The helper knocked softly silently praying ‘the madam’ was still

sleeping. That would make this an easy in and out job. After the
second knock she let herself in, the sliding door to the balcony
was open, the wind blowing the curtain lightly. She was awake,
but it seemed it was one of those mornings she’s nonverbal,
smoking till her lungs gave out, if they ever will. The helper rolled
in her warm breakfast setting it on the table, four flapjacks with a
piece of butter melting on top, just that. With that task done, she
moves to make the bed, not that time consuming really. It was as
if ‘the madam’ barely turned in her sleep, always one side of the
bed slightly dented by the weight of her body. She swiftly made
her way out after collecting the pillowcases they change every
Wednesday, replacing them with freshly ironed ones.

CHAPTER 1
I waited until the helper got done with making the bed. I hate
smoker fingers so put out the cigarette early, taking in a huge
breath of air. It was a bit chilli; my body long alerted me of that
before I was awake. I hated days like these, not that I had any
favourites. My balcony gave me a view of the pool area in the
guardhouse, I watched them prepare for the day, some moving to
their designated areas, others turning in after the nightshift. Let
me introduce myself. The name is Nada Zondo, a name that
doesn’t seem to leave peoples mouths. I’ve built quite a name for
myself, I have a company that has grown significantly over the
years, basically I designed and produced a smartphone that’s
widely used here in south Africa and other parts of the world. I’m
also a retired football player, but no one wants to hear about that.
I ate my breakfast and hopped in the shower. Standing in the
shower had become awkward for me, not that a bathtub was any
better, but I wanted something quick. I don’t think I can
passionately say this enough, but I truly hated everything about
existence. Going to work felt like a personal attack from the
universe, on a Wednesday no less? In this weather?? I picked out
an outfit, formal burgundy pants, paired with cream blouse,
sleeves rolled up mid forearm. Most aspects in my life were done
for me but my outfits were all me. I would put on a black fur coat
on my way out, and shoes? Flats unfortunately.
I get overstimulated by people at times, so on days like these I go
on the app and choose who I’m to be served and driven by. This is
a bit unusual I feel like I’m too familiar with the guards that drive
me around, I think there’s five of them, none I felt like being in my
presence. I looked through the house guard, seeing some new
faces. I requested Siyanda Mhlongo for the day. I picked out my
cane for the day, took my purse and phone making my way
downstairs. Ask me again why I chose to sleep upstairs when I
hate the stairs. I still had maybe an hour to spare, the office was a
20-minute drive. I would at least spend 10 minutes going over
some work in the lounge. I hated the lounge, just sitting there, it
gives people the impression you want to speak to them, but the
people around me were chill so I was worried. I felt a figure in the
room, a shadow, it cleared its throat. I looked up at this person, I
hate tall men, just looking at the top of your head, weird
individuals. “Siyanda Mhlongo, whenever you’re ready ma’am.”
he introduced, staring me down. I went back to my work, 3
minutes left of the time I set. I’m the epitome of laziness
unfortunately. My mouth refuses to partake in most
conversations unless necessary, I wish I was joking. He was still
standing there, odd. He made his way out when I collected my
things off the couch. He was standing outside holding the car
door for me, dressed in all black, why the funeral attire? Wrong
choice of car, how was I to climb that? I looked at him not moving,
waiting for him to change the car. He looked confused, clearing
his throat, gesturing I get in. is he mad? Or is it his first day here?
My patience is running thin. One guard rushed to him, whispering
in his ear.
Siyanda rushed to the car and went to get another. I don’t care
for car brands so I wouldn’t begin to tell you which one he got, but
it was lower and easier to enter in. We finally left for work with
maybe 35 minutes to spare. The drive was rather quiet, the engine
of this car however was obnoxiously loud. A phone started
ringing, it was his, he turned it off. “Sorry about that.” He takes a
left turn. “You use Samsung?” I found myself asking. I gift all my
employees my brand, they love it I don’t force it on them relax. He
looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Sorry are talking to
me?” he says. “you’re the only one in this car besides myself.”
This is why I hate chatter, too much admin, who else would I be
talking to? “ohh yes, Samsung is simple, straightforward.
Although this version is modernized itself, still easy to navigate.
My sister got it for me, says I can’t go my whole life using a phone
with “buttons” apparently, I didn’t have a problem with it.”
He talks a lot I have to say. “Why?” this question lacks context I
know but it’s what I can manage. “In a word? Brainrot, look
outside right now, you won’t find any functional teenagers.
They’re complicated to use, why do I need so many applications?
They slow down your network, can’t make a simple call now. And
finally, they’re expensive, to purchase and to function. A friend of
mine tells me he pays to listen to music. In what world? My sister
is also nagging me about her 15th birthday gift, she wants a phone
that costs an arm and a leg, the uh Stack.” The Stark, my brand.
“Not that the iPhone is any better, her mind is made up with the
stack though.” He parked underground, switching off the engine.
He talked through half the ride. He could open a podcast if he
didn’t hate technology so much. He opened his door and came
over to open mine. The other guards in the car that was following
us behind also parked and walked with me to the entrance and
went to their stations. I arrived 13 minutes early today, there
wasn’t much traffic. I don’t usually come to the office; I have my
work sent to my house. I only come here for meetings, or I go to
the factories to check progress. As soon as I settled in my office,
my pa followed suite, going through my schedule with me. Who
even prefers old button phones in this day and age? besides old
people. “Conference 2C has been prepped for the meeting with
Z&X harbour at 11h00am, and 2B for the briefing meeting with the
board members at 13h00pm. Is that alright with you ma’am?” I
should’ve corrected him, that name was very well thought of, it
will be pronounced right. What even is a Stack, stack of what?
Cards? “Yes, that sounds good Amanda thank you, can you
please order something light for me, with green tea.” No, cards
are decks, not stacks. Why am I even thinking about this? “Yes
ma’am, some brownies were also recently added to the menu, in
case you wanted to try them someday.” Too sweet. “Why are
there flowers here?” I love flowers, I hate receiving them, I have a
garden full of them. “Sorry about that, I think Mr Khoza brought
them here, he has sent a few in the past week.” I don’t like people
in my space in my presence or absence. Senzo Khoza is the COO
unfortunately, so he has some superiority over the employees,
but not my PA, I draw the line. “I don’t want anyone else in this
office besides you in my absence, if anyone threatens you, you
tell me, you monitor the cleaning crew that goes in and out. Thank
you that’s all. And throw these away please.” She nodded and
walked off. We’re too old for crushes, Senzo needs to grow up. I
need to call Zenande my therapist.
The day was finally over, you really can’t trust people with your
baby. The Z&X harbour are unable to trace a ship carrying my
Merch, more than 2 million worth of merch gone! How does that
happen?? My heart wasn’t sitting right, I can’t handle situations
like these very well, which is why I always make sure they don’t
happen! I don’t want to cry in this office. From an outside
perspective, me crying over 2 million is insane but it’s something
to me. “I know what it looks like, this is not a normal occurrence,
and it will be sorted out.” Senzo says budging in my office. “Those
are your people that you hired! do your actual job instead of
sending me stupid flowers. Leave.” I can’t be here any longer. I
limped until I was out of the building. “Take me home.” Siyanda
was already outside; I got into the car. My voice was giving me
away. The only good thing in my life, and people ruin it. With no
consideration at all. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, I quietly sobbed
into my trembling hands, progressing into louder sobs. I felt a
hand rubbing on my back. “I don’t need your sympathy just take
me home and mind your business.” I said then continued crying,
silently now. The rest of the drive was quiet, with me nursing my
hiccups. So much for my mystery persona, now someone other
than my family has seen me cry. That’s worse than being seen
nude. “If you tell anyone you saw me cry, I’ll personally perform a
lobotomy to erase your memories.” I got out of the car and went
into the house. I will see Zenande some other time.
I don’t have the energy for stairs, so I make my way to my other
bedroom downstairs. It’s the exact replica of the one upstairs, a
tad bit smaller, no balcony. A played some music, getting in the
shower. The room was heated so I just lay in bed naked, thinking. I
hate masturbation. I don’t know I just never feel anything. I
indulge in pornography sometimes. It gets boring after 3 minutes,
the dialogue, the moans, the groans, just disgusting after you get
off. I pull the blanket and drift off in my sleep.
CHAPTER 2

“From the looks of things, this could just be a case of hijacking.

Its not uncommon, so suing isn’t really the best idea. If the
merchandise is not found, we will work for you to be
compensated somehow.” I was sitting with my lawyer in the
lounge. “If?” I didn’t like the sound of that. “When, but Nada we
have to consider all possibilities, it was a matter of time before
this happened, this is a successful company, many people are
gunning for it.” He took a bite out of his muffin. He had a point,
kind of, but I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing. I’m not
too thrilled about being a ‘run to daddy when things get rough’
person, but that is what fathers are for. I will fly on my own and
see before I ask for help.
We finished our meeting, and I escorted him out. I don’t know why
but I just wanted to be outside. For some air and to look around. I
pretended for a while but nope, I went back inside. I missed going
to the mall, to touch and feel the clothes as I shopped. Online
was fun but not that enjoyable anymore. . I looked around, empty.
Its times like these I wonder what I’m still living for. I’ve always
been born into money, so I can’t say I struggled, or that I actually
need this company. I just wanted something to call my own. Now
its up and running, doesn’t really need me. What about a family
you ask? Kids? Husband? That’s always been a dream of mine as
well, that was until my fiancé died in an accident. So, a family
hasn’t really crossed my mind since then, never been in a
relationship either.
I made my way upstairs. I rung one of the helpers to bring me a
snack while I caught up on work. She brought me two wrap
tortillas, a salad, crispy chicken with a homemade sauce. This is
one of my favourite dishes. I moved to the balcony, the weather is
warm today, unlike the past three days. As I indulged, I caught
sight of the guards in their house. See my house stands alone
right, but I had a neighbour who was quite close, so I bought his
house to accommodate my security measure. Some renovations
were made, a pathway was built leading to my house. From my
balcony I have the whole view of their entire yard.
I moved on to my second wrap, building it neatly. I could hear
some cheering from the guardhouse, I looked over. Is that what I
think it is? To say I was seething, would be an understatement. I
got up from my seat heading for the door. The more I walked, the
more it weighed on me. My heart was beating slower, my hands,
sweaty as I opened the main door to my house. The pain in my
leg, long gone as I took longer strides. The small gate dividing the
houses was locked, why?! “don’t just stand there! Open it!” one
guard rushed to get the key. I could still hear some shuttling from
the other side. He unlocked the gate and moved aside.
I walked through the pathway, coming out to the yard. None of
them were outside, the yard was empty. A chuckle escaped my
lips as I slowly made my way inside the house, having never
actually been here before. I entered the living room, where I find
them innocently watching tv, they stood when they saw me.
“Good afternoon, to what do we owe…” Siyanda was the first to
speak. “don’t aggravate me. Don’t mistake my kindness for
stupidity, unless I am of course, am I stupid??” they replied
saying no. “bring it to me.” I waited. I stood there looking at each
of them, none doing what I instructed. “If I don’t see any
movement in the next second, I will burn this house to the fucking
ground, your remains, dumped on the front door of your homes.”
My voice was shaking. The football was presented to me. I walked
to the kitchen; I grabbed a knife puncturing the ball. I opened the
gas stove and placed it on the open fire. There, much better.
I walked back to the lounge, calmer now. “That was intense, do
you enjoy seeing me like that? no right. Let’s respect each other,
okay? Have a good evening.” I made my way out ignoring
whatever they had to say. When I finally got to my room, I took a
good long nap.
It was now Monday, and I had an appointment with Zenande. I
was already dressed, so I made my way downstairs for breakfast.
I rarely open my personal phone; I scrolled through it. Multiple
texts and missed calls from family and old friends, I’m not
reading all that. I blocked some ‘friends’ and family members I
had no interest in interacting with. I don’t like chaos. I finished my
breakfast and made my way out. I would be her first client today. I
was driven by another guard today.
We parked in the parking lot, and I made my way in. unfortunately
I got the bad habit of not greeting from my father, so I nodded to
the staff. “you’re wearing blue, what’s the occasion?” she smiled
as I walked in her office. “No occasion, just getting over the blues
of the past week.” We settled on the couch. “Tell me about it,
your week.” I sighed replaying it in my head again. “Some of my
merchandise has gone missing, millions worth. That sent me in a
spiral, I even broke into tears Infront of my guard. I know my doc
is already full of your diagnosis, I think you might have to add
anger issues there too.” she took some notes. “And why do you
say that, Nada?” “The other day I saw my guards playing football
in the yard, I didn’t like that. But I don’t want to talk about that.”
“Why do you not want to talk about it?” I played with my zipper.
“You know why, also I said things, things I wouldn’t say.” “You
feel bad that you were maybe harsh?” I chuckled. “No, I said what
I said, I hate that they’re acting weird now though.” “You never
worry what other people do, why now? Are they being mean in
some way?” I laughed this time, this girl. “In what world Zenande?
No, they avoid looking at me. They barely talk when I’m around.”
Her stare intensified. “In a way, that’s progress, you recognise
those things now. The situation was dealt with harshly yes, but
next time you’ll know how to not react like that.” I sighed. “Right, I
think I want a boyfriend.” “Oh, what made you come to that
conclusion? You met someone?” “a man has been frequenting
my mind lately, sometimes dreams, not so innocent ones.”
“that’s good Nada, any opportunity to be happy, take it. How do
you want to go about it? Have you guys talked? does he seem
interested?” I thought a little. “He did talk my ear off the other
day, he was driving me to work.” “Your guard?” her interest
peaked once more. “Yes, I know. But I’m interested in this man. Ill
talk to him this evening.” She nodded, “You don’t think maybe he
has a partner? What are you hoping to gain out of this
relationship?” I never thought about that. “Let’s be hopeful for
now, ill see where it goes, maybe I’m ready for marriage.” We
talked some more, and my session was over. I emailed the head
of security, requesting a meeting with Siyanda. He should be
there when I arrive, should I have the helper fix up some dinner?
Yes, we’ll have this conversation over dinner. I emailed a helper
as well. I got an email back saying Siyanda is on leave. Great, just
great. “Take me to Siyanda’s place.” I said to the driver. “Which
Siyanda ma’am?” “Mhlongo, take me to him.” He nods, driving
off.
We maybe drove for 30 minutes, arriving at a suburban area. I
could describe it as middle class. “I don’t know if he’s home
ma’am.” Worried about your little huh? “Call him.” I rested in my
chair. “Loudspeaker.” I said with my eyes closed, I’m tired and
it’s not even midday yet. “Mfanakithi.” He spoke on the phone; I
got jitters now. “Ngingaphandle, ukhona?(I’m outside, are you
here?)” “Hawu, a visit? Yeah, ngikhona ungangena. (I’m available
you can come in)” The driver got out to open the gate. He drove in
the yard. “You can remain in the car.” I got out of the car heading
to the door, it was open. I walked in, looking around, it was neat.
“Can I help you?” I turned at the sound of his voice. He was in
shorts, only. My imagination is not so far off after all. “You’re here
Miss Nada, is there a problem?” I swear he was about to say ‘to
what do I owe the visit’ anyways. “I don’t have a problem, are you
able to talk?” I continued looking around, the lounge had some
toys. Does he run a daycare on the side, his job pays well though.
Weird. “Yes of course, you can have a seat. Do you want
something to drink?” I sat on the couch. “No, I’m okay. I’ve taken
an interest in you Siyanda, I want us to pursue a relationship.”
I studied his face, waiting for a response. “Miss Nada, you know
that I can’t ...” “don’t worry too much about that, anyways,
there’s no rush.”