A love like yours

And it's a dish best served cold.

"I've been a jerk haven't I?" Rey asks me.

"Pretty much. " I shrug.

"My heart! He says dramatically, clutching on to his chest."

I laugh at his drama.

"You should be just gone into acting you know? You're pretty good at it."

"Me... me baby... and acting? You've got to be joking."

"Your ego's just another level."

"I prefer to call it confidence."

"Whatever sprinkles your donuts babes. "

"You did not just say that. I'm not cooking tonight. You need to be punished."

"That's what you get for placing me among people I don't belong with." He says.

"Punish me. " I say in a low voice."

"Don't start." He says, biting his bottom lip to try and hide his smirk. His phone rings, interrupting our moment and I flint a bit.

He looks at the caller ID and walks out of the room.

Alarms start going off in my head. Since when do we answer calls outside? Why is he going outside to answer it? Who could it be that needs so much privacy? Is my relationship coming to an end? I wonder what her name is and how she looks like... To have successfully talent taken like that? She's got to be all that.

But then again, I'm uneducated and have nothing to my name.At least Rey has his family's businesses to fall back on.

Boss, It's Jamie. We've managed to hack her phone.

Rey: What do have for me Jamie?

We've managed to hack her phone and we have access to all her calls, texts and emails, gallery and basically everything that's on her phone. It's a gety

ting sent to Alessandro and he's going to extract all the useful information.

Rey: Alright, make it fast though. I turn back to look if Amber's here. She's not.

"Make it quick. She can't suspect that something's going on."

Payment?

Rey: I'll make the transfer today. Good job.

I then hang up and go into the house.

I find Amber on her laptop . I take a peek at what she's so concentrated on and see that she's browsing through She's looking at different nurseries . I like that one, I say pointing to a beautiful nursery. I try to lean in for a neck kiss and she moves away from me.

Me:"What was that about?"

Amber: Since when do answer calls outside?

I roll my eyes at her. "You like causing fights hey? Notice how all out fights start with you? If I wanted to break up with you, I would've done that . I don't need to cheat, I can literally have any and everyone.

I see her looking down. It worked! Sleek is the name of the game son! Turn the tables on her... Even if you're in the wrong.

Amber: Maybe that's exactly what we need. When is the family meeting?

Rey:The first statement took me by surprise but I answered her as if I was unbothered.

It slipped my mind. I'll talk to my parents about it right now. I respond.

I sit my parents down and talk to them about the family meeting. They want to know what happened the time we went there and I take them through the whole thing. They're angry, as expected and want to have a meeting with Amber's family as early as tomorrow morning.

Dad: Pack your bags. We're leaving.

My dad storms off. It's not long before I hear arguing. He's going at it with Amber. I'm not even going to try and get involved. I just sit down, grab the TV remote and flip through the channels.

I settle on the animal channel and watch.

I can't wait until royalty is old enough to be sent around. I need snacks right now and I'm too lazy to get them myself. I sigh and begin my long walk to the kitchen. I realise that I'm being a tad bit dramatic here, but hey, it's me we're talking about.

I throw myself back on the couch, get comfortable and watch snakes in the city.

It's over! Amber says.

with my dad?

I feel her fingernail dig into my skin. One poke from her and I feel like a witch was in here.

I take one look at her and it's enough to make me realise that a fight is not worth it at this point. She's fuming right now and nothing I say will get through to her anyway.

"I give you everything and this is how I get treated in this house?" She asks before sinking to the floor and crying. I rush to her side and help her up.

Rey: We failed you, I failed you and I'm sorry. I know I sound like a broken tape recorder with all my apologies but I mean it. I'll treat you better from now on. I'll talk to my parents, find out the problem is and help all of you find common ground.

Amber: It's over!

She looks terrible with all that eyeliner running down her face and that snot is just disgusting. I'm trying here but it's hard to ignore.

Royalty: I'm done mama! Why is mommy crying? She asks, on the brink of tearing up.

Mommy's sick, we're taking her to hospital okay? She'll be okay. Bring your bag let's go. Who helped you pack? I quickly ask her.

Granny did. She replies flatly.

I sigh. This is messed up.

We take on the journey to KZN. My mother helped pack food for the road. Amber got in the back and shut her eyes as soon as she got in. Royalty sandwiched herself between the two of us.

My mom and dad are war ready ready and me... I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen.

After a long drive, we arrived at Amber's parents' house. Amber's mom comes out and puts the dog on its leash. She then opens the gates and let's us in.

I've got Royalty in my arms, silently watching my dad walk in like he owns the place.

I follow my mother and Amber inside, nervous about what's going to happen here. I take a look at Amber and she's half awake. I don't need this right now. I don't need her listening in on all the arguing.

Amber's mom offers us homemade biscuits and juice. My dad, being the prideful man that he is, refuses.

Dad: We were actually planning on coming here tomorrow and possibly have a civilised conversation with you but this nonsense child of yours has disrespected me enough.

I was flabbergasted!

Me: Dad? What's going on here? And why would you call my woman that? why would you call her that dad?

Dad: Truth hurts... I know...But we have to suck it up don't you think?

Me: But...

Dad: We're leaving. He says, hooking his arm in my mother's. Are you coming? I stood sill, absorbing every moment.

Dad: I guess you're catching a taxi.

Me: Mom?

My mom just looked at me apologetically before going out with my dad. I turned to Amber and she's looked at me with so much rage. I decided to keep my mouth shut. I gently placed Royalty in her mom's arms before following my parents .

In the car, I was spitting fire!

Me: Do you realise that you've chased the one person that lived to see me strive away dad?

Dad: I guess that's why she cancelled the meeting with the investors.

Me:She was angry! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Any lights coming on in your head?

Dad: Do want to walk back to her? Because you can.. I you want to go back please do say so, I'll gladly stop this car so you can act out your romance novel.

Stop the car! I say.

He pulls over to the side and let's me out. I can't believe I'm related to this guy.

Dad:The only thing I want you to know now that you're leaving is that we'll be cutting you off completely. You won't be granted access to any of your cards. Oh and.. you no longer have a job in my company.

I get out of the car and slam the door shut.

I then try to hitchhike and every car I flag down leaves me standing at the mention of no money. I try for hours and I still can't get a car.

A black Bentley pulls up go the side and waits alongside me. I take that as an invitation to go ahead and hop in. I take a seat and thank the man. it's been a long tiring day.

Me: Thanks so much man, I don't even have any money with me.

Man: Not a problem sir, where are you headed?

Me: I'm going to Balito Bay. Both my wife and child is there.

Him: I take it that you're family oriented then, I admire that in a man. I'm not gay by the way, but it takes a man to know and understand the importance of family.

Me:Thank you.

Him:I'm not going to ask where you're coming from for you have ended up there so I take it you wouldn't mind if I played some music.

Me: No. Why would ask a passenger that?

Him: Why not?

Me: It's your car.

Him: Humility is key. To grasp the concept of humanity is doing yourself a favor actually.

Me: True...

The music blasted through the speakers and I had my eyes fixated on the road ahead.

We arrived in Balito and I directed the guy to Ambers'parents house. He sped off as soon as I closed the car door. Weird, I haven't even seen his face.

I walked into the yard and headed for the door. The pitbul is still on a leash from our last visit no so long ago. I knock on the door and Amber's mom swings the door open after a few minutes. She's about to open her mouth to speak when Amber pushes her to the side and throws herself into my arms.

Amber: You came back for me!

Me: Not only did I come back, I left all that had behind, I chose you, I choose you. I choose you over the riches and over my parents.

I've had time to really think about the things that matter most to me and that is the fact that you always to see me thrive. You're my number one supporter and you give the best advice for every situation I'm going through. I've treated you really badly and all that I'm asking is that you give this fool another chance to prove himself to you.

Amber: I fell in love with an i***t, what can I say?

I picked her up and kisses so deeply.

I get that you guys made up, but this is still my house! Respect me!

We all laugh a bit and we all get inside.

"Hey Royalty." I say to my daughter.

Royalty: Daddy? Where did you go?

Me: I went to work. I'm back now okay?

Okay, she says with the cutest sparkle in her eyes. I look at her and think about how much she really means to me. This time I'm having my values in all the right places and I won't be deterred I won't be deterred from my path of treating my queen like the way she deserves to be treated.

Tommorow morning comes and I feel refreshed. Sleeping in Rey's arms the previous night confirmed that our love really does conquer all. I still need him to prove himself to me but I'm willing to let him in.

I decide to check the mailbox for any mail, I'll have to get used to this if I'm going to apply to college anytime soon. I open and there's a pink emvelope.

I take it into the house with the intention of opening it. I'm very nosy and my mom knows that. Besides, she's never know it was opened. It's not those sticky envelopes.

I open it and pull out a card. It reads:

You're a permanent resident of my heart

You've invaded my thoughts and now my dreams. What's a man gotta do?