Chapter 6
Leona:
I can't stay in this room forever. I have to be strong, I'm sure it won't hurt that much when I see them together.
So you do like him?
No, I don't.
Yes, you do.
No, I don't.
Yes, you do.
Okay yes, I do.
Finally, now go and tell him.
Tell him?
No, bad idea Leona.
I'm hungry, I'll go downstairs.
I must not fall in love with him, soon I'll get married to mum's choice.
Why is this happening to me? When I choose to like someone, then he is married.
Forget about this. You must just live your life and don't forget your promise.
"Hey, Princess is here", I roll my eyes and sat down.
"I'm not a Princess, Landell. Lord I'm starving", I dish out for myself and started eating. They made a green salad, with roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, and sliced tomatoes. Nice one!
"Hey slow down, Lee. The food is not going anywhere", but I'm hungry.
"See if you don't slow down you're going to choke. How many times have I told you not to skip your meals?"
"I'm hungry and Eric, you have told me many times", I carried on eating, it's good that they have spoken a word, or I would have started feeling sad.
"Lee, must I give you more?"
"Yes please V. I didn't have breakfast and lunch, so I'm extremely hungry", she smiles, dished out for me again.
"If you eat too much you're gonna get fat"
Is he serious? I mean, doesn't he have anything better to say than judge my eating habits? Handsome bastard!
"Listen, I'm very hungry. And I won't get fat by eating this small meal. I'll burn all the calories later. Me getting fat doesn't concern you in any way Doctor!"
Acting like I'm his model girlfriend, who needs to watch her diet! Stupid!
"It does concern me. You're going to be my..."
Carry on. Please carry on with that sentence, please. I need to know, what I mean to you.
"I'm done eating. Baby, I'll be in my room. Goodnight guys", I looked away as he kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight Leona", I mumbled a goodnight and carried on eating.
Stop this Leona! You are your mother's pride. What you are feeling inside is bad, it's a sin.
"So how are the preparations going?"
"The preparations are going great Lee, everything is well planned. Tomorrow we are going shopping", V said excitedly.
"That's great, so what flavor is the cake?"
"Leona we know that you like vanilla cake so we ordered vanilla for you and carrot cake for the guests. Leona your party is going to be lit", even Landell is excited.
Why are they excited when I'm no longer excited. He is here and he is romancing his wife, doesn't he feel anything for me?
I don't even want to celebrate this birthday anymore, but I won't let my friends' hard work go in vain. I'll pretend to be happy, for their sake.
"Are the waiters warned not to bring alcohol near the birthday girl?"
They smile and looked at each other. What is happening? Are they planning something?
"Relax Lee, everything is planned out. This is your party, we will not ruin it for you, we assure you", Tristan thanks for the assurance but I know how you all behave when you're intoxicated.
"Lee, as your first present, we decided that we are not going to have any alcohol at the party"
Really?
"Wow thanks, guys", I know that's a lot, they can't resist alcohol. But if that's what they want then I won't stop them.
"Okay guys, we are done eating. Goodnight, let's go baby", we said goodnight, and Tristan and V left.
"I'm also tired. See you in the morning guys. Goodnight", he kisses my forehead and Jessy's
"Goodnight Landell", he walked away
"So Eric, how is business?"
Jessy! You shouldn't have asked that. You know for a fact that Eric doesn't like talking about the business, ever since his father removed him from his CEO position because he was careless.
"The business is doing great, thanks for asking. I'm also done, so I guess it's a goodnight", we both said goodnight and he also walked away.
"Jessy, why didn't you tell me that you and your ex-husband are back together?"
I know I shouldn't have asked that, but I can't help it.
"We are not back yet, but we are trying to fix our broken relationship"
Right! You are just trying.
" Good luck with that"
Must I tell her that I have a crush on her husband?
Stop this Leona!
Mum didn't raise me like this. She taught me to always think about others.
Stop these feelings! They will ruin your friend's marriage. You're a good girl.
"So what time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"Ten in the morning"
She can't be serious? I will be sleeping by that time.
"Maybe I'll not go", I don't feel like going
"No, you have to come. Goodnight darling", she kiss my forehead before she left.
I don't like waking up in the morning, and I don't like staying away from my mum. Let me call her.
I dial her number and she answers after four rings
"Hey mum", I miss her
"Hello darling, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine mum, I just miss you"
"I also miss, but then why are you not coming home?"
"Because mum, I have a job"
"Okay, but I need you to come back home next month"
"Sure mum I'll try and come back", must I tell her about my feelings for a married guy?
No! I don't have feelings for him. I'm just confused.
"Aphile, what's wrong? Tell me"
"Mum, my friend needs advice, she doesn't know what to think or feel, she says she is confused, she thinks she has feelings for a married guy", I can't tell mum know I'm talking about myself, she knows that V has a boyfriend, so she will think I'm talking about Jessy.
"Your friend is just confused, and she needs to clear her confusion. There is a difference between love and lust, maybe she is just feeling lust towards the guy. Do tell her that it's a sin to destroy someone's marriage"
"Yes mum, I love you"
"Please tell me when you are ready to get married, the groom's family is waiting for your answer"
Marriage! I hate that word!
"Not now mum, I have a lot to do"
"Tell me when you're ready, for now, go and sleep. I love you baby"
"I love you to mum, please greet the family on my behalf"
"Yes of course. Goodnight"
~
I fell with this, and gosh my tummy is paining. I can't stop these tears from falling down my face. I am having my periods and V didn't pack my pads. What to do?
The door opens and someone came in. Did I wake them? I wonder who it is between Landell and Jessy? The lights turn on and there he is.
What is he doing here?
"What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be cuddling with your wife?"
I don't want him here!
"Leona, what's wrong? Why are you crying! Was someone here! Did they do something? Did they say something? Answer me!" I flinched and swallowed hard, who would come here? What will they say? Why is he even concerned about me?
"Answer me!" Why is he shouting?
"You won't understand", why can't these stupid tears stop coming out?
"Then make me understand!"
"I'm having period pains", I bit my lip to stop the pain. It didn't work! The pain is worse.
"You are having your menstrual cycle now?"
Why so many questions?
"Yes and V didn't pack my pads", I wonder who packed my toiletries.
"I will go and ask Jessy or V for pads", he was about to go when I stopped him.
"They are both on birth control"
"Then why are you not on birth control?"
"Because I'm a virgin!" I shouted at him, he is making me frustrated.
He looks shocked.
"How old are you again?"
Is that the question to ask when I'm in pain? Foolish handsome guy!
"I'm twenty-five and you?"
"I'm twenty-seven"
"Now if you don't mind, can you go to the pharmacy and buy me pads?"
"I'll go, but first I'll make you a hot bath", he disappear into the bathrooms and came back after some minutes
"Come let me help you to the bathroom"
"Thanks but I can manage. Just go to the pharmacy!" Gosh! He is annoying!
"I'll be back", he walk out the door and I helped myself to the bathroom. I undressed and went into the hot water.
I don't know how many minutes passed and I was still in the water when I heard my bedroom door open.
I guess he is back. Thank God, he didn't take long.
"Here are your pads", I got out of the water and dried myself. I slightly opened the door and placed my hand forward, he placed them in my hand and I pulled my hand back inside and closed the door.
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Love Nqobile Aphile