3

THE ARRANGEMENT

THREE ~~

Fezani is inside. We are booked on the upper level with an exceptional lounge area, spa area, gym area, a mini Bar. Two bedrooms and a look alike office for work. A mini kitchen too. I can only dream of this

Five years after raising Fezani’s child then our contract will end. Hopefully I will get my due diligence and move back home. Capetown has proved to hate my presence.

Okay.. It's suddenly windy, tjo. Capetown weather is a nightmare! I miss KZN.

I wrap a towel on my bikini, wiping myself dry then head inside. I head inside, to my bedroom. It shouldn't be a surprise that we don't share the same bedroom. This is an arrangement. Fezani needed a woman he could trust, a housewife to raise his 8 months old baby and I needed protection from Zoro. He came exactly at the right time, when I was lost and waiting for that man to do whatever he saw fit.

“You love water?” I gasp, why is he sneaking up on me! I turn, there he is. Sweating like crazy, what a Greek God temptation is this? Qina mfazi, this man is mine on paper only “I didn't mean to scare you.” His voice reminds me to resume my journey.

I nod, smile and walk away leaving him behind. I'm proud of myself. I first take a long ass bubble bath in this gigantic bathtub. Then I video call Thandiswa

“Aibo mfazi, enjoying much. I wish I could be you right now” She says, I can see from the background that she is at work. Thandiswa is a waitress. She stays with her fiance, we are in the same apartment building. That's where we met.

“How I wish you were also here with me. The things we'd do in this place. It's so amazing and out of this world!” I tell her

“Where is your fake husband?” Of course she knows the truth. I tell her

“Somewhere. I don't know. I'm just enjoying solo activities. Tomorrow I'm going shopping, then walk on the beach and maybe a spa solo date” She sighs

“At Least you are having a holiday of your dreams. I'm happy for you. Just make sure you never fall for him Snazo. So that it can be easy to walk away when the time comes” She is the most caring soul.

“Don't worry. There's nothing to fall for. I'm just going to enjoy being pampered. Being free, not worried about work and money. I'm definitely going to gain weight I tell you” I giggle as I tell her. I've been a size 32 since grade 12.

“I can't wait to see that transformation. Anyway I gotta go babe. Enjoy and don't miss me too much” I blow kisses as we hang up.

The rest of the week is pretty much solo for me. I hardly see this Fezani and that's good enough for me. If there is one memory I'd love to relieve for the rest of my life, it would be my stay in this hotel. The food is just on another level.

We drive in this mesmerizing triple story house just as the darkness swallows the day, it's Friday evening. I've never been to this part of Cape Town, Camps Bay.

If there was ever a time where I doubted God, I apologize because I'm definitely going to be living like a rich housewife from now onwards. Do we have the real housewives of Cape Town? I'd like to sign up The lights in the yard just makes this feels like a mini heaven. I can't stop my eyes from scanning what I can

He parks in the garage and looks at me. “Welcome to our home” he states “For the next five years. Thank you. Your house is really amazing. Can't wait to see what's inside” I can't ignore the smiles all over my face.

“There are two women staying in the house. Thabitha is a stay at home nanny for my son, Ayabonga. She will now go back to her house since you are here and will only come during the day when you need her. Then there is Tuesday, she is the house helper. She cooks, cleans, wash and anything that is needed in the house. She can also go back to her house and sign in three times a week depending on how much you might need her”

I nod in understanding

“Your sister?” He did mention he had one sibling.

“You will see her when she comes back from her endless night outs” he sounds defeated as he says. I hope we will become best friends.

“I have another son, Qhawe. He is 16 years ” Hhu?

“You didn't tell me that” bombs already

“He stays at a boarding school in Durban. He doesn't like me much. During school holidays he prefers staying with Bheka than me” Bheka is his friend if I remember correctly

“Why?” I ask

“Stubborn and thinks I'm a bad father. Let's go inside” I'm sensing a bitter feeling. We get off the car, I take my handbag He takes my bags, not all of them though. I did a lot of shopping.

My mouth hangs open. I want to admire this exquisite interior of this house but maybe another time. The lounge area, dining and a kitchen is downstairs, an excellent open plan I've ever seen.

There are two women seated in the lounge, on the couches that look like they can buy my life in a snap.

They quickly stand up as they see us Fezani does the introductions. They look like my mother's age. Baby Ayabobnga is said to be sleeping. He tells them that I'm his wife and things will change regarding the stay in but promise that their jobs are safe.

Then he leads me upstairs. This is a master bedroom, no questions asked. Everything is big, amazing and masculine. I think he notices my face full of questions because he turns to me and says

“Welcome to our bedroom. Wife” Hhu?

“Our?” I need to confirm

“Yes. I'm going to take a shower. I'm hungry too” he says, opening the door. It's a huge walk in closet. He vanishes with my bags.

When he comes out he is in nothing but boxers. Good Lord? How is this going to work? “Uhm…I'm confused. I was under the impression that we'd use separate bedrooms. Like we did on our honeymoon” I'm amazed by the level of tolerance I have considering what is in front of me.

“Honeymoon has many expectations, including sex so I didn't want you to feel like I was taking advantage. But in this house, we stay together, sleep together. Don't worry, I don't bite” He says this like it's the most sane and easiest thing. Good Lord, please intervene.

I'm in the kitchen, luckily there is fresh cooked food. I only warm it up and dish up for the husband of five years. Now I realise how I didn't think much of this situation.

He comes downstairs in pyjamas, the two women are out of sight. I take a seat opposite and watch him eat up. I'm not hungry “Fezani, can I ask you something?” He gives me his full attention

“What time do you wake up for work? I want to set up an alarm so I can make you breakfast and prepare lunch for you” His eyes, they kind of sparkle.

“I wake up at 5, work out for an hour and leave for work at 7.” He says

“Great, I'll set an alarm for Monday morning ” He gives me that specific stare that gives my heart palpitations

“Now ask me the question you wanted to ask” He says strictly

“I don't know if sharing a room will be good for our arrangement” I tell him

“The contract stated that we are the husband and wife, meaning we do anything a married couple do” I blink

“Anything?” I question

“Yes. Anything you are comfortable with” he says

“That means if you are uncomfortable with sharing a bedroom, I can move out until you are ready” Oh…

“It's okay,” I say. I don't even know why, but maybe it's better that way. Maybe.

“As long as you are comfortable.” When he is done eating he leads me to Ayabonga. He is fast asleep, such a cute baby. I'm drawn. We watch him together for a while then head back to the bedroom.

I take a shower too, wear my pajamas in the ensuite then return ready. He is already in bed, scrolling on his phone. I get in bed, a bit further away and lay my head on the pillow, back facing him. The bed is so comfortable and big

“MaNgcobo” He says, why am I suddenly maNgcobo?

“Yebo”

“Don't fall off the bed. Good night” No, I won't fall. “I'm not a child. I have 25 years of experience sleeping on the bed” I say, feeling offended.

I'm in deep sleep, slowly turning to change position, rolling over. My sleepy brain registers too late that I'm at the edge of the bed as I try to fight but I'm sent tumbling out of bed landing on the soft carpet. This did not happen! I quickly try to sit up but he is awake instantly. Its not dark, outside lights are illuminating inside and I can see his face. I took down the whole blanket with me. The stupid blanket is heavy!

“25 years of experience, come back to bed. I'm cold” I can't believe he just said that. Nx! I hate this man.