STRING OF PEARLS: FOUR
_MCEDISI_
MaSibiya keeps stealing glances at me as I put on my formal clothes. Today, I have back-to-back meetings, and I need to check on my taxis.
"Uhm..." she begins, playing with her fingers.
"What's bothering you?" I ask, looking at her through the mirror.
"My husband, should I be worried about Onezwa coming back to take my husband?"
I turn to face her, frowning. "Take your husband? Aren't I her husband, too?"
Her mouth hangs open.
"Focus on the pregnancy and leave Onezwa out of this. She doesn't lose sleep thinking about you," I say, pecking her forehead.
"I'll be back a bit later," I say, and she nods.
I walk out of our hut into the main house and greet my mom. She doesn't look pleased.
"Say whatever you want to say or forever hold your peace," I say.
"When are you bringing my daughter-in-law home?" she fires.
"Your daughter-in-law is in her hut," I say mockingly.
She scoffs. "You need to protect Onezwa. Nkanyezi told me her life is in danger."
I cuss under my breath. What kind of man is Nkanyezi with a loose mouth?
"We did our part," I say, grabbing a piece of bacon before walking out.
I run a small coffee shop in the city and own a fleet of taxis. That's how I clean the money I make from my illegal businesses.
Nkanyezi barges into my office at the coffee shop and pours himself a drink. I ignore him and focus on the books.
"Word on the streets is that Kofi is coming to South Africa," he says.
I look up at him, giving him my full attention.
"I think he's here for your wife," he adds.
"She's not my wife," I protest.
"Yet you introduced yourself to that cheese boy in her apartment as her husband," Nkanyezi says mockingly.
I snort.
"Why are you here?"
"What are we going to do about Kofi?"
"I'll go see ubab Masoja tomorrow morning," I say.
Nkanyezi nods.
"Can you believe MaSibiya is pregnant?" I ask, lightening the mood.
Nkanyezi starts dancing. "Dingiswayo, Nyambose! Eww, siyabonga!" (clan names)
"Now I can knock up islenda sam madoda," he says, punching his fist in the air.
"Shouldn't you marry her first?" I ask.
Nkanyezi clicks his tongue. "She says she wants to pursue her modeling career first before settling down."
"Mmithise bafo!" (Get her pregnant, brother) he smirks.
Nkanyezi eventually left, and I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on work. Once satisfied that everything was in order—and the coffee shop hummed like a well-oiled machine—I headed to the taxi rank to check on my fleet. After attending a few owners' meetings, I walked to my car.
"Saobona," a voice called out.
I turned to find Khosi, a woman from my past.
"Yes?" I asked, my expression neutral.
Khosi swallowed, her eyes downcast. "Uhm... you never called."
"You said you would, and it's been months," she continued, her voice laced with disappointment.
I shook my head. "What's your name again?"
Her eyes flashed hurt. "It's Khosi."
I nodded, getting into my car. Without another word, I drove off.
_ONEZWA_
I've been praying and chanting money manifestations since morning, desperate to sell this house. At almost 30, I've never taken a vacation, and the fat check from selling this Hillcrest property will be my reward.
After a refreshing bath and light makeup, I get into my Kia Picanto and drive to Durban, blasting Cece Winans' album. Five hours later, I arrive in Hillcrest, awestruck by the triple-story mansion.
Nine bedrooms, a tennis court, two kitchens, two living rooms, an indoor pool, a cinema room, a gym, and a study – this house has everything. At 16 million, it better sell.
On my way here, I stopped at the mall for essentials to make the place look homely. I assemble flowers and books, bake chocolate chip cookies, and welcome the enticing aroma
At 1 p.m., the doorbell rings. I hurry to answer, but my blood runs cold at the sight of six intimidating men.
"Are you going to let us in?" One man asks, his scarred forehead making my hair stand on end.
"Uhm... sure," I stammer.
The brief mentioned a middle-aged couple, not these menacing strangers.
"What's your name?" the scar-faced man asks, extending his hand.
"I... I'm Onezwa... Mthethwa," I reply, shaking in my Steve Madden sneakers.
Where am I hearing that name before? Fear clouds my thoughts.
"Shall we?" I squeak.
As I tour them around, I struggle to hide my fear.
"Very impressive, Miss Mthethwa," Kofi says. "Is it Miss?"
"Yes," I nod.
"Are you a Mthethwa by blood relation?" he asks.
"I'm married into the family," I explain. "I haven't changed my surname yet."
Kofi stares at me.
"You must love your husband to keep his name after he passed away," he says.
My frown deepens, sensing danger.
"How do you know he passed away? I never shared that," I ask.
Kofi smirks.
"Because I killed him," he says.
I step back, bumping into one of his men. A needle pricks my neck, and everything goes black.
I wake up with a pounding headache, struggling to lift my head. As I stretch my neck, I take in my unfamiliar surroundings.
The door swings open, and Kofi walks in.
"You're awake," he states.
Tears stream down my face. "Please," I beg.
Kofi's expression remains cold. "Don't beg me, Mrs. Mthethwa. I want my diamonds."
Regret washes over me for not listening to the Mthethwa brothers.
"Please, I don't know what you're talking about," I plead, sitting up with difficulty. "Let me go, and I promise I won't tell anyone."
Kofi gazes out the window, his voice detached. "I want those diamonds, and I'll use any means necessary. Your husband was ungrateful, and I made an example of him. But I still want those diamonds."
He turns to face me, his eyes icy. "His last words were 'my wife.' How romantic."
"I don't know anything about diamonds!" I cry out.
Kofi smirks. "You will remember. Dan!" he calls out.
A man enters, carrying a toolbox. My eyes widen in terror.
_NARRATED_
Kofi watches, unmoved, as Dan brutally extracts Onezwa's nails one by one. Her screams echo through the room, pleading for mercy.
The door opens, and an associate whispers in Kofi's ear. "We'll continue this later," he says to Onezwa, now tied up and hissing in agony, three nails forcibly removed.
Kofi descends the stairs, whistling, and enters the lounge where Nkanyezi and Mcedisi await.
"Gentlemen," Kofi says, taking a seat.
"What do we owe the pleasure?" he asks, smirking.
Mcedisi's gaze is unyielding. "You have something that belongs to us."
Kofi chuckles. "Right back at you, Mthethwa."
Nkanyezi scoffs. "Since when do we prey on weak, defenseless women? Face us like a man if you seek revenge."
Kofi's jaw clenches. "I want my diamonds."
Nkanyezi's tone remains firm. "We don't know where your diamonds are."
"Leave our families out of this. We have resources too. Your daughter in London might become a victim of rape." Mcedisi threatens and Kofi's expression falters, recognizing the genuine threat.
"Bring the girl," he instructs his men.
"I give you a month to find my diamonds," he says to the brothers.
Nkanyezi stands, unyielding. "Fuck off. You'll get your diamonds when we find them."
The three men engage in a tense stare-down until one of Kofi's men arrives carrying Onezwa's unconscious body.