Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 65

Its been a few weeks since me and Lucas teamed together to make deliveries. Some he does on his own and others I do on my own as well, but when we do some in neighborhoods we don’t know, then we go together. It feels good to finally have someone to talk about this shit with. James himself is happy about the moves we are making. We even found someone who will buy from us. So we bought a key from James and sold it for R500k, the guy was actually surprised we were selling cheap, he even thought that we were stepping on it, but I explained its just the Price I’m selling at, its 100%.
He nodded and that was end of the discussion. Now I’m in James office delivering his cut of the money.
“Yo can I ask you something?” I ask sitting at the coffee table.
“Sure Don” he says sitting down, handing me a glass of whiskey.
I thought I wouldn’t but after I finished my Grade 11 exams, he just offered one day and I said yeah, so once in a while I accept a glass, but never finish it, because he never finishes his.
“Why 300?” I ask.
He smiles, and nods, “There are 2 of the 7 Deadly sins I hate the most, Greed and Gluttony, the others you can make excuses for: Lust can lead to the craving of Power. Pride can lead to confidence. Envy can lead to hard work. Sloth can lead a deep appreciation of time. Wrath can lead to a sense of Justice” he says, I nod, “But Greed and Gluttony” he shakes his head, “Every way you can try and spin it never leads to anything good, it always leads to you wanting more, you end up taking more than you bargained, and that’s when you make mistakes. The reason I sell at 300 is because its easier to manage, it keeps me afloat, my businesses make me a lot of money, but sometimes there’s leaks and some leaks need plugging this shit just helps plug the leaks” I nod.

“You remember that brick you sold me?” he nods, “I sold it for 500” he raises his eyebrows surprised and excited, “It just felt wrong” I say.
James leans back in his chair, swirling the whiskey in his glass as he processes what I just said. “Felt wrong how?” he asks, his tone curious but measured.
I shrug, looking down at the glass of whiskey in my hand, “I don’t know, man. It felt like I was taking advantage, you know? Like... I get why you sell at 300 now. It’s fair. Straightforward. But when I sold at 500, even though the guy didn’t complain, it felt like I was being greedy. Like I was already breaking your rule without even realizing it.”
James smirks, his eyes narrowing slightly, “Don, let me teach you something. There’s a difference between greed and knowing your worth. You sold at 500 because that’s what the market allowed. You didn’t twist anyone’s arm, did you?”
I shake my head, “No, the guy was cool about it. Thought it was stepped on, but I told him it wasn’t.”
“Exactly,” James says, pointing his glass at me, “You didn’t lie. You didn’t cheat. You played the game, and you got paid. That’s not greed—that’s business. But…” He pauses, leaning forward, his expression more serious now, “You see the moment you start thinking you’re untouchable? That’s when greed creeps in. That’s when you start taking unnecessary risks, cutting corners, thinking you’re smarter than the game. And trust me, the game is smarter than all of us.”
I nod slowly, letting his words sink in, “So… you’re saying it’s not about the number. It’s about the mindset.”

“Exactly,” James says, raising his glass slightly, “Selling at 500 isn’t wrong if you’re staying sharp, keeping your head on straight. But if you’re doing it just to show off or to chase some fantasy of being the biggest, baddest dude on the block, then yeah—you’re walking straight into trouble.” I take a sip of the whiskey, the burn in my throat grounding me, “That makes sense. I just… I don’t wanna mess this up, you know? For me, for Lucas. We’re finally building something, and I don’t wanna lose it.”
James nods, his expression softening slightly, “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, kid. You’re thinking ahead, and that’s more than most people do at your age—or at any age, really. Just keep that mindset, and you’ll be alright. And don’t forget—this isn’t a forever game. You stack your cash, you play it smart, and you get out before the game decides it’s done with you.”
I lean back, exhaling deeply, “Yeah. I hear you.” I say, I stand up, “I gotta head out”
“Ay stay dangerous” he says, I dab him up.
I start walking, “Did you buy those slacks and Oxfords?” he asks.
“Yeah” I nod.
“Alright good, tomorrow we gotta party we need to attend” he says heading to his chair. “Which, tomorrow, this tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yeah, what you got plans?” he asks.
“Yeah, I was supposed to hang out with my girl” I say.
“Man how you gonna be a business man, if you can’t go to business parties?” he asks.
“Yeah well, you sprung this on me, right now” I say.
“Ah come on man, I need my number 2” he says.
“Number 2?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’m Batman you Robin” he says.
I think about it, “Yerrr James you killing me bro” I say, rubbing my forehead.
“Check, I’ll make it up to you, and this girl, I just need you there” he says, “There’s gonna be a lot of players, there, OK, big time people, Tycoons, shit you still Seventeen but I’m sure you can walk out with some deal,” I nod thinking and listening, “I just need you there for a few hours, I promise I will have you back by 5pm” he says.
I sigh, “You better make this up to me” I say.
“I got you my boy”
“Aight I’ll see you Saturday” I say walking to the door.