Life Of A King

Chapter 13

-SAMKELISIWE LUDIDI KING

Walking into my husband and that girl kissing was the last thing I would have expected. Dylan has always been loyal to me, never giving me a reason to doubt him. Even when he came home late, there was never a hint of infidelity. What I witnessed doesn't make sense unless he's exceptionally skilled at cheating. The short walk to work feels endless. I take out my phone, dial Kylie's number, and sit on a bench near the parking lot.

"Hey, Sammy," she greets.

"Hi, friend," I respond.

"What's going on?" concern lingers in her voice.

"I walked in on Dylan and his assistant kissing," I reveal, and she chuckles.

"Yeah right, that's funny," she dismisses.

I remain silent, and her tone changes. "What? You serious?"

I still don't respond.

"Nah, Sam, it has to have been a mistake or something, or maybe you misread the situation. Dylan loves you, Sam. He would never cheat on you, especially with that Lethu girl," she insists.

"I saw them, Kylie. I saw them kissing," I admit.

"Where are you?" she asks.

"I'm at work outside. I have to go back in a few minutes," I reply.

"Let's meet after work, okay? Call me, and I'll come and fetch you," she suggests.

"Okay, then," I agree.

"Don't overthink this, focus on your work, Sammy, and we'll talk about this later, okay? There has to be a reasonable explanation for this," she reassures.

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-IMIBONGO CRYSTAL KING

For the rest of the day, I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss, how he owned my mouth, how he devoured me like his favorite meal. I absentmindedly touch my lower lip as the mere thoughts invade my mind.

"You okay?" Hayley asks as we leave our classroom; it's after school.

"Yeah," I say, faking a smile. She gives me a knowing look.

"What happened when I left class?" she inquires.

"Nothing," I shrug.

She raises her eyebrows, sensing there's more. "Do I look stupid to you? You've been smiling ever since the last time I saw you, so out with it," she demands.

"Out with what?" Hlengi says, joining us.

"Where are the others?" I divert the conversation.

"They went to the ladies. They asked we wait for them outside," Hlengi informs.

"So what were you guys talking about?" she continues.

"Something happened between this one and Tshepiso," Hayley spills, and I roll my eyes at her.

"Which Tshepiso? Mhaga?" Hlengi asks, and Hayley nods.

"What exactly is going on between you and him anyway? He makes it a point that he does his duties with you, and from what I heard, he's been telling other guys to stay away from you," she reveals, taking me by surprise.

"You didn't know?" Hlengi says, and I shake my head no.

"Why would he do that?" I ask, genuinely puzzled.

"You're either stupid or clueless. It's because he has a thing for you, Crystal!" Hayley points out.

"No guy would go through so much trouble if they didn't feel anything for you," Hlengi adds as we walk out.

"Hayle's," someone calls out, and we halt to a stop. Justin is making his way to us, together with Lama.

"Ladies," they greet when they reach us.

"Hi," we respond.

"So Lama is hosting a party this Friday night, please swing by," Justin invites, looking at his girlfriend.

"You know how my friends are," she responds.

"Please Imi, I won't try anything with you again," Lama says, pleading with his hands clasped together. I raise an eyebrow.

"I promise," he adds.

"We'll see about it. If they don't want to come, then there's nothing I can do about it, babe," Hayley says with a shrug.

"Please Imi, I beg of you," Lama pleads, holding his hands together. I chuckle.

"That look may work on Hayley, but I'm not her," I tease, and he laughs.

"Wow. Okay," he says.

"Hello," Mandi and Athu say, walking over to us.

"Ladies," the boys greet.

"They're hosting a party this weekend," Hlengi informs.

"Oh," Athu says.

"Yep. Please do think about it," Hayley adds.

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-DYLAN SAMKELO KING

I try calling my wife, and I don't get a response. I sigh and start my car, driving to Dane's school.

"Daddy."

"Mr. King," his friend says when they get inside the car.

"Hey, kids. How was school?" I ask, looking at them in the rearview mirror.

"Tiring as always," Wanda says.

"Daddy, we have a school project we need to complete. We spoke to Mom earlier; she said it was cool if Wanda came to sleep over," Dane says, and I nod.

"Okay, then. Let's drive to your sister's school," I say, and they strap on their safety belts. They start talking about the events of school and ideas for their project. I park outside the gate and get out. I try calling Sam again, but she doesn't respond. I sigh, and just then, the girls walk over to the car.

"Hi, Daddy," she says and hugs me. I kiss her head.

"Hi, Baby. Hello, ladies," I say, breaking the hug and greeting her friends.

"Dad, can we please drop off Athu at her home?" she asks, and I nod.

"Of course. How are you girls doing?" I ask them.

"We're good, Dad. And yourself?" Hayley responds.

"Good. I hope you girls are studying and passing," I say, and they giggle.

"Of course. Speaking of studying and passing, may Imi come over to my place this weekend? We have a test this coming Monday," Hayley says.

"We'll talk to her mother and your parents first and then get back to you, okay?" she nods.

"Of course, Dad," she says with an innocent smile. Imi's friends have innocent faces, but deep down, they're not the most innocent people there are. Her friends remind me of her mother's squad back then. What I like about them is that they are doing well in school, and my baby is happy with her friends, so I can't really complain about them being a bad influence on her.

"Is someone coming to fetch you girls?" I ask, and she nods.

"Mandy's mom will be here in a bit," I nod.

"We should get going, then," I say, and they say their goodbyes. I start the car and drive off with the kids conversing on their own. When we get home, I park the car.

"Where's Mom?" Imi asks.

"Still at work."

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To Be Continued