Dating a Gangster

Chapter Seven: New Beginnings

Today is Monday and, yes, I am back at work. My day is going pretty slow. After multiple apartment viewings, I then concluded and decided on which apartment I liked. It's a two-bedroom apartment in Cambridge West, in a complex which is a new development. The beauty about it is; it is a small complex, has modern finishes and obviously no one has ever lived there before. I'm meeting up with the agent in about an hour's time to get my keys to the apartment. The interesting part about all of this is that I haven't told Lukhanyo about this whole thing. Honestly, I don't have a plan when it comes to that, but I guess I'll just break it down to him as soon as I get the urge to.

My phone rings and it is an unknown number calling. ''Hello?'', I answer. ''Amanda, hi, how are you?'', this voice sounds very familiar but I just cannot put my finger on who this is. ''I am good and yourself?'', I reply. ''I'm good too. I heard about mama's passing. I only just heard about it recently. I am so sorry, Mandy you had to deal with this alone. I can only just imagine how difficult it was for you, especially having Da falling ill too.'', he says. And that ladies and gentlemen is the so-called ''brother'' of mine, obviously not blood brother, who goes by the name Lwa, Alwaba in full. "Lwa?'', I take a deep breath as I slowly started feeling my chest caving in. Alwaba is my cousin, who is older than me. His parents both passed away when he was doing his last year of high school and left him without a cent. My parents decided to take him in and treat him as their own child. We obviously got along like a house on fire because when we were little children we would always go to our Grandmom's house for the holidays and all spend Christmas together. Alwaba unfortunately, disappointed all of us, but mostly my mom, who always wanted a son. He graduated in Computer Science, got a job offer in the United Kingdom, packed his bags and never looked back. By that I mean the first week of him arriving and settling in there, he kept in touch, but after that week, the guy cut us all off and disappeared without a trace. Never heard from him or about him since.

''Mandy are you still there?'', he asks. ''Yes Lwa. I am. Why are you only calling me now? Why did you disappear, in fact what do you want from me now? Do you know how long it took my mother to get over you? Do you know how it felt to see her mourn someone who is alive and most likely living their best lives in another country? Actually you know what Alwaba, let us pretend you didn't call. Because I am not going to be doing this with you right now. Don't call me ever again.'', I drop the call, block the number and delete it off my call log. A person could be at the brink of pulling their life together and the devil will send his toes to come disturb your peace, no ways, not today Satan!

I grab my handbag and walk out to the parking lot. My phone rings just as I am about to enter my car. Clearly I have a hotline. It's Lukhanyo. "Hi babe.'', the baritone chimes. ''Hi...hi baby. what's up?'', I mutter whilst entering and taking a seat in my car. "Eh...Why does it sound like you are breathing heavily?'', he asks. ''You know what baby, a person could be having a nice day and they just get tested nje, tested for no damn reason. Like, can you just imagine that? Just the audacity some people have, I can't believe it honestly!'', I take a deep breath. "Wait why does it sound like you are in the car? Aren't you only supposed to knock off in like half an hours time?'', he asks. ''Yes but I've taken it upon myself to knock off now. Because I was being tested remember?'', I snap. ''Okay baby don't fight me. I didn't test you. I was just calling to check up on you and how your day is going thus far. Do you think you will be home by half past five? I mean It's an hour and a half from now and I just wanted to take you out on a date tonight. I promise it's not a test.'', he chuckles. My anger slowly subsides, he's so annoying but sweet at the same time. I chuckle, ''I'll definitely be home by then. I'm just hoping I don't encounter any bad traffic that could hinder me from being there on time." "Okay then. See you at home.'', he drops the call. I start the car and drive off to Cambridge West.

A part of me is happy that I signed all the paperwork for my new place and everything just went so smoothly because I'm doing a quick in and out of the complex. My agent is already waiting for me by the security booth, so I park the car outside and walk up to the gate. She greets me with a warm smile, introduces me to the security guard and hands my key over. I bid my goodbyes and walk back to the car. A part of me is looking forward to this date with Lukhanyo. I mean, life is honestly not that bad after all.

After a short while of driving, I finally drive onto our driveway at Bishops Estate. I notice that the door is slightly open and one of Lukhanyo's cars are not in the garage. Why did he leave the door open then? I lock my car and walk inside the house. Strange, there's no one here. "Lukhs? Are you here?'', I shout. Silence. okay. I climb up the stairs leading to our bedroom. I notice that our bedroom door is closed but there is two rose petals leading to the room. I walk up to the door and open it, wow. Who knew this man could be quite the romantic lover. There are petals all over the floor and a big box wrapped in a fancy wrapping paper and a bow on top. I smile and rush to open the box, tearing the wrapping paper as I go along. I find a note at the top and open it. ''Amanda, I know we've never done anything romantic together but it is never too late to start. As your man I decided to purchase some accessories for you for our date tonight. I hope you love them, see you in a few.~Mr January.'' Accessories? In such a big box? I close the note and remove the papers on top. Oh he did not. No ways! This man bought me a brand new pair of Christian Louboutin So Kate heels. I take one shoe and fit it on immediately. Oh babe they look so good, but...painful. Hey man, they still Louboutins so I will endure! I literally giggle with excitement as I put them aside to see what is underneath. Mhmm...the orange box can only mean he went to the Louis store. I open the box and this sneaky man got me my very first designer bag, the Alma BB! I squeal! What is all this? I grab my phone and dial him.

"Babe?'', he answers. ''What is all of this Lukhanyo?' What's with the expensive gifts?'', I ask in excitement. He giggles, ''People who have never rolled with the Big boys behave like this ke. If you were used to luxury and being spoiled by your man you wouldn't be calling to ask me this, but instead you'd be asking for more!'', he says in between his giggles. "Aaargh whatever Father Christmas!", I say whilst rolling my eyes. "Then I guess you are my hoe hoe hoe!'', he laughs. This man is so childish. I laugh with him. "Thank you baby. I love the shoes and the bag.'', I say. ''Oh you don't love the note though?'', he asks. ''Haha I love it more than everything else. Where are you? I thought I would find you here like you said.'', I ask. ''I'll be there in a minute baby. get ready so long, we leaving soon, bye.", he drops the call. I put everything down and hop in the shower.

I'm dressed and ready to go. Lukhanyo is waiting for me downstairs. I walk down the stairs in my new heels whilst carrying my new bag. You get it? New beginnings, new shoes, new bag. ''You look beautiful babe.'', he says whilst finishing off his cigar. He opens the door for me and we walk to the car. Of course, he opens the car door, closes it as soon as I get in, hops into his side and we drive off. "Where are you taking me?'', I ask. ''You'll see.'', he says with a smile...

I take a seat whilst the waitress neatly places our menus in front of us. You see in those typical romantic movies where the guy takes a girl to a fancy restaurant where you have to make a reservation way before time in order to eat there and there's candles on the table, with flowers, basically the entire ambience is love and romance. Well that is exactly what I found myself in the middle of. I would swear Lukhanyo is about to propose just with how everything is because honestly I'm just as confused as you are on what the ocassion is. The interesting part about it all though is, he dressed like his typical damn self. I'm in a beautiful formal cocktail dress and everyone around us is dressed formally and Mr January? He is in black sweatpants, a grey hoodie and Nike sneakers. To top it off, the man is even wearing a cap for goodness sake, as if he's about to go running. Or maybe he's planning on running away from me? Mhmmm.

We place our orders and the waitress walks away with our menus. "Amanda," he holds my hands. "I know our relationship is not the typical relationship every lady would like to find themselves in. I mean we don't even know when it started, why it started, hell, we never even got to experience the honeymoon phase. I completely understand that you were going through a lot and I just wanted to be there for you but looking at how things are getting a lot better and you even smile nowadays, I just wanted a do over for us. I'm not a man of many words and you know that but basically what I'm getting to is will you kindly and officially be my exclusive girlfriend Amanda Nzwane? Hard emphasis on the exclusive part.'', he smiles showing off his gorgeous dimples. I have honestly never seen nor experienced this side of Lukhanyo.

"Of course yes, I would love to be your girlfriend Mr Dimple man.'', I say with a smile. " Well then, let's call up the waitress to bring us a bottle of Don Perignon because I'm about to put a bun in that oven for sure.'', he signals for the waitress. I look down at the table. "Uhm...babe I'm planning on moving out though. Well I'm not planning anymore, I am moving out. I picked up my keys today and I'm moving to my new apartment in Cambridge West.'', I mutter. ''Excuse me? You are what?'', he closes his eyes and draws his ear closer as though he didn't hear a word of what I said. ''Lukhanyo I'm moving out. I do think that it will be very good for us so that we have this do over whilst living in separate pla-", I speak as fast as I can even think. ''Amanda you are leaving. You are leaving me the minute you feel a bit happier? The minute you felt like things are seeming better and you've gathered up some strength, YOU decide to use that STRENGTH to walk away from me?'', he hisses in anger. ''I'm not leavng YOU Lukhanyo I'm just-'', I get cut off. ''Mr January is everything okay?'', the waitress asks after rushing up to our table. People are staring. I'm even past the stage of wondering how people know Lukhanyo, I'm actually just a tad bit scared instead. ''Perhaps you should ask my lady who is sitting in front of me, Abby. Whom I gifted with shoes this evening and she's choosing to use them to walk away from me.'', he crosses his arms and shakes his head. Wow, what an embarassing spectacle.