Sydney Mdlalose's Fate-Twisted Fairytale(Edited)

Chapter Fourteen.

I watch as Andre makes his way back to his family. What was I thinking? All just because he let me sleep in his bed, lent me his clothes, placed our bodies closer than should be and satisfied my skin with goosebumps that he actually actually likes me.

I place my head into my hand. "Stupid." I softly say to myself. One thing I do know is that he was, no he is lying to me.

There is no way Anna knew my name, embraced me and spoke about a ring out of being old. All these people know something and they're keeping it from me. Even Thando herself. If there was only a ball invitation to this, then why am I still here?

Andre turns to the window, both him and I looking at each other. I sigh and walk out to the garden.

"To be honest, she's not what I expected. Look at my grandson then look at her. She could have at least had better looks or been taller or lighter, you know. Like her mother. I liked her mother." I overhear Anna say.

Mrs Miller's eyes widen when she spots me getting closer to the table. But she doesn't stop her mother from going on about me.

"If it wasn't for Jason she wouldn't be here. And Andre would be getting what he wants. I know that for a fact," she chuckles. "-that she is not what he wants. Well, one of the things."

"Mom." Mrs Miller calls. Anna turns following her daughter's eyes. "Oh, she's here." I pull out my own chair and sit down. Andre doesn't look at me.

"Well, I apologise Anna that I'm not what you expected and it's good to see that you know what Andre wants and doesn't want. But like you mentioned, I never asked to be here." I say, keeping my eyes on her.

Anna clears her throat. I reach for Andre's hand. "But I am here, and I'm growing fond of your grandson. Slowly but surely. And I'd appreciate it if you could learn to accept it."

Andre places his gaze on our hands intertwined then to me. Mrs Miller smiles from across the table. I'll play their game, but definitely not for free. Not whilst my well-being and possibly my whole future is on the line.

Anna exhales, taking a sip of her juice. Charles remains quiet. His body slouched on his chair like he's watching a drama unfold in front of him.

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Andre's grandparents have finally left and I'm still seated in the garden.

"Hey." Andre's voice sounds from behind me. "Hi." I return, not moving. He sits himself next to me. "I'm sorry about my gran. She's-" "Old?" I interrupt.

I turn in my chair to face him. Andre doesn't say anything. "I've been playing along to whatever this is since I got here. I want to know what is happening and why, out of every girl in this house you picked me. Because it is definitely not because I'm new." I say.

Andre sighs. "I can't Sydney. Not yet. I don't think you're ready." "Good thing that's not for you to decide. Tell me, or I'm backing out." I say. "And as far as I can see, you need me. Especially your dying family legacy." Andre's eyes shoot up.

"Tell me." I demand. Andre looks around us. "Fine. But you cannot let anyone know that you know. Not yet." I sit up straight.

Andre takes his seat next to me, shifting closer. "My father, not so long ago fired all the people of your skin out of the Miller's South African Bank. The family company. It soon became a problem because the one employee he has, Miss Swan, noticed that not one of the whites were let go." Andre begins.

"Wait, but Swan is black. Why wasn't she fired?" I ask. "She's talented at what she does. It wasn't that easy to." He answers.

"Anyway. She made a scene out of this and not far from then, clients threatened to leave the bank if the racial issue wasn't solved." He stops and takes a breath.

This is much bigger than I thought. "If the issue isn't fixed, my father signed a contract to hand the business to the Swan's so it doesn't shutdown." He says.

I bite on my lip. Andre cups my hands in his. "As to you. When my mother heard that you were coming to the house she came up with this idea where I have to make you fall in love with me to hopefully portray a picture that we don't have any problem with black people. She picked you so you wouldn't overpower any situation due to your lack of knowledge."

I slowly pull my hands away from his. I lean back into my chair. "Sydney, everything I said to you in the kitchen wasn't true." He says, his eyes softening.

My expression remains blank as I stand and walk away, leaving him alone in the garden. This is a lot to process.