Chapter 1
“So tell me about him. When are you guys going on your first official date?” Londy says and I roll my eyes while I continue stuffing my face with this delicious bunny chow. I take a sip of my juice and look at my best friend who is forever curious. “Come on Dee, you have to give me something. Anything to hold on to. Please.” I just laugh.
Mpisi tried to phone me after the restaurant accident to arrange up a date, but I just ignored him. He even dispatched his personal assistant, who made arrangements for me to visit a spa. Of course, I went since who wouldn't take advantage of a free spa day? I don't believe I'm ready for a relationship. Sure, I'm in need of some TLC and sex, but there are so many people who would be disappointed if I pursued a relationship with him, and I'm simply not prepared for the backlash. I've been ignoring him for a month, but he refuses to give up. He gives me money, gifts, gift cards to spas and clothing and food stores, and pretty much anything that a male would buy for his girlfriend. He simply refuses to take the hint.
“Just leave me alone Londy. I don’t wanna go out with him.”
“But why?” she does that pouting thing that Yamihle does when she wants something and you are refusing to give it to her.
“I don’t want to. Isn’t that reason enough?” she shakes her head.
“Unfortunately for you, I know you friend and I know you like him very much. What is it that you are afraid of?” I huff and sit back.
“My parents, in fact my entire family, is apprehensive about dating outside our race. Tristin may not have told you, but he battled tooth and nail to keep you in his life. They even tried to hook him up with a couple of white girls, but he stood firm in his desire for your affection. Mpisi is an older black man. My family will undoubtedly believe I have gone insane and will undoubtedly execute an exorcism on me.” she looks shocked. I guess it is the Tristin part. Shit. She wasn’t supposed to know about it.
“When did that happen?” gosh. Why did I open my big mouth?
“Londy please. This is in the past. They like you now and they have accepted you. Please don’t ask Tristin about this because he made me swear not to tell you.” she sighs and stands up. “Londy come on.”
“I need some air.” She heads out. Tristin is going to be so pissed on me, but I can always blame it on the hormones. Yeah, that would do the trick. I take my phone out and quickly call Tristin. He answers after a few rings.
“Hey D. can’t talk right now. Call again later.”
“No. this can’t wait. I may or may not have blurted to Londy about mom and dad setting you up with white girls just to get rid of her. Just a heads up.” I quickly hang up and within a matter of seconds he calls back. Didn’t he say he was busy? But who is going to answer this call because it ain’t me. I stand up and tidy up my desk. I might as well go home because I am going to be bored without Londy at the office.
I grab my belongings and leave. I get in my car and head to the shopping center. It's time to put one of Mpisi's vouchers to use. A voucher for Woolworths Food. In addition, I'm desiring various ice cream flavors. As an apology, I'm also going to acquire a tub for Londy. When I get to Woolies, I load up my trolley with fruits and other delights so that I won't be condemned for buying too much ice cream. I then proceed to the frozen foods section. I start with Londy's absolute favorite flavor, Italian pistachio ice cream.
I then take cookies and cream, triple caramel, stracciatella and Belgian chocolate flavours for myself. I go pay for my grocery and head out. While searching for my phone in my bag, I bump into someone with my trolley. I quickly look up.
“I am so sorry for that. I am so clumsy. Please forgive me.”
“It’s nothing to worry about Miss.” The man in a black suit says.
“MOMMY!” a tiny voice shout and before I know it, I am nearly knocked to the ground. I look at this creature who has mistaken me for her mother and my lips automatically stretch out into a wide smile when my eyes land on Ahlelelwe Mpisi. I stand up straight and hug her. “I thought I would never see you again.” God these hormones, now I am tearing up. I quickly wipe them before Ahlelelwe can see that I am crying.
“I am so sorry for ghosting you my love. Mommy has been so busy and very sick lately. But I promise I will make it up to you.”
“How about taking me out for lunch?” the man in the suit chuckles. I then realize that it’s her bodyguard.
“Is that okay with you?” I ask him.
“Mr. Mpisi doesn’t have a problem with you hanging out with the princess, so it’s okay.” He answers so professionally. I remember his surname. It’s Mr. Mngadi.
“Okay then. Let’s go grab something to eat angel.” I push the trolley and Mr. Mngadi quickly offers to push it. We walk by Truworths and the princess gushes over the dress that is on display. I know I am going to regret this but she is looking so cute right now. “Do you wanna go inside?”
“Yes mommy. I just want that dress only. It would look so pretty on me.” she says patting her afro, causing me to laugh. She is such a drama queen.
We enter and she goes insane when we reach the category for females aged 8 to 14. Well, this impulsive purchasing won't deplete my bank account because I'll use the money her father provides me from time to time. She takes a pink jogging dress, two linen shorts, an A-line skirt, two t-shirts, and a printed pinny set. We then proceed to pay. Truworths is ridiculously pricey. She then drags me to Toys R Us and forces me to purchase a Rose Gold Amplify Sports Athletic Series Fitness Watch. Thank goodness I wasn't compelled to buy dolls or anything like that. The princess, it appears, is a sportswoman. I'm out of breath as we walk out of the store.
“I could’ve warned you.” Mr. Mngadi says and I laugh.
“Next time, please do.” he also laughs.
We take a stroll to McDonald's. I chose it since you don't have to wait long for your food, and I know the princess will be playing in the play area. She dashes off to the play area as soon as we finish ordering, as expected. I take a seat at one of the open tables, and Mr Mngadi takes the seat across from me. I don't know what to say to him, so I just play with my phone. Our order has finally arrived, and the princess has returned. She approaches me and rests her head on my shoulder. She's adorable. I can't help myself from taking a couple selfies with her. At night, I'll definitely deliver them to her father. When Mr. Mngadi's phone rings, he rises and moves a few steps away from us to answer it. I assume it’s Mpisi, probably asking where Ahlelelwe is.
“Hhee phela we mommy, this other night dad came home with this other woman. She just said ‘I am your new mommy’ and I told her that I already have a white mommy. You could’ve seen the way she shouted at daddy. She even left at night. Yoh.” Ahlelelwe tells me and my eyes pop out. So the bitch ass nigga has been entertaining bitches and he even has the nerve to bring them in front of the kids. She is doing those dramatic gestures including the dramatic clap. I am pretty sure she would’ve placed her hands on her waist if she was standing.
“What did your father say about her being your new mommy?” I investigate.
“Dad wasn’t interested in anything she had to say. He just gave her-her things and told Bab Mngadi to drive her home.”
“Has there ever been any other female friend that your father has brought home the past month?”
“Another two before the self-appointed mommy. Well the other two didn’t introduce themselves, so no drama there.” OMG! Buy a child a meal and they will tell you all you need to hear. When I see Mpisi, I want to squish his balls. He can't keep it in his pants any longer. He's busy courting me, but he's also occupied with these other ladies. He irritates me greatly. Ahlelelwe, on the other hand, talks far too much for her age. When I was her age, I don't recall being this nosy and outspoken. Mngadi returns to the table and resumes his meal.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yes. Mr. Mpisi was just asking where we are because we should’ve been home by now. But I told him the princess ambushed you for a girls’ afternoon out and he didn’t have a problem with that.” he says and I laugh at the ambushing part. But she did ambush me.
We finish eating and just as we are about to head out, we bump into Mpisi at the door. Ahlelelwe jumps into his arms and I walk past him without even greeting him. He holds my upper arm and places Ahlelelwe down after kissing her forehead. He pulls me to the parking lot and encircles my waist with his arms.
“You look so beautiful wifey. Our baby is doing wonders to your beauty.” I roll my eyes and look aside. I am so angry at him for cheating on me. Well we aren’t together but he is courting me, so he has no right to sleep with other women. “Why have you been punishing me this past month? Do you know how miserable I was without seeing you?” He asks as he rests his head on the crook of my neck and begins kissing me softly. My body is reacting to his affection and touch. I'd like to confront him about his cheating habits, but I'm not sure a parking lot is the best place to do so.
“I am tired right now and I just wanna get some rest.”
“We can go and rest together at my house.” I am tempted to say ‘where all your bitches sleep’ but as I promised myself, I am not about to cause drama in a parking lot. Especially in front of Ahlelelwe.
“Maybe some other time.” I remove his arms around me and I feel the void the minute they are not around me. He looks at me in disbelief.
“What do I have to do to prove to you that I wanna be with you?”
“We are not about to have this talk in a parking lot Ndabe.” He smiles. Probably because this is the first time I have called him by his name. I walk to Ahlelelwe and hug her. “I will see you soon angel. Probably this weekend. Maybe we can have a girls’ day out, neh? And a sleepover at my place afterwards.” She jumps for joy.
“I would love that mommy. I can’t wait to spend more time with you. I can just imagine the fun we are going to have. Tshedza is going to be so jealous of this.” I frown and she notices my confusion. “She is my older sister. Anyways I love you mommy. See you on Saturday.” She hugs me once more and then walks to her father’s car. I sigh, turning to Mpisi.
“She is such a great kid.” I say.
“And her happiness amplified when she heard you were going to be her mother. Please don’t disappoint her.”
“Don’t use your daughter to get to me Mpisi.” I walk away and Mngadi accompanies me to the parking lot where I parked my car. He packs my groceries in the boot and then closes it.
“Have a great evening Miss.” I smile.
“Thank you.” I climb inside the car and he walks away.
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#DakotasSecondChance
#MyKnightSeries
