Andisiwe lay in bed watching the sunlight moving across the ceiling of her room. She could not shake the angry, and sad, feelings she experienced as she remembered the night she had spent with Thabo in the penthouse in Plettenberg Bay. What was it that Siya always said? Andisiwe could almost see her friend standing over her, waving her long-nailed index finger, and tossing her long extensions.

“Get out of bed right now girlfriend, and close the kitchen door. All the rest is history.”

Andisiwe’s phone beeped from where it lay on the pillow next to her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was a message from Jacob. He was a man of his word. He had said he would be in contact.

R u rdy 4 a visitor slping beauty?

Coz ur prnce charmin is cumin ur way ryt now

R u home?

Yes. Gv me 20

Andisiwe’s hands were shaking as she pressed ‘send’. He was on his way over right now. She had said yes. There was no going back. She grabbed a towel and ran to shower.

Andisiwe had just dried herself and slipped into a print dress when the doorbell rang. She grabbed her sandals and hurried down the stairs. Her hair was still wet. When she opened the door, there was Jacob. He was holding the largest bunch of flowers she had ever seen in one hand, and a huge box of chocolates, tied with a shiny pink bow, in the other.

“Come in,” she said, laughing in delight as she took the bunch of flowers and the chocolates.

“This is a great house,” said Jacob as he followed her into the sizeable kitchen. Andisiwe could not help but notice how incredibly good he looked, from the top of his perfectly-groomed hair, to the sharp tips of his shiny leather shoes.

“I was on my way to work,” said Jacob with a grin, “but first I had to make a special delivery.”

Andisiwe felt herself blushing as Jacob continued: “Now that Thabo has left town it’s hard to find enough hours in the day for my work. But I want you to know, I will always make time for you babe.” All Andisiwe heard was, ‘Thabo has left town’.

“So he’s really gone?” she asked softly, as she felt relief flooding over her.

“Yes, and I don’t want to see or hear from him ever again.”

Just then Jacob’s phone rang. He looked down at it and then across at Andisiwe.

“Speak of the devil,” he said before excusing himself, and moving into the passage.

Andisiwe began searching through the kitchen cupboards to find the largest vase her aunt possessed. She paused just as she was about to fill the vase with water, to listen to what Jacob was saying.

“Don’t try to threaten me Thabo. You don’t really know who you are dealing with here. I am not scared by you. I don’t know what you think you have, but I’m warning you again: be careful my friend.”

Andisiwe turned the tap on full blast and the water gushed out loudly just as Jacob returned to the kitchen. He was shaking his head. “Thabo never made a good decision in his life,” said Jacob. “He just took a free ride on my success. He helped himself to whatever he wanted. How dare he think he could just drive my car and use my penthouse? And as for how he treated you…”

Andisiwe felt herself blush again, and she lifted the vase of flowers and hid herself behind them.

“I’m sorry,” said Jacob, moving forward to help her. “I didn’t mean you…”

“It’s OK,” said Andisiwe, as she let him take the heavy vase from her. She indicated a table in the hallway. “I think the flowers will look great there.”

Jacob put them down and stood for a moment to admire a gold clock on the table. “Wow,” he said, moving closer to examine it. “This is an incredible piece.”

“It belongs to my aunt,” said Andisiwe, adding, “She has a lot of lovely things.”

“Yes,” said Jacob, beginning to move towards the front door, and glancing around himself as he did so. “It’s a beautiful house.”

Andisiwe nodded, and Jacob flashed her one of those smiles that made her feel weak at the knees. “Tell her to let me know if she ever wants to sell.” Then Jacob came towards her and took her into his arms to gently hug her. “Which reminds me,” he said, kissing Andisiwe on the cheek, “I have a whole pile of houses out there, waiting to be sold. But can I see you later?”

Jacob’s wonderful aftershave made Andisiwe feel quite giddy, and it was all she could do to nod happily before Jacob left.

* * *

Tell us what you think: What might Thabo be threatening Jacob with?