Michaela grabbed her handbag and drove to Simon’s Town to see her parents. On that day she could have received a ticket from the traffic police because of her speeding; for she couldn’t wait to discuss this burning issue with her dad. She parked her car in front of their house and rang the bell twice.

“Kunjani, my baby?” her mum greeted her with a hug, “shouldn’t you be meeting your wedding planner today?”

“How are you doing, mama? I’ll meet her for dinner rather,” she said taking a seat on the leather couch. “Where is dad?”

“Uyahlamba. Uzojabula ukubona kodwa wena amehlo akho ayakhombisa ukuthi ikhona ento ekukhathaza,” her mum said, “you can talk to me my angel.”

“Mama, is Dad behind my failed relationship with Lanre? Did he plan that I should meet Isaac?” she asked looking deep into her mother’s eyes.

“Wait for your Dad to come and then you can ask him yourself. You should focus on your wedding and stop stressing about other things,” her mom advised.

“Well l thought l met Isaac in the most romantic way, yet he and dad set it all up. I was so stupid to fall for him you know,” she said sounding hurt.

Just then her dad came into the lounge and greeted her with a hug. She wasn’t smiling like she usually did. “It’s so good to see you Michaela,” he said happily, “I was going to call you anyway with regards to your wedding. Angifuni ukuthi ukuphe lutho ngoba ngikhona. Uzosebenzisa imali yethu for the gown, cake and bridesmaids outfits.”

“l’m not here for that Dad. I came to find out why you would stop me from receiving the mail that Lanre has been sending,” she asked.

“Why would l do that my dear? That young man isn’t good for you, but l’ll never interfere in your relationships.”

“Dad, l need the truth otherwise if l walk out that door, count me as the daughter you once had,” she said angrily.

“Before l say it, please forgive me for l was doing it for the Dube family. I had to protect your legacy,” he continued, “Business isn’t going well and l either had to sell the company to Isaac’s dad or have his son marry you.”

“So when l first met him at that restaurant in Harfield, it wasn’t a coincidence at all?” she asked in disbelief.

“No it wasn’t Michaela, I wanted you to date him and get married,” he confessed.

“Well, Isaac didn’t like the idea at first because he was dating someone else, but when he met you he fell in love with you.”

“Haibo baba ungayenza kanjani lento ngalendlela ngikuthanda ngakhona,” she said in tears, “everything was just a lie right from the start.”

“I’m really sorry my daughter, l thought l was doing what’s right for us,” he apologized.

She looked at his old, sad face. Her mother was holding his right hand. Going on and on about it wouldn’t help anything at all; her dad already had a weak heart. She couldn’t stress him out now.

Her mother had once told her about the financial situation at l-Tech Solutions, but she didn’t know that it was this serious. Having to sell the company would devastate her dad, perhaps even kill him. He had worked so hard for it from the ground up. Isaac’s parents were helping her dad regain his company that was their dowry if Michaela and Isaac got married.

Michaela grabbed her bag and walked out silently; for words said in anger can never be taken back. If she had gone back home to clean up her face she was going to run late for her appointment with Louise, the wedding planner. Taking her face powder from the handbag she applied it quickly and put on some lipstick.

***

Let’s chat: What would you do if you were Michaela?