The learners were headed home. Sphesihle saw this as an opportunity to talk to him. “I didn’t think you took it this serious. I didn’t know it meant this much to you.”He quickly grabbed his bag and he was going away, but the girl pulled his wrist back, “Hey.” He felt discomfort with her touch, he took his hand back. He stood there, not looking at her, he was too upset. “Won’t you talk to me?”More silence.“Okay. Look, I will make it up to you, I promise.”“How?” he finally spoke.She could not find an answer to that. He beg
Dion finally managed to take her hand, she knew now that she was to stand still. He gazed at her eyes just as she did his. He was short of words to say to her. He brought his palm to her cheek, nearing the woman he slid his palm to the back of her neck. That way he was able to pull her closer. Their foreheads touched. He was aimed at her thin lips, but he would not get himself to. He was unsure if it would be right.There budged in Thabo, “Hey, Mpumi.”He immediately paused at the door as soon as he saw them. Dion did not expect that.He was stuck for a while, having Mpumi in his arms. He started to let her go, slowly. He remained calm. He was like someone who had been caught doing something wrong. He would not bring himself into looking into Thabo’s eyes. Dion felt too ashamed. He was caught touching one of his employees. He felt embarrassed, but he still kept cool. He finally walked out leaving only Mpumi and Thabo.Thabo grabbed a sea
“Come,” he led her up the stairs. He opened one more door, as wide for her to see, “This is your room. I’ve had one of my home assistances help with unpacking your bags.”He pulled her in and sat her on her matrass. “You have a shower and a bath-tub in there, and your toilet is just there as well. If you need anything just call for me or the assistances.”Mpumi was far from being fine. She was sickly and fright-struck. Dion saw that. He went down on his knees right in front of the woman. He held both her hands looked up to meet her eyes. She was looking at him.“Let me help you,” said he. “You helped me, it is my turn now. I can help you recover. At least, let me add that into my wish-list. We are going to have a good time.”He got upon his feet again, “Get some sleep. I am sure you are tired.” He was at the door by now, “The kids are asleep. I do not know why so early tod
Thabo had become a regular in the house of Dion Hill. Dion was starting to feel pressured to up his game, by Thabo’s presence around Mpumi.“No,” Dion said, “come with me instead. I am taking you to Cape Town. We are flying by jet.”“Ah, why you?” Thabo was crashed a bit. He quickly thought of something, “Hm! Mpumi is not that kind of girl. You can’t buy her with all your money and luxurious things. Can he now, Mpumi?”“Ow, of course not.”“See? Come with me, I’ll show you my favourite places in the city. I’ll have you enjoy all my favourite meals. I promise, you will enjoy this day.”“No!” cried Dion. “Come with me and you’ll show me the train. I have never gotten into a train before.”Thabo laughed at Dion’s idea as if it was the most ridiculous one ever. Dion did not like that, “What are you laughing at
Without a response, Mpumi shoved the door open. She walked in on Dion changing his top, “Oh, I’m sorry,” but she did not turn back or shy away. Instead, she walked in. She walked further into the room, she put his coffee on his desk.“Um… I’m changing to my golf Tee.”“So?”“Um…” Dion quickly gave up trying to explain to her that she had to give him some privacy. He hurried to put on the shirt. “Where’s Fortunate?”Mpumi rather looked in his eyes. She wanted him to notice her change of attire.“Okay, um… Thank you for the coffee, you can go back to work now.”Mpumi was slowly getting disappointed in him. Still, she kept her confidence on, she gave a serene smile. He turned away from her, down to the books on his desk, “Is there anything else?”“Huh?” immediately, she gave up. “No. That was all.&r
“What is wrong, Ms Hanson?”“Nothing, I’m just… It brought back memories. My husband… He died long ago… He fell terribly sick, and he was gone.”“My dad is also dying,” the boy shared. “Cancer. He’s in hospital right now.”“No. I’m sorry, Dave.”“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I made this song in his memory. I hope to play it at his funeral.”She spread her arms, “Come.” Dave went and covered in her. “So much suffering…”It was a pity that Dion did not show progress on the remaining of his days. Mpumi finally stopped working, and rather opted to be with Dion during his last days. She would sometimes not go back to the mention just to spend nights with him at the hospital.She would read him stories she loved as a child. She would buy him extra food. She would try and sing for him. All she
Chapter 150“You… You’re alive?!” Mpumi couldn’t believe her own eyes.Ray was alive this whole. This was a man she had fallen in love with many years ago. Their relationship was a tumultuous one. It was on and it was off, it was good and it was toxic. Mpumi ended up getting so obsessed with this man. He was her first love after all.She had dated some guys before him but she never quite felt anything for any other man before Ray. She couldn’t understand her feelings, she was too young.They were both at Mpumi’s motel now. Mpumi was hesitant on letting him in but in the end she did. He sat at the small round table while she remained standing. She was still so frightened.“You stabbed me and then ran.” Ray continued, at the same time piercing a strict gaze into Mpumi’s eyes, “You left me there to die. I collapsed and laid on the pool of my own blood, I asked you to help me, but you r
Chapter 149Kefentse was the happiest man in his entire friend group. Things were working out for him and in his favour. He was taking over his father’s company. This was something he worked his entire life for. To be recognized by his father meant everything to him.“And now, you must bring us a wife.”“What?” Kefentse couldn’t believe the words of his father.“My son, you have just acquired a thrown. Now you must have an heir. With this much wealth and fortune, many vultures will come out of the woodworks to try to steal from you. Besides that, people are more likely to trust a man with a family. You are at an age to ground yourself.”Kefentse was still so struck with shock. He did not see that coming.His father went and on and on about his next plans for Kefentse’s life, “Ooh, I know a few girls around your age. All from respectable families. Say, we should set dates! ...”
Chapter148The kids were trying to find out who leaked a very private piece of information about Vincent’s father.“I don’t know.” Gift argued for himself, “The only reason I was beefing with Vincent back then was because I thought he would take you away from me. Other than that, I really have no problems with that kid. I was just jealous…”“You’re not jealous anymore?”“No. Ever since you claimed me, I really had no reason to be anymore.”Sphesihle was touched to hear that. In fact, she remembered the reasons why she liked him in the first place—he used to be so sweet. She could swoon over his sweet words but that was not the time, they had serious matters at their hands.Whoever leaked that news what in the school, because the first article to be released about the matter was published in that school’s news-site. They had to find out who did that.&
Chapter 147Bowman started weeping bitterly. Mpumi was only flustered, and at loss for words.“When he woke up, he wanted hurt himself again. The doctors had to strap him down and sedate him.”Bowman tumbled to his knees. “Please…”He crawled over to Mpumi’s feet.“Please, you have to help him. You have to watch over him—at least keep him alive for me!”Bowman was actually on his knees, grovelling for her help. Mpumi once thought that she wanted him to do that, but now that he was, she couldn’t stomach it. She saw the pain in that man’s eyes. He was a single father who was terrified of losing his son. His only child.She started trying to help him up but he was far too heavy to lift. He kept rubbing his palms together, and kept crawling to her as she was backing away from him.“Please. Please, little Miss. Please help my son.”He then grabbed and held on to her knees so that she wouldn’t back away anymore. All over his face were his tears and a very certain sadness.………A little whi
Chapter 146When morning came and Mpumi had to go home, since her shift was over, she remembered to go check on Dion first. She found him on the floor, unconscious and bleeding from his head.She called for help, and all the others rushed in and took him for an emergency care. Mpumi was worried, she couldn’t sit still as she waited for the results. Bowman and his family were at the hospital too, after receiving that early morning call. They too looked worried.Mpumi did find herself exchanging glances with Bowman. She wondered what that was about. She was able to go home when the doctors confirmed that Dion was okay. She could stay up and blame herself for what happened to Dion on her watch, but she was too tired and too sleepy.Mpumi quickly, slipped into her pyjamas (nightwear), and into her sheets—DING DONG!Came a doorbell at her door. She was tired. She simply scoffed, and then buried her head under her pillow. She was determined on ignoring that vividly loud doorbell.DING DONG
Chapter 145There was silence as Mpumi was thoroughly thinking about her decision. The Hill family had asked for her help to bring Dion back home. The ball was in Mpumi’s court.She then turned to Bowman, looked at him dead in the eye, “You fired me and then I left. I left your son and your darned company, so you can have all the control you wanted. As soon as I’m gone, your son goes missing? None of you knew where he was until I came along. I came back and I found him. You should be thanking me.”Mpumi continued, “In fact, you should be begging me to help you and your little precious son.”“I am begging you, Mpumi—”“Not you, Liam. I want Mr. Bowman Hill to beg me himself.”Bowman simply scoffed. He couldn’t believe the audacity of the girl. How dare she demand him to beg?“I see that proud smirk at the corner of your mouth, Mr. Bowman Hill.” Mpumi sa
Chapter 144At school, Gift was always happy to see Sphesihle. He would always beam and brightly so around her. He didn’t care if anyone saw him with her. Gift knew that he was the most admired kid in that school. His social value did not decrease on just being seen with Sphesihle—if anything, Sphesihle’s social value was more likely increase.“I get so excited to come to school nowadays,” he said smiling at Sphesihle.They were in class, first period. They spoke in low tones so that they wouldn’t make too much noise. That was allowed. This was their Life Orientation teacher, and she allowed socialization among pupils as long as they used their ‘inside voices’—as long as they were not too loud.“I get to hang out with you again.” Gift continued, “Remember how tight we used to be? And we were such a power couple.”Meanwhile, Sphesihle couldn’t shake off the uncomfort
Chapter 143Mpumi could see a clear view of his face. His front hairs were dangling at his forehead, overgrown and almost obscuring his sight. His beard was as long and tangled in what could soon turn into locks.As she looked closer, she saw his eyes sunken in and dark circles around them. She saw his cheeks all bones and protruding.Shocked! Mpumi’s throat was almost as dry as the sand in the Saharan Desert. Her tongue had never felt so heavy as she tried saying her first words upon seeing the man’s face. On her own face was the look of sheer terror!“DION??!!”He only looked into empty space and mimed what even he couldn’t make sense of. He seemed very far and lost. Mpumi got closer to have a closer look at his eyes.“Dion?”However, he looked lifeless almost as though there was no soul living in there. Mpumi could only wonder what happened to him. How he even got to that place, in the firs
Chapter 142The nurses did not succeed at collecting the patient’s DNA. The patient in room X1. He was aggressive and wouldn’t let any of them close to him. They couldn’t even take a photo of him. This would make it even harder to identify him. They needed to find his next of kin.They nurses were with the matron in her office. They were all brainstorming ideas on a way forward. The matron only went silent. She didn’t know what else to say. She was still thinking.“I think I can help him…” Mpumi had said.They turned to her, looked at her and wondered, “How do you think you can help? Not only is he mental but he’s also dangerous.”“I’ll take my own chances, but I think I have to try to get through to him.” Mpumi could clearly see that none of those people were convinced.She had to try harder. “Look, as you know that I’ve worked at a clinic before. I a