BEGUILED

CHAPTER 4

“Here are pictures from your dinner date.” I pass Musongaka the tablet and he smiles as he scrolls past all the pictures. Yes, Kwanda was there on Saturday but he was mainly focused on his job which is amazing. The way he captured the moments, it’s like you can hear what they are saying in the photos. Muso pauses when he comes across my picture which Kwanda probably stole. He looks up at me with a frown.

“Is there something I should know?” he asks and I can already see him turning green with envy.
“I didn’t know I was photogenic. Kwanda is an amazing photographer. That is officially my new profile picture.” He just clicks his tongue and continues scrolling. There are more pictures of me. There is also one where Hunter, the hook up from Saturday, is standing near my table. Only his back is visible.

“What is this, Khethiwe?” God. I hate that name. Rather call me Khethi or Okhethiweyo in full. If you say Khethiwe, it makes me feel old, and Muso knows that.

“Some guy who wanted to join me but I politely declined. Anyways which ones I should post on your page?”
“You choose. It’s your job after all. Also, set up a lunch date with Mabalenhle tomorrow. Our first date was great. She deserves a second, third or even a ring.” That’s the name of the Lembede heiress. I don’t know if he is saying that to spite me but I nod like a good soldier nonetheless.

After that spontaneous round with Hunter at the restaurant, I had to escape before he came out of the restroom. So I quickly dashed to the table to gather my belongings and practically ran out of the eatery. Muso was so occupied, he didn’t even realize I was gone until I sent him a text when I got home, stating that I wasn’t feeling well and I had to leave. He thought it was because I couldn’t stand seeing him with his date. He wasn’t entirely wrong. That was 10% of the reason why I left. All the 90% credit goes to Hunter. What I did was so random and out of the blue. I know jealousy is what drove me to do that, but I actually enjoyed the encounter and wished for more.

“One of my varsity friends is in town and will be stopping by for a chat and we will have drinks later on. So please reschedule my next meeting.” I wonder if bosses know how difficult it is to reschedule a meeting, especially one where you spent so much time setting up.
“Your word is the law, boss.” I turn to leave but come to a halt when the door opens and the one and only Hunter walks in. When he spots me, he literally undresses me with his eyes for a full minute before looking at Muso.

“Mashaba.” His pronunciation is spot on. I watch as Muso comes over and they share a bro hug and a laugh. They greet each other before Hunter turns to me. “You must be the personal assistant.”

“Yes. Pleased to meet you. Is there anything you would like, Mr….?”
He smirks before shaking his head. “Pope, Hunter Pope. And no thanks. I am not staying.”

“Sure.” I look at Muso. “I will be at the boardroom sorting out the social media and lunch stuff.” He nods and then his attention turns to Hunter who still has his eyes on me. I walk out before any awkward moments.
“Your PA is cute.” I hear Hunter as I close the door.
“Yeah, but off limits. So stay away.” Hunter laughs and I don’t catch what he says next.

What are the fuckin odds of the guy I hooked up with being friends with my boss slash fuck buddy? Is this a sign from God that I shouldn’t have fucked Hunter? But how would it be wrong when he was the best I have ever had? That quickie. Damn. Okhethiweyo, focus. This isn’t the time to day dream about the man who had your toes curling even hours after sex.

Getting to the boardroom, I get started on my job, posting the pictures and including cute captions. Less than 10 minutes later, the pictures have over a thousand likes and hundreds of comments. His inbox is so full. I pass time by checking it out and deleting thirsty DM. I then reserve a table for them at Lupa in Durban North. I hope they will enjoy. Pity I won’t be there.

“Did you like the pictures I sent you?” why do these men take pleasure in startling me? They want me to die of a heart attack? Kwanda makes himself comfortable next to me and I just shake my head.
“Yeah. Your photos are awesome. Musongaka and Mabalenhle looked so pretty and people are going crazy over them.”

He frowns. “I don’t care about them. I am talking about your pictures. Did you like them?” is he flirting?
I smile. “Yeah. They are cute. I will make one my profile picture soon.”
He grins. “Cute. I can take that.” He is wearing a hoodie again but it’s dark gray this time around. Doesn’t he feel the heat? Durban sun can be very hot.

“Aren’t you hot?” I blurt out and he laughs.
“I would like to think I am.” Definitely flirting.
“Can I ask you something?” he nods. “So, I am a robotics engineer. Someone who designs and develops industrial robots. I have created a few for Mashaba Industries. Mr. Mashaba Senior transferred me here to be his son’s PA because all the previous PA’s couldn’t handle him. His longest one before me worked for 1 month. Anyways, because of my “spunk”, I became Musongaka’s PA and continued earning the same robotics engineer salary. Now a new post has been made available. Double the salary and double the resources I had. I am conflicted. In a way, I don’t want it to seem like I am abandoning Musongaka. He has been a good boss to me, even though he has his moments. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is very rare. If I don’t take it, I’m afraid I won’t get another one.”

He sighs. “That’s a lot. Do you make it a habit to vent out to strangers?”
“You did take my pictures without my consent. If I thought you were a stranger I would have had you arrested.”

He snorts. “Fair enough. What I can say to you is that stop thinking about someone else and make it about you. You are not going to get anywhere in life with just being someone’s PA. You look like you are very passionate about this robotics thing and you wanna leave a mark in this world. You won’t leave it by babysitting a CEO. Being a PA is not a permanent job. They come and go. It’s meant to be like that. But a robotics engineer, now that’s a title no one can forget.” He is right. I should choose me. But Musongaka is going to flip. A knock interrupts us and I look up to see Hunter standing at the door with a smirk.

“A word, Miss Chosen.” Chosen? Really? But better than picked.
I chuckle and stand up. “Thank you for your wisdom, Kwanda. I will be sure to take it into consideration.” I smile at Kwanda before walking out with Hunter. Conflicted? That’s who I am right now.