Chapter 4: Cracks in the Facade

 

Buhle sat across from Vusi at The Sapphire Lounge, one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive rooftop bars. The city lights sparkled below them, and the soft hum of jazz music filled the air. Vusi had spared no expense caviar, champagne, and a private table with the best view in the house.

Vusi: “To us,”

Vusi said, raising his glass. Buhle clinked her glass against his, smiling. But as the night went on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Buhle: “So, Vusi, you never really told me what kind of business you’re in.”

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. 

Vusi: “I’m a man of many talents, Buhle. Import, export, investments, a bit of real estate. Why do you ask?”

Buhle: “Just curious, you’re always so vague about it.”

she replied, sipping her champagne. Vusi’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes irritation, Defensiveness.

Vusi: “I like to keep my work and personal life separate, besides, tonight is about us, not business.”

He said smoothly. Buhle nodded, but the nagging feeling persisted. Later, as they danced under the stars, she tried to push her doubts aside. Vusi was charming, attentive, and clearly adored her. So why did she feel like she was missing a piece of the puzzle?

Lerato sat on the couch, her hands resting on her still flat stomach. The pregnancy hormones were wreaking havoc on her emotions, and Sabelo’s distant behaviour wasn’t helping. He had been coming home later and later, his excuses growing flimsier by the day. 

Sabelo: “I’m just stressed, baby, work is crazy right now.”

he would say whenever she confronted him. But Lerato wasn’t convinced. She had noticed the way he avoided talking about the future, the way he flinched whenever she brought up the baby.

Lerato: “Sabelo, we need to talk.”

she said softly as he walked in the door, He sighed, dropping his keys on the table. 

Sabelo: “Not tonight, Lerato. I’m exhausted.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

Lerato: “You’re always exhausted. When are you going to make time for us? For our baby?”

Sabelo ran a hand over his face, his expression unreadable. 

Sabelo: “I’m doing my best, okay? Just… give me some space.”

Lerato watched as he disappeared into the bedroom, her heart heavy. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he was just stressed. But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Zee scrolled through her Instagram notifications, her stomach sinking as she saw another comment from Sipho.

Sipho: “Still making fun of people online, Zee? Some things never change.”

She blocked him immediately, but the damage was done. Sipho’s passive aggressive remarks were getting under her skin, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching her every move. Her phone buzzed, and she jumped. It was a message from an unknown number: 

“Sipho: You can’t block me forever, Zee.”

Her heart raced as she deleted the message and blocked the number. But the unease lingered. Sipho had always been possessive, but this was different. This felt dangerous. Zee grabbed her laptop and started researching how to file a restraining order. She wasn’t going to let Sipho ruin her life not again.

Thando stared at her phone, her finger hovering over the send button. The photo she had taken was risky a suggestive selfie meant only for Mlungisi’s eyes. But she couldn’t resist. She hit send and waited, her heart pounding. Moments later, her phone buzzed with his reply:

Mlungisi: “You’re killing me, Thando. You know I can’t focus when you send me things like that.” 

She smiled, but the smile faded as she thought about where he was a family event with his wife and children. The guilt gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside. Mlungisi loved her, not his wife. Right? Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a photo from Mlungisi a selfie of him in the bathroom, his tie loosened, his smile mischievous. 

Mlungisi: “Thinking of you,”

the caption read. Thando’s heart raced. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but the thrill was intoxicating.