BEFORE

CHAPTER 6

“So tell us about Wes. I am dying to have all the juicy details about your endeavours. Most of his women don’t have out with us.” Chelsea states, sipping on her Mimosa. I guess it’s never too early to dilute champagne with juice. She is one of Melo’s friends who is joining us for brunch. The other one is Nondumiso.

I sigh and look down on my drink. Honestly I don’t like the way Wesley spoke to me last night. Yeah, he wants to keep his life private and shit but what he said was uncalled for. He treated me like some noisy journalist and I didn’t like that at all. Sure, we agreed to keep things strictly sexual but that doesn’t give him the right to speak to me like that. I just wanna finish my diploma and I honestly don’t have time for someone like him in my life. But I am not about to tell these ladies that. They seem so interested in my and Wes’s ‘situation’.
“All is well. He is very good in bed and generous when it comes to the spoiling part.” I state with fake enthusiasm but I am sure they won’t notice.

“Come on. We need more than that.” Nondu purrs, giving me puppy eyes.
I just chuckle. “I really don’t have much to say. We just started sleeping with each other so it’s not a big deal. Besides, it's strictly sexual and I am sure he will move on from me soon as he sees another interesting skirt.”
Melo frowns. “What the fuck are you on about? Why are you downplaying all this? Wes hardly take women to his apartment. Plus he is the richest amongst the guys. So you’re lucky girl.” I shrug. If they knew about my inner turmoil, they would shut it already about this Wes issue.

“So what are you studying and what are your plans after graduation?” Nondu asks and I smile. That’s one of the questions I have no trouble answering.
“I am doing my last year in my diploma in Fashion. I plan on moving overseas once I complete my qualification. Milan preferably because that’s like one of the capital cities of Fashion. Though I don’t have it all figured out, I will try and make sure that my dream comes true. I have no parents so it’s just me, myself and I.”

“That sounds so ambitious. Now have you told Wes?” Chelsea enquires and I shake my head. “That man can take you to Milan as in yesterday in his private jet. Don’t be shy to ask for assistance. He is not the stingy type.” She winks before getting up. “Be right back.” Nondu follows her.

Melo stares at me. “You’re different. It’s cool and all but being reserved and modest won’t get you an apartment in Milan. You don’t even have to ask Wes for money. Just take one of the paintings in his house and sell them.” I frown. Say what now? Isn’t that stealing? She smiles. “He won’t even notice and one of his helpers will definitely make sure to replace it so that he doesn’t think they stole it. Or take 5 of his watches. He has probably 50 plus. One watch can guarantee you a soft life in Milan for three months. Don’t be stupid and think only for yourself. He is too rich to care about you borrowing his stuff.”

“Do you do this to your man?” I have to ask because this is weird. If she is a con woman or a thief, then I don’t wanna associate myself with her and her friends. I know I need money to sustain myself and all that but I will not steal from anyone, let alone Wes.

“Not only him. Life is difficult and you gotta look out for yourself because if you don’t, nobody will. None of these men care about us. They just want what’s between our legs and when they are fed up, they disappear. So I just go after the really rich ones and help myself to their expensive light assets. Don’t feel bad about it. It’s a win-win. They get your pussy, you get more money than you bargained for.”

After hearing what Melo has said, I am seeing her in a very different light. She sounds like a prostitute. I am not trying to judge or anything but that’s exactly what I think of her right now. And I also don’t wanna hang with her. I don’t know what Wes is capable of and I don’t wanna find out by stealing from him. Like what happens if I steal a very valuable watch that maybe was a gift from his grandfather? No. Mark me absent, Melo.

“Look who I found lurking around like a sexy stalker.” Nondumiso’s chirpy voice disturbs my train of thought. She is dragging Wesley to our table. What the hell is he doing here? He smiles at me and I don’t reciprocate it. I am not a fake person. You treat me like shit and I will ignore you.

“Hello ladies. I am sorry for dropping in unannounced, but can I steal my girl for a few minutes? I promise I will bring her back.” He gives the ladies a cheeky smile. He is smooth.
“Sure. Don’t disappear with her though.” Chelsea answers with a smirk, sliding on the stool next to where he is standing.

“I will be right back, ladies.” I stand up, taking my bag with me because I don’t trust these ladies at all. I doubt I will hang out with them after this voluntarily. I strut past Wes and head over to a more quiet vacant table at the restaurant. The moment we sit, a waiter is there smiling at us. “A glass of water please.” I give him a genuine smile. I respect waiters, bartenders, baristas and all. I wish more people shared the same sediment.

“Give me bourbon for now.” That’s all Wes says and the waiter nods before rushing away. “So you left without saying anything? Did we have a fight that I don’t know about?” is he fucking kidding me right now? Did he have a black out or something? “Why are you giving me that face? Did I scare you with some of my talk while sleeping?”

“No, Wes. You didn’t scare me with your talk. You just pissed me off. You talked to me like I am some gold digger/prostitute/noisy journalist who was only after your money. Up until last night, I knew shit about your personal life and background and believe me, I wasn’t keen on knowing because you’re a lot of work, but I am human and I am curious. It was basic instinct to ask those questions. And then you just went cold on me and lashed out like I did something wrong.”

He sighs. “Listen. You have to understand something about me. I have had women following me around and faking affection just because of who my grandfather was and how rich I am. Excuse me if I was cautious about your questions.”

“My God. You’re so full of yourself. Who followed who between us? And will it ruin your street cred to apologize because you hurt my feelings?”
He scoffs. “Come on, Bubbles. It’s not that deep. We are having a sexual relationship. No need to get all emotionally deep or anything. You knew how it would be like when you signed up to be with me.”

Why is he being like this? “Fuck you, Wesley. This has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with you being an asshole, realising your mistake and apologising for it.” I exhale loudly. This is just too draining. I didn’t think he would be like this. Clearly all rich guys have this snob side of them that comes out from time to time. “I am not going to force you to grow a pair and see your wrongs. I have a lot of deadlines to meet, a lot of goals that I have to achieve and wasting my time on you won’t make them a reality. I am out of here.” I stand up and he frowns.

“Where are you going?”
“Leaving. And please don’t stop me. You don’t need me in your life.” I hear out and I am glad I can’t hear his footsteps following me. I don’t need his shit right now.