Sydney Mdlalose's Ever After

Chapter One.

One month later...

Sydney's P.O.V.
Every day, I'm haunted by Andre's marriage to Elizabeth. If it's not that Elizabeth is in my sight, then I'm thinking about her. If it's not either of the two, then I'm countlessly hearing her name as Andre praises her. It's sickening.

As for Andre and I, we're still happily together. Karen and Jason still don't know about the marriage or about the company. Now, a big wedding has been planned for Andre and I that is to commence in the next two days in order to cover up Andre and Elizabeth's marriage.

Thando quit and stayed in Seattle with Vince. But her and I call each other every now and then. The last time I spoke to her, she was in Italy. I'm happy for her.

And as for Keith...I think about him from time to time. The painting and picture in his house. And now that Elizabeth sits on the company chair, he doesn't have enough solid ground to expose the business. And that is an advantage to all of us.

Every morning, Andre has to leave the house in a suit and tie and pretend as if he's going to the company when actually he's in the process of building his own neurology centre.

He's barely ever at the mansion, leaving me alone with just his parents. So instead, I've started my online classes to keep myself busy. Mrs Miller is paying for them as promised.

My teacher, Siya Mncwango, a generous, smart and keen man makes time for me every day, although seventy percent of the time I'm late for our classes. He only teaches as a hobby. In the working world, he's a fitness coach for professional soccer players, rugby players, swimmers, track stars, etc.

Don't ask me where he gets the time to teach. But hey, we make time for the things we love. I recently learnt that he's the same age as me and grew up in Richards Bay and now lives in Cape Town too.

Yes, sometimes we get to know each other rather than to just learn and teach.

"Sydney? Sydney?" Siya calls. I pay my attention back to him. "Uhm, sorry. What were you saying?" Siya repeats the sentence but I still don't register what he's saying.

He sighs and places his pen down. "Maybe we should try this again tomorrow." Siya says his goodbye and ends the Zoom call before I get to reply. I sigh and rub my fingers against my forehead. I get up from my chair and walk to the kitchen, my feet dragging against the white tiles.

I boil water for a cup of coffee. "You know, for someone who's getting married in two days you don't look very excited." Karen startles me as she enters the kitchen from the garden.

Yeah, well, I would've preferred to be the first wife rather than the second. I didn't even get to mentally prepare that I'm going to get married. Of course I want to marry Andre, but not like this.

I fetch the coffee and sugar from the cupboard and put the ingredients into a small mug. "I am. I'm just stressed about the dress. I haven't picked one yet. Or Andre's suit." I partly lie.

"Oh, don't worry about that Sydney. I got you a wedding planner. Obviously, you get to pick what you want but she'll do majority of the work. She should be here in an hour when Andre gets here."

Why am I not surprised? I furrow my eyebrows but still thank Karen. I take my coffee upstairs to Andre's room and prepare myself a bath. I really want to look decent to at least help me feel a little less like shit. I take my coffee into the bathroom.

It feels like it's been weeks since Andre's touched me.

He's always busy with his project. Even when he's at home, he's doing research and doesn't make time for me. I guess I over-exaggerated the 'happily together'.

I strip out of my clothes and sink my body into the hot water.

The bedroom door opens. Shortly after, Andre looks into the bathroom. "Hey baby." He walks in. I smile at him. "Hi." He places a single kiss on my lips.

"How are you?" He asks. "I'm, okay. You?" He smiles. "I'm ecstatic baby. The building is coming together sooner than I thought it would." Andre sighs. "I'm just months away from being a neurologist, and Elizabeth's help is making quite the difference."

I turn my head away from him at the mention of Elizabeth's name. Andre takes my cup of coffee and drinks it. "Can I join you?" He asks. I nod and make space for him. "No, I want to be behind you."

I shift forward as he undresses. He steps into the tub. He sits down, pulling me back against his chest. "Hey. I know I haven't made time for you during this past month. But I promise it'll change." He lifts my left hand into his, circling the engagement ring on my finger with his fingers.

I don't reply to him. I shut my eyes. "I'm just glad you're here now." Andre wraps his arms around me. "We have a wedding planner coming over in an hour. We should be ready by then." "Okay."

I turn my back the other direction and face him. He places his arms on the rims of the bathtub. I move closer to him until my legs are next to both his sides. He pulls me closer. I brush my hands against his chest.

"I love you Andre." I say. Andre brushes my cheek. "I love you too Sydney." He smiles and pulls me onto his lap.