THE ALPHA'S FATED SOULMATE

The mark from the nightmare

THE ALPHA'S SOULMATE

Chapter 2

Azanothe

It's the next morning and I wake up tired. I don't know why but my spirit feels heavy. I don't even want to go with my brother today, but I keep promises.

I've been awake since 4am because of that nightmare. I couldn't sleep again. I was scared it would come back. I check the time. It's 6am. Let me shower before Lungelo comes. We must be at the hotel by 8am.

The man doesn't want to meet at the company or in public. Why? He could be an assassin. He might be a vampire or a terrorist. Why is he scared to be seen?

After making my bed, I walk to the closet. Choosing clothes today is hard. This is a meeting. I must dress well. For my normal work I wear jeans, t-shirt and sneakers. But today I need heels. I hate heels. But Lungelo doesn't play with business dress code. So I will do it.

30 minutes later I'm done. I look at myself in the mirror. Not bad.

"Let's go. We will have breakfast there."

"Bhuti you want me to eat in front of a stranger?" He's not serious. I love my food and I'm not shy.

"Shy to eat in front of him? Come on, it's just food. Pretend he's not there." He's teasing me. There's nothing wrong with loving food. You just exercise to stay healthy. I exercise sometimes.

We say bye to my parents. They are having coffee like always. Mom wakes up first, makes breakfast. Dad showers then they drink coffee together before work.

Will I ever have a husband? Or will I die single with only cats?

I think about my love life. I gave my virginity to the first boy I dated in matric. He was charming and I was young. I gave him permission to enter my father's kraal. We were together for 1 year. After I slept with him, he left me for a "more beautiful and flexible girl". His words, not mine.

After him I dated 6 men. They didn't stay long. Don't judge me - I didn't sleep with all of them. Out of 7 men including the one from high school, I only slept with 3. The rest we just dated and kissed.

" Nkanyezi said she will visit this weekend. I want to take you both out," Lungelo says, pulling me from my thoughts. He is the only son with 3 sisters. To him we are his daughters and he spoils us.

"I'm going home. I must see Gogo."

"Why, is everything okay?"

"Yes. I just want him to help me with my problem. I don't want to be single forever."

I act like I don't care, but it bothers me. "We are going there together then. Maybe he will take you to Mphikeleli. He knows his stuff." I don't know who that is. But at this point, take me to the waters. I will jump in with my eyes open.

"You must ask Nka. She might not want to go. You know her." My sister hates the village.

"We are going with you for support. You don't know what you might find."

I love my siblings. They each play a role in my life.

"Thank you. When are you getting married?"

"I'm 34 and still young. Maybe at 40. Your gender isn't kind."

His gender is the unkind one. That fool left me yesterday without an explanation. And he says we aren't kind.

"Do you have a woman? Last time I saw you with one was Christmas."

"I do. But she's not the one, so I won't bother making her known." Yes, every woman is "not the one" with him. I'm not surprised.

We are at Ruddison Blue Hotel in Umhlanga. That's where we meet Killian. At reception the lady says he's waiting. The elevator moves slow. I want to see the man and judge him today.

We get to his suite. He booked the presidential suite. There is a man outside the door. He looks like a robot. He doesn't greet us. He just nods and opens the door.

"Sir is in the bathroom. Wait here." He shows us where to sit.

Lungelo and I exchange looks. In my head I'm asking: does this man poop like us? We have never seen his face. Not even in interviews. I bet journalists sign papers first.

"Sanibona," a voice comes from another door. I turn. There stands a man. He is... I don't know. But he's a man.

"Sawubona Mngomezulu," my brother greets. My voice is gone. My mouth is mute.

I watch him walk to us. My brother stands and they shake hands. He sits on the couch opposite me. My heart races. I can't hold his eyes.

"Zungu udadewenu uyisimungulu yini?"

"Is your sister mute?" he asks. No smile on his face.

"No she's not," Lungelo says. He gives me the "don't embarrass me" look. Too late. The small girl in me wants to be stubborn. If he wants me to talk, he must open my mouth himself.

My heart won't stop racing. If it continues, I might faint.

This man is intimidating, serious, dark and handsome. He makes me want to act out of character.

"Don't mind her. She's not feeling well. Can we get to business?" I know Lungelo will scold me later. Killian nods. He stretches his legs and sits comfortable. Have I said he's tall?

They talk about his house. How he wants it to look. Lungelo writes everything down. I'm just listening and recording in my head. I'm smart like that. If you ask me next month, I will tell you everything.

I've been watching him talk. He doesn't smile. Not even small. He looks like a talking robot. But there's something about him. I don't know how to explain it. It feels like I’ve seen him before.

Maybe I'm just dreaming. Where could we have met? My mind goes far.

He smells like rain and something old. Like books and smoke. Not cologne. Real.

Every time he breathes, I breathe too. It's stupid.

My hands are sweating. I wipe them on my skirt under the table so Lungelo doesn't see.

Why is my heart beating like I'm running? We're just sitting.

I should look away. But his eyes are dark brown. Almost black.

When he blinks, it's slow. Like he's studying me.

Like he knows something I don't.

Goosebumps rise on my arms even though the room is hot.

This is not normal. Men don't make me feel like this.

The last one, Bruce, I had to pretend to like his jokes.

With Killian I don't have to pretend. My body is doing things without asking me.

My legs want to cross. My mouth is dry.

What is wrong with me?

Maybe it's just because he's famous. The ghost CEO.

Yes. That's it. I'm nervous because he's important.

But then why does his voice feel familiar?

I've never met him. I would remember.

Right?

I shake my head small-small. Stop thinking, Aza. Focus on work.

Too late. He turns and looks straight at me.

For 2 seconds the whole room disappears. Just me and him.

"Azanothe did you hear what Mngomezulu said?" Why does he call my full name?

"No sorry. What did he say?" My brother will kill me today. Why am I acting foolish?

Killian clears his throat. "MaZungu I want you to see what to do once the house is done. I heard you are the best interior designer in the city."

MaZungu? Only my father calls me that. And "best"? That's a big compliment from the ghost himself. I will take it.

"We will talk when it's done. I will send you samples so you can choose," I say.

The way he's staring at me, I feel naked. It's not a good sign.

I should stay away from men. This is temptation in a cup. Should I drink or pour it away? My mind is busy with nonsense.

"Mmm we will be in touch Zungu. Ngiyabonga ndoda. I know this isn't how you do meetings but I'm allergic to public places." Must be nice being him.

"It's nothing. I'm happy doing business with you," Lungelo says. Finally we are leaving. This room feels hot.

I can feel Killian's eyes on us as we walk out. But I won't look back. My knees are shaking.

"Walk properly Ngcino." This one always says I'm the last born. I know. He doesn't need to tell everyone. My future husband will think I'm spoiled.

"What was that wena slima?" He pokes my forehead. Now he looks angry. He was holding it in.

"Sorry. I don't know what happened. My voice refused to come out. And did you see his body?" He scoffs.

"Off topic as always. What does his body have to do with work? Instead of focusing on why you were in the same room with him, you were looking at him." Wrong. I was gawking. I can't lie, he's hot. But he has arrogance. Don't ask how I know. I'm a good judge of character. And that sexy ghost is a lot of things.

I need to see Grace. She's the only one who keeps my secrets. She must know I met thee Busani Killian Mngomezulu. I wouldn't mind laying under him. What am I even saying?

"Stop thinking about the man and Aza, don't do anything stupid," Lungelo warns.

If stupid means falling in his arms while he's naked, I will do it with my eyes closed. I can even call him daddy. Yes it suits him. Imagine those strong arms holding me. Don't make me talk about his voice. Hearing it made me feel things.

"I will give you his number so you can talk about work," Lungelo says. Seriously, this man needs someone to take care of him. He must be sexually frustrated.

"Take me to Grace's house." She's not at work today. Kids give her headaches so she lies that she's sick. Teaching is stressful.

"Haven't seen her in a while. Is she still beautiful?" What kind of question is that?

"Stay away from her. You hurt her before. I won't let you do it again." I'm serious. He must leave her alone. She cried for 1 week because of him.

"Hurt her? I told her not to expect more. It was just a hook up."

"You shouldn't have touched her. She's my friend." He looks bored.

But it's true. She had a crush and he slept with her. She spent that week dreaming about that night. Next morning it was a mistake.

"Enough about your friend. Fezeka said she's going away with her husband." Yes, my older sister's husband is a taxi man. He owns taxis even with a HR degree. He likes taxi rank more than office. Lungelo doesn't like him.

"I'm happy for her. She's always home with kids." Yes her husband didn't want her to work. But she's okay with being a housewife. Dad built a legacy for all of us anyway. He told us to work and learn responsibility.

"Yeah she deserves rest. I don't like the man but he loves her. That's obvious."

At least he knows. Khuzani doesn't hide how much he loves her.

He stops at Grace's gate. I thank him and get off. He waits until I'm inside then drives off.

"Mngani I missed you!" She hugs me tight. She's a hugger. We met 8 years ago at my dad's friend's birthday and clicked.

"I missed you too. I have gossip. Let's go inside." We walk in laughing. She's bubbly.

Wine glasses in front of us. Now we can talk about other people's business.

"I took a day off. One teacher is working on my nerves. He said he loves me and he's going to get me." Psycho vibes. This world is cruel.

"You must report him to principal. He can't harass you."

"I did. But the principal is his aunt. He got a warning. Yesterday he was following me." My heart drops. That's not okay. Maybe police is best.

"Go to police. Or I can tell Lungelo to handle it."

"No don't. I don't want him in my business. And I'm not helpless. Your brother is an asshole. No offence." He really hurt her. He deserves that name.

"Enough about psycho. Tell me about your meeting." She sits with legs crossed, ready for news. We are both busy so we use our time well.

"The meeting with Busani... what can I say? He is the man he thinks he is. He has beautiful eyes. The kind that pulls you in. His presence is heavy. He doesn't need to talk for people to respect him.

I don't know but he felt familiar. Like I know him. Do you think I'm stupid? It was my first time meeting him and I'm saying all this."

Silence. Why is she quiet? She always has something to say.

"No you aren't stupid," Grace whispers. Her wine glass stops halfway to her mouth. "Sometimes we feel connected to strangers..."

Her eyes drop to my neck. My hand flies up fast.

There, burning hot on my skin, is a mark. Three claw scratches I didn't have yesterday morning.

The same mark from my nightmare.