Cursed To Be A Stepdaughter

Chapter 24

Simamkele's pov:

I was so nervous. I've done practicals,yes, but this was my first paycheck. I made sure to kiss Chloe before I left. The babysitter has already arrived. She'll only be starting school next week. I walked to the Centre which wasn't as far. Taxis just made me think of- you know what? I'm not about to ruin my whole day thinking about irrelevant people.

"Sanbonani" I said to a bunch of taxi drivers that were standing outside a quantum. Some started whistling

"Awu dudlu mama,umlungu omnyama madoda" one of them said

"Ngicela ukubuza iyiphi itaxi eya etown?" I asked and they seemed amused. Did they think I couldn't utter Zulu?

"Only after I get your number" the one with the cigarette said. I shifted uncomfortably

"Ngingakusiza sisi?(can I help you sister?)" a young boy-looks 18 or around there- asked me

"Yebo,ngicela ama taxi aya etown(yes,can you show me the taxi that is going to town)" he showed me and I thanked him leaving those drivers complaining. I entered the taxi and greeted the people that were there. It was almost full so I sat behind the drivers seat. We left immediately when the taxi was full. I opened my phone to be welcomed by Goodluck messages from different people,from my friends to my family. I replied to all of them,thanking them of course. To my displeasure the taxi driver was playing loud music,early in the morning. I didn't have ear phones so I had to listen to the loud RnB songs playing.

"Cela ukusala ka left" I said when I saw the building. I had done a lot of research about this place and the surrounding areas. Carter Developers. I got off the taxi and the street wasn't as busy as I thought it would be. I walked into the huge building with glass doors. Whoever did the architecture for this building did a damn good job. I follow the signs until I get to the reception desk. My heels clicked against the tiles and I felt my heart beating out of my chest. People were walking past me,going to the elevators. I stood in front of the receptionists' desk and smiled

"Hi,I would like the HR's office please?"

"Floor 5,second door on your left" she said and looked back at her iPad.

"Thank you" I said quickly walking away. I stood with two other people waiting for the elevator doors to open. I held on tighter to my handbag as the elevator doors opened. We entered our designated floors on the screen and the elevator moved upwards. Nobody spoke to the other on the elevator and that made me scared,what if they're not welcoming. I was the first to get off the elevator at floor 5. I walked until I got to the second door on the left. 'HR MANAGER' it was written. I knocked before entering. He looked up from his desk.

"Ms Browns?" he asked

"Yes" I nodded

"You may have a seat,a pleasure to finally meet you" he smiled. He seemed to be in his late 30s. I smiled back while taking a seat.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Mr Nxumalo"

"There isn't much work for you today,you'll just be getting settled into your office,fixing a bit of paperwork and I'll get someone to show you around" I nod while he calls for someone on the same floor. A young lady walked in shortly after. She was introduced as Nombuso. Nombuso showed me around the building,everywhere except where I wouldn't be required to go. I thanked her as she showed me my office and left. My office wasn't huge but it was spacious. I loved it. It looked a little boring but I was willing to change that. I sat down and browsed through the files that Nombuso handed to me.

I heard a knock on my door. "Come in" I say and Nombuso walks in. She is a beautiful dark skinned girl with short hair.

"Hey,it's lunch now,let's go to the cafeteria if you don't mind obviously" she says