A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 28

Thelani

I could feel my entire body tense as soon as I saw Lucas's driver standing there as if nothing had changed. His black suit perfectly ironed, a pair of sunglasses hiding whatever expression he might have had. But it didn't matter. I knew what this was about, and I wasn't about to let him get under my skin.

"Mam, Mr. Mkhize would like to meet you," he said, as if this was just another day. "He said I should pick you up."

For a split second, I froze, the weight of the words sinking in. Lucas wanted to see me. Now?After all this time? He hadn't even bothered when I told him I was pregnant. Just... vanished. The man who had so eagerly promised me the world suddenly became a ghost. Now he sends his driver? Like I'm some sort of errand?

I shook my head, my voice rising before I could even think. "Tell him to go to hell." My words were sharp, like a slap. Fury built up inside me, flooding every corner of my mind. What did he even want from me? The audacity of him thinking he could just send his driver after ignoring me for months!

The driver didn't flinch. Of course not-he was trained for this. His calm composure only irritated me more. "Unfortunately, mam, I was given strict instructions to-"

"I don't care!" I cut him off, practically yelling now. My heart was racing, and I could feel the eyes of a few passersby starting to settle on us. I didn't care. If anyone deserved to be embarrassed, it was Lucas. He could send his army of drivers, guards, whoever-but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of crawling back.

I pulled out my phone, determined to leave this ridiculous situation behind. My hands were shaking as I called an Uber, the familiar anxiety bubbling up in my chest. I just wanted to go home. To be alone. To deal with my cravings in peace and pretend, for just a moment, that Lucas didn't exist.

The Uber arrived within minutes. A small relief in the chaos of my day. I climbed in, throwing a quick glance over my shoulder at the driver. He was still standing there, watching me like he expected me to change my mind. As if.

"Just drive," I muttered to the Uber driver, leaning back into the seat. The city passed by in a blur as I made a sudden decision. I couldn't go home, not yet. The thought of Lucas sending someone else after me made my skin crawl. I needed a distraction, something to keep my mind off everything.

"Take me to the mall," I said suddenly, my voice more confident than I felt.

I could practically hear Lucas's voice in my head, asking where I was going, why I wasn't running back to him like I always had before. My heart pounded, but I pushed the fear away, determined not to let him control me anymore. I didn't want him to know where I was. And right now, I had more pressing concerns-like the undeniable craving I'd been ignoring all day. McDonald's. I needed fries, something salty, and sweet-and-sour sauce.

The moment I got to the mall, I made a beeline for McDonald's. The smell of grease and fries filled my senses, and for the first time that day, I felt a small wave of comfort wash over me. I ordered my usual-extra-large fries, a burger, and a milkshake. The cashier gave me a knowing look, glancing down at my belly. I could practically hear her thoughts: Ah, another  pregnant teenanger with cravings.

I grabbed my food and found a corner table by the window, pulling out my phone. Scrolling through baby items online, I tried to focus on something that didn't make me feel like I was losing control. I needed more nappies ,a crib, maybe even a stroller. All of it blurred together in my mind. I couldn't even remember what I already had. It was hard to plan for a baby when half the time I felt like I was doing this all wrong.

And Lucas-ugh I just couldn't shake the thought of him. What did he even want now? After months of silence, why was he suddenly trying to come back into my life?

I stuffed a fry in my mouth, feeling the salt melt on my tongue. All I wanted was to enjoy this meal, forget about him, and pretend that I wasn't absolutely terrified of raising this baby alone.
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Lucas's perspective

I've had people keeping an eye on Thelani for months now, ever since she told me about the pregnancy. I needed to know that she and the baby were safe. After all, I was still paying for almost everything she did, but she wouldn't even acknowledge it. No thanks, no appreciation, nothing.

It's like she's completely blind to the lengths I've gone to for her. But I can't blame her. She has no idea about the strings I've pulled behind the scenes to make sure she's comfortable. I pay her tuition and her rent for the year, even took care of her medical bills. All because I didn't want her stressing while she carried my child.

But I had to stay away. When my wife found out about the affair, things became complicated. Lay low, keep your distance-I kept telling myself that. For months, I played the role of the dutiful husband, pretending I wasn't thinking about her every minute. But I couldn't tell Thelani any of this. She doesn't know what kind of position I'm in, what I'm risking for her.

I love that girl, and as much as it scares me to admit it, it's true. I never thought I'd fall for someone as young as her-hell, she's barely younger than my daughter.

I never pictured myself being with a 20-year-old. Not in a million years. And yet here I am, consumed by feelings I never imagined I'd have. I need her in my life. She's become an addiction I can't quit, no matter how much I try.

She distracts me from everything I hate about my life-my wife's constant softness and nagging, the chaos that Nkosikhona has brought to the family. After that whole ordeal, I needed an escape, something to ground me.

Then the guard called me today. Told me that Thelani didn't agree to come with him. Instead, she jumped into an Uber and went to the mall. Of course, I had him follow her. I've made it clear to everyone involved that she's never left unguarded.

I need to make sure my boy is safe, that nothing happens to him. And I'll be damned if I let her wander off, pregnant with my child, and risk being seen with another man. I trust her, I do, but there are too many eyes on us. The streets talk, and I need to make sure the whispers don't get back to me.

Apparently, she's been craving McDonald's a lot lately. It makes me smile sometimes-the thought of her sitting in that fast food joint, devouring fries like she's at a five-star restaurant. It's strange how these little things have become so important to me. Two days ago, I found out she's carrying a boy. My son. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, everything shifted. The boy changes everything.

An heir. My heir.

Duduzile? She's not interested in my business. She's obsessed with art, wasting her time painting instead of focusing on what really matters. It's nonsense, really. And Nkosikhona... well, he's dead to me now.

Locked up for a crime that brought shame to our family, and honestly, I want nothing to do with him. He's a disgrace. So that leaves Thelani. She's the one who's giving me a son, an heir to carry on the Mkhize legacy. This boy is going to inherit everything I've built-my companies, my wealth.

And because of that, I need to make things right with her. She deserves more than just some side arrangement. I've been thinking about it for weeks now. I need to marry her. I don't care what anyone says-my wife, society, none of it matters anymore. This boy needs a father who's present, who can protect him. And I won't let anything stand in the way of that, not even her stubbornness.

I'll make her see reason. She'll understand. I'll give her everything she needs-security, a home, a family. All she has to do is accept. And if she won't? Well, I'll find a way to change her mind. One way or another. Or I'll just take the baby from her and raise him but I will never acknowledge her as his mother ,the choice is hers, really