THE INCARCERATED STRANGER

 

Chapter 44

 

RILEY 

She drives to the firm, music playing softly in the background. Pulling into the parking lot, she turns off the engine and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. Grabbing her bags, she heads toward the building, greeting her lawyer colleagues with a friendly nod before making her way to her office. 

She had earned this space as a reward for her hard work last year, and while it might not seem like much to others, having her own office as a lawyer brings her a sense of peace as she reviews her clients' cases.

Just as she settles in, her phone rings. She quickly pulls it out of her bag and answers. 

“Ms. Qwane on the phone, hello,” she says, trying to sound professional.

“Ayakha, my child! How are you?” a familiar voice replies.

“I’m okay! How are you?” she asks back, surprised but pleased to hear from him.

“I’m fine. You’re speaking to MANGALISO’s father, my dear,” Donga says warmly.

“Ohh, Mr. Mazibuko! Is everything okay?” She raises an eyebrow at the unexpected call from her boyfriend’s father.

“Everything is fine; relax! I’m only calling you as a lawyer,” he chuckles at the end of his sentence, and she can’t help but smile at his lightheartedness.

“Can we please meet up around 12:00?” Donga asks.

“No problem, Mr. Mazibuko. Please send me the location where we will be meeting,” she replies confidently.

“I will do just that. Thank you, dear,” he says before hanging up.

She breathes in deeply and exhales slowly, releasing the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Talking to her father-in-law is still challenging for her; she’s not yet as comfortable with him as she is with Mangaliso’s stepfather. 

As she prepares for their meeting, a mix of nerves and determination fills her. She knows that building this relationship is important—not just for Mangaliso’s sake but for her own growth too.

She gathers her notebooks, the ones she uses for jotting down notes as a lawyer during client meetings, just in case. Exiting her office, she heads to her car and drives to the café, the location Donga had sent her earlier. She plans to have lunch there.

Upon arriving, she finds a parking spot, steps out of the car, and walks into the café. Her eyes scan the room until she spots Donga seated at a table. Taking a deep breath, she composes herself and approaches.

"Mr. Mazibuko," she says as she takes her seat.

Donga greets her in return. 

"Thank you for coming, dear. I'll get straight to the point," he says. She nods, her focus sharpening as she listens.

"I want to ask you to be my lawyer," he states. She blinks, momentarily taken aback. Is he serious?

Donga sighs and leans forward.

 “I recently discovered that my personal lawyer has been conspiring with my sons. He showed them my will, and that led those ungrateful fools to try to kill me for my wealth. I no longer trust him or anyone else with my stuff, You were the only person who came to mind.”

"Are you sure, Mr. Mazibuko? You really want me to be your lawyer, even though I’m your son’s girlfriend?" she asks, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Donga chuckles warmly. “I’m certain. I know you’re a trustworthy lawyer, and I trust Mangaliso, my son, completely. I believe you can remain loyal to your client while respecting confidentiality. I’m confident you won’t share anything we discuss with your boyfriend.”

He smiles reassuringly, and she lets out a soft chuckle, nodding in agreement.

"Of course, Mr. Mazibuko. Thank you for trusting me," she responds.

"So, what do you say?" Donga asks, his tone expectant.

She nods with a smile.

 “I’ll gladly be your lawyer, sir.”

Donga smiles warmly. 

“Thank you, my dear.”

They order something to eat, and as they dine, they go over and sign the agreement papers formalizing her role as his lawyer. The arrangement feels surreal to her—being her boyfriend's father’s lawyer—but she pushes the thought aside with an inward chuckle as they continue eating and chatting.

During their conversation, Donga informs her of her first major task. “Next month, I’ll need you to represent me in court. Senzo and Mzwandile will be appearing for the first time.”

She nods thoughtfully, already mentally preparing for the challenge ahead.

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MANGALISO 

They just flew back to Johannesburg with Sage after a quick trip to meet with the overseas security company he owns. They left yesterday and returned today, ensuring everything was running smoothly at the company. 

The security firm is responsible for protecting important individuals in the country—people who hold significant positions and influence. He takes his responsibilities seriously, and this brief visit was crucial to ensure that everything was in order for their high-profile clients.

 “How about we hit the club before you head home?” Sage asks him. He nods in agreement.

“That’s a great idea! Tell the guys to meet us there,” he replies, and they make a U-turn toward the nearby club. Sage quickly texts the group to join them and shares the location.

Once they arrive, they order drinks and find a table. A few minutes later, the guys show up, and soon their table is filled with laughter and conversation. Music pulses in the background as they enjoy their drinks, creating an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.

He excuses himself and makes his way to the bathroom. As he walks, he can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching him. Glancing in the direction where he senses the gaze, he finds nothing but people enjoying themselves and having fun.

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, he continues to the bathroom, takes care of his business, and washes his hands. Afterward, he walks out of the restroom, but the sensation of being watched lingers. He scans the room again, but still doesn’t see anyone looking his way.

Shrugging it off, he heads back to the guys, who are still drinking and chatting. He joins them, trying to immerse himself in the lively atmosphere once more.

_

In a corner of the club, she sips her wine, her gaze fixed on him. He looks incredibly handsome in the clothes he’s wearing, more fit and beautiful than she remembers. It's true—beauty isn’t exclusive to women; some men possess it too. Mangi is one of those rare men who embody both charm and attractiveness.

She sighs, reflecting on how long it’s been since she last saw him. Her heart warms as she watches him smile and laugh with his friends, completely unaware of her presence. Seated in a spot where no one can see her, she feels an overwhelming urge to get up, go to him, and look into his eyes—the eyes of her lover, her first boyfriend whom she once loved and devoted herself to.

But years have passed since she has been mia from his life, leaving her wondering if he still holds any love for her. Will he accept her back after all this time? The questions swirl in her mind as she contemplates the possibility of rekindling what they once had.

She never died that day; she thought she was gone, but she wasn’t. The memory of the accident still haunts her. She recalls being in a car with Mangaliso, traveling together when another vehicle suddenly appeared out of nowhere and crashed into them. Their car rolled over, and that’s when everything went black.She woke up a few days later to the devastating news that Mangaliso was dead. The grief consumed her; she cried every night and day, unable to escape the pain. But eventually, she began to move on after seeing the video of his funeral. She started a new life with Mzwandile, building a future together for years.

Then, last year, everything changed when she learned that Mangaliso had been alive all this time.Anger surged through her—anger was an understatement! Mzwandile has even gone silent on her and their kids during this tumultuous time; she doesn't know where he had disappeared to. But in this moment, none of it matters. She has found her long-lost lover whom she was told was dead.Now, as she grapples with this revelation, her mind races with questions. How is she going to explain everything to him? How will he react after all these years? The uncertainty fills her with both excitement and dread as she contemplates the reunion that lies ahead.She sits there, the weight of her emotions presses down on her. Memories of Mangaliso flood her mind—the laughter they shared, the dreams they built together, and the love that felt so real. How could she have lived all this time believing he was gone? She imagines their reunion: the disbelief in his eyes when she tells him she thought he was dead, the confusion that would surely follow. Would he be angry with her for moving on? Would he understand that she had to survive, to find a way to keep going after losing him?Her heart races as she envisions walking up to him, the moment their eyes meet. Would he recognize her? Would the spark still be there, or would time have altered everything? She can’t shake off the fear that he might have changed, that he might not feel the same way about her anymore.Yet, deep down, she knows she has to try. The thought of Mangaliso living a life without her, while she grieved for him every day, feels unbearable. She longs to tell him everything—the pain, the heartbreak, and how much she had missed him all these years.As she contemplates her next steps, a mix of excitement and anxiety courses through her veins. She will seek out Mangaliso and face whatever comes next. After all this time apart, they owe it to each other to find out if their love can still endure.With newfound determination, she takes a deep breath and begins to formulate a plan. She needs to gather information about where he has been living and how to reach him. The journey ahead may be daunting, but the thought of reuniting with Mangaliso ignites a flicker of hope within her.

She knows it won’t be easy—there will be questions and emotions to navigate—but for the first time in years, she feels a sense of purpose. The past may have shaped her, but it won’t define her future. She is ready to reclaim what was lost and see if love can truly conquer all obstacles.

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