BEGUILED

CHAPTER 5

We sit down opposite each other at the Café downstairs after ordering our drinks. He is really cute with that hairstyle of his which looks messy, unkempt and miraculously clean at the same time. Do all guys visit the gym nowadays because he has a well built body, the height and a nicely tanned skin, like he sunbathes often.

“Are you done admiring my beauty?” he asks in a mocking tone and I roll my eyes. “I was looking forward to chatting with you on Saturday but you just disappeared without a trace. I nearly thought I dreamed the moment we had but your sexy panties that you left as a souvenir proves it was real. So why did you run?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation. Just like you guys hit and run, I did the same. I don’t need to justify my actions.”
He laughs. “But you don’t seem like the type to have meaningless sex from time to time.” Type? So he has me figured out? How smart of him. “Don’t give me that look, Chosen. You are not the baddie type. You are not a Heartbreaker or an ego smasher.”

“So you’re saying I should stop wearing glasses and put on skimpy clothes just to show off my true persona? I don’t think so. I am good with people thinking I am an innocent naïve girl that they can walk over. It makes my actions surprising and unbelievable. So satisfying.”

“Is that why you’re sleeping with Mashaba?” I nearly spit out my hot latte. Say what now?
“Did he tell you that?”
He shrugs. “He didn’t need to. He didn’t protect his previous PAs the way he protects you. And I saw the way he looked at you.”
“How was he looking at me?”
“Like how I am starring at you right now. Wishing to strip you naked and bend you over this table so that I can fuck you again until your legs shake.” He bites his lips and then frowns. “So you are sleeping with Mashaba? But why? It’s not like your entanglement has a Happy ending.” All was going well until he decided to state the obvious.

“Thanks for the coffee but bye. I don’t need anyone prying on my private life.” I stand up and he just leans back.
“For as long as I have known Mashaba, his end game has always been to marry the model type who comes from a rich family and not a personal assistant. I am not belittling you or anything, but I am simply trying to determine if there is a bit of self worth in you.” Wow.

“Okay. Mr. Woman Empowerment.” I leave him standing there and walk out. I know all about women empowerment and my worth but he doesn’t have the right to talk to me like that. The nerve of this guy.

×××

“Namile, pour me a glass of wine and bring me some biltong to the couch.” I state as soon as I enter my apartment. Namile, my human robot project is more like a maid. It basically does everything you tell it. Can even bring you the remote. Absolutely everything. But not sex bakithi. You would have to settle for a sex doll in that department. I throw myself in the couch and a minute later Namile places the things I requested in the coffee table. “Thanks Namile. Please send an email to Mr. Mashaba Senior’s personal email and request an urgent meeting with him.”

“Noted, Cat.” Yes. My robot calls me Cat. I am still trying to incorporate the multilingual accents to it. Mom walks in through the inside door and frowns when she sees Namile.

“Why is she up? Did you boss her around?” she is way overprotective of a robot. Just because it understands human emotions does not mean it experiences it. I roll my eyes and sit back “You lazy girl. So how was your day?” I retell him the film that occurred today. She laughs. “You lie. Hunter is friends with Musongaka? Now That’s a plot twist. You should keep fucking him and maybe that will make you end that annoying fling you have with Musongaka that’s not even beneficial. I mean, you don’t even receive a fling allowance.”

“There is no such thing, ma.” She laughs. “Anyways, I decided to take the job offer. I will talk to Mashaba Senior as soon as he gets back to me.” She squeals and rushes to hug me. Such an energetic old woman. Sometimes I feel like I’m the mom and she’s the child.

“I knew you were going to make the right decision for yourself. I am so happy. We should celebrate. Wanna go out to celebrate?”
“With what? Coffee?” mom doesn’t drink, not even wine. So I always tease her with this.

She rolls her eyes. “Ha-ha. One of the kids’ parents gave me a spa voucher just because I am too kind to their kids, so we can go there this weekend if you’re not busy.”

“I will see, ma. But I need to find a replacement for my job. I don’t wanna leave Musongaka stranded. I’m not that cruel.” I can see mom wants to respond but she is disturbed by my ringing phone. It’s Mashaba Senior. Damn. The old man couldn’t wait for the morning. “Mr. Mashaba.”

“Khethi, before I celebrate, does your email mean you are going to come in and we will discuss your new position?”
I chuckle. “You sound so eager, old man. But yeah, that’s what it means. I still need to find a good replacement though.”

“That will be hard. No one will fill your shoes but I don’t care because I need you at MI as soon as yesterday. Come in tomorrow during lunch time so that we can review your contract and go over some formalities.”

“Okay boss. Can you not tell Musongaka about this? I want to be the one to deliver the news to him.”
“Okay. Have a good night.” He hangs up.
“May that stupid boy not persuade you to stay with his dick. I don’t understand how women take shit from light skinned guys. Abo Cinderella labana.” Aibo umama. I just break into laughter. I was not expecting that.