BEGUILED

CHAPTER 7

“There is an A3 portrait that’s in Kwanda’s studio. He was supposed to bring it in today but he got held up. Go and fetch it at his studio and bring me back lunch.” Musongaka orders me like I am nothing and I don’t respond with an attitude. He is looking for a fight. Has been ever since he read my resignation letter two days ago. We haven’t discussed it but he has been a difficult boss ever since.

“Yes, sir.” I take his car keys from the desk and he frowns.
“What are you doing?”
“This is a company errand, so I am taking your car. Won’t let anything happen to mine.” I dash out and I hear his angry laugh as I enter the elevator. He will live.

Kwanda’s studio is in CBD. Driving there is a nightmare. Parking’s are the worst. It’s located in Anton Lembede Street. You have to be careful not to get a parking ticket here. Musongaka would kill me for ruining his clean record with a parking ticket. But officers are hungry. It’s January. I think they would be more eager to get a bribe from the driver of a Mercedes Benz EQS electric sedan. I get to the location of the studio and ask the first security guard I see inside the building. He directs me to where I am headed and I thank him before going there.

GAMA LENS

When I see the name, I know I have reached my destination. I head inside and I see a receptionist behind a small desk. She is typing something on her computer. She looks up and smiles at me.

“Hey and welcome to Gama Lens. The fact that you’re here, means you have a shoot. Can I get your name?”
“I am Khethi. I was sent by my boss, Mr. Mashaba, to collect his A3 portrait from Kwanda.”
She nods in understanding. “Mr. Gama is in a session right now. You are welcome to sit and wait for him or check out the shoot. He is the only one who hands off customers their hard copy photos or deliver them to their places.” I nod in acknowledgement. “The shoot is in studio 3 by the way. You can sit there if you want to wait.” She points at a couch behind me.

“Thank you.”

While I make myself comfortable on the couch, I order Musongaka’s lunch and mine too from a nearby restaurant. I am craving Shwarma from one of those Somalian Shwarma places, so I might stop p by there before heading to work. You cannot stay in Durban and not eat Shwarma unless you hate it or you’re in a diet. I also create a vacancy poster and the share it to LinkedIn, indeed and Facebook.

Few minutes later, my email inbox is pilling up. People are really serious about finding jobs nowadays. I decide that I will check these emails later. I get up and head over to studio 3 which is wide open. I nearly faint when I see the models. It’s a nude photoshoot and to top it off, Kwanda is also shirtless. He has a lean body like Musongaka but there are muscles here and there. Dear God. That back of his. I can imagine running my hands through it while he…. Yoh, cleanse my mind Modimo.

“Okay. That’s it for today. You guys were wonderful. Thank you for stopping by.” Kwanda states as he shakes his clients’ hands.
“We can’t wait to see our pictures. You are one of the best in the game. Of course we were going to pick you.” After getting over their nudity, I realize that I have seen this couple somewhere. OMG! They are TikTokers. Things people do for content. They head over to another room, probably the changing room and Kwanda turns. He frowns when he sees me but then smiles and steps closer.

“Khethi. What a pleasant surprise. How are you?” I hear the greeting but my eyes are stuck on his chest and abs. Hhayini. Why is he so sexy? “Hello. Earth to Khethy.”

I look up to see a smug look on his face. “I swear this is not the first time seeing a sex man’s chest.”
He grins. “I believe you. You’re here for your boss’s portrait and photo book, right?” photo book? There was no mention of a photo book but I nod and follow him as he lead me to what I assume is his office.. He takes a picture that’s wrapped in a brown paper and places it next to me. “I will help you carry this to your car.” He hands me an album and then puts on a hoodie.

“So that’s what you’re always hiding under the hoodie? Your nakedness?”
He laughs. “Something like that.” He walks me outside and whistles when he spots my ride. “This is all you?”
I smile and shake my head. “I might afford an electric car in three months time but not now. This baby belongs to my boss.”
“Damn. I am curious as to know how much you earn but I will keep my curiosity in check.” I giggle. He is cute. I open the passenger door and he carefully places the photo on the seat like an expensive painting. I guess it is priceless since it’s his art. “Would you like to go out tomorrow for dinner?”

I give him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I already have dinner plans tomorrow.”
“Shit. I guess it took me long to get over your beauty and get the courage to ask you out. But dinner doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off the market, right?”

I smirk. “I don’t know.”
“Can I have your personal number?” I extend my phone and he pats on his pockets. He curses inwardly when he comes up empty handed. “I left my stupid phone in the office. Do you mind taking my number?”

“Your loss, Mr. Gama. I guess this wasn’t meant to be.” I wink at him and climb into the car. Just as I am about to start the engine, my phone beeps. I check the message and I frown when I see an e-wallet of R10 000. It is followed by a text from an unknown number.

I can’t really ask you out on a date and expect you to look pretty at your own expense now can I?

Hunter though. Now he is putting pressure on me. Now I should do my hair, dress up and even do make up. Life was so much better when I was shagging Musongaka. Dating world is tiring and I’m not even halfway there.