Lebo was quiet.
He handed her a business card. “First of all, that girl I was speaking to at the entrance earlier is a journalist from the local newspaper. There’s nothing between us.”
Lebo gave him the card back, trying to look nonchalant. “Is that all?” she asked, feeling uncomfortable about where this was heading.
“No, it’s not. The girl I was with at the mall – she’s Dudu’s younger sister who was helping me pick out a present for the baby shower we’re planning at work.”
“How noble of you,” Lebo said in a slightly sarcastic tone.
“Look, I made a mistake by telling Sizwe about us in public and I’m sorry, it really wasn’t my intention. It just slipped out and now I’m suffering the consequences. It’s really hard for me. I know I have a reputation as a ladies’ man, but you have to believe it’s all in the past. I’m not that man any more.”
“What did you expect me to do, hug and kiss you?”
He winced and Lebo continued. She was angry now.
“When will you get it, Molemo? I’m not like these other girls. The things that excite them only leave a bitter taste in my mouth. And you’re treating me like some insecure bimbo by explaining the role of every woman in your life. I don’t care what you do, so just leave me out of it.”
She reached for the door, but he said, “Please don’t go.”
Lebo looked him in the eye and asked, “What do you want from me?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not a trick question. Answer me!” Lebo’s voice had an edge to it. “What do you want from me?!”
“Uhmmmm . . .” Then he paused.
“Exactly. You don’t know what you want, so please leave me alone.” Lebo opened the door and jumped out.
She slammed the door and headed for her car. She felt like a fool. All this time Molemo wanted her to forgive him, but he didn’t even know if he wanted her in his life.
She hated herself for loving him, especially since he didn’t even know what he wanted from her. And now she was left to nurse her broken heart by herself.
Lebo was glad to find her friends half asleep in the car. The last thing she wanted was to tell them about what had just happened.
* * *
Later that day, after church and after her friends had gone back home, Lebo told her parents she had decided to quit her job and wanted to focus on the catering business only.
Her father was shocked. He liked the idea of having a journalist for a daughter. He made all his friends read Lebo’s articles.
“Don’t worry, Ntate, we’re doing very well with the business. If I quit, I’ll be able to make sure we do even better, because I’ll have more time to focus on things. And anyway, I can always freelance to make some extra money and that way you can still read the articles I write.” Lebo was holding her father’s hand and pleading with him to understand.
MaMokoena, on the other hand, was elated that her daughter would no longer complain about working at “that stupid paper”, as she called it, and would be giving their business her full attention.
The family decided that if Lebo was leaving her job, she would have to move back home so she didn’t waste money on paying rent. Lebo was glad she had spoken to her parents. She felt so much better about where things were heading for her, especially after the fight with Molemo. She hoped that this would be a fresh start for her: just she and the business, her friends and family.
She hoped never to see Molemo Tladi again. Ever.
Chapter 12
12
Lebo didn’t understand why she had to work on her birthday, her twenty-fifth birthday of all days. She had planned to treat herself to a full spa treatment, graciously welcoming this new era in her life. It was a beautiful December afternoon and she wanted to make it a special day.
But her mother and aunt were running behind schedule with the preparations for the wedding they were catering for today and had begged Lebo to help.
They were given the job after the bride’s caterer cancelled a week ago, having realised that she had double-booked herself. MaMokoena and MaMofokeng took on the project and agreed that they would have everything ready in a week; after all, they were used to working under pressure.
Lebo had been busy with another upcoming event for New Year’s Day and had left her mother and aunt to their own devices with the planning of this wedding.
Over the past few months, Lebo had worked tirelessly at making a success of her business and had managed to secure them no fewer than five projects a month. They could afford to hire assistants to help them with the bigger events such as this wedding.
Since she left her job at the newspaper, she had been free to focus solely on the business. She was even working on a plan to expand it – she wanted to open a shop where they could rent out event equipment like chairs, tables, cutlery and crockery. Lebo was proud of herself for having come a long way from her days as an entertainment reporter.
Today’s event was a big wedding. By the time the guests arrived for lunch, Lebo and her staff had prepared everything to perfection and were not about to miss a beat – as usual.
She loved the adrenalin and the action, the running around to make sure everything was perfect and that their clients were happy. She was in control and loved every second of it.
The wedding seemed like quite an affair – Lebo even saw two journalists she knew from her days as an entertainment reporter. She wondered who was the big shot who was getting married. Earlier, while preparing the food, she had heard the Jaziel Brothers performing live.
After leaving the entertainment scene Lebo had not kept tabs on what was happening in the industry, since she was too busy focusing on her business. She made a note to herself to ask her mother whose wedding it was.
The reception was at a country club in Midrand and the venue looked lovely, decorated in lilac and white flowers and drapings of sheer purple silk. Lebo loved the colours – she imagined that one day when she too got married that would be one of the colour combinations she’d consider. But first she would have to find herself a boyfriend, she told herself: a very funny and loving man, not some arrogant guy like Molemo Tladi.
As she thought about him, her mind raced back to the night in his house when she had lain in his strong yet loving arms after they had made love.
Even after all this time, her feelings for him were just as strong as they were that night. Lebo wanted to forget about him, but her heart wasn’t playing along.
She hadn’t seen him since that evening in his car outside the Shisanyama. She had hoped that the feelings she had for him would fade, but they didn’t. In fact, there were times when she thought they had grown even stronger. She missed his laugh, his mischievous sense of irony, his enchanting personality, and just everything about him. Lebo feared that she would never really get over Molemo.
Just then one of her waiters called her. “Lebo, there’s a gentleman who’d like another helping of the strawberry and chocolate mousse dessert. Can you please help him? I sent him to the kitchen because we’re busy clearing up the tables.”
“Sure, no problem,” Lebo agreed as she quickly moved from the balcony of the country club’s reception, from where she was viewing the reception. She loved it when people asked for second and third helpings. The fact that guests had really enjoyed the food was often more satisfying than being paid a fat cheque.
Lebo walked into the kitchen and saw the back of a man opening pots and containers, looking for the dessert while humming to himself.
“Excuse me, may I help you, sir?” Lebo asked.
The man turned around. It was Molemo.
A wave of feelings rushed through Lebo’s body. Molemo looked divine in the fitted black suit with a lilac tie and a purple pocket square.
What was he doing at this wedding? After their last conversation Lebo had hoped never to see him again. She wanted nothing to do with him. So why was her heart beating so fast and where did the butterflies
in her tummy come from?
He stood there, looking at her with his big, brown, captivating eyes that made her feel weak. Her body yearned to be up against his and to be enveloped in his warm embrace.
“Hi, Lebo,” Molemo said as he walked towards her, taking giant strides and stretching out his arm to take hold of her hand.
She stepped back. “Can I help you?” she fired back at him. She wanted to be held by him, she really did. Seeing him again had awoken all the feelings she had ever had for him. But she didn’t want to get hurt again.
“It’s my friend Sizwe’s wedding and I’m the best man – I enjoyed the dessert and wanted to get another serving – I didn’t know your company was catering,” Molemo blurted out all in one breath. “I tried to call you twice yesterday but your phone’s been off, and I called you about an hour ago as well. I’ve been out of the country for a while and only got back two days ago.”
Lebo swallowed hard. She didn’t know what to say. She just stared at him.
Molemo continued, “I wanted to talk to you. I planned on coming to see you at your place. So much has happened that I need to tell you about . . .”
He was speaking fast about a lot of things all at once, not taking a second to breathe, and just went on and on.
Clearly he was nervous, and Lebo couldn’t help but be amused.
“Molemo, take a breath, then tell me exactly what you’re trying to say.”
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and began.
“Lebo, ke a go rata and I’m really very sorry about everything that’s happened. I never meant to hurt you. You are a beautiful, intelligent, passionate, funny and ambitious lady and . . . Wait, let me stop.”
Molemo punched the palm of his left hand with his right hand.
Lebo waited silently.
“Okay, here’s what I’m really trying to say,” he continued after a few seconds. “Before I met you, I thought I had it all and knew it all. But you came and changed the way I saw things. You’re unlike any other woman I’ve ever met.”
She couldn’t help smiling, but he remained serious.
“Lebo, you are wise and strong, and you know what you want. I hate to say this, but you sometimes intimidate me. I’ve always hung around insecure women who didn’t know who they were or what they wanted out of life. And then you came along . . . Such a smart and confident woman . . . I didn’t know how to handle that. I thought you might be like the others who were only after my money and maybe even an opportunist, but I was so wrong. I’ve deliberately kept my distance from you so I could give you some time to cool off from all the drama I brought you and so that I could also deal with my issues. But now I’m back and I want you in my life.”
Lebo’s mouth went dry and the butterflies in her stomach didn’t go away.
Still Molemo continued.
“The last time I was with you, you asked me what I wanted and I didn’t answer you. Well, here’s your answer . . . It’s you I want, Lebohang. You’re the only one for me. For the first time ever, I’ve let my guard down and fully fallen in love and it’s because of you.
“I’m sorry for treating you like one of those other women. I want you in my life, I need you. I want to laugh with you and help you make all your dreams come true. I want to talk to you about things I can’t share even with my closest friend. You are the one for me, Lebo. Please give us another chance.”
Molemo was holding Lebo’s hands and looking deep into her eyes. Gently he pulled her towards him and placed his lips on hers.
Lebo was surprised and guarded, but wanted to feel his love so badly that she let herself be taken into his embrace. His smell was intoxicating and his grip filled her with deep desire.
Their lips met and filled each other with their energies. The kiss was strong and full of tender love, yet burning with desire. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity.
Lebo couldn’t believe what was happening. She had hoped for so long that she and Molemo would end up together again – and here it was happening. He had just said everything she’d needed to hear for so long.
She loved the feeling of being in his arms, and after everything that had happened, she knew this was where she wanted to be: safe in the embrace of the man who loved her.
“Molemo, is this really what you want?” Lebo looked deep into his eyes. She needed to be certain of his intentions. For the first time in her life, she had found true, unadulterated love, and she wanted to remain drenched in all its possibilities. But she had to be sure. “Are you serious?”
“As serious as a heart attack,” he said. “Now kiss me and stop asking so many questions, woman.”
And he pulled her even closer for an even deeper kiss.
About the Book
Synopsis
Lebo Mokoena is an entertainment reporter for a popular daily newspaper. Tired of the nine-to-five routine, she’s determined to start her own catering business with her mother and aunt. Then she’s introduced to Molemo Tladi at a party in Sebokeng. The local “it” guy and a successful businessman, he’s the perfect man to guide her in setting up her business. Lebo is keen when Molemo offers to mentor her. Soon however, Lebo discovers he’s perfect for more than just mentoring. If only he could realise that she’s not after his money.
About the Author
Lerato Matsaneng is a former journalist who has worked for various publications in the country. She currently works as an independent marketing and communications consultant. An avid reader, she also writes poetry. This is her first novel.
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Are You a Writer?
Are you a writer? Do you want to get published? Write a truly South African romance novel for our new romance imprint, Sapphire Press – only 30 000 words. E-mail [email protected] for more information, or to let us know if you liked this story. Alternatively, send us a letter to Kwela Books, PO Box 6525, Roggebaai, 8012. You can also fax us at 021 406 3812. Feedback will be given on publishable manuscripts only.
Imprint Page
Sapphire Press is the romance imprint of Kwela Books,
an imprint of NB Publishers,
40 Heerengracht, Cape Town, South Africa
PO Box 6525, Roggebaai, 8012, South Africa
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kwela.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sapphire.Press
Copyright © L Matsaneng 2011
All rights reserved
No part o
f this electronic book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying and recording, or by any other information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher
Cover image by Greatstock/Corbis
Cover design by Hanneke du Toit
E-book design by Full Circle
Available in print:
First edition, first impression 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7957-0330-0
This epub edition:
First edition 2011
e-ISBN: 978-0-7957-0378-2
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