A WEB OF DECEIT ✔️

chapter 34

Nkosikhona

I'd been watching her for a while now, learning her routine. Work, then home-always the same, like clockwork. It made things easy for me, too easy. Today was different, though. It was a weekend, and she wasn't going to work. I parked outside her complex, waiting, hoping she'd step out.

After what felt like hours, she finally emerged. She looked breathtaking in an orange dress that hugged her body in all the right places, her hair flowing down her back like silk. I watched as she got into her car, and I started mine, trailing her carefully enough that she wouldn't suspect a thing.

She drove to the mall. Perfect. Maybe today, I'd finally have a chance to talk to her. I followed her inside the store, keeping my distance at first. She moved gracefully through the aisles, picking out groceries as if she had done this a million times. Then, I saw her reaching for something on the top shelf-struggling a bit. She was too short to grab it.

This was my moment.

I quickly stepped forward and grabbed the item for her, handing it to her with a smile.

"Thank you," she said, smiling back at me. Her eyes were warm, soft. I could get lost in them if I wasn't careful.

She started to walk away, but then she stopped and turned around. My heart raced.

"Wait... do I know you?" she asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to place me.

I scrambled for a response. "I don't think you do, ma'am," I said, trying to sound casual, but inside I was panicking.

She tilted her head slightly, still trying to remember. "No, I've definitely seen you somewhere before... Oh! That's it! I saw you at The M's parking lot! You helped me with those files."

Damn. She remembered.

I forced a laugh. "Oh, right! Yeah, that was me. Small world, huh?" My laugh sounded a bit too nervous, so I quickly changed the subject. "I'm Nkosikhona, by the way."

She smiled, the kind of smile that made me want to melt into the floor. "Thelani," she said simply.

What a beautiful name. "Wow, that's a unique and gorgeous name."

She blushed slightly. "Thank you, Nkosikhona. Nice to meet you. I'm just here doing a bit of grocery shopping."

"Oh yeah, me too," I lied, glancing at my empty hands. "Just here for an energy drink."

She chuckled, her smile making the lie worth it. "Well, it was nice meeting you. I should probably get back to it. I've got a guest coming over later, so I need to hurry."

As she started to leave again, I blurted out, "Wait! I was, uh, thinking about grabbing some lunch after this... would you maybe want to join me?"

She hesitated for a moment, glancing at her cart. "Lunch sounds nice, but maybe next time? I really do have to rush home."

"Bummer," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. I smiled to keep it light. "Well, maybe I can get your number, and we can plan for that next time?"

She looked at me for a moment, her eyes searching mine as if weighing her options. Finally, she smiled and said, "Sure."

I grinned as she took out her phone and exchanged numbers with me. This was it-the moment I'd been waiting for.

"Alright, Nkosikhona," she said, her smile still warm. "I'll catch up with you sometime."

"Looking forward to it," I said, trying not to sound too eager. I watched her walk away, my heart racing.

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