A WEB OF DECEIT

chapter 65

Thelani

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The house, once a place of comfort, now felt like a cage. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind against the windows, made me jump. I was constantly on edge. The incident last night had left me feeling exposed, vulnerable.

I woke up early and made myself breakfast, trying to establish some semblance of normalcy. As I sat at the kitchen table, staring at my uneaten toast, I heard the front door open.the  footsteps were quick, purposeful. I looked up, expecting to see Nkosikhona, but instead, he walked in with a man dressed in a sharp black suit and dark sunglasses.

The stranger looked intimidating-his posture rigid, his expression unreadable. I swallowed hard, feeling a pang of unease.

Nkosikhona, noticing my discomfort, quickly walked over to me. "Baby," he said with a reassuring smile. "This is Mazibuko. He'll be your bodyguard from now on. He's here to make sure nothing like what happened that night ever happens again."

A bodyguard? The word alone sent a shiver down my spine. I looked at Mazibuko, who stood there like a statue, his gaze unflinching. "Nkosikhona, do I really need a bodyguard? This is... a lot."

"Privacy, baby, is secondary to safety," Nkosikhona replied, his voice firm but gentle. "I need to ensure you and our baby are protected. He'll be with you all the time. It's necessary."

I felt a wave of frustration. "So, he'll follow me everywhere? Even to my meetings?"

"Yes, love," Nkosikhona said, his eyes earnest. "I want to keep you safe. Mazibuko will be discreet, and he'll answer to you. Don't worry about him."

The thought of having someone shadow my every move made me uneasy. I understood the need for safety, but the lack of privacy was overwhelming. And it wasn't just that-there was the looming shadow of Lucas. If Nkosikhona knew the full extent of my past with him, it would complicate everything.

But before I could voice my concerns, Nkosikhona took my hand, his expression softening. "You know, I was thinking... maybe we should get married today. We can discuss the ceremony later. I just want to make sure this baby is born into a marriage."

"What?" I stared at him, unable to process his sudden declaration.

He took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and determination. "Yes, baby. Let's go to Home Affairs right now. I can't wait any longer. I want you to be Mrs. Mkhize."

The suddenness of his proposal took me by surprise, but a part of me felt a rush of relief. Getting married today would mean Lucas would be out of the picture for good. Even if he tried to interfere, I'd already be legally tied to Nkosikhona. The thought of finally closing that chapter of my life was comforting.

"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nkosikhona's face lit up with a grin. "Really? You'll do it?"

I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Yes, okay."

Without missing a beat, Nkosikhona scooped me up in his arms, lifting me off the ground in a bridal carry. His excitement was palpable as he spun me around, the sheer joy in his eyes making me smile despite my anxiety.

Mazibuko, standing off to the side, watched the scene unfold with a robotic indifference, his posture unchanging. It was as if he was there merely to fulfill a duty, not to participate in the moment.

Nkosikhona's enthusiasm was infectious, and for a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to be swept up in it. I clung to him, feeling a mix of exhilaration and trepidation.