Precious Rosé

CHAPTER SIX

He hugs me for the longest time since we met, he inhales smelling my hair, he moves his head to my neck and lightly kiss it sending messages to my inner soul. I forget that he's my boss and the Prince and let myself enjoy his touch, his tantalizing cologne.....

"You smell nice. I missed this." He says making me blush. I pull out of the hug.

"Can we get back to work?" He laughs.

"No. I brought lunch for us, come let's sit here." He leads me to the couch holding my hand with his other hand, his other hand carrying a plastic bag. He puts the plastic bag on a small coffee table, sits down and takes me in his lap. He looks deep into my eyes making me bat my eyelashes. "Don't do that, please." I attempt to move from his laps but he holds me still. "Sit down."

"Don't you think you are getting too carried away too soon."

"No. What I feel for you is real, even if you don't love me back my love is enough for both of us."

"Do you think Ana's insults would have an effect on me if I didn't love you?" He kisses my lips. We eat our lunch with me still on his lap. Someone knocks as we just finish eating, I quickly jump to my feet making him laugh. He unlocks the door and Ana comes in, she looks at Spha, empty takeaways and to me but says nothing.

"Good afternoon, Sir. I wanted to give you this." She puts the file on the table and turns to leave. Spha holds my waist and pulls me to him, his lips touch mine, I see Ana through the corner of my eye, she's red with fury, Spha wants to deepen the kiss but I slightly push him.

"What?"

"Time to get back to work. And Mr, you have to control your hands especially when we are in the office and remember I haven't said yes yet." He smiles.

After office hours Spha drives me to the mall. Since I already saw the prizes online I lead him into SaveRite supermarket. He asks what we are really looking for.

"Buying groceries that can at least last for a month."

"What? How are we gonna carry them?" I laugh.

"Spha, we are not buying these for the royal family."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning we only buy the necessities not all the fancy stuff." He nods. He picks a number of cereal boxes, coffee creamers, snacks.... "Thus not part of the necessities." He looks lost. "Okay my dear Prince, us commoners can not afford all these and if I pay for these who will buy sugar, mealie meal, salt, cooking oil and toiletry?"

"Ooooh! I'm sorry forgive my ignorance." He feels bad.

"It's okay I understand. You don't have to feel bad, this is probably your first time inside the supermarket." I laugh at him.

"Please don't laugh. One of the reasons why I hate being me." He faintly smiles.

"Don't worry I will teach you a few things only if you stick around."

"I'm gonna stick around for a very long time." He pulls me by my waist from behind making me giggle forgetting we are not alone. "Shh....people are looking at us now." I look around trying to see the said people, he slightly bites my neck.

"Spha!"

"What sweetheart?" He bites my earlobe.

"Stop! We are in public." He laughs and let's me go.

"You're naughty." We walk around the supermarket, I get all the things I need and some I don't need because Spha insists. I keep reminding him that I don't have all the money in the world to purchase the whole supermarket. We check out, the girls serving us can't stop looking at this handsome charmer next to me. He acts as if he is not aware of this but I sense he knows how girls feel whenever he appears. The cashier calls out two guys who helps us carry the goods to the car. He opens the passenger door.

"Not yet, Mr. I still need to get a few things from the boutique." He smiles, takes my hand in his and leads the way. "Your face lit up when I mentioned boutique, what's up?"

"In here I can be me unlike in that supermarket."

"O-okay?"

"My sister loves clothes so I always take her out shopping." He answers my question. I see a beautiful short black dress with a bling detail on the neckline. I check the prize, its affordable.

"My friend will definitely look good with this on." I smile, more to myself not to the person next to me who's busy checking out a nude dress. The sales person comes running to us.

"Good afternoon Sir, ma'am. Are you looking for anything specific so I can help you." She smiles her professional smile.

"Not really. Pack this----"

"And this." Finally, Spha snaps out of his imagination. I pick clothes and shoes for my whole family but pick nothing for myself. "Come this side." We go to the jewelry section. He talks to the sales person, I'm not listening to their conversation, the prizes of these things just made me lose my voice. How can one honestly pay for this? This is the more reason I don't have jewelry and accessories, I can't afford them. I'm brought back to where I am by Spha putting a diamond necklace around my neck. It looks wow! "I love this on your neck, babe." He runs his finger on my neck, eish that feeling again! Everything south of my west tightens, I'm getting wet down there. Nomtha! Get a grip on yourself! I scold myself. "Hey, you look lost." He whispers in my ear. I turn around and put my hands on his shoulders.

"Can you please keep your hands to yourself my dear Prince."

"What? Are you feeling the heat?" I slightly push him away from me, he laughs. The sales woman clears her throat.

"Uhm....sorry about that." He addresses the lady, all of a sudden feeling shy.

"It's okay my boy. Young love, once upon a time I was madly in love with my soulmate. Just like you two lovebirds, we didn't care about anything else but us." Her face falls and her eyes begin to be teary. "Embrace each other-----" Her voice trails off.

"Maa, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" I ask concerned for her. She wipes her tears and smiles.

"My soulmate now only lives in my memory. You two look happy together, may the Almighty bless your relationship." She sighs and smiles.

"Thank you Maa." We smile at each other.

We pay for our clothes and leave. The cold breeze hit my skin, I shiver. Spha looks at me, smiles, puts down the shopping bags, removes his jacket and makes me wear it. He opens the passenger door, puts the bags on the back seat and gets in.

"You are too delicate." He switches on the heater.

"Thus not a nice compliment My Prince." I rub my hands together. He leans closer and kisses my cheek.

"I love you the way you are, your delicacy is a bonus because now I will always get to see you wearing my jacket," he lowers his voice. "And I will be able to take care you my precious rose." He turns the ignition key, the engine rows into life. "Where to from here?"

"Take me home." His face falls.

"Am I boring you? Why do you want to go home so early?"

"No. You are not boring me but my family is probably waiting and praying that I bring something to eat."

"Oh! But there are no takeaways in your stuff."

"Spha I can't afford to be buying fast foods."

"I thought you said you had an older sister who also graduated with a first class degree, is she not working? You seem to have taken all the burden upon yourself." I look away from him. "Babe, what's wrong?" He looks concerned for me. What do I tell him?

"Nothing. My sister is not employed as of yet and I promised my father to relieve him of all the household expenses once I start working. He sacrificed a lot for us when we were young, it's time we take care of him." I smile my reassurance smile.

"Wow, Nomtha you are really a good daughter and you will make a good wife. And a good Queen too." He affectionately squeezes my hand.

"Hold your horses Mr Tshabangu." He smiles as if me calling by his surname tickles him somewhere on his body.

***********

It's becoming dark outside, the royal workers are busy preparing the dinner table, Queen Clementine is flipping through the pages of the magazine probably trying to keep in touch with the trends. The King is chatting with his darling daughter in his chambers. Kayise is daddy's little Princess not forgetting that she's also the most loved, they should have named her Thandeka, Thandiwe or something like that. Sbu is busy chatting with Samke who is sitting on the chair whilst Sbu lays his head on her laps.

"Crazy maiden, you know I love you right?" Says Sbu winking at Samke.

"What do you want Sbu?"

"Nothing." He lies.

"Don't forget who you are talking to." She plays with his hair.

"Okay." He sits up. "I need to blow off some steam, it's been a while since I had good rounds of good sex."

"You always find yourself a desperate girl and buy your way to pleasure, what happened today? Are you broke my dear Prince?" She laughs softly.

"Not really. I'm tired of those slay queens who know each and every style, I want something new, someone who will submit to me, someone who won't say no to my demands, preferably a virgin."

"We are talking about women or men here?"

"Women of course!" He lightly pushes her making her giggle.

"Don't bite please. With you my dear Prince I always have to make sure that we are still on the same page. But I wouldn't be surprised to see you with the latter."

"As long as I get to please myself, right?" They both laugh.

"Okay so what's the catch? What's in it for me?"

"Nothing just do this little favor for me."

"Hell no. Samke does nothing for free!"

"Okay the usual amount."

"Thus too small. Today is different because I will have to interview the person first." Sbu finally agrees to whatever Samke is charging him. Kayise walks towards to where they are seated. Her face changes as soon as Samke comes into view.

"Sbu! What the hell are you doing with this filthy maid?" She shouts.

"Mtcheeew..." Samke clicks her tongue and leaves. The two are like cats and dogs there's no love lost between them. They hate each other, one would swear they are women married to a same men. You know how the polygamous lifestyle can be, right?

"Stop with the drama Kayise. Being a commoner doesn't have a same meaning as being filthy." Kayise tries to say something. "Don't. I'm not in a good mood today." Sbu also tries to leave but she pulls him back.

"Are you sleeping with the maid Sbu?"

"No! What do you think of me? I may be the black sheep of this family but I still try my level best to maintain my status and class. Sis, I love s*x yes, but I can't possibly sleep with the employees, can I?"

"I'm glad you are not. Mom is calling you for dinner." They go inside hand in hand, chatting and laughing as they approach the dinning table which has all sorts of foods. With the royal family, it's always a feast.

****************

Spha parks his car in front of the Mahlangu house. He dims the lights but leaves the engine on.

"Thank you for everything you did for me today Spha. I really appreciate-----"

"Stop. We are friends, right?" Nomtha nods. "Friends don't thank each other instead they show their appreciation through actions. If you are really thankful my baby, then show me." He smiles. Nomtha quickly jumps onto his laps making sure her head doesn't hit the roof of the car, she puts her hands around his neck while he puts his around her waist, they have an eye lock, one could see the sparks of love shinning in their eyes, their love can definitely light up the room during an electricity cut. Their lips touch, they both feel the rush as they forget where they are and deepen the kiss. A moan escapes Spha,s mouth as their tongues find a way to each other as they entangle in a harsh but passionate way. By the time they pull out of the kiss they are both panting. Spha holds her tight and whispers. "If it was up to me, I would never let you go." He kisses her forehead, making her blush in the dark. "I waited for this kiss for a very long time, I always imagined how your mouth tastes. Turns out my imagination was wrong because honestly speaking, you taste so sweet my love, more than I ever imagined." Just then Bab' uMahlangu opens the front door making the two lovebirds jump. Nomtha quickly gets down the car followed by Spha who opens the boot before exchanging pleasantries with his future father in-law. Is it too soon to say that? Who cares, let's just go with the flow.

"Hi dad." Nomtha kisses his cheek.

"Princess, I tried calling you but your phone is off. Don't you have it anymore?"

"I'm sorry dad I guess my battery is dead, you know that old phone of mine. I'm sorry for coming home late, I went for shopping."

"With which money Nomthandazo?"

"Dad relax. The company deposited my pay in my account. I wanted to surprise you thus why I didn't say anything." He sighs, relieved. Poor man must have thought it was the Prince's money. Bab' uMahlangu might be poor but he doesn't lack morals and dignity. After offloading the groceries, Spha says his goodbyes, Nomtha's father thanks him and commend him for being a good boss unaware that he's more than a boss. He gets in his car and leaves. Nomtha and his father also get inside the house with the shopping bags.

"Dad, where is mom and Sne?" She asks realizing they are not in the lounge or the kitchen.

"Both in their bedrooms my child. Your mother's been crying since in the afternoon, we had nothing to eat and I couldn't buy my family food. I'm a failure my child."

"No dad you are not. You did a lot for us and I promise you, I will never again let your wife lack anything in this house. Do you remember my promise when you sold most of the property for me to go to university?" He nods. "I haven't forgotten. I will do everything I can to help my family." They hug each other. Bab' uMahlangu thought his sacrifices were in vain but Nomtha has proven him wrong.

"And then? What's all this?" Zandi can't believe her eyes. The last time she saw so much groceries was when she used to work as a domestic worker for a very rich family. Nomtha pulls out of the hug smiling.

"Maa, your sunshine got paid her first salary hence the shopping bags." Zandi smiles as her eyes begin to water, hugs her daughter and let her tears of joy fall freely.

"Sunshine, you finally shined on me. I knew you were going to make me proud one day. Oh my daughter." She kisses her all over the face making her husband laugh. They offload the groceries, the cupboards are now full including the refrigerator that they had long forgotten about. Zandi is about to light the stove when Nomtha stops her. She tells her she brought takeaways. They help each other to set the table. "Let's eat."

"No mom, I will be back. I'm going to get my sister." She opens the door without knocking.

"Have you forgotten your manners?" Sne shouts.

"Not really. Hi Sis, food is ready."

"What food? The last time I checked there was nothing to eat in this house and you keep telling me that your father is trying his best." She scowls.

"Come and see for yourself."

Sne can't believe her eyes, she rubs them and then realizes it's not a dream. They sit and eat all grinning from ear to ear. Christmas came early for this family. After dinner Nomtha washes the plates and give them the other surprise. Clothes and shoes? They are all happy and can not stop thanking her.

"Thank you little Sis. Is it too soon to brand you as a breadwinner?" Sne says, raises her eyebrow and the sisters burst into laughter. To say Zandi is happy after a long time will be an understatement, she's over the moon.

Nomtha is now lying on her bed smiling to herself remembering how her day went. She's playing with her diamond necklace. Her phone beeps, it's a w******p message from Spha. They start chatting and laughing using emojis.

Spha: **I miss you already my honey.***

Nomtha: **Me too.**

Spha: **Can I come over? (Accompanied by a winking face)**

Nomtha: **No! Are you crazy?**

Spha: **(laughing) Crazy about you, yes.**

Nomtha: (blushing)** Can yo stop making me blush.**

Spha: (smiling to himself) **I like it when you blush.** He waits for a response for some minutes, he figures out she must have fallen asleep but thus not the case, Nomtha is smiling to herself still not believing she finally kissed Spha.

Spha: **Sleep well my precious rose. I love you, Nomtha. (With kisses, hearts and smiley faces).