(CHAPTER EIGHT) *TWO MONTHS LATER * *Mary's POV * I gulp down the juice and put the glass down going to open the door,I wonder who could be knocking so early in the morning, I open the door widely and there stood Emily with a smile plastered on her face, "hey darling, it's good to see you "I say giving her a warm hug. Her:Mary, I missed you too. Me:please come in, I make space for her to enter, Her: wow this house is beautiful, I'm so happy for you babes. Me:ncaw thank you, Wilson really did his best, Her:I can see he's treating you well, umuhle mngani, kodwa I'm not happy at all, you're always with him, you don't have time for me anymore. Me:I know and I'm sorry, he's the sweetest husband ever, Her:hmmm, I'm happy for you, so how's the baby treating you? I rub my flat stomach with a biggest smile on my face, Me:the baby is growing, though he's 3 weeks old. We laughed clapping hands. Her: So where's hubby? Me:ohh he went to work, he'll be back for lunch, Her:I'll help you cook lunch today, Me:Thank you so much, that's why I love you, Her: argh don't mention it, anyways when last did you see the parents? Me:well it's been a while, and I'm happy that I'm no longer lonely, Her:That's great babes, you deserve better, Me:I know I know and same to you, very soon I'll be attending your wedding. Her:Amen and Amen....... I swing open the fridge door taking out meat from the freezer, "I'll cook rice "says Emily placing the pot on the stove. Me:That's fine,I really appreciate you for coming here. Her:I'll always be here for you, come on you're my one and only friend. *Wilson's POV * I look at the time on the clock, it's half 12 in the afternoon, I've to be on my way home right now so I can have lunch with wifey, I take my phone and some notes from the drawer, I've to buy something for her, I pay for the ice cream and head to catch a taxi, I find the door already open and she's setting the table with a smile on her face, I hug her from behind taking in her scent, "unjani mkami? "I asked placing a kiss on the crock of her neck Her:I'm good, how's work? Me:I've a lot of work to do, but hopefully I'll be done soon. Her:do you need help with anything? Me:Not really, I can manage babe,and you know I can't have you slaving around. Her:I'm just pregnant and not disabled, Me:I know but I'm here to work for you and my son, Her:I appreciate you babe, sit down so I dish up for you, I peck her forehead before sitting down, She opens the bowels and my mouth waters from the devine smell coming from there,my wife is indeed a great cook, "Thank you "I said taking the plate from her. Her:I love you babe,I smile Me:I love you too, As I take a bite of the delicious meal, my wife beams with pride, and I can see the happiness in her eyes. "This is amazing, you're an incredible cook," I say, savoring the flavors. She laughs and sits down beside me, placing a hand on my arm. "I'm just trying to take care of my family," she says softly. We eat together in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company. After a few bites, I ask, Me:How's the baby treating you today? Any cravings? She smiles and places a hand on her belly. "Oh, he's fine, just that he's making me eat a lot . I chuckle and put down my utensils, reaching out to gently touch her belly. "Well, I'm excited to meet him and see what kind of adventures we'll have as a family." She covers my hand with hers, and we sit there for a moment, enjoying the warmth and love between us. °°°°°°stories by Michelle mhlanga °°°°°°°° °°°°°A friend's betrayal °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° *Emily's POV * I put the phone down and jump with excitement, it is done, they'll not handle what's coming for them, they'll pay for deceiving me, I will destroy their little family they're trying to build. My phone rings flashing her name, I sit down taking in a deep breath before answering, "hello "I said trying to hide my excitement. Her:did you do as I instructed? Me:yes, I did exactly as you said,I'm just waiting for the results. Her:With me everything is possible, make sure you keep on feeding him the powder I gave you, Me:yes I mixed it the soup they use, ohh my my, I cannot wait to be his and Mary will loose that bastard she's carrying, Her:I told you that I don't have any powerto spill innocent blood, but she'll loose the baby due to stress. Me:Thank you so much, I'm grateful Her:Anytime daughter. She drops the call, I drop my phone on the couche, "haaa finally it's happening "I said dancing. "And then, why are you dancing? Are we celebrating something? "Asks Eric dropping his bag on the table,, Me:nothing, I'm just happy njee Him:Okay share with me, let's celebrate together. Me:not now please, Him:Emmy what are you up to? (Raised eyebrow) Me:Nothing bro, kanti why are you always questioning me? Him:Meaning? Me:when I'm sad, you question me and today I'm happy you're questioning me again chaa ngeke phela. Him:okay, I'm sorry my bad. Me:it's okay, your food is in the microwave Him:I hope it's not cabbage again? Me:well it is, hanti we can't afford meat lapha ekhaya so let's manage. Him:I think it's high time you look for a job Emily, I'm tired of supporting a grown up woman, Me:I'm your little sister, you must support me. Him:I did when you were young, but now you're 22 years Emily, please find something to do sincedisane ama bills. Me:Okay, I'll find something, you don't have to complain kangaka. *Eric's POV * I switch of the microwave taking my food out, I instantly loose my appetite with the way Emily cooked the cabbage, kanti what's wrong with her,she didn't even fry the cabbage, she made a cabbage stew, "Emily "I yelled her name. Her:why are you yelling my name like a toothless dog. Me:Vele suyadelela mthetho wakho,?anyways what kind of a cooking is this, Her:Eric I tried my best t.... Me:Tried your best by cooking a cabbage stew? Her:well take it or leave it. Me:I feel sorry for the man who'll marry you, Her:Well maybe we can have duties for cooking, I cannot be cooking for a grown ass man. Me:Emily vele what's wrong ngawe, I'm teaching you how to cook and you're j... Her:Eric you're not teaching me, you're complaining, Me:(shaking my head)You're changing mnawami, and lento ekuphaphisayo izakutshiya khatshana. Her:I don't know what you're talking about, but if you don't want to eat a cabbage stew just put the plate in the microwave, I'll eat in the morning. She turns leaving, I scratch my head annoyed, she's really changing and I don't trust this Emily, I put the small pot on the stove, I'll fry this cabbage myself, hayii phela ngeke ngidle I cabbage stew. *One week later* *Wilson's POV * As I stood there, holding Mary's hand and pretending to be present, my mind wandered to Emily. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stuck in a rut with Mary, that our relationship had become predictable and stale. Emily, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air, someone who challenged me and made me feel alive. But what did it mean? Was I just bored, or was there something more? I thought about my commitment to Mary, to our unborn child, and the life we'd built together. Could I really throw all that away for a fleeting attraction? The guilt gnawed at me, but I couldn't deny the excitement that coursed through my veins whenever I thought about Emily. The next day, I found myself "accidentally" bumping into Emily at a coffee shop. We exchanged pleasantries, and I couldn't help but notice the spark of attraction between us. As we chatted, I felt more alive than I had in months. Emily asked about my family, and I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I'm expecting a baby with my partner," I said, trying to gauge her reaction. Emily's expression was thoughtful, but her eyes seemed to hold a hint of curiosity. "Congratulations," she said. "That's a big step." As we parted ways, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just opened a door, and I wasn't sure if I could close it again. I got home and Mary is pacing up and down in the living room, Me:hie, Her:we've to talk. Me:Talk about what? Mary's eyes narrowed as she confronted me. "I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with Emily lately," she said, her voice laced with concern. "What's going on?" I felt a surge of defensiveness. "Nothing's going on," I replied, trying to downplay the situation. But Mary's expression told me she didn't believe me. "Wilson, I know you," she said. "I can see it in your eyes. You're drawn to her." Me:and I said it's nothing, Her:Are you cheating on me babe,?you've really changed . I'm confused myself, why am I suddenly drawn to Emily because I love Mary?