Of

fi
ceAf
fai
r
Pr
ologue

Rethabil
eMav undlasatquietl
yinherther apist'
s
offi
ce.Hernerveswer edoingjumpingjacksi nsi
de
herbody .It
ookadeepbr eat
hinandl etitoutbut
thatdi
dn'tseem tocalm medownatal l.Ididn't
knowwhymydoct orcal
ledmeher e,Ihasbeen
behaving.
Aloudscr eam echoedintheotherroom, i
twas
probablyoneoft heot
herpat i
ent
sget ti
ngsedated.I
havebeeni nthismentalinst
it
uti
onf or5yearsnow.I
wasdi agnosedwi t
hbipol
ardisorderri
ghtaft
erI
mur deredsomeonebutt hatsastoryforanotherday
.
DrNkosimytherapistwalkedi
nwithafil
einhand.
DrNkosihasbeenwor kingher
eforafewy ear
snow,
ohGodshe'sreal
lygoodatherjob.Shesatdown
andopenedthefil
e,Rethaguesseditwasherfi
le.
[
Gazi
ngather
]
Dr
:Ret
habi
l
ether
e'sabsol
utel
ynoneedt
obe
ner
vous.
Retha:(bur
sti
ngout)I'
m sorr
yDocbutwhyam Iher e?
I'
vebeenatmybestbehav iour.It
akemymedi cat
ion
everydayandI'
venevermissedasi ngl
e..
..
..
Dr
:(gi
ggli
ng)Cal
m downRet
ha,
you'
vedonenot
hing
wr
ongtrustme.
Ret
ha:
(conf
used)Thenwhyam Iher
e?
Dr:
Meandt hedoctorinchar
gehavebeen
monit
ori
ngyourprogressandImustsayyou'
vebeen
doi
ngverywell
.Wespoket othecour
tandthey
madeadecisi
on.
Ret
ha:
Okayand.
..
.
Dr
:Theydeci
dedt
olety
ougo.
Retha:
DoesthatmeanI
'
llspendt
her
emai
ning5
yearsi
npri
son.
Dr
:No,youar
eoutonparolebutyouhaveto
pr
omisemethatyou'
l
lcont
inuetaki
ngyour
medi
cati
onandyouhavetodoat her
apysessi
on
wi
thmeonceamont h.DoImakemy sel
fclear
?
Ret
ha:
Yesy
esy
es.
..
..
oht
hanky
ousomuch
HourslaterIwalkedintomyhouse, i
twasspot l
ess.
Ofcoursewhatdi di expectwhenIhav esucha
cari
nggrandmot her.FiveyearsagoImur der
eda
personinthishousenowI '
m back5y ear
slaterand
thepainf
ul memor i
esar esti
ll
freshi
nmymi nd.
Iwal
kedt othebedroom justdownthehall
andput
mybagont hebed.Moment ssharedonthebedwit
h
hi
m, bothsexualandromant i
cthenIwakeupone
morningandhehasbet rayedme.WheredidIever
gowr ong.
Iopenedt hewar drobewhi chwasst i
l
lfi
lledwithhis
cl
ot hes.Itookoutev erythingthatbelongedt ohim
andst ackeditont hebed.Iwasgoi ngtobur nhis
cl
ot hesandsel lhisjewelleryforcash.I'
m donewi th
men, I
'
m goingtost artafreshandf ocusent ir
elyon
me.Nomen, nol ove,
nor elati
onshipsandl astl
yno
sex, ohGodt hedr ought.IfIcouldsur vi
ve5y ears
withoutsext hennot hi
ngcanst opmef rom
cont i
nuingwithoutit.
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er1

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Thesunshonebright
lyandtheskywasclear.I
twas
goi
ngt obeahotdaytoday.Iwasgett
ingreadyfor
anotherhar
ddayatwork.Ili
vei
nInandainDurban
butIworkinBal
l
ito.
Twomont hsagoIwasr el
easedfrom thement al
i
nstituti
on,Ivowedt hatIwasgoi ngtostartafr
esh.I
wentj obhuntingandf oundaj obatacompanyi n
town.Iam par toftheHRdepar t
ment .Ir
eall
ylove
myj obandsi ncei haveadegr eeinhuman
resourcesitwaseasyf ormet ogetthepositi
on
despitemycr iminalrecord.
BeforeIgothiredatJobeConst r
ucti
onIuset owork
atKFCinDubeVi l
l
ageMal l
.If
oundanewf ri
end
whil
ewor ki
ngt her
e, hernameisOwethu, sheisnow
myr oommat e.She'
susi ngoneofthespar e
bedroomsandshei nsist
edonpay i
ngrent.Weget
al
ongsowel l.Shepay sR3300intotal
,thatcovers
accommodati
on,el
ect
ri
cit
yandwaterandfood.She
al
sohasacarbutInormall
yusei
tcauseshehas
guystopi
ckherup.
Ifi
nishedget
ti
ngr eadyandt heni
packedmythi
ngs
i
nmyhandbagt hengrabbedmyl apt
opbagand
headedtothekitchenjustdownthehall
way
.
Myhouseisn'
tthatbi
gandthekit
chenandlivi
ng
r
oom ar
ejoinedtoget
herwi
thjustenoughspacefor
movi
ngaround.
Owet
hu:
Mor
ning
Me:Hey,youupear
li
ert
hanusual
.Isn'
ti
tyourday
of
ftoday
?
Icheckedt
het
imeandi
twas06:
15.
Owet
hu:Actual
l
yIj
ustgothomesoIdeci
dedt
o
makeyousomebreakf
ast.
Me:
Yousl
eptoutagai
n!
Ir
oll
edmyey
es
Owethu:
Sweeti
e,unl
i
keyouIam notonsomesex
quar
anti
ne,
Ineedtogetl
aidt
ofuncti
onproper
ly.
Me:
Ohwow!Shoul
dIbeof
fended?
Her:
Rethayouaredenyi
ngyourselfsex.Thewhole
worl
dcanseethatyouaresexuall
yfrustr
atedand
youneedagooddicktogunyoudownbabygi rl
.Thi
s
t
hingofact
ingal
lholyandshiti
sn'
tgoingt owork.
Getaman.
Shewhisper
edthatl
astpar
tinmyearandwi
nkedat
mebeforegoingt
oherbedroom.
May beshe'
sri
ght,Ineedt
oblowoffsomesteam
butnotsexual
ly.I
'
m notgonnahav
esex.Ibr
ushed
thosethought
soutofmymi ndandatemyfoodin
peace.
Iarri
vedatwor klat
erthanIplannedbecauseI
couldn'tfi
ndt hecarkeysandt omakemat t
ers
worset raff
icwasani ghtmare.IsighedasIgotout
ofthecarandgr abbedmyst ufffr
om t hebackseat.I
real
lyneededt obuymy sel
facar ,
Ican' tkeepusi
ng
Owet hu'scar.AsIrushedintothebui l
dingLuyamy
fri
endr ushedt omewi thacupofcof fee.
Me:
Youar
ethebest
,Ineededcof
fee
Luy
a:Shutupy
oul
ate,
ther
e'sanemer
gencyst
uff
meeti
ngthat
'sst
art
inganymi
nut
enow,
int
he
boar
droom.
Me:
Ohshi
t!
Wer ushedtotheel
evatorandheadingt ot he
boardroom onthet
opfloor.If
ixedmy selfquickl
y
eventhoughitwashardwiththeelevatort hi
sful
l.
Wegotof fthetopf
loorandwal kedtowar dsthe
boardroom.
Me:
Sowhati
sthi
smeet
ingabout
?
Luy
a:Wear
egoi
ngt
omeett
hebi
gboss
Me:
Didn'
tyousay
,hewasov
erseas?
Luy
a:HewasbutIguesshecameback.
Whenwer eachedt
heboardr
oom al
ltheseat
swer
e
occupiedandIhadtosqueezei
nbetweenmy
col
leaguessinceiwasver
yshort
.
Me:
Thi
sdayi
sfuckedup.
Af
ri
kaNdl
ovuouract
ingCEOst
oodup.
Afr
ika:
Goodmorni
ngguys,I
'm gl
ady oucoul
dmake
i
ttothi
smeet
ingatsuchshortnot
ice.Wit
hout
wast
ingany
timeI
'
dli
ketoint
roduceandwel
come
t
hebigbossMhambiSi
thol
e.
Hest oodupaswecl appedourhands.Af
ri
ka:Mr
Sit
holehasbeenl i
vingov erseasf
ort
hepast10
mont hs.Asyouallknowt hatwehavesome
i
nternational
cli
ent
s.He' sbacknowandIhopewe
canal l
makehi mfeel welcome.
Af
ri
kast
eppedback
Mhambi :Higuy s,
it'
sgoodt obebackandIcansee
alotofnewf acesher e.Nothi
nghaschanged,it
's
st
ill
businessasusual andIhopewewillcont
inue
workingwelltogether.Thankyounoweveryonecan
gobackt owor k.
Weallwal
kedoutoft
heboar
droom.Luyapul
l
edmy
ar
m asweslowlywal
kedt
otheelev
ator
.
Luya:Sowhatdoyout
hinkaboutuJobe?He'
s
handsomeisn'
the?
Me:
YeahIguess
Ohhe'
stot
all
yhandsome,morethanhandsome
act
ual
l
y.Hewasmuscularandtall
.Hi
slightski
nand
blacki
shthickli
ps.Ohhewasawhol emeal.I
wouldn'tmindridi
nghi
sdick.Ar
ghRethabi
lepul
l
yoursel
ftogether,
he'
syourbossforGod'
ssake.
Luya:
Youguess?Gi r
lareyousomesor tofl
esbi
an
orsomethi
ng.I
fthatmanmadeamov eonmeI '
d
grabt
heopport
unitywithbothhandsplusheseems
tobechecki
ngyouout .
Me:
What
!
Luy
a:Thewayhewasl ooki
ngatyouwhil
eAfr
ika
wasspeaki
ng.
..
..gi
rl
ll
hehasitbadfory
ou.
Me:
Idi
dn'
tseeany
thi
ng,
youar
ejustbei
ngpar
anoi
d.
Luy
a:I
'
m notbei
ngpar
anoi
d,IknowwhatIsawRee.
Me:
Let
'sgett
owor
kpl
ease!

|
Mhambi
|
Iwalkedi
ntomyoffi
cewi thAf ri
kafollowingme
whil
egivi
ngmeupdatesont hepr ogressofthe
companybutGodknowst hatIwasn'tl ist
eni
ngto
hi
m.Mymi ndwasont hegirlIsawatt heboardr
oom.
She'
sdefi
nitel
ysomethingtol ookat.Iwanther
actual
l
yscr
atcht
hatshe'
sal
readymi
ne.She
captur
edmyhear
tandmind.Damnit
!
Af
ri
ka:
Ear
tht
oMhambi
!
Me:
Eishsor
ry,
youwer
esay
ing.
..
..
Af
ri
ka:
What
'sony
ourmi
ndbet
tery
etwho'
sony
our
mi
nd?
Me:
Noone
Af
ri
ka:
Iknowy
oumansospi
titout
Me:
(si
gh)Si
t.
Webot
hsatdown.
Me:
Whowast
hatshor
tgi
rlatt
heboar
droom?
Af
ri
ka:
Theoneshor
tert
henev
ery
onei
nthi
sbui
l
ding?
Me:Yeaht
hatone,
I'
venev
erseenherbef
ore,
whoi
s
she?
Af
ri
ka:That
'sRethabi
l
eMav undl
ashe'
spartofthe
HRteam.Don'
ttellmethaty
ouarebackt
oy ourold
ways?
Il
ookedathi
m
Af
ri
ka:
Ntwana!
Me:
Iwon'
tpl
ayher
,Ij
ustwantt
ogett
oknowher
.
Afr
ika:You'
veneverbefr
iendedagirl
andnotf
ucked
heraft
erwards.Iwasn'
tbornyest
erdayMhambi.
Me:(
chuckl
es)Nt
wanaI
'
dli
ket
ogetbackt
owor
k
now.
Hest
oodup
Af
ri
ka:
Stayawayf
rom herJobe.
Hewalkedoutandbangedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.I
chuckl
edandconti
nuedwor
king.

Tobecont
inued
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er2

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Lunchtimecameandmyst omachwasal r
eady
growli
ng.Luyashoul
dbeher ebynowsowecango
tolunchbutitseemsli
keshe'sdi
sappear
edonme.I
wentov ert
oheroffi
ceandpushedthedooropen.
Me:
Luy
ait
'sl
uncht
imel
et'
s.
..
..
.
Mywordstr
ail
edof
fwhenIsawMrSi
thol
einLuy
a's
of
fi
ce.Whatwashedoi
nghere?
Mhambi
:Ret
habi
l
eMav
undl
a!
Ohf
uckheknowsmyname.
Me:I
'
m sosorrysirIwasl
ooki
ngformyf
ri
end.I
di
dn'
tknowthatyouwereinher
e.
Mhambi:(
chuckl
es)Sheal
readyl
eft
,It
oldhert
ogo
wi
thouty
ou.
Me:
Youdi
d?Butwhy
?
Mhambi:Iwant
edtotakeyououtf
orl
unchmy
sel
f
andgett
oknowy oubett
er.
Iwasdefi
nit
elydr
eaming,mysexyhotbosswant
ed
totakemeoutforl
unch,maybeLuyawasseri
ous
whenshesaidthemanwascheckingmeoutinthe
boardr
oom.
Mhambi
:So.
..
.Doy
ouagr
eet
ogooutwi
thme?
InoddedbecauseIdi
dn'
ttr
ustmy
sel
ftospeak.
Mhambi
:(gr
inni
ng)Goodnowl
et'
sgo!
Hegotupandwal kedtowardsme.Ev er
ysingl
estep
hetooktowardsmemademef eell
i
ketheroom was
runni
ngoutofairandIwassuffocati
ng.Whenhe
grabbedmywaistIalmostfai
nted.Hist
ouchdid
thi
ngstome.ThingsIcouldn'
tdescri
beevenifIt
ri
ed.
Weusedt heexi
tatthebacksowecoul dav oi
d
people'
sstar
es.
Heopenedthedoorofhi
sblueKi
aSpor
tageandI
goti
nthenhegotint
ohissi
de.
Mhambi
:Sowher
edoy
ouwantt
ohav
elunch?
Me:
Um.
..
..
.
Mhambi:Ar
eyoual
way
sthi
sshyory
ouar
ejust
scar
edofme?
Me:
Bot
h(Iwhi
sper
ed)
Mhambi
:LookRethathere'
snoneedt
obescar
ed
ar
oundmejustbeyourself
.
Heopenedt heglovecompart
mentandtookouta
bott
leofSmi r
noff1818.Heopenedi
tandtookasi
p
thenhandedittome.
Mhambi
:Dr
ink!
Hisvoi
cewassocommandi
ngbutsexy
.It
ookt
he
bott
leandgul
peddownt
hel
iquor
.
Mhambi:Whoa!Arey
out
ryi
ngt
obur
nyourl
i
ver
?!
Thi
sisnotwater
.
Hesnat
chedt
hebot
tl
eandpl
acedi
tonhi
ssi
deof
t
hedoor.
Me:
Iknow,
I'
m sor
ry.
Mhambi
:It
'scool
sohowaboutwegohav
elunch
now.
Me:
YeahhowaboutSpur
,I'
m cr
avi
ngsomer
ibsand
agl
assofwi
ne.
Mhambi
:Nomor
eal
cohol
fory
ouy
oungl
ady
.
Me:
I'
m notachi
l
dsi
r.
Mhambi
:Cal
lmeMhambi
.
Me:
Thatwoul
dbedi
srespect
ful
sir
.
Mhambi:Saysironemor
eti
meandI
'
llf
ucky
oui
n
t
hiscarr
ightnow!
Iswall
owedal
umpinmythroat
.Apar tofme
wantedhi
mtofuckmeint
hiscarcausethenigga
mademewetbutIknewbett
erthantosleepwith
myboss.
Thedriv
etoSpurwasaqui etone.Noonesai
d
anyt
hingtoanyone.Ij
ustl
ookedoutthewi
ndowand
enj
oyedtheview.
|
Owet
hu|
Iwaswokenupatnoonbyaphonecal
lfr
om my
bestf
ri
end.
Me:
Gir
l!
Dee:
Heyhowar
eyou?Imi
ssy
ou.
Me:
I'
m goodandImi
ssy
oul
i
kecr
azy
.
Dee:
Sohow'
syourl
ovel
i
fegoi
ng?
Me:Webot
hknowt hatIdon'
tdor
elat
ionshi
ps,
Ijust
hav
esi
deniggasf
orthesex.
Dee:
Don'
tyougett
ir
edoft
hatshi
t.
Me:(sigh)NahIdon't
,afterNdondobrokemyhear
t
andsleptwit
hmysi sterIsworethatI
'
llnev
erl
eta
ni
ggapl ayme.Idothepl ayi
ngnow.
Dee:Youhav etomov eonwi t
hy ourl
if
eOwet hu.
Forgetaboutthepast,f
orgetaboutNdondo.It'
stime
tomov eonanddoy ou.Gooutthereandfindyour
ownhappi ness,
itdoesn'
tnecessari
lyhavetobea
man.Don'tmakeNdondot hecenterofyourworld.
Me:
Idi
dmov
eonDee!
Dee:Calm downthere'
snoneedt ogetworkedup.
Honestl
yspeakingyouhav en'tmov edon.Youar e
j
ustrunni
ngawayf rom thepai n.Youareusingthese
mensoy oucanf or
getthaty ouar ehurt
ing.You
haven'
tdealtwi
ththepainy etcauseev ery
conver
sati
onwehav ewill
leadt oNdondo.
Me:
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
hisDee,
bye.
Ihangupandt hr
ewmyphoneonthewall,i
tbr
oke
i
ntopieces.Tear
sgusheddownmycheeks.
YesIknowIhav en'tmov edonf rom Ndondoy etand
Ireal
lycan't
.Seei nghim withmysi st
eralmost
everydayhurtsli
kehel lsomet i
mesIt hi
nkt heyar
e
doingitonpur pose.Theyj ustwanttotortureme.
Everyti
meIseet hem Ifeelli
kekill
i
ngher ,
Ist i
l
lcan'
t
beli
evethatmysi st
erbet r
ayedmeandst olemyman
j
ustlikethat.
Aft
ermycr yi
ngsessionIwentt
otheki
tchentogeta
bott
leofredwine.Imademywaybackt omy
bedroom anddrankmysorrowsawaywhil
eli
steni
ng
tosadlovesongs.
|
Mhambi
|
LunchwithRethabi
l
ewasbett
erthanIexpected.
She'swascoolanddramaf
ree.Shewasabi tshyat
fi
rstbutshegotusetomequi
ckly.
Dur
inglunchAfr
ikawasblowi
ngupmyphonewi th
messages.Ii
gnoredhi
m complet
elybecauseIknow
he'
sabouttogiv
emeal ectur
eandt el
lmet ost
ay
awayf rom Ret
habil
eandIam notaboutt
odothat
anytimesoon.Iwannaseewher et
histhi
ngwehave
will
takeus.Idon'twantt
opromiseherheav
enand
earthbutIwanttobeabletotakecar
eofherand
protecther
.
AsIst
oppedthecaratt
her
obotbul
l
etsst
art
ed
fl
yi
ngtowar
dsus.
Me:
Getdown!
Sheduckedonherseatandputherhandsonher
head.Icouldseeablackcarbehi
ndusandsomeone
fl
yi
ngbulletaft
erbul
l
ettowardsus.
Ret
ha:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Icoul
dseethatshewasscar
edsoIputt
hecari
n
dri
veandspedoffdownthel
ane.
Me:
It'
sokayRet
haj
ustkeepy
ourheaddown.
Ret
ha:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Me:
We'
l
ljustdr
ivear
oundunt
ilwel
oset
hem.
Ret
ha:
Can'
twegobackt
otheof
fi
ce?
Me:
Not
hatwoul
dbedanger
ous.Idon'
twantt
oput
myempl
oyee'
sli
vesi
ndanger
.
Ret
ha:
Let
'scal
lthecopst
hen.
Me:
Ret
hawi
l
lyouj
ustshutup!
Iwasgett
ingpissedoffwi
thher21quest
ionsandI
l
ostmycool.Ineverlosemycool,
ever
.Il
ookedat
herandshewascr yi
ng.
Me:RethalookI '
m sorr
yf ory
ell
ingatyoubutjust
hangintherewhileIgety outosafet
y.Ican'
tcal
lthe
copsandIcan' tt
ellyouthereasonwhybecauseit's
mypersonal busi
ness.
|
Luy
anda|
Af
ri
kapaceupanddownwi
l
ltr
yingt
omakeacal
l
.
Af
ri
ka:
Fuck!
Me:
Youst
il
lcan'
tgetahol
dofhi
m?
Afr
ika:
Yeah,hef
uckingswi
tchedhi
sphoneof
f.
Loyi
soneverswi
tcheshi
sphoneoff
.
Me:Hey,
li
stenIknowy ou'
rest
ressedoutbutI
'
m
sur
ehisfi
newhereverheis.
Af
ri
ka:
He'
smessi
ngwi
thmyschedul
e.Mhambi
shoul
dbedeadbynowbutnohej
usthast
odo
thi
ngsathi
sownpace,
nx.
Me:
Baby
!
Af
ri
ka:
Yeah
Me:
Chi
l
l,ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lwor
kout
.
Hegr abbedmyassandsqueezedi
t.Imoanedashe
l
eftat r
ailofki
ssesonmyneckandthenhe
whisperedinmyear..
.
Af
ri
ka:
JobeConst
ructi
onwi
l
lbeour
spr
ett
ysoon.
Wewil
lrul
ethi
sci
ty.

Tobecont
inued
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er3

|
Afr
ika|
MeandLuy awer edr i
nkingwhi skeyatourhouse
whenLoy isowalkedi n.Loy isoismybabybr other
butwehav edi
fferentfather s.MyfatherisNdl ovu
themostpower f
ul mani nt hiscit
yandhi sfatheris
Bab'Zondowhohappenst obeadr ugdealer.Our
fat
hershat eeachot herbutwegetal ongwell.We
arehotshotbusi nessmen, thetypey oudon'twishto
messwi th.Ourmot herdi edy ears,dadkill
edher
aft
erfindi
ngoutt hatshecheat edonhi m wit
h
Bab'Zondo.
Me:
And?
Ist
oodupandwal
kedt
owar
dshi
m.
Loy
iso:
Thebast
ardgotaway
!
Me:Howcanyoulethi
m getaway
,di
dn'
tyout
ell
me
t
hatyoucanhandl
eit
?
Loy
iso:
Idi
dbut
..
..
.
Me:Butwhat
?!I
'
m si
ckandti
redofplay
ingt
his
gamewithMhambi
,Iwanthi
m dead.
Loyiso:Webot
hwanthi
m deadbr
o.Wei
nthi
s
togetherr
emember
.
Me:
Thenwhydi
dyouf
ail
yetanot
hermi
ssi
on?
!
Loy
iso:
I'
m wor
kingoni
tjustgi
vemet
ime.
Me:Timeiswhatwedon'
thaveLoyi
so.Weshoul
d
betheowner
sofJobeConstr
ucti
onbynowbutyour
sl
owpunkassisalway
smessingthi
ngsup.
Loyi
so:Don'
tyoudaretal
ktomel ikethat
!I
under
standt
hatyou'r
eangry,Iam toobutwe'llstr
ike
whentheti
mei sr
ight.We'
ll
figur
eoutanot herplan.
Me:I
'
m goingt
otheoff
ice,youbet
terhav
eapl
an
andr
ealsoont
oo.Babelet
'sgo.
Iwal
kedoutoft
hehousewi
thLuy
abehi
ndme.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Idon'tknowwhathappenedbutal
lIr
ememberwere
bul
letsfly
ingar
ound.Aft
erMhambiyel
ledatmeI
coveredmyears,l
ayedmyheadonmyl apand
waitedformydeath.
Asof
thandt
ouchedme,Il
ookedupandsaw
Mhambismi
l
ingatme.
Mhambi
:Heywesaf
enow.Wel
ostt
hem.
Reli
efwashedoverme.Ijustsawmyl i
feflashri
ght
befor
emyey esandI'
m gratef
ulthatGodsav edme
yetagai
n.Idi
dn'
tevenreali
zethatthecarstoppedat
abeauti
fulmansi
on.
Mhambi:LookRethabi
l
eI'm sor
ryforwhathappened.
Idi
dn'
tknowitwasgoingtohappenIswear .I
t
wasn'
tmyintent
iontoputyourl
ifeindanger.
Inodded
Mhambi
:Pl
easesaysomet
hing.
..
.any
thi
ng
Me:Takemebacktotheoff
icesoIcanfet
chmycar
andgohome.Idon'
tthi
nkIcanfocusatworkaf
ter
whathappened.
Mhambi:
I'
llt
akeyouhomemy self
.Youar
einno
st
atet
odriv
e.Ist
hereany
thi
ngy ouneedatt
he
of
fi
ce?
Me:
Justmyl
apt
opi
nmycar
.
Henoddedt
henopenedt
hedoorandgotoutoft
he
car
.Secondsl
atermydooropenedandhehel
dout
hi
shand.
Me:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Mhambi:I
'
m changi
ngcar
s,t
hisonei
sdamagedand
hasbul
l
ethol
es.
Me:
Oh!Ri
ght
.
Igr
abbedhi
shandandsteppedoutoft
hecar
.He
l
eadmet oaredPor
scheGT2.
Me:
Who'
shousei
sthi
s?
Mhambi
:Mi
ne.
Me:
It'
sbeaut
if
ul
Mhambi
:Thanky
ou
|
Luy
anda|
Me:
BabeIt
hinky
ouwer
eabi
ttoohar
donLoy
iso.
Af
ri
ka:
Arey
ouhi
slawy
ernow?
Me:
Nobut
..
..
Af
ri
ka:
Thenmi
ndy
ourownbusi
ness.
Me:
Afr
ikaj
ustl
i
stent
omef
orasecond.
Af
ri
ka:
Arey
ouhi
sgi
rl
fr
iendormi
ne?
Me:
YouknowI
'
myour
sbabebut
..
..
Af
rika:Thenactl i
kei
t.Youaresupposet
obeonmy
si
deher e.Youaresupposetohavemybacknot
di
ctatemyev er
ymov e.I
fyoufeell
i
kespeaki
ngon
hi
sbehal fthengetoutofmycarnow.
Isi
ghedthenst
aredoutthewindow.OnethingI
knowaboutAfr
ikai
sthathechangesliket
he
weather
,oneminut
ehe'shappythenthenexthe'
sa
monster
.
|
Mhambi
|
Ipul
ledupi
nfr
ontofRet
habi
l
e'sgat
eandswi
tched
offt
heengi
ne.
Me:
Her
eyougo.
Ret
ha:
Thanky
ou.
Me:Nosweatjustgetsomer
est
.Gi
vemeacal
li
f
youneedal
if
ttowor k.
It
ookmycar
dandhandedi
ttoher
..
Ret
ha:
(faki
ngasmi
l
e)Thanks.
Shegotoutofthecarwi
thherthi
ngsandwent
i
nside.Iwat
chedherunt
ilshewassaf
elyinsi
dethe
housethenIst
art
edtheengineandwentbackto
work.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
WhenIgoti nsidet hehouseIletoutasighofrel
ief
.I
wassafeher e.Thehousewasqui etsoIwenttomy
bedroom andf reshenedup.WhenIwasdoneIwent
totheki
tchen.If oundOwet huprepari
ngdinnerwit
h
abottl
eofwi nei nherhand.Shewasamess.
Me:
Hey
,ar
eyouokay
?
Owet
hu:
I'
mfi
nej
ustsuf
fer
ingf
rom mi
dli
fecr
isi
s.
Me:
Ohokay
.
Owet
hu:
Youhomeear
lyt
odayi
ssomet
hingwr
ong?
Me:Let'
sjustsayIal
mostdiedbutI
'
mfi
neandI
don'
treal
lywanttotal
kaboutit
.
Owethu:
Ohwel l
sui
tyour
sel
f,pleasef
ini
shupher
eI
needtofr
eshenupmydatewill
behereat6pm.
Me:
Okaycool
.
Shewal kedt ot hebat hr
oom andbangedt hedoor
behindher .Okaysomet hingisdef i
nitel
ywr ongwi th
her.Owet hui sn'tusuall
yamoodyper son,she' s
alwayscar efreeandst r
ess- f
reebutt odaysomet hing
waseat ingherup.May besomet hinghappenedi n
thepast, she'snotonewhoopensupaboutherpast
butsheknowsaboutmi ne.Speaki ngofpast , IthinkI
feelsomet ypeofwayf orMhambi .He'sdefinitely
myt ypeofguy ,muscul ar, pr
otectiveandhet akes
chargewhenhehast o,heseemsl ikethetypeof
persononedoesn' tmessar oundwi th.Iwonderi fhe
hasagi rlfr
iend.May behedoesn' tcausehewoul dn't
hav easkedmeoutf orluncht oday.There'
snol ady
i
nv olv
edwi t
hhi m soI '
ll
justmakehi m not
iceme.
Fuckal l
t heruleshe' smi ne.
|
Mhambi
|
WhenIgottotheoffi
ceAfri
kawaswaiti
ngforme
outsi
dethebui
ldi
ng.Igotoutoft
hecarandwalked
towardshi
m.
Af
ri
ka:
Wher
ethef
uckhav
eyoubeenman!
Me:
NotnowNdl
ovu!
Ir
eal
l
ywasn'
ti
nthemoodf
orhi
slect
ures.
Afr
ika:Youhadameeti
ngwi
thpot
ent
ial
inv
est
orsan
hoursagoandyout
ell
i
ngmenotnow.
Me:
Shi
t!Icompl
etel
yfor
gotaboutt
hat
.
Af
ri
ka:RelaxIhandl
edit.Don'
ttel
lmet
haty
ouwer
e
wi
ththatRethabi
lechi
ck.
Me:It
ookheroutf
orl
unchandonourwaybackwe
gotat
tacked.
Af
ri
ka:
What
!Bywho?
Me:
Idon'
tknowmay
beLoy
iso.
Af
ri
ka:
Youhav
en'
tpai
dhi
m.
Me:
NoIhav
en'
tandIwon'
t.
Iwal
kedbacki
nsi
de.Af
ri
kaf
oll
owedme.
Af
ri
ka:Whynot?Whati
fhedoessomet
hingf
ar
worset
hanat
tackyou?
Me:Hewon'
t,t
hatguyistoochi
ckent
odoany
thi
ng
bey
ondwhathedidtoday
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er4

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Todayit
'saFri
dayandIdon'
tthi
nkI
'l
lbegoi
ngt
o
work.I
'
llcl
ockinonMondayandbesi
desMhambi
tol
dmet ogetsomerest
.
Iwasi nt hekit
chensi ppingonacupoft eaanda
sl
iceofchocol atecakegoi ngthroughmyI nst
agram
account .Inormallydidt hisduringt heweekend
whenI 'm homebutt odayIdeci dedt ostar
taday
earli
er.Theweat herout sidewascl oudyhencei thad
beenr ainingal
lnightl ong.Adoorbangedi nthe
backgr oundandOwet huwal kedi nstil
li
nhersilk
pajamas, t
heonlypai rshehaswhi chIboughtforher
onherbi r
thdaylastmont h.
Owet
hu:
(yawni
ng)Mor
ning.
Me:
Hey
,Idi
dn'
tknowt
haty
ouwer
ehome.
Owet
hu:
Icamebackearl
ylastnightthedatewasa
ni
ght
mare.Cany
oubel
ievethatniggaforgothi
s
wal
l
etandIhadt
opayt
hebi
l
l.
Shewalkedov ert
othecoffeemachi
neandpull
ed
outacupf r
om thecupboardandpour
edhersel
f
somecoffee.Owethulovescoff
eeandIontheother
handdon'tdri
nkcoff
eebutImakesurethather
coff
eeispreparedbef
oreshewakesup.
Me:
Andy
ouact
ual
l
ypai
dthebi
l
l?
Owethu:(taki
ngthesugerfr
om me)Fuckno!Idon' t
rol
ll
ikethat.Hetoldmehe'dpayt henbam heleft
hiswall
et.I'
m nofoolsoIpl
ay edhim athi
sown
game.Iaskedf orabathr
oom br eakthensli
doutthe
backdoor.Niggawi l
lbeondishdut yfort
henext
fewmont hs.
Me:
(gi
ggl
i
ng)You'
rehear
tl
essy
ouknowt
hat
.
Owethu:Ifhedoesn'thavecasht henheshoul dn'
t
havetakenmet othemostexpensi v
er est
aurantin
town.Thatwasahi ghclasspl aceonlyfort
her i
ch.
Niggaorderedexpensivedishesandwi nethen
expectedmet opay,hellnah.
Me:(l
aughi
ng)Iwoul
dhav
epr
obabl
ydonet
hesame
t
hing.
Owet
hu:Any
waysenoughaboutmysobst
ori
es.
Ai
n'
tyougoi
ngt
owor ktoday
?
Me:
NoI
'
m not
,Ineedt
orest
.
Owethu:Luckyyou,wel
ll
etmegetr
eadycausemy
shi
ftst
artsat11:00.
Me: AndI
'
m sur
eyourmani
sondi
shdut
yaswe
speak.
Owet
hu:Ofcour
seheisIwon'
tbepl
ayedbyhi
m.I
'
m
gl
adhedoesn'
tknowwhereIwor
k.
Il
aughedandcont
inuedr
oami
ngt
hroughsoci
al
media.
|
Afr
ika|
Iwasinthekitchenwithmybrother.I
'
llbeheadingt
o
workrealsoonI'mjustwai
ti
ngforLuy atofi
nish
get
ti
ngr eady.Loyi
sowaspacingupanddown
shi
rt
lesswithabeerinhishand.Itookasipfrom my
cof
fee.
Me:Youshoul
dhaveseenhim bro,
hel
ookedme
st
rai
ghti
ntheeyeandtol
dmet hathewon'
tpayusa
si
ngl
edime.Iwant
edtostrangl
ehimtodeat
h.
Loy
iso:
Thatf
uckheadhasanot
hert
hingcomi
ng.I
'
m
goi
ngtost
ri
kehimrealhar
d.
Me:Youbettercomeupwithapl
anandfastcause
I
'mti
redofstari
ngattheni
ggaever
ydayact
ingli
ke
hi
sdamnf r
iend.
Luy
andawal
kedi
n.
Luy
a:BabeI
'
mreadyt
ogonow.
Loy
iso:I
'
llcomeupwi
thapl
anbr
oint
hemeant
ime
j
usthanginther
e.
Me:
I'
ll
trymybest
.Let
'sgoLuy
anda.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
MyphonerangasIwal
kedoutoft
heshower
.Itwas
anunknownnumber
.
Me:
Ret
habi
l
eMav
undl
ahel
l
o.
Cal
ler:
Mi ssMav undl
ayouspeaki
ngtoNur
seSi
biy
a.
I
'm cal
li
ngr egar
dingyourgr
andma.
Me:
Issheokay
?Di
dsomet
hinghappent
oher
?
Cal
ler
:Shewasadmit
tedatthe**
***
*Hospi
tal
last
ni
ghtandshe'
dli
ket
oseey ou.
Me:
OkayI
'
m onmywayr
ightnow.
Ihungupandr ushedint
hebedroom togetdressed.
IwonderwhathappenedtoGogot histi
me.Didher
bloodpressur
espike?Ori
sitherdiabet
es?Whati f
hercancerisback?Somanyquestionsroamedmy
mi nd.
Ifi
nishedgett
ingdressedandr
anoutsi
dewithmy
purseandphonet henithi
tme.Thecarwasleftat
theoffi
ce.Ipull
edoutMhambi'
scardanddialedhi
s
number .
Mhambi
:Si
thol
ehel
l
o..
Me:
Mhambi
it'
smeRet
habi
l
e.
Mhambi:What
'swr
ong?Yousoundl
i
key
ou
pani
cki
ng.
Me:Ineedt
ogetsomewher
eit
'sur
gentandIneed
mycar.
Mhambi
:I'
l
ltakeyouwherev
ery
ouneedt
ogo.
Wher
eareyourightnow?
Me:
Ther
e'snoneedt
ofet
chme.
Mhambi
:Ret
habi
l
eI'
m notaski
ngy
oui
twasadi
rect
or
der
.
Me:
(si
gh)I
'
m athome.
Mhambi
:Good,
I'
ll
bet
her
ein10mi
nut
es.
HehungupandIpacedupanddownt
hev
eranda.
WhydidIl
eav
emycaratwor k.
|
Mhambi
|
Ir
ushedoutofmyof
fi
ceandheadedf
ort
heel
evat
or.
Af
rikacal
l
edme..
.
Me:
Afr
ikanotnowI
'
minar
ush.
Afr
ika:
Iwashopingwecouldn'
thavesomedr
inks
andcatchupbef
oreournextmeeti
ngat2pm.
Me:Ican'
tman,Ineedt
obesomewher
e.May
be
someothert
ime.
Theel
evat
oropenedandIr
ushedi
nsi
de.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
I'
vebeenwaiti
ngforMhambifor40mi nut
esnow
andhest i
l
lhasn'
tshowedup.Iwalkedoutthegate
andlockedit
.Mybestopti
onrightnowistocatcha
taxi
.
Mhambi '
scarstoppedbesidesmeasIlooked
aroundfort
axi
's.Hesignal
edmet ogetint
othecar
butIfol
dedmyar msandi gnoredhi
m.
Mhambi
:(roll
i
ngdownt hewindow)I
'
m sor
ryI'
mlate
Ret
habutpleasej
ustgetint
hedamncarplease.
Idi
dn'
tar
guewit
hhim Ij
ustgotinthecarandtol
d
hi
m wher
eI'
m goi
ngthenlookedoutthewindow.
Thecarpull
edupi naparki
ngspotatthehospi
tal
andIgotout.Mhambi f
oll
owedaftermewhileI
tal
kedtotherecepti
oni
st.
Mhambi
:I'
l
lwai
ther
e.
Inoddedandmademywaydownt hehal
ltowar
ds
grandma'sward.Shewasl
yi
ngi
nbedwit
hacupof
teainherhand.
Me:
Gogo,
arey
ouokay
?
Gogo:
(smi
l
ing)I
'
mfi
nemybaby
.
Me:Whathappened?Whywer
eyouadmi
tt
edl
ast
ni
ght
?
Gogo:
Mycanceri
sbackandt
hist
imei
t'
sst
ronger
t
hanbefor
e.
Me:(
sigh)I
'
llgetsomemoneysoy
oucanst
arty
our
t
reat
ment.
Gogo:Noneedmybaby
.Thedoct
orsai
dIhave6
monthslef
ttol
i
vei
fIdochemoagai
nthenI
'l
ldi
e
sooner
.
Me:(sobbi
ng)ButGogoy
oucan'tl
eav
eme.Isti
l
l
needyou.Wecangetaspeci
ali
stt
ostepi
nI'
l
lpay.
Gogo: Mybaby ,Iunderstandt hatthisi
shardony ou
andIwon' tsugarcoatany thi
ngt oyou.I'
m dying
Rethabil
e.Myt i
meher eisupandIacceptt hat.I'
ve
decidedtostayinahospi ceunt i
lItakemylast
breath.Gotomyhouseandl ookthroughmyst uf
f.
Meandy ourgrandpal ef
ty ousomemoneyt ouset o
takecareofy oursel
f.Iwanty out ouseit.Sel
l t
he
houseanduset hatmoneyt oo.
Me: (sobbi ng)NononoGogo, younotgoingtodie.
Youst i
l
lgoi ngt oli
veandI '
m sti
ll
goingtobuyy ou
thathousey oualwayswant ed.Youstil
lgoi
ngtor i
de
myf irstcart hatI'
llbebuyingnextyear.Yousti
ll
goingt ol i
vel ong.I
'm notgonnasellyourhouse.You
willbedi schar gedandy ou'l
lgohomewi thme
(l
aughs)y
eah( nodding)wearegoingtospend
Christ
mastogether.Younotgonnadie.Youst
il
l
goingtol
i
veformanymor eyears.
Gogo: (wi pi
ngat ear)Ret habil
emygr andchildIlove
youokay .Ilovey ousomuch.ButIcan' tdisrupt
God' spl an.Ifit'
smyt i
met ol
eav et hi
sear tht hen
don' tfightit.Don' targuewi ththeLor d.Anot herthing
thaty ouneedt oknowi st hat
, yourmot herisst i
ll
ali
v e.Shet akescocai ne.Whenshef ellpregnant
withy ou,shedi dn'twanty ou.Af tershegav ebirth
shedi sappear edatt hef aceoft heear t
hwi t
hher
drugdeal erboy fr
iend.Iknowt hatshe' sstillali
veand
I'
llneedy out ogol ookf orherandbr i
ngherhome
wher eshebel ongs.Gethert or ehabt oo.Pl ease
don' that eher, shedi dn'tmeant oabandony ou.
For givehermybabydon' tholdgr udges, don'thate
her, don'tbeangr yather .Forgi
v eherokay .
Inodded.Granpull
edmei ntoahugandwecriedi
n
eachother'
sarmsunt i
lanursecameandtol
dme
thatvi
sit
inghoursareover
.Ilef
tthewar
d
heart
broken.Ever
ythi
ngthathappenedt
odayj
ust
overwhelmedme.
AsIwalkedi
ntother
ecept
ionwit
htear
sviol
ent
ly
bl
indi
ngmyey es,
Mhambipull
edmeintoawarm
embrace.
Mhambi:
Shhhhi
t'
sokay
,leti
toutbaby
.Leti
tal
lout
mylov
e.
Icri
edinhi
sarmsforsometi
me.WhenIhadcal
med
downhisshir
twaswet.Hepull
edmeoutsi
deand
towardshi
scar.
Thedriv
ehomewasqui et,
Iwasbusywithmyphone
becauseIdi
dn'
twanttothi
nkaboutwhathappened.
Atextfr
om Owethucamet hr
oughsay
ingthatshe
won'tbehomeunti
lMonday .

Tobecont
inued.
.
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er5

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Iwasdeepi
nlal
alandwhenIhear
daf ai
ntsoundof
aknockonmydoor.Iwokeupandsatinbed.The
ti
mewas8:50a.
m.
Me:
Comei
n!
Mhambi walkedi nshirtlesswi thatr
ayofbr eakfast.I
studiedhisbodyst r
uct ure.Hewasabi tmuscular
andhedi dn'thavea6packbuthewasi ngood
shape.Ifoughtt heur get or unmyhandsdownhi s
chest.Mybodywasr eact i
ngt othemani nfrontof
me.Iwant edhi slipst osuckmypussyanddr i
veme
i
nsane.Iwant edtoscr eam hi snamewhenhe
shovedhi sdickinme.Speaki ngofdick..
..myey es
fel
lallthewayt ohi spant s.He' sdi
ckpri
ntwasn' tthe
bad.Youcoul donl yseei tifyoureal
lyfocusedon
thelowerareaofhi sbody .
Mhambi
:Shoul
dIst
ri
pcausey
ou'
vebeenst
ari
ngat
mef
or2mi
nut
es.
Ibl
ushed.
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Mhambi :(
chuckles)Nahi
t'
scool,anywayIbought
youbreakfasti
nbed.Ifi
guredthatyoumightbeabit
undertheweatheraboutyest
erday.
Me:
(smi
l
ing)Thanky
ou.
Speakingofy esterdayaf t
erwegotbackf rom the
hospital
IinvitedMhambi f
orlunchbutIor dered
pizza.It
oldhim whathappenedbutendedupcr yi
ng
yetagainsohest ayedwi thmeunt i
lIcal
meddown
butdecidedt osleepov ersincemyr oommat ewasn't
home.Ipr epar edaspotf orhim ont hecouchandhe
cuddledwi t
hmeunt ilIfeelasleep.I
'm guessi
nghe
carri
edmet obedcauseIwasn' tinmybedr oom at
thatti
me.Bei ngi nhisarmswasadr eam comet rue.
Hisembr acewaswar m andcozyandl ovi
ngandI
feltasenseofsecur ity.
Mhambi:Wellsi
ncei
t'
sSatur
dayI
'
m goi
ngtotake
yououtforsomeshoppi
ngandmaybel
unch.Justt
o
cheery
ouupofcourse.
Me:
Idon'
treal
l
yhav
emoneyr
ightnow.
Mhambi:
I'l
lpayforevery
thi
ngandbefor
eyousay
any
thi
ng,Iam nottaki
ngnoforananswer.
Inodded.
..
Mhambi:Ineedt
oheadhomeandfreshenup,I
'l
lbe
backat10:
30topicky
ouup.Makesureyouready.
Hewalkedoutleavi
ngmedef eated.Ihav enoidea
whatt
ocallthi
sthinghappeningbetweenus.Ihav e
somesortoffeel
ingstowardshim andI '
m notsure
whatt
heyare.I'
m probabl
yjustimaginingthi
ngs,I
meanhe'smyboss.Mysuperhot ,sexybossand
we'
rej
ustgoingoutascolleagues.Yeaht hat
'sit
.
|
Loy
iso|
Isippedonmybeerasmybr ot
herwal
kedi
nsti
ll
in
hispajamaspant
s.Ihandedhi
m hi
smorni
ngcoff
ee
ashesatdown.
Me:
Sobr
oisi
tdoney
et?Di
dyoudoi
t?
Afr
ika:It
ri
edbuthewasheadi
ngsomewher
esoI
couldn'
tpoi
sonhi
m.
Me:
(si
gh)Fuck!
Afr
ika:We'l
lgetanot
herchancehopef
ull
ybutfor
nowl et
'st
oneitdownsohedoesn'tsuspectathi
ng.
Me:
Yeahgoodi
dea.
Af
rika:
LookI'
l
lbeheadi
nghomelat
erontoseedad,
pl
easelookaf
termygir
landnof
unnybusi
ness.
Inodded.
.
Me:
How'
stheol
dmanany
way
?
Afr
ika:
Hislunginf
ecti
onisgett
ingwor
se.LookI
needtogetreadyI
'l
lbebacktomorr
ow.
Me:
Okaycool
.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Ifi
nishedputti
ngonmyear ri
ngsandgotagoodl ook
atmy sel
finthemirr
or.Iwasn'tt
hatbad.Itsuddenly
start
edraini
ngoutsi
deandIdeci dedtogof ora
warmerlookwhi chi
sjeans,alongsleeveT-shir
t,a
bodywar merandankleboots.Ifi
nishedthelook
withawhitebeaniethatmatchesmyhandbag.
Mhambi walkedinimmediatel
yaf t
erIwasdone.
Mhambi
:Wow!
Ibl
ushed.
.
Me:
Let
'sgo.I
sitr
aini
ngt
oohar
dout
side?
Mhambi
:Nahi
t'
sjustdr
izzl
i
ng.
..
..
youl
ookawesome.
Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)Thanks.
wewalkedoutoft
hehouseandIl
ookedi
tandgot
i
ntot
hecar.
|
Debbi
e|
Il
ookedaroundnervouslytr
yingtogetaglimpseof
mysister
.Wehadschedul edt omeethereat
Mugg&Beanforbreakfastbutshesti
llhasn'
tshown
up.Isi
ppedonmycaf fèlatt
e.
Luyawalkedi
n5mi
nut
esl
aterwhenIwasaboutt
o
cal
lher
.
Me:
Final
l
y!
Luya:I'
m sorr
yI'
mlate,
t r
aff
icwasani
ghtmare.You
knowhowi ti
s,t
heeasterseasoni
sar
oundthe
cornersovisi
tor
sarefl
oodingin.
Me:
Noneedt
oapol
ogi
ze.Any
wayhowar
eyou?
Luy
a:I
'
m goodandy
ou?
Me:Notsogood.Mamai shav i
ngsei
zureaf
ter
sei
zure.Herepi
l
epsyisact
ingupagainandshe
doesn'
twanttotakehermedici
neanymore.
Luya:(si
gh)Youknowmom she'
sal
way
sbeen
stubborn.
Me:Buti
fshewant
stobebet
tert
henshehast
o
t
akehermeds.
Luya:I
'l
lcomebyandtal
ktoherokay
.Other
wiseis
every
thi
ngelseokay
?Arethegr
oceri
esenough?Do
youhaveenoughmoney?
Me:Yeahev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.Ist
il
lhav
e10Kwi
thme
sowegood.
Luy
a:I
'
m gl
ad,
Ican'
tl
osey
ouormom.
Me:
Any
way
show'
syourcut
ehunk?
Luya:
He'
sfi
nebutIhav
emyey
esonhi
sbr
other
now.
Me:
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
ogety
our
sel
fki
l
led?
Luya:I
'
llbecareful
,Afr
ikadoesn'
thavetoknowa
thi
ng.I
'l
lstr
iketodaysi
ncehewon' tbehome.
Me:
Youar
epl
ayi
ngwi
thf
ir
eLuy
anda.
Luya:
Idon'
tneedalect
urefr
om y
our
ightnow.I
knowwhatI'
m doi
ng.Let
'sor
der
.
Ical
l
edt
hewai
ter
..
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Spendi ngthedaywi thMhambi wassuperf un.We
wentt oGat ewayTheat reofShoppi nglocat edi n
Umhl angaRocks.I twasamazi ngandt hepl acewas
huge.Ther ewasahugef ountainoutside.West art
ed
withshoppi ng,walkingi nandoutofshopshandi n
hand.I '
venev erboughtsomanycl othesbef ore.We
wentt oSpor tsceneandev eryotherstor ethatsol d
cl
othesaf terthatwewentt oputev erythingi nthe
carthenwentbacki nsideandhadl unchatSt eers.
Ourdaydi dn'tendt here, wevisit
edt hear cadeand
wentt othet hemepar kthenf i
nishedthedayatone
ofthemov ietheatr
es.I twasf un,justchat t
ingand
l
aughi ngwi t
haguy .It'
sof f
ici
alhet akesmeashi s
gir
lfr
iendot herwisenoguywoul ddoal l t
his.
|
Loy
iso|
If
ini
shedupchecki
ngt
hesecur
it
ycamer
asand
sani
ti
sedmyt hroatwithtwogl assesofwhi skey .I
yawnedandst retched.It
'sbeenal ongdayandi t
's
ti
meIr et
ir
edt omybed.Luy aispr obablyasleepby
now.Ilookedar oundmybr othersst udyinsear chfor
ali
ghtswitch.ThedooropenedandLuy awal kedin
weari
ngnot hi
ngbutapai rofredheel s.Il
ookedat
hershockedashel landmydi ckwasal ready
danci
ng.
Luy
a:Heyhandsome,
li
kewhaty
ousee?
Shecatwalkedt
owardsmeandsatont hetableri
ght
i
nf r
ontofmewi t
hherlegswideopenandherf i
nger
pl
ayingwit
hherpussy.Itwasthehot
testt
hingI'
ve
everseen.
Me:
Luy
andawhaton.
..ear
thar
eyoudoi
ng?
Luy
a:Iwanty
ouandIknowy
ouwantmet
oo.
Me:
Buty
oudat
ingmybr
other
.
Luy
a:Iwon'
ttel
li
fyoudon'
t.
Iwaspr
obabl
ygonnar
egr
ett
hisl
ater
.
Me:
Onmyl
apnow!
Sheobey
edal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.It
ookoutmydi
ck
asshesatonit.Wi
thoutwast
ingany
timesher
ode
melikeafucki
ngcowgirl
.
Me:
Thi
siswr
ongbuti
tfeel
ssodamnr
ight
.

Tobecont
inued.
.
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er6

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Iwokeupf eel
ingli
keamill
ionbucks.I
twasMonday
morningandthesunwasupandst r
etchi
ngi
t'
s
bones.Bi
rdswer ecompet
inginIdol
sSAoutsi
de.I
t
wasabeaut i
fuldaytopul
lonasmi l
easbigasa
di
ck.
Irol
ledoutofbedandopenedthecur
tai
nsand
windows.It
'sbeenawhi
lesinceI
'v
ebeenthi
shappy
aboutli
fe.
Awhi l
elaterIwalkedoutoft heshowerandl oti
oned.
TodayI'l
lwearmysmal l pencilski
rtwit
ht hewhi t
e
blouseMhambi boughtf ormeandabl azer,black
stocki
ngsandhi ghheels.Iaddedsomeaccessor i
es
toglam i
tupandIwasonf li
ck.Ifi
nishedmyl ook
withredli
psti
ck,Inormallydon'twearlipsti
ckonly
glossbuttodayitwastimef orchange.
Igr
abbedmyt
hingsandheadedt
otheki
tchen.
Owet
huwasalreadytherei
nheruni
for
mfr
yingeggs
wi
thacupofcoffeenexttoher
.
Me:
Mor
ning
Ismi
l
edandshel
ookedatmeshocked.
Owet
hu:
Gir
l!Youar
eonf
ir
e.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Owet
hu:
Whoi
she?
Me:Ithasnothi
ngt
odowi
thaman,
Ijustdeci
dedt
o
spoi
lmy sel
f.
Owet hu:
Girl
I'
m nof
ool
,youlooklikesomeone
str
aightfr
om amagazi
nesowhoi st heguyyou'
re
tr
yingtoimpresswi
tht
hatshortskir
t.
Ibl
ushed
Me:
Myboss.
Owet
hu:
OhmyGodshe'
slostherdamnmi
nd!
Me: I
t'
snotmyf
aultt
hatt
heniggahasbeen
checki
ngmeoutandspendi
ngalotofti
mewit
hme.
Owet
hu:
Hav
eyouhadsexy
et?
Iwasshocked
Me:
Owet
hu!
Owet
hu:
Don'
tactl
i
key
oudon'
tknowt
heset
hings.
Me:Youar
eunbel
i
evabl
eyouknowt
hat
.AndnoI
hav
en't
.
Owethu:Sobasi
call
yyouhaveasupercut
eguy
gi
vi
ngy ouatt
enti
onandyourpussyst
il
lwon'
tbr
eak
i
t'
sfasti
ngdays.Igi
veupshame.
Me:Notever
ythi
ngi
saboutsex,
wear
ejust
expl
ori
ngwhatwehave.
Owethu:
Unti
lheseessomeonewhowi l
lgivehi
m
whathewantsandleav
eyourasshear
tbroken.
Me:Okayyouarebeingtot
all
ymel
odr
amati
c.You
knowwhatIthi
nkIlostmyappet
it
e.I
'
m goi
ngto
work.
Owet
hu:
Youdon'
thav
eacarr
emember
.
Shi
t!Whydi
dn'tIf
etchmycaratt heoffi
ce.Argh.I
st
ormedtomybedr oom,bangedt hedoorandcall
ed
Mhambi.Af
terassuri
ngmet hathe'l
lcomepickme
upIret
ir
edonmybedandt houghtaboutwhat
Owethusaid.DidIreal
lyhavetoprovemyl ov
efor
Mhambi bysleepi
ngwi t
hhim?Woul dn'
tthatmake
melooklikeaslut?Ireall
ydolovehim.I
'm notj
ust
say
ingitbutI'
vefal
leninlovewit
hhim.
Myst omachst artedgrowl
ingremindingmet hatI
hav en'teateny et.Ist
oodupandt i
pt oedt othedoor
andl istened.Ihear dthefr
ontdooropenandcl ose
after.Iopenedt hebedroom doorandl ookedaround.
Goodshewasgone.Isnucki nt
otheki tchenand
foundanot e.
"Iknewy ou'
dcometoyoursensesnowstopbeinga
dramaqueen.Yourfoodi
sint hemicr
owave.I
'
m
sleepingatmyman'
splace,seeyoutomorr
owaf t
er
wor k.LoveOwet
hu.
"
Ichuckledandf
etchedmyfoodandatewhi
l
e
l
isteni
ngtomusicplayi
ngnextdoor
.
|
Loy
iso|
IgroanedasLuy
agav
emeabl
owj
obi
nthedi
ning
room.
Me:
Youar
egonnabet
hedeat
hofmewoman.
Af
ri
ka:
(Wal
ki
ngdownt
hest
air
s)Luy
a!
Luyagotupandfi
xedhersel
fqui
ckly
.Iputmydi
ck
backi
nmypant sandzi
ppedthem up.
Luy
a:Yeah!
Af
ri
kaappear
edi
nthedoor
wayandl
ookedatus.
Afri
ka:Youl
efty
ourphoneupst
air
sandi
t'
sbeen
ri
nging.
Luy
a:Ohokayt
hanks.
Af
ri
ka:
Whyi
syourl
i
pst
ickmessedup?
Luya:
Um...
.Iwasdri
nki
ngwaternotknowi
ngt
hati
t'
s
sti
l
lwetanditmessedi
tup.
Af
ri
ka:
OhIsee.
Shewal
kedoutoft
her
oom andwentupst
air
s.
Af
ri
ka:
Bro!
Me:
Sho.
Af
rika:
Toni
ghtwehav
etost
artdev
elopi
nganew
pl
an.
Me:
Okayt
hat
'sf
inewi
thme.Ar
ether
eanynew
dev
elopment
s?
Afr
ika:
Ithi
nkt
herei
sbutI
'
llneedt
oconf
ir
mitf
ir
st.
I
'l
ll
etyouknowtoni
ght
.
Isi
ppedonmybeerwhileeati
ngFr enchtoast.Ihave
tobemorecar
efulwhenitcomest oAfri
ka,Idon't
wanthimfi
ndi
ngoutthatI'
mfuckinghisgirl
.And
Luyai
sonesavagebit
ch,sheain'
tafrai
doft aking
ri
sks.
|
Luy
anda|
Iclosedthedoorandsighedinreli
ef.Thatwascl ose,
Ishouldbemor ecaref
ulnextti
me, Ican'tri
skbei ng
caught.Mypussywaswetasf uckandIwashor ny.I
grabbedmyphoneandwentt hroughmymessages,
i
twasnot hi
ngmajorbutIhadanemai lfrom wor k
aboutanemer gencyboardmeet i
ngt hi
smor ning.I
wonderwhati t
'sabout
.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
AsIsatdownonmydeskatwor kIcoul
dn'thel
pbut
wonderwhatthi
semergencyboardmeetingwas
about
.Itwasthetal
koftheof
fi
cet hi
smor ni
ng.It
seemsliket
heentir
eHRdepartmentist
obepr esent
.
Ijusthopeweai
n'
tinanytroubl
e.JustasIt
ri
edt
o
focusonworkLuyawalkedin.
Luy
a:Fr
iend,
doy
ouknowwhatt
hismeet
ingi
sabout
?
Me:
Iwi
sh.
Luya:Andthenmini
skirt
,redl
i
pst
ick,
arey
out
ryi
ng
togetthebosst
onot i
ceyou.
Ibl
ushed
Me:
May
beIam.
Luy
a:It
oldy
ouhel
i
kesy
ou.
Me:
What
ever
.
Icheckedmywr
ist
wat
chandi
twast
ime.
Me:
Let
'sgot
othet
opf
loor
!
If
ixedmy
sel
fandweexi
tedt
heof
fi
ce.
Minut eslatert
heboar dr
oom wasf i
ll
edupandt he
bosswal kedinalongwiththedeputyCEOAf ri
kaand
theirpersonalsecretar
y.Somethingwasdef ini
tely
goingonbet weenLuy aandthatguy,t
heyal way s
seemedt obest ari
ngateachotherli
kel ov
ers.Wer e
theydat i
ng?Af r
ikastoodupandgr eeted.
Afri
ka:Goodmor ni
ngguy s.Sorr
ytocal
lyouinher
e
atsuchshortnoti
ce,I
'm gladevery
onecouldmakeit
.
Idon'tknowthepurposeoft hi
smeeti
ngbecauseI
onlyfoundoutaboutitt
hismor ni
ngsoI'
lll
etMr
Sit
holespeak.
Mhambi :
(cl
eari
ngthr
oat)Thanky ouallf
orcoming
andI'
llmakesuret
okeept hisshortandsweet
.I'
ve
madeaf ewchangesandshi ft
edaf ewposi
ti
ons.
LuyandaMlabayouarenol ongert
heheadofHR.
Iwasshocked.
Luy
a:What
!Why
?
Mhambi :Youonl ygotthatpositionbecausey ouare
sleepi
ngwi tht hedeputyCEO.Youar enowaj unior
HRmanager .Youstartfrom scratchnotsleepy our
wayt othet opMi ssMl aba.Rethabil
eMav undla
congratulati
onsy ouarenowt heChi efhuman
resourcesof fi
cerorshoul dIsayheadofHR. Don't
disappointmeMi ssMav undl
a.
Iswearmyjawdroppedont
hef
loor
.Ist
aredat
Mhambi ashesmir
ked.
Mhambi
:Ladi
esy
ouwi
l
lswapof
fi
cesi
mmedi
atel
y
andr
esumewi
thy
ourdai
l
ytasks.
Luy
a:Sav
eyourbr
eat
hasshol
e,Iqui
t.
Shest
oodupandst
ormedoutoft
heboar
droom.
Mhambi:
Thatwoul
dbeal
lfort
oday
.Meet
ing
adj
our
ned.
Ever
yonescat
ter
edoutoft
heboardr
oom andAf
ri
ka
remai
nedseat
ed.Hewasbeyondshockandsowas
I
.WhatgamewasMhambi play
ingandwhyuseme?
Afterminut
esinthebat
hroom tr
yingt
odigest
everyt
hingIwenttomyoffi
ce.Luyawasstandi
ng
therearmsfol
ded.
Me:
Luy
aIam sosor
ryabout
..
..
Shesl
appedmehar
d.
Me:
Luy
anda!
Shesl
appedmeagai
n.
Luy
a:(sobbi
ng)Howcouldyou!
..
..
.Howcouldy
ou
Ret
habil
e!.
..
.It
houghty
ouweremyf r
iend.
Me:
Iam y
our
..
..
Luy
a:Shutup!
Me:
Luy
anda!
Luya:Al
l thi
st i
mey ouwereplott
ingagainstme.You
actedasmyf riendandwhenbossbaenot i
cedy ou
thenyoudeci dedt ostr
ike.Youusedmeal lbecause
youwerej eal
oust hatI'
m headofHR.Justbecause
you'r
edat i
ngt hebossdoesn' tmeany oucanhav e
yourway .Iwor kedhardtogettot hatposi
ti
on.You'll
payforthisRet habil
e,markmywor ds.
|
Afr
ika|
Isati
ntheboar
droom unabl
etomov
e.
Mhambi hasanerve,alivert
ot akemygi r
loutofher
posit
ion.Bastardhasletthesnakeoutoft hehole.
I'
ll
makesur ehepaysfort hi
s.Noonedoest hatto
thepeopleIlove.Howdoesheev enknowt hatLuya
i
smygi rl
.Noonei nthi
sof fi
ceknows.Ist oodup
andpour edmy sel
faglassofwhi skey.Igulpedit
downwi t
houtanyhesitati
on.Onegl assbecame5
andbef oreIknewit,t
hewhol ebot tl
ewasempt y.I
waspi ssedashellandnowdr unk.Iloosedmyt i
e
andwal kedtotheelevator.
Iwalkedi
ntoMhambi '
soffi
ceandfel
lont
hefl
oor.I
tookaminutet
ocat chmybr eat
hashewal
kedme
holdi
ngbackalaugh.Ist
oodupandsatinachai
r.
Me:
Howcoul
dyouman!
Mhambi
:Idi
dwhat
'sbestf
ort
hiscompany
.
Me:Youhumil
iat
edher
,youembar
rassedheri
n
f
rontofev
ery
one!
Mhambi
:Thewhol
eHRdepar
tmenthadt
oknowt
he
t
rut
h.
Me:
Youar
easor
ryexcusef
oraman!
Mhambi : (
laughs)Youar ethelastpersontosaythat
wheny ousmel l
likebooze.You'redrunkinthe
workplaceandi t'
sinappropriat
eandunpr of
essional
.
I'
m givi
ngy ouav er
balwarningandify ouarenot
carefulyou'l
lfol
lowy ourskank.Nowgetoutofmy
offi
ceandgohome.Comebackt omor rowwell
restedandsoberandgetbackt owor k.

Tobecont
inued.
..
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er7

|
Luy
anda|
WhenIgothomeIwasspi tti
ngfir
e.Ican'
tbeli
eveI
wasbet r
ayedbyRet habil
e.Peoplearesofakeinthi
s
worl
dev enAfr
ika.Hedi dn'tdoshitwhentheytook
meoutofmyposi t
ion,allhedidwassi tt
hereand
pr
etendt obeshocked.I'm sureheknewaboutt hi
s
al
lalong.
Loy
iso:
Youbackear
lyt
oday
.
Ij
umpedontopofhi
m andki
ssedt
hel
i
ving
dayl
i
ght
soutofhi
m.Hepull
edout.
Loy
iso:
Woahsl
owdown.
Me:
Let
'sst
opt
alki
ngandst
artpl
ayi
ng.
Hescoopedmeupbri
dal
styleandwewenttohis
bedr
oom.Aft
ert
hrowi
ngmeont hebedhedidn'
t
wast
eanymoret
ime.Hefuckedmesensel
ess.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Ibar
gedi
ntoMhambi
'sof
fi
ce,
hei
mmedi
atel
ylooked
upatmeandsmil
ed.
Mhambi
:Ifi
tisn'
tmysexynewHeadofHR.Whatdi
d
Idot
ogetthi
ssurpr
isevi
sitf
rom y
ou?
Itt
ookev er
yboneinmenott oblush.Thismandi
d
thi
ngst ome.Thi
ngsIdidn'
tunderstand.Thi
ngst
hat
confusedtheshi
toutofme.
Me:
Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Mhambi
:(smi
l
es)Dowhat
?
Me:
Don'
tactst
upi
dbecausey
ouknowwhaty
oudi
d.
Mhambi:
(gr
inni
ng)Ihavenoi
deawhaty
out
alki
ng
aboutMi
ssMavundla.
Me:
Qui
tpl
ayi
nggameswi
thmeJobe!
Iy
ell
ed.
..
Mhambi:(
chuckl
es)Ohshe'
sgotamouth.Ican'
t
wai
ttoseethosel
ipswr
appedaroundmydick.
Myf
acef
lushed.
..
Mhambi:Seei
ngyougetal
lworkedupi
sturni
ngme
onSexy
,andifyounotcar
eful
Imightj
ustbendy
ou
ov
erandf
ucky
our
ighther
e..
..
.r
ightnow.
Every
thi
ngIwantedtosayfl
oatedoutthewindow.
Theonlythi
ngIcoul
dfeelnowwast hewetness
betweenmylegs,myangervani
shedintot
hinair
.
Mhambi:(
smil
es)Ar
eyouokayMi
ssMav undl
a
causey
oulookli
key
ou'
veseenaghost
.
Me:
Um.
..
I.
..
I'
mfi
ne
Mhambi
:Cl
osethedoorandcomesi
tonmy
l
ap.
..
.Mi
ssMavundl
a.
Idon'
tknowhowbutIf
oundmy
sel
fobey
ing.
AssoonasIsatdownhet ol
dmet oopenmylegs
andIdidwi
thouthesi
tati
on.Whatthefucki
swrong
withme?Hi
shandr eachedinbetweenmythi
ghsand
rubbedmypussy.Imoanedsof t
ly.
Me:
Ohshi
tbaby
.
Het ooki tfur
therandmadehiswayundermy
stockingandpant ies.Whenhi
sf i
ngersl
i
dinsideme,
Il
ostal lcommonsense.Iwasf ighti
ngtheurgeof
notmoani ngtooloudandthepleasur
ewas
unbear able.
Afterourfi
ngerfucki
ngmomentIpull
edmy sel
f
togetherandmademywayoutt heof
fi
cebuthe
stoppedmebef oreIreachedt
hedoor.
Mhambi:I
fyouwantanswer
sthenhav
edi
nnerwi
th
metoni
ght,I
'
llcomepi
ckyouup.
|
Afr
ika|
Theuberdroppedmeof fathomesinceLuy atook
mycar.Iwassodr unkt
hatget
ti
ngtothedoorwas
ext
remelydiff
icul
t.Imademywayt otheloungeand
thr
ewmy selfonthecouchandslept
.I'
ll
deal wit
h
Mhambi t
omor row.
|
Loy
iso|
Ist
oppedpoundingi
ntoLuy
aandl
i
stened,
someone
wasinthehouse.
Luy
a:What
?
Me:
Someone'
sinher
e.St
ayher
eI'
l
lgocheck.
Luy
a:Okay
.
Igrabbedmygunfrom t
heni ght
standandquiet
ly
mademywaydownst ai
rs.Shiti
t'
sAfri
kabuthe
seemst obedr
unk.Iwentbackt omyr oom.
Luy
a:Whowasi
t?
Me:
Yourboy
fri
end.
Herey
eswi
denedwi
thshock.
Luy
a:OhmyGod,
doy
out
hinkhehear
dus?
Me:Idon'
tknowbuthe'
sdr
unkandsl
eepi
ngont
he
couch.
Luy
a:Oh!Letmegocl
eanmy
sel
fup.
Shewal kedoutandIrel
easedasigh.Thatwasa
closecall
,weshouldbemor ecar
efulnextt
ime.ButI
wonderwhathappenedi ntheoff
icewhichcaused
thesetwot ocomehomesoear ly,i
t'
snoteven
10a.my et.
|
Owet
hu|
It
'smylunchbreakandmysi deniggaSt even
deci
dedtotakemeoutf orlunch.Steveniswhit
e
andwe'vebeenfool
ingaroundf or2yearsnow.
AsIapproachedt
het
abl
ehest
oodupandpul
l
edout
thechai
rforme.
Me:
Thanky
ou
Isatdownandhesatacr
ossme.
St
even:Ihopeyoudon'
tmi
ndbutI
'
veal
ready
or
deredyourfav
ori
te.
Me:
NoIdon'
tmi
nd,
thanky
ou.
Steven:LookbbyIknowy ousaidy oudon'
twantany
rel
ationshi
p.ButI'
mt ir
edoft hi
snost r
ingsattached
thi
ng.Iwanty outobemygi rl
fr
iend.Iwantto
i
ntroducey outomyf ami l
y.Iwantustogetmar r
ied
andhav echil
drenwithy ou.Bbyjustl
etmet akecare
ofyou, l
etmel ov
ey ou,l
etmepr ot
ectyou.Please
myl ove.
Me:StevenIcan'
t,
I'
m sor
rybutIdon'
twantanot
her
r
elat
ionshi
p.
St
even:
Butwhy
?
Me:
Ican'
tdot
his.
Istoodupandranoutoft herestaurantbeforehe
couldst
opme.St evendoesn'tunderstand.Ican'
tgo
thr
oughanotherheart
break,Ijustcan't
.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
WhenIgothome,
Ithr
ewmy
sel
font
hecouch.I
'
ve
beendebat i
ngwithmy sel
falldayonwhet herornot
togooutwi thMhambi .Todaywasashi tt
yday
exceptforthepartwhereMhambi hadhisf i
ngers
deepinthecookiejaranddamndi ditfeelgood.
Justthi
nkingaboutitmakesmyi nsi
dest i
nglewith
j
oy.Igotupandcar ri
edmy sel
ftomybedr oom.I
str
ippednakedandwentt othebathroom wher eI
poppedint heshowerandj ustl
etthewat er
massagemybody .
After30mi nut
esint heshowerjustt hinkingabout
thisdinnerdateorwhat everi
tisIdeci dedt oget
ready.Iwor eashor twhit
edresst hatcompl i
ments
myski nsinceI'
m darkbrownandbl ueheel sthat
mat chmyhandbagandj eanjacket.Iset tl
edf ora
whi t
epear lneckl
aceandbr acelet
.Ideci dedagainst
theear ri
ngs.AssoonasIwasdoneappl yingmy
pinklipsti
ckmyphoner ang.Iimmedi atelyanswered.
Me:
Mhambi
.
Mhambi
:Ar
eyour
eady
?I'
m out
side.
Me:
I'
ll
bewi
thy
oushor
tl
y.
Ihungupandmademywayout
side.Il
ookedt
he
doorashewatchedmeabitt
oomuchify
ouaskme.
Igoti
nthecarbefor
ehecoul
dopent
hedoorf
orme.
WhatIthoughtwasadi nnerdateatsomef ancy
rest
aur
antturnedouttobeachi llsessi
onint hecar
onacli
ffwithav i
ewoft hecit
ywit hsomewi neand
vodkaandtakeouts.I
'
venev erbeensodi sappoint
ed
i
nmyent ir
elifenowonderMhambi wasdressedina
j
ean,whit
ev estandchain.
It
ookabot
tl
eofr
edwi
ne,
openedi
tandt
ookal
ong
si
p.
Minutespassedandwejustdr
ankinsi
l
ence,
Icoul
d
feelmysel
fgett
ingabi
ttoodrunk.Wewer
enow
sit
ti
ngattheback.
Mhambi:Comesi
tonmylap.Yourbackmustbe
agai
nstt
hedri
ver
sseat
.
Isheinsane?Iwasn'tweari
nganypant i
essowhat
he'
saskingmei scompl et
elynothappening
especial
l
yinthisdress.Hi
shandcr eepedupmy
thi
ghandr ubbedmypussy .Iopenedmyl egssohe
couldgetful
laccess.Idon'
tknowwhat 'swrongwi
th
mebutt hepowerhehasov ermeandt heboozear
e
j
ustdoi
ngwonder
s.
Mhambi
:Iwon'
trepeatmy
sel
fRet
habi
l
e.
Iinstant
lyobeyedandgotont opofhim.Het ookof
f
myj acketandjewelr
yandr i
ppedmydr essint
o
pieces.Iwasleftcomplet
elynakedandexposed.He
rubbedmypussygent l
yandImoanedi npleasur
e.
Mhambi :Fr
om nowony ouaremygi rl
.WhenIwant
you,youwon'targuewi t
hme.I'l
lprot
ectyouandI'
l
l
takecareofyou.Noni ggaissupposetotouchyou
exceptme.Imadey ouHeadofHRbecausey ouar
e
mygi r
l.DoImakemy selfcl
ear
?
Me:
Mhmm.
..
.y
..
.y
..
..
yes
Mhambi
:Goodnownomor
equest
ions.

Tobecont
inued.
..

Seeyoual
lnextweek,
unl
esssomeonesponsor
san
i
nser
t.
Ali
tt
leVal
enti
nespresentfr
om met
oyou.Happy
Val
enti
nesDayever
y one.

Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er8

|
Mhambi
|
Iwokeupt oabr i
ghtli
ghtsuffocatingmyey es.I
cl
osedmyey esandopenedt hem againafterafew
minutes.Iwasi nmycarwi thRet habil
elyi
ngont op
ofme.Mydi ckwasi nsi
deherandt hatal
onet ur
ned
meonev enmor e.Wemusthav epassedouther e
l
astnightaf t
erthenightofpassi onwehadandt he
hangoverIhadwasabeast .Ir eall
yneededtoslow
downont healcoholforawhile.Iheardacar
approachf r
om behind.
Me:
Shi
t!Ret
habi
l
ewakeup.
Ret
ha:
Notnow.
Me:GoddammitRet
hat
hecopsar
eher
eandy
ou
ar
enaked,
wakeup.
Ret
ha:
Shi
t.
Shequickl
ygotoffmeandIhandedhermyspareT-
shi
rtsi
nceIrippedherdr
essandIopenedt
hedoor
soIcouldgetout.
Me:
Stayher
eI'
l
ltakecar
eoft
his.
Ret
ha:
Okay
.
Igotoutandwal
kedt
othebackoft
hecar
.
Me:
Off
icer
sgoodmor
ning!
Of
fi
cer1:
MrSi
thol
e,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:Wecametocheckoutt
hev
iewher
elastni
ght
butwef
ell
asl
eep.
Of
fi
cer2:
We?
Me:
Meandmygi
rl
fr
iend.
Oneoftheoff
icer
'swal
kedtothefrontoft
hecarand
openedafewdoorsandpeekedinside.
Off
icer1:
Wel lMrSi
thol
ethi
sispr
ivateproper
tyso
youarepract
ical
l
ytr
espassi
ng.Ki
ndlyleave
i
mmedi at
ely.
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hatsi
r.
Igoti
nmycaranddr
oveof
f.
Ret
ha:
(laughi
ng)OhmyGodt
hatwascl
ose.
Ichuckl
ed.
.
Me:Yeahsol
etmetakey
ouhomet
henwecanget
r
eadytogotowor
k.
Ret
ha:
Wor
k..
..
.r
ight
.
Ichuckl
ed.
.
Me:
Don'
tthi
nkI
'
llj
ustgi
vey
ouadayof
fagai
n.
Ret
ha:
But
..
.
Me:NobutsRethabil
e.Youcan'tgetspecial
tr
eat
mentjustbecauseyouaref ucki
ngme.That's
whyIfi
redLuyandainthefi
rstplace.Idon'
tmix
busi
nesswit
hpleasure.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Ist
aredoutt hewindowandfoughtbackt ears.SoI
wasn'tsupposetogetspeci
altr
eatmentbuthe' smy
boyf
riend,doesn'
thecareabouthowIf eel.Isi
ghed
andgotoutoft hecarassoonasitstopped.I
coul
dn'
tbear
oundhi
mri
ghtnow.
WhenIwal kedinthehouseOwethuwasstandi
ngat
thedoorwithherarmsfoldedandahugegri
n
acrossherface.
Owet
hu:
So?
?
Me:
NotnowOwet
hu.
Iwal
kedt
otheki
tchenwit
hheronmyt
ail
and
pour
edmysel
faglassofwat
er.
Owet
hu: Don'tt
ellmethatshi
t.Youdi
dn'tcome
homelastnightandyourphoneisoff
.Youcome
homeearlythenextmorningandyousmel ll
ikesex
andt
ot opitoffyouareweari
ngaman' sT-shir
t.
Il
ookedatmysel
fandcur
sed.Icomplet
elyf
orgot
aboutt
hatnowIhavet
ogiveherthenews.
Owet
hu:
I'
m wai
ti
ng.
Me:Fi
nelet'
sgooutf ordinnert
oni
ghtandI
'l
ltel
lyou
ev
eryt
hing.Ican'
ttal
krightnowcauseI'
mlat
ef or
workandyou'l
lbelat
et oo.
Ahoot
ersoundedout
side.
Owet
hu:
Dinnersoundsgood.I
'
llseey
oul
atermy
newmanisheretofet
chme.
Me:
Newman?
Owet
hu:
We'
l
ltal
klat
erokay
.
|
Luy
anda|
Igroanedandcur
sedasAf r
ikakeptknockingonmy
doornonstop.Af
terwhathappenedy est
erdayItook
ablanketandpi
ll
owdownstairsandlockedmy selfi
n
myr oom.
Afr
ika:LuyandaI
'
llbr
eakt
hisdoordowni
fyoudon'
t
openitri
ghtnow!
Me:
Damnt
hepeopl
ewedat
etheseday
s.
Iopenedthedoorandlookedathi
mindi
sgust
.He
wasalreadydr
essedforwork.
Me:
Ufunani
?(Whatdoy
ouwant
)
Af
ri
ka:
Whyai
n'
tyour
eadyf
orwor
k?
Me:
Ilostmyj
obr
emember
.
Afr
ika:Youdi
dn'
tl
osey
ourj
oby
ouj
ustl
ostt
he
posit
ion.
Me:
Soi
tsoundsbet
terwheny
ousugar
coati
t.
Af
ri
ka:
Luy
andast
opbei
ngsof
ucki
ngdr
amat
ic.
Me:Haibo!SoI'
m bei
ngdr
amaticnow.Yest
erday
youdidn'
tevenwarnmeaboutwhatwasgoingto
happen.
Af
rika:
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hatMhambi
hadat
ri
ckuphi
s
sl
eeve.
Me:
Yeahr
ight
!
Af
ri
ka:
BabeIswearIwasi
nthedar
kjustl
i
key
ou.
Me:Ifyoudi
dn'
tknowthenwhydidn'ty
oudefendme
duri
ngthemeeti
ng.Yousatt
her
el ooki
ngal
lkindsof
usel
ess.
Hesl
appedme.
.
Afri
ka:(cl
enchinghi
sjaw)Iapol
ogizeforwhat
happenedy ester
daybuty
ouwi l
lnottal
ktomel i
ke
thatbi
tch.I'
ll
fuckyouupri
ghtnowdoy ouhearme,
nx.
Hewal
kedawayleav
ingmewi
tht
ear
sst
reami
ng
downmycheeks.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
AsIwasdoingthefi
nalt
ouchesinmynewof
fi
ce
someoneknockedonthedoor.
Me:
Comei
n!
Amaninanov
eral
lwal
kedi
nwi
thabouquetof
f
lower
s.
Hi
m:Goodmor
ningma'
am.
Me:
Mor
ning,
canIhel
pyou?
Hi
m:I
'
mlooki
ngf
orRet
habi
l
eMav
undl
a.
Me:
That
'sme.
Hi
m:Thesear
efory
ou.Pl
easesi
gnher
e.
Igr
abbedthecl
i
pboar
dandsi
gnedt
henhehanded
methefl
owers.
Hi
m:Hav
eagoodday
.
Hewal kedoutandIsear
chedthrought
his
enormousbouquetforacard.Ipul
ledi
toutandr
ead
i
taloud.
Me:
Ihadf
unl
astni
ghtRee,
hopet
odoi
tagai
nsoon
Sexy.LoveMhambi .Thi
smanmara.Ohy
ouar e
mineMhambi Sit
hole.Ti
ldeat
hdouspar
t.Il
oveyou
moret hanl
i
feit
selfbaby.
|
Debbi
e|
Luyandahasbeencryi
ngbadlyeversi
nceshecall
ed
me.I'
vebeentry
ingtocalm herdownbutnot
hing
seemstobewor ki
ng.She'
sirri
tat
ingmenow,Ial
so
havealif
etoatt
endto.
Me:
Luy
ajustcal
m down.
Luy
a:I
'
mleav
inghi
m Debbi
eIswear
.
Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
Me:
Cal
m downpl
ease.
Thiswomaniscr
azy.I
fIwasAf
ri
kaI
'
dthr
owmor
e
thanasl
apcausedamn.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Mhambi
:Myl
ovepl
ease!
Igi
ggled.Niggahasbeenbeggi
ngmet ospendti
me
wit
hhi mtonightsi
nceIl
eftt
heoff
ice.Hedeci
dedto
cal
ljustt
obegmyass.
Me:
Ial
readyhav
epl
answi
thmyr
oomi
e.
Mhambi
:(si
ghs)Fi
ne!
Me:
Stopsul
ki
ng.Tomor
rowI
'
llbeal
lyour
s.
Ihungupandlaughed.Owet
huwasdr
ivi
ngust
o
Debonai
rsi
nthenearestmal
l.
Owet
hu:
Iseey
ouhappy
.
Ibl
ushed.
Me:
Iam.
Owet
hu:
Ineedt
omeety
ourMrRi
ght
.
Me:
Youdef
ini
tel
ywi
l
l.
Wewalkedi
ntoDebonai
rshandi
nhandandpl
aced
ouror
dert
hensatdownandwait
ed.
Me:
Sonewman?
Owet
hu:
Yeah
Me:WhataboutSt
even?Ni
ggaseemedt
obeser
ious
abouty
ou.
Owet
hu:
Hei
sbutIt
urnedhi
m down.
Me:
Why
?
Owet
hu:
Hewantsaseri
ousrel
ati
onshi
p,mar
ri
age,
ki
ds,
Hai
boRet
habi
leIcan'
t.
Me:What
'swrongwi
thset
tl
ingdown?Whydon'
tyou
set
tl
edown?
Owet
hu:
(si
gh)I
'
m notr
eadyokay
.
Me:Whenareyougonnaber
eady
?Youknowt
hat
t
imewait
sfornoman.
Owet
hu:
I'
m scar
edofbei
nghear
tbr
okenagai
n.
Me: Fr
iend,Ial
sousetotal
kli
kethatbutlookatme
now.Ify ouhadn'
tgi
venmeallthosel
ecturest
henI
wouldn'thavegiv
enitashot
.Takeyourownadv i
ce
foronce.
Owet
hu:
I'
ll
try
.
Mhambi
wal
kedi
nther
est
aur
ant
.
Me:
Her
e'smyboy
fri
end,
letmei
ntr
oducey
ou.
Owet
hu:
Okay
.
Isi
gnaledforMhambiandhewalkedt
owardsme.
Hisfaci
alexpr
essi
onchangedi
mmediatel
y.
Me:
Owet
hut
hisi
smymanMhambi
Sit
hol
e.Mhambi
t
hisi
smyr
oomi
eOwet
hu.
Owet
hu:
You!
Mhambi
:You!
Il
ookedatt
hem conf
used.
Me:
Doy
ouguy
sknoweachot
her
?
Owet
hu:
Ineedt
ogetoutofher
e.
Owethugr
abbedhert
hingsandr
anoutt
he
r
estaur
ant
.

Tobecont
inued.
..
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er9

[
3mont
hsl
ater
]
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
It
'sbeen3mont hssinceIst ar
teddat
ingMhambi
andit'
sbeenthebestmont hsofmylife.Owet
huhas
beeninafoulmoodev ersi
nceshemetMhambi and
neit
herofthem wanttot el
lmeany t
hing.
TodayIdeci
dedtovi
sitmygr
andmabef or
eheadi
ng
towork.Idr
ovet
othehospi
cewhil
ejammi ngt
oI
don'
tcarebyEdSheer
anandJust
inBieber.
Iwal
kedi
ntoherwar
dandshewashav
ingbr
eakf
ast
.
Gr
an:
Myf
avor
it
egr
anddaught
er!
Il
aughed
Me:
Youronl
ygr
anddaught
ergogo.
Gr
an:
Howar
eyou?
Me:
Quest
ioni
showar
eyou?
Gr
an:
I'
m al
i
veandwel
l
.
Me:
That
'sgood.
Gr
an:
Ret
habi
l
e!
Me:
Gogo!
Gran:I'
vebeendreamingaboutyoulat
ely.Ther
e'sa
snakeinyourli
fe.Themani nyourl
i
feisn'tt
heone
foryou.He'
splayingyou.Leav
enowbef oreyouget
hurt
.
Il
aughed
Me:Gogoy ouar
ejustbei
ngpar
anoid.Mhambihas
beennothi
ngbutagentl
emansincewestar
ted
dati
ng.
Gr
an:
Ret
habi
l
eli
stent
ome.
..
..
Me:Noyoul
ist
ent
ome.Youar
ejustj
eal
oust
hatI
'
m
f
inal
l
yhappy
!
Gr
an:
Ret
habi
l
edon'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
.
Me:Thetr
uthhurtshuh.I
t'
stoobi
tterf
oryou.You
ar
ejustbi
tt
erbecausegrandpadi
edandleftyoual
l
l
onel
yandsick.Youarejustaj
eal
ousoldhag!
Itookmybagandwalkedoutt
hebui
l
ding.How
couldshe?Nxol
dpeople.
|
Mhambi
|
Ifi
nishedt yi
ngI '
mt iethenthr
ewonmybl azerand
sprayedmydeodor ant.Iwasreadytogomeetmy
womanf orbr eakf
ast .Thedoorbel
lrangandIr ush
downst air
s,itcouldbeRet hacauseshewasgoi ng
todrophercarof fatt hemechanictodaythenhead
heresowecangooutf orbr
eakfastbefor
eheadi ng
towor k.Ididn'tmindgi vi
ngherar i
detowor k
becausei tmeantt hatwecoul dspendmor etime
together.Iopenedt hedoorandmysmi l
ewipedof f.
Owethu:(
scof
fs)Ohsor
ry,
yout
houghti
twas
Ret
habil
e.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwanther
e?
Owethu:Iwanty
outost ayawayfr
om Rethabi
l
e.I
knowmenl i
keyoutendt ot
hinkt
heycanplaywit
h
l
essfort
unategi
rl
s.Stayawayoryou'
llr
egreti
t.
Shewal
kedawayl
eav
ingmybl
oodpumpi
ng.
Me:
Nxx.
Iwentbackupstai
rsandgather
edmystuf
f.The
doorbel
lrangagai
n.I'
vehadenough.
Me:
Lookher
eyoubi
tchI
..
..
.
Ret
ha:
It'
sjustme!
Me:
Ohum.
..
..
sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
Ret
ha:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
YesI'
mf i
ne,
gowai
tformei
nthecarIj
ustneed
t
ogetmystuf
f.
Ihandedhert
hecarkey
sandwentbacki
nside.I
sani
ti
sedmyinsi
deswithagl
assofwhi
skeyjustf
or
contr
ol.
|
Debbi
e|
Iwal
kedintoour4room housewit
hthedrylaundr
y
andf
oundmom l yi
ngont hefl
oorwit
hthebeansI
wascookingal
loverher
.
Me:
Shi
t!MA!
..
..
.Somebodyhel
pme!
Ialwayswarnhernott
ogoneart hestoveespeci
all
y
withhercondi
ti
onbutsheneverl
istens.She'
sas
stubbor
nasabul l
.Icl
eanedupthemessonher ,
she
wasbur
ntbadl
yont
hef
ace.Mynei
ghborr
ushedi
n.
Bab'
Zwane:
Whathappenedt
oher
?
Me:Shemusthavehadaseizurewhi
lecheckingthe
potandIt
hinkshepassedoutwhenshehitherhead.
Bab'
Zwane:
I'
ll
takehert
othehospi
tal
.Let
'sgo!
Hecarr
iedmom t
ohi
scarnextdoorandIqui
ckl
y
l
ockedupandfol
l
owedhi
m.
Bab'Zwaneisourneighbor
.Hel i
vesal
one.Hei sa
greathel
ptomewhenmom hasherf it
s.Hewas
dad'sbestf
ri
endandhehasl ookedoutformymom
andIforyearsespecial
l
ysinceLuyadoesn'tl
i
vewith
us.
Ipickedupmyphoneanddi al
edLuy a'
snumberbut
i
ttookmest r
aightt
ovoicemailsoIlef
thera
message.Iwipedmytearsandstaredoutthe
window.
Bab'
Zwane:
Voi
cemai
l
?
Inodded.
.
Bab'Zwane:I
'
m notsurpr
ised.Sheseemstof
orget
thatshehasafamil
y.Luxuryisdri
vi
ngher
west
..
..
..
Don'
tcr
yDebbi
e,ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbef
ine.
Iputmomsheadonmyl
apaswenear
edt
hemai
n
road.
|
Ret
habi
l
e|
Mhambi
hasbeenqui
eteversi
ncewearri
vedat
Wi
mpyactual
l
ysi
nceIdroppedbyathi
scri
b.
Me:
Arey
ousur
ethaty
ouar
eokay
?
Mhambi
:JesusI
'
mfi
neRet
habi
l
e,st
opbei
ng
dr
amati
c!
Me:
Wow!
Mhambi
:I'
m sor
ry,
Ijusthadacr
azymor
ning.
Me:
Doy
ouwannat
alkabouti
t?
Mhambi
:Cany
oupl
easej
ustdr
opi
t!
Istoodupandmademywayoutoft herest
aur
ant.I
couldn'tdeal
wit
hMhambi 'ssuddenmoodswings.
He'stakinghisf
rust
rat
ionsoutonme.ItookanUber
towor k.
WhenIgoti
ntomyof
fi
ceAf
ri
kawassi
tt
ingt
her
e.
Me:
MrNdl
ovu!
Af
ri
ka:
Ret
ha,
Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou.
Me:
Okay
.
Iwal
kedi
nandsatdown.
Af
ri
ka:
Doy
ouper
hapsknowwher
eLuy
ais?
Me:
Nosi
r.
Afr
ika:
ComeonRetha,y
ouar
eherf
ri
end,
I'
m sur
e
youknowwher
eshe'sat
.
Me:Si
r,Il
astspoketoher3monthsagowhenthe
i
nci
denthappened.Shewasangr
yandsheblamed
meforevery
thi
ng.
Afr
ika:(
sighs)Okaythankyoufory
ourti
me.I
fyou
hearfr
om herpleasecall
mei mmediat
ely
.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Heheadedf
ort
hedoor
.
Me:
Sir
.
Het
urned.
Me:
Isshemi
ssi
ng?
Afri
ka:Shehasn'tbeenhomef or2mont hs.I
've
searchedever
ywher eforher
.Atf i
rstIt
houghtshe
vi
sit
edhersisterbutshe'snotthere.
Me:
Didy
ougot
othecops?
Af
ri
ka:
No,
I'
ll
findhermy
sel
f.
HewalkedoutandIsunkinmychair.Iwonder
wher
esheisandwhatdr ovehert
oleave.
|
Mhambi
|
Isati nmyoffi
ceandstaredattheceil
ing.Owethuis
gettingonmynervesnow.She' sal
wayst ry
ingto
disruptmypeace.Iknowt hatwehavehi st
orybut
there'snoneedtomeddlei nmylif
e.She'sgoingto
ruinwhatIhavewithRetha.
|
Owet
hu|
AsIfi
nishedhelpinganothercust
omerSteven
wal
kedi n.Icoul
dn'thel
pbutrollmyeyes.I
twasmy
l
unchbreakandIwashungr yashell
soIdidn'
tneed
hi
mtor uinmyal r
eadybadday .
St
even:
Heygor
geous.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
St
even:
Youhav
ebeeni
gnor
ingmyt
ext
sandcal
l
s.
Me:
I'
m awar
eoft
hatcauseI
'
mtheonedoi
ngi
t.
Steven:
Babycanwepl
easej
ustt
alkandf
ixt
his.I
real
l
ymi ssy
ou.Imi
ssbei
ngwit
hyou.
Me:
Justgookay
.
St
even:
Babypl
ease.
..
Me:
Justl
eav
e.

Tobecont
inued.
..
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er10

|
Debbi
e|
Luya'
sphonewasst il
lof
fandIwasget t
ingreati
red
ofherbehav i
our.She'
salway
st oobusyandIhav eto
l
ookaftermom.Ican' tdoanythingcausemyener gy
i
salwaysf ocusedonher.Iwenti nt
oherwar dand
shesti
llhasn'twokenup.Isl
epther eatthehospi
tal
benchallnightj
usttobeherewhenshewakesup.
Herheadwasabi
tswol
l
ensot
hedoct
orsbandaged
i
tup.
Me: Mom pleasewakeup.West i
llneedyou.Isti
ll
needy ou.Il
ostmydadandbr other,Il
ostLuyatoa
man, Ican'
tloseyoutoo.Youaretheonl ypersonI
haver i
ghtnow.Ineedyout owakeupandI '
llt
ryto
gathersomemoneysoy oucanhav ethesurgery
.
Justpleasehanginthere(sobs)Pleasejuststay
str
ongmom.
Bab'
Zwanewal
kedi
nwi
tht
akeaway
sandcof
fee.
Bab'
Zwane:
Howi
sshe?
Isni
ff
ed.
Me:
Sti
l
lthesameasy
est
erday
.
Bab'
Zwane:
Andy
ou.
..
.howar
eyouhol
dingup?
Me:I
'm scaredt
hatImightloseher
.I'
velostso
manyfamilymembers.Ican'tl
osehertoo.
Heputhi
sar
m ar
oundmeandsqueezedmy
shoul
der
.
Bab'
Zwane:Don'
tcr
y.Ever
ythi
ngwil
lbeokay
.Don'
t
l
osehope,bel
iev
eintheLor
d,he'
l
lmakeaway .
Inodded.
Bab'
Zwane:
Iboughty
oubr
eakf
ast
.
Me:
Thanky
oubutI
'
m nothungr
y.
Bab'
Zwane: Youhavetoeatsomethi
ngDebbie.
Yester
dayImayhav eletyoust
ayherewit
hout
eati
ngbuttodayI'
m nottaki
ngnoforananswer.Eat
.
Itookt
hetakeawaybagandopenedi
t.Hebought
mesandwichesandcoff
ee.Mymouthwater
edas
thesmell
dancedinmynose.
Me: ThankyouBab'
Zwanef orever
ythi
ng.Idon't
knowwhatIwoul dhavedoneifyouwer en'
tthere.All
thi
sisjustover
whelmingandit'
sli
keaheav yloadon
myshoul der
s.Someti
mesIwi shLuyacanjusthel p
meout .Sheshoul
dalsobeher ewit
hmom.
Bab'Zwane:She'l
lcomear oundbuti
nt hemeant i
me
I'
l
lhelpyout akecareofyourmother.Youarey oung,
youshouldbeoutt herehavingf
un,studyi
ngand
securi
ngy ourfut
ure.Gett
ingmarri
edandmay be
havekids.Youcan'tgiveuponyourlif
ejusttot ake
careofyourmot her.
Me:Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hatbutIdon'
twantt
obea
bur
den.
Bab'
Zwane:
Youwon'
tbeabur den.I
'l
lwatchher
duri
ngt
hedayandy
ou'l
ltakeoveratnight
.
Me:
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
t.
|
Afr
ika|
TodayIdeci
dednottogot owor
ktoday.Ihadtofi
nd
Luya.Hersi
steri
sprobabl
yworr
iedsi
ck.Idropped
byattheoff
icetotal
ktoMhambi.
Me:
Boy
!
Mhambi:
Wher ehavey
oubeenandwhyai
n'
tyou
dr
essedforwork?
Me:Ineedafewdaysof
f,Luy
aismi
ssi
ng.She'
s
beenmissi
ngfor2mont
hs.
Mhambi
:2mont
hs!andy
ouonl
ysear
chi
ngf
orher
now.
Me: It
houghtshewentbacktohermother'
shouse
becausethi
ngsbetweenusweren'tl
ooki
nggoodbut
IguessIwaswr ongcauseshehasn'
tbeenther
ein
years.
Mhambi
:Fi
ne,
taket
heweekof
fandf
indher
.
Me:Thanksman,cal
lmeifyouneedanyt
hingand
pl
easehandlemycli
ent
s.Ev
eryt
hingyoumightneed
i
sinmyof f
ice.
Mhambi
:Okayt
hanksnowgof
indher
.
Iwal
kedoutthebui
ldi
nglookingmot
ivat
edthenever
bef
oreaboutfi
ndi
ngher.Igotinmycarandtookout
myphoneandcall
edLoy i
so.
Loy
iso:
Bro!
Me:
Didy
ouf
indany
thi
ng?
Loyiso:
Nonot
hingy
etbutmyt
eam i
sont
hel
ookout
forher.
Me:
(si
ghs)Okaykeepmeupdat
ed.
Loy
iso:
Iwi
l
l,don'
tst
resst
oomuchwe'
l
lfi
ndher
.
IhungupanddrovetoLuy
a'shome.Iwasgoingt
o
tel
lDebbi
ethetr
uth.I
'
vebeenhidi
ngthisfort
ool
ong.
WhenIgotther
eshewaslockingthegate.
Me:
Debbi
e!
Debbi
e:Sbar
i.
Me:
Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ouaboutsomet
hing.
Debbi
e:Cani
twai
t,Ir
eal
l
yneedt
ogo.
Me:
I'
m af
rai
dnot
,canIgi
vey
oual
i
ftsowecant
alk.
Debbi
e:Sur
e.
Shewalkedaroundthecarandhoppedi
nthe
passengerseat
.It
urnedthecarar
oundanddrov
e
towardsthemainroad.
Me:
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Debbi
e:Thehospi
tal
.
Me:
Arey
ousi
ck?
Debbi
e:No,
mom wasadmi
tt
edy
est
erday
.
Me:
Why
?
Debbi
e:Shehadasei
zur
e.
Me:
Whatcausedi
t?
Debbi
e:Didn'
tmysi st
ertel
lyou?Mom isepil
epti
c.
ShehadaseizurewhileIwasoutsi
decollect
ingthe
dryl
aundr
yandshehappenedt obenearthestove
sothepotti
ppedov erandburnedherandshehither
headonthefloorandpassedout.
Me:
I'
m sosor
ry.Idi
dn'
tknow.
Debbi
e:I
t'
sfi
ne
Me:
IsLuy
aatt
hehospi
tal
?
Debbie:No,Luy
ahasneverv
isi
tedmom ev
ersi
nce
shelefthometogowork.Wher
eissheanyway
s?
Me:
She'
smi
ssi
ng.
Debbi
e:What
!Forhowl
ong?
Me:
2mont
hs
Debbi
e:Andy
oudi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
Me:It
houghtshecametovi
sity
ouguy
sbutwhen
shedi
dn'
tret
urnIgotwor
ri
ed.
Debbi
e:(
whi
sper
s)Gr
eat
!Shewasmyonl
yhope.
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Debbie:Mom needst odosur geryandstarther
tr
eatmentsoIwashopi ngLuy acouldhel
pwi ththe
cashf
lowsi nceI
'm unemployedandIhav et ostay
withmom.Thatexpl ainswhyshehasn' tsentusany
moneyf ormonthsnow.I '
ll
justhavet oborrowfrom
mynei ghborsi
nthemeant imeunt i
lIgetajob.
Me:
Ther
e'snoneed.I
'
llhel
pyouwi
thal
lthat
.
Iparkedatthehospit
alpar
kingl
otandgotoutofthe
car.Debbiefol
lowedmeasIwal kedint
othehospi
tal
.
Thewai t
ingroomswer eemptyonlyonemansat
there.
Debbi
e:No,
Ican'
tbeabur
dent
oyou.
Isatdownandshesatbesi
desme.
Me: Nonsense,i
t'
stheleastIcoulddo.There'
sa
special
i
stdoctorIknowov erseas,I
'l
lmakethe
necessaryarr
angementsf orhertogothere.Then
youmov einwithusandmay belookforacampus
thatyouwanttogot onexty ear
,I'
l
lcoverallt
he
costs.
Debbi
e:But
..
..
Me:Nobuts.I
'
m nottaki
ngnof
orananswer
.But
youcant
hinkabouti
t.
Debbi
e:ButIcan'
tl
etmom got
oaf
orei
gncount
ry
al
one.Ineedtogowit
hher
.
Man:I'
l
lgowi
thherDebbi
e.I
'
m Bab'
Zwane,
Debbi
e'
s
nei
ghbor.
Heext
endedhi
shandandIshooki
t.
.
Me:
Thanky
ouf
orhel
pingherout
.
Bab'Zwane:Noneedt othankme.Sheknowst hatI'
ll
doany thi
ngforhermother.Weuset odatebackin
highschoolbutt
hingsdidn'
ttur
noutthewayIhad
expected.Weseparatedandshemov edonwith
anotherman.Iaccepteditbuthonest
lyIwaswaiti
ng
pat
ient
lyf
orhert
oret
urnt
omeoneday
.
Debbi
e:Wai
t,y
oudat
edmymot
her
?

Tobecont
inued.
.
Of
fi
ceAf
fai
r
Chapt
er11

|
Ret
habi
l
e|
AsIwasbusyprepar
ingfort
omor
row'
sint
erv
iews
Mhambideci
dedtodistur
bme.
Mhambi
:MyAngel
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?Can'
tyouseet
hatI
'
m busy
.
Mhambi:Iknowy oust
il
lmadaboutwhathappened
t
heotherday,canyoupleasef
orgi
veme.
Me:
What
ever
!
Mhambi
:Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryou,
j
usttoshowy
ou
howsor
ryIam.Canwehavel
unchtoget
her
?
Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
Mhambi
:Pl
ease.
Me:
Fine!Nowpl
easel
eav
eI'
m busy
.
Hespankedmyassthenr
anout.Ibl
ushedasI
cont
inuedsor
ti
ngoutt
hepaper
work.Honest
ly
speaki
ngIcouldn'
tstaymadathimforl
ong.I
defi
nit
elyneedhiminsi
demerightnow.
|
Debbi
e|
Afr
ikatell
i
ngmet omov einwithhi
m wasonethi
ng
butBab'Zwanetel
li
ngmet hathewasdati
ngmy
mom inhighschoolnowthat'
sanot
herthi
ng.
Bab'
Zwane:Yes,meandyourmot
herhav
ehi
stor
y
buti
t'
sdeepertheny
outhi
nk.
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Bab'
Zwane:I
'
m...
.I
..
..
youknowwhati t
'snot
i
mportant
.Soanynewsony oursi
ster?
Me:
She'
smi
ssi
ng.
Bab'
Zwane:OhmyGod.Wel
ldon'
twast
eanyt
ime,
gofi
ndher.
Me:
Whataboutmom?
Bab'
Zwane:
I'
m her
e,I
'
llcal
li
fther
e'sanynews.
Me:Thanky
ousomuchBab'
Zwane,i
tmeansso
muchtome.Af
ri
kal
et'
sgofi
ndLuyanda.
Af
ri
ka:
Okayl
et'
sgo.I
twasni
cemeet
ingy
ousi
r.
Bab'
Zwane:
Likewi
se.
MeandAfri
kawalkedtohi
scar.Assoonaswewer
e
i
nsi
dethecomfor
tablel
eat
herseat
sIsighed.
Me:
Sowher
edowest
art
?
Afr
ika:Mybrotheri
ssear
chi
ngthesouthpartof
Durbansolet
'sgototheNor
thpartandlookther
e.
Me:
Soundsl
i
keapl
an.
|
Luy
anda|
Isatinbedandsi ghed.I
twasn' tsupposetocomet o
thi
sbutIwasi nlovewi t
hLoy iso.Iaskedhimtotake
met othenort
hpar tofDur ban,inMor ni
ngsi
de.The
l
ast2mont hshav ebeent hebestwi thhim.Hestil
l
doesn'twantarelati
onshipandt hatjustmakesthis
arr
angementhar dforme.He' sev eryt
hingIwantthat
Afri
kaisn'
t.
Loyi
sowal
kedinf
rom t
hebat
hroom smel
l
ingal
l
ki
ndsoff
resh.
Loy
iso:
Pennyf
ory
ourt
hought
s.
Isi
ghed
Loy
iso:
What
'supLuy
anda,
youl
ookst
ressed.
Hest
artedl
oti
oni
ngandIl
ookedathi
m.Ihav
etot
ell
hi
m.Ican'
thi
dethi
sanymore.
Me:
I'
vef
all
eni
nlov
ewi
thy
ouLoy
iso.
Helaughed,
li
kereal
lylaughedashegr
abbedhi
s
cl
othesandstar
teddressing.
Loy
iso:
Goodj
okebutI
'
m ser
ious,
what
'swr
ong?
Myey
esswel
l
edwi
tht
ear
s.
Me:
Ilov
eyoudammi
t!
Loyi
so:Woahwaityouserious!LuyandaIthought
meandy ouwerejusthav
ingf un,r
eleasi
ngstress.
I'
m notupf
oranyloveydov eyshi
t.
Me:
Loy
isocomeonwecant
ryt
odat
eatl
east
.
Loyiso:Nah, Idon'tt
hinkso, l
ookyoushoul dbe
focusingonget ti
ngbackt oyourli
fewithy ourman
becausey oucan'thidefrom hi
mf orever.Sooneror
l
atery ou'l
lneedtogetoutofher eandf acehim.It'
s
nothisf aultt
haty oulostyourposit
ion.Andi t
'snot
hisfaultthatyoulosty ourjobbecausey ouquiton
yourown.( l
aughs)You' r
einlovewithme.Hai bo
Luy
anda.
Hewal kedoutlaughingandleftmeintear s.Ifeel
l
ikesuchaf oolri
ghtnow.Whydi dIgoaf t
erhim.
Whydi dIhavetosleepwithhim?I '
vefall
enoutof
l
ovewi thAfri
ka,I
'm unemployedandit'
sal lmyf aul
t.
Mybi gsist
erishomewi thmysi ckmot herwithout
anyincomef rom me.Whendi dmyl i
fegett othis?
|
Loy
iso|
SoLuy aisi nlovewi thme.Whoknewt hatsomeone
woul dact uall
yf alli
nl ov ewi thme, thegr eatest
playerint hewhol eofKZN.Buthonest l
yspeaki ngI
didn'tfeel athingf orher .Shewasj ustoneofmy
bootycal ls.Ishoul dhav enev erinvolvedmy selfwit
h
mybr othersgi r
l.Ibroket hebr ocodeandI '
mf ucked.
I'
m notr eallygoodatkeepi ngsecr etssoI '
llhaveto
confessev erythingtomybr other.He'l
lbemadbutat
l
easthe' llknowt hetrut h.Ishoul dhav enev erleta
girl
bl i
ndmywayoft hinking.Igetpussyev eryday.
Therewasnoneedt ogof orher .I'
m stupid.
|
Mhambi
|
Me:
Sur
pri
se!
Ret
ha:
OhmyGodbabe!
..
..
It
'sbeaut
if
ul.
Ihadapicni
csetupatmyf av
or i
tepark.I
twasj ust
ussowehadsomepeaceandqui et
.Iwentallout,
fr
om r
osepetals,champagne,lotsoffi
ngerfoodand
somestrawberr
iesandcream, youknowt hatcombo
i
salwaysthere.
Me:
Youl
i
kei
t?
Ret
ha:
Ilov
eit
.Thanky
ou.
Me:
It'
smypl
easur
e.
Ret
ha:
Ilov
eyou.
Iperkedherli
psthendeepenedtheki
ss.Herarms
wentaroundmyneckandmyhandsmov edall
t he
wayt oherass.Isqueezedi
tandshemoanedt hen
pull
edout.
Ret
ha:
Babe.
Me:
Mhm
Ret
ha:
Let
'seatbef
oreshi
thappens.
Me:
Goodi
dea.
Wesatdownont
hebl
anketandst
art
edf
eedi
ng
eachot
her
.
Me:
Sohow'
syourgr
andma?
Ret
ha:
Idon'
tknowandhonest
lyIdon'
tcar
e.
Me:
Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?
Shesi
ghed
Retha:Shedisrespectedyou.
..
..
.us.
..
..
.shehadthe
nervetocallyouasnake.She'sjustabitt
erol
dhag
that
'slonel
yandj eal
ousofmynewf oundlove.I
don'tenter
tai
nnegat i
veenergyfrom peopl
e.
Me:Justl
etitgo,she'
stheonlyfamil
yyouhav
e.You
havetogotalkt
oherandI '
m prett
ysuret
hatyou
sai
dsomehor ri
blemeanthingstohersoyouneed
toapol
ogi
zeandmov eon.
Ret
ha:I'
m notapol
ogi
zingt
othatol
dbi
tch,
mypr
ide
j
ustdoesn'
tall
owmet o.
Isi
ghedandcont
inuedeat
ing.
|
Loy
iso|
It
ookasi
pfrom mybeerasAfr
ikat
oldmet
hat
Debbi
ewi
ll
bestayi
ngwithus.
Af
ri
ka:
Ihopey
oudon'
tmi
nd.
Me:
NahIdon'
t.
Afri
ka:Areyousure?Ineedt oknowi fyoucool
wit
h
i
t.ThisisyourhousetoosoIdon' twanttobe
makingdecisionswit
houty ou.Youmydawg, my
brot
herandmybestf riend.Irespectyouman.
Me:RelaxI'
m cool
wit
hherstay
ingher
e.Butt
her
e's
somethingIneedt
otel
lyou.
Af
ri
ka:
Okaywhat
'sup?
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:
Idon'
twantt
okeepsecr
etsf
rom y
ouany
mor
e.
Af
ri
ka:
Okayt
alkt
ome.
Me:
Ihadanaf
fai
rwi
th.
..
..
Af
ri
ka:
Anaf
fai
r?!Wi
thwho?