This is Us

Chapter 2

I was now in the kitchen cooking dinner for everyone. Gogo wanted to join us so I decided to go all out. I made grilled lambchops, roasted rosemary potatoes, truffled mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and much more. It took me a few hours to get everything done but when it was all ready I was satisfied with myself. I called everyone but Gogo said we had to wait for Mr Mkhize.

After half an hour of waiting he decided to grace us with his presence. Honestly I'm starting to think thus guy is haunting me. He sits down and I just get up to warm the food. Once I was done the kids help me set up at the dinner table then I dished up for everyone. Mr Mkhize kept giving me nasty looks but I tired not to mind him.

After dinner I washed the dishes then took the kids to go sleep with Gogo. I walked past Mr Mkhize's room and said goodnight. He grabbed my arm and pulled me to his room shutting the door. He pinned me against the wall and grabbed on my neck tight choking me.

Dante: You just won't go away is it? I'll make you wish you were never born

Me: Sad to say someone has already beat you to it

He bit my neck so hard I wanted to scream but I just bit my lower lip. He then pushed me out of the room and I hit the wall so hard. I got myself up and went to take a long hot shower. After I was done I went to sleep and just prayed that Dante would leave tomorrow. I honestly don't get why he's so oppsessed with making my life hell. From one spit? Really?

The next morning it was hard cleaning but sadly I had no choice. After a long day of work I cooked dinner and dished up for everyone. I then went to sleep and after a few hours I got woken up by cold water. I sat up straight only to find Dante holding an empty bucket.

What the hell?? I looked at him in shock and he just walked out and closed the door. I went to go dry myself up then slept on the small couch next to the bed. Weeks past and Dante was barely around. He still punished me for whatever reason but I could handle it.

One afternoon Dante came home with a girl and no one liked her, inclusing Gogo, and that woman likes everyone. Anyways I had to cook dinner with the help of a few people since we were told that the King would be joining us. Honestly I was so nervous, I mean, the King? We finished everything and had to set up in the main wing.

I also dished up for Andre and Chloé and told them to eat in our room. I didn't want the King to see them then kick them out. As I was heading back to the main wing, I numbed into this old man. He was dressed formally and looked very wealthy. I immediately apologised for my incompetence and he just laughed. Honestly I couldn't help but let out a slight laugh as well.

Old man: You are very beautiful and sweet

Me: Thank you Sir and I hope I didn't ruin your suit. I can wash it if you want

Old man: Don't worry about it my child. This may be hard to believe but you will have a happily ever after

Me: Sir I doubt any man would take a look at me. I'm raising two kids and I'm only 18, thank you but i think I've already found my happily ever after with my son and daughter

He looked at me and just smiled. He then kissed my cheek and walked away. That was... Unexpected? Right? Yeah definitely. I wonder who he is. Anyways I got to the dining table and everyone was there including the girlfriend. By everyone I meant Mrs Mkhize(Dante's mom), Gogo, Mario and Dorian(Dante's brothers) and Precious(their little sister), now we were just waiting for The King.

Voice: I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting

I look up and it was the old man I bummed into earlier on. I cursed myself under my breath. He then sat down and I immediately added everything up. Holy Mother... That's the King?? Wait, I bummed into the King? I'm definitely getting burnished from here. If not then I'm fired and they'll kick us out in the street.

King: Dante why am I hearing things about you from other people?

The table went silent. The King just continued with his meal, as if he didn't just make everyone want to s**t their pants.

Dante: What exactly are you hearing father?

Huh?? Did he just say father? That would make Dante a... That's means I spit on a... Right now I just feel like the ground could swallow me whole. I looked down and fiddled with my fingers.

King: Who's this?

Dante: My girlfriend Mbali... Umm also I have an announcement... Mbali is pregnant and we're getting married

Everyone dropped everything they were holding and just looked at him. The King had no expression at all, seemed like this wasn't news to him. Gogo just kept chalking her head while his mom was smiling at the both of them. The brothers weren't please at all.

Gogo: You're making a huge mistake with this girl

Dante: Gogo you don't know that for sure

King: Mom you can't be always saving him. If he wants to marry this girl then he should go ahead

Them: What?!

Dorian: Dad you can't allow this

Mario: For once I agree with Gogo, he's making a mistake that he'll love to regret

King: That let him make it

Gogo: If you think you're going to bring a bastard child into this family then you've got another thing coming

She gets up to leave and I decide to help her. The King just smiles at me again but I just look down, avoiding eye contact.

King: Mom what's her name?

Gogo: Who my baby?

King: The girl walking with you right now

Gogo: This is my precious Paris, but I prefer the name Amahle

King: You never told me the names of your kids Amahle

Me: It's... Its... Andre and... And Chloé My king

King: Please pack their bags, I want to leave with them

Me: Umm...

King: I'm not going to kidnap them don't worry. I'm taking them to Joburg so they can get a better form of education. You can come visit them whenever you want

I just cried a silent cry on the spot then rushed to hug him. After a few seconds I remembered who I was hugging and where so I just let go. He then pulled me in back for another hug and Gogo just laughed.

King: Now do you believe when I say you'll find your happily ever after?

Me: Now do you believe me when I say they are my happily ever after?

King: Mom this girl is stubborn, she won't let. E have the last word, AGAIN

Gogo just laughed and the people at the table were confused. Mbali, Dante and the Mrs kept giving me bad looks. The brothers were just holding in their laughs, I don't blame them. The King sounded as if I had just stolen his favorite candy.

Gogo: Leave my baby alone Amahle

Me: But Gogo he started it. He must know that Andre doesn't like to share

Gogo: And don't drag my grandbaby into this. Now take me to them

I walk back to her and we head for the East wing talking about random things nje. We get to my room and the kids immediately rush to hug Gogo. I just leave them there and head back to everyone else. All this time the sister was quiet which was odd. Anyways after a while they finished up and I got busy in the kitchen.

The next day I sat the kids down and told them everything. It broke my heart to see them so happy about leaving but I didn't blame them. I promised them a better life and this was if. The King then offered to buy us phones just so we can keep in touch with each other. I packed their bags and sadly they left that same day. I heart broke watching them leave.

Days passed and I was just missing my kids so much. Not even Dante's punishment hurt more than this. Thankfully Gogo was still bubbly but I could tell she wasn't the same without the kids. Work was the same as before but the Mrs and Dante did not go easy on me. Honestly like what did I do to these people?

Today was the day that the Mkhize's were due to pay lobola for Mbali. Then out of the blue Dante came home, if I can call it that, drunk and pissed. He started throwing things around and just curing the whole time. Just then Mario and Dorian walked in and tried to calm him down.

Mario: Dude she's not worth all of this

Dorian: Honestly I warned you bro, even Ma did but you didn't listen

Damte: I did everything for that b***h. I gave her everything she'll ever want or need

Mario: Honestly this is literally like a blessing

Dorian: Yeah, I mean at least you found out now before you got married

Dante: Still doesn't change the fact that she was going to let me raise a bastard child

Mario: Look we can't be worrying about that right now. People are expecting you to be engaged by the end of today

Dorian: And you know Dad wouldn't allow you to bring the family name down by canceled all of this

Dante: Where are we going to find a girl at this time?

For a few minutes the whole room went silent, I guess they must have been thinking.

Mario: What about her?

The whole time I was cleaning Dante's mess, I hadn't lifted my head once. I was hoping and praying they weren't referring to me, I'd die married to Dante. I then get up to go get rid of some of the glass and they were all looking at me. I turn in my heel then walk to the kitchen. When I get back only Dante is left.

Dante: Can we talk?

Me: Yes Sir.

I stop what I was doing and look at him. He clears his throat and sighs softly. He looks up at me probably thinking about what he wants to talk about.

Dante: Look I'm sure you heard everything we talked about. Now this is not really ideal for me but I've been backed into a corner. My brother has suggested we get married and I actually think he's on to something. Now I'm not asking you to become Queen or anything, but just that for the next few months we act as a married till my dad steps down as King. If you agree I'll get someone to draft a contract for us to sign and I'll even pay you any amount you want. I'd like to get an answer by tomorrow.

Then he just left. What the hell was that? A proposal? Whatever happened to going down on one knee and declaring your love for your partner. I just finished up then went back to my room. I just sat on my bed thinking about everything till I fell asleep. I woke up to a ringing phone and it was Andre calling me.

Me: You miss me already hubby?

Dre: I always miss you wifey. Chloé misses you too

Me: You guys enjoying Joburg?

Dre: Yeah but it would've been better with you here

Me: I'm so sorry I couldn't come with

Andre: Are you okay?

Me: I'm fine

Andre: The King agreed to pay for our school fees so why don't you take yourself to college now?

Me: I'll think about it okay? Maybe I'll apply for the following year

Andre: Promise me okay? It's time you lived your life for you now

Me: When did you get all smart

Andre: Wifey I've always been smart

Me: *laughing* I'll talk to you tomorrow, I love you both

Dre: We love you too, and wifey please stop crying. You look so much better when you smiling

Then he dropped the call and I hadn't realised I was crying. I wiped my tears and went to take a bath. I stayed there till the water got cold. It was dark out so I just wore my basketball top and went to sleep. The next morning I was woken up by Gogo. We just talked like always and also about my engagement to Dante. I can't believe I actually agreed to this crazy thing but honestly I need the money so I can buy my siblings house instead of us always crowding people's homes.

We agreed that the lobola money will be put into the little trust fund I have for the kids since we don't have any family members. After a few hours she walked about and I went to shower. I walked out and I bombed into Dorian, he just looked at me for so long that I just looked down. Then Mario approached us and greeted. I greeted him back then went back to my room. I wasn't in the mood for food so I just slept.

I woke up two hours later to find the King back but without my kids. Honestly my heart just got crushed, I was missing them so much. I was then asked to sit next to Dante on the lounge. I sat with my legs together and just fiddled with my fingers. Soon everyone arrived and the "meeting" commenced.

King: I don't know how this happened but I'm glad it did. Dante you will treat this child with respect and you will love her the way she deserves to be loved. Today is basically your wedding day since we've now transferred the money into the Trust Fund and Dante said he wants no wedding

Gogo: I'm just glad he didn't bring a bastard child into this family

They all talked and I was just looking down the whole time. I didn't have anything to say and really I preferred it that way. After hours later we had dinner and I barely ate, I just played with my food. Then we had to go sleep and Dante pulled me to his room.

Dante: You sleep here from now on and whatever happens in this marriage stays between us, are we clear?

I just nodded my head then he grabbed his car keys. He told me not to wait up then left. I just sat on the bed thinking about where I should sleep. I then just slept on the small couch to avoid conflict. Around 1 am Dante walked in drunk again. I just let him be then he came to shake me awake. He then pulled me to go sleep on the bed.

Dante: From now on you won't come to bed dressed like that, take it off

I then took off my clothes and I was left in my underwear. I turned to sleep but I could feel his breath by my neck. Then it kissed my neck and I shook him off. He then turned me and got on top of me. I don't know how but he was now naked. He ripped off my underwear using his fingers then kissed my belly button.

Me: Dante please stop I want to sleep

Dante: You are my wife and this is our wedding night, you can't deny me this

Me: I can and I am now get off me

He then grabbedy neck tight and kissed me so hard. He then spread my legs apart and I could feel his erection on my private island - don't judge the name. I cried silently thinking about how I'm about to lose my virginity.

Me: *crying* Dante please don't do this, I'm not ready please

Dante: Listen here, you are my wife and I can do whatever I want with you

Me: Dante please I'm begging you, you're drunk...

I couldn't even finish my sentence because he just entered me hard. He didn't even wait for me to take in the pain. He smashed me hard with no mercy and not caring about my cries. Eventually my body felt numb and he finally finished. He got off me then went to sleep next to me. I just cried the whole night not caring about who hears me.

When the sun was up Dante threw some clothes for me to iron for him. I got up even with all this pain and did as told. Then I made to make breakfast for him and pack his lunch. I went up to give him his food and he was on the phone.

Dante: No baby... Its not like that okay... It was a last minute thing... Listen I don't love her I love you... I'll see you tonight okay... Bye

I then knocked and he looked at me as if he just got caught having s*x. I put the tray of food down then turned to leave. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.

Dante: What did you hear?

Me: It doesn't matter what I heard, it's your life Sir

He let go and I walked out. I won't lie, I kind of felt hurt but I quickly brushed that feeling away. Later that night Dante was not around and only came back in the early morning. Again he f****d me senseless against my will and I felt disgusted. He goes off to sleep with whoever he sleeps with then comes to r**e me?? What has become of my life?

Months passed and my life with Dante was still the same. I hated marriage life and wished the King had left with me. One afternoon, it was now November, I was at the mall alone and I just passed out. I woke up and I was in the hospital. A doctor came in and told me to take it easy or else I'll lose the baby.

Then and there I felt the entire world just crashing down on me. He discharged me and I went back home. It's like no one noticed I was even gone. I went to our room only to find Dante half naked with another girl sleeping. I just put my things down and went to get all my clothes. I then moved them all to my room. When I went to get my bags Dante was up and he looked at me with so much remorse.

I just ignored him and continued with what I was doing. I kept the pregnancy thing to myself, I didn't want anyone to know. I knew I couldn't run to anyone about what's happening in my marriage. The doctor had told me I was a month pregnant. I just sat down on my bed and rubbed my tummy. At least one good thing could come out of this marriage. I talked to my baby for a while then passed out. I woke up late then went to get myself something to eat.

I met up with the girl Dante is sleeping with and just ignored her. She pushed me and I fell on my stomach. All I was worried about was my baby. I looked at myself and I looked fine so I just ignored her. I got up and just grabbed myself an apple. I then called my doctor, Dr Dempsey and he told me that I'll be fine but another incident like this could kill my baby.

I felt like he was now like a friend to me. I had told him everything about my marriage and I also told him about this new girl. He had said I should tell Dante but I was against it. I eventually woke up at 8 and took a long shower.