BEGUILED

CHAPTER 6

I get in early today at work and make sure everything is up to date. I even search out LinkedIn for people looking for a job and note down a few candidates. Those “Help Me Find A Job” posts. They can be very helpful because they entail most details you need to know about a candidate and also their pictures. Sometimes you can tell a lot from looking at someone’s picture. Not necessarily judging a book by its cover but looking into their eyes and studying them.

By the time Musongaka comes in, I have already fetched his coffee downstairs, sorted all his appointments for the next two weeks, set up a weekend getaway for him and Mabalenhle for next weekend since their second date went better than the first and they wanna get to know each other and spend time together. When he walks into his office, I inform him about his day schedule. He already knows it but it doesn’t hurt to go over it again just to remind him of some things he might have forgotten.

“Come to my place tonight.” He orders and I shake my head. Usually it wouldn’t take much to convince me, but since I am leaving ME, that also means cutting ties with him and ending our entanglement. We were never really friends.
“Please read the letter on your desk.” He frowns as he picks up the letter on top of his closed laptop. He opens it and his frown deepens as he reads the letter. He raises his eyes to meet mine.

“What the fuck is this, Khethiwe?” did I fail to indicate what the letter means?
“Resignation letter, sir. Thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me here but it’s time to grow outside this company and put my career needs first above all else.”

“I don’t accept it.” He tears it apart and I don’t even blink. I expected his theatrics, so I am not moved.
“I have already submitted an official letter to HR. But worry not, I will make sure I leave after I find a suitable candidate to fill in my position.”

“Are you not hearing what I’m saying, Okhethiweyo Makhoba? You are mine and you’re not leaving. That’s final. That letter to HR is redundant.”

“No act grants you the power to refuse my resignation letter, sir. So either you accept it now or bear the consequences later. Also, stop saying I’m yours. I was just your fuck toy, nothing more. You have a potential fiancé now. I would like to think she will be the woman warming your bed from now on. Someone who won’t sneak out in the witch hour. Someone whom you wouldn’t mind being seen with in public. You guys are a match. Now go be serious with her and leave me alone.”

He moves towards me and a knock makes his movements halt. I quickly rush to open the door, not wanting to be with this human bear alone. It’s one of the security guards of the floor. He is carrying a huge bunch of flowers. I have ordered enough flowers for Musongaka’s dates to know that’s a queen deluxe box from Fresh Flowers on Florida. They are so pretty and fresh.

“Miss Makhoba, these are for you.” The guard states and I gasp, taking in the beauty of mother nature before me. I have never received flowers before, so this makes me feel giddy and special.
“Who are they from?” I can’t seem to stop a wide smile from spreading. The guard chuckles before handing me a note. I open it.

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady. Have a great day, angel.

Your secret admirer.”

Gosh. I’m not one to brag or post shit about myself on social media but I am definitely posting these slower. “Thank you, Tim.” I take the flowers from him and he nods before walking away. I turn to Musongaka who looks like he is a few seconds from blowing up. He will probably throw these away if he could. “I will be right back.” I practically run out of the office before he can say anything. I will store these in my car. Who are they from, though? Kwanda or Hunter? But our last conversation with Hunter ended on a bad note. Is he trying to make amends? Or Kwanda is making his move? I’m confused, but none of that confusion is big enough to mask my happiness. I got flowers for the first time ever. It’s official, I am a flowers type of girl because wow.

×××

My meeting at Mashaba Industries went so much better than I expected. My monthly salary is going to be a 6-figure amount including benefits. It’s not always about the money but passion, but damn, the money is there. I can even afford to go on a mini holiday every month. That’s how much more I am earning. But I wanna do something more valuable with my money this year. Maybe invent in rental property. That always gets the money in. After generating profits there, I can extend to wedding car hire. But I will think about it.

Since my lunch is two hours, I decide to drive to Nikoe Durban North for lunch. The parking there sucks. I park on the side of the road and head inside the restaurant. A waitress leads me to an empty table. I casually scan the room and my eyes do a double take when they land on Hunter who is seated with some men who look like business associates. He raises his eyes as if he can sense someone is watching him. When he catches me starring at him, he winks before continuing his chat. Where does this guy stay? This thing of bumping into him everywhere sucks. I sit down on my table and immediately order because I looked up the menu before I left work. They bring me my order 15 minutes later and I thank them before diving in. I ordered a mocktail since I am still going back to work.

“Beautiful as always, Chosen.” Hunter decides to join me while I am stuffing my face with this delicious food. Well, I am not embarrassed because we all have to eat. “I didn’t think I will be this turned on by the mere act of watching a woman eat. My cock is growing hard as we speak.” I nearly choke on my food. That’s not something to say out loud like that.

“How can I help you, Mr. Pope?”
“You are not at the office, so you don’t have to address me with such formality. Anyways, did you like your flowers?” mystery solved. He sent the flowers.

“You sent them to the office with a clear intention of pissing off your friend?” he shrugs with a boyish grin plastered on his face.
“I don’t care about what he thinks. I just saw the flowers and thought of you. I don’t like how our last encounter went and that was my way of apologizing and also appreciating the woman you are. Did the flowers indicate my feelings?” I stop eating and take a sip of my drink.

“What feelings, Hunter?”
He chuckles. “I guess they didn’t. So, would you like to go out with me for dinner this Friday evening?” Friday evening? Do I have plans? Ow I’m full as they come, I never have Friday night plans unless they involve traveling with Musongaka for business related purposes.

“Where?”
He smiles like he has received the best news ever. “Leave that to me. Give me your number.” We exchange numbers. “You will send me your location and I will come pick you up. And no, you won’t find your way to the dinner because that will ruin the surprise.” That sly mother fucker.

“See you on Friday then.” He smiles again before standing up and kissing my cheek.
“I can’t wait to taste those lips again.” He licks his own lips before going back to his acquaintances. I won’t lie, I am charmed by the white man.
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A rare picture of Mr. Hunter Pope.