A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 13

Thelani
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As we sat down, I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. Tears welled up in my eyes and began to spill over.

"Lucas, thank you," I said, my voice trembling. "I really don't know how to thank you..."

"It's nothing," Lucas replied with a soft smile. "This is only the beginning. If you promise me you'll be a good girl, more will come."

"Uh... okay. Thank you so much," I managed to say, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease swirling inside me.

"No problem, baby. We should get you some groceries, but I'll leave that to you. I'll send you money so you can buy anything you want to make this apartment feel like home. I'm rushing to a meeting now."

"Okay, thank you. But what about my things at res?" I asked, still trying to process everything.

"I'll take care of that tomorrow. I'll come back later for dinner, so cook something nice, okay?" He kissed me on the forehead and left, leaving me alone with a whirlwind of emotions.

Sitting in the beautiful apartment, I couldn't believe this was real. It seemed too good to be true. I hadn't even slept with him yet, and he was already doing so much for me.

Then, a notification interrupted my thoughts. It was an alert from my bank-R25,000 deposited into my account from Lucas. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"What!?" I exclaimed, feeling a mix of shock and excitement. "I could get used to this..."

With a newfound sense of determination, I requested an Uber and headed to the mall for grocery shopping. Lucas had asked for a nice dinner, and I was determined to impress him. "Of course, I'll go on YouTube and find some recipes," I thought. "He's a rich man; I can't just cook pap and wors for him."

As I walked through the aisles, I felt empowered. For the first time, I could indulge without worry. But beneath it all, a small voice reminded me of Mbali's words and the potential cost of this newfound luxury.

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### At the Mkhize Residence

Mary Mkhize sat at the dining table, her heart heavy with worry for her son. "We need to go see Nkosikhona, baba," she urged, looking across the table at her husband. "I know he did something that almost ruined our family name, but he's still our son."

Lucas Mkhize's face hardened, a deep scowl forming. "I no longer have a son," he declared coldly. "I told you, Mary, if you want to go see him, consider yourself dead to me too!"

"But Lucas..." Mary pleaded, her voice breaking. "What if our boy is innocent?"

"Innocent, my foot!" Lucas scoffed, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand.

Mary's eyes filled with tears. "You know he's always been a sweet boy. He was focused on building his tech school. Why would he kill Ayanda, knowing very well it would ruin his life?"

Lucas slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "You know what, Mary, you are starting to frustrate me now," he snapped. "I have a late-night meeting. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Late-night meeting again?" Mary asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "Are you cheating on me again, Lucas?"

"Oh please, woman!" Lucas shot back, his patience wearing thin. "I said I'll see you tomorrow. I don't have time for your insecurities."

Mary watched him leave, her heart aching with a mixture of anger and fear. She sat alone in the dimly lit room, wondering how everything had gone so wrong and if she would ever see her son again.