When Anathii finally arrived at Zanele's father's house and got out of the Tesla sedan his mind was still occupied on Caith's monor arm injury even as his mind dwelled close to the sentiment of the imminent wedding.
Nevertheless his hand holding Zanele's they both felt the car enter into her father's palace before slowly driving to the mini golf course just behind it. A mini golf palace whose grass was as green as a as the leaves of spring.
"Cassidy honey, park right over there," she pointed out to her P.A before looking at Anathii and smiling fondly, "we really need to freshen up don't we?" before backtracking her words with a little wink. He kissed her and they got out only to see some men and women walking away from the golf course, dawdling towards the parking lot whilst engaging in some loud banter.
"Very much, Zanele really liked doing such during her high school years," Anathii heard a man say, a man who who had a curly fade that clearly halved in two - one half was green and the other was maroon.
In Anathii's mind that was definitely Darwin Mandalay. Whom, as always, had a few people walking and laughing around him just before he finally pinpointed Zanele with his gaze, walking across the grass slowly, not bothered by the flying golf balls in the background nor the sinking sun.
Darwin Mandalay - Zanele's white stepfather; quickly left Anathii remembering of how he had married Mandla Mandalay soon after Amanda Mandalay's dissapearance - after she had caught them cozy in bed. Not that he himself cared about that anymore.
Despite the darkening day and its substitute evening, Darwin Mandalay seemed cozy as his green, tropical shirt seemed to faintly shine even under the nightlights of the mini golf course.
His marroon pants and white flip flops matching with his nappy fade, while his walk remained entangled with Royalty. There was just something perculliar about Darwin, you would swear he were a movie star. At least that's what his confidence and bright smile made his witnesses conclude. Attention loved him.
Yet, as they walked towards him, Anathii still couldn't forget that he had been meant to invite his mother to this eve of Zanele's, and now also his, big day. Yet before he knew it she was called by Mandla Mandalay from a slowing down golf cart, about ten meters away.
It didn't take minutes before the inevitable occurred, as Zanele begun arguing her point again without getting into the golf cart though: "Dad for me its not about the benefits but rather about corporate pride and also not sharing my mother's corporate property with the Gumede's."
"Zee, that young man is badly influencing you and I don't like that," Mr Mandalay's words left Anathii looking around the golf course in search of distractions, if not a dose of psychological redemption; but his ears coldn't escape the truth. "He really is, you should think strategically Zee as well as about the alliance could accomplish in the coming years."
"Oh My! Haven't we been over this, Like what's the point of inheriting the company if I'm just going to run it based on your decisions." Anathii watched her put her hand on her grip and look away shortly before she began walking away, back towards where Anathii was standing- putting him in a bowl of awkwardness. Darwin Mandalay continuing his banter some meters away as though he could not hear the arguement between Zanele and her father.
"Come back here!" An agitated Mandla said as the smile on his face faded alongside his patience, his caddie watching from the golf cart as Mandla got out and walked towards his disrespectful 30 year old daughter. As though to teach her some manners, although luckily for her...
Anathii and some cowardly witnesses watched the scene and slowly watched as a golf ball fell from the grey, scanning his freshly shining bald head before boldly hitting him around his temple, just above his ear, leaving Anathii and several witnesses running towards him, as Zanele quickly turned around, dove to the carpet-like grass and nursely tended to him. Yet despite the imaginable pain he was probably going though his smile was evident - as though that golf ball had knocked the anger out of his senses.
"No don't take me there, hospitals aren't for me," Mandla coughed away his smile and left Zanele close to crying as Darwin swooped in too and ordered the caddy to escort some guests out of the golf course, "come closer Zanele, something I should tell you about your mother..."
Curiosity ran into him as he watched his dramatically dying father-in-law pulling Zanele closer by the neck, faintly bleeding in the same golf course his wife had build him on one of their anniversaries. The same wife who had influenced Nomsa to push Anathii into doing fashion design. The later himself wondering if this had been a plot by Zanele to silence her father or a plot by Mandla himself to finally push her into marrying Dumisanii Gumede, using emotional blackmail.
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Meanwhile Neliswa squeezed her purse, watching from a distance, disguised as one of the guests, before seizing the opportunity to move in, unnoticed. Especially when all the attention of bodyguards and maids seemed drawn towards the injured Mandla Mandalay.
Following them from the golf course to the main house, before she was forced to stop especially when she saw Anathii pulling to a halt before saying some words and kissing some reassurance into the might Zanele. Long enough to grant Neliswa the opportunity she popped open her purse, drew out her phone and stole some pictures at the couple.
Minutes passed as the sneaking continued and by the time that she got inside and managed to calm down through a glass of fanta whilst sitting comfortably by the counter, not so far from the bar of the house. The bussling maids and chefs seemingly worried about Mr Mandalay's health and what its deterioration would mean for their jobs and wellbeing.
She actually felt tempted to tag along the string of nurses which she saw walking past the kitchen, headed for upstairs; but she couldn't. Seeing that she had already justified her presence by telling them of her friendship with Anathii.
Honestly, she couldn't help thinking about going upstairs and telling Mr Mandalay of the truth about Anathii. "I'm sure that would handle the whole situation beautifully," Neliswa's heart relaxed a bit more as a daring smile danced within her eyes, until her words drew attention of two nearby chefs.
"I mean that it would be better to roast it than to deep-fry that turkey, it will be richer in flavor and texture like that," She advised the young chefs, ready to realize her little naughty trick of going upstairs. Yet just as adrenaline had begun to kick in, she heard her dreams being shattered when she heard a voice coming from upstairs...
"Thabo, Zingisile and Awonke..., somebody go get them for me, I really don't trust these flippin' nurses." Zanele was angry and Neliswa knew it enough to pull some breaks on which ever plan she had regarding Mandla Mandalay. She was at the Mandalay palace after all and they could do whatever they wanted should they even catch her doing any suspicious business.
From Neliswa's eyes, the three summoned figures soon walked pass in 3 baby blue suits which had faintly visible prints of clouds and trees, without much pace before one almost ran his eye contact into hers, just as her phone beeped from Caith's emoji response to the kiss-lit snaps which Neliswa had recently sent her. Caithie's message encrypted in the emoji's was clear, Caith was clearly angry.
Neliswa could even imagine Caith walking around the house, sipping coffee whilst looking at the pictures, her eyes flooded with rage, her lips shining with caffeine before contemplating to dial Anathii's number to hear it from the cheating horse himself whilst walking about the window... The same horse, Anathii, who soon walked alongside Zanele as they headed into the lounge where they both sat on massaging chairs, just before calling on two maids to massage her feet and temples. An opportunity which she almost took to dash upstairs, if it weren't for Darwin Mandalay who suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder before dropping her a questioning, suspicious smile.
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Meanwhile Anathii watched the by-the-book Detective Divvy Jaars make way into the room and sat down after hugging Zanele, who also proceeded back to her massage.
Detective and the fashion designer, both whom were well established, seemed to know each other well, possibly from the investigation regarding Amanda Mandalay's dissapearance - yet leaving Anathii wondering as to why she was smiling at him kindly fully knowing that he hadn't achieved much results in that investigation. It's not like Amanda had left any clues, nor that Divvy jaars had even come close to a strong enough conclusion regarding that case. Yet that didn't stop Anathii from being blinded and deafened by jealousy for about a about a minute or so.
"Look here Detective, you know for a fact that I've leant to accept and love my stepfather but in my eyes he is still a major suspect in this little incident," Zanale paused and signalled for the meseuses to excuse themselves. "Plus you know that my father and I have been at loggerheads regarding the direction of the company for some time now.
"My utmost sympathies for that Zanele," Divvy Jaars drew deeper into the couch and pursed his lips as he listened too her.
"Hence I just felt that my so called loving stepfather may use that to his disadvantage, oust me, and take over the company - seeing that he has been my father's critic regarding my father's way of doing things." Zanele truned to Anathii and accepted his hand without much thought.
"But seeing that he is also a self-made designer who made a name for himself at the Toni Moliba fashion house what would he stand to gain, he also has wealth and talent?" Detective squinted his eyes awaited a proper answer. "Unless he wants to surpass both your parents and take the company under his own wing, and winds of his own era of design - if not actually form an alliance with Toni Moliba."
As the conversation broke out, Anathii realized that Divvy Jaars was a wild detective with a brain full of theories forged from years of reading too many Crime Investigation books, alongside such series. Yet that knowledge had begun overshadowing his judgement and standing in the way of his abilities as a detective - judging by the increasing number of investigations he had failed over past few years - possibly due to Detective Dee Monique's abstainence from his partnership.
One's sniffle soon sounded from the lounge's entrance, followed by comprehensive words. "So here you are instead of supporting Mandla upstairs you're busy badmouthing me and diluting my name with an injection of dirty conspiracies," Darwin Mandalay let go of the phone he was holding before smiling in disappointment. "How convienient, especially when I thought..."
"When you thought what exactly? That we were on the same page? Or that we had each other's back?" Zandile stood up and gazed at her stepfather, the dimples on her cheeks overshadowed by the angered long brows which hovered above her cute brown eyes. "Yet you some of these bodyguards and maidservants to spy on me whenever you get the chance hey."
"Can you blame me Zanele for trying to figure out the source of your anger issues and constant bipolar-like mood-swings?" Darwin's gestures revealed his faint remorse but the look in his eyes erased its questionable existence, as he stepped closer to sadly try and hug her.
"How caring of you Darwin, I already have a father, and the more my love for you grows the more I realize that you're half of the reason my mother left," Zanele then rushed out of the room, barging past her stepfather, before Anathii walked after her and left Divvy Jaars and with a few questions for Darwin.
"No detective, maybe some other time, I've got to go and clear my head... Her accusations are clearly absurd. I'm not in the mood for your little questions right now." Darwin self-argued and walked past the kitchen, where two assistant chefs were assisting a middle aged man with cullinary duties, for dinner was about to be served either way.
A chef whose voice Anathii could clearly remember from his past, a voice which was slightly similar to his father's, but just when he was ready to do an interrogation - a certain maid whispered his name and asked him to follow her.
Obvously he took the chance hoping to ask her if the chef was from Limpopo province, had kids, and 3 scars on his ribs. But it didn't take long for her to indecisively lead him to the balcony before turning around with cigarette in hand and exposing herself to him.
"You left me no choice Anathii, I've been meaning to talk to you... you've left my friend no choice but to do this." She could see the ignorance and irritation in his eyes. "Caith is on the verge of losing it, and by that I mean both her mind and your baby," She lowered her voice, raised her eyebrows and the sympathy in her eyes was clear.
"Drop the game, forget the act... I know very well that that baby isn't mine, but rather Darren's." He watched as her voice froze within her throat as the unexpected utterance of the truth left her lips segragated in shockfully.
"It... I mean... It's not even proven yet," Neliswa mumbled and thought of telling him of hoe Caith was just using Darren to get something. "She also told me to give you something," she fumbled into her pocket and took out a small packet. "An option, of either a green jelly bean or a pink one." A move which left Anathii remembering of how Caith had used to make use of Jelly beans whilst helping him to remain motivated with Mathematic equations - and how each color represented the level of how well he had executed the equations.
Silently he made his choice and recalled her very last words as he watched her walking away, with her long braids which formed a hair fall down to halfway her spine, abreast with the bodyguard which had told her to get back to work. Indeed, she had sounded deceitfully convincing once again but Anathii had to put Caith in the backseat, at least after the wedding.
He finally looked out to the moon and placed the pink jelly bean onto his tongue before turning around and going in search of the bathroom, in search of a lukearm bath, despite it being several minutes past midnight.
Thankfully, his wish finally came true when the flavors of the small jellybean began exploding at the tip of his tongue and taking away all the lies and promises which Caith had left etched on the walls of his cheeks. His eyes losing themselves to sleepiness as the warm blanket of water made him forget both his worries regarding Genna - his heart finally conquering the marathon of mixed emotions and an obstacle course of confusion.
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An hour, or more, later... Anathii woke to the sound of voices outside, before quietly moving in the bathtub's water before discovering a card which invited him to bed. Whilst silently moving in the water, he placed the little lovely card at the edge of the bathtub... Before sphlashing some water onto his face to getting rid of the dryness, before adequately picking up voices which were coming from outside.
Quickly and without wasting another breath, nor energy on wiping away the dripping water, he snuck into the passage and headed for the staircase before heading downstairs, where he soon saw his secret admirer by the open fridge of the kitchen - with hands which were dripping of wine, if not blood, as two of her bodyguards walked in soon after her. Although their breaths not as heavy as hers. Leaving Anathii wondering as to whom that bloody wine could have belonged to - hopefully not Darwin.
"Don't say a word, it's not what it looks like, I was simply trying to retrieve the truth out of him," she looked at him and his voice cracked, as she walked closer towards him, leaving her guilty breath headed for his nostrils, and even vocally numb for a few seconds.
Further, Zanele added; "My father's life was tested today and for my bodyguard to disappear just like that, these two intruders had to be taught a lesson Anathii - I can't have any more disruptions, I need all the rest before the wedding."
"Without further notice Lady Zee , we are on it, we will deal with them," the two bodyguards whom Anathii now knew to be Zingisile and Thimna then walked out. Leaving Anathii fully knowledgeable enough to know that the one which had dissapeared was infact the one whom he had recently seen playing around with the devious Neliswa. The same Neliswa which had now become as equally devious as Caith - her best friend.
Zanele remained behind as she seemed to be making a phone call as Anathii's conscience told him to head upstairs, as Anathii himself truly wondered and measured both Zanele's and Darwin's possible performance against each other. Yet now as he headed there, his skin slightly itching with dryness and his curiosity slightly growing in the trill, which had now blurred the sounds around him and left his heart beart jumping hurdles; he soon reached Mr Mandalay's bedroom door and found it slightly ajar, two bodyguards on the floor, as Mr Mandla Mandalay seemed fast asleep. A pillow sitting on his chest as though it was about to be used in executing him, on that that very wide, grey bed which was placed in the middle of the brown suite. Some portraits of a younger him and Amanda randomly sitting on those shiny brown walls in a zigzag pattern.
"We have an intrude, a very homicidal culprit amongst us," two nurses said as they barged in, just in front of Zanele as she soon walked in too before stepping on a packet of jelly beans, which instantly left Anathii realizing that Neliswa had just been there, a realization which made his nostrils pick up a faint scent of hers. Zanele herself looking at the maids with suspicious eyes - possibly wondering if Darwinn Mandalay had played a part in that.
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The same Darwin Mandalay who was leading Divvy Jaars in a cat-and-mouse drive, fully aware that detective was suspiciously was following him, thus delaying and further postponing his meeting with Mr Rosebank regarding some unfinished business.
Darwin looked in the rearview mirror and smiled as he saw Divvy Jaars car slowly hidden in the distance before deciding to speed up and leave him even further behind. Divvy Jaars irritated him and now he was working on his last nerve, but the smooth control of that Range Rover kept his temper steady.
Whereas Divvy Jaars himself was focusing on staying on Darwin Mandalay's tail. His mind still occupied by Dee Monique's absence, and how he hadn't been able to track most of his recent cases without her ever since she had gone undercover.
In his mind still lingered remainders of the first time he had done the deed with her in her office and how she had quickly fixed herself and adjusted her outfit before quickly rushing to the drawing board in time for the commissiner's unexpected entrance into the office. The same Commissioner who soon apologized as though he hadn't just disrespected Divvy Jaars' privacy, before excusing himself and walking away after asking a silly question regarding the case - his face revealing the small pinch of shame seeing that he hadn't seen what he had been expecting the two detectives to be gently doing.
Just before the Commissioner's exit had left them laughing in celebration to their precise timing, her beautiful smile making him fall in love with her and her love for the job. Although her lovely presence no longer graced his, nor even respond to his texts...
Dee Monique didn't even seem to bother keeping him updated on her progress in the scary, dark underworld of undercover - ever since she had infiltrated her way into Gummy Bear's layer. Sadly, it seemed she had finally sidelined him and as he picked up his phone, whilst accelerating his car as he thought of calling Dee Monique... His phone finally beeped and as he checked the message. One which was from Kimm Jayde Maxworth - though unknowest to him.