Laced

CHAPTER TEN

Nambitha Zungu

Daddy agreed to come to the launch!
I don’t know what sort of agreement they reached with mom but she clearly agreed to stay behind because he called me and told me that he will be there. Now my excitement is shooting through the roof!
I’ve been running errands all day, going with my designer to shop for the right material for my dress. I insisted to be there, I could not bear to stay in suspense like that. She wasn’t pleased with me, but I’m Nambitha Zungu, I get whatever I want.
I also found a place where I’ll be buying dad and Muzi’s tux. I had to go to extremes to find this place but I’m glad I did because I’m so happy with it. They also helped me with designs and I can safely say that what I have chosen for them, definitely aligns with my vision.
The excitement for the launch is actually kicking in now that I’m getting things done. It’s becoming all too real that next week I’ll officially be a business woman!
Can you imagine my excitement?
I’m at the store with my new staff, and I called them in just so they could familiarize themselves with the new spot. I also wanted to brief them about the itinerary for the launch, and everyone seems to be on board with everything.
“I honestly cannot wait to go on this journey with you guys. I’m so grateful that we made it this far, but we are yet to embark upon the real journey! I’m thankful for your presence too…” we are closing off our meeting with a little toast.
But my train of thought is disrupted when a familiar face pops up on the glass window outside. I don’t know what she’s doing here, she looks so out of place. This is a sophisticated affluent area, did she not get the memo?
“Excuse me for one moment.” I could choose to ignore her but she’s staining my window with her dirty fingers.
She’s staring inside the spot, she wants to see what’s going on inside. As soon as I reach her I grab her arm and pull her to a side where no one will see her. A place where no one will see me with her. 
“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask through gritted teeth.
I can’t for the life of me think of a reason that would bring her here. Last I checked she hated me for not listening to her when she warned me about dating an older guy.
But I’m sure her mother told her.
“Mom told me that you have a new shop and that you didn’t invite us to the launch party. You’ve done well for yourself and now you are ditching your family huh Nambitha?” I cross my arms across my chest.
“You can’t possibly mean to tell me that you travelled all the way from Durban, from whichever ditch you live in, and came all the way here, to my territory in Margate to bitch about not being invited to MY event?” I thought I was far away from them and had done a good job at it, clearly I didn’t.
“Mom was right about you being a snob!” she scans me from top to bottom.
She’s the last person to do that to me. She’s wearing a pair of old faded jeans and a tired shirt, her outfit combined doesn’t even amount to a single item of clothing on my body, even my underwear is more expensive than that. She’s let go of herself, she’s not the pretty lady she used to be. Her hair looks months old, not even weeks. I won’t even speak about her skin.
I won’t say I looked up to her because she wasn’t a good role model, but looks wise, I wished to be as pretty as her at some point in my life. Now I don’t even dream of being known as her sister.
“I need money. I know you have lots of it so you can give me some.” She’s not being serious right now.
“Zimkhitha we haven’t spoken in years, you’ve never had the decency to call and check up on me and you come here demanding my money? No, I don’t want to give my money.” she has audacity.
Liver they say in my language.
“I didn’t see a need to speak to you, now I do. Come on Nambitha don’t be ungrateful. I’m your big sister.” She has some nerve.
“I don’t want to make things ugly, and only for the sake of uTata. So stay away from me and don’t make me get a restraining order against you. You have some nerve coming here demanding my hard earned money, you have some entitlement! Rhaa!” she didn’t think this one through.
I leave her standing there.
They must think again if they think they will make me their money market. They will not be milking me, I worked too damn hard to be where I am now! I don’t see them waking up everyday to ensure that their businesses are up and running. I’m not a cash cow for their poverty stricken lives.
And yes, I wouldn’t have this without Muzi, but it’s my business, and everything that it is now, and everything it’s going to be in the future will be my hard work, mine only. I don’t want to share that with them, they are ungrateful bitches!
“Ma’am your phone has been ringing.” The youngest staff member on the team comes to me when I return.
She’s 19 or 20, fresh out of high school but she’s very talented, and can use her hands very well. She’s going to be one of the braiders.
“Thank you.” I accept the phone.
It has obviously stopped ringing now, but I have a few missed calls, all from one person.
She’s an adamant woman. I dial her back.
“I thought you were avoiding me.” I chuckle awkwardly.
“No, I’m not.” I say trying not to sound as weird as I feel inside.
“I made a reservation for us at Freeways Hotel tonight, six thirty. Will you join me?” I mean we did speak about this briefly, but I didn’t think she was serious.
I’m chickening out. I’ve never done something this crazy before.
“Sure, I’ll be there.” I agree nonetheless.
She didn’t really say why she wants to meet up so badly but judging from how forward she was from our last meeting, I should expect more than just dinner.
She got my number from her boss, and she confessed her ‘feelings’ for me. I’m still unsure if it is sexual feelings or ‘feelings’ feelings. She’s been texting me ever since.
I would be lying if I said she wasn’t lingering in my mind after that knee buckling kiss she gave me. Yeah sure my knees might have only buckled because I desperately needed to pee, but damn, girl was a good kisser. I’ve been thinking about her fruity scent and soft lips ever since.
“Great then! I’ll meet you there.” she says excitedly.
I’ve never had an interaction with a woman, let alone a sexual experience. Although I’m a little nervous, I’m also a tad bit excited. I want to see what tonight has in store for me.