A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 12

Short..

Thelani
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As Sonto walked in, she dropped a bombshell that left the room in tense silence. Mbali was beyond shocked.

"Since when do you have a blesser, Thelani? You're sleeping with old men now?" Mbali's voice was sharp, cutting through the air.

Thelani felt a wave of shame wash over her, the judgment in Mbali's eyes piercing through her defenses. "Mbali, you know my struggles. I was just-"

"Just trying to what? Take shortcuts?" Mbali interrupted, disbelief and disappointment lacing her words. "Thelani, I've known you all your life. I never thought you'd stoop this low, sleeping with a married man."

Thelani's heart sank. She felt a mix of anger and guilt churning inside her. "I didn't plan for it to be like this," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sonto jumped in, her voice defiant. "You think you're better than her just because you choose the long way in life? Stop confusing the girl. She's living the life she deserves!"

Mbali turned to Sonto, her eyes blazing. "Oh, you're a fine one to talk!" she spat, her anger boiling over. Without another word, she hurried out, the door slamming behind her like a final verdict.

As the echo of the door faded, Sonto turned to Thelani, her expression softening. "You don't need her, Thelani. Let's see what you bought! Is that Louis Vuitton? You've hit the jackpot!"

Thelani glanced at the designer bag, but the excitement she once felt was now overshadowed by a gnawing sense of regret. She wondered if she had indeed gone too far, questioning the choices that led her to this moment.

---

Thelani was lost in thought, replaying Mbali's words over and over in her mind, when her phone rang, jolting her back to reality. It was Lucas.

"Baby, I'm outside. I have a surprise for you," he said, his voice smooth and inviting.

Curiosity piqued, Thelani hurried downstairs and slipped into his sleek car. They drove off, the city lights blurring past them.

"Listen, Tee," Lucas began, his tone serious. "I don't like fetching my woman at a student residence. I'm a well-respected person, and this could make the media speculate if someone whispers that they saw me."

Thelani's heart fluttered at the word "my woman," but there was an edge to his voice that made her uneasy.

"So... with that said, I got an apartment for you."

"An apartment?" I echoed, shock and disbelief coloring my voice. "What do you mean, an apartment?"

Lucas smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes as he drove into a luxurious complex. "Come," he said, gently taking my hand and leading me inside.

As we walked through the door, I was in awe. The apartment was breathtakingly beautiful, every detail exuding elegance and comfort.

"It's yours, baby," Lucas said, watching my reaction with satisfaction. "Fully furnished. If you need anything changed, let me know."

"It's... it's mine? Are you sure?" I stammered, overwhelmed by the gesture.

"Yeah, I own this apartment, and you'll be staying here for the duration of your degree."

A mix of excitement and anxiety bubbled up inside me. I couldn't believe it. This was beyond anything I had imagined, yet a small voice in my head whispered caution.

"No... I can't accept this," I protested, feeling the weight of the gift.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," Lucas replied, his tone firm yet reassuring.

"Lucas... I... I don't know..." I trailed off, torn between gratitude and the nagging sense that I was crossing a line I couldn't uncross.

His gaze softened, and he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Trust me, Thelani. I just want to make things easier for you."

I nodded slowly, my mind a whirlwind of emotions, as I stepped into a life that seemed like a dream but felt like it came with strings I couldn't see.