Turning Table

Part 157

*** The Gallerist ***

🌹Rossett🌹

I open my eyes and I find Zuko Sleeping next to me, Last night we went over the documents that Kevin sent to me, and realizing what was inside left us with more questions than we already had, we went over them over and over trying to figure out what sick game Oyama is playing with our lives. but we ended up not coming up with anything that solid, instead we had more questions.

I look at Zuko and wonder why was I supposed to protect him. Why is it noted on Oyama's will that he had no kids? Why Oyama never loved my son that even in his will his not note, I look at Zuko sleeping next to me and smile. . . I remember this day, 26 years ago, on Mother's Day, Oyama and I climbed on an airplane and flew halfway around the world to come back to South Africa so I can give birth to my son in my country. In our house we had everything prepared for his arrival, The nursery had a crib, toys, and baby clothes. On the plane, a midwife was on standby, and medical supplies, a diaper bag, a stroller, and baby food, just in case I gave birth on the plane, In our hearts we had dreams, hopes, and excitement for the baby who would make us a family, or should I say I had those dreams. Cause Oyama woke up sooner than expected.

I wish I did not leave Zuko to be raised by my mother, but I had to protect this beautiful creation, I am grateful for the angels who came into our lives to help us with the rescued. They pointed me in the right direction with hope and light during my darkest days. They educated and guided both of us when we were off course. They stood by us and never left our sides through the toughest times of our lives. Thank goodness for my mother, the doctors, therapist, neighbors, friends, mentors, trainers, coaches, teachers, and principals who cared so much for my son.

I can laugh about some of the things we have been through these past months. The shouting, name-calling, insult, neglect and let's not forget the rage He did not shy away to express towards me, I am still amazed that he went days locked himself in his bedroom so I couldn't get in cause somehow I disgusted. He refused to eat food made by me not forgetting how he wished I never returned to his life.

I looked at his arm covered In tattoos and I swallowed that, My mother once said that Zuko's therapist picked up that he has Cognitive dissonance one of the main reason he got all of these tattoos was a way to resolve conflicting memory or emotions. They say he had a strong emotional attachment to me, and in his head, I was a dead woman so for him to get so many tattoos was a way to cope with this grief.

It is funny now because we have come so far, and we have fought so hard to be where we are. My son is now older, wiser, and more mature. I have come to realize that he's bright and funny. He's just a wonderful young man. I am so proud of him.

I am also thankful to him for helping me grow in so many ways. I am more patient, understanding, empathetic, and compassionate because of him. I am not as quick to judge others, I've worked hard to be the best mother I can be for him, and I know this is just a tip on the ice bag I have a long way to go to reach where I want to be but for now I love the stability we are creating. The bonus is that Zuko has made me a better person.

His phone vibrates on the side table and then it starts playing this loud ringtone

, ~~~Worst behavior, mothafuckas never loved us
Fucka never loved us, worst behavior.

Hold up, hold my phone
Mothafuckas never loved us
Fucka never loved us
Now you want to roll one
Mothafucka never loved us~~~~

Me: pick that damn thing up! "I said nudging him. He grunt in annoyance and roll over picking up his phone, he looked at the screen and cursed.

"Shit!"

Me: what?

Him: it's my boss, damn it I'm in trouble ... fuck!"

Me: Hhayi man Zuko it's too early for this swearing ... "I said jumping off the bed and looking for my cigarettes I need to smoke.

Zuko: sure Mlondi ...." He said answering his phone, I smiled as I found my cigarettes now where is the lighter

Zuko: what !!!!!!!, I mean how did you know I'm in Durban worst part where I am? "

I stopped looking for the lighter and my eyes get fixed on Zuko.

Zuko: Mlondi! .... how do you bloody know my mother, what the fuck is this? "

Zuko was on his feet looking at me as I was also looking at him too,

"My boss wants to talk to you, "Zuko said to me

Me: me? "

I was astonished and so was he, but he handed the phone to me instead, I took it and answered it.

Me: who the fuck are you? "

"A friend of Samukelo is a friend of mine, we need to talk Ma Rose, let's meet at the Velvelt in an hour, "a voice on the receiver said, I pop my eyes open and nodded as if he could see me,

Me: I can't leave the house, my house in an hour call first so I will give you clearance "

Him: Sure, boss lady ... "

I dropped the call and looked at Zuko,

Him: how do you know my boss? "

Me: Boss? explain that first and I will tell you my reasons "

Him: His Mlondi Bhengu, The famous, not to mention the richest Gallerist in Africa, he saw my work and decided to invest in me, got me a studio, and had been helping me build my career up, not only me but a lot of struggling artist... your turn... "

Me: Are you sure he is Gallerist? "

Him: Google Mlondi Bhengu you will see just what I mean, his trending in the art world ... as much as he hates taking pics and hardly shows his face to anything that has media but he is the most respected art Dealer in the globe, he puts his money where his taste is, create his aesthetic universe, support artists, employ people, and do all of this while letting us see art for free. To me, that man is a visionary."

Me: you look up to him?"

Him: of cause is the son of King Bhengu, Brother of the Beautiful Quen Sbahle Mnguni ... "

Me: and he Leaves in Grahamstown right here in the Eastern Cape"

Me: yes and in Durban, Richers Bay, Cape Town, Ngonyameni, Paris, America ... London, Nigeria, and Botswana .... Did you hear when I say the man is Gallerist, he leaves where ever art is ... can you stop with this Question and tell me how do you know him? "

Now how do I tell my son that the man he looks up to so much is not what he thinks he is,

Me: Business associate ... "

Him: Rose stop lying to me and tell me the truth! "

I breathe loud and told him about Samkelo and how he had a silent partner, I manipulated the truth as best I can leave out all the criminal activities I did in my bar with Sam, so I told him a few white lies that will be enough to give me the mother of the year award, I guess.

Him: Samkelo is a security tech guy how do he and Mlondi Mix? And the worst part is how do you and I fit in in this equation "

Me: I don't know Zuko "

Him: unless you lying to me ..."

Me: Zuko I swear I'm not ... Look Sam told me that his partner wanted the sea peer behind my bar for shipments of his goods, and he did not want it to be known that he owns it so that's how we became associates I guess he was using it to ship art, look baby that all I know about Mlondi that's all "

Him: So, you think he knows about me because of Samukelo, that I am your son? ... But Rose I have been working for him way before you were released how is this a coincidence? do you think he works with Oyama ... "

I bite my lip thinking, I'm sure why are the puzzle pieces not fitting in this masterpiece.

Me: I don't know, but there is only one way to find out, and that is if we talk to him "

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To be continued