Unhinged Love

CHAPTER 49

I wake up and get ready to go to the farm. My brother is not happy with me. This morning, he just greeted and left after dishing up his lunch box. I am just giving him time to come around. I am not going to manipulate him or force him to see things my way but I am going to wait for him to come around. Hopefully, we will be okay before the launch. I drive to Empangeni where I pick up Buhle, the planner and then head to the farm. 

“At this point, almost everything is sorted. What is left is to set up for the guests that will be arriving. I will be picking up the pamphlets and menus tomorrow and make sure all the banners and backdrops are delivered before the day ends.” She updates me and I nod.

“And what about our guests?” I ask.
“All of them have responded. Only 5 have sent apologies and we have made sure to carter for the plus ones.”
“That’s good to hear. What about the media?”

“They have all confirmed. I also two food influencers. I couldn’t get Zamadonda because she has a food festival in Cape Town but I managed to get AyaDish and Fehmz.” I just love AyaDish. She makes the best cakes ever and she is located in Durban. I once attended one of her online classes and I recently bought her baking book. It is very informative and every baker deserves to have it on their collection.

That is music to my ears. She continues to give me updates and I am pleased by the progress. Honestly hiring the planner was the best idea we could come up with. Yes, we are business minded but events are not a joke. It takes a lot to organize them. That’s why there are people who study for planning and excel in their jobs.

We get to the farm and drive in until we park near the farm house. There is a four-bedroom farmhouse, also a warehouse 50 meters from the house where all the work is done. That’s where the offices are. The new farm manager stays in the house with his family but they are renting. Should I decide to do something to the house, I can evict them. I just love how homely the house is. I don’t have a rural home, so this could be one for me and my brother, but that’s a discussion for another day.

The previous farm owner was a relative of Babu Shezi but he was corrupt and I had no choice but to let him go. I made it seem as if it was Babu Shezi’s idea to fire him and sent him packing with a retirement package. He was not happy about that but there was nothing he could do. I promoted one of the farm workers who showed great leadership skills and so far, I haven’t received any complaints.

One of the farm workers see us approaching and comes to greet us before they lead us to the warehouse. They work so effortlessly and in harmony. They are chatting and someone is singing. Someone Is laughing loudly. One person passes us wheeling in crates of apples. They look so fresh. I am tempted to take one but I don’t want to seem rude or anything.

“MaNdiyema, what a great surprise.”

A voice makes me turn to the right and I see Sthembiso Mabuza, the new farm manager, busy weighing some of the fruits. I love a manager who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty. A manager that always stays in their office and pretend to do their work or go on TikTok is my lest favourite person.

“Mabuza. You are sweating like crazy. Have you checked your BP recently?” I ask as I move closer to him and he laughs.
“Sometimes you have to teach these young ones how it’s done. They think we don’t know how to do the job.” He responds and I laugh. He is such a calm and nice person.

“The planner is here to check on some last-minute preparations. Do you mind taking us to where the event will be?”
“Not a problem.” He washes his hands before he leads us towards the back of the warehouse. I greet most of the employees who are working. I don’t all of them by heart but I am familiar with their faces.