Betrayed

Chapter 16

My mind was a battlefield, with thoughts of Lihle dominating the landscape. It had only been a week since our split, and I was already craving a distraction. Vusi's company, once a source of comfort, now felt like a temporary reprieve from the ache in my chest.

I found myself at his place, surrounded by the familiar scent of his cologne and the hum of his TV. He was home alone, but that wouldn't last long. His friends would arrive soon, and with them, Lihle. My heart sank at the thought of facing her again.

"Baby, more people are coming today, so I need proper help setting up," Vusi said, pecking my cheek and snapping me out of my thoughts. His words were a gentle reminder of my obligations, but my mind was elsewhere.

"Okay?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes drifted to the clock on the wall, willing time to move faster.

"Imma go buy some alcohol now, Lihle will be here in a few—" Vusi started to say, but I cut him off, my anxiety spiking.

"In a few?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of desperation. Why did she have to arrive separately from the others? Couldn't she just come with the group, allowing me to avoid her piercing gaze and charming smile?

Vusi's explanation only fueled my frustration. "Yes, she knows how to make things look good for a party, so she's going to set up." It sounded like a reasonable excuse, but I wasn't convinced.

"But why can't I do that?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of disappointment. I felt like I was being relegated to the sidelines, and it stung.

Vusi's response only added to my annoyance. "Next time, I'll put you in charge of that." He said it with a smile, but I just rolled my eyes. It felt like a hollow promise, a way to placate me without really giving me a chance to contribute.

Just then, the door swung open and Lihle walked in, her presence commanding attention. "Yess, I'm here," she said, her voice confident and self-assured. Vusi greeted her with a nod and a dap.

"Speak of the devil," Vusi said, turning to me. "Uhm, Asanda can help you with what you need, I'm gonna go get some alcohol." He said. I watched as he walked out the door, feeling a sense of unease.

Before he left, he turned around and asked Lihle about weed. "Yeah, yeah. Kyle said his homeboy's gonna bring it," she replied, her voice nonchalant. Vusi nodded his head and left, leaving me alone with the one person I was trying to avoid.

Lihle locked the door behind him and headed straight to the rooms, avoiding eye contact. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she was on the same page as me - avoiding each other at all costs. But, she emerged from the room and stopped in her tracks, her gaze locking onto mine. I quickly sat down, hoping to appear uninterested.

She sauntered over and sat next to me, her proximity making my heart race. "Hi, beautiful," she said, her voice husky and confident. I raised an eyebrow, pointing to myself in disbelief. She chuckled and shrugged, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Yeah, you're the only one in this house. Unless you're hiding someone under the chair," she teased, her words dripping with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes, trying to appear unfazed.

"Hello, Lihle," I greeted, my voice neutral. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off, not wanting to ignite a conversation that might lead to more. "There really isn't a need for us to speak. You do your own thing, and I'll do the same. How about that?" I suggested, my tone polite but firm. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just knew my limits, and engaging with Lihle was a risk I wasn't willing to take.

Lihle's words cut through the air, piercing my resolve. "I would love to, and I know you would too, but we both know damn well we want to speak to each other." I tried to ignore her, diverting my attention to the TV, but her voice lingered in my mind.