CHAPTER 29

I dragged my body to my car, my heart was too heavy to leave her in that way. With no answers whatsoever just a mere declaration of love. I drove off with guilt nibbling on my my mind.

Zama will have to forgive me.

I went to work and requested a to leave at two o'clock. I sacrificed my lunch break but I knew it would be worth the wait. I parked at Sol Plaatjie Primary School and patiently waited for that brat to come out. I waited right next to the gate with the scorching heat punishing me for my actions in advance. A little boy clad in green and yellow uniform walks past me with his eyes wandering around. The initial driver was taken car of by Buka. I just needed to look nice enough to not be suspected for kidnapping. I knelt down with a little smile on my face. Not too little to seem fake and not too much to seem creepy.

"Hi my name is Nkosana your father sent me to fetch you. Your driver, Kwanele, is a bit sick so that's why I'm here. Are you okay with that?"

"No" the little devils said

"We can call your father if you're unsure. I would totally understand"

"No"

"Then what do you suggest we do"

"Nothing"

The little cannot say a single word that does not have an 'n' and 'o' on it.

"We can buy some food and sweets and some sweets but you have to promise to not tell your father or else I'll get in trouble for not taking you home on time." I lied and the idiot's eyes brightened at that thought.

I pray my children do not become this stupid.

I smiled and walked him to my car. And put on some music as we drove while a kept him laughing with all my fake childhood stories. I also told him how his father and I met at school when we were eight. We stopped by a small supermarket to buy whatever he wanted.

I took a route that I knew was abandoned and pretended as if the car could no longer take us to our destination.

"Damn it the car is out of petrol." I grunted with fake frustration. Streaks of panick shone in his eyes and I had to assure him that everything was going to be fine.

"Let me notify your father so that we can get another to take you home. We can play games while we wait." I tried to convince him.

We sat at the backseat played car racing games. I also downloaded a spelling bee game to boost his disappointing IQ level. We there for about two hours. I wanted to get Fika worried. It was was half past four and I planned to take him back home at six o'clock. A car stopped by and a message was sent from Vuks. I opened the door and let him out. The most tricky part was convincing him to get into the other car without me. The boy had started trusting me but I really needed to get to work.

I ended up giving him a damn hug and a pinky promise. Not so long ago I wanted to kill his father. That family should really thank Zama for saving their bloodline. I was planning to kill anything related to a Cele, be it cat, dog or nanny. I didn't give two shifts. Mvelase, who was the driver, gave me an envelope with a few pictures of Musa and I. Musa, by the way, was Fika's child. I just did not think he was deserving enough to be called by name given his stupidity and his ability to completely trust a stranger. The child was nine, he is basically old enough to kill and he chooses to ignore stranger danger because of junk food. I had recently sent pictures to Vuks to print just to piss Fika off.

I took a pen and wrote on the envelope 'two can play that game' before instructing Musa to personally give it to his father. I shoved him in the car and waved him goodbye as the car drive off. Finally, a breathe of fresh air. My cheeks hurt from perpetually smiling. I got into my car and drove straight to work. I already sorted my supervisor out with a little payment.  I shall be eternally grateful to whoever introduced the concept of money. Where would corruption and I be if not for them.

My mood was lifted if I could I would blow a kiss to Jesus. Revenge does taste good. Every step I took had a certain bounce to it. I didn't smile though, my face was still blank as always but I still greeted everyone who passed. Most gave me of looks whole others had a mischievous glint in their eyes as they aknowledged my greetings. They probably thought I had sex. I would not clear their assumptions it was much better than the truth. How does one tell their colleagues that they skipped work to kidnap their girlfriend's brother's child. I clocked in with the supervisor and resumed work. I took an extra hour because Jacob called in late so I had to cover for him.

By the I was finished with work it was already 7 o'clock and really wanted to see Zama. I called my brother's to check on them while I was driving. They were staying in my house while everything was being replaced but I know for a fact my fridge would be empty by the time they leave. Music was blasting in the background and constantly screamed at me and asking my to repeat what I was saying. I feel sorry for every first born out there.

I drove in a literally jogged to he room. I knocked twice and she opened with a bit of suprise in her eyes.

"I'm sorry" I said to break the silence that had grown between us.

"I understand, you were upset." She dismissed as she walked away.

"But you did nothing to upset so I am sorry for dumping my shit on you." I continued.

"So what really happened yesterday, all I know is that it had something to do with your brothers" she said with her attention refocused on me.

It felt uncomfortable to be put in the spotlight for some odd reason.

"Someone broke into the twins' apartment. I don't know how because their security is great. Everything was upside down. The house was a mess but I'm just glad they were not there. They were at some club or party I don't really care. I'm just relieved that they're okay because I do not think I would ever forgive myself " I said with my hands in my pockets.

"It's okay" she assured softly. "Come here you big teddy bear" she cooed as I shuffled to her.

"Of all thing a teddy bear, Zama?" I questioned with confusion  etching my forehead as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"There is nothing wrong with teddy bears. They are soft and warm. They are good for cuddling and no matter how tough life gets, they will always be there for you" she said as she looked directly into my eyes.

"I'm not soft" I whispered into her skin as I landed series of pecked on her jaw and neck. I held her hands and put them on my biceps, "which part of this feels soft?" I asked in between peppering kisses on her skin.

"I meant in the inside you dummy" she giggled as she snaked her arms around my neck.

"Did you just call me a dummy?" I questioned with me my voice coming out deeper than intended. With no warning I devoured her lips. Her muffled moans hardened places that should in fact be soft.

My hands moved on their own accord as the moved from her waist to her butt and squeezed. I pulled away and nibbles at her earlobe. "Up" I whispered and she immediately obeyed my command. I held her waist as I lifted her body so her legs could wrap around my waist.

Zama held the sides of my neck as she caressed me with her thumbs. Our foreheads met and our eyes found one another.  To be seen and to be found are two different things. With her I was found, somewhere in the blurred complexities of life she had found me.  Our breathes crashed against one another as my eyes delved deeper inter her honey dipped orbs.

"Ngiyakuthanda Zamagcina"

"Ngiyakuthanda Nkosana"

Her left hand had then moved to my bearded cheek. Our intimate little bubble was, however bursted by a violent knock on the door.

"we Zama, awukhiphe lo mgodoyi wakho." I a loud baritone voice yelled.

Zama scrambled out of my hold as she walked back and forth. She was like a deer in front of head lights. Her eyes were dazed with fear. She scurried off to open the door.

A ferocious Fika stomped his way to me. His eyes were bloodshot and veins had engraved themselves on his skin. He immediately had his hands on my neck ready to take my life.

"You fucking bastard" he spat. I looked at him with no emotion as he tightened his grip on my neck. Zama was screaming her lungs out and seemed as if no one really cared.

After wasting all my patience. I fisted my hand and directed it to Fika's jaw. He staggered backwards as he tried to pull himself together. When he had straightened up a gun was presented by his left hand. The smug look on his face tells me he expected me to be scared.

An assassin being scared of a gun is like an accountant being scared of money.

"You know I didn't understand why no one wanted to kill you until I dig deep enough to know who you were. The famous Grootman" he sneered and laughed humourlessly. "So why are you here. To kill my sister as revenge or get close to her so you can get close to me." He accused.

"Fika please put the gun down" Zama begged with her eyes focused on the gun pointed sat me.

"Awuthole wena. Do you even know who you're defending?" He scoffed at her naivity. "A well respected assassin,  spills blood and then come back to fuck my sister. Must be nice." He commented with the gun kissing my forehead. "I'm sure you never thought that killing you would be so easy. It's just a matter of pulling the trigger and you'd say bye bye to Nhlonipho and Nhlakanipho. You didn't possibly think that I would let you go after the stunt you pulled. Kidnapping my son. And you thought you would get away with it. After that you come here and play husband to my sister. After kidnapping my son ubuya Uzo dlala imizi no sisi wami." He blabbered. "And wena wavuma ukuba isilima sakhe." He sneered as he turned his attention back to Zama. By then her eyes were bloodshot with her face soaked in tears.

No matter who you are if you mess with Zama you have a problem with me. Because my body is dumb and moves on its own accord like a damn octupus, my hands land a punch on Fika's nose.I was secretly aiming to crack it but it didn't. While he was distracted I turned his body around and choked him with my arm. I took the gun that made him think he is Jesus and tucked  behind me. I was playing a dangerous game because the gun was not on safety but I cared less. My arm tightened as I felt him struggling to breathe. My eyes met Zama's and I saw fear and disappointment in her eyes. That finally snapped me out of my trance. I took the gun that I had stolen and slammed it on Fika's skull enough to make him unconscious. When his body grew limb I tossed him on the side and went to Zama.

"Sthandwa sami, please listen. I can explain." I lied. I knew I couldn't, not then atleast. I could not just tell her I wanted to kill her brother for personal reasons but I did not want to any more. But I did kidnap her niece just to settle the score. No matter what way I said  it I would still sound like the villian.

"Get out!" she yelled and pointed me to my exit.

"Zama I never meant for this to happen and I was never using you" I reasoned.

"But you're not denying the fact that you're an assassin." She stated.

"I'm not"

"Then please leave before I call the police"

"I'm so sorry and I love you." I said before dragging my sorry ass out. Four men were waiting outside with guns. They were probably there for damage control. As soon as I walked out they all pointed their guns at me. "Just go and take care of your unconscious boss." I mumbled and went to my car. I drove to Vuks' house because I knew I would just pour my stress on them.

The house was not  even locked which infuriated me. That idiot was putting both him and myself in danger by being careless. I walked in to find him nursing a bottle of whiskey with 'too good at goodbyes' by Post Malone playing in the background.

"Wena, kwenzakalani?" I asked with annoyance. I was mostly annoyed because he looked worse than me which means I have to comfort him instead of him making me feel better.

"She is married. She's fucking married. All it took was for three weeks to fall in love. I know it's stupid, crying over a three week relationship. But actually started to love her. I did a background check on her before I fell too deep and guess what; she's been fucking married for three years" he wailed.

"Then just kill the husband" I suggested and a pointed look of disapproval was his response. I knew what he was going to say after that. "Are you going to judge me my whole life for that one thing? In my defence she looked unhappy in that marriage. I was just giving her a good time." I defended.

"You were twenty-four and she was thirty-seven. That's just disgusting. Oh and remember the time when you—"

"No, we're not doing that. I know what you're trying to do. You're dishing out my dirty laundry to make yourself feel better. Don't even start. I feel like shit too" I said while dumping my body in the sofa.

"What did you do now" he accused.

"She found out everything. About who I really am" I said with swatting the bottle whiskey in his hands. And gulping down its contents. I let the copper liquid burn its way down my oesophagus.

"Who told her?" He interrogated.

"Fika, she got the messy version of it. I cannot get over the disappointment in her eyes."

"Do you think she's ever going to forgive you?"

"I doubt, I wouldn't blame her either."

"Wait, let me sober up for this one. I think your life is way shittier than mine."

"Fuck you Vuks"

"Sengeze ini?"

"I know it makes you feel better to know my life is worse than yours"

"That it does" he admitted with no shame whatsoever.

It is at that moment that I realised that I needed better friends. I took a deep breath to somehow help me process the events oof what had happened. I closed my eyes and succumbed to an abyss of darkness. Maybe we were just not meant for one another.

Author's note

Hello guys. Long time no see. Grade 11 is no joke but we're trying I guess. Anyways I. Super sorry for not updating. It's holidays so I'll try my best to update as much as possible. I know you probably hate me by now. And I'm okay with that. I just want to finish this book as quick as possible so I can carry on with the second part. I love you all. Tell your father's happy father's day if you're raised by a single mother tell her too because she's been both a mother and a father. Please vote ⭐

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I am very open to criticism do do t be shy. Don't be too violent though. I hope you have a great day. Love you once again to everyone who's still reading.