Precious Rosé

CHAPTER FIVE

NARRATED.

MaNkonjeni is up early like always. Sne is sleeping peacefully on Nomtha's bed. She tried to make Nomtha talk about what happened between her and the Prince but Nomtha remained mum. She lied to all of them saying it was nothing serious just a misunderstanding at work. I wonder why Nomtha is still asleep at this hour, can it be she's not going to work? Bab' uMahlangu knocks on her bedroom door, she puts down the book she is busy with. I try to see the title of the book hoping to see a romantic word until I see bold yellow words 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'. Arg! That's a boring book to be reading this early in the morning, I mean who wants to be stressing herself out trying to master all of those principles stated by Robert Kiyosaki? Anyway, maybe thus why the girl is a genius when it comes to accounting.

"Good morning, dad." She yawns.

"Princess you are still in bed?" Her father is surprised.

"Not going to work today daddy." She stretches herself.

"What? Is it about yesterday?" Questions her father.

"No dad, its my off day." She lies, her dad nods.

"Okay. I'm going to the market, if I'm late I won't be able to get fresh vegetables."

"See you later, dad." He leaves. She closes the door making Sne stir and grumble in her sleep. She smiles watching her sister sleeping so serene. She jumps on the bed, tickles Sne who jumps immediately.

"Nomtha!" She hits her with a pillow, Nomtha laughs.

"Wake up, Sis." She tickles her again. They have a pillow fight Sne still swearing at her. They play for sometime.

"You're such an annoying sister, you disturbed my beauty sleep." Says Sne panting.

"It's almost nine o'clock Sis. You sleep too much."

"I work hard too."

"And where do you work?"

"Slay Queens club." They both laugh.

**********

Prince Sphamandla is in his office, he doesn't look good. He's flipping through a pile of papers looking for something I guess, Ana comes in without knocking.

"What the hell, Ana?" He's angry.

"Good morning Spha, I thought I should come and help you since that b***h isn't here t----"

"Don't you dare call her that! And yes, Mr Tshabangu to you. Get out of my office!" He hisses.

"Come on Spha. I can help you ease the tension," She walks towards him, tries to touch him but he moves away.

"Don't touch me! Leave!" He shouts pointing at the door. She pouts and hesitantly leaves. "Damn it! Ana is just a pain in the neck, I don't know how many times or which language must I use for her to understand that I'm not interested in her." Spha sighs in exasperation and sits down on his chair. He dials Nomtha's number but it's still unreachable. He buries his head in his arms and let's his mind wander.......

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

"My Queen, we can't keep postponing the crowning of Spha." Says the King to his wife.

"Melusi, I don't know what your problem is? You are annoying the hell out of me about this matter." Says the Queen using her native language.

"This have to be done before something happens."

"Stop being pessimistic, we will crown your son but we will do that when I feel like it." She puts her coffee mug on the table, and leaves.

"My Queen, motho wame-----" She turns, clicks her tongue and goes outside. She sits on the chair besides the pool area and dials someone.

"We have to meet."

"You don't sound good what's the matter?" Says whoever is on the other end of the call.

"The stupid King wants to crown his son. I won't let that happen, that crown is meant for Sbu and no one else."

"Calm down my Queen, we won't let that happen." She smiles and ends the call.

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

NOMTHA'S POV

I lied to my parents about why I was angry yesterday but for how long will I keep lying to them? I really need my job to help my family but can I still be able to work with Spha knowing that he is the Prince every maiden of this Kingdom is after? My jumbled thoughts leads me to my friend's place without even noticing, I knock, my friend quickly opens the door.

"Nomtha? Why are you not at work? And why is your phone off? You look troubled what's the matter?"

"Do I really have to answer all those questions still standing in this scorching sun?"

"Sorry. Come in chomie." She runs into the kitchen and comes back holding two glasses, one with water and the other with juice. "Water or juice?" She asks me, I shake my head. My friend is always a good host and knows how to take care of people. She puts both glasses on the table, switches on the TV and sits next to me. "O-okay?" She raises her eyebrows. I'm sure it comes as a shock to her because I have never refused fruit juice before.

"I'm confused. No, I trusted someone who I shouldn't have." Tears threaten to fall but I hold them in.

"Who is that? Is it your boss?". I nod. "What did the handsome guy do to my friend now?"

"He's 'thee Prince Sphamandla Tshabangu'". Her mouth goes wide open.

"No! You don't say!" She still can't believe what I just said.

"Yeah, I found out yesterday after being called names by one of his sexmates, girlfriends or whatever they call each other."

"Are you angry because you fell in love with the Prince or because someone called you names?"

"I don't love him!"

"You can fool all of them but not me. I saw it in your eyes when you talked about your trip, it's no sin to fall in love."

"What do I do?"

"Talk to him. Ask him all the questions you have and tell him how you feel, besides missing work because you fell in love with the boss and later found out that he's somebody else is not a good idea. It's like you are taking advantage of the boss's feelings. I'm not against you two falling in love with each other but you have to draw a line between pleasure and work. You need that money, Nomtha. Sort your issues before they escalate."

I thank my friend for a sound advice, just then my stomach grumbles reminding me that the last time I had a meal was the day before yesterday. I take the glassful of juice and down it. Sheila disappears into the kitchen, comes back holding a plate of rice and meat. I'm salivating already, the last time I had rice was when Spha brought me lunch at the office. My family cannot afford all this but I'm determined to change that.

The following day I wake up early, clean my room, take a bath and go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for my family. I'm setting the table when I realize that we have run out of sugar, teabags and milk. I will have to buy groceries but the company hasn't deposited my money yet. My phone? I search my handbag it's not in there, just then I remember switching it off and shoving it inside the drawer.

Damn! 987 missed calls, 52 text messages, 208 voice messages, 50 emails and 25 200 w******p messages! Who in the hell was trying to call me? A notification pops up on top of the screen.

****Month end financial report meeting with the executives. 9 a.m*****

Oh no! I didn't even prepare the report! I went to ask for the financial information from Ana but ended up receiving insults from her. What do I do now? All the messages are from Spha except for one, it's from the bank. I sigh and sit on my bed. I have let my boss down because of my silly behavior I just hope I won't get fired because of this. There is an email that catches my attention.

From: Anele P. Mthunzi

To: Nomthandazo Mahlangu

Date: 30 October 2017

Subject: Financial Report.....

Hi.

I hope you are fine. I overhead your conversation with Ana, please don't take it to heart she's just like that, a b***h of course. Mr Tshabangu is losing it without you, please do make it to the meeting otherwise that stern lady will win. Don't give her the satisfaction.

Attached is all you will need for that meeting.

Keep safe!

Your

Well wisher.

Intern at Tshabangu Enterprises Ltd. Accounts department.. @anele.p

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

I smile after reading it. I never knew Anele could be one of my well wishers. I close my eyes and thank the Almighty and Anele. I take my bag and exit my room, mom is now in the kitchen.

"Morning mom." I step close to her and kiss both her cheeks.

"Morning Angel."

"I have to leave early today, see you later."

I'm busy editing the report when Spha walks inside the office.

"Nomtha!" He hugs me from behind.

"Sir. How are you?" I say after pulling out of the hug.

"I wasn't good until now. We need to talk." He pulls a chair and sits next to me.

"Not now. I have to finish this report or else we both will be doomed." I try to be as much civil as I can be.

"No." He takes my hands into his. His touch sends electric waves all over my body. Oh boy! What is Spha doing to me? Can't my body understand that I'm still angry at him? "I want to know why you were angry at me?"

"I'm sorry for lashing out at you. I had a bad day, can we just forget that ever happened. But then if you can't forgive me I will understand, I'm sorry Sir."

"Why are you talking like that to me? Did I do something to hurt you?"

"No. Can we try and be professional and leave the personal stuff out of our conversations." He sighs but says nothing.

IN THE BOARDROOM

Ana looks like she's seeing something disgusting when I walk in followed by the boss. There are many faces I haven't met before, including the King and his wife. Most of the people may think I'm ignorant or something but that's not the truth. Growing up I learned not to care about the people who are not in my class especially the elite group because I think they look down on us, commoners. Thus the reason I only know the royal family from the pictures.

"Mom, dad meet my personal assistant Nomthandazo Mahlangu." I'm about to shake the King's hand when I remember that I have to show more respect to him.

"Your Majesty, Queen Mother." I say with my head bowed down.

"Are you from this kingdom?" Asks the Queen.

"Yes My Queen." Once again I bow my head.

The meeting goes well, they are all impressed with my presentation except for Ana. The King congratulates me but I notice a change on the Queen's face the moment he shakes my hand. I don't know maybe it's my imagination, but this Queen seems to be one of the proud and arrogant people. Ana softly clicks her tongue and exits the boardroom. Spha introduces me to all the executives, we shake hands and they leave.

"Lunch?"

"No I'm good besides I have to meet someone." I leave the boardroom and go to the interns office. I knock, they all nod and I go in.

"Afternoon everyone." Most of the girls scowl. I walk towards Anele's desk.

"Hi Nomtha." She smiles.

"Thank you so much for that report. I really appreciate you helping me."

"No need to thank me. You seem like a good person, I just don't know why people in this office hate you."

"Makes the two of us." I sigh. "Lunch? On me."

"You don't have to pay me for that report, I admire you as a person and I did that from the goodness of my heart. But if you really want to take me out, you will, just not today. I have to finish my work before Ana shows me flames." We both laugh.

"Anyway, I owe you one. See you around, once again thanks girl." I wave and leave.

I don't know what Spha thinks about my behavior towards him, I hope I won't get fired. I open my laptop, I have to check where I can get grocery at discounted prizes. Just then the boss opens the door holding a takeaway bag. He puts it on the table, walks back to the door and locks it, my heart starts beating faster, I'm scared, what is he going to do to me? He pulls a chair and sits next to me.

"Nomtha, I apologize for whatever I did to you. Please forgive me, I don't like us to have bad blood between us."

"Sir, My Prince, I'm really sorry for my behavior, forgive me."

"What's the matter? Why are you addressing me like that?"

"Are you sleeping with Ana?" His eyes pop out in shock.

"What? Is that how low you think of me?"

"Yes or no?"

"No! I don't sleep with my employees, you are the first employee I fell in love with nobody else." I don't know whether to believe him or not.

"Why didn't you tell me that you are the crown Prince?"

"I thought you knew, I thought everyone knew who I am but I was wrong. I'm sorry." He wipes a tear. Eish, I don't do well with tears so I look away hiding my own teary eyes. "So you hate me because I'm the Prince? Am I not allowed to fall in love with anyone my heart desires? Is it a crime to be from a royal family?" Hurt is audible in his voice. Something moves in my heart and I find myself hugging him tight until he calms down and pulls out of the hug.

"Does your mother know that you are a crybaby?" I joke, he faintly smiles and pulls me to him.

"Thus not funny. I was losing my mind without you please don't ever leave me again."

"I can't promise that." I smile. He thanks me for forgiving him and I also thank him.

"I love you Nomtha."

.