04 || Fire Pit

The monstrosity of a white mansion stood out in the outskirts of the city of Cape Town; its beauty illuminating the quiet and bare neighbourhood. The yard was so wide and spacious that it could accommodate an entire community of squatters. It was fenced with long, simple white walls accompanied by huge black gates and a small white security house. 

Flowers of different kinds adorned the front yard and a big, beautiful fountain stood at the centre. A huge balcony stood in the middle, dividing the two wings, its brown wooden chairs, and tables, beautiful artificial flowers, and trees giving it a natural look. The huge glass sliding doors behind the white couches and coffee table only increased one's curiosity on what lay behind the beautiful scenery. 

The expensive cars littering the yard as well as the security posted at every corner were a clear indication that the owner of this beautiful exhibit was well off. 

The backyard was almost like a replica of the front wing with its balcony, except this balcony was smaller and only had one long royal blue couch and a small table. 

A huge garden filled up the entire backyard. Long oak and pine trees littered the garden in a neat row, forming what looked almost like an aisle across the fresh green lawn. Short trees, flowers, and roses of different colours adorned the field, its mixed aromas evacuating the backyard. 

Further ahead, after the long stretch of the trees and lawn, stood an equally beautiful but smaller house, which was the workers’ quarters. 

Once inside, the size of the mansion was no surprise considering the number of rooms and the amount of space each room occupied. The colour of the walls along with the furniture was neutral, matching the brown carpet that lingered on the floor, bringing out the beauty of the house and its expensive marbles. 

Everything screamed money and power. 

All these beauties belonged to one man. 

Logan Parker. 

A name that rose throughout the entire city of Cape Town and South Africa like a mantra that was repeated after every three seconds. 

He was the CEO of Parker’s Enterprises and a well-known billionaire across the world with his multibillionaire company based in Cape Town. The 32-year-old ran Cape Town by storm. His name was feared in the streets and in the business industry and no one dared to cross him. He was like a god that everyone wanted to worship. 

He had everything money could buy; fancy cars, a huge mansion, a multibillionaire company, private jets, ships, and he changed girls like his suits. Nonetheless, all that meant nothing when all he came back to was an empty house. 

Loud footsteps echoed into the late cold autumn night, accompanied by nothing but a cold silence that filled the empty house. 

The silence was nothing new, but his anger was something different, and not only did it spark his interest, but his workers’ too. 

Logan Parker did not just stink of wealth; his ego was bigger than his bank accounts. He was the most influential man, and his unapologetic and ruthless nature was just an icing to the black cake. He was not a friendly person, but he did not mind throwing his employees with a few ‘hellos’ and ‘how are you’ accompanied by his famous curt nods every now and then. However, all he wanted to do now was to wring their poor necks. 

"MIRIAM!" He barked as he pushed into the sitting room with his disorientated look. He looked nothing like his usually composed self; his brown hair was wet and sticky, his white shirt was tucked out and hanging loose on his bold frame with the black tie hanging loosely around his neck, and he clutched his drenched suit jacket with the collar. 

If anything, the only thing that was still intact was his steely gaze as the help trudged into the empty sitting room, her feet echoing through the heavy silence. The woman was a petite, tanned-skin coloured who looked somewhat in her late fifties. She looked like a thief caught with her hand in the cookie-jar as she stood in front of the penetrating brown eyes with her head in a slight bow. 

She knew she was in trouble the moment she heard his booming voice resound all the way to the backyard; it was not every day her boss summoned one of them late at night. When five minutes passed and he had still not said anything, she gradually lifted her head. “Sir, I didn’t mean to…” Her words faltered due to the piercing glare he sent her way, causing her to quickly cast her eyes to the carpeted floor. 

“Why did you do it?” He asked hardheartedly, dragging on each word. 

It was not every day he received a call from his security, informing him about how his most trusted employee tried to steal from him and further tried to escape. The woman had been working for him and his family for over twenty years and had practically watched him grow up. 

He had gone as far as making her the head of the house staff, giving her the upper hand to hire and fire as she pleased. She was the most paid maid even though he had never said it aloud, so he did not understand why she would attempt to steal from him now after twenty years of enduring loyalty. 

The woman looked up, her eyes red and her nose pink from her silent tears. "Mr Parker, my granddaughters, Kim and Emily-" She started in a crackly voice but was saved the effort when Thuso, Logan Parker's most trusted bodyguard and friend, walked into the room with a stoic look on his face, signalling trouble in paradise. 

"Mr Parker, there's a phone call for you." He said with a slight nod, acknowledging the older woman in the room before he turned to his boss. 

"I'm busy," Logan replied bluntly without sparing him a single glance, his eyes focused on the woman standing in front of him. 

“It is David Botha. He says it’s got to do with your brother.” Thuso stated timidly, attempting to prevent himself from infuriating his employer any further. “He’s been arrested.” That short statement caught Logan’s attention as his eyes flickered to the big bodyguard standing a few feet away from him. “Again.” The man added despite the intense glare that his employer shot his way before casting his eyes back to the woman again. 

“The rehab in Johannesburg is expecting Emily in a week’s time.” He stated, capturing the woman’s attention as she looked up with shocked and thankful eyes. “All costs have been taken care of. She’s going to be away for nine months, and if she recovers quickly, then she’s going to be released within the next three months.” He said as he clamped the woman on the shoulder. “One of the drivers is going to take you. And as for Kim; I will have her gadgets replaced and I will pay for her check-up too.” He said with a blank face. 

“I don’t know what to say, thank you, son!” Miriam cried and wrapped her arms around him before she could even give it a second thought. Logan stiffened at the unexpected warm gesture, and Miriam pulled away abruptly as if she could not get far enough from him. “I’m sorry, Sir.” She said, aware of the change in his mood. “Can I help you with that?” She asked, referring to the drenched jacket in his hands. 

“No.” He replied, his tone indifferent. “Thuso will take you home. Take as much time as you need with your granddaughter.” He said, shooting a look at his displeased driver. 

“Thank you, Sir. God bless you.” The woman said, unable to hide her joy. 

Logan gave a curt nod and walked away from the duo. 

“But, Logan, what about your brother?” Thuso shouted after him as he watched him walk towards the grand staircase. 

"He is a big boy; he can take care of himself!" Logan shouted back as he jogged up the stairs, not wanting to hear any more about his brother who somehow could not stop getting himself into trouble every second of his life.