Salinda I woke up a little optimistic today. I showered and wore my long black high waist pants and wore my black polo neck and tucked it in and added a red belt and wore my red heels and took out my black and red handbag and took out a red coat. I combed my hair in a sleek updo with a neat bun and wore silver hop earrings to give my face that dramatic look than applied nude lipstick and and no make up. I must say i looked lovely. I took my briefcase and handbag and left knocking on my brother door to wake him up. I got to the kitchen to find Ray and chris having cereals I took an apple to nervous to eat. Chris: woah sis looking stunning Me: thank you Ray: you not eating? He looked at me up and down Me: nope to nervous plus I dont want to be late. I kissed they cheeks and left to the garage and took my white Yaris that chris brought me and drove to Khuzwayo enterprise. I got there and sat in the underground packing and had my fruit and a bottle of water and left going to the entrance. It was just after half 8 and my meeting was at 9am. I walked into the building and it was buzzing with professional looking people. I got to the receptionist. Me: Salinda Smith for Mr Khuzwayo . She buzzed the phone and told me to go to the last floor on the elevator and I did to find another receptionist there who walked me to a boardroom that was filled with all kinds of breakfast assortments to choose from. I made myself green tea to help calm my nerves. After awhile and my second cup Mr khuzwayo walked in looking all kind of handsome in his full grey suit and white shirt. He looked all powerful as an aura of success filled the room. I calmed myself once more and looked at him as he made himself Rooibos tea with no milk and sugar just plain. He sat down. Akani: My apologies for making you wait Me: Its okay gave me time to set up. Then they was an awkward silence. Akani: The reason I asked you here is not to pitch your idea to me or try to win me over to work with your firm. That took me off guard. I looked at him with questioning eyes. " well I don't make it a point to out source my business, I want you to come work for me." I looked at him stunted and I guess I was speechless since all I could do was to just stare at him as he was drinking his tea with so much ease and calm after dropping a bomb to me. Me: I dont know what to say. I finally mumbled. Akani: Well I dont need you to say yes now but atleast think about it. I nodded as I closed my laptop defeated and all of a sudden I was just super hungry. I got up and took two muffins and made coffee and sat down and ate. The room was in silence both of us in our own thoughts. It wasn't awkward nor a forced silence. Me: To think I had a whole pitch planned on what am going to do for this company. I spoke aloud my thoughts and I was shocked to see iv spoken out loud. He smiled showing a dimple and looked at me. Akani: I dont usually do this but can I ask for a favor? Me: Yes Akani: Just enjoy your breakfast, stop thinking for a second and just be present in this moment. Forget about your pitch or Mr Giba. Just relax and enjoy the moment right now, just two people who were to eager to see each other that they skipped breakfast and now here we are. That really made me smile genuinely and he looked at me satisfied. " by the way you looked amazing" I blushed and he really smiled. The room was back to being silent and we ate. With my thoughts running wild.

Zumbu I was doing my monthly checks on the business when one of the guys I have at Connerstay Hotel in Sandton came to me after his late night shift. Me: Sho ntwana Him: Hi boss... I just thought you should know that at room 215 we have a really dodgy guest and they are people going in and out of there who look scary. He handed me the phone as he showed me of the pictures that he has taken. I sent the pictures to myself and started on a search to find out who they are. I went to the safe and gave him 1000rands. Me: keep your ears and eyes open while I find out who they are and what they here for. He nodded all happy and left. I left the system running doing it background checks on the pictures.

Salinda I was really dragging going to work today, what on earth am I going to tell Mr Giba. I entered the office and went straight to my office to start work and just after I finished setting up Mr Giba receptionist calls me in and I slowly make my way to his office. I got there tho find him sitting by his desk punching on way on his keypad. Mr Giba: Your face tells me you didn't represent me well Miss Smith. I stood there not knowing what to say. " remember our conversation?" I nodded. He opened a draw and took out a cheque. "It like I knew that you will disappoint, take your cheque and leave immediately " i took the cheque and went to my office. I packed my things and went in my car and sat there waiting for the tears of frustration to come but nothing. I drove to the gym to do some kick boxing just to let out steam and when I was done I went home. I got there found the house empty. Went to the phone and called Mbali. She answered in one ring. Mbali: Chommie, are you sick? Why are you hope at this hour? Me: I got fired Mbali, I got fired because I didnt bring a client over. The one time I had a client to win. Mbali: hang tight sisi ill come with wine and the girls after work. I love you Me: I love you too. I hung up and did some spring cleaning just to keep my mind and body busy. At around about half 5 I took a shower and changed into leggings and a baggy Top and my long socks. I let my hair lose than went to the kitchen to prepare light dinner for the girls. And prepare snacks when I was done I was sitting by the lounge going through the Tv channels when the girls Mbali, Nokuhle and Zindani came in and through they heels by the floor. I dished out for them and they ate while I told than everything that has happened leading up to me being dismissed. We are now having wine and eating chips. Me: I don't know what to do right now, i hv to work to keep my mind busy. This was the first time that am actually drinking and I must say I like the fuzzy feeling am getting. Zindani: well maybe you should take Akani offer ? Me: I cannot work with my crush, what will i say or do? Nokuhle: I knew it... i knew it you liked him... she was jumping up and down Mbali: Hawu kanti ube nama doubts, we knew it long ago( did you have any doubts) Zindani: Well maybe you wont be working to closely with him? Maybe he needs you for something else? She tried being optimistic but I wasnt feeling it. I drowned my glass and poured another one Me: Mbali now I know why you love wine so much. The girls laughed we drank some more. Me: They something I need to tell you girls. The all looked at me Zindani a bit concern since iv never drank this much. " I was married before and the guy used to abuse me to the point where I had no friends hence that why I don't have a cellphone cause I fear his out there and he might use it to track me down and kill me" they looked at me not shocked I figured they knew all along and just wanted me to tell them. Mbali hugged me. Mbali: we here for you babe, your family with us and a hot crush who will do anything for you and brothers who can protect you. Nothing will happened to you, you need to take charge now and stop giving him power to control you. Live your life to the fullest and if his out there let him see you shine. Let him get frustrated that you living your life to the fullest without him. I was in tears and so were they. They hugged me and we drank some more and they left. I sat by the couch for some time trying to absorb what she said and she was right. It time I live my life the way I see fit, first things first am going shopping tomorrow morning and a phone is amongst those things. For now Lemmie look for Akani business card and tell him am taking the job.

Akani The guys came following each other not looking good at all. Me: and than why the long face? Mpendulo: I had plans with Mbali today and she ditched me for your girl Me: my girl Mzo: Salinda dude, apparently they need to cheer her up after she had an awful day at work. Something about being fired for not landing a big client. Me: oh. The guys looked at me with questioning eyes " Yini?" (What?) just than Simo walks in. Simo: Yazi Akani ngathi uzoba ikinga shame( its seems like you will be a problem) Me: What did I do? Simo: Its date night tonight and my wife had to cancel because your girl was fired because of you. Me: aybo how you know it because of me? Simo: you the only client she was meeting today and she was fired for not being able to sign a client, you forget I have a team following her. Everyone turned to look at me with questioning eyes. Me: Am not saying anything. I went to order the spur ribs n buffalo wings combo. We chilled for a few hours than they left and I cleaned up than went for my international conference with the cartel for an hour once done I went to have a shower than came out to find my phone ringing. I picked up. Me: hello. They was silence and a little breathing on the other end. I looked at the number and I knew it was Salinda calling. " hello" i said again and this time they was a sigh. Salinda: Hi... she finally said Me: hi Salinda: I was wondering if the job offer is still available? Me: yes it is Salinda: When can I start? Me: Monday if you can Salinda: Yes I can thank you. Me: my pleasure. They was silence again. Salinda: am going to hang up now. They was some shuffling but the phone never hung up than I heard some sounds of throwing up. " oh gosh, why did I let Mbali drown me in alcohol" they was more throwing up and some growling. I never hang up. I think she thought she hang up. I checked my notes for her address. I got dressed took some meds and drove to the garage and got some water and some fresh mints and yoghurt. I drove to her place and found only her car parked which means she was home alone.

Salinda I was throwing up the wine after hanging up on Akani, good thing this wine decided to come up after my call. I made my way to the kitchen and they was a knock by the lounge, i walked there and checked to find Akani standing by my door, i tried to brush my messy hair and to look alive but failed. I opened the door and he stood there with a fresh and Go plastic looking all fresh with his sweatpants and hoodie. Me: Hi Akani: Hi... he smiled at me and I nervously smiled back at him. " I got you these" he showed me the plastic as he handed it to me. I took it and looked in to find meds. Just what I wanted and needed. Me: Tha... I ran to the bathroom to take out the last of my meal, he came in and held my hair as I vomited my guts out. When I was finally done he picked me up and placed me on the couch. He gave me water and on pill to swallow. I smiled at him and he walked to the bathroom and cleaned up my mess. After a while he came and my head was feeling heavy. Me: Thank you. He smiled and I felt myself slowly drift off.

Akani I stood there watching her sleep. Than I heard the car pull in. After awhile one of her brothers got in and was shocked to find me here. I guess this is the doctor. Me:Hi Him:hi Me: Akani Khuzwayo, Salinda friend Him: Chris her brother. He looked at his sister and found her passed out and looked at the meds and glass then looked at me Me: She had a little to much to drink and couldn't handle it Chris: That weird she never has more than a glass. Coffee? Me: No thanks I should be leaving was just dropping off the meds. Chris: oh Thank you. He adjusted the phone hanging up. I moved to the door and left driving home with a smile on my face. Iv been doing that a lot because of her. Smiling and I must say it feels good. I like it. I drove home with her on my mind how she looked with her hair in a mess... her leggings holding her tight tinny ass. How she felt in my arms. All fragile yet strong and soft. How her right breast was rubbing against my chest. I looked down to find the little guy up and smiled as I parked to go take one more shower. A cold one this time.