Chapter 1: After the Drunken Night
Hot.
Her whole body burned like she'd fallen into molten lava.
Naledi Molefe needed relief.
A man's solid chest pressed down. She arched unconsciously to meet him, murmuring, "Kabelo... how could you forget me... I miss you so much, love me..."
Hearing the name "Kabelo," the man's long, narrow eyes narrowed.
...
"Mmm..."
Morning. First light streamed through the window onto the hotel bed.
Naledi rolled over and touched scorching hot skin. Her eyes flew open. What she saw was a face so flawless it seemed unreal.
"Ah! Who are you? Why are you in my bed? What did you do to me?"
Confirming this wasn't a dream, Naledi saw herself naked beneath the sheets and screamed.
Thabo Nkosi leaned lazily against the headboard, his gaze sweeping over the skin exposed above the sheets—covered in kiss marks he'd left the night before.
"I should be asking you that." His voice was low and rough. "Last night, the moment I stepped out of the lift, you threw yourself at me. Had your hands all over me. Anyone watching would've thought you were desperate."
Naledi flushed with shame and rage. This bastard thought she was selling herself?
She raised her hand to slap him, but the sheet slipped down, exposing her.
She clutched the corner instead, warning him, "I don't want anyone else knowing about last night. Once we walk out that door, we're strangers. If you dare say anything, don't blame me for what happens."
Naledi picked up her scattered clothes from the floor and pulled them on.
Thinking about how she'd given her first time to a complete stranger, her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.
She angrily wiped them away, refusing to show her helplessness.
Thabo watched her stubborn expression, his voice softening. "Last night was an accident. If you're willing, I can marry you."
"Marry?" Fury flooded through Naledi. Eyes red, she glared at him, her voice choking. "Sleeping with me once wasn't enough? Now you want to keep doing it with a ring on?"
What a joke.
Her reaction caught Thabo off guard.
Over the years, plenty of women had thrown themselves at him. He'd never been interested. The one time he felt responsible for a woman, she didn't want him?
Thabo put on his crisp suit and pulled an embossed business card from his pocket, placing it on the bedside table.
"My number's on there. Call me if you change your mind."
After the man left, Naledi soaked herself in the bath, scrubbing desperately at the red marks on her skin. The world felt grey and dark.
Last night, she'd attended a cocktail party with her family. Her half-sister had handed her a drink. After finishing it, she'd blacked out.
Her alcohol tolerance wasn't great, but she wouldn't pass out from one drink.
Lindiwe must have put something in it.
Six months ago, her boyfriend of two years, Kabelo Mokoena, had been in a car accident. When he woke up, he'd not only lost his memory—he'd fallen for her sister Lindiwe.
She'd tried everything to help him remember. Nothing worked.
She had nothing left now. Her man, her family—Lindiwe had stolen it all. Why wouldn't she leave her alone?
No. This couldn't end like this.
If she went back without a plan, Mandla would still control the house, Lindiwe would still control the lies, and whoever had arranged last night would still have the power to corner her again. She needed a legal shield of her own before they could sign her future away.
After her bath, Naledi took an Uber back to the Molefe house.
The Molefe estate was quiet in the early morning.
Naledi was about to enter the lounge when she heard women's voices scheming inside.
"Mom, last night was such a waste! That escort told me he slept with Naledi, but he didn't get the video... If we'd had footage to show Kabelo, he'd hate her even more..."
Then another harsh female voice replied, "Don't worry, my girl. Even without the video, Naledi won't be an obstacle to you and Kabelo anymore."
Lindiwe sounded suspicious.
Grace Molefe laughed contemptuously. "Remember that Mpho Tshabalala from last night's party?"
"Mpho? That disgusting fifty-year-old pervert? I heard he's killed six wives and is looking for a seventh..."