Cursed To Be A Stepdaughter

Chapter 28

Simamkele's pov:

The others have made their way in and now I have to walk in with Chloe,she's the flower girl. I look back at Snothando one more time,I'm so proud of her and she looks so pretty. Mr Sangweni is also looking nice. I haven't seen the other one we won't mention. I take Chloe's hand

"Are you ready baby?" she nods her head excitedly. We walk on the red carpet,there's a man playing the harp. There's so many eyes I think I'll faint "the petals baby" Chloe starts throwing the petals that she's carrying in her basket all over the red carpet. I watch her smiling,she's grown up so much. I see mom and Olivia at the front,with the family. Hayibo. I hear a couple of  coos as we finally reach the front. Her grandma calls her over and I stand in line with the other girls,but at front. My braids are tied in a high ponytail and I did my edges darling. I chose natural makeup,the eyelashes are long but not that long. Our bridesmaid dresses are black but mine is different from the other girls. The grooms maids are wearing suits along with Michelle. I hold my bouquet as everyone turns back to watch Snothando enter. The camera man is everywhere but he's not the only one,there's another one outside. I can't see Ndabe anywhere or his friends. I don't even know why I'm still looking for this man. Musa and Nkosi are playing with Chloe.

The wedding proceeded and it was really beautiful. They had to sign the marriage certificate. Oh also,boo wants to move to South Africa. Snothando was so annoyed,her whole life is in Cali,well not really but yes. She said it's probably her dads doings. I called Chloe over as we were making our way out for pictures. Caesar and I walk out with Chloe hand in hand. We follow the photographer where we're supposed to take pictures

"He better be here for these pictures" Snothando says fanning herself talking to Musa

"We'll make sure he's here" he says before he and Nkosi scurry off. I see Ibenathi and go greet her with a hug. We start taking pictures,with the bride and groom,with our partners and individually. Chloe was in almost every picture. The photographer now wants the family. Snothando tells him to start with close friends and relatives. That means someone is missing. It's got to be Ndabe. I leave Chloe with Ibenathi to go to the kitchen. I ask if they're fine and nothing is going wrong,everything seems to be alright. I walk back to where the pictures are being taken. The family photo is now being taken. There he is,wearing a black and white three piece suit. He got his brush cut renewed. He looks gorgeous. I wonder where Chloe is,but I don't panic,Snothando made sure there's enough security. These heels are killing me. I go stand with the other bridesmaids. I ask them to take individual pictures of me with my phone

"I also want to be in the pictures" I roll my eyes at him. The girl's squeal

"Come" I say. He puts his hand on my waist and we both smile. So fake. I look at him and he looks back at me "why are you smiling?"

"Because you're smiling" Yesterday I realized that I can't be mad at Ndabe for not wanting a relationship because he never really said anything about getting into a relationship with me. I laugh hitting his chest. He turns me to look at him,both his hands on my waist,my hands on his chest. We look at the camera and the girls are going crazy. I spot Thabang looking at us

"That's enough" I say and he lets go of my waist "see you around I guess"

"Oh you don't want to talk?" he asks confused

"About what?"

"Sima we're friends,we talk about anything" I shrug and he says his goodbyes. Sam and Lilly give me a disapproving look

"If you don't want him,I'll have him" Amanda says seductively. Lilly and Sam give her the look. She can have him,I smile at her.

"Hi mommy" Chloe says holding my hand as people are going into the hall sort of thing,where the speeches will be made and food will be served. People are settled inside now and we have to dance our way in. Chloe goes in front,dancing like a white girl because she is. The bridesmaids and grooms maids follow in behind her. Caesar and I are really great partners,she's really funny. We dance laughing here and there until we get to our seats. Chloe comes to sit on my lap. Snothando and Michelle dance their way in and I take a video,they look so cute. They finally sit down and the MC starts the program. From the table I'm sitting at I'm looking directly at Ndabe from the table he's sitting at. He's sitting with all his friends and they are having a party of their own. Mr Sangweni is also with his friends and their wives. At a further table I lock eyes with a stranger. A stranger that contributed to my daughters life being formed. I quickly look away holding my baby closer to me. My heart races,I haven't seen him in five years.

"Can we please have Mila for the friends of the bride" the MC says. Caiphus song by AKA starts playing and I stand up,Chloe follows me. I hold her hand until we get to the podium. The music dims a little

"Sanbonani" I say looking through the crowd and people respond "I've known Snothando and Michelle well over five years now. To say their love is beautiful is an understatement,their love is one of a kind. I really hope you guys carry on loving each other as you've done the past years. I look up to you guys" I say looking at them and we laugh,they know what I mean. I wink at them "as much as we're your friends Snothando,you have boo now and everything has to go through her first. I'm wishing you all the best on your journey and yeah" the crowd claps and I laugh at myself for that attempt. Chloe takes my hand as we get off stage. The song starts again. Soon it's time to eat. I dish up enough food for Chloe and I on the same plate. We sit down and eat together as songs play. The conversation around the table is really interesting. I wipe Chloe's mouth with a serviette. My eyes wander off to him again and I catch him staring. What is he doing here?

Everyone starts dancing and I take Chloe outside to take pictures of her.

"Blow a kiss for mommy Chloe" I say and she does smiling and giggling. I put her hair into a high ponytail because she wanted a hairstyle like mine but it was too late to take her to the salon.

"Simamkele" I freeze at the sound of his voice. I turn to look at him and Chloe hides behind me like she always does when she sees someone she doesn't know. Why would she know the father that abandoned her and I?
"She's mine?" He asks looking at Chloe who's now playing with rocks.

"You don't have a child with me" he looks at me "your child died when I was in a cell after you kicked us out"

"Simamkele please" he says. He looks older and hotter but that's not the point "I'm sorry for what I did to you and our baby,I'm sorry but please let me just talk to her for a little"

"Chloe" she looks up at me "come here baby" she skips to me and holds my hand "this is your daddy baby"

"I have a daddy?" she asks scanning him. I nod with tears burning my eyes. I never thought she'd get the chance to do this

"Yes,look at his ears,they're exactly like yours" she giggles and Lukhanyo smiles. She lets Lukhanyo pick her up. They hug each other. Ndabe,Musa and Nkosi walk out. They all look our way when they see us but carry on walking.

"Are you in school now?" Lukhanyo asks Chloe

"Yes,my teacher said I'm so smart that I'll be in big school next year. Where were you all this time daddy?" Lukhanyo looks at me and then back at Chloe

"Daddy is really sick Chloe,he's been in hospital" he says putting her down. Lukhanyo won't let go of her hand "please give me a chance to be her dad,this might be my last" he says and my memory comes back little by little,he has cancer

"The cancer is getting worse?" he nods staring at his feet. He kneels down and hugs Chloe again. Mnisi walks towards us,he looks confused and furious at the same time. Lukhanyo stands up.

"And then?" Mnisi asks looking at me and then at Lukhanyo,who is wiping his tears and holding Chloe for dear life.

"This is my daughter" he says looking at Mnisi who is looking intently at Chloe

"How sure are you that she's yours?" He asks folding his arms

"I know she is" he says giving me his phone "your number" I type in my number and give his phone back "I'll text you,send me your account number. I'll send enough money to cover school fees,transport and some groceries"

"Iheeeh wonders never cease to end" Mnisi says chuckling

"You don't have to do that,I've got everything under control"

"I know,I can see that but we made Chloe together,I'll be part of her life from now on,emotionally and financially. Thank you for giving me this chance"

"Please don't go ghost on her,she gets attached easily" he nods looking at the time on his wrist watch. He opens his arms for a hug and I hug him. Will he die? Is the cancer getting that bad? He surely does look like he's sick now. I don't want Chloe to have a relationship with him and then he dies,but is it not better that way?

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