BEGUILED

CHAPTER 11

I never really made friends at Mashaba Entertainment. If I wasn’t cooped up in Musongaka’s office, I was running errands for him. I never had time to socialize and I didn’t mind because I am not a friendly person. So it doesn’t surprise me that no one is throwing me a farewell party on my last day at ME. I have taught Thobelani the basics of the job. The rest, he would have to figure out for himself like I did. I pack the last of my stuff and look around the office for the last time. I am never coming back here, so this is the last time I will be seeing it. Mr. Mashaba Senior won’t even send me here because I am taking a senior position, meaning there are people below me who take orders not me. Musongaka walks in and stops at the doorway when he sees the box in my hands. He swallow hard.

“We don’t have to end what we have, Khethi. Being in different buildings doesn’t have to change anything.” He starts off and I just chuckle. Is he really that naïve?
“I am dating, Musongaka. I am in a relationship with a man who actually likes me for who I am. My status doesn’t mean shit to him. My weight, image or reputation doesn’t matter. He just likes me for who I am and I am grateful for that. I finally know what it’s like to be desired by someone in life and I am never going back. What we had has reached its expiry date, so stop holding on to the false hope that something might change.” This guy is delusional.

He frowns and steps closer to me. I am not going to shy away. Not today. I will face him with a straight face because he is no longer my boss. So I don’t give a shit about him. “Khethi, you are mine. I don’t give a fuck if you’re fucking the president’s son or prince. I can make him go away within a blink of an eye and have you right back to where you belong, on top of my dick.”

Hee. This one is really testing me, neh? “My life doesn’t revolve around you, Musongaka. I don’t exist just to please you. You are no royalty and I am not your subject. I needed this change. I need permanent distance from you. If I could, I would resume my duties in the UK offices just so I don’t have to bump into you. Please stop with your entitlement bullshit. You never loved or liked me. You just liked the idea of having easy accessible pussy that didn’t come with too much complications and strings. Now that’s over. Look for another no strings attached situation. Many ladies like that now, as long as you pay up. Good bye.” I take my box and carry it out of the office, along with my dignity. I have already said goodbye to my cleaner acquaintance. I get to the parking lot and as I load my box in the boot of my car, Hunter emerges from nowhere carrying an iced cupcake in his hand.

“My woman is antisocial. So I figured no one was going to throw her a farewell party. This is a starter for something small that I have planned for you.” He hands me the cupcake and closes the boot of my car. How can I not fall for this guy when he can wow me with his wealth and act like a lovesick teenager with no money at the same time? A cupcake? That’s so cute and so unlike him. I take a bite of it and moan immediately at the way the flavours explode in my mouth. “I bought six of those from some bakery in Berea called Enhle’s Sweet Tooth. It’s really that nice?” yeah, he doesn’t do sweet treats, ever. Downside of having the type of body he has. He maintains a very strict diet and hardly has a cheat day.

“That’s so cute. Thank you, and the cupcake is really nice. But I won’t eat all six of them at once. Maybe two now, and the rest tomorrow. Might share them with mom.”

He mods with a smile. “Can I get my kiss after you’re done romancing the sugar?” I laugh. Is he jealous of something he bought? I finish chewing my cupcake and kiss him, making sure he tastes the icing. He groans. “Eating sugar from your mouth doesn’t count as cheating.”

“Maniac.” I mumble and he chortles. “You wanna grab late lunch at my place? I am not much of a cook, but I can whip up something healthy for you.”

“All you have to do is invite me for a bite, not add all those unnecessary details, love. But it’s fine. Your small party will have to wait.” I blush.

“I am driving your car, though.” I extend my hand and he squints his eyes at me and finally gives me his keys after a few moments.
“One scratch and I will increase the number of rounds I need from you tonight.”

I giggle. “Don’t tempt me to smash your car on purpose dear wam.” I perk his lips and turn to twerk for him a bit before practically jogging to his car which is parked three cars away from mine. “IF YOU SCRATCH MINE YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY ME A MAYBACH BABY!” I hear his laughter as I slide into the car.

×××

When we get to my place, the first thing that takes Hunters attention is Namile, who is standing by the kitchen counter watching his every move. I head over to my steel friend.

“This is Namile, my latest creation. Namile, this is Mr. Hunter Pope, a friend.”
“HELLO, MR. POPE. ANY FRIEND OF CAT IS A FRIEND OF MINE!” Namile responds in her automatic voice and Hunter’s eyes pop out.

“Did you just communicate with a robot? Did that just happen?” he looks astonished.
I chuckle and nod. “I did say that I was a robotics engineer, so this shouldn’t amaze you.” He keeps opening and closing his mouth. He steps closer to Namile and touches my robot. Namile twitches and Hunter jumps up. I break into laughter. Namile does that whenever someone tries to touch her.

“What can Namile do?” he asks and I start explain all her features and uses. He nods with fascination and looks at me with this amazed look I have never seen before. “Do you realize how much of a genius you are? How the hell did you get stuck in Mashaba’s office? You should be on the Forbes list, not even living in South Africa. You should be in Singapore or China. Like babe.”


“Then you wouldn’t have met me.”

He chuckles. “Fair point. But trust me, you are only going to spend a few months at this senior position before I come up with something. You don’t belong here. Your work literally speaks for itself. By this next year, you’re going to be rich. Worth more than Mashaba, I tell you.” I laugh and he stares at me with a serious look. “I am not the type of man to be afraid of your success or anything. When you make it to the Forbes 30 under 30 list, I will be right there beside you, cheering for you and loving you. I don’t want you to look down on your potential because you have a lot of it and I will make sure you go places with it.” Wow. The only person who have motivated me like this is my mother. It feels good to know that another person believes in me in this way.