BEFORE

CHAPTER 10

FINALE

“So how do you know my sister?” I ask Wes as soon as we enter his house, or our house.
He smiles. “Back in the days, my gang tried to recruit her because she was a bad ass, but she chose to not join us. Our boss took offence and destroyed the whole gang. LC practically chose between death and jail, and therefore took the fall for the many crimes the gang committed.”

I frown. I guess my sister didn’t tell me the full story or the actual story that led to her being locked up. “What happened to you back then after I left Cape Town?”

He sighs and sits down. I go join him. “Like you, I had to take a flight out the next morning. Some politician had raped my niece and she was the only thing on my mind. I went crazy and brutally killed the fucker. My sister and her husband didn’t know how to deal with the situation, so I stayed a whole month comforting my niece and making sure she doesn’t harm or blame herself.”

I squint my eyes. “I’m just picturing your big self comforting a kid, and I’m not seeing it.”
He chuckles and then pinches me. “I know what you’re doing. Anyways, when I came back, I heard about what you had done or been accused of doing. I won’t lie, I believed it at first and even went out to drown in my sorrows. That black friend of yours, X, just showed up at the club I was at. One thing led to the other and shit happened. By the time I found out the actual truth, you were long gone and Haley refused to tell me anything.”

“Haley. Now that’s someone I would like to bump into.” I’m pissed that Xolelwa slept with my man but there is no use talking about it now because it happened a long time ago and I hope it was a once off.

“She is actually married to Barren now and they had 3 kids.” Say what? He laughs. I guess my facial expression says it all. “He broke up with his fiancé after she found out what he has been up to. So he linked up with Haley and they have been tight since then. I think he cheated once or twice during their marriage and it was one night stands.”

“Haley knows?”
“No. That woman is crazy. Even after all these years, she hasn’t lost her spark. If she were to find out, I’m pretty sure she would burn Barren’s pink ass.”
“And I would help her. I hate cheating men.”

“Don’t give me that look. I am not thinking about cheating on you. I would never do that to you, Bubbles.”
I smirk. “Good. Now I have to get up from this couch if I wanna make it to my launch on time.”

“You have to take the beast first before you leave.” I frown at him and he laughs. “Your existence alone makes me horny every time. So now you have to tame my dick because I am not about to jerk myself off while you are here. That’s an offence you can actually get arrested for.”

He is so sly. I just laugh at him. “You will get to use me as your cum bucket after the show. For now, persevere. What did Mr. Gray call it again? Delayed gratification? Yes that.” I quickly move away from his arms and he jumps up, running after me. God. There is never a dull moment with him.

×××

“Using Wes as your star was a great idea. Maybe next time I will persuade Dom to join him.” Goldie states as we are looking around.

The show is done and people are now walking up and down. Some are making their way to the after party venue. The show was a success, considering the number of people who came through, but it wont really be the best success unless we are sold out by Tuesday morning. So the orders will determine our success rate. With the men’s wear, my man was the one who modelled with my masterpiece and it was spectacular. All eyes were on him and everyone went silent. The only thing you could hear was the sound of clicking cameras. So yeah, using him was one of my best ideas.

“That’s what you do when you wanna wow people. I am pretty sure you will include Dom in one of your upcoming cooking episodes just to entice the ladies.”
She laughs. “I would probably have to go full on submissive for a whole week for him to agree to do an episode. You know how he hates the attention from the public.” We both laugh. It’s true. He hates the spotlight.

“Your show was amazing.” Someone says from behind me.
“Thank you…” I turn and nearly drop my glass when my eyes land on Haley. “OMG! Hay! Look at you!” I scream and engulf her. She laughs and hugs me back.
“Hey Miss Craig. You have been busy, I see. Glad you haven’t lost your vision.”

“When Wes told me about you, I couldn’t believe it. And you went back to Barren? I did not see that coming.”
She chuckles. “Look who is talking. I did not imagine a future where you and Wesley reconnect and pick up where you left off. How did you guys re-meet?”

“At a sex club, but that’s the story for another day. We should catch up some time this week while I’m in Cape Town because I don’t know when I will be back here. Take my number.” We exchange numbers and hug once again before she disappears into the crowd.

I head over to the backstage and find models changing to their after party outfits which I also designer. That’s what I do in all my shows. Even the after parties are also for marketing. You don’t wanna know how many celebs have purchased my after party outfits before. Wes is sitting on a dresser and chatting to some hairdresser who is fixing his hair.

“So how serious are you with Miss Fiona?” the woman asks. Haibo. Is she testing me?

Wes chuckles. “My family is famous, so I try very hard to keep a low profile and stay off the media radar. But I did this show because of my fiancé and I knew how much it meant to her, showing my support like that. So like imagine you being afraid of heights and snakes but having the courage to cross over the tallest bridge with snakes swimming underneath, just to get beautiful flowers for your partner. Just like on that anaconda movie. I would catch a grenade for her. That’s how much she means to me.” Then he shakes his head. “God, that was a mouthful. I don’t know what has gotten into me.”

“Love found you.” The hairdresser teases and they both laugh. I clear my throat and they turn to look at me. Wes’s eyes pop out.
“You heard all that?” he asks, already standing up and walking towards me.
I chuckle. “yeah. It’s good to be reassured every once in a while. But, full disclosure, I wouldn’t cross a river full of crocodiles for you.”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t allow you to. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger for me. I wanna be the fearless one in the relationship and your job is to look pretty and give me a few little pretty versions of yourself.”

I laugh. “Is the mighty Wesley of England finally ready to settle down and take our relationship to the next level?”
He smiles shyly. “Yes. You are already a fiancé to me. So whenever you’re ready to get hitched, just send a shoutout and I will be there in a tux.”

That’s so cute. I just kiss him because there is nothing more to say really. I think we are going to elope to England or Greece. Yeah, I don’t want the pressure of planning a wedding or even designing the perfect gown. I love my man though. I am so glad that I have him and that he supports my dream. Your partner should be your number one supporter and your top model.

He should be willing to walk down the runway in an underwear in front of hundreds of people just because you asked politely. So get someone who believes in you and not someone who would think you’re crazy for wanting to go international or global. Someone who validates your dreams and someone who sees you for who you truly are.

THE END