Si

yaandFi
fi
'sLov
eSt
ory

I
ntr
oduct
ion

Hi
Ever
yone,

Mynamei
sRef
il
oeMokoena,
I’
m 25Year
sof
age 
Iam employedasaf i
nanci
aladvi
sor
,andIhav
e
aBcom thatIobt
ainedfrom Wit
s

Iam t
heonl
ydaughterl
astbor
nfrom my
MotherMat
shi
disoandMyf at
herKabel
o

I
’v
ebeensi
ngl
enowf
oraboutay
earandt
wo
mont
hs.
Pleasetaket
hishear
tfel
tJour
neywi
thme,
I
hopey ouenj
oyit
.

Lov
eLot
sFI
FI
[
05/
11,
13:
03]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

IwokeuponMondayMorni
ngt
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
e
outwhatt
owearf
orWork.
Iopt
edforablackt
wopiecedresssui
t,andmy
bl
ackChri
sti
anLoubout
inheel
s
Idi
daquick360t
urnar
oundandImustsayI
l
ookdamnhot   andheadedoutt
hedoor,
qui
ckl
yremember
ingtoputmyalar
m codeon.
 
AsIgotinthecar(whiteAudi
,A4sedan)Imade
mentalnotetogetbreakf
astonmywayt owork.
Youcan'tstar
tyourdayofwithoutt
hemost
i
mpor t
antmeal oftheday
.Sosaysmymot her
.I
qui
cklypoppedintoaEngen(Woolwor
thsf
ood)
garageandgrabbedMuslieandy
ogurt
.Then
gotbackint
omycarandheadedt owork.

OnceIgottowor kIpar kedmycaratmy

desi
gnat
edPar kingandt ookali
fttothefi
st
fl
oor
.Whent hel i
ftopenedt hefi
rstpersonI
sawwasourr ecept i
onistAnna.Sheisnotonly
themosteff
icientper sonIknow,butalsothe
mostcari
ng.Igreet edherwi t
hasmi l
eandhad
atwominuteconv ersati
onabouttheweekend.

Her
:soFi
fi
,howwasy
ourweekend
Me:
pret
tydul
l
,andy
our
s ?
Shesmi l
edandsaid,
may beit
'st
imeyougota
boyfr
iend,apr
ett
ygir
lli
keyoushoul
dn'thav
eto
spendherweekendsalone.

Ij
ustsmi
l
edasshet
oldmeaboutherweekend
t
hatshespentwi
thherhusbandanddaught
er.

Ilef
tAnnaandheadedt omyof f
ice.Firstthings
fi
rst
,Iputmyl aptoponandwentt otheki tchen
togetaspoonsoIcoul deatbreakfast .Whi l
ein
thekitchenIbumpedi nt
oSi zwe,ourcompany '
s
i
nhousel awy erandt omeaf ri
endand
coll
eague.Mostoft hegirl
sherear einf at
uated
byhischar msandgoodl ooks.Butmeal lIsee
i
smyf riend,wel lmygorgeousf ri
endl ol.Sizwe
i
s31, lightskin,tall
,wellbui
ltandaser ial
cheater .

Him:mmm lookaty
ou,
looki
ngal
lsor
tsof
sophi
sti
cat
ed
Me:HaaimanSizwe,i
t'
stooear
lyf
ory
our
nonsenset
oday
, l
ol
Hi
m:Nxa,
wapapahl
e
Ij
ustl
aughed,
youguy
swi
l
lcomet
ooseet
hat
Si
zwei
sanat
ural
fli
rt
 
Me:
so,
howwasy
ourweekend 
Him:woul
dn'
tyouli
ketoknow   j
ustki
ddi
ng
Iwasmostl
youtcl
ubbingandmetanewchick,
hernamei
sLuyanda. 
Me:
and,
whathappenedt
oPhi
ndi
l
e?
Him,chuckel
s,shebecamet
ocl
i
ngyf
ormy
l
iki
ng. 
Me:mmm y ouknowSizweoneoft
hesedays
youwil
lneedtoset
tl
edownbro,unotget
ti
ng
anyyounger
.
Hi
m: shamelookwho'
stal
ki
ng,
missov
erl
y
i
ndependent
Me:hey,
it'
snotmyf
aul
tthatmostmenar
e
t
hreat
enedbywomenli
keme
Hi
m:noman,
youar
ejustt
oopi
cky
. 
Me:anywaygottorun,I
'
vegotameeti
ngwit
h
oneourdi
rect
orstodayandst
il
lneedt
opri
nt
outmypr
esent
ati
onf
oroneofmycl
i
ent
s
Hi
m:cool
,seey
ouatl
unch 
Me:
shar
p

AsIheadedbacktomyoffi
ce,
Ithoughtabout
whatSi
zwesaid.MaybeIam j
usttopicky.
YouknowI '
vebeensingl
ef oroveray
earand
st
il
lcan'tseem tofi
ndani cedecentman.Any
way,Idon'thaveti
met othinkabouti
t,Ihadt
oo
muchonmypl ate.

[
05/
11,
13:
00]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

WhenIgottomydesk, If
oundanot
efrom our
Anna,
inf
ormingmet hatt
hecompanydir
ector
MrJonat
hanGr aywouldl
iket
oseemei nhi
s
of
fi
ceASAP.
 
Iautomati
cal
lyt
houghtsomethingmightbe
wrong,ImeanIknowIhadapr ogressr
eport
meet i
ngwit
hhim at11:
00,buti
twasonly9And
hewasalreadyl
ookingforme.

Iqui
ckl
ygrabbedmynot
epadandheadedf
or
MrGraysoff
ice.
 
Knockknock 
Hi
m(MrGr
ay)
,comei
nRef
il
oe 
Me:
HiMrGr
ay,
Annesay
syouwoul
dli
ket
osee
me 
Hi
m:y
es,
pleaset
akeaseat
, 
Him, Iknowthisisshortnoti
ce, butIneedy our
assistancewit
hsomet hing.I
'vegotapot enti
al
cli
entcomi nginat10:00am, hemi ghtbeoneof
ourbiggestcli
entswesi gnthisy earI’
m going
toneedy out
ositinthemeet ing,sinceI'
m
goingt obeintheUK, f
rom nextcoupl eof
weeks.Youmi
ghtneedtohandl
ehi
spor
tfol
i
o
whi
leI'
m away
.Areyouupforit
?

Wow, Icoul
dn'tbel
ievethatMrGr
ay,woul
d
choosemeoutofev ery
onetoassi
sthi
min
secur
ingaclient

Me:
yesofcour
se,
I'
dbehappyt
oassi
st.
 
Him:good,here's,
whatyouneedt
oknowabout
him.Youhav eapproxi
matel
yanhourt
o
famil
iar
izeyoursel
fwit
hwhoandwhatMr
Ndhlovudoes.

It
ookthecompanybr
ochur
eandheadedt
omy
of
fi
ce.

OnceIgottomyof
ficeIt
ypedNdhl
ovu
cor
porat
ionsi
nci
ntothesear
chengi
neand
start
edmyr esear
ch.Ispecif
ical
lywentint
othe
"ourteams"tabtotakealookatt hi
ssocall
ed
MrNdhl ovu,
Imeani fhe'
smeet i
ngwi thmy
Bosst henhemustbequi t
eabi gdeal.mrGray
onlydealswitht
he"topdogs"aspeopl ewould
say.

ThemomentIl ai
dey esonSiyabongaChad
Ndhlovu,Icouldbeli
evemyey es,Notonlywas
MrNdhl ovutheFounderandCEOofNdhl ovu
corporati
ons,hewasoneoft hemostgood
l
ookingmenI '
deverseen.Ichuckledabitand
thought,na,hecan'
tlookli
kethatinreall
if
e.Im
sureit'
sanol dpi
ctureortheli
ghti
ngisreall
y
good.,anywayIquicklyexi
tedthattaband
start
edreadingupabouthi scompany .

At10:
00am onthedotmyoffi
cel
inerang,i
t
wasAnne,inf
ormi
ngmet hatMrNdhl
ov uhad
ar
ri
ved,It
houghtwel
l,i
t'
snowornever.
Itookmylapt
opandnot
epadandheadedf
or
theboar
droom.
WhenIar r
ived, MrGr aywasshacki ngMr
Ndhl ovu'shand, Iwal kedt owar dst hem and
madeashor tpr ay erf ornott omakeaf oolof
my self.AsIgotcl oser ,MrNdhl ovut urned
towar dsmeandourey esmet .Iswearf orthat
momenti tfeltliket herewasonl ythet woofus
i
nt hatr oom, hel ookedabsol utelybr eathtaki
ng.
Het rulydidl ookasgoodl ookingashedi din
hiscompanypr of ile.Hi scar amel brownski n
l
ookedl ikeithadbeenki ssedbyt hesunandhe
hadbr ightwhi tet eet handdar kbr owney es.He
wor eadar knav ybl uef ormf ittedcutsui t,
a
whiteshi rtwi thsi lv ercuf fli
nks, navyt ieand
blackf ormal shoes.It houghtt omy selfgety our
acttoget herFi fi,thi sisanoppor tunityforyout o
fi
nallypr ovey our sel f
,Ir eluctantlyremov edmy
eyesf rom hi sgazeasIgr eetedMrGr ayagain.
Him:(mrg)oh,hiRifi
loe,Iwouldl
i
key outo
meet,Si
yabongaNdhl ovu.MrNdhlovuthi
sis
Rif
il
oemokoena, shewi l
l bemysecondhandin
assi
sti
ngyouwithy ourpor t
fol
i
o 
Iheldoutmyhandt
oshakemrNdhl
ovu'
shand,
andtri
edmybestnott
ostar
eint
ohi
sdreamy
eyes.
Ithi
nkIfel
tsomesor tofasparkwhenhis
handsmetwi thmine,i
tfel
tli
kether
ewassome
sortofel
ectr
ici
typull
i
ngbetweenus, Iwi
shI
couldexpl
ainit


Me:
MrNdhl
ovu,
it'
sapl
easur
etomeety
ou.
 
Hi
m: t
hepleasur
eisal
lmi
nemi
ssori
sitMr
s
Mokoena
Me:
justMi
ssMokenawi
l
ldo,
[
05/
11,
13:
01]Ron:

Si
yaandFi
fi
'sLov
eSt
ory

I
ft hereisonet hingy ouallshoul
dknowabout
mei sthatIdon' tmi xbusinesswithpleasure.
I
'm notmuchofadat er,
myex- boyfri
endandI
brokeupbecauseIwast oocommi tt
edt omy
j
ob.I 'v
eal waysbel ievedthatIdon'tneedaman
tot akecar eofme.Iwor khar dsot hatIcan
prov i
def ormy self.Butthatdoesn'tmeanIdon' t
feel l
onelysomet imes.Someofmyf ri
endssay
I
'llneverf i
ndamanbecauseI 'mtoopi cky,
butI
j
ustbel ievethatsomewher eouttherei saman
whowi llunderstandme.Any way
,let’
sgetback
tot hestory.

Weal
lsatatt
heboar
droom t
abl
e,andAnne
wal
kedi
ntoof
ferussomet
hingt
odr
ink.
 
Iopt
edforarooi
bos,
whil
eMrGr ayandMr
Ndhl
ovubothoptedf
oracappucci
no. 
Onceweallhadsomet
hingt
odr
inkwest
art
ed
ourmeet
ing.

Soalli
nall
MrNdhlovuhadoverR200000
000.
00thatheneedustomanageforhi
m.
Heowned4pr
opert
ies,3i
nSouthAfr
icaand1
i
ntheUSA,
5cars,
1pr i
vat
ejetand1boat.

(Look,weareusedtodeal
ingwit
hweal
thy
peopleinmylineofwor
k,butt
hiswasat
anotherlev
el)

Soweconcl
udedourmeetingandMrGr ay
i
nfor
medMrNdhlovuthatIwouldbeintouch
someti
meduri
ngtheweekt osetupan
appoi
ntment
.

Westoodupshookhandsagai
n,andMr
NDHLOVUlef
t.

Me:
wel
l
,thatwentwel
l
, 
Him: (
mrgr ay
),y
es,i
tsur
edi
d.Comewe'
veonl
y
gotaf ewdaystocomeupwit
hkil
l
er
presentat
ion.
 
Him:I
'
mt r
usti
ngy ouwiththi
scl
i
entRefi
l
oe,
pl
easedon'
tscrewitup.Letmeknowifyou
needmyhelp.
 
Me:
thanky
ousi
r,I
'
lldomybest
 
Hi
m:good,
that
’swhatIl
i
ket
ohear
.

Iwalkedawaytomyoff
icewit
hahugegri
non
myl i
psandstar
tedwor
kingonMrNdhl
ovu’
s
present
ati
on.
Af
terawhil
eofdrowningmy
sel
finwor
k,I
st
art
edfeel
inghungr
y.

Iwassobusywor ki
ngonthispresentati
onthat
Ihadfor
gott
entoeatmybr eakf
ast ,
soIf i
gured
Iwouldgooutandgetmyselfsomet hingtoeat.
Itookmycarkeysandpur
seandl eft
.

Me:Anne,I'
m qui
ckl
ygoingt
ogogetlunch,
pl
easetakemessagesforme,Ishoul
dseeback
i
nanhour .
 
Her
:sur
eFi
fi
,nopr
obl
em.

Idrov
etooneofmyfavouri
ter
est
aurant
sand
order
edachi
ckenCesarsal
adtogo.
 
Iwasbusyonmyphonerespondi
ngt
oemail
s
whil
ewait
ingandwhenIl
ookedupandsawMR
Ndhlovu.Iswearmyhear tskippedabeat.He
wassi t
ti
ngandatat ablewithfourothermale
f
igures,Damn, y
oucouldt el
lthatt
heseguys
weren'tj
ustordi
narybusinessmen, t
hesewere
t
heki ndofment hatwouldmakewomanf r
om
wet,j
ustbylookingatthem.

Hespottedmef rom acrossther oom and

smil
ed.Ismiledbackandcont inuedonmy
phone.Iwasn'tgoingtowalkov ertohim and
makeaf oolofmy selfi
nfrontofallthoseguys.
WhenIlookedupagainhewaswalkingtowards
me.MyHear tst
art
edracing,
mypalmsst ar
ted
sweati
ng.Al
lIcoul
dthinkwasgetyoursel
f
toget
herFi
fi
..

Hi
m:Mi
ssMokoena,
wemeetagai
n,
 
Me:
MrNdhl
ovu,
howAr
eyou?
Hi
m:goodt
hanks.Woul
dyoul
i
ket
ojoi
nusf
or
l
unch?
Me:ohnothanky ou,I
'
mjustgr
abbi
nga
t
akeaway
,I'
lleatattheof
fi
ce.
 
Hi
m:mmm,
Isee,
may
benextt
ime,
 
Me:
may
be(
blushi
ng)
 
Hi
m:sohavey
ousetupanappoi
ntmentwi
th
myPAfort
heendoft
heweek?
Me:no,notasyet,
I'
ll
giv
eheracal
lonceIget
backt
ot heoff
ice.
 
Hi
m:good
Him:youknowi
t'
sunfai
r,y
ouknowsomuch
aboutme,andy
etIonl
yknowaf ewdet
ail
s
aboutyou.
Me;(
blushi
ngl
i
keani
diot
)wel
l
,whatwoul
dyou
l
iket
oknow?
Hi
m:mmm, I'
m pret
tysur
eifIt
oldy
ou,
you
woul
drunoutofher
e. 
Me:
(smi
l
ing)wel
l
,thenIguessy
ouwi
l
lnev
er
know
Him:(
chuckl
es)ohMissMokoena,
ifIwantt
o
knowsomethi
ng,Ial
waysf
indaway .

Ijuststoodther
elikeanidi
otnotknowi
ngwhat
tosay .Imeanifsomeonesaysthatwhatam I
supposedt osayinretur
n?
Thankt
hegoodnessmyor
derar
ri
ved.

Me:
itwasni
ceseei
ngy
ouagai
nMrNdhl
ovu
Hi
m:al
way
sapl
easur
e.

Iheldoutmyhandt
oshakehis,
andhel
eaned
i
nt okissmyhandi
nst
ead.Andwal
kedaway.

TosayIwasbl
ushi
ngwasanunder
stat
ement
.
Igoti
nmycaranddrov
ebacktot
heof
fi
cewi
th
thebi
ggestgr
inonmyface.

Therestofthedaywasreal
l
ydul
li
n
comparisontothemor
ning.

Ilef
tat4:
00pm andhedgedtothegym.Needed
toworkoffsomesteam,andtr
ygetthisman
outmymi nd.Ev
enifitwasj
ustforanhour
.
[
05/
11,
13:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

Bot
hTuesdayandWednesdaywerepret
ty
muchunevent
ful
,Ispentmostofmyday
wor
kingMrNdhlovusPort
fol
io.
 
Ihadt
oworklat
eonWednesday
,becauseIhad
ameeti
ngwit
hMrNdhl
ovuonThursdayathis
of
fi
cesat09:
00am.Hi
sPAadv i
sedthatit
woul
dhavetobeanearl
yappoi
ntment,si
nce
MrNdhl
ovuwouldberet
urni
ngtoCT

OnThursdayIwokeup,
nerv
ousashel
l,
hopi
ng
mypresentat
ionf
orMrNdholv
uwoul
dgowell.
Ireal
l
yhopedIwoul
dn’
tscr
ewup,
orsay
somethi
ngdumb. 
AnywayIwokeup,hadashowerandwore
bl
ackpantsui
t,wi
thbl
ackst
uddedheel
s,anda
babybl
ueshir
t. 
Iwant
edtolook,
sophi
sti
cat
edbutal
so
femi
nine.
 
Si
nceIhadsomet
imeonmyhandsIdecidedt
o
gi
vemymom acal
l,Ihadn’
tspokent
oheri
n
ov
eraweek.

Her
:Fi
fi
 
Me:
Hima,
howar
eyou,
 
Her
;kehant
lehl
engwanakawena?
 
Me;
imf
inema,
justmi
ssy
ouguy
s. 
Her
;ler
unar
eyahohopol
a.Ot
lot
laneneghay
e?
Me;
eish,
haketsebemme,workiskeepi
ngme
r
eal
l
ybusyso,maybenextmont
h
Her
:oho.Wenahe,
odul
aul
ebusy
. 
Me;Iknowma, oh,
andIwontbeabl
etocome
homeforeast
erholi
day
s.
Her;hobanengjwal
efi
fi
?Watsebantat
ewahao
otlokwatajwang.Hewaspl
anningongoi
ngto
churchwithyou.
Me;
Iknowhl
ema,
buthe,
ket
labekel
eCT,
 
Her
;okf
if
i.Key
ahor
atanenana
Me;
met
ooma,
giv
emyl
ovePapa.
 
Her
:wi
l
ldo
OnceIhadspokentomymom, Ilef
tmykey
underthematf
ormyHelper
,(ausimav
is)and
l
eftforMrNdhl
ovusof
fi
ces.
 
Whilei
nthecarInot
icedmyheartst
art
ed
beati
ngatanotsosteadypace,
mypalms
star
tedsweat
ingandIfel
tli
keIhadsomesor
t
ofbutt
erf
li
esi
nmyst omach. 
Ilaughedatmy sel
fandthought
’’youreal
lyar
e
ani di
ot’’
thisguyisprobabl
ymar r
iedorina
relati
onship,andanyway,GOLDENRULENO1.
Nev er,evermixbusinesswi
thpleasur
e.
Iputonmyr adio,
andl i
stenedtoMetr
o.Iknew
thatbetweenGlenandUnat hi
,oneoft
hem
wouldmakemef orgetaboutmystupi
dgirl
crush.Eveni
fitwasjustforamoment .

Uponar
ri
val
atNdhl
ovuCorpor
ati
onsInc.Iwas
shownt
oMrNdhlov
u’sof
fi
ce/boar
droom.
Imustsaywasv
eryi
mpr
essed,
his
off
ice/boar
droom i
nonewast
hesi
zesome
peoplesfl
ats.
 
Ithadaboar droom tablethatcouldfit6peopl e.
A4seat ercouchandDeskwhr ehewor kedof f.
Everythi
ngwasmai nlywhite.Verysteri
le,
exceptforthisonepai nt
ingofsomesor tof
map.Idi dn’
treall
yunder st
andt hepainting,but
atleaseitbroughtsomecol ourint
otheof f
ice.

Isetupmypr esent at
ionandwai t
edf orMr
Ndhlovu.Iwai
ted, andwaitedandwai ted,
and
thensensedhim, beforeheevensai danythi
ng.I
j
ustknewhewasbehi ndmest andingatthe
door.Icoul
dsmel l hi
scologneandt hosedamn
butt
erfl
iesst
artedr oamingaroundinmy
stomach. 
Íknewhewasst ar
ingatmef r
om thedoor
,butI
refusedtot
urnaround.Ij
ustcarr
iedon
pretendi
ngthatIwastypi
ngsomet hi
ngonmy
l
apt op.
 
Hemusthav
egi
venup,
causet
henhef
inal
l
y
wal
kedi
n.

Him;Mi
ssMokoena,
myapologi
esforkeepi
ng
youwai
ti
ng.Myl
astmeet
ingranov
er. 
Me;Nopr
obl
em,
Iwasj
ustcat
chi
ngupon
somewor
k. 
Thoughthewouldtakeaseatopposi
teme,but
NO,hesatri
ghtnexttome.Imadeasi l
ent
pray
eraski
ngGod, t
ohelpmenotpassout
Hi
m:hav
eyoubeenof
fer
edsomet
hingt
odr
ink?
ME;Yesthanky
ou’
veal
readyhadacupof
cof
fee.
 
Hi
m;good.Shal
lwebegi
n?
Me;
yes,
ofcour
se.

Anhourlat
er,Iwasdonewithmypr esent
ati
on.I
hadansweredallhi
squest
ions.Andhad
email
edhim somedocument
sthathewould
needtosi
gn.Every
thi
ngwasful
lst
eam ahead.I
wasfi
nall
yabletorel
ax.

Hi
m; Wel
l
,nowt
hatt
hat’
sover,
howabouty
ou
t
ell
mesomethi
ngmoreaboutyour
sel
f
Me;Wel
l
,im notr
eal
l
ynear
lyasi
nter
est
ingas
you.
Him:don’
tunderest
imat
eyoursel
f.I
m sur
e
ther
eismorethanmeetstheeye,whenit
comestoyou. 
Me;
(Si
gh)okso,
Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oknow?
Hi
m;ev
ery
thi
ng 
Me;thereisnotimeformet otel
lyou
ever
y t
hing.Buti
nanut shell
,I
’m 25,HaveBCOM
thr
oughWi tsUniver
sit
y,Ili
vealoneinfourway
s,
I’
mt heonlychil
dandmyl i
feismycar eer
. 
Hi
m;so,
ther
e’snoboy
fri
endi
nthepi
ctur
e?
Me;No,notatt
hemoment
.I’
vebeensi
ngl
efor
j
ustoverayear
Him;whywoul
dawomanl
i
key
oubesi
ngl
efor
solong?
 
Me;
Idon’
tknow.Myf
ri
endssayI
’
mtoopi
cky
Hi
m;wel
lar
eyou?
Me:Idon’
tthi
nkso.Ij
ustknowwhatIwant
.
Andmostmendon’ tmeasur
eup.
Hi
m;whataboutme?Woul
dImeasur
eup?

Il
ookedathi
m bl
ankl
y.Ther
ewasnowayIwas
goi
ngtoanswerhi
m. 
Thi
smeet i
nghadjustbecometoopersonal
.I
hadtogetoutofhereASAP,butIal
sodidn’
t
wanttoseem r
ude. 
Him:soyou’
rejustgoi
ngt
ositt
her
esmi
l
ing
andnotanswermyquesti
on?
Me:
Ipr
efernott
oanswert
hatquest
ion
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
taket
hatasay
es 
Me:
Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
 
Hi
m; y
oudon’
thav
eto.Icant
ell
byhowy
ou’
re
bl
ushi
ng
Me:
okay
,I’
vegott
ogetgoi
ng
Hi
m;buty
ouhav
en’
taskedmeaboutmyl
i
fe
Me;
Iknowev
ery
thi
ngIneedt
oknowabouty
ou
Him;whatexact
lydoyouthinkyouknow,
exceptf
orthefi
nancesofcourse.
Me;Wel l
,your34t
hisyear
,youhaveaBusi
ness
degreefr
om UJ,youhaveSonbythenameof
Olwetho,andyouar
eamama’ sboyofnote
Hel
aughed
Hi
m;andhowdoy
ouknowal
loft
he 
ME:
googl
e
Hi
m;sogoogl
e,t
oldy
ouI
’
m amama’
sboy
Me:
No;
Ireadoneoft
hear
ti
clest
heywr
ote
aboutyouatjozi
magazi ne,andyouspokealot
aboutyourmother.Icoul
djusttel
lfr
om ther
e
thaty
ouwer eamamsboy .
 
Him; Well
,yourri
ghtaboutev
ery
thi
ng,
except
forthefactthaty
oumi ssedt
hepar
twhereI’
m
singl
e
Il
ookedathi
m agai
n,andst
art
edbl
ushi
ng.
 
Me;
sowhyar
eyousi
ngl
e
Hi
m; wel
l,
it’
sdif
fi
cul
tfi
ndi
ngsomeonewho
l
ovesyouforyouandnotf
oryourmoney
. 
Me;Icanonlyimagine.Sowhathappenwi
tht
he
motherofyourchi
ld?Ifyoudon’
tmindme
aski
ng?
Hi
m; shewantedt
osett
ledownandbui
lda
f
amily.AndIwant
edtobui
ldanempi
re.Soshe
movedon.
Me;
Isee
Iwaskindofdisappoi
ntedbyhi sanswer,
becausethatmeantthattheydidn’
tfi
ghtor
hateeachother
.Itj
ustmeantt heygrewapart
andwanteddiff
erentthi
ngs. 
Me; Ishoul
dreall
ygetgoing,
I’
m sureyou’
vegot
farmor ei
mportantt
hingstodo,thanchi
tchat
allday
Hi
m; I
’m notcomplai
ning,i
t’
sact
ual
l
yqui
te
i
nter
esti
ngspeakingwi t
hyou.
Me;
wel
li
nthatcase,
tel
lmeabouty
ourson
Whenhet oldmeabouthisson,youcouldsee
hi
sey esli
ghtup.Youcoul
dtell
thatheloved
hi
m dearlyIsmil
ed.Hetol
dmehowhewas
goodatsoccer,andhowhespoket ohim ever
y
day.Wespokesomemor eaboutli
feand
hobbiesandourparent
s.I
tfel
tli
kewewer eol
d
fr
iendscatchi
ngup. 
Iwasevenokwithhi
m si
tt
ingnextt
ome.I
di
dn’
tfeelasner
vousasIdidwhenIfi
rst
ar
ri
ved.
 
WhenIlookedatthet
imei
twas12;
00,
Ihad
beenhereforov
er3hour
s. 
Istoodupandstar
tedpacki
ngmyst uf
f.I
neededtogetbacktot
heoffi
ce.Ihadami l
l
ion
thi
ngstodo,forMrNdhl
ovuandmyot her
cli
ents.
 
Bei
ngthegent
lemant
hatheis,
heal
sost
ood
andhel
pedmewi t
hmystuf
f.
 
WhenItur
nedtolookathi
mt osaygoodby
e.He
wasst
andingnexttomewithasmil
eonhis
f
ace.
 
Het ookmyhandi nhi sandl ookedmei nthe
eyes,Iimmedi atelylookedaway ,andIknew
thatifIl
ookedathi m Iwoul dgetl ostinthe
moment .Hemov edcl oserthenhel i
ft
edmy
chinupwi thhisf i
nger ,Ididn’trealisehowcl ose
ourfaceswer eunt ilthatver ymoment .Ihel
d
mybr eath,becauseIknewwhathewant edto
doandIknewIal sowant edi t.Icouldsmel lhis
cologne,andhi smi ntyf r
eshnessf rom his
mouth.Theint
ensi
tyofthatmomentwaskil
li
ng
me.Heleanedincl
oser,andwasabouttoki
ss
me,unti
lsomeonebargedint
ohisoff
ice.
 
Shi
t.I
twashi
sPA
Webot
hedl
ookedather
,andshel
eft
. 
Iimmediat
elycamebackt omysenses.What
thehell
wasIthinki
ng?Ineededt
ogetoutof
here.
 
Itr
iedrel
easi
ngmyhadf
rom hi
s,buthehel
don
ti
ghter
Me;I’
vegott
ogo,I
’
m sorr
y,thi
sisami st
ake,I
shoul
dhavenev
erall
owedthattohappen. 
Hi
m:Whyar
eyouf
ight
ingt
his?
Me;
I’
m notf
ight
ingany
thi
ng.
Hi
m;webot
hknowy
ouar
e. 
Me;
pleasel
etgoofmyhand
Hi
m;onl
yofy
oupr
omi
set
ohav
elunchwi
thme
Me:
Ican’
t,
I’
vegott
oomucht
odot
oday
Him;t
henwel
lhav
edi
nner
.I’
m nott
aki
ngnof
or
ananswer
ME;
aren’
tyousupposedbegoi
ngt
oCT
Hi
m;y
es,butIcanpost
ponei
ttol
ater
,orev
en
t
omor
row
Me;thatwon’tbenecessar
y.I
’
llmeety
ouf
or
qui
ckdrinks.Let’
ssay4pm
Hi
m;that
’sper
fect
.I’
m sorry
,Idi
dn’
tmeant
o
makeyoufeel
uncomfortabl
e 
Me;
Itsf
ine,
youdi
dn’
t,
Ishoul
dreal
l
ygetgoi
ng,
 
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
wal
kyouout
Heletgoofmyhandandwal
kedwi
thmet
o
r
ecepti
on.
 
Il
ookedstr
aightahead,
Ididn’
twanttohav
eto
l
ookathisPA.Iwasbey ondembarr
assed.

Whenwegott orecepti
on,Iheldoutmyhandt
o
shakehi
s,buthekissediti
nstead.
Ij
ustl
aughed,
thi
smandoesn’
tknowwhent
o
st
op. 
Hi
m;y
ou’
l
lletmeknowwher
ewe’
l
lbemeet
ing?
Me;yes,i
llsmsy ouyou.ButIalsoneedtoset
upanotherappoint
mentwi t
hy ourPA.Ithi
nk
Si
zwe,mi ghtneedtobethereinordertoassi
st
wit
hopeni ngofthetr
ustforyourSon.
Hi
m;i
l
lhearf
rom y
out
hen
Me;
Ok,
Bye
Hi
m;By
e
Heki
ssedmycheek,
thet
urnedar
oundand
wal
kedaway
. 
Hisrecept
ionistwaslookingatmeli
keshehad
seenaghost .Ijustsmi
led,andwal
kedoutof
ther
e.
[
05/
11,
13:
05]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

5
Il
efthisoffi
ce,f
eel
ingv er
yconfused,Idi
dn'
t
underst
andwhyIwasbehav ingthewayIwas.
I’
m usuall
yprett
ygoodwi thkeepingt
hings
prof
essionalandkeepingmostmenatar m’
s
l
ength.Butthisguy.Therewasjustsomething
abouthim.

WhenIgottot
heof
fi
ce,Igreet
edAnne,
and
wentst
rai
ghtt
omyoffi
ce. 
Il
aidmyheadont
het
abl
eandl
etoutahuge
si
gh. 
WhenIl
ookedupmybosswasstandi
ngatmy
door
,wi
thaqui
zzi
cal
lookonhi
sface

Me:
oh,
hi,
sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tseey
oucomei
n
Hi
m:nowor
ri
es,
howdi
dyourpr
esent
ati
ongo?
Me:
Ithi
nki
twentwel
l
,al
lthat
'
slef
tnowi
sfor
hi
mt osendmet hecont
ract
sandwecanbegin.
ThenIneedtosetupanappoint
mentwithMr
NdhlovuandSi
zwe,sothatt
heycansetupa
tr
ustforhi
sson.
Hi
m:that
'sgoodtohear
.Makesureyouarein
t
hatmeeti
ng,Ineedy
outohandl
eeveryt
hing 
Me:
wil
ldo
Hi
m:ar
eyouok?Youseem abi
tof
f
Me:
yes,
I'
mfi
ne,
justgotabi
tofaheadache 
Hi
m ok:
taket
her
estoft
hedayof
f
Me;
thanky
ou,
butI
’
vegotf
art
oomucht
odo
Hi
m;sui
tyour
sel
f

Hel ef
tmet omyownmi ser
yorshouldIsay
dreadedexcitement.Iwantedt
otellhi
m Iwas
meet i
ngSiyaf ordri
nksat4pm,butIwastoo
scaredhe’
dt akei tt
hewrongway.
WhileIwasbusycont emplati
ngonwhet herI
shouldhavet oldMRGr ayornot ,Sizwewalked
i
ntomyof f
icewi t
hahugebouquetofpi nkand
whit
er oses,Ilookedathim quizzical
lyashe
putthem onmydesk.

Me;
andnow?
Him;theyareforyou,
adel
iver
yguyj
ust
droppedthem off
.Soarey
ougoingt
oopent
he
card?
Me:
no
Hi
m;why
Me;
becauseIknowwhot
hey
’ref
rom
Hi
m;dot
ell
Me;
closet
hedoor

Si
zwebei
ngthemamgobi
sthathei
srushedt
o
cl
oset
hedoor
Me;
they
’ref
rom Si
yabonga 
Hi
m;who’
sSi
yabonga
Me;
acl
i
ent
 
Hi
m;wait
,doy
oumeantSi
yabonga,
asi
nMr
Ndhl
ovu 
Me;
yep,
that
’st
heone 
Hi
m;no 
Me;
yes
Hi
m;sov
ela,
yout
ohav
esomet
hinggoi
ngon
Me;
no.
 
Hi
m;y
oul
i
kehi
m don’
tyou?

Ij
ustl
ookedathi
m.
Hi
m;ohmygosh,
 
Me;
youcan’
tsayany
thi
ngt
oany
one
Hi
m; Iwon’tneedt
o.Thatsmi
l
eofy
our
sdoes
al
lthetal
ki
ng

Ij
ustl
aughedathi
m,becauseIt
hinksomehow
Si
zwewasr i
ght
.

Him;soy ouknowasy ourfri

end, Isaygoahead
andhav efun.Pl
usy ouhav en’thadsomel ovi
ng
i
nal ongasst i
me.Butasy oul awyer,Ihaveto
tel
lyoutobecar eful
.Ifyoupur suethisy ou
mighthavet ogi
v ehim upasacl i
ent.Itwould
beconsideredaconf l
ictofinteresti
fy ou
remainedhisAdv i
sorthenst arteddatinghim.

Isi
ghed,IknewSizwewasr
ight
,buti
sitsucha
badthi
ngt owantbot
h?

Aft
erSizwelef
t,Idi
vedheadfi
rsti
ntomywork.I
neededadistr
acti
onfrom t
hewholeSiy
abonga
saga.
 
Lucki
l
yImangedtogetqui
tealotdone,unt
ilI
wasdist
ract
edbymyoffi
celi
neri
nging.

Me:
Rif
il
oehel
l
o
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
Hi,
it'
sSi
yabonga 
Me:
Hi,
what
’sup?
 
Hi
m:y
ouhav
en’
tsentmeal
ocat
ionf
ordr
inks 
Me:Shit
,sorry,It
otal
lyfor
got.Aahmm, what
aboutSouthernSun,atHydepar k?They
’vegot
alovel
yrooftopbar,andit
’salsoverypr
ivat
e 
Hi
m;soy
oudon’
twantt
obeseenwi
thme
Me;that
’snotwhatImeant,Ij
ustt
houghti
t
wouldbebetterifwedi
dn’
tgiv
epeoplethe
wrongimpression
Hi
m;andwhatki
ndofi
mpr
essi
onwoul
dthatbe?
Me;thatther
eismor etoust
hanj
ustour
pr
ofessionalr
elat
ionshi
p
Him;Isee.YoudoknowIdon’tplanonj
ust
havi
nga“ prof
essi
onal
”rel
ati
onshipwi
thyou
ri
ght
Me;(cl
ear
sthroat
)well
,i
nli
fey
oucan’
tal
way
s
hav
ewhaty ouwant 
Him;I
m nott
het
ypeofguywhot
akesnof
oran
answer
. 
Me;
wewi
l
ljusthav
etoseeaboutt
hat
.
Hi
m;i
ndeed.
 
Me;
ivegott
ogo,
il
lseey
ouat4
Hi
m;ok,
don’
tmi
ssmet
oomuch

Ij
usthungup.Iwasn’tgoingt oanswerthat
.
PlusIcouldn'
tunder
standwhatt hi
sman
wantedfrom me.Imean,amanofhi scali
bre
musthav ewomant hr
owingt hemselv
esathim,
andyethewant stobe"fr
iends"withme?haai,
somet hi
ngsjustdon'
tmakesense
AsIwasbusythi
nki
ngaboutt
his,
Sizwe,
wal
ked
i
ntomyoff
ice

Bythet
imeIl
ookedatmywat
chi
twasal
ready
15:
30pm, 
Shi
t,Iwasgoi
ngt
obelat
e,Ipackedmyl
apt
op
andl
eftforHy
dePar
k

Lucki
l
ytr
aff
icwasn’
ttoobad,
Imadei
tjusti
n
ti
me.

WhenIspot
tedSi
ya,hewasseatedatt
he
cor
ner
.Iwal
kedtowardshim,hest
oodup.He
gav
emeahugandpul ledoutmychai
rforme.
 
Imustsay,
hewasmaki
ngi
tdi
ff
icul
t,t
oremai
n
fr
iends.
Hi
m;t
hanky
ouf
orj
oini
ng 
Me;
it’
sapl
easur
e
Hi
m;y
oul
ookner
vous
Me;Iam abi
t,I
’
m notsur
eift
hissuchagood
i
dea
Hi
m;r
elax,
it’
sjustdr
inks.WhatcanIor
dery
ou?
Me;
agl
assofAnt
honi
jRuper
topt
ima?
Hi
m; Sur
e.Idi
dn’
tthi
nky
ou’
dbet
her
edwi
ne
ki
ndagir
l
Me;
ithel
pscal
mthener
vous
Hi
m;i
nthatcase,
we’
l
lor
derabot
tl
e
Me;
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
ogetmedr
unk?
Hi
m;woul
dthatbewr
ongofme?
Me;
mostcer
tai
nlywoul
d 
Hi
m;ok,
agl
assi
tis

Hecal
l
edt
hewai
terandor
der
edourdr
inks.
Me;Oh,Ial
sowant edtosayt
hanky
ouf
ort
he
f
lower
s,they’
rebeauti
ful
 
Hi
m;I
m gl
ady
oul
i
kedt
hem 
Me;di
dy oupi
ckt
hem,
ordi
dyougety
ourPAt
o
pi
ckthem?
Hi
m;Ipi
ckedt
hem,Ij
ustt
oldhert
omakesure
t
heywer
edeli
ver
edbef
oreourdat
etoday
. 
Me;
Dat
e?
Hi
m;Yes.Dat
e
Me;
I’
mjustgoi
ngt
okeepqui
te

Hel
aughedatme,
andwesatchatt
ingaway
,as
i
fwehadknowneachot
herf
oryears.
 
Wemov edfr
om havingdr
inks,toorder
ing
di
nner
,thenorder
ingmoredrinks.
 
Ihadev
enfor
got
tent
othathewasacl
i
ent
.I
fel
tmorel
i
kewewereonadate.
Aft
ermuchlaughterandbut
ter
fl
ies,
itwast
ime
Iheadedhome. 
I
twasal
ready9pm,
andIhadwor
ktomor
row.

Me;
Thanky
ouf
orDi
nner
. 
Hi
m;it
’smypleasur
e.Hopef
ull
yitwi
l
lbet
he
f
ir
stofmany
ME;
we’
l
lsee.

Ist
oodup,andhest
oodt
oo.Hepai
dthebi
l
l
andwal
kedmet omycar
.

Igottomycarandopenedtheboott
oputmy
handbagi
n,t
hentur
nedaroundtoshakehi
s
hand.
AsIhel
doutmyhand,
hel
aughedatme
Hi
m;y
oucan’
tbeser
ious?
Me;
What
?
Hi
m;It
hinkwe’
rewaypastt
hef
ormal
i
ties 
Me;
Real
l
y.Ok,
sowhatdoy
ousuggest
?
Hi
m;I
’
llt
akeahug,
 
Me;
Iguesst
hatwon’
thur
t

Hecamecl ose,andgavemeahug.Youcoul d
tel
lthatheworkedout,hi
sbi
cepswerestrong
andhesmel l
eddelici
ous.Webrokeourhugand
hekissedmeonmycheek.

HIM;
call
meandl
etmeknowt
haty
ouar
ri
ved
homesafel
y
Me;
Ok
Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt
oel
set
osay
.It
’snotl
i
kehe
wasaski
ngme.I
nst
eadhewast
ell
i
ngme.
 
Idon’
tusual
lyrespondwel
l,
tobeingt
oldwhat
todo,buti
nhiscase,If
ounditki
ndofsexy
 ;
)
[
05/
11,
13:
06]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

6
(BONUSNYANAFORTODAY>HOPEYOU
ENJOY)

Fri
dayisnor
mall
yav er
ychil
leddayattheof fi
ce.
It
'sadaywherewedon'tseecli
entsbutrather
catchuponadminandprepareforthefol
lowing
week.

Aft
ertaki
ngshowerIwor emyblackripped
j
eans,awhiteNikegol
fshir
t,bl
ackleather
j
acketandmyWhi teNikewedgesneaker s.And
deci
dedtoleavemyhairdownf ort
heday .
Onmywayt omakebr eakf
astIgotansms
fr
om Si
ya,wi
shingmeagoodday .Ir
epl
i
edwi
th
asmil
eyfaceandwishedhimthesame.

Iwenttowor ki
napr et
tygoodmood.Iwas
evenl
isteningt
oNickiMinaj
,becauseIwas
al
sofeelingmysel
fmos  ;)

WhenIgottotheoff
ice,IwenttoSi
zwesof
fi
ce.
Iwantedustogofordri
nksafterwor
k.Hewas
onthephone,soIt
oldhimtocomeseeme
whenhe’sdone.

WhenIgott omydeskIst
art
edontheadmin.I
dreadedeverymi
nut
eofit
.Buthey
,ithadt
oget
done.Lucki
lySi
zwecametosaveme.
Hi
m;Sweet
ymama 
Me;Hey.Iwant
edtoknowi
fyouwant
edt
odo
dr
inksaf
terwor
ktoday
Hi
m; ok,
aslongasyoudon’
tmi
ndsomeofmy
f
ri
endsjoini
ngus?
Me;
whi
chf
ri
ends?
Hi
m;aboThemba,
noXol
i
le
Me;
ok,
asl
ongasy
ourt
her
e. 
Hi
m;ok,
imi
n
Me;sowher
ear
ewegoi
ng?Pl
easedon’
tsay
newscaf
e
Him;mxm, hanawenaomisspri
ncess.Wel
l
vandag,youarecomingwher
everI
’mtaki
ng
you.Fi
nishanklaar
Igaveup.All
Iwaslooki
ngforwasagoodti
me
anyway,andIknowaslongasSi
zweisther
e.
Thingswil
lbemoja
Therestoft
hedaywaspret
tybori
ng,butat
l
eastIhadsomethi
ngt
olookforwardto.

Ataround4:30pm ,
SizweandIlef
t.Wedecided
totakehiscarandl
eavemineattheoffi
ce.I
madehi m pr
omisehewouldtakemehome.
TherewasnowayIwassl eepingathi
scrib.
Never!

Whenwewer edrivi
ng,Ial
readyknewhewas
takingmet ochaf-pozi
.Ididn’
tmi ndthough,
becausei thadbeenawhi lesinceIhadbr aai
vleis.Bythetimewear ri
veditwasalready6pm.
Traf fi
conaFr i
dayont heM1sout hisar eal
bitch.Icouldn’
tbeli
evewesatf or2hour s.None
thel essIwasexcited.
 
Wesatatat abl
e,andhi
sfr
iendsst
art
edto
ar
ri
ve.Ial
readyknewthem,soIwaskindofok
bei
ngt
heonl
ygi
rl
.
Themusi cwaspumpi ng,t
hedrinkswere
comingoneaf t
ertheotherandmost
i
mpor tant
lyIwasenjoyi
ngmy self
.Thebest
thi
ngaboutgoingoutwi t
honlyguy si
sthatt
hey
real
lyprot
ecti
veofyou.Andknowi ngSiy
a,I
couldgetdrunkasIwantedandhewoul dkeep
aney eonme.

WhileIwasbusygroovi
ngmybut tof
f,Si
ya
cal
led.Att
hisstageIwasnotdr
unk,butIwas
al
osnotsober.Iwall
edoutsi
detotheparki
ng,
becauseIcoul
dhearhim

Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m hi
,howar
eyou
Me;
im good,
andy
ou?
Hi
m;i
m good.Wher
ear
eyou?
Me;
atChaf
-Poszi
wit
hsomef
ri
ends
Hi
m;oh.Howy
ouget
ti
nghome?
Me;
Sizwei
sdr
oppi
ngmeof
f
Hi
m;andy
out
rustt
hisSi
zweguy

Hebanna,
andnowwhat
swi
tht
hei
nter
rogat
ion

Me;
yes,
Itr
ustSi
zwewi
thmyl
i
fe.
 
Hi
m;Isee
Me;
yousoundj
eal
ous
Hi
m;may
beIam
Me;wel
l,shame,
causey
oucan’
tfet
chmesi
nce
you’
rei
nCT 
Hi
m;don’
tcounty
oul
uckyst
arsj
usty
et.
Me;
what
’st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Hi
m;not
hing
Me;
ok.Soi
l
lspeakt
oyoul
ater
Hi
m;ok.Behav
e
Me;
yesdaddy

Ihungupimmediatel
y.Imeanwhodoeshe
thi
nksheistel
l
ingmet obehave.Ialway
s
behave.Pl
usit
’snotl
ikeIgett
oodr unk.

Iwal kedbackt owheretheguy swer eand

carri
edonhav ingfun.Sizwehadl ostabetand
hewasmadet odrink5drinkingshoot ers,one
aftertheother .Somuchf ormyt ranspor tguy
beingsober .Any wayIjustfi
guredImi ghthav e
touberhome.Ast henightwenton, thedr unker
Sizwegot ,andt hemor eIdrankwat er.Thenmy
songcameonandIwasaboutt ost andupt o
dancewhenIsawSi yaandhi sfr
iendswal ki
ng
i
n.Ii mmedi atelysatmyassdown, andt hanked
myl uckStar sIwasn’ttooDr unk.
[
05/
11,
13:
06]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

Siyawalkedstrai
ghtpastme.Didn’
tevenhave
thedecencyt osayhel
lo 
: )
 t
heysatatatable
ri
ghtbehindusandi mmediatel
yorder
eddrinks.
Iontheot herhandhadjustbecomeassober
asajudge.  
Sizwelookedatquizzical
lythencamet osi
t
nexttome.heputhi sar m aroundmynecki na
playf
ulway.ButdeepdownIwant edhi
mt oget
thatdam arm awayfrom me, causeIknewSiya
waswat chi
ng.

Si
zwe;andnow.Whydoy
oul
ookl
i
key
ou’
ve
j
ustseenaghost
 
ME;
you’
reani
diotsomet
imesy
ouknow.
Si
zwe;
whatdi
dIdo?
Me;nothi
ng.Si
yajustwal
kedi
n.he’
ssi
tt
ing
r
ightbehi
ndus.Don’tl
ook 
Sizwe;
OHHok,
nowIsee.Sowhydon’
tyougo
andsayHI
Me;no,arey
oumad.Hewalkedri
ghtpastme
anddidn’
tevenl
ookmyway.Ther
esnowayI’
m
goi
ngt oembarr
assmysel
f. 
Si
zw;Wel
l,i
fyourbot
hgoi
ngt
oignor
eeach
ot
her
.Minaanagaz

IgaveSizweabott
leofwat
er.Ineededhi
m
sober,
sincehewasgoingt
obemyr i
dehome.

Me;
Sizwe
Hi
m;Yaah.
 
Me;
Ineedt
ogot
othel
adi
es.Pl
easecomewi
th
me
Him;HaihaiRi
fi
loe.Justgot
ot hebat
hroom
andcomeback.Whyy ouact
ingli
keMiss
Pri
ncessnow.Youdoknowi m notoneofyour
gi
rl
fri
endsri
ght

Il
ookedathi
m andpout
ed.Iknowt
hatusual
l
y
getmewhatIwant.

Hi
m: nxa,
let
sgo.Mar
awenay
ouabuseme.
St
rai
ght

Ismil
edandst
oodup.Ther
ewasnowayIwas
gonnawal
kpastSi
ya’
stabl
eal
one.

AswewalkedpastSi
yastabl
e,Ihel
donto
Si
zweshandsoIwouldn’
tgetlosti
nthecr
owd.

Lucki
l
ywhenwegott
othel
adi
est
her
ewasn’
ta
l
ongcue,
soSi
zwest
oodout
sidewai
ti
ngf
or
me.
 
Idi
dmybusiness,t
henwenttofr
eshenupabi
t.
Iputonsomedeodorant
,usedmymouthwash
andti
edmyhairup. 
WhenIwasdoneSi
zwewasst
il
lwai
ti
ngf
or
me.
 
SeewhyIlovehi
m somuch.He’
sli
ket
hebi
g
brot
herInev
erhad.

Wewal kedbackhandi nhandt oourt able.

Whenwear riv
edsomeofSi zwesotherf r
iends
fr
om Mamel odi hadar r
ivedandt akenourseat s.
Igavethem all ahugbecauseIknewt hem and
endedupsi tti
ngonSi zwesl ap.Thedr i
nks
start
edflowingagai n,andIknewt hatIwasst il
l
i
nf orahellofani ght.Ist ucktomywat er,
becauseIdidn’ treallyfeel l
ikedri
nking.PlusI
wasenjoy i
ngt heconv ersat i
onwiththeseguy s.
Theywer ehav i
ngadebat eaboutwhomakes
moremoneybetweenl
awyer
sanddoct
ors.I
j
ustl
aughedbecauset
heywerebei
ngr
idi
cul
ous.

WhenIl ookedatthecornerofmyeye,Isaw
Siy
aheadedt oourt abl
e.Il
ookedawayand
continuedl
ist
eningtothemaletest
ost
erone
tal
kingatourtable.
 
Whenhearri
vedhegreet
edev er
yone.Ihadt
o
moveof
fofSizwe’
slap,becausehestoodto
gr
eetSi
ya.Nxa.
ThenSi
yal
ookedatme.Ij
ustsmi
l
edathi
m

Hi
m;CanIhav
eawor
dwi
thy
ou?
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Hi
m;nother
e 
Me;
wher
e
Hi
m;out
side
Me;
Ok.
IgaveSi
zwemyhandbag, andIwalkedoutwit
h
Siy
a.Whenwewer eoutside.Heledmet oa
secl
udedar
ea.Im guessinghedidn’
twant
peopl
etohearus.Istar
tedgetti
ngnervous.

Me;andnow?Whydidwehav
etocomeal
lthe
wayouther
etot
alk?
Hi
m;because,
Ineededt
alkt
oyoupr
ivat
ely
Me;
ok.Wer
eher
e,what
’sup?
Hi
m;I
’
mtaki
ngy
ouhome
Me;
nope.Si
zwecant
akemehome
Hi
m;youexpectmetoletyougetint
oacarwith
Si
zwe.I
ncaseyouhadn’tnot
iced.Heisdr
unk
Me;thenil
ldr
ive.Incasey
ouhadn’
tnot
iced,
I
hav
en’tbeendrinki
ngasmuch
Hi
m;Ar
eyoual
way
sthi
sst
ubbor
n
Me;
yes.Especi
all
ywhenI
’
m pi
ssed 
Hi
m;Wel
lpi
ssedornoti
mtaki
ngy
ouhome.
 
Me;
arey
oual
way
sthi
sbossy
Hi
m;y
es.Especi
all
ywhenIknowI
’
mri
ght
. 
Me;wellIguesswe’v
egotaprobl
em,
because
I
’m notl
eavingher
ewi t
houtSi
zwe
Hi
m;whati
sitwi
thy
ouandt
hisSi
zweguy
Me;
he’
smyChi
na.

Hel
aughedatme.Li
ker
eal
l
ylaughed.

Him;Thosemarti
nisaregetti
ngtoyourhead.
LookthewayIseeityou’vegotTWOopt i
ons.1
yougosaygoodbyetoy ourfr
iendsandyou
comewi t
hmewi l
li
ngly.Or2Ihaulyouovermy
shoul
derandtakeyout omycarandwel eave
wit
houtsayi
nggoodbye
Me;
youwoul
dn’
tdar
e
Hi
m;t
ryme
Itr
iedtaki
ngonestepbackbutmybackwas
againstawal
l.Shi
t.Helookedatmeandgav e
meoneoft hosemi schi
evoussmi
les.Thenhel
d
outhishand.

Hi
m;I
m guessi
ngy
ourgoi
ngwi
thopt
ion1
Me;
;Nxa.Let
sgo

Whenwear r
ivedbackinsideSi
ya,wal
kedtohi
s
tabl
etofetchhiskeys.Itookmybagfrom
Sizwethenpulledhi
mt ot hesi
de

Me;
Bro,
I'
m headi
nghome
Hi
m;howy
ouget
ti
nghome?
Me;
Siay
a’st
aki
ngme
Hi
m;ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his 
Me;y
aah,
I’
ll
bef
ine.ButIneedy
out
odomea
f
avor
Hi
m;any
thi
ng
Me;Ineedy
outoletThembadr
iveyouhome.
You’
vehadwaytoomuchtodri
nk. 
Him;don’
tworr
yaboutme.I
’m abi
gboy.Pl
us
youknowwithThembabei
ngherether
eisno
wayhewouldletmedri
veanyway
Me;
OK.i
l
lseey
ouonMonday

Igavehi
m ahug,
thenwentt
osaygoodby
eto
al
ltheot
hers.

Si
yawasey ei
ngmel i
keahawk, asIgavethem
al
lhugs.WhenIwasf i
nal
lydone,Iwal
kedto
Si
yastabl
e,totel
lhi
m Iwasreadytogo. 
Hegotup,sai
dgoodby
etohi
sfr
iendsandwe
l
efthandi
nhand.
Whenwegottohi
scar,heopenedf
orme,
andI
goti
n.t
henhewentar
oundandgotin.

Hestar
tedthecar
,buthedi
dn’
trev
erse.I
nst
ead
hej
ustlookedatme

Me;
what
?
Hi
m;y
ou’
regoi
ngt
obeahandf
ular
en’
tyou?
Me;well
ifyou’
retheki
ndofguywhoisn’
tused
tobei
ngchall
enged,t
henyes.I
’
m goi
ngtobea
hel
lofahandful
 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)wel
l
,I’
m upf
ort
hechal
l
enge 
Me;
we’
l
lsee 
Hi
m;so,
tel
lmeabouty
ouandSi
zwe
Me;
whataboutus 
Hi
m;y
ouwer
esi
tt
ingonhi
slap
Me;wel
l
,Ihadnowher
eel
set
osi
t.SoIsaton
Si
zwe
Hi
m;ISee
Me;
yourJeal
ous 
Hi
m;May
beIam
Me;
Ithi
nki
t’
ski
ndofsexy
Hi
m;doy
ounow
Me;
yah,
justl
i
ttl
e

Il
eanedincloserandgavehi
m akissont
he
cheek.Thenmov edbacktomyseat;

Me;youdon’tneedtobeJealous.Sizweisl
i
ke
thebrot
herIneverhad.We’
venev erhad
anyt
hingbetweenus,andwenev erwill
. 
Him;Goodt
oknow.it
houghtf
orasecondt
her
e,
iwoul
dhavetobr
eakhi
sknees
Me;
Shameony
ou.
 
Hi
m; Nowt
hatt
hat
sov
er,
howaboutanot
her
ki
ss
Me;
iny
ourdr
eamsbuddy

Helaughedandwedrov eaway.Wespokeal ot
onourwayhome.Hewaschar ming,f
unnyand
mademewi shIcoul
dt akethi
sfurt
her,buti
n
real
i
ty,wecoul
dn’
t.I
tjustwouldn’
tberight

Whenwegott omypl ace.Siyaparkedoutsi

de
mygar ageandwalkedmet omydoor .I
suddenlyfel
tabitsad.Ididn’
twanthi mtogo.I
j
ustwant edtopret
endt hateveryt
hingwasok,
andthatwewer eli
vinginaCi nderel
laworld
wherewecoul dbetoget herwit
houtany
consequences.
Me;
thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngmehome
Hi
m;i
t’
smypl
easur
e 
Me;
doy
ouwantt
ocomei
n?
Hi
m;y
oudon’
twantmet
ogo?
Me;
no.notr
eal
l
y
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
stayf
orabi
t.

Ismiledandwewalkedin.Ishowedhi
m ar
ound
thenwewenttothekit
chen.Ineededsome
Coffee.

Me;
woul
dyoul
i
keacup?
Hi
m;sur
e.Buty
ousi
t.I
’
llmake 
Me;
ok.

Isatont
hecounterwhi
leheboi
l
edthewater
.It
wassoweir
d,Ihadonlyknownt
hismanfor
aboutaweekandIal readyfel
tsocomfort
abl
e
abouthim.Iwant edhim asmuchashewant ed
me.Butt hefearoftakingthatr
iskwas
stoppi
ngme.Butwhati fhewastheoneandI
waspushi nghim away .Mhhm somethi
ngsare
tr
ulyunfair
.

Whenhewasdonemaki ngcof
fee,wemov
edt
o
t
heloungeandsatnextt
oeachother
.

Wedr ankourcoff
ee,
whil
ewechat ted.Itook
outoneofmyal bumsandhewentt hroughmy
chil
dhoodphotosofme.Hekeptlaughingatall
myposes.Thenhegotupandt ookourcupst o
thekit
chen.WhenhesatdownagainIl eaned
myheadonhi sshoul
derandl
etoutasi gh.

Hi
m;apennyf
ory
ourt
hought
s
Me;
don’
twor
ryabouti
t
Hi
m;t
hatbadha
Me;
Ijustdon’
tknowwhatt
odo
Hi
m;r
egar
dingus?
Me;
yes
Him;
well
,whydon’
tyoustopthi
nki
ngabouti
t
andj
ustdeci
det
odof ol
l
owy ourhear
t
Me;
buti
fIdi
dthatt
hen,
whataboutmycar
eer
 
Hi
m;wecancr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenwegett
oit

Idi
dn’
tanswerhi
m,Ij
ustdi
dn’
tknowwhatt
o
do.
 
Heshif
tedandfacedme.Il
ookedintohi
sey es
andIsawamanIwant edtospendtherestof
myli
fewith.Hel
eanedincl
oser,
andputhislips
onmine
West ayedli
kethatf
orawhi l
e,Ithi
nkhewas
tr
yingtoseeifIwantedtotakeitfur
ther
.I
couldn’
ttakeitanyl
ongersoIkissedhim.I
ki
ssedhiml ikeIhadbeenlongingtofrom t
he
momentIl aideyesonhi m.Hekissedmeback
wit
hasmuchi ntensi
tyandneed.Weki ssedfor
solong,neit
herofuswant edtobreakit
becauseweknewt hatreal
it
ywouldkickin,and
wewer en’
treadyforthat.

Whenwef i
nal
lybr
oket
heki
ssed,
wewer
ebot
h
pant
ingf
orair
.

Thenr eal
i
tystar
tedsneakingbacki nandi
stoodup.Ineededtoputsomedi stance
betweenus.Ishouldn’
thav el
ethim comein.
whatthef uckwasIthinki
ng.Icouldlosemyjob
forthi
s,nottomentionmyr eputati
onwouldbe
tai
nted.

Si
yal
ookedatmeandheknewexact
lywhatI
wast
hinki
ng
Hi
m;don’
t
Me;
don’
twant
Hi
m;don’
ttr
ymaki
ngt
hiswr
ong
Me;
iti
swr
ong 
Hi
m;how
Me;
Siy
a,Icoul
dloseev
ery
thi
ng 
Hi
m;Iwoul
dnev
erl
eti
tcomet
othat
Me;youcan’
tcont
rol
ever
ythi
ng.Thi
sismyl
i
fe
wer
et al
ki
ngabout
Him;Iknowthat
,buti
tdoesn’
tmakemel
ove
youanyless
Me;
yourput
ti
ngmei
nani
mpossi
blesi
tuat
ion
Him;Ri
fi
loe,thereisabsolut
elynothi
ng
i
mpossibleaboutt hi
s.I
’m surewecouldfi
nda
sol
uti
on,i
fy oujustforonceletyourguar
d
downandl etmei n. 
Me;
Iwantt
o,Ir
eal
l
ydo.ButIj
ustcant
Hi
m;st
opmaki
ngexcuses

Hewalkedtowher
eIwasstanding.Heputhi
s
armsaroundmefr
om behi
nd,andkissedmy
neck.

Him;Justletmei n.Ipr
omisey
ou,Iwi
ll
take
careofeveryt
hing.Justst
opfi
ght
ingi
t.

Me;
Ineedt
ime
Hi
m;Icangi
vey
out
hat
 
Me;
Thanky
ou.
[
05/
11,
13:
07]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

8
Si
yast
ayedf
orawhi
l
elonger
.Thenl
eftt
ogo
home.Tobet otal
lyhonestIdidn’
twanthimt
o
go,buti
twast ooearl
yf orustobehaving
sl
eepovers.Istil
lwasn’tsurewhattodo,soI
di
dn’twanttoconf usehi m any
morethanI
al
readyhad.

Hi
m;Sowi
l
lIseey
out
omor
row?
Me;Idon’
tthinkso.Si
ya,Ineedt
otakeast
ep
back,
andthinkaboutthi
ngs. 
Hi
m;ok,
butj
ustbeari
nmi
nd,
thatIl
ovey
ou
Me;
Iwi
l
l
Hegav
emeaki
ssont
hecheek,
thenl
eft
. 
Igotbackinsi
deandwentst
rai
ghtt
obed.I
neededsleep.

IwokeuponSat
urdaymor
ningatar
ound11;
00am.
Iopenedmywi
ndowsandwentt
omake
breakf
ast
.Iwasfamished.Ithi
nkitwas
becauseofal
ltheal
cohol.ButI’
m gr
atef
ulI
di
dn’twakeupwithahangov er
. 
Ididn’
thaveanyplansfort
heday,soIfi
gur
ed
I’
dcatchuponsomewor k.Any
wayit’
snotli
keI
couldgoanywheresinceIhadlef
tmycaratthe
off
icetheprevi
ousday.
Afterbreakf
astIwentt otakeabath.Iwasal so
thi
nkingIshouldcallSi
y a.Iki
nndami ssedhim,
soIt ookmyphonewi t
hmeandIf iguredI’
dcall
him whileIwasinthebat h.Ipour
edsomebat h
oil
sandgoti n.I
’mtelli
ngy ou,not
hingf eel
sas
goodashotwat er
,especiall
ywheny oucan
takey ourt
ime.

Isatt herethi
nki ngaboutthewhol
esit
uati
on
wi t
hSi ya.Her eall
yseemedl i
kemykni
ghtin
shiningAr mor.Hemademef eell
i
keIcoul
d
trul
yt rusthi
m.Butatt hesameti
mehewast he
forbiddenf r
uitthatIhadtostayawayfr
om.I
don’tknow,butmaybeifIspentmoretimewit
h
him,Icouldfi
nal
lycometoadeci si
on.Butf
ir
st
thi
ngsf i
rst
.Letmecall
him
Hisphoner
angabout5ti
mes,Iwasaboutto
putdownwhensomeone,af
emaleanswered. 
Her
;hel
l
o 
Il
ookedatthescreenofmyphonetomake
sur
ethatIhaddiall
edther
ightnumber
Her
;isany
bodyt
her
e
Me;
yes,
sor
ry,
hi,
canIspeakt
oSi
yapl
ease
Her
;youmeanSi
yabonga
Me;
yes.
 
Her
;he’
sbusy
 
Me;
okay
.Wi
l
lyout
ell
him Ical
l
ed?
Her;I’
m nothi
sPA.Ifhewant stocal
lyouhe
will
.Waitareyout
hebitchthatkepthi
m outal
l
night?Don’
tyouknowSi y
abongahasachi l
d
ye. 
Me;okayi
mreal
l
yconf
usednow,
whoam I
speaki
ngt
o?
Her;t
hemot herofhischi
ldthat’
swho,anddo
your
selfafavour,st
ayawayf r
om Si
yabonga.
Hecannev ertr
ulymakey ouhappy,
Hisloyal
ty
wil
lal
way sbewi t
hmeandhi sson.Unlessyou
areokwithalwaysbeingsecond.

Ii
mmedi at
elyhungup.Didn’tSi
yasaythatshe
l
iv
esi nCapeTown?Whati sshedoingher e?
Gosh,sheissodamnr ude,Ihopeshe’
snot
st
ayingwithhi
m, whati
fshewant shim back?

Asallt
hesethoughtswentthr
oughmyheadI
becamemor eandmor eangry
.Whati fhenever
brokeupwit
hher ?Whatifi
twasallal i
e?
Dammi tman,IknewIshouldneverhavetrust
ed
amanagain.Notafterwhathappenedwi t
hmy
ex.Nxa
Igotoutthebat
h,andIwasspitt
ingfir
e.I
neededtogetdressedandgoforajog.That
wastheonlywayIwoul dbeabl
et ocal
m down.
 
AsIwasput ti
ngonmyr unninggear,Siy
a
phoned.Ijustignoredhim andcarriedon
gett
ingdressed.WhenIwasdone, Itookmy
housekeysandIl eft
.Ihadn’tbeenjoggingi
na
whil
e,soIst art
edwi thbri
skwal ki
ngforabout
5km, t
henjoggedbackf ortherestofthe5km .

WhenIgothome, Ihad5mi ssedcall

sfrom Siya
andansms.Ididn’ treadi
tbecauseIwantedt o
haveashowerf i
rst.SoIwentupstair
sand
showered.WhenIwasdoneIputonmyshor ts
andabikini
top.Iwant edtogositoutsi
deby
mypool ,
putsomemusi conanddosomewor k.
AsIabouttogoout si
de,mydoorbel
lrang.Ijust
knewitwasSiya.Iputmyl aptopdown,and
wenttoopenforhi m.
Iopenedforhi
m andhecamei n.youknow
eventhoughIwasangryathim.Iwasgladto
seehim.Plushel
ookedsodamngood.He
greet
edmeandIandIgr eetedback.Hesat
downandIsatopposit
ehim

Hi
m;whyar
en’
tyout
aki
ngmycal
l
s 
Me;
Iwasout
Hi
m;Babe,
itsnotwhaty
out
hink
Me;
sonowy
ouknowwhatIt
hink
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loePl
ease
Me;
What
?
Him;Icanfeelhowdi
stantyouar
e.Look,Linda
wasn’tsupposedt
oanswermyphone, Idon’t
knowwhatshewast hi
nking.
 
Me;
isn’
tshesupposedt
obei
nCT
Hi
m;Yes,
shear
ri
vedl
astni
ght
ME;
isshest
ayi
ngwi
thy
ou?
Hi
m;babe
Me;
Answerme 
Hi
m;Yes,butonlybecauseshehadnowher
e
el
setogo.Bytheti
meshear ri
vedi
twastoo
l
atet
ogol ooki
ngforahotel,
soshestay
edin
myguesthouse.
Me;
didshebr
ingy
oursonwi
th?
Hi
m; no,he’
sspendi
ngt
heweekendwi
thmy
mother
Me;
youshoul
dhav
etol
dme
Him;Iknow, butIonl
yfoundoutwhenIgot
homel astni
ght.Iwasgoingtotel
lyout
his
morning,butthenyoucall
edbefor
eIhadhada
chancetocallyou. 
Iki
ndoffel
tbad,becausehel
ookedli
kehewas
tel
l
ingthet
rut
h,andhereIwasassumingt
he
worst
. 
Hestood,satnextt
omeandpul
l
edmeupsoI
coul
dsitonhislapfaci
nghi
m
Hi
m;babe,
I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry.
 
Me;
itscool
.It
hinkIov
err
eact
edal
i
ttl
e
Hi
m;justali
tt
leha?
youknowIcouldsmel
lthe
j
eal
ousyall
thewayfrom Sandt
on

Ihi
thi
m pl
ayf
ull
yont
hel
eg

Me;
woul
dyoul
i
kesomet
hingt
odr
ink?
Me;
no,
I’
dpr
eferaki
ssf
ir
st
Il
ear
nedi
nandgav
ehi
m aki
ssont
hecheek.
Hi
m;y
oucan’
tbeser
ious
Me;what
.Yousai
daki
ssmos.SoIgav
eyoua
ki
ss
Hi
m;Iwant
edoneont
hel
i
ps.
 
Me;wel
lsor
ryf
ory
ou.Youshoul
dhav
ebeen
cl
ear
er.
Hemov edhishandsandstart
edtickli
ngme.I
j
umpedof fhim andt
ri
edrunningaway ,
unfort
unatelyformehewast oofast.He
grabbedmepul l
edmeclosertohim.

Hi
m;you’
vegot2mor eseconds,
togiv
ememy
ki
ssorel
seIst
artt
ickl
ingyouagain
Me;
Siy
adon’
t
Hi
m;1

Ikissedhi m beforehecouldev engetto2.

Ther ewasnowayIwasgoi ngtoendurebeing
ti
ckl ed,pl
usIhadmi ssedhisli
psf art
oomuch.I
brokeofourki ss, becausehehadhi shandall
overmyt ummy , pl
usr ememberIwaswear i
nga
bikini t
op.So,becauseIdon’ twantthi
ngstogo
anyf ur
ther
.It’
sbet t
erifwebehav e ;)
Hi
m;Soar
ewegoi
ngf
oraswi
m?
Me;
didy
oubr
ingshor
ts
Hi
m;no,
 
Me;
youcoul
duseoneofmybi
ki
nis
Hi
m;nxa,
youri
nsaneshame
Me;
soy
ourj
ustgonnawat
chme?
 
Hi
m;no,
I’
ll
got
othemal
lqui
ckl
y.
 
Me;
ok.Butt
akemyhousekey
swi
thy
ou.
 
Hi
m;i
sther
eany
thi
ngy
ouneed.
 
Me;
nope
Hi
m;hav
eyouhadl
unch?
Me;noty
et.Icanmakeasal
adf
ory
oui
fyou
want
Hi
m;cha,
ngeke.Ngi
funai
nyamami
na
Me;Ok,buymeatandy
oucanuset
hegas
br
aai 
Hi
m;t
hatsoundsmor
eli
kei
t.Comeher
e
Ilaughedandwenttogivehim aki
ss.
Thenhe
l
ef tt
ogotothemall,andIwenttotheki
tchen
tomakepap, gr
avy,
chackalakaandGreek
Salad. 
Bytheti
meSi yacameback,Iwasdonewithmy
pots.Hehadsomanyplasticbagswit
hhim,i
t
l
ookedlikehehadboughtthewholemall
.He
putthebagsonthecounter
.AndIstar
tedgoi
ng
thr
ought hem.
 
Hebought ,
2swi mmi ngshor
ts.
2plainT- Shirt
s,
Anelectr
ictoothbrush,f
acewash, bodywash,
bodycream, Sli
ppers,Pyj
amas,boxershor ts.I
openedtheot herpacket,
andtherewasenough
meattofeedanat i
on,pl
uswhineandbeer sf or
hi
m.Br ot
herev enboughtme4di fferentkinds
ofchocolat
es.
Me;
Siy
a.AndNow
Hi
m;What
?
Me;
what
’swi
thal
lthest
uff
Him;WellIfi
guredifwe’
respendi
ngsomuch
ti
met oget
her,Imightaswel
lkeepsomest
uff
here.
 
Me;
andthechocol
ates?Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
omake
mefat
Hi
m;I
dst
il
ll
ovey
ouev
eni
fyouwer
efat

Ijustsmiledathim.Ithoughtitwasactual
l
y
quitecute.It
ookhi sthi
ngsupstair
sandplaced
them inthespareroom.Thencamedownt o
helphim withthemeat .Lucki
l
yhehadbought
meatt hathadalreadybeenmar i
nated.Soall
wehadt owasputi tonthebraai.

Siyawentupst
airst
ochange,t
hencamet ojoin
mebyt hepool
.Wesatwithourfeetin,
then
event
uall
ygotin.Wedi
dn’tr
eall
yswim.Wej ust
keptchat
ti
ngandSiyakeptspl
ashingmewi t
h
water.Whichisn’tveryfunnybecauseIknewi t
wouldt akemef orevertodrymyhai r
.Hef i
nall
y
stoppedwhenIt ol dhim Iwasgoi ngtogetout
.Sohepul ledmet ohim andstartedkissingme.
Idon’tknowabouty ou,butthere’
ssomet hi
ng
verysexyaboutki ssinginwater.Hel i
ftedme
upandIputmyl egsar oundhi swaist.Iwant ed
tobewi thhim sobad.Hewasr eall
ydoi nga
goodj obatbreakingdownt hewal l
sthatIhad
putupar oundmyhear t.

Whenwestoppedki
ssi
ngme,
helookedmein
t
heeyesasifIt
her
ewasnooneel
seinthi
s
wor
ldbutme. 
Hi
m;sodoy
oust
il
lwantt
ogetout
 
Me;no,butIt
hinkweneedt
ost
artbr
aai
ngt
he
meat.I
t’
sgett
inglat
e
Hi
m;ok,
onemor
eki
ssandI
’
llgetst
art
ed.
 
Igav
ehi
m aki
ssandwegotoutt
hepool
.Iwent
toputonsomemusi cwhil
ehewasbusywi t
h
meat,andIwentsetupt
hediningroom t
able.I
dimmedt hel
i
ghtsandli
tmyv ani
ll
acandles.
 
WhenSiyacameinthedi
ningroom,
helooked
aroundandsmi
l
ed,andgav emeakissonthe
cheek.
 
Wesatdown,haddi
nner
,andt
henIwentt
oput
t
hedishesi
nthewasher
. 
Siyawasst il
lsi
tt
inginthedi ni
ngr oom.Iwas
feel
ingalit
tlenaughtysoIt ookt hephoneout
hishandandsatonhi slap.Hel ookedatme
andknewj ustwhatIwant ed.West arted
maki ngout,sl
owlyandt enderl
y, butwitha
senseofur gency.Hepickedmeupt ot akeme
upstair
s,butthenmydamndoor bel
lrang.

Hi
m;doy
ouwannagett
hat
Me;
no
Hi
m;babe,
itcoul
dbeur
gent
. 
Me;
mcm
HeputmedownandIwentt omydoor.Iwas
soannoy ed,Ievenforgottolookt
oseewhoi t
was.Ijustunlockedthedoorandopenedi t
.Oh
mygosh, Itwasmymot herst
andi
ngtherewit
h
asuitcase.
[
05/
11,
13:
07]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

9
It
hinkInearlypeedi
nmypantswhenIsawmy
motherstandingatmydoor
. 
Idi
dn’
tknowwhet
hertosmil
eorcry
.Imean
howIwasgoi
ngtoexpl
ainahal
f-
nakedmanin
myhouseatt
hist
ime.

Me;
ma
Her;Ref
il
oe.Ot
loemmaf
ela?Hel
pmewi
thmy
bags 
Me;
ahhm,
ok

Itookmymot her
’sbagaswewalkedinsi
de.
Thef i
rstt
hingIdidwhenwegotinsi
dewasput
outmycandl es,whi
lemymotherwenttosi
tin
thelounge.
 
Meanwhi
l
ether
ewasnosi
gnofSi
ya.
Ithoughtmaybehemusthav
eseenmymom
andleftthr
ought
hegar
age.

Me;
SoMa,
whatbr
ingsy
out
oJHB
Her;
Ivegotachur
chconfer
encetomorr
owin
Soweto.SoIt
houghtIwoul
dkil
l2bir
dswit
h
onestone.
 
Me;
Isee 
Her
;whydoy
ouseem di
sappoi
nted.
 
Me;Hawma.YouknowIl
ovehavi
ngyouher
e.
Youshoul
dhav
ecall
edme,Iwoul
dhave
f
etchedy
ouf
rom t
hebusst
op.
 
Her
;It
ri
edcal
l
ingnana,
buty
ourphonewasof
f
Me;Sor
ry,
I’
m sur
ethebatt
erydi
ed.I
’
vebeena
bi
ttoopr
eoccupi
edtocheck.
 
Her;t
hat’
sok,pl
usIwantedtospeakt
oyou
aboutsomethi
ngimpor
tant.
 
Me;
ok,
keengmma
Her
;It
’saboutl
ehl
ohonol
o 
Me;Maplease,we’
vebeenthr
ought
hisbef
ore.
Lehl
ohonolef
tme.That’
sthat
. 
Her;Ri
fi
loeforoncei
nyourlif
ewi
l
lyouj
ust
keepquietandletmefi
nish.
Iwasabouttoarguewit
hher,
whenIhear
dSiy
a
comingdownthestai
rsshout
ing“
babywho
wasatthedoor’
’

Il
ookedatmymotherandshelookedli
keshe
wasaboutt
ofai
nt.Thankt
helordSiy
ahadput
onaT-
shi
rt
.
Hecametoacompl
etehal
t,whenher
eal
i
zedI
wasn’
tal
one.

Hi
m;(clear
sthroat
)Ohh,sani
bonani
Ma.Xol
o,I
di
dn’
treali
zeyouhadguests.
Il
ookedathi
m andmymot herlookedatme,
as
i
fshewasexpecti
nganexplanati
on.

Me;aahhMa,
thisi
sSiy
abongaNdhlov
u.Si
ya
t
hisi
smymot herMat
shidi
soMokoens

Siyawenttomymot herandshookherhand.
MyMot herjustlookedathi
m anddidn’
tbother
tosayanything.Ithi
nkshewasment al
l
yput t
ing
1+1together.Luckil
ySi
yaint
err
uptedour
thought
s
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng
Me;
Ohkay
,Il
lwal
kyouout
.

Istoodupt
owal
kSi
yaout
,whenmymot
her
spokeup

Her
;Mosheny
ana,
wher
edoy
out
hinky
ouar
e
goi
ng?
Him;ahm,mait
’sgot
tenl
ate.Iwasact
ual
l
y
abouttol
eav
eri
ghtbefor
eyouarri
ved.
 
Her;I
fyouwereleav
ingt
henwhyar
en’tyou
weari
ngshoes?Andwherear
eyourcarKeys?
Orvel
awerey ougoi
ngtowal
khomewi t
hno
shoeson?
Hi
m;chama
Her;Sositdownandcomehav esomet eawit
h
me.Rifi
l
oe, goputontheket
tl
e,Iboughtsome
scones,i
ntheblueTupperwar
e
Ist
ooduprel
uct
ant
ly,
becauseIj
ustknewthat
mymotherwasgoi
ngtoGril
lSi
yali
kecrazy
.

Her;sotel
lmesomet hinghereyoungman.Do
youmakei tahabitsl
eepingwit
hpeople
daughter
swithoutmarryi
ngthem fi
rst
?

Idroppedtheplat
eIhadi
nmyhand.Ij
ust
couldn’
tbeli
evemymotherwoul
daskSi
yasuch
aquestion.

Hi
m;chama
Her;
Sowhyhav
en’
tyousenty
ouruncl
est
oher
home.
Him;Thethingisma, Rif
il
oeandIhaven’
t
knowneachot herf
ort hatl
ong.Sowehaven’
t
real
l
yplannedthatfaraheadasy et
.
Her;
sot henwhyar
eyouher
eatt
hist
imeof
ni
ght? 
Him;wel
lMa; Iwasactual
l
ygoingt
obegoing
home.Iwasjusthel
pingRif
il
oewit
hti
dyi
ngup
befor
eIl
eft
. 
Her;
Letmet el
lyousomet hi
ng.Rifi
l
oe,i
snot
t
hekindofgirl
whoy oujusttasteandpass.I
f
youaregoi
ngtobewal kingaroundherhouseat
t
histi
me.Thedecentthingwoul dbeforyouto
marryher
Hi
m;Yesma
Iwasfi
nishedmaki
ngt
ea,soIwentt
othe
l
oungeandplacedt
het
rayonmyCoffeeTabl
e. 
Her
;sowhatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving 
Hi
m;I
’
m abusi
nessman
Her;Ihopeforyoursakeyourdoi
ngwel
l.And
wenaRi f
il
oe,howcany ouhaveamanaty our
houseatthisti
me.andhav eyoutol
dhi
m about
Lehl
ohonolo?
Me;Mamapl ease.Si
yaandIhaven’
tevenbeen
dati
ngf
orthatlong.We'
rest
il
ltr
yingtogett
o
knoweachother
Her;Wellmamel ahemeiskind.Ther
ewil
lnotbe
anyothermant hatyouwil
lbringint
omyhouse,
areweclear.i
canthav epeoplecomingand
goingl
ikeit
sinhi l
l
brow
Me;
yesma.

Wesatt herewit
hmymot hergoingonandon
abouthowsexbef oremar ri
ageiswrong,
blah
blahblah.Si
yaont heotherhandwasbusy
j
oiningintheconversat
ionasifhewereJohn
theBaptist
.

Aboutanhourlat
ermymot heraskedSiyat
o
takeherbagsupst
air
s.Shewast i
redand
neededabath.Si
yadidashewast oldandI
wenttothekit
chentowashthecupswehad
usedf
ort
ea.

WhenSiyareturnedhewasdr essedinthe
cl
othesthathearri
vedin.Hebidmymot her
goodbyeandcamet oj
oinmei nthekit
chen.
Lucki
lymymom hadgoneupst air
s.SoIwas
abl
etofinal
lyletoutasigh.

Hi
m;Wow
Me;
Yep 
Hi
m;SoIguessIwon’
tbeseei
ngy
ou
t
omorr
ow 
Me;Idon’
tthi
nkso.Imi
ghthav
etot
akehert
o
chur
ch 
Him; wel
latleastIgottomeether.Ithi
nkim
kindofgladthatshearri
v edwhenshedid.I
thinkwerecaughtupint hemoment .Iwantt
o
takethi
sslowwi thyou.IloveyouandIwantto
gettoknowy ouf i
rst
,beforewegettothat
Me;
yourpr
obr
alyr
ight
. 
Hi
m;andwhoi
sthi
sLehl
ohonol
oguy
?
ME;
Il
lexpl
ainl
ater
 
Hi
m;shoul
dibewor
ri
ed
Me;
No.butt
her
ear
ethi
ngsy
ouhav
etoknow
Him;Ok,
nowgiv
emeaki
ssbef
oremagogo
comesback.

Il
aughedathi
m andgav
ehi
m aki
ssgoodby
e
andhelef
t.
Iwashedthecups,
packedt
hem away
,thenI
wentupst
airst
ochargemyphone.
 
Mymotherwasfini
shedbathi
ngandhadher
bi
blei
nherhands.Shecal
ledmeint
oherroom.
 
Iwentontothebedandcuddl
edwi
tht
hesame
wayIusedtoasachil
d.
Her
;Fi
fi
,youknowIl
ovey
our
ight
?
Me;
yesma.Il
ovey
out
oo
Her
;butIwor
ryabouty
ou 
Me;
Iknowma.
 
Her;
Sohowl onghav
eyouknownt
his
Si
yabongaboyfor
?
Me;
aboutaweek 
Her
;andal
readyhe’
sspendi
ngni
ght
swi
thy
ou 
Me;Ma,hewasn’tgoi
ngtospendtheni
ght
.He
j
ustcameoverandwel ostt
rackoft
ime
Her;Ri
fil
oe,mamel a.WhenImety ourfather
,we
datedforonl
y3mont hsbef orehemar ri
edme.I
was20att heti
me.Hedi dn’tmakeexcuses.He
knewhehadf oundawi fewhenhemetme,
becauseIwasdi ff
erent.Youmustdot hesame.
Ift
hisSiyaboylovesy ou,thenhemustMar r
y
you.Evenbeforeyousl eepwithhim.Iknowy ou
youngpeoplethinkI’
m cr azy,
butI'
mt ell
i
ngy ou
now.Givingamany ourbody ,i
sgivi
nghima
par
tofy
oursoul
. 
Me;
yesma.

Idr
ift
edasl
eepwi t
hmymom pl ayi
ngwithmy
hai
randherreadi
ngherbibl
etome.Ithoughta
l
otaboutwhatshesaid.MaybeIwasmov i
nga
bi
ttooqui
ckwi t
hSiya.

WhenwewokeuponSundaymor ni
ng,
Iwas
cuddledwithmymommy.Iwentdownstai
rst
o
makebr eakfastwhi
l
emymot
herwenttoget
readyforChurch.

Whenshewasdoneeat ing,IwenttobathandI
accompaniedhertochurch.Ihadn’tspokent
o
Siy
abecauseIhadf al
lenasleep,andthis
morningmymom andIwer er ushi
ngbecauseI
di
dn’twanthertobelate. 
Whenwef
inal
l
yar
ri
vedatchur
ch,
theser
mon
hadn’
tstarted.Somymot herbei
ngwhoshei s
wentaroundi ntr
oducingmet oherfri
ends,t
hen
thepastor
s, t
hent hepast or
’swif
e.Myf eet
werestart
ingt ohurt,becauseIwasi nhil
lsmos,
soiexcusedmy selfandwentt ositdown.AsI
wasaboutt ositdown, someonet appedmy
shoul
der.AsIt urnedar oundInearl
ydiedont he
spot.
 
I
twasmyexLehl
ohonol
o

Hi
m;Hey
,It
houghti
twasy
ou 
Me;Hlokes.Whatar
eyoudoingher
e?Ar
en’
t
yousupposedtobeinSaudi
?
Hi
m;Icamebackaboutaweekago.Di
dn’
tyour
mom t
ell
you?
Me;
ahhm,
no
Hi
m;wel
l
,you’
rel
ooki
nggood 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Him;socanwemay
bemeetupf
orl
unchaf
ter
chur
ch. 
Me;
I’
m sor
ryIcan’
t.I
’
vegotpl
ans 
Hi
m; Howaboutdur
ingt
heweek.Weneedt
o
t
alk
Me;Hlokes,
Ican’
t.andwehav
enot
hingt
otal
k
about
Him;Look,Ri
fi
loe,Iknowyouandiwerenton
agoodnoteonagoodnot ewhenilef
t.Butim
hopi
ngwecanl ookpastt
hatandmoveon.
Me;
Hlokes,that’
sall
inthepastnow.I
vemov
ed
onf
rom al
lthat.Youshouldt
oo. 
Hi
m; whatdoyoumeanmov edon?Maybeyou
mayhaveforgot
ten.youandiaret
echni
cal
l
y
marr
ied,si
nceIdidntt
akebackmylobol
a.

Ij
ustlookedathi
m andwi
shedweweren’
tin
chur
ch,becauseIwoul
dhavesl
appedt
heshit
outofhim.
Me; whatdoy oumeanyoudidn’
tTakeback
yourmoney .Ispeci
fi
cal
l
ytol
dmypar ent
sto
giv
ei tbacktoyou.

Him;Well,
nnaIdi
dn’twanti
tback.AndIst
il
l
don’
t.You’
remywifeandthat
’sfi
nal.
[
05/
11,
13:
08]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

10

Ther
eisnot
hingmoreannoyi
ngthanaman
whowantst
ocontr
oleveryaspectofy
ourl
i
fe.

HereIwasagai
nwit
hHlokesthi
nki
nghecan
comeandgoashepleasesi
nmyl i
feandI
wouldbeokwit
hit
Ist
oodupandwalkedaway
.Therewasnoway
Iwasgoingt
ost
ayhereandli
stent
ohis
nonsense

Iquickl
yrushedoutsi
deandcall
edacab.
Luckil
ytheguyarri
vedwit
hin10mins.Iwas
abouttogetint
othecarwhenHl okesbl
ocked
myway .

HI
M:wher
eugoi
ng?
Me:
noneofy
ourbusi
ness
Him:look,Rif
il
oeI '
m sor
ry.Ishouldn'
thave
spokentoy outhewayIdi d.It
sjustthethought
ofyouwi t
hanot hermanki l
l
sme.  
ME:
Pleasemov
eoutmyway
.Ineedt
ogo.
 
Hi
m:notbef
orewe'
vespoken
Me:
t her
eisnot
hingt
otal
kabout
.Nowpl
ease
move,I'
dli
ket
ogohome. 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,pl
ease,
IknowImessedup.Al
lI’
m
aski
ngforisachancetomaket
hingsr
ight
.
Me;
Youhadplent
ychancesandy
oumessed
t
hem al
lup.
Hi
m;buti
mtr
yingt
omaket
hingsr
ight
Me;
aft
eray
ear
?Youmustt
hinkI
’
m ani
diot
Hi
m;Pl
easebaby
,justhearmeout
 
Me;Hlokes.Im notheari
nganythi
ngout
.Al
lI
wanti
sf oryoutogett hehel
loutofmywaysoI
cango.

Hemovedoutmybuthel
dthedoorwhenIt
ri
ed
cl
osi
ngit
.

Him:JustknowIwon’tbegi
vinguponyou.I
've
donethatbefor
e.I
'
m notwil
l
ingtodoitagai
n.

Hecl
osedmydoorbef
oreIcoul
danswerhi
m
nxa.Iaskedthedr
ivertodr
opmeof
fatmy
off
ices.Iwantedt
of et
chmycar
.

Oncearr
ivedatmyoffi
ceshedr
oppedmeof
f
andIpai
dhimt henhel
eft
.

Ir
eal
l
ymissedSiy
a,butmyconsciencewoul
dn'
t
l
etmecal
lhim.HowwasIgoingtoexplaint
o
hi
mthatmyexisbackandi
sclaimingthatI
’
m
hi
swif
e?

Igotinmycaranddr
ovehome.Ineededa
bott
leofwi
ne.

WhenIgothomeSi
yacal
l
ed.

Me:
Siy
a
Hi
m:Hi
Babe.Ij
ustt
houghtI
'
dtakeachanceby
cal
l
ingy
ou.It
houghty
ouwoul
dbeatchur
ch
ME:Ij
ustdr
oppedmymom of
fandcameback
home
Hi
m:ar
euOK.Usoundabi
tof
f
Me:
imf
ine,
 
HI
M:Ri
fi
loe
Me;
Siy
a
Hi
m;what
’sgoi
ngon?
Me;
Not
hing.Ij
ustneedt
osor
toutaf
ewt
hings.
Hi
m;Ok,
letmeknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ng

Si
l
ence

Ji
m;Babe.Tal
ktome 
Me;
Wel
l
,may
bey
oucoul
ddosomet
hingf
orme
Hi
m;any
thi
ng
Me;
comeov
er 
Hi
m;I
’
m onmyway

Si
yadidn’tevenwaitf
ormet osaygoodby e.He
j
usthungup.That’swhyIthi
nkI’mf al
li
ngin
l
ovewithhim.Hejustmakesmef eelsoloved.
ButnowHl okeswasbackandIjustdon’tknow
howI’m meanttohandlehi
m beingback. 
Whenhel eftmeov eray earagoIwas
devastated.Hl okeshadbeenmyf i
rstl
ov eand
whenhet oldmet hathewant edtomar r
ymeI
wasbey ondecst atic,Ididn’tevent hi
nkt wice
aboutgiv i
nghi m myv irginit
y.Hewast hatguy
whowasl ov edbyev erybody .Hewast hefirst
guyinourcommuni tytobecomeadoct or.Ifel
t
atthet i
met hatIwasr eallyluckytohav ehim.
Butthent hingschangedr i
ghtafterhepai d
Lobola.Hest artedt reatingmel i
keIwas
beneathhi m.Li kehewasdoi ngmeaf avourby
mar r
yingme.Thel astst rawwaswhenhet old
me3day safterpay ingLobol athatwewer e
mov ingt oSaudi Arabiabecausehewant edt o
practicemedi ci
net her e.Itoldhi mt hatIdi dn’
t
wantt omov e, mycar eerwasf inall
yflourishing
andt her ewasnowayIwasj ustgoi ngtoupand
l
eav e.Sohet oldmet hatifIdon’ tcomewi th
him, Hewi l
lfi
ndsomebodywhowi ll
.Itoldhi m
togoahead, andhedi d.Hel eftmeandnev er
l
ookedback.Iwasl efttopi ckupal lt
hepuzz les.
SOIf irstlyhadmyf at herr eporthemat tert ohis
parent s.Theyal ltoldmei twasmyowndoi ng.
SoIt oldmyf athert opaybackt heLobol aso
thatIcoul dmov eonwi t
hmyl i
fe.Andnowher e
Iwas, f i
nall
yr eadyt olov eagai n,andnowmy
pastwasaboutt omesst hatupf orme.

AsIwasbusyt hinki
ngaboutmysituat
ion,
Siy
a
arr
ived.Il
ethi
mi nanddidn’
tevenneedtosay
anythi
ng.Hejusttookmeinhisarmsandsaid
“I
’m here”
.
I’
dnev erf
eltsoconnectedt
oanybodyl
i
keIdi
d
atthatmoment .Hejusthadawayofmaki
ng
thi
ngsseem sol esscompli
cat
ed.

Whenwef i
nal
l
ybr
okeourhug,
wewentt
osi
tin
t
helounge.

Him;soar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhat
’sbuggi
ng
you?
Me;
I’
m notsur
eI’
mreadyt
otel
lyou
Hi
m;why
?
Me;
becauseIdon’
tknowhowy
ou’
l
ltakei
t 
Hi
m;I
’
m sur
eit
’snotasbadasy
out
hinki
tis
Me;
Whati
fiti
s
Hi
m;Thenwe’
l
lfacei
ttoget
her
 
Me;
yousayt
hatnow,
butI
’
m notsur
eyou’
l
lfeel
t
hatwayoncey
ouknow.
Hi
m;Tr
yme
Me;
CanIof
fery
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink 
Hi
m;No,
nott
il
lyout
ell
mewhat
’sgoi
ngon
Me;Si
ya,
pleasejustdropit
.I’
m notr
eady
.Ij
ust
needt
ofi
gureitoutfir
st 
Hi
m; Ok,Ij
usthopei
tdoesn’
tinvolv
eanother
man.I’
m apati
entman,butIdon’tl
iket
oshare.

WhenhesaidthatInear
lydi
ed.I
tfel
tli
kehe
wasl
ookingi
ntomysoul andcoul
dseewhat
washappeni
ng. 
Istoodupandwentt
opourhi
m someJuice,
thencamebackandl
aymyheadonhislap.

West ayedther
ewat chi
ngTVandchat t
ing
aboutuselessthi
ngs.Ihadalr
eadyfor
gotten
abouttheHlokessaga.Siya,
justhadawayof
maki
ngf
orgetaboutmywor
ri
esandj
ustbei
n
t
hemoment.

Atar
ound1,Ist
aredfeel
i
nghungr
yandI
’
m sur
e
Si
yawasalsohungry
.

Me;
babe
Hi
m;y
es.
Me;
doy
ouwantdoor
dersomet
hingt
oeat
 
Hi
m;sur
e.Whatdoy
ouwantt
oeat
?
Me;
Ithi
nk,
Pizza 
Hi
m;ok.Pi
zzasoundsgr
eat
.

Iwenttotheki t
chenordered3boxes,because
Siy
acouldn’tdecideonwhathewant ed.Sowe
j
ustgotoneofev er
ythi
ng.ThenIwentupstair
s
tochange,Ineededt ogetint
osomethingmor e
comfort
able,thanmySundaydr ess.SOIjust
woremyLeggi
ngsandaTShi
rtandmysl
i
pper
s,
whenIcamedownstai
rs

Siy
ahadahugegri
nonhisface,
andidi
dnt
under
standwhy
.Il
ookedathi
m qui
zzi
cal
ly
.

Hi
m;comeher
e 
Me;
Why
Hi
m;Justcomesi
tonmyl
ap

Isatonhi
slap,
wonder
ingwhat
’sgoi
ngon

Me;
what
’sgoty
ousohappy
Hi
m;You 
Me;
Me?Whatdi
dIdo?
Hi
m;I
t’
snotwhaty
oudi
d,i
t’
swhaty
ousai
d
ME;
whatdi
dISay
?
Hi
m;y
oucal
l
edmeBabe
Me;
Idi
dnot
 
Hi
m;y
oudi
d.Youknowwhatt
hatmeansr
ight
?
ME;Not
hing.Jusmusthav
ebeenasl
i
poft
he
t
ongue
Him;Nope.Ithinkyousaidthatbecausedeep
down,you’
vefinall
yadmittedthatt
here’
smor e
tousthanjust“fr
iendshi
p”.It
hinkyourfal
l
ing
forme. 
Me;
May
be
Him; Maybe.Pl
ease,
youwereal
lovermethe
otherni
ght.YouandIbot
hknowy oudon’
tki
ss
yourfri
endsthewayyouki
ssedme. 
Me;MaybeIneedabitofareminderofwhat
you’
ret
alki
ngabout
.Ican’
tquit
eseem to
r
ememberhowy ourli
psfeelonmine
Hi
m; Wel
l
,I’
m sur
eIcandosomet
hingabout
t
hat.
Heputhi sli
psonmi ne,andt her
ewasnodoubt
thatthi
swast hemanf orme.Hewassot ender
andloving.Hisneedsmat chedmyv eryown.He
carri
edonki ssingme.Slowl yandtenderl
y.Like
hewasnotr ushinganywher e.Iwantedtobe
withhim sobadl y,
butIjustknewt hatthe
ti
mingwasn’ tright
.

Wefi
nal
l
ybr
oket
heki
ss,
whenmyi
nter
com
r
ang.

Me;
Ishoul
dgogett
hat
 
Hi
m;mmhh

Istoodupandwenttogoopenfort
hedeli
ver
y
guy.Onlyt
ofi
ndmymot herandl
ehl
ohonol
o
standi
ngatmygate.
Myhear tstar
tedraci
ng,Ishoul
dhavet
oldSi
ya
whenhear riv
ed.Whatthehellwasmymother
t
hinking,t
heleastshecould’
vedonewascal
l
met oletmeknowshewascomi ngwi
tht
hat
i
diot.
 
Lehlohonoloi
sn’treal
l
yacalm ki
ndofguy.Ij
ust
knewt hatheseeingSiyawasgoi
ngtocause
havoc.

Iopenedthegaragei
nsteadofthegat
e
becauseIdi
dn’twantt
owal koutsi
de.
 
Iqui
cklywentt
oSiya.Ineededt
otr
yand
expl
ainbef
oretheywalkedin

Me;
babe
Hi
m;hmm,
 
Me;
Ineedt
oexpl
ainsomet
hingt
oyou
Hewasn’treal
l
ypayingatt
enti
ontome.Hi s
att
enti
onwasont hesoccermatchthathewas
watchi
ng.Imovedaroundlooki
ngforthe
remotesoIcouldswit
chitoff
.Ineededhi
mt o
concent
rat
e.

Tool
atethough,
causemymot
herandHl
okes
wal
kedin.

Siy
acoul
dsensemyanxiet
y,sohel
ookedup
andsawmymot herandHl
okes.
 
Hestoodup.Greet
edmymot her
,thentri
ed
shakingHl
okeshand,
butobv
iouslythatmoron
pull
edhishandaway.

Hlokes;
Rifi
loe,
whoi
sthi
smanandwhati
she
doinghere 
Me;
Ma;
whydi
dyoubr
inghi
m her
e?
Her
;Hesai
dheneededt
otal
ktoy
ou.
 
Si
ya;
babe,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
Me;
Siy
a,Icanexpl
ain
Hl
okes;
Letmedot
hehonour
s. 
Me;Lehlohonol
o,justshutup.Whatt
hehel
ldo
youthi
nky ou’
redoinghere? 
Hi
m;DoIneedanexcusedt
oseemywi
fe
Si
ya;
Wif
e
Me;
BabeIcanexpl
ain.I
t’
snotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke
Hlokes;
Ther
e’snot
hingtoexplai
ntohi
m.You
andIaremarr
iedandthat’
sthat.
 
Me;Lehl
ohonol
o,f
ort
hel
oveofGod,
justshut
up.
 
Si
ya;
Rif
il
oe.I
’
m wai
ti
ng
Me;Si
ya,babe,
Iwasgoi
ngt
otell
you.Ijust
t
houghtIhadmoreti
metot
ryf
igureoutwhati
wasgoi
ngt
odo.
 
Si
ya;
soy
ou’
remar
ri
ed.
Me;
no,
wel
lyesbutnotr
eal
l
y 
Si
ya;
I’
mlost
 
Me;
canwegospeakupst
air
s 
Hl
okes;
no.Thi
smanshoul
dbel
eav
ing.
 
Me;No,youshoul
dbetheonel
eav
ing.Ma,
pl
easegethi
m outofher
e
Her;
Rifi
l
oe.Ican’
t.Lehl
ohonol
oisyouhusband.
Ther
e’snot
hingIcandoaboutthat
 
Me;you’v
egottobeki
ddingme.Youwer ebusy
goi
ngonandonaboutSiyamar r
y i
ngmeand
nowallofasuddenHl
okesismyHusband.Ar e
youtr
yingtowhoremeoutthehighestbi
dder
?

Mymothersl
appedmeacr
osst
hef
acesof
ast
,
Isawst
ars
Her;
Ift
here’
sonet hi
ngyouneedtoremember,
i
t’
sthatIam yourmother
.Youwil
lnotspeakt
o
methewayy oujustdi
d.Arewecl
ear?

Istoodther
e.Shocked,embarr
assed,angr
yand
everyot
heremotionthatIdi
dn’
tquite
underst
and.

Siyal
ookedatmeandthenmymot
her
.Thenhe
tookhi
sKeysandphone.

Hi
m;ar
eyouok?

Ij
ustnodded.

Hi
m;I
’
vegott
ogo
Me;
Pleasedon’
t.I
t’
snotwhaty
out
hink
Hi
m; I
tlookspr
ett
ycl
earf
rom wher
eI’
m
st
andi
ng. 
Me;
Siy
a,Pl
ease.Icanexpl
ain.
Hi
m;t
her
e’snoneed.

Siyawalkedawayfr
om meandlef
t.Iwant
edt
o
runaft
erhim,butmymotherst
oodinmyway.

Me;
I’
m sur
eyourhappynow
Her;
Rifi
loe.Youcan’tmoveonbeforeyou’
veat
l
easttr
iedwor ki
ngthingsoutwi
thLehl
ohonol
o
f
ir
st
Me; howmanyt imesmustIsaythi
s.Thereis
nothingtoworkout.Iwantthi
smanoutofmy
house.OutofmyLi fe.Ihav
ebeenokwithout
hi
mf oroverayearnow.
Hi
m;I
’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e
Me;
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?Ye.Youl
eftme.
Nottheot
herwayaround.Nowt hatIfi
nd
happi
nessagai
nyouwantt orui
nit.Justgo
backtowherev
eryoucamef r
om andl eaveme
thehel
lal
one

Hi
m; Fif
i,I
m sorr
y.Iknowi hurty
ou.Thatwasn’
t
myintenti
on.Ij
ustwantust ohavetheli
fewe
pl
annedt oget
her.IknowImessedup, butI
pr
omi seyouInev erst
oppedlovi
ngyou.Not
ev
enf orasecond.

Theint er
com rang,andIwentt oit.Ithought
may beSiy ahadcomeback.Unf ortunatelyit
wast hedel i
veryguy.Ipaidhimt henwal ked
backi nsi
dewi t
ht hePizza.Ididn’tevenbot her
openingt hem.Ihadt otal
lylostmyappet ite.I
j
ustt ookabot tl
eofwi nefrom thef ri
dgeand
walkedupst air
stomyr oom.
Iwasn’
tgoingtoenter
tai
nmybackst abbi
ng
motherandthatmanwhor e.Iwasdonefi
ght
ing.
Ij
ustwantedtoSiya

Wheni gott omyr oom, It

ri
edcall
ingSiyaa
mill
i
ont imes.Il eftvoicemessagesandt ext
s
butnothi ng.If
inallygav eupandsuccumbedt o
myt ears.Icouldn'tbelievethati
wasl osi
nghim
thi
sway .Theonl ythingIcoulddonow, was
dri
nkmy selftosleepandHopef orabet t
er
tomorrow.
[
05/
11,
19:
19]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

11

IwokeuponMondaymor ni
ngwithamoorse
headache.Mymouthwasdr yashel
l.Nott
o
mentionthebagsundermyeyes.Il
ookedand
fel
tli
keawalkingZombie.
Igotoutofbedandthef
irstt
hingIdidwas
checkmyphonet oseei
fSiyacall
ed.Not
hing.
 
It
hinkmyhear
tbr
okeoncemor
e.Ij
ustneeded
hi
mt ol
etmeexpl
ain.
Anyway ,
nousemecr yi
ngmyeyesout
.Ihadto
getreadyforwor
k.It
ookaqui
ckshower,and
gotdressed.
 
Iwasn’
treal
l
yfeel
ingveryj
oyous,
soIstuckto
myBlackpantsui
t,whi
teshi
rtandbl
ackhil
ls.
 
Il
eftmyhai rdown,hopingitwil
lsomehow
di
stractpeoplef
rom looki
ngatthebugs
underneathmyey es.OnceIwasr eady
,It
ook
myst uffandwentdownst air
s.

Ifoundmymot herinmyki tchencookingupa

storm.Tobetotal
lyhonestIhadhopedshe
wouldhavel
eftwithHl okes,butasfatewoul
d
haveit,
shewasst i
llhere.IwishedIcoul
dask
herwhenshewasl
eav
ing,
butIf
eltbad.
 
Me;
Mor
ning 
Her
;Mor
ningNana
Me;
I’
ll
seey
oul
ater
 
Her
;ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
ohav
ebr
eakf
ast
?
Me;Not
hanky
ou,
I’
ll
justgr
abandappl
efort
he
r
oad.
Her;
youcan’tst
arty
ourdayof
fwi
thout
br
eakfast
. 
Me;
Ma,
Im nothungr
y.I
llgetsomet
hingl
ater
 
Her
;Ok.Butav
oidi
ngmei
sn’
tgoi
ngt
ochange
any
thi
ng
Me;I
m not
,Ijustdon’
twantt
obel
atef
orwor
k.
I
’v
egota9:00am meeting
Her
;Ok
Me; Oh,andausyMavisi
scomingi
ntoday.
Pleaseaskhertochangemysheet
s.Ispi
l
led
somewi neonthem l
astni
ght
.Andtel
lhertake
all
thatPizzahomewithher.I
’v
ealsoputupa
l
istofthi
ngsthatI
’
llneedforCT, 
Her
;mhhm 
Me;
Bye

Il
efthertherepout
ingandheadedt
owork.I
maybef eeli
ngli
keshit
,butt
hereai
ntnowayI
ai
ntmakingmycoi ns. 
WhenIarrivedatworkAnnewasatr ecept
ion
speaki
ngont hephone.Iwavedatherthen
wentstr
aighttomydesk.Iimmediatel
ydugmy
headint
omywor k.Ineededt
obeont opof
thi
ngsformymeet ings.
 
Bytheti
mei twas13; 00pm,Ihadmetwi th3
thr
eecli
ents,andhadwr i
tt
enal otofbusi
ness.I
wenttoSizwet ogiv
ehim myf i
l
esbef or
e
submit
ti
ngt hem toouradminteam.

Me;
chi
na 
Hi
m;Heysweetcheeks
Me;I’
v ebeensobusyt
oday,Idi
dn’
tev
engeta
chancetoseeyou.Whatti
medidyougethome
onFriday?
Him;Tj
o,Dude.Idi
dn’
tevengotomycr i
b.I
endedupsleepi
ngatThemba’
splace.Ionl
ygot
homeyesterday
 
Me;
noway
s. 
Hi
m; ser
ious,
man,I
’m exhaust
ed.I
’
m ev
en
t
hinki
ngofgivi
ngupalcohol
. 
Me;Haai
,Yougi
veupal
cohol
.Thi
sI’
vegott
o
see 
Hi
m; I
’mtell
i
ngyouman.
onedayi
soneday
.So
whataboutyou?
 
Me;
ohhno,
Idon’
tev
enwantt
otal
kabouti
t 
Hi
m;t
hatbad?
Me;
star
tedoutgr
eat
,butendedonabadnot
e
Hi
m;shame
Me;mxm.Anyway
,Ineedy
out
ogot
hrought
he
t
hesefi
l
esforme.
Him;sur
eputthem t
her
e.Ohandwhenam I
seei
ngyourboyf
ri
end?
Me;
Boy
fri
end?
Hi
m;y
es,
don’
ttel
lmey
ou’
vebr
okenupal
ready
Me;
wehaven’
tev
enst
art
ed,
andal
readyhe’
s
r
unfort
hehi
ll
s
Hi
m;haai
,mar
awena
Me;
let
’snotgot
her
e. 
Him;y
aah,
butIneedt
oseehi
mregar
dingt
he
t
rustf
orhi
sson
Me;shi
t,It
otall
yfor
got.Don’ty
ouwantt
o
phonehi
sof f
iceandsetitup?
Hi
m;Nope,
nev
er.He’
syourcl
i
ent
.Youseti
tup 
Me;
mxm shar
p
Iwentbackt
omyof f
ice.Ihadn’
tthoughtabout
Siy
athewholeday,andnowher ehewasback
i
nhead.Butnonethel ess.Busi
nessisbusi
ness.
Ihadtomakethatappoi nt
ment.

Ical
l
edhi
sPA
Her
;Ndhl
ovuCor
por
ati
on’
sgoodaf
ter
noon 
Me;Andr
ea,HiI
tsRi
fi
loeMokoenaSpeaki
ng,
howareyou?
Her
;Mi
ssMokoena,
I’
m good,
howar
eyou?
Me; Goodthanks.Ineedtosetupan
appoint
mentwi t
hSi y
a,ImeanMrNdhlovu,
Pleasecheckformewhenhehasav ai
l
abil
i
ty.
Her
;Ahhm Pl
easehol
don,
whi
l
eIcheck
Me;
sur
e
Her
;He’
sgotanopeni
ngt
omor
rowat9;
00am 
Me;
thatsoon.Any
thi
ngl
ateri
ntheweek?
Her
;Nomam,
He’
sInDur
banf
rom Wednesday
t
oFridayMor
ning.ThenHef
li
est
oCTf
ort
he
weekend.
 
Me;
Isee.Ok,
I’
ll
taket
heopeni
ngf
or
t
omorr
ow. 
Her
;gr
eat
,we’
l
lseey
out
omor
row.
 
Me;
thanky
ou

Iputthephonedown, andsi ghed.IknewI

wouldhavetoseeSi ya,butIdidn’tthi
nkit
wouldbesosoon.It houghtIwoul datleast
havetimetospeakhim.Any way,we’ l
lj
usthav e
toseewhathappens.Icar ri
edonwor kingfor
therestoft
heday ,
thenl ef
tat4pm, togot othe
gym.Ineededtoletof fsomest eam, andwhat
bett
erwaytodot hatthant owor kout. 
Aftergym,Iwentst
rai
ghthome.Iwasso
exhausted,
Ineededabathandanicegl
assof
wine. 
WhenIar
ri
vedhomemymot
herwaswat
chi
ng
7del
aan.Igr
eet
edherandwentt
omyr
oom.
 
Ir
eal
l
yneededhertogobackhomenow.Iwant
myhousebackt
omy sel
f.SoIcal
l
edmydad.
Hewouldbeabl
etohelpme.

Hi
m;Nana
Me;
Hidaddy
 
Him; y
oudon’
tlovemeanymorene.Youdon’
t
evenPhonemet oseehowyourol
dmani s
doing.
Me;
I’
m sor
rydaddy
,I’
vebeensobusywi
thwor
k
Hi
m;i
tsok.Sot
ell
mehow’
syourmot
her
?
Me;
wel
lthat
’ski
ndofwhyI
’
m cal
l
ing 
Hi
m;I
’
mli
steni
ng 
Me;
Daddypl
easecomeandf
etchher
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.
 
Me;
Daddy
. 
Hi
m;whathappened?
Me;
She’
sov
erst
ayedherwel
come 
Him;haai
man, t
haty
oumot
her
.Howcany
ou
saysuchthi
ngs? 
Me;daddy,
didyouknowshe’
sbeenschemi
ng
wi
thHlokesbehi
ndmyback
Hi
m; nxa,
Ijustknewshewasupt
osomet
hing
whensheleftherewi
thhi
m
Me;
sodaddywhydi
dn’
tyouwar
nme
Hi
m; Nana,
Iwasn’
tsur
e,Ij
ustt
houghtmay
bei
t
wasn’
twhatIt
hough.
 
Me;
wel
l
,it
’swor
se.Farwor
se.
Hi
m;ok,I
’l
lspeakt
oher.Sheshouldbeont
he
f
ir
stbusbacktoQwaQwat omorr
ow
Me;
Thanksdaddy
Hi
m;Ok,
butIneedy
out
odomeaf
avour
Me;
any
thi
ng 
Him;Ineedyoutocomehomesoon.Weneed
tocal
lafamil
ymeetingbet
weenusand
Lehl
ohonolo’
sfami
ly 
Me;butwhydoIhav etobether
e.Iaskedyou
guystogi
vethem backthei
rmoneyov erayear
ago.I
fyouhad,Iwouldn’
tbeint
hismess 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe.OSekewal
ebal
ahor
eobual
e
mang 
Me;
I’
m sor
rydaddy
Hi
m;andwhatmessar
eyour
efer
ri
ngt
o?
Me;
for
getIsai
dany
thi
ng

Mydadputt hephonedownanddidn’tbot
herto
evensaygoodbye.Idi
dn’
tcaret
hought,
becausei
ftheyhaddoneasIasked,Iwouldn’
t
havetoseelehl
ohonol
oagain.

Iwentt
otakeabat
h,t
henwentdownst
air
sto
hav
edi
nner
,mymot
herwasst
il
lwat
chi
ngTV.

Her
;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
ma 
Her;
Yourf
athercal
l
ed.Heneedsmet
ocome
hometomorr
ow. 
Me;Ok.Doyouwantmet
ogetsomeonet
o
dr
iveyou?
Her
;No,
nowor
ri
es.Lehl
ohonol
owi
l
lbet
aki
ng
me

Ididn’
tbotheranswer
ingher
.Nxa.Idi
shedup
forbothofus,thenwentt
ositwi
thherinthe
l
ounge. 
Weateinsil
encewhi
l
eshewat
ched
gener
ati
ons.
 
Af
terdinnerwebot
hwentt
obed.It
hinkwe
weren’
tinthemoodar
gue,
sowejustavoi
ded
t
hei
ssue.

Tuesdaymor ni
ng,Iwokeupwithmystomach
i
nknots.IjustknewitwasbecauseIwouldbe
seei
ngSiya.Plusourmeeti
ngisin2hours.Shi
t
Iwasnervous. 
Igotupandwentt
ot akeabath,t
henlookedat
whattowear
.Idi
dn’
twantany thi
ngsexy,I
neededt
olookasprofessi
onalaspossi
ble 
Iset
tl
edonanav
ymi
nidr
esssui
t,wi
thmynav
y
Pumps.

WhenIwentdownst
air
s,Hlokeswashel
ping
mymotherwit
hherbags.Mxm

Me;
Dumel
ang 
Hi
m;Hi
babe.Howar
eyou 
Me;
Good.
 
Me;
ma,
canIspeakt
oyouf
oramoment
Wewenttot
heki
tchenandIgav
ehermoney
f
ort
heroad.
 
Her
;Ri
fi
loe,
Idon’
tneedmoney
 
Me;
It’
sjustsomet
hingf
ort
her
oad
Her
;Ok.Thanky
ou
Me;Hav
easaf
etr
ip.Andcal
lmewheny
ouget
home
Her;
Iwil
l.Aren’
tyougoi
ngt
osayany
thi
ngt
o
Lehl
ohonolo? 
Me;No,I
’mrunni
nglatef
orameeti
ng.Pl
ease
don’
tfor
gett
oleavethekeyf
orAusymavi
s. 
Her
;Ok
Ikissedmymom’ scheeks,andlef
t.Iwasn’t
goingtosayanythi
ngtoHlokes.Hemustj ust
stayawayfrom me.

WhenIgoti
nthecarIdi
all
edSi
zwe.
 
Me;
Si 
Hi
m;Sweet
ie 
Me;I
’
m notgoi
ngtocomeintotheoff
ice.I
’
m
r
unni
nglat
e.Let
’sr
athermeetatSi
yasoffi
ces.
 
Hi
m;Ok,
I’
ll
meety
out
her
e 
Me;don’tf
orgett
obr
ingt
hedocument
she
needstosign’
Hi
m;Shar
p
Lucki
lytr
affi
cwasn’ ttoobad, becauseIarri
ved
atSiy
asof fi
cesatexact l
y08:50am.Meani ngI
hadenought imet osett
ledownandbef orethe
meetingstart
ed.Andr eashowedmet hroughto
Siy
a’soff
ice.Luckilyhewasn’tthereyetsoIsat
downandst artedwor ki
ngf r
om myl apt
op.I
wasbeginningt ogetwor r
ied,becauseSizwe
wasgoingt obel at
e. 
Ifel
tSiy
a’spresencebehi ndmebefor
eIeven
sawhim.Iclosedmyey es,count
edto5then,
conti
nuedtyping.Iwasn’tgoingt
obethefi
rst
onet
osayany
thi
ng.
 
Hewalkedi
nandwentt ohi
sdesktoputdown
hi
slapt
op.Ij
ustcont
inuedwi
thwhatIwas
doi
ng. 
Final
l
yhecamet osi
twhereIwassi
tt
ing.But
thist
imehesatopposi
teme. 
Hi
m;howar
eyou 
Me;
goody
ou?
 
Hi
m;Good.I
sSi
zwecomi
ng?
Me;
Yesheshoul
dbeher
eanymi
nut
e.

JustasIsai
dt hatSizwewal
kedin.He
apologi
sedf
orbei nglat
eandtheyshookhands
andourmeetingcommenced. 
Sizwedidmostofthetalki
ngwhencomingt
o
setti
ngupthetrust
,Imainl
yst
eppedinwhenit
camet othef
inanci
als.
 
Si
yasi
gnedal
lthepaper
wor
k,andanhourand
ahal
flat
erweweredone.Siy
ahadav
oidedey
e
cont
actwit
hmethroughoutt
hemeet
ing.
 
Ist
oodupfir
sttopackupallt
heal
lthe
document
s,andmylaptop,
andsodidSizwe.
 
Wesai
dourgoodby
esandl
eft
.
[
05/
11,
19:
20]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

12

WhenSi zweandIl eftSiya’

sof f
iceswewent
str
aighttotheoffi
ce.Ther ewasnot i
meto
ponderaboutmyper sonalli
fe.Ihadwayt oo
muchwor kthatneededt obedone, befor
emy
gi
rlf
riendsandIleavef orCTonFr i
day.
 
WednesdayandThur sdaywereprett
ymucht he
same.Wor k,Gy
m, Home.Not hi
ngmor e.Ihadn’
t
heardanythi
ngfrom Si
ya,soIfi
guredwewer e
done.Hlokesontheotherhandwasphoni ng
meleftri
ghtandcentre.Iwasn’
teven
i
nterestedinhear
ingwhathehadt osaythough.
AllIneededwastobeawayf rom JHB.And
whatbet t
erwaytomendmybr okenhear
t,than
formet oturnupwithmygir
ls.

OnFr
idayIwor
kedhal
fdaybecauseIwasf
lyi
ng
t
oCT.
Iwasbeyondexci
ted,Ihadn'
tseent
hem i
nso
l
ong,andwaslookingforwar
dtolet
ti
ngmyhai
r
l
oose. 
AtnoonIl
eftt
heof f
icet
ogot hesal
on.I
neededmyhair&nai
lsdone.Ial
soneededt
o
wax.
WhenIgothomeaf terthet
r i
ptothesalon,I
tookaquickshowerandchangedi ntoblack
l
eggings,
aGucci t
op,NikejacketandmyNi ke
air
maxes.I '
m notreal
lyafanoff l
ying,
soIlike
tobecomf ort
able.
Myphonebeepedat16:
00i
twasamessage
f
rom Thandekaconf
ir
mingt
heywer
eont
hei
r
waytopickmeup

Iquickl
yswit
chedoffal
ltheli
ghtsi
nt hehouse,
l
ockedupandwentt owai tf
orthem atthe
securit
yboom gat
es.
 
Whenmygi
rl
sar
ri
vedyoucoul
dtel
l,
thatt
his
wasgoi
ngt
obeagoodweekend.
Cleoscreamedwhenshesawme,and
thandekahadthemusi
cpumpi
ng.
 
ThandekahadherrentedaHy undai H1,
becauseaswoman, wet endtohav equitealot
ofluggage.Takemeforinstance.Iknewt hat
wewoul dbecomingbackonMonday ,butIhad
ful
lypackedbothmyLoui sVuitt
onsuitcaseand
myl uggagebag.
Whenthecarst
opped,Thegi
rlsgotoutt
ogi
ve
mehugsandhelpwithmyluggage.
Nwabi
sawasbusydanci
ngt
othemusi
cwhi
l
e
t
handekakepttel
li
ngust
ohur
ryuporwe'
l
l
missourf
li
ght.Lol
Igoti
nandof
fwewentt
oORTambo.
 
Alongthewaythegir
lshadopenedabott
leof
MoëtandIjoinedt
hem.Youguy sknowbynow
thatI
’m al
overofl
iquor

Wemadeat
oast

Me:here'
stoagr
eatstr
essf
ree,
chi
l
drenf
ree,
husbandfr
eeweekend
Thegi
rl
sal
ll
aughedandsai
dcheer
s. 
BothNwabisaandThandekawerebothmarri
ed
andhadchil
dren,Cleoontheot
herhandhas
beenengagedforthepast3year
s.

Nwabi
sa:
somyf
ri
end,
namanj
eyouhav
en’
t
f
oundaman?
 
Me:Ijustknewt
hatwoul
dbet
hef
ir
stquest
ion
youaskme.  
Me:andtoanswery
ourquest
ion,
nochommy
,
not
hingsofar
.
Cle:sofr
iendyoumeant otel
lme,
thatl
enow,
o
salebusykaself
-ser
vice?
 
Wealljustburstout,Cl
eowasthatonefri
end
youcannottakeany wher
e.Shel
it
eral
lyhasno
f
ilt
er
Thandi:Haai
,manNina,leav
eFifi,
alone,
ska
worrywenamyf r
iend.Youwill
findsomeone
soon. 
Me:Ij
ustkeptsmil
ingnje,
Idi
dn'twantt
otel
l
t
hem aboutSiy
a,si
nceitwasclearhedi
dn’
t
wantanyt
hingtodowithme.

Whenwear ri
vedatutheairpor
tweretur
nedthe
rent
edcar,
tookourluggageandheadedfort
he
depart
uret
erminal
. 
✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

Atwohour sorsolat
er,wearri
vedinthemot
her
ci
ty.Idon'
tknowifit
'sj
ustme, butev
eryt
imeI
arr
iveinCapeTownt hefi
rstt
hingIdoaft
er
checkingi
n,i
sgot othebeach.
 
Ithi
nkit'
sbecauseI'
m mywholel
i
fei
sbasedi
n
Jhb,sowhenI '
m her
e,If
eel
li
keI'
mreal
l
yon
vacati
on.

Welefttheai
rpor
tandheadedtothebeach
housethatCl
eohadrent
edf orourst
ay.
 
Whenwearriv
edatthebeachhouse,Iwasthe
f
ir
stonetorunupst
air
stochoosear oom,I
want
edtomakesureIgotabeautif
ul v
iewof
t
hebeach.
 
Thegir
lschasedaftermeoncetheyreal
i
zed
whatIwasdoing,butsor
ryfort
hem Ihad
al
readycal
leddibsonthemainbedroom. 
Aft
erselecti
ngourroomsweal lchangedint
o
ourshortsandheadtothebeach,Ijustwant
ed
tofeelt
hesandbetweenmyt oeshav ethe
watersuptomyknees.

Wewat chedt hesundownt ogether,

ont
he
beach,thenheadedbackt othehouse.Toget
readyfordinner.Iwasn’
treal
lyinthemoodto
dressup,soIset tl
edonaboobt ubemaxidr
ess,
sandal
sandnomakeup.WhenIgotdownst air
s
thegir
lswer ereadyandwel eft
.
Cleotookust osomer estaur
antatwater
front
.
Shekeptgoi ngonandonabouthowmuchshe
l
ov edthesteakfrom t
here.Thefi
rstt
hingIdid
whenwear r
ivedwasor derabott
leofwine.
Knowingmyf ri
ends,
Iwoul dneedmorethan
j
ustabot t
le. 
Whendi
nnerarri
ved,
Thandekasai
dgrace,
then
wedugin.Imustsay,
Cleowasri
ghtthest
eak
wasdel
i
sh.Wewer eallhav
ingagoodti
me,
unti
lItol
dthem aboutHlokesbeingback.Cleo
chockedonherf ood,whi
leThandekaand
Nwabisashookt hei
rheads.Mindy outhese
gir
lsknowHl okesver
ywell.Weal l
wentt o
Varsi
tytoget
her ,
sotheyknowt heshitIwent
thr
oughwi t
hhi m. 
Iwasbusygi vi
ngt hem ar undownofwhat
happenedwi t
hmymom andHl okes,whenmy
phoner ang.Ididn’tbot
herl ookingatwhoitwas,
becauseIj ustfiguredi
twasHl okes,soIl
etit
gotov oicemail.Wheni trangagai nf
orthe
secondt i
me, Ilookedatthecal ler
.Shucks,i
t
wasn’tHl okes,I
twasSi ya. 
Istoodupandwenttothebal
conyoft
he
restaur
ant
,toanswer
.

Me;
Hel
l
o 
Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
mmm,
whatcanIdof
ory
ou?
Hi
m;howar
eyouenj
oyi
ngCT?
Me;
Fine…wai
t,howdi
dyouknow?
Hi
m;Ihav
emyway
s
Me;
Okay
,that
’sj
ustcr
eepy
 
Hi
m;Well
,someone’
sgott
omakesur
eyou’
re
t
akencar
eof.
Me;
Siy
a,whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Hi
m;Not
hing,
Ijustwant
edt
oheary
ourv
oice
Me;
Ok,
wel
lI’
vegott
ogo
Hi
m;WhencanIseey
ou?
Me;
I’
m notsur
ethat
’ssuchagoodI
dea
Hi
m;Why
?
Me;becauseSi
ya,
youmadeitcl
earwewer
e
done.SowhywouldIwantt
oseeyou?
Hi
m; whosai
danythi
ngaboutbei
ngdone?I
mostcer
tai
nlydi
dn’
t?
Me;
Siy
a,I
’
vegott
ogo
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
seey
out
omor
rowni
ghtt
hen

Heputdownt hephonebef oreIcouldev en

answerhi m.Ijustshookmyheadandwent
backtomyf ri
ends.Wef inisheddinnerthen
headedbackt othebeachhouse.Iwasqui te
downaf terspeakingtoSiy a,andthegirl
sal l
wantedt ogot osleep,Itr
iedget t
ingsomeshut
eye,butnada.Ikeptr ehashingtheconv ersati
on
Ihadwi thSiyainmyhead.Af tertossi
ngand
tur
ning,Idecidedtogocuddl eupwi thCleo.I
knewt hatcrazyonewoul dbeabl etogetmy
mindof fofSiya.

WhenIgott oCl
eo’sroom herdoorwasclosed.
Iknockedandshedidn’tanswer
.Iknocked
againandshetol
dmet ogoaway .It
ookthatas
aninvi
tat
iontocomei n.
HER;
whatdoy
ouwant
 
ME;
acuddl
ebuddy
HER:
your
eal
l
yneedt
ogety
our
sel
faman
ME;
mov
eov
er
HER:
mxm

Shedidn’
tevenaskmewhy ,shej
ustmoved
overandswitchedonherl
amp.Igoti
ntobed
withherandshehuggedme.

HER;
soar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhohei
s? 
ME;
No 
HER;
sot
her
eissomeone
ME;
somet
hingl
i
ket
hat
HER;
whathashedone
ME:
it’
smor
eli
kewhathasHl
okesdone 
HER:
I’
mlost
 
ME:
it’
salongstory.Justshutupandcuddl
e
mewhil
eIfal
lasleep 
Cl
oedidn’
tpushthei
ssueanyf
urt
her
.Shej
ust
swi
tchedoffherl
amp,andl
etmebe.

I
nthemor ni
ngwewer ewokenupbyThandeka
j
umpi ngont
hebed, t
elli
ngustowakeup.I
t
hroughmypi l
lowatherbutshedodgedi t
.I
l
ookedatthetimeandi twasonl
y6;00am.I
wantedtomur derher.Iwasreal
l
ylooki
ng
f
orwar dt
osleepingintoday.

ME;
goaway
 
Her
;NOways,wedi
dn’
tleav
eJHBjutt
osleep
i
nCT.Getupwe’
regoi
ngforaj
ogonthebeach
Cl
eo;
nnooooo
Thandekajustopenedthecur
tainsand
pret
endednottohearourmoan.Shewal ked
outtheroom andtoldustobereadyin5.Mxm
Me;
Iguesswehav
enochoi
ce
Cl
eo;
Nxa,

Wegotup.Iwentt omyr oom togetr eady .

WhenCl eoandIwentdownst airs,
Nwabi saand
Thandekawer estretching.Somepeopl ej ust
haveal ltheener gyint hewor l
d.Imeanwho
wakesupt hatearlyjustt ogojoggingont he
beach?Haai ma.Tobehonestt heonl yreasonI
gotot hegy mi sbecauseIcomef rom av ery
thi
ckimf amily.SoIhav etomakesur eI
exerciset okeepmysi ze32bodyt hewayi tis,
Otherwi seIwoul dbl owupl i
keabal l
oon.
Thandekaont heot herhandi soneoft hose
peopl ewhowor koutbecauset heyenjoyi t.Like
real
lyshei saGy m mani ac.Thuswhyshe’ s
maki ngusgoj oggingi nt heweehour soft he
morni ngs 
Me;
whatar
eyouguy
ssohappyabout
?
Thandeka;hawMzal
a,thetr
eesaregr
een,
the
sunisshini
ng,t
hebi
rdsaresingi
ng
Me;
whatt
rees?Wer
eont
hebeach 
Her
;come,l
etsgo,pl
usy ouneedt
owor
kof
fal
l
t
hatwiney
ouliket
odrink 
Cl
eoandNwabisalaughed.Theyal
lknewhow
muchIhat
edbeingwokenup.

Welef tf
oraj ogandImustsayThandekawas
r
ight.Itf
eltsogoodtobeoutonthebeach
workingoffthecarbsf
rom mywine. 
Whenwegotbackt othehousewemade
breakfastanddeci
dedtogotoTabl
eMount
ain
fortheday .
 
Wespentmostoftheont ablemount ai
n.We
rodeonthecabl
ecar,hadlunch,tooktonsof
self
iesandj
ustenj
oyedeachot her’
scompany. 
Bytheti
mewegotbackt
othehouseitwas
al
ready5pm.Weonl
yhadabout3hoursbef
ore
wehadt oleaveforthecl ub.IorderedPizzafor
us,becauseIdi dn’
twantt obedr i
nkingonan
empt ystomach.Af terdinner,weall went
upstair
st ogetready .Thankgoodnesst hatwe
allhadin-sui
tbathrooms, becauseweal lknow
howl onggi r
lstakeaheni tcomest oget ti
ng
ready. 
Ihadaquickshower,Ideci
dedtowearmysissy
boyof
ftheshoulderdenimjumpsuit
,withmy
Lui
sVuit
tonnightf
all
hill
edsandal
.Iblowdri
ed
myhair
,togetsomev olume,andappli
edabit
ofmakeup.Nothi
ngtooex t
reme. 
Iwasthelastonetoheaddownst
air
s.
Thandekawasalreadyscr
eami
ngformet
o
comedown.  
Shoo,mygirl
swerelooki
ngHotshame.Weal l
haddenim on,asi
fwehadplannedi
t.Icouldn’
t
stopcomplementi
ngthem.I
t’
snowondert heir
husbands,
wi f
edem up
At21;
30ourdr
iverar
ri
ved.
 
Whenwegott ot
hecl
ubitwaspacked.(
Thank
Godforair
-condi
ti
oni
ng)t
herewasevenali
ne
out
side.
 
Luckil
yforusCl eoworksfort hemedi a
companyt hatwashost i
ngt heeventatt heclub.
Whenwear riv
edwewer eshownt oourt abl
e.
TheVIPl oungewasupst airswhichwasni ce
couldyoucoul dseeeverythingfr
om upher e,
wit
houthav ingtobewiththecr owddownst air
s.
Inoti
cedwhenwegott oourt abl
e,thatther
e
wasaTabl enextt ooursthatwasr eserved

Wesatdownandi mmediatelyordereddri
nks.
Whenourdr inksar
ri
vedwemadeat oastand
tookpictur
es.ThentheDJst ar
tedplayi
ngmy
song,weal lst
oodupandst art
ed.Themor e
dri
nkswehadt hemorest
ressf reeIbecame,
themor efunIhad

Aboutanhourl
aterwewer
eseat
edandj
ust
chatt
ing,whil
etheDJhadswitchedfrom hip-
hoptoHousemusi c.Iwasbusysingingalong
toDJZi nhl
e,Whil
eCleowastwerkingforus,lol,
weall j
ustl
aughed.Iwasfi
nal
lyattheborderof
Drunkv sSober,
andIwastrul
yenjoyi
ngmy self
.

TheDj changedf
rom HousetoR&B,Thelast
ti
meIcheckedCl eowasdancingwit
hmeand
hadherhandsaroundmywai stfr
om theback,
whilewewer esl
owdancingandgoofing
around. 
Soyouguyscanonlyimagi
nethef
rightIgot
whenIsawSiyasi
tt
ingatourTabl
ewi t
h
ThandekaandNwabisa.
 
Inoti
cedt
hatthet
abl
enextt
oushadbeen
occupi
ed,
bythesameguysIsawatChaf
-Phozi

Iswall
owedasCl
eoandIwentbackt
oour
tabl
e. 
Iwasgoi
ngtositnextt
oThandeka,butshe
movedoverandmademesitnexttoSiya.

Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
Hi
Hi
m;Youl
ookgood
Me;
Thanky
ou 
Hi
m;Canwet
alk
Me;
Ithoughtt
hat
’swhatwe’
redoi
ng?
Hi
m;Imeanpr
ivat
ely
 
Me;
Siy
a,Idon’
twantt
ofi
ght
. 
Hi
m;whosai
dany
thi
ngaboutf
ight
ing?

Hestoodupandhel
douthishand.Ij
ustl
ooked
athi
m.Iwasn’
tgoi
ngtobetoldwhattodo
whenhewastheonethatwal
kedawayf r
om
me.
Hi
m;don’
tmakemepi
cky
ouup 
Me;
Youwoul
dn’
t 
Hi
m;webot
hknowIwoul
d
Me;
Siy
a
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
Stopi
t 
Hi
m;St
opwhat
 
Me;
bossi
ngmear
ound

Hejustst
oodtherewaiti
ngformet ostandup.
Li
kehehadn’theardwhatIjustsai
d,Nxa.I
st
oodupandwewal kedtowardstheotherend
oft
heclub.It
houghtwewer egoingoutside,
but
heledmetoanof fi
ceinst
ead.

Me;
youdon’
tfi
ghtf
air
Hi
m;Not
hingsev
erf
airwheni
tcomest
olov
e.

Isatont
hecouchandhesatnextme.

Hi
m;I
’
vemi
ssedy
ou
Me;
whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?
Hi
m;Not
hing 
Me;
Siy
a.Whyam Iher
e?
Hi
m;becauseIwantust
owor
kthr
ought
hings,
 
Me; soyouwalkoutonme,notspeaktome,
andbasical
lyi
gnoremeatyouroffi
ces.And
thenyouexpectmetobeallj
oll
ybecausenow,
aweeklateryouwanttopat
chthingsup? 
Hi
m;i
tsnotl
i
ket
hat
Me; yesiti
s.YouandHlokesaret
hesame.The
minuteyoudon’tgetyourwayyourunf
ort
he
hil
ls.Andthenexpectmetositar
oundwai
ti
ng
foryou. 
Him;Rif
il
oe,Iknowy ourupset
.Youhaveevery
r
ighttobe,butpleaseref
rai
nfrom compar
ing
met oyourex.
 
Me; Itr
ied.Ok.Itr
iedsohar dtoexplaintoyou,
buty oushutmeoutcompl etely.Whathappens
thenextt i
mewear gue?Ar
ey ougoingtoshut
meoutagai n?Becauseift
hat ’showy ou’
re
goingtodeal wit
ht hi
ngs,t
henwemi ghtaswel
l
quitwhilewe’reahead. 
Hi
m;GodImi
ssedy
oursmar
tmout
h 
Me;
don’
tmakemel
aughwhenI
’
m madaty
ou
Hi
m;Icoul
dputyourmout
htobet
teruse.That
f
rowndoesn’
tsui
tyou

IknowIwasmadathi m, butatthatmomentI
didn’
tcar
e.Iwantedhim andhewant edme.
Isntt
hatal
lthatmatt
ered.Heleanedincl
oser

Me;
Siy
adon’
t 
Hi
m;why
Me;
because
Hi
m;t
hat
’snotar
eason
Me;wehaven’tspokenaboutusandIhav
etol
d
youaboutt
histhingwit
hHlokes
Hi
m;Idon’
tcar
e 
ME;
But
 
Hi
m;Shhh

Iswal
l
owedandl
ookedathi
slips.IknewI
wasn’
tgoi
ngt
oprot
esti
fhekissedme.
Heputhi sli
psonmi ne,andthat
’sallIneeded.
Heki ssedmewi thsomuchintensit
y,Icouldn’
t
breathe.I
tfel
tli
kehewast ry
ingtomakeupf or
l
ostt i
me.Neitheroneofuswant edtostop,but
ourlungsneededai r
. 
WhenIpul
l
edbackhepul
l
edmeinformore.
Andwhenhepul
l
edbackIpul
l
edhi
mi nf
or
mor
e.I
t’
sli
kewewer
etooaf
rai
dtol
etgo.

Whenwefi
nal
lyst
oppedIknewtherewasno
wayIwoul
dbeabl
etoli
vewithouthi
m.
[
05/
11,
19:
21]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

13

(
pleasenotet
hatthi
schapterisforpeopleover
t
heageof18, I
fyouryoungerpleaseref
rain
f
rom readi
ng)

;
)

Siy
aandImayhav
emadeup,
butIst
il
lhadmy
concer
ns.
 
I
tfel
tli
kewewer
ejustget
ti
ngt
oknoweach
otherandal
readywewerefaci
ngchal
l
enges.I
j
usthopethatmov i
ngf
orwardwecoul
denjoy
theti
mewehav et
oget
her.

Me:sonowthatwe'vemadeup.Doy
ouwantt
o
t
alkaboutwhathappened?
Him: canwer at
herdothatatmyplace?Thi
s
i
sn'treal
lythepl
acetobehavingt
his
conversati
on 
Me:ok,pr
omiseyou'
l
ldr
ivemebacktot
he
beachhouseonewe'
reDonet
alki
ng.
Hi
m:ory
oucoul
dst
ayov
er
Me:noways.IcametoCTforagi
rl
sweekend,
nott
oshackupwi t
hyou 
Hi
m:butI
'
vemi
ssedy
ou
Me:wel
lthat
'syourpr
obl
em notmi
ne.Yourt
he
onewhodidn'
twanttopi
ckupmycall
s
Hi
m:Iknowbabe.Ij
ustneededt
ime,
butwe
cantal
kaboutal
lthatatmyplace.Andsi
ncei
ts
02:
30am techni
call
yit
'sal
readymorni
ng.
 
Me:
you'
vegotapoi
ntt
her
e
Hi
m:socanwego 
Me:yeah,butmyf
li
ghtl
eavesat15:
00pm,soI
needtobebackatthebeachhousenol
ater
than12:00
Hi
m:Icanwor
kwi
tht
hat
 
Iwenttofetchmyclutch,
saidgoodbyetothe
gi
rlsThandekabeingthemotherbearthatshe
i
slookedconcerned.Igaveherahugandt old
herI'
dbebackbyt hetimeweleaveforthe
ai
rport
.

Si
yaandIl
efthandi
nhand.I
t'
sst
rangehowI
wal
kedint
heclubwit
hmygirl
sandnowIwas
wal
ki
ngoutwithmyman. 
Whenwegott
oSiya'scarheopenedt
hedoor
f
orme,t
henwentaroundandintheot
hersi
de.
Hi
m:t
hanksf
oragr
eei
ngt
ocome
Me:doi
ngthankmej
usty
et.We'
vest
il
lgotal
ot
yot
alkabout
.
Hi
m:I
'
m sur
ewecanwor
kitout
 
Me:
Ihopeso
Wedr i
veninsil
ence.Iwasdeepi
nthought.I
di
dn'tevenreal
i
zewhenwedr ovei
ntohis
house. 
Wow, hishousewasamaz i
ng.I twasv
er y
moder n,butal
soveryhomey.Ithas5
bedrooms, 7bathr
ooms,2lounges,2dini
ng
rooms, akit
chenand2cottages.

Me:
thi
sisabeaut
if
ulhome
Him:t
hanksbabe,
butIdon'
tusual
l
ygett
oenj
oy
i
t.Toobusytr
avel
li
ng 
Me:
whost
aysher
e
Hi
m: myhouseskeeper
.Butshe'
sawayf
ort
he
weekend 
Me:
soi
t'
sjustusher
e 
Hi
m:y
es.Comel
etmeshowy
ouar
ound

Hefi
rst
lyshowedmearoundt
hegoundfl
oor
,
t
henwewentupstai
rst
owherethebedr
ooms
wer
e. 
Ili
kedpr ett
ymuchev ery
thing,untilwewal ked
tothet hi
rdfloor.Whichher eferstoas
olwethosspace.i t
'sbasicall
yanupst air
s
cottage,thatli
ndauseswhent heyvisitSiy
a.I
dintexactlyunderstandthatsincesheal soli
ves
i
nCT.ButIdeci dednott osayany t
hingt ohim
becausewehadenought odeal with.
Idi
dn'
tfeell
ikeaddi
ngmoretoourplat
e.SoI
j
ustfi
guredIwouldl
eavei
tfornow,butiwas
def
ini
tel
ygoingtodeal
wit
hit.
Wewentbackdownst
air
stot
hel
oungeont
he
f
ir
stf
loor
. 
Wesatdownf
aci
ngeachot
her
. 
Hi
m:canIof
fery
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink?
 
Me:
not
hanky
ou.
Him:ok,sol
etast
artf
rom t
hebeginni
ng.What
happenedbet
weenyouandthi
shlokesguy.
 
Me:
he'
smyex
Hi
m:sowhathappened?
Me:inanutshel
lhepaidLoyol
athenwebr
oke
up3daysaftert
hat.Thenhelef
twit
hsome
chi
ck.Andnowhe'sback
Hi
m:ok,
sol
egal
l
yyournotmar
ri
ed
Me:
no
Hi
m:andwhathappenedt
ohi
slobol
a 
Me:Iwasundertheimpr
essionthatmypar
ent
s
hadgi
venthemoneybackt ohisfami
ly
.But
appar
ent
lytheyr
eject
edthenmoneyand
i
nsi
stedthatt
hewai
tforhi
mtocomeback
f
rom Saudi
 
Hi
m:Isee.Sowhatnow 
Me:
there'sameetingbetweent het
wof amil
ies
i
nacoupl eofweeks.Hopefull
ywecangi ve
t
hem thei
rmoneybackandi canmov eonwi t
h
myl
ife. 
Hi
m:doy
ourpar
ent
sst
il
lhav
ethemoney
 
Me:
Ithi
nkso.I
fnott
henI
'
llpayi
tmy
sel
f 
Hi
m:doy
oust
il
lhav
efeel
i
ngsf
orhi
m
Me:
no,
I'
vebeenov
erhi
mforawhi
l
enow
Hi
m:sowhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
meabouthi
m
Me: babe,wehadjuststart
eddati
ng.Ionl
y
foundoutaboutthelobolaissueafewhours
beforeyou.
Hi
m:sobasi
cal
l
yIov
err
eact
ed
Me:
Iguessso
Hi
m:socanwemov
eonf
rom t
his
Me:
yes,
I'
m soov
eri
t
Hi
m:ok,
nowl
et'
sgety
out
obed
Me:
whatt
imei
sit
?
Hi
m:4am
Me:
I'
mtoot
ir
edt
owal
kupt
hosest
air
s
Hi
m:sohowar
eyougoi
ngt
ogetupst
air
s 
Me:
yourgoi
ngt
ocar
ryme
Hi
m;haai
,uy
atef
aman
Me:pl
easebabe.Myfeetaresore.Wal
ki
ngi
n
t
heseheel
sallni
ghti
snoj oke 
Hi
m:ok,
come

Heli
ft
edmeandwal kedupt hest
air
s.Ididn'
t
knowwhyhewascompl ai
ning.Hecarri
edme
upasifIdi
dn'
twei
ghany t
hingatall
. 
Whenwegott
ohi
sroom het
hrewmeont
he
bed.
Hi
m: sonowthatIcar
ri
edy
ouupat
onofst
air
s.
WhatdoIget
. 
Me:
howaboutaki
ss

Ist
oodupandoutmyarmsar
oundhi
sneck
andthenki
ssedhi
sli
ps.

Hi
m:y
oushoul
dn'
tdot
hat
 
Me:
dowhat
?
Hi
m:kissmeli
ket
hat
.Especi
all
ysi
ncey
ouri
n
mybedroom 
Me:
wel
l
,whati
fIwantt
o
Hi
m:Ican'
tst
opy ou.ButIal
sowon'tbeablet
o
t
aker
esponsi
bil
i
tyforwhathappensafter
 
Me:i
nthatcase.Ineedy
ourhel
pwi
th
somet
hing
Hi
m:any
thi
ng 
Me;
unzi
pmyj
umpsui
t.I
'
dli
ket
otakeashower
 
Hi
m:(
clear
sthr
oat
)wi
thpl
easur
e

Heunzi
ppedmyj
umpsui
ts,
slowl
y.

Hi
m:Ther
eyougo.
All
done

Itook,
offmyjumpsui
tsl
owl
y.Si
yacoul
dn'
t
keephiseyesof
fme.

Me:
Youseeany
thi
ngy
oul
i
ke 
Hi
m:y
es
Me:
whatexact
lydoy
oul
i
ke
Hi
m:ev
ery
thi
ng 
Me:wel
lyou'
renotdoney
et.Ineedhel
ptaki
ng
of
fmybar
Siyalookedl
i
kehewaabouttofai
nt.Bynone
thelesshestoodupanduncl
i
ppedmybr aand
thewont hef
loor.
Thenstar
tedpl
anti
ngkissesonthebackofmy
neck,
thenfr
om oneshoulder
,thent
otheother
. 
Iturnedaround.Andhecar
ri
edonkissi
ngme
fr
om t hetopofmyneckallt
hewaytomybelly
button.Thencameallt
hewayupagain.Si
ya
wast easi
ngme.Iwentfrom bei
ngi
nchargeto
beingdomi nat
ed.

Me:
babe
Hi
m:hmmm
Me:
theshower
Hi
m:whatabouti
t
Me:
wher
eisi
t
Hi
m:ony
ourl
eft
Hestoppedkissi
ngmeandl ookedi
ntomyey es.
I
'dseenalotofthi
ngsinSi
ya,butri
ghtnowat
t
hisverymomentallIcoul
dseewast helov
e
wehaveforeachother

Me:
Ineedonel
astf
avour
 
Hi
m:any
thi
ng 
Me:
Ineedy
out
owashmyback

Hedidn'
tev
enansweme.Hejustgot
undr
essedandfol
l
owedmeintotheshower
.
Whenwewer ebot
hinHeputt
hewayt hewater
on.

Hi
m.Sowher
ewer
ewe
Me:Ithi
nky
ouwer
eki
ssi
nmer
ighther
e.Onmy
ni
pple
Hi
m:y
esofcour
se.Shal
lIcont
inue 
Me:
please

Si
yaimmedi atel
ycompli
ed.Ihadtoleanback
soIcouldhav esomet
hingtoleanonto.Siya
j
ustkeptwor ki
nghist
oungeal l
overmyupper
body.Thenoutofnowher estopped.Iopened
myey es.

Me:
what
'
swr
ong
Hi
m:not
hing.
Me:
sowhydi
dust
op 
Hi
m:becauseIwant
edt
otaket
hoseof
f
Hewentontohi
sknees,andsl
owl
ystar
ted
taki
ngmythongof
f.Hismouthmovedf
rom my
bell
ybut
tontomythi
ghs.

Thenant
ici
pat
ionwaski
l
li
nghi
m.Ihadhadhi
s
mout
hal
loverme,butnowi
want
edt
ofeel
his
mout
hdownther
e. 
Siy
aknewt hatandt hat
'swhyhekeptt easi
ng,
ki
ssingandev ensl i
ghtl
ybit
ingmyi nnerthi
ghs.
Thenf i
nall
yhelift
edmyonel egov erhis
shoulder.Andstatedkissi
ng,thenlickingmy
p***y.Hewentonandonunt ilIcouldn'tt
akeit
anymor e

Me:
babe
Hi
m:mhmm
Me:ify
oudon'tst
op,It
hinkI
'
m goi
ngt
o
expl
odeal
loveryou
Hedi dn'
tst op,hejustcar
riedonasi fIhadn'
t
saidany t
hing.Insteadhest art
edli
ckingmea
bitharder,andf ast
er.Andt hat
'sal
lIneededto
throwmeov ertheedge.Icamesohar dI
start
edt r
embl ingandhadt ohol dontohis
shoulders.
WhenIfinal
l
ycamebackt oeart
hSiya,
was
backonhisfeetwi
thhismouthonmyneck.He
star
tedki
ssi
ngme, andIgotatast
eofme.
 
Me:
let
'sgetoutofher
e 
Hehel dmyhandandwewentonhi sbed.He
carri
edonki ssi
ngmeunt ilIbecamewetagai n.
Thent ookoutacondom f r
om nightst randand
askedmet oputut nonf orhim.Iobv iously
compl i
ed.Oncei twason, Ilaydownandhebut
putoneofmyl egsov erhi sshoulder.Hest ar
ted
byputtingi
nt het i
pf i
rst.Thenslowl yputinthe
restofhim.Hest i
ll
edf oramomentt omake
sureIwasadj usting.Thenher eal
lyst art
ed
mov i
ng.Hest artedslowandt henpi ckedupt he
pase.Iknewt hent hatutwasntgoi ngt obelong
beforeIexpldedagai n.Thist i
met houghwe
camet ogether,call
ingouteachot her'snames. 
Reali
tykepti
nwhenIcouldn'
tbr
eat
heany
mor
e,
becauseSiyahadcol
l
apsedontopofme
[
05/
11,
19:
22]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

14

Me:
babe,
yourki
l
li
ngme.y
ou'
ret
ooheav
y
Hemov edoffme,andwenttothrowawayt
he
condom,Thencamebackt obed.Il
ayI
nhis
arms,anddri
ft
edofftosl
eepasthehappi
est
womani nthewor
ld
WhenIwokeuponSundaywithSi
yafastasl
eep
nextt
ome.Iwassopressed,
soIputonSiyas
robeandwentt
othebat
hroom,t
ofreshenup.
WhenIwasdone,Si
yawasstil
lasl
eep.Il
ooked
att
hetimeandi
twas10:30am,atl
eastIsti
l
l
hadti
metogetr
eady
Me:
Siy
awakeup
Hi
m:mhmm
Me:
Siy
a
Hi
m;babecomebackt
obed 
Me:nocando,I
'
m goi
ngt
otakeabat
h.Iwas
hopi
ngyoucoul
d 
Ididn'
tev
engettof i
nishmysent
ence.Si
ya
pull
edthebel
toftherobeoffandpul
ledont
o
thebedwithhi
m playful
ly
 
Me:
babe
Hi
m:what
 
Me:i
fwedon'
tgetupNowI
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssmy
f
li
ght
Hi
m:t
hat
'ski
ndofwhatI
'
m hopi
ngf
or 
Me:
why
Hi
m:Iwanty
out
ost
ayanot
herday
Me:butbabethatwi
llmeanihavetobook
anotherfl
i
ghtandyouknowthatwil
lbenear
ly
i
mpossi bl
esi
nceit'
stheendoftheEast
er
weekend 
Hi
m:wecanusemyj
et 
Me:
Idon'
tknow 
Hi
m:Iwashopi
ngy
oucoul
dmeetol
wet
ho 
Il
ookedathi
m shocked 
Me:
butbabei
sn'
ti
ttoosoonf
ort
hat
Him:Idon'tt
hinkso.Youareoneoft hemost
i
mpor t
antpeopleinmyl i
fe,andifI
'
m goingt
o
bespendingmyl i
fewithyou,thenyoutwo
shoul
dgett oknoweachot her
Me:wai
t.
..whatdoy
oumeanbyt
her
estofy
our
l
if
e?
Him:l
ookbabe,Il
ov eyouandwantt obewith
you.I
’
m atastagewher eIneedtosett
ledown.
Ican'
tbeabacheloral
lmyl i
fe.
 
Il
ookedatSiyaanddidn'
tanswerhim.Imean
i
sn'ti
ttoosoontoknowthat.We'
v elit
erall
y
knowneachotherforl
essthanamont h,and
al
readyhespeaki
ngaboutthefuture.Siya
i
nterr
uptedmythoughts 
Hi
m:Iknowy
oumustt
hinkI
'
m nut
s,butwe'
l
l
t
akethi
ngssl
owlybutevent
ual
l
yI'
m hopi
ngi
f
Godper
mits,
I'
ll
makey ouMrsNdhl
ovu
Ismi
l
edathi
m
Me:ok,
butpromisemewewi l
ltaket
hings
real
l
ysl
owly.Ithi
nkwebothneedtogetto
knoweachotherbet
ter
. 
Hi
m:Ipr
omi
se
Me: i
nthatcase,
I’
dlov
etomeetyourson.But
fi
rstIneedtofet
chmystuf
ffr
om thebeach
house 
Hi
m: t
her
e'snoneed.Iaskedmydr
ivert
ofet
ch
t
hem
Me:
wit
houtaski
ngme
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouwoul
dmi
nd
Me:
Iwant
edt
osaygoodby
etomygi
rl
s 
Hi
m:buty
ou'
l
lseet
hem i
nJHB 
Me:
Siy
a
Hi
m:babe
Me:
youcan'
tdot
hat
 
Hi
m:dowhat
? 
Me:
dot
hingswi
thoutaski
ngme
Him:Ijustwantedtomaket hi
ngseasi
erforyou.
Wehadal ongnightandIwantedtomakesure
youdidn’thav
et oworryaboutal
lthel
ogi
sti
cs
Me:Iknowy oumeantwel
l
.I'
mjustnotusedt
o
havi
ngsomeoneelseinmyli
fewhomakes
deci
sionsf
orme
Hi
m:Igeti
t
Me:
good,
nowpassmemyphonesoIcancal
l
t
hem
Ical
l
edNwabi sa’
sphoneandsheanswer
edon
thef
irstr
ing
Her
:Mzal
a 
Me:
hey
,Zal
as,
hav
eyoul
efty
et?
Her:
no,noty
et.Butinhearyou’
rest
ayi
ngi
n
CapeTownforanotherday 
Me;yes,butImi
ssy
ouguy
s.Somuchf
oragi
rl
s
weekend 
Her:Mzala,
li
sten.You'
vefinal
lyfoundy ourself
amanwhoy ouwantt obewi t
h,don’tfeelbad
forwant
ingtobewi thhim.West il
lhavemany
gir
ls’
weekendst ocome.Butfornowal lyou
needtodoisconcent r
ateonyourr el
ationship.
 
Me:Iguessy
ou’rer
ight
.Tel
ltherestoft
hegi
rl
s
Il
ovethem.I
’l
lseeyouguyssoon.
Her
;Shar
pZal
as
Me;
Shar
p 
WehungupandIl
ookedatSi
ya.
 
Me;
soIguess,
I’
m st
ayi
ng.
 
Hi
m;Thaky
ou
Me;
Sowhatt
imei
sOl
wet
hocomi
ng?
Hi
m;Atar
ound15:
00pm
Me;
Ok,
sowhatdowedot
il
lthen?
Hi
m;Icoul
dthi
nkofacoupl
eoft
hings
Me;
suchas?

Hemovedcl
oser
,andst
art
edki
ssi
ngme.We
madl
oveagai
n. 
Him;Idon’
tknowi
fI’
m ev
ergoi
ngt
oget
enoughofyou 
Me;
youbet
ternot
. 
Hi
m; (
chuckel
s)come,let
’sgetusbreakf
ast
.I
t
hinkwe’
vewor kedupanappetit
e.
Me;
Ineedt
ogetdr
essedf
ir
st.Hi
m,j
ustusemy
r
obe

Wewentt otheki
tchent
omakebreakf
ast
.Well
actual
lyhemadebreakf
astwhi
l
eIsatonthe
counter

Hi
m;sobabe,
Iwast
hinki
ng
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Him;I
’v
egothecti
ccoupleofweekscomingup
workwise.I
’
llbei
nDubaithi
scomingweek.
ThenIhavetobeinPar
is.I
sther
eanywayy ou
coul
dcomewi thmeforaweekorsomething?
Me;
I’
dlov
eto.ButI
’
vegotwor
k
Hi
m;yaah,
butt
hatmeansIwon’
tbeseei
ngy
ou
f
orov
eramonth
Me;GetAndreat
osendmeyourschedul
e,and
I
’l
lcomevisi
tyouononeoft
heweekends.
Hi
m;Butbabe,
justaweekend
Me;
Yes,
that
’st
hebestIcandof
ornow
Hi
m;I
t’
sbet
tert
hannot
hingIguess

Hecar r
iedoncooki
ngwiththecutestpouton
hisli
ps.Ij
ustsmil
ed.Whatdidhet hi
nkIwas
goingto?Dropever
ythi
ngjustforhim.Ihada
feeli
ngIwasgoingtobeabi gbabyattimes.
Lordhelpme
Me;
youl
ookcut
ewheny
oupout
 
Hedidn’
tanswer
,hej
ustsmi
l
edandcont
inued
pout
ing.
 
Whenbreakf
astwasready
,wewenttoeati
n
l
ounge.Imustsay
,Si
yaisqui
teagoodcook.
 
Wesateati
ng,
andwatchi
ngthenews.Wewere
i
nter
rupt
edbythei
nter
com.Hewenttoanswer
t
hencameback.

Hi
m;I
tsLi
ndaandOl
wet
ho 
Me;
Didn’
tyousayhewascomi
ngat3
Him;That
’swhatwediscussed,
Iguessshe
deci
dedtobri
nghim ear
li
er
Me;
Didy
out
ell
herIwasher
e
Hi
m;noti
nsomanywor
ds 
Me;
whatdoy
oumean
Him;Wellf
ir
stl
y,i
t’
snoneofherbusi
ness.And
secondl
y,t
hedri
verwassupposedtofet
chhim
Me;
ahhm Ishoul
dgogetdr
essed
Hi
m;Ok,
I’
ll
comeupnow.
Iwentupstai
rs,
anddeci
dedt
ohaveaqui
ck
showerfi
rst,
befor
emeeti
ngOlwet
ho.
 
Iwasr eal
lyannoyedt
hough,t
hatSiyahadn’
t
tol
dLi ndaaboutmemeetingthei
rson.Imean
thelastti
meIspoketoLinda,shewassodamn
rude.Itwouldhav
ebeennicetopreparemysel
f
beforeactual
lymeeti
ngher.
 
WhenIwasdone,Itookadeepbr
eat
hinand
out
,thenwentdownstai
rs.

OnmywaydownIcoul dhearSi
yaandLinda
ar
guing.Icouldn’
treal
l
ymakeoutwhatt hey
weresaying.ButIcoul
dtell
Siyawasannoyed.
WhenIcamecloser,Siyaspottedmeandt hey
st
oppedtal
ki
ng.Ithoughtt hatwasodd, but
di
dn’
ttakei
tseri
ously.Ijustfi
guredtheywer e
di
scussi
ngsomethingaboutOl wetho. 
Hi
m;Hi
babe
Me;
Hi.
 
Hi
m;Li
ndathisi
sRi
fi
loe,
Babet
hisi
sLi
nda.
Ol
wet
ho’s,
other
Ihel
doutmyhandt
oshakeher
sandshej
ust
l
ookedatme.
 
Her;
Soy ouseri
ousl
yexpectmet
obeokwi
th
youint
roduci
ngthi
sthi
ngtomyson
Ilookedatherandfel
tli
keslappingher
.But
thenlookedatherandthought,
she’sact
ual
ly
notwor t
hit.
Hi
m;Lindapl
ease.I
’
m noti
nthemoodt
oar
gue
wi
thyou. 
Her;
well
,maybeyoushoul
dhavet
oldmeabout
t
hisbef
oreaski
ngmet obr
ingmysonher
e.
Me;Okay.
..I
’
m goi
ngtogoupst
air
s.Cal
lme
whentheadult
sar
ri
ve
Ol
wet
hol
ookedatmeandsmi
l
ed
Hi
m;I
’
m comi
ngwi
thy
ouaunt
y
Iheldoutmyhandandwel ef
t.Imustsay,Heis
aspi t
tingimageofSiya.Youcantel
lhisvery
cl
ev er.Plust
heglassesjustmakehim ev
en
cuter.
 
I
nsteadofgoingupst
air
s,Ol
wet
hopul
l
edme
i
ntotheki
tchen
Me;
Ithoughtwewer
egoi
ngupst
air
s 
Hi
m;Canwegetasnackf
ir
st?
ME;
ok,
buti
m notsur
ewher
eev
ery
thi
ngst
ays
Hi
m;Come,I
’
llshowy
ou.Butf
ir
st,
youmustt
ell
mewhoyouare
Me;
Ok.Whatdi
dyourdadsay
? 
Hi
m;Hesai
dI’
m goi
ngt
omeethi
sladyf
ri
end.
Me;
Ok,
mynamei
sRi
fi
loe.Buty
oucancal
lme
f
if
i 
Hi
m; Mydadwi
l
lsayIhav
etocal
lyouaunt
y.I
s
t
hatok 
Me;
yes.That
’sf
ineboy
. 
Hi
m;ok.Letmeshowy
ouwher
eal
lthesweet
s
st
ay
Hehel
dmyhandandt ookmet othepantr
y.He
t
ookoutsweets,
chips,j
uiceandsomef r
uit
f
rom t
hefr
uitbowl.

Hi
m;t
hisi
sev
ery
thi
ngaunt
y.Let
’sgoupst
air
s 
Me;
Ok.Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
odo?
 
Hi
m;canwewat
chamov
ie?
Me;
yes.Come

Wewentupstai
rs.Andweputonthejungl
e
book.Wesatonthecouchandhesatnextto
me
WhenSi yafinal
l
ycameup, wewer ehalf
way
thr
ought hemov i
e.Hesatont hecouch
oppositeusandl ookedatmewi t
hasmi l
e.I
couldtell
thathehadsomet hi
ngonhi smind.
ButIdidn’twanttosayanythi
nginfr
ontof
Olwetho. 
Bythetimethemov i
efi
nished.Olwet
howas
fastasl
eep.Siy
atookhi
mt ot hebedr
oom t
hen
camebackt ositwi
thme.Heputhi sheadon
myl apandlookedatme.

Me;
what
’swr
ong
Hi
m;Li
ndai
sjustannoy
ingme
Me;
what
’sgoi
ngonwi
thy
out
oo 
Him;don’
twor
ryyour
sel
fabouti
t.Shej
ust
needsti
metocomearound
Me;Idon’
tgetwhyi
tssodif
fi
cultt
hough.I
meanyouguyshaven’
tbeentoget
herfory
ear
s
now
Hi
m;it
’sali
tt
lecompl
i
cat
ed.Butdon’
twor
ry,
il
l
t
akecareofi
t
Me;
Ok.Wantsomesnacks.
 
Hi
m;y
oucanbemysnack 
ME;
Siy
a.Ol
wet
ho’
sint
heot
herr
oom
Hi
m;i
tsnotl
i
kehe’
l
lhearus
Me;
Noway
s.Nothappeni
ng 
Hi
m;Wel
li
nthatcase.I
’
llhav
esomegr
apes.
 
Westayedtherewatchi
ngTV.Iwantedtoask
Si
yamor eaboutLi
nda,becauseIf
eltl
ikether
e
wasalotthatIdi
dn’
tknow.Buthejustseemed
abi
tirr
it
atedandIdidn’
twanttomaket hi
ngs
worse

Olwet
hoev ent
uall
ywokeup,andweallwentto
havedi
nneratwi mpy.Si
yawantedsomet
hing
moreJuj,ButOlwethowasadamanthewanted
Wimpy. 
Aft
erdinner
,wewenttotakeOl wet
hohome.I
mustsay,Li
ndahadabeaut i
fulhome.I
twasn’
t
asbigasSiyasbuti
twasnice,andyoucoul
d
seeitwasinagoodneighbourhood.
Siyawalkedi
nandIst
ayedinthecar
..Iwasn’
t
real
lyi
nt hemoodt
oseeLinda. 
WhenSi y
acamebackweheadedbackt ohis
house.Hewasr eall
yquitemostoft
heway.I
di
dn’tbotheraski
ng,causeIknewhewoul
dtell
menott owor r
y. 
Whenwegothome,Iwentt
ot akeashower
,
whi
leSi
ya,
tookacal
linhi
sstudy. 
WhenSi
yacameup.Iwasalr
eadyi
nmyPJ’s.
Heal
sotookashowerandwewenttobed.

WhenIwokeup,Si
yawasn’ti
nbedwi t
hme.I
wentt
othebat
hroom,thenwentdownstair
sto
l
ookforhi
m.Imtel
li
ngy ouIl
ookedevery
where
andhewasnowheretobefound.Iwentbackt
o
thebedr
oom andt
ri
edcal
l
inghi
m.Heanswer
ed
onthe3rdr
ing

Hi
m;Babe
Me;
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou 
Him;Iwentt
othegym.Youwer
esleepi
ngso
peacef
ull
yIdi
dn’
twantt
owakeyou.I’
m onmy
wayback
Me;
Ok,
seey
ounow.
 
Ii
mmediatel
yfel
tbetter,andwentt
othe
ki
tchent
omakebr eakfast. 
Bytheti
meIfi
nished,Siyawasback,but
somethi
ngdi
dn’
tseem r i
ght.Hisfor
eheadhad
acutandwasblooding.Iwalkeduptohim

Me;
babewhathappened’
Hi
m;I
tsnot
hing
Me;
Siy
a 
Him;Rif
il
oe,
itsnothing.Iwasjustdoi
ngsome
boxi
ngatthegym andIhi tmyheadon
somethi
ng.I
t’
sr eal
lynothing
Me;
Ok.Wher
e’sy
ourf
ir
stai
dki
t?
Hi
m;I
nthebat
hroom cabi
net
 
Me;
Ok,
sitdown,
il
lgof
etchi
t

Iwentt
ofet
cht
hef
ir
stai
dki
t,t
henwentt
osor
t
Si
yaout.
 
Me;sitsti
l
l,I
’m goi
ngt
oneedt
odi
sinf
ectt
his
f
ir
st,beforecoveri
ngi
t.
 
Idisi
nfect
edhiswoundandwenttoput
everyt
hingaway.WhenIcamebackSiy
awas
di
shingup 
Hi
m;t
hanksf
orbr
eakf
ast
 
Me;
pleasur
e.Si
yaI
Hi
m; babepl
ease.You’
rel
eavingtoday
, Idon’
t
wantyouworr
iedaboutanyt
hing.I’
mfine.It
’s
j
ustal
i
ttl
ecut
 
Isi
ghedandwal
kedov
ert
ohi
m andgav
ehi
ma
ki
ss. 
Me;Promisemey ouwon’
tbedoi
nganymor
e
oft
hisboxingt
hing.
 
Him;butbabe,
howam Isupposedt
ost
ayi
n
shape
Me;Run,Car
dio,
hel
lev
enwei
ght
s.Butnomor
e
boxi
ng 
Hi
m;Ok,
I’
ll
try
.Ipr
omi
se

Wehadbr eakfast
,thenIwentt otakeashower.
Icoul
dhearmyphoner ingingof fthehook.SoI
gotoutandwentt oansweri t.WhenIl ookedat
thecal
lerID,I
twasHl okes.Ididn’twantto
answer,butsomethinginmet oldmet o.

Me;
Hlokes 
Hi
m;f
if
i 
Me;
whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Hi
m;hel
pme 
Me;
wher
ear
eyou
Hi
m;Mhmm
ME;
Hlokes,
what
sgoi
ngon 
Hi
m;Hel
pme.Pl
ease

Hisphonewentdead.Istar
tedsweat
ing.
Somethingwasn’
tri
ght.

WhenIt
urnedar
oundSi
yawasl
ooki
ngatme
[
05/
11,
19:
23]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

15
Il
ookedatSi
ya,
andhelookedatme.Iknewhe
hadover
hear
dever
ythi
ng

Hi
m;sowhatdi
dhewant
 
Me;I
’m notsur
e,butsomet
hingdoesn’
tseem
r
ight
 
Hi
m;whydoy
ousay
Me;Hesoundedoff
.Li
kesomet
hingwaswr
ong.
Heaskedmet ohel
phi
m
Hi
m; I
’
m sur
ehej
ustwant
edt
ogety
our
at
tent
ion
Me;
Idon’
tknow.I
t’
sjustsomet
hingdoesn’
t
r
eal
l
yseem ri
ght
Him;youshoul
dfi
nishup,
ory
ou’
l
lbel
atef
or
yourf
li
ght
Me;
yourr
ight
.

Si
yawal
kedout
,andIcar
ri
edonget
ti
ng
dressed.ItriedHlokesagain,
buthisphonejust
keptonr inging.Iwasr eal
l
ystar
ti
ngtoget
wor r
ied.IknowHl okesandIweren’
tonthebest
terms.Butt hatdidn’tmeanIwishedhi
m bad.

Ifi
nishedup, t
henwentdownst ai
rstoSi
ya.I
couldtel
lhewasabi tannoyedaboutt
hewhole
Hlokesthi
ng.Iwant edtomaket hi
ngsri
ght
beforeIl
eft,becauseIdidn’
tknowwhenI’dbe
seeinghim again.
 
Iwenttohisstudyandhewasbusyonthe
phone.Iwentov eront
ohi
ssideoft
hedeskand
satonhislap,andputmyarmsaroundhi
m.I
j
ustwantedt ofeelcl
oset
ohim. 
Hetoldwhoeverhewasspeaki
ngt
othathe
wouldcal
lhi
m back.

Hi
m;babe
Me;
mmmhm
Hi
m;what
swr
ong 
Me;
not
hing
Hi
m;y
ousur
e
Me;
yes.Justf
eltl
i
kebei
ngi
nyourar
ms.

Wesatl
iket
hatf
orawhi
l
e,Unt
ilSi
yabr
oket
he
si
l
ence
Hi
m;weshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
orel
sey
ou’
regoi
ng
t
obelat
e 
Me;
can’
tyoumov
emyf
li
ghtt
oabi
tlat
er 
Hi
m; nolove.Ineedthem t
orefuel
andser
vice
t
hejet,
beforeIleaveforDubai
onWednesday. 
Me;
ok,
IguessIdon’
thav
emuchofachoi
ce
Hi
m;soy
ou’
l
lcomet
oseemei
nDubai
?
Me;
I’
m notsur
e.I
’
lll
ety
ouknow 
Hi
m;ok.Let
’sgetgoi
ng
Igoti
nthecarandSiy
afol
lowed.Iwasgl
adhe
wasdri
vingmeinst
eadofgett
inghi
sdri
vert
o.

Whenwegott otheai
rport
,Istartedfeeli
nga
bitsad.Iwasleavi
ngSiy
aher e,andthenhewas
goingtoDubai f
ortwoweeks, t
henPar is.How
wasIgoi ngtomanagebeingwi thouthimf or
thatlong? 
Whenwegottohi
sJet
,hewal
kedmei
nand
satnextt
ome.
 
Me;
don’
tleav
e
Hi
m;babe,
youknowIhav
eto
Me;
Iknow,
but
.Nev
ermi
nd

Hel
i
ftedmychi
n.SoIcoul
dlookathi
m 
Hi
m;I
’
llbebackbef
orey
ouknowi
t 
Me;
Iguessy
ourr
ight
 
Hi
m;butIneedy
out
odomeaf
avour
 
Me;
any
thi
ng 
Hi
m;behav
e
Me;
I’
m conf
used,
whywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
Hi
m;j
ustsay
ing
Me;
Justki
ssmeandst
opt
alki
ngnonsense

Helaughed,andki
ssedme.Hi
spi
l
oti
nter
rupt
ed
us.I
twast i
me. 
Hi
m;Ishoul
dgo
Me;
ok.I
llseey
ousoon 
Hi
m;Ihopeso.
 
Me; r
emembertogetAndr
eatosendmey
our
schedul
eforDubai
andPari
s. 
Hi
m;Wi
l
ldo 
Hekissedmeagain,
thenl
eft
.Ibuckl
edupand
weleftforJHB.
 
It
ri
ednappi
ng,
all
thewaybackt
oJHB,
but
sl
eephaddeser
tedme.Tobehonestwasr
eal
l
y
st
art
ingt
ogetworri
edaboutHl
okes.

WhenIarri
vedhome, i
tfel
tdif
ferent
.Iusedto
feel
socontentwit
heveryt
hing,butnowthatI
waswit
hSi ya,
itf
eltwei
rdbeingalone.My
housef
eltsomewhatempt ywithouthi
m.

Itri
edcal
l
ingHl
okesagai
n,buthi
sphonej
ust
rang. 
Ideci
dedtoleav
eit
,andcal
ledSi
yai
nst
ead.He
answeredal
mostimmediat
ely
 
Hi
m;babe
Me;
hi
Hi
m;howwasy
ourf
li
ght
 
Me;
notasbadasIt
houghti
twoul
dbe
Hi
m; gl
adyourhomesaf
ely
.CanIcal
lyouback?
I
’m onanot
hercal
lwi
tht
hepeopl
efrom Dubai
Me;
ok.Speakt
oyoul
ater
 
Hi
m;l
oveu 
Me;
lov
eyout
oo

HeputthephonedownandIwentt oupstai
rst
o
unpack,Ist
il
lfel
tali
tt
leuneasywit
hthewhole
Hlokesthi
ng.Buthey,IguessSi
yawasright
.He
probabl
yjustwantedtogetatt
enti
on.
Iunpacked, anddecidedtomakesomet hingto
eat.Myf r
idgewasempt y.It
hinkausimavis
musthav ecl eaneditout
.SoIjusthadfr
uit.I
didn’
tfeelli
kegoi ngouttogetanythi
ng.
 
Whi
leIwassitt
ingi
ntheloungewat
chingTV,
myint
ercom r
ang.Iwenttoseewhoitwas,
and
i
twasthecops. 
Iopenedforthem andwentt
omeetthem
hal
fway.Theygreetedmeandaskedthatwe
tal
kinsi
de. 
Ist
art
edget
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.Whati
fsomet
hing
waswr
ongwi
thSi
ya.
 
Ioff
eredthepoli
ceoff
icersomethingt
odrink,
buttheydecl
inedmyoffer.Il
eadthem t
othe
di
ningroom andsatdown.

Him;MsMokoena.Thisi
ssergeantKhumalo,
andIam Const
ablel
edwabo.Weneedt ospeak
toyour
egardi
nglehl
ohonol
oMot l
oung

Me;
whatabouthi
m
Hi
m;whenwast
hel
astt
imey
ouspoket
ohi
m
Me;
aboutaweekago.Hewasher
etopi
ckup
mymother
. 
Hi
m;Ibel
i
evey
ouar
ehi
swi
fe
Me;
notexact
ly 
Him;pleaseel
abor
ate,
becausehel
i
stedy
ouas
yournextofki
n
Me;
heandIwer
emar
ri
edt
radi
ti
onal
l
y,not
l
egal
l
y.Butwesepar
atedsoonaf
ter
war
ds.
 
Hi
m;sot
echni
cal
l
yyouar
ehi
swi
fe
Me;
whatdoesi
tmat
ter
Him;becausehewasf oundbar
elyconsci
ous
thi
smor ni
ng.Itl
ookedli
keahij
acki
ng,but
nothi
ngwast aken.
 
ME;
isheok
Hi
m;he’
sinacoma.
 
Me;
whathospi
tal
ishei
n?
Him;hewasi
nCapeTownwhenthi
shappened.
Buthi
sbeent
ransf
err
edt
oMorni
ngside 
Me;
Pleaseexcuseme,
Ineedt
ogoandseehi
m
Him;nopr
obl
em.Justt
ell
meonethi
ng.Doy
ou
knowwhomighthav
edonethi
s?

Il
ookedattheof
fi
cersbl
ankl
y.Ofcour
seIhav
e
noideawhodidt
his.WhywasheinCapeTown
anyway?
ThensuddenlyI
thitme.Nonononoway
sSi
ya
wasinvol
ved.Never.

Me;
no,
Ihav
enocl
ue.
 
Hi
m; wel
l
,ify
ouhappentorememberany
thi
ng,
pl
easegi
veeit
herofusacall
Me;
Wil
ldo

Theygavemet
hei
rcar
dsandl
eft
.Ist
oodt
her
e
shocked.

Whatwashappening?WhywasHlokesev
eni
n
CapeTown?Thingsaren’
taddi
ngup.
 
Ididn’
treall
yhavet
imetoponderonmy
thoughts.Ihadt
ogettothehospi
tal
.

It
ookmybagandheadedt
omycar
. 
IputmyphoneonBluet
oot
h,becauseIneeded
tomakeafewcall
s. 
Iwasaboutt
odi
al,
mymom whenSi
yacal
l
ed

Me;
Babe
Hi
m;Hi
babe.Iwasj
ustr
etur
ningy
ourcal
l
Me;oh,Ij
ustwant
edt
olety
ouknowIgothome
saf
ely
 
Him;I’
m gl
ad.Wher
ear
eyou,
yousoundl
i
ke
you’
redri
vi
ng? 
Me;
I’
mjustget
ti
ngsomet
hingt
oeat
Hi
m;okl
ove.I
llspeakt
oyout
oni
ght
 
Me;
ok
Hi
m;l
oveu
Me;
met
oo.

Ihungupandi
nst
ant
lyf
eltgui
l
tyf
ornott
ell
i
ng
hi
m Iwasonmywayt oseeHlokes.Buthow
wasIsupposedtotel
lhim,whendeepi nsi
deI
suspect
edthathemighthavesomethingto
wit
hwhathappened.
WhenIar
ri
vedatMor
ningsi
deHospi
tal
Iwas
shownt
oHlokesr
oom. 
WhenIwal kedin, t
earsst art
edrol
l
ingdownmy
cheeks.Helookedl i
kehehadbeenbeat ento
aninchofhislife.Hisfacewassoswol len.He
hadstit
chesev erywhere.Icouldn’
tcounthow
manymachi neswer eal laroundhi
m.Myhear t
real
lybrokeforhim. 
IknowHlokesandIwer
en’tonthebestter
ms,
butIwoul
dneverwisht
hingsli
ketheseonhim.
 
Isatonachai
rnexthim, andheldhishand.I
wishIcoul
dstopthetearsfrom f
alli
ng,butthey
j
ustkeptcoming.Imusthav efal
lenasl
eepwi th
myhandscrossedont hesideofhisbed.
BecauseIwaswokenup, byLehl
ohonolo’s
mother.
Her
;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
Dumel
aMa
Her;
dumel
aAusy
.Idi
dn’
treal
i
sey
ouwoul
dbe
her
e
Me;Ij
ustcamet
ocheckuponhi
m.Ishoul
dget
goi
ng 
Her;No.don’
tleaveonmyaccount
.You’r
ehi
s
wif
e.It
’syourdutytost
ickbyhi
m.I
’m sur
ehe
wouldbehappyt oseeyouhere

Idi
dn’tanswerher.Ididn’
twantt
oseem
di
srespectful,
becausesheknewthatHl
okes
andIwer en’tt
ogether
.

Me;
Ma, Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.I
’v
egotwork
t
omorr
ow.I twasni
ceseei
ngyouagai
n
Her
;ok,
butwehav
eaf
ewt
hingsweneedt
o
di
scussr
egar
dingLehl
ohonol
o’saf
fai
rs.
 
ME;
Ma,
Idon’
tmeant
ober
ude,
but
Her;Ri
fi
loe.Iknowyouandhehavehadyour
probl
ems, butatt
heendofthedayhest
il
ll
oved
you.

Ist
oodup,
gav
eHl
okesMot
herahug,
andl
eft
. 
Ididn’
twanttohaveherplay
ingwithmy
emot i
ons.Imaycareabouthim,buti
tdoesn’
t
meanI ’
mi nl
ovewithhim.We’vebeenthr
ough
toomucht oevenbothert
ryi
ngagain.

WhenIgoti nt hecarIhad5mi ssedcall

sfrom
Siy
a.Idecidednott ocallhim back.Iwasn’
t
surewhattot hink,
regardinghim andHlokes.I
fel
tguil
tyforthinki
ngSi y
ahadsomet hi
ngtodo
wit
ht hi
sHlokest hing.Butatthesamet imeI
waswonder ingwhet herthiscouldreal
l
ybea
coinci
dence.
WhenIgothome, Iputmyphoneonsil
enceand
chargei
t,whi
l
ei soakedint
hebat
h.Iwanted
rel
axandgetreadyfortomor
row.
Bytheti
meIgotoutthebat
hthewaterwas
fr
eezi
ngcol
d,Igotdr
essedandwentstr
aightt
o
bed.

IwokeuponTuesdayandgotr eadyforwork.I
wasn’tr
eal
lyi
nthemoodt ogetdr essedup,soI
j
ustwentwithagreypenci
l ski
rt,whi
teshi
rtand
pl
acesandalheel
s.Iti
edmyhai ri
nabun,then
headedtodownstai
rs.WhenIl ookedatmy
phoneIhad10missedcallsfrom Siya,
and5
fr
om mymom.  
Ical
l
ednei
therandheadedt
owor
k.

Workwaspret
tybori
ngbecauseSi
zwehad
t
akenther
estoftheweekoff,
becauseoft
he
hol
idays..Ihadacoupl eofmeet i
ngs.Then
wenttoHR, toletthem knowIwoul donl
ybe
backthefoll
owi ngMonday .Idi
dn’
thaveany
meetingsfortherestoftheweekandt heoffi
ce
wasbasicall
ydead.Sowhybot hercomingin.
 
Iwenttot hegymfi
rstbeforegoi
ngt
osee
Hlokes.Ineededt
obur noffsomest
eam.
 
WhenIwasdone, Ihadashoweratthegym,
thenchangedi
ntocleancl
othesandwenttot
he
hospi
tal
. 
WhenIar ri
vedHlokeswassti
llonli
fesupport.I
knowIonl ysawhimt hepr
evi
ousday ,
butIwas
hopingtherewouldbesomesor tofdi
ffer
ence.
Isatnexttohim anddeci
dedtoreadthelatest
newst ohim. 
Ihadr
eadsomewheret
hatpat
ient
swhoar
ein
acoma,cansomet
imesheary
ou.
Af
terr
eadingt
ohim.Isai
dapray
erforhim.I
wasabouttol
eav
ewhenhi smot
herwalkedi
n. 
Me;
Dumel
aMa
Her
;Fi
fi
,hoj
wang 
Me;
Goodma,
andy
ou 
Her;Good.Im gl
adIcaughtyou.Wehavealot
todiscuss.Woul
dyoupr ef
erwegot oyour
house,ortomyhotel.Yourpar
entsshoul
dbe
heresoon
Il
ookedathershocked.
 
Me;Iwasn’
tawar
emypar
ent
swer
eont
hei
r
wayhere;
 
Her;
theysaidtheyt
ri
edcal
l
ingy
ou,
buty
ou
di
dn’tanswer
Me;oh,It
hinkmyphonei
sstil
lonsi
l
ence.I
’
ve
beenbusytoevenl
ookati
t 
Her
;IguessI
’
llmeety
ouaty
ourhouset
hen
Me;
ahhm,
ok

Il
eftandwentst
rai
ghthome.WhenIar
ri
ved,
I
deci
dedt ocookdi nner
.IfIwasgoi
ngtohave
gueststheleastIcoulddowascaterfort
hem.
Thankgoodnessausymav i
shaddonethe
shopping.
 
Ideci
dedt
omakeabeefst
ew,
pumpki
n,Gr
eek
sal
adandpap.
 
WhenIwasdone, Itookaqui
ckshowerand
changedint
oaskitandputonadoekthenwent
tositi
nthelounge

Ideci
dedtocal
lSi
yaback.It
hinkIhadgat
her
ed
enoughcour
agebynow.
Hi
sphonewentst
raightt
ovoi
cemai
l.Il
efta
messagef
orhi
m askinghi
mtocal
lmeback.

Awhi l
elatermyparentsandHloke’
sparent
s
arr
ived.Igreet
edev
er y
one,buthuggedmydad.
Idi
dn’treali
sehowmuchImi ssedhim. 
Weal
lwenti
nsi
de.Il
edt
hem t
othel
oungeand
off
eredever
yonesomethi
ngt
odr
ink.Thenwent
tosi
tnexttomydad. 
Myfatherstar
tedwit
haprayer
.Thenmy
Lehl
ohonolosfat
herwentst
rai
ghttot
hepoi
nt.

Hi
m; Makot
i,Wehavesomenewst
hatwewant
t
odiscusswit
hyou 
Me;
Kemamat
sent
ate
Him;di
dy ouknowthatLehl
ohonolohadlef
t
youinchargeofal
lhi
saffai
rsshouldany
thi
ng
happentohim?
ME;
sor
ry,
nat
ete.I
mlost
 
Him;Heleftawil
lwi
thhi
slawyer
.Basi
cal
lyy
ou
havethefi
nalsaywheni
tcomestohisl
if
e 
Me;I
’m conf
used.Whywouldhedothat?Him
andIhaven’
tbeentoget
herf
oroverayear
Hi
m; Wedon’
tknow.Butthesedocument
swer
e
si
gnedonl
y3mont hsago 
Me;
tjo,
Ihadnocl
ue
Him; Well
.Nowwehavetodecideonwhattodo.
Dowekeephi m onl
i
fesupportordowetake
him off
.Helef
tyoui
nchargesothedeci
sioni
s
yours.
[
05/
11,
19:
24]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

16.
1(cr
opt
opi
nser
t)

Il
ookedatmyparents,
thenathispar
ent
s.I
don’
tgetwhyHl
okeswoul ddothis3months
ago.HeandIwer
en’tevental
ki
ngattheti
me.
Somethi
ngwasn’
taddingup

Me;
Im notsur
eIcant
akesuchadeci
sion
Hi
m;Intheeyesofthelaw,y
ouar
et heonl
yone
whocandecidewhattodo.Wetr
iedspeaki
ng
t
ohislawyer
s.Butt
heywereadamantthathe
want
edt
hingst
hisway
 
Me;
sowhatdoy
ousuggesthappens 
Him;Mywi feandIhavedeci
dedthatduetot he
costsi
ttakestokeephim.Wewillkeephim
al
iveuntil
themedical
aidfundsr
unout .Then
wewi l
lhavetotur
noffthemachi
nes.Ifthereis
notanythi
ngelse

Il
ookedathim wi
thconfusioni
nmyey es.
TherewasnowayIwasgoi ngt
oletthem
swit
chofft
hosemachi nes.Imaynotbei nl
ove
wit
hhim.Iref
usetoletanybodyki
llhi
m 
Me;
No

Theyal
ll
ookedatme

Me;ther
eisnowayI’
mlett
inganybodykil
lhi
m
of
f.Notunti
lwear
ecert
ainthatt
hereisno
moremoneyandthatt
her
eisnot
hingel
se
doct
orscandof
orhim
Hi
m;weunder
standt
hismi
ghtbedi
ff
icul
tfor
me
Me;i
t’
snotaboutt
hat
.It
’sj
ustaboutnotgi
vi
ng
uponhim.
 
Hi
m;Iunder
standmakot
i 
Me;I’
m goingtoneedacopyofhi
swil
l.Ineed
toseeexactl
ywhat’sgoi
ngonbef
oreImake
anydeci
sions.
 
Mymot
hert
ri
edprot
est
ing,
butIwascer
tai
n
t
her
ewasmoret
obedone. 
Aftermuchdebat
ing.Weal
ldecidedtoLet
Sizwelookatt
heWi l
landt
hentakeitfr
om
there.

Afterweweredonewi t
hthemeeti
ng,Idi
shed
upf orev
ery
oneandwehaddi nnermostl
yin
si
lence.Unt
ilLehl
ohonol
smotherspokeup
Her
;di
dyouknowaboutt
hemoney
Icarr
iedoneat
ing,
becauseIassumedshewas
speakingt
oherhusband.
 
WhenIl
ookedupIsawshewasl
ooki
ngatme.

Me;
sor
ryma,
Idi
dn’
treal
i
sey
ouwer
espeaki
ng
t
ome
Her
;SoDi
dyouknow?
Me;
aboutwhat
 
Her
;hi
sfi
nanci
alsi
tuat
ion 
Me;
no 
Her
;He’
slef
tal
otofmoneyt
oyou
Me;noIdidn’
tknow.Butnonet
heless.Idon’
t
wantthatmoney.Wecanusethatt
okeephi m
onli
fesuppor
tshouldweneedto.
Ev
ery
bodyj
ustkeptoneat
ingi
nsi
l
ence.
 
Onceweweredone.Lehl
ohonol
oparent
sleft.
Whil
eIwentupstai
rst
ogetthebedr
oom ready
formypar
ents.
 
WhenIwasdoneIwenttokissmydad
goodni
ght
,andwenttomyroom.Ineeded
spacet
otrydeal
wit
hevery
thing.
 
Iwentt
hroughHlokeswil
lov
erandoveragai
n.
Someofthethi
ngsinther
edidn’
tmakesense.
Li
kehowhehadsomuchmoneyt ohisname. 
Iknowdoct orshavemoney,butthemat hhere
didn’taddup.If i
nal
lygav
eupanddeci dedt o
callSiya.Ihadn’
tspokentohim proper
lysinceI
arri
vedbacki nJHB.Luckil
yhepi ckedupont he
4thring 
Hi
m;Hel
l
o 
Me;
Babe
Hi
m;what
’sup
Me;
Imi
ssu
Hi
m;coul
dhav
efool
edme 
Me;Siy
a, pl
ease.IknowI
’vebeenhar
dtor
each.
I
t’
sjustthatIhavealott
odealwit
h 
Hi
m;ok
Me;
Siy
apl
ease
Him;Rif
il
oe.I
’
m actual
lyi
nthemiddl
eof
somethi
ng.Soify
ou’vegotnot
hingbet
tert
o
say.
Me;
siy
a,pl
ease

Heputthephonedown, anddi
dn’tevensay
goodbye.IknowIprobabl
ydeservedit
.But
whatdoeshewantmet odo?I’
m stuckin
betweenar ockandahardpl
ace. 
Itr
iedcal
l
inghi
m backbuthedidn’
tanswer
.I
fi
nall
ygaveupandtr
iedtogotosleep.

IwaswokenuponWednesdaybyt
hesmel
lof
bacon.Ij
ustknewmymot
herwascooki
ng
Igotupandt
ookashower
,thenwentdown
stai
rs.
 
WhenIarri
vedmyparent
slookedl
i
ket
heywer
e
get
ti
ngreadytol
eav
e. 
Wehadbr eakf
asttoget
herandstayedoffthe
Hl
okesissue.Iwasgratef
ul,
becauseIdidn’t
r
eal
lywantt odi
scussit
.Whenwewer edone,
myparentslef
t.

Iwentbacktomyr
oom andt
ri
edcal
l
ingSi
ya
agai
n.Lucki
l
yheanswer
ed

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Me;
Andr
east
il
lhasn’
tsentmey
ourschedul
e 
Hi
m;It
oldhernott
o 
Me;
why
 
Hi
m;Ifi
guredI
’
dgivey
out i
met
osor
tout
what
every
ourbusywi
th 
Me;
Siy
a.I
t’
sjustt
hatIneeded

Hecutmeof
f

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Iknowy
ouwer
ewi
thhi
m

Ii
mmedi
atel
yfr
oze

Me;babe.Ij
ustneededt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatwas
goi
ngon
Him;youmeany
ouwantedt
oknowi
fIhad
anyt
hingt
odowithi
t 
Me;
no 
Hi
m;Don’
tfucki
ngl
i
etome.May
bei
t’
sagood
thi
ngI’m 9hoursawayfr
om your
ightnow.
BecauseI’m notsur
eIwoul
dbeabletocont
rol
myt emper
Me;
what
sthatsupposedt
omean 
Hi
m;exact
lywhati
tsay
s 
Me;
Siy
a 
Him;stopok,j
ustst
opwiththeSiy
abullshi
t
Rif
il
oe.You’
vebeenspendinghour
sonendwi th
yourex,t
hatyouthi
nkIbeattoapulp,
andy ou
expectmetobeokwi t
hit.Huh 
Me;howdi
dyouknowIwasspendi
ngt
imewi
th
hi
m
Hi
m;whatdoesi
tmat
ter
 
Me;
Siy
a.Ar
eyouhav
ingmef
oll
owed?
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
whyt
hehel
lwoul
dyoudot
hat
 
Hi
m;i
t’
sfory
ourownpr
otect
ion 
Me;
I’
mlost
.Whywoul
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
Hi
m;Wel
li
t’
snotr
eal
l
yupf
ordi
scussi
on.
 
Me;Siya.What
’sgoi
ngon?Anddon’
ttel
lme
not
hing. 
Hi
m;whydon’
tyouasky
ourhusband

Heputt
hephonedown.

Ij
ustst
aredi
ntospace.Wonder
ingwhatt
he
hel
lwashappeni
ng.

WhydidSi
yahavepeopl
efol
l
owi
ngme?Who
beatupHl
okes?

TheonlywayIwasgoi
ngtogetanswer
swoul
d
beformetogettoDubai
.

Ipackedabag,
anddeci
dedt
ophoneSi
yaagai
n.
t
hist
imemybl
oodwasboi
l
ing

Hi
m;What
 
Me;
don’
tspeakt
omel
i
ket
hat
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.I
m busywhatdoy
ouwant
?
Me; well,
nomat t
erhowbusyy ouar e,
make
surey ourfr
eebythetimeIgetthere.I
m si
ckof
fi
ghtingwi t
hyou.Yourgoi
ngtot el
lmewhatthe
hel
l i
sgoi ngon.Orel
seyouandIar edone.
 
Hi
m;Don’
tcomet
oDubai
.Thet
imi
ngi
sn’
tri
ght
 
Befor
eIcoul
dev enanswerhim,Ihearda
womanspeakinginthebackground.Herv
oice
soundedf
amil
iar.

Me;
whoi
sthat
Hi
m;noone 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
ItsLi
ndai
sn’
tit
?
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
ohmygodSi
ya.Howcoul
dyoudot
his?
 
Hi
m;st
opov
err
eact
ing.I
tsnotwhaty
out
hink 
Me;Yousonofabitch.Idon’tcal
lyoubackf
or
onefucki
ngdayandy ourbacktosleepi
ngwi
th
yourex 
Hi
m;Whooow.Ri
fi
loe.I
m notsl
eepi
ngwi
thher
. 
Me;fuckyouSiy
a.I
m done.I
m notdoi
ngt
his
any
mor e.bot
hyouandlehl
ohonol
ocangoto
hel
l
. 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe.y
ouront
hini
ceasi
tis.Don'
tmake
t
hingsworse

Ihungupbef
orehecoul
dsayany
thi
ngel
se.
thisdamnsquarebetweenme,
Siya,Hl
okesand
Lindawasstart
ingt
opissmeoff.Somethi
ng
wasgoi ngonandineededt
ofi
ndoutwhatit
was.
[
05/
11,
19:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

16.
2

(
wil
lpost17t
omor
row.
)

Iwassopi
ssedatSi
ya.WhywasLi
ndawi
thhi
m,
andwher
ewasOlwetho?
IhadsomanyquestionsthatIneededanswer
s
to.Butt
hepeopl
ewiththoseanswer swere
eit
herhal
fdeadorhalf
wayacr osstheworl
d.
Itookmybag,
wentupstair
st ochangeint
o
somethi
ngmorepresent
able.Ifmyplanwas
goingt
owork,
Ineededtoatl eastl
ook
pr
esent
abl
e. 
AfterIdi
daqui
ck360i
nfrontofthemi
rr
or.I
tookmyhandbagandheadedformycar.
 
Whil
eIwasdr i
vi
ngtomydesti
nati
on.Ikept
l
ookingatmyrevi
ewmi r
ror
stoseeifanybody
wasf ol
l
owingme.Lucki
l
yIcoul
dn’
tfind
any
thing 
Themi nuteIwalkedthroughNdhlovu
corporat
ions.Iwalkedpastrecept
ionandwent
strai
ghttoAndrea’soff
ice.Therecept
ioni
st
didn’
tevenaskmeany thi
ng.Ithi
nkit’
sbecause
sheknewwhoIwas.

WhenIarr
ivedatAndr
ea’
soffi
ceshel
ooked
sur
pri
sedtoseeme.Shestooduptogr
eetme

Her;MissMokone.Hi
.I’
m sor
rywewer
en’
t
expect
ingyou 
Me;
Itsf
ine.Pl
easesi
t.
 
Shesatdownagai
nwi
thawei
rdl
ookonher
face
Me;
IsSi
ya’
sof
fi
ceopen 
Her
;ahhm y
esmam,
but
 
Icutherof
f 
Me;
Thanky
ou.That
’sal
lIneeded.

Iwalkedoutherofficebef
oreshecouldsay
anythi
ngelse.IknewIdidn’
thavelongbefor
e
Siy
acalledsoIhur r
iedupthestai
rs.
 
WhenIgott ohi soffi
ce.Iwentst r
aightt ohis
deskandst artedl
ookingt hroughthedr aws, I
di
dn’tbot herputti
ngev erythi
ngbacki npl ace.I
j
ustt hrewitont hefloor.butIcouldn’
tf i
nd
anything.
..IfSiyawant edtoseecr azy,Iwas
goingt ofuckingshowhi m.Istart
edthr owing
al
lthosepaper sont hefloor.Onebyoneof fhi
s
desk.Tobehonest ,
Ididn’tknowwhatIwas
l
ookingf or,butitfel
tgoodt r
ashi
nghi sof fi
ce
ThenIwenttohisbookshel
f,again,onebyone
thebookswentfl
yi
ngoftheshelf.butsti
ll
nothi
ng.Iwasabouttogotohisfil
ingcabinet
,
whenAndreawalkedinwit
hsecur i
ty.

Il
ookedather

Her
;mam,
I’
m goi
ngt
ohav
etoasky
out
oleav
e
Me;I
’m notgoi
ngany
wher
e,unt
ilI
’
m donewi
th
whatI
’m doi
ng 
Her;
please.I
’
m notal
l
owedt
ohav
eany
body
her
e
Me;Andrea.Doyoursel
faf
avourandwal
kaway
,
especi
all
yifyoust
il
lval
ueyourj
ob
Idon’
tthi
nksheexpect
edmet osayt
hat
becauseshel
ookedabitner
vous.
Shewasabouttosaysomethi
ngwhenSi
ya’s
off
icephoner
ang.Isatdownonhi
schai
rand
Answered

Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Whatt
hehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ou’
redoi
ng?
Me;beforeIanswery
ou.Tel
lAndr
eat
otakeher
andherlapdogsoutofher
e
Hi
m;don’
tspeakaboutmyst
affl
i
ket
hat
Hi
m;wher
eisshe

Ilookedatherandmadeahandsi gnal
,forher
tocomecl oser.Ihandedhert
hephone.Siya
spoketoher .Thensheleftwi
ththesecuri
ty.I
pickedupthephoneandcont inuedmycallwith
Siya

Me;
sol
ove.Wher
ewer
ewe
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Doy
our
sel
faf
avourandwal
kout
myof
fi
ce 
Me;
nope.Nott
il
lIf
indwhatI
’
mlooki
ngf
or 
Hi
m;andwhatexact
lyar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or 
Me;
Il
ll
ety
ouknowwhenIf
indi
t 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;don’
t 
Me;ifyouwon’ttellmewhat’
sgoingon,t
henI
wil
lconti
nuelooking.Ev
enifIsl
eepheretoni
ght
i
ll
continue.
 
Him; babe,what
’shappeningtous.YouknowI
thoughtwhenImety ou,
thatyouwerethi
s
humbl egir
lwhowoul dn’
tgivemeahardtime.
ButboywasIwr ong.Youchall
engemeev er
y
chancey ouget.
 
Me;wel
lthent
ell
meyoudon’twantmeandI
’
ll
wal
koutofher
eandneverl
ookback
Hi
m;y
ouknowIl
ovey
ou 
Me;Thenwhatareyouhi
dingf
rom me.And
whyisLi
ndawithyou
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Somet
hingsar
ebet
terl
eftunsai
d
Me;
youknowt
hisi
sgoi
ngt
otearusapar
t
Hi
m;j
ustl
eti
tgo.Pl
ease,
I’
m beggi
ngy
ou
Me;
Icant
. 
Hi
m;Ref
il
oe.
 
Ihungup.Lookedt
hroughsomef
il
es.Then
deci
dedtogohome

Onmywayhome,Ideci
dedt
ogobyt
he
hospi
tal
fir
st.
 
WhenIar r
ivedHl
okeswasn’ti
nhisroom.I
quickl
ytur
nedaroundandrushedtothe
recept
ion.
 
WhenIaskedwherehewas, noonecould
answerme.Theyj
ustkeptpull
ingmefrom
Pi
l
lart
opost
. 
Ist
art
edget
ti
ngner
vous.Whatwashappeni
ng?
Eventual
ly,
somedoct orwi
thasurnameIcan’t
pronounce,showedmedocument sthathehad
beendischarged.Idi
dn’
tunder
standhowsince
hewassupposedl ybrai
ndead.

Idrovehomet ot
all
ydefeat
ed.Ever
ythi
ngI
thoughtIknew,wasall
al i
e,andnoonewas
will
ingt
ot el
lmethetr
uthaboutwhatwas
happening.

WhenIgothomeIl i
ter
all
ybrokedown.Mylif
e
wasbei
ngturnedupsidedown,andworstofall
t
herewasnothingIcoul
ddoaboutit.
 
Whil
eIwasbusywal
l
owingi
nself
-pi
ty.Ihear
d
somethi
ngmovi
ngar
oundupst
air
s. 
Isti
ll
edandt
ri
edoft
hinki
ngofwhattodo.I
tookmyphoneandl
ockedmysel
fint
othe
bat
hroom.
 
Ical
l
edSi
ya,
andhepi
ckedupon1str
ing

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
Ther
e’ssomeonei
nmyhouse 
Hi
m;Rif
il
oe,Ican’
theary
ou.Whyar
eyou
whi
sper
ing?
 
Me;Becauset
her
e’ssomeonei
nmyf
ucki
ng
house
Hi
m;Wher
ear
eyou
Me;
int
hebat
hroom
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
List
ent
omecar
eful
l
y 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Him;Youneedt ogetintothepantryandLock
thedoor.Mover i
ghttothebackoft hepant
ry
andmov etheremov ableshel
f.You’l
lseeatt
he
bott
om, wher
et heshelfusedtobe.Thereisan
undergr
oundtrapdoor .Usethepassword
359789t
oopenandtocl
ose.St
ayt
her
e,unt
il
oneofmyguysopeni
t.
 
Idi
dn’
tmov
eorsayawor
d. 
Ihearever
ythinghesaid,butIdi
dn’
tunder
stand
howhebasi call
yjustgav
emeaf l
oorpl
anofmy
house.
 
Him;Ri
fi
loeIneedy
out
orespond.SoIknow
youhear
dme
Iev
ent
ual
l
ycamebackt
oear
th 
Me;
Ok.I
’
llt
ry
Hi
m;don’
tmakeasound.
 
Me;
ok
Ii
mmedi at
elyhungup.It
ri
edli
steningt
oheari
f
Icoul
dhearanyfootst
epsupst
airs.But
nothi
ng.
 
SoIopenedthebat
hroom door
,andrant
othe
ki
tchenpant
ryandl
ockedthedoor.
 
It
ri
edseei
ngIcoul
dseeanychanges.Because
whenIboughtt
hehouse,
theagentsai
dnot
hing
aboutat
rapdoor.
 
Icouldseeanythi
ngdiff
erent
,soImov edthe
shel
fatthebackanddi dexactl
ywhatSi ya
i
nstruct
edmet odo.Hol dandbehold,ther
ewas
ali
ttl
ehandlethathadnumber sonit.Iputin
thepasswordSiyagaveme.Andi topenedl i
ke
anundergroundsli
dingdoor.
[
05/
11,
19:
26]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

17

Istoodatthet
opofthetr
apdoor.Notknowi
ng
whetherIcoul
dtr
ustSi
yaornot
.ButfornowI
didn’
treal
l
yhavemuchofachoice.
 
Sosteppedontothefir
ststep,thenthenexton.
Icl
osedthedoorwi t
hthesamecodeIusedt o
goin.Oncethedoorclosed.Thel i
ghtswenton.
Isawthatthest
airswentfurther,butIwastoo
scar
edtocarr
yon.Ij
ustsatont
hest
airIwas
on.Andwai
ted. 
Myhandswereshakingsomuch.Idi
dn’
tknow
whatIhadl
etmyselfint
owi
ththi
sSiyadr
ama.

5mi
nut
esl
ater
,Si
yacal
l
ed

Me;
Si 
Hi
m;y
oudi
dgoodbabe.
 
Me;
what
’sgoi
ngon 
Him;don’
tworryaboutit
.Justwaitf
ormy
peopl
etoarr
ive.I
llhandl
eeveryt
hingel
se
Me;
Siy
a.Whoar
eyou?
Him; t
hesameguyy oufel
linlov
ewi t
h.There’
s
j
ustmor etomet hanmeet stheeye.Iwasjust
hopingyouwouldn’tcomeintocontactwit
h
thatsi
desoquickly.
 
Me;
doy
ouhav
eHl
okes
Him;Ican’
tdi
scusshi
m wi
thy
ou.Notov
ert
he
phoneanyway
Me;
but
Him;Rif
il
oe.Please.Letmejustgetyououtof
ther
e.We’l
lhaveenought i
met odiscuss
ever
ythi
ngelse. 
Me;
ok.Sowhenwi
l
lyourpeopl
egether
e
Hi
m;they’
real
readyt
here.Theguy
swhower
e
i
nthehousegotawaythough
Me;
oh.Whatwher
etheyl
ooki
ngf
or
Him;Im notsureyet
,butI
’
llf
indoutsoon
enough.Anywaymyguy sarecomingintothe
pantr
ynow.f orthel
oveofGod,pl
easedon’t
gi
vethem ahar dti
meJustdowhatt heysay
Me;
Ican’
tpr
omi
sey
ouany
thi
ng 
Him;(sighs)Rif
il
oe,t
heseguysaren’
tli
keme.
Theywon’thavet i
metoarguewit
hy ou.Justf
or
once,doasy ou’
retol
d.
Ashewasspeaki ngIheardsomeoneput ti
ngi
n
thepassword.Isuddenl
yst ar
tedfeel
i
ng
nerv
ous.Myst omachst ar
tedturni
ng.Iwas
aski
ngmy selfal
lkindsofquesti
ons

Whenthedoor sopenedt her

ewasamant he
si
zeofabeast .Hehadt att
oosalloverhi
sf ace.
Hismuscleswer ethesizeoffucki
ngmount ains,
andtheotherpartofhisfacelookedli
keithad
beenburned

Il
ookedathi
m,t
henputmyphonebackonmy
ear
.

Me;
Siy
a,y
oucan’
tbeser
ious
Hi
m;Iseey
ou’
vej
ustmetNai
l
s
Me;
im notget
ti
ngoutofher
ewi
thhi
m 
Hi
m;youpr
omi
sedy
ouwoul
dgi
vet
hem ahar
d
t
ime
Me;
Idi
dnosucht
hing.
 
Hi
m;(
sighs)Gi
venai
l
sthephone

Igav
ethehor
ri
dlooki
ngmanmyphone.

Nai
l
s;Boss 
Him;makesureshegetsthehell
outofthere.
Thoseguysmightbeontheirwayback.Idon’
t
wantherget
ti
ngcaughtupinthecrossfir
e.
Makesureshedoesn'
tgethurt
Hi
m;Under
stood.

Hehungup,
andgav
ememyphoneback

Hi
m;Mam,
pleasecomewi
thme 
Me;
wher
ear
ewegoi
ng 
Hi
m;I
tsbet
teri
fyoudon’
tknow
Me;no.I
’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e.Especi
all
ynot
wi
thyou 
Hi
m;I
’
m notgoi
ngt
oasy
ouagai
n
Me;
whothehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ouar
espeaki
ng
t
omeli
kethat

Hedidn’
tanswerme.Hetookast ept
owards
me.Itr
iedtaki
ngoneback.Buthewastoofast
.

Hescoopedmelikeali
ttl
echi
l
d.Heputme
ov
erhisshoul
derandstart
edwal
ki
ng.
It
ri
edtowiggl
emysel
foutofhi
sgr
ipbuthe
wastoost
rong.

Me;
ok,
ok,
ok.I
’
llwal
k.Justputmedown 
Hi
m;don’
ttr
yany
thi
ngst
upi
d
Me;
Ipr
omi
se.Justputmedown

Heputmedown.WhenIlookedar
oundthere
wereabout20mendr
essedinbl
ackmovingin
andaroundasi
fmyhousewasacrimescene
Someweregoingt
hroughmyki
tchen,
other
s
wereupst
air
s.
Myhousel
ookedl
i
kei
twasbei
ngr
ippedi
nto
t
wo.

Il
ookedatNai
l
s

Me;
what
sgoi
ngon
Hi
m;You’
l
lhav
etospeakt
oghostaboutt
hat
Me;
whot
hehel
li
sghost
Hi
m;come,
weneedt
ogety
ououtofher
e 
Me;canIatl
eastchangei
ntosomet
hingmor
e
comfor
tabl
e. 
Hi
m; Ther
e’snot
ime.Youcanchangeont
he
pl
ane 
Me;Pl
ane?Whatpl
ane?I
’
m notgoi
ngona
pl
ane.

Ipi
ckedupmyhandbagf rom t
hekit
chen
counterandtookoutmyphonetocal
lSiy
a,But
Nail
s,grabbedmyphonefrom myhand

Hi
m; Li
sten,
you’
rewast
ingmyti
me.My
i
nstr
ucti
onsaret
omakesureyougetont
hat
pl
ane
Me;Idon’tcar
ewhogiv
esyouy
ouror
der
s.But
I
’m notgett
ingonnopl
ane

Het
ookoutasy
ringeoutofhi
sbackpackand
i
nject
edmeonmyar
m.

Me;
whatt
hef
uckwast
hatf
or
Hi
m;y
ou’
l
lfi
ndoutsoonenough

Amomentlater
,Ist
artedfeeli
ngdrowsy
.Ijust
f
eltl
i
kecl
osingmyey es.Itr
iedfi
ghti
ngi
t,but
myeyesj
ustwantedtogiveup

Me;
youdr
uggedmey
oubast
ed

Hescoopedmeupandwal kedt
owardsthe
door.Thel
astthi
ngIr
ememberwashim
putt
ingmeinthebackofsomecar
.

WhenIwokeupIwasonaJet .I
twasn’tSi
yas
though,
becausei
twasali
tt
lebi
gger.Il
ooked
aroundandsawNail
ssi
tt
ingopposi
teme.He
hadani
Padi
nhi
shand.
 
Isatup,Myheadwaskil
l
ingme.If
eltl
i
kemy
poorheadweighedat
on. 
Iwenttot
hebathroom andi
mmediatelyst
art
ed
thr
owingupunt
ilIhadnothi
ngl
eftt
ot hrowup. 
WhenIwasdone,Iopenedthebat
hroom
cabi
netandusedt
hemout hwash.
 
Nai
lsknockedont
hedoort
omakesur
ethatI
wasok.Itol
dhimtogi
vemeamoment.

WhenIwasdone, IwalkedouttowhereNail
s
was.Hegavemeabagwi t
hsomecl ot
hesthat
consi
stedofJeans,
T-shir
t,Hoodie,
apairof
socksandapairofwhiteallst
ars 
Ididn’
tknowhowheknewmysi
zebut
everyt
hingf
it
tedper
fect
ly.

WhenIwasdoneget
ti
ngdr
essed.Iputt
he
cl
othest
hatIhadt
akenoffinthepl
ast
icbag,
andwenttosi
twit
hnail
s.Ineededt
oaskhim
somequesti
ons

Me:
wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Hi
m;Yourj
oini
ngGhosti
nCuba 
Me;
Cuba?
 
Me;andwhothehel
li
sGhost.Whydon’
tyou
peopl
ehavenor
malnames? 
Hel
ookedatmeandl
aughed.
 
Hi
m;Yourf
eist
y.Nev
ert
houghtt
hatabouty
ou 
Me;
youdon’
tev
enknowme.
Hi
m; Iknowal
otabouty
ou,
mor
ethany
ou
t
hink 
Me;whatexact
lydoyouthi
nkyouknowabout
me?Andwhot hehel
lareyou
Him;don’
twor
ry,y
ou’l
lhaveal
ltheanswer
syou
needwhenwelandinabout5hours.
 
Me;
CanIspeakt
oSi
yaf
ir
st 
Him;no,
noty
et.CanIgety
ousomet
hingt
o
eat?
 
Me;
please

Hegotupandcamebackwit
hachi
cken
l
asagnaandbot
tl
eofwine

Me;
canIr
atherhav
eabot
tl
eofwat
eri
nst
ead?
Hi
m;Sur
e
Hehandedmet
hewaterandIdugi
ntomyf
ood
whi
chwasamazi
ng.

OnceIwasdone,Istart
edf eeli
ngbett
er.Nail
s
wasnotthetal
kati
vetype.Heonl yr
eallyspoke
whenspokento.Iwantedtoaskhi m what
happenedt
ohisface,butthoughtbetterto
mindmyownbusi ness.SoI nst
ead,Iwentto
t
akeanot
hernap,Iwassti
ll
kindofti
red,
Ithi
nk
i
twasbecauseofthatdamninj
ect
ion.

IwaswokenupbyNail
stel
l
ingmeIhadt oget
st
rappedi
nbecausewewereaboutt
oland.
 
Ifel
tli
keslappi
nghi
m,Iwasenj
oyingmysl
eep
andtobewokenupbyhistat
tedfacei
sn’
treal
l
y
pl
easing.

Igotup,andwenttosi
twher
eNai
l
swas.I
str
appedmy sel
fin.
 
30minl
aterwehadl anded.Therewer e4bl
ack
USSVRhinoGX’ swait
ingf oruswhenwegot
outt
heplane.Ihadnev erseensuchhugeass
SUV’
sinmyl i
fe.Ihadonl yseenthesein
Ameri
canmov ies.

Nai
lsopenedthebackseatdoorf
ormetogeti
n,
st
eppedinthebackofthewhileNai
l
ssati
nthe
fr
ontmenwi t
hbul
l
etpr
oofv
est
s,andmi
l
li
ons
oftat
toos.

Isaidal
it
tleprayerwhi l
eIwhi skedawayto
someunknowndest inat
ion.Icouldn’
tevenlook
outsi
desidebecauset hewi ndowswer eti
nted
sodarkl
y.Plusitlookedliketheweehour sof
themorni
ng.

Wedroveforabout2hours,befor
ewef i
nal
ly
st
opped.Il
etoutasighofreli
efbecauseIwas
st
art
ingtogetl
ightheaded.

Nai
lsexi
tedthef
rontandcametoopenforme.
It
ookhishandtostepdownandwewalked
i
ntowhatseemsli
keav er
ylav
ishhome.
Hewal
kedmeupst
air
sint
owhatl
ookedl
i
kea
mai
nbedr
oom.
Hi
m;st
ayher
e. 
Me;wher
ear
eyougoi
ng.Youcan’
tleav
eme
her
e.
Hi
m;y
oursaf
enow.Mymi
ssi
oni
scompl
ete.
 
Me;
whatmi
ssi
on?Wher
eisSi
ya

ThemomentIsai
dthat
,If
elthim.Icoul
dsmel
l
hi
scol
ogne,
andfeelhi
spresence

Nail
slookedatme,andthenturnedt
oleav
e.He
sai
dsomet hi
ngtoSiya,
thenclosedt
hedoor
behi
ndhim.

Ididn’
ttur
nar
ound.Idi
dn’
twantt
oseeSi
ya
standi
ngbehi
ndme. 
Ididn’
twanttoseethi
ssideofhi
m.Iwantedto
rememberhisast heManIfel
li
nlovewit
h.The
mant hatImadelovetol
ikemyli
fedepended
oni
t.

Iwant
edhimtobetheSiyaIknow.Nott
heman
whobasi
cal
lyki
l
ledHlokes.
 
Notthemanwhocamehal
fwayacr
osst
he
worl
dwithhi
sEx 
andmostdef
ini
tel
ynott
hemanwho’
shad
peopl
efol
l
owingme.
[
05/
11,
19:
27]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

18

Siyatur
nedcamecl osertome.Heputhi sar ms
aroundmef r
om behind.Ijustclosedmyey es,
becausemyhear twasconf l
icted.Idi
dn’
tturn
around.Ij
ustsatther
ewi t
ht earsroll
i
ngdown
mycheek. 
Het
urnedmear
ound,
andmademef
acehi
m.
Heli
ft
edmyf acesoIcoul
dlookathi
m.Hetook
outahandker
chi
efandwipedawaymytear
s. 
Atthatmomentever
ythi
ngseemedsor
ight,
but
al
sosobad.Heleanedinandki
ssedme. 
Ididn’
trespond.Ijustst
ayedst i
ll
.Event
ual
ly
though.Igavein.Therewasaf or
cethat
pushedmet owardshim.Af orcethatmadeit
i
mpossi bl
ef ormenott orespond. 
Iputmyarmsar oundhi
sneckandst
art
ed
ki
ssinghi
m back. 
WhenIreal
i
zedwhatIwasdoi ng,Ipull
edaway
hast
il
y.Whyisi
tthatIcan’
tresi
stthismanye.

It
ookafewst epsawayf
rom wher
ehewas
st
andi
ng.Ineededsomedist
ance

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
don’
t 
Him;
don’
tpushmeaway.I
t’
sst
il
lme.The
sameSi
yawholov
esyou.
 
Me;No.you’
rethemanwhol i
edtome.The
manwhoal mostkil
l
edHlokes.Howcanyou
speakt
omeaboutl ove,
wheny oudi
dn’
tlov
e
meenoughtotellmethetr
uth? 
Hi
m;It’
snotli
ket
hatbabe.Icoul
dn’
ttel
lyou.
Notj
ustyet
 
ME; whatdoy oumean?Youwer epissedatme
fornottell
i
ngy ouaboutHlokes.Andy etyou
hadawhol eot herli
feandyouweren’tgoingto
tel
lme, andnowI ’m hal
fwayacrosswi t
hy ou
andy oursti
ll
nott el
li
ngmeexactlywhat ’
s
happening

Hesighedandwasabouttosaysomethi
ng,
unt
ilsomeoneknockedonthedoor
. 
Heanswer
edf
ort
hem t
ocome.
Hi
m;Boss,
youneedt
ocomeandseet
his
Si
ya;
I’
ll
bet
her
einamoment
Hi
m;i
tsr
atherur
gent
 
Si
ya;
Isai
dI’
l
lbet
her
einamoment

Theguywal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
nd
hi
m.

Me;yournotgoi
nganywher
eunt
ily
ou’
ve
answeredmyquest
ions 
Him;
Rif
iloe,Il
oveyou.Ir
eall
ydo,
butnow’snot
t
heti
me.I l
lexpl
ainever
ythi
ngtoyou.Ij
ustneed
yout
otrustme

Ifel
tmyangerst
art
ingt
ori
se.Whodoeshe
thi
nkhei
s?
Me;Tr
ustyou?Ar
ey ouseri
ous?Howt
hehell
canIt
rusty
ou,whenyou’v
eliedt
omeaboutso
manythi
ngs? 
Hi
m;Ican’
tdot
hisnow.

Hestartedwalki
ngawayf
rom me.Therewasa
l
iquorcabinetcl
oset
owhereIwasstandi
ng.
 
Ipickedupaglassfrom ther
eandthr
ewit
towardshim.Unfor
tunatelyi
tdi
dn’
thi
thi
m.It
j
usthi tt
hewallhewaswal ki
ngtowar
ds

Heturnedar
oundandlookedatme.Youcould
seehehadabitofangeri
nhiseyes.Butmost
ly
heshocked

Him;I’
ll
getsomeonet ocl
eanthatup.Ther
e’s
cl
othesandot herthingsy
oumightneedinthe
walkinthecloset.Letmeknowifyouneed
anyt
hingelse.
Thenhewal
kedout
.Notl
ooki
ngback.

Isatdownont hebed,andst aredintospace.I

wasgetti
ngangr i
erwit
hSi y
a.Butatt hesame
ti
meIhopedhewoul dstaywi thme.Ijust
wantedhim heretot
ellmei twoul dall
beok.
AndthatIwashadmi sinter
pr etedthi
ngs.

Iwasi
nter
rupt
edbyaknockonthedoor
.Al
ady
wal
kedinandgreet
edmeinZul
u. 
Shetol
dmehernamewasThembi andshewas
her
etocleanuptheglass.Ishowedherwher
e
i
twas.Shecleanedi
tthenleft.

Ideci
dedtot
akeabat
hbecauseonl
yGodknew
whenSiyawoul
dbeback.
Iwenttothewalkincloset,
andcouldn’tbeliev
e
myeyes.Therewer esomanycl ot
hesther e.
fr
om for
mal ware,tocasualandevenev ening.
Ther
ewasev enPJs, matchingunderwearand
Li
ngeri
e.Iwon’tevenment i
ontheshoes.And
somehowev er
y t
hingwasmysi ze. 
Idon’
tknowwhatSiyawast
hinki
nggett
ingme
somuchstuff
.It
’snotl
i
keIwasplanni
ngon
l
ivi
nghere.

Anyway,ItookoutapairofPJ’s,sli
ppers,
and
underwearandputthem onthebed.Then
str
ippedtheclot
hesIhadon, andputt hem i
n
thebasket,t
henwenttotheinsui tbat
hroom. 
Ifi
l
ledthetubwithhotwaterandtonsofbubble
bath.Iwantedt
osoakmy selfi
nthebath,and
j
usttryrel
easesomeofthest r
essfrom t
oday.
 
Whil
eIwasbusyi nt
hebat
hSiyaknockedon
t
hedoor.Itol
dhimtocomeinsincemybody
wascoveredwit
hbubbl
es.
Hi
m;Howar
eyouset
tl
ingi
n
Me;
fine
Him;I
’m goi
ngoutf
oracoupl
eofhour
s.I
shoul
dbebackbymorni
ng
Me;
yourl
eav
ingmeher
e,onmyf
ir
stni
ght
?
Hi
m;Ineedt
otakecar
eofsomet
hing.
 
Me;
justgo.I
t’
snotl
i
keIcoul
dmakey
oust
ay 
Him;I
fyouneedany
thi
ng,
Thembi
wil
lbe
downst
air
s 
Me;
I’
mfi
ne.Ij
ustneedanswer
s 
Him;I
’l
lgivey
out
hosesoon.Justgi
vemet
ime.
That
’sall
Iask

Ikeptqui
et.

Hi
m;t
her
e’senoughsecur
it
yher
etomakesur
e
y
oursaf
e.Butpl
easedon’
ttr
yany
thi
ngst
upi
d.

Idi
dn’
tbot
heransweri
nghi
m.Ij
ustcar
ri
edon
wit
hwhatIwasdoing.
 
Hewal
kedout
,andl
eftmet
obat
h. 
OnceIwasdone,If
eltsomuchbett
er
physi
cal
l
y,butemoti
onall
yIwasDRAINED.
 
Igotdr
essedt
hent
iedmyhai
rupandwentt
o
sl
eep.

WhenIwokeupIgotthef
ri
ghtofmyl
i
fe.Si
ya
wasfastasl
eepnextt
ome. 
Iqui
cklyj
umpedoutofthebedandputona
gown.Hewokeupal ookedatmewit
ha
star
tl
edlookonhi
sface.

Me;
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng 
Hi
m;Iwast
ryi
ngt
ogetsomesl
eep
Me;
andy
oucoul
dn’
tdot
hatany
wher
eel
se 
Him;thi
sismybedr
oom.Wher
eel
sedoy
ou
expectmetosl
eep?
 
Me;andwhyam Isleepi
nginYOURbedr oom?
Youmeantotel
lmet hattherei
snoother
roomsint
hisf
uckingmansi ont
haty
oucoul d
putmein?
Him;Rif
il
oe.Ili
ter
all
yjustfel
lasl
eep.Dowe
havetodot hi
snow?Justcomebackt osl
eep.
Wecandi scussthi
slater
.
Me;youmustbedr
unk,
ify
out
hinkI
’
m get
ti
ng
i
nthatbedagai
n
Him;sui
tyour
sel
f.Justpl
easedon’
tthr
ow
anyt
hingatmewhileIsl
eep.

Hesmiledatme, t
henwentbackt osleep.I
l
ookedathim andthoughtofstrangl
i
nghi m.
Butunf
ortunat
elymesmal lhandswouldn’tf
it
ar
oundhisneckmxm.
Inst
eadIwentt otakeabat h.Ineededtodo
somethingwithmy self
,befor eIdidsomethi
ngI
wouldregret
.WhenIf i
nishedbat hing,
Iwentt
o
thebedroom withjustat owel wrappedar
ound
me. 
Si
yawasont
hephone.Nxa,
somuchf
or
sl
eepi
ng 
Icouldfeelhi
sey
espi
erci
ngintomybody.I
mov edtothewal
kIcl
osettochoosewhatt
o
wear. 
Idecidedonjustat racksui
tpant
sandtop,and
apairofallstars.I
tnotli
keIwasplanni
ngon
goinganywher e.It
iedmyhairupinahighpony
tai
landdidn’tbotherwithanymakeup.

WhenIgotbacktotheroom,Siy
awasn’ tt
here.
Iguessedhewasinthebat
hroom becauseI
coul
dhearthewateri
ntheshower.Imadet he
bed,andputawaymyPJ’ s.Siy
ahadl ef
this
Laptopont hebed,soIdecidedtouseittolog
i
ntomywor kemails.Iwantedtocheckifther
e
wasany t
hingthatneededmyi mmedi at
e
att
enti
on. 
Isatont
hebed,goi
ngt
hroughemails.WhenI
noti
cedasocal
l
edemailthatIhadsentt
omy
boss.

WhenIl ookedati t
,mypulsequi ckened.It
basical
l
ysai dthatIwasgoingawayf ora
coupleofweeks, totryandbri
ngi nacl i
entwho
i
sbasedov erseas.Iaut
omaticallyknewthat
Siy
ahadsomet hi
ngtodowi t
ht his.

Icl
osedthel
apt
opandwai
tedf
ort
hispsy
chot
o
getoutt
heshower
.

Awhi
l
elat
er,
hecameoutwi
thj
ustat
owel
wr
appedar
oundhi
m.

Imustbehonestne.Hecaughtmeof fguard.
Hewasstil
ldri
ppingwaterfrom t
heshower,
andhi
seightpackjustmadet hi
nkofthef
ir
st
ti
mewemadel ov
ei ntheshower.

Il
ookedawaybef
orehenot
iced.

Me;sohowl ongam Isupposedt

ostayher
efor?
BecauseIsawtheemai l
yousenttomyboss 
Him;aslongasitt
akest
ofi
ndoutwhowasi
n
yourhouse.Andwhy?
Me;
butt
hatcoul
dtakeages
Hi
m;Theny
ou’
l
lhav
etost
ayf
orages
Me;whataboutmyJobandmyfamil
y.Surel
y
peopl
ewil
lstar
tnot
ici
ngt
hatI
’
m notaround
Hi
m;I
’
veal
readyhandl
edy
ourwor
k.Al
lyou
havetodoislety
ourpar
ent
sknowy
ou’
reaway
forawhil
e. 
Me;
whataboutausyMav
is
Hi
m;sor
ted 
Me;
Myf
ri
ends 
Hi
m;Sor
ted 
Me;
sohowl
onghav
eyoubeenpl
anni
ngt
his.
 
Him;Notlong.Theminut
ey oucal
ledtotel
lme
aboutsomeonebeinginyourhouse.Iputmy
team i
ntoacti
on
Me;Isee.Soar
ewegoi
ngtot
alkaboutt
hebi
g
assel
ephanti
nther
oom? 
Hi
m;canwehav
ebr
eakf
astf
ir
st?I
’
mfami
shed 
Me;
sur
e

Hewenttogetdr
essedwhi
leIcont
inuedonhis
l
apt
op.Whenhewasdone, wewentupstai
rst
o
t
hedini
ngroom.Igotabet
terv
iewofthehouse.
Ithi
nki
tlookedevenbet
teri
ntheday.
Especi
all
ysincewewerehavi
ngbreakf
aston
thepat
io.
 
Thesunwasoutandthi
ssideoft
hehousewas
basi
cal
l
yonthebeach.Ther
ewasalsol
otsof
guar
ds,wi
thguns.

Siy
asatattheheadoft
hetab,whi
lelsatnext
tohim.Idi
dn’
treal
i
zehowhungryIwasuntilI
sawt hef
oodlai
doutonthet
able.
 
Wedishedupandmai nl
yatei
nsil
ence.Iwas
ti
redofaskingquesti
onsIwasn’
tgoi
ngt oget
answersto.Sobettert
okeepqui
te.

Iwashalfwaythr oughmybr eakf

astwhenIsaw
Lindawalki
nglikeaf ucki
ngsupermodel
towardsthetable.Iimmediatel
ylostmy
appeti
te.
 
I
nal
lhonest
lyshel
ookedbeaut
if
ul.Shehadher
hai
rti
edupandhadaf
ull
setofmakeupon.
 
ShegaveSi
yaakissonthecheek,andsaton
theot
hersi
deofhim.Al
lthewhil
eignori
ngme.

Siy
alookedather
,thenatmeandshookhis
head.Ir
oll
edyeyesathim andhesmi
l
ed. 
Ideci
dedIwasdoneeat
ing,
andst
oodupt
o
takemyplat
etot
hekit
chen

Hi
m;babe,
leav
ethat
.Themai
dwi
l
lgeti
t 
Me;
I’m sur
ethemaidhasaname,
plusIpr
efer
t
ocleanupaftermy
self
 
Her;Nxa,YouseeSi ya,t
hisiswhathappens
wheny ougetinvolv
edwi thhoodratsfr
om God
knowswher e.They’
r enotusedtothi
sli
festy
le.
Haailerat
ahoj olajolaman. 
Me;Say
sthewomanwhohast odependonher
exf
ormoney.Atl
easti
fyouwereboast
ing
aboutalif
est
yleyouprov
idedforyour
sel
f.Not
moneyy ougetbecauseyouopenedyourlegs
toarichman. 
Her
;Si
ya.You’
regoi
ngt
olett
hist
witspeakt
o
meli
kethat
? 
Hi
m; Linda.Justst
opwi t
hthedr
ama.Don’
t
st
artthingsyoucan’tf
ini
sh.

Iwal
kedawayandt
ookmypl
atet
otheki
tchen.
 
Ibumpedi
ntonai
l
sasIwasawal
ki
ngout
.

Hi
m;mam 
Me;
HiNai
l
s.Pl
easecal
lmeRi
fi
loe
Hi
m;I
’
m notsur
eGhostwoul
dappr
ove
Me;
Ghost
? 
Him;Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.I
twasni
ceseei
ngy
ou
agai
n.
Hewalkedawayl
eav
ingmeconf
used.Whoi
s
t
hisGhostguy
?

Ideci
dedtogochangeintoshortsandgosi
ton
thebeach.Iwant
edtodist
ancemy sel
ffr
om
thi
sLindabit
chbefor
eIstrangl
edher.
 
Iwor eoneoft heonepi
ececostumesinthe
closet,andputonshort
sov ert
obott
om.Ididn’
t
feelcomf or
tablewal
ki
ngaroundalmostnaked
i
nf rontofallt
hemenher e.

AsIwal
kedoutt
her
oom,
Siy
awal
kedi
n
Hi
m;Yougoi
ngf
oraswi
m 
Me;
Yes 
Hi
m; I
’
vegotameeti
ngi
ntown.I
’
llseey
ou
whenIgetback 
Me;
ok,
buti
m goi
ngt
oneedy
ourl
apt
oporan
I
pad
Him;Ineedmylapt
op.Buti
llgetoneoft
he
guar
dt obri
ngy
oumyI pad 
Me;
Thanks 
It
ri
edwal
ki
ngpasthi
m.Buthehel
dmyhand 
Hi
m;Idon’
tli
ket
hewayt
hingsar
ebet
weenus 
Me;
whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
 
Hi
m;sayy
out
rustme
Me;
Idon’
twantt
oli
etoy
ou 
Hi
m;doy
ouatl
eastst
il
ll
oveme

Ifel
tmyey eswateri
ng.Iwantedt
otell
himI
di
dn’tandthatIdon’
teverwanttobewithhi
m,
butthatwouldbeatotalLi
e.SoItol
dhimthe
tr
uth

Me;
Yes,
but
 
Hi
m;nobut
s.That
’sal
lIneededt
ohear
.

Hekissedmeont heforeheadandl etgoofmy

hand.Iwalkedtothebeachwi thSiyainMy
mind.Itookaseatononeoft hebeachchai rs.
Andlookedar oundme,allIcouldseef ormiles
onendwast hebeach.Butnoot herpropert
ies.I
thi
nkthismustbeapr ivatebeach,because
ther
ewasnooneel seonher eexceptf orme
andtheguar dswatchi
ngov erme.

Aboutanhourl
ateIwasf l
i
ppi
ngthrought
he
magazinet
hatIhadtakenwit
hme, whenI
real
i
zedsomeonewasst andi
ngbehindme.

Iturnedaroundthi
nki
ngitwasoneoft
he
guards,butnope,i
twasHlokesst
andi
ngt
her
e
withanIPadi nhi
shand
Hi
m;Ihearsomeoneor
der
edanI
Pad
[
05/
11,
19:
28]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

19

Istooduptomakesurenowasn'tgoi
ngmad.I
mov edcl
osertohi
m andt
ouchedhisface.My
eyesweretel
li
ngmehewasher ebutmybr ai
n
ref
usedtobeli
eveme. 
Istoodonmyt oesandputmyar msaroundhi
s
neck.Ihuggedhim ast
ight
lyasIcoul
d.He
winced

Hi
m:car
eful
ther
ibs
Me:
Idon'
tcar
e.I
'
mjusthappyy
ou’
real
i
ve

Hehuggedmebackandj
ustletmebe.Aft
era
whi
leibr
oket
hehugandheldhim atar
m’s
l
ength.Hewasst
il
lbrui
sedqui
tebadl
y,andt
he
st
it
cheswerest
il
li
ntact
.

Hesatont
hebeachchai
ropposi
teme,
and
smi
led

Me:y
oushoul
dn'
tbeher
e.I
fSi
yasawy
ouhe
woul
dgobal
li
sti
c 
Hi
m;l
etmehandl
ehi
m
Me:soar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhat
'
sgoi
ng
on.
 
Hi
m:It
snotmyplace.Ghostwi
l
ltel
lyouwhen
t
heti
meisri
ght
 
Me:
Sowher
ear
eyoust
ayi
ng 
Hi
m:af
loorupf
rom y
ou
Me:
iml
ost
Him:i
nt hesamehouseasy
ou.Justonef
loor
abov
ey ou 
Me;
nowI'
mr eal
lyl
ost
.Howcanyoubest
ayi
ng
i
nSi
yashouse.Whenhet
ri
edtoki
ll
you
Hi
m: whosai
danyt
hingabouthi
mtry
ingt
oki
l
l
me?Rif
il
oesomet
imeswenay ouhav
ean
ov
eract
ivei
magi
nati
on

Il
ookedathi
m wit
hsomuchconf
usion.How
washehere?HowdidheknowSi
yaandwhy
washestayi
ngher
e

Him:Iknowy oumusthaveami l
l
ionquest
ions
goi
ngthroughyourmind.,
butr
ightnowallIcan
sayi
shedi dn'
ttr
ytokil
lme.Heshouldbeso
l
ucky 
Me;soyourkeepi
ngsecr
etsf
rom met
oo.Mxm
Ishoul
dhaveknown.

Ist
oodupandwantedtowal
ktowardsthe
house,
butf
rozewhenIsawSi
yaheading
towardsus.HelookedlikeHewasreadyt
oki
l
l
someone.Ilookedathlokesandhewas
standi
ngbehindmej ustasmad.

Hl
okes:
fif
i,y
oubet
tergobacki
ntot
hehouse 
Me:
youri
nsane.He'
l
lki
l
lyou
Hi
m: st
ayoutoft
hisi
fyouknowwhat
'
sgood
f
oryou

Si
yagotcloser
,andIcoul
dseehi
sey
e'swer
e
bl
oodshotred.

Iwal
kedt
owardshi
mtot
ryandst
ophi
mfr
om
get
ti
ngcl
oser
.
Iputmyar
msonhi schestt
ryi
ngt
ost
ophi
m,
buthewasst
ronger

Me:
Siy
ast
op 
Hi
m:st
ayoutoft
his 
Me:
babepl
easeI
’
m beggi
ngy
ou.
 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
mov
e
Si
yal
ookedl
i
kehewasaboutt
oki
l
lHl
okes.
 
Hl
okes:
Rif
il
oe,
getawayf
rom hi
m
Me:
wenajustshutupman.Orbet
tery
etgot
o
t
hehouse 
Si
ya:
Ifucki
ngt
oldy
out
ost
ayawayf
rom her
Hl
okes:
it'
snoty
ourdeci
siont
omake
Si
ya:thehel
lit
'snot
.It
'saboutt
imeIt
aughty
ou
afuckingl
esson

Byt
hist
imehl
okeswascomi
ngt
owar
dsSi
ya

Idon'
tknowwhathethi
nkshewasgoi
ngt
odo
si
ncehewassti
llhur
tsobadl
y.
Me:
Hlokesdon'
ttakeanot
herst
ep

Meanwhil
eSiyai
spushi
ngagai
nstmet
ryi
ngt
o
gett
ohlokes.

Me:canwej ustal
lcal
m down,
andt
rybehav
ing
l
ikeadul
ts.

Hebanna,,
haai Iwasjusttal
ki
ngtomy sel
fhere,
noonewasl i
steningtome.Isawt heguards
wer
eallgatheredaround,butnoneofthem
wer
einter
vening.

Me:
nai
l
s.Dosomet
hing

Hel
ookedatmeandthenatSi
yabutdi
dn'
t
mov
e.Nxafucki
ngcoward
Si
yacar
ri
edontryi
ngtogett
oHl
okes,
whi
l
e
Hl
okestr
iedget
ti
ngtoSi
ya

Al
linitwasabigmess.AndIknewtheonl
y
wayformet ost
opthem woul
dbeformeto
pr
etendthatIwashur
t

Sothe,momentSiy
at r
iedthr
owingapunch,I
tr
ipl
edon, myownfeetandfel
ldown,cr
yingi
n
agony.Theybot
hstoppedandlookedatme :)

Icoveredmyeyeswithmyhandandpr ay
edreal
tear
swouldcomeout .BecauseIwasact
ual
l
y
l
aughingontheinsi
de

Si
yasatdownnextt
omeandgentl
yr emoved
myhandsfrom myf
ace.Lucki
l
ymytearswere
par
ti
ci
pati
ng
Hi
m:I
'
m sosor
rybabe.
 
Me:(
sni
ff
ing)Idon'
tthi
nkIcanwal
k.It
hinkI
mi
ght'
vestr
ainedmyankle 
Hi
m;I
'
llcar
ryy
ou

Hlokest
ri
edcomi
ngcl
oser
,butIshookmy
headathim

Siyascoopedmeup.Andcar r
iedmei nt
ot he
house.Someoft heguardsfoll
owedwhi l
et he
other
sat t
endedt oHlokes.Il
ookedathim and
hewassmi l
ing.Ithi
nkheknewIwasLy ing.I
j
ustgav ehim adon'tyoudarelook,and
conti
nuedwi thmychar ade.Pl
usIwasenj oy i
ng
theatt
entionIwasget ti
ngfrom Si
ya

Whenwear
ri
vedi
nsi
de,
Siy
aputmeont
hebed,
andwenttogetanicepackf
rom t
hefr
idge.I
j
ustsatther
esmil
ingathowwellmypl
an
worked 
WhenSi
yacameback,heputmyankl
eonhi
s
l
ampandputthei
cepackonmyankle.

Youcoul
dtellhewassti
ll
angrybuthi
sey
es
werer
etur
ningtothei
rnormal
color

Me:
thanky
ou.Thatf
eel
sbet
ter
 
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryIhur
tyou
Me:forgetabouti
t.Justpr
omi
semey
ou'
l
lleav
e
hi
m alone
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
youneedt
ost
ayoutoft
his 
Me:
promi
seme
Him:
Icanonl
ypromi
seIwon'
thur
thi
m,unl
ess
hepr
ovokesme
Me:
ok,
Iguesst
hat
'sbet
tert
hannot
hing
Ihel
doutmyhandathi
m

Hi
m:andnow
Me:
youhav
eshakeoni
t

Hel
aughedandgav
emehi
shandt
oshake.

Me:soareyour
eadyt
otel
lmeaboutwhat
'
s
happeni
ng 
Him:notyet
.ButIpromisey
ouI '
l
ltel
lyou
ever
ythi
ngwhenthet i
meisri
ght.Anddon'tgo
aski
ngHlokesbecausehewill
probablyf
eed
youli
es

Me:
haai
,Igi
veupshame.
Hi
m:t
hankGod,
Ithi
nkI
'
llf
inal
l
ybeabl
eto
br
eat
he 
Me:
mxm I
'
m st
il
lmadaty
ou 
Him:Iknow.Butj
ustgi
ve,
met
hebenef
itof
doubt
Me:Idon'tknowi
nfocandot
hat
.Somuchhas
happened 
Hi
m:Iknow

Il
ookedatHi
m andforthefi
rstt
ime,si
ncet
his
whol
ethi
ngstar
ted,
Istart
edt or
elax

ThenSomeoneknockedont
hedoor

Me;
goaway
 
Hi
m;Comei
n

Theper
sonbehi
ndt
hedoor
,obv
iousl
yli
stened
t
ohimi
nst
eadofme,
becauset
heycamei
n.
mxm

Hi
m;Ghost
.They
'vel
anded
Si
ya;
gett
heguy
sready
.

Theguywal
kedawayandcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndhi
m.

Me;
soy
ou’
ret
hesocal
l
edghost
 
Hi
m;don’
tst
art
Me;
Iwasj
ustaski
ng 
Him;l
etmegoseewhat
’sgoi
ngon.I
’
llbeback
now
Me;
butmyankl
est
il
lhur
ts 
Hi
m;giveme2mi
nut
es,
I’
ll
bebacknow.I
pr
omise 
Me;
go

Hegavemetheicepack,andleftme.It
ookt
he
i
cepackbackt
ot heki
tchen.Therewasnouse
i
nmekeepingi
tmos.

Ir
ani
ntoHl
okesi
ntheki
tchen.
 
Hi
m;bet
tersosoon 
Me;
shutup.Youshoul
dact
ual
l
ybet
hanki
ng
me.
 
Hi
m;what
every
ousay
 
Me;
it’
swei
rdseei
ngy
ouher
e 
Hi
m;Inev
erwant
edt
hingst
otur
noutt
heway
t
heydi
d.
Me;
Iwi
shIknewwhaty
ouwer
etal
ki
ngabout
 
Hi
m Ishoul
dgo
Hewalkedoutandwentt
ojoi
n,Si
yaandt
he
r
estofthem.

Therewasanol derlookingl
adyinthekit
chen,
whointr
oducedher selfasMartha.Shewas
busymakinglunchf orevery
body,soIaskedifi
coul
dhelp.

Her
;Idon’
tthi
nkGhostwoul
dappr
ove
Me;Idon’tcar
e.I
t’
sbet
terthansi
tt
ingar
ound
anddoingnothi
ng.Sowhatareyoumaki
ng?
Her;
Chi
ckenal
aki
ng,wi
thbal
sami
cri
ce,
and
somest
eamedveget
abl
es 
Me;
Ok,
sohowcanIhel
p?
Her
;youcanst
eam t
hev
eget
abl
es 
Me;that
’si
t?Youdon’
ttr
ustmewi
tht
he
chi
cken
Shesmi
l
edatme

Her
;onl
yify
ou’
resur
eyoucanmanage
Me;
Iam.
 
Her
;ok,
Letmegety
ouanapr
on

Shegav emeanapron,andwecookedt oget

her
.
Itwasnicehav
ingsomeonet otal
kto.I
tmadeit
easierf
ormetoforgetabouttheSi
yaand
HlokesSaga

Mam Mar tha,

hadasmal lmusicsystem inthe
kit
chen.Shesay si
t’
sbecauseshelikescooking
tomusic.IsmiledwhensheputonCai phus
Semeny a’
sZiph’i
nkomo.Thatsongr eminded
meofmymom anddad.Theyusedt olist
ento
i
tal otwhi
leIwasgr owi
ngup.
AwhilelaterSiyawal
kedi nwhilemam Mar tha
andIwer edancingandsingingalongto
Angeli
na.Hesmi l
edatme.Ipul l
edhim closer
,
andstart
eddanci ngaroundhim.Hesmi ledand
wrappedhi sarmsaroundme, andgav emea
ki
ss.Igavehi m asmackpl ayf
ull
y.

Me;
noti
nfr
ontofmam Mar
tha 
Hi
m;Idon’
tthi
nkshemi
nds

Il
ookedatmam Mar thaandshewasbusywi
th
pots.Il
ookedbackatSiy
aandkissedont
he
cheek.

Me;
yourdi
stur
bingus
Hi
m;whatar
eyoumaki
ng 
Me;we’
vejustf
ini
shedmaki
ngchickenal
aki
ng.
Iwasgoi
ngtohelpmam Marthawit
htheoxt
ail
st
ewf
ort
oni
ght
 
Hi
m;canIst
eal
youf
orabi
t
Me;
Idon’
tknow,
youshoul
daskmam Mar
tha

Hesmi
l
edbecauseheknew,
shedi
dn’
treal
l
y
hav
eachoi
ce.

Hi
m;mam Mar
tha,
canIbor
rowt
hisy
oungl
ady
f
orawhi
l
e

Shesmi
l
edatusandnodded

IheldSiya’
shandashewal kedmet owardst
he
bedroom.IsawHlokesstaringatusfrom
upstair
s.Iki
ndoffel
tbad,buttherewas
nothingIcoul
ddoaboutit
Iwavedathi
mtosayhi,
buthej
ustt
urned
ar
oundandwalkedi
ntohi
sroom
Whenwegott
oourr
oom.Isatont
hebed,
and
wai
ted.

Si
yasatnextt
omeandt
ookmyhandsi
nhi
s

Me;
what
’swr
ong?
Hi
m;wef
oundt
heguy
sthatwer
eaty
ourpl
ace 
Me;
whowasi
t?
Hi
m;Idon’
tknowhowt
oputt
his
Me;
yourscar
ingme 
Him;Idon’tmeant o.I
t’
sjustthatIcan’tt
ell
you
thi
swithouttell
ingyouevery
thingelse.AndI’
m
notatl
ibertytodiscl
oseanythingelse.Notti
ll
I
’vegotclearance 
Me;
clear
ancef
rom who 
Him;(si
gh)I
’v
ealr
eadysaidt
oomuch.Butat
thesametimeyoumighthav
einf
ormat
ionthat
Ineed. 
Me;
I’
m get
ti
ngmor
eandmor
econf
used 
Hi
m;getdr
essed.It
hinki
t’
sbet
terIshowy
ou
Me;
ok,

Iwenttothecloset
,andt
ookoutapai
rofj
eans,
apairofal
lstarsandahoodi
e.

Idi
dn’
tknowwherewewer
egoi
ng,
soIwant
ed
tobecomfor
tabl
e. 
Hi
m;I
’
llwai
tfory
oudownst
air
s.

Siy
alef
twhi l
eIgotdr essed.Iwasstar
ti
ngto
getwor
ried,becauseIcoul dseet
hatwhatever
waseati
nghi m upinside,wasseri
ous.And
somehowi ti
nvolvedme.
WhenIwentdownst
air
sSi
yawasn’
tther
e,SoI
wentupt
othe 
of
fi
cel
evel
,wher
eal
ltheguy
sst
ay.
 
AsIapproachedIcoul
dhearSi
yaandHlokes
ar
guing.Ist
oodbythedoorsoIcoul
dhear
whattheyweresayi
ng

Hl
okes;
It’
snott
her
ightt
ime.She’
sgoi
ngt
ofl
i
p
Si
ya;
wedon’
thav
eachoi
ce 
Hlokes;y
oushouldl
etmehandl
ethi
s.Pl
usy
ou
don’thav
ecl
earanceyet
Siy
a; doesn’
tmat t
er.I
’m notkeepi
ngthi
sfr
om
her.Plusshemi ghtknowmor ethatwethi
nk.
OhandThel astti
meIl etyouhandl
ethi
ngsyou
nearl
ygotuski ll
ed 
Hl
okes;
arey
ouev
ergoi
ngt
olett
hatgo 
Si
ya;
No.becauseher
ewear
eagai
n.I
nashi
t
st
orm,
all
becauseofy
ou 
Hl
okes;
fuckyouman.YouknowIdi
dn’
twant
t
hist
ohappen.
Siy
a;wel
l,
it’
shappeni
ng.Andit
’suptometo
makesurenooneelsegetshur
tbecauseof
yourr
eckl
essness

Iknockedont
hedoor
,andt
heybot
hkeptqui
te

Me;
I’
mready

Hlokeslookedl
ikehewant
edt
osaysomet
hing
buthejustkeptqui
et.

Si
ya;
Lett
heguy
sknowwe’
rer
eadyt
ogo 
Hl
okes;
Sur
e
Siyat
ookmyhandandwewalkeddownstai
rs,
thent
ookthel
i
ftt
othebasementpar
king.
 
Whenwegotdownstair
s,t
hecar
swer
ewai
ti
ng,
Igoti
nandhesatnexttome.
 
Unfortunatel
yitwasn’tj
ustthet
woofus,
soI
couldn’taskhim anyquesti
ons.

Iputmyheadonhi sshoulderandletoutasi
gh.
It
’sweirdhoweasil
yIfel
li
nl ovewithSi
ya,I
thoughthewasjustasavvybusinessmanwi t
h
goodlooks.ButIwaswrong.

Turnsouthe’ ssomeki ndofmonst er

,and
i
nst eadofrunningawayf rom hi
m.Iwas
runningcloser,
andsomehowI ’
mfall
ingdeeper
i
nl ovewi t
hhim, butatthesamet i
me, If
eltl
i
keI
wasbet rayi
ngHl okes.

Awhi
l
elat
erwepul
l
edupatsomei
ndust
ri
al
park.Whent hecar
spull
edinIl
ookedatSi
ya
confused.Hejustl
ookedinmyeyesanddi
dn’t
sayany t
hing

Wegotout
,andt
heguardswal
kedi
nfr
ontand
someatt
hebackofus.
 
Whenwegoti nsideoneofthewarehousesat
theback,oftheindustr
ial
park,t
heguar ds
openedthedoor .Iimmediat
elyti
ghtenedmy
gri
ponSiy a,pl
usmyhandswer eshacking,
becauseIdidn’tknowwhatt oexpect.

Thereweremoreguardsi
nsi
de.About5of
them.Siyawal
kedwit
hmet othemiddl
eofthe
warehouse.
 
Isawatacl osedi
stanceawayt herewas
someonetiedtoachair.Icouldn’
tseehi
sf ace
though,
becauseitwascov eredwithabrown
bag
Ihel
dSi
ya’
shandti
ghter
.Iwasget
ti
ngmor
e
andmor
escaredbytheminut
e.

Icouldseethi
spoorper
sonwasbl
oodi
ng.I
whisperedi
nSiya’
sear

Me;
siy
a,what
’sgoi
ngon 
Hi
m;gi
vemeamoment

Hetoldt
heguar
dst
oputont
her
estoft
he
l
ight
s.

Themi nutetheli
ght
scameback,Isawwho
wasint hechair
.Idi
dn'
tneedtoseehi
sface.
becausei sawthewatchihadgott
enhi
mf or
hi
sbirthday.

Iscr
eamedmyl
ungsout
.It
ookmyhandoutof
Si
ya’shand.Ir
antowar
dshim.Ihadtogethi
m
outofther
e.WhatwasSiy
athi
nking?
[
05/
11,
19:
29]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

20

Ididn’
tmakei
tver
yfar
,becauset
heguar
ds
stoppedme.
Si
yacametowardsmeandtr
iedhuggi
ngme.I
sl
appedhi
m acr
ossthef
ace.
 
Hedidn’
tmove,soIsl
appedhi
m agai
n,t
henI
st
art
edkicki
nghim. 
Theguar
dst
ri
edt
ost
opme,
buthet
oldt
hem t
o
backof
f.

Me;
howcoul
dyou 
Hi
m;I
’
m sor
ry 
Me;Ihat
eyouSi
ya,
Ihat
eyou.You’
reaf
ucki
ng
monster

Igotdownonmyknees,inf
rontofhi
m.Itr
ied
makingoutasent
ence,
buttear
swouldn’
tlet
me

Me;
Siy
a,Pl
easeI
m beggi
ngy
ou.LetSi
zwego.
 
Hi
m;Babe,
Icant
. 
Me;
(snif
fing)Pease,
I’
ll
doany
thi
ngy
ouwant
meto.Justlethi
m go
Hi
m;No.Ican’
t 
Hepul
l
edmeup.Ipushedhi
m away
 
Me;
Howcoul
dyou?He’
smyf
ri
end

Si
yawasabouttoanswermewhenIhear
d
Si
zwe,cal
l
ingoutmyname.Youcoul
dtel
lhe
wasi
nsomuchangui sh
Itur
nedaroundandtri
edwal
ki
ngtowar
dshi
m,
butthef
li
ppingguar
dswerei
ntheway.

Me;
Mov
e

Theydi
dn’
tmov
e

Me;
Siy
a,Pl
ease.Justl
etmeseehi
m

Hi
m;Lethert
hrough

Theyall
mov ed.Ir
ant
oSi
zwe.It
ookoft
hebag
offhi
sface.
 
Hewasbl
oodi
ngf
rom hi
smout
handhi
snose
.
 
Iknel
tdowni
nfr
ontofhi
m.Hecoul
dbar
ely
openhiseyes.Itookofmyhoodi
e,andwiped
hi
sf acewi
thit.Ij
ustwant
edgetal
lthatbl
ood
offhim.

Me;
Sizwe,
Sizwe,
openy
ourey
es.
 
Hi
m;f
if
i,y
ou’
reher
e

It
urnedar
ound,
andSi
yawasst
andi
ngbehi
nd
me

Me;
Getmesomewat
er.

Noonemov
ed.It
urnedmyat
tent
iont
oSi
zwe.

Me;I’
m goi
ngt
ogety
ououtofher
e.I
’
m so
sor
ry 
Ist
oodupandwentt
oSi
ya
Me;
giv
emet
hekey
stot
hecuf
fs 
Hi
m;Icant
 
Me;
youcan’
tory
ouwont
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Si
zwei
sn’
twhoy
out
hinkhei
s
Me;
what
’st
hatsupposedt
omean 
Hi
m;I
llexpl
ainwhenwegetoutofher
e

Him Gent
s.Makesur
ehe’
sst
il
lal
i
vewhen
Bul
letget
shere.
 
Them;
Sur
eboss

Si
yat
ookmyhandandIsnat
chedi
taway

Me;
I’
m notl
eav
inghi
m her
e.Andwho’
sBul
l
et 
Hi
m:pl
easedon’
tmakemecar
ryy
ou.
 
Me;Si
ya,
please,
I’
m beggi
ngyou.Ineedto
knowwhat’
shappeni
ng.he'
smyf r
iend.Icant
l
etyoudothi
s
Hi
m;l
et’
sgohome,
andI
’
llexpl
ainev
ery
thi
ng

Theridehomewasasi l
entone.Tear
sjustkept
runni
ngmycheek,especial
l
ywhenIlookedat
thebl
oodstai
nedhoodie

Whenwegothome, Idi
dn’twantforany
bodyto
opent
hedoorforme.Ijustopeneditmysel
f
andwal
kedtowardstheli
ft.
 
Si
yagoti
nwi
thmeanddi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng

Whenwegott
othehouse,
Iwentst
rai
ghtt
othe
bedr
oom.
Itookaquickshower,
andthr
ewthecl
othes
thatIhadworntothewar
ehousei
nthetrash.
Si
yacameinwhenIhadj
ustf
ini
shedget
ti
ng
dr
essed.

Hi
m;ok,
I’
mreadyt
otel
lyouev
ery
thi
ng

Il
ookedathi
m.Hecamecl
oserandIt
ooka
st
epbackwards

Hi
m;we’l
lhavet
ot al
kinmyof
fi
ce,
because
Hl
okeshastobethere

Iwal
kedpassedhi
m,andwentt
ohi
sof
fi
ce

Hl
okeswasalr
eadysi
tt
ingt
her
ewai
ti
ngforus.
Hestoodupwhenhesawmecomein.
Heopenedhi
sar
mst
ogi
vemeahug,
andI
sl
appedhi
m

Me;
youst
ayt
hef
uckawayf
rom me

Hedi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng,
buty
oucoul
dseehe
washur
t

Si
yacame,
andweal
ltookourseat
s.

Si
ya;
Iguessi
tst
ime,
wet
oldy
out
het
rut
h. 
Me;
justgetonwi
thi
t 
Him;pl
easejustknowev
ent
houghImayhav
e
l
iedaboutt
hings. 
Inev
eroncel
i
edaboutt
hewayIf
eel
abouty
ou 
Me;
cany
ouj
ustgetonwi
thi
t 
Hi
m;Ok.Her
eitgoes.
SoHlokesandIhaveknowneachot herf
or
about2year
s.Hewasr ecr
uitedi
ntothesame
bl
ackopsagencythatIworkedfor
.

Me;
Blackops?
Him;wewer eateam ofmi sf
itswhodidn’
tfi
t
i
ntothepoli
ceforce.Sothelieut
enantandthe
mini
sterofsaf
etycameupwi thaplan.Tohave
usworkasundercov ergangoperat
ives.

Me;
soy
ou’
renotagangst
er 
Him;No,notinsomanywor ds.ButIl
iveali
fe
ofagangster.Ihav
etobeabletofiti
nwith
them,sothatIcangett
heinformati
onIwant

Me;
whatabouty
ourcompany
Him;whentheli
eutenanttol
dmeaboutt heplan
tost
artt
hisgroup,Imadeadeal wi
ththem.I
woul
dwor kundercover,
onthecondi
ti
ont hatI
gett
obuil
dal egi
tbusinessonthesi
de.

Me;
thatdoesn’
tmakesense

Him;Rifil
oe,
IknewthatifIagr
eedtot hi
s
undercoverj
ob,Iwouldhavetogiv
eupal otof
mymor al
s.Mebuil
dingNdhlovu
communi cati
onswassoIwoul dn’
tlosemy sel
f
i
nbeingagangst er
.Ithel
psremindmeofwhoI
real
l
yam

Me;
sohowdoesHl
okesf
iti
ntot
his

Him; wer
ecr
uitedHlokesabout2y ear
sago.He
di
dn’twantt
oatf i
rstbecauseheplannedon
gett
ingmarr
ied.Butthenweof f
eredhim
enoughmoney
,andheagr
eed

Il
ookedatHlokes.I
sthatwheny
oul
eftf
or
Saudi
.Hejustnodded

Me;sowhydidy
oupret
endtonotknoweach
ot
herwhenyousaweachot
heratmyhouse

Him; because3mont hsbefor

ethat,
Hlokeshad
deci
dedhewant edtogohome, sohecouldfix
thi
ngswi thyou,andtel
lyouevery
thi
ng.Itol
d
him hecouldn’t
,becauseweneededhim here.

Therewasagangt hatwashunt ingusdown.

Andwedi dn’
tneedanydistracti
ons.ButHl
okes
bei
ngt hehar
dkophei s,decidedtogorouge.
Heleftwit
houttel
li
nguswher ehewasgoing.
Thatimmediatel
yputeveryoneindanger,
especi
all
yyou. 
SoIwasgi
vent
hemissi
onoft
racki
nghim
down.Whi
chi
showIcametomeety ou

Il
ookedathi
m,t
henatHl
okes

Me;
sowheny
ouandImetSi
ya.Youwer
eona
mi
ssi
on 
Hi
m;babe,
 
Me;
answerme
Hi
m;y
es.But
 
Me;
soy
ouwer
eusi
ngmet
ogett
oHl
okes 
Hi
m;i
nthebegi
nni
ng,
butt
henIf
ell
fory
ou

Ihadtot
akeamoment
,tobr
eat
h.Iwast
ryi
ng
real
l
yhar
dnott
ocry

Me;
sowher
edoesSi
zwef
iti
ninal
lthi
s 
Hi
m; wefoundoutrecent
lythatSi
zwe,wor
ks
f
ortheGangthat’
sbeentrackingusdown.
 
Me;what
,that
’si
mpossi
ble.I
’
veknownhi
mfor
awhil
enow.
Him;Si zwewaspl antedatthecompanyy ou
workf or,t
ot r
yandf i
ndoutaboutHl okesaka
Bull
et.Andwhatbet t
erwayt odot hatt
hant o
becomef r
iendswithhiswife,becausenoone
knowswhower eall
yare,buttheyhad
somehowf oundoutHl oke’
sreal i
denti
ty.Soit
wasonl yamat t
eroftimebeforetheyfoundme

Me;
Hlokes

Hel
ookedatme.

Me;sowhenyouleftf
orSaudi
,di
dyour
eal
l
y
l
eav
ewithanotherwoman
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
pleaset
ryt
ounder
stand
Me;
Justanswerme
Hi
m;Yes
Me;
Isee

Me;
sowhot
ri
edki
l
li
ngHl
okes 
Si
ya;
ItwasSi
zweandhi
steam
Istoodupandwenttothewindow.Ineeded
fr
eshair.Hl
okesgottupandlef
tmeandSi ya
alone

Me;
soi
twasal
lal
i
e 
Hi
m;no,
notal
lofi
t 
Me;
whatel
sedoIneedt
oknow.
 
Hi
m;Ican'
trev
eal
any
thi
ngel
seatt
hispoi
nt.
Si
yast
oodupt
otakeast
ept
owar
dsme.

Me;
pleasedon’
t,
comenearme
Him; Ri
fi
loe,
myf eel
ingsf oryouwereneveral
i
e.
Iswearonmyownl ife.Ilovedyouthemoment
Il
iedeyesony ou.Iknewi twaswrongto
pursueyou,butIcouldn’thelpmyself
.

Me;
Siy
a,somet
imesl
ovei
sn’
tenough.
Him;don’tsaythatRi
fi
loe.Wecanwor kt
hrough
t
his.Iknowi t
’salott
odigest
,butall
Iaskisfor
youtogivemet imetoearnyourtr
ust.

Me;I
’m sorr
ySi
ya.ButIcan’
t.I
t’
sal
ltoomuch
t
otakein. 
Hi
m;whatar
eyousay
ing
Me;
It’
sov
er.
 
Hi
m;No,
Iwon’
tlety
out
hrowawaywhatwe
hav
e,becauseoft
his.
Me;we’venev
erhadany
thi
ng.I
twasalll
ies.
From t
hemomentyoumetme.Allofi
tit
’sal
l
l
ies.
 
Him;babypl
ease.Wecanfindawayt hr
ough
thi
s.I
dgiveupever
ythi
ng.Justdon’
ttel
lmeit
’s
over

Ilookedatt
hemanIt houghtIl
oved.Who
l
ookedmor eli
keJudasnow.IwishIcould
forgi
veandfor
get.Butthi
swasjustal
ltoo
much.

Me;
Ineedt
ogohome 
Hi
m; Youcan’tj
usty
et.We’r
esti
llt
ryi
ngtoget
i
nfor
mationoutofSizwe.He’
sbeenahardone
t
ocrack,butIknowinti
me,he’
ll
givein
Me;
Idon’
tcar
e.Youcan’
tkeepmeher
eagai
nst
mywil
l
 
Hi
m;Ihav
etopr
otecty
ouRef
il
oe.
 
Me;
That
’snoty
ourdeci
siont
omake.

Ideci
dedt oleav
ehi mthere.Icouldn’
tbaret
o
l
ookathi m anylonger
.Ineededt ogetmycell
phone,andgetthehelloutofthisplace.

WhenIgotout
,Hl
okeswascomi
ngupt
he
st
air
s

It
ri
edwal
ki
ngpasthi
m,buthehel
dmyhand.

Hi
m;weneedt
otal
k 
Me;
Ther
e’snot
hingt
osay
 
Hi
m;Fi
ne,
theny
oul
i
stenI
’
llt
alk.
 
Me;what
’st
otal
kabout.Youlef
tmef ormoney
,
t
hencamebackandledthosebast
ardstome. 
Hi
m;Rif
il
oe,
IthoughtIwasdoi
ngitf
orus.I
want
edtogi
veyout hel
if
eyoudeser
ved.
 
Me;Li
es,youleftbecauseofyourgreed.Andif
youweresupposedlydoingi
tforusy ou
woul
dn’thav
el eftwit
hthatwhore.Nowl etgo
ofmyhand

Hel etgoandIwalkedtomyr oom andlocked

thedoor.Ineededtoletever
ythi
ngout,
andI
didn’twantt
ohaveany bodycomfortme.
[
05/
11,
19:
30]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

21

Isati
nmyr oom f
orhour
s.Icr
iedunt
ilIhadno
moretear
sleft
.If
eltl
i
keSiyawasdead,as
t
houghIwasmour
ninghi
m. 
Thenfi
nall
yIdri
ft
edofft
osleep.IthoughtI
wouldbeablet
oescapemyni ght
mar eofalif
e
i
nmydr eams,butunf
ort
unatel
yitalsochases
methere.

Iwaswokenupbyt heloudbangingont hedoor.

Ii
gnoredit,andtr
iedgoingbacktosleep.
Lucki
lythepersonintheothersi
dewasn' t
persi
stent
,becausetheylef
t.AndIwasabl eto
sl
eepagain.

Inthemor ni
ngIwokeupf eel
ingabi tbett
er
thanthedaybefore.SoIgotupbat hedand
changedintogym clothesIfoundi nt hecl
oset.I
wasn'tinthemoodt oseeSi yaorHl okes,butI
alsodidn'
twanttokeepmy selflockedup, and
i
t’snotli
keIcoul
dav oi
dthem f orever. 
Il
i
vedi
nthesamehouseast
hem mos.
ItookSiy
a’siPod,
andl eftt
ogoforarunonthe
beach.Nothi
ngbetterthantheseabr
eezeto
makey oufeelbet
ter.

AsIwaswal ki
ngoutIsawLi
nda,Siyaand
Hlokeshavi
ngbreakf
astont
heveranda.Ikept
theheadphonesi
nmyearandwal kedpassed
them.

Ijoggedaroundt
hebeachforaboutanhour
andahal fI
twaskindofwei
rdthough,because
theguardswerether
etoo.
 
WhenIgotbackf
rom myjog,Iwentt
othe
ki
tchent
ogetabott
leofwater.

Lucki
l
ymam Mar thawasbusywashi
ngt
he
di
shes,soIhadsomeonetotal
kto.
Her
:canImakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
Me:
not
hanksma,
I'
ll
justgr
absomef
rui
ts 
Her:
youknowy oucan'
tli
veofff
rui
talone,
plus
youdidn'
thav
elunchordi
nneryest
erday 
Me:ok,
youcarryonwit
hwhaty
ou’
redoi
ng,
il
l,
makemy sel
fanomelet
te

Imademyomel ett
eswhi l
etal
kingtomam
Mar t
ha.Shemadetheplacefeelhomely
.You
couldtel
lshewasfondofallt
heguy swholi
ved
here.

Siy
awalkedi
nwhil
eIwaseat
ing.Iwasr
eal
l
y
enj
oyi
ngmyomelett
eanddi
dn'twantHi
mto
di
stur
bme. 
Hegr
eetedmam Martha,thencametositon
t
hecounterwi
thme.Iignoredhi
m andcarri
ed
oneat
ing.

Hi
m:di
dyousl
eepwel
l
 
me:
yest
hanks 
Him:l
uckyy
ou.Iont
heot
herhandsl
eptont
he
couch
me:
yourpoi
ntbei
ng 
Hi
m: canIcomebacktoourbedpl
ease.Idon'
t
t
hinkIcoul
dtakeanot
herni
ghtont
hecouch 
me:
nost
ress,
Il
lswapwi
thy
ou 
Him:that
'snotwhatImeant
.Ourbedi
sbi
g
enoughforthebot
hofus
me:youmeanyourbed,
andIdon’
tmi
nd
st
ayi
ngonthecouch
Hi
m:f
orgetIsai
dany
thi
ng

Hewal
kedof
flooki
ngdef
eat
ed.Mxm Idon'
t
knowwhatheexpect
edmet
osay
.

Ispentmostoft hedayi nmybedr oom,worki

ng
onsomeofmycl i
ents’portfol
i
os.Ineededto
keepmy sel
fbusy ,andupt odat ewi t
hwhatwas
happeningwithmycl ient’
smoni es.Icoul
dsee
thatSiy
a’sport
foli
owasdoi ngwel l.SoI
emailedhim hi
slatestfigures.
 
Iwasgoi
ngthr
oughmyemai
l
swhenIsawone
fr
om Si
zwe.
 
Ihadt
oconv
incemy
sel
fnott
ocr
y.

Iknewhesentthisbef
oreSiyaspeopl
egota
holdofhi
m.Iopenedtheattachmentanditwas
thefi
nalt
rustdocumentst
hatSiyaneededto
sign.
 
Ismi
ledabi
t,whenIsawt hesmil
eyfaceshe
hadi
nthesubj
ectlineofhi
se-mai
l.Iwondered
i
fdeepDownher eall
ysawmeasaf r
iend,
orif
heonl
ysawmeasansomeonewhocoul
dgi
ve
hi
minfor
mat
iononwher
etofi
ndbul
l
et.

Si
yawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eIwasbusywi
thwor
king

Hi
m:whatar
eyoubusywi
th
Me:
wor
k
Hi
m:Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dtal
k 
Me:
whatar
ewedoi
ngnow
Hi
m:pl
easeRi
fi
loe 
Me:
ok.I
’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m:wal
kwi
thme
Me:
wher
eto
Hi
m:t
hebeach 
Me:
giv
eme5mi
ns 
Hi
m:ok
Hewalkedoutwhi
l
eIf
ini
shedof
fwi
thwhatI
wasdoing.
Idecidedt ochangei
ntoshor
tsandabi
kini
top.
Itwast oohottobewalki
ngaroundwi
th
tracksuit
s

WhenIcamedownstair
sSiy
awaswait
ingfor
me.Hetookmyhandinhis,
andIdi
dn'
tprot
est.
Onourwayout,Li
ndacameinwi
thamill
i
on
shoppi
ngbags.

Idi
dn'
tbot
hersay
ingany
thi
ngtoher
.Ij
usthel
d
Siy
ashandandwekeptwal
king

Whenwegott
othebeachwesatdown

Hi
m:Iwantt
ofi
xthi
ngswi
thy
ou
Me:
Siy
a 
Hi
m:l
etmef
ini
sh 
Him: Rifi
l
oe, IknowIhur tyou.Iknowt hat.ButI
j
ustdi dn'
twantust olandupwher ewear enow.
Iknowt hat ’snotanexcuse.ButwhenIwas
giventhist askt of i
ndbul l
et,Ithoughti
twoul d
beeasy .All Ihadt odowast rackyoudown, and
youwoul dt el lmewher ehewas.ThenI 'dfi
nd
him anddr aghi m backt oCuba.I twas
supposedt obet hatsimple.Butt henImety ou,
andIknewt hatt herewasnowayIcoul dlive
withouty ou.Iwant edy outomy sel
f,even
thoughIknewy ouhadunf i
nishedbusinesswi t
h
Hlokes.Itwassel fi
shIknow, butbabyIknew
thatmyl ifewoul dbei ncompl etewit
houty ou.I
j
ustneedy out of orgi
veme

IlookedatSi
yaandIknewhewastell
i
ngme
thetrut
h.ButIst
il
lhadsomanydoubt
s 
Ist
il
lhadsomanyquest
ionst
hathecoul
dn'
t
gi
veanswer
stoo

ME;Siya,Ilovey ouwi t
hal l
myhear t
.Despite
ever
y t
hingwe’ vebeent hrough,Istil
ll
ov eyou.
Don’tgetmewr ong.ButIneedmor ethanlove.I
needtot rustyou.Ineedt oknowt haty ou'
llput
mef i
rst.Ineedt oknowt hatyou'll
nev erhurtme.
Andinal lhonesty,webot hknowy oucan'tgive
someoft hosethings.HowcanIaskt obeput
fi
rst
,wheny ourstil
lboundt oyourex? ,howdoI
tr
ustyou, whenal lyou'v
edonei slietome, And
howdoIknowIwon' tgethurt,
wheny ou’r
ea
l
eaderofsomeopsgr oup. 
Ineedstabi
l
ityi
nmylif
eSiy
a,andI
'
mjustnot
sureyoucangivet
hattome

Hi
m:Iheary
ou.Sowher
etof
rom her
e
Me:Ineedy
outogivemetime.Ineedtobe
abl
etodealwi
thev
eryt
hingIneedtosomehow
mournthedeathoft
heSi
yaIt
houghtIknew.I
needtotrymovi
ngonwit
hmylif
e.Ineedyout
o
stepback,andl
etmego.
 
Hi
myoucan’
taskmet
odot
hat
Me; Youhaveto.Si
ya,Ideserveachanceata
normal l
i
fe.Wi
thamanwhoi snor mal,andhave
chi
ldrenwhowi l
lhaveanormal chi
ldhood.I
don’twanttowalkaroundwat chingmyback,
becausethemanIl ovehasapr iceonhi shead.
Thatjustwoul
dn’tbetofair
.

Youknow,I
’
veheardyout
ellmehowmuchy ou
l
ovemeandwanttospendy ourl
if
ewithme.
ButI
’
my ett
ohearyousaythatyou’
rewil
l
ingto
gi
veupthi
sopsgroup.
 
Him;Rif
il
oe,IwishIcoul
dgi
veallthi
sup,ifI
coul
dIwoul d,
Iv owonmyli
fe.Butthatwoul
d
meanIhav etogobackonthevow, Imadeto
prot
ectandhonourmycountry.
WhenSiyasaidt
hatmyhear tbroke.Iknewhe
l
ovedhisjob,
butIhopedhewoul dgiveitupf
or
us.Hewipedawayat earfr
om myey e.You
coul
dtel
lhewantedtopr ot
est,
butheknewI
wasri
ght
.
 
Therewasnowaywewoul dbeablet
ohavea
normal l
i
fetogether
.Ther
e’sj
ustt
oomuch
workingagainstus.
 
Hemov
edi
ncl
oserandhel
dmei
nhi
sar
ms.

Hi
m;soIguesst
hisi
sreal
l
ytheend 
Me;
Iguessso

Hesi
ghed

ME;
sowhenwi
l
lIbeabl
etogohome
Him;shouldbeinacoupleofday s,
Sizwehas
beenparti
cipat
ing.SoBul
lethaslef
twithsome
oftheotherguystotakeouthisgang.Once
that
’sdone,youshouldbeabletoretur
nhome

Me;sowhathappenstoSi
zweoncey
ou’
vegot
al
lthei
nfoyouneed?
Hi
m;y
ouknowIcan’
tdi
scusst
hatwi
thy
ou
Me;
sor
ry.Sowhendoy
ougohome?
Him;myheadquar
ter
sar
eher
e,soI
’
llbei
n
betweenSAandCuba
Me;
WhataboutOl
wet
hoandLi
nda 
Hi
m;Lindawil
lret
urnt
oCT,
andOl
wet
howi
l
l
movebackfr
om mymom’s.
 
Me;
whywasn’
theher
eint
hef
ir
stpl
ace 
Him;becausewedidn’twanthi
m missi
ng
school
.Plushewasn’treal
l
yunderanythr
eat
.
Thepeoplelooki
ngformedon’tknowabout
him,we’
vebeenabl
etokeephi
m undert
he
radar
 
Me;
that
’sgood,
butI
’
m sur
ehemi
ssesy
ou 
Him; yaah,Imisshimt oo.ButwhatcanIdo.
YouknowwhenIf i
rstmetLinda, Itol
dherI
didn’
twantchi l
dren,becauseIknewt hatthel
ife
Ili
ve,Iwouldn’tbeabletobet hef art
hermy
chil
drenwoul dneed.ButLindabei ngher ,
decidedt oli
eabouttakingcontracept i
ves.
 So
theper sonwhosuf f
ersnow, i
sOl wet ho 
Me;
that
’sapi
ty.Buty
oushoul
dal
sot
ryhar
der
He;Yourpr
obabl
yri
ght
,buti
t’
snotal
way
sthat
bl
ackandwhite.

Wesatont hebeachtalki
ngforhoursonend.It
fel
tgoodnott ofi
ghtf
orachange.Ifel
tlikeI
wasget t
ingt oknowmor eaboutghost.ButI
sti
l
llongedf ormySiya
Bytheti
mewewentbacki nsi
de,i
twasal
ready
get
tingl
ate.Ihaddi
nnerwithhi
m andLi
nda,
andsomeoft heguar
ds,thenwenttomyroom.

Si
yaknockedonmydooraboutanhourl at
er.I
wenttoopenforhi
m andstoodatthedoor
.I
di
dn’
twanthimt ocomein,becauseIwas
weari
ngbum short
spyjamabottoms.

Me;
what
’sup 
Hi
m;canIt
akeashower
Me;
whynotuset
heoneupst
air
s. 
Hi
m;t
hewat
erscol
d
Me;
Ineedt
oputonagownf
ir
st.

Hel
aughedatme.
Him;Babe,I
’v
eseeny
ounakedbef
ore.What
’s
changed? 
Me;
thatwasbef
orewebr
okeup 
Hi
m;Fine,
il
lcl
osemyey
es.Pr
omi
seIwon’
t
l
ook 
Me;
promi
se 
Hi
m;y
es,
pinkypr
omi
se

Iopenedforhi
m, andhepretendedt
oclosehis
eyes.WhenIturnedaroundhehadopened
them.Ihi
thim withapil
lowandhelaughed.

Me;
youpr
omi
sed 
Hi
m;Icoul
dn’
tresi
st

Ihi
thi
m agai
n,andhepul
l
edmecl
oser
Me;
Siy
adon’
t
Hi
m;why
 
Me;
because,
we’
vebr
okenup

Hedi dn’
tli
stent
ome,butinsteadhestar
ted
kissi
ngmyneck.Itr
iedbackingaway,butitj
ust
feltt
oogood.

Me;
mhhhm Si
ya,
stop
Hi
m;doy
our
eal
l
ywantmet
o 
Me;
yes….Mmm no
Hi
m;whi
chonei
sit
?
Me;
don’
tst
op

Hecar
riedonki
ssi
ngmyneck,
whi
l
ehi
shands
wer
eplayingwi
thmyni
ppl
es.
 
Iwant
edsobadl
ytot
ell
himt
ost
op,
butatt
he
samet
ime,
Iwant
edt
obewi
thhi
m

Het ur
nedmear oundandst ar
tedki
ssi
ngmy
l
ips.Iki
ssedhi m back,whil
eunbutt
oni
nghi
s
shir
t.Wecar r
iedonki ssi
nguntil
weboth
couldn’
ttakeitanylonger.
 
Si
yamadel ovetomet hatnight
,li
kei
twasthe
l
astwewoul dbemaki nglov
e.Whenwewer e
done,Ifel
lasleepinhi
sar ms.Iwassoti
red,I
di
dn’thavetimet oponderonwhatwehadj ust
done.

ThemomentIopenedmyey est henext

morning,myheartwasfi
l
ledwi t
hr egr
et.Why
thehellhadIsl
eptwit
hhim again.Whatthe
fuckhappenedtomyself-
respect.

ThemomentItr
iedget
ti
ngoutofbed,
Siy
a
openedhi
sey
es.
Hi
m;wher
eyougoi
ng?
Me;
Ineedt
otakeashower
Hi
m;Iknowwhaty
ou’
ret
hinki
ng 
Me;
soy
ou’
reami
ndr
eadernow
Hi
m;no,
butIcanseet
her
egr
eti
nyourey
es
Me;
Idon’
tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ng
Him; I
tsokRifi
loe,
Ipr
omise,
Ill
behavegoi
ng
forward.Idon’
twantyour
egret
tingany
thi
ng
else.
 
Me;
thx.
Hi
m;plust
here’
snot
hingwr
ongwi
thabi
tof
br
eakupsex

Ihi
thim wit
hthepi
l
low,t
henwentt otakea
shower.WhenIwasdone,Si
yawentt otakea
shower,t
henwewenttohavebreakfast
Wef oundLindaalreadythere.Igr
eetedhert
hen
dishedupformy self
.Siyaaskedmet odi
shup
forhim andbri
ngitupt ohisoffi
ce. 
Igavehim alook,
butdeci
dednottosay
anyt
hing.ForsomereasonIdidn’
twantLi
ndato
knowt hatwehadbrokenup.Iguessi
twasjust
myego

Idi
shedupforhi
m,andtookhi
sbreakfastto
hi
soffi
ce,
thencamebackandsatwithLinda.
Ij
ustf
eltl
i
kei
rr
it
ati
ngher
.

Her
;sot
ell
mesomet
hing
Me;
what
 
Her
;whatl
ovepoti
ondi
dyoufeedhi
m.Phel
a
i
vehear
daboutyousot
hogi
rl
s
Ismiledather.Shemi
ghtbei
nthemoodf
ora
fi
ght.ButtherewasnowhyIwoul
dbe
part
icipat
ion

Me; noneedforalovepoti
ondear.Allhe
neededwasawomanwhowasi nterestedin
hi
m andnothi smoney.Buthey,
Igivey ou
propsforfal
l
ingpregnant
.Causeatleastyou
sti
llhav
eaccesstohim.Butitmusthur tseei
ng
hi
m wi t
hanotherwoman, whenyouthough
havingababybyhim wouldkeephimi nter
ested.

Youcoul
dseeshewasirr
it
ated,
causeshe
st
oodupandtookherf
oodandl ef
t

Si
ya,
camei
nwhenshej
ustl
eft
 
Hi
m;whatwast
hatabout
Me;
nocl
ue
Hi
m;ok,
Wel
lI’
vegotgoodnews
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Him;Bul
letandtheteam havecompletedt
hei
r
missi
on.Luckil
ynottoomanyinjur
ies.Soyou
shoul
dbeabl etogohomei nadayort wo
Me;
oh 
Hi
m;It
houghty
ou’
dbemor
eexci
tedt
hant
hat
 
Me;
Iam,i
t’
sjust…not
hing.Thanksf
orl
ett
ing
meknow.

Siyalookedatmewit
hapuzzl
edlookonhis
face.Igotupandwentt
ochangeintomygym
clot
hes,soIcoul
dgoforar
unt oclearmy
head. 
Iwant
edtoaskhi
m aboutsizwe,butIknewhe
wasn’
tgoi
ngtosayanyt
hing,soIjustl
ethi
m be.

Thef
oll
owi
ngdayHl
okes(
bul
l
et)andt
het
eam
camebackf rom t
heirmissi
on.Iwasactuall
y
gladtoseehim.Ihaddecidedtofor
give,andtr
y
tofor
get.Eventhoughthatwouldbeharder.
PlusIdi
dn’twanttohavehim asanenemy .

Iwasi
nmyr
oom whensi
yacamei
n

Hi
m; y
oushoul
dst
artpacki
ng.Youl
eav
efi
rst
t
hingtomor
rowmor
ning

Me;
Idi
dn’
tbr
ingany
thi
ngr
emember
Hi
m;whataboutal
lthest
uffi
nthecl
oset
 
Me;
that
’snotmyst
uff
. 
Hi
m;Iboughti
tal
lfory
ou 
Me;
Siy
a,Ican’
ttakeal
loft
hoset
hings
Him;Rif
il
oe,ar
eyoutr
yingtowoundme.Imean
Iknowwe’renott
oget
her,butpl
easet
aket
hat
stuf
f.
 
Me;
Itsr
eal
l
ynousear
gui
ngwi
thy
ou
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
ady
ou’
venot
iced.
 
Me; butdoy
our
eal
lyexpectmetobefi
nished
packingbyt
het
imeIgo.There’
stoomuchstuff
totake
Hi
m;I
’
llgetThembi
tocomeandhel
pyou 
Me;
Thanky
ou

Si
yaleft
, andmomentsl
aterThembicamehelp
mepack.Idecidedtogi
vehersomeoft he
cl
othes,becausesomeofthem wher
ejustto
much

Whilewewer epacking,Ifoundal i
tt
lebox .I
openeditandfoundt hemostbeaut if
ul r
ingev er
.
Itwasami xt
ureofwhi teandr osegold.Ilooked
atit
,thenwentupstairstoSiya. 
Icoul
dhearhi
m shout
ingal
lthewaydownt
he
passage.Ifr
ozeabitwhenIgottohisoffi
ce
door.Iwasabouttotur
naroundandgoback
downstair
s,whenhisdooropened.Nail
sand
anotherguar
d,cameoutlooki
ngabi toff
.I
deci
dedt owalki
n,becauseIwasalreadyther
e

Me;
IhopeI
’
m notdi
stur
bingy
ou 
Hi
m;whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Me;
I….Nev
ermi
nd,
I’
ll
justl
eav
eitdownst
air
s 
Hi
m;sui
tyour
sel
f

Iwal
kedoutf
eel
i
ngjustasdownast
heguar
ds
wholef
tafewminut
esfrom me.
 
Itooktheri
ngandplacedi
tinoneofhi
sdr
aws,
thencarr
iedonpacki
ng.

Bytheti
mewewer edone,
itwaswayafter
midni
ght.It
hankedThembi andwentt
obed.
Tobehonestmyhear twasabi tsaw,becauseI
knew, thatwi
thmegoi nghome, i
twouldreall
y
beov erbetweenSiyaandI.Iwouldn’
tgettosee
himint hemorning.Iwoul
dbeabl etolookint
o
hiseyesany more,andIwouldneverbeableto
feelhistouchagain.

Itr
iedsleepingbutsleephaddeserted.I
decidedtogot ogetsomewat erf
rom thef
ri
dge.
Siy
awasont hecouchinlounge.Ifel
tbad
havinghim sleepthere,
soIwentt owakehim.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
what
swr
ong 
Me;
comet
obed

Hedidn’
twai
tformetosayany
thingf
urt
her
.He
j
ustgotupandwentt
oourbedroom
.
 
Icont
inuedt
otheki
tchenandhadmywater
.
WhenIgotbackSi
yawasf astasl
eep.
 
Ispentmostoft
heni
ghtwatchi
nghim sl
eep.
Heseemedsopeaceful
.Therewer
enot r
aces
ofghost
,whenhesl
ept.Ther
ewasjustSiya.

Imusthavefal
lenasl
eep,
becauseIwaswoken
upbySiyatel
li
ngmetogetreadyformyf
li
ght

Igotupandtookashower
,thengotr
eadyt
ogo
totheai
rpor
t.
 
WhenIwasdone, Nai
lsandHlokest
ookmy
bagstothecar
s.WhenIwasabouttoleav
e,I
noti
cedSiyawassti
ll
inhisPy
jamas

Me;
aren’
tyoucomi
ng 
Hi
m;wher
e 
Me;oh,
Ithoughty
ouwer
ecomi
ngbackt
oSA
wi
thme
Him; Ri
fi
loe,
youneedtodeci dewhaty ouwant .
Youcan’thavethi
ngsbot hway s.Youaskedme
toletyougo,butnowwhenIt r
yy ouwantmet o
fl
yallthewaybacktoSAwi thyou.You’r
enot
beingfai
r.Oneminuteyoudon’ twantmei nthe
samebedwi t
hyouandt henlastnightyoutell
met ocomet obedwithy ou.Whatisitthatyou
reall
ywantye

Ouch

Me;
ok,I’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeant
o……nev
er
mi
nd. 
Itookthel
astofmybag.Andheadedtothe
basementparki
ng.Iwasaboutt
ostepi
nt he
car,whenSi
yacamedown.
Him;soyouwer
egoi
ngt
oleav
ewi
thoutsay
ing
goodbye
Me;
Idi
dn’
twantt
odi
stur
byou.
 
Hi
m;Yourbei
ngsi
l
lynow
Me;
OkBy
eSi
ya

Hegav
emeahug.

Hi
m;by
eRi
fi
loe

Hehelpmegeti nthecar.Thenwalkedoff
.I
knewt hiswasgoingtobehar d.ButIdi
dn’
t
expectittobethisbad.ButanywayIhadtaken
adecisionandIhadt ostickt
oit. 
I
twast
imei
gotbackt
omynor
mal
li
fe.
[
05/
11,
19:
31]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
22

Isl
eptthr
oughmostofmyfl
ight
.Thank
goodnessnai
l
swasn'tt
het
alkat
ivet
ype.

Whenwef i
nal
l
yt oucheddowni
nS.
A.nai
ls
droppedmeof fathomewi t
hal
lmyl
uggage.
Thenleft
.

I
nsentSiy
aansmst hanki
nghi
m, andlet
ti
ng
hi
m knowthatIar
ri
vedhomesafel
y. 
IthoughtIwouldbehomehappyt
obehome,
butinst
eadIjustfel
tempt
y

Iwentupstai
rstouptr
yget
ti
ngt
hrough
unpacki
ngmybags.Iendedupl
eavi
ngit
becauseital
lremi
ndedmeofsi
ya.
Itookmyphonet
ochecki
fSi
yahadr
esponded,
butnot
hing.

Aweekl at
erIwasbackatwor k.Tobehonest
theplacef
eltwei
rdwithoutsi
zwe.Butheyli
fe
hadtogoon.Isti
llhadn'
theardanyt
hingfr
om
Siya,
soIguessedthehopesofbeingfri
ends
wasn'tgoi
ngbeanopt i
on.

AsIwassi t
ti
ngatmydesk, Ir
eceiv
edansms
fr
om myf at
her,
informi
ngmet hatt
hemeet
ing
betweenmyf amilyandhl
okesfamil
ywoul
dbe
hel
dont hecomi ngweekend.

TobehonestIhadtotal
lyforgot
tenaboutthe
whol
elobol
aissue.Idecidedtocall
Hlokes,
si
ncewewereonspeaki ngterms.

Hi
m:f
if
i 
Me:
hey
,oj
wang 
Hi
m:keShar
p,wena
Me:Shar
p.Ij
ustgotansmsthatourf
ami
l
ies
ar
emeetingt
hisweekend.
 
Hi
m:oh,
amm y
a,mymom cal
l
edl
astni
ght
 
Me:so,weneedtocomeupwit
hstory
r
egardi
ngyoursocal
ledqui
ckr
ecover
y,and
whywewenawol
Hi
m: i
njustt
oldt
hem youf
oundagooddoct
or
ov
erseaswhowasabletohel
pme.
Me:ok,soundconvi
nci
ng,si
ncenoj
ustt
oldmy
par
entsthatIwasover
seas 
Hi
m:per
fect
 
Me: soweagr
eet
haty
ou'
l
ltakey
ourmoney
back 
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
Me:
bat
hong,
Hlokes.Youcan'
tbeser
ious 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
canwet
alkaboutt
hiskaweekend 
Me:
pleasedon'
ttr
yanyofy
ourt
ri
cks
Hi
m:canwedr
ivedownt
oget
her
 
Me:
what
'
swr
ongwi
thy
ourcar
Hi
m:nothi
ng,Ij
ustf
iguredi
twouldbeMoef un
t
ogotogether
.Ther
e'snoharminthati
sthere 
Me:
Iguessnot
 
Hi
m:soI
'
llseey
ouonFr
iday
 
Me:
shar
p

Ihungup,andconti
nuedwor ki
ng.Ihoped
Hlokeswouldn'
tpr
otestabouttakinghismoney
back.I
fIwasgoingt omoveon, iwantedal
l
tr
acesofmypaster ased

Theweekwentbyqui t
equickl
y.Iwasst
arti
ng
togetusedtobeingi
nmyhouse.Thef i
rstf
ew
nightswer
eabithardbecause,
Ikepton
replayi
ngt
henightwhenIwastakentoCuba.
Butnow,If
eltl
i
keIwasget
ti
ngbackt
obei
ng
myself
.

OnFri
dayItookthedayoff
.Hl
okeshadarri
ved
onThursdayf
rom Cubaandwewereleav
ingat
ar
ound11t oheadtoqwaqwa.
 
Atar
ound10:
00Ical
l
edhl
okes

Hi
m:hey
 
Me:
tel
lmey
ournotst
il
lsl
eepi
ng 
Hi
m"mf
eto,
jetl
agi
snoj
oke
Me:
ok,
sowhatt
imear
ewel
eav
ing
Hi
m:canwemakei
t12
Me:
fine.Youbet
terber
eadywhenIgett
her
e
Hi
m:y
esmam

Iwentupst
air
stof
ini
shpacki
ng.Thenat11:
30,
Idr
ovet
oHl
okeshot
el.

Byt
het
imeIgott
her
e,Hl
okeswasr
eady
. 
Iopenedt
hebootf
orhi
m andgav
ehi
mthe
keys

Hi
m:haw,
fif
iIt
houghty
ouwer
edr
ivi
ng 
Me;wahl
any
a,y
ourdr
ivi
ng.Km noty
ourt
axi
dr
iver
 
Hi
m:haai
,okgeti
n

Igotinandwedr ovehome.Wechat tedal oton

theway ,
andtalkedaboutoldtimes.Hlokes
wasbeinghischarmi ngself
,butkepttothe
boundari
es.Iwantedt oaskhim aboutSiya,but
thoughtitwoul
dbei nappropri
ate.

Byt
het
imewer
eachedqwaqwa,
itwas15:
30.I
wassoexci
tedt
obehome.I
thadbeenal
ong
t
ime.

Itol
dHlokestodr
opmeoffathome,
andhe
coul
dtakethecart
ohi
shome.Whichisonl
ya
fewhousesdown. 
Shewearri
vedatmyhome, Iopenedthegate
andhedrovein.Iknewi twasstil
learl
yformy
parent
stobehomef r
om wor k,butatl
east,
I
knewwherethekey sstay.

WhenItri
edopeni
ngthedoor,Inot
icedthatt
he
doorwasn'
tl
ocked.Iwenti
nthinki
ngthat
maybemymom ordadwashome.

Hlokescamei naft
ermewi thmybags.Then
wenttof et
vhghegiftsi
hadboughtformy
mom. .Ical
ledoutformymom butnoone
answered.Iguesstheyfor
gottol
ockthedoor
whentheyl
eftt
hismorni
ng.Hl
okesputmy
bagsi
nmyr oom,whi
leIopendthewindows.
WhenIwasdoneHlokeswasget t
ingeadyt
o
l
eave.

Iaskedhimtof
ir
sthel
pmebri
ngt
hepresent
sI
boughtformymom.Iwant
edt
oputt
hem inher
room.

WhenIopenedmymot her
'sbedroom,
Isaw
somet
hingthatdi
dn'
tseem r
ight
.

I
twasj
ustr
ed.Ev
ery
thi
ngwasr
ed.
 
Ther
ewer
eredspot
sev
ery
wher
e.
Ther
ewasbl
oodev
ery
wher
e 
Il
ookedatthebed,
andmypar
ent
slayt
her
e,
moti
onless 
Mymot
her
'shandswer
eti
edbehi
ndheback,
shehadabul
l
ethol
ethr
oughherhead.
Myfat
herlaynextt
oherwi
thabul
l
ett
hrough
t
heheart

It
ri
edmov
ing,
butmybodywoul
dn'
tpar
ti
cipat
e 
Iwantedtotoucht
hem,andmakesureIwasn'
t
dreaming,
butmylegs,
wouldn'
tmove

Hlokesdr
oppedthest
uffhehadinhi
shands,
andtri
edtogetmeoutofther
e. 
Iwantedt
oscr
eam butmyv
oicewoul
dn'
tl
et
me. 
It
ri
edcr
yingbutmyt
ear
swoul
dn'
tcome

Hl
okespi
ckedmeupandputmei
nthel
ounge.

Isatt
her
ewi
thmyhandsar
oundmyl
egs.Ikept
r
ocki
ngbackandforth.Iwant
edt
omov
e.I
r
eal
lydi
d,buti
couldn't
.

WhenHlokesgotback,hetri
edtalki
ngbuti
coul
dn'
thearwhathewassay .Het r
iedshaki
ng
me,butidi
dn'
trespond.Ij
ustlookedathim.

Afewminutesl
atert
hehousewasf
il
ledwi
th
t
hepol
ice.
 
Isawsomeguy swalki
ngintomyparent
sroom
withsomesortofst
rcher
s.Whenthecameout,
theyhadcov
eredthem wit
hawhit
elooking
sheet.

Hl
okeshadn'
tl
eftmysi
det
hewhol
eti
me.

Him:r
ifi
l
oe,youcan'
tst
ayher
e.Ineedt
oget
yououther
e
Me:
no
Him:Ri
fi
loethi
spl
acei
sacr
imescene.You
can'
tbehere 
Me:
pleaset
ell
meI
'
m dr
eami
ng 
Him:
IwishIcoul
d.I
'
ddoany
thi
ngt
oer
asewhat
youj
ustsaw

Icouldfi
nall
yfeelmytearsapproaching.It
start
edallcomingtoget
her.Mypar entsare
gone,andtheyweretakeninthemost
gruesomeway .Whywoul danyonedeci det
odo
this

Ifi
nall
yleti
tout.Icoul
dn'
thol
ditany
more.I
t
wasast houghtsomeonehadtakenoutmy
heartandri
ppedIntotwo 
Myscreamscoul
dpr obabl
ybeheardal
ltheway
upourstr
eet
.Iwantedthepai
nout.Al
lofit
.I
want
edittobegone.
Hlokesheldmet hewholeti
me.Helooked
mor t
if
ied.Ithinkhedi
dn'tknowwhattodo.He
heldmet hroughmyscr eams.Hekepttel
l
ing
mei twasgoi ngtobeok.

Thelastthi
ngIr ememberwasHl okesgett
ing
somet hi
ngoutofhi sbag.Hegav emewat erto
dri
nk.Idrankitall
,thenslowlydr
ift
edtosleepin
hi
sar ms.Atleastwi t
hmebei ngasleep,
the
darknessofthewor ldcouldn'
tgettome.
[
05/
11,
19:
32]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

23

WhenIwokeupsomet i
mel at
er,Iwasasmy
aunt'
shouse.Icoul
dherepeopletal
king.Idi
dn'
t
botherwaki
ngup.Whatwast hepointwhenall
anyonecoul
dsaywasI '
m sorr
y.
Ilayinbedcryi
ngsilent
ly.Whenev
erIwoul
d
closemyey es,
all
Icouldseemymom anddad
l
ieinginapoolofblood.

Hlokeswal
kedi
nawhi
l
elat
er.Ipr
etendedt
obe
asleep.

Hesatont
hebed.

Hi
m:Iknowy
ourawake 
Me:
whatdoy
ouwant
Hi
m:Ij
ustwant
edt
omakesur
eyourok
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Him:I
'm sosor ryr
if
il
oe,Iwi
shIcouldt
akethe
pai
nyourf eeli
ngandcarryi
tonyourbehalf
.I
youshouldn'thaveseenwhatyousaw.Itwasn'
t
ri
ght
 
Me:
doy
ouknowwhodi
dthi
s
Hi
m:no,
butwer
etr
yingt
ofi
ndout
 
Me:
hav
ethepol
i
cesai
dany
thi
ng 
Hi
m: no,notasyet
,butt
hecasei
smost
pr
obablygoingt
obehandedovert
oourt
eam.
Si
yaiswor ki
ngonit
Me:doyout
hinkt
hishasany
thi
ngt
odowi
th
Si
zwesgang
Him:wedon'
tknowf orsur
e.Butwe'
ret
ryingt
o
f
indout
,becausewewer eundert
heimpressi
on
t
hatwehadeliminat
edalloft
hem

Istart
edcryi
ngagain.IwantedtohateHlokes,
becauseift
hishadany t
hingtodowi thSi
zwe,
thenitwoul
dbeonhi mt hatthosethugscame
afterme.Andwhent heycouldn'
tfi
ndme, they
wentaf t
ermyparents
Him:Iknowyoubl
ameme.Yourri
ghtto.I
'l
l
under
standi
fyoudon'
tev
erwantany
thingtodo
wit
hme
Me:what '
stheuse?Theresnot
hingyoucoul
dve
done.BlamingyouIt'
snotgoi
ngtochange
anyt
hing.It
snotgoingtkbri
ngthem back
Hi
m:Ipromi
seyouI
'
llf
indwhodi
dthi
s,andI
'
ll
maket
hem pay
Me:
Iknowy
ouwi
l
l

Isatcry
ingi
nHlokesar
ms.Iknewthatev
en
thoughIwasn'
ti
nlovewit
hhi
m.Hewoul dmove
heavenandeart
htofi
ndwhodidthi
s.Andthat
alonegavemecomfort
.

Me:
Hlokes 
Hi
m:y
es
Me:
promi
semeonet
hing 
Hi
m:any
thi
ng 
Me:whenyoufi
ndwhoeverdi
dthi
s.I
'
llbet
he
oneputabull
ett
hrought
hei
rhead

Hedi
dn'
tanswerme

Me:
youhav
etopr
omi
se 
Hi
m:r
if
il
oey
ouknowIcan'
tdot
hat
Me:
please,
Ineedy
out
opr
omi
se
Hi
m:I
'
llseewhatIcando 
Me;
thanky
ou.

Myauntwal
kedi
nwhi
l
eIwassi
tt
ingwi
th
Hl
okes.

Igotuptogi
veherahug.Webot
hecr
ied
toget
her
.Sheremi
ndedmesomuchofmydad.
Shehadhi
sey
es,
andhi
ssmi
l
e

Her;
Manana,
thepeoplefr
om chur
chhave
ar
ri
vedf
oraprayersessi
on,y
oushoul
djoi
nus
Me:doIhaveto.I
'
m notsur
eI'
mreadyt
oface
peopl
etoday
Her
:ok.I
'
llhandl
eit
.Yougety
our
sel
fsomer
est
Me:
thanksr
akgadi

Shelef
ttojoi
nthepeoplefr
om chur
ch,
andisat
wit
hhlokes.Wedidn'
treal
l
ytal
kmuch.Hej
ust
hel
dmeandl etmecry.

Imust'
vedri
ft
edofftosl
eepbecausei was
wokenupbymyphoner ingi
ng,andHlokeswas
gone.WhenIcheckedt
hecallerI
D,i
twasSiya

Me:
hi
Hi
m:hey
,howy
ouhol
dingup
Me:
fine
Hi
m:Ihear
dabouthappened.I
'
m sosor
ry 
Me:
thanks
Hi
m;i
sther
eany
thi
ngIcandof
ory
ou
Me:
findt
hebast
ardswhodi
dthi
s
Hi
m:Iwil
lfi
fi
.Iwon'
trestt
il
lIf
indt
hem.I
pr
omise
Him:I'
llt
rybeingt
heresoon.I
t'
sabitdif
fi
cul
t
because,I
'm shor
tstaf
fedwit
houtbul
let
,butI
'm
surenail
swillmanage
Me:Siy
a,I'
m noty
ourresponsi
bil
i
ty. 
Ican
managejustfi
newit
houtyou.Rathertakecar
e
ofbusi
ness.
Him;Iknowyoucanmanage.Ij
ustfeel
so
hel
plessbei
ngthIf
arawayfrom y
ou 
Me:
I'
vegott
ogo
Hi
m:I
'
llspeakt
oyout
omor
row 
Me:
shar
p

Ihungup.Idon' tknowwhyIwasbei ngsocold

towardshim.Iknewi twasn'thisfaul
tthathe
wasn'there.Butsomehow, Iwishedhewas.But
atthesamet i
meIwasj ustir
rit
atedbyt he
thoughtifhim.

Itr
iedgoingbacktosleep,butunfor
tunately
i
nsomni ahadkickedi
n.Wheni l
ookedatt he
ti
mei twas02:00am.It houghtofcall
ing
Hlokesandaskinghimf orsomeoft hose
sl
eepingpollhegavemeear l
i
er.Butdecided
notto.

Imissedheari
ngmymom' sv oice,sodi al
l
edher
number,sonIcoul
dhearherv oicemail.The
minuteshespoke,
Ifel
tmyhear tgett
ingheavy.
Icoul
dn'tIwoul
dneverhearherv oiceagain.
ThatIwoul
dn'
tsi
tnexttomydàdandsi
ng
al
ongtoHughmasekela,

Mymom al waysusedtosay
,pr
aywhenyour
feel
ingheavy,
soiGotdownonmykneesand
star
tedspeaki
ngtoGod.

Me: Lord,IknowI '

m notper f
ect ,
Iknowt hatI'
m
asinnerbef oreyoureyes,buti needy ounow
mor ethanI '
veeverneededy ou.Myhear tis
heavy,Iam f i
ll
edwi t
hanger ,hatredandwor st
ofallhate.Ineedy outohel pmegett hrough
thi
s.Inev erthoughtIwoul dbeanor phanat
suchay oungage, butiknowt hatitwasy our
wil
l.IknowI 'veneglect
edmyf aith,butineed
youLor d.Ineedy ouinmyl ife,Ineedy out ake
awayt hepai n.Pl
ease,justhelpme.Hel pme.
Amen
Ii
mmediat
elyfel
tabi
tbet
ter
,andmanagedt
o
dr
if
tof
ftosleep.

Thefol
lowi
ngmor ni
ngIwokeupanddecidedto
makebreakf
astformyauntanduncl
e.Idi
dn'
t
wanttobeinbedagainthewhol
eday.My
motherwould'
vetol
dmesi t
ti
ngi
nbedwasn't
goi
ngtochangeanythi
ng

Iwant
edtohonourmypar
ents,becauset
hey
hadbr
oughtmeuptobestrong.
 
Whenmyauntcant othekitchen, shel ooked
j
ustasbadasIdi d.Youcoul dtellshe'dbeen
cryi
ng, becausherey eswer ejustasswol l
enas
mine.Igav eherahugandwentt ofinishif
breakfast.Myuncl ecamet oj oi
nus.Igav ehim
ahug, becauseIhadn' tseenhi mtheni ght
before.Whenwebr okthehug, hegr abbedan
Appleandl eft.Hewasal readylatef orwor k,
so
hedidn'thav eti
met oeat
.
Me:
sor
akgadi
what
'
sthepl
anf
ort
oday
Her
:boNtat
emohol owil
lbear
riv
ingt
oday
,so
wecanst
artthepr
eparat
ionsf
orthef
uner
al.
 
Me:
hav
ethepol
i
cesai
dany
thi
ng?
Her:no,butt
heyconfi
rmedthattheywon'tbe
handli
ngthecase.Appar
ent
lyit
'sbeinghandl
ed
byanotherdepar
tment 
Me;Isee.Sowi
l
lIbeabl
etocl
eanupt
he
house 
Her
;noty
et,
itsst
il
lconsi
der
edacr
imescene
Me:
ok,
buti
don'tWantany
bodyel
secl
eani
ng
momsr
oom,exceptf
ormeoryou
Her
:ar
eyousur
eyourupt
oit
 
Me:yes,
Idon'
texpectany
bodyel
set
odoi
t.
Theyweremyparents.

Myauntl
ookedatmewi
thsomuchwor
ryi
nher
ey
es.

Her;
youknowy ouwil
lalwayshav
emei nyour
l
if
e.IknowIcanneverrepl
acemybrot
herand
hi
swife,buti
fyouneedanythi
ng,
youcan
al
wayscountonme
Me;
thanky
ou.
 
Her
:youshoul
dgobat
h.Bat
hobabahol
owi
l
l
beher
esoon
Me:
ok

Iwenttobat
h,anddeci
dedt
ocal
lHl
okes,Ihad
afeel
ingIwoul
dneedmycartor
unerr
ands

Hi
m:f
if
i,I
'
mjustdr
ivi
ngi
n
Me:
oh,
o.k.
.I'
l
lseey
ounow
Ihungupandwentt
otakeabat
h.

WhenIcameoutHl
okeswashav
ingt
eawi
th
myaunt.

Her:r
if
iloe,
youcan'twearj
eansdur
ingyour
mourningprocessyouri
nlawswil
lbehere
soon.Andcov ery
ourhead
Me;butrakgadiIdi
dntbr
ingski
rt
s.Ihadj
ust
boughtonedresswithme.
Her:well
youbet
tergoshoppi
ngbefor
eNtat
ea
fi
hla,
pluswatsi
bahoreostri
ctj
wang.Hewi
ll
haveyourheadt
hemomenthear ri
ves
Me:
ok.Hl
okeswi
l
lyout
akeme
Her:
andr
emembernottocal
lyourhusbandby
hi
snameinf
rontoft
hem

Iwant
edt
opr
otest
,butcoul
dn'
tbecauset
he
restofmyfamil
ydi
dn'
tknowabouthl
okesandI
beingsepar
ated

Iwenttotakemybag,andwewenttowaitf
or
Hlokesi
nt hecar
.Whenhegoti
n,hedr
iveme
totown

Him:areyougoi
ngt
ofi
ndwhatyourl
ooki
ngf
or
hereorshoul
dwegosomewher
eelse.
Me:
Ishoul
dbeabl
etof
indsomet
hingher
e
Him:I
'm sorryaboutever
ythi
ngr i
fil
oe.I'
m sor
ry
wehavet opretendtobetogether.Iknowhow
hardt
hatmustbe, si
nceyouri
nl ovewith
somoneel se
Me: i
t'
sfi
ne,canwej
ustgetthroughthef
uner
al,
thenwecandealwit
heveryt
hingelse
after
wards 
Hi
m:sur
e
Wewentshoppi ngt
ogether
,Hlokeswas
l
aughingatmebecauseheknewIhat edl
ong
dresses.Iboughtaf
ew, t
hendecidedtobuy
groceri
esformyaunt '
shouse.Knowingthesi
ze
ofmyf amily,
wewoul dbeneedinglot
soffood

Bythetimehlokesandi gotyomyaunt '

shouse,
myf amil
yeldershadarr
ived.IaskedHl okesto
takement ohishousesoIcoul dchangei ntoa
dress.Healsoneededtoputonaj acket.Idi
dn'
t
wantmygr andfat
herscoldi
ngmei nfr
ontofmy
enti
refamil
y.

Iqui
ckl
ychangedt
henHl
okest
ookmet
omy
aunt
s.

WhenIarr
ivedIgreet
edever
ybody.Youcoul
d
t
ell
theyal
llookedashear
tbrokenasIwas.I
satonmygr
andf
ather
slapashehuggedme

Theroom inwassleepinginhadbeent
urned
i
ntothemai nmourningroom.Thebedhad
beentakenout,andmi r
ror
swerecover
ed.And
onlyamattressremained.

Wehadaf amilymeeti
ngtodi scussthefuneral
.
Wedeci dedthatweweregoi ngtohav ethe
funeralatmyparent
shousedespi t
eitbeing
wher etheyt
ookthei
rlastbreath.Weal so
decidedtohaveaclosedcasketbecausemy
mot herhadbeenshotinthehead.

Oncethemeet
ingwasov er
,someoft
hef
ami
l
y
t
hatli
vedcl
osebylef
t,whil
etheot
her
s
r
emained

Thef
oll
owi
ngdaywewer
egi
vencl
ear
anceby
t
hecopstouset
hehouse,
Myauntwentwi
th
metocl
eanmyparent
sbedroom.

WhenIwalkedin,Istoodatthendoorfora
moment.Thenwewal kedi
n.Thetearsjust
st
art
edpouring,butnonethenlessIconti
nued
wi
thwhatIwasdoi ng.

Wedecidedtogetourmalerel
ati
vest oBurnthe
fur
nit
ureandthebeddi
ngbecausethebl ood
wouldn'
tcomeout.Weawer eabletowipet he
wall
s,butgotmycousin'
stopai
ntthem
becauseyoucoul
dstil
lseesomeoft heblood.

Byt hetimewewer eallfi

nishedall
tracesof
bloodwasgone.Nowal lthatwasleftwasfor
thepast or'
sfr
om churchtocomebl essthe
house, andwewoul dbeabl etoconti
nuewith
thef uneral
.
Astheweekwenton, t
hemorefami l
yarri
ved.
Myf r
iendshadsentfl
owers,andcal l
edme
ever
ydayt omakesur eIwasok.MyauntandI
hadbeent heonesgoingupanddowndoi ngthe
arr
angement sforSat
urday
.Nowt hatitwas
Fri
day,all
thatwasneededwasf orthecowsto
beslaughter
ed.

Thetentwasup, t
hecater
ingteam hadarr
ived,
andthedecorpeoplewerebusysetti
ngup.I
wantedever
ythingtobeperf
ect,becauset
his
wouldbethefinalt
hingIwoul
dgett odoforMy
par
ents.

Siy
aandsomeofhi sguardsarr
ivedonFriday.
Don'tgetmewr ong,Iwashappytoseehim ne,
buttherewassomet hi
ngabouthim, t
hatkindof
annoy edme.Li
keIdon'tknowwhy ,si
nceI
hadn'tseenhi
mf oroveramonth.Haai
Anywayi concentratedonmaki ngsurethe
decorandcateringpeopl eweredoing
ever
ythi
ngIwant ed.WhileSiyaandHlokes
werehelpingmyuncl e'
sslaught
er.
 
Itwaski ndofstr
angeseeingSi
ya,thesavvy
businessman/ gangst
er/speci
alopsleader
,
slaughteri
ngacow.Hel ookedsoinhiselement
.

Onceweslaughter
edmymom anddadwer e
boughthome.Theywoul
dstaywit
hus,ti
ll
tomorr
ow,whenwewouldlaythem t
orest.

LaterHlokes,cametotel
lmet hatt
heywer e
l
eav i
ng.Ast i
redasIwas,Ideci
dedtowal k
them out.Si
yaandhisteam wereapparentl
y
stayi
ngataguesthousedownt heroadfrom
myhouse.
Saturdayarrivedandeverythi
ngwasi norder.
Hlokesar r
ivedwithSiy
aandt heteam.Imust
saytheyalldapperi nt
heirsuit
s.Igreetedthem,
andhel pedfixHlokesti
e,Itwasn'
tsitti
ngright
.
Youcoul dseeSi yawasannoy ed,buttherewas
nothi
ngIcoul ddo.

Thecer emonywasbeaut i
ful
.Thecommuni ty
hadcomeouti nnumber stosupportus.Isatbi
n
thefrontr ow,withbothmymom anddads
famil
y .Thechur chchoirreal
lyl
if
tedmyspi ri
ts,
especial l
ywhent heysangmymomssong.We
allr
eflect edont heli
femypar entsport
rayed.I
didn'
tt hinkIwasgoi ngtospeak,butideci
ded
to.Thankf ul
lyIdidn'
tbreakdown

Aft
erwewer ebackfrom t
hegraveyard.Lunch
wasserves.ThenPeopl
estart
edleaving.The
decorwastakendown,andthecaterershadleft
.
Theonlypeoplel
eftwereafewfami l
ymember s,
andsomef
ri
ends

Somemycousi nswer esitti

ngint hetent,
organisi
ngtheaftert
ear s.Idecidedtojointhem.
Ineededabot t
leofwi ne.Thenl aterSiy
and
Hlokescamet ojoinus.Myol dercousinand
Hlokeswenttobuyal cohol atanearbyl iquour
store,
butTheywer eannoy ingmebecauset hey
keptcall
inghl
okesSbar i i
nfrontofsiya.Mxm

WhenHl okesleftSi
yasentmeansms, asking
t
ot alkt
ome. Iwantedtosayno,butiki
ndof
missedchatti
ngt ohim.It
oldhi
mI '
dmeethi m
i
nhi sCar.Hegotupandwentt ohiscar,t
henI
f
ollowedawhi lelat
er

Isati
nfr
ontandclosedt
hedoor.Somehowmy
moodtowardshi
mi mmediat
elychanged
Hi
m:howy
ouhol
dingup 
Me:I
'
m get
ti
ngt
her
e.Someday
sar
ebet
tert
han
ot
her
s 
Hi
m:y
ouknowI
'
m her
eifuNeedany
thi
ng 
Me;
that
'si
fIwoul
dbeabl
etogethol
dofy
ou 
Hi
m;what
'
sthatsupposedt
omean
Me:
not
hing 
Hi
m:y
ourshut
ti
ngmeout
 
Me:
Iwasn'
tawar
eIwassuppor
tedt
olety
oui
n

Hesi
ghed

Hi
m:sot
hisi
sthewayt
hingswi
l
lbebet
ween
us
Me:
howdi
dyouexpectt
hingst
obe
Hi
m:It
houghtwecoul
dbef
ri
ends 
Me:
arewedoneher
e
Hedidn'tanswer
.Iwasaboutt
oopent
hedoor
,
buthelockedit

Me:
Siy
a,opent
hedoor
 
Hi
m:we'
renotdoneher
e 
Me:
Iam
Hi
m:sol
etmet
alk
Me:
I'
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m:Ineedy
out
ocomebackt
oCuba
Me:
nothappeni
ng 
Him:it
'sfory
ourownsaf et
y.Wedon'tknow
whoisbehindwhathappenedtoyourparent
s.I
needtoknowy oursafe,
andicantkeepyou
safeal
l t
hewayfrom cuba 
Me:Ican'
ttal
kaboutt
hisnow,
Hlokesandmy
cousi
nwil
lbebacksoon
Hi
m:ar
eyousl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m
Me:
excuseme
Him:youguysseem cl
ose.Iwantt
oknowi
f
yourbackt
ogether
 
Me:notthati
tsanyofyourbusi
ness,
butno,
I'
m
notsl
eepingwit
hHlokes 
Hi
m:good
Me:
cany
ouunl
ockt
hedoornow
Hi
m;f
ine,
butt
hisconv
ersat
ioni
sn'
tov
er

Iunl
ockedthedoorandwal kedbacktothetent
annoyedatSiya.Hehadntretur
nedmy
mesaagesforov eramonth,andnowhe
wantedtoplaythesuperhero.Idi
dntwantor
needhispi
ty.Iam deter
mineddetermi
nedto
getthr
oughthisalone
[
05/
12,
15:
44]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
24(
bonus)

Whenhlokesandmycousi nret
urned,Weput
theal
coholaplast
icbath,andallchil
l
ed.Itki
nd
offel
tgoodtounwindaf t
erthestressI'
vehad
beenthr
ough.Plusimissedmywi ne.

Pitymywi nedidn'tmissmebecause, ihadonl

y
hadaf ewsipsofmywi ne,whenistart
ed
feeli
ngnauseous.Ir antot
hebathroom and
dispel
ledallt
hef oodandwi nef
rom today. 
Ithoughti
tmust
'vebeenthebeefst
ew,
even
thoughIhadonl
yhadal i
tt
lebi
tofit
.

Wheniwentbackout si
deIdi
dn'
tbot
herhavi
ng
any
mor ealcohol
.Ij
ustsatwi
thmycousi
n'sand
enj
oyedtheircompany.
Si
yawaslooki
ngatmewithaquest
ionabl
elook
onhi
sface.Ij
usti
gnor
edhim

Laterthatday,Si
yaandhisteam wer
egett
ing
readytogobackt ojhb.IknowIwascold
towardsSiyaearli
er,
butapartofmedidn'
t
wantHi mt ogo.soisenthi
m amessage
readi
ng" Areyoureal
lygoi
ng "

Hesi
mpl
yrespondedwi
thj
ustay
es

Ilookeddownatmyphoneandt
ear
s
threat
enedmyeyes.
 
Idon'
tknowwhyIwasactingthi
sway
.It
'snot
l
ikeweweretoget
herany
mor e. 
Hehadpr
obabl
ymov
edonal
ready

Theguar
dscamet
ogi
vemeahugandsai
d
thei
rgoodbyes.It
hankedthem forcomi
ngand
gavethem gi
ngerbeerandbiscuit
sfort
her
oad.

Siyacametosaygoodbye.Hegavemeahug,
I
tr
iedlet
ti
nggo,buthehel
dmet r
ight
er

Hi
m:pl
easet
hinkaboutCuba 
Me:
I'
veal
ready
..
..
.
Hi
m:don'
tmakemedr
agy
out
her
e

Ii
mmedi
atel
ybr
oket
hehug.

Me:
don'
tyoudar
e 
Hi
m:y
ouknowIwi
l
l.Pl
usbul
l
etagr
eeswi
thme

Il
ookedathi
m.Thi
smanwasi
nsaney
az
Me:aminut
eagoyousai
dIwassl
eepingwith
hi
m,andnowthet
woofy ouar
edi
scussing
me. 
Him;bull
etcanonlykeepyousafehereforso
l
ong.Weneedy ouinCuba,whereIhave
enoughprotect
ion.I
t'
sdif
fi
cultspl
i
tti
ngthe
team bet
weenS. AandCuba 
Him:mostofmymenareal
readywat
chi
ngov
er
you.Ican'
tspar
eany
mor
e 
Me:
Ihav
en'
tnot
icedanyoft
hem
Him: y
ouwoul dn'
tnoti
ce,i
t'
stheirj
obtobe
di
screet.Butonceyourbackinjhb,i
twil
lbe
harder 
Me:
I'
ll
takemychances 
Hi
m: i
ll
beinjhbforaweekort
wo.Wecan
di
scussthi
sthen
Me;
fine
Hegav
emeaki
ssont
hecheek.
,thenl
eft

         


Istayedinqwaqwaf oranotherweek.Ineeded
tomakesur eal
lmypar entsaffai
rswerein
order,bef
orer
etur
ningtojhb.Weal sohadt o
perform mycl
eansi
ngcer emony.Soal li
nall
wehadabusyweek.Iwasexhaust ed.
 
Thef
amilydeci
dedtohaveoneofmycousi
n'
s
l
ookaft
ermypar ent
shouse.

OnthedaythatIl
efttogot ojhb.Itook,af
ewof
mymot her
'sbel
ongingswi t
hme.Ineeded
somethi
ngthatwouldkeepmecl osertoher.I
al
soaskedHlokestot akemet hegr av
eyar
d.He
drov
emet hereandwai tedi
nt hecar.
Iwant
edt osaygoodby ebecauseIwasn'tsure,
whenI'dbecominghomeagai n.Ilookedat
bot
htheirtombstonesandsmi l
ed.Atleastthey
weretoget
herduringl
ifeandduri
ngdeat h.And
nowtheyrestednexttoeachother.

Iputfr
eshf
lower
sonbot
hthei
rst
onest
henl
eft
forj
hb.

Wedr ov
ebackt oj
hbmost lyi
nsil
ence.Iwasn'
t
exact
lygoodcompany .Iwasthi
nki
nghow
str
angeitwasthatIwasnowanor phan.I
cal
ledmymom' scellphonetohearher
voi
cemail.I
tal
lsti
l
lseemedsosur r
eal,but
heari
nghervoi
cemadet hi
ngseasi
er.

Whenwearr
ivedi
njhb.Hl
okesdr
oveme
st
rai
ghtt
omyhouse
Me:
howar
eyougoi
ngt
ogett
oyourhot
el
Hi
m:di
dn'
tSi
yat
ell
you 
Me:
tel
lmewhat
 
Hi
m:I
'
llbest
ayi
ngwi
thy
ouf
orawhi
l
e 
Me:
li
kehel
lyourar
e
Him:look,I
'
mjustfol
l
owingorder
s.Pl
usyou'
re
theonewhodecidednotgotoCuba.Sot
he
onlyopti
onist
hatist
aywithyou.

Iwassot i
redIdidn'
tbotherargui
ngwithhi
m.I
j
ustopenedt hehouseandwentt otakeabath.I
want
edt orelaxandenjoyli
einginmybed

Whil
eIwasInthebath,Icouldhearmyphone
ri
ngi
ng.Ij
ustl
eti
tgot ovoicemailbecauseI
di
dn'
tfeel
li
kegett
ingouty et
.

Ionl
ygotoutt
hebat
hwhent
hewat
erwascol
d.
Idr
iedmysel
foff
,loti
oned,
thengotdr
essed.I
wasn'
tpl
anni
ngongoi nganywher
eSoi st
uckto
myleggi
ngsandat shi
t

WhenIgott
hel
oungeHl
okeswassi
tt
ingt
her
e
wi
thapenandpaper

Me:
whaty
oudoi
ng 
Him:makingashoppi ngli
st.I
tI'
m goi
ngtobe
stayi
nghere,
theleastyoucandoi smakesure
I'
m Fed.Andknowingy ou,I
'
llbeli
vi
ngoffsal
ad.
 
Me:
whosai
dyourst
ayi
ng 
Hi
m:ghost
 
Me:t
hisi
smyhouseHl
okes.Youguy
scan'
tj
ust
doasYoupl
ease 
Hi
m: t
akeitupwit
hthebi
gboss.He'
sonhi
s
wayhereanyway
 
Me:
mxm,
youbet
teraddmywi
net
hatl
i
stof
hour
s.

Hel
aughedandt
ookmycarkey
s

Me:
andwhil
eyourati
t,pl
easet
akemycart
o
t
hecarwash
Hi
m:mxm,
youknowInoty
ourer
randboyr
ight
 
Me;
pret
typl
ease

Hedi
dn'
tanswer
,Hej
ustwal
kedout
.

Siy
aarr
ivedmomentsaft
erHl
okesl
eft
.He
l
ookedsoy ummy.Hehadont
hatnavysui
the
hadwornthedaywemet.

Hi
m:hi
Me:
hi
Hi
m:howy
oudoi
ng 
Me:
I'
m goodt
hanx
Hi
m: good.Icamet
odi
scussy
ourl
i
ving
ar
rangements
Me:
Siy
aIj
ustar
ri
ved,
can'
twedot
his
t
omorr
ow 
Hi
m:notr
eal
l
y,t
hesoonert
hebet
ter

Il
ookedathi
m andpout
ed.Ir
eal
l
ywasn'
ti
nthe
mood.Ij
ustwantedt
orel
ax

Me;
canIof
fery
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink
Hi
m:pl
ease
Me:ok,I
'
vegotjui
ce,wat
er,
teaorwoul
dyou
l
ikesomethi
ngstr
onger 
Hi
m:I
'
llt
aket
hesomet
hingst
ronger
Me:
baddayha?
Hi
m;y
ouhaenoi
dea
Me:ok,someHennesseycomi
ngr
ightup.You
gosi
tinthel
ounge

Ipour
edhim aclassofHennessey,neat
.And
wenttosi
twithhim.Hefi
nisheditwithonegul
p.

Me:
IhopeI
'
m nott
heonest
ressi
ngy
ouout
 
Hi
m:y
ourpar
tofi
t.
 
Me;
sowhatcanIdot
omakei
tbet
ter

Hesmi
l
ed.

Hi
m:y
oudon'
twantt
oknow

Il
aughed
Me:
wel
li
nthatcase,
youcansuf
feri
nsi
l
ence
Hi
m:I
'
vemi
ssedy
oursmar
tmout
h 
Me:
ist
hatal
l
,you'
vemi
ssed 
Him;(
chuckl
es)no,butidon'
tthi
nky
ouwantt
o
knowwhatelseI
'vemissed.

Iwantedtoanswerhi m, butt
henhisphonerang.
Heanswer editandIknewi twasLinda.Mxm
mymoodi mmi diet
lydampened.Lucki
lyHlokes
arr
ivedcarryi
ngshoppingbags,soIwentt o
helphim.Whi l
eunpackingIsawthewi ne,
I
i
mmedi atelystoppedandopenedt hebott
le.
Hlokeslookedatmeandshookhi shead.

Ii
gnoredhi
m andwenttosi
tint
helounge.
ThankGodSiyawasdonewit
hhiscall

Hi
m:wher
ewer
ewe
Me:
nowher
e,Iwasaboutt
ogoupst
air
s 
Hi
m:wi
tht
hewhol
ebot
tl
eofwi
ne
Me:
yes,
ithel
psmeDest
ress
Hi
m:i
fyousayso.Butr
athersi
ther
e

Isatnexttohim,andwechatt
edaboutdmall
thi
ngs.Ihadaf ewsipsoft
hewine,
andstat
ed
feel
ingdizzy
. 
Iranupst ai
r,andoutcameal lt
hef
oodf r
om
today.Ididn'tunderst
andwhatwashappeni
ng,
I'
venev erhadapr obl
em wit
hmywine.But
l
ately
, Icouldn'tkeepitdown.

Ibr
ushedmyt
eet
h,t
henwentbackdownst
air
s

It
ookt
heBot
tl
eandpl
acedi
nthef
ri
dge
Si
yal
ookedatmequi
zzi
cal
y

Me:
what
Hi
m:y
oushoul
dqui
twhi
l
eyourahead
Me:
Siy
a,j
ustst
op.
 
Hi
m:i
t'
sthesecondt
ime
Me:
soy
ourkeepi
ngt
abs
Hi
m:no,
justconcer
ned 
Me:Dontbe,
it'
spr
obablybecauseIhadsome
onanemptystomach 
Hi
m:mhmm

Hl
okescamet
ojoi
nus

Hl
okes:
sohav
euguy
sdi
scussedCuba
Si
ya:
madam her
eisgi
vi
ngmeahar
dti
me 
Me; Idon'
twantt
ogo.Iv
egotajoby ouknow.
Plusmywhol el
if
eisher
e.Ican'
tkeeprunni
ng
toCubaev er
yti
mesomet hi
nghappens 
Si
ya:
rif
il
oeyoudon'
thavet
owor
k.YouknowI
'
ll
al
waystakecar
eofyou 
Me:that'
snothappeni
ng.Icant
akecar
eof
myself
 
Hlokes:
butrif
il
oe,i
t'
snotl
ikeyouneedthe
moneyf r
om yourworkmos.Yourhouseand
cararepaidup.Pl
usyourparent
slef
tyou
enoughmoney .
 
Me: Idon'
tevenwanttoknowhowy ouknowall
ofthat.Butsti
ll
Ihavecli
ents,
thatdependon
met omakesur ethei
rportf
oli
osaretakencar
e
of.Ican'
tjustupandleave
Si
ya:
youcanwor
kfr
om Cuba
Me:
whatabouti
fIneedt
oseet
hem
Si
ya;
wecanf
lyy
oudown
Me:
that
'sabsur
d
Hlokes:Idon'
tknowwhywe' r
eevenr unni
ng
thi
spastyou.Itol
dyoughost,t
hatthi
sonei s
asstubbornastheycome.Butyouinsist
edon
beingMrniceguy.Let
'sj
ustsedat
eherandget
herasstoCuba 
Me:
youknowI
'
mri
ghther
eri
ght
 
Hl
okes:
yes.I
'
m awar
e. 
Me:
canIat
leashav
eti
met
othi
nkabouti
t 
Hl
okes;
no
Si
ya:
yes
Hl
okes:
ghosty
ourl
ett
inghermakeusof
t
Me:
shutupwenamanHl
okes

Si
yal
aughed.

Hi
m: you'
vegot24hrs.Ot
her
wiseHl
okesdr
ags
uoutofheresedat
ed 
Me:
mxm
Hi
m: I
'
m ser
iousri
fi
loe.I
'
m onlydoi
ngyoua
f
avourbygi
vingy
out i
met ogetthi
ngsi
nor
der
.
Me: Igetitok,
Ijustneedtopr
ocessthe
thought.Justgi
vemet i
me.I
sthatt
oomucht
o
askf or
him:f
ine.Butonl
y24hr
s,i
can'
thav
emypeopl
e
thi
nkyourmakingmesoft
.

Ij
ustsmil
edandgav
ethem bot
haki
ssont
he
cheek.

[
05/
12,
15:
34]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

25

Il
eftSiyaandHlokesdownst
air
s.Theywere
debati
ngwhethertocookorgettakeaway
s.I
wasn'
treal
l
yi nthemoodf
orf
ood,
soIwentt
o
t
akeanapI nstead.

If
ellasl
eepi
mmediat
elywhenmyheadhi
tthe
pi
ll
ow.Idon'
tknowwhy,butIwasr
eal
l
yti
red.

Si
yacameupst
air
sawhi
lelat
ert
owakemeup,
Iwasreal
l
yenj
oyi
ngmynapsomuchIdi
dn'
t
wantt
owakeup.

Hesatont
hebed
Hi
m;y
ouneedt
oeat
Me:
mhmm
Hi
m:r
if
il
oeman,
vuka 
Me;
nomanSi
ya.goaway
 
Hemov
edhi
shandsandwasaboutt
oti
ckl
eme,
Me:
Siy
a,don'
tyou 
Idi
dn'tev
engett
ofi
nishmysentence.Hewas
al
readyti
ckl
i
ngme.Ij
oltedofmybed.Mxm
Him:atl
eastIgott
oseey
ousmi
l
e.You'
vebeen
sosadlat
ely
Me:
I'
ll
bef
ine,
wit
hti
meI
'
llbeabl
etomov
eno 
Hi
m:y
ou'
l
lletmeknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ng 
Me:
yep
Hi
m;canIgetahug
Me:
sur
e

Imovedi
ncloserandgav
ehim ahug,
then
qui
ckl
ymovedawayf r
om hi
m

Hi
m:andnow 
Me:
didy
ouchangey
ourcol
ogne 
Hi
m:no
Me:
oh
Hi
m:why
.
Me:
itj
ustsmel
l
s,Idon'
tknow,
butki
ndofof
f
Hi
m:y
ouusedt
olov
eitmos
Me:thatwast
hen.Canwegoeatnow,
I'
m
hungry
 
Hi
m:sur
e

Wewentdownst
air
sandHl
okeshadf
ini
shed
di
shi
ngup
Hl
okes:whattookyousolong?Iwasst
art
ingt
o
t
hinkyouguysweregett
ingiton.

Ipunchedhi
m pl
ayf
ull
yont
heshoul
der

Si
ya:haai
,mf
eto,i
t'
sadryseasonapakum.
Madam won’
tevengiv
emeahug.Appar ent
lyI
smel
l bad
Hl
okesl
aughed

Me:thi
sisj
usttooawkward.Canwet al
kabout
somethi
ngel
seplease?OrBett
eryetcanweeat.
Causesomethi
ngsmellsgood
Weal
lsatdownandst
art
edeat
ing

Hlokeshadmadechi ckenst
ewwi t
hpap.Ithi
nk
Itol
dyouguy sthatI
’
m notreal
l
yapapper son
ne.Butl
at el
yIl
ovedit.Ev
enwhil
eIwasin
qwaqwa, Ihadpapalmostever
yday

Me:Hlokesdi
dyoumakeenoughf
ort
heguar
ds
out
side 
Hi
m:y
aah,
I'
veal
readygi
vent
hem t
hei
rfood
Me:Iwonderwhatmynei
ghbour
sar
egoi
ngt
o
t
hinkaboutt
heguards
Si
ya:
it'
snoneoft
hei
rbusi
ness

If
ini
shedmyf
oodbef
oreSi
yaandHl
okes

Bot
hHl
okesandSi
yal
ookedatmequi
zzi
cal
l
y

Me;
what
,Iwashungr
y 
Si
ya:
arey
ouok 
Me:
mhmm 
Hl
okes:
doy
ouwantsomemor
e 
Me:
please

Hl
okeswentt
omakemoref
oodf
orme.Whi
l
e
Si
yacar
ri
edoneat
ing 
WhenHlokescameback,Iconti
nuedeati
ng.
Forsomereasont
hefoodtastedamazing.
Whenwef i
nishedeating,
Itookthedi
shesand
pl
acedthem inthedishwashert
hen,wentt
osit
i
nthelounge.Siyacamet osi
twithme,whi
le
Hl
okeswentupst ai
rstoshower.

Hi
m:ar
euok
me:Si
yaman,I’
mfi
ne.Ij
ustwantt
oli
edown
andwatchTV
Hi
m;y
ouwantaf
ootmassage 
Me;
onl
yify
oupr
omi
senott
oti
ckl
eme
Hi
m;Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
Ok.

It
ookof
fmysl
i
pper
s,andputmyf
eeti
nhi
slap

Hi
m;sohowl
ongdoy
oupl
anont
ort
uri
ngme 
Me;
I’
mlost
 
Hi
m;t
hisbr
eakupofy
our
s 
Me;
Siy
ayoupr
omi
sed 
Hi
m;Iknow,
butIcan’
tgoonl
i
ket
his 
Me;Si
ya,
I’
mjustt
ryi
ngt
oabsor
bev
ery
thi
ng.I
m
sur
eone

Hisphonerangandint
err
uptedme.Ireal
l
y
di
dn’twanthimtoanswer,
buthedid.WhenI
hear
dt hati
twasLi
nda,Ij
ustgotupandwentto
myroom.mxm
Howdoesj ustanswerhisphonewhenwear ei
n
themiddl
eofaconv ersati
on.Ichangedi
ntomy
Pajamasandgoti nt
obed.

Si
yajustdoesn’
tgeti
t.Howam Isupposedt
o
bewithhi
m, whenwecan’tevenhavea
di
scussi
onwi t
houtbei
nginter
rupt
ed? 
Byt
het
imehecameupst
air
s,Iwasbey
ond
pi
ssed

Him;Hey,
y oul
efti
nthemi
ddl
eofour
conv
ersat
ion 
ME;
arey
ouser
iousr
ightnow
Him;Haw,
Rif
il
oe,
arey
oumadbecauseLi
nda
cal
led 
Me;
no 
Hi
m;Thenwhyar
eyouact
ingup 
Me;
for
geti
t.
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
please,
justt
alkt
ome
ME;HowcanI,
whenev
eryt
imeIt
ry,
weget
i
nter
rupt
ed.
 
Him;but,Ri
fi
loe,comeon,y
ouknowIneedt
o
beavail
able24/7.Whati
fsomet
hingwas
wrong?
Me;
youdon’
tgetdoy
ou.
 
Hi
m;makemeunder
stand 
Me;Ican’
tbewi
thyou,becauseIknowI
’
ll
al
wayscomesecondinyourlif
e. 
Him;whywouldyouthinkthatRi
fi
loe.I
’
m her
e
mos.I’
veputever
ythi
ngonhol dtobeherewi
th
you.Howcanyouthinkthat’
ssecond? 
ME;
Idi
dn’
tasky
out
obeher
e
Him;youdi
dn’
tneedt
o.Iwant
edt
o.Ok.I
’
m
here.
 
ME; but,wewereinthemiddl
eofa
conversati
on,andyoudeci
detoanswerLinda.I
neededy outojustputmefi
rsti
nthatone
moment . 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m supposedtobeinCapeTown
nowwithmyson.Idroppedhim,soIcouldbe
herewi
thyou.I
fthat’
snotputt
ingyoufir
st,then
Idon’
tknowwhatis.Fucksakes,I
fit
’snot
Li
ndadownmyt hroatit
’sy
ou.Eit
herway ,Ican’
t
pl
easenoneofyou 
ME;
youshoul
dgo 
Hi
m;I’
m notgoingany
wher
e,nott
il
lwe’
ve
r
esol
vedthi
s. 
Me;Siy
a,Idon’
thav
et heener
gyt
ofi
ghtok.You
don’
tgeti
t.Youneverwil
l
. 
Hi
m;youcan’tkeepdoingt hi
sRifi
loe.The
momentthisgettough,youwantt orunfort
he
f
ucki
nghil
ls.Howi sthi
sr el
ati
onshipgoingt
o
wor
k,i
fyou’real
way spushingmeaway ? 
ME; whatrel
ati
onshi
pSiya.Ther
ewasnevera
rel
ati
onship.I
t’
salways,
beenme, y
ouHlokes
andLinda.WhichiswhatIwantedyout
o
underst
and.Youcanexpectmet obeokwith
you,putt
ingmeonhol d,
tospeaktoher
.You
couldhavecall
edherbackwhenwewer edone
Hi
m; Whatifsomet
hingwaswr
ong.She'
sthe
motherofmychil
dRifi
loe 
ME;sowhat,Ihavet
ofal
lpr
egnanti
nor
derf
or
youtopayat
tenti
ontome 
Him;Godno.thelastt
hingIneedisyoualso
havi
ngachild.Thetwoofy ouareal
ready
dri
vi
ngmecr azyasiti
s.Ifther
ewasanot her
chi
ldint
heoccasion,I
’m sureIwoul
dbe
admit
tedint
oal oonybi
n. 
Me;
Siy
a,Pl
easego 
Hi
m;Fi
ne.Igi
veupRi
fi
loe,
Okay
.Igi
veup

Hewal
kedoutandsl
ammedmydoor
.Nxa,

Isatinmyr oom wonder

ingwhatj
usthappened.
Ididn’
tunderst
andwhyhecouldn’
tjust
underst
andwher eiwascomingfr
om.

Iwenttot
hebathr
oom t
owashmyf
ace.Then
gotbacki
ntobed
.
It
ri
edsohar
dtof
all
sleep,
butIkeptr
ehashi
ng
myfi
ghtwit
hSi
ya.Howcouldhebesomean?
Al
lIwant
edwastotel
lhi
m howIfel
t.
 
Andhowcanheblameme,f
ornotbei
ngwit
h
Olwet
ho.Idi
dn’
taskhi
mtodr
opevery
thi
ng.

Itr
iedfal
l
ingasl
eep,butcoul
dn’
t.SoIdeci
ded
tocall
him.Hopeful
l
yhewascalmer

Hi
sphonerangandwenttovoi
cemai
l
.It
ri
ed
hi
m agai
nandheanswered

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
notnow 
Me;
ist
hathowy
ouanswery
ourphone 
Hi
m;myf
li
ghti
saboutt
otakeof
f 
Me;sowehav
eanar
gumentandy
our
unt
o
Li
nda 
Hi
m;No,
Rif
il
oe.Ol
wet
honeedsme.
Ijustputthephonedown.Iknowheneedst o
bewi thhi
sson.Butwhydoesi tfeelli
kewewil
l
j
ustnev ergett
obet ogether
.Idon'tknowwhyi
wasbei ngsopossessive.i
tsnotli
keweare
togetheranymore.
[
05/
12,
15:
43]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

26

Iwassoannoy
edwi
thSi
ya,
Icoul
dn’
tsl
eep.
 
Iwentdownst
air
stogetabot
tl
eofwat
er.I
watchedTVti
l
lnear
ly 
3;00am andendedupf
all
i
ngasl
eepont
he
couch.

Hl
okeswokemeupthef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning.Onl
y
wear
inghi
sboxer
Hi
m;whydi
dyousl
eepont
hecouch
Me;don’
task,
andf
orGod’
ssakeputonsome
cl
othes 
Hi
m;someone’
sinagoodmood
Me;
don’
tst
art
. 
Him;Fi
ne.Youmakebr
eakfastwhi
l
eIgoputon
someclot
hes.Wecan’
thav
ey oustar
ingatmy
absall
morning.

Il
aughed.Hlokeshadawayofmaki
ngme
smil
elat
ely.

Iwentupstai
rsandfreshenedup,t
henwent
downt omakebreakfast.Iwasi
nthemoodf or
somethinggr
easy.SoImadebacon, eggs,
sausageandmushr ooms.
Idishedupandwentt
ogiv
etheguar
dst
hei
r
food.Thenwentt
oeat.
 
Hl
okescamedownst
air
sdr
essedi
njeansanda
T-
shi
rt

Hi
m:si
ncewhendoy
oumakesuchgr
easyf
ood.
Me;
sincet
oday
. 
HI
m;soIheary
ouchasedghostoutofJHB.
 
ME;
Idi
dnot
. 
Hi
m; Ihear
dy outwoar
gui
ng.CanIgi
vey
oua
pi
eceofadvice? 
ME;
I’
m sur
eyou’
regoi
ngt
otel
lmeany
way
 
Him;Si
yai sagoodguy .Helovesy ou.EvenI
canseethat.ButhealsolovesLinda.Hemay
notbeinlovewi t
hher,butshegavehi m ason.
Thatmeans, nomatterhowmanyt antr
umsy ou
thr
ow,hewi l
l al
wayshaveasof tspotforher
ME;
sowhatdoy
ousuggestIdo
Hi
m;acceptheri
ntoy
ourhear
t.
 
Me;
Nev
er 
Him;i
nthatcase,
youandhi
m won’
tmakei
t
ver
yfar.
 
Me;we’r
enottogetherany
way
,sowhat
di
ff
erencedoesitmake 
Hi
m;Stopf
ool
i
ngy
our
sel
f.Youwantt
obewi
th
hi
m. 
Me;butHl
okes,
il
lnevercomef
ir
sti
nhi
sli
fe.I
ll
al
wayscomesecond.HowcanIbeokwit
hthat 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,whenyouf
allf
oraguywit
hachil
d,
youhavetoknowyouwon’tal
wayscomef
irst
.
Ther
earetimeswherehi
sSonandthemother
ofhi
ssoneedt ocomefi
rst
Me;
haai
.Idon’
tknow.Thi
sisal
ltoomuch 
Him;IwasafoolforwhatIdidtoy
ou, andi
t’
s
noteasyseei
ngyouwi t
hsomeoneelse.ButI
canseethatyouguysloveeachot
her.Youjust
needtotr
yharder.Andyouneedtostopbeing
sodamnst
ubbor
n 
Me;mxm.Wel
l,f
ornowhisinCTandI
’
m her
e
sowe’
ll
seewhathappens

Ist
oodupandwashedt
hedi
shes.

Ireal
lyfel
tli
kegoi
ngtochur
ch,
soIwent
upstai
rstotakeashower
.
 
WhenIcamedown,
Hlokeswaswat
chi
ngTV

Hi
m; andwher
edoy
out
hinky
ou’
regoi
ng,
all
dr
essedup 
Me;
I’
m goi
ngt
ochur
ch 
Hi
m;andy
oudi
dn’
tthi
nky
ouneededt
otel
lme 
Me;
no,
 
Hi
m;wel
lyou’
renotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thout
y
oursecur
it
ydet
ail
Me;
Wel
lgogetdr
essed,
sowecango 
Hi
m;I’
m notGhostne,
sodon’
ttal
ktomel
i
ke
t
hat
Me;
sor
ry.I
’
mjustr
eal
l
ymoodyl
atel
y 
Hi
m;Letmegochange.I
’
llbebacki
n5

Hl
okeswentupst ai
rswhil
eIwai
teddownst
air
s.
Ir
eall
yfeltbad.He’
sreal
l
ybeensogoodtome
l
atel
y,Idon’tknowwhatwaswrongwit
hme.

Hecamedown,
andwel
eftf
orchur
ch

Whenwearri
ved,
Hlokesandt
heguar
dssat
scat
ter
edar
oundme.

It
hinkHl
okesknewIwant
edmyspace.AndI
wasgr
atef
ul

Ireal
l
yenjoyedt
heser
vice.Thepast
orspoke
aboutlet
ti
nggo.

Iknewt hatt
hiswasamessagef
rom God
str
aighttome.

Aft
ertheserv
ice,
Irecei
vedacal
lfr
om
Thandeka.
 
Her
;mzal
a,uphi
 
Me;
Im onmywayhomef
rom chur
ch
Her
;ok,
thegi
rl
sandIwant
edt
ocomeseey
ou 
Me;
Il
lbehomei
nanhour
. 
Her
;Cool
.Il
lbr
ingf
ood 
Me;
Nomandon’
tbesi
l
ly.I
llpr
ovi
de 
Her
;yousur
eyourupt
oit
 
Me;
Yep 
Her
;ok,
Wel
lseey
ousoon
Me;
Shar
p

Whenwear r
ivedhome,
Iwentupst
air
sto
change.Thencamedownstai
rs

Me;
Hlokes 
Hi
m;Mhmm 
Me;canyoudriv
emetot
heshopspl
ease.If
eel
l
ikebraai
vlei
sandt
hegi
rl
sar
ecomingover 
Hi
m;bygi
rl
syoumeanaboNwabi
sa 
Me;
Yes 
Hi
m;tj
o,I
’l
lmakesur
eI’
m scar
ce.I
’
m noti
nthe
moodtodeal
withCl
eo 
Me;
justbehav
e,I
’
llmakesur
eshebehav
es 
Hi
m;Gi
vemeal
i
stoft
hings,
andI
’
llgeti
t 
Me;
shar
p

Imadeal
i
st,
andgav
eitt
ohi
m andhel
eft
 
IcouldhearHl
okesphoneri
ngi
ngi
ntheki
tchen,
Ithi
nkhemust’vel
efti
tbehi
nd.

Iwasn’
tsur
ewhethertopi
ckitupornot
,butI
sawitwasSiy
a,soIanswer
ed.

Me;
HI 
Hi
m;Hi
,Wher
e’sbul
l
et 
Me;
He’
sgonet
otheshops 
Hi
m;t
ell
himt
ocal
lmewhenheget
sback
Me;
Wil
ldo 
Hi
m;Shar
pke 
Me;
Siy
awai
t 
Hi
m;What
sup
Me;
canwet
alk 
Hi
m;Notnow.I
mint
hemi
ddl
eofsomet
hing 
Me;
haai
,ok,
Shar
pke 
Hi
m;by
e

Heputt hephonedown.Ireall
ygotannoyed
again.Hejustdidt
hesamet hi
ngagain.Ineed
totalktohim,andhe’
stoobusyforme.Then
nna,I’
mt heonewho’swrong

Luckil
yboThandekaar ri
vedbefor
eIcoul
dthi
nk
ofcall
inghim back.Mymoodi nst
ant
ly
l
ightened.Idi
dn’treali
sehowmuchIhad
missedt hem,thi
ll
t hatmomentIsawthem.

Ir
anuptothem,andwehadagroupHug.My
emoti
onswereal
lovert
hepl
ace,soIst
art
ed
cr
ying
Thandeka;
Ohmzal
a.Aski
esman
Me;
I’
mfi
ne,
justbei
ngdr
amat
ic 
Cl
eo;
come.Let
’sgosi
t

Wemov
edt
othel
ounge.

Nwabi
sa;
Somzal
a,howar
eyouhol
dingup 
Me;
I’
m ok,
justt
ryi
ngt
omov
eon 
Thandeka;
Youknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ng,
all
youhavetodoi
sask
Me;
I’
m goodbabes.Youbei
ngher
eisal
lIneed

Theyal
lsmi
led.Shamey
oucoul
dseet
he
concer
nint
heireyes

Me;
stopl
ooki
ngsowor
ri
edman,
guy
’sI
’
mfi
ne 
Cleo;
Sowhat ’
swi
thal
ltheguar
dsout
side.Feel
l
ikeIjustwal
kedi
ntoI
sibay
a
Me;oh,t
hat
’sSiyasguys.Theyj
usther
eto
makesureI
’m good.Sincewesti
ll
don’
tknow
whokil
l
edmypar ent
s 
Nwabi
sa;
itsgoodt
oseehi
mtaki
ngcar
eofy
ou

Whil
eweweret
aki
ngHl
okeswal
kedi
nwi
tht
he
shoppi
ng.
 
Hecameandgreet
edthel
adi
es,
thenwentt
o
unpackt
heshoppi
ng

Cl
eo;
mzal
a.Andnow
Me;
What
 
Thandeka;
don’
twhatus.What
’shedoi
ng
her
e? 
Me;
ohHl
okes.He’
sst
ayi
ngher
eforawhi
l
e 
Nwabi
sa;
What
’sawhi
l
e 
Me;
Notsur
eyet
 
Cl
eo;
Nxa,
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ourbackwi
thHi
m 
ME; Whooow.Whosaidanyt
hingaboutbei
ng
backtoget
her?He’
sinchar
geofSiyassecuri
ty
team 
Cl
eo;
butHl
okesi
sadoct
ormos 
Me;
Iknow,
it’
sal
ongst
ory
 
Thandeka;
Haai
mzal
a,ust
rongshame.
 
Me;l
etstopt
alki
ngabouthi
m.Let
’sr
athergo
makethesal
ads.
 
West oodupandwenttomakethesal
ads.I
decidedt omakepap.Whi
l
eHlokeswasbusy
braaingthemeat

Whenwewer ealldone,Theladi
esandIhad
l
unchbythepoolside.Whil
eHlokeshadlunch
i
nhisroom .Ij
usthadt hepapandBoereworsI
wasn’
tint
hemoodf orredmeatandthesalads
Cleo;
mzala,
whatswi
thy
oueat
ingpap?You
usual
lyasal
adf
reak
ME;Nocl
ue.Justbeenenj
oyi
ngpaplat
ely
.And
ev
eryt
imeItr
yeatingredmeati
tcomesback
Thandeka;
hav
eyoudoneapr
egnancyt
est

Il
aughedather
.Li
ker
eal
l
ylaughed

Me;
noIdon’
tneedone 
Nwabisa;
Ok,sowhenwast
hel
astt
imey
ouhad
yourmonthl
y’
s

Il
ookedatthem, andmysmiledi
sappeared.
Shi
t,Ihadn’
tnot
icedimissedmyperiods,whi
le
Iwasinqwaqwa
Thandeka;
mzala,
oshar
p?Youl
ookl
i
key
ou’
ve
j
ustseenaghost 
ME;
Imi
ssedmycy
cle
Cl
eo;
ohmygosh
Me;
shi
t
Nwabi
sa;fi
nisheat
ingandwewil
lgobuyt
he
pr
egnancytestatt
hechemist
 
ME;
no,
I’
m sur
eI’
mjustov
err
eact
ing
Thandeka;
it’
sal
way
sgoodt
omakesur
e 
Me;
youguy
sdon’
tgeti
t.Ican’
tbepr
egnant

Nwabi
sacamet
osi
twi
thme

Nwabi
sa;mzal
a,i
tsf
ine.Wecandot
het
est
whenyou’
rer
eady

Weal
lsati
nsi
l
encemai
nly
.Idi
dn’
tknowwhat
t
othi
nk.Howcoul
dIbepr
egnant
?

Awhil
elatert
hegir
lsl
eft
.Ii
mmediatel
ywentto
myroom.Ineededtol
ookatmycalendar
,and
makesureIwasn’
tgoi
ngcrazy

Icountedandcountedandcount
ed.Not
hing
changed.Ihaddef
init
elymi
ssedmyperi
od.

Isatonmybedshacki ng.HowwasIsupposed
tohaveachi ldbySiya.Hehar dl
yhastimefor
Olwetho.Howwashegoi ngt
omaket i
mef or
ourchild.I
ftherewasone.Theonl ysolut
ion
wouldbet ogeat est,thengetridoft
histhi
ng
i
nmyt ummy ,befor
eany bodynoti
ces
[
05/
12,
16:
17]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

27
Isatinmyr oom forhour s,t
ryi
ngtounderst
and
whyIwassocar eless.HowwasIgoi ngtodeal
witheveryt
hing?Whyt hehel ldi
dInotuse
protect
ion?NowI ’
m st uckwithachil
dthatSiy
a
probablywon’tevenwant .
 
Hedi dsayhedi dn’
twantachi l
dmos.Howt he
hel
lwasIgoi ngt of acehim?Iknewt hatIdidn’
t
haveachoi ce.Ir efusetobringachildint
oa
rel
ationshipthatisbasi cal
lynon-exi
stent
.Plus
Siy
ahaspeopl ehunt i
nghimf r
om alloverthe
world.Icouldn’tputmychi l
dundersuchdanger .
I
twoul dn’tbefai r
. 
Tjo,Ireal
l
ymissedmymom i
nsit
uat
ionsl
i
ke
these.Iknowshewoul
d’
vehadasol
uti
on.
 
Shewould’
vewhi
ppedmyassfi
rstt
hough,but
thenshewoul
dhavecomeupwithasol
uti
on.

Isatt
her
etr
yingt
ocomeupwi
thasol
uti
on.But
not
hingcamet
omi
nd.Ideci
dedt
ogot
obed.
 
Hopef
ull
yIwoul
dwakeuptomorr
ow,andmy
l
if
ewouldsomehowmakesenseagai
n.

Idri
ft
edint
oaheav ysleep.Icouldhearmy
phoneri
ngi
ngbutIjustignoredit.Iwant
edto
sl
eepandforgetabouteverythi
ng.

IwokeuponMondaymor ni
ngfeeli
ngl
ikeshit
.I
j
ustwantedtosl
eepsomemor e,
butcouldn’
t
becauseitwasmyf i
rstdaybackatwork.Iwent
tobathandgotreadyforwork.
 
Idi
dn’
twantanybodysuspect
inganyt
hing,
soI
madesur
eIlookedli
kemynor malsel
f.

WhenIgotdownst ai
rs,
Hlokeswasi
nthe
ki
tcheneat
ing.It
ookaf or
kandstol
easausage
fr
om hispl
ate.
 
Hi
m;y
oul
ooksmar
t 
Me;
yaah,
gott
ogett
owor
k 
Hi
m;y
ourput
ti
ngi
nyourr
esi
gnat
iont
oday
Me;
may
be 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
youpr
omi
sed 
Me;Isai
dIwoul
dspeakt
omybossandseei
f
wecouldcomeupwit
hasol
uti
on 
Him;bet
termakesurei
t’
sdoneASAP.Your
24hr
swasupawhi leago 
Me;
Iknowok.
 
Hi
m;Letmegr
aby
ourkey
s,andI
’
llt
akey
out
o
wor
k 
Me;
Thanks

Wedr
ovet
owor
k,mai
nlyl
i
steni
ngt
other
adi
o. 
Iwantedt
oaskHlokesi
fhecouldt
akemeto
thechemi
st,
butIknewhewouldaskal
lsor
tsof
quest
ions.
 
Me;
Hlokes 
Hi
m;Mmm
Me;
canwepoppastt
hechemi
st 
Hi
m;what
’swr
ong?Younotf
eel
i
nggood 
Me;No,
I’
mfi
ne,
Ijustneedsomef
emi
nine
pr
oduct
s
Hi
m;Icangogett
hem f
ory
ou 
Me;
No,
Iwoul
dpr
efert
odoi
tmy
sel
f 
Hi
m;Ok,
Wecanst
opbyt
her
enow
Me;
Thanks.
 
Hedr
oppedmeoffatt
hechemi
standwai
ted
f
ormeoutsi
de.
Iwal
kedi
nandboughtmysani
taryt
owels,
somecot
tonwooland5pr
egnancytest
. 
Ineededt
omakesur et
hatIreal
l
ywaspr
egnant
,
befor
emakinganydeci
sions
Iqui
cklypai
d,t
henputthepacketi
nmyhand
bag.Igoti
nthecarandwedrovetowor
k.

WhenIgott otheoffice,Ist
artedtofeelmor eat
ease.AtleastIwouldn’thaveHlokesallaround.
Hewassi tti
nginthepar ki
nglotwiththerestof
theguards
Iwassohappytoseeanna,Shel
ookewel
l
.We
caughtupabi
t,t
henwenttomyoffi
ce.
 
Itwasweirdwal
kingpastSi
zwe’sof
fi
ce,
especi
all
ywitht
henewl awyert
hatt
heyhi
red.

Si
yacal
l
edatar
ound10:
00am

Me;
hi 
Hi
m;Hi
,j
ustr
etur
ningy
ourcal
l
 
Me;
itsf
ine,
I’
m sor
ted 
Hi
m;sowhywer
eyouatt
hechemi
st 
ME;
doesHl
okesr
epor
tev
ery
thi
ngmar
a 
Hi
m;Yes,
 
Me;
Ijustneededsomet
hings 
Hi
m;Thi
ngsl
i
kewhat
 
Me;
Siy
a,somet
hingsar
epr
ivat
e
Hi
m;Ihopey
ou’
renotkeepi
ngany
thi
ngf
rom
me 
Me;
I’
vegott
ogo 
Him;Letmeknowwhat’
sgoingtohappenwith
yourboss.Ineedy
oui
nCuba,asinyest
erday
 
Me;
I’
ll
cal
lyoul
ater
 
Hi
m;shar
p

Icont
inuedwor
king,
til
li
twasti
meformeto
meetwithmyboss.SoIwentuptohi
sof
fi
ce. 
Hewasonacal
lbuthesi
gnal
l
edf
ormet
o
comei
n 
Isatdownandwaitedforhi
mtofini
shwi
thhi
s
conver
sat
ion.Thenfi
nall
yheputdown

Him;sor
ryt
okeepy
ouwai
ti
ngRi
fi
loe.Howy
ou
hol
dingup 
Me;I
mf i
ne,
justneedt
odi
scusssomet
hing
wi
thyou 
Hi
m;i
mli
steni
ng 
Me;Iknowivetakenalotoft
imeofflatel
y.I
ve
j
ustbeendeali
ngwithquit
ealotofpersonal
pr
oblems.Butitl
ooksl
ikeil
lneedmor eti
me
of
f 
Hi
m;ok,
Howmucht
imear
ewet
alki
ngabout
 
Me;
I’
m notsur
e,may
beacoupl
eofweeks.
 
Hi
m; Ok,butwe’
ll
nedyout omoveov eryour
cl
i
entstooneofourotherconsul
tants.Youcan
mainl
yjustgui
detheconsult
antwit
hwhatt odo.
Andt
heycanhandl
eitony
ourbehal
f.
Me;
thatsoundsl
i
keapl
an 
Him;Good.Thel
astthi
ngIwantistoloseyou.
Youroneofourbestfi
nanci
aladvi
sor
s.Your
cl
ient
swouldn’
ttakewellt
oyouleavi
ng
Me;
Thanky
ou 
Hi
m;sowhenwi
l
lyoubel
eav
ing

me;
tomor
row 
Hi
m;that
’sf
ine.Justemailmeyourcli
entl
i
st,
t
henwecancommuni cat
eviaemail
 
ME;
Thanky
ou

Iwalkedoutf
eeli
ngrel
i
eved.Atl
eastIst
ill
hada
j
ob,wheneverIcameback.Andatl
eastitwil
l
getSiyaof
fmyback.
Idi
dwhatmybossaskedmet
odo,
then
deci
dedt
ogohome. 
Iwasanxi
ous,
Iwant
edt
ogett
hepr
egnancy
test
soutt
heway.
 
WhenIgottot
hecar
,Hl
okeswasont
hephone
wi
thSi
ya. 
Ijustgoti
nandhedr ovemehome.Iwasgl ad
hewasbusywi thSiya,
becauseIwasn’
treal
lyi
n
themoodf orchi
tchat.
Irushedupstair
s,t
hemomentIopenedthe
door.Icoul
dn’twai
tany
more,Ineededt
o
know. 
ImadesureIlockedmydoor
.Didn’
twant
Hl
okesbargingin,whi
l
eIwaslooki
ngatt
he
pr
egnancytests.

Ipeedonevery5ofthosesti
ck.Iwantedto
makesurethatt
heresult
swerecorrect.Ther
e’s
notimeformist
akeshere.
Yho,waiti
ngf ort
hose3mi nut
es,wasthe
l
ongestwai tever.WhenIwenttocheckthe
resul
ts.Al
l5oft hem cameoutasposit
ive.Shi
t

Idi
dn’tknowwhatt othi
nk.Iwassoangr y,
or
maybescar edIdon’
tknowwhi ch.ButIj
ust
knewt hatkeepi
ngthi
sbabywasn’ tr
eall
yan
opti
on.Ineededtoseeadoct orasap

Itookt
hetest
s,andthrewthem i
napl
asti
c
packet
.Thenhi
dt hem i
noneofmydraws.
 
Thenwentt ositonmybedwi thmyl aptop.I
want edtoseei fIcoul dfindadoct orwhocoul d
perform andabor ti
on, athisoff
icesandnotat
anabor ti
onclinic.Ididn’twantHlokesget ting
suspicious.I
t’sami raclehehasn’ tnoticeI’
m
pregnantasi tis
Isear
chedandfoundacoupl
eofdoct
orswho
wereinmyareasandcoul
dassi
st.
 
Ideci
dedtophonetheoneclosesttome.
Lucki
lyhehadanopeningf
orthef oll
owi
ngday
.
SoItookit
.Iwantedt
omakesur et hi
swas
donebefor
eIlef
tforCUBA.

Aft
erbookingmyappoi nt
ment,Iwent
downstai
rstochil
l.Idi
dn’
twantt obealone,
becauseIknew,Iwouldkeepthinki
ngabout
thi
spregnancysaga.AndIreal
lydidn’
twantto 
Hlokeswassi
tt
ingi
nthel
ounge,
wat
chi
ng
soccer.
 
Me;
whatdoy
ouf
eel
li
kef
orsupper
 
Hi
m;Yourcooki
ng 
Me;
Yaah
Hi
m;whataboutf
ish 
Me;
Ok,
Il
lgetst
art
ed 
Hi
m;ar
eyouok?Youseem abi
tof
f
Me;im notf
eeli
ngsowell
,butnott
owor r
y,I
’v
e
gotanappoint
mentwit
hmydoct ortomorr
ow
Hi
m; Haw,howcany
ougoseeanot
herdoct
or,
whenyou’
vegotme 
Me;
He’
sagy
ne.I
m get
ti
ngmypapsmeardone 
Hi
m;Oh,
okI
ll
takey
ou 
Me;
cool

Iwenttothekit
chenandstart
edondinner
.I
real
lyhopedIwasconvi
ncingwit
hHlokes,
becauseifSi
yafoundout
,I’
m sur
ehewoul dki
l
l
me.
[
05/
12,
16:
17]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

28
Icookeddi nner
,thensatintheloungewi t
h
Hlokes.Wedi dn’
treal
lytal
kmuch.Ij ust
pret
endedt obeconcentrati
ngonwat chi
ngTV.
Iwasn’treall
ygoodcompany .Soaftereat
ing.I
bidhim goodnight.

Iwenttomyr oom,andsati
nthebath,
contemplatingaboutmyl i
tt
lei
nvaderi
nmy
tummy .Fort hefir
stti
mesincefi
ndi
ngoutIwas
pregnant,Ismi l
ed.Iputmyhandonmyt ummy
andat earescapedmyey e.

Ialway sthoughtIwoul dbemar r

ied,
wi t
hmy
perfecthusband, andourbeautif
ulhome,
beforeIhadababy .Ithoughtwewoul dboth
l
ookatt hetestt
oget herandbeexcitedabout
thischapterinourlife.Buti
nst
eadher eIwas
alone,Pregnant,withnoparents,nohusband,
notev enaboy fr
iend.
WhatwasIgoingtosayt omybabyifIkepthi
m
orher
?ThatIfel
lpregnantbyamanwhocan’ t
st
ayinoneplaceforalongperi
odofti
me.A
manwhohasanot herchil
dbyanot
herwoman.  
Isi
ghed.Whathav
eIgot
tenmy
sel
fint
o?

Isatinthebathforoveranhour,thengotout
whent hewatergotcold.Iputonmypy j
amas,
thengotintobed.Il
ookedatmyphone
contemplati
ngonwhet hertocall
Siyaornot?
May beifIspoketohi
m, Icouldgetasenseof
whattodo

Idi
aledhim andpr
ayedhewouldpi
ckup.Iwas
abouttoputdropt
hecall
,whenLi
ndaanswered

Her
;Hel
l
o 
Me;
Hi.ammm CanIspeakt
oSi
ya
Her
;Sor
ryHe’
sbusy
 
Me;
ok,
pleaset
ell
himt
ocal
lme
Her;
I’
m nothi
sPAnana.I
fhewant
stospeakt
o
youhecancal
lyou
ME;
Linda,j
ustgiv
ehimthephone.I
tsreal
l
y
i
mport
ant.Ineedtot
ell
him somet
hing
Her
;He’
sputt
inghissontobed.Not
hingel
sei
s
asi
mport
antasthatri
ght
Me;
(si
ghed)y
ourr
ight
.For
getIsai
dany
thi
ng

Iputthephonedown.Ir
eall
ythoughtIwoul
dbe
abletotel
lhi
m.Butasalways,hewasn’
t
avail
abl
e.

Ifel
lasl
eepwithmyhandsar oundmyt ummy .I
knowIsaidIdidn’
twanttokeepthisbaby,
but
atthesametime,Idi
dn’tknowifIcoul
dgo
aheadwitht
hisabort
ion.Howwoul dIbeableto
l
iv
ewi thmysel
f?Iwasr
eal
lygett
ingusedto
sl
eepingwit
haheavyhear
t.andtoni
ghtwasno
di
ffer
ent.

WhenIwokeuponTuesdayf eeli
ngas
nauseousashell
.Ihadn’teveneatenany
thi
ng,
butfel
tli
kethr
owingup.Iwentdownst ai
rsand
foundHlokesmakingbreakfast.Ii
mmediat
ely
fel
tworse.Thesmel l
ofthoseeggsmademe
wanttothrowupev enmor e.

Ij
ustswal lowed, t
hentookabottl
eofwat er
fr
om t hefri
dgeandwentbackt obed.Iwasn’t
i
nt hemoodf orf
ood,andreal
l
ydidn’twantto
beint hekitchen.Thankf
ull
yHlokeswas
mul t
it
askingbet weenthestov
eandhi sphone
cal
l,hedidn’ tnot
icemepinchi
ngmynose.

WhenIgott
omyr
oom,
Idr
ankt
hewat
er,
and
checkedtoseeifIhadami ssedcal
lfr
om Si
ya.
Nothing.SoIwenttotakeabath.WhenIcame
out,Iwassti
ll
undecidedwithwhatt
odo. 
SoIdeci dedtogoseet hedoct or.May beaska
fewquest ionsandthentakeadeci si
onf r
om
there.BecauserightnowIwasn’ tsur
eIwoul d
beabl etogot hr
oughwi t
hit.Itjustseemsabi t
toohast y.Butatthesamet i
mei knewt hati
didn'thavemucht ime,becauseCUBAwas
call
ingmyname.

WhenIwentdownst airsHlokesandtheguards
hadfinishedeati
ng.Itooktheirpl
atesandput
them inthedishwasher. 
Thenhadsomey
ogur
t

Hl
okes;
YouOK 
Me;
Yep
Hi
m;ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
ohav
eapr
oper
br
eakf
ast
 
Me;Naa.I
’
m noti
nthemoodf
orany
thi
ng
heav
y. 
Hi
m;whatt
imesy
ourappoi
ntment
 
Me;
11
Hi
m;So,
hav
eyouspokent
oGhostaboutCuba.
 
Me;No,notyet
.It
ri
edhi
mlastni
ght
,buthe
wasn’
tavai
labl
e
Him;t
ryhim again.BecauseIj
ustr
ecei
vedour
fl
i
ghtplan,
andi tlooksl
ikewemightl
eaveon
Fri
day
 
Me;
thatsoundsf
ine.
Him;wow,thatwaseasy
.It
houghty
ouwoul
d
beputt
ingupaf i
ght
 
Me;Idon’thav
etheener
gytofi
ght
.I’
ll
star
t
packi
ng,assoonasIgetbackf
rom my
appoi
ntment
Hi
m;y
ousur
eyou’
reok 
Me;
Hlokesman.I
’
mfi
ne 
Hi
m;j
ustmaki
ngsur
e

Ispentmostoft hemor ni
ngwatchi
ngTV.Itr
ied
cal
li
ngSi yaagain,
butthisti
mehisphonewent
str
aighttovoicemail
.Il
eftamessageaski
ng
himt ocal
l meback.

Themor e11;00am approached,thesickerIf

elt
.
Ireal
l
ywantedt ospeakt oSi
ya,buthisphone
wasof f
.Ij
ustwant edtohearhisvoice.Iknew
thati
fIcoul
datl eastspeaktohim,Iwoul dbe
abletomakeadeci sion.

Nonet
hel
ess,
10:
30am ar
ri
vedandi
twast
ime
t
ogo.

Iwentupst
air
stof
etchmybag,
thencameback
down.It
ri
edSiy
aonel
astt
ime.Andhi
sphone
wassti
ll
off.

Hl
okeswasalr
eadywait
ingf
ormeinthecar
,so
Ij
ustcl
osedt
hedoor,
andgotint
hecar.

IgaveHl
okesthegpscoor
dinat
es,
andwe
drov
etotheDrrooms.

Whenwearri
vedout
side,
Isati
nthecarforabit
.
Hl
okesl
ookedatme.Het ookmyhandinhis.

Hi
m;Iknowy
ou’
repr
egnant

i
lookedathi
m st
unned

ME;
Howl
onghav
eyouknown
Hi
m;l
ongenough 
Me;
Hav
eyout
oldSi
ya 
Hi
m;No,
it’
snotmypl
acet
o

Il
etoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef

Hi
m;y
oudon’
thav
etogot
hroughwi
tht
his 
Me;
ButHl
okes
Him;List
enRi fi
loe.Ghostmaynotbetheideal
f
athertoOlwet ho,oreventhebestpar
tnert
o
you,butI’
mt ell
ingyouknow, i
fhefi
ndsout,
He’l
lneverforgiveyou.
 
Me;Ihaven’
tdeci
dedy et,
Ijustwanttosee
whatmyoptionsare.Thentakeitfr
om ther
e.
Pr
omi semey ouwon’ttel
lhim
Him;Ipromise.Buty
ouhavetopromiseyou
won’tgothr
oughwi t
hthet
erminati
ontoday.
Rathergat
hertheinf
ormat
ionyouneedfir
st.
Thenmakeadeci
sionf
rom t
her
e.
Me;
Ok,
Icanl
i
vewi
tht
hat
.

Heki
ssedmyhand,
andIgotoutt
hecar
.

Iwassoanxi
ouswhi
l
esi
tt
ingt
her
ecept
ionar
ea.

Iwasreal
l
ygratef
ulthatHl
okesdidn’
ttel
lSiy
a.I
knowitmust
’vebeenhardtokeepsomething
l
iket
hisfr
om him.

Iwai
tedawhi
l
e,bef
oret
her
ecept
ioni
stcal
l
ed
myname.

Iwal
kedbehi
ndheranxi
ousl
y.

Sheopenedt
hedoor
,andt
oldmet
otakeaseat
,
thatt
hedoct
orwoul
dbewi
thmeshor
tl
y,t
hen
shelef
t.

Isatdownwi
thmystomachinaknot
,Ikept
remindi
ngmy
sel
ftobreat
h.

Final
lyIhear
dsomeoneturni
ngthedoorknob.I
tookadeepbr eat
handgotuptogreett
he
doctor.

Unfort
unatel
yformeitwasn’
ttheDoct
oratt
he
door.I
nsteaditwasSi
ya.l
ooki
ngli
kehewas
readytokil
l.
[
05/
12,
16:
17]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

29

Ist
oodi
nthedoct
or’
sroom wi
thshockwr
it
ten
all
overmyface,
becauset
hel
astper
sonI
expect
edt
obeher ewasSi
ya.

Siyawalkedinandl ockedthedoorbehindhi
m.
Hemov edclosertome, andIt
ookast epback,
I
tr
iedtakinganotheronebutadeskwasi nmy
way .
 
Siy
acarri
edonwalki
ngt
owards.It
ri
edgoi
ng
behindt
hedesk,
buthegr
abbedmyhand.

Il
ookedi
ntohi
seyesandal
lIsawwashat
red.I
wantedt
ospeakbutIwast
rembl
ing 
Hedi
dn’
tmove,
hejusthel
dont
omywr ist
.I
t
ri
edl
ooseni
nghi
sgrip,
buthej
ustt
ight
enedit
. 
It
houghthewouldletgo,
buthedi
dn’
t.I
nst
ead
hekeptonsqueezi
ng

ME;
Siy
a,Ouch,
YourHur
ti
ngME
Hedi dn’
tmove,hedi
dn’
tspeak,
andhejustkept
stari
ngatme.IswearIf
eltl
ikemywri
stwas
goingtofal
loff
.

Me;
Si,
Stt
tt
oooop,
yourhur
ti
ngme.Pl
ease

Helookedatmywrist
,thenbackatme.My
ey
eshadalreadyst
art
edwat er
ing.

Hefi
nal
lyl
etgo,andtookast
epback.Mywr
ist
wasthr
obbi
ng,andhadtur
nedRed.
 
Istar
tedr
ubbi
ngit
.Iwant
edt
ospeakbutdi
dn’
t
knowwhattosay
. 
Itr
iedsteppingasi
de,soIcoul
dmov
eaway
fr
om him, buthebl
ockedmyway

Hi
m;wher
edoy
out
hinky
ou’
regoi
ng?
Me;
……………………….
Hi
m;I
’
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou 
ME;
Siy
a,Pl
easemov
e 
Hi
m;Si
tdown

Il
ookedathi
sforeheadandyoucoul
dseelit
tl
e
spot
sofsweat.Theveinsonhi
sneck,wer
ethe
enl
argedt
othemaxi mum.

Me;
Siy
a,pl
ease
Hi
m;Si
tdown 
ME;
Si

Hel
i
ftedhi
shandt
ohi
tme,
butst
oppedmi
d-ai
r.

Yoh,t
hetear
sstar
tedfl
owingl
i
keVi ct
ori
aFal
ls,
butmyangerst
art
edtaki
ngover.NeverhadI
i
maginedinamil
l
iony
ear
s,t
hatSi
yawoul
d
wanttol
ayahandonme.

Me;doi
t.Hi
tme.I
fitwil
lmakey
ouf
eel
li
key
ou
ar
eaman, t
hendoi
t. 
Hi
m;Si
tdown 
Me;
giv
emet
hedamnkeyf
ort
hedoor
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
doy
ouev
er,
doasy
ourt
old?
Me;no,Idon’
tandyouknowthat
.Sowhyar
e
youact
ingall
surpr
isednow?
 
Him;youratti
tudeisreal
l
ystar
tingtoannoyme.
I
’vetr
iedsohar dnottobethi
sper sont
owards
you,
buty oujustkeeponpushing.Andnow,I
t
hinkI’
vef i
nal
lyhadenough
Me;
sowhatar
ey oudoi
ngher
e.Whydon’
tyou
gor
unni
ngt
oLindali
keyoual
waysdo?
Him;soisthatwhyyouwantedtoki
ll
ourchi
ld.
Becauseyou’r
ethr
eatenedbyLi
nda?Wasit
somesor
tofpay
backf
ormel
eav
ing?
 
Me; no,
Iwantedtogetri
dofthi
schi
ldbecause
Iknewitwouldti
emet oyoufor
ever
.You’r
ea
badenoughfathert
oOlwethoasiti
s,what
makey out
hinkyoucoulddoanybett
erwit
hmy
chil
d.

Thi
sti
mehishanddi
dn’
tst
opmi
d-ai
r.I
nst
eadi
t
l
andedri
ghtacr
ossmyf
ace.
 
Hehitmewi t
hsuchf or
ce,Inear
lyf
ell
ov er
.I
i
mmedi at
elywentsi
lent.Myfacewastingl
ing
andIswearIsawstars

Him;sothat’
swhati tt
akesf
oryoutoshutup,
huh.Ihavetorai
semyhandaty ouinorderf
or
youtoshowmeanounceofr espectRi
fi
loe.
YouthinkIenj
oyfighti
ngwit
hyou.Fuckman

Idi
dn’
tanswerhi
m.I
nst
eadIsatdown.
Him;sonowyou’
vegonemute.Aminut
eago
youwererambl
i
ngon.Fuck,
Fuck,

Itr
iedsohard,
nott
ocr
y,butmyey
eswoul
dn’
t
co-oper
ate

Him;im goingt
oaskyouquest
ions,
andy
ou
bett
ertell
met het
rut
h 
Me;
………………………….
.
Hi
m Ri
fi
loe 
ME;
(sni
ff
) 
Him;st
opwithdam water
worksok.Theydon’
t
meananyt
hinganymore.Youwantedtomurder
ourchi
l
d.Andnowy ou’
resit
ti
ngherecry
ingli
ke
you’
reavi
cti
m

Me;
whatdoy
ouwantmet
odoSi
ya.Wher
e
wer
eyouwhenIneededy
ou?
 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
Iwasworki
ng.Youknowhow
hect
ict
hingsar
eatt
hemoment .Youshoul
d’
ve
wait
edforme. 
Me; f
uckyouSiya.Ok…..You’
retheonewho
tol
dmey oudon’twantt ohaveachi l
dwi thme.
Whatdidyouexpectmet odo?Ha, Si
tar ound
andwaitforyoutohavet i
mef orme…. .SiyaI
askedyoutogivemet ime,HellIbeggedy outo
l
etmego, butno, i
nst
eadherey ouareagai n,
for
cingyoursel
fint
omyl if
e

Him;for
cingmysel
f?Incasey
ouhav en’t
noti
cedyouarehavi
ngmybaby .Whichmeans
wear ef
orcedtobeineachot
her’
sli
v es,
and
ther
eisnothi
ngyoucandoaboutit 
Me;
yest
her
eis
Him;i
fyouev
er,
andImeaneverthi
nkof
harmi
ngmybabyagai
n,Iwi
l
lpersonal
l
yki
ll
you.
IswearRi
fi
loe.I
’
lldoi
tmy
sel
f.
ME;
mcm,
yousai
dyouhav
equest
ions.

Hi
m;whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?Anddoy
our
sel
f
af
avourandtel
lmethet
rut
h
Me;youalr
eadyknowwhyI
’
m her
e.Whyar
e
youaski
ngme?  
Him;Iwanttohearthewor
dsfr
om yourmout
h.
Iwanttohearyoutell
meyou’
vebecomea
murderer
ME;
stopwi
tht
hedr
amat
icsok 
Hi
m;I
’
m wai
ti
ng 
Hi
m;answerme 
Me;Si
ya,
canwepl
easet
alkaboutt
hisatmy
pl
ace
Hi
m;I
’
m notgoi
ngt
orepeatmy
sel
f
Me;
Icamet
oseeDrRi
char
dson
Hi
m;Why
 
Me;
Ineededt
oconf
ir
m mysuspi
cions 
Hi
m;suspi
cionsaboutwhat
 
Me;
aboutmebei
ngpr
egnant
 
Hi
m;whatel
se 
Me;
Siy
a,Iwant
edt
otel
l
………….
.

Hecamecl
oset
omychai
r,andl
eanedi
n

Him;Thinkverycareful
lyaboutt
henextwords
outyourmout h,becauseifi
t’
snott
hetrut
h,I
wil
lpersonal
lyfucky ouup.

Me;Iwantedt
oseewhatopt
ionsIhad,
Shoul
dI
deci
dedtoter
minat
e 
Hi
m;notshoul
d.Youmadet
hisappoi
ntment
pur
posel
ytoki
l
lmybaby
 
Me;inthebeginni
ngmay
be.ButIst
art
edhav
ing
doubts.IswearSi
ya
Hi
m;andy
oudi
dn’
tthi
nky
oushoul
d’
vet
oldme
Me;Itr
iedcal
li
ngyou,buty
ouwerebusy.SoI
knewthatIwouldhav
et omaket
hethi
s
deci
si
onalone 
Him;doyouknowhowmuchIwantt
obeatt
he
shi
toutofyouri
ghtnow 
Me;that’
snotgoingtochangeany thi
ng.Maybe
i
fyouhadbot heredanswer ingmycallsinst
ead
ofsulki
ngli
keaf iv
ey earold.Wecouldhav e
di
scussedthisli
keadul t
s,i
nst eadofyou
huff
ingandpuffi
ngl i
keaf uckingwolf

Ir
eall
yhavenoideawhatIt
houghtIwasdoing
byanswer
inghim backl
i
kethat
,butIr
efuseto
l
ethimint
imidat
eme
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m war
ningy
ou 
Me;what,
areyougoingtodo?Hi tmeagain.
Becausei
fyouare,
youmi ghtaswelll
etmego
thr
oughwit
htheaborti
on,becauseiddef
init
ely
l
osethebaby
Hetookasteptowardsme,Ij
umpedoutmy
chai
r,andwentbehi
ndthedesk.

Hi
m;sayonemor
efucki
ngwor
d 
ME;
Siy
a,j
ustst
opok,
Stopt
ryi
ngt
oscar
eme

Het
ookouthi
sphone,
anddi
all
edsomeone

Si
ya;
Gordon.Gett
heJetr
eadyf
orCUBA,
I’
m on
myway 
Hi
m;Si
r,wear
est
il
lref
uel
l
ing.I
tmi
ghtbequi
te
al
ongwait
 
Si
ya;
HowLong 
Hi
m;about4hour
s 
Si
ya;
Letmeknowt
hemi
nut
eit
’sf
uel
l
ed 
Hi
m;Yessi
r 
Hel
ookedatme

Hi
m;Takey
ourbagwe’
rel
eav
ing 
Me;
butIneedt
oseet
hedoct
or.Si
ya,
 
Him;didIasky ou?Lal
elal
anawena,
ungangidi
niyezwa.We’rel
eavi
ngandthat
’s
fi
nal

Ij
ustsighed,andtookmybag.Iwasn’tgoingto
aggravatethi
scrazymananyfur
ther
.Ifigured
I’
djustignorehi
m, andhav
eaconversati
onwi t
h
him oncehe’scalmeddown.

Heunl
ockedt
hedoor
,andwal
kedout
.Whi
l
eI
f
oll
owedbehi
ndhi
m. 
Hegav
et her
ecept
ioni
stt
hekey
,andwal
kedt
o
t
heparki
ngbay.
 
Whenwegott otheparki
nghewasparkednext
toHlokes.Iwalkedar
oundtothecarHl
okes
wasinandgoti n.Si
yacamearoundand
openedmydoor

Hi
m;getout
 
Me;
siy
a,canwenotdot
hisr
ightnow.
 
Hi
m;don’
tmakemedr
agy
ouout

Il
ookedatHl
okes,

Me;
Hlokes,
dosomet
hing 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe,
justgot
ohiscar,wecant
alkabout
t
hiswhenwegett oyourhouse 
Me;
mxm
Igotoutthecar
,andwentt
oSi
ya’
scarandsat
attheback.
 
Hegoti
nandt
hedr
ivert
ookof
f.

Wesatinsil
enceonther i
dehome.Ihadso
manythi
ngsgoingthroughmymi nd,butIdi
dn’
t
knowhowtoexpresst hem.All
Icoulddowas
l
ookoutthewindow,andcr ysi
lentl
y.
[
05/
12,
16:
17]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

30

Theridehomewasbeyondexcruci
ati
ng.It
ri
ed
sohardnottocr
y,butt
hetear
sjustkept
coming. 
Si
ya,
coul
dn’
tev
enl
ookatme.
Whenwegott omyhouse, Igotoutandwent
str
aighttomyr oom.Iwasn’ tl
ookingforpit
y
fr
om Siya,butIalsoexpectedhimt otreatme
asanequal ,andnotsomeonewhohecanj ust
smackar ound,whenhef eelsli
kethingsaren’t
goinghisway .

Ii
mmedi at
elyl
ockedmydoor .Idi
dn’
twantSiya
cominguphere,andbit
ingmyheadof f
.Ihad
hadenoughofthatforoneday.Ij
ustneededt
o
breat
he,wi
thouthiminmyface. 
Iwenttothebat
hroom t
owashmyf ace,
then
wenttoli
edown.Iwassotir
edIendedup
fal
l
ingasl
eepinmyt ear
s.

Iwaswokenupbyaknockonthedoor .Idi
dn’
t
wantt
oopen,soItr
iedi
gnor
ingi
t,becauseI
knewi
twasSiya.
 
Hekeptper
sist
ing.SoIev
ent
ual
l
ygotupand
wentt
oopen.
 
Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ngt
ohi
m,Ij
ustopenedand
wentbackt
omybed

Hi
m;It
houghty
ouwer
epacki
ng 
Me;
wher
eam Igoi
ng 
Hi
m;don’
tst
art
 
Me;
Howam Ist
art
ing,
 
Him;weleaveforCubai
nanhour
.Makesur
e
you’
repacked 
Me;
butIt
houghtIwasl
eav
ingonFr
iday
 
Hi
m; I’
m notr
iski
ngyoukil
li
ngmybabywhi
l
e
I
’m nother
e.Weleav
et oday 
Me;
DoIev
engetasayi
nthemat
ter
 
Hi
m;No

Iwassoexhaust
ed,
Idi
dn’
thav
etheener
gyt
o
f
ighthi
m.

Me;Ididn’
tunpackthethi
ngsyouhadbought
formeonmyl asttr
ipther
e.Pl
easeaskthe
guardstocomehelpmecar r
ythem.They’
rei
n
thesparebedr
oom
Hedidn’tanswer
,hej
ustwal
kedback
downstair
s.

Il
etoutasighofr
eli
ef.Ihadn’
treal
i
sedt
hatI
washoldi
ngmybreath.

Ideci
dedtogohaveabat
hbef
orewel
eft
,
becauset
hefl
ightt
oCUBAisl
ong,
 
Whenwasdonebat hingIworemybl ack
t
racksuitsetwi
thmysneaker s.Ivoi
dedthe
mir
ror,becauseIdidn’twantt
oseethebr ui
se,
I
j
ustwant edtofor
gett hi
sdayeverhappened.
WhenIarri
veddownst air
s,mybagswer ebeing
l
oaded.Iwentt
ot hekitchentomakemy sel
f
somethi
ngtoeat.Iwassohungr y,becauseI
hadn’
thadanyt
hingt oeatsinceIhadsome
yoghur
tint
hemor ning. 
Lucki
l
yt herewassomelef
tov
erGreeksal
ad
fr
om lunch.SoIat
ethat
,andhadabottl
eof
water
. 
Si
yawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eIwaseat
ing.

Hi
m;y
our
eady
Me;Ij
ustneedt
owasht
hispl
ate,
thenwecan
go 
Hi
m;l
eav
eit
,Hl
okeswi
l
lhandl
eit
 
Me;
isn’
thecomi
ngwi
thus
Hi
m;HecomesdownonFr
iday
.
Itookmypl
ate,andpl
acedi
tinthesi
nk.Then
tookmyhandbagandwentt
ot hecar
. 
Hl
okesdrov
einasIwaswalki
ngout
.Ihadn’
t
r
eal
isedhewasn’
tar
ound.

Hecameoutt
hecar
,andcamet
ome
Hi
m;y
ouok 
Me;
didy
out
ell
him aboutt
hebaby
 
Hi
m: Iswearonmyl
i
feRi
fi
loe,
Idi
dn’
tut
tera
wor
d 
Me;
cool
,soI
’
llseey
ouonSat
urday
 
Hi
m;whatdi
dhedot
oyou 
Me;
whatdoy
out
hinkhedi
d
Hi
m;t
ell
mehedi
dn’
tlayahandony
ou 
Me;
what’
stheuseHl
okes.Whatareyougoi
ng
t
odoabouti
t?I
t’
sdone.Justl
eav
eit 
Hi
m;Fi
ne,
buti
l
ldef
ini
tel
yhav
eawor
dwi
thhi
m 
Me;
Ishoul
dgo 
Hi
m;comeher
e

Hel
eanedi
nandgavemeahug,
asSi
ya,
was
wal
ki
ngoutt
hehouse.
 
Ihuggedhi
m back,thenwentt
othecar
.Si
ya
gotinandt
hedriverlef
t.

Theawkwar ddri
vet
otheai
rpor
twasannoy
ing
ashel
l.Thankful
l
ySi
ya’
sphonerang.
 
Irol
l
edmyey eswhenIheardthatitwasLinda.
Thatwomanhadat endencyofphoningwhenI
wasaround.Butf
unnil
yenoughheal waystook
hercal
l
s,butmeont heotherhandIhavetocall
hi
m ami l
l
ionti
mes,befor
eheanswer s.Mxm 
Iputmyheadphoneson, andli
stenedtot he
musiconmyphone.Idi dn’
tfeell
ikeli
steningt
o
hi
mt al
kingtoher.IknowIwasmadeathi m,
butIst
il
lfel
tasjealousashelloverhi
m.
Whenwegott otheairport
,weboar
dedhisjet
.I
reall
yhopedthatSiyawouldn’
tsi
tnexttome.I
didn’
tfeell
ikesi
tti
ngnexttohimforover10
hourswithoutustalki
ng. 
Asluckwoul dhaveit.Hesatr i
ghtnexttome.
Yho,Iwasget ti
ngannoy edbuttoldmy sel
fto
cal
m down, andt r
ytoi gnor
ehim.Iputmy
saf
etybelton,thentookoutmyheadset sfrom
mybagandpl uggedthem intomyl apt
op,I
wasn’tgoi
ngt oentertainhi
smood.Iwasj ust
goi
ngt owatchmov i
esandt rytocalm myself
down.

Wehadt akenoff,andIwasnearl
yhal
fway
thr
oughmymov ie,whenSi
yatappedmeont he
shoulder
.Itookoutmyheadphonesandlooked
athim
Hi
m;weneedt
otal
k 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Him;weneedtogetyoutoadoct
or,assoonas
welandinCuba.Iwantt
omakesurethatt
he
babyisok 
Me;canIhaveacoupl
eofday
s.Ij
ustneedt
o
r
ecuperat
e.
Hi
m;I
’
dpr
eferwegost
rai
ghtaway
 
Me;doIevenhaveasayi
nthemat
ter
.Orwer
e
youj
usti
nformi
ngme 
Hi
m;don’
trai
sey
ourv
oiceatme
Me;
Oh,
buty
oucanr
aisey
ourhandme 
Hi
m;doesev
ery
thinghav
etot
urni
ntoan
ar
gumentwi
thyou 
Me;
for
getIsai
dany
thi
ng.

(
SILENSE)
Him;lookRi
fi
loe,
IknowIwaswrongforhi
tt
ing
you.Ido…………Iwasjustsoangr
y. 
Me;soever
yti
mey ougetangry,
you’
regoi
ngt
o
hi
tme?Orbett
erthreat
entokil
lme.AndI’
m
supposedt
obeokaywiththat
?
Him;No,I
’
llneverputahandony ouagai
n.I
don’
tknowwhatIwast hinki
ng.Ij
ustgotso
mad,Iwasn’tt
hinki
ngstr
aight
ME;Siya,I’
m notoneofy ourempl oyeeswho
l
ookaty ouandseeghost .Ilookaty ouandI
seeSiya.IseethemanIf ellinlovewi t
h,The
manIthoughtl ovedmet oo.Nott his
Gangster/speci
alopsguy ,notamanwho
abusesme.I fyou’r
emadatme, Finebemad.
Hell
,br
eakt hefuckingwindows, orkick
something.Butdon’tyoudar eeverlayahandat
meagai n.
 
Hi
m;yourr
ight
…..I
’m sor
rybabe,
Ipr
omi
seyou
i
twon’
thappenagai
n.Nowcanwemov eon?I
canttakethi
sconst
antf
ight
ing.Ij
ustwantmy
gir
lback. 
Me;No,wecannotjustmoveon.I
’m goi
ngt
o
askyouagai
n,f
orthemi l
l
iont
hti
me.Ineedyou
togi
vemespacetobr eat
h.Pl
ease,j
ustl
etme
be.
 
Hi
m;butRi
fi
loe,
yourcar
ryi
ngmychi
l
d 
Me;Siy
a,Inowthatok.ButIstil
lneedmyspace.
YouandIbothknowthatI ’
m basical
lygoingto
beasingl
emother.You’renotgoingtobe
ar
ound.LookatOlwetho,youseehi m once,
maybetwiceamonthi fhe’
slucky.Whatabout
mychil
d.Whatdoesheget ?Adaymont hor
worse.
 
Him;Rif
il
oe,Iwouldn’tdot
hattoyou,orour
chi
ld.Al
lI’
vewant,sinceIl
aideyesonyou,was
tomakey ouhappy.Tomakey oumywi fe.Ipl
an
tosti
ckwiththatplan
Me;Si
ya,
marri
agei
snotanopt
ionf
orus.I
t
nev
erwil
lbe 
Hi
m whynot
?
Me;Siya,y
ouhaveatar
getonyourhead.How
am Isupposedt
obemar r
iedt
oamanwhoi sn’
t
wi
ll
ingtogiveuphi
sJob,tobewit
hme?
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loeIcan’
t 
Me;Theny
ouandIhav
enot
hingf
urt
hert
otal
k
about

Iputonmyheadphones, andcont i
nued
watchi
ngmymov ie.Iunder stoodhewassor r
y,
andwantedustowor kthingsout .Buthewasn’t
wil
li
ngtomakethesacr i
ficesr equi
red.Sohow
wasIsupposedtobelievehi m?

Oncemymov i
ewasf i
nished,Idecidedt
otakea
nap.Iwasexhausted,
andwest i
llhad7hours
l
eftofthi
smiserablef
li
ght. 
Isl
eptal
lthr
oughoutt
he7hours.Si
yawokeme
up,wheni
twast i
metoland.
 
Whenwel anded, wewentstr
aightt
ot hehouse.
Iwasgladheact ual
lyl
ist
enedtome, Iwasso
ti
red,
anddidn’twanttogotothedoct or
.

Whenwearri
vedatt
hehouse,
Siy
aledmet
o
t
hemainbedroom.

Me;SoifI
’
m st
ayi
ngher
e,wher
eyouwi
l
lbe
sl
eepi
ng?
Him;Li
ndai
sinSA,
soI
’
lluset
her
oom shewas
usi
ng 
Me;
Ok…Ineedabat
h
Hi
m;y
ousi
tdown,
I’
ll
gor
uni
tfory
ou 
Me;I
’
m sur
e……………………nev
ermi
nd,
that
woul
dbenice.

Iwant
edtotellSi
yathatIcoul
drunmyown
bat
h.Butf
eltbad,becauseheseemedl
ikehe
wastryi
ng.SoIl ethi
mr unthebath,whil
eI
changedintotheoneofhisr obes.Thensaton
thebed.Myf eetwereswollenfrom bei
ngin
sneaker
st hewhol ef
li
ght.

Hi
m;y
ouwantaf
ootmassage 
Me;
I’m good,
Ijustwantt
otakeabat
h,andput
myfeetup
Hi
m;Ok,
I’
ll
goseehowf
ardi
nneri
s 
Me;
Youmeanbr
unch.
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)y
es.Jet
lagi
snoj
oke.

Fort
hef
irstt
imeinf
orev
er ,
Iact
ual
lysmi
ledat
hi
m.HelookedsomuchlikemySiy
aatthis
moment
.

Isoakedmysel
finthebathforov
eranhour
.I
wasf eel
i
ngsodrai
ned.Iputmyhandonmy
t
ummyandsmi
l
ed

Me;soyourrall
yinmyt ummyha.I ’m sor
ry
daddywasshout i
ngearli
er.Hewasj ustupset
atmommy .Ireal
lyhope,Icanbeagood
mothert
oy ou.I
’m notsosur eyourdaddywill
bethebestfat
her,butall
we’llhavetodoiswait.

Ismi
ledatmy sel
f.I
t’
swei
rdspeaki
ngto
somethi
ngthatnotevenv
isi
bleyet
. 
Siy
aknockedont hebathr
oom door
.It
oldhi
m
tocomein,becausethebubbl
eswerecover
ing
mybody. 
Hi
m;Youst
il
lati
t 
Me;
yep,
Iwasj
ustaboutt
ocomeout
 
Him;
doy ouwanty
ourfoodi
nyourr
oom orwi
l
l
youj
oinmeonthever
anda?
Me;
I’
ll
sitont
hev
eranda.I
t’
stoohoti
nhear
Hi
m;cool,
youshoul
dcomeoutbef
orey
our
f
oodgetscol
d 
Me;
I’
ll
bet
her
einasec.

Siy
al ef
tandIgotoutt hebath.Iwasf eel
ingso
rej
uvenated.Iwenttomysui tcasesandtook
outapairofshorts,atopandsandal s.Cuba
wassohot ,
Iwasr eal
lynotl
ookingforwar dt
o
goingthroughmypr egnancyhere. 
Iputcream onmyf ace,t
engat heredthe
couragetolookinthemirror.Luckil
ythebr
uise
wasn’tasbadasIt houghtitwouldbe.Butit
wasdef i
nit
elyvi
sibl
e

WhenIgott heveranda,
Siy
awasalreadyeat
ing.
Il
ookedatt hef
oodandi mmedi
atel
yf el
t
nauseous.SoIgrabbedanappl
einstead.

Hi
m;ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
oeatany
thi
ngel
se 
Me;
Idon’
tthi
nkIcanst
omachany
thi
ngel
se 
Hi
m;butbabe,
you’
regoi
ngt
ost
arv
emybaby
 
Me;
theonl
ybabeinthi
sequati
onistheonei
n
mytummy.Ei
thert
hanthatI
’
m Rif
il
oe 
Hi
m;(
sigh)t
hisi
sgoi
ngt
obeal
ong9mont
hs 
Me;
mcm 
Him;sowhendoy out
hinkwecangoseea
doct
oryourhi
ghness 
Me;
may
bet
omor
row
Hi
m;can’
twegot
oday
.I’
dreal
l
yli
ket
oseehi
m
Me;
Him?
Hi
m;y
es,
I’
m sur
eit
’saboy
 
ME;
andi
fit
’sagi
rl
 
Hi
m;wesendherback.Ican’
thav
eany
body
el
semaki
ngmesoft 
Me;
wel
lIt
hinkt
hatwoul
ddoy
ousomegood.
 
Hi
m;y
oual
readymakemesof
t 
Me;
aft
ery
est
erday
,I’
m notsosur
e 
Hi
m;pl
easecanwenotgot
her
e. 
Me;f
ine.
..I
’
lll
ety
oumaket
heappoi
ntmentf
or
t
odayononecondit
ion
Hi
m;Any
thi
ng 
Me;
afootr
ub,
andpopcor
n 
Hi
m;popcor
n 
Me;
yep.I
’
m cr
avi
ngsome 
Hi
m;ok,
butf
ir
sthav
esomet
hingt
oeat
Me;
Noway
sI’
m eat
ingt
hatst
ew.
 
Hi
m;I
’
llmakey
ousomet
hingel
se 
Me;youmeanmam Mar
thawi
l
lmakeme
somethi
ngel
se 
Hi
m;No,
I’
ll
makei
t.Pr
omi
se 
Me;
fine,
phut
uandamasi
 
Him;yho,
Idon’tthi
nkwehaveamasi.How
aboutchi
ckenstew,ormaybeevenbeeff
il
let
Me;
nope,
Iwantamasi
 
Hi
m;i
l
lseewhatIcando 
Me;
Thanx

Wesatt al
ki
ngaboutthebaby.Youcoul
dreal
l
y
seethatSi
yawasexcited.It
ri
edbei
ngasexit
ed,
butdeepdownIsti
llhadmyconcerns.

Siy
awenttolooki
fwehadamasi
,whi
l
eI
carr
iedoneat
ingmyappl
e. 
Hecamebackl
ooki
ngdef
eat
ed

Hi
m; babe,
mam Mar
thasay
stwodon’
thav
e
amasi 
Me;thenamesRif
il
oe.Andi
t’
sfi
ne,
I’
ll
hav
e
popcor
ninst
ead
Hi
m;can’
tIconv
incey
out
oeatany
thi
ngel
se 
Me;
Siy
a,I
’
llf
indmy
sel
fsomet
hing 
Hi
m;f
ine…Ourappoi
ntmenti
sat2pm 
Mr
;ok,
I’
m goi
ngt
oli
edownf
orawhi
l
e 
Hi
m; mymom say
sify
ousleeptoomuch,
you
wi
llhav
epr
obl
emsduringdel
iv
ery 
Me;
You’
veal
readyt
oldy
ourmom
Him;Yes,
tol
dheronourwayher
e.Shesayswe
shoul
dgetmarr
iedbef
oret
hebabyarr
ives.
 
Me;Ok,
conv
ersat
ionov
er.I
m goi
ngt
otakea
nap 
Hi
m;cool
,i
ll
wakey
ouup

Istoodupandwentt omyr oom.Iwasn’tgoi

ng
tobedi scussi
ngmarri
agewithSi
ya.Thatshi
t
ainthappeningany
timesoon.

Mynapwasamazi
ng,
somuchsot
hatIwant
ed
t
okil
lSi
ya,
whenhewokemeup
Me;
goaway
 
Him;ourappoi
ntment
sin30mi
ns,
youneedt
o
getup 
Me;
can’
twer
eschedul
e 
Hi
m;nothappeni
ng,
getup 
Me;
mxm,
yousucky
ouknowt
hat
 
Hi
m;st
opmoani
ngandputony
ourshoes.

Igotupandwentt
obrushmyteeth,
andmy
hai
rthenputonmysl
ops,andof
fwewent.
 
Siyakeptgoi
ngonandonaboutt
hebaby.Iwas
sonauseous,Iwant
edt
otel
lhimtoshutthe
fuckup. 
Whenwegott
othedoct
or’
sof
fi
ce,
wewer
e
shownt
ohi
srooms.
 
ThedoctorcameinandIi
nstant
lysmil
ed.He
wascuteoldCubandoct
or.Helookedl
ikehe
wasi nhi
ssixty’
s.Heint
roducedhi
mselfasDr
ErnestoRodri
gues.Thankgoodnesshespeaks
Engli
shfluent
ly

Wef i
stdidaur i
netesttomakesur eIwas
i
ndeedpr egnant.ThenHeaskedmet ochange
i
ntoagownandl i
edownandputmyl egsup.I
wasabi tuncomf ort
ablewithSi
yabeingther
e,
butIcouldn’
tthrowhi m out
.Helookedso
exci
ted.
 
Ichangedi
npr
ivat
e,t
henwentt
osi
tont
he
tabl
e. 
Thedoct
oropt
edforat
ransvagi
nal
Ult
rasound,
si
nceIwasunder3months.
 
Si
yal
aughedwhenthedoctorputthecondom
ov
ert
heultr
asoundmachine.Iwantedtohi
t
hi
m

Me;
behav
e 
Hi
m;sor
rybabe,

TheminuteIsawthatl
it
tl
edotont hemonit
or,
myheartsmil
ed.Icoul
dbeli
evethatther
ewas
act
ual
lyahumani nsi
deofme. 
Thedoctorwastaki
ngust hroughalotofthi
ngs,
butIwasn’tr
eal
lypayi
ngattenti
on.Iwasjust
busylooki
ngatmyl i
tt
lebl
oop.Iheardthe
doctorsaysomethi
ng,andturnedtolookat
hi
m 
Me;Sor
ry,
Idon’
tthi
nkIj
ustcaughtwhaty
ou
sai
d
Hi
m;Ify
oulookatt
hescreen,
youwi
l
lnot
ice
t
hatt
herear
etwofoet
uses 
Me;
two 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;
ohmygosh.
Si
yawast ooshockedt
oev ensayanyt
hing.I
don’
tblamehi m.Wewer eexpect
ingababyand
notbabies.
[
05/
12,
16:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

31

ILookedatSiy
a,andhel ookedl
ikehehadwon
thelott
ery
.Thedoctorfi
nishedwit
htheexam,
thenIwenttochange,andcamebackt osi
t
withthem. 
TheDoct
orconf
ir
medthatIwas6weeksal
ong.
Wedidamil
li
ontest
.Thenlef
t.
 
Ihadn’
tsai
dmuchtothedoctor
,becauseSi
ya
wastheoneaski
ngal
lthequesti
ons.

Iwasquit
eal
lthewaybackhome.Iwasn’
t
upset
,Iwasj
ustscar
ed.HowwasIgoingtobe
abletocar efor2newbabi es,
wit
houtmy
mot herbeingthere?Iknewshewould’
vebeen
sohappy .Shewoul dhavebeenthebest
grandmot herali
ve.

Si
yal
ookedatme

Hi
m;y
oul
ookabi
tof
f,ar
eyouok
Me;
whatdoy
out
hink?
Hi
m;Iwasj
ustaski
ng 
Me;
don’
taskmest
upi
dthi
ngs 
Him;Look,
Iknowyourner
vous,
butt
her
e’s
nothi
ngtobener
vousabout.
 
Me;easyforyoutosay,
it’
snotli
keyou’r
egoing
t
obet heonelooki
ngaftertwosmallbabi
es,
whi
lethei
rfatheri
souttry
ingtosav
et he
f
li
ppinguniv
erse
Hi
m;canwenotdot
hisr
ightnow.Thi
sshoul
d
beahappyt
ime.Wecancomeupwi
thsome
sor
tofcompr
omise.
 
Me;mxm, compromise?
???Youneedt
o
pr
ior
it
iesnotfucki
ngcompromise

Si
yadidn’
tanswerme,Wedrovetherestofthe
wayhomemost l
yinsil
ence,
fort
herestofthe
wayhome.IknowIshouldn’
tbesomoody ,butI
j
ustcan’
thelpmysel
f.

WhenIgothome, Iwentst
rai
ghttotheki
tchen,
IwassohungryIcouldeatahorse,
whil
eSiya
wentupst
air
stowor k.
 
Mam Mar
tha,
wasbusycooki
ng.Igav
ehera
hug,

Her
;Youl
ookwel
l
Me;
thanky
ouma 
Her
;Iheardaboutwhathappenedt
oyour
par
ents.I
’
m sosorry
 
Me;
thanky
ouma.
.
Her
;Ihearwe’
regoi
ngtobehav
ingal
i
ttl
eone
r
unni
ngaroundsoon 
Me;
(si
gh)l
i
ttl
eones 
Her
;I’
mlost
 
Me;
ther
e’st
wooft
he 
Her;ohmygoodness.Congr
atul
ati
ons.That
’s
suchablessi
ng 
Me;
thanksma
Her
;Si
tdown,
I’
ll
makey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
Me;
Noma,
don’
twor
ry,
I’
ll
makei
t 
Her;Youneedtotakethingseasy.Youcan’tbe
st
andingforl
ongper i
odoftimes,especial
ly
wit
ht wi
ns.Thebeginni
ngofy ourpregnancyis
al
way sthemostdeli
cate.Sositdown,andill
makey ousomethi
ng.Whatwoul dy ouli
ke? 
Me;
canIhav
epl
anebr
eadwi
thmi
l
k 
Her;y
ouneedt oeatmoret
hanthat
,yourbabi
es
neednutr
it
ion.Howaboutachi
ckenmay oand
Avosandwich 
Me;ma,
canIhav
eachi
ckenandav
osal
ad
i
nst
ead.
 
Her
;it
sbet
tert
hanpl
ainbr
ead.

Ismi
l
ed,
shewasj
ustasst
ubbor
nasIwas.
Siy
awal kedi nwhil
eIwaseatingmysalad.I
hadn’tr
ealisedhowhungryIwasuntilIl
ooked
atthatsalad.Itwasabsol
utel
ydel
ici
ous.

Hi
m;f
inal
l
y 
Me;
what
 
Hi
m;y
ouract
ual
l
yeat
ing 
Me;
mhmmm 
Him;(chuckl
es)youneedt
oswal
l
owory
ou’
l
l
chokeony ourf
ood 
ME;
shutup 
Hi
m; mam Mar
tha,
canIpl
easegetoneof
t
hose 
Her
;Sur
e

Hesatnextt
omewat
chi
ngmeeat
…

Me;
Goaway
 
Him;notachance.Iwantt
omakesur
eyou
f
ini
shthatsal
ad 
Me;
mxm

Wesattogethereati
ng.If
ini
shedmysaladand
wenttogetmy sel
fabottl
eofwater
.Thencame
tosi
tnexttohim agai
n.Il
ookedathi
ssalad
anditl
ookedreall
ygood.
Hi
m;y
ouwannashar
e
Me;
yep
It
ookhi
sfor
k,andst
art
edeat
ing.(
noj
udgi
ng)

Hi
m;(
chuckel
s)somuchf
orshar
ing 
Me;
Mhmmm

Iendedupfini
shinghi
ssal
ad…thankf
ull
ySiy
a
beingt
hegentlemanheisdi
dn’
tcomplai
n,he
j
ustsmiled.

Hi
m;wehav
eaf
ewt
hingsweneedt
odi
scuss
Me;canwedot
hatl
ater
.Iwantt
ogot
akea
nap.
 
Him;youj
ustt
ookanapbef
orewewentt
othe
doct
or 
Me;
so 
Hi
m;ok,
youwi
n.CanIt
ucky
oui
n? 
Me;
nope,
sav
ethatf
ory
ourbabi
es
Him;Thembi
isbusyunpacki
ngy
ourst
uff
.But
youcanusemyroom 
Me;
mesl
eepi
nLi
nda’
sroom…….
.Nev
er 
Him;i
t’
snotherr
oom.Shej
ustusedi
twhen
shewashere 
Me;
sti
l
lpr
obabl
ysmel
l
sli
keher
 
Hi
m;y
ourov
err
eact
ing 
Me;
what
ever
Hi
m;comeon…I
’
llgi
vey
ouaf
ootr
ub 
Me;
tempt
ing 
Hi
m;i
l
laddpopcor
n 
Me;
don’
tyouhav
etowor
k 
Hi
m;nott
oday
.Iwantt
ospendt
imewi
thy
ou 
Me;
spendt
imewi
thme,
ormakesur
eIdon’
t
ki
l
lyourpr
eci
ousbabi
es 
Hi
m;Icannev
erwi
nwi
thy
oucanI
? 
Me;
whoknows.
 
Him;doy ouhavetoal
waysdothat?Rif
il
oe,I’
m
tr
yinghere.Yousai
dIdon’
thaveti
mef oryou.I
tr
ymaki ngti
me,andnowyou’r
epushingme
away 
Me;
isn’
tital
i
ttl
etool
atef
ort
hat
 
Hi
m;haai
,Igi
veup 
Me;
good.Idon’
tneedy
ouf
aff
ingar
oundme
Him;
don’tdot
his,
becauseifIwer
etodot
he
sameyouwouldgoball
ist
ic 
Me;
what
everSi
ya 
Hi
m;mxm

Hestoodupandwalkedaway.Ihadn’
tnot
iced
thatmam Mar
thawasn’ti
nthekit
chen
anymore.
 
Sonowhewant stomaketimeformebecause
I
’m pr
egnantwi
thhisbabi
es.Butbef
oret
henhe
wasn’
twil
li
ng.Nxa,hecangotohell
 
Iendedupfeel
i
ngbad…Iknowhe’
str
ying,
Ijust
can’
tseem t
ogetoverev
ery
thi
ng.
 
Ihat edthathelovedhisjobmoret hanme,and
wor sehel i
ft
edhi shandatme.Howdoy ouget
overt hi
ngslikethatanyway…Ijustneedhimto
reall
ygiv emet i
me.May bethenIcouldtr
uly
forget,butforti
mebei ngapartofmest i
l
lhated
him.

Si
yaspentt
her
estofthedayinhisof
fi
ce,
whi
l
e
Iwat
chedmovi
esinthelounge.
 
Whenhecamedownf
ordi
nner
,heseemeda
bi
tdi
stant
. 
Iwasusedt
ohim si
tt
ingnextt
ome,
butt
his
ti
mehesatopposi
teme
Idi
dn’
tdar
esayany
thi
ng,
becauseIknewhe
woul
dtel
lmet
ost
opconf
usi
nghi
m bl
ahbl
ah
bl
ah 
Mam Mar t
hahadmademincel
asagna,
wit
ha
beet
rootsaladont
hesi
de.
 
Iwasn’
tsur
eIcoul
dst
omacht helasagna,soI
onl
yhadalit
tl
ebi
tofi
t,andhadlotsofthe
sal
ad. 
Si
yal
ookedatmypl
ateandshookhi
shead.

Hi
m;youcantl
iv
eoffofsal
adRifi
loe.Youneed
t
oeatfort
hesakeofmybabies 
Me;Si
ya,j
ustshooshok.Imf
ine,
andI
’
m eat
ing
mos.Canyoujustrel
ax 
Hewasabouttoanswerme,
buthi
sphoner
ang.
Ir
oll
edmyeyes. 
HeansweredanditwasLi
nda.
.mxm.Ist
oodup
andwentaroundt
owherehewassit
ti
ng.
 
Igr
abbedt
hephoneoutofhi
shandand
dr
oppedhi
scal
l

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
ME;wewerei
nthemi
ddleofaconv
ersat
ion.
Li
ndacanf
ucki
ngwai
t 
Hi
m;gi
vememyphoneback 
Me;
No 
Hi
m;whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?

Ididn’
tanswerhim,Ijustt
hrewhisphone
againstthewall
.Unfort
unatel
yitdi
dn’
tbr
eak,
thescreenjustcr
acked.
Si
ya,
stoodup 
Hi
m;ar
eyoucr
azy
 
Me; cl
earl
yI’
m crazy.I
’
mfuckinghavingy our
chi
ldren.Onl
yaper sonwi
thament aldisorder
wouldgetpregnantbyaninconsi
deratejerkli
ke
you. 
Ipickedupt
hephonebef
orehedid,
andran
towardsmybedr
oom,wit
hSiyacomingaft
er
me.  
WhenIgottomybedr oom Iwentt
othe
bathr
oom,andtherehi
sphoneinthetoi
l
etand
tr
iedfl
ushi
ngitaway.

WhenSi
yacamei
nhel
ookedsopi
ssed.
 
Ididn’
tcaret
hough,
Iwassickofhi
m not
respect
ingmewhenitcomestothi
sLindabi
tch.

Hi
m; soar
eyougoi
ngt
otaket
hephoneoutt
he
t
oil
etordoi?
Me;
Icoul
dcar
elessr
eal
l
y 
Hi
m;Yourdr
ivi
ngmecr
azy
. 
Me;
shame

Hel
aughed…notbecausehewashappy
,butt
he
mor
eannoy
edki
ndofl
augh

Him;sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoaboutmy
phone 
Me;
Not
hing 
Hi
m; soy
ouexpectmet
oputmyhandi
nthe
t
oil
et 
Me;
ther
e’sgl
ovesi
nthecabi
neti
fyouwant
 
Hi
m;whatisitwi
thyouandLi
nda?Can’
tyou
t
wojustgetal
ong? 
Me;thepr
obl
em i
snotLi
nda.Thepr
obl
em i
s
you.
 
Hi
m;howam It
hepr
obl
em 
Me; y
oudon’tfucki
ngli
sten…Itol
dyouIcan’t
standitwhenwe’rei
nthemi ddl
eofa
conversat
ionandwhatdoy oudo?theexact
fl
ippi
ngopposite 
Hi
m;Yho,
Rif
il
oe,
youar
edr
aini
ngme.Your
constantnaggi
ngisannoyi
ngasf uck.
.Li
ndais
themot herofmychi
ld.Thereisnothi
ngthat
’s
goingtochangeaboutthat.Sogetoveri
t
alr
eady.

Myeyesinst
antl
ywater
ed…Howcoul
dSi
yabe
sosweetatti
mes,andt
hensodamnmean
[
05/
12,
16:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

32

I
nthatmomentIr
eal
i
sedthatnomat
terwhat
,I
woul
dalway
scomesecond. 
Si
yaandLi ndawerepr
act i
cal
l
yinsepar
abl
e,and
weatherornotIli
kedi
t,shewasgoingtobea
par
tofmyl ife.

It
ookt
hegl
ovesf
rom t
hecupboar
d,t
hent
ook
hi
sphoneoutt
het
oil
et.

Him;whatdoy
ouexpectmet
odowi
tht
hat
now

Me;
howabouty
oushov
eitupy
ourass,
andget
t
hehel
loutmyr
oom

Hi
m;f
ine

Het
ookhi
sphoneandwal
kedout
.

Ispenttherestoft
heeveni
ngi
nbedmost
ly
thi
nkingaboutmylif
e. 
IknewIhadareal
lyr
oughroadaheadofme.I
hadbeensoconsumedwit
hev er
ythi
ng,
Ihad
for
gott
entobeme. 
Ihadn’twornmakeupi nages,Ihadbagsunder
myey es.Iwasn’twor
kingout,
sobasical
lyI
l
ookedacompl etemess.

SoIt
oldmy
sel
fENOUGH.
 
Enoughofputti
ngSiyafi
rst
,enoughofwanting
hi
sattent
ion.Enoughofcry
ing,f
uck,enoughof
naggi
ng.NowIwasgoi ngtochooset obe
happy.
Despit
ethecir
cumstances,Ir
efuset
olet
my sel
fbemiserabl
e.I
’
m sureifmymotherwas
ali
veshewouldhaveslappedmeacrossthe
faceagesago.

Sofi
rstt
hingsf
ir
st,
Ineededagoodni
ght
’s
sl
eep.

Isl
eptli
keanewbornbabyfort
hefir
stti
mei n
ages.If
eltsomuchl
i
ghternowthatIhadletgo.
Thef ol
lowingmor
ningIwokeupr efreshed,I
gotup, mademybedandwentt otakeashower .
Ichangedintomygy m gear
,thenwentt ohave
breakfast
.

WhenIarri
vedSi
yawasononeofhi
sspar
e
phones.

Idecidedt
ohaveal ar
geporti
onoffruitsalad.I
maynothav eanapiti
tef
orheagyfoods, buti
plannedoneati
ngasmuchofwhati can
stomach.Andsofarfrui
tsseemedtobeonei f
thrthi
ngsicoul
dstomach

Iwashalfwayt
hroughmysalad,
whenSi
ya
fi
nishedhi
stel
ephoneconv
ersat
ion.
Hi
m;mor
ning

Me;
hi

Hi
m;howdi
dyousl
eep

Me;
li
keababy

Hi
m;l
uckyy
ou

Ididn’
trespond.Ij
ustcar
ri
edoneat
ingmy
breakf
ast.

Hi
m;Ineedt
ospeakt
oyouaboutsomet
hing

Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Hi
m;pr
omi
sey
ouwon’
tfr
eakout

Me;
ok

Him;Li
ndaandOl wet
hoarecomi
ngwithHlokes
andtherestoft
hecrewtoday
.Ol
wethoison
hol
idays,
andhewant edt
oseeme.

It
ookabr
eat
hinandout
,thenhadasi
pofmy
j
uice

Me;t
hat'
snice,I
’
m sur
eitwi
l
lbeni
cet
osee
Ol
wethoagain

Si
yalookedatmeli
keIwasanal
i
en.I
’
m sur
ehe
wasexpecti
ngafi
ght.
Me;
what

Hi
m;y
ousur
eyoudon’
tmi
nd

Me;Ididn’
treal
iseIhadanopti
onint
hemat t
er,
butnonethelessIdon’
tmind.I
t’
snotl
ikeIown
thi
splace

Hi
m;Okaay
,butt
her
e’soneot
herpr
obl
em

Me;
what

Hi
m;Iwon’
thav
eapl
acet
osl
eep,

Me;
youcansl
eepi
nyourr
oom
Hi
m;asi
nthesamer
oom asy
ou

Me;
yes

Hi
m;doest
hatmeany
ouandI

Icuthi
m of
f

Me; No,youandIareal ongwayfrom bei

ng
together
.Butsincethebediski
ngsize,I'
m sure
wewon' tgetineachother'
sway.Aslongasy ou
don'ttr
yanythingweshouldbegood.

Hi
m:y
ouknowt
hat
'scr
uel
right
 
Me:
wel
li
t'
sei
thert
hatort
hecouch 
Hi
m:I
'
llt
akey
ourof
fer
 
Me:
good,
arewedoneher
e,I
'
dli
ket
ogowor
k
out
 
Hi
m:t
ell
mey
ourj
oki
ng 
Me:
I'
m deadser
ious 
Him:awomani
nyourcondi
ti
onshoul
dn'
tbe
exer
cisi
ng.
 
Me:
Siy
aI'
m pr
egnantnotsi
ck.
 
Hi
m:pr
omi
sesy
ou'
l
ltakei
teasy
Me:
promi
se 
Hi
m:isther
eanywayIcouldconvi
ncey
ouni
t
t
oexerci
sedur
ingy
ourpregnancy
 
Me:Si
ya,Ineedtoexer
cisesoIdon'tgai
ntoo
muchweight.Idon'
twanttobewalkingar
ound
her
elooki
nglikeawhale 
Him:t
here'
snooneher
eyouneedt
oimpress
butMe.AndI'
dst
il
ll
oveyoui
fyouwer
ethesize
ofawhale 
Me:I'
m notl
ooki
ngt
oimpressyouoranyone
el
se.Ij
ustwantt
omakesureidontgai
ntoo
muchwei
ght
 
Hi
m:f
ine.ButI
'
ll,
bekeepi
nganey
eony
ou
Me:Idon'
texpectanyt
hingl
ess.Nowexcuse
mewholeIgowor kupasweat

Il
efthi
mther
elooki
ngdi
spl
eased.

Ienj
oyedmywor koutquiteal ot
..there'
s
honestl
ynobet t
erf eel
ingthanwor kingout
aft
erastressful
,ti
me.I tj
ustreli
evesy our
str
ess.Ididhowev ertakeiteasy,Ididn'
twant
totr
iponsomet hingandhur tmy self.

WhenIwasdone,Iwentt
otakeashower
,then
changedi
ntoaf
loral
maxidr
ess.

Ireal
l
yfel
tli
kepamperi
ngmysel
f,butdi
dn'
t
knowhowt ogoabouti
tsi
nceIwasinaforei
gn
count
ry.

SoIdi
dmymakeup,putonmysandal
s,and
wentt
oSi
yasof
fi
ce.

Iwant
edtoaskhi
m whatmyoptionswer
e,
maybeIcoul
dgotoamallorsomethi
ng.

WhenIgottohisof
fi
ce,hi
sdoorwasn'
tcl
osed,
soIknockedandwalkedi
n.

Hi
m:y
oul
ookni
ce
Me:
thanky
ou
Hi
m:wher
eyouof
fto?
Me: Iwasactual
lyhopi
ngtogoout.Iwantt
o
getmyhai randnai
lsdone.Andal
soacoupleof
otherthi
ngs 
Hi
m:howl
ongwi
l
lyoube
Me:
qui
teawhi
l
e
Hi
m:you'
l
lhav
etot
akeatl
east3bodyguar
ds
wi
thy
ou.
Me:
cool
Hi
m:howmuchdoy
ouneed 
Me:
dontwor
ry,
I'
ll
usemycar
d
Him:I
'dpr
eferyoudi
dn'
t,Idon'
twantanybody
t
raci
ngyoutoCuba.I'
drathergi
veyouthe
moneyincash 
Me:soundsreasonabl
e,buti
don'
tknowhow
muchI'
llneed
Him:5000pesosshouldbeenough,
buti
fyou
needmoreI'
llsendanot
herguar
d
Me:
ok

Hegotupandwenttot
hesafeandgav
emethe
money.Iwasn'
taf
anoftaki
ngmoneyfr
om
peopl
e,buti
nthi
scasei
didn'
thav
eachoi
ce

Me:
thanky
ou.
 
Hi
m:pl
easedon'
tgi
vet
heguar
dsahar
dti
me
Me:
byeSi
ya 
Hi
m:don'
tIgetaki
ssgoodby
e 
Me:
keepdr
eami
ngbuddy

Hel
aughed

Iwasn'
tcomfor
tablewalki
ngar oundwit
hso
muchmoney,butfeltbet
terbecauseIknewt
he
guar
dswouldbearound

LuckyformeNail
swasoneoft
heguards.I
hadn'
treal
lyhadt
imet
ospeakt
ohim sinceI
gotback.
Igavehi
m ahug.Heseemedali
tt
lesur
pri
sed
butnonethel
esshehuggedmeback.

Ihear
dSi
yaclear
inghi
svoice,
soIbrokethe
hug.Hel
ookedatnai
lsdi
sapprov
ingl
y,
thenat
me.

Ij
ustlookedathim,i
t'
snotli
keIwasdoi
ng
anyt
hingwrong,Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtobeni
ce

Hi
m:r
if
il
oecannohav
eawor
d 
Me:
butwewer
eaboutt
oleav
e 
Hi
m:i
twi
l
lonl
ytakeasec,
 
Me:
fine

Het
ookmyhandandwal
kedmet
oour
bedr
oom.Ij
ustknewIwasi
ntr
oubl
e

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
don'
tdot
hat
 
Me:
dowhat
Hi
m:f
li
rtwi
tht
heguar
ds 
Me:
fli
rt
?Iwasn'
tfl
i
rti
ng,
Iwasj
ustbei
ngni
ce 
Hi
m:wel
ldon'
tbe.Ican'
thaveyoubeingli
ke
t
hatt
owar
dsthem.Idon'twantthem get
ti
ng
i
deas
Me(
chuckel
s)y
ouseem j
eal
ous 
Hi
m:I
'
m not
, 
Me:
what
every
ousay
.CanIgonow 
Hi
m:f
ine,
butnomor
ehuggi
ngt
heguar
d's.
 
Me:
fine

Il
eftSi
yainthebedr
oom andwenttot
he
basementgaragewher
enail
sandtheother
guar
dswer
ewai
ti
ng.
,

Nail
sopenedt hedoorf
orme,andgoti
ntot
he
dri
versseatwhil
ethetwoot
herguar
dswerein
anothercarbehi
ndus.

Wedriveforaboutanhourandahalfbefor
ewe
goti
ntothecity
.Iwassofascinat
edwithhow
col
ourf
ulthebuildi
ngswere,
butmostlyhow
cl
eantheiri
nnercit
ywas

Ifel
tabitwier
dbecausepeopl
ewerest
ari
ngat
ourcars.Iwasreal
l
ygladt
heWindowswere
ti
nted.

Whenwegottothemall
,nai
lswal
kedmet
oa
ver
ymoder
nlookingsal
on.
Iwasabi tnerv
oushavi
ngsomeonewho
doesntspeakEngl
ishdomyhair
,butl
ucki
l
y
nai
lswasabl etot
ransl
ate.

WhileIwasdoingmyhai r,thenailt
echnici
an
star
tedwi t
hmynai ls.Luckil
yshespokeabi tof
Engli
sh,sowewer eabletocommuni cat
e.I
askedhert oal
sodomyt oes,becausethe
weatherwassohot ,I
'dbewear inglot
sof
sandals.Somyt oenailshadtolookasgoodas
myf i
ngernail
s.

Iwalkedoutt
hesal
on3hour
slat
er,
feel
ingl
ike
anewwoman.Ihadalsogot
tenawax,soIwas
groomedtothet
ee.
 
Ididn'
tfeel
li
kegoi
nghomey
et,
soIwal
ked
aroundthemall
.

Idi
dn'
tbuymuch,
becauseIhadev
ery
thi
ngI
neededatt
hehouse.SoIj
ustboughtaf
ew
snacks,
anddr
inks.

Whenwewer egett
ingreadytogoIsawasmal l
l
ittl
ebabybout i
que.Iknowni twast oearlyto
startbuy i
ngclothesbuti coul
dn'tresi
st.They
hadt hecut estt
hings.Problem wasIdidn't
knowt hegenders,soIboughtaf ewof
everything.

Il
ovedt
hel
i
ttl
eshoesandt
hecl
othest
heyhad

Byt
heti
mewel ef
tIhadspentmostofmy
moneyt
hatsi
yahadgiv
enme.

Nai
l
sandtheot
herguardscar
ri
edmybags,
whi
lewewal
kedbacktothecar.
WhenIgothome, Ii
mmedi at
elyfloppedonto
thebed.Iwasexhaust
edfrom allthatwal
ki
ng,
andmyf eetwer
eswollenasar esult.

Siyawal
kedinwhi
leIwasgoi
ngt
hrough
every
thi
ngIhadbought
.Hesawt
hebabyst
uff
andsmiled

Hi
m:whatdowehav
eher
e 
Me:Icoul
dn'
tresi
st,
lookhowcut
eev
ery
thi
ng
i
s 
Him:thoseshoesar
eadorabl
ebabe.Ican'
t
bel
iev
et heymakesuchsmall
sizes 
Me:
Iknowhey
,Ican'
twai
ttogoback 
Him:but,
isn'
ti
tabitear
lyt
obeshoppi
ng?We
don'
tevenknowthesexofthebabi
es.
 
Me:y
aah,buti
justcoul
dn'
tresi
st.Ev
ery
thi
ng
j
ustl
ookedsocute.
 
Hi
m:I
'
m gl
ady
ourwar
mingupt
obei
ngamom
Me:y
aahbutnowIneedagoodbat
h.Myf
eet
ar
ekil
li
ngme
Him:gi
vemeanhourtofi
nishof
fwhafiwas
busywit
h,t
henI
'
llgi
vey
ouameanf oot
massage
Me;thatsoundsamazi
ng.I
'
llgobat
hint
he
i
nter
im 
Hi
m:ok,
doy
ouwantmet
oruny
ourbat
h
Me:
noman,
yougowor
k,i
l
l,manage 
Hi
m:ok,

Helef
tandwenttowor
k,whi
l
eipackedt
he
babycl
othesaway
.

WhenSi yacamebackdown,Iwasstil
linthe
bath.Iwasenjoy
ingi
tsomuch,Ididn'
twantto
getout.HeknockedonthedoorandItoldhi
m
t
ocomei
n

Hi
m:y
ourst
il
li
nthebat
h 
Me:
thewat
erssosoot
hingI
'
m notsur
eIwant
t
ocomeout
Hi
m:y
ou'
l
lgetsi
ckbabe,
youshoul
dcomeout
Me:
what
'
swi
thy
ouandt
hebabet
hingMar
a 
Him:i
t'
smynamef
ory
ou,
andi
don'
tpl
anon
Changit
 
Me:
haai
,j
usthandmemyt
owel
please

Hehandedmemyt owelandwenttot
heroom.I
fol
lowedandwentt
otheclosett
ogoget
dressed.

I
twasalr
eadyget
ti
ngl
ate,
soIwor
emy
l
eggi
ngsandatop.
Thenwentt
othebedr
oom.

Siy
awassi
tt
ingi
nthebedwat
chi
ngt
vwheni
camef
rom t
hecl
oset
. 
Heshi
ft
edwhenhesawme,
soIcoul
dputmy
f
eetonhisl
ap.

Him:y
ouseem abi
tmor
ecal
mtoady
,What
's
goi
ngon?
Me:
whatdoy
oumean
Him:yourbeenf
ight
ingmetoot
hnandnai
lfor
aslongasIcanrememberbutt
odayyouseem
di
ffer
ent.
 
Me:
canIt
ell
,yout
het
rut
h 
Hi
m:y
es
Me:Ithi
nkI'
'v
efi
nall
ycometoter
mswi t
hthe
f
actthatyouwil
lal
waysputLi
ndafi
rst
. 
Hi
m:but
 
Me: letmef ini
sh.Don'tgetmewr ong, Il
oveyou,
IreallyDo, butineedt oalsolovemy self
.I
want edy out ocommi tt
omesobad, Il
ost
,my selfint heprocess.Butwhaty ousaid
resonat edwi thme.Youral waysgoingt oput
herf i
rst,she'sthemot herofyourheir,andIget
that.Soi ll
,justacceptthatandmov eon.For
nowI '
m goi ngtoenjoymypr egnancy .maybein
thef uture,onceI'm backinS.A.Imightf i
nda
mant hatrespect smeasmuchasy oudowi th
Linda
Hi
m:ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ohur
tme 
Me:
no,
I'
mjustt
ell
i
ngy
out
het
rut
h
Hi
m:whati
fIwantt
obet
hatman 
Me: Idon'
tthinkyouar er
eadyf orthat.AndI
'm
notmadaty ouaboutit.I
'
mj ustalsonotwi l
l
ing
tobeputsecondf ort
herestofmyl i
fe.I'
m
goingtobeamot herinafewmont hs.AndI
needt ogetmypr i
orit
iesi
nor der.
 
Hi
m:i
fIwor
kedatbei
ngt
hemany
ouneed
woul
dyout
akemeback?
Me:maybewi
tht
ime,
butf
ornowcanwej
ust
bef
ri
ends.
Him:well
,that
'sbet
tert
hany
oucut
ti
ngmeof
f
complet
ely 
Me:
IguessI
'
m asuckerf
orpuni
shment

Het
ickl
edmyf
ootandIpul
l
edi
taway
.

Fort hef
ir
stt
imesinceSiy
aandIwentdownhi ll
,
Ifeltmyhear
tatpeace.It
hinki
twasbecauseI
hadnoexpectati
onsfrom hi
m.InsteadI
pl
annedonenj oy
ingCubaandget t
ingreadyt
o
bringmybabiesint
otheworld.
 
I
fhim andiweremeantt
obet oget
hert
henwe
woul
dsur el
yfi
ndourwaytoeachother
[
05/
12,
16:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
33

Si
y aandIst
ayedt
ogetherf
ormostoft
he
eveni
ng.Weevenendeduphavi
ngourdinneri
n
ourroom.

Iwasenjoyi
ngspendingtimewithhi
m, Ifel
l
asl
eepwhenhewentbackt ohisoff
ice.Idi
dn’
t
mindthough,becauseIknewthathehadt o
work.

Iwokeupthef
oll
owingmorni
ngi
nSi
ya’
sar
ms.
Somuchforhi
m keepi
ngtohi
ssi
deoft
hebed

Imov edhishandslowl
y,Ineededtopeeso
badly
.Iwentt ot
hebathroom andtooka
shower,thenwenttogetdressed.I
twasver
y
unl
ikeSiyatosti
ll
besleepingatthi
sti
me.Even
onaSat urday
.
SoIwentt
owakehi
m up

Me;
Si,
wakeup 
Hi
m;mhmm 
Me;
sincewhendoy
ousl
eepi
n 
Hi
m;shhhRi
fi
loeman,
orbet
tery
etcomeback
t
obed 
Me;
noman,
im hungr
y 
Hi
m;j
ustf
or5mi
nut
es 
Me;
Fine

Igotbackt
obedandhecuddl
edme

Me;sodoy
oucuddl
eli
ket
hiswi
thal
lyour
f
ri
ends 
Hi
m;(
chuckel
s)onl
ytheonesI
’
minl
ovewi
th 
Me;
mcm,
 
Hi
m;don’
tactl
i
key
oudon’
tli
kei
t.
 
Me;
butnowIwantt
oeatSi
Hi
m;f
ine,
yougoi
l
lmeety
oudownst
air
s. 
Me;
cool

Igotupandwentt othekit
chen.Ihadtotal
ly
for
gottent hatHlokesandthet eam hadarr
ived
duri
ngt heweehour softhemor ni
ng.Soitwas
apresentsur pr
isetoseehi m havi
ngbreakfast
onthev eranda.

Hest
oodupandIgav
ehi
m ahug.

Hi
m;y
oul
ookgood
Me;
thanky
ou.
..Howwasy
ourf
li
ght
? 
Hi
m;excr
uci
ati
ng
Me;
why
Him;Lindaspokeal
lthewayher
e.Idi
dn’
tget
anysleepwhatsoev
er 
Me;
(chuckel
s)aski
esshame 
Hi
m;y
ounotbot
her
edwi
thherbei
ngar
ound 
Me;
I’
m notecst
ati
c,butwhatcanIdo/
Hi
m;Haai
,rat
hery
out
hanI
 
Me;
sodi
dyoubr
ingamasi
forme 
Hi
m;y
es,
 
Me;
thankGod,
I’
vebeencr
avi
ngi
t 
Hi
m;soy
ouandt
hebi
gmanget
ti
ngal
ong 
Me;onl
yjust
…We’
l
lhav
etowai
tandseehow
l
ongitl
asts 
Hi
m;asl
ongasy
ourhappy
 
Me;
thanks

Youknowev
ent
houghHl
okesandIhadhad
ourdi
ff
erences,Ir
eall
yli
kedhavi
nghi
m around.
Hehadprovedt obeagoodfri
enddespi
teour
past
,andIvaluedthat
.

Hi
m;sohow’
sthebabydoi
ng
Me;
youmeanbabi
es 
Hi
m;noooo,
howmany
 
Me;
two 
Hi
m;damn
Me;
tel
lmeabouti
t 
Hi
m;I
’
m sur
e,Ghostmustbeexci
ted 
Me;
Iguessso.

Hl
okesandIwer
einthemiddl
eofbreakf
ast
whenLi
ndaandOlwet
hocamet oj
oinus.

It
ookabr
eat
handcar
ri
edoneat
ing.
 
Lindadi
dn’
tbot
hergr
eet
ingme,
butOl
wet
ho
rantogi
vemeahug. 
Hesatonmyl
ap

Hi
m; aunt
ydaddysay
sI’
m goi
ngt
obeabi
g
br
othersoon
Me;
arey
ouexi
ted
Hi
m;y
es,
Ican’
twai
ttopl
aywi
thhi
m 
Me;
wel
l
,ther
e’st
wo,
 
Him;wow,Mommydidy
ouheart
hat
.Aunt
yis
havi
ngtwobabi
es.

Li
ndaj
ustl
ookedatmet
henatOl
wet
ho

Her
;yesnana

Si
yacamet
ojoi
nus,
Olwet
hor
ant
ohi
m,and
gav
ehi
m ahug,
thencamebackt
osi
tonmy
l
ap.

Ol
wet
ho;daddy,aunt
ysaysI’
m goi
ngt
ohav
e
t
wobabybrother
sorsist
ers 
Si
ya;
real
l
y 
Ol
wet
ho;
yesdaddy
,butwher
ear
ethey
 
Si
ya;
inaunt
yst
ummy
 
Ol
wet
ho;
buthowdi
dthebabi
esgett
her
e

Hl
okeschokedonhi
sfood,
whi
l
eSi
yal
ookedat
meandsmiled

Si
ya;askaunt
y,I
’
m sur
esheknowsmor
ethan
daddy 
Ol
wet
ho;aunt
y,howdi
dthebabygeti
nyour
t
ummy 
Me;ahmm ahmm Godputt
hem i
nmyt
ummy
nana 
Hi
m;buthow
Me;Whi
leIwassl
eepi
ng,
Godcamedown,
and
putt
hem i
nmytummy 
Hi
m; oh,
li
kewhent
hetoot
hfai
ryput
smy
moneyundermypi
l
low 
Me;
yes,
justl
i
ket
hat
 
Siy
aandHlokesl
aughed,
Whi
l
eLi
ndal
ooked
annoy
ed.

Idi
shedupf
orOl
wet
ho,

Si
ya;
babewhataboutme 
Me;
aski
esmyl
ove.Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ke?
 
Hi
m;baconandeggspl
ease
Me;
andmushr
ooms 
Hi
m;soundsgr
eat
.

Idi
shedupforhi
m,Idon’tknowwhywewer e
act
ingl
ikeacoupl
e,butIwasn’
tcompl
aini
ng.

Wehadbr eakf
ast,
thenIwentt
ochange.Itwas
sohot,t
herewasnowayIwasgoingtosur vi
ve
i
njeans.SoIputonshort
sandabiki
nitop,and
wentbackoutsi
de.

Ol
wethowaswait
ingf
ormeont hev
eranda,
we
wer
egoingt
oplayonthebeach.

Si
ya;
soI
’
m noti
nvi
ted 
Me;
Ithoughty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
obewor
king 
Hi
m;butIal
sowantt
opl
ay 
Ol
wet
ho;
hur
rydaddy
,Iwantt
ogopl
ay 
Si
ya;
ok,
I’
ll
gochange 
Me;pleaseaskmam Mar
that
omakeapi
cni
c
basketforus 
Si
ya;
ok,
any
thi
ngspeci
fi
cthi
ngs 
Me;
frui
ts
Hi
m;shar
p

ItookOl wethoshand,andsawLi ndajustsi

tt
ing
there.Ikindoffel
tbad,forexcl
udingher,

Me;
aren’
tyouj
oini
ngus?
Her
;nott
oday
,I’
vegotacoupl
eoft
hingsIneed
t
odotoday
Me;
ok,
we’
l
lseey
oul
ater
Me;pl
easeaskSi
yat
obr
ingoutt
hesunscr
een
wi
thhi
m
Her
;sur
e
Ol
wet
howasget
ti
ngi
mpat
ient
,sowel
eft
.

Siy
atookhi
stime,butfinall
ycamet ojoi
nus.
Olwet
hoandIweretryingtobuildasandcastle,
butwewerefai
li
ngmi serably
.Istoppedtr
ying
tobui
ldwhenIsawthePi cnicbasket.

Hi
m;whatar
eyouguy
sbui
l
ding?
Olwetho;
asandcast
ledaddy
,pl
easecome
help 
Hi
m:oknana,
giv
emet
woseconds

Iwentthrought
hebasked,
andset
tl
edona
banana. 
I
twasniceseei
ngSiy
aspendi
ngti
mewithSiya.
Hel
ookedsocaref
reeandhappyf
orachange.
Westay
edont hebeachforaf
ewhours,pl
ayi
ng
i
nthewater
,thentr
yingt
obuil
dthecast
le.

Bytheti
mewewentbackinside,
Iwassot
ir
ed.
SoOlwethoandIwentt
otakeanapinmy
room. 
Wedidn’
tev
enhav
elunch,
wesl
eptt
hrough
mostoft
heday
.

WhenSi yawokemeup, itwasal

readyt
imefor
dinner.Ol
wethowassleepi
ngsopeaceful
l
ynext
tome.Idi dn’
twantt
owakehi m,
butSiyawasn’
t
havingit 
Hi
m;hemustsl
eepi
nhi
sroom 
me;nomanSiy
a,y
ou’
regoi
ngt
owakehi
m,l
et
hi
m sl
eepwi
thus 
Hi
m; nothappening.Iwanttocuddley
ou.Plus
Ol
wethokickslikenoother.Idon’
twanthi
m
ki
cki
ngy ouinthestomach
Me;
yourexagger
ati
ng
Hi
m;babe,
pleaseman.
 
Me;f
ine,butify
ouwakehi m andhekeepsy
ou
upal
lnight,
don’tsayIdi
dn’
twar ny
ou

Siyapi
ckedOl
wet
houp,andtookhi
mtoLi
nda’
s
room.Meanti
meIwenttofr
eshenupf
or
supper
.

WhenIgotupst ai
r s,
HlokesandLindawere
nowher etobefound.IfoundSi
y aonthe
veranda,thewholeverandawascov er
edin
candles,andthetablewassetforjutt
hetwoof
us
Me;
wher
eisev
ery
one 
Hi
m;out
 
Me;
what
’swi
tht
hecandl
es
Hi
m;comesi
t 
Me;
okay

Iwasgoi
ngt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m,buthepul
l
edme
ont
ohisl
ap.

Hi
m;Iwant
edt
odosomet
hingspeci
alf
ory
ou
Me;
why
 
Him;Iknowt hepastcoupl eofweekshav e
beenst r
essful f
oryou,andIdi dn’
tdoanybet ter
,
i
nsteadImadet hi
ngswor se.BabeI ’
m sosor ry.
Idon’tknowwhatIwast hinki
ng.From lying
aboutHlokesandwhatIdo, t
ohitt
ingy ou.I
don’
tknowwhatt hehellthehellcameov erme.
ButIreali
zedl astni
ghtthatIwasr eal
lylosing
you,andt hatscaredtheshi toutofme.  
Me;
butSi
,youcan’
thav
ebot
hmeandLi
nda.
 
Him;Iknow,Ij
ustdon’
tknowwhatI
’
m
supposedtodo. 
Me;putheri
nherpl ace.Iknowshe’sOlwetho’
s
mom, andIrespectt hat.Butshesti
l
lthi
nksshe
i
sthewomani ny ourlif
e,andthat
’sbecause
youhaven’
tputy ourf ootdown
Hi
m;sowhat
syoursuggest
ion 
Me;it
’snotmyplacetosay
.Iwasneveri
na
rel
ati
onshi
pwithher,
youwere.Soi
t’
suptoyou
howy ouhandl
eher.
 
Him;
il
lsorti
toutRif
il
oe,Ipr
omi
se.Ij
ustneed
yout
ogivemeabi tofti
me 
Me;Ivebeengivi
ngy outi
me.Wor dswon’
t
changeanyt
hing,butyouract
ionswil
l.
 
Hi
m;Iknow….Soam If
orgi
ven?
 
Me;f
orgi
veny
es,
buty
ouandIhav
eav
eryl
ong
wayt
ogo 
Hi
m;sot
echni
cal
l
ywe’
rebackt
oget
her
 
Me;notr
eal
ly
,Ij
ustneedt
oseehowy
oudeal
wi
ththi
ngs
Hi
m; soi
sther
eanychanceofmeget
ti
nga
ki
ss 
Me;
may
bei
fyoupl
ayy
ourcar
dsr
ight
Hi
m;Icandeal
wit
hthat
,butf
ir
stl
et’
seat
. 
Me;
please,
I’
m st
arv
ing

Imovedof
fhi
slapandhest
oodt
odi
shupf
or
us.
 
Il
aughedwhenIsawt
hathehadmade,
papand
amasiforme(
lol
)

Wehaddi nnerundert hest

arstoget
her,
everythi
ngseemedsoper f
ect
.ButIknewthat
west i
llhadsomanyt hi
ngswehadt owork
through.Buf ornow, hewasherewithmeand
that’
sallthatmat t
ers.
[
05/
12,
16:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
34

Iwasgl adt hatSi yaandIwer emendi ngour

rel
ationship/Fri
endshi p,becausewewer egoing
tobehav ingchi ldrentogether,
butIst i
l
lhadso
manywor ries.Likethisjobofhi st
hathecan’ t
seem t oletgoof .Andit
’snotlikeSiy
aneeded
themoney .Hemadeagoodenoughl ivi
ngof f
hisbusiness, butsomet hingwaskeepi nghi min
CubaandIwant edtoknowwhati t
,butf ornow,
I’
llj
ustkeepqui etandt r
yenjoyingthetimewe
havet ogether.

Whenwewer edonewi t
hdinner,
wewenttoour
room.Iwasn’tti
redbecauseOlwethoandIhad
sleptformostofthel
ateafter
noon,sowe
decidedtowatchamov ieinourroom.

Ichangedi
ntomypj
’
swhi
l
eSi
yat
ookashower
,
Thenwel
ayi
nbed.

Hi
m;sowhatdoy
ouwantt
owat
ch

Me;
achi
ckf
li
ck

Hi
m;noway
s

Me;yesways.
..Youcan’
texpectmet
owat
cha
chi
ckfl
ick

Me;
whynot

Hi
m;causeI
’
m guar
ant
eedt
ofal
lasl
eep

Me;
fine
Weendedupwat chingsomescar ymovie.ButI
di
dn’tmakeitthrought hemovi
e.Ifel
lasleep
hal
fwaythrough.IthinkitwasbecauseIwasi n
hi
sar ms.

WhenIwokeuponSundaymor ningandSiya
wasn’tinbed.Icoul
dsmellhisbodywash,soI
knewhehadj ustgott
enup.Ilookedaroundour
room forhi
m buthewasn'
tt her
esoIguessed
hewasi nhisoffi
ce.

Igotupandmadet hebed,thenwentt ot akea

shower .Iwasn’treall
yfeeli
ngwel l
.SoIj ustput
onmyt racksui
tspant sandat op.Iworemy
sl
ippersbecausemyf eetwereabi tswollen.I
want edtogohav ebr eakfastwit
hSi ya,
then
discussaf ewthingswi thhim
WhenIgotupst ai
rs,Siy
awashav i
ngbreakfast
withLi
nda.Oneoft hem hadpr obablyshareda
j
oke,becauset heywer elaughing.Theylooked
socomf ort
ablewi t
honeanot her.Hewas
sit
ti
ngnextt oher,andshewadshowi nghim
somethi
ngonherphone.I dli
ei fIsai
dapar tof
mewasn’ tjeal
ous, ihat
edseei ngghem
toget
her,butIpushedmyj ealousyaside.

Idecidedtohav emybreakf
astinmyr oom.I
didn’twanttofeel
li
keIwasintr
uding.SoIwent
tothekitchen,
andmademy sel
ftoastwit
h
butterandaglassofmilkandwentt oeati
nmy
room.

WhenSi
yacamet
ocheckonme,
Iwasf
ini
shi
ng
of
fmytoast
.

Hi
m;mor
ning
Me;
Hi

Hi
m;whyar
eyouhav
ingy
ourbr
eakf
astupher
e

Me;Iwasn’
tfeel
i
ngwel
l
,soIdeci
dedt
orat
her
hav
ebreakf
asthere

Hi
m;ar
eyouok?

Me;
I’
mfi
ne,
justal
i
ttl
enauseous

Hi
m;canIgety
ouany
thi
ng

Me;
no,
I’
mfi
neSi
ya.
Hi
m;y
ousur
e?Youl
ookabi
tof
f 
Me:
itsy
ouri
magi
nat
ion,
imf
ine 
Hi
m:ok,
i’
ll
beupst
airsifyouneedme,
I'
vegot
pi
l
esofworkt
ogetthrough
Me;go,I
’m goi
ngtochi
l
lher eforawhil
e.Pl
us
I
’dl
i
ket ocheckmyemails.I’
m suret
herear
ea
f
ewt hi
ngsthatneedmyattenti
on

Hi
m;ok,
yousur
eyourok

Me:
100% 
Hi
m:ok,
I'
ll
seey
oul
ater
Me:
Shar
p

Si
yaleftwhi
l
e,Iopenedmyl
apt
opandst
art
ed
worki
ng.
Ihadn'
treal
i
sedhowmanyemai
l
sIhad.
 
Mostofthem wer
ef r
om work.Iwasgladi
t
wasn'
tanythi
ngurgent.Mostoft
hem werej
ust
i
nfor
mingmeaboutmycl i
entsport
fol
i
o.

Ther
ewasonee- mailt
hatIhadn'topened.It
l
ookedlikei
twassentafewday sago.Buti
di
dn'
trecogni
zethee-mai
laddress,soIlefti
t
asunreadandcont
inuedwit
ht heothers.

Whil
eIwaswor kingIst
art
edgetti
nghungrysoi
wenttotheki
tchentogetsomethi
ngtoeat.
Ol
wethowaswi thmam Mar t
habakingacake.
Hestoppedwhenhesawme, andcametogive
meahug.Hehadchocol ateall
overhi
shands

Hi
m:auntyl
ook,
I'
m hel
pinggr
annymakeacake
f
ordaddy
 
Me:
itl
ooksdel
i
cious,
I'
m sur
edaddywi
l
lenj
oy
i
t 
Hi
m:butwemustnott
ell
him,
it'
sasur
pri
se 
Me:
Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m:doy
ouwantt
otast
e
Me:
please

Hegav
eoneofhi
sfi
nger
sandIl
i
ckedi
t

Me:
mhmm i
t'
sdel
i
cious 
Hi
m:Iknow,butgr
annysay
sImust
nthav
etoo
muchbecausei
twil
l,
makemytummysore 
Me:gr
annyi
sri
ght
,wedon'
twanty
ouget
ti
ng
si
ck
Hi
m:okaunt
y

Hewentbackt
ohi
sbowl
,whi
l
eImademy
sel
fa
sandwi
ch 
Mam Mart
halookedl
i
keshewasenj
oyi
ng
hav
ingol
wetho'
scompany

If
inishedmaki
ngmysandwich,
andat
eiti
nthe
ki
tchenwithagl
assofmi
lk.

WhenIwasdone,Igaveol
wet
hoaki
ssand
wal
kedbackupst
airs.

InoticedLi ndawal ki
ngdownasIwaswal ki
ng
up.Shehadonar edbiki
nithatwashar dl
ytherè.
Iwon' tl
i
eandsayshedi dn'tlookgood,she
reall
ydid, butipersonall
ywoul dputonsome
shortsov ermybi kinibott
oms, especi
all
ywith
theguar dswal ki
ngar oundt hehouse.I
tjust
seemsabi ti
nnapropriat
e,butt hat
'
sjustmy
opinion.

Igr
eet
edhercauset
her
ewasnowayof
av
oidi
ngher
,andsheact
ual
l
ygr
eet
edmeback.

Her
:sohow'
sthehor
monest
reat
ingy
ou 
Me:
finet
hanky
ou,
notasbadasIt
hought
 
Her:
luckyy
ou.WhenIwaspregnantwi
th
ol
wethomyhormoneswereallov
erthepl
ace 
Me:
sor
ryt
oheart
hat
,
Her:i
t'scool,
plusSiy
awasnev erreal
l
yt hereso,
Ithi
nkt hatmadeitworse,butanywayy ou'l
l
understandonceitst
artshappeningtoy ou
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Her:wel
l,
Siy
aseemsv eryhandsonwi thyouat
themomentButdon' tbefooled,oneofthese
dayshe'
ll
getbusy,andwon' tevenhavea
minutet
ospear.Soy ou'
llbetheoneleftpicki
ng
upthepi
ecesofy ourpuzzlejustli
kewit
hMe.  
Me:
Ishoul
dgo,
I'
vegot
Shecutmeof
f

Her:
ormaybey out
houghty
ouwouldbethe
onewhohegivesuphisj
obfor
?LetMetell
you
somethi
ngaboutSi
ya.
 
Hisjobal wayscomesf ir
st,
thenMeand
ol
wet hoandt henyou.Sonextt i
mey ouwant
Him orderhimt ocomeanddi scusshis
pri
orit
ieswi t
hMe, makesurey our100%sureof
wherey oust andbecauseIain'tgoing
anywher e. 
Me:l
indawhat
hey ogoorst
aymakesno
di
ff
erencei
nmyl i
fe,
butwhati
wantt
oknowi
s
whatdoyouhaveoverhi
m?
Her:y
ourqui
tecl
ever
,butal
sosostupi
d.Maybe
youshoul
daskhi
m andseeifhe'
l
ltel
lyout
h
t
ruth

Idi
dn'
tknowwhyshewassay
ingt
his,
buti
t
kindofpissedmeoff
.Ifshedidi
ndeedhaveso
thingoverhim,
whatwasit.Orwasshejust
tryi
ngtoannoyme?

Iwalkedbackt omyr oom wit

ht hesequesti
ons
i
nmymi nd.Iwant edtoaskSiyabuthisoffi
ce
doorwascl osed,andIdidi
ntwantt obotherhi
m,
soIwentt omyr oom andcontinuedwithmy
work.

WhenIwasdonegoi ngthroughmywor kemails,

Iopenedthate-
mailt
hatIhadleftasunread.I
t
di
dn'thav
eamessage, i
tjusthadan
att
achmentofav i
deo

Idoubl
ecl i
ckedtoplayt
hevideoandI
i
mmedi atel
ywishedIhadn'
t.Whoeversentt
his
wasbey ondcruel
. 
Myhandsst
art
edsnacki
ngandmyhear
traci
ng.
Isawmymom wasbeggi ngforherl
if
e,whi
le
mydadbeggedt hattheyhurthiminst
eadofher,
butthepersonholdingthegunwasl aughi
ng.
Heenjoyedt or
tur
ingthem.Hekeptt easi
ng
them wi
ththegun, whiletheguyholdi
ngthe
camerertoldhimtogeti toveranddonewith.

IscreamedwhenIsawt hegungoingoff
.I
want edtopausethevideobutiwasshacki
ng,
I
didn'twantt
oseet hi
s,Idi
dn'twantt
oseemy
wor stni
ghtmareasar eal
it
y.

Isawmymom l yingonthebed,
Ithi
nkshehad
j
ustt akenherlastbreat
hbecuaseherbodywas
shackingl i
kesomeonehav i
ngfi
ts.Mydadwas
screami ng,hetr
iedmov i
ngbuthi
shandswere
ti
ed.
Heswor eatt hem askingwhyt heydi
dn' tki
llhi
m
i
nstead.Theyl aughedathi m andtol
dhi m he
wasnext .Hel ookeddirect
lyatthem andt old
them t
oki l
lhim, becuasehewoul dn'
tbeabl eto
l
ivewithouther .Theylaughedathim, andt hen
pull
edthet r
igger.

Itr
iedsohardnott obreakdownf orthesakeof
mybabies,Ireall
ydid,
buti couldn'tholdinthe
screamsescapingmyhear t.Ifeltli
keitwast he
onlywaytoreleasethepaini f
eltinthei nsi
de.

Si
yaraninwit
hHlokesbehi
ndhi
m.Theylooked
atmeforanswer
sbutIcoul
dn'
tspeak.If
ell
int
o
si
yasarmssobbi
ng.

JustwhenIt
houghtt
hatthi
ngsweregoingr
ight
,
real
i
tyhadawayofslappi
ngmeinthefaceand
remindi
ngmeofwhathadhappened.
[
05/
12,
16:
25]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

35

Siyahel
dmeasIcr ied.Hekeptaski
ngmewhat
waswr ongbuticouldn'
tfor
m wordstoget
her.I
keptpoint
ingatt
helaptop,t
il
lhefi
nal
lygotthe
hint
.

Hepickeditupandplayedthevi
deo.Hedidn'
t
watchallofi
t,j
ustt
hebeggingthenstoppedi
t.
Helookedathlokesandtheyhadanunspoken
conver
sion.

Hl
okespickedupt
helapt
opandandl
eft,
whil
e
Si
yastay
edwi t
hme.HeledmetoourbedandI
cr
iedi
nhisarms.
Him:babe,
Ineedyoutotr
ycal
mingdownabi
t.
Fort
hesakeofthebabi
es

Itr
iedanswer
inghi
m butIcouldn't
,Ij
ustkept
heari
ngmymot her
'sv
oice,beggingforherl
if
e.

Hlokescamebackandgav eSiyaasy ringe.Si

ya
didn'
tev enaskme, hejusti
njectedmyar m.I
want edtoprotestbutdidn'
tbother.Istart
ed
drif
ti
ngof f,
inSiyasarms.Iwasgr atefulthat
evenf oramomentIwoul dbeabl etoescape
thisnightmare

WhenIwokeupSi yawasn'tnexttome.Il ooked

atthetimeandi twas3: 00am.Iwentt othe
bathr
oom, thenwentt othekitchen,Iwasso
hungry.WhilewalkingtothekitchenIcouldsee
Siy
asof fi
celighton,soknewhewaswor king.
If
oundl
eft
overdi
nneri
nthef
ri
dgesoIwar
med
i
tandat
eup.

Si
yawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eIwaseat
ing.

Hi
m:y
ourup 
Me:
hmm 
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryy
ouhadt
oseet
hat
 
Me:
it'
snoty
ourf
aul
t
Hi
m: t
heteam'sworki
ngar
oudthecl
ocktofi
nd
t
hem.I'
m cer
taint
hatweshoul
dhavealeadi
n
adayortwo 
Me:
thanky
ou 
Hi
m:come,
youshoul
drest
 
Me:
ijustwokeup
Hi
m:y
oucannev
err
estenough 
Me:
wil
lyoust
aywi
thme
Hi
m:y
es,
Ineedsomeshutey
easwel
l

Hehel
dmyhandandwewentt oourbedr
oom.
Hechangedi
ntoshor
tsandcametol
aywith
Me.

Me:
Iwannacuddl
e 
Hi
m:comecl
oser

Imov
edcl
oser
,andhehel
dme.

Hi
m:howy
ouf
eel
i
ng 
Me:
bet
ter
 
Hi
m:i
thi
nkweshoul
dgot othedoctor
t
omor
row.Justt
omakesurethebabiesar
eok 
Me:
ok
Siyafel
lasleepbef or
eme.Helookedso
exhausted.Sleephaddesert
edmesoIputon
thetvandwat chedamovie.

Neari
ngtheendofmymov i
eSiy
asphonerang,
Iwonderedwhoitwassoear
lyi
nthemorni
ng.I
pi
ckeditupandsawthati
twasLinda.

Me:
hel
l
o 
Her
:canIspeakt
oSi
ya 
Me:
he'
ssl
eepi
ng 
Her
:wakehi
m up
Me:
isi
tanemer
gency
 
Her
:what
'si
ttoy
ou 
Me:
wel
li
nthatcasei
tcanwai
t
Her
:don'
tmakemewal
ktoy
ourr
oom 
Me:
Idar
eyou
Shehungup,Idel
etedthecal
lhi
stor
yandI
wentt
olockourdoor.Thengotbackint
obed.
 
Aspr
omisedLindaknockedonthedoor
.I
i
gnor
edher.Sheknockedagai
nloudl
y.

Siy
aopenedhi
sey
es,
Ipr
etendedIwasf
ast
asl
eep.

Hewentt
oopent
hedoor
.

Hi
m:Li
nda 
Her
:wher
e'st
hatt
wopi
ecet
rampofy
our
s
Him:i
t'
stooear
lyf
ory
ourshi
tLi
nda,
whatdo
youwant 
Her:
Icall
edt ospeakt
oyouandshetol
dme
youweresleepi
ng,whati
fitwasanemergency
Hi
m:wel
li
sitanemer
gency
 
Her
:notr
eal
l
y 
Hi
m:wel
lThenwecant
alkl
ater
 
Her
:Si
ya 
Him:Lindadi
dyouevenlookatt
hetime,i
t'
s
5:am ,
I'
vebeenupmostofthenight
.Ij
ustwant
togetsomesleepdoyoumind
Her
:si
ncewhendoy
ouspeakt
omel
i
ket
hat

Siyadi
dn'
tanswer,hejustcl
osedthedoorand
camebackt obed.Idi
dn'tmove,Ij
ustst
ayedin
thesamepositi
onandpr et
endedtobeasleep.
Siyal
ookedathisphonesIpresumet ol
ookat
hiscal
lhi
story
.Thenhecamebackt obed.

Webot
hendedupdr
if
ti
ngbackt
osl
eep.

WhenWewokeupagai
nsomeonewas
knocki
ngonourdoor
.Iputonmygown,
and
wenttogoseewhoitwas.

I
twasnai
l
s

Him:sorr
ytodist
urbmam,butbul
letaskedme
tocomeandwakeghost.Ther
e'ssomethinghe
needstoseeasap
Me:
ok,
he'
l
lbeupi
nami
nut
e 
Hi
m:t
hanky
ou.

Icl
osedt
hedoorandwentt
owakeSi
yaup.

Hj
m:Babenotnow
Me:
it'
sur
gent
Hi
m:mhmm 
Me:
Siy
a,v
uka
Hi
m:may
beIneedaki
ssf
ir
st 
Me:
nothappeni
ng.Ihav
en'
tev
enbr
ushedmy
t
eet
hyet
 
Hi
m;Idon'
tcar
e
Me;Si
ya,
HlokesSentnai
l
stowakeyou,
I'
m
sur
eit
surgent
.Youcangetaki
sslat
er
Hi
m:f
ine

Her
eluct
ant
lygotup.Shamehel
ookedsot
ir
ed.

Hewenttothebat
hroom t
ofr
eshenup,
whi
l
eI
madethebed

Whenhewasdonehegav emeaki
ssi
nthe
cheekandwentupst
air
s

It
ookashowert
henwentt
omakesomet
hing
toeat
,Ihadn'
treal
isedt hatwehadsl
ept
thr
oughthemor ni
ng, becausewhenichecked
myphonebitwas11: 00am, andt
hehungerbug
hadbit
tenme.

WhenIgott
otheki
tchenmam Mar
thaand
ol
wethower
ebaki
ngagain

Me:
anot
hecakef
ordaddy
?
Ol
ewet
ho:
auuunnt
yy.
Me:
hiboy
 
Hi
m:wemaki
ngcakef
ory
ou,
notdaddy
 
Me:f
orme?Whatdi
dIdot
odeser
veacake
f
rom y
ou
Hi
m:daddysai
dyouwerenotfeel
i
ngwell,
soi
madeyoucametomakeyoufeelbet
ter
 
Me:
thanky
ouboy
,nowi
can'
twai
ttot
ast
eit
Hewentbacktomam Martha,
whil
eImade
somethingt
oeat
.Iendeduphavi
ngatoast
ed
sandwichwi
thj
uicet
henwentbacktomy
bedroom.

Si
yawasonthebedwhenIgotback.Hel
ooked
abi
tworr
ied

Me:
isev
ery
thi
ngok
Him:yesbabe,i
tlooksl
i
kewemi ghtbeablet
o
t
racewhosenty outhevi
deo.MyITteam i
s
worki
ngonit.
Me:
ist
hatal
l
 
Hjm:no,
butIcan'
tsayany
thi
ngel
seatt
his
poi
nt 
Me:
ok,
Iguessi
l
lhav
etowai
tandsee
Hi
m:t
hanky
ouf
orunder
standi
ng
Inoddedandwentt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m

Me:
li
edownpr
oper
ly,
Iwantt
ocuddl
e
Hi
m:(chuckl
es)I
'
mt hinki
ngofgett
ingy
ou
t
hosecuddlet
eddybearsthatar
ehumansi
ze
Me:
why
Him:becauseIhaveafeel
i
ngthingsar
egoing
t
ogetbusy .AndIwon'
tbearoundtocuddl
e
you 
Me:
Idontwantat
eddy
bear
,Iwanty
ou 
Hi
m:andi
fIcan'
tbeher
e?
Me:il
lhav
etof
indmysel
fsomeoneelset
o
cuddl
eme.Maybeoneoftheguar
ds

Si
yapushedmeoutofhi
sembr
acepl
ayf
ull
y.I
gi
ggl
ed
Me:
don'
tbej
eal
ous
Hi
m:cany
oubl
ameme

Il
aughedAtHi
m

Me:
youknowIj
ocki
ng
Hi
m;y
oubet
terbe
Me:
:
youl
ooksocut
ewheny
oupout
. 
Hi
m:mxm 
Me:
wantmet
oki
ssi
tbet
ter

Henodded.SoImov
edcl
osert
ohi
m andsaton
hi
slap,

Me:
sowher
eshoul
dIst
art?
Hepoi
ntedathi
snosesoIki
ssedhi
mther
e.

Me:
andnext

Hepointedt
ohi
scheeks,
soi
kissedbot
hhi
s
cheeks

Me;
andl
ast
ly

Hepoi ntedtohislips,soi mov edcloser ,and

putmyl i
psonhi s.Wedi dn'tmov e,wej ust
breathedthesameai r.Ieventuallystated
kissinghim.Slowly,gently.Her espondedwi th
theintensit
y.Wewentf rom asi mpleki sstoan
i
nt enseandl ust
fulkiss.Idon'tknowi fi
twas
myhor emonseorwhatbuti couldn'thelp
my self.Hejusthadawayofmaki ngmef eel
compl ete.
WhenIpull
edbackhepul l
edmein.Webot h
coul
dn'
tgetenoughofeachother
.NotthatI
wascomplai
ning,becauseIhadt
otal
l
ymi ssed
hi
m.

Weint
err
uptedbyknockonthedoor
.Itwasa
l
it
tl
eknock,
soweknewi twasOlwet
ho

ImovedoffofSi
yasl
ap,whowasn'
tvery
pl
eased,
andIwenttoopenforOl
wetho.

Hi
m:aunt
ywhydi
dyout
akesol
ong
Me:
sor
ryboy
,Iwasi
nthebat
hroom
Hi
m:y
ourcakesr
eady
,comeandhav
esome
Me:
ok,
let
'sgo
Heheldmyhandandwel eftsi
yalooki
ng
di
spl
easedandwalkedtothekit
chen.Olwtho
hadsuchabiggr
inonhisface.
,youcouldtel
l
hewasexci
tedbaoutshowingmet hecake.

Whenwegottotheki
tchenhehadt
oldmet
o
cl
osemyeyes.SoIdi
d.

Heledmet
othecount
erandsai
dformet
o
openmyey
es

Hi
m:t
ada 
Me;
ohhoi
t'
ssocut
eboy
,il
ovei
t
Hi
m:Imadei
tspeci
all
yfory
ou
Me:
thanky
ou
Hi
m:y
oumustcuti
tandmakeawi
sh 
Me:
buti
t'
snotmybi
rt
hday
 
Him:Iknowaunt
y,buti
twi
l
lmakey
ouf
eel
bett
er 
Me:
ok

It
ookt
hekni
feaandcutt
hecake,
maki
nga
wi
sh

Hi
m:whatdi
dyouwi
shf
or 
Me:
Ican'
ttel
lyou,
ifIdoi
twon'
tcomet
rue
Hi
m:ok,
pleasecanIhav
epi
ece
Me:
sur
e

Icutapiecef
ormeandhi
m,andwentt
opour
usaglassofmil
k.Weat
eourcakei
nthe
ki
tchen,
 
Ol
wethowastel
li
ngmeabouthowhemi
ssed
hi
sfr
iendsf
rom school
.
SiyawalkedinwhileOl
wet hoandIwer
e
chatt
ing.Hepickedupaf orkandat
efrom my
plat
e.Olwetholookedathim

Hi
m:daddyno,
that
'sf
oraunt
ynoty
ou
Si
ya:
sowhataboutmeboy
 
Hi
m:y
ouhady
ourcakey
est
erday
 
Si
ya;
buti
wantaut
yscaket
oday

Ibur
stoutlaughi
ngbecauseoft
hewayt
hat
sent
iencecameout.

Siy
al aughed,
whi
l
eOl
wet
hol
ookedatus
confused

Me:
it'
sapi
tydaddyi
sn'
tget
ti
ngaunt
yscake
any
timesoon
Hi
m:amancandr
eam 
Me:
mhmm

Si
yacar
ri
edoneat i
ngf
rom mypl
ate,
whi
l
e
Ol
wethofi
nishedof
fhi
scake.

Olwet
ho:auntypl
easecanyoucomepl aywit
h
meont hebeach.Mommysay sIcan'
tgoalone,
andIreal
lywanttogoandplay
Si
ya:
nott
odayboy
,aunt
yneedst
orest
 
Ol
wet
ho:
butdaddyaunt
ysai
dshe'
sbet
ter
Si
ya:
Iknowboybutmay
bet
omor
row 
Me:I'
m sur
edaddywoul
dn'
tmi
ndpl
ayi
ngwi
th
you 
Ol
wetho:
daddy
'sal
way
sbusyaunt
y,hewon'
t
wantt
ocome.
Il
ookedatSi
ya,

Si
ya:
comeboy
,I'
l
lgopl
aywi
thy
ou 
Ol
wet
ho:
real
l
ydaddy
? 
Si
ya:y
es,goupandf
etchy
ourbal
l
,sowecan
pl
aysoccer

Olwethojumpedoutofhischai
r.Hewasso
exci
ted.Hegavemeaki ssonthecheekand
rantofet
chhisbal
l.

Me:y
ouneedt
omakemor
eofanef
for
twi
th
hi
m
Hi
m:Iknowbabe,
I'
vej
ust

Icuthi
m of
f
Me:
noexcuses,
justdoi
t
Hi
m:Iwi
l
l
Me:
good,nowI
'
m goi
ngt
oli
edownwhi
l
eyou
t
wogoplay 
Hi
m:canIhav
eaki
ssbef
orey
ougo 
Me:
comeher
e

Hecamecl
oserandIgav
ehi
m ababyki
ss

Hi
m:t
hatwasn'
treal
l
ywhatIhadi
nmi
nd 
Me:
wel
l
swhatdi
dyouhav
einmi
nd
Hi
m:somet
hingmor
eli
ket
his

Heleanedinagai
nandst
atedki
ssi
ngme,
li
ke
hedidinourbedr
oom.
Isensedsomeonewatchi
ngusbuti
didn'
tst
op,
i
nsteadIdeepenedt
hekissev
enmore.

Her
:yout
wohav
enoshame

Webrokeourki
ss.Si
yar
oll
edhi
sey
esand
gi
ggl
ed

Her
:whati
fOl
wet
hohadwal
kedi
n
Si
ya:
sowhat
?
Hr
r:mxm

Ol
wet
hor
ani
nwi
thhi
sBal
l

Hi
m:daddyI
'
mready
Si
ya;
okboy
,let
'sgo
Si
yaki
ssedmycheekandt
heywal
kedout
.

Istoodupandwentt
otakeabot
tl
eifwat
er
fr
om thefr
idge.

Icoul
dfeel
Linda'
sey
espi
erci
ngme

Her
:your
eal
l
ythi
nkhel
ovesy
ou 
Me:
Idon'
tseehowi
tsanyofy
ourbusi
ness 
He:wel
lknowi
ngy
ouit
sonlyamat
teri
fti
me
bef
orehecomesr
unni
ngbackt
ome
Me:
what
'
sthatsupposedt
omean
Her
:asky
ourboy
fri
end

Shewalkedoutandl
eftmewonder
ingwhatt
he
he'
l
lshewasgoingonabout
.
Iwentbacktomyr oom andwatchedabitoftv.
Iwasn'
tabletoconser
ntrat
eonwhatIwas
watchi
ngbecauseofwhatLindasaid.I
tfel
tli
ke
sheknewsomet hi
ngthatIdidn'
tandIdi
dn'tl
i
ke
that
.

WhenSi yacamebackf rom pl

ayi
ngwit
h
Olwetho,hetookashowerandwentupstair
sto
hi
sof fi
ce.Iwantedtospeaktohi
m butiwasn'
t
surehowt orai
seit.

Ididn'
twanttoseem likeIwasaccusi
nghim of
somet hi
ng,especi
all
ysincewe'
refi
nal
lygett
ing
alongagain.ButdeepDownIknewIwoul d
needtoaskhi m becausemymi ndwouldnot
restunti
lIknewwhatLi ndawasonabout.
[
05/
12,
16:
56]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

36
Siyaspentt
herestifthedayi nhisoffi
ce.He
didn'
tevencomedownf ordinner.IknewIhad
tospeaktohim butnowdi dn'tseem li
kethe
ri
ghtti
me.Icouldtell
somet hingwasup
becauseevenHlokesdidn'tcomeoutt heof
fi
ce.

Af
terdinnerIwentt
omyt otakeabath,i
didnt
wanttowaitupforSiy
abecauseicouldt
ellhe
wasgoingtohavealongni
ght.

Afterbat
hingIwenttot
hecl osettoget
changedintomypy j
amas.Cubawassohot ,
at
ti
mesIwi shedIcoul
dsleepwi thoutclot
heson,
butdidn'
twanttotemptmy selforSiya. 


SoIputonmyundr
rwar
eandopt
edf
oronei
f
Si
yast-
shi
rt
s.
Idr
if
tedof
ftosl
eepwhi
l
ewat
chi
ngt
v..
.

WhenIwokeupSi y
awasnotinbed.Iwasn't
sur
eheev encametobed,
buthi
ssidedidlook
abitmessedup.

It
ookaqui ckshowerandwor
eoneofmymaxi
dr
esseswithsandals,
andwentt
ohave
br
eakfast
.

Iimmediatel
yknewsomethingwashappeni ng.
Therewereguardsall
overthehouse.Mostof
theti
met heykepttot
hei
rlevelandonlythe
onesondut ywouldbepat
roll
ingthehouse,but
todayther
ewer eguar
dseverywhere,
ev enon
thebeach.

WhenIgott
ot hever
andaHl
okeswasal
ready
hav
ingbr
eakfast
Me:
mor
ning 
Hi
m:hi
sleepi
ngbeaut
y
Me:
what
'
sgoi
ngon
Hi
am:
longst
ory
.I'
m sur
eghostwi
l
lexpl
ain 
Me:
wher
eishe
Hi
m: off
ice.He'
sonaconf
erencecal
lwi
tht
he
di
rect
orgeneral
 
Me:
howl
ongwi
l
lthatt
ake
Hi
m:nott
ool
ong,
we'
vebeenupal
lni
ght
Me:
Ihopeev
ery
thi
ng'
sok 
Hom:havebr
eakf
astI
'
m sur
eghostwi
l
lexpl
ain
whenhe'
sdone.

Aswewerehav
ingbr
eakf
astLi
ndaandOl
wet
ho
camet
ojoi
nus.
Her
;bul
l
etswhat
'
swi
tht
heguar
ds
Hi
m:i
l
lexpl
ainl
ater
,butr
ightnowIneedt
ogo 
Olwetho:
uncleHlokes,
pleasecanIcome
upstai
rswit
hy ou,
Iwanttoseedaddy 
Him;notnowboydaddy'
sinthemiddleof
somethi
ng.You'
l
lseenhi
mj ustnow,Ipr
omise

Ol
wet
honodded,
youcoul
dtel
lhewasupset
.

Me:howaboutwègoandwat
chamov
ie
i
nst
ead.?
 
Hi
m:Ican'
t,mommysai
dImustgodosomeof
myschool
work
Me:
ok,
yougo,
wecanpl
ayl
ater

Hehadhisbr
eakf
astt
henLi
ndat
ookhi
mto
t
hei
rroom.
Ideci
dedtogobacktomyroom.Itf
eltst
range
havi
ngall
theseguar
dsal
lovert
heplace.

Si
yaar
ri
vedasIwaschangi
ngt
het
vchannel

Hi
m:mor
ningbabe
Me:
mor
ning
Hi
m:hav
eyoual
readyhadbr
eakf
ast
?
Me:yes,
iwasaboutt
ochangei
ntomygym
gear
,Iwantt
ogoworkoffsomeoft
hisf
at
Hi
m:y
ournotf
at.
 
Me:
youl
ookexhaust
ed 
Hj
m:i
t'
sBeenal
ongni
ght
 
Me:
what
'
sgoi
ngon
Hi
m: wefoundal
eadr
egar
dingy
ourpar
ent
s
murder
Me:
that
'sgoodnewsr
ight
Hi
m: y
es,
butt
hiswhol
ethi
ngi
sbi
ggert
hani
t
l
ooks 
Me:
how
Hi
m: Ican'
tsayj
usty
et,
I'
m wai
ti
ngonsome
moreinfor
mati
on
Me:ist
hatwhywe'
vegotami
l
li
onguar
ds
her
e? 
Hj
m:y
es,
andIneedy
out
odomeaf
avour
 
Me:
I'
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m:Ineedy
out
ost
ayi
nourr
oom f
orawhi
l
e 
Me:
what
'
sawhi
l
e
Hi
m:I
'vegotpeopl
earr
ivi
ngsoon.Thosear
ent
t
heki
ndofpeopleIwantseei
ngyou
Me:
iml
ost
 
Hi
m:Ican'
texpl
ain,
butpr
omi
seme
Me:
okButwhati
fIneedsomet
hingf
rom t
he
ki
tchen 
Him:usethein-
housephoneoneyourcl
oset
,
andoneiftheguar
dswillbr
ingdown
what
ev er
youneed
Me:
doest
hisappl
ytomeonl
y
Him:no,
bul
l
eti
sbusybr
ief
ingLi
ndaaswe
speak
Me:
ok
Him:babe,
I'
m seri
ousthegr
oundf
loori
sof
f
l
imit
stoday.Unt
ilIt
ell
youit
sok
Me:
Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m:I
'
vegotsomet
hingf
ory
ou 
Me:
whati
sit
 
Hi
m:wai
ther
e

Isati
nthebedandwai
tedf
orhi
mtocome
back.
Whenhecamebackhehadahugebrown
t
eddybeart
hesi
zeofahumanadul
t.Il
aughed

Hi
m:whatdoy
out
hink
Me:
it'
scut
e,butnowI
'
m wor
ri
ed 
Hi
m:why
Me:becauset
hismeanssomet
hing'
sdef
iant
ly
goi
ngon 
Hi
m:Ineedy
out
oknowt
hatIl
ovey
ou
Me:
Siy
awhat
'sgoi
ngon

Hewasabouttoexplai
n,butt
hennohear dthe
soundofahel
i
coptercomingfrom out
side.I
l
ooksatSiy
aquesti
onall
y,

Hi
m:I
'
vegott
ogo 
Me:
wher
eto 
Hi
m:upst
air
s
Me:
whoi
sthatl
andi
ngher
e
Hi
m:t
heguy
sIwast
ell
i
ngy
ouabout
 
Me:
I'
m get
ti
ngner
vous 
Hi
m:don'
tbe,justremembertost
ayi
nyour
r
oom unt
ilIt
ellyouother
wise 
Me;
ok
Hi
m:I'
vegotsomethi
ngel
sef
ory
ou,
butI
'
llonl
y
gi
vet
hattoyoulay
er
Me:
ok
Him:don'tl
ooksowor
ri
ed.I
'
vegotev
ery
thi
ng
undercontr
ol 
Me:
ok

Si
yaleanedi
nandputhisarmsaroundmeand
gav
emeaki ss.Iki
ssedhi
m back.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou 
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Idon'tknowwhyIsai
dthat,butsomethingin
mewant edhi
mtoknowt hatdespi
teeveryt
hing
that
'shappenedi
sti
lll
ovedhim.

Hekissedmeoncemor
ethenl
eft
,cl
osi
ngt
he
doorbehi
ndhi
m.

Iwentt
othedoorandl
ockedit
.Idon'
tknow
whybutiwasfeel
i
ngabitof
f.

Ideci
dedtoputonmyj
eanshor
tsandoneof
Siy
ast-shi
rt
s.
Il
ookedatt
heteddy
bearonmybedandsmi l
ed.
Iwasact
ual
lygl
adthat
'sSi
yahadgoti
tforme.

Iputonthet
vandcuddl
edwi
thmycuddl
e
buddy.

Awhi l
elat
erIcall
edoneoft heguardsand
askedforpopcorn,chocolat
eandjui
ce.Imade
sureiusedthein-housephoneinourcl
oset.I
didn'
twantSiyagoingallapeshi
tonme.

Sometimel at
eroneoft
heguar dsknockedon
thedoor.Iopenedandl
uckil
yitwasnails.He
hadboughtmor ethanwhatIhadaskedf or.I
l
ookedathi m

Hi
m:bossesor
der
s
Me:
butt
hisi
snotj
ustsnacks,
thi
sisl
unch,
and
di
nnerandsnacks.
 
Hi
m:l
etmeknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ngel
se

Hewal
kedoutandIl
ockedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.

Isatdownandwentt hroughwhathehad
brought.Goshther
ewasf ruit
s,popcorn,
chips,
chocolates,
andevenspaghet t
iBol
ognese,with
4bottl
esofwat erandajuice.That
'
swhenI
knewIwasgoi ngtobest uckhereforawhil
e

Istart
edwit
hthespaghett
icauseidi
dn'
twanti
t
getti
ngcol
d.ThenIatethepopcor
n,andt
hen
thechocol
ate.

Ididn'treal
i
sehowmuchIhadeat en,
unti
lI
startedfeel
inguncomfor
tabl
e.Ihadabot t
leof
wat er,t
hentri
edgett
ingsomesleep.Ifel
l
asl
eepal
mostimmedi
atel
y.Pl
usmycuddl
e
buddywassoni
ceandsoft

Iwaswokenupbysomeonet ryi
ngt oopenmy
door
.Isti
ll
ed,t
henheardSi
yacalli
ngoumy
name.Ihadforgot
tent
hatIhadlockedmydoor

Ist
oodupandwentt
oopenf
orhi
m

Hi
m:whydi
dyoul
ockt
hedoor
 
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
IguessIwasj
ustner
vous 
Hi
m:l
ooksl
i
key
ouhadal
i
ttl
epar
tywi
thoutme
Me:wel
lihadnot
hingel
set
odo,
soi
just
st
uff
edmy sel
fwi
thfood
Hi
m:atl
easty
ourappet
it
eisi
mpr
ovi
ng
Me: canIgodownst
air
snow.Iwantt
ocl
earout
al
lthisstuf
f
Hi
m:notyet
.I'
l
lgetnail
stocomeandf
etch
ev
ery
thi
ng.Youstayput.
 
Me:
Ithoughty
ouwer
edone
Hj
m: noty
etIj
ustwant
edt
omakesur
ethaty
ou
wer
eok 
Me; I
'
mf i
ne.Asyoucanseemycuddl
ebuddyi
s
keepingmeall
,cuddl
edup
Hi
m;I
'
mjeal
ous 
Me:well
hurr
yupandfi
nishwhaty
ourdoi
ng,
andyoucancomeandcuddl
eme
Him:Iwi
shbabe,buti
tlooksl
i
kewe'
rei
nfor
anot
herl
ongnight
Me:
pit
ty 
Hi
m:Isai
dIhadsomet
hingf
ory
ou
Me:
whati
sit

Hewenttohi
ssi
denot hecl
oset,
andcame
backwi
thasmal
l,v
elv
etbox.Iremember
edthe
boxf
rom t
hel
astt
imeIwasi
nCuba.

Him:Iwantedt
ogivet
histoyout
helastti
me
youwerehere,
ButwebrokeupandInevergot
achancetogiv
eitt
oyou 
Me:whyyougi
vi
ngitt
omenow.I
t'
snotl
i
ke
we'
rebackt
oget
her
 
Him: becauseI'
veneverstoppedlovingyou.
Andi knowy oulovemet oo.Andnot i
tl
eis
goingtochanget hat
.Soweat heryoucal l
yourselfmygirl
fri
endorjustmyf r
iend,i
tdoesn'
t
mat t
er.Tomey ourthewomanIf elli
nlovewith
overay earago,andIsti
l
l l
ovetothisday
Me:si
yayourscar
ingme.Whyy
out
ell
i
ngmeal
l
t
hisnow
Him:becuaseIneverwantyoutofor
getthat.
Thelastt
imey ouwerei
ncubai wantedyouto
marr
ymef ormyownselfi
shreasons,butnowI
wanttomakey ouapromise.
Hegotdownononekneeandopenedthebox
.I
sawthesamebeaut
if
ulwhi
teandrosegol
dri
ng.

Him: Rifi
loeMokoena, Il oveyoumor ethan
wordscansay .I'
velovedy ouf r
om themoment
Imety ou, andIsti
lll
ov ery ounow.IknowI
haven'tbeent heperfectl over,butwiththi
sri
ng
Ipromi setochnaget hat .Ipromi setomakey ou
smileev eryday.Ipr
omi set oleaveallofthi
s
behind.AndIpr omiset obet hebestf at
herto
ourchildren.Takethisr i
ngasasy mbol ofmy
promise, andmyev erlast i
nglov e.

Icoul
dn'
tbel
iev
emyey
es.Il
ookedatSi
yaand
hisey
estol
dmehewasseri
ous.

Me:
Siy
aar
eyouser
ious 
Hi
m:deadser
ious.Iwantt
ogi
vey
out
he
normall
ifey
oudeser ve.Iwantustobe
toget
herwit
houtthefearofmyj obgett
ingin
theway.Iwanttocompl etethi
smissi
on,and
thenhaveHlokestakeov er
.

Ismi
l
edathi
m.

Me:
Iaccepty
ourpr
omi
se

Hesmil
edandputt
her
ingont
her
ingf
ingerai
n
myri
ghthand.

Hegotupandgav
emeahug.
..

Webr
oket
hehugandIgav
ehi
m aki
ss.

Ihadsomanyt
hingst
hatIwant
edt
oaskhi
m.
Butrightnowal lt
hatmat t
eredwasthatsiy
a
andIwer egoingtowor konourrel
ationshi
p.He
waswi ll
ingt
ol eavethetaskfor
ceformeand
thatalonepr
ov edhisloveforme.

Webr
okeIki
ssandhewi
pedt
het
earf
rom my
ey
e

Hi
m: I
'm gl
adt
oseey
oucr
yinghappyt
ear
sfor
achange 
Me:
thanky
ou 
Hi
m:don'
t.I
t'
saboutt
imeIgotmyshi
ttoget
her

Ihuggedhi
m agai
n.Idi
dn'
twantt
oletgo,
buti
knewIhadto

Hi
m: nowt
htt
hat
sdone,
Ishoul
dgobackt
o
wor
k. 
Me:
whatt
imedoy
out
hinky
ou'
l
lbedone
Hi
m: notsur
e,I
'
vegotoneofourmi
nist
ers
ar
ri
vi
ngsoon
Me:Siy
awhatexactl
yisgoi
ngon?Whywoul
da
sout
hAf r
icami
nist
erfl
yal
lthewayt
oCuba?
 
Hi
m:babe,youknowIcan'
ttel
lyou.ButI
pr
omi
sey ouonceit
sallov
er,I
'
llwalkaway 
Me:
fine
Hi
m:smi
l
e.I
'
llseey
oul
ater
 
Me:
ok,
promi
semey
ou'
l
lbesaf
e 
Him;
babe,
I'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e,I
'
mjust
upst
air
s
Me:Iknow,
Ijustgetabi
tner
vousbecauseI
don'
tknowwhat'sgoi
ngon
hi
m:Donbe.I
twi
l
lal
lbeov
ersoon

Helif
tedmyhandandki
ssedt
her
ingonmy
f
inger,t
henl
eft
.
Istoodtherethi
nkingaboutwhathadjust
happened.Icouldn'tbel
i
evethatsi
yawasreal
l
y
giv
ingthisall
up.

Ilookedatmypr omiseri
ng,andsmiled,Atl
east
nowIcoul dst
artconcentr
atingonbuil
dinga
futur
ewi t
hSiy
a.Hehadt rulymademet he
happiestwomanal i
ve.
[
05/
12,
16:
56]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

37

(
Notf
orr
eader
sundert
heageof18)

   
Ikeptst
ari
ngatmypromi
ser
ing.I
tal
lj
ust
seemedtoosurr
eal
. 
Ithoughtaboutwhathesaid,al
lthepr
omises
hemade.Ir eal
lypr
ayedthathewouldsti
ckto
them.

Istay
edi nmyroom f
ort
her estoftheday.I
wasreallyst
art
ingt
ogetagitat
ed.Ilongedfor
fr
eshai r
,pl
usIwassobored.Iwassi ckof
watchingtv.

Bythet i
meDi nnerswasboughtt omyr oom,I
wasf eel
ingli
keapr isoner
.Ididn'ttouchmy
foodbecuaseIhadeat enjunkt hr
oughoutthe
day.Imadement alnotetomakesur eIworkoff
allt
hejunkIhadeat en.Event houghIwas
pregnant,Idi
dn'tpl
anongr ai
ningtoomuch
weight.
Il
ookedatthetimeanditwasalr
eady21:00pm
i
twasclearSiyawasn'
tcomingtobedany t
ime
soon.SoIcall
edtheguardsandaskedt
hem to
comeandt akethepl
ates.
 
Iwantedt
ocl
eanupt
her
oom bef
oreIwentt
o
bed.

Wheni wasdoneIwentt ot akeanicelong

bubblebat
h.Istayedinthebat hf
oroveran
hour.Iwastry
ingtostayawaket i
llSi
yacameto
bed,butsofaritl
ookedlikethatwasn'
tgoingt
o
happen.

Ieventual
lycameoutthebath,
andwentto
l
oti
onmy sel
f.IputobeofSi
yast-
shi
rt
s.Andmy
underwear,t
henIwenttobed.

Si
yacametoourr
oom j
ustasIwasdozi
ngof
f.
Hesatont
hebednextt
ome.
Hi
m:babe
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou
Me:
Cantwet
alkt
omor
row.Comet
obed

Heputont
hel
i
ght

Hi
m:t
hiscan'
twai
tti
l
ltomor
row.

Irubbedmyey
esandsatup.Il
ookedatSi
ya
andknewsomethi
ngwaswrong

Me:
what
'
sgoi
ngon

Hecameandsatnexttome.Ipushedthe
t
eddybearasi
deandsati
nsquatposi
ti
onon
Si
yasl
ap.Iwant
edt
olookathi
m pr
oper
ly

Me:
tal
ktome 
Hi
m:Ihav
etogoonami
ssi
on
Me:
whatdoy
oumeam
Himz: we'vel
ocatedt
hepeoplewhokil
ledyour
parents,
andt hey
'vel
ooki
ngform meforyear
s.
Sot heyfoundoutabouty
ou.Andtheyused
yourparentstodrawmeout
Me:
butthenwhywouldy
ougo.Whynotsend
t
heteam l
i
keyounor
mall
ydo? 
Hi
m: becauset
hisonei
sper
sonal
.Ihav
etobe
t
here 
Me:butSi
ya,ift
hesepeopl
eareasdanger
ous
asyousay,whywouldyouri
skyourl
i
fetoget
ri
dofthem ?
Hi
m: soonerorlat
erI'
m goingtohavetogetr
id
i
fthesepeople.SoI'
drathergeti
tdonenow,so
wecanmov
eonwi
thourl
i
ves,

Iswall
owedhar d.IknewthatonedaySiy
a
wouldhavet obeintheli
neofdanger,
buti
didn'
texpectitt
obesosoon

Me:
Idon'
twanty
out
ogo 
Him: Idon'
thaveachoi cebabe.Butl ookati t
thi
sway ,onceI'
m back, y
ouandIcanmov e
backt osouthAfri
ca,andwewon' thav etolook
overourshoulders.Wewi ll
final
l
ybet ogether
withoutanystr
ingsattached. 
Me:
iheary
ou.I
'
mjustwor
ri
edt
hat
'
sal
l
Hi
m: don'
tbe,
Ivegott
hebestopst
eam i
nthe
wor
ld.Il
l
comehomet oyou.Ipr
omi
se 
Me:
howl
ongdoy
ouhav
ebef
orey
oul
eav
e
Him:
I'
vealr
eadysai
dgoodby
etoOl
wet
ho,
so
I
'v
egotaboutanhour 
Me:
anHOUR
Hi
m:y
es,
Someoft
hegusy
shav
eal
readyl
eft
.

Il
ookedatSi
ya,
andhewi
pedawayat
earf
or
myeye

Hi
m:don'
ttcr
y,I
'
llbeback,
Ipr
omi
se 
Me:
howl
ongwi
l
lyoubeaway
 
Him: I
'm notsure,maybeaweek,ormore,
we
can'tbecertai
n.There'
salott
hatgoesi
nto
missii
onsl i
kethese.Sowehavetogetsett
led
andmakesur eeverythi
ngsi
norder,
befor
ewe
str
ike
Me:
wher
eexact
lyar
eyout
rav
eli
ngt
o
Hi
m:can'
tsay

Idi
dn'
trespond,
Ijustputmyli
psonhi
s.He
ki
ssedmeback.Slowly.,
li
kehehadnowher
eto
go.Li
keitwasjustthet
woofusleftint
his
worl
d.Icoul
dfeel hi
smanhoodgrowing
under
neathme, asourt
onguescoll
i
ded. 
Iwant
edtofeelmoreofhi
m.SoIstart
ed
unbut
teni
nghisshi
rt
.Hepull
edback

Hi
m:ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his 
Me:
Sshhh
Hi
m:Iwantt
omakesur
e 
Me:
Siy
a,j
ustshutupandmakel
ovet
ome

Si
yal
ookedatmewithsuchlustinhi
sey
es.He
di
dn'
tneedMetosayanythi
ngelse.

Het
ookofhi
sshi
rt
,whi
l
eit
ookof
fmi
ne.

Hel
ookedatmybr
east
sandsmi
l
ed.
Me:
what
Hi
m:t
heyl
ookqui
tef
ull
 
Me:they
'r
eassensi
ti
veashe'
l
l,makesur
eyour
gent
le
Hi
m:al
way
s.

Heputhi sli
psonmyni ppl
e,andIbitmytounge.
Iclosedmyey eswhenIfel
thistoungeplay
ing
withmyni ppl
e.Iarchedmyback,andmyhead
fel
l back.Hi
stoungehadnomer cy,i
twasas
thoughhewant edtomakesur eImissedhi
m
whenhewasgone.

Icouldn'
ttakeitanymore,Iknewi
fhedidn'
t
stopIwoul dn'
tbeabletostopmysel
ffr
om
screamingoutinpleasure
Imovedhi
sheadgent
lyawayf
rom myni
ppl
es.
Hesmil
ed.

Ileanedi
ncloserandstart
edkissi
nghi
sli
ps.
Wechangedposi t
ions.Si
yatookoffhi
spant
s
thenpull
edoffmypant i
es
Hekeel
edi
nfr
ontofmeandspr
eadmyl
egs.

Iknewwhathewasgoingto,
Iwasn'
tsur
eI
wouldbeabl
etohandl
eit.

Hedidn'
tev enpreparemef ori
t.Ithoughthe
wouldmay bekissmyt highsfi
rstandthent here,
butnope,hewentst rai
tformyp* **y
,Iletouta
l
oudmoanofpl easure.Ihadtotoholdont ot he
sheet
s,becauseIf el
tli
keIwasgoi goingtof al
l
offt
hebedf r
om pleasure.
Siyahadnomer cy,hi
stoungewasn'tgent
le,
but
heal sowasn'
trought
.Hekeptkissi
ng,and
l
ickingandsli
ghtl
ybit
ingunti
lIcoul
dn'tt
ake
anymor e.

Itri
edmov i
nghim becuaseIknewiwasclose
butheref
usedt omov e.Hekeptgoi
ngonand
onunti
lIreachedonoft hemostint
ense
organi
smsofmyl ife.

Siyadidn'tstopthough,hecar riedon.Thisti
me
muchmor egentl
e.Ipulledhi m up,andhe
startedkissingmeagai n..Istartedfeel
i
ngsad.
Somet hingwasdi ff
erent.itsli
keSi yawastryi
ng
tosendmeamessage.Iki ssedhi mt hr
oughmy
tears.Iwant edhiminsi
deme, buthepulled
back.Iml ookedathim puzzl ed

Hi
m:Iwanty
ouont
op
Wechangedposi
ti
onsagai
n,andIsatontopof
hi
m.Idi
dnhim hi
m ent
ermeatfir
st.Iwant
edto
l
ookathi
m.

Hi
seyeshadchanged,t
heyhadahi
ntoff
eari
n
t
hem.Atearescapedmyeye.

Isl
owlyl
if
tedmysel
fsoi
coul
dlethi
m ent
er
me.,whi
l
ei wasont
op
Imoveddownsl
owl
y,notr
emov
ingmyey
es
fr
om hi
m.

WhenIcoul dfeel
thathewasal
lthewayi
n,I
satsti
ll
,Ineededmybodytoadj
usttohav
ing
himinsideme.

Si
yadi
dn'
tmov
e,hekepthi
sey
esi
nmi
ne.I
startedmov ingsl
owl y
,heletoutamoan.I
rockedbackandf ort
hslowly,Iwant edt o
prolongt his,butiknewthattimewasn' tonour
side.Siyashandswer eonmyback.Ist art
ed
i
ncr easi
ngmypace.Hekepthi shandsonmy
back, Ii
ncr easesmypacesomemor e,andthi
s
ti
meIcl osedmyey es.Ist
oppedr ockingand
startedmov ingupanddowni nstead.Wewent
onunt il
If eltmyinsidesti
ghteningagai n.

Imovedf
ast
erandfast
er,unt
ilwebot
hcr
ied
outi
nmoansofpl
easure.

       

Icol
l
apsedonSi
yaschest
.

Westay
edliket
hatforawhile.Iwassti
ll
onTop
af
rai
dtogetup,becauseIknewreali
tywoul
d
st
artceepi
ngi
n.

Eventual
lyt
houghreal
it
ydi
dstar
tcreepi
ngin.
Myhear twassoheavyIwant
edtobursti
nto
tear
s. 
Si
yacoul
dsensemyf
ear
s,causeheputhi
s
ar
msaroundme

Hi
sphonerang,If
eltl
iket
hrowingi
toutthe
wi
ndow,becauseIknewthati
twasthatcal
l
t
hatwoul
dt akehi
m awayfrom me

hi
m:bul
l
et 
Hl
okes:
dude,
wher
ear
eyouwe'
vegott
ogo 
Hi
m:gi
veme30mi
n 
Hl
okes:
we'
recut
ti
ngi
ttooshor
t 
Hi
m:r
elax,
I
'l
l,
bet
her
enow
Si
yaputdownt
hephoneandIhel
dont
ohi
m

Babe,
Ineedt
ogetgoi
ng 
Me:
no
Hi
mf i
fipl
ease,
Ineedyoutobestr
ong.I
t'
sjust
acoupl
eofdays.Idon'
tl
ikel
eav
ingyoul
ikethi
s
Me:
(si
gh)I
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou 
Hi
m:i
l
lbackbef
orey
ouknowi
t 
Me:
promi
se
Hi
m:pr
omi
se
Me;
let
'sgety
ouf
reshenedup 
Hi
m:t
akeashowerwi
thme
Me:
ok

Wewal
kedt
otheshowerandgoti
n.
Hewashedev
eryi
nchofmeandi
didt
hesame.

Whenwegotoutwewer
ebot
hrej
uvenat
ed.

Si
yagotdressedi
nallbl
ackwhi
l
eIj
ustwor
e
fr
eshpant
iesandhisgown.

WhenHewasdone,
hel
ookedatme

Him:nostr
essi
ngwhi
leI'
m away
.Idon'
twant
youstr
essi
ngoutmybabies
Md:
yessi
r
Him:I'
ml eavi
ngmyphones.Youwon'tbeabl
e
tocontactme.Ifyouneedany
thi
ng,
we'velef
t
nai
lsincharge. 
Me:
I'
ll
bef
ine
Him: t
here'
sanin-
housedoctorcomingto
checkupony ouandthebabiestomorrow.
Pleasemakesurehetakesthescansoft he
babies.Iwantt
oseehowmucht hey
'vegrown
Me:
ok

Hi
m: don'tl
eavethehouse,
underno
ci
rcumstances 
Me:
okbabeIgeti
t
Hi
m:come,
Ineedt
oshowy
ousomet
hing

Wewalkedtohissideofthecl
oset
.Hemoved
someofhispantsouttheway.Heshowedme
akey
padthatlookedli
keasafe

Hi
m:t
hisi
swhatwecal
lapani
croom

Hi
m:i
fforanyr
easony
ouheargunshot
sory
ou
feel
li
kesomethingisgoi
ngt
ohappen,
you
comestrai
ghthere.
 
Thepasswor
disy
ourbi
rt
hday
.

Me;
wil
lIneedt
his
Hi
m:no,
butj
ustI
ncase
Me:
buthowl
ongwoul
dIneedt
ost
ayi
nher
e
Him:notlong.Theminut
eyouputint
he
password,i
tsendsanSOSsignal
tomy
associ
ates.Whichmeanshel
pwouldbeher
e
wit
hin24hrs
Me:
ist
hist
heonl
yonei
nthehouse 
Hi
m:no,
ther
e'sonei
nev
erybedr
oom
Meok
Hi
m:t
hisi
sonl
yforser
ver
eci
rcumst
ances
Me:
ok
Hehel
dmyhandandwewal
kedoutt
hecl
oset
.

Hi
m:wal
kmet
othecar
s
Me:
wit
hpl
easur
e

Wewal kedi
nsi
l
encet
owar
dst
heunder
ground
par
king.

Whenwearr
ivedhi
steam waswait
ingf
orhim,
ther
ewer
eabout10ofthosehugeasscar
s.
Theywer
eal
lblack

Hl
okescameoutf
rom oneoft
hecar
s

Hi
m:aboutt
ime 
Si
ya:
shutupbul
l
et 
Hi
m;weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.We'
real
readybehi
nd
schedul
e 
Si
ya:
cool

Si
yatookmyhandandki
ssedmyr
ing.Thenhe
ki
ssedmytummy

Hi
m:r
emember
,nost
ressi
ng 
Me:
justgobabe,
I'
ll
bef
ine
Hi
m:onemor
eki
ssf
ort
her
oad
Me:
sur
e

Heleanedi
ncloserandgavemeakiss.
.Ifor
got
f
orasecondthathisguyswer
ewaiti
ng,but
Hl
okesquickl
yboughtusbacktor
eali
ty

Hi
m:y
out
woser
iousl
yneedt
ogetar
oom
Si
yal
aughed

Me:
shutupHl
okes.

Hlokesrol
ledhi
sey
eswhenSi
yagav
eme
anotherki
ss

Me:
babe,
youshoul
dgo 
Hi
m:cool
.Il
lseey
ousoon
Me:
Shar
p
Hi
m: behaveyoursel
fwhil
eI'
m away
.And
pl
easetrynottokil
ldon'
tLi
ndawhil
eim away

Il
aughed.

Me:
I'
ll
trynott
o
Hi
m:Iser
iousbabe,
stayoutofeachot
her
sway
Me:
fine,
I'
ll
domypar
t
Hi
m:t
hatsal
liask

Ibl
ewhim onel
astki
ssas,
Hlokesopenedt
he
cardoorf
orhi
m

Me:andyouHl
okes,
don'
tigetahuggoodby
e
f
rom you
Him:he'
l
l no,youtwowereinthatroom f
orover
twohours.Ibetyouwerebonkingli
kerabbi
ts
andnowy ouwantt ohugme.Nev er

Il
aughedathi
m.

Me:
fine,
sui
tyour
sel
f 
Hi
m:comeher
e,y
ouknowI
'
mjocki
ng
Iwentt
ohi
m andgav
ehi
m ahug

Me:
takecar
eofhi
mforme
Hi
m:don'
twor
ry,
he'
sabi
gboy
. 
Me:
Iknow,
buty
ouknowi
wor
ry
Him:that
'dbecauseyou'
veonlyseenthesoft
si
deofhim.Rightnowhe'
stransit
ioni
ngint
o
ghost
.Nothi
ngandnoonecant ouchaghost.
Rememberthat 
Me:
I'
ll
try

Igavehi
m aki
ssont
hecheek,
andhegoti
nthe
car

Thecar
sdroveoutonebyone.Ist
oodt
her
eti
l
l
thev
eryl
astonehadlef
t.
 
Ipr
ayedtoGodaski
nghimtobri
ngSiy
aback
homeali
veandwell
becauset
herewasnowayI
coul
dli
vemyl
i
fewi
thouthi
m.
[
05/
12,
16:
56]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

38

Nailswalkedmebackupstair
s.Itr
iedhardnot
tocry,butapartofmefel
tlostandempty.I
tookoffSiya'
sgownandputont heshir
thehad
takenoffandcuddledwit
hmyt eddybearthat
hehadboughtf orme.

Itossedandtur
nedt
hewhol
eni
ght
.Icoul
dn'
t
fal
lasleep.
 
Ikeptwonderi
ngwhereSi
yawasandwhenhe
wascomi nghome.Tomakethi
ngswor
seI
couldn'
tphonehi
m. 
Mybodyev
ent
ual
l
ygav
ein,
andIwasabl
eto
f
all
asl
eep.
Thefol
l
owingmorningwokeupabitoff.Ihad
st
art
edgetti
ngusedtowakingupnexttoSiya.I
l
ookedathissi
deofthebed,andi
tlookedreall
y
emptywit
houthi
m.

Idecidedtogetup,Iwasn’
thungry,butneeded
totakemypi l
ls,
andthelastthi
ngIwantisSiya
getti
ngreport
sthatI’
m noteati
ng.Ineedhimto
ful
lyfocusonwhathe’sdoingandnotaboutme
orthebabies.

Itookaquickshowert henwentdownst airst

o
getbreakf
ast.Isatonthev erandalooki ngout
attheseaandday dreami ngabouthowf arSi
ya
andIhadcome.I tfeltl
ikejustyest
er daywhen
wemet .Il
ookedatmyr ingandsmi led.I
couldn’
twaittobuil
daf ami l
ywithSiy a.I
wonderedhowourchi l
drenwoul dl
ook.Ihoped
wewoul dhaveagi r
landaboy .
Iwassodeepi
nthought
,Ididn’
tnot
iceLi
nda
si
tt
ingont
heothersi
deofthetabl
e.

Me;
ohHi
,Idi
dn’
tseey
out
her
e 
Her
;mhmm

Icar
ri
edoneat
ing

Her
;hav
eyouhear
dany
thi
ngf
rom Si
ya
Me;
nonoty
et 
Her;
Wi l
lyoul
etmeknowwhenhecal
l
s.Ij
ust
wanttomakesurehe’
sok 
Me;
sur
e…Wher
esOl
wet
ho 
Her
;He’
sint
heki
tchenwi
thMar
tha 
Me;
cool
..
Ist
oodupbecauseIhadf
ini
shedeat
ing.Li
nda
sawmyri
ng

Her
;wast
hatf
rom Si
ya?
Me;
LindaI
’
m noti
nthemoodt
oday
Her
;Ij
ustwantt
oknow 
ME;
Yes.
 
Her
;whendi
dhegi
vei
ttoy
ou 
Me;
yest
erday
,why
?
Her
;Justwonder
ing

Iwalkedaway.Idi
dn’twantheraski
ngme
anymorequesti
ons.Idon’
tgetwhyshewasso
i
nter
estedinwhatwasgoi ngonbetweenme
andSiya.Li
ke,i
t’
sreall
ynoneofherbusi
ness.

Iwentupt
heSi
yasof
fi
ce,
Iwant
edt
ospeakt
o
nai
l
sandseei
fev
ery
thi
ngwasst
il
lok.

Nail
swasont hephonewhenIarr
ived.Hehel
d
uphishandsignal
l
ingformetogi
vehim asec.
Isatdown.Itwasweir
dseei
ngsomeoneelsein
Siy
a’schai
r.Hewrappeduphi
scall
.

Me;
HopeI
’
m notdi
stur
bing 
Hi
m;notatal
l
Me;
Ijustcamet
oseei
fev
ery
thi
ngi
sst
il
lok 
Him;all
isst
il
lwell
.Theteam l
andedatt
hei
r
dest
inati
onaboutanhourago.
 
Me;
ist
her
eanywayIcoul
dspeakt
oSi
ya 
Him; unf
ortunatel
ynot.He’
sundercoverf
orthe
restofthemi ssi
on.I
fwecalledi
tmi ghtl
eav
e
him exposed
Me;
Isee,
Buthowdoy
ouknowhe’
sok 
Hi
m;come,
letmeshowy
ou
Hest
oodupandIfol
lowed.Hel
edmet
oadoor
t
hatl
edtoasecondoff
ice.
 
Ihadn’teverbeeni
nher
e,soIwasabi
t
surpr
ised.Didn’
tev
enknowther
ewasasecond
off
ice

Hi
m;sothi
siswherewerunouroper
ati
onout
of
.Thi
sist
heITteam t
hatar
ri
vedyest
erday
 
Igr
eet
edever
yone,
Iwasabi
tshockedbecause
Idi
dn’
tev
enknowtheI
Tteam washere

Hi
m;i
fyoul
ookatt
hismoni
tor

Hepoi
ntedt
ooneoft
hebi
gscr
eensont
hewal
l

Him;eachgreendotrepr
esentsateam member
.
TheorangedotisforBul
letandt
heYellowi
sfor
Ghost
. 
Me;
howr
ecenti
sthi
sinput
 
Him;Curr
ent.Eacht
eam memberhasatracki
ng
devi
ceinthei
rarm.Thi
shel
psustrackt
heir
ever
ymov e. 
Me;
oh,
sot
echni
cal
l
ytheycannev
ergetl
ost
Hi
m; No,We’
vealsogotmenont heground,
so
al
li
nall,
Ghostandtheteam ar
esafe 
Me;
that
’sgoodt
oknow.Thanky
ou 
Hi
m;Yourwel
come 
Me;
Ishoul
dletyougetbackt
owork.Pl
easelet
meknowshouldther
ebeanydev
elopments 
Hi
m;Wi
l
ldo.

Iwalkedoutt heoff
icefeel
ingbettert
hanwhen
Iwalkedin.AtleastIknewt hatt
heredozensof
peoplededicatedtobringSiyahomesafely.
Iwentt
ochangei
ntomygy m gear
.Iwantedto
fi
tinagoodwor
koutbef
oremydoct orar
ri
ves.
 
Ispentaboutanhourandahalfi
nthegy
m.
Thenwentupstai
rstotakeashower.

Bytheti
meIwasoutt heshower,t
hedoctor
hadarri
ved.Nai
lst
ookhi mtoHlokesroom t
o
getsetup.Whil
eIfi
nishedgett
ingready
.

WhenIgott
oHlokesr
oom,
thedoct
orwas
r
eadyforme.

Igreetedhim andsatont hebed.Wef i

rstwent
throughmyr esultsfrom t
hebl oodworkwedi d
l
astweek.Thankf ull
yeveryt
hingwasok.Sowe
didanotherultr
asoundt oseehowmynunus
wer edoing.WhenIsawt hem ont hemonitor
myhear dsmi l
ed.I thadonlybeenaboutaweek
sinceIlastsawt hem, andtheylookedl
iket hey
headgrownabit,
especi
all
ysi
nceIcoul
dhear
thei
rhear
tbeat
s.

Ireal
lywi
shedSiy
acoul dbehere,
Iknowhow
excit
edhewouldbe,butlucki
l
ythedoctorhada
3Dmachinesowewer eablet
ogetscansand
vi
deosofthebabies.

Iwasaboutt
ogetupwhenOl
wet
howal
kedi
n.

Hi
m;aunt
y,uncl
enai
l
ssaidyouwer
eupher
e
l
ooki
ngatmybabybother
s 
Me;
brot
her
s?
Hi
m;Yes,
daddysai
dthebabi
eswi
l
lbeboy
s
Me;I
m nott
oosur
eaboutt
hat
,buty
oucant
ake
al
ookandsee

Hest
eppedi
nandl
ookedatt
hemoni
tor
.Ished
at
earwhenIsawt
hesmi
l
eonhi
sface.

Hi
m;t
heyl
ooksosmal
l
 
Me;
theyar
e,ar
en’
tthey
 
Hi
m;Ican’
twai
tti
l
lIgett
opl
aywi
tht
hem 
Me;
I’
m sur
eyou’
l
lmakeagr
eatbi
gbr
other

Thedoctorstayedforawhi l
elongert
ogo
thr
oughsomeoft hequesti
onsIhad.Thenhe
packedupandl ef
t.Itookthescansandvi
deo
anduploadedthem onSiya’slapt
op.

Bytheti
medinnercameal
ong,Iwasexhaust
ed.
Ir
eall
yfel
tli
keoneofSi
ya’
sfootmassage.

I
t’
sfunnyhowyoudon’
tappr
eci
atesomet
hing
t
il
li
t’
sgone. 
Ipl
annedonhavi
ngdi
nneri
nmyr
oom,
soI
wentupst
air
stodi
shup.

WhenIwasonmywaybackt
omyr
oom,
Nai
l
s
gav
emehisphone.

Si
yawasont
heli
ne.It
ookhi
sphoneand
wal
kedt
omyroom.

Me;
Hi 
Hi
m;Babe
Me;
howar
eyou 
Hi
m;Fi
ne.Howy
ou 
Me;
missi
ngy
ou 
Him;I
’m gl
adtoheari
t.Howwast
hedoct
or’
s
appoi
ntment?
 
Me;
Fine,
wishy
ouwer
ether
e.They
’vegr
ownso
much 
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
adev
ery
thi
ng’
sok 
Me;I
’vekeptt
hescanandthevideofory
ou.
You’
l
lseethem whenyougetback 
Hi
m;Thanks

Iwantedt ot
ell
him aboutOl
wetho,buthear
d
commot ioni
nthebackground,
thenheard
gunshots.

Hi
m;babe,
I’
vegott
ogo 
Me;
Siy
awai
t,what
’sgoi
ngon 
Hi
m;Ican’
ttal
k.Il
ovey
ou.

Iwantedtotel
lhi
m Ilovedhi
mt oobutt
he
phonewentdead.Istar
edatthephone,t
ryi
ng
toregi
sterwhatj
usthappened.
 
Ir
ant
oSi
ya’
sof
fi
ce.
 
Nail
swasn’ti
nthef
rontof
fi
ce,
soIwentt
othe
secondone. 
Ifoundhi
mt her
e.Hewasshout
ingoutor
der
s
totheITTeam. 
Hest
il
ledwhenhesawme

Me;
what
’sgoi
ngon 
Him;y
oushouldgodownst
air
s,I
’
llcomegi
ve
youanupdat
eshort
ly 
Me;
I’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e.

Il
ookedatt
hemonit
orhehadshownmeear
li
er
andi
twasblank.

Me;
whathappenedt
othei
rtr
acker
s 
Hi
m;we’
ret
ryi
ngt
ofi
ndout
 
Me;whatdoy oumean?Yousai dtheycouldn’
t
getl
ost.Howar eyougoingtomakesur e
they
’reok,i
fyoucan’tev
enlocat
et hei
r
whereabouts?
 
Him;t
heteam i
sdoingever
ythi
ngt
heycant
o
f
indoutwhathappened 
Me;
whataboutt
hemenont
hegr
ound 
Hi
m:wecan’
tgethol
doft
hem

Ilookedathi
mi ndi
sbel
i
ef.Howt
hehel
lcoul
d
thisbehappeni
ng? 
Me;
sowhathappensnow?
Him;TheI
Tteam i
swor
kingoni
t.Weneedt
o
bepati
ent
 
Me;PATI ENT,
areyouki
ddi
ngme.Siyaisout
ther
einthemiddleofaf
li
ppi
ngwarandy ou
can’
tlocatehi
m.Howam Isupposedtobe
pati
ent? 
Him;Iknowt hi
sishardfory
ou,butIneedyou
togobackdownst ai
rssoIcanconcentrat
eon
tr
yingtofi
gureoutwhat’
sgoingon.Ipromisei
ll
comegi v
ey ouanupdateassoonasIhav e
news.

Il
ookedathi
m
Me;
nai
l
s,f
indhi
m,Pl
ease 
Hi
m;Iwi
l
l.

Iwal kedouthi sof ficewithtearsinmyey es.

Whati fthiswast hel astti
meIgott ospeakt o
Siya.Igott oroom andchangedi nt othesame
shirtIsleptint heni ghtbefore.Ididn’tbot
her
touchingt hef ood.HowwasIgoi ngt oeatnot
knowi ngwhatwasgoi ngon.If el
tsohel plessat
thatmoment ,Iwant edtohel pbutcoul dn’
t.I
madeanot hersilentprayeraskingGodt ohelp
protecthim.Idi dn’twanttoev ent hinkofthe
possi
bil
i
tyofl
if
ewithouthi
m.Hehadt
ocome
homeforthesakeofourbabi
es.
[
05/
12,
16:
56]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

39

Ipacedmyroom t
ryi
ngt
okeepcal
m.Ithad
beenaboutt
wohourssi
nceSi
yacal
led.
 
It
ri
edgi
vingNailsthespaceheneededbutI
wasst
art
ingtogeti mpat
ient.IputonSiya’
s
Gownandwasaboutt owal ktotheoff
ice,when
mam Marthaknocked.

Iopenedf
orher
.Shehadapl
atei
nherhand

Her
;Icamet
ocheckhowy
ou’
redoi
ng
Me;
I’
mtr
ying 
Her
;Icamet
omakesur
eyoueat
. 
Me;
ma,
Ican’
treal
l
yst
omachany
thi
ng 
Her;youmissedlunch,Ican’
thavey
oumissi
ng
supperaswell.Youneedt oeatf
ort
hesakeof
yourbabi
es
Me;
Thanky
ou 
Her
;Youneedt
okeepupy
ourst
rengt
hRi
fi
loe
Me;
I’
ll
try
 
Her
;letmeknowi fy
ouneedanyt
hing.And
makesureyourgetsomerest
 
Me;
Iwi
l
lma 
Her
;Good.Nowl
etmel
eav
eyout
orest

Shewal
kedoutandIsatbackdown.Ir
eall
y
want
edtogoseeNail
s,butdeci
dedtoeatfi
rst
.

Iat
emostofmydi
nner
,butdi
dn’
tfi
nishi
t.I
tooktheplat
etothekit
chenthenwentt
oSi
ya’
s
offi
ce.Icoul
dn’
twaitanyl
onger.

WhenIarr
ivedNai
l
swasscreami
ngat
someoneovert
hephone.
 
ISatdownandwaitedf
orhi
mtofini
shhis
conver
sat
ion.Whenhewasdonehelookedat
me

Me;
and
Hi
m;i
tsnotl
ooki
nggood 
Me;
Tel
lme 
Hi
m;t
het
eam’
sgonedar
k 
Me;
whatdoy
oumean
Him;Theirt
racker
shavebasi
cal
lybeen
dest
royed.There’
snowayofknowingi
fthey
’re
okornot 
Me;
whatdoy
oumeandest
roy
ed 
Him; we’vegotateam ont
hewayt ot
helast
knownl ocati
on.Ishoul
dhaveanswer
sinafew
hours 
Me;
afewhour
s?
Hi
m; mam,we’
redoi
ngev
ery
thi
ngi
nourpower
t
ofindt
hem 
Isatpl
ayi
ngwi t
hmyhands.Icoul
dn’tbel
i
eve
thi
s.Iwaslosi
ngSi
yaagai
n,butthi
st i
meIwant
i
ncontrol
. 
Myt
ear
sst
art
edf
lowi
ng.Nai
l
slookedatme

Hi
m;Mam,
We’
l
lfi
ndt
hem.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;i
llbeinmyroom.Justl
etmeknowwhen
youhearany
thi
ng 
Hi
m;wi
l
ldo

Iwentbacktomyr
oom andt
ri
edgett
ingsome
sl
eep.Iwokeupacoupl
eoft
imesduri
ngthe
ni
ghttogetfeedback,
butsti
l
ltherewas
not
hing.Iwasreal
lyst
art
ingtolosehope.

Iwokeupt hefoll
owingmor ningfeel
ing
defeated.Ilookedatmy sel
finthemi rr
orandI
l
ookedl ikeoneoft hecharacter
sf r
om the
walkingdead.Myey eswebl oodshotredfr
om
cry
ing.

Itookashower,t
henwentt ohavebreakfast
.
Li
ndawasal r
eadyhavi
ngbr eakf
ast.Isat
opposi
teheranddidn’
tbothergreet
ing.Iwasn’
t
i
nt hemoodtodeal wi
thhertoday

Her
;soy
oudon’
tgr
eetany
mor
e 
Me;
Lindanott
oday
 
Her
;hear
dany
thi
ngf
rom Si
ya 
Me;
yes
Her
;and 
Me;
Speakt
onai
l
s 
Her
;I’
m aski
ngy
ou 
Me;Lindabackthefuckof
f.I
fyou’
resofucki
ng
concerned,goandspeakt
onail
s.Other
wise
l
eavemet hehel
lal
one

Istoodupandwentt ot
hekit
chen.Herewasno
wayIwasgoi ngtobeablet
ohavea
conversat
ionwit
hthatwoman.Shejusthada
tendencyofannoyi
ngme. 
Imademy
sel
fcer
eal
andat
eint
heki
tchen.

Nai
l
scamer
unni
ngi
ntot
heki
tchen.

Hi
m;y
ouneedt
oseet
his 
Me;
what
’shappeni
ng 
Hi
m;come

Wer
anupt
hest
air
s.I
ntot
hesecondof
fi
ce

Istoodstil
lthemi
nut
eIsawSi
zweononeof
thescreens

Me;
nai
l
swhat
sgoi
ngon 
Him;i
ll
expl
ainl
ater
,butSi
zwewant
stot
alkt
o
you 
Me;
Ithoughthewasi
ncust
ody
 
Him;wecantalkaboutthatlat
er.Fornow,Just
hearhi
m out
,hemi ghtbeconnectedtoGhosts
di
sappear
ance.Trykeepinghim engagedas
l
ongaspossibl
e.Wewantt otrytr
ackinghi
s
si
gnal
Me;
Ok
Iwal
kedi
nfur
therandsatononeoft
hechai
rs.

Si
zwe;
Fif
i,i
t’
sgoodt
oseey
ou
Me;
Hi
Hi
m;Iguessy
oumusthav
eal
otofquest
ions 
Me;
justone 
Hi
m;whati
sit
 
Me;
Doy
ouhav
eSi
ya 
Hi
m; y
oumeanghost
.Thebast
erdwhonear
ly
ki
l
ledme 
Me;si
zwe,
please,
Im beggi
ngy
ou.Don’
tdo
t
his 
Hi
m; I
m sorr
yfif
i,i
t’
sei
therhi
m orme,
andi
n
t
hiscaseIchoseme 
Me;
Tel
lmesomet
hing 
Hi
m;What
 
Me;
wasanypar
tofourf
ri
endshi
preal
 
Hi
m;someofi
tyes 
Me;
sowhatdoy
oupl
anondoi
ngt
oSi
ya 
Hi
m; I’
m notdoingany
thi
ngt
ohim.Thepeopl
eI
workforaretheoneswhowanthi
m.I’
mjust
l
ookingtogetpaid
Me;Howdidyouevenescape?It
houghtSi
ya
hadyoui
ncustody
 
Him; t
hat’
swhyIdecidedtomakecontact
.Your
boyfri
endisn’
tasclev
erashewouldl
ikeyouto
thi
nk.Hewasf ool
ishenought
oletmego.After
youbeggedhim.Andnowl ookhe’
sbeen
captured 
Me;
soy
oumadecont
actt
ogl
oat
 
Hi
m;No,
Iwantedtogi
vehi
m achanceof
maki
ngi
toutal
iv
e.
Me;
How
Hi
m;I
’m onl
ydoingthisbecauseofwhathedi
d
f
orme,aft
erthathe’
sonhisown 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Him; I
’m mail
i
ngy out heGPScoor di
natesof
wherehe’slocated.Youhav eexactl
y1hour
beforetheymov ehi m agai
n.Makesurey ou
del
etemyemai laftertaki
ngdownt he
coordinat
es.Idon’twantt hi
scomingbackt o
bi
teme
ME;
howdoIknowi
tsnotat
rap 
Him;youdon’
t.Butitmi
ghtbet
heonl
ychance
yougettoseehim agai
n
Me;
Il
lgethi
steam ont
oit
 
Hi
m;By
e

Il
ookedatnai
l
s.Hewasal
readyonmyl
apt
op.I
st
oodandwenttost
andnexttohi
m

Aspromi
sedSi
zwesentust
hecoor
dinat
es.Al
l
Icoul
ddonowwaswait.
Iwentbacktomyroom, andprayedt
hatSi
zwe
wastel
li
ngthetr
uth.Thelastt
hingweneedisa
tr
ap.
 
Idontthinki coul
dtakeanymor
eofthi
s
uncert
aint y
.AllIwantedwasmySi
yaback
homesaf el
y.
[
05/
12,
16:
56]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

40

Ist
ayedinmyr
oom t
hinki
ngaboutwhatSi
zwe
hadsai
d. 
Iknewthatt
her
ewasachancehemightbe
l
ying,
butsomehowapar
tofmebeli
evedhim.
 
IwonderedwhySiyatrul
ylethi
m go.Didhedo
i
tforme?Ihadallthesequesti
onsbutnoone
toanswerthem.SoIputonSi y
a’sshi
rtand
tr
iedget
ti
ngsomesl
eep.Therewasnothi
ng
el
seIcoulddof
orhi
m butpray.I
twasnowall
i
nGod'shands.

Iwaswokenupbyaknockont hedoor.Il
ooked
att
het i
meandi twas2am.Iopenedthedoor,
anditwasnai
ls.Hegavemet hephonehehad
i
nhishand.Il
ookedathim andanswered.

Me:
hel
l
o 
Hi
m:f
if
i 
Me:
oht
hankGodhl
okes.Ar
eyouguy
sok?
Hi
m:I
'
mfi
ne
Me:
wher
e'sSi
ya
Hi
m:we'
reonourwayback 
Me:
canIspeakt
ohi
m
Hi
m:noty
et.We'
l
lseey
ousoon 
Me:
howl
ongwi
l
litt
akef
ory
ouIgether
e 
Hi
m:24hr
s
Me:
ok.GetSi
yat
ocal
lmewhenheget
sa
moment
 
Hi
m:.
..
..
.
Me:
Hlokes,
tel
lmehe'
sok 
Hi
m:I
'
vegott
ogo.I
'
llseey
ousoon
Hehungupandi
nlookedatnai
l
s,hel
ookeda
bi
tof
f. 
Me:
nai
l
s,what
'sgoi
ngon?
Hi
m:we'
l
lknowassoonast
het
eam i
sback 
Me:
youguy
sar
ekeepi
ngsomet
hingf
rom me 
Hi
m:I
'
m sur
ebul
l
etwi
l
lexpl
ainwhenhear
ri
ves.
Me:
whycan'
tty
out
ell
me
Him:becauseIhav
en'
tbeent
oldany
thi
ngas
yet
Me:
hav
eyouspokent
oSi
ya 
Him:nonoty
et.Excusememam.Ishoul
dget
backtot
heoffi
ce

Nail
swalkedoffwi t
hhi
sheadfaceddown.I
knewinmyhear tsomethi
ngwaswr ong.Why
wouldn'
tHlokesletmespeakt
oSi y
a?Whydid
heavoidmyquest i
ons?

Myheartt
oldmeSiyawasgone,
butIref
used
t
obeli
eveit
.Ther
e'snowayGodwouldtakehi
m
f
rom menow.

Siy
awaspr
obabl
ybusyandwasn'
tabl
eto
speakt
ome. 
Ihadt
obeli
evei
nafewhourshewoul
dbeback
andwecouldmoveonwi
thourl
iv
esli
kehe
promi
sed.
Iconvi
ncedmy sel
ftogetsomemor esleep
si
nceIhadal ottodobefor
eSiyaar
riv
ed.I
wantedtomakesur eever
ythi
ngwasper fect
.
Butfi
rstIhadtogetsomemor esl
eep.

Icuddledmycuddlebearandfel
lasleep
i
nstantly
.It
hinkmymi ndandbodywer ebot
h
exhaustedf
rom t
heconstantworr
ying.

Iwokeupthefol
lowi
ngmor ni
ngataround
10:
00am,withafewideasofwhattodoto
wel
comeSi y
ahomebutbef or
ethatIhadtoget
mysel
ffr
eshenedup.

Itookaquickshower,thengotdressedi
napai r
ofjeggi
ngsandat op.Ididn’
tbot
herwithshoes.
Ij
uststucktomysl i
ppers,andti
redmyhairina
ponytai
l
WhenIwasdonegett
ingready,Iwent
downstai
rst
ohavebr
eakfast.IknewIhadt
o
eatupsoIcoul
dgett
hroughal lt
hethi
ngsI
wantedtodo.

Iarr
ivedinthekitchenandmademy selfagr
een
smoot hi
e,Ineededsomet hi
nghealthyinmy
system.WhenIwasdoneIhadagl assofwater
,
thenwentupst air
stoSiya’
soff
ice.Ineededa
penandpapert owrit
edownallthethingsI
needed.

Igotupstai
rsandnail
shadhi sheadont he
tabl
e.If
iguredhewast i
red.Idon'tt
hinkhe'
s
gott
enanysl eepsi
nceSiyaandt heganglef
t. 
SoIdeci
dednottowakehi
m, i
nsteadIwent
backt
omyr oom t
ouseSiy
a’slaptopsi
nce
minewasinhisof
fi
ce.
Iboot
edupt
hel
apt
opandputi
nthepasswor
d. 
Thenst
art
edmakingmylist
.Iwant
edt
omake
sur
eevery
thi
ngwasreadyforhi
m

Ineededsomev anil
l
aandl avendercandl
es,I
wantedtoli
ghttheseinourroom.Ialsoneeded
somemassageoi ls,bathsal
ts.Ial
somadea
l
istofthi
ngsIneededt omakehi m hi
sfavor
it
e
meal.

WhenIwasdonewi t
ht hel
ist,
Iemai
ledi
tto
nail
s,andaskedhimtogetoneoftheguardst
o
assi
stmei ngett
ingt
hoset hi
ngssi
nceIwasn'
t
al
lowedtoleavethepremises.

Her
espondedal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.

Awhi
l
elat
erNai
l
sbr
oughtmet
het
hingsI
request
ed.Iaskedhi
mt otakethef
oodtothe
kit
chen.Ihadalr
eadyaskedmam Marthat
o
cookbecausesherefusedtoletmest
andfor
l
ongper i
odsoftime.

Bytheti
meev ery
thingwasdoneIwaspl eased
withmysel
f.IwenttotakeabathbecauseIhad
beenonmyf eetforsolong,
butatl
eastour
room wasl
ookinggood. 
TheflowersthatIhador der
edwer edeli
vered,
I
putonfreshsheet sonthebedputt hecandles
i
nposi t
ion.Idi
dn’tli
ghtthem thoughbecauseI
wantedt oli
ghtt
hem r i
ghtbeforeSiya’
sarr
ival
.

Igotoutt
hebathandwenttothekit
chentoget
somethi
ngtoeat.IhadbeensobusyIhad
for
gott
entoeat
,andIwashungry.
Mam Mar
thawasbusymaki
ngt
hest
ew,
soI
mademysel
fasandwi
ch
Her
;Iwasst
art
ingt
ogetwor
ri
ed
Me;
Ihadn’
tnot
icedt
het
imema,
 
Her
;Wel
latl
easty
ou’
reeat
ing 
Me;
How’
sthest
ewcomi
ngal
ong 
Her;
wel
l
,I’
vej
ustf
ini
shedbaki
ngt
hest
eamed
br
ead
Me;
Thanky
ouma
Her
;it
’sal
way
sapl
easur
e. 
Me;I
’m goi
ngtogotakeanap.Iwantt
obeup
whentheyarr
ive 
Her;
Go,I
’
llmakesur
eev
ery
thi
ngel
sei
sin
or
der 
Me;
thanky
ou

Il
eftmam Mart
haandwentt
otakeanap.I
endeduphav
ingmoret
hananap.It
hinksi
nceI
hadgott
entoCubaIhadbecomelazy
.AllIdi
d
waseatandsl
eep,somybodywasquite
sur
pri
sedwit
hallt
heworkIhaddonetoday.

Iwaswokenbyaknockonthedoor.Il
ookedat
thet
imei
twas2am.ShitIsl
eptt
hroughdinner
.

Iqui
ckl
ywentt
oopen,andsawHl
okesatt
he
door
.Igav
ehim ahug

Me;
Hlokes
Hi
m;Hi
Fif
i 
Me;
youl
ookexhaust
ed 
Hi
m;beenwor
se
Me;
wher
e’sSi
ya 
Hi
m;CanIcomei
n 
Me;
Hlokesy
ou’
rescar
ingme
Heopenedt
hedoorwi
derandwal
kedi
n.

Hi
m;t
her
e’snoeasywayt
osayt
his 
Me;
Hlokesj
ustt
ell
me 
Him;Ghostwashi
t.Hewasrushedt
othe
hospi
tal
themomentwelanded

Il
ookedathi
m bl
ankl
y.

Me;
whatdoy
oumeanhi
t
Hi
m;hewasshott
hrought
hechest
.
Me;
Howbad 
Hi
m;I
tst
ouchandgoatt
hemoment
 
Me;
takemet
ohi
m 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Idon’
t
Icuthi
m of
f

Me;t
hatwasn’
tarequest.Ineedt
oseehi
m,
andyouar
egoingtotakeme
Hi
m;Ok,
Getr
eady
,I’
l
lbedownst
air
s

If
eltbad,Hl
okeshadjustcomebackfrom a
missi
on,helookedexhaust
ed,
Butther
ewasno
wayIwasn’tgoingt
oseeSiya.

Iputonmymatchi
ngtr
acksui
ttopandpant
s,
wit
hmysneakerst
henlef
t.

WhenIgottothebasement
,someofthet
eam
wasst
il
ldri
vingi
n.Theyl
ookedsodown.
HlokesopenedthedoorformeandIgoti n.The
dri
vetothehospit
alwasexcruci
ati
ng.Ihadso
manyquestionsbutdi
dn’thavet
hecouraget o
ask.Iwasn’
tsureIwantedtheanswers.

Whenwear r
ivedatthehospi
tal
,Hl
okeswalked
metoSiy
a’ssuit.Iwasgl
adtoseeguards
ar
oundhissuit.

WhenIwal kedinSiyawaslyi
ngont hebed
hel
plessly
.Ididn’
twanttocrybutIcouldn’thelp
myself.Hehadwi r
esallov
erhisbody .The
machinessurroundi
nghim wereallbeeping.I
l
ookedatHl okes.Hisf
acerefl
ectedmypai n.

Me;
whathappened 
Hi
m;I
llexpl
ainl
ater
Idi
dn’
twanttoar
gue,
Itookachai
randsatnext
toSi
ya’
sBed.It
ookhi
shandinmine

Me; babe, yousaidyouwerecomi nghome.You

didn’tsayy ouwouldcomet othehospit
al.I
needy outocomeoutoft hi
s.Ican’tl
osey ou
Siya.Ir ef
usetoloseyou.Whatam Igoingt o
sayt oourchi l
dren?Theywi
llneedthei
rfather.
Siyay ouneedt owakeupbabypl ease.

Icriedforhoursbyhisbedside.Icouldn’
t
beli
ev ehowhelplesshelooked.Iev enendedup
dozingoffinasitti
ngposit
ion.Therewasno
wayIwasl eav
inghim.Ilef
thim oncebef ore,
Thistimewesai dwewoul dmakei twork,andI
plannedonst i
cki
ngt ot
hat
[
05/
12,
16:
58]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

41
Ist
ayedwi
thSiyat
hroughoutthemor
ning.I
t
wasnow10:00am whenHlokescametowake
me

Hi
m; Fi
fi
,youshoul
dgohomeandgetsome
r
est 
Me;
I’
m notl
eav
inghi
m
Hi
m;LindaandOlwethoareonthei
rwayt
osee
hi
m.Youshouldgiv
et hem someti
mewit
hhi
m.
Me;Idon’
twanttol
eavehi
m Hlokes.Whati
f
somethi
nghappenswhi
leI
’m away? 
Him; not
hingwil
lhappen.We’vegotthebest
doctorsmonit
ori
nghim, they
’l
lletusknowif
ther
ear eanydevel
opment s.
 
Me;
giv
eme2mi
nut
es
Hi
m;I
llbeout
side 
Me;
ok
Hl
okesl
eftt
owai
twi
thGuar
ds

Me; babe,Idon’
twantt ol
eavey ou,
butOlwetho
alsoneedst i
mewi t
hy ou,soI
’m goingt
ogo
homet of
reshenup.I’
llbebacksoon.Please
continuefi
ghti
ng.Il
ov eyouSiya,morethan
anythingi
nt hi
sworld.Justal
way sremember
that.
 
Igav
ehi
m aki
ssont
hehandandwal
kedaway
.

Aswewer
ewal ki
ngoutt
hehospi
tal
,Li
ndaand
Ol
wet
hoarr
ived.

Ol
wet
hor
ant
ogi
vemeahug

Hi
m;aunt
y
Me;
hibaby
Hi
m;I
sdaddyst
il
lsor
e 
Me;Yesboy
,he’
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
Buti
m sur
ehe
wi
ll
wakeupsoon 
Hi
m;Ok.
 
Me;
Giv
eaunt
yahug.I
’
llseey
oul
ater

Ipi
ckedhim ahugandki
ssedhi
m ont
hecheek.
Thenputhi
m down.

Ididn’
tsayanythingtoLinda.Youcoul
dalr
eady
seeshewasannoy edwithmespeakingto
Olwetho,andIdidn’twanttoarguewit
hher.I
didn’
thavethestrength.

Theri
dehomewastense.It
hinkweal
ldi
dn’
t
knowwhatt
osay.
 
Whenwegothome,
Iwentt
otakeashower
.I
want
edt
ogetbacktot
hehospi
tal
assoonas
possi
ble.

Iwentupst
air
stogetsomethi
ngt
oeat
.Mam
MarthawasintheKi
tchen.
 
Shestoodupwhenshesawme, shehugged
me.Forthefir
stt
imesi
ncef
indi
ngoutabout
Si
ya,Ifel
ttr
uecomfor
t.
 
Her
;Howy
oudoi
ng 
Me;I
’
mf i
nema, Ij
ustwantt
oeatandgoback
t
othehospi
tal
Her;
youhaven’
teat
en.Si
t.I
’
llmakey
ou
somethi
ng 
Me;
thanky
ouma

Shegotupandmademeaf ul
lbr
eakfast
.Whi
le
wait
ingIsentHlokesamessagetel
l
inghimI’
d
bereadytoleav
ei nthe30min
Hl
okescamedownwhi
l
eIwaseat
ing.

Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
Hi 
Him;Ithoughty
ouwoul
drestbef
orewegot
back 
Me;I’
mfi
ne,
Iwantt
ogobackassoonasI
’
m
done 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,youneedtothinkaboutt
hebabi
es.
Youhaven’tsl
ept
.Justtakeamoment
Me;
Hlokes,
I’
m goi
ngwi
thorwi
thouty
ou.
 
Hi
m;Yoursodamnst
ubbor
n 
Me;oh,andIcanwedri
vebythemal
lonour
waytothehospi
tal
?Ineedt
ogetafewthi
ngs
f
orSiya 
Hi
m;whatki
ndoft
hings 
Me;IWantt
ofi
lluphisroom wi
thfl
ower
s,andI
wantasmal
lspeakerforSi
ya’
sIpod.
 
Hi
m;Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
thaspeaker
Me;Iwanttoplaymusicforhi
m.Iread
somewherethatwhensomeone’sinaComa, i
t
hel
pstoplaythem somemusic.I
tapparent
ly
enhancesthebrai
nacti
vi
ty
Hi
m;ok,
fini
shupsowecango
Me;
I’
m done
Him;y
oudon’tgett
ogoany
wher
eunl
essy
ou
f
ini
shyourf
ood 
Me;
yoursodamnbossy
 
Him;IfGhostwakesupandyouhav
en’
tbeen
eati
ng,He’
llbur
ymealiv
e. 
Me;
fine,
justgi
veme2mi
ns
Hi
m;I
’
llbei
nthecar

Igobbl
eduptherestofmyf
ood.Thenr
ant
o
brushmyteet
h.
WhenIgott
otheunder
groundpar
king,
Hlokes
wasal
readywai
ti
ng.

Wedrovetothemallt
ogetthespeakerand
somesnacks.Ial
sowenttoordert
heflower
s
att
hefl
ori
st.Theypr
omisedtodeli
verbythe
endoft
heday .

Whenwegott othehospit
al,
OlwethoandLi nda
hadjustl
eft.Myheartbrokeatthethoughtof
OlwethogrowingupwithoutSiy
a.

WhenIgott
oSi
ya’
ssui
te,
thedoct
orswer
ejust
l
eavi
ng.
 
Theygavemeanupdat e.Iwashappyt ohear
thathi
svi
talsi
gnswereimprovi
ng.Thedoct or
washappythatther
ewasnoi nt
er nalbl
ooding,
buthewantedtokeephiminani nducedcoma
becauseoftheswel
li
nginhisbrain.Apparentl
y
Siyahi
thi
sheadquitehardwhenhef el
lfr
om
thefor
ceoft
hebul
let
.Nonethelesst
he
doctor
swehappywit
hhisprogr
esseven
thoughev
ery
thi
ngwassti
ll
touchandgo.

Ispentt
hedaywit
hSiya.Ir
eadtohim,
pray
ed
forhi
m andpl
ayedgospelmusi
c. 
Hl
okeshadgonehome,hesai
dtocal
lhi
m
whenIwasreadyt
ocomehome. 
Theflower
sarr
ivedatar
ound4pm,t
hey
i
nstantl
ybri
ght
eneduphisroom.
 
Iknewitwasgett
ingl
ate,
butf
orsomereasonI
didn’
twantt
oleavehi
m.ButIal
soneededto
getsomesleep.
 
Soat8pm IaskedHl
okest
ocomef
etchme.

WhenHlokesar
ri
vedhecheckedonSi
ya,
then
wewenthome
OnthewayIcoul
dtel
lhehadsomet
hingonhi
s
mind.

Me;
Outwi
thi
t 
Hi
m;Youknowmet
owel
l
 
Me;I’
veknowny ousi
nceIwas15y
ear
sol
d.So
t
ell
mewhat ’sbother
ingy
ou 
Hi
m;Ghost
smot
herar
ri
vest
omor
row 
Me;
Oh 
Hi
m;Li
ndacal
l
edher
Me;
sowhydoy
ouseem sowor
ri
ed 
Him; becauseIknowhowmuchsheadores
Linda.I’
mj ustwor
ri
edabouthowshewi
l
l r
eact
towardsy ou 
Me;
Isee

Wesatt
her
estoft
hewayi
nsi
l
ence.Icoul
dn’
t
bel
ieveI
’
dbemeet i
ngSiya’smotheri
nsuch
ci
rcumstances.Ir
eall
yhopedshewoul dkeep
anopenmi nd.Thelastt
hingIneededwasboth
herandLindaonmycase.
[
05/
12,
16:
58]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

42(
bonus)

Igothomeandwentt ohavedinner
.Iwasabi t
wor ri
edaboutSiy
a’smothercoming.Idi
dn’t
knowwher eshewouldbesleepi
ng.Isati
nthe
ki
t cheninst
eadofthever
andaordiningroom.I
didn’twanttobumpintoLi
nda.

Thankf
ullymam Marthawashavi
ngherdi
nner
i
nthekitchensoIsatwit
hherandThembi
. 
Idi
shedupf
ormy
sel
fandwentt
ojoi
nthem.
Mam Mar
tha;
how’
sghostdoi
ng 
Me;
he’
sget
ti
ngt
her
esl
owl
y.

Li
ndawal
kedi
naswewer
eeat
ing.

Her;mam Martha,
mymot herinlawar
ri
ves
tomorrow.Thi
sisalistofthefoodsheeat
s,
Pleasemakesureit
’sallavai
labl
e
Mam Mar
tha;
wil
ldo 
Her;andThembi,pl
easeprepareBull
etsroom
forherar
ri
val
.Makesur et
hesheet sare
changedandthatther
earefreshtowelsinher
closet

Thembi
;sur
e

Idi
dn’tevenlookupather,Ij
ustcar
ri
edon
eat
ing.Itwasclearshewantedtopi
ssmeoff
bycal
l
ingSi
ya’
smotherhermot heri
nlaw,
oI
wasn’
tgoi
ngtopl
ayintohersi
ll
ygames.AllI
car
edaboutwasSi
ya,Theresthadtowait
.

Li
ndalef
tusandwecont inuedeat
ing,
Irol
l
ed
myeyeswhenshewal kedoutandmam Mar t
ha
smackedmyhandplay f
ull
y.Thembionthe
ot
herhandbur
stoutlaughing

Mam Mar
tha;
thet
woofy
ouar
enaught
y 
Me;
haai
,ma,
youknowIdon’
tli
keher
 
Thembi;If
eelsor
ryfory
ouy
az.I
tmustbe
di
ffi
cul
tdeali
ngwithher
Me;It
hinki
m act
ual
lygetti
ngusedtoi
t.Ij
ust
t
hinkt
hebestwayistoignoreher
Mam Martha;
youshoul
dst
opgossi
pingandgo
r
estRi
fi
loe 
Ismi
l
edatmam Mar
tha,
Sher
emi
ndedmeso
muchofmymot
heratt
imes.
Ideci
dedt
oact
ual
l
yli
stent
oher
.Andgoget
somerest
. 
Il
eftt
hem andwentt
omyroom,Iwentt
otake
abathbef
oresl
eepi
ng.Mybodywasabi
tsore
fr
om si
ti
nginachai
rall
day
.

IusedSi
ya’
sbat
hoi
l
s #hi
des,
Iwant
edt
ofeel
cl
osetohim,

WhenIwasdonebathi
ngIwenttot
hecl
osett
o
l
ookforSi
yast
hatIhadbeensl
eepi
ngwi
th.
 
Fortheli
feofmeIcoul dn’
tfi
ndi
tany
where.I
putonSiya’sgownandwentt ot
heKit
chento
l
ookf orThembi.Lucki
l
ysheandmam Mar t
ha
werestil
lther
e.

Me;
Thembi
,ther
e’sashi
rtbel
ongi
ngt
oSi
ya
t
hatIcan’
tfind.I
t’
sthebabyblueonewit
h
whi
testr
ipes,haveyouperhapsseeni
t?
Her;
yes,It
ookitwi
thhi
sot
hert
hingst
othedr
y
cl
eanert
oday 
Me;
oh 
Her;
I’
m sor
ry,
Ijustsawi
tonyourbedand
pr
esumeditneededtobewashed 
Me;it
sfine,di
ntapol
ogise.Ijustuset
ousei
tto
sl
eepin.Itsti
l
lhadhisscent.Butnott
oworr
y,
I’
l
luseoneofhi sot
herones

Mam Mar
thasmi
l
ed.Ismi
l
edbackandl
eft
. 
Ireall
ywasn’
tupsetthatThembihadtakent
he
shirtt
othedr
ycleaners,Iwasj
ustsadbecause
thatwastheonl
ythingIhadthatsti
l
lsmeltl
ike
Siya.

It
ookoneofSi
ya’
sot
hershi
rt
southi
scl
osed,
andwentt
obed.Iwasl
uckyt
ofal
lasl
eep
al
waysimmedi
atel
y.

Iwokeupt hefol
lowingmorni
ngfeel
inghopef
ul.
Iwokeupandmademybed, t
henopenedthe
windows.Iwantedtofiti
naworkoutbefor
e
goingtothehospit
al.
 
Ichangedi nt
omygy m gear
,thenwentt ohave
breakfast.Mam Mar thahadsetupbr eakf
astin
thediningroom insteadofthev eranda,It
hink
becauset heweat herwasabi toff.Hlokesand
Nailswerealreadyhav i
ngbr eakfast,
soI
greetedandjoinedt hem. 
Hl
okes;
didy
ougetagoodni
ght
’ssl
eep?
Me;
Yest
hanks,
you?
Hi
m;y
es
Me;cany
out
akemet
othehospi
tal
inaboutan
hour
 
Hi
m;ar
en’
tyouwai
ti
ngf
orSi
ya’
smot
her
?She
shoul
dbeher
einabout30mi
n 
Me;
doIhav
eto?
Him;itwouldonlyber
ight
.Don’
tbener
vous,
I’
m
sureshe’
lll
i
key ou
Me;
we’
l
ljusthav
etowai
tandsee.

Ihadtherestofmybr eakf
astthenwentto
shower.IthoughtIwouldhav
emor et
imeto
prepar
emy sel
ftomeethismot her
.Butany
way
Iguessit
’snowornev er.

It
ookashower
,thenwentt
othecl
osett
oget
dr
essed.

Ideci
dedtowearoneofmymaxi dr
esses,I
wasn’tsur
ehowtradi
ti
onalSiy
amot herwas,
butIdidn’
twantt
owearjeans,onl
ytooffend
her.
Iwasbusybr ushingmyhair,whensomeone
knockedonmydoor .Iwenttoopenandfound
Li
ndat her
e.Shehadonadr essandworedoek.
Shelookedli
ket heperf
ectmakotinxa

Her
;Hi
 
Me;
Hi
Her
;Si
ya’
smom want
stoseey
ou 
Me;
I’
ll
beupi
nsec,
Ijustneedt
oti
emyhai
rup 
Her
;cool

Icl
osedmydoorandfi
nishedoffwhatIwas
doi
ng.Thenwal
kedtowardsthedi
ningroom.
 
WhenIgott
heremam Mart
hawasser
vingt
ea.
Si
ya’
smom stoodt
ogreetme 
Sheshookmyhandandpull
edmei nt
oahug.
Shei
ntroducedher
sel
fasBusi
siweKhumal
-
Ndhl
ovu

Her
;It
slov
leyt
omeety
oumygi
rl
Me;
met
ooma
Her
;Si
t,we’
vegotal
ott
odi
scuss

Shepoint
edtoachairnexttoLi
nda.Godknows
Iwantedtor
efuse,
butIdidn’
twanttoseem
rude.

Isatnextt
oLi
nda,
whi
l
emam Mar
thapour
ed
myt ea.

Her
;sot
ell
meabouty
our
sel
f,
’

It
oldherever
ythi
ngaboutme,fr
om wher
eI
gr
ewup, t
owhatIdof oral
iv
ingetc.
Her
;Si
yat
oldmey
ourpr
egnant
 
Me;
yesma
Her
;howf
aral
ongar
eyou 
Me;
about11weeks 
Her
;doy
ouknowt
hegender
 
Me;Notyet,
butI
’
m sur
ewe’
l
lfi
ndoutonour
nextv
isi
t 
Her
;that
’sgood.Youmustt
aket
hingseasy
. 
Me;
Iwi
l
lma 
Her
;soar
eyout
woget
ti
ngal
ong

Shel
ookedatbot
hmeandLi
nda

Me;
west
ayoutofeachot
her
’sway
 
Her
;why
Il
ookedatLi
ndaf
orananswer

Li
nda; becauseshehasnor espectMa,she
arr
ivedinSiya’
sli
fe,anddecidedtomake
changes.Shedoesn’tcareaboutthefactt
hatI
waswi thSiyabefor
eher.Shet ur
nedhim
againstme. 
Me;howam Ir udeLinda.You’
vehat
edmef rom
thever
ybeginning,
Idon’tevenknowtothi
sday
why.AsfarasIknow, youandSiyawereway
overwhenIcamei ntothepict
ure

Li
ndawant
edt
oanswer
,butSi
ya’
smot
hercut
herof
f

Her;Nowbothofy ouli
stentomeandli
sten
caref
ull
y.Si
yabongaislayi
nginahospi
talbed,
fi
ghti
ngforhisl
if
e.Iwon’thaveanypet
ti
nessin
thi
shouse.YouRef iloe,LindaisOlwethos’s
mother.Heist heNdhl ovuheir
.Thereis
absol
utelynothingyoucandoaboutt hat.Linda
i
sgoingt obeapar tofy ourli
fewhethery oulike
i
tornot.AndwenaLi nda, Youwill
respect
Rif
il
oeast hemot herofSi ya’
sotherchil
dren.
Youwillnottal
kbadaboutheri nanywayor
for
m.DoImakemy selfcl
ear?

Webot
hnodded
Her;Now,I
’m notsurewhatSiyahadspokento
ei
therofy
ouaboutt his,
butIhadsuggestedhe
marrybot
hofy outradi

Il
ookedatherwi
thwi
deey
es,
whi
l
eLi
nda
smil
ed

Her;
hearmeout.Si
yal
oveshi
sson, andhest
il
l
hasaspeci
alpl
acei
nhishear
tforher.Hemay
notbei nlovewithher,buthest i
ll
cherishes
whatt heyhad.Eventhoughi t
’sinthepast
tense.NowIknowLi ndastil
ll
ov esSiya.Hewas
herfir
stlove.That’
snotgoingt obeeasyt o
change.Soshewoul dbeconsi deredhisfir
st
wife.
 
Thenhewoul dmar ryyouRifil
oe.Weal lknow
si
tti
ngher et
hatyouhol dSiya’shear t.Hetold
met hedayhemety outhathehadf oundthe
womanhewant edtospendt her estofhislif
e
wit
h.Si y
ahadnev erspokenaboutany body
aft
erhim andLindabrokeup, soIknewt hatit
wasr eal,
andnowy ouar ecarr yi
nghi sbabies.
Soyouwoul dbeconsi deredhi ssecondwi fe.

Idi
dn’
trespondtoSi
ya’
smot her.Iwasn’treal
l
y
sur
ewhatsheexpectedmetosay .Butdeep
downIthoughthei
deawasshi t
.Ther ewasno
wayIwasgoingtoshareSi
yawi ththatpsycho
woman.
Li
ndahowev
er,
lookedhappywi
tht
hei
dea.

Li
nda;
Ithi
nkt
hat’
sagoodi
deama.I
’
m sur
e
Si
yawil
lal
soagr
ee

I
tt ookeveryt
hingi
nmenottoslapt
heshitout
ofLinda.IknewshewantedSi
yabutIhadn’
t
reali
sedtowhatextent
. 
It
ookasi
pofmyt ea,
whichwasnowcol
d,
Si
ya’
smotherl
ookedatme

Her
;whatdoy
out
hinkRi
fi
loe 
Me;(
clearsthr
oat)ahmm ma,Ithi
nkweshoul
d
wai
tforSiyatowakeup,andhearwhathehas
t
osay.Itshisdeci
sionaf
teral
l
 
Her
;butwoul
dyoubeokaywi
thbei
ngi
na
pol
ygamousmarr
iage?
Me;i
nal
lhonest
yma.No,Iwoul
dn’
tbe
comf
ort
abl
ebeingi
nthatki
ndofmarr
iage
Her;wi
lly
ouatl
eastt
hinkabouti
t?I
t’
s
somethi
ngIbel
i
evewil
l bet
hepestsol
uti
onf
or
thi
ssit
uati
on

Inoddedandcarr
iedondr i
nkingmyt
ea,Idi
nt
wanttoseem r
ude, buttherewasnowayIwas
goingtoal
lowanyoft hi
snonsense.I
fSiya
wantedtomarryLinda,t
henheshould’v
edone
so,bef
orehemetme.Ther ewasnowayIwas
goingtobeok,wi
thhi m havingmeasasecond
wif
e.Never

Wesati nanawkwar dsil

ence,andfini
shedour
tea.Whenwewer edoneSiya’
smom went
upstai
rstofreshenupbeforegoingtothe
hospit
al.Ist
oodupt oleav
ebutLi ndaheldmy
hand
Her;
sowhichoneofusisgoingt
oaccompany
ourmot
herinl
awtov i
sitOURhusband

Removedmyhandf r
om hersandlaughedmy
headoff
.Thisbit
chwasei
thersmoking
somethi
ng,orshewasaspecial
kindofstupi
d.

Me;y
ouhonestl
ythi
nkSi
yai
sgoi
ngt
oagr
ee
wi
ththi
sidea
Her;youcl
ear
lydon’
tknowhismotherver
ywell
.
Siy
alovesnot
hingmorethanmakingherhappy
,
whichmeans,whatmommywant smommy
gets
Me;soletmeguess,
youpl
ant
edt
hest
upi
d
i
deainherhead
Her;wel
l,someti
mesy ou’
vegottopl
ayyour
cardsri
ght.Don’
that
et hepl
ayer
,hat
ethegame
honey 
Me;youmayhav ebeenabl
etomani
pul
atehis
mother.Butwebot hknow,
Siy
awon’
tfal
lfor
yourf
oolishness.
 
Her
;wel
l
,wewi
l
lhav
etowai
tandsee.

Shegotupandwal kedawaywiththebiggest
smil
eonherface.Isatbackdown, andtookin
afewbreat
hs.Siy
ar eal
l
yhadtowakeupsoon, I
don’
tknowhowmuchmor ei
fthi
sIcouldt ake.
[
05/
12,
16:
58]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

43

(
sor
ryi
fther
ear
emi
stakes.Iwasr
eal
l
yrushi
ng)

<3
Ideci
dedtoletSi
yasmom andLi ndatothe
hospi
tal
withoutme.Ij
ustfel
tli
ke3i sacrowd.
Sorat
hertheygo,andI
'l
lgooncet hey'
reback.
Iinst
ant
lyt
ookasighofrel
i
efwhent
heyl
eft
.A
fewhourswit
houtLi
ndaandmaNdhl
ovuwas
musictomyears.
 
Iwenttothekitchentoseemam Mart
ha,I
neededsomet hingt
okeepmebusysoI
wouldn'
tthi
nkt oomuch.Andasalway
sthe
ki
tchensmelledamazing 
Me:
hima 
Her
:hi
rif
il
oe
Me:
whatar
eyoumar
king 
Her
:justabeefst
ewwi
thst
eamedbr
ead.
 
Me:
needhel
p
Her
:nom y
ousi
tdownandr
elax
Me:
ma,
Ineedsomet
hingt
okeepmebusy
Her
:ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
 
Me:(r
oll
seyes)no,
LindaandmaNdhl
ovuhav
e
gone.I'
l
lgoseehimlater
 
her
:soy
ouget
ti
ngal
ongwi
thghost
smom
Me:notsur
eyet
.It
hinkI
'
llj
ustkeepoutherway
f
ornow
Her
:canIgi
vey
ousomeadv
ice 
Me:
please
Her
:al
way
ssmi
l
e
Me:
ma
Her:
li
sten.Whenpeopl et
ryt
ocomeagainst
you,
smi l
e.Don'teverl
ett
hem knowhowyou’
re
f
eeli
ngont heinside.
 
Me:
Thanksma 
Her;
whydon’
tyousi
tdown,
andpeel
these
vegi
esf
orme?
Me;
wit
hpl
easur
e.
Ispentmostofmymor ni
ngwithmam Mar t
ha,
shewast oldmest ori
esabouttheti
meshewas
growingupinherv i
ll
age,andaboutherfi
rst
boyfr
iend.Iwasgiggli
ngsomuch.It hi
nkfora
secondIhadf or
gottenaboutthedrama
surr
oundingmyl i
fe.

Hlokeswalkedi
nwhileIwasbusywi
thmam
Martha.Theminut
eIsawhim,Iknew
somethingwasn’
tri
ght 
Me;
What
swr
ong 
Hi
m;weneedt
ogett
othehospi
tal
 
ME;
Whathappened.
Hi
m;I
llexpl
ainonourway
.

Idi
dn’
tbot
heraski
nganymorequesti
ons,
I
fol
l
owedhimtothebasementpar
king.
 
Heopenedt
hecardoorf
orme,
andhegotand
wel
eft

Me;
Whathappened
Hi
m;Thedoct
orssayGhosthast
akenat
urnf
or
t
heworse.
 
Me;
How
Him;
theytr
iedt
aki
nghim outt
heinduced
Coma,andhedi
dn’
trespondwell
 
Me;
sowhatnow
Him;theysayt
heythi
nki
t’
suptot
hefamil
yto
deci
deiftheywantt
okeephi
minthecomaor
l
ethim go 
Me;
wel
lthat
’sobv
ious,
wekeephi
m al
i
ve
Hi
m; t
hat’
swhatIt
hought,
butLi
ndahastol
d
t
hem shethi
nksi
tsbestt
heyswi
tchofft
he
machi
nes 
Me;whataut
hor
it
ydoesshehav
etomakesuch
adeci
si
on 
Him;apparent
lyMaNdhlov
uistot
raumat
isedt
o
speak,soshelef
tever
ythi
ngi
nherhands
Me;
thatf
ucki
ngbi
tch 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
youneedt
ocal
m downf
ort
he
sakeoft
hebabies
Me;
shutupanddr
ivef
ast
er.
Idon’
tknowhowhecoul
dtel
lmet
ocal
m down,
whenmybloodwasboi
li
ng

Whenwegottothehospi
tal
,Si
ya’smom was
appar
ent
lyi
noneofthewardsrecuper
ati
ng.
 
Idi
dn’
tcarethough,
allIwant
edwast
omake
sur
ethatSiy
awasok.  
Igottohisroom andLindawassi tt
ingther
e,
tal
kingonherphone.Ididn’tevenbotheraski
ng
questi
ons.Iwasbey ondpissed.Igrabbedher
bythehair,
andpulledhertowar dst
hedoorof
Siy
a’sroom.Iwant edtodragtheshitoutofher.
Iwassickofherbul l
shi
t,andthisti
meshehad
gonet
oof
ar.
 
Ithi
nkLindawast akenbysurpri
sed,because
shedidn’
tret
ali
ateimmediately
.Hlokescamei n
whenhehear dthecommot i
on.Hef orcedmet o
l
etgoofherhair

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loear
eyoui
nsane 
Me;
I’
vehadi
twi
tht
hisbi
tch 
Itri
edgr
abbi
ngheragai
nbutHl
okeswast
oo
fast.
 
Her
;Fucky
ou,
youbi
tch.
 
Me;Ar
ey oucrazy
?Whodoy out
hinkyouar
e
t
ell
i
ngthem toswitchof
fthemachines?
Her;i
fwekeephim al
i
ve,hemi
ghtbecomea
veget
abl
e.I
sthatwhatyouwanty
e
Me;y
oubet
terstayt
hehel
lawayf
rom meand
Si
yayouwi
tch.
 
Her
;youhav
enosayi
nany
thi
ng.
 
Me;
We’
l
lseeaboutt
hat

Iwasaboutt
owalkbacki
ntoSi
ya’
sroom,
when
If
eltsomet
hingr
unni
ngdownmyleg. 
Il
ookeddown,
andsawt
hati
twasbl
ood.I
fr
oze.
 
Hlokeswasstil
ltr
yingtocal
m Li
ndadown,
so
hehadn’tnot
icedanythi
ng. 
Icall
edf orhim,whenIfel
tastabbingpai
nin
myabdomen.Hl okesi
mmedi atel
yletgoof
Linda,andcamer ushi
ngtowardsme.Ihadmy
handswr appedar
oundmystomach.  
Hl
okessawt
hebl
oodandl
ookedatme
Him;weneedtogety
out
otheemer
gency
depar
tment
. 
Me;
Hlokes,
what
’shappeni
ng?
Hi
m;l
et’
sgety
oucheckedoutf
ir
st
Hegavei nst
ruct
ionst
otheguardstomake
sur
enobodyent ersSi
ya’
sSuit
,ti
ll
hegetsback.
Thenpickedmeupandcar r
iedmet ot
he
emergencyroom
Iknewdeepdownt hi
swasn’tnor
mal,
butI
prayednot
hingwouldhappentomybabi
es.

Whenwegott otheemer gencydepar tment,I

wasputonast r
etcher,andrushedt oar oom.
Hlokeswaswi thmet hewhol etime.Iwasr eal
ly
grat
efulbecausesomeoft hestaffdidn’
tspeak
Engli
sh,andhewasabl etotranslat
e.Bynow
thepainwasbey ondbear abl
e.Thenur ses
wantedtotakemydr essoff,
butIcoul dn’tl
i
ft
myhands.Sot heyopt edtocutitoff. 
Whenthedoct
orar
ri
ved,
Iwasinahospi
tal
gown,
andhaddri
pinmyarm. 
Hedi
danul t
rasound,
andhel
ookedatme,
then
atHl
okes.
 
Thelookinhiseyes,
confi
rmedmyfears.My
eyes,wat
ered.Ihadalr
eadyl
ostsomuchinmy
l
ife.WhywouldGodt akeawayt
heonlyhopeI
hadinthi
swor l
d?

Thedoct orwasspeaki
ngtoHlokes,
butIdidn’
t
payattenti
on.Ij
ustwantedt
hepaintobegone.
Iwantedt ohol
dmybabi esi
nmyar ms,andI
wantedSi yat
owakeup.
Thedoctorputsomet
hingi
nmydr
ip,
andI
dri
ft
edtosleep.

WhenIwokeup, Ilookedaroundt
oseewher eI
was.InoticedHlokessitt
ingonachai
rbesides
me.Iinstantl
yremember edwhathadhappened.
Mytearsst at
edflowing.Icoul
dn’
tbel
iev
eI
wasn’tevergoingtoholdmybabiesinmy
hands. 
Hl
okeswokeupwhenhehear
dmecr
ying.He
gotupandsatont hebed,andputhi
sarms
aroundme.Iwishedsobadt hati
twasSi
yas’
s
armsthatIwascryingi
n. 
Him;it
’sgoi
ngt
obeokFi
fi
.Theset
hings
happen
Me;(sni
ff
)butwhymeHl
okes?Whycan’
tIev
er
behappy? 
Him;itwil
lcomeFi
fi
.Youj
usthav
etobe
pati
ent 
Me; Ican’
tkeepdoi ngthi
sHlokes.I
’
m always
cry
ing.Ican’teverhavepeaceinmyl i
fe.I
’
m
fl
i
ppi ngoverit

Il
aidt
herecry
ingt
il
lIhadnomoretear
sl ef
t.
Hl
okes,l
eftmeandwenttocheckonSiya. 
Il
ookedatmyt ummy,andsawnodifference,
butmysoulwasempty.Mybabieswer egone,
andnomatterhowmuchIcr i
edther
ewaso
waytheywouldbecomingback.
[
05/
12,
16:
58]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

44

Iwasdischar
gedthefoll
owingday.Thedoctors
haddoneaD&C, andtheytoldmeIwasr eady
togohome.Theyalsoconf i
rmedthatt
he
miscar
ri
agewasduet ointenseamountof
str
esswhichint
urnleftbothbabi
esindist
ress.

TheyrecommendedIseeapsy chol
ogist
, butI
wasn’tint
erest
ed.Iknewthati
twasusel ess
becauseIwouldn’tbeablet
otellt
hem
everyt
hingaboutmyl i
feandSi
ya’sLi
fe,sowhy
bother?

Hlokesboughtmef r
eshcl
othestowear.I
hadn’treall
ysai
dmuchtoanyonesi
nce
yesterday.Iwassot
ir
edofcryi
ngandtalki
ng.I
j
ustwant
edSi
yatowakeup, sowecouldgo
backt
oSout
hAf r
ica.Iwant
edtobebackhome,
andnoti
nahousewi t
hhisex.

Hlokest
ookmet oseeSiy
a,befor
eIwenthome.
Isatonthechai
rnextt
ohisbed,andl
etouta
si
gh

Me;babe,
youreall
yneedt
owakeupnow.
You’
vebeenl
ikethi
sforov
eraweek.(
sni
ff
) 
Siy
a, Ican’
tgoonl iket his.I
’v
elostourbabies,
andt omaket hingswor se,Li
ndawantsto
switchoffthemachi nes.BabyIdon’tknowhow
muchmor efightIhav ei nme.Youhav eto
comebackt ous.Pl ease.

ISatwit
hSi yaforacoupleofhours.Idi
dn’t
wanttoleavehi m,butIwasti
redandwant edto
getsomer est.Igavehim aki
ssont hecheek,
t
henl
eftt
ogohome.

Isatmostoft hewayhomei nsil

ence.There
wasn’tr
eall
ymucht osay.Thisyearj
ust
seemedlikeitwasn’
tmyy ear.Iwasgladitwas
neari
ngtheendbecauseIhopedt henexty ear
wouldbeamuchbet t
eryearforme.

Whenwear r
ivedhome,
Iwentstr
aightt
omy
room.Iwant
edt ot
akealongbat
h,andtryt
o
sleep.

Isatinthebathforawhi
l
e,thengotout
.I
changedintomypy j
amasandgotint
obed.I
didn’
tcarethati
twasonl
y5pm.Ijustwant
edto
sl
eep
Ihadjustgott
enint
obedwhensomeone
knockedonthedoor.Idi
dn’
tgetup,i
nst
eadI
puttheduvetovermyheadandignor
ed
whoeveritwas.Thepersonontheot
herend
didn’
tst
op,inst
eadtheyjustcamei
n.Ij
ust
knewitwasSi y
a’smother.mcm

Ipret
endedt
obeasl
eep.Iwasn’
tint
hemood
forcompany
. 
Shecameonmysi deoft
hebed,
andshookme
awake.Iy
awnedandpret
endedt
owakeup

Me;
HiMa 
Her
;Hi
,Makot
i,weneedt
otal
k 
Me;
Ok
Her
;il
lbei
nthedi
ningr
oom 
Me;
Il
lbet
her
enow.

Shewalkedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndher
.
Irol
l
edmyey es.Ir
eal
l
ywasn’ti
nthemoodt
o
fi
ght.
Igotup,
putonmyslipper
sandSi
ya’
sgown,
andwentdownst
air
s.

Igottothedini
ngroom andMam Marthawas
serv
ingsupper.Igr
eet
edherthensatdown
opposit
eLinda. 
Siya’
smom wait
edf
orMam Mar
that
ofi
nish,
thenshecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.

Her;
Iheardaboutwhathappenedbet
weeny
ou
andLindayest
erday
.

Il
ookedather.Idon’
tifshewasexpect
ingan
answer
,buttodaywasnott hedayt
opissme
off
.

Her
;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou 
Me;
I’
m sorr
yma,
I’
m notsur
ewhaty
ouwant
metosay 
Her
;Iwanty
out
otel
lmewhyy
ouat
tachedher
 
Me;
becauseshewant
edt
oki
l
lSi
yat
hat
’swhy
Her
;andyoudi
dn’
tthi
nk,
thatmay
bei
twasf
or
t
hebest 
Me;t
hebestforwho?BecauseasfarasIseei
t,
t
hepersonwhothinkstheyar
egoi
ngtobenefi
t
f
rom Si
ya’
sdeath,
isLinda 
Her
;it
’snotaboutt
hemoneyi
fthat
’swhaty
our
i
nsi
nuati
ng 
Me;t
henwhywouldshenotwantt
ogi
vehim
ti
me,He’
sonl
ybeenther
eaweekandalr
eady
shewant
stoki
ll
him

Li
ndai
nter
rupt
edme

Li
nda;
tal
ki
ngaboutki
l
li
ng,
Iheary
ouf
inal
l
ygot
r
idofthosethi
ngsyouwerecarr
ying.Iknow
y
oudidn’twantthem i
nthef
ir
stplace,sonow
y
oufinall
ygotwhatyouwanted.

Ist
oodup,andwalkedtowardsher.Iwassi
ck
andti
redofLi
nda.Iwantedtoteachhera
l
essonshewouldneverforget
.

Si
ya’
smot
herst
oodbef
oreme

Her
;Rif
il
oe,si
tdown.Fi
ght
ingi
sn’
tgoi
ngt
o
sol
veanyt
hing 
Me;didyounothearwhatshejustsai
dtome?
Andinst
eadofrepri
mandingher,you’
ret
ryi
ngt
o
st
opmef r
om pr
otect
ingmyself?
 
Her
;Il
ldeal
wit
hLi
nda.Fornow,
yehl
i
saomoy
a

Isatdownagai
n,andt
ookasi
pofmywat
er.I
wasamazedathowqui
teLindawas.af
tershe
hadt
hegutst
osaysuchrubbisht
ome

Her;Rif
il
oe, yourri
ghtaboutSiya’
ssituat
ion.I
don’
tknowwhatLi ndawast hi
nki
ng.Iwould
havenev eragreedt okil
lhim.Never
.I
appreci
atey oufighti
ngf orSi
ya,i
tshowshow
muchy oul ovehim.Butatt hesamet i
me, you
can’
tgoar oundbeat i
ngpeople.

Ij
ustl
ookedathernodded.

Her
;nowcanwepl
easeeati
npeace.

Iat
eonlyhalfmydi
nner.Iwasn’
thungr
yand
l
ookingatLi
ndafr
om acrossthet
ablemademe
wanttopuke. 
Iwasgoi
ngt
oexcusemy
sel
f,f
rom di
nner
,butI
sawHlokescomi
ngt
owar
dsus.Hehadasmi
l
e
onhi
sface.

Heapol
ogi
sedf
ori
nter
rupt
ingus

Hi
m;ma,
I’
vegotgoodnews
Her
;I’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m;Si
yabonga,
wokeup 
Her
;when 
Hi
m;t
hedoct
orsj
ustphoned.

Siy
a’smom hadtearsrol
l
ingdownherface.She
l
ookedsohappy.Lindaontheothersi
de
seemedabitner
vous.

IknowIhadhear
dwhatHl okessai
d,butIdon’
t
thi
nkithadr
egi
ster
ed.Iwantedtoseefor
my
sel
f.

Me;
canwegoandseehi
m
Him;no,
thedoct
orssai
dtheyarerunni
ngtest
s.
Youcangoseehimtomorrow,butdon’
tworry
,
I
’l
lgocheckuponhim
Me;
thanky
ou

Ilef
ttogotomyr oom.Iwasreal
l
yhappythat
Siyawasawake.Butatthesameti
me,Iwas
real
lyner
voust
ot el
lhi
m aboutmymiscar
ri
age.

Igoti
ntomyr oom,andmadeapr ayerthanki
ng
God,f
orwakingSiyaup.Iknowwest i
llhavea
l
ongwayt ogo,butIwasgratef
ulbecauseat
l
eastther
ewasl i
ghtatt
heendoft hetunnel.

Igotbacki
ntobed,
andcuddl
edmyt
eddy
.Iwas
gl
adthatsoon,
Iwoul
dhav
eSi y
aback,and
woul
dn’tneedt
ocuddl
eateddybear
. 
Isl
eptprett
ywell
,consi
deri
ngeveryt
hingt
hat
wasgoingon.Ithi
nkit’
sbecauseIknewSiya
wasfi
nallyawake.
 
Iwokeupt hefoll
owingmorning,andwentto
workout.Iknowt hedoct
orhassai dImusttake
i
teasy,butIfeltl
i
keIneededit.Ihadn’
tworked
outi
nawhi le,soinst
eadofusingthegymI
wentonar unont hebeach.
.

Bytheti
meIgotback, Si
ya’smom washav i
ng
br
eakfastwit
hHlokes.Theylookedlikethey
weredebati
ngsomething.Theyimmedi atel
y
st
oppedwhent heysawmeappr oaching.
 
Igreetedt
hem andsatdown.Youcoul
dsee
thatIhadclear
lyi
nter
rupt
edsomethi
ng.
 
Iwasn’
tpl
anni
ngonmovingthough.I
fthey
neededt
otal
k,t
heycoul
dtal
ksomewher eelse.
Si
ya’
smom gotupt
oleav
e,whi
l
eHl
okesst
ayed.

Hi
m;howwasy
ourr
un 
Me;
finet
hanks 
Hi
m;Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing 
Me;pl
easet
ell
meitsgoodnews.Idon’
tthi
nkI
canst
omachanyt
hingel
segoi
ngwr ongri
ght
now
Hi
m;i
t’
sami
xtur
eofbot
h 
Me;
ok.Sooutwi
thi
t 
Hi
m;Si
yai
sdoi
ngwel
l
Me;
that
’sagoodt
hingr
ight
?
Him;yes,
thedoct
orsar
ecal
li
ngitamiracl
e.
Theyarever
yhappywit
hhi
sprogress 
Me;
sowhat
’st
hebadnews?
Hi
m;Wel
l
,Iwentt
oseehi
mthi
smor
ning,
becauseeventhoughIsawhimlastni
ght,Ionl
y
gottoseehimf orabout5mi
n.SoIwentthere
thi
smor ni
ngtomakesur ehewaswellenough
forvi
sit
ors 
Me;
and
Hi
m;Idon’
tknowhowt
osayt
his,
 
Me:
justt
ell
me 
Hi
m:thefi
rstt
hingoutofGhost
smout
hwashe
want
edtoseeLinda

Il
ookedatHl
okes,
andt
ri
edr
egi
ster
ingwhathe
wastel
li
ngme.

Me;
iml
ost
 
Hi
m; Thedoct
orst
hinki
t'
smemoryl
oss,t
hear
e
t
ryi
ngtodeter
mineweat
heri
tsl
ongter
m or
l
ongterm
Me:
soi
m guessi
ngt
her
easonshei
sntat
br
eakf
asti
sbecuaseshe'
swi
tbsi
ya 
Hi
m:y
es
Me:
wow.
..
..
Hi
m:ri
fi
loe,
justgi
vehi
m Ti
me.I
'
m sur
ehewi
l
l
r
egai
nhismemor y 
Me:
whati
fhenev
rrdoes 
Him:dontt
hinkl
i
ket
hat
.Rat
herhopef
ort
he
best
Me:
Iwantt
ogoseehi
m. 
Hi
m:Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
dea
Me:
whynot
Him:becausewedon'twanttoconf usehim.
Fornowheonlyremember shisr el
ati
onshi
p
wit
hLinda,Li
ndabestwel eav
ei tli
kethatunt
il
hestar
tsrememberi
ngev eryt
hingonhi sown 
Me:i
sthatyourr
eccomendat
ionori
sthi
sfr
om
hi
sdoctor
s
Hi
m:t
hiscomesdi
rect
lyf
rom hi
sdoct
ors
me:
Ist
il
lwantt
oseehi
m
Hi
m:f
ine,
il
ltakey
ou 
Me:l
etmejusttakeashowerf
ir
st.I
llmeety
ou
i
nthebasementparki
ngin20min

Hlokeswenttowaitformedownstai
rs,
whi l
e
nowentt omyr oom t
otakeashower
.Icouldnt
beli
vethatSiy
adidntknowwhoIwas.Ithought
withhi
mf i
nal
lybei
ngawakewewouldgetto
mov eon.Andnowonl yGodknowswhatli
es
Li
ndaisf eedi
nghim.

Itookaqui
ckshower,putonmydressand
sandal
s,t
henrusheddownst
air
s.

Hlokeswasal
readywai
ti
ngf
orme,
.IgotIt
he
carandwedroveoff
.
Whenwear r
ivedatthehospi
tal
istar
tedget
ti
ng
ner
vous.Whatifsi
yareal
lydi
dn'
tremeberme.
Howwasi gointoexplai
nwhoi wastohim?

Iarri
vedatsiyassui t
, andwalkedtohisdoor.I
stoppedmi dwaybecauseofwhati saw.Linda
hadherhandi nSi yas.Theywer esmili
ngand
l
aughi ngwitheachot her,wholeOlwet
hosaton
theedgeofSi yasbed.Laughi ngalsowithhis
parents.Theylookedl iketheperf
ectfamil
y.
Siyalookedwel l
,andcont ent.Li
kehisli
fewas
compl ete.

It
ookasetback, t
henanother.Iwassohappy
Si
yawasawake, butseei
nghim withl
indat
ore
myalreadyshat
ter
dheartint
oev enmore
pi
eces.

Si
yamayhav
ewokenupbuthewasntt
hesame
manhewaswhenhel eftf
orhismi ssi
on.Ri
ght
nowal
lheknewwashi sli
febeforme.Andif
thi
smemorylosswaslongterm,t
herewouldnt
beapl
aceformeinhisfutur
e.
[
05/
12,
16:
58]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

45

Ist
oodatSi
ya’
sdoorforawhil
e.Iknewt
hat
nowwastheti
metolethi
m go. 
Ihadpray
edtoGodtowakehi
m up,
andhedi
d.
Soall
thatwasl
eftwasf
ormetogobackhome.

Iturnedaroundandwalkedtowardst
heexit
.
Youcoul dseethatt
heguardsfel
tmypain.
Mostoft hem hadpi
tywrit
tenall
overt
heir
faces. 
Hl
okesf
oll
owedbehi
ndme.Wedi
dn’
tsay
anyt
hingtoeachother.Iwasgl adhedidn’
ttr
y
makingmef eelbet
ter
, becausether
ewas
absolut
elynot
hinganyonecouldsayt omake
mef eelbet
ter
.

Wedrovemostl
yinsi
l
ence.Ij
ustwant
edt
oget
outofCUBAassoonaspossi
ble.

Whenwearr
ivedhome,Si
ya’
smotherwas
get
ti
ngr
eadytogotothehospi
tal
.
 
Igreetedherandwenttomyroom.Ihad
real
isedthatshewasfol
lowi
ngmet her
e.Ionl
y
noticedwhenIwasabouttoclosemybedroom
door .

Me;
sor
ryma,
Idi
dn’
tseey
out
her
e 
Her
;nowor
ri
es.Iwant
edt
ocheckony
ou 
Me;
I’
mfi
ne,
thanky
ou 
Her
;Iknowt
hismustbehar
dfory
ou 
Me;
(si
gh)Iguessi
twi
l
lgeteasi
erwi
tht
ime 
Her
;Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ouaboutsomet
hing 
Me;
I’
m al
lear
s 
Her; Ineedyout odomeaf avour.Siyawil
l
probabl ybedischargedi
nacoupl eofdays.I
needy outomov eoutofyourr oom intoLi
nda’s
room.He’ sgoingt oneedtobear oundf amil
i
ar
surroundings.SoitsbestheandLi ndamove
i
ntot hemai nbedroom forthet i
mebei ng.

It
ookadeepbr
eat
hinandout
.

Me;don’twor
ry,
Iwon’tbear
oundwhenheget
s
backfr
om thehospi
tal
 
Her
;whynot
 
Me;
I’
m goi
ngbackhome
Her
;whywoul
dyoudot
hatRi
fi
loe,
Siy
aneeds
y
ou 
Me;Ma,Si
yahasall
thesupportheneeds.God
answer
edmyprayer
s,bywakinghim up.Now
i
t’
stimeIt
ookastepbackandl ethi
mr ecov
er
Her;
soy ou’
regoi
ngt
ojustgi
veuponhi
mjust
l
ikethat
?
Me; Ma,youcan’taskmet olivei
nthesame
houseasSiy aandLinda.Whileshesleepsi n
mybed, andexpectmet obeokaywi thit.Ilove
Si
yawi t
hev ery
thingi
nme, butmel ovinghimi s
ki
ll
ingme.Ineedt ol
ethim go,soIcanbr eathe.

Shel
ookedatme.
Her
;yourst
rongert
hanIt
hought
 
Me;
Thanky
ou
Her;
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.I
’
llseey
ouwhenIget
back
Shelef
t,andcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndher
.Il
et
outasighandwentt
othecl
oset.

Itookoutmysui
tcases,
Iwant
edt
opackafew
thi
ngs.Iwant
edt
obeoutofCubaassoonas
possibl
e. 
Aft
erpacki
ng,IsentHl
okessmsaskingformy
l
aptop.Iwant
edtobookaf l
i
ghtoutofcuba.
 
I
nst
eadofr
espondingvi
asms,hecamet
omy
r
oom,wi
thmylaptopinhi
shands

Hi
m;y
ouaskedf
ory
ourl
apt
op 
Me;
thanky
ou

Hesawt
hebags

Hi
m;wher
ear
eyougoi
ng 
Me;
home 
Hi
m;Rif
il
oe,
youcan’
tleav
enow.NotwhenSi
ya
i
saboutt
ocomehome 
Me; sowhatdoy ousuggest ?ThatIsi
thereand
watcht hatbitchplayi
nghappyf amil
ywithhi
m?
Ican’tdot hatHlokes.Ineedtogo.Ihaven’
t
evenbeenabl etomour nthelossofmybabies.
It
sjustt oomuch.Ineedt ogetoutofhereasin
yest
er day.
 
Hi
m;theJethasbeentakeni
nformaint
enance.
I
twil
lonl
ybeavail
abl
einacoupleofdays 
Me;
don’
twor
ry,
il
lbookaf
li
ght
 
Hi
m;y
oucan’
tbeser
ious 
Me;
wat
chme 
Hi
m; i
sther
eany
thi
ngIcandot
oconv
incey
ou
t
ostay
Me;
no.
Hi
m;buty
ouknowy
oucan’
tbookaf
li
ght
di
rect
lyt
oSAf r
om here?You’
l
lneedt
oconnect
fr
om CanadaortheSt
ates
Me;
Il
lmanage 
Hi
m;Wantmet
ohel
p 
Me;
no,
Ithi
nkIcandot
hisonmyown 
Hi
m;ok.Letmeknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ng 
Me;
I’
ll
bef
ine.Gobackt
owor
k

Hl
okeslef
t,whi
l
eIsatont
hebedandsear
ched
f
orfl
ight
soutofCuba.
 
Ideci
dedtoconnectv
iatheUS.
.Lucki
lyIcoul
d
fi
ndafli
ghtf
orthefol
lowingmor
ning,
soI
bookedi
t.

Ispentt
herestoft
hedayinmyroom.Idi dn’
t
evenhavel
unch.Iwascat
chinguponmywor k,
si
nceIwouldbebackhomesoon, Ineededto
getmyli
febacktonormalAsap.
Byt het i
meIgott hroughal lt
het hi
ngst hat
neededt obedone, i
twast i
mef ordi nner.I
didn’tfeelli
keeat i
ngsoIt ookabat handwent
tobed.Ihat edt hefactt hatIwasl eav i
ngSi ya.I
couldn’tbeliev
et hiswasmyl astnighther e
withouthi m.Itri
edsl eeping,butmyt ears
decidedot herwise.Ithinkitwasawayofmy
hear tl
etti
nggo.Iev entuall
yfellasleepi nmy
mi sery

Iwokeupear l
ythefoll
owi ngmor ni
ng.Myf l
ight
totheUSl eavesat10:00am, andIneededt obe
attheairportbefor
ethen.Ipulledoffthesheets
andbeddi ngthatIused,andputt hem inthe
l
aundr yroom.Itookaqui ckshowerandgot
dressed.Idecidedtowearmybl ackAdidas
tr
acksuitsetandsneaker s.Ineededtobe
comf ort
ablesinceIwasf lyi
ngtoSAont hevery
sameday .
 
It
ri
edmyhai
rinabunanddi
dn’
tbot
herwi
th
makeup.

WhenIwasdone, Itookmyluggageandwalked
out.Iwasn’tpl
anningonhavi
ngbr eakf
ast
,soI
wenttoSi y
a’soff
icetoletHl
okesknowIwas
readytoleave.

Siya’
smom andLi
ndawal
kedint
hedini
ng
roomsasIwaswalki
ngoutt
owardst
he
parki
ng.
 
IgreetedSiya’
smom.Shel
ookeddi
spl
eased
butIignoredher

Her;soyouwer
egoi
ngt
oleav
ewi
thoutsay
ing
goodbye 
Me;
sor
ryma,
Iwasj
ustr
unni
ngl
ate 
Her
;whatt
imei
syourf
li
ght
 
Me;
at10;
00am 
Her
;ISee.t
hanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ngy
ou’
vedone
f
orSiy
a

Inodded,
gav
eherahugandl
eft
.

Hlokeswaswaiti
ngformedownstai
rswit
hmy
bags.Igoti
nthecar
,andwedrovetothe
ai
rport
.

Hewalkedmeallt
hewaytochecki
nand
wai
tedti
llmyf
li
ghtwascal
led.

Him;bef
oreyougo,
Ineedt
ogi
vey
ou
somethi
ng 
Me;
what
 
Him;Si
yamademepr omiset
ogivethist
oyou
shoul
dsomet
hinghappentohim.Iknowheis
al
i
vebutIf
eltmay
bei
tsbestIgi
vei
ttoy
ounow

Hegav
emeanenv
elopet
hatcont
ainedal
ett
er.

IgaveHlokesahug,thenwenttoboardmy
fl
ight
.Ididn'
topent
hel et
ter
,Ideci
dedidopeni
t
onmyf l
ighttoSA.

Ispentexact
lyanhouri
ntheUS,
thent
ookmy
fl
ightt
oSA.

Whenthefli
ghtt
oSAt ookoff
,Iopenedthe
l
ett
erthatHl
okesthatgiv
enme.Iwast oo
cur
ioustowaitt
il
lIgothome.Myeyeswatered
whenIopenedit
.

Mydear
estFi
fi
Ifyourreadingt hi
sletterit
’sbecauseI’
m no
mor e.Ineedy out oknowt hatIloveyouevent o
myl astbreath.You’v emademesohappysi nce
Imety ou.You’ vemademequest i
onmyl i
feand
wantt ohav ethingsInev erthoughtpossi
ble.i
neverthoughtmar ri
ageandt hewholehappil
y
everafterthingwasf orme, butwhenimety ou,
youmademebel i
ev ethatmay beeveni
deservedaf airytaleending.

Pleasetakecareofourbabi
es.Theywi
ll
keep
youhappyandbusy ,butmostl
ytheywi
l
lbea
reminderofthelov
eweshared

Myonl
yregretnowi
sthatIdi
edbef
oremaki
ng
youmywif
e.

Il
ovey
ouwi
thev
ery
thi
ngt
hatIhav
e.
Pleaser
emembertosmi
l
eev
eryday
,I’
veseen
youcrysomuch.

NowIwantt
olookdownf
rom heav
enandsee
yousmi
l
ing.

Il
ovey
out
oday
,tomor
rowandf
orev
er.

YourSi
ya

Ireadhislet
termor et han3t i
mes.Ihadt ohol
d
my sel
ffrom cryi
ng, becauseIknewonceI
start
edIwoul dn’
tbeabl etostop.Iputthel
ett
er
backinmyhandbag, andtriedgett
ingsome
sl
eep.Thi swasgoi ngt obeal ongfli
ghtand
whatbetterwayt hant osleep.

WhenIwokeupwewer
eaboutt
oland.Iputon
myseatbel
tandwel
andedsaf
ely
.

Itookacabf rom ORt omyhouse.I tki

ndoff el
t
weirdbeingbacki nSA.Ithinki
t’
sbecauseIhad
gottenusedt obeingclosetothebeach.But
nowi twast i
met oforgetaboutal
lofthat.It
’s
ti
met oputonmybi ggir
lpanti
es,
andst arta
newl i
fewithoutSiya.IknewIwouldmi sshim,
butIhopedwi thti
meIwoul dbeabletomov e
on.
[
05/
12,
17:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

46

Arr
ivi
ngatmyhouse, aft
erbeingawayf orso
l
ongfeltsurreal
.Theplacedidn’
tfeell
ikeit
bel
ongedt ome.I tf
eltcol
dandev enlonely.I
t
wasgoingt otaketi
met oadjustt
ol i
vi
ngal one
agai
n.
Ispentthefi
rstni
ghthomeinbed.Itol
dmy sel
f
Icoul
dcr yasmuchasIwant edfort
hefir
st
night
,butaft
erthatnomorecryi
ng.

Iwentupst ai
rsanddrownedmysorrowswith
wine.Ikeptonr eadi
ngSi
ya’sl
ett
eroverand
overagain.inonhewasn'tphysi
cal
l
ydeadbut
i
nawayi tfeltl
i
kehewas.

Thisl
ett
erandmyr i
ngwer etheonlyconnecti
on
Ihadtohim.Ideci dedtotaket heri
ng,t
helett
er,
andthescanoft het wins,
andputt hem i
nmy
safeasofthefollowingmor ning.Idi
ntwantto
carr
ythem aroundwi thme.Ineededt ocarryi
n
wit
hlif
e,andseeingt hosethingswouldkeep
mef r
om doingso.

Idi
dn’
tgetmuchsl
eepbecauseofj
etl
ag,
but
t
hankstomysecondbot
tl
eofwi
ne,
Iwasabl
e
t
odrif
toff
.

Iwokeupt hefoll
owingmor ni
ng(Sat
urday)
feel
ingbett
erthanIthoughtIshoul
d.Iwokeup
anddecidedtospringcleanmyhouse.Itl
ooked
dull
,myflowerswer edeadandthehouseasa
wholewasabi tstuffy
.

Iputonmyjoyouscelebr
ati
oncdloudasI
coul
dtake.Not
hingi
smor esoothi
ngthan
gospelmusi
cwheny ourspi
ri
tisdown.

Istart
edint
hekit
chen,icl
eanedoutthefr
idge,
rewashedal
lmycut l
ery
,moppedthefloor
.Then
mov edtoal
ktheotherpar
tsofthehouse.
 
Bytheti
meIwasdone, i
twasal
ready13:
00pm.
Iwashungrybutdi
dn’
thaveany
thi
ngtoeatin
thehouse.SoIt
ookashowerandchangedi
nto
j
eansandat
-shi
rt
,anddr
ovet
othemal
l
. 
Iboughtgroceri
es, f
lowersformyroom andthe
l
ivi
ngr oom andboughtt akealwaysforl
unch
anddinner.Idi
dn'tplanoncooking.Ithi
nkit
’s
becauseIhadgot tenusedt ohavi
ngmam
Martha. 
Igothomeandunpackedevery
thi
ngIhad
bought,
thenwentt
otheloungetowat
chTV.
 
Ihadl
eftmyphoneathome,
soItooki
twi
thme
tomakesur
eIhadnomessages.
 
Ihadmissedcall
sfr
om Hl
okes,
Myauntandmy
fr
iendThandeka.
 
Ideci
dedt ocal
lHl
okesf
ir
st,
heanswer
edon
thefi
rstr
ing

Hi
m;Fi
fi
 
Me;
Hey
 
Hi
m Ical
l
edy
oul
i
keami
l
li
ont
imes 
Me;
sor
ryhl
e,Iwasout
 
Hi
m;Yougothomesaf
ely
 
Me;
yes.Thanky
ouf
orchecki
ngonme
Hi
m;y
ouknowI
’
llal
way
scar
e 
Me;
thanksdude
Hi
m;I
’
m sur
eyourwonder
inghowSi
yai
sdoi
ng 
Me;
yah,
howi
she 
Him;He’
simpr
oved,butt
hedoct
orsar
ewor
ri
ed
aboutt
hememoryloss 
Me;
wel
lmay
bewi
tht
ime,
itwi
l
lcomeback 
Hi
m;y
aa,butIj
usthopei
t’
snott
ool
atef
ort
he
t
woofyou 
Me;
onl
yGodknows.
 
Him;l
etmegobackt
owor
k.I
llspeakt
oyou
soon
Me;
cool
Ihungup,andignoredthepangofpaininmy
heart
.Ihadhopedthathewasphoni ngtotel
l
megoodnews.Idi dn’tcr
ythough.Ir
efused.
 
Icar
ri
edonwat
chi
ngTV,
til
ll
ate.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lmyauntback.
 
Wespokef orawhi le.Shewasj ustchecki
ngup
onme.Sheal somademepr omi setocome
homef orChristmas.Appar entl
yshewas
hosti
ngaf ami l
yreunion.Shet oldmet omake
suremy“ husband”wast here.
 
Itol
dheraboutmeandHlokes.Idi
dn’
twant
anyoneel
secall
i
nghim myhusband. 
WhenIwasdonet alkingtomyaunt,Icall
ed
Hlokesagain.Ihadbeensodi st
ract
edwi t
ht he
dramasurroundingmyl if
e,Ihadfor
gottento
payhim backregardingtheLobolamoney .

Hi
m;Mi
ssmeal
ready
 
Me;
iny
ourdr
eamsbuddy
 
Hi
m;what
’sup 
Me;
Iwant
edt
odi
scusst
heLobol
amoney
 
Hi
m:whatabouti
t?
Me;
Iwantt
opayi
tback 
Hi
m;f
orgeti
t 
Me;Hl
okescomeon.We’
vebeent
hrought
hisa
mi
ll
i
ontimes
Hi
m; Rif
il
oe, y
ouandImaynev ergetback
t
ogether.Iv
eacceptedthat
,butthatmoneywas
f
oryourf amil
y.Idon’
twantthemoneyback
Me;but,Iwouldfeelbet
teri
fyouletmepayit
back.Mypar ent
shadkeptitina30dayinter
est
account.Ithi
nkit
sreall
ybet
teri
fitgoesbackto
yourfamily
 
Hi
m; i
m notsay
ingt
hisagai
n.Idon’
twantt
he
money 
Me;
sowhatdoy
ousuggestIdowi
thi
t 
Hi
m;don’
tknow,
don’
tcar
e 
Me;
ok.Butpr
omi
semeonet
hing 
Hi
m;what
Me:pr
omiseyouwi
ll
sti
ckt
oanagr eementt
o
nev
erbri
ngupusbei
ngmarr
iedagain
Hi
m;Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m;shar
p.I
’
vegott
orun.
 
Me;
ok.Seey
ouar
ound 
Hi
m;shar
p

Ideci
dedtot
ransferHl
okesmoneyint
ooneof
myinvest
ments.Thatwayshoul
dhechangehi
s
mind,t
hemoneywi l
lal
waysbether
e.

IspentSundaymostlyt
aki
ngcareofmy
appearance.Iwentt
othegyminthemor
ning
thenwentt
othesal
on.Idi
dmyhai
r,nai
l
s,t
oes,
andevengotawax.
 
Iwalkedoutt
hesalonfeel
i
ngli
keanewperson
ontheoutsi
de,butnotsomuchont
heinsi
de. 
Isl
eptear
lyonSunday.Iwant
edt
obeali
veand
ki
ckingf
orMonday,si
nceitwasmyf
ir
stday
backatwork.

IwokeuponMondaymor
ningdet
ermi
nedt
o
ki
cksomebut
t.
Imissedmyheelsandsui
ts.iwasal
way
sin
fl
atswholeinCuba,
soitf
eltgoodt
obeinmy
for
mal wearagai
n
Ideci
dedtowearmynav yformal
jumpsui
tand
mynav yLoubout
insandal
s. 
Iusedabi
tofmakeup,andlef
tmyhairl
oose.I
l
ookedint
hemirrorsmi
led.Il
ookedmorel
ike
myoldsel
f.Atl
eastmyscarswereonthe
i
nsidei
nst
eadoftheoutsi
de.
Itookmybagandphone,
thenwentdownst
air
s
tomakebreakf
ast
. 
Af
terbr
eakf
astIt
ookmybagandl
eftf
ort
he
of
fi
ce.

I
tf eltabitwier
ddriv
ingmycar, af
terbeing
dri
v enaroundforsolong.Iqui
cklybanishedt
he
thought.Ididntwantanyt
hingthatwould
remi ndmeofSi ya.

Wheni ar
ri
vedIwasgladtoseethatnoonehad
takenmyparki
ngspace.Sonipar
kedmybaby,
andwentinsi
de.

Thefi
rstpersonibumpedint
owasAnna.She
l
ookedsowel l,
Igaveheraquickhugt
henwent
tomyof f
ice.
I
twasgoodt
obeback,
butal
sowi
erd.

Iputonmyl aptop,andst art

edwor king.Ihada
meetingwi ththenewl awy erwhor eplaced
Sizwe,andmyboss.Iwant edt omakesur ei
wasst i
lluptodat ewithmycl i
entspor t
fol
ios,
becuaseIwant edtobei nfullswingoft hi
ngs
whenmymeet ingstart
ed.ILef tSiya'
spor t
fol
i
o
dolast.Ididntwantt othinkabouthi m, whenI
hadsomucht odo.

At11Annacall
edtoi
nform met
hatmyboss
wasreadyforme,
Soitookmylapt
opandwent
tohi
soffi
ce.

Whenigottohisoff
ice,t
her
ewassomeone
wit
hhim,whichIfi
guredwasthenewl
awyer
.I
shookmyboss'shandasheaskedmehowmy
ti
meawaywas.Il i
edandt
oldhi
mitwasgr
eat
.
thenheint
roducedmetot
hemalehunk
standi
ngnexttohim.
 
Hi
snamewasJasonRichar
dson,
andhewas
i
ndeedt
henewl
awyer.
 
IshookJason'
shandsandi
ntroducedmysel
f.I
mustsayJasonhadextr
emelygorgeousbl
ue
eyes.

Wesatdownandourmeet
ingcommenced.

MrGr ayhaddecidedt hathewant edtospend

mor eti
mewi t
hhisf ami ly,hi
swi f
ehadbeen
diagnosedwit
hcancer ,sohewant edtostart
takingastepbackont hebusi nessesside.So
hewant edtol
eav eJason(whoal sohappens
tobehisnephew)I nchar geofthebusinessand
hewant edmet owor kcl osel
ywi thJason.
Sobasi
cal
l
yjasonwoudbei
nchar
geoft
hel
egal
si
deofbusi
nes,whi
li
eiat
tenedt
othef
inanci
al
Si
deofthebusi
ness.

Iwasreal
lyhappyt hatevent
houghmyIwas
awayforsolong,mybossst i
llt
rust
edmewi
th
suchahuger esponsibi
li
ty

Wediscussedaf ewotherthi
ngs.Thenwe
adj
ournedourmeet i
ngforWednesday,becuase
j
asonandi neededtocomeupwi t
haconcept
onhowwewer egoingtorunthi
ngs.

Thiswasv er
yexcit
ing,
Iknewt hatthi
snew
promoti
onwouldkeepmebusy ,anditalso
meantthatIwouldnthaveasmucht i
met o
thi
nkofSiya.Whichunderthecircumstances
seemedlikeagoodt hi
ng.
[
05/
12,
17:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
47

AfterourmeetingwithMrGray,JasonandI
wentt omyof f
icetostar
tgoi
ngt hr
oughideas
onhowwewer egoingtospl
i
tthe
responsi
bil
it
iesthatcomewithrunninga
company .

Wesatinmyof fi
ceforhour
sgoi
ngt hr
oughal
l
t
hedif
ferentaspect
softhebusi
ness.

WeaskedAnnatoor
derusl
unchbecausewe
woul
dn'
thavet
imetogooutandget
.

Wewor kedthroughlunch.Iqui
ckl
yreal
i
zedthat
Jasonwasn'tjustaprett
ypace.Hewasactual
ly
quit
eintel
l
igent.Hewasr eal
lygi
vi
ngmear un
formymoney .
WhenIlookedatmywat ch,Icoul
dn'
tbel
iev
e
thet
ime.Itwasal
ready19:00pm,andJason
andIwerenowaynearfinished.
Idi
dn’
tev
ennot
icepeopl
eleav
ingf
ort
heday
.

Webot
hagr
eedt
otakeabr
eak.

Hi
m:whatdogetsomet
hingt
oeat
?
Me;
please
Hi
m:whatdoy
ouf
eel
li
ke?
Me:somethingli
ght.Ineedtobeabl
etostay
awake.Becauseitl
ookslikewearei
nforalong
ni
ght 
Hi
m:y
oudon'
tmi
nd
Me:no,
it'
snotl
i
keIhav
eany
onewai
ti
ngf
orme
athome
Hi
m:howi
sthatev
enpossi
ble?
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Hi
m: howcanagirl
li
keyounothav
eaguy
wai
ti
ngforyouathome
Me;
(chuckel
s)y
oudon'
twantt
oknow?
Hi
m;t
hatbadha?
Me:
ifonl
yyouknew
Him:wel
l
,I'
vegotal
i
steni
ngeari
fyouwantt
o
shar
e 
Me:notachange.We'
vegotwayt
oomucht
o
gett
hrough.
 
Hi
m:Ok,
oswhatdoy
ouwantt
oeat
Me:
howaboutChi
nese 
Hi
m:gr
eatchoi
ce,
il
l,
order

Jasonor
der
eddi
nner
,thenwecar
ri
edon
worki
ng.
Ourfoodar
ri
vedawhi
l
elat
er.Weat
ewhi
l
ewe
worked.

Jasonkeptmaki
ngf
unnyf
aceswi
thhi
s
noodl
es.

Ij
ustl
aughedathi
m

Me:
Jason,
ify
oudon'
tst
opwe'
l
l,nev
erf
ini
sh 
Him:i
tsaf
ter9pm al
ready
.mybraini
sfr
ied.We
shoul
dgohome,andr ewi
re.May
bestar
tagain
tomorr
ow 
Me:
fine,
I'
m al
sot
ir
ed,
plusmyf
eetar
eki
l
li
ng
me.
 
Hi
m:Ialwayswonderhowwomansur
viv
ein
t
heseshoes
Me:
beaut
yispai
n 
Him;wel
lyou’
reanat
ural
beauty
,soIguessy
ou
don'
tgothr
oughtoomuchpain.

Ithi
nkIblushedabi t
.Iwasn'
tsur ei
fJasonwas
fl
i
r t
ingorifhewasjustbei
ngni ce.Butei
ther
way ,Idi
dn'twantt
osayany t
hing.

Ifi
nishedmyf oodt henst
artedpacki
ngmyst uff
.
MyBodywasn’ tusedtobeingbackintheoff
ice.
Iki
ndofmi ssedt heCubansunset,butnonethe
l
essIwasgl adt obehome.

Jasonal
sopackedup,
andwewal
kedt
owar
ds
thepar
king

Hi
m: Iguesswe'
l
lhav
eal
otoft
hesel
ong
ni
ght
s 
Me:
looksl
i
kei
t 
Hi
m: I
t’
sagoodthi
ngwebot
hdon’
thav
epeopl
e
wai
ti
ngupforus
Me:
Iguessso
Hi
m;l
etmegety
ourdoorf
ory
ou
Me;
Thanky
ou

Jasonopenedmycardoorf
orme,
thenl
eftt
o
gotohiscar.

Idr
ivehome,
andimmediat
elygoti
ntobed.I
wassotir
edIdozedof
fimmediat
ely
.

Iwokeupt hefoll
owingmorni
ngreadytotackle
mywor k.Itookashower,t
hengotdressed.
SinceIknewIwasi nforal
ongnightIdecided
towearabl ackpant
suitwi
thmyblackpeept oe
heels.Ineededtobecomf ort
abl
e.
Ibrushedmyhai
r,t
henwentdownt
ohav
e
breakfast
.

Jasoncal
l
edwhi
l
eIwaswor
mingmymi
l
k 
Me;
hey
Hi
m:y
ouup?
Me:
yeah,j
usthav
ingbr
eakf
ast
,thenheadi
ngt
o
t
heoff
ice 
Hi
m: Iwasactual
l
ycal
l
ingt
oinv
itey
out
ohav
e
br
eakfastwi
thme.
Me:howabouty
oubringbr
eakf
asttot
heoff
ice?
Thatwaswecangetanear
lyst
artt
otheday
 
Hi
m:soundsl
i
keapl
an.I
'
llseey
oui
n30mi
ns 
Me:
cool
Hi
m: befor
eyougo,
whatdoy
ouwantf
or
br
eakfast 
Hi
m:f
arm housebr
eakf
ast
 
Hi
m:awomanaf
termyownhear
t
Me:
(chuckl
es)seey
ouatt
heof
fi
ce 
Hi
m:cool

Iputt
hephonedownandtookt
hemi l
koutof
themicr
owaveandputi
tint
heFri
dge.

Thenl
eftf
ort
heof
fi
ce

Myphoner angwhil
eIwasdr ivi
ngtowor k.I
noti
cedthenumberwasi nter
nati
onal,
soI
thoughti
twasHlokes,usingoneofthehouse
phonesinCuba.Ianswereditvi
aBluetooth

Me:
hel
l
o
Her
:hi
Ir
oll
edmyey
es.Ir
eal
l
ywasn’
tint
hemoodf
or
Li
nda

Me:
whatcannodof
ory
ou?
Her:Si
yawantstor
eleasesomefundsfr
om hi
s
i
nvestment
s,andapparent
lyy
ou’
rehisFA
Me:
howmuch?
Her
:her3mi
l
l 
Me:
hasher
egai
nedhi
smemor
y 
He:
no
Me:
int
hatcasewecan'
ti
ssueawi
thdr
awal
Her
:whynot
?
Me:becauseaccor
dingtol
egi
slat
iont
hatwoul
d
beconsi
deredfr
aud.Hewouldhavetobei
nthe
ri
ghtf
rameofmi ndfi
rst
Her
;bull
shit
.You’
rejustmadt
hatSi
yawant
s
not
hingtodowit
hy ou 
Me:LindaI'
m onmywaytowor
k.Ift
her
ea
not
hingelseI’
dli
ket
odri
vei
npeace 
Her
:youcan’
tkeephi
smoneyf
rom hi
m
Me:IcanandIwi l
l
.Iref
usetoletyoubankr
upt
him.IfSi
yawantsthemoney,heneedstocome
toS.A.andar
rangeameet i
ngwithhisl
awyer
andI,andwecant akei
tfr
om ther
e. 
Her
:nxa

Sheputt
hephonedown.

Ireal
l
yhopedSi
yaregai
nedhi
smemor
ysoon,
befor
eLi
ndarui
nshisli
fe.

WhenIgott
otheof
fi
ce,
Jasonhadn’
tar
ri
vedas
yet
.
Iwenttomyof f
ice,
Iwasabi
ttr
oubledabout
theconver
sat
ionIhadwit
hLi
nda.Ideci
dedto
cal
lHl
okes.

Hi
m:mhmm
Me:
hey
 
Hi
m:di
dyoul
ookatt
het
imeRi
fi
loe 
Me:
ohshi
t,If
orgotaboutt
imedi
ff
erence 
Hi
m;canIgobackt
osl
eep 
Me:
no,
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing 
Hi
m:I
'
mli
steni
ng
Me:
Lindaj
ustcal
l
edme
Hj
m:goshwhatdoesshewantnow?
Me:shesaysSi
yawantstowit
hdrawR3bar
f
rom thef
undsweinv
estedforhi
m
Him:whywouldghostneedmoney
?Hehas
enoughher
einCuba..
 
Me:
mypoi
ntexact
ly 
Hi
m:haai
Lindai
sget
ti
ngonmyner
ves
Me;Hlokesputal
eashont
hatdogbef
oreshe
dest
royshim
Hi
m:I
'
lldeal
wit
hher
Me:
howi
sSi
yaany
way
 
Hi
m:whydon'
tyoucomet
oCubaandf
indout?
Me:nothappeni
ng.Ij
ustgotapr
omotion.I
'm
concent
rat
ingonmyjobandmylifenow. 
Hi
m: soy
ou’
rej
ustgoi
ngt
oletSi
yabewi
th
Li
nda 
Me:y
es.Ther
e’snot
hingmor
eIcandoHl
okes.
I
t'
sal
linGod'
shandsnow
Hi
m: wel
lthegoodnewsi
sthatheget
s
di
schar
gedtoday
Me;
thati
sgoodnews 
Hi
m:y
oust
il
ll
ovehi
m
Me:
wit
hev
ery
thi
ngi
nme 
Hi
m:don'
tgi
veuponhi
mfi
fi
 
Me:
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng 
Him:nouseav oidinghim.He'salr
eadytoldme
hewant stocomet oS.A.Soontocheckupon
hi
sbusi ness.You' l
lhavetospeaktohim sooner
orlat
er.You’rehisFi nanci
alAdvi
sermos.Plus
healsoment i
onedchecki nguponhis
i
nvestment s.Whi chmeansy ou'
llbeseei
nghim
soonerratherthanl ater
Me:
il
lcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenIgett
oit
 
Him:ok.NowcanIgobackt
osl
eep?I
nneedt
o
beupinafewhours
Me:
go,
il
lspeakt
oyousoon
Hi
m:Shar
p

Iputthephonedownandl etoutasigh.I'
m gl
ad
Siyaisgett
ingbacktonor mal.ButIhadn'
t
thoughtaboutthefactthatI
'dhavetoseehim.
HowwasIgoi ngtopretendtojustbehisFA,
whenwewer emor ethanthat?
AnywayIdi
dn’
thav
et i
metothi
nkaboutal
lthat
,
si
nceIcoul
dseeJasonwal
ki
ngt owar
dsmy
of
fi
ce.

Hi
m:heyy
ou 
Me;
hey
Hi
m:Iboughtbr
eakf
ast
 
Me:
thanks.Youcanputi
tov
erher
e 
Hi
m:cool
Me:aren'
tyouj
oini
ngme?Iwashopingwe
coul
dtakeofff
rom wher
ewelef
tofflastni
ght
?
Hi
m;soear
ly?Iwashopi
ngwecoul
deasei
nto
i
t.
 
Me:
we'veonl
ygott
oday
.Ourdeadl
i
nei
s
t
omorr
owmor ni
ng
Hi
m:y
esmam.Gi
veme2mi
ns
Hewalkedoutt
ofet
chhi
sbr
eakf
ast
.Then
cameback.

Wespentthewhol
edaywor
kingont
hisDamn
concept
.

Wehadl unchanddi nneratt

heoffi
ce.Iwanted
tomakesur eeveryt
hingwasperfectbeforewe
wenthome.I fheandIwer egoi
ngt otakeover
runni
ngacompany ,wehadtomakesur eour
conceptwaswat erti
ght

At10pm,
wewer
efi
nal
l
ydone.Il
etoutasi
ghof
rel
i
ef.

Allt
hatwaslef
tnowwasf orust
ohanditover
,
thefol
l
owingday,andhopeMrGraywashappy
wi
thi
t.Jasonwasal
lsmi
l
es

Hi
m:wemakeagr
eatt
eam
Me:let
'snotcel
ebr
atej
usty
et.Youruncl
est
il
l
needtoapprovei
t 
Hi
m:i
t'
sagr
eatconcept
.He'
l
llov
eit
 
Me:
Ihopeso 
Him:weshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
tomor
rowi
sabi
g
day 
Me:
yaah.

Wepackedup,
andwal
kedt
oourcar
s. 
Jasonbeingt
hegent
lemanhei
s,openedmy
doorformeagai
n

Hi
m:dr
ivesaf
ely
 
me:
wil
ldo
Ist
art
edmycar
,andwenthome.

WhenIgothomeIwentt
otakeabat
h,t
hen
wentt
obed.

Iwasexhaust
ed.It
ri
edf
all
i
ngasl
eepbutSi
ya
pl
ayedonmymi nd.
 
IwashappyIwasmov i
ngon,butapar
tofme
fel
tli
keIwasbet
ray
inghim.

IwokeuponWednesdaymi ssi
ngSi
yaeven
more.Iwi
shedhewasher e.Hewould’
vehadso
manysuggesti
ons.buttherewasnot i
meto
mope.Ineededtogettowor k

It
ookaqui
ckshower
,thengotdr
essed.
Idi
dn'
tbotherhav
ingbr
eakf
ast
.If
igur
edI
'
deat
att
heoffi
ce.

WhenIgottot
heoff
ice,
Jasonwassetti
ngup
t
heboardr
oom,Il
ookedathi
m quest
ionabl
y

Hi
m:heyy
ou 
Me:
what
'
swi
tht
heboar
droom 
Hi
m: myunclej
ustphoned.We'
renotonl
y
pr
esent
ingtohi
m, butt
oalloft
heboard
membersaswell.Hesayshewantsustaki
ng
ov
erbynextweek
Me:
Damn 
Hi
m;t
ell
meabouti
t
Me:
needsomehel
p
Him:I
'
m near
lydoneher
e.Howabouty
oumake
ussomecoff
ee,sowecangothr
oughourkey
poi
nt
Me:
sur
e 
Iplacedmylaptopontheboar
droom tabl
e,t
hen
tooktherestofmystufft
omyof f
ice.
 
Icoul
dhearmyphoneri
nging,
butIdi
dn'
thav
e
ti
met oanswer
.Whoev
eritwaswouldhav
eto
wait
. 
Imadeourcof
feet
henwentt
otheboar
droom.

Igav
eJasonhi scup.Idi
ntknownifitwasj
ust
acoinci
dencebuthekindofbrushedmyhand.
 
Ipretendednottonoti
cet
hough.Idi
dn'
twantt
o
overt hi
nkanyt
hing.Hepr
obabl
ydidn’
teven
notice.

Theboardmember sstar
tedarr
ivi
ngonebyone.
Ist
artedget
ti
ngabi tner
vousIthi
nkJason
noti
cedbecauseheaskedtospeaktomei n
pri
vate.Wewenttomyof fi
ce
Hi
m: Icanseeyou’
rener
vous.Don'
tbe,
our
pr
oposaliswat
erti
ght.
Me:
you’
rer
ight
.I'
mjustov
ert
hinki
ngt
hings 
Hi
m:don'
t.Wegott
his

Il
aughedathowAmer
icanshet
ri
edt
osound
whenhesaidthat
.

Hi
m:comeon,
let
'
sgoki
cksomeser
iousbut
t

Wewal
kedbackt
otheboar
droom t
oget
her
.

Ourpresent
ati
onwentr
eal
l
ywel
l
,despi
tet
he
ner
ves. 
Theboardmemberswerehappywi
thouri
deas,
andgaveusthegoahead.
JasonandIwoul
dbet
aki
ngov
erasoft
he
fol
lowi
ngweek.
 
Jasonwast
heCEOandIwasmadet
heCFO.

Weleftt
hemeeti
ngvi
ctori
ous.Jasongav eme
ahugassoonaswesteppedoutt he
boar
droom.Iwasabi
ttakenback, buthugged
hi
m back.

Hi
m:weshoul
ddef
ini
tel
ycel
ebr
ate
Me:
Iguessso 
Hi
m:howaboutwedoacel
ebr
ator
ydi
nner
 
Me:
sur
e 
Hi
m;cool
,i
ll
bookusat
abl
e
Me:
ok
Iwentbackt
omyof
fi
cesmi
l
ingt
othemoon
andback.

IcheckedmyphoneandIhadamissedcall
fr
om CUBA.Iassumedi
twasHlokes,soIcal
led
him back.

Thephonerangacoupleoft
imes.Bef
orea
fami
li
arvoi
ceanswered.

Hi
m;Mi
ssMokena

Idi
dn’tsayanyt
hing.Iwant
edtobutIf
roze.I
di
dn’texpectt
ospeakt ohi
m sosoon

Hi
m;ar
eyout
her
e
Me(
clear
sthr
oat
)yes.Hi
 
Hi
m;howar
eyou 
Me;
Wel
lthanksandy
ou?
Hi
m;wel
lenoughundert
heci
rcumst
ances 
Me;
ahmm whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Him;I’
m notsur
eify
ou’veheard,
butIwasinan
acci
dent,whi
chledt
osomememor yloss.I
beli
eveyouaremyFinanci
alAdvi
sor 
ME;Iheardaboutt
heaccident
.I’
m sor
ry.Hope
youarerecov
eri
ngwell
. 
Him;I
’m atoughcookie.I’
l
lbefine,butmy
memor yi
snotbackasy et
.Iwashopi ngto
meetwithyousometimenextweek.Ineedt o
j
usttr
yunderstandi
ngwher eIam f i
nanci
all
y.I
needtoalsodoacoupl eofotherinvest
ments.
Buti
lldi
scussthatwit
hy ouwhenI ’m SAnext
week
Me;soundsfi
ne.Amm,
whatdaywer
eyou
l
ookingat 
Hi
m;I
’
llt
ryf
lyi
ngdownonTuesday
,May
beIcan
seey
ouonThur
sday
Me;soundsf
ine.I
’
llt
ell
Andr
eat
oputi
tiny
our
di
ary 
Hi
m;good.Thanky
ouf
ory
ourt
ime 
Me;
alway
sapl
easur
e

Ihungupandat
earescapedmyey
e.

Thisj
ustseemedlikei
twasgoi
ngtobeharder
thanIt
hought.HowwasIgoingtosi
tacr
ossa
tabl
ewiththemanIlove,
andpret
endwewere
j
ustprof
essional
s?

Ineededtot
alktoHl
okesASAP.Ical
l
edhi
m.
thankf
ull
yheanswer
ed

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
youcoul
d’v
ewar
nedmey
ouknow.
 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
whatwasIsupposedt osayt ohi
m?
Don’
tphoneyourfi
nancial
adviser,because
she’
smyexandwasy ourgir
lf
riend?Thatwould
j
ustconf
usehim evenmore. 
Me;andy oudon’tt
hinkthatheseei
ngme
woul
dt r
iggersomething?Whatifhereal
i
zes
somethi
ngi sn’
tri
ght?Ican’
tli
etohim Hl
okes.I
can’
t 
Him; Rif
il
oe,calm down.Heisjusttryi
ngtoget
backi ntheswingoft hi
ngsbusinesswise.Ri
ght
nowhehasagapofov er8mont hs.Youneed
tolethim putthepiecesofthepuzzletoget
her.
I
twi l
lallevent
uall
ycomebackt ohim.
Me;
Iguessy
ourr
ight
 
Hi
m;nowgobackt
owor
k.I
’
llseey
ounext
week
Me;
shar
p
Tjohaai
,thi
swasgoi ngt
obediffi
cul
t.Butnone
thel
essIwouldmakesur eIwasprepared
prof
essi
onall
y,
 butI’
m wor
ri
edifemotional
ly
,I’
l
l
beabletohandlethi
smeeti
ng. 
Iwasj
ustget
ti
ngbacki
ntot
heswi
ngoft
hings.

Ismiledabit.Si
yaal
way shadawayofpushi
ng
himselfbackint
omyl i
fe.Andnowher
ehewas
doingital
loveragai
n.
[
05/
12,
17:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

48

Ispentmostofthedayabitoff.It
hinkIwas
worri
edabouttheSi
yaissue.ButIhadtowork.I
evenmissedl
unch. 
Iremi
ndedmy sel
ftol
ookatthel
i
stof
candi
taest
hatAnnahadgiv
enme.becauseI
r
eal
l
yneededt
ogetanAssi
stant
.

Jasoncametomyof f
iceataround5pm.Ihad
tot
all
yfor
got
tenaboutdinner

Hi
m;y
our
eadyt
ogo?
Me;
Giv
eme5mi
ns,
Ijustneedt
opackup
Him;Ibookedusat
abl
eatSout
her
nSunHy
de
Park?I
sthatok

Il
ookedathi
m.Ididn’
twanttogotothepl
ace
whereSi
yaandIhadourfi
rstdat
e. 
Me;i
sther
eanywaywecoul
dgosomewher
e
el
se?
Hi
m;ahmm sur
e.CanIaskwhy
? 
Me;
Longst
ory
Hi
m;howaboutPr
ont
o 
Me;
per
fect
 
Hi
m;I
’
llcal
lthem now 
Me;
thanks

Ifeltr
eall
ybadmaki ngJasoncancel t
he
booking,butIknewIwouldn’tbeabletoenj
oy
my sel
fthere,becauseIwouldbetoobusy
thi
nkingoft heti
meIwast herewit
hSi y
a

Ifi
nishedpacki
ngupmydesk,
andwentt
o
Jason’soff
ice

Hi
m;shal
lwe
Me;
weshal
l

Wear
ri
vedatpr
ont
o,andor
der
eddi
nner
. 
Jasoni
nsi
stedonor
der
ingChampai
gnt
o
cel
ebr
ate.SoIj
ustl
ethi
m or
deri
t.
 
Iputmyphoneonsilent
,becauseitkepton
ri
nging,
thenumberwasfrom Cuba,soIignor
ed
i
t.IhadhadenoughofCubaf oroneday

Hi
m;sohowl
onghav
eyoubeensi
ngl
e?
Me;
aboutaweek 
Hi
m;damn.Soi
tspr
ett
yrecent
 
Me;
yaah
Hi
m;doy
oumi
ndmeaski
ngwhathappened 
Me; notatal
l
.Hewasbasi cal
lyi
nanacci
dent
,
whichledtom memoryloss.Andpar
toft
he
t
hingshef or
gotaboutwasme
Hi
m;ouch
Me;
Iknow,
Hi
m;sodohi
sdoct
orst
hinkhewi
l
lregai
nhi
s
memor
y 
Me;
wel
l,
it’
skindof50/
50atthemoment
.
May
bewit
ht i
me,butwecan’
tknowf
orsur
e 
Hi
m;t
hat
’sapi
ty 
Me;y
ah,butenoughaboutme.Whyar
eyou
si
ngl
e 
Hi
m;myexl
eftbecauseIwast
ocommi
tt
edt
o
mywor
k 
Me;
wel
lIknowwhatt
hati
sli
ke 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)Iguessi
t’
sfort
hebest
 
Me;
Iguessso

WehaddinnerandlotsofChampai
gn.Jason
wasreal
l
yaniceguy .Hemademelaughal ot
,
whi
chiswhyIthinkIwasfondofhi
m… 
Weeventual
l
ylef
tther
est
aur
antatabout21;
00pm.Ihadhadagoodti
me.
 
Ithi
nkfort
hefi
rstt
imeinawhile,Iwasj
ust
rel
axedandnotworr
iedaboutSiy
a.
WhenIgothomeaf termycel
ebr
ator
ydi
nner
wi
thJason,Icheckedmyphone.
 
Ihad5missedcal
l
sfr
om Hl
okesand3f
rom t
he
housephonei
nCuba.
 
Ical
l
edHl
okesback

Hi
m;f
inal
l
y 
me;
what
’sup 
hi
m’;
whyar
en’
tyouanswer
ingy
ourphone
Me;
Iwasatdi
nner
 
Hi
m;soy
oudon’
tanswery
ourphoneatdi
nner
 
Me;
don’
tst
art
.
Hi
m;(
sigh)I
’
vegotsomenewsf
ory
ou 
Me;
whati
sit
 
Him;Ghost,
iscomi
ngt
oSAsoonert
han
anti
ci
pated 
Me;
when 
Hi
m;t
oni
ght
 
Me;
shi
t.Why
Hi
m;hewant
stoseey
ouassoonashel
ands 
Me;
whyme?
Hi
m; becauseLi
ndasomehowtransf
err
ed
moneyfrom hi
saccountt
oher
s. 
Me;
howmuch 
Hi
m;acoupl
eofhundr
edt
housands 
Me;
tjo 
Him;theybusyhavi
ngascr
eami
ngmat
ch
aboutitaswespeak 
Me;
thankGodI
’
m noti
nvol
ved 
Hi
m;t
ell
meabouti
t 
Me;
sowhatt
imedoeshel
and 
Hi
m;hi
sfl
ighti
sschedul
edtolandat9:
00am.
Hewi
ll
seeyouataround12:
00pm
Me;
shi
t 
Hi
m;r
elax.Thi
sispur
elybusi
ness 
Me;
tel
lthatt
omyhear
t 
Hi
m;y
ou’
l
lbef
ine.
 
Me;
who’
sof
fi
cesar
ewemeet
ingat
 
Hi
m;athi
s 
Me;IguessI
’minforalongni
ght
.Ifi
l
lbee
seei
nghimtomorrow,Ineedt
omakesurehi
s
port
fol
i
oupdateisinorder
Hi
m;goodl
uck 
Me;
Ineedmor
ethanj
ustl
uck 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)shar
p 
Me;
shar
p

Okay
,thi
swasr
eal
l
yunexpect
ed.
 
Iwentt
omakemy sel
facupofcoff
ee.Ineeded
tobeawakei
fIwasgoingt
ogetthenumber s
r
ightf
orSi
ya’
spor
tfol
i
o. 
Ispentov
er4houronSi yasport
foli
o.Someof
thenumbersweren’
tmat chi
ngbecauseoft he
waythemar ket
sbeen,butevent
uall
yev er
ythi
ng
matchedup.Icomplet
edt hepor
tfol
io,andsent
i
ttoAnnat opri
ntandbindtwocopies.Then
wenttobed.

Ididn’
tsl
eepawink.Iwast
ossi
ngandt
urni
ng
thewholeni
ght
.

Ataround5am Idecidedt
owakeupandf ora
run.Ineededt
ogetthisanxi
etyoutmysystem
somehow, andIhopedajoggi
ngwouldhelp. 
Iqui
ckl
ychangedi
ntomygy
m gear
,andl
eftf
or
myrun.
Thejogdi
dn’thel
pmuch.Iwasst il
lreal
l
y
anxi
oustoseeSiyaagai
n.Itf
eltl
ikeithadbeen
aneter
nit
ysinceIhadseenhim. 
Iwenthomeandshowered,
thengotdressed.I
deci
dedtoweart
hesameout fi
tIwor
et hefi
rst
ti
meImethim.Maybeitwouldbemygoodl uck
char
m. 
Iwasaboutt
owal
koutmyr
oom,
whenIgotan
i
dea.
 
Iwenttothesaf
e,andt
ookoutthepr
omiseri
ng
Si
yahadgi v
enme.Iputi
tbackonri
ghthand.
Thenlef
t.

Iwentst
rai
ghtt
otheof
fi
ce.Iwant
edt
omake
sur
eAnnarecei
vedmyemail.

WhenIarr
ivedAnnahadjustf
ini
shedpr
int
ing
t
heport
fol
ios.Al
lsheneededtodowasbind
t
hem f
orme.  
It
hankedher
,thenwentt
omyof
fi
ce.
Idi
dn’tgetmuchwor kdonedur i
ngthefi
rsthal
f
ofmyday .Ispentmostofitstar
ingatmy
l
aptopscreen.Iwastoonervoust oev
ent hi
nk
str
aight
.Ataround11:20am,Itookthe
portf
oli
osandmybag, anddrovetoSi
ya’
s
off
ice.

Ihadn’
tbeentohisoff
icesi
ncet
hedayI
basi
cal
lydest
royedit
. 
WhenIar
ri
vedAndr
eawasal
readyatr
ecept
ion.
Igr
eet
edher
andshewalkedmet owardsSiya’
soff
ice.Iwas
shacki
ngsomuch, Iaskedheri
fIcoul
duset he
l
adiesroom,bef
oremeet i
nghim.
It
oldherIwoul
dfi
ndmywayt
ohi
sof
fi
ce.

Isati
nthebat
hroom doi
ngbreat
hingexerci
ses.
Thetear
swerefl
owingandIwasshaking.Itf
elt
l
ikeIwashavi
ngapanicatt
ack.Icoul
dn’tdo
thi
s.TherewasnowayIcoul dmeetwit
hhi
m
andpretendIwasok.Ineededtogett
hehel
l
outofhere.

Icl
eanedmysel
fup,
andr
edi
dmymakeup,
then
wal
kedout.

Ipl
annedonl yi
ngandsayinganemergencyat
myof f
iceneededmyattenti
on.ThenI
’dask
Andreatoreschedul
e.

Iwaswal
ki
ngtowardsr
ecept
ion,
whenHl
okes
andSi
yawal
kedin.

f
uck

Idi
dn’
tknowHl okeswoul
dbeher
e.It
houghti
t
wasonl
ySiya.Iknewther
ewasnowayHlokes
woul
dletmeoutoft
his,
soIhadt
ogetmyshi
t
t
oget
her.

Theywerewalki
ngtowar
dsme.Si y
ahadthe
sameNav ysui
thehadonthefi
rstdaywemet.
AndHlokeswasinhisbl
acksui
t. 
Imadeasi l
entprayeraski
nggodtogi
veme
str
ength.Si
yalookedsomuchl i
kehi
snat
ural
sel
f. 
Hewaswal ki
ngl
ikehehadn’
tbeenshot
.He
waslaughi
ngwit
hHlokesli
keall
waswelli
nthe
wor
ld. 
Idi
dn’tr
eali
seIwasst ari
ng,t
il
lhelookedmy
way.Oureyesmet .Hedidn’
tlookaway,butI
di
d.Icouldn’
ttaketheint
ensi
ty.

Hl
okesshookmyhand,andthenSiyafol
l
owed.
It
ri
ednottomakeeyecontact
,becausehewas
st
ari
ngatmewithhi
sdreamyey es.
Hi
m;ni
cet
omeety
ouagai
nMi
ssMokoena 
Me;
Likewi
se.

Hl
okesl
ookedatusandsmi
l
ed.

Hl
okes;ll
eaveyout
wot
oyourmeet
ing.Ghost
I
’l
lseey
oul at
er
Si
ya;
shar
p 
Me;
bye.

Siy
akeptst
ari
ngatme.Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt
o
say.

Me;
shal
lweheadt
oyourof
fi
ce
Hi
m;(
clear
sthr
oat
)yes.Ahmm l
adi
esf
ir
st
Itur
nedaroundandwalkedt
owar
dst
hest
air
s
tohisof
fi
ces.Si
yawalkedwi
thme
Heseemedl
i
kehewasdeepi
nthought

Whenwegottohi
soff
ice.Si
yawentst
rai
ghtt
o
hi
sdeskwhi
leIt
ookoutmylapt
opandhis
por
tfol
i
oout
.

Youcouldcutt
hetensi
onint
heroom witha
kni
fe.Si
yacametosit,
andhesatnexttome
agai
n.Isweart
hesmellofhi
scolognenear
ly
ki
ll
edme.

Hi
m;shal
lwebegi
n
Me;
sur
e

Igavehi
m hi
scopyoft
hepor
tfol
i
oandopened
mine.
Iwentthr
oughev er
ythi
ngbi
tbybi
t.Heasked
tonsofquest
ionsandIanswer
ed.
 
Wewentthr
ought
hemarketpri
ces,
andhow
muchhe’
smadefr
om hi
sinvest
mentset
c. 
Byt
het i
mewewer efi
nishedi
twasafter3pm.I
wasti
red,hungr
yandneededtogethome.

Ist
art
edpacki
ngmylaptopaway
.Si
yal
ooked
l
ikehewasdebat
ingsomethi
ngi
nhi
shead.

Hi
m;i
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se?

Il
ookedathi
m,andknewt
hatheknew
somethi
ng

If
roze
Me;
notonmyside.Doy
oumay
behav
eany
mor
equest
ions?
Hi
m;t
hatr
ing
Me;
whatabouti
t 
Hi
m;wher
edi
dyougeti
tfr
om?

Idi
dn’
tanswerhim.WhatwasIgoi ngtotel
lhi
m?
Idi
dn’
twanttolie, butatthesameti
meI
coul
dn’
ttel
lhimt het rut
h.Idi
dn’
twantto
conf
usehim anyf urther

Me;
Igoti
tfr
om someoneIusedt
oknow 
Hi
m;who

Il
ookedaway..
.Ir
eall
yneededtogetoutof
herebef
oreImadethingsworse.Shi
t.Idon’
t
knowwhatIwasthinkingweari
ngthi
sdamn
r
ing.

Me;Ishoul
dgetgoing.You’
vegotmydet
ail
sif
youneedanyt
hingelse.

Irushedt
owar
dst
hedoor
,butSi
yagott
her
e
fi
rst.

Him;
notbef
orey
out
ell
mewher
eyougott
hat
r
ingf
rom 
Me;
afr
iend 
Hi
m;who 
Me;
youwon’
tknowhi
m 
Hi
m;t
ryme 
Me;
Ishoul
dreal
l
yget

Hecutmeof
f
Hi
m; Mi
ssMokoena,
Idon’
tli
kebei
ngli
edto.
Pl
easej
ustt
ell
mewhereyougotthatr
ingfr
om

Il
ookedintohisey
es,andsawsomuch
confusi
on.Ihadnochoice,
butt
otel
lhi
mthe
tr
uth.

Me;
you.

Hel
ookedsoconf
used

Me;
Igott
her
ingf
rom y
ou

Hedi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng.Hej
ustst
aredatme

Hi
m;y
ouwer
einCubawer
en’
tyou?
 
Me;
yes 
Him;Ithoughty
oulookedt
oofami
li
ar.buti
sti
l
l
dontunderst
andwhy.andwhywoul
di gi
veyou
thatr
ing
ME;
howdi
dyouknowIwasi
nCuba 
Hi
m; y
ourvoice.It
hinkIhear
dyouthedayI
wokeup.Ij
ustcan’trememberwhatyousai
dto
me.

Isi
ghed.Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt
osay.Lucki
l
y
someoneknockedont
hedoor.

Si
yahadnochoi
cebutt
oopen.

Heopenedthedoor,andHl
okeswasstandi
ng
ther
e.HElookedatSiy
aandIandknew
somethi
ngwaswr ong
Hi
m;i
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
 
Me;
yah,
Iwasj
ustl
eav
ing

Idi
dn’tsayanyt
hingel
se.Ij
ustwal
kedout
.I
neededtobreat
h.. 
Igott
omycaranddrovest
raighthome.Ther
e
wasnousedr
ivi
ngtotheof
fice.

Thiswhol econfr
ont
ati
onwithSi
yawasbey
ond
st
ressful.Iwishhewoul
djustr
emember
every
thing. 
Idon’
tli
kelyi
ngt
ohim.ButIdi
dn’
twantt
o
makethingswor
sebyconfusi
nghi
m.

Ithoughtl
eav
ingCubawoul dhelpmeescape
thi
snightmar
e,buti
tlookedli
kenomatter
whereIranofft
o.Si
yaalway shadawayof
fi
ndingme.
[
05/
12,
17:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

49

WhenIgothome, Iputmyphoneonsil
ent.It
hadbeenr i
ngingnonstop.Iknewi
twaseither
HlokesorSiya,andIwasn'
tInthemoodtodeal
withei
therofthem.

Iwentupstai
rstotochange.Iwor
emyjean
shor
ts,aspaghett
ist
raptopandmysl
ippers
Iwentbackdownst
air
sandpouredmysel
fa
gl
assofwine,andwentt
owatchtv.
 
Iwasr
eal
l
yhungr
ysoIor
der
edpi
zzaonl
i
ne.

Iwantedt
ojusteat
,got
obedandf
orgetabout
today
Awhilel
ater
,myintercom r
ang.Iknewi
twas
thedel
iv
eryguy
,soIjustopenedthegar
age
doorandwenttofetchmypur se.

WhenIt
urnedar
oundSi
yawasst
andi
ngbehi
nd
me.

Iswal
l
owed.Shi
t

Hi
m:canIcomei
n

Me.
..
..
..
..
..
..
 howdi
dyouknow

Hecutmeof
f

Hi
m:Hl
okes
IswearIcoul
dki
l
lhl
okes.

Me:
comei
n

Hi
m;t
hanky
ou

Hewal
kedi
n,andIwal
kedust
othel
ounge

Me:
canIgety
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink 
Hi
m:I
'
llhav
ewhaty
ourhav
ingpl
ease

Istoodupandwentt othekit
chent
ogethi
ma
glassofwine.IwasgladIgotamomentto
my sel
f.Ineededt
obreath.
 
Theknot
sinmyst
omachwer
eti
edt
ocapaci
ty.

Iwal
kedbackt
othel
ounge,
gav
ehi
m hi
swi
ne,
t
hensatopposi
tehi
m.

West
ayedinanawkwar
dsi
l
encesi
ncecoul
dn'
t
t
akei
tanymore

Me:
sowhatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?
Him:y
oul
eftsoqui
ckly
,idi
dn'
tgetachancet
o
asky
oumorequest
ions 
Me:
about
Hi
m:us 
Me:
Si,
ImeanMrNdhl
ovu,
 
Hi
m: pl
easef
orgett
heformal
it
ies.Ihav
ea
f
eel
ingwearewaypastthem
Me: (
sigh)Siy
a,I
'vebeent
oldnott
oconf
use
you.Idon'twant
Hecutmeof
f 
Hi
m:pl
easecanIasky
out
ofor
getaboutwhat
thedoct
orssai
d,orwhatbull
etsays.Ineedyou
totel
lmethetr
uth.Pl
ease,IknowIwoul dn'
t
havegiv
enyouthatri
ng,i
fyoudidn'
tmean
somethi
ngtome.Justtel
lme

Mytear
sthreat
enedmyey
es.ButIknewt
hatI
hadtot
ell
himt het
rut
h

Me:
fine.

Iwasaboutt
oexpl
ain,
whenmyi
nter
com r
ang

Me:
excusemeami
nut
e.

Itookmypurseandwenttopaythedel
i
ver
yguy
,
thencamebackandsatopposi
teSiy
a.
Me:
canIof
fery
ousomet
hingt
oeat
 
Him:nothanky
ou.Al
lI'
dli
kenowi
ssome
answer
s 
Me: y
ougavemet
hisr
ing,
thedayy
oul
eftf
or
yourmissi
on
Hi
m:soy
ouandIwer
etoget
her
? 
Me:
yes
Hi
m:butwhenIwokeup,
youwer
en'
tther
e?

It
ri
ednott
ocr
y,butat
earescaped

Me:Siyawheny ouwokeup,alotofthings
happened.YouaskedforLi
nda,youdidn'tknow
anyt
hingaboutus.Iwasaskedtomov eoutour
bedroom tomakespaceforyouandlinda.It
j
ustallgottoomuch.Ihadtocomehome
Hi
m:whoaskedy
out
omov
eoutorr
oom
Me:
yourmom 
Hi
m:y
ouknowmymom
Me:
yes
Hi
m:wow

Siy
aseemedl
i
kehewaswor
kingapuzzl
einhi
s
head.

Idi
dn'tsayanyt
hingaboutmelosi
ngthetwi
ns,
becauseIdidn'
twanttobur
denhim wit
htoo
manyt hi
ngs.

Ist
oodupandwentt
ogethi
m somet
hingt
oeat
.

Idi
dn'
tgivehim pi
zza,
causeIhadboughtav
eg
pi
zza,andIknewhehat edi
t.SoIst
art
ed
cooki
nginst
ead,
Imadehi m steakfil
l
etwi
thveg.Thank
goodnessf ortheWoolwort
hsreadymade
veggies.AllIhadtotowaspopthem i
nthe
microwav ewhileImadethest
eak.

WhenIwasdone,
Iputhi
sfoodonat
rayand
t
ookitt
ohim.

Hel
ookedatt
hef
oodandsmi
l
ed.

Me:
Ifi
gur
edy
ou'
dbeher
eforawhi
l
e 
Hi
m:t
hanky
ou

Isatopposi
tehi
m andhadmypi
zza

Hi
m:soLindaandIwer
en'
ttoget
herwhi
l
eIwas
i
nCuba?
 
Me:
no.Whywoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
 
Hi
m:WhenIgothome,al
lherstuffwasinthe
mai
nbedr
oom.Butitj
ustdi
dn'tfeelr
ight
. 
Me:
sowhatnow 
Hi
m:Ineedy
out
otel
lmeev
ery
thi
ngaboutus 
Me:
ther
e'st
oomucht
otel
l
 
Hi
m:I
'
m noti
nahur
ry 
Me:
don'
tyout
hinki
t'
senoughf
oroneday
. 
Hi
m:notr
eal
l
y,buti
won'
tpush 
Me:
thanky
ou

Wehaddi nneri
nthel oungewhil
ewatching
somesenselesstv.Iknewhewasn' tt
heSiyaI
fel
li
nliv
ewi t
h,butifeltl
iket
racesofhim wer
e
ther
e,whichgavemehope.

Af
tereat
ingSi
yat
ookourdi
shesandwashed
t
hem.

IwentTomyroom t
ofet
chsomethi
ng.Iwant
ed
togi
vehimt
helet
terHl
okeshadgiv
enme.

Iwentbackdownst
air
s,andhewassi
tt
ingi
n
thel
ounge.

Hi
m:It
hinkIshoul
dgetgoi
ng

Me:bef
orey
oul
eav
e,Iwant
edt
ogi
vet
hist
o
you.

Hel
ookedatt
hel
ett
er

Hi
m:whati
sthi
s. 
Me:
alet
tery
ouwr
otet
ome.YouaskedHl
okes
t
ogi
vei
ttome,
incasey
oudi
dn'
tcomehome.

Iwatchedhimreadthel
ett
er.Whenhewas
done,helookedatme.

Hi
m:y
ourpr
egnant
 
Me;
Iwaswheny
oul
eft
Hi
m:was
Me:
Ilostt
het
wins,
thedaybef
orey
ouwokeup
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry 
Me:
don'
tbe.I
twasn'
tyourf
aul
t 
Him:nonet
heless.Youshoul
dn'
thav
ehadt
o
deal
withal
l
,ofthatalone
Me:
I'
mtoughert
hanIl
ook 
Hi
m:y
ousur
ear
e..
..
..i
shoul
dgetgoi
ng 
Me:
I'
ll
wal
kyouout
 
Hi
m:t
hanks
Istoodupandwal
kedSiy
aout.Whenwegott
o
hiscar,
hetur
nedt
olookatme..

Hi
m;t
hanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng 
Me:
it'
sapl
easur
e
Hi
m: Rif
il
oe,I
'mreal
lysor
ryabouthowthings
workedout.Maybeoneday,Idon'
tknow,
maybeinanotherl
if
e,youandImightfi
nda
waybacktoeachother.

Ididn'
tknowwhatt
osay,
itf
eltl
i
keSi
yawas
breaki
ngupwit
hme.  
Iknowt echnicall
ywitheverythi
ngt
hat'
s
happenedwecoul dn'tj
ustpickupwherewel
eft
off
.ButIt houghtoncehesawt hel
ett
er,
somethingwoul dchange.Thatmaybehewoul
d
bewill
ingt otry.Buti
nguessIwaswr ong
Me:
whatar
eyousay
ing 
Him:Ijustdon'
twanttokeepyoufrom enj
oying
yourl
if
e.Iknowwehadsomet hi
ngbeforeIleft
,
butri
ghtnowIdon'tthi
nkIcouldbetheman
youneedmet obe.

Me:
don'
t
Him:Ihavet
o.Ican'thaveyouwai ti
ngforme
forGodknowshowl ong.Itisn'
tfai
r.Iwanty
ou
tomoveon.Findamanwhoi sn'
tfuckedup,
andbuil
dali
fe.I
'm sorr
y,Ireall
yam.

Hedidn'
twai
tformetosayanyt
hing.Hej
ust
gavemeakissonthecheek,
andgotinhi
scar
anddrov
eoff.

Ist
oodt
her
eont
hepav
ementl
ooki
ngl
i
kea
l
ovestruckidi
ot.Iwast
ryi
ngtoregi
sterwhathe
hadj
ustsaid.Iwassuchanidi
ot.Idon'
tknow
whyIt
houghtSi yawoul
dwanttobewi thme.
HehardlyknewwhoIwas.

Iwentbacki
nsi
de,
andf
il
ledupmygl
assof
wine.
 
Ihadtri
edsohar dtoputmybrokenhear
tback
toget
her,andnowwi t
hjustaf
ewwor dsSiy
a
hadri
ppedi tapar
t.
 
Iguessi
t'
sfort
hebestthough,
becausenowI
wouldbeablet
ofocus100%onme

Ifi
nishedmygl ass,t
henwenttobed.Iwasgl
ad
tomorr owwasFr i
day.Ihadr
eal
lyhadabusy
week, soitwouldbenicetoj
ustlazear
ounda
bit
.

WhenIwokeuponFr
iday
,iwasf
eel
i
ngabi
t
gl
oomy.Igotupandwenttogetr
eady.Ihad
qui
teabusydayaheadofme,soIworejeans
wit
hawhitetop,al
eat
hersummerjacketand
mynikesneaker
s.

Iwasabouttol eavemyroom, whenInoti

cedI
sti
l
l,hadmyr ingon.Idecidedtoputi
tinmy
bag.It
hinkit
sbestt oret
urnitt
oSiya.Ther
e
wasnousekeepi ngi
tanymore.Theperson
whohadmadet hepr
omisewasgone, andI
di
dn'twanttohav eaconstantr
eminderofhim
wit
hmeev er
yday

WhenIgotintotheoffi
ce,
Idugint
omywork.I
neededtogothroughthebudgetf
ort
hecoupl
e
ofupcomingevents.

Weusual
l
yhaveagaladi
nnerforourcl
i
ent
s
t
owardst
heendofeachyear
,tothankt
hem f
or
thei
rsupport
.Weal sohaveacharit
yev ent
,
wherewei nv
iteourindust
ryr
ival
s,cl
ients,
associ
ateandempl oyees

Thesetwoev entsusual l
yhappenwi t
hina
coupleofweeksf rom eachother.Butbecause
ofthelackoftimebefor eChrist
mas, Iwas
tr
yingtofi
ndawayoft urni
ngbot hevent
sinto
j
ustoneev ent.Thatwaywesav emoneyand
wear esti
ll
abletohav ebot hevents.

Atar
oundl
uncht
ime,
Jasoncamet
omyof
fi
ce.

Hi
m:Icomebear
ingl
unch 
Me:
thankGod.
..I
'
mfami
shed 
Me:ar
eyouok?Youhav
en'
tl
efty
ourof
fi
ce,
si
nceyoucamei
n
Me:
I'
mfi
ne,
justt
ryi
ngt
ogett
hef
igur
esf
ort
he
gal
aandchar
it
ydinner
,donebeforeigohome.
Weneedtost
artsendi
ngoutinv
itati
onson
Monday
.
Hi
m:soundsl
i
key
ouri
nforal
ongni
ght
 
Me: mor el
ikealongweekend.Isti
l
lneedtogo
throughthecandidatesformyPApost.Ohand
Ineedt ofi
ndanev ent'
splanner
,whocanputt
h
Itogetherwit
hinamont h
Hi
m: Damn.
..
..
..
buty
ouseem t
owor
kwel
lunder
pr
esure
Me:
true.Hav
eyouf
oundy
ourPA?
 
Hi
m;I
'
m keepi
ngLaur
a,myuncl
e'
sPA.
 
Me:
goodi
dea.
 
Him:
whynotpr omot
eAnna,
andhav
eherf
inda
newrecept
ioni
st?
Me:yourageni
us.Whydi
dn'
tIt
hinkoft
hat
.
Thankyou 
Hi
m:mypl
easur
e
Jasonstay
edawhil
elonger.Iwasr
eal
l
y
grat
eful
heboughtmelunch.

Whenhel ef
t,Ical
ledAnnai
ntomyof f
ice.I
wantedtoseeifshewouldbeint
erest
edi n
t
akingthepositi
onofmyPA

Me:thanksf
orcomi
ngAnna.Pl
easecl
oset
he
door
 
Her
:isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ghtFi
fi
?
Me:
yes.Pl
easesi
t

Shesatdown,
shameshel
ookedabi
tner
vous

Me:I'
l
lgetstrai
ghtt
othepoint.Iwant
edto
knownifyouwouldbeint
erestedinbei
ngmy
PA?Iknowy ou'
vebeenwiththecompanyfora
whil
eandy ouknoweverythi
ngt
herei
stoknow
aboutthebusi
ness.It
hinkyouwoul
dbea
perf
ectfi
t

Shel
ookedatmewi
thdi
sbel
i
ef

Me:wewouldobvi
ousl
yrenegot
iat
eyousal
ary
,
andr
edoyourcont
ract
. 
Her
:yes.
.Iwoul
dbehonour
ed.
 
Me:
I'
m gl
ad.I
'
llgetHRont
oitr
ightaway
 
Her
:thanky
ou 
Me:
youshoul
dthankJason.I
twashi
sidea.
 
Her
:Iwi
l
l

Annawalkedoutmyoffi
cewit
habigsmil
eon
herf
ace.Iwasgladshetookmyof
fer
. 
Isentane-
mai
ltoHR.Ineededt
hem t
ogett
his
goi
ngassoonaspossi
ble.

Someti
melaterIwasgoingt
hroughmybag
l
ooki
ngforl
ipice,whenIsawSiya'
sri
ng.

Ihadt
otal
l
yfor
got
tenabouti
t.

IphonedAnna.Ineededhert
ogetourdr
ivert
o
dropitof
f.

Lucki
lyt
hedri
verhadn'
tgonehomeyet
.SoIput
theri
nginanenvel
opeandwroteal
i
ttl
enot
eto
gowithi
t.

"It
houghtbestt
oret
urnt
hist
oyou.
 
Youmadethatpr
omi
se,
wheny
ouwer
e
somoneel
se
I
twoul
dn'
tbef
airofmet
okeepi
t.
 
Ihopey
ouf
indal
ltheanswer
syouar
elooki
ng
for
.

Lov
e

Fi
fi

Iputthenoteinsi
detheenvel
ope.Andasked
thedri
vertomakesur ehehandsitt
o"Mr
Ndhlovu"per
sonall
y.Idi
dn'
twantitget
ti
nglost
.

Itwasn'
teasygivi
ngthatr
ingback.ButI
couldn'
thonest
lyhol
dSiyat oapr
omisehe
didn'
tevenremembermaki ng.

Ihadpr
omi
sedt
olethi
m go.AndnowIr
eal
l
y
had.
[
05/
12,
17:
04]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

50

Ispentt
her
estofmyFr
idaywor
king,
mybut
t
off
.

Ievent
ual
lygott
hroughev
ery
thi
ngIneededt
o
getthr
oughandwenthome.

Ihadnoplansaf
ort
heweekend,
soIcal
l
ed
Thandeka.

Ihadn'
treal
lybeent
hegr
eatestf
ri
endl
atel
y.
AndIreall
ymissedmygi
rl
s

Her
:Mzal
a.Youral
i
ve 
Me"
:heyzal
as,
howar
eyou 
Her
:pi
ssedaty
ou 
Me:
Iknow.
.I'
m sor
ry 
Her
:wher
ear
eyoukodwa 
Me:
I'
m backi
nS.
A
Her:
youshoul
dcomeovert
omorr
ow.I'
l
llett
he
gi
rl
sknowyourcomi
ng.Wecanal
lchi
l
l 
Me:
soundsl
i
keapl
an 
Her
:we'
ver
eal
l
ymi
ssedy
ou.
 
Me:
I'
vemi
ssedy
out
oo 
Her
:I'
l
lseey
out
omor
rowt
hen.Let
'
ssay13:
00
Me:
Shar
pzal
as 
Her
:Shar
p

Ifel
tabitbett
eraft
erspeaki
ngtoTee.Iwas
real
l
ylookingfor
wardstocatchi
ngupwithgi
rl
s.
WhenIgothomeImademy sel
fdinnerand
wenttowatchtv.Iwasbusyeatingwhenmy
phonerang.Il
ookedatthecall
erIDanditwas
Hlokes

Me:
heyy
ou 
Hi
m:don'
theyy
oume.
Me:
whatdi
dIdonow?
Hi
m:howar
eyougi
vi
nguponhi
m soeasi
l
y?
Me:Hl
okesdon'
tst
art
.Si
yamadei
tcl
earwe
wer
edone.
Hi
m: andsincewhendoy
oul
i
stent
owhat
Ghostsay
s?
Me:si
ncehe'
snott
hesameSi yahewasbefore
t
hiswhol
ethi
nghappened.Ican'
tmakehi
mf al
l
i
nlovewi
thmeHlokes.
 
Hi
m:Wi
l
l,y
out
woev
ergety
ourshi
ttoget
her
 
Me:
may
beoneday
.Whoknows 
Hi
m:haai
,
noi
gìv
eupshem.
 
Me:
I'
vegott
orun.I
m exhaust
ed 
Hi
m:I
'
llseey
ouar
ound 
Me:
whendoy
ouguy
sgobackt
oCuba
Him:
notsur
e.Al
ldependsonghost
.Butf
or
nowwe'
rest
il
lar
ound
Me:
Shar
p 
Hi
m:sur
e

Aft
erspeaki
ngtoHlokes,Iwentstr
aightt
obed.
Iwassotir
ed.Butf
irstIhadanicelongbubbl
e
bat
h.

Iwokeupt hefoll
owingmor ni
ngwithmissed
callsfr
om Si y
a.Ihadforgot
tenIl
efti
tonsilent
afterspeakingtoHlokesi wentt
obrushmy
teeththencal l
edhim back.
Heanswer
ed

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
hi
Hi
m:t
hanksf
orcal
l
ingmeback 
Me:
what
'
sup
Hi
m:Igott
her
ing
Me:
oh
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
whydi
dyougi
vei
tback 
Me;
Ithoughti
tbest
 
Hi
m:butitwasagi
ftt
oyou.Whywoul
dyou
gi
vei
tback
Me:becauseSiy
a.Thatri
ngrepresentsa
promi
sey oumade.Nowy oucan'tkeeptot
hat
promi
se,soit
'
sbettert
ogiveitbackt oy
ou.I
coul
dn'
tpossi
blykeepit
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry 
Me:
stopapol
ogi
sing.I
t'
snoty
ourf
aul
t 
Hi
m:Ial
sof
oundsomet
hingel
se 
Me:
what
Hi
m:t
hev
ideoandul
tr
asoundoft
het
wins
Me:
oh.It
otal
l
yfor
gott
odel
etei
t.I
'
m sor
ry 
Hi
m:don'
t.I
'
m gl
adIgott
oseet
hem 
Me:
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng 
Hi
m:IguessI
'
llseey
ouar
ound 
Me:
Shar
p.

Iputthephonedown.GoshIwishedhewould
j
ustrememberalready
.Imisshim somuch.
 
Evr
ryt
imeIhearhi
svoice,
itj
usttakesmeback
tot
hefir
stti
mehekissedme, orthefi
rstt
ime
wemadel ov
e.

HowwasIev
ergoi
ngt
olov
eanot
herman?
Haai
chal
i
fecanr
eal
l
ybeunf
air
.

Iwentdownst
air
stohav
ebr
eakf
ast
,thenwent
tot
hegy m.

Mybodywasst art
ingtoshow,thatIwas
becominglazy
.Ineededtostar
ttoningup.
Especi
all
ymyst omach.

Ispentov
er2hoursatt
hegym.Ever
ymuscl
ein
mewasaching,buti
twassowort
hit.

WhenIgothomeIt ookabath,Iwasal
ready
l
ateforThandekahouse.SoImadeitaquick
one.

Igotdressedi
nri
ppedbluejeans,
wit
hawhi
tet
-
shi
rtandmywhi t
eall
stars.
Iwasaboutt
oleav
ewhenIgotacal
lfr
om
Thandeka

Her
:zal
a
Me:
I'
m onmyway
 
Her
:hav
eyoul
eft
 
Ms:
noty
et 
Her:changeofpl
ans.Pl
easet
rykeepanopen
mind 
Me;
ok
Her
:It
otal
lyf
orgotthatI
'
vegotbui
l
der
scomi
ng
t
othehousetoday.
 
Me:
okay
Her
:canwecomeov
ert
oyou?
Me:
sur
e
Her
:butt
heguy
swantt
ocomeaswel
l
.We
wer
eal
lgoi
ngt
ohav
eabr
aai
Me:
asi
nyourhubbi
es 
Her
:yes 
Me:
it'
scool
man.St
opbei
ngsoi
ntense.
 
Her
:yourt
hebest
 
Me:
arey
oust
il
laty
ourpl
ace
Hery
ah,
Me:cool
,gi
vesmeenought
imeTogot
he
shop'
s 
Her:dontbuyal
cohol
loy
isoandt
heguy
s
al
readybrought
 
Me:
I'
ll
justbuymeat
Her
:Hamm ok
Me:rel
axtee.Iknowy
ourpr
obabl
yfr
eaki
ngout
.
Idontmind
Her
:yourast
ar
Me:
I'
ll
seey
oui
naboutanhour
 
Her
:Shar
p

Itookmykeysandwentt otheshop'
s.Iknewif
thegir
lsandtheirhubbi
eswereallcoming,I
'
d
needtonsofmeat .Iwenttoanearbybutchers
andgotevery
thingIneeded.

IknowThandekasaidnottobugalcohol,
buti
wasf astr
unni
ngoutofwine,andsinceIwas
alr
eadyatthemal
l,Imightaswellgetsome
mor e.

Iwenttot
hebot
tl
estoreandbought5bot
tl
es
ofwhit
eand5ofred.

Ihadfi
nishedpayi
ng,whenIsawHlokes
walki
ngwi t
haladyIdi
dn'tknow.
 
Hespot
tedmeandcamei
nmydi
rect
ion.
Hi
m:f
ancyseei
ngy
ouher
e 
Me;
hiHl
okes 
Hi
m:ohh,
fifhi
sisboni
swa.Bonot
hisi
sfi
fi

Ishookherhand.Andsai
dhi
.

Hl
okesl
ookedatmyshoppi
ngcar
t

Hi
m:what
'swi
thal
ltheboose 
Me:
oh,
I'
vegotpeopl
ecomi
ngov
er 
Hi
m:y
ourhav
ingapar
tyandy
oudon'
ti
nvi
teme
Me:
itwasn'
tpl
anned 
Hi
m;wel
l
,whatt
imemustwebet
her
e?

Il
ookedathi
m.Hl
okeshadnomanner
s
Me:peopl
eshoul
dst
artar
ri
vi
ngi
naboutan
hour
 
Hi
m:cool
we'
l
lbet
her
e 
Me:
ok,
I'
ll
seey
ouguy
sthen
Hi
m:canwebr
ingany
thi
ng 
Me:
nope,
I'
m al
lsor
ted.Justbr
ingy
our
sel
ves 
Hi
m:cool
.

Isaidgoodby
et oboni
swaandlef
t.Iwasr
eal
l
y
gladtoseeHlokesmovingon.

WhenIgothome, Iputthest
oreboughtsalads
i
nsaladbowls.Thentookoutplast
icbathsand
fi
l
ledthem wi
thice,sot
hattheycouldputthe
al
coholint
here.
Thandekaandthegangarr
ivedwhi
l
eIwas
tr
yingtogetmymusicsyst
em towork.

Igavet
hem al
lhugs.Ihadr
eal
l
ymi
ssedal
lof
them.

Loyi
so(Thandekashusband)andtherestof
guyswenttofi
llt
htubswithalcoholWhil
ethe
l
adiesandIwentupstai
rstohav eacat
chup
sessi
on

Thandeka:
sozal
a,t
ell
uswhyy
ouwental
lAwol
onus 
Me:
Iwasoutt
hecount
ry.I
'
m sor
ryguy
s 
Nwabisa:
Marawhatki
ndoffriendgoesal
lthe
waytoCubaanddoesn'
ttel
lherfri
ends
Me:
itwasv
eryl
astmi
nut
e.I
'
m sor
ry 
Cl
eo:
sowher
eist
hismanofy
our
swhodr
ags
y
oual
lacr
osst
hewor
ld 
Me:
webr
okeup

Theyal
ll
ookedatme

Cleo:
sozalasyouaregoi
ngt
obr
ingupy
our
babyall
,byyoursel
f

Shit
,Ihadforgot
tent
heydi
dn'
tknowaboutt
he
miscarr
iage

Me:
Ilostt
hebabi
es

Theyal
ll
ookedatmewi
thev
enwi
derey
es

Nwabi
sa:
babi
es 
Me:
ther
ewer
etwi
ns
Thandeka:aski
esmzal
aman.Nowondery
ou'
ve
beensodistant
Me:canweforgetaboutal
lofthi
s,andgo
downst
air
s.Ij
ustwanttounwind 
Nwabi
sa:
notbef
orewegi
vey
ouangr
ouphug

Il
aughed.Weal
lst
oodupandt
heygav
emea
gr
ouphug.

Iwasr
eal
l
ygl
adt
heydeci
dedt
ocomeov
er.

Wewentdownst
air
stochi
l
lwi
tht
heguy
s.

Befor
eIknewitt
hissocal
ledgett
ogetherhad
tur
nedint
oafull
blownhousepart
y. 
Ther
eweremoreandmor
epeopl
earr
ivi
ng.
SomeIknewbysomewer
estr
anger
s.
Thankf
ull
ymyver
andawasbi
genought
o
accommodat
eevery
one.

Bynowwehadchangedi nt
oourbi
kini
topsand
short
s,andhadt
urnedt
hepart
yint
oapool
part
y

Iwasbusydanci
ngwi
thCl
eo,
whenThandeka
rant
ous.

Her:
zal
a,don'
tl
ooknow,
buty
ourexj
ust
ar
ri
ved
Me:
oh

Icarr
iedondanci
ngwi t
hCleo,becauseI
assumedshewasr efer
ri
ngtoHl okes.Pl
usI
wasonmy2ndbot t
leofwine,
soIwadatt hei
don'
tcar
est
age

Iwasr
eal
l
yenj
oyi
ngmy
sel
f.

CleoandIst oppeddancingbecuasewewanted
togetintothepool.Iwasgoingtogogetus
towel
s, whenIsawHl okes,st
andingwi
thSi
ya
andboni swa.

It
hinkIbecamesoberal
mosti
mmediat
ely.
Hl
okeshadn'tment
ionedcomi
ngwi
thSiya.

Idi
dn'
twantt
oseem r
ude,
soIwentt
osayhel
l
o.
Siy
alookedsoDamngood.I'
m sousedto
seei
nghiminsuit
s,i
twasni
ceseeinghi
mi n
causacl
othesf
orachange

Me:
hey
..
..Idi
dn'
tseey
ouguy
sar
ri
ve 
Hl
okes:
wegother
eabout10mi
nago
Me:
I'
m gl
ady
oucoul
dmakei
t.
 
Si
ya:Ihopey
oudon'
tmi
nd,
Hlokesbasi
cal
l
y
dr
aggedmehere
Me:
notatal
l
...
. 
Me:wewannapl
aywat
erv
oll
eybal
l
,ar
eyou
guy
sgame 
Hl
okes:
butwedi
dn'
tbr
ingany
thi
ngt
oswi
m
Me:nott
owor r
y,Si
yal
eftsomeofhi
sthi
ngs
her
ethelastt
imewewentswimmingSiy
a:Idi
d?
Me:
yep
Hl
okes:
I'
min.
Si
ya:
sur
e 
Me:boni
,comewi thme,I
'
vegotaspear
costume.I
'm sur
eitwi
ll
fit
.

Iwentupst
air
sandgav
eboni
swaacost
ume
andshor
tsshecoul
dchangei
nto.Thenwent
backdown.

Ibumpedi ntoSiyaont hestair

s.Itwasabit
awkwardbuti wasabi tt
ipsywhichIguessisa
goodthing,becuasemyt i
psinessitgaveme
somecour ageny ana.Icouldsmel lhi
scol
ogne.
Itsmel
ledsodamngood

Hi
m:Iwashopi
ngIwoul
druni
ntoy
ou 
Me:
what
'
sup?
Hi
m: youmi
ndshowi
ngmewher
eIkeptmy
st
uff
me:
dur
e

IshowedSi
yat
omybedroom..
,hel
ooked
aroundwhi
l
eIl
ookedi
nmyclosedf
orhisst
uff
Hi
m:y
ou'
vegotqui
teani
cepl
aceher
e 
Me:
thanks 
Hi
m:sohowof
tenwasIher
e 
Me:
pret
tyof
ten

Il
aidhisshor
tsonthebed,
wit
honeofhi
st-
shi
rtshehadlef
t.

Me:I'
l
lgivey
ouspacetochange.I
'
llbe
downstai
rsi
fyouneedme 
Hi
m:t
hanks

It
ookanext
rapai
rofshort
sandat
-shi
rtf
or
Hl
okesandwentdownst
air
s.

WhenIgottot
hever
anda,someofthesingl
e
peopl
ewerepl
ayi
ngspi
nthebott
le.Idi
dn't
par
ti
ci
patethough.TherewasnowayIwas
goi
ngtokissatotalst
ranger
.

I
nst
eadijoi
nedCleoandnwabisainthepool
,
t
henThandekaandboni
swafinal
lyjoi
nedus.

Ii
ntr
oducedboni
swatothegi
rl
s,Idi
dn'
twant
hert
ofeelunwel
come.

Siy
aandHlokes,
andsomeoft
heot
herguy
s
cametoj
oinus.

Igott
oseeSi y
asscarfort
hefi
rstt
ime.It
wasn'
tasbigasIthoughti
twouldbe.Andit
madehim sexi
eri
fthatwasevenpossibl
e.

Weall
goti
nposit
ions.I
twasthegir
lsv
ersust
e
guy
s.Weagreedt
hattheteam t
hatl
osi
ng
woul
dhav
etot
ake5shot
seachorpl
ayt
rut
hor
dear
I
'm notonetomi xal
cohol
.SoIdidn'
tplanon
l
osing.
,andtherewasnowayIwaspl ay i
ng
tr
uthordare.Ij
usthopedthegi
rl
swer egoodat
pl
ayingvol
leybal
l

Needl
esstosaywel ostpr
ett
ybadl
y.Theguys
weremercyl
ess.Si
yascoredthewi
nninggoal
.
 
Il
ookedathi
m shaki
ngmyhead,
andhe
mouthedsor
ry,
thensmi
led.

Ir
oll
edmyey
esathi
m.

Hlokesgotoutt hepooltofet
cht hevodka.I
tr
iedrunningawaybef or
eany one
noti
ced,because Ir
eal
lydidn'
twantt odr
inkthe
shots,butSiyapull
edmebacki nthepool
playf
ull
y.Itr
iedfreei
ngmywr istbutheheldon
t
ight
er,
all
thewhi
l
esmi
l
ing

Hi
m:wher
edoy
out
hinky
ourgoi
ng?
Me: get
ti
ngthehel
loutofher
e.Ther
e'snoway
I
'm dri
nkingt
hoseshot
s
Hi
n:adeal
sadeal
Me:hal
fthesepeoplear
edr
unk.Theywon'
t
ev
ennoticeI'
m nother
e 
Hi
m:I
'
dnot
ice 
Me:
that
'sbecausey
oursober
 
Hi
m:may
be

Hl
okescamebackwhi
l
eIwast
alki
ngt
oSi
ya

Hi
m:sowho'
sfi
rst
.

Il
ookedatThandeka,
andsher
aisedherhand.
Shedrownedal
l5shot
sasi
fshewer
ea
prof
essi
onal
 
Thennwabi
sa,
thenCl
eo

Ther
ewasnowayIwasdoi
ngshot
s.So
boni
swaandi
opt
edfort
rut
hordar
e.

Theguy st
hendeci
dedtochangether
ules.I
f
wewer en'
tgoi
ngtodoshots,
thenwehadt o
choosedare.

Shi
t

It
ri
edt ot
alkmy
sel
foutofi
tbutt
heyal
l
i
nsist
ed.
Sowewentwi
tht
hedar
e.

Theystart
edwithboni
swa.Theydaredhert
o
holdherbreat
hunderwat
erforlongert
han10
seconds.
 
Sheletoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef,
andcompl
etedher
dar
e.

Il
ookedatthem andpr
ayedt
heywoul
dgi
veme
aneasyonelikeher
.

Hl
okes:
okf
if
i,nowy
ourt
urn 
Me:
beni
ce 
Hi
m: Idar
eyoutoki
ssany
onei
nthi
spool
,who
i
sn'
therewit
hsomeone

Ohgosh,
Iwi shedIcoul
daskt
hegroundto
open,
soitcouldswall
owme.Theonlyper
son
i
nthepool
whowasn'
twi
thsomeonewasSi
ya.
AndHl
okesknewt
hat

Il
ookedatSi
yaandhel
ookedgame.

Me;butt
hat
'snotf
air
.Whydi
dBoni
getsuchan
easyone
Hl
okes:
fif
i,abeti
sabet
.Sowhoi
sitgoi
ngt
o
be
Me:
isn'
tthatobv
ious
Hi
m:sogetonwi
thi
t

Ilookedathl
okes,
andhewasr
eal
l
yenj
oyi
ng
tort
uringme.

Nxa,
whatthehel
l
,it
snotl
i
keIhadn'
tki
ssed
Si
yabef
ore.
Iwal
kedtoSi
yasendoft
hepool
andst
oodi
n
fr
ontofhi
m.

Me:l
ookesl
ikeyourt
heonl
yonewhoi
sn'
ther
e
wi
thsomeone 
Hi
m:I
'
m al
lyour
s

Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m ababyki
sst
henpul
l
ed
away

Ev
ery
onest
art
edpr
otest
ing.

Me:
what
?yousai
daki
ss.Iki
ssedhi
m mos
Loyi
so:t
hat
'snotwhatwemeant
.You'
vegott
o
gi
vehim ar
ealki
ss
Me:
buty
ouguy
sar
en'
tfai
ryaz
Hl
okes:
wenotl
ett
ingy
ougot
hateasi
l
y.

Mxm,It
urnedaroundt
ofaceSi
yaagai
n,andhe
wasl
aughing.

Me:
it'
snotf
unny
 
Hi
m:Idon'
tmaket
her
ules 
Me:
yougame?
Hi
m:I
'
dbecr
azynott
obe
Me:
mxm

Si
yal
eanedi
n,andputhi
sli
psonmi
ne.
 
Ididn'tmoveforafewseconds.Ij
ustbr
eat
hed
hi
mi n.I
tfel
tli
keihadn'
tki
ssedhiminan
eternit
y

Iputmyar
msar
oundhi
sneck,
andst
ated
ki
ssi
nghi
m.

Heputhishandsar oundmywai standkissed

mebacksot enderl
yIt houghtIwasgoi ngto
perspi
re.
..i
tfeltl
ikeitwasmyf ir
sttimekissi
ng
hi
m.Webot hknewt herewer epeoplearound
us,butwedidn'tbreakourki ss,i
nsteadSiya
deepenedit.

Wefi
nall
ypul
l
edbackwhenHl
okesshout
ed
"
getaroom"

Si
yal
ookedatmebutdi
dn'
tl
etgoofmywai
st.

Hi
m:Ihopet
hatwasn'
ttobad
Me:
notatal
l

Hechuckl
edt
henl
etgoofme.
Therereal
l
ywasnodeny
ingt
hechemi
str
y
betweenus. 
Nomat terhowmuchwepull
edinsepar
ate
di
rect
ions,theuni
ver
sehadawayofpushi
ngus
backtogether.

[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

51

Thepar
tywentonf
orhour
s.

Peopl
eonl
yst
art
edl
eav
ingatar
ound2:
00am.
 
BythenIwassoberasaj
udge.Ihadswi
tched
fr
om winet
owateratar
ound11:00pm.
Thandekaandthegirl
swantedtost
ayand
cleanup,
buti t
oldt
hem nottoworr
y.I
'
ddoiti
n
themorning.

Hlokesdecidedhewastooti
redtogo
home   soheandBoni wentt
osleepi
none
ofthesparebedrooms.

Si
yaont
heot
herhandwasget
ti
ngr
eadyt
ogo.

Hi
m:t
hanksf
orhav
ingme.Ihadagoodt
ime
Me:
I'
m gl
ady
oucoul
dcome
Hi
m:i
shoul
dgetgoi
ng

Il
ookedatt
het
imeandi
twas3:
00am

Me;
siy
ait
's3i
nthemor
ning,
I'
vegotaspar
e
bedr
oom i
fyoul
i
ke
Hi
m:y
oudon'
tmi
nd 
Me:
notatal
l
 
Hi
m;l
eadt
heway
.

Wewalkedupst
airsandIshowedSi
yat
othe
r
oom he'
dbesleepingi
n.

Me:
ifyouneedanext
rabl
anket
sort
owel
s,
t
hei
rinthecl
oset
.

Hi
m;Ishoul
dbef
ine 
Me;
ok.
..
.goodni
ght
 
Hi
m:mor
eli
kegoodmor
ning 
Me:
(gi
ggl
es)y
a,

Iwal
kedoutt
oleav
ebutSi
yahel
dmyhand.
It
urnedandlookedathi
m..hehadt
hisdr
eamy
l
ustf
ullooki
nhiseyes

Hi
m;don'
tgo

Idi
dnknowwhathemeant,
soIj
ustst
oodt
her
e,
tr
yingt
oremembert
obreat
h

Si
yapul
l
edmecl
oser
.

Hi
m:IWantt
oki
ssy
ouagai
n

Idi
dn'tr
espond.Iwaswayt
oot
urnedon.Ij
ust
nodded

Si
ya,
puthi
sli
psonmi
neagai
n.Thi
sti
meI
didn'tmove.Iwast
ryi
ngtomakemybr
ain
registert
hatthi
swasn'
tadr
eam. 
Hepart
edmyl
i
pswi
thhi
stounge,
andst
art
ed
ki
ssi
ngme,
 
Iputmyhandsaroundhi
sneck,
andHeputhi
s
aroundmywaist
. 
Hiskisswassogentl
eandslow,l
ikewewer
e
dancingt
hewalt
z.Hemaynotr ememberme,
buthesureashel
lremeber
showt otur
nme
on. 
Wemayhavest
art
edslow,butt
heki
ssst
art
ed
get
ti
ngmor
edeeperandlust
ful
.

IknewifIdi
dn'
tstopitnow,wewoul
dendupin
bed,andIwasn'
tsureIcoul
dli
vewit
hmysel
fif
wedid.Itwoul
dfeell
ikeIwasusi
nghim.

Ipul
l
edawaysl
owl
y.
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
e
Me:
don'
tbe 
Him:whatisi
twithyouandme.Itrytel
l
ing
mysel
ftoletyougo,buti
justcan'
tseem t
o.
Somethi
ngjustkeepspul
li
ngMebackt oyou
Me;
Idon'
tknowi
fIwanty
out
oletmego
Hi
m:Idon'
twantt
ohur
tyou
Me:
sowhatnow
Him:
weforgetaboutt
omor
row,ort
hefut
ure.
Andweconsernt
rat
eonwhatwewantnow. 
Me:
whatdoy
ouwantnow
Hi
m: Idon'
tthi
nki
veev
erwant
edany
one,
li
keI
wantyouatthi
sver
ymoment

It
ookadeepbr
eat
h.Iwant
edhi
mtoo.
Ihel
dhi
shand,
andwal
kedoutt
hespar
eint
o
myroom.

Idi
dn'
twantt
ober
ightnex
tdoorHl
okesand
Boni


Whenwegott
omyr
oom,
Ist
oodi
nfr
ontof
Si
yaagai
n.

Me:
wher
ewer
ewe

Hedidn'
tanswer
,inst
eadheputhi
shandson
mybackandstart
eduntangl
i
ngmybikini
top,
whi
lekissi
ngmyneck. 
Hef
inal
l
ygotitloseandtossedi
tasi
de,
thenhe
t
ookastepback.Admiri
ngthevi
ew

Hi
m:goshy
ourper
fect
Ibl
ushedabi
t.

Hecamecloseragai
n,andstar
tedki
ssi
ngme
whi
lehi
shandsplayedwithmynippl
es.

Hestoppedkissingme,andmovedhismout h
ontomynipples.Ihel
dontohi
mf ordearl
ife,
becauseIknewi fidi
dn'
t,
Iwoul
df al
lover
.

Si
yast
oodbackupandl
ookedatme.

Hi
m;It
hinki
minl
ovewi
thy
ou

Ididntr
espond.I
nsteaditookof
fhi
sT-
shi
rtand
ranmyhandsov erhisscar.
Me:
Idon'
tthi
nkIcoul
dev
erst
opl
ovi
ngy
ou

Istar
tedUnbut
toni
nghi
sjeans.Hedi
dn'
ttake
hiseyesof
fmine. 
WhenIwasdone,
andhewasnaked,
Itooka
st
epback

Hi
m:l
i
kewhaty
ousee 
Me(
giggl
es)l
ove 
Hi
m:well
nowt hatI
'
mi nmybi
rt
hdaysui
t,what
ar
eyougoingt
odowi t
hme
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
ohav
emywaywi
thy
ou 
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)

Ikeel
edinf
rontofhi
m,andputhi
minmy
mouth. 
Asmal
lgr
oanescapedhi
sthr
oat
Ist
art
edwi
thj
ustki
ssi
ngt
het
ip,
thenl
i
ckedi
t.
 
Siy
ahadhi seyesonme.IputtherestofhimIn
mymout h.Ihadneverdonethi
swithSiya
before,butitwaski
ndofempower ing.Iwasso
usedt ohavinghimtakecont
rolinthebedroom.
I
tfeltgoodt oseehimv ul
ner
able.

Siy
apul
ledmeupwhenhecoul
dn'
ttakei
t
anymor
e

Hi
m:y
ourt
ryi
ngt
ounmanme
Me:
Idon'
tseey
oucompl
aini
ng 
Hi
m(chuckl
es)

Hemovedmeontothebed,andst
art
edtaki
ng
of
fmyshor
ts.Thenmybiki
nibot
toms. 
Heki
ssedmef
rom mytoesal
lthewaytomyto
t
heti
pofmyki
ngdom.Thenhestar
tedonthe
ot
herfootandwental
lthewaytotheti
pagai
n.
Si
yareal
lyhadmesquir
mi ngandheknewit
.

Me:
Si
Hi
m:Sshhh

Whenhef i
nal
lyputhi
sli
psonmykingdom Il
et
outasoundofplesur
ewhichonl
ymadehim eat
meevenmor e.

Siy
afinal
lyst
oppedwhenhesensedIwas
abouttocome. 
IswearIwant
edt
oki
l
lhi
m.

Me:
Siy
aaa
Hi
m:Iwantt
olookaty
ou
Hegotontopandspr
eadmyl
egs.Heent
ered
mesoslowly
. 
Hi
seyeswereonmine.Hefi
nall
ystart
ed
movi
ng,hest
art
edoutslow,
butthenstar
ted
pi
cki
nguphispace.

Webothfi
nal
lyexpl
odedwi
thournamesi
n
eachot
her
'smouths.

         

Si
yacol
l
apsedontopofme,
goshhehasno
i
deahowheavyheis.

Me:
Si..
..y
ourcr
ushi
ngme

Hedi
dn'
tmov
e,hej
ustgi
ggl
ed,
soImov
edmy
handsandst
art
edtickl
i
nghi
m.Heimmediat
ely
j
umpingupandlookedatmewi
thasmil
e

Hi
m:soy
ouy
ouwannapl
ayt
ickl
i
ng.
 
Me:
Siy
adon'
tyoudar
e. 
Hi
m:what
'sst
oppi
ngme 
Me:
I'
ll
scr
eam 
Hi
m;Idon'
tcar
e

Hestar
tedti
ckl
ingmeandDamni
tIscr
eamed.
Ihat
ebeingti
ckled.

Me:
Siy
ast
op 
Hi
m:gi
vemeaki
ssf
ir
st 
Me:
okokok

Hest
oppedt
ickl
i
ngme.Andl
eanedi
ntoki
ss
me.

Wewerei
nter
rupt
edbyaknockont
hedoor
.We
bot
hfr
oze

Hl
okes:
arey
out
wooki
nther
e

Il
ookedatSi
yaandgi
ggl
ed

Hi
m:dudewe'
ref
ine

Hl
okes:
nxa,
Ithoughtsomet
hingwaswr
ong.
 
Hi
m:noneedt
owor
ry.
..
.al
li
swel
l

Wehear
dHl
okeswal
ki
ngbackt
otheot
her
r
oom
Me:
youseewhaty
oudi
d. 
Hi
m:he'
l
lbef
ine

Il
ookedatmywat
chandi
twasal
ready4am

Me:
weshoul
dgetsomesl
eep

Weopenedupthecoversandgotin.Iknowthat
t
hismaynotbethesameSi y
aIfel
l f
or,and
maybeitwasanmist
akesleepi
ngwi t
hhim.But
f
ornowwewer ebothhappyandthat'
sallt
hat
matt
ered.

Wedr
if
tedof
fineachot
her
'sar
ms.

Thefol
l
owingmorni
ngorshoul
dIsayaf
ter
noon
Iwokeupwit
hSiy
awr appedar
oundme.
Imov
edabi
t,buthepul
l
edmei
n

Hi
m;mor
ning
Me;
Ithi
nki
tsaf
ter
noon 
Hi
m;wher
eyougoi
ng 
Me;
Ineedt
opeeandt
henf
reshenup
Hi
m:r
unusabat
h
Me:
sur
e

Itr
iedget
ti
ngupbuthepul
l
edmebacki
ntot
he
bed

Hi
m:It
hinky
ourf
orget
ti
ngsomet
hing 
Me:
what
 
Hi
m:agoodmor
ningki
ss
Ismi
l
edandgav
ehi
m aki
ss,
andhel
etgo

Iwentt
orunusabubbl
ebat
h,whi
l
emadet
he
bed.

Si
yagoti
nthebat
hfi
rst
,thenIf
oll
owed.

Isati
nbet
weenhi
slegs,
andl
aymyheadonhi
s
chest
.

Hi
m:f
if
i
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:It
hink.
..
..
..
..
no.
..
..
..
act
ual
l
y IknowI
'
min
l
ovewi
thyou 
Me:(
sigh)oneni
ghtwit
hmeandy outhi
nkyour
i
nlov
e, Si
yayoucan'
tl
ovesomeoneyoudon'
t
know
Hi
m;don'
tdot
hat
 
Me:
dowhat
 
Hi
m:makel
astni
ghtseem l
i
keami
stake 
Me:Ij
ustt
hinkIshoul
dn'
thav
eleti
tgothatf
ar.
Nowyoufeelobl
igedt
owanttobewit
hme.  
Him:Rif
il
oe, Imayhavel
ostmymemor y
,butit
doesn'
tmeanIdon'tknowwhatl
oveis.What
happenedlastni
ghtwasnotami
stake.I
wantedtobewi t
hyouasmuchasy ouwanted
tobewithme.There'
snothi
ngwr
ongwi t
hthat.
 
Me:
but
Hi
m:butnot
hing.Weneedt
ofi
ndawayt
o
maket
hiswork
Me:
Iheary
ou 
Hi
m:good
Me:
yourst
il
lst
ubbor
nashel
l
 
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)I
'
m amanwhoknowswhathe
want
s.Iwant
edy
out
hen.Iwanty
ounow
Me:wel
lIguesst
here'
snousear
gui
ng,
butI
'
m
wor
ri
edaboutyourmemory
Him:
don'
tbe.It
hinksomeofi
tissl
owl
y
comi
ngback.

Ishi
ft
edsoIcoul
dlookathi
m

Me:
whatdoy
oumean 
Hi
m:I
'm notr
eal
l
ypr
oudofsomeofwhatI
r
emembered 
Me:
justt
ell
me
Hi
m:Ir
emembert
hedayIl
ayahandony
ou 
Me:
oh,
 
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry 
Me;don'
tbe.Wewer
ewaypastt
hatwheny
ou
l
eft
Il
eanedi
n,andgav
ehi
m aki
ss.

Hi
m:weshoul
dgetout
.Thewat
ersget
ti
ngcol
d.

Wegotoutandhedr
iedmeof
fthenwegot
dr
essed.

Whenwegotdownst
air
sHl
okesandBoni
wer
e
cl
eani
ngup.
 
Si
yaj
oinedt
hem whi
l
eimadebr
unch.

Il
aidoutt
het
abl
eandcal
l
edev
ery
onet
ocome
eat
.

Iwasavoidi
ngey
econt
actwi
thHl
okes.Hekept
onlooki
ngmyway .
Hl
okes:SoI'
m guessi
ngbythel
oudbangi
ng
l
astni
ght,
youtwoar ebackt
oget
her

It
urnedpi
nk.Hl
okeshasnof
il
terwhat
soev
er

Si
ya:
shutupbul
l
et 
Hl
okes:
Iwasj
ustsay
ing

Boni
swasmi
l
edandi
smi
l
edback.

Weenjoyedther
estofourbr
unchmaki
ngsmal
l
conv
ersati
on.

Siyasphonerang,andhelookedatt
hecal
l
erI
D
thenputitbackinhispant
s.
Ihadaf eel
i
ngi
twasLi
nda.ButIdi
dn'
tsay
anyt
hing.

Af
terbr
unch,
Siy
ahel
pedmewi
tht
hedi
shes.

Hi
m:weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
 
Me:
sosoon
Him: HlokesandIhav
eameet i
ngwi
tht
he
l
ieutenanttomorr
ow.Ineedt
omakesurewe'
re
prepared 
Me:
soundsser
ious 
Hi
m: heneedstoev
aluat
eifI
'
m st
il
lfi
tenough
t
oleadtheteam
Me:
oh 
Hi
m:what
'swr
ong 
Me:
not
hing.
..
.I'
mjustgoi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou
Hi
m;I
'
llseey
out
omor
rowni
ght
Me:
soundsl
i
keapl
an

Ididn'twanttosayanyt
hingabouthi mleavi
ng
theopst eam.Iknownhehadpr omi sed.ButI
fel
tlikehehadt otaket
hatdecisiononhi sown
again.Fornowal l
Icoul
ddowast akethings
onedayatat i
me.Andhopet hatt hi
st i
me
roundnot hi
ngcomesbet weenus.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

52

Whensi
yaandiweredonewitht
hedi
shes,
Hl
okeswentt
odropBoniathome.

Whi
l
eSi
yast
ayedwi
thmef
orawhi
l
elonger
.

Hi
m:sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odof
ort
her
estof
t
heday
 
Me:
sleep
Hi
m:buty
ouj
ustwokeup
Me:i
fIremembercorr
ectl
ysomonekeptmeup
muchlongerTHANIneededtobeup
Hi
m:Idon'
tremembery
oucompl
aini
ng 
Me:(chuckl
es)tr
ue,butnowy
ourgoi
ngandI
don'
thaveanyonetotuckmei
n

Hel
ookedathi
swat
ch

Him:hl
okesshoul
dbeherei
nabout20mi
ns.I
cancuddl
eyoutil
lthen
Me;
Iguessi
t'
sbet
tert
hannot
hing
Hi
m:don'
tpout
 
Me:
don'
tgo 
Hi
m:butbabe 
Me:
Iknow 
Hi
m:I
'
llbebackt
omor
rowni
ght
.Ipr
omi
se
Me;
fi
ne

Wewal
kedupst
air
s,andgoti
nmybl
anki
es.

Si
yast
ayedwi
thmet
il
lif
ell
asl
eep.

Idi
dn'
tev
enhearhi
mleav
e.

Imust'
vesleptthr
oughoutt
heaf
ter
noon.
BecauseIwaswokenupbymyphoner i
ngi
ng
anditwasjustaft
er6pm

Il
ookedatt
hecall
erandi
twasLi
nda,
I
i
mmediatel
yrej
ect
edhercal
l
.
Ihadabsol
utel
ynot
hingt
osayt
othatwoman

Itr
iedgoi
ngbacktosl
eep, butsl
eephad
decidedt
odesertme,
soIwentdownst air
sand
mademy sel
fteaandrusks.

Theweatherwassobad.I
twasdr i
zzli
ng
outsi
de.Andher
eIwasalonewatchingtvona
Sunday.Haai
,Si
yawaswickedshame.

AsIwasthinki
ngaboutSi
yamyphoner
ang.I
smi
ledcauseitwashim

Me:
babe
Hi
m:hey
..
.y
ourup 
Me:yaah.
..I
'm si
tt
ingwat
chi
ngt
vint
hishor
ri
d
weat
herallal
one 
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
rybabe
Me:
youst
il
l,
busy
 
Hi
m:Ij
ustf
ini
shed 
Me:
comeov
er 
Hi
m:t
empt
ing 
Me:
I'
ll
makey
oudi
nner
 
Hi
m:and 
Me:
I'
ll
giv
eyouaki
ss 
Hi
m:I
'
m notqui
teconv
inced 
Me:
I'
ll
doany
thi
ng 
Hi
m:any
thi
ng?
 
Me:asl
ongasi
tdoesn'
ti
ncl
udebl
ood.I
'
m
game
Hi
m:ok,
opent
hegar
age 
Me:
yourher
e 
Hi
m:openandy
ou'
l
lsee 
Me:
youbet
ternotbepl
ayi
ngwi
thme 
Hi
m:wel
lther
e'sonl
yonewayt
ofi
ndout

Igotupandwenttomygar age.WhenIopened
thegarage,
Siy
awasstandingnexttohi
sFerrar
i
withabouquetofr
oses.Ir
ant ohi
m andgave
him ahug.

Hi
m:atl
easty
ourhappyt
oseeme 
Me:
ofcour
seIam
Hi
m:gi
vememyki
sst
opr
ovei
t

Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m aki
ss

Hi
m:t
hesear
efory
ou 
Me:t
hankyoubabe,
they
'r
ebeaut
if
ul.I
'
llgoput
t
heseinav
ase,whil
eyoupar
kyourcar.
It
ookmyr
oses,
andwentt
ofi
ndav
ase.

Si
yawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eIwassor
ti
ngmyf
lower
s.

Heputmyhandsar
oundmywai
standki
ssed
myneck

Hi
m: It
hinki
hear
dyousaysomet
hingabout
di
nner
Me:well
,Icanmakeyoudi
nner
,orwecanski
p
st
rai
ghttodesser
t.
 
Hi
m;mhmm I
'
llt
akedesser
t 
Me:
goodpi
ck

It
urnedar
oundandki
ssedSiy
a.Hepi
ckedme
upandcar
riedmeupthest
air
s.
Wemadel oveagai
nandagain.Webot
h
coul
dn'
tgetenoughofeachother
.

Aft
erour2ndr
ound,wet
ookaquickshower
andwentdownst
air
stomakedi
nner

Itwasreal
lycol
dout si
desoIwant
edt omake
somethingheart
y,butSiy
awasn'
tpati
ent
enoughtowait,soImadespaghet
tiand
meatball
sinst
ead.

Hi
m:ar
ewegoi
ngt
oeatdownher
eorupst
air
s?
Me:
upst
air
s.I
t'
swar
mer
 
Hi
m:y
ouwal
kupf
ir
stsoIcanseey
ourbum

Ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
   
andwal
kedupst
air
s.
Wehaddi
nneri
nbed,
whi
l
ewat
chi
ngt
v..
.

Myphonekeptonr
ingi
ng,
butIkepti
gnor
ingi
t.

Si
yal
ookedatme

Hi
m:y
oushoul
dgett
hat
 
Me:
nope,
 
Hi
m:whoi
sit
 
Me:
seef
ory
our
sel
f

Hepi
ckedupmyphoneandsawi
twasLi
nda.
Heanswer
ed

Hi
m:Li
nda 
Her
:soy
ourwi
thher
Hi
m:wher
eel
sewoul
dIbe 
Her:aft
erev
erythi
ngI'
vedoneforyou.The
minuteyoustar
tgett
ingbett
er,
yourunintoher
arms.Thesamewomany ourmotherhates.
.
haveyouonshameSi yabonga 
Hi
m:i
sthatal
l
 
Her
:si

Hedroppedthecal
l
.Idi
dn'
tbot
heraski
ngwhat
shewanted.
 
Iwasj
ustgl
adhewashandl
i
ngher
.

Wefini
shedeat
ingandIt
ookt
hepl
ates
downst
airs

Si
yaandIspentourev eningi
nbed.Mai
nly
watchi
ngtv.Icouldtel
lhehadsomethi
ngon
hi
smi nd,
buti di
dn'twanttopushhi
m.
Hi
m:babe
Me:
mhmm 
Him:Imightbegoi
ngbackt
oCubasoon.
Dependi
ngonmyassessmentt
omorrow
Me:
mhmm 
Him;
Iwaswonder
ingi
fyouwoul
dconsi
der
comi
ngwit
hme?

Isatupandlookedathim.Iknewt
hiswas
goingt
oturnint
oanar gument.

Me:
babe,
Ican'
tj
ustupandl
eav
e 
Hi
m:i
twi
l
lonl
ybef
oraf
ewweeks 
Me:Siy
a,I'
vejustbeenmadeCFO.Ican'
t
di
sappearforweeksonend
Hi
m:butbabe,
youdon'
tneedt
owor
k 
Me:
Siy
a,l
et'
snotgot
her
e 
Hi
m: whynot?Imakeandhav
eenoughmoney
f
orthebothofus 
Me:
Siy
a,i
tsnotaboutmoney
. 
Hi
m;what
'
sitabout

Yho,
Siyai
ssoDamnstubbor
n.Butt
hiswas
onethi
ngIwasn'
twi
l
li
ngtocompromiseon.

Me:i
t'
saboutmehavi
ngmyi
ndependence.I
wor
knotbecuasei
havet
obutbecauseIwant
t
o 
Hi
m: soyouexpectmetol
eaveyouher
e,whi
l
eI
gotoCuba.Youcan'
tbeser
ious 
Me:whydontyouquityourjobandcomestay
i
nSouthAfr
ica.Youcouldrunyourcompanyon
aful
lti
mebasis 
Hi
m:i
t'
snott
hateasy
 
Me: nei
theri
sitforme.Ialsohav eacompany
torun.Youcan'texpectmetodr opthatand
Chaseaf t
eryoulikealov
est uckteenager
 
Hi
m:Gody
ourst
ubbor
n 
Me:
notasst
ubbor
nasy
ouar
e.

Hel
aughed.ThankGod.Iwasbeggi
ngt
othi
nk
weweregoingtohav
eaf ul
lonfi
ght

Hi
m:sowhatdoy
ousuggestwedo 
Me:takei
tadayatati
me.We'
l
lfi
gur
eal
lthat
outwhenwegettoi
t

Hi
m:f
ine 
Me;
don'
tpout
 
Hi
m:mendon'
tpout
 
Me:
buty
ourpout
ing 
Hi
m:mcm

Ishi
ft
ed,
soIcoul
dsi
tonhi
slap,
faci
nghi
m.

Me;babe,
Ilov
ey ou.Youl
oveme.We'
l
lfi
nda
waytomakethiswork 
Hi
m:Iguessy
ourr
ight
 
Me:
good
Hi
m:sot
ell
meaboutt
hispr
omot
ionofy
our
s
Me:oh,
that
.IwasmadeCFOandJasonwas
madeCEO 
Hi
m:who'
sJason
Me:
myboss'
snephew 
Hi
m:howol
dishe?
Me:
Ithi
nkabouty
ourage 
Hi
m;i
shemar
ri
ed 
Me:
no 
Hi
m:doy
ouwor
kcl
osel
ywi
thhi
m 
Me:
what
'
swi
tht
hei
nter
rogat
ion 
Hi
m:Ineedt
odet
ermi
nei
fhe'
sat
hreat

Il
aughed

Me: babe,
jeal
ousydoesn'
tsui
tyou.JasonandI
arecoll
eagues,andt
hat'
snevergoi
ngto
change 
Hi
m:hashemadeapassaty
ou 
Me:no.Butwedi
dgoouttodi
nneron
Wednesday.Wewer
ecel
ebrat
ingourpr
omot
ion

Siy
alookedabi
tof
f.Idon'
tknowwhyIt
oldhi
m
aboutdi
nner

Hi
m:Idon'
tl
ikehi
m 
Mr
:Si
ya,
youdon'
tev
enknowhi
m
Hi
m;j
ustmakesur
ehest
aysi
nhi
slane
Me:Iseey
ouhav
en'
tl
osty
ourpossessi
ve
st
reak
Him:doyoubl
ameme?I
'
vel
osty
ouonce.I
'
m
notl
osi
ngyouagai
n
Me:stopexadur
ati
ngYouhav
enot
hingt
owor
ry
about
Him:doyoumindifIgetmyguy
stodoa
backgr
oundsear
chonhi m
Me:
yes 
Hi
m:but

Icuthi
m of
fwi
thaki
ss.

Me:
yout
alkt
oomuch
Hetr
iedsay
ingsomet
hingbuti
kepti
nki
ssi
ng
hi
m.

Iknowwit
hSiyaheal
wayshastohav
ethel
ast
word.Soi
t'
sbett
ert
odist
racthi
m.

Wemadeoutwhi l
ewatchi
ngTV.Iwasgl adhe
haddroppedtheworksubject.Becausethere
wasnothinghecouldsaytomakemequi tmy
j
ob.I'
vebeentoCubawi t
hhi m before,
andit
near
lybrokeus.Idi
dntwanttogot her
eagain
anytosoon

    

Siyaspentthenight.Iwasgladwewer efinal
ly
spendingti
met ogether,butiwasabitnervous
thathemightbel eavingforCubasoon.Ialso
wantedtoadr esstheLindaissue,
butididn't
knowhow.

I
fhewasgoi
ngt
oCuba,
Idi
dn'
twantLi
nda
bei
ngt
her
e. 
I
'm notcomfort
ablewi
thhavinghertherewit
h
him whil
eI'
m al
lthewayinS.A,butnonethe
l
esswewoul daddressthatwhenwecr ossed
thatbr
idge.

IwokeuponMondaymor ni
ngwithSi
yafast
asl
eepnexttome.Ididn'
twanttowakehim
causehelookedsopeaceful
l,
butidi
dn'
twant
Him bei
nglatef
orhi
sassessment.

SoIfir
stwentdownst
air
sandmadehi
m cof
fee,
thenIcameuptowakehim.

Me:
babe,
wakeup
Hi
m:mhmhhh 
Me:
I'
veputy
ourcof
feeont
hesi
deboar
d.

Il
efthi
mther
erubbi
nghi
sey
esl
i
kea5y
earol
d,
andwentt
oshower.

Iwasabouttocomeoutt
heshowerwhenhe
cametojoi
nme

Hi
m;wher
eyouof
fto 
Me:
Ineedt
ogetgoi
ngorI
'
llbel
ate 
Hi
m:i
t'
sonl
y7am 
Me:exact
ly.I
ttakesmeabout45minf
ormet
o
getr
eady,andI'
vesti
l
lgott
ositint
eaf
fic
Hi
m:y
ourtheCFO, noonewi
l
lnot
icei
fyoura
f
ewminut
eslat
e. 
Me:
Ileadbyexampl
e 
Hi
m:al
lineedi
s5mi
ns

Igi
ggl
ed,
causeIknewqui
cki
eswer
en'
thi
s
thi
ng.

Weendeduphav
ingaquickyi
ntheshower
.
Si
yawasreal
l
yabadinf
luence

Igotoutt
heshower
,andgotdr
essedi
nrecor
d
ti
me.

Nowt
hepr
obl
em wast
ogetmyhai
rtobehav
e. 
Itr
iedget
tingitt
obehave,buti
twasn't
parti
ci
pat
ing,soIti
editupinabuninstead,
and
di
dmymakeup.

WhenSiy
acameoutt
heshoweri
twasal
ready
07:
50am.
Iwasbey
ondl
ate.

Me:
babe,
I'
m of
f

Hewasl
ooki
ngatwhatIwaswear
ing

Hi
m:t
hatsui
tlooksgoodony
ou
Me:
thanksbabe 
Hi
m:i
sn'
ti
tabi
tshor
t 
Me:
Siy
a,I
'
m wear
ingst
ocki
ngsunder
neat
h 
Hi
m:Iknow
Me:
Ilov
eyoubabe.
 
Hi
m:whatabouty
ourkey
s 
Me:
I'
ll
gett
hem f
rom y
oul
ater
 
Hi
m:ok.
Igav
ehi
m aqui
ckki
ssandheadedoutt
hedoor
.

Idi
dn'
twantt
oevenent
ert
ainmywar
drobe
choi
ceswi
thhim.

Idr
ovetoworkli
keamaniac.Ir
eall
ydi
dn'
tli
ke
bei
nglat
e.Butunf
ort
unat
elytr
aff
icwasn'
ton
myside.

Ionlygott
oworkat8:
30am,
all
becauseof
Siy
asshanani
gans

WhenIarr
ivedatworkAnnawasn'
tatr
ecept
ion,
soIwentst
raightt
omyof f
ice.

Ifoundhert
her
ewi
thaf
reshcupofcof
feei
n
herhand
Her
:mor
ningf
if
i
Me:
mor
ningAnna
Her
:Imadey
oucof
fee 
Me:
thanky
ou'
ve
Her
:youset
tl
edi
n.I
'
v egotaf
ewt
hingsi
need
t
orunthr
oughwi
thyou

Igav
eAnnaasmi
l
e,shewassoef
fi
cient
.

Me:
takeaseat
,wemi
ghtaswel
lst
artnow

Shesatdown,
andIt
ookmycof
feeandputon
mylaptop

Her:
we'v
egotacoupl
eoft
hingst
hatneedy
our
appr
oval
Me:
suchas 
Her:
Ineedtosendoutthei
nvi
tat
ionsfort
he
gal
a/char
it
ydinnerbutwest
il
lhaven'
t
conf
ir
medadat e.
 
Me:Iwasgoingthr
oughthefi
guresonFri
day.
I
'mthinki
ngofcombini
ngthetwoevent
sinto
one.
 
Her
:soundsl
i
keagoodi
dea
Me:pl
easefi
ndusanevent'
spl
annerandsetup
anappoi
ntmentf
orsometi
methisweek.Il
l
email
youadateoncei
vespokentojason
Her
:il
lgetont
oitassoonaswe'
reDoneher
e

Wewentt hr
ought herestoft
heli
stAnnahad.I
coul
dn'tbel
eiv
et hatmyfir
stdayasCFOI
al
readyhadsomanyt hi
ngstodo.NotthatI
mindthough.Ilovedi
t.
Her
: befor
eIf
orget
,thi
sar
ri
vedf
ory
out
his
morning.

Shegavemeapackage.I
tdi
dn'
thav
ear
etur
n
addr
ess.

Iopenedi
tandf
oundanot
e

"Memor
ylossornot
,Idon'
tbr
eakpr
omi
ses
Iexpectt
oseet
hisony
ourf
ingerev
ery
day
, 
unt
ilIr
epl
acei
twi
thAnengagementr
ing

Lov
eMrBossypant
s

Iopenedt
hel
i
ttl
eboxandf
oundmyr
ingi
nit
.

Annasmi
l
ed
Her
:it
'sbeaut
if
ul 
Me:
iti
sn'
ti
t 
Her
:hemustbev
eryspeci
al
Me:
hei
s 
Her
:Ishoul
dgetbackt
omydesk.

Shestoodupandwal
kedout.Iputmyr
ingon,
anddecidedt
ocal
lMrBossypants

Hi
m:heybabe 
Me:
hiMrBossypant
s 
Hi
m:Iseey
our
ecei
vedmypackage 
Me:
Idi
d
Hi
m:ImeantwhatIsai
d,Idon'
twanty
out
aki
ng
t
hatr
ingof
feveragai
n. 
Me:
yessi
r 
Hi
m;I'
vegott
orunbabe.I
'
m goi
ngi
ntomy
meet
ing 
Me:
Shar
p
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ou 
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Therewasatimei nourli
fe,whereIt
hought
SiyaandIwouldn'
tmakei t.ButnowIhadhope
thatdespi
tei
tallweactuallyhadachanceat
ourveryownhappilyev
eraf ter
.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

53

Af
terspeaki
ngt
oSi
ya,
Igotbackt
owor
k.

Isentt
hef
inal
dat
esf
ort
hechar
it
yGal
adi
nner
toAnna.Iwant edtomakesurethatthi
snight
goeswithoutahi t
ch.Butwewerealsoreall
y
ti
ghtontime, si
ncewewer eal
readyattheend
ofOctober,andthisneededt
ohappenbef ore
theDecember .

Jasonpoppedi
ntomyof
fi
ceatar
oundl
unch
ti
me

Hi
m;heyst
ranger
 
Me;
HiMrCEO 
Hi
m;howwast
heweekend?
Me;
goodt
hanksandy
our
s 
Hi
m;Iwokedt
hrought
heweekend.
 
Me;
damn
Hi
m;tel
lmeaboutit
…Any way,Icametospeak
t
oyouregar
dingt
hefigur
esforthechar
it
ygala.
 
Me;
im al
lear
s 
Him; al
ll
ookswell
,butI
’
m worri
edaboutti
me.
Thiseventi
sthefi
rstwi
thyouandIbei
ngi n
charge.Iwantt
omakesureitgoeswell
. 
Me;I’
m meetingwi
thanevent
spl
anner
,today
at3pm,I
’m surewe’
ll
befi
ne
Hi
m;y
ousur
e
ME;yes,t
hesavethedateshav
ebeenmai
ledt
o
al
lourguest
s.Theyshouldber
ecei
vi
ngt
he
i
nvi
tati
onsfi
rstt
hingt
omor r
ow
Hi
m;i
ncl
udi
ngt
hecl
i
ent
swhoar
eov
erseas
Me;
yep 
Him;soundsl
i
key
ouhav
eev
ery
thi
ngunder
cont
rol
Me;I’
m onl
ymanagingt
hefinanci
al si
de.Anna’
s
theonewho’smaki
ngsureeveryt
hinggets
done
Hi
m;Good
ME;
nowt
haty
ou’
reher
e,Ineedt
odi
scuss
somet
hingwi
thy
ou 
Hi
m;soundsser
ious
Me;
itsaboutmyper
sonal
li
fe 
Hi
m;okay
 
Me;I
’
m dati
ngsomeone,
whoal
sohappenst
o
beacli
ent
Him;O-
kay.Isheoneofy
ourcl
i
ent
sor
someoneelse’
s? 
Me;
oneofmi
ne 
Hi
m;damn 
Me;Ithoughti
tsbestItol
dyouabouti
tIdon’t
wantpeoplegett
ingthewrongi
mpressi
on. 
Him;thanksfortel
l
ingme.ButIthi
nky ouneed
tohandov erhi
saccounttosomeoneel se.The
l
astthingIwantisalawsuitonourhands,
shoul
dy ouguysbreakup 
ME;
Hewoul
dn’
tdot
hat
Hi
m;I
’
m notsay
inghewol
d.Butt
hel
awy
eri
n
meal
way
spr
epar
esf
ort
hewor
st
Me;
ok.
..I
lldi
scussi
twi
thhi
mtoni
ght
Hi
m;cool
…letmel
ety
ougetbackt
owor
k.

Hewalkedout
..IwasgladItoldhim aboutSi
ya
andMebeingtoget
her.Idon’twantanysecret
s
thatwi
l
lbit
emei nthebuttbusinesswise.

Speaki
ngaboutSi y
a...Ineedtogot ot he
chemisttogetthemor ningafterpi
ll.
..We
haven’
treal
lybeenver yresponsibl
ewhen
comingtooursexl i
fe.Weshoul d’veused
prot
ecti
on. 
Thelastthi
ngweneedi smef all
ingpr
egnant
ri
ghtnow.We’ r
ejustgett
ingbackonthemend,
wearenotev enclosetobeingreadyt
ohave
chi
ldren.
Ideci
dedI’dgotothechemi staf
terworkonmy
wayhome.Ialsoputar eminderinmydiaryf
or
met osetupanappointmentwi t
hmy
gynaecol
ogist
,Ineedtogetonacont r
acepti
ve
ASAP

Ihadlunchatmydesk,
thenat3pm,
theev
ent
plannerar
ri
ved.
 
Wewentt hr
oughtherequir
ement
sfort
hegal
a
di
nner.Sheseemedr eall
yhandson,
sowehir
ed
heronthespot.It
’snotli
kewehadany
al
ternat
ives.

Il
eftthatmeet
ingf
eel
i
ngl
i
ght
ert
hanwhenI
walkedin.
 
Ifel
tbetweenAnnaandt
hePl
anner
.Ev
ery
thi
ng
shouldbeinor
der.
 
Bytheti
meIlookedatmywatch,i
twasalr
eady
5pm,Ist
il
lneededtogetmykeysfr
om Si
yaand
poppastt
hechemi
st,
soIdeci
dedt
ocal
lSi
ya

Hi
m;heybabe
Me;
hey
,youbusy?
Hi
m;no,
justaboutt
oleav
etheof
fi
cenow
ME;
oh,
arey
oucomi
ngt
omypl
ace 
Hi
m;doy
ouwantmet
o 
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
meety
out
her
einabout20mi
n
Me;I
’m goi
ngpastt
hechemi
stonmyway
home.I
’m sur
eyou’
l
lgett
her
ebefor
eme 
Hi
m;chemi
st?What
’swr
ong?
Me;
Ijustneedt
ogetaf
ewt
hings 
Hi
m;t
hingsl
i
ke?
ME;
il
ldi
scussi
twi
thy
ouwhenIgethome
Hi
m;ok.
.Dr
ivesaf
ely
 
Me;
okbabe.
..By
e 
Hi
m;By
e

Idi
dn’
twanttodiscussmyt r
iptothechemi
st
wit
hSiy
aoverthephone.Iprefer
redtoget
homeanddiscussitthen.

Il
eftt
heof
fi
ceandwenttothenear
estchemi
st.
If
oundwhatIwasl
ooki
ngforandwenthome.

WhenIgothomeSi y
awasalreadyhome.I
coul
dsmellthear
omaofwhat everhewas
making,
all
thewayfrom t
hegarage. 
Ihav
enoideawhathewascooki
ng,
but
whatev
eri
twasmademymout hwater
.

If
oundhimintheki
tchenwit
hanapr
onon.I
l
ookedathi
m andsmiled.
Whothoughtthatt
hisspeci
alops/
gangl
eader
Zul
uman, wouldhaveanaprononinmykit
chen?

Ir
eal
l
ywasbl
essed.

Iwentt
ogivehim aki
ss,
thenputmyl
apt
op
bagonthecounter
.

Me;
whaty
oumaki
ng?
Hi
m;roastl
ambwi
thbakedpot
atoesandsome
si
dev
eggies 
Me;smel
l
samazi
ng…Idi
dn’
tknowy
oucoul
d
cook
Hi
m;Mymom t
aughtmewel
l
 
Me;
remi
ndmet
othankher
 
Hi
m;don’
tgetusedt
othi
s..Anddon’
tyousaya
wor
dtomyt
eam abouti
t 
Me;
(gi
ggl
es)whynot
?
Him;theyal
readythi
nkyoumakemesoft
,Soif
theyfoundoutIwascooki
ngfory
ouIwould
neverheart
heendofi t
 
Me;mxm, t
heyneedt
omi
ndt
hei
rown
busi
ness.
 
Hi
m;y
ahh….
.Sohowwasy
ourday
?
Me;busy
…butnot
hingIcoul
dn’
thandl
e.How
wasyours?
 
Hi
m;good..
.Imetwi
tht
hel
i
eut
enant
.He’
sput
mebackinchar
ge 
Me;
oh
Hi
m;y
oucoul
dsoundmor
emhappyf
orme 
Me;
Iam.
..I
t’
sjustt
hat
…nev
ermi
nd
Hi
m;spi
titout
 
Me;It
houghty
ouweregoi
ngtobetaki
ngastep
backf
rom t
heuni
t.
.Si
yayou’
vej
ustbackon
y
ourfeetandnowy ourbacktobeingint
he
f
orce.Shoul
dn’
tyoubet aki
ngiteasy 
Hi
m;Il
ovet
haty
oucar
e,butI
’
mfi
nebabe.
 
Me;
………………………

Idi
dn’tknowwhattosay.
.Siy
ahadpr
omisedhe
wouldleavet
hefor
ce,butnowhewasbackto
bei
ngi nchar
ge.
 
Iknowhemadet hatpromisebefor
ehel
osthis
memory,butIcoul
dn’thel
pfeel
ingabi
tsad.
 
Howarewegoingt
omakeal loft
hiswor
kwhen
he’
sal
lovert
heworl
d,f
ight
inggangsandshi
t?

Si
yacametowher
eIwasst
andi
ng,
andl
i
fted
myfacewi
thhi
sfi
nger

Hi
m;babe,
we’
l
lmakei
twor
k.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
Iknowwewi
l
l.Ij
ustwor
ryabouty
ou
Him;babeI’
vebeeni
nthef
orceformorethan
10years,
andI’
veonl
ybeenshotonce.That
sayssomethi
ngaboutmycapabi
li
ti
es
Me;
Iguessy
ourr
ight
 
Hi
m;canIki
ssi
tbet
ter
 
Me;
nott
hist
ime
Him;f
ine,
sot
ell
mewhyy
ouwentt
othe
chemi
st

Iroll
edmyeyesandwentt
othefr
idge.I
fIwas
goingtodi
scussthi
swi
thSi
ya,
Iwouldneeda
gl
assofwinefir
st.

Ipour
edusbothagl
assofwhi
tewi
ne,
thensat
onthecount
er.

Me;
Ineededt
ogett
hemor
ningaf
terpi
l
l
Si
yast
oppedwhathewasdoi
ngandl
ookedat
me

Hi
m;whywoul
dyouneedt
hemor
ningaf
terpi
l
l 
Me;because,youandIhadunpr
otect
edsex,
andIcouldfal
lpregnant
 
Hi
m;woul
dthatbesuchabadt
hing 
Me;
undert
heci
rcumst
ancesy
es 
Hi
m;whatci
rcumst
ances 
Me;Siya,comeon. .
.You’
rel
eavingforCUBA
soon,andI’v
ejustbeenpromoted.Neit
herofus
wouldhav eti
mef orababyri
ghtnow.The
ti
mingisn’tr
ight
.PlusyouandIaren’tmarr
ied
Hi
m;but
Me;Siy
abutnothi
ng.We’
renothav
ingababy
any
timesoon.We’
vegottoomuchtodealwi
th
asi
tis.
 
Hi
m;soIhav
enosayi
nthemat
ter
 
Me;
Idi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
 
Hi
m;wel
li
tcameacr
ossl
i
ket
hat
 
Me;st
opbeingsensi
ti
ve,
becausey
ou’
renot
get
ti
ngyourway
Hi
m;f
ine.
..Youwi
n,f
ornowt
hati
s 
Me;thanky
ou….
.I’
m goi
ngt
ofr
eshenupf
or
di
nner 
Hi
m; don’ty
ouwanttowai
tforme?Wecan
“
freshen”uptoget
her
 
Me;
Idon’
tthi
nky ouri
deaoff
resheni
ngupi
s
t
hesameasmi ne 
Hi
m;Ibetmyi
deai
smuchbet
tert
hany
our
s 
Me;
may
beIneedat
ast
eofy
ouri
dea

Hesmil
edandcameclosert
ome.Hegav eme
aki
ssthatmademeweakattheknees.Then
hest
eppedawayl
eav
ingmewant i
ngformore
Me;
notf
air
 
Hi
m;y
ousai
dat
ast
emos 
Me;
fine,
I’
ll
wai
tfory
ou 
Si
yafinishedoffmaki
ngdinner
.Thenwewent
upst
airsto“fr
eshenup”.Weendedupmaki
ng
l
oveintheshower .

Whenwef inal
lycameout,Iwor
eSiya’
sshir
t
overmyunder wear.Whi
lehechangedint
o
shortsandaT- shi
rt
.Helookedatme
disappr
ovingly

Me;
what
 
Hi
m;babet
hat
’sabananar
epubl
i
cShi
rt
 
Me;
so 
Hi
m;y
oucan’
tsl
eepi
nthat
 
Me;
who’
sgoi
ngt
ost
opme 
Hi
m;Me
Me;
wel
l
,youhav
etocat
chmef
ir
st

Hesmi
l
ed

Hi
m;i
fIcat
chy
ouwewon’
thav
edi
nner
 
Me;
that
’si
fyoucat
chme
Hi
m;soy
ou’
rechal
l
engi
ngme 
Me;
yes,
Ithi
nkmychancesar
equi
tegood.

Si
yatookastept
owar
dsme,
butIwasal
ready
outt
hedoor.

Ir
andownt hestai
rsgi
ggl
ing,andr
eachedt
he
ki
tchenwi
thSiyaastepbehindme.

Me;
you’
vegott
obef
asti
fyouwantt
ocat
ch
me.
. 
Hi
m; i
twasal
uckybr
eak,
webot
hknowI
’
m
f
aster
 
Me;
don’
tbeasor
eloser
.Iwonf
airandsquar
e 
Hi
m;f
ine,
letmedi
shupf
orus

Wehaddi nneri
nthel
ounge,
whi
l
ewat
chi
ngt
he
8pm news 
Si
yaisreal
lyagoodcook.It
hinkhemi
ghtbea
bi
tbett
erthanIwas 
#hides 
Aft
erdinnerIwenttodothedi
shes.Whi
l
eSi
ya
cont
inuedwatchingthenews.
 
Iwasn’
treal
l
yaf
anofthenews,Ionl
yever
watcht
oseehowthemarketi
sdoing.
 
Il
efthi
mi npeacetowatchandwentupst
air
sto
workabitonmyl apt
op.

Ihear
dSi
ya’
sphoner
ingi
ng,
butIi
gnor
edi
t.
Whoev
eritwasver
yper
sist
ent
,soIlookedat
t
hecal
lerI
D,andsawi
twasLinda 
Ideci
dednott
oansweri
t,butt
ooki
ttoSi
ya
i
nstead.

Me;
babe,
Linda’
sbeencal
l
ing 
Hi
m;whydi
dn’
tyouanswer
 
Me;
It’
snotmyPhone
Hi
m;shepr
obabl
ywant
smor
emoney
 
Me;
haai
..Hakedi
keni

Asweweret
alki
ng,
shecal
l
edagai
n.He
answer
ed

Hi
m;Li
nda 
Her
;Hi
,uphi
 
Hi
m;Hi
m whatdoy
oumean 
Her;
I’
m atORTambo.Iwantt
omakesur
eyour
home
Hi
m;Li
nda,
ify
ou’
reher
e,wher
ethehel
li
s
Ol
wet
ho 
Her
;Il
efthi
m wi
thy
ourmom 
Hi
m;i
nthemi
ddl
eofaschool
week 
Her;don’tactal
lhi
ghandmightwi
thmewena
Siy
a.You’ r
eallt
hewayher
eshacki
ngwit
hthat
twi
tofy ours 
Hi
m;Li
nda,
I’
m war
ningy
ou 
Her;Si
yayoudon’
tscareme.I’
m onmywayt
o
yourhouse,
youbet
terbether
e.Weneedt
otal
k
Hi
m;i
sitaboutOl
wet
ho 
Her
;no,
butbel
i
eveme,
youneedt
oheart
his 
Hi
m;i
l
lmeetwi
thy
out
omor
row 
Her
;Ist
her
eany
oneatt
hehouse 
Hi
m;whi
chhouse 
Her
;yourhouse 
Hi
m;Linda,
youcan’
tser
iousl
ybepl
anni
ngon
st
ayi
ngwithme 
Her
;hawSiy
a,don’
tIusual
l
yst
aywi
thy
ouwhen
I
’minJHB
Hi
m;Li
nda,
we’
vedi
scussedt
his.
 
Her;Si
ya,I
’m notevenstay
inginthesame
houseasyou.I’l
lbeintheguestcott
age.Tel
l
yourgi
rl
fr
iendtochill
 
Hi
m;y
our
eal
l
yli
kemaki
ngl
i
fedi
ff
icul
t 
Her;
stopbei
ngsoext
ra.I
syourhousekeeper
home?
Him;yes,
I’
lll
etherknowyou’r
ecoming.Make
surey
oust i
cktotheGuestcott
age 
Her
;yay
aSi
ya

Heputthephonedown.Ij
ustcont
inued
wat
chingTV,asifIdi
dn’
thaveacareIt
he
wor
ld.Ev
ent
houghdeepdown,
Iwasboi
l
ing

Hi
m;babe 
Me;
mhmm 
Hi
m;canIasky
ouf
oraf
avour
 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m;CanIst
aywi
thy
ouf
oracoupl
eofday
s 
Me;
what
’swr
ongwi
thy
ourpl
ace 
Hi
m;Linda’
sst
ayi
ngt
her
e,I
’
m notsur
eforhow
l
ong 
Me;
whydoesn’
tshest
ayatahot
el?
Hi
m;Idi
dn’
task 
Me;i
t’
scool
,youcanst
ayher
easl
ongasy
ou
want
 
Hi
m;t
hanks

Wecont
inuedwat
chi
ngt
vinanawkwar
d
si
l
ence.
 
Idi
dn’
twantt
osayany
thi
ng,
butdeepdownI
wasonfi
re

Hi
m;Sayi
tRi
fi
loe 
Me;Idon’
tthi
nky
ouwantt
ohearwhatIhav
eto
say
 
Hi
m; Icanseeyourupset
.Justt
ell
mewhaty
ou
wantmet odo 
Me;IwantyoutoputLindai
nherpl
ace.She
deci
dedshewantstocomet oJHBandStay
wit
hyouandy ouexpectmetobeokwithit
 
Hi
m;ButbabeI
’
m st
ayi
ngher
e 
Me;
that
’snott
hepoi
nt
Hi
m;t
henwhati
sthepoi
nt 
Me;thepointisthatsheknowsshecandoas
shepleases,andyoul ethergetawaywithi
t.
Tel
lhertogot oaf uckingguesthouse 
Hi
m;Il
ovet
haty
ou’
resopossessi
ve 
Me;
don’
t 
Hi
m;don’
twhat
 
Me;
tryt
opl
ayt
hisdown.
 
Hi
m;I
’
m sor
rybabe.
..I
lldeal
wit
hLi
nda,
I
pr
omi
se 
Me;soonerr
atherthanl
ater
..
.Orel
sey
oucan
st
ayintheguestroom 
Hi
m;y
esmam

Ideci
dedt
ogobackupst
air
sandt
rywor
king.
ButIwast
ooannoy
ed.

Si
yacameupandt ookmyl
apt
opandputi
tin
i
tsbag,
thencuddl
edme 
Hi
m;babe,
I’
m sor
ry 
Me;
itsf
ine
Hi
m;I
’
llt
akecar
eofi
t
Me;pl
easedo.Idon’
twantusar
gui
ngabout
Li
ndaagai
n 
Hi
m;Iheary
ou
Me;
let
’sgetsomesl
eep

Iwasn’
treal
l
ymadatSi y
aany
mor e,
butI
neededhimtogett
hisLi
ndai
ssuesort
edonce
andforal
l

Idon’
twanthercomingi
nbet
weenusany
mor
e
thansheal
readyhad.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

54

Iwokeupt
hef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningf
eel
i
ngbet
ter
t
hanwhenIwentt
obed

Si
yawaswr
appedar
oundmel
i
keapy
thon.
 
Iuntangl
edmy sel
fandwenttotakeashower,
I
spentsomet i
meinther
ethinki
ngSiy
awould
comej oi
n,buthewassti
ll
fastasl
eepbythe
ti
mei wasdone.

Iev
engotdr
essedandbr
otherwasasl
eep.
 
Ideci
dedtogoandwakehi
m.I
twasunl
i
kehi
m
tobesleepi
n.

Me;
babewakeup
Hi
m;mhmm 
Me;
Siy
a,y
ou’
regoi
ngt
obel
ate 
Hi
m;y
oushoul
dcomebackt
obed 
Me;
noway
s.I
’
m notgoi
ngt
obel
ateagai
n
Hepul
l
edmeont
othebedandcov
eredmewi
th
t
heduvet

Me;
Siy
aaaa,
yourmessi
ngupmyhai
r
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ouwi
thmesseduphai
r
ME;
letgo
Hi
m;no 
Me;
Siy
aaaaaaa 
Hi
m;gi
vemeaki
ssf
ir
st 
Me;
fine

Igav
ehi
m aki
ssandhel
etgo

Hi
m;st
ayi
nbedwi
thme 
Me;
Icant
 
Hi
m;cal
li
nsi
ck 
Me:I
’venevercal
l
edinsicki
nmyent
ir
eli
fe.I
don’
tplanonstar
ti
ngtoday
Hi
m;sodi
dyout
akey
oursocal
l
edpi
l
l 
ME;
shi
tIf
orgot
 
Hi
m;t
hankgod 
Me;
shutupSi
ya

Ist
oodupandwentt
otakemypi
l
l.Ihopei
t’
s
nott
oolat
e.

Ilef
tSi
ya,sti
l
linbed.Hewashavi
ngoneof
thosel
azydays.Iki
ndofenvi
edhi
m,butIdi
dn’
t
haveti
met othi
nkabouti
t

WhenIgott
otheoffi
ce,
Iputmyheadi nt
omy
wor
k.I
twasreal
lyoneofthosebusydays.Si
ya
t
ri
edcal
li
ngmebutIwast oobusytoeventake
hi
scall
.It
oldmy
sel
fIwoul
dcal
lhi
m backwhen
Ihadamoment 
Unfor
tunat
elythatmomentdi
dn’
tqui
tecome.
Bytheti
mei tcameformetocal
lhi
mi twas
af
ter6pm 
Shi
t.
..Knowi
ngSi
yahewasgoingtogoal
lape
shi
tonme.AndIreal
l
ywasn’
tinthemood.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lSi
ya.Hedi
dn’
tanswer

It
ri
edhi
m agai
n,andt
hist
imehepi
ckedup

Hi
m;Babe 
Me;
Hey
….Sor
ryt
odayhasbeeni
nsane 
Hi
m;wher
ear
eyou 
Me;
aboutt
oleav
etheof
fi
ce 
Hi
m;Canwedodi
nneratar
est
aur
antt
oni
ght
 
Me;
sur
e,wher
e? 
Hi
m;t
urnandt
enderI
ll
ovo 
Me;
cool
,I
’l
lmeety
out
her
e

Iputthephonedownandheadedt
otur
nand
tender.

Idon’tknowi
fitwasme,
butSi
yaseemedabi
t
off
ish.

WhenIgottother
est
aur
ant
,Siy
ahadn’
tar
ri
ved
yet
.SoIsatandor
der
eddri
nks.

Lucki
l
yhearr
ivedasourdr
inksar
ri
ved.Ist
ood
upandgav
ehim ahug

Hi
m;whataboutmyki
ss
Ismi
l
edandgav
ehi
m aki
ss.Thenwesatdown

Me;It
ooktheli
bert
yofor
der
ingdr
inksf
orus.I
hopeyoudon’
tmind 
Hi
m;notatal
l
 
Me;
howwasy
ourday
 
Hi
m;notbad.ButIneedt
otel
lyousomet
hing 
ME;
what
’swr
ong?Youseem of
f 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe,
befor
eIt
ell
youthi
s.Ineedyout
o
t
ryandunderst
andwher
eI’
m comingfrom
Me;
Siy
ayou’
rescar
ingme 
Hi
m;(
sigh)Li
nda’
spr
egnant

Me;
***
***

Hi
m;saysomet
hing 
Me;
congr
atul
ati
ons 
toher
,butIdon’
tseehow
t
hat
’sy
ourprobl
em 
Hi
m;Thebaby
’smi
ne

Idi
dn’
tmov
e…………………Heputhi
shandsi
n
mine

Hi
m;saysomet
hing

ME;
………………………….
.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe

Me;
let
sor
derdi
nner

Siy
alookedatmel
ikeIwasi
nsane.Hewas
expect
ingmetobr
eakdownandcry.Butmy
mot
heral
way
staughtmet
obeal
adyi
npubl
i
c

Isignall
edforthewait
er,
andhecametotake
ouror der
.Siy
awast oshockedt
oorder
,soI
orderedonhisbehalf

Ourfoodcamewhilewesatinanawkwar
d
si
lence.Si
yadi
dn’
ttouchhi
sfood.Meonthe
ot
herhandIatemine.

WhenIwasdone,Iaskedf
orthebil
l
.Itri
ed
pay
ing,
butSiyai
nsi
stedonpayi
ng.SoIlethi
m
pay
.Thenstoodupandwalkedtowardsmycar.

Iwasaboutt
orever
semycar,whenIsawSi
ya
i
nmyr evi
ewmirr
orwalki
ngt
owardsmydoor,
soIopenedmywindow.
Hi
m;weneedt
otal
kaboutt
his
Me;
wecant
alkathome 
Hi
m;i
l
lmeety
out
her
e 
Me;
shar
p

Idr
ovehome, t
ryi
ngnottocr
ashint
oany
one.I
wassopissedIswearIcoul
dki
ll
someone

WhenIgothome,
Siy
awasr
ightbehi
ndme.We
par
kedandwenti
nsi
de.

Thef
ir
stthingIdi
dwassearchf
ort
hewi
ne,
I
hadafeel
ingIwouldneedi
t

Si
ya,
justst
oodt
her
ehov
eri
ng.

Imov
edt
othel
oungewi
thmygl
assi
nhand
andsatdown

Me;
soy
ousl
eptwi
thher
 
Hi
m;y
es,
buti
tsnotwhaty
out
hink 
Me;
andy
oudi
dn’
tusepr
otect
ion
Hi
m;y
es,
butRi
Me;thenyoucameher eandy
ousl
eptwi
thme
wi
thoutusingpr
otect
ion 
Hi
m;y
es,
but
 
Me;
andnowshe’
spr
egnant
Hi
m;l
etmeexpl
ain
Me;what
’st
oexpl
ain?Onceagai
nI’
vebeen
madeanidi
otbyy
ou
Hi
m;babe,
itwasn’
tli
ket
hat
Me;
sowhatwasi
tli
ke 
Hi
m;ithappenedthefi
rstni
ghtIcamehome
f
rom t
hehospital
.Iwasstil
lconf
used.Li
nda
hadmov edint
othemai nbedroom andshe
convincedmet hatsheandIwer ewor ki
ngon
thi
ngs, thenightIleft
.Ri
fi
loe,
itjusthappened.
ButIpr omi seyouwasnot hi
nglikewhatwe
have.Iwasst i
llt
akingmedssoIwasabi tout
ofit
. 
Ionlystar
tedreal
isi
ngtherewerecracksi
n
Linda’
sstorywhenIfoundsomeofy ourt
ext
s
onmyphonet hatcamefrom you.Whichi
s
whenIconf r
ontedher,
andshet oldmeabout
you. 
Me;
sowhydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me 
Him;Rifi
l
oe,ever
ythingthathappenedbetween
ushappenedsoqui ckly,Ipl
annedontel
li
ngyou,
butthenImetwithLi ndatodayandshe
droppedthebombshel l.
 
Me;soyouonlytol
dmebecauseLi
ndat
oldy
ou
shewaspregnant
Him;nobabe.Itol
dyoubecauseIdi
dn’
twant
anysecr
etsbetweenus
Me;
(si
gh)

Ifi
nishedmygl
assofwi
ne,
thenwentt
otakea
shower .

Idi
dn’
tseethepointofscr
eamingandshouti
ng
orcr
ying.Li
ndawaspregnant,
andIhadtotake
adeci
siononwhetherIwantedtost
aywithSiy
a
ormov eon.

Onet hingIknowisthatI’
vetri
edbreakingup
withthismanami l
l
iontimes,andeacht i
mewe
keepf i
ndingourwaytoeachot her
.Ijustpray
thatIwon’tlett
hisrel
ati
onshipwit
hSi y
a
consumeme, becauseifIdeci
detostay ,
Iwill
havet odealwit
hLindaandI ’
m notsureI’
m
preparedtoshareSiyawithherand2chi l
dren.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
55

Ispentoveranhourintheshower.Ikeptt
ryi
ng
tothinkofwhatt
odoaboutt hi
swhol esit
uat
ion.
Itri
edimagini
ngal
ldiff
erentki
ndsofscenari
os
i
nhowwecoul dmaket hi
swork,butforsome
reason,al
loft
hem seemedof f
.

Howwerewegoingt
omakeany
thi
ngwor
k,i
f
Si
yacoul
dn'
tev
enstandupt
oLi
nda?

Igotouttheshower,
andwentt
olot
ionmybody
thengotdressedi
nmyPyjamas.

Si
yawasn' tinthebedr
oom, soIf
igur
edhewas
sti
l
l downstair
s.Iwassoti
redIdidn’
tbot
her
goingtocheck.
Ij
ustgoti
nbl
anket
sandwentt
osl
eep,
hopi
ng
tomorr
owwoul
dn'
tbeasgl
oomyast
oday
ended.

Iwasjustdr
if
ti
ngoffwhenSiyacamet obed.
Heputhisarmsaroundme.Iwantedtobeso
angryathi
m.Iwantedtotel
lhimtofuckoff
,but
deepdown,IknewthatIwantedhi
mr i
ghthere
nexttome.

WhenIwokeupt
hef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningSi
ya
wasn'
ti
nbed.

Idi
dn’
treal
l
yhav eti
metoponderaboutwher
e
hewas,soIjustwentt
oshower.

WhenIgotout
,hewasint
heroom hel
ooked
l
ikehehadj
ustgonef
orarun.
Hi
m:mor
ning 
Me:
Hi 
Hi
m:canwet
alk
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
obel
ate 
Hi
m:i
twi
l
ljustt
akeasecond 
Me:
I’
mli
steni
ng,
 
Hi
m;comesi
t

Isatnextt
ohi
m andl
i
stened

Him:babe,Iknowy ourpr
obabl
ydon’
twant
anyt
hingtodowi t
hme.Idon'tbl
amey ou,Ij
ust
needyoutot r
ustmewhenIsayI '
l
lfi
xthis

Me:Siyahowcoul dyoupossi
blyfi
xthi
s?She'
s
havi
ngy ourbaby.Doyouhaveanyideahowit
feel
stohav eanotherwomanpregnantwi
th
y
ourchi
l
d,whenIj
ustl
ostmybabi
es?

Hi
m: Iknow,butIst
il
lwantust ot
rymake
t
hingsbetweenuswor k.Al
lIneedist
ime

Me:
time?Al
lI'
veev
ergi
veny
oui
sti
me.

Hi
m: Iknow, butt
hiswasami
stakeRi
fi
loe.I
j
ustdon'tknowhowt omakei
tbett
erf
ory ou

Me:
Siy
a,t
her
e'snot
hingy
oucando

Hi
m;j
ustdon'
tgi
veuponus.Pl
ease

Me:
I'
m notmakinganypr
omi ses.I
'
mjustt
ryi
ng
t
ofi
gureoutwhatIwantr
ightnow.
Hi
m;canIaskt
odomeaf
avor

Me:
what

Hi
m:meetmeatmyhouseaf
terwor
k

Me:
why

Him;you'l
lseewhenyougett
her
e.I
faft
er
toni
ght,youwantust
ogooursepar
ateways,
I'
ll
underst
and

Me:
fine

Hi
m:t
hanky
ou.

Igotupandwentt
ogetdr
essed.
Bythet
imeIwasdoneget
ti
ngr eady,
Siy
awas
al
sodone,
sowewalkedouttogether
.

Hi
m:soI
'
llseey
out
oni
ght
 
Me;
yaah,
 
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ouRi
fi
loe.Pl
easeal
way
sremember
t
hat
Me:Il
oveyout
ooSiy
a,i
t’
sjusthar
dlov
ing
someonewhocomeswi
thsomuchbaggage 
Hi
m:Iknowbabe.andI
'
m sor
ry
Me:
I’
vegott
ogo 
Hi
m;Idon'
tgetaki
ssgoodby
e

Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m ababyki
sst
henpul
l
ed
away.
Hi
m:Iguessi
t'
sbet
tert
hannot
hing 
Me:
I'
ll
seey
oul
ater

Si
yaopenedmydoorforme,
andIgoti
n.He
goti
nhisandwel
eft
.

WhenIgottheoff
icerAnne,
hadali
stt
hesi
ze
ofmybibl
ethatIneededtogett
hor
oughf
orthe
day
.

Iwasreal
l
ygr
atef
ult
ohaveher.Onl
yGod
knowshowIwoul
dsurv
ivewi
thouther
.

Half
waythroughmylistIsawt
hereminderon
mycalendar,
tosetupanappoint
mentwithmy
gyne.

Ii
mmi
dei
atl
ysenti
ttoAnna,
aski
nghert
o
pl
easeseti
tupf
ornol
atert
hanFr
iday
.

Thencont
inueswor
king

Onceagai
nhadlunchatmydesk.Iwasget
ti
ng
usedt
onotseei
nganysunl
ight
.

Bythetimeitwast
imetogohome,Ihadgotten
thr
oughallt
heimport
antt
hingst
hatIneededto
getthr
ough.

Iwasabouttol
eav
e,whenIremember
edIwas
supposedt
ogotoSiy
a’shouse.
Ireal
l
ydi
dn'
tfeel
likei
t,butt
houghti
tbestt
o
keeptomypr
omi se.

Ihadevensobusydur
ingt
heday
, Ihadtotal
l
y
for
gott
entotakemyphoneof
fsi
lent.Ihad3
mi
ssedcal
l
sfr
om Si
yasoIcal
l
edhi
m back

Hi
m:babe
Me;
hi,
arewest
il
lmeet
ingaty
ourhouse 
Me:
yes.I
'
m al
readyt
her
e 
Me:
I'
ll
bet
her
ein20 
Hi
m:cool

Iputthephonedownandheadedt owardsthe
parki
ng.Iwasreal
l
ynotlookingforwar
dto
goingtohi
shouse.Iwashungr yandti
redand
wantedtobeinthecomfortofmyownhome.

WhenIarr
ivedatSi
ya’
shouse,Ical
l
edhim so
hecoul
dopenthegate.HeopenedandIdrove
i
n.
Hecamet
omeetmeatonei
fhi
sgar
ages.
 
Hegav
emeahug,
andwewal
kedi
n

Hi
m:canIasky
out
odomeaf
avor
? 
Me:
dependsonwhati
tis 
Hi
m:pl
easet
rykeepi
nganopenmi
nd
Me;
aboutwhat
 
Hi
m;You'
l
lsee

ThemomentIst
eppedint
ohi
slounge,Iknew
whyheaskedmetokeepanopenmind.

Li
ndaandhi smot herwer etheresi
tti
ngbyt he
fi
replace.ir
eall
yhopet hismandi dn'
tbringme
heartotalkaboutpoly
gamy .Becauseifhedid,i
sweari wasgoingtokil
l him wit
hmybar e
hands.
It
urnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m

Me:
youcan’
tbeser
ious 
Hi
m:j
usthearmeout

Hetookmyhandi
nhi
s,andwewal
kedi
nthe
l
ounge.

Hismotherst
ooduptogr
eetme.Igr
eet
edher
back,
thenwentt
ositwi
thSi
ya

Him:I
'm sur
ey ourall
wonderi
ngwhyIbought
youhere.SoI'
l
l getst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt.

I
'
veheardt
hatyouladi
eshadameeti
ng
r
egar
dingmyrel
ati
onshipswhi
l
eIwasint
he
hospi
tal
.Iwantitt
obemadecl earthatt
her
eis
nowayinhellt
hatIwouldent
erintoa
pol
ygamousmar ri
age.

Siy
a’smom t
ri
edt
osaysomet
hingbuthecut
heroff

Him: nowwi ththatoutt

heway .I
'vegotafew
groundrulesthataregoingt obefollowed.
Thesear en'
tupf ordi
scussion,sodon'teven
bothertryi
ngt ochangemymi nd.Ihavebeen
thi
nkingaboutt hissi
ncelastnight,andIknow
whati m abouttosayisther i
ghtthing.

Iswall
owed,
Siy
alookedsoser
ious.Iki
ndof
fear
edwhatwasabouttocomeouthismouth.

Hel
ookedatLi
nda
Him; Li
nda,goingf orwardyouwil
l notandI
meannev erphoneme.I fy
ouhaveapr oblem,or
youneedany thingf ortheki
ds.You'l
lphone
Rif
il
oedi r
ectl
y.Ipayy ouenoughonamont hl
y
basistomakesur ey ouandthekidsaretaken
careof,soIexpecty outomakesur ethemoney
Igiveyoulasts.Ifforanyreasonyouneedmor e,
you’l
lphoneRi f
iloe.

Il
ookedatSi
yaandcoul
dn’
tbel
i
evewhatIwas
hear
ing.

Him;Sincey oucurr
entlyhaveOlwethoonaf ul
l
ti
mebasi s,youandRi f
il
oearegoingt oneedto
workoutav isi
tingscheduleformetosee
Olwetho.Duet omebei nginCubaillhavehi
m
duri
ngmosthi sschool Holi
days,butil
ll
etyou
twowor kitout.
Li
ndatr
iedcut
ti
ngSi
yaof
f,butheshuther
down.

Him;Ihaven’tbeenasi nv
olvedinOlwetho’
sli
fe
l
ikeafathershould.Butthat’
sgoingtochange.
YouwillnotandIrepeatNOTcomeandgoat
anyofmyhousesasy ouplease,I
fyouneedto
beinJHB, f
oranyr easony ouwil
lusethis.

Hegav
eherakey

Hi
m:thi
sisanapar
tmentt
hatIboughtspeci
all
y
i
nOlwet
ho’sname
I
t'
sthr
eebedr
oomsandhasenoughspacef
or
y
ouandthechi
ldr
en.Myhousesar
eoffl
imi
ts

Li
ndal
ookedpi
ssedashel
l
Her
:Si
yay
oucan'
tbeser
ious

Him: I
'm deadser i
ous.I 'vehadenoughLi nda.
Enoughofy ourli
es, enoughofy ournagging,
enoughofy ourdisrespectandenoughofy ou
thi
nkingy oucandowhaty ouwantwi thout
havingtof acetheci rcumst ances.Thatallends
today,ri
ghtt hi
smi nut e.Goingforwardyouwi ll
respecttheboundar i
est hatI’v
eputup.  
Whi
chmeansy ouwil
lal
sorespectRi
fi
loe.You
wi
ll
notspeakbadl
yabouthertoourchil
dren.
I
fIheary
ouhavei
nanywayst
eppedoutyour
l
ane,Iwi
l
lcuty
ouoffi
nev
erywaypossi
ble.

Her
:soy ou’
rewil
li
ngt
olety
ourchi
ldr
enst
arv
e
j
ustbecauseIref
uset
odoasy ousay?
Him:Idi
dn'
tsaymychi
l
drenwoul
dbecutof
f,I
sai
dIwouldcuty
ouoff
. 
Her:
ify
ouhaven'
tnoti
cedSiya,t
hekidsandI
ar
eapackagedeal
.IfIst
arv
et heyst
arve

Hi
m:Ifi
gur
edy
ou'
dsayt
hatsoIhadt
hesedone
t
oday
.

Hehandedherenv
elop

Her
:Si
yawhati
sinher
e?

Hi
m:opent
hem andf
indout

Lindaopenedtheenv
elopeandst
art
edr
eadi
ng
thedocuments.
Herey
esnear
lypopesoutt
hei
rsocket
s

Her
:whatt
hehel
lar
eyoupl
ayi
ngatSi
ya?

Him:nowt
hatIhavey
ourattent
ionI'
m sure
you'
l
lbemorethanwi
ll
ingt
opar t
ici
pate.

Her
:Iwon'
tl
ety
ougetawaywi
tht
his

Him:youcant r
ytostopme, butwebothknow
youwoul dl
ose.Ihav
epr imarycust
odyof
Olwetho.Whichmeans, i
fIdeci
detotakehim
t
oCuba, Icandosowi thoutasecondthought,
whichintur
nmeansIcancuty ouoffwit
hout
mychi l
dbeingaff
ected.

Tj
o
Ok,IknewSiyahadhadenough,butIcoul
dn'
t
l
ethim goaheadwit
hthi
s.I’
m sureLindaget
s
t
hepoi nt

Me:
Siy
a,babydon'
tyout
hinkt
hatmay
be

Hecutmeof
f

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loedon'
tgeti
nvol
ved

Iwant
edtopr
otestbutt
hecol
dlooki
nhi
sey
es
tol
dmetoshutmymout h.

Hi
m: soLindat
hechoi
cei
syour
s.Whi
chone
wi
lli
tbe?

Il
ookedatLi
nda,
thenatSi
ya
Her
:ButSi
ya
Him; Notupfordiscussi
on.Youneedtotakea
decisi
onnow, andbeabletoliv
ewi t
hitf
orthe
restofyourl
i
f e.Sowhichonewi l
li
tbe? 
Her
;fi
ne,
I'
ll
doasy
ousay
Hi
m:good.

NowRi
fi
loe,
nowi
t'
syourt
urn

Il
ookedathim andt
ri
edtof
igur
eoutwhatt
he
hel
lhewantedtosaytome.

Him:Ilov
eyouandonl yyou.I
’m putt
ingoneof
themostimportantt
hingsi
nmyl ifei
ny our
hands.Myfamilyhasbeenmyonl ydriv
ing
for
ceforsolong,butnowI’m gi
vi
ngy outhe
rei
gnsoveri
t.Ineedyoutounderstandthat
Lindai sthemot herofmychi l
dren.Ifshecalls
regardingt hekids, oranyt
hingi mpor t
ant,Ineed
youtoputy ourhatredforherasi deand
promi set oalway sdowhat '
sr ightformy
chil
dren.Idi dn'tplanonhav inganot herchil
d
withher ,buther ewear e.Please, t
ryto
underst andwher esheiscomi ngf rom attimes.
Iknowthatyout
wowi l
lneverbefri
ends,
but
pleaset
rytobethebi
ggerperson,
becauseI
canalmostguar
anteet
hatLindawon’tbe

IlookedatHim andjustnodded.Ir
eall
ydi
dn’
t
excepthimt osaywhathesaid,butsomeofi
t
reall
yresonatedwi
thme

Hi
m:t
hanky
ou

Hi
m;andnowlastl
y,Ma,
Ineedy
outotakea
st
epback,
whenitcomestomyrel
ati
onshi
ps
wi
thbot
hLi
ndaandRi
fi
loe.
Yourconst
antmeddl
i
ngneedst
ost
op.

Youhadnori
ghtwhatsoevertoaskRif
il
oeto
moveoutofourroom i
nCuba.Youhadnor i
ght
tohol
dmeeti
ngsaboutwhoIdeci det
omar r
y.
Thosear
edecisi
onsthatneedtobetakenby
meandnotyou. 
Ilov
eRifi
loeandnoamountofmeddl ingand
schemingony ourpar
twill
changet hat.Li
nda
andIaredone.Wewi ll
neverbet oget
heragain.
Icareaboutherhasthemot herofmychi l
dren,
butIdon'
tloveheranditsti
mey ouaccept ed
that
. 
Youmaynotev erlov
eRi f
il
oeli
key
oudoLinda,
andquitef
rankl
yIdon’tcare,
butyouwi
l
l
respectmydeci
siontobewi t
hher.

Si
yasmot
herj
ustnodded.It
hinkshewasabi
t
shocked.

Him; Ithi
nkthatwear edonehere.Ma, I
'l
lcome
bytomor rowtomakesur ethaty
ougetony our
fl
ight.AndLinda,Iexpectyoutoalsobeont he
fi
rstfli
ghtoutofJHBt omor rowmorning.We
can’thaveOlwethowi t
hanannyf orlong
periodsofti
me.

Hi
m;Ar
ether
eanyquest
ions.

Noonespokeup

Hi
m;Good.

Si
yast
oodupandt
ookmyhandi
nhi
s.
Hi
m:l
et'
sgo

Istoodupandsai
dgoodbyet
ohi
smot
herand
Linda,
thenwewalkedout
.

IhadknownthatSiyasai
dhewoul
dfixt
hings,
butIhadn'
texpect
edhimtodowhathejustdi
d.

Don'tgetmewr ong,
Iwasgl adhehadput
everyoneincl
udingmei ntheirpl
aces,
butIkind
offeltbad,becauseIfel
tli
kehewasdoi ngthis
al
lforme.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

57

Ideci
dedtoletmyi
nsecur
it
iesaboutLi
ndago.
Ifi
ndeedshewaspl
anningsomethi
ng,I
’dhave
towaitandsee.Iwasn’
tgoi
ngtodri
vemysel
f
crazyt
ryi
ngtofigur
eoutwhatshe’
supto.

Aft
erdinnerSi
yaandIwentt obed.Wewer
e
bothsotir
ed,wedidn’
tevenbothert
aki
nga
shower.Wejustwentstr
aightt
obed.

WhenIwokeupt
henextmor
ning,
Siy
awasn’
tin
bed.
 
Icoul
dsmellhi
scol
ogne,
soIf
igur
edhewas
downstai
rs.
 
Igotupmadet
hebed,
andwentt
oshower
.

WhenIgotdownst
air
sSi
yawashav
ing
br
eakf
ast

ME;
Mor
ning 
Hi
m;Mor
ningbabe 
Me;
yourupear
ly 
Hi
m;yah,
gott
omakesur
emymom get
son
t
hatf
li
ght
 
Me;
oh,
Ihadf
orgot
tenaboutt
hat
 
Hi
m;yourbr
eakf
asti
sint
heov
en.I
’
vegott
o
r
un 
Me;
thanksbabe,
I’
ll
seey
oul
ater
Hi
m;comegi
vey
ourmanaki
ss 
Me;
Ithoughty
ouwer
einahur
ry
Hi
m;nott
hatmuchofahur
ry

Ir
oll
edmyey
esandwentt
ogi
vehi
m aki
ss.

Hi
m;y
ourmaki
ngi
tdi
ff
icul
ttol
eav
e 
Me;
thenst
ay 
Hi
m;t
empt
ing.ButIcan’
t 
Me;
onemor
etheny
oucango
Hel
eanedi
nandgav
emeaki
ss

Hi
m; howam Igoi
ngt
osur
viv
ewi
thouty
ourl
i
ps
whenI’
minCuba?

It
ookast
epback

Me;
CUBA?
 
Hi
m;y
es 
ME; It
hought
,withy
ougetti
ngyourmemor
y
back,youwouldberesi
gni
ng 
Hi
m;we’
l
ltal
kaboutt
hist
oni
ght
 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;babe,
I’
vegott
orun 
ME;
mhmm
Hegav
emeanot
herki
ssont
hecheek,
thenl
eft
.

Idi
dn’
tunderst
andwhyhewoul
dbegoi
ngt
o
Cuba,
ifhehadresi
gned.

Hespeci
fi
call
ysai
dhewoul
dber
esi
gni
ngaf
ter
t
hisl
astmissi
on.Nxa

Ít
ookadeepbr
eat
h,t
henwentt
otheof
fi
ce.

Idi
dn’
tevenbotherhav
ingt
hebreakf
asthe
made.Hehadjustmademel osemyappet
it
e

WhenIarr
ivedatt
heoff
ice,
Annawasal
ready
wai
ti
ngformeatrecept
ion,
wit
hacupofcoff
ee
i
nhand.
Me;
Mor
ning 
Her
;Mor
ning.Your
eadyf
orpr
essday
? 
Me;
Pressday
?
Her;
yes,i
t’
siny
ourdi
ary
.It
’sf
ort
heSA
busi
nessmag.
ME;
shi
t,It
otal
l
yfor
gott
hatwasf
ort
oday
 
Her;
they’
rewait
ingfory
oui
nthemai
n
boar
droom upst
air
s. 
ME;
isJasonal
readyt
her
e?
Her
;yes,
 
Me;
whatwoul
dIdowi
thouty
ou 
Her
;goodt
hingwewi
l
lnev
erf
indout
.

Itookmycof f
eeandwalkedt owardsthemain
boardroom.Iwasgrat
efulItendtoalway sbe
formalwhencomingtowor k.ImagineifIhad
rockedupinmyjeans.
WhenIenteredtheboar
droom,thepl
acehad
beent
ransformedint
oastudio.

Ther
ewereaboutfourdif
fer
entcamerasi
n
posi
ti
on.I
tlookedl
ikeIhadent
eredontoa
movieset
.

Iwasn’
treal
l
yint
erest
edi
nanyoft
his.Ihadso
muchwor kt
odo.

Ispot
tedJasongett
inghi
smakeupdone,He
l
ookedsouncomf or
tabl
e,soIwentov
ert
ohim.

Me;
wel
lthi
sIdi
dn’
texpectt
osee 
Hi
m;don’
tsayawor
doft
hist
oany
one
ME;
youenj
oyi
ngy
ourpampersessi
on 
Him;Idon’
tgethowy ouwomandothi
sona
dai
lybasi
s.Ikeepsneezi
ngfr
om t
hedamn
powder
Me;(
chuckl
es)sohowl
ongi
sthi
sthi
nggoi
ng
l
ast
 
Hi
m;onl
ygodknows
Me;I’
m goi
ngt
omyof
fi
ce.Letmeknowwhen
youneedme 
Him;don’tev
enthinkabouti
t.Thi
sisaj
oint
vent
ure.Isuf
feryousuff
er.
 
ME;
I’
veal
readydonemymakeup.I
’
m good 
Hi
m;t
henl
et’
sgett
hisov
erwi
th 
Me;
please

WemovedandSatwher
etheI
nter
viewwoul
d
bet
aki
ngpl
ace.
 
Appar
ent
lyt
heywereint
erv
iewingusbecauseI
wasoneoft
heyoungestCFO’sinori
ndustr
y
andJasonwast
hey
oungestCEObl
ahbl
ahbl
ah.

Iwassohungr
yandsoov erever
ything.I
st
art
edregr
ett
ingnoteat
ingthebreakfastt
hat
Si
yamade.

Al
linallev
erythi
ngwentwell
.Wedidor
i
nterv
iew,thenhadaphotoshoot
.Some
pi
cturesIwasalone,
other
swerewithJason.

It
hinkJasonwasal
sosoovert
hewholethi
ng,
Hekeptmakingf
unnyf
aceswhent
aking
pi
ctur
es. 
Heev
enphot
obombedoneofmypi
ctur
es.

Thel
adydoi
ngthei
nter
viewev
enaskedusif
wewereacoupl
e.Webothbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
It
hinkther
easonsheaskedisbecauseofhow
pl
ayful
wewer ewi
theachother.

Itr
iedassuri
ngherwewer en’
tacoupl
e,but
Jasonkeptplayi
ngwit
hmyhai r,
soI’
m noteven
suresheheardme,becausehekeptonbeing
annoyi
ng,inafunnyway.
 
Iev
entual
l
ygav
eupt
ryi
ngt
oexpl
ain,
andj
ust
l
aughed.

Whenwewerefinal
l
ydoneitwasaf
ter2pm.I
wassohungr
yitwasnojoke.

Iorderedlunch,
thenwenttotryandgetsome
realworkdone.Thiswholephotoshoott
hing
haddisruptedmyschedule,anditl
ookedli
keI
wasi nforalongnightatt
heoffi
ce.
Whenmyl
unchf
inal
l
yarr
ivedIdugi
n.Si
ya
cal
l
edwhi
l
eIwaseati
ng

ME;
MrNdhl
ovu 
Hi
m;HIBabe 
Me;
what
’sup?
Hi
m;whatt
imear
eyouget
ti
ngof
fwor
k?
Me;
May
be9pm
Hi
m;Whysol
ate?
Me;
I’
vegotal
ott
ogett
hrough
Hi
m;Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dtal
k
Me;
we’
l
ltal
kwhenIgethome 
Hi
m;cool
.I’
l
lseey
oul
ater
 
Me;
shar
p

Aft
erlunchIdugi
ntomywork.I
twasmont h
end,andIhadamill
i
onrepor
tst
hatneededto
besubmi
tt
ed

WhenJasoncametomyoffi
cei
twasafter7pm.
Ihadn’
treal
i
zedhewasal
sowor
kingl
ate.

Hi
m;Heypar
tner
 
Me;
Hey
 
Him;Isawy ourl
i
ghton,
soIt
houghtIwoul
d
takeabreakandcomeseehowmypar t
neri
n
cri
meisdoing
ME;thanksdude,
Iwasalsothi
nki
ngoft
akinga
br
eak.I’
vebeenatitsi
nce3pm,andmyfeetar
e
ki
l
li
ngme 
Hi
m;wantaf
ootmassage 
ME;
that
’sSi
ya’
sjob
Hi
m;sot
ell
meaboutt
hisSi
yaguy
 
Me;
whatdoy
ouwantt
oknow?
Hi
m;ar
eyouguy
sser
ious
ME;
pret
tymuch 
Hi
m;Ihopeheknowshowl
uckyhei
s 
Me;
I’
m sur
ehedoes.
 
Hi
m;good.Nowl
etmegetbackt
owor
k 
Me;
cool
.

Hegotupandwentbackt
ohi
sof
fi
ce.

Iwor
kedt
il
labout8:
30pm,
thenIheadedhome.

WhenIgothome,Si
yawasal
readyt
her
e.He
waswatchi
ngthenews 
Iputdownmycomput
erbag,
andputmyf
eet
onhislap

Hi
m;hel
l
otoy
out
oo 
Me;
hibooboo 
Hi
m;y
oul
ookexhaust
ed 
Me;
I’
m dead 
Hi
m;wantaf
ootmassage 
Me;
please

Het
ookof
fmyshoesandst
art
edr
ubbi
ngmy
f
eet

Hi
m;howwasy
ourday
 
Me;wecanspeakaboutt
hatlat
er.Fornow,I
woul
dli
ketoaddresst
hebigasselephanti
n
t
heroom 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
ME;
Siy
a
Hi
m;don’
tst
art
 
Me;
howam It
heonest
art
ing?
 
Him;IknowwhatIsai d,
butt
hingshave
changed.Ican’
tjustupandl
eaveri
ghtnow
Me;
soy
ou’
regoi
ngbackony
ourwor
d?
Hi
m;no.Ij
ustneedy
out
ogi
vemet
ime 
Me;t
ime?Real
l
y.That
’sNOTwhaty
ousai
dthe
l
astt
ime.
 
Hi
m;Iknow,
Butt
heny
ouwer
e
Me;
Iwaswhat
? 
Hi
m;…………………………
Me;sayit
.Youwant edtosaythatIwas
pr
egnant.Sobasicall
ytheonl
yreasonyou
madeallthosefucki
ngpromiseswasbecauseI
waspregnant.Andnowt hatI
’
m notpregnant,
al
lofasuddeny ou’r
egoingbackonthem?  
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
ME;
youwant
edt
o.Fuckman

Ist
oodup
Hi
m;St
opbei
ngdr
amat
ic 
Me; dramatic?Si
ya,i
ncasey oufor
got,Inearly
l
osty ou.Ok.YounearlyDIEDandnowy ou’r
e
tel
l
ingme, youwanttogobackt oCuba, and
continueasanopsl eader.AreyoucrazyI ’
m not
goingt hr
oughwhatwe’ vejustbeenthr
ough
again?Irefuse 
Him;Ri
fil
oe,rightnowthingsar
en’tasbl
ackand
whit
east heywer e.Ij
ustneedyoutotr
y
under
standing. 
Me;Understandi
ngwhat ?Huh?Thaty ouval
ue
thi
sdamnj ob,morethany ouv al
ueour
rel
ati
onshi
p?Mor ethany ouv al
ueyourchi
l
dren
andmor ethanyouvaluey ourownlif
e 
Hi
m;Babe
Me;don’
tfucki
ngbabeme.You’vey
etagai
nli
ed
tomeandI ’
m supposedtoj
ustsmi
l
e,and
pret
endI
’m okaywithit
.
It
ookofmyr
ingandt
hrewi
tathi
m.

ME;nextti
medon’tgomaki
ngpr
omi
sesy
ou
don’
tint
endonkeeping.

Ist
ormedupst
air
s,andwentt
omyr
oom.
 
Whatwast hepoi
ntofustr
yingtomake
anyt
hingwork?WhenSiyawantedtostayi
n
Cubaacti
nglikeafucki
ngmafiaboss,
forGod
knowshowl ong.
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

56

Thedr
ivet
omyhousewasr
atherawkwar
d.
Si
yawasratherqui
te.
 
Iwantedtodiscusswhathadj
usthappened
fur
ther,
butIcouldsensehewasabitoff
.

Whenwegott omyhouse,
Ideci
dedtogo
str
aightt
othebedr
oom.Whil
eSiy
aont heother
handwassearchi
ngmycupboar
dsforhard
l
iquor

Ifi
nall
yletoutasi
ghofr
eli
efwhenIcl
osedmy
bedroom door.

Iwasreal
lyhungrybutdidn’
tknowwhatSiya
want
edt oeat.SoIchangedintoshor
tsandone
ofhi
sshirt
s,t
henwentdownst air
s.

Siyawassit
ti
ngwatchi
ngt henews.SoIwalked
uptohim andst
oodinfrontofhim.Helooked
atme.IknowIwashungr yne,butwhenIsaw
thelooki
nhiseyesmyhearmel ted.
Iknowi
tmust
’vebeenhar
dforhi
mtoconf
ront
hismom l
i
ket
hat.

Imovedhi
shandsandsati
nasquatposi
ti
on
onhi
slap.

Me;
Babe
Hi
m;mhmm 
Me;
doy
ouwantt
otal
kabouti
t
Hi
m;notpar
ti
cul
arl
y 
Me;
I’
m sor
rybabe 
Him;i
t’
snoty
ourf
aul
tRi
fi
loe.Idi
dwhathadt
o
bedone 
Me;
butnowIf
eel
bad,
li
kemay
bey
oubl
ame
me
Hi
m;ar
eyouser
ious?Idi
dwhatIdi
dRi
fi
loe,
becauseIhateseei ngy ouhur
t.Idon’t
understandhowIl etthisgoonforsol ong.I
knowy ou’vespokent omeaboutLi nda,andI
tr
iedspeakingt oher,butwhenshet ol
dmeshe
waspr egnant.Iknewshewasgoi ngtouset hat
topissy ouoff.SoIhadt oputherinherplace
onceandf oral l
.
Ihadputherbefor
eyouint
hepastbutnow
goingf
orward.I
twasti
metoputyoufir
st.
Me;Butl
ove,
………….Wait.Howdi
dyouknow
any
thi
ngaboutt
he"past
"

Hel
ookedatme,
andIj
ustknew

Hi
m;I
t’
sal
lcomeback

Ihadt
ear
sinmyey
es.
Me;
when?
Him;i
t’
sbeenhappeni
ng,
overt
hel
astcoupl
eof
days 
ME;
whydi
dn’
tyousayany
thi
ng 
Hi
m;Idi
dn’
twantt
ogetyourhopesup.I
want
edt
oseemydoctorfi
rst

Me;
babe

Ihuggedhim,andst
art
edcr
ying….MySi
yawas
fi
nall
yback.

Hi
m;don’
tcr
y 
Me;(
sni
ff
)I’
mjustgl
adt
hiswhol
eni
ght
mar
eis
ov
er
Hi
m;y
aah,
soam I
 
Me;
Giv
emeaki
ss
Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m aki
ss.

Me;
weshoul
dcel
ebr
ate 
Hi
m;how 
Me;
Idon’
tknow.Goout
,hav
esomef
un
Hi
m;soundsgoodbuti
t’
saweekni
ght
 
Me;
sowecancel
ebr
ateonFr
idayorSat
urday
 
Hi
m;I
’
min 
Me;
good
Hi
m; butcanwegetsomet
hingt
oeat
.I’
m
f
amished 
Me;
Il
lcook 
Hi
m;l
etsj
ustor
der
Me;
cool
.Whatdoy
ouf
eel
li
ke?
 
Hi
m;j
unk
Me;
junki
tis

Iwasabouttopi
ckupthephonet
oor
derdi
nner
,
Whenacallcamethr
ough.

Me;
hel
l
o 
Her
;Hi
 
Me;
whatcanIdof
ory
ou
Her
;It
hinki
tst
imey
ouandIsatdown,
woman
t
owoman 
Me;
Iml
i
steni
ng 
Her
;Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dmeet
 
Me;
WhenandWher
e 
Her
;tonight
.Myf
li
ghtt
oCTl
eav
esat8am
t
omor r
ow 
Me;
Doy
ouwantt
ocomeov
er 
Her
;sendmey
ouraddr
ess 
ME;
shar
p.

IputthephoneandsentLi
ndamyaddr
ess,
then
order
ed

Hi
m;soLi
nda’
scomi
ngov
er?
Me;
itl
ooksLi
kei
t 
Hi
m;t
hisshoul
dbei
nter
est
ing 
Me;
stayoutofi
t 
Hi
m;howcanIst
ayoutofi
t,wheni
tinv
olv
es
me? 
Me;webot hknowhowy ouli
ketotakeover
.
YousaidLindaandImustcomet oan
under
standing,
andthat
’swhatwe’r
etryi
ngto
do.
Him;fi
ne.Justpr
omi
semey
ouwon’
tst
rangl
e
her 
Me;
(chuckl
es)Ipr
omi
seIwi
l
ltr
yreal
l
yreal
l
y
har
dnott
ost
rangl
eher
 
Hi
m;t
hat
’sal
lIcanaskf
or.
 
Me;I
’m goi
ngtotakeaquickshower.Letme
knowwhent hef
oodorLindaarr
ives 
Hi
m;needsomehel
p 
Me;
I’
m pr
ett
ysur
eIcanmanage 
Hi
m;I’
m sur
eIcoul
dhel
pwi
tht
hosehar
dto
r
eachpl
aces 
Me;
tempt
ing 
Hi
m;I
’
llmakei
twor
thy
ourt
ime
Me;
wedon’
thav
eenought
ime
Him;sol
etmegi
veyoul
i
ttl
etast
eofwhat
you’
remi
ssi
ngouton

Ileanedi
nandki ssedhi
m.Iknowwedi dn’t
hav emucht i
mebutSiyawaspushingal the
ri
ghtbuttons,andIwantedhi
mrightthereand
then 
Iwasbusyunbut
toni
nghi
sshi
rtwhent
he
door
bel
lrang.

Hi
m;Damni
t 
Me;
ser
vesy
our
ight
Hi
m;don’
tgeti
t 
Me;
haai
Siy
aman,
Letgo 
Hi
m;Idon’
tthi
nkI
’
m hungr
yany
mor
e 
Me;
itcoul
dbeLi
nda 
Hi
m;mxm 
Me;
got
akeacol
dshower
 
Hi
m;nothappeni
ng.

Istoodupandwentt oopenforwhoev eri

twas,
andIf oundbothLindaandthedeli
veryman
outside.Ipai
dforourfood,Thenwalkedinwit
h
Linda.
Iputt
hef
oodonthecount
er,
andwal
kedwi
th
Li
ndatot
hel
ounge.
 
Si
yawasst
il
lsi
tt
ingt
her
ewat
chi
ngTV.
 
Li
ndagr
eet
edusthenwesatdown.Icoul
dshe
wasabi
tuncomf
ortabl
e

Me;
babe 
Hi
m;Mhmm 
Me;didn’
tyousaysomet
hingaboutwor
king
upst
airs 
Hi
m;No 
Me;
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)

Hel
ookedatme,
andt
henatLi
nda

Hi
m;ohy
aah.I
’
llbeupst
air
sify
ouneedme 
Me;
I’
m sur
ewe’
l
lbef
ine.

Si
yawentupst
air
stoourbedr
oom,
andIt
urned
myatt
ent
ionbacktoLi
nda

Me;
canIof
fery
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink 
Her
;not
hanky
ou 
Me;
ok.WhatcanIdof
ory
ou?
Her
;It
hinki
t’
sti
mey
ouandIcamet
oan
agr
eement
Me;
whatki
ndofagr
eement
 
Her
;regar
dingt
heki
ds 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Her;Ithi
nkSiyaaskingmetoonlybei
ncontact
withyouisabitmuch.Imean,Iknowyoutwo
aretogether
,butIfeelt
hatt
her
earethi
ngsthat
youwon’tunderstand.
 
Me;lookLinda,
I’
m notstupi
d.Iknowt hatt
here
wil
lbesomesor torcommuni cat
ionbetween
youandSiya.ButasfarasIunderstandhe
wantsthattobeminimal.AndIagreetothat.
 
Her;butwhataboutwhenIgi
vebirt
h?Thef ir
st
personIwouldwantther
eishi
m. i
tjustseems
unfai
rthatIwoul
dhav et
ogothroughy outoget
tohim. 
Me;Iheary
ou.LookLi
nda,
Idon’
tmaket
he
r
ules.Si
yadoes.
 
I
lldi
scusst
hingswi
thhi
m,andI
’
lll
ety
ouknow 
Her
;thanks.
 
Me; weal
soneedtodiscusst
hev
isi
ti
ng
schedul
esforOl
wetho 
Her
;canIgetbackt
oyour
egar
dingt
hat
Me;
sur
e 
Her
;Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng
Li
ndagotupt
oleav
e,andIst
oodt
owal
kher
out
.

Idon’
tgetwhywehadtomeeti
nper
son,
butI
wasgladshewasbei
ngCiv
il
.

WhenIgotback,
Siy
awaseat
inghi
sdi
nneri
n
t
helounge.

Him;Iguesst
hatwell.Si
ncey
ouhav
eal
lyour
bodypart
ssti
lli
ntact
 
Me;
HaHaSi
ya

Isatnextt
ohi
m andwehadourdi
nner
.

IknowIshouldbegladthatthingsseem tobe
fal
li
ngi
ntoplace.ButsomethingaboutLinda’
s
cal
mnesshadmewor ri
ed.
I
twasunl
ikehert
ogodownwithoutaf
ight
,and
t
hatal
onefr
eaksmethehel
lout
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

58

WhenIgottomyroom,Iwantedtol
ockthe
door
,butSi
yawasalr
eadyopeningt
hehandle.

Iwassomadathim.Howcoul
dhenot
consi
dermyf
eel
ingsi
nall
thi
s.

Hemadeapr omise.Onet
hatIdidn'
tfor
cehim
tomake,andnowbecausether
e'snomor e
babi
es,hedeci
destogobackoni t
.
Ilookedathi
m andhelookedli
kehistemper
wasal sor
isi
ngNotthatIcar
ethough.Iwasn'
t
theonewhowasatf aulther
e.Hewas.

Hi
m:onceagai
nyourwal
ki
ngaway
 
Me:
Siy
a,notnow 
Hi
m:t
henwhenRi
fi
loe?
 
Me:
IDON'
TKNOW JUSTNOTNOW
Hi
m:don'
trai
sey
ourv
oiceatme
Me:
whaty
ougonnado?Hi
tme

Siyalookedatmel
i
keIhadsl
appedhi
m acr
oss
theface. 
Icoul
dseethatIhur
thim.ButIdi
dmeant
oI
wasjustpi
ssedanditcameout

Hedi
dn'
tsayordoany
thi
ng.Hej
ustt
ookhi
s
key
sandl
eft
.

Iwant
edtotel
lhi
m,evenbeghi
m nott
ogo,
but
pri
degoti
ntheway.

Isatonmybedandletoutasight.Iwant
edt
o
cal
lhim buti
knewhewouldntanswermycal
l.

Ideci
dedtogotakeashower
,andhopehe
wouldbeback.

IknowIwaswrongforwhatIsai
d,buti
sti
l
lfel
t
l
ikeSi
yawasbeingunfai
r.

Itookashower
,thengotdr
essedi
noneofhi
s
shir
ts.
Ikeptchecki
ngmyphone, t
oseei
fIhadmi
ssed
call
sfrom hi
m,butnot
hing.

Iwentdownstai
rsandmadeusdinner
.Iwasn'
t
i
nthemoodt ocook,butt
heysayawaytoa
man'shear
tisthr
oughhisst
omach

Bytheti
meIwasdonewithdinner,i
twasaft
er
10,
andt her
ewasti
ll
noSiya.If
iguredIwoul
d
hav
et oputmypri
deasi
deandcal l
him.,

It
ri
edhi
mtwi
ceandhedi
dn'
tanswer
.

It
ri
edhi
mfort
he3r
dti
meandheanswer
ed

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me:
babe 
Hi
m:what
 
Me:
wher
ear
eyou 
Hi
m:whatdoy
ouwantr
if
il
oe 
Me:
(si
gh)Iwanty
out
ocomehome 
Hi
m:Iam home 
Me:
soy
ouraty
ourpl
ace
Hi
m:y
es 
Me:
isLi
ndat
her
e 
Hi
m: r
if
il
oe,
don'
taskmestupi
dquest
ions.
WhatmoredoyouwantMetodo?
Me:
comeback 
Hi
m:I
'
m sur
eyout
hinkI
'
myourpuppetne.Nxa

Heputt
hephonedown.

IjustknewSi
yawasn'
tgoi
ngtocomeback.So
thatmeantIwoul
dhavetogotohi
m
Iwentupstai
rsandpackedanov er
nightbag.I
al
sohadt ochangeIntsomethi
ngmor edecent,
si
nceiwasj ustwear
inghisshi
rt
.

WhenIgotdownst
air
sIpackedthefoodIhad
made,
int
oaTupperware,t
hencheckedtomake
sur
dihadever
ythi
ngIneeded.Thenl
eft
.

Idr
ovetoSi
yashousef
eel
i
ngabi tanxi
ous.
Knowi
ngSiy
a,Iwasinf
oralongnight

Wheniarr
ivedahi
shouse.Isai
dali
tt
lepr
ayer
,
t
hencal
ledhim.hedi
dn'
tpickup 
Itr
iedhi
m agai
n,andi
trangt
il
li
twentt
o
voi
cemail
 
Ideci
dedtosendhi
m at
ext
,let
ti
nghi
m knowI
wasoutsi
de.
St
il
l.Dol
olo

Iwai
tedf
orawhi
l
e,t
hendeci
dedi
twast
imet
o
gohome.
 
Ihadtri
edmakingamendsbutfai
l
ed.Nouse
standi
ngoutherel
ikeal
ostsheep

Iwasaboutt
ost
artmycarwhent
hegat
e
opened

Idr
ovei
nandpar
kedout
sideoneofhi
sgar
ages.

It
ookmybagsoutoft
heboot
,andwal
kedi
n.

Siy
acametomeetmeatthedoor.Helooked
l
ikehewasj
ustf
ini
shedwor
kingout.
Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e 
Me:
Icamet
oseey
ou 
Hi
m:(
sigh)comei
n.

Iwalkedi
nandhel
edmetohi
sroom.Isaton
thebedwhil
ehest
oodwi
thhi
sarmscrossed.

Me:
Siy
a,I
'
m sor
ry 
Hi
m:f
orwhat
 
Me:
forwhatIsai
d
Hi
m:haveyouactual
l
yforgi
venmef
ort
hat
,or
ar
eyousti
l
lhol
dingagrudge
Me:babe,
Iforgav
eyoualongti
meago.I
tjust
cameoutcauseIwasangry
.Idi
dn'
tmeanto
hur
tyou.I
'
m sorry
Hecameandsatnextt
ome

Him: Rifi
l
oe,Idon'
tregretmuchi nli
fe.Butt
hat
dayIhi tyou,Ir
egr
etwithev er
ythi
ngi nme.I
don'tknowwhyi l
etmyangergett hebestof
me, Ididn'
tmeant o.I
tjusthappened.Butican'
t
havey oubr i
ngi
ngthatupev er
yt i
mewehav ean
argument  
Me:
Iknowbabe.I
'
m sor
ry 
Him;i
t'
scool.Canwejustf
orgetaboutthi
s?I
l
eaveforCubaonSunday,andthelastt
hingI
wantist
ospendt hel
i
ttl
eti
meIhav ewithyou
f
ight
ing.
 
Me:
soy
ourr
eal
l
yleav
ing 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me:
Iguessther
e'snot
hingmoret
osayabout
t
hat
.I'
m gonnagoworm ourf
ood
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me:it
'sfi
neSi
ya.Ther
e'snothi
ngmorethat
needstobesai
d.Yourgoing,I
'
m st
ayi
ngand
somehow, 
Him; IknowImadeapr omise, butbabe, thi
s
shootingmademer eali
se,thatIlovemyj ob.I
don’tevenconsideritajob.It
’sapar tofwhoI
am.Youknowi fIcouldIwoul d,butifIqui t
,that
meanst hewhol
ef orcegetsshutdown, then
whathappenst oallthepeoplewhogethur t
becauseofmequi tt
ing?Ican’thavet hose
deathsonmyhandsRi f
il
oe. 
ME;sohowlongwoul
dthi
swhol
etaskf
orcebe
act
ivef
or?
Him;thenext10years.Thentheydon’thavea
choi
cebuttoshutitdown, becausebythenwe
wouldhaveaccomplishedthewholepointof
theopsteam. 
Me;10year
sSiya.Youexpectmetobeokwi t
h
youdoi
ngthi
sfor10y ear
s.Godyou’
rei
nsane 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
ber
easonabl
e 
Me;Sowhydidyousayy
ouwoul
dleav
e,i
fyou
knewyoucoul
dn’
t 
Him;Idi
dn’tknow.Ionl
yfoundoutwhenI
spoketotheli
eutenant
.Iwoul
dn’
thavesai
dI
would,i
fIknewIcouldn’
t 
Me;
soy
oul
eav
eonSunday
? 
Him;mybusi
nessher
eisdone,
itst
imeIwent
back.Nai
l
shasbeeni
nchargeforf
art
oolong
Me;
it’
sonl
ybeen3weeks 
Hi
m;y
es,
andnowi
t’
sti
mef
ormet
ogetback 
ME;
arey
ouatl
eastcomi
ngt
othegal
adi
nner
 
Hi
m;Idon’
tthi
nksso.Imi
ghtbei
nBr
azi
lthen
ME;
ButSi
(si
gh)nev
ermi
nd
Hi
m;don’
tdot
hat
 
Me;
sowhenwi
l
lyoubei
nSAagai
n
Hi
m;i
nDecember
 
ME;
That
’st
wowhol
emont
hs 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
Me;
for
getIsai
dany
thi
ng.I
m gi
ngt
owor
m our
f
ood

Igotupandwentt
owor
m ourf
ood.

Si
yaacci
ntothekit
chenandputhi
sar
ms
ar
oundmefrom behind

Hi
m;we’
regoi
ngt
omaket
hiswor
kFi
fi
Me;howSi
ya?Wheny
ou’
regoi
ngt
obeawayf
or
sol
ong
Hi
m;comewi
thme 
Me;
youknowIcan’
t 
Hi
m;Theny
ou’
l
lvi
sit
. 
Me;
fine 
Hi
m;y
ouknowIl
ovey
ou
It
urnedar
oundt
ofacehi
m.

Me;
Iknowy
oudo.AndIl
ovey
out
oo 
Him;sost
opbeingsostubbor
n,andl
etmel
ove
you,
thebestwayIknowhow 
Me;
I’
mtr
ying
Hi
m;Tryhar
der.Wecan’tkeepfi
ghti
ngl
iket
his.
I
t’
snotheal
thy
.Ineedyoutotoughenupabit
Me;
Toughenup?
 
Him;yes.You’r
esousedt omebeingherewi
th
you,andbeingaroundyou,butnowt
hingsar
e
goingtochangeabi t
 
Me;
how
Him;Ineedtogobacktobei
ngtheGhostIwas
befor
eImety ou.Whi
chmeansIwon’tal
ways
beavail
abl
e. 
Me;
sohowam Isupposedt
ogethol
dofy
ou
Him;Youcantrycal
li
ng,butIdon’twantyou
huffi
ngandpuf
fingi
fIdon’tanswer.Justknow
thati
fyoucan’
tgetholdofmei t
’sbecauseI’
m
uncover
ME;
soy
ou’
regoi
ngonmi
ssi
onsagai
n? 
Hi
m;y
es.Nowmor
ethanev
er 
Me;
but
Hi
m;Shhhhy
out
alkt
oomuch 
Me;
mxm 
Hi
m;babe,I
’ml
eavi
ngi
naf ewday
s.Canwe
j
ustt
ryget
ti
ngal
ongti
l
lthen 
ME;
fine
Hi
m;Gi
vemeaki
ss 
Me;
no 
Hi
m;i
l
lti
ckl
eyou
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;1
Me;
fine.Comecl
oser
 
Hi
m;t
hat
’smor
eli
kei
t

Igav
ehim aki
ssandsomeofmyf
ear
sst
art
ed
melt
ingaway.
 
IknowIwasbei ngdi
ff
icul
t,butthethoughtof
l
osinghi
m scaredthehell
outofme.Hewasso
usedtothi
sgangassociatedli
fe,butformeit
’s
all
new,andIjustdon’
tknowhowt ohandlehi
m
asGhost.

Thefoll
owingmor ningwasFriday.Iwasst i
ll
a
bi
toffregardi
ngSiy al
eavi
ng,butIhadt oletit
go.It
’snotli
keIhadachoi cei
nt hemat t
er,I
guessit’
sjustanotherpar
tofSiya’sbaggage. 
Si
yawasf astasl
eepbesi
desme.Helookedso
i
nnocentl
ay i
ngther
ewithnot
racesoft
his
Ghostper
son
Heopenedhi
sey
esasIwasst
ari
ngathi
m

Hi
m;pl
ott
ingt
oki
l
lme 
Me;l
ucki
lyf
ory
ou,
Iwasn’
t.ButIwaspl
ott
ingt
o
ki
ssyou 
Hi
m;sowhat
’sst
oppi
ngy
ou?
Me;
mor
ningbr
eat
h
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)Idon’
tcar
e. 
ME;nothappeni
ngbuddy
.I’
m goi
ngt
otakea
shower
 
Hi
m;wantsomehel
pwashi
ngy
ouback 
Me;
Ithoughty
ou’
dnev
erask

Wespentsometimeintheshowerget
ti
ngdi
rt
y
andt
hengett
ingcleanagai
n. 

Idon'
tnowhowIwasgoi
ngt
ogetusedt
onot
havi
nghim ar
ound.
Whenwefi
nall
ygotout
.Wegotdr
essedand
r
eadyf
orwork.

Si
yal
ookedever
yinchoft
hebusinessmanthat
hewas.Wher
easIwasjusti
njeansandIt-
shir
t

Hi
m: babe,
yougoi
ngi
ntot
heof
fi
cewi
thy
our
j
eans 
Me:
yep.Fr
iday
sar
emorchi
l
ledatourof
fi
ces.
 
Hi
m:Ishoul
dImpl
ementt
hatf
ormyst
aff
Me;
I'
m sur
ethey
'l
lenj
oyi
t 
Hi
m:we'
l
lsee 
Me:bef
ore,
Iforget
.I'
vegotanappoi
ntment
wi
thmyGYnet oday
Hi
m:why
?What
'swr
ong
Me:
not
hing'
swr
ong.Ij
ustwantt
ogetona
cont
racepti
veasap.YouandIhav
en'
tbeen
usi
ngprotecti
on.AndIwantt
omakesurej
don'
tfal
lpregnant
 
Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
oreser
vemycomment
 
Me:
good.Nowl
etsgetgoi
ng,
orel
seI
'
m goi
ng
t
obelat
e 
Hi
m:ok,
giv
eme2mi
nut
es

Si
yagather
edal
lhisthi
ngst
hatheneeded.And
wewalkedoutt
ogether
.

Whenwegottohisgar
age,
hetookoutakey
fort
hej
eep.TheFer
rar
iwaspar
kedri
ghtatt
he
end.

Iwalkedupt
oin,
andt
ookagoodl
ook.Si
ya
fol
l
owed
Hi
m:y
oul
i
ke?
Me:
it'
sok 
Hom: ok?Babethatcarisoneoft
hebest
spor
tscarsintheworld.Andyout
hinki
tsj
ust
ok
Me;may
bei fIcoul
ddriv
eitf
ort
heday,
Imi
ght
hav
eadiff
erentopi
nion 
Him:for
getit.Youcandr
iveanyofmycar
s
expectthatone.

Il
ookedathi
m andpout
ed

Hi
m:don'
t 
Me:
please.Pr
ett
ypl
ease 
Hi
m:butbabe 
Me:
Ipr
omi
seIwon'
tscr
atchi
t 
Hi
m:mhmm 
Me:
pleeeeaassse
Hi
m:f
ine,
buty
ouscr
atchi
tIki
l
lyou 
Me:
deal

Hewenti
nsi
det
ogett
hekey
s,t
hencameback.

Him:sowhatdoIgetf
orl
ett
ingy
oudr
ivemy
car 
Me:
any
thi
ngy
ouwant
Hi
m:ok.Cany
ougetof
fwor
kear
ly?
Me:
ok,
whatt
ime 
Hi
m:13:
00pm 
Me:
cool
.NowcanIhav
ethekey
s 
Hi
m:gi
vemeaki
ssf
ir
st

Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m aki
ss.
Hi
m:t
akecar
eofmybaby
Me:
Iwi
l
l

Itookt
hekey
sfr
om hi
shandsandgoti
nthe
car.

Siy
awat chedmewi t
habitofworry
,asI
rever
sedouthisdri
veway.Idon'
tknowwhyhe
wasst r
essing,
whenI'
dhadmyl i
censef
orso
l
ong.

Dr
ivi
ngaFer
rar
iwasabi
tdi
ff
erentt
hatdr
ivi
ng
myAudi
. 
Thespeedonthi
smachi
ne,
ser
iousl
ytookme
bysur
prise.

WhenIgott
otheof
fi
ce,
Ipar
kedt
hecar
.Then
wenti
nsi
de.

WhenIcheckedmyphone,
Ihad5mi
ssedcal
l
s
f
rom Si
ya

Ismil
ed.I
'
m sur
ehewant
edt
omakesur
ehi
s
carwasok

Idi
dn'tphonehim back.Ij
ustsentamessage,
tel
l
inghim hiscarwasok.Her espondedwi
th
smileyface.

WhenIarri
ved,Annawasal
readywait
ingf
orme
i
nmyof f
ice.Asalway
sshehadaf r
eshcupof
cof
feewaiti
ngforme.

Me:
mor
ning
Her
:mor
ningf
if
i
Me:
shal
lwebegi
n 
Her
:sur
e

Wewentt hr
oughourschedulefortheday .I
wasgladthereweren'
tanyurgentmattersthat
neededmyat t
enti
on,becauseIwasonl ygoing
tobehereforabout2hoursbeforeIhadt ogo
tomygyne.

I
t'
sfunnyhowt i
mef l
yswhenyourbusy.Cause
whenIlookedupitwasal
readyti
met ogo.

Iqui
ckl
ysentanemai lt
oJason,l
ett
inghi
m
knowthatIhadlef
tfortheday
.Thenlef
tformy
doct
orsappoint
ment.

WhenIgitt
ot hedoct
or,
wedeci
dedtof
ir
stdoa
pr
egnancytest,
tomakesur
eIwasn'
tpr
egnant
.
Thenwedeci dedont
hebestf
orm of
cont
racept
ive,whi
chi
nmyopinionwast
he
i
mplant.

Anhourlat
erIwal
kedoutandheadedt
oSi
yas
house.

WhenIarri
vedhewasalreadywait
ingforme.I
hadafeel
inghewasprobablytr
ackingme,t
o
makesurehiscarwasIonepiece.

Hi
m:oht
hanGod.
 
Me:
yoursuchababy
 
Hi
m;onedayy
ou'
l
lunder
stand 
Me:whatever
.Sotel
lmewhatI
'
m doi
ngher
e,
whenIshouldbeatwor
k
Hi
m;comewi
thme.
Wegoti
ntot
hej
eep,
andhedr
iveof
f

Me:
wher
ear
ewegoi
ng
Hi
m:y
ou'
l
lseewhenwegett
her
e 
Me;
Siy
a
Hi
m:j
ustr
elax 
Me:
fine.

Iwantedtrydr
agi
toutofhi
m,butididn'
t.I
thoughtf
oroncel
etmeactual
l
ytrusthim.

Siy
adrov
et owardstheair
por
t.Ii
mmedi at
ely
becameanxious.Ihopehewasn'
ttaki
ngmet o
Cuba

Me:
babe
Hi
m:don'
twor
ry.I
'
m notdr
aggi
ngy
out
oCuba
agai
nsty
ourwi
l
l.Ev
ent
houghIshoul
dbe

Me:
thankgoodness.Iwasbeggi
ngt
owor
ry

Wedr
ivedi
rect
lyt
owher
ehi
sjetwaspar
ked.

Si
yaopenedt
hedoorf
orme,
andweboar
ded
hi
sjet

Me:
youknowIhav
etobebackbyMondayr
ight
Hi
m:y
es
Me:sonarey
oust
il
lnotgoi
ngt
otel
lmewher
e
wegoing 
Hi
m:no
Me:
fine.

Wef
lewf
orj
ustov
eranhour
,thenwel
anded.
Siyat
ookmyhandandweheadedt othecar
.I
tr
iedsohardtogethimt ot
ell
mewhywewere
i
nDur ban,
butherefused.

Whent hecarfi
nall
ycamet
oast op,
weheaded
towardaharbour.Ii
mmedi
atel
yknewwewer e
goingonhisboat.

Me:
babe.Wegoi
ngi
nyourboat
 
Him;yep.It
houghtwecoul
dspentt
heweekend
here 
Me:
thanky
ou 
Him:don'tt
hankme.Ijustwantedt
ospend
sometimewi t
hy ou,
withoutt
hechanceofus
bei
nginterr
upted

Igav
ehi
m aki
ssont
hecheekaswewal
ked
ont
otheboat
.

ImustsayIwasr at
herimpressed.Ihadnever
beenonaboatl i
kethi
sinmyl i
fe.Iwasin
absolutaweofit
sbeauty.Mostofthefurni
tur
e
wasv eryal
iket
osomeoft hefurni
tureatSi
yas
house.Itwasni
cetoseenitstil
lhadabitofhis
touch.

Siy
ashowedmear
oundtheboat
.Thenwe
camewentont
hedeck,
tohavel
unch.

Me:babe,
thanksf
ort
his.I
t'
sreal
l
ybeaut
if
ulup
her
e 
Him:don'
tthankme.Ev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
'
smi
nei
s
your
 
Me:
notr
eal
l
y.Butok 
Hi
m:I
'
m ser
ious 
Me:
aboutwhat
 
Hi
m;aboutwant
ingwhat
'
smi
net
obey
our
s 
Me;
babyI
'
mlost
 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
youknowIl
ovey
our
ight
 
Me:
yes.
 
Hi
m: andIknowwest i
ll
haveal
ott
hatweneed
t
olearnabouteachot
her 
Me:
yes 
Hi
m;butatt
hesamet
ime,
Ial
readyknowwhatI
want
 
Me:
okay
Hi
m:sowhywai
stany
mor
eti
me?
Me:
babey
ournotmaki
ngsense 
Him:Ibr
oughtyouher
ebecauseIwant
edt
o
asky
oui fy
oulovemeenoughtobecomeMrs
Ndhl
ovu?
Il
ookedatsi
ya,
tomakesureIwasn'
tmistaken.
IknowIhear
dhim,
butiwasn'
tsureIhear
dhi m
ri
ght

Me:
whatexact
lyar
eyousay
ing

Hest
oodupi
nfr
ontofme,
theknel
tdown.8

Him: baby,youknowIl oveyoumor ethan

anythinginthiswor l
d.Youarethequeenofmy
ki
ngdom.Iwi shtherewereenoughwor dsto
makey ouseet heloveIhaveforyou,
butther
e
aren'
t.SoinsteadIaskt hatyouhonourmewi t
h
yourhandi nmar ri
age.

Il
ookedatsi
yabentdownononeknee.He
l
ookedsonervousebutatt
hesameti
me
happy.
 
Iwantedt
osayyes,i
real
lydi
d,butist
il
lhad
fear
sofwhatourt
omorrowwouldlookli
ke.

WhatifIsaidyes,t
heaf
ewy ear
sdownt
hel
i
ne
Ist
art
edr egret
ti
ngmydeci
sion?

Ireal
lyl
ov edthi
sman,butiwasn'tsure,
Iwas
readytobecomehi swi
fe,i
tal
ljustseemedt o
soon.IjusthopedhewouldunderstandIfi
were
tosayno
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

59

Il
ookedatthisman.Mynotsoshini
ngkni ghti
n
noArmour,butIdi
dn’
tcar
eaboutthat.Al
l I
knewwasthatIlovehi
m.Morethanany t
hing,
anddespi
teusbeingsodi
ffer
ent
,Idon’tthinkI
coul
dev
erl
oveanot
hermanl
i
keIl
ovet
hisone.

Butatthesamet i
meIhadf ears.Fearst
hathe
mightchangehismind.Fearsthatwemi ghtbe
toodif
fer
ent,andmostlyfear
st hatt
hedistance
mightbetoomuch.

Siy
awasononeknee.Icouldtel
lhewas
gett
inganxi
ous.SoIchoset
oputhim outofhi
s
misery.

Me;
babe,
standup 
Him;aren’
tyousupposedt
ogi
vemeananswer
befor
eIstand 
Me;
say
swho
Hi
m;say
ssoci
ety
 
Me;
Idon’
tcar
eaboutsoci
ety
.Justst
andup
Her
oll
edhi
sey
esandst
oodup.

Il
ookedhi
miney
es

Me;
Siy
a,ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
 
Hi
m;Yes 
Me; I
’
m goi ngtodosomet hingI ’
veneverdone
befor
e, andthatisputmyt rust100%iny ou.
Siy
aIneedy outopromisemey ouwon’thur
t
me.Ilov eyousomuchandi tscaresmeat
ti
mes.ButI ’m goi
ngtoputmyf earsasideand
I
’m goingtosayYes, tobeingy ourwif
e.

Siy
a’sey
esshotopen.Hepi
ckedmeupand
spunmearound.

Heputmedownandgav
emeki
ss
Hi
m;y
ouhadmewor
ri
edt
her
eforamoment
.
Me;sor
rybabe.I
t’
sjustt
hatIwasn’
texpect
ing
t
his
Him;Iwantedt
omakesur
eyouwer
etr
ulymi
ne
befor
eIlef
t
Me;
I’
ll
alway
sbey
our
s. 
Hi
m; t
hat’
sgoodtohear.Hi
myourpr
obabl
y
wonderi
ngwher
ey ouri
s?
Me;
Iev
enf
orgett
her
e’ssupposedt
obear
ing 
Hi
m;Iwassupposedt
odothi
stoni
ght,wi
tht
he
whol
ecandl
ethi
ngbutIwast
ooanxious.
 
Me;Idon’
tcar
eaboutal
lthatst
uff
.Icar
emor
e
aboutt
hismoment.
 
Hi
m;sowe’
reof
fi
cial
l
yengaged 
Me;
yeswear
e. 
Hi
m;gi
vemeaki
ss
Ileanedincl oserandputmyl ipsonhi s.I
thoughtwit htimet hebutterf
li
esinmyst omach
woul dvanish, buteveryt
imehet ouchesmemy
i
nsidest i
ght en.Thekisswentf r
om slowand
sensual t
odeepandl ust
ful.Wehadt obrake
thekissbecausewewer eoutont hedeck.

Hi
m;wi
l
lIev
ergetenoughofy
ou 
Me;
Ihopenot
 
Hi
m;come,
let
’sgodownandt
estourt
heor
y 
ME;
whatt
heor
y 
Hi
m;whoget
senoughofwhof
ir
st 
Me;
yourmad 
Hi
m;madl
yinl
ovey
es
Me;
andmadl
yinl
ust
 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)goodone 
Me;
doy
ouhav
epr
otect
ion?
Hi
m;what
’st
hat
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;we’
venev
err
eal
l
yneededi
t 
Me;
butnowwedoi
ngt
hingsr
ight
 
Hi
m;wel
lIdontgoar
oundcar
ryi
ngcondoms 
Me;
wel
lIguesswe’
l
ljustt
hepul
loutmet
hod 
Hi
m;damn 
Me;
buty
ouhav
etopr
omi
set
opul
lout
 
Hi
m;f
ine

It
urnedar
oundandhegav
emeapl
ayf
ulspank
onmybum.

Ij
ustknewIwasgoi ngtol
osethi
stheoryofhi
s.
Siy
ahadt hesexual
driv
eali
on.(NotthatI
’
m
complai
ning)
Wespenthoursi
nthebedroom bel
owdeck.We
madel
ove,cuddl
edandplayedaround.

I
tfel
tasthoughSi
yawastr
yingt
ogethi
sfi
l
lof
me,bef
orehehadtol
eave.

Ataround6pm,wefi
nal
l
ywentupt
othedeck,
becauseappar
ent
lyt
heri
ngwasar
ri
vi
ng,al
ong
wit
hdinner.

Ididn’tr
eall
yfeelcomf or
table,wit
hwalking
aroundjustdressedingownsandsl i
ppers.I
f
therewer eot
herpeopl ecomi ngandgoing.But
Siyabeingthetypical
manf orgottoback
clothesforoursocalledgetaway .

Wesatondeckenj
oyi
ngthev i
ew,
andhav
ing
di
nner
.Whenmyr i
ngarr
ived.
Iwassoexci
tedt
oseehowitl
ooked.Si
ya
si
gnedfori
tandt
hegent
lemanlef
t 
Idon’
tknowifSiy
awast r
yingtobecleveror
whatbuthejustt
ooktheboxandputi ti
nhi s
gownpocket,t
hencametosi tnextt
omel ike
nothi
nghappened

Me;
aren’
tyoumi
ssi
ngsomet
hing 
Hi
m;what
 
Me;
Iwantt
oseemyr
ing 
Hi
m;whosay
sitwasy
ourr
ing 
Me;
Siy
aaaa 
Hi
m;Iwant
edt
ogi
vei
ttoy
ouaf
terdi
nner
. 
Me;j
ustf
orgetal
lthatr
omant
icmamboj
ambo
andgi
vememyr ing 
Him;youwantmet
ogetdownononeknee
agai
n 
Me;
noman…Si
yaaaj
ustgi
vememyr
ing 
Hi
m;f
ine

IwassoexcitedIst
oodupandsatonhi
slapi
n
squatposi
ti
on. 
Si
yatookoutt
hel
i
ttl
ebl
ackv
elv
etboxand
openedi
t.
 
Mygosh,If
ell
inlov
e.Thi
sri
ngwasabsol
utel
y
br
eat
htacki
ng. 
IlookedbackatSiyaandhewi
pedawayasmal
l
tearthathasescaped.

Hi
m;I
’
m guessi
ngy
oul
i
kei
t 
ME;
li
kei
t?If
li
ppi
ngl
ovei
t 
Hi
mI’
m gl
ad 
Me;
whendidy
ouhav
eti
met
oev
engol
ooki
ng
f
orari
ng 
Hi
m;I
’
m amanofmanymy
ster
ies
Me;
thaty
ouar
eMrGhost
Hi
m;wantmet
oputi
tonf
ory
ou?
Me;Idon’
tknow.Itl
ookssoexpensi
ve,
I’
m
scar
edil
ll
oseit 
Him;
youbett
ernot
.Thi
sthi
ngcostmeanar
m
andaleg 
Me;
hahaSi
ya.Li
key
ouact
ual
l
yfel
tit
 
Hi
m;nott
hepoi
nt.Youhav
etopr
omi
senott
o
t
akei
toff
ME;
Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m;notev
enwhenwe’
rear
gui
ng 
Me;
Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m;good.

Hetooktheri
ngoutthebox,andputitonmy
r
ingfi
nger.I
tlookedsoper
fecton.Despi
teme
needi
ngamanicure,butthatdi
dn’
tmatter
.At
thatmomental
lIcouldthinkwashowblessedI
wastohavethi
sCrazymani nmyli
fe.

Iknowwewouldn’
thavetheper
fectmar
ri
ageor
thewhit
epi
cketf
ence,Buti
ntheendwewould
alway
shaveeachother
[
05/
13,
11:
33]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

60

Wespenttherestofoureveningbel
owdeck
j
ustrel
axi
ng.I
tfeltsogoodt obecar
ef r
eeand
j
usthavefunt
oget her
.Forthatmoment ,Ihad
f
orgott
enaboutGhost,orCubaormi ssi
ons.

Rightnowal
lIcar
edaboutwasmycr
azyi
nlust
andloveFi
ancé.
Ther
eishonest
lynothi
ngmor
epeacef
ult
han
sl
eepi
ngonaboat .
 
There’snonoi
sef
rom nextdoororanycar
s
passingby.
I
t’
sjusty
ouandt
heocean.Fel
tli
kesosur
real
.

WhenwewokeuponSat urdaywedeci
dedto
havebreakf
ast
,thengot
akeawalkonthe
beach.

Me;
babe,
Ial
soneedt
ogoshoppi
ng 
Hi
m;whatdoy
ouneedt
oget?
Me;
clot
hes 
Hi
m;y
oudon’
tneedcl
othes 
Me;Si
ya,j
ustgetyourheadoutt
hegut
ter,f
or2
minut
es.Unl
essyouwantmewal ki
ngaround
t
hebeachbutnaked 
Hi
m;i
dki
l
lyou,
 
Me;solet
’sav
oidal
lar
gui
ng,
andy
out
akeme
shoppi
ng 
Him;fi
ne,
let
’st
akeaqui
ckshowerandgo
shoppi
ng

Webothhadashowertoget
her
,thengot
dr
essedt
ogoshopping.
Idon’
treal
lyenj
oybuyi
ngcl othesbutsi
nceI
wasn’
ttheonepaying,If
iguredI’
dgocrazy.I
am hi
sFiancéaft
erall
.

Ishoppedunt
ilmyfeetst
art
edt
ohur
t.Mypoor
Siy
alookedsobored.

Hejustkeptonaski
ng,
arewedoney
et.AndI
keptsayi
ngno.
Iev
ent
ual
l
yfi
nished,
andweheadedt
othecar
.

Aswewer ewal kingSiyawasbusycompl ai

ning
abouthowbr okeI ’
m goi
ngt omakehim when
wegetmar ri
ed, bl
ahblahblah,Iwasn’
treal
l
y
payingattent
iont hough,becauseIknewit
wasn’taboutt hemoney ,itwasmoreaboutthe
factthathehat edgoingshopping.

Idon’tknowwhatmademef reeze,but
somehowSi yahadal
readydroppedallt
he
shoppingbagsonthefl
oor,
andhewas
grabbingmyhandtogetmebehi ndhim.

Ilookedaroundandsawthatwewer
en’tal
one
i
nt heparki
nglot.Ther
ewasaguywalki
ng
towardsus.Hehadabout3bodyguar
dswi t
h
him.
Idon’
tknowwhereSi
yagotthegunf
rom,
but
healr
eadyhadonei
nhishand.WTF

Me;
Siy
a,what
’sgoi
ngon 
Hi
m;Justst
andbehi
ndme 
Me;
whoi
she

Hedi
dn’
tanswermebuti
nst
eadhekepthi
s
ey
esfi
xedonthi
sguy
.

Ist
oodbehi
ndSiy
a, pani
cki
ng.Whothehel
lwas
thi
sguyandwhydidhehaveSiyal
ooki
ngready
tokil
l
.

Thecl
oserfthi
sguygot,Inot
icedi
twas
Themba.Sizwe’
sfr
iend.
Hi
m; Ghost
.Chi
l
lman,
I’
m nother
etocauseany
t
roubl
e 
Si
ya;
Thenwhysneakuponme 
Hi
m;Justwant
edt
osur
pri
sey
ou 
Si
ya;
whatdoy
ouwant
? 
Him;
nothingpar
ti
cul
ar,
Justgotamessagef
or
youf
rom Stud
Siya;It
oldhi
m whenIl ethim gotostayaway,
andnowhe’ ssendingmessagedt hroughyou?
Clearl
yhedidn’tl
earnhislessonthefi
rstt
ime
round.OrMay beIshouldsendy ouandthese
baboonsbackt ohiminpieces,thenhemight
getthepoint

ihadneverhear
dSiyaspeakl
ikethisbefor
e.I
t
ki
ndofmademer eal
ize,
idi
dn'tknowhim as
wellasit
houghtidi
d,butontheotherhandit
waskindofsexy
Him;y
oucoul
dtr
y,butwebot
hknowy
ou’
reout
numbered

BynowSiyawasstar
ingatt
hisguy
,whi
le
eat
inggum i
nthemostannoyi
ngway.

Iwant
edt
oshi
ftabi
tbuthi
shandwassot
ight
ar
oundmywri
st,
Idi
dn’
tdar
emov e.

Siy
a;boy,
doyoursel
fafavorandgetoutofher
e,
befor
ethi
ngsgetoutofhand 
Hi
m;notbef
oreIdel
i
vermymessage 
Si
ya;
you’
vegot3mor
esecond

Al
lofasudden,
IsawHlokesandsomeof
Si
ya’
sguardswalki
ngt
owardsus.
Iknewt
hent
hatshi
twasaboutt
ohi
tthef
an.

WhenHl
okesar
ri
vedSi
yal
etgoofmyhand.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
gowi
thBul
l
et

Il
ookedblankl
yatSiy
a,buthedi
dntl
ookatme,
Hejustkepthi
seyesonThemba

Me;
wai
twhat
……….
.Si
ya,
Ican’
tleav
eyouher
e. 
Hi
m;Now 
Me;
I’
m notl
eav
ingwi
thouty
ou

Het
ookasi
gh,
andl
ookedHl
okes

Hi
m;Bul
l
et.
Hl
okesgr
abbedmebyt hehand,It
ri
edto
wi
gglemyhandoutofhis,
butheheldonti
ght
er.

Me;
letgoofme

Hlokesdidn’
tli
sten,i
nst
eadheputmeov
erhi
s
shoulderandcarri
edmet ot
hecar.

It
ri
edsohardtogethi
mtoputmedown,
buthe
wastoost
rong.

Me;
Putmedown,
Il
lwal
k 
Hi
m;y
ouf
orgetIknowy
ou 
Me;
Hlokespl
ease 
Him;I
’m put
ti
ngyoudown,
buti
fyour
un,
I
sweari
llpul
lyoubyt
hehai
r
Me;
Iwon’
t,
justputmedown

Heputmedown,
andwewal
kedt
owar
dst
he
car
.

Heopenedt
hedoorf
ormeandIgoti
n,t
henhe
goti
nandst
art
eddri
vi
ngaway

Me;
Hlokes,
Youcan’
tleav
eSi
yaher
e 
Hi
m;He’
l
lbef
ine 
Me;
Hlokes,
please 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,al
lIknowisIneedt
ogetyouthe
hel
loutofhere,andt
hat’
sexact
lywhatI
’
m
goi
ngtodo
Me;
arewegoi
ngbackt
otheboat
 
Hi
m;no.You’
reof
ftoJHB 
Me;
Hlokes,
youcan’
texpectmet
ojustl
eav
e
wi
thoutSi
ya

Hi
sphoner
ang,
aswewer
edr
ivi
ng.

Hi
m;Ghost
 
Si
ya;
wher
ear
eyouguy
s 
Hi
m;j
ustar
ri
vi
ngatt
heai
rpor
t 
Si
ya;
youknowwhatt
odo 
Hi
m;Yes
Si
ya;
don’
tmessi
tup 
Hi
m;Shar
p

Wegott
otheai
rpor
tandboar
dedSi
ya’
sJet
.

Isati
nsil
enceal
lthewayt oJHB.Iwasso
worri
edaboutSi
ya,butIknewther
ewas
nothi
ngIcoul
ddoabouti t
.
It
’swei
rdhowthismor
ningweweresocaref
ree
andall
ofasuddenIwasonafl
ightbackt
o
JHBwithouthi
m.

WhenwereachedJHB,
Iwast
akenst
rai
ghtt
o
Si
ya’
shouse.

Itr
iedcal
l
inghi
m acoupl
eoft
imesbuthi
s
phonewasoff.

Ir
eall
yst
art
edpani
cki
ng.Wast
hist
hel
i
fewe
weregoi
ngtol
i
ve?

IknowSiyat
oldmeaboutthi
s,butIdi
dn’
t
expectt
ohavethi
shappensoquickl
y.

Ihopedwewoul
denj
oyour“
honey
moon”st
age
beforet
hegunsstart
edgoi
ngof
f.ButIguess
that’
swhathappens,
whenyouf
alli
nlovewit
h
andOPSagent .
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

61(
bonus)

Ikeptpaci
ngupanddownSiyasl
ounge,
li
ke
maniac.It
ri
edhi
m sev
eral
times,
buthedidn'
tt
answer.

Hlokeshadl ef
tmei nthel
oungeandgonet o
Siya'
sstudy.Iwantedtogointher
ewi thhi
m, i
n
casetherewasanupdat e,buthekickedmeout
andtoldmehewoul dcall
forme.Ifanythi
ng
ari
sed.Iknewhej ustwantedmeoutt heway.

Iev
ent
ual
l
ygav
eupont
ryi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m.I
thoughtImi
ghtaswel
lgot
akeabat
h,andhope
hecomeshomesoon.

Iwentupt oSiy
asroom andsoakedmy sel
fin
thetub.IknowSiyahadsaidIneededto
toughenupabi t
,buthaai
,thi
skindofstuf
fI
real
lyneededti
met ogetusedto.

Il
ookedatmyengagementr i
ngandsmi l
ed.
Thi
smanwasgoi ngtokeepmeonmyt oes.
Onemi nut
ehe'sMrbae,andthenexthi
spul
li
ng
outgunsfrom Godknowswhere.
 
Ibetmymot herwasroll
i
nginhergrave.She
probablywi
shesshecouldr
ise,j
usttoslapt
he
shitoutofme,forf
all
i
nginl
ov ewit
hamanwho
l
ivessuchalif
e.

Aft
ermybathIfel
tali
tt
lecal
mer.Ineededto
getdr
essedbutidi
dn'
thavecl
otheshere,
andI
di
d'twantt
owearmyj
eans.SoIwentt
oSi
yas
cl
oset.

It
ookoutapairofhi
sbr
ief
s,andworeoneof
hi
sT-shi
rt
s,t
henputmyjeansbackon.

Iwasquit
ehungry
,si
nceImissedlunch,
soI
wentdownst
air
stomakedinner.

Imadedinner
,whi
l
eli
steni
ngt
omusi
conmy
phone.
 
Iwastr
yingtokeepbusysoi
woul
dn'
tdr
ive
mysel
fcrazywit
hworry.

Imadesomeroast
edchi
ckenandveget
abl
es.
KnowingSi
yahewoul
dwantpaptoaccompany
that
,soImadesome,
andalsomade
chackal
aka
Bythet
imeIwasdone,ther
ewasstil
lnoSiya.
SoIwenti
ntothepant
ryandtookoutfl
oursoI
coul
dstar
tbaki
ng.

Iwasn'treal
l
yinthemood,butineeded
somethingtokeepmebusy .SoImadesome
malvapudding,t
henImadesomecupcakes
andlastl
yImadesomebi scuit
s.Al
lthewhi
le
hopi
ngSi yawouldwal
kin.Butsti
ll
nothi
ng.

Icleanedupt heki
tchen,t
henwentt
oSi
yas
study.Hlokeswasgoi ngt
otal
ktomewhether
hewant edtoornot.

Iknockedont
hedoort
henent
ered.

Hl
okeswasont
hephone,
soIdi
dn'
tgett
otal
k
t
ohi
m.

Iwentbackt
otheki
tchenanddi
shedupf
or
mysel
f.

Iat
emyf
ood,
thendeci
dedt
ojustgot
obed.

Therewasnousekeepingvigil
,whenIdidn't
knowwhenSi yawoul
dbehome.Ij ustprayed
forhi
ssakehewouldcomehomebef oregoing
toCuba,becausei
fhedidn'
t,Iwoul
dbet heone
tokil
lhi
m.

Itossedandturnedf
orawhil
e.Siy
asbedwas
toobigwithouthi
minit
.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tget
comf or
tabl
e.

Iev
ent
ual
l
yst
art
eddozi
ngof
f.It
hinkmybr
ain
andbodyhadfi
nal
l
ygi
venup,
soIsuccumbed
tol
alaland.

I
tmust'
vebeenaf
termi
dni
ght
,whenIhear
d
v
oices.

IthoughtIwasdreaming,
soItri
edgoingback
tosleep.Butt
henIheardthev
oicesagain,
andI
knewSi yawashome.

Igotupandputi
nhi
sgown,
andhi
ssl
i
pper
s,
thenwal
keddownst
air
s.

Icoul
dhereSi
yashout
ingattheguards.He
soundedsopi
ssed.Hl
okeskepttr
yingto
expl
ain,
butSi
yawasn'
thavi
ngit.

Ideci
dedt
orat
hergobackt
obed,
becauseI
didn'
twanttoseehi
m shouti
ng.I
'
dprobabl
ytell
himtoshutupandcomet obed.Andweall
knowt hatwoul
dmakehim evenmoreannoyed.

Soinsteadofgett
ingmy sel
fintot
roubl
e,I
walkedbacktohiscoldbed, andt
ri
edgoing
backtosleep.Iwasjusthappyhewashome.I
couldn'
taskforanyt
hingelse.

Iwasfinall
ydrif
tingofftosleepagai
n,when
Si
yacamet other oom.Iknewhewaspr obably
sti
l
labitpissed, SoIdidn'
tgetuptoaskhim
quest
ions.Inst
eadIj ustgavehim hi
sspace,i
f
hewant edtotalk,hecouldwakeme.

Sl
eepf
inal
l
ytookov
er,
whenSi
yagoti
ntobed.

Hehadhadashower
,sohesmel
l
edni
ceand
f
resh.
Imovedcl
osert
ohi
m becauset
her
ewasagap
bet
weenus.
Heopenedhi
sar
msandcuddl
edme,
andIwas
of
fi
cial
l
yli
ght
sout.
 
     

Iwokeupt henextmorni
ngandSiy
awasn'
ti
n
bed.Iwaskindofsadbecausei
knewhewas
l
eavingforCubatoday
. 
Isowishedhewouldt
ell
mehehadchanged
hisminnd,
butiknewt
hatwasn'
tgoi
ngt
o
happen.

SoImadet
hebed,
andwentt
ofr
eshenup.

Iwor
eSi
yasgown,
andwentdownst
air
s.
Ifoundhim onthephoneinhi
sstudy
.He
l
ookedlikehehadbeenupf orawhil
e.Icoul
d
tel
lhewasbusy ,butidi
dn'
tcar
e.Hewas
l
eav i
ngtoday,andIwantedt
ospendtimewith
him.

Iwal
kedtohi
m andputmyar
msar
oundhi
m
fr
om behi
nd.

Hedi
dn'
tturnaround.Hej
ustcar
ri
edonwi
th
hi
sconv
ersati
on. 


Hl
okesandsomeoft
heguar
dswal
kedi
n,andI
l
etgoofSi
ya.

Hetur
nedaroundandlookedatme.Het
oldt
he
per
sonontheotherendtohol
d.
Hi
m:babe,
youok
Me:
Iguess 
Him:
I'
vegotameeti
ngwit
htheguy
s.I
'
llcome
seey
ouwhenI'
m done 
Me;
cool
.

Igreet
edt
heguar
dsandHl
okes,
thenwent
backupst
air
s.

IknewSi yawasinwor kmodeandt hatswhyhe

waspr obablyabitdi
stant
.Butiwassousedt o
gett
inghisattent
ionwheneverIwantedit
,and
nowt hathewasbackt obeingGhost,Iwas
worri
edt hatwoul
dn'tl
eavespaceforhimtobe
Siy
a.

Iwentt
ohaveabath,
thengotdr
essedin
anot
heoneofSi
yasshir
tsandbr
ief
s.Iwas
gett
ingti
redofnothavi
ngclot
hes.ButIdi
dn'
t
daresayanythi
ng.Ial
sowonderedwhat
happenedtoallt
hestuffSi
yahadboughtmein
Durban.

Si
yawastaki
nghisti
me, soIwentdownt
o
makebr
eakfast
.Sti
l
ldressedinhi
sgown.

Imadebreakfastandat
ei tbymysel
f.Iwatched
tvandeventookanap.Andst i
l
lther
ewasno
Siy
a.ButnowIwasst ar
tingtogetannoyed.SoI
senthi
m amessaget el
l
inghim Iwasgoing
backtomypl ace.

Whatwastheuseofmebeingher
eifIcoul
dn'
t
bewit
hhim.It
'sbet
tert
ogohome,andbeinmy
ownspace.

Si
yadi
dn'
tanswermymessage,
soIwor
emy
onl
ypai
rofj
eansthatIhadathi
shouse.Took
mybagandwalkedout.

Ihadjustst
art
edreversi
ng,whenHl
okescame
rushi
ngoutthehouse.Iopenedmywindowa
bit
,soIcoul
dhearwhathewant edt
osay

Hi
m:wher
eyougoi
ng 
Me:
mypl
ace
Hi
m:Idon'
tthi
nkghostwoul
dappr
ove 
Me:I'
m sur
ehe'
ll
bef i
newi
thi
t.Pl
usIdon'
t
hav
eanycleancl
othesher
e 
Hi
m:r
atherwai
tforhi
mtof
ini
sh
Me:
didhesendy
ououther
?
Hi
m:no,
isawy
ouononeoft
hemoni
tor
's
Me:Hl
okes,
justt
ell
,Si
yatocomebymyplace
whenhe'
sdoneorbefor
eheleav
es.I
t'
sno
bi
ggi
e 
Hi
m: Ri
fi
loe,j
ustgobacki
nsi
de.Youcan'
tbe
dr
ivi
ngaroundonyourownri
ghnow
Me:
but

Iwantedt
ofi
nishmysent
ence,
buti
sawSi
ya
appr
oachi
ng.

Hlokeswentbacki
nsi
de,
whi
l
eSi
yaj
ustl
ooked
atme.

Idon'
tknowwhy
,butSi
yal
ookedAbi
tpi
ssed

Hi
m:uy
aphi
?
Me:
home
Hi
m:now'
snott
het
ime
Me:
butSi
ya
Idi
dn'
tev
engett
ofi
nish.Hej
ustcutmeof
f

Him:fortheloveofGodr i
fi
loe,cany ouj
ustdo
asyourtold.thi
sthingofy ouar gui
ngwith
every
thi
ngIsayi sst art
ingtoannoyme.Isay1
andyousay10.It el
l y
oucantl eaveyetandyou
wanttoar gue.Justgetoutt hecarandgetback
i
nside.

Mymout hli
ter
allydroppedopen.WhywasSi ya
bei
ngliket
his,
whenal l
.Iwant
edwast ogoto
myhouse.It
'snotl i
keIwassulking.IJust
wantedtogetclothestochangein,andbein
myownhouse.Wast hatsowrong?

Ever
yboneinmybodytensed.Iwantedtotel
l
hi
mt ofuckof
fsobad,butiknewthatwould
j
ustfuelt
hefi
ret
hatwasalreadyburni
nginhim.
Itookadeepbreat
hinandout
,thenopenedmy
doorandwalkedbackt
othehouse.

Si
yawentbackt
ohi
sst
udy
,whi
l
eIsadgazi
ng
att
hewall
s.

Idon'
tknowwhathisissuewas,butidi
dn'
tl
ike
hi
mj ustsnappi
ngatmef ornor
eason.

Ikeptcount
ingfr
om 1to10,tr
yingnott
oletmy
tempergetthebestofme.ButIwasfai
li
ng
miserabl
y.

Igotupandwenttotheki
tchenandpoured
myselfsomej
usti
ce.Thewenttothebedroom
towatchtv

WhenSi
yaf
inal
l
ycameuphehadsomet
hingi
n
hi
shand.

Het hr
ewi tonthebedandl
ookedatme.I
l
ookedathi m,thenatt
hemagazineonthebed,
shit
.Ijustknewwhyhelookedpi
ssed.Isawa
pict
ureofmeandJason.

Thi
smust'
vebeentakenwhenhewasplaying
wit
hmyhair.Buti
twasn'
tontheinv
est
ment
magazi
newehadt heshootf
or,i
nst
eaditwas
onsometabloi
dgossi
pmagazine.

Hi
m:r
if
il
oe,
what
'
sthi
s

IlookedatSi
yaandhel
ookedl
i
kehewas
fuming.

Idi
dn'
tanswerhi
m.Ij
ustpi
ckedupt
he
magazineandl
ookedatatt
heheadli
ne.I
tread"
SUCCESSFULBUSINESSMANSI YABONGA
NDHLOVU'SRUMOUREDGI RLFRI
ENDDUMPS
HIM FORUPCOMINGINVESTMENTGURU"

WhenIopenedt
hear
ti
cle,
Isawpi
ctur
esof
Jasonandme.

Someoft
hem l
ookedi
nnocent
,whil
etheot
her
s
madeusl
ookmoreli
keacouple.
Iknowwewer ejustplayi
ngwhenwet ooksome
ofthese.Li
kewhenJasonwasphot obombing
medur i
ngmysessi on.Orwhenhekeptpl ay
ing
withmyhai r
.Itwasall i
nnocentbutiknewfrom
anoutsidertheywouldn'tl
ookthatway .

Si
yawasst
il
ll
ooki
ngatmef
oranexpl
anat
ion
Me:
Siy
a,t
hisi
sn'
twhaty
out
hink
Hi
m;t
henexpl
ain 
Me:Idon'
tknowhowt heyevengott
hispi
cs,
let
al
onethegarbagei
nthearti
cle
Hi
m:whataboutt
hepi
ctur
es 
Me:
JasonandIwer
ejustj
oki
ngar
ound 
Him:doyouhaveanyidea,whatsomethi
ngli
ke
t
hisdoestomypr of
essionali
mage?Orbett
er
yethowitmakesyoulooklikesomecheap
whoreaf
tert
herichestman

WhenSiyasai
dthatIstoodup.Iknowhewas
mad,buthehadnorighttot
alktomeli
kethi
s

Me:
real
l
ySi
ya?Youknowal
lthi
sst
uffi
sbul
l
Hi
m;Iwanty
out
oqui
tyourj
ob
Me:
nothappeni
ng 
Hi
m:r
if
il
oe
Me:SI
YA,wearenotgoingtorehashthi
s
ar
gument
.I'
m notqui
tt
ing,orgoingt
oCuba.I
'
m
st
ayi
ngri
ghtwhereIam.
Hi
m: soy
ouexpectmetobeokwi
thy
ou
wor
kingwit
hthi
sJasonguy
 
Me:Iexpecty
out olovemeenoughtotr
ustme,
whenItel
lyouthereisn'
tany
thi
nggoi
ngonwith
meandJason
Hi
mthepi
ctur
est
ell
adi
ff
erentst
ory
Me;soy
oubel
iev
esomecheapmagazi
ne,
i
nst
eadofme?
Hi
m:t
hat
'snott
hepoi
nt.

It
ookabreat
hinandout.Ir
eall
ydidn'
twantt
o
bear
gui
ngwithSi
ya,especi
all
ysincehewas
l
eavi
ng.
Iwal
kedt
owherehewasst
andi
ng,
andputmy
ar
msaroundhi
m.

Hedi
dn'
thugmebackbuti
didn'
tcar
e.

Him;(si
gh)Imanagedt obuyeachoneoft hese
thatwerepri
nted.Promisemeyouwi l
lstay
awayf r
om photoshootsandi
nter
views. 
Me;ICantpromisethat
.ButIcanpromisesto
makesurethatifpi
ctur
esaretaken,
thatthey
wi
llal
lbeprofessi
onal 
Hi
m;f
ine.
 
Me:
soi
sthi
swhyy
ou'
vebeensodi
stant

Il
etgoofhi
m andwentt
osi
tont
hebed.

Hi
m:no,
I'
m annoyedbecauseofwhAty
oudi
d
i
nDur
ban.Yourst
ubbornnessi
sgoingt
oget
y
ouhur
toneday
Me:
but
 
Him:butnothi
ng.I
fItel
lyoutogowithbulletor
anyofmyguy syoudoit.Youdon'
tfuckingfight
meabouti t
.Whati
fthoseguyshadpulleda
gunony ou?Whatthen
Me:
butSi
ya
Him:yourdoi
ngitagai
n.Tellmesomething.
Whoisthemani nthi
srelat
ionshi
p?Because
ri
ghtnowIfeell
i
key oukeepundermini
ngme
ever
ychanceyouget.Itel
lyousomethi
ng, and
youwanttochal
lengeme.

Tj
o,Idi
dn'
tdaresayanotherwor
d.Ij
ustkept
qui
etandst
aredathim. 
Igethewasmad,butwasi
treal
l
ynecessar
yfor
hi
mt obesoupset
,whenhewasleav
ing.
Me:babeI '
m sorry
.Ireal
lydon'
twanttof
ight
wi
thy ou.Yourleavi
ngforCubatoday,
can'twe
j
ustforgetaboutthisandmov eon?

Him:I
'v
ehired4body guardsforyou.Theywi
ll
bemakingsureyouralri
ght,whil
eI'
m away.
DON'Tgiv
et hem ahardti
me.I ft
heytell
youto
dosomethingyoudoi t
.Noquest i
onsasked

Si
yawal
kedoutandl
eftmef
eel
i
ngdr
ained.

I
tfel
tSi
yathadoff
icial
lylef
tthebui
l
ding,
and
nowIwasstuckwiththisGhostguy.

Ij
usthopedhedidn'
thangaroundf
ortol
ong,
becauseri
ghtnowIlongedf
ormylovi
ngand
pl
ayfulSi
ya.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
62

(
cropt
opi
nser
t.ButIwi
llmakeitupt
oyou
t
omorr
ow,wor
kisabithect
ic)

IknowIcanbehar dheadedattime.IknowI,
notperfect
,butSi
yaswayofbeing
overpr
otecti
vewasannoying.Whythehell
didI
need4bodyguar ds.Hej
ustdidn'
tknowwhen
toli
ghtenup.

Ihadthoughtt
hatthedayaft
erourengagement
,
wewoul dbebl
issf
ul,buti
nst
eadSiyawas
dist
antandcol
d.

IknowIshoul
dn'
thav
earguedwithhim when
hetol
dmet ol
eavewit
hbull
et.Butbar
einmind,
Ihadnevertr
ulyseenthissideofhi
sli
fe.SoI
wasn'
treal
lythi
nking.Ij
ustknewIwantedus
bothoutofdanger.Notjustme.

Il
etoutasighandsatont
hebed.Siyawas
l
eavi
ngsoon,andinst
eadofspendi
ngti
mewit
h
me,herehewasgoingal
lRamboonme.

Isati
nther
oom wat
chi
ngt
v.Iwasbor
ed
beyondmymind.

Iwentdownst
air
sandfoundSi
yai
nhi
sst
udy
.
Thankf
ull
yhewasalone.
 
Helookedbusy,
buticoul
dn'
ttaket
hetensi
on
betweenus.SoIwenttohi
m,andsatonlap,
in
squatposi
ti
on.

Het
ensedupabi
t,buti
didn'
tcar
e.Il
ookedi
nto
hi
seyesandsawashadowoft
hemanIwasi
n
l
ovewit
h.

Me:
youst
il
lmadatme?

Hedi
dn'
tanswer
,buty
oucoul
dtel
lhest
il
lwas.

Me:
sohowl
ongdoy
oupl
anonbei
ngl
i
ket
his?

St
il
lnot
hing.NowIwasr
eal
l
yget
ti
ngt
ir
edof
hi
smatchobullshi
t

Me:
fine.Igi
veup

It
ri
edstandi
ngupt
oleav
e,buthehel
dont
omy
waist
.
Him: Ishoul
dn'
thav
espoket
oyout
hewayIdi
d.
I
'm sorr
y
Me:babe,It
hinksomet
imesyouf
orgetI
'my
our
par
tner
,andnotoneofyourempl
oyees.
 
Him: Iknow, butRif
il
oe,
Ineedyoutoputy
our
pri
deasi de,
andl edmebey ourMan.I
t'
smyjob
toprotectyoubuty oumakeitsoDamndif
fi
cul
t.
Ineedy outoletgo
Me: si
ya,whenIsawthoseguys,thefir
stthi
ng
thatcamet omindwasyourshooting.Inear
ly
l
osty ou.SoInt
hatmoment ,
Ididntcarewhat
happenedtome.AllIwantedwasf ortheboth
ofust obeoutofdanger
Him:Iwouldn'
tl
etanyt
hinghappent
oyou.
Whathappenedonmymi ssi
onwon'
thappen
agai
n.Youneedtostopdoubtingmy
capabi
l
iti
es 
Me:fi
ne.Camewemoveonnow.I
'
mreal
l
y
dr
ainedfr
om ar
gui
ngwi
thyou
Hi
m;I
'
m st
il
lnotcomf
ort
abl
eleav
ingy
ouher
e 
Me:Siy
aareyoutry
ingtost
artanot
herfi
ght?I
t
oldyouI'
m notgoi
ngtoCuba.That
'snotgoing
t
ochange
Hi
m:i
twaswor
that
ry 
Me:
sowhatt
imedoy
oul
eav
e? 
Hi
m:atar
ound9pm,
Me:
that
'si
n4hour
s 
Hi
m;y
ah
Me:andy
ouplanonspendi
ngt
hosef
ewhour
s
wehavel
eftwor
king?
Hi
m:j
ustgi
vemeanhour
,thenI
'
llbeal
lyour
s 
Me:butSiya,
youhaveal
ltheti
mei ntheworld
t
owor k.Ionl
yhavey
oufor4hour s.Can'
tyou
j
ustfi
nishworki
ngontheplaneorsomething? 
Hi
m:l
etmej
ust
Icuthi
m off
.Idon'
twanttoforcehi
mt ospend
ti
mewi t
hme.Iknowheneedst owork,
buti
j
ustfel
tli
kespendi
ngt i
mewithmeshoul d'
ve
beenmoreofapr i
ori
ty,
thanworkatthi
s
moment .

Me:
nev
ermi
nd.I
'
lll
eav
eyout
owor
k

Igotup,andwal
kedout
.Si
yadi
dn'
tgeti
t,andI
wasn'tgoi
ngtonag.

Inst
eadItookoutmyl apt
opanddecidedtoDo
somewor k.Ihadafewemai l
sfr
om Annat hat
neededmyappr ov
alforthegal
adinner.Sothat
shouldkeepmebusyandoutofsi ya'
shair.

Thecloserwegottothegaladi
nner,
themore
excit
edIbecome.EventhoughSiy
awasn't
goingtobether
e.
Istil
lhadn'
tpickedoutanev eni
nggownf orthe
night,andti
mewasr unningout .Soaf t
er
replyi
ngtotheemai l
s.Istartedlooki
ngonl ine
forgowns.Iwant edsomet hingsimple,yet
elegant.Not
hingtoorevealing.

Isearchedforawhil
e,butdi
dn'
tfi
ndwhatIwas
l
ookingf or
.Mostofthegownsonli
newerentt
o
myt asti
ng. 
Ithoughtaboutmaybeget
tingthegown
custom made,buti
didn'
tthinkIhadenough
ti
me.

WhileIwassearchi
ngf orgowns,
Isawat abfor
weddinggowns.IknowSi y
aandIhadjust
gott
enengaged,butithoughtIwoul
djusttake
alook.Iwonder
edwhenwewoul dgetmar ri
ed.
Maybet heendofnexty ear.
 
Westi
llhadal
ottogothrough,bef
orewe
act
ual
l
ysaidIdo.ButnonthelessIst
il
ll
ooked
for
war
dt obei
nghiswif
e

Si
yawalkedi
nasIwasl
ooki
ngatweddi
ng
dr
esses.
 
Het
ookof
fhi
sshoes,
andsatnextt
ome.

Hi
m;y
oul
ooki
ngatdr
essesal
ready
?

Me:notreal
l
y .Iwaslooki
ngforeveni
nggowns
fort
hegala,whenIsawat abforwedding
gowns,Iwasabi tcur
ioussoIlookedaround.

Hi
m:t
hisonewoul
dlookgoodony
ou.

Si
yawaspoi
nti
ngatthemosthi
diousdr
ess
ev
er.I
twashuge,
andhadall
theseugl
ybli
ng
oni
t

Me:youhav
enotast
ewhatsoev
er.Thatdr
ess
l
ooksli
keacaket
opper
Hi
m: i
sn'
tthatwomanusual
l
ywearont
hei
r
weddi
ngs?
Me:
maybesome,
butnotme 
Hi
m:sowhatki
ndofdr
esswoul
dyouwear
?
Me:
I'
m notsur
eIev
enwantawhi
tedr
ess.
 
Hi
m:anydat
esi
nmi
nd
Me:
may
bet
heendofnexty
ear

Si
yal
ookedatmel
i
keIwasf
rom anot
herpl
anet

Hi
m;whyonl
ythen 
Me:
what
'
sther
ush 
Hi
m;nor
ush,
Ijustt
houghtwewoul
dget
mar
ri
edi
nacoupl
eofmont
hs
Me:
Ithi
nkt
hat
'st
oosoon
Him:why?Ar
eyouhav
ingsecondt
hought
s
aboutus
Me:don'
tbesi
l
ly.Ij
ustt
hinkwehav
eal
ott
odo
bef
orewecoul
dgetmarried
Hi
m;l
i
kewhat
?
Me: can'
twetalkaboutthi
swheny
ourback.
RightnowallIwantistocuddl
ewi
thmyfiance,
beforeheleavesf
orcuba
Hi
m:com her
e.

Iputmylaptopdown, andmovedcl
osertoSi
ya.
Heputhisarmsar oundme,andapartofme
andletoutasigh

Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou
Me:
notasmuchasI
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou 
Hi
m:wi
l
lyoucomeseemebef
oreDecember
 
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkssobabe.Thi
ngsatwor
kar
e
cr
azyri
ghtnow. 
Hi
m:speaki
ngofwork.Tel
,thatJasonpr
ickt
o
st
ayawayfr
om you
Sme:
babe,
don'
tst
art
Hi
m:I
'
mjustsay
ing 
Me:
Siya,
whatel
sedoIhav
etodot
oshowy
ouI
l
oveyou
Him:
Iknowy
oudo,
buti
don'
ttr
ustt
hatJason
guy
Me:
Siy
a,st
opmoani
ngandki
ssme 
Hi
m;y
ouj
ustt
ryi
ngt
oshutmeup 
Me:
isi
twor
king?
Him:notreal
l
y.I
'v
egotami
l
li
ont
hingsIst
il
l
needtosaytoyou
Ir
eall
ywasn'
ti
nthemoodf
orl
ect
ures,
soI
si
ft
edandsatonhi
slap

Me:
kissme 
Hi
m:nott
il
l

Iputmyli
psonhis.Thenstar
tedki
ssinghi
m.I
hopedt
hiswoul
dgethi mtoshutup.Icoul
dfeel
Siy
awasstil
l
,abi
tt ense,
soIdeepenedourki
ss.

Iwastir
edofthi
sGhostguy.IwantedmySi
ya,
andtheonlywayIcoul
dgethim back,
wast
o
seducehim.

Ibr
okeaki
ss.Ineededt
ocomeupf
orai
r

Me:
youst
il
lwantt
otal
k
Hel
ookedatmeandsmi
l
ed

Hi
m:notr
eal
l
y.It
hinki
nli
key
ouri
deabet
ter

It
ookt
hatasmycuet
ocont
inue.

Il
eanedbacki nandstar
tedkissi
nghim agai
n.
Thist
imeifelthi
m growinghardunderneat
hme.
IknewthenthatGhosthadleftandSiy
awas
back.

Wemadel oveoverandoveragai
n.Ithi
nkwe
bothdreadedstoppi
ngbecauseweknewt hat
wouldmeani twastimeforSiyatogo.Butaft
er
our3rdround,wehadnochoi ce,
buttoaccept
thathewasgoing.
Wegotupandwentt oshowertoget her.Siya
washedeverypar
tofme.Ireal
lystartedf eel
ing
anxi
ousnow.Thisfel
tli
kethel
asttimei wasi n
Cuba.Hehadjustgiv
enmeapr omi ser i
ng, t
hen
wentaway.Idi
dn'twantt
hathappeni ngagain

Wegotoutt
it
heshowerandwentt
oget
dr
essed.

Iwor
eoneofSi
yasbr
iefsagai
n,andat
-shi
rt
s.
Si
yal
ookedatmesmil
ing

Hi
m:t
hosel
ookgoodony
ou 
Me:
hmm 
Me:
Rif
il
oe,
whati
sit

Idi
dn'
twanttocr
y,buti
real
l
yreal
l
ydi
dn'
twant
Siy
agoing.
Isatont
hebed,
andhesatnextt
ome

Hi
m:baby
,tal
ktome 
Me:
(sni
ff
)don'
tmi
ndMe.I
'
mjustbei
ngsi
l
ly
Hi
m:whati
sit
Me:
Siy
a,Ican'
tdot
his?Ij
ustcant
Hi
m:dowhatr
if
il
oe 
Me:
Idon'
twantyouyoutogo(
snif
f),
itj
ust
,
f
eel
sli
ke,
I'
m notgoi
ngtoseeyouagain
Hi
m: baby,Iwon'tbegonef
orl
ong.j
ust8
weeksthenI'
llbeback
Me:(sni
ff)butyou'l
lonl
ybebackforaf
ew
weeks,andtheny ourbacki
nCuba 
Hi
m:(
sigh)butl
ove,
that
'st
hel
i
fewel
i
ve.
 
Me:whathappenswhenwear
emar
ri
ed?Or
whenwehav echi
ldr
en?
Hi
m:we'
l
lcr
osst
hatbr
idgeshewegett
oit

Siya,gavemehi shandker chief,andIwi pedmy

tears.Istar
tedr egretti
ngnotagr eeingtogoto
Cuba.Butatt hesamet i
meIl ovedmyj obas
muchashel ovedhi s.Butoneoft heseday s
oneofuswoul dhav etosacr i
ficet helovefor
professionsfort helovewehav eforeachother.
Ijusthopedwhent hetimecamewewer eboth
readytochooseeachot herinsteadofourj obs
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

63

Siy
astayedl
ongert
hantheti
mehehad.He
knewhehadtoleav
e,butwasconf
li
ctedabout
l
eavingme.
Me:
youshoul
dgo.Youral
readyl
ate 
Hi
m:howdoIl
eav
eyoul
i
ket
his?
 
Me:
don'
twor
ryaboutme.I
'
llbef
ine.
 
Hi
m:y
ouknowIl
ovey
our
ight
? 
Me:
Iknowy
oudo.AndIl
ovey
ou 
Him:Ij
ustwishthingsweredi
ff
erent
.Ihat
e
seei
ngyoucry,especial
l
yifI
'
mt hecauseof
yourt
ears 
Me:
youral
sot
her
easonIsmi
l
e.

Helookedatme,
andy
oucoul
dseehowt
ornhe
was.

IknowIwantedSiy
atoqui
t,buticoul
dseehow
muchitki
ll
edhimtohavet
ol eav
e.HowcouldI
askhi
mt ogivet
hatupf
orme?
Me:come.I
'
ll,
accompanyyout
otheai
rpor
t,
t
hengobacktomyplace 
Hi
m:It
houghty
ouwoul
dst
ayher
e 
Me:
why
? 
Hi
m:i
t'
syourhome
Me:nobabe,i
tyourhome.We'
l
lhav
eourhome
atal
aterst
age.Fornow,
homeismyhouse
Hi
m:t
heguar
dswi
l
ldr
ivey
ouback 
Me:
(si
gh)f
ine

Iwantstoarguewit
hhimregardi
ngtheguar
ds
dri
vi
ngme, butij
ustcoul
dn'
t.Notwhenhewas
l
eaving.

Hlokeddroveustheai
rpor
t.Siy
agav
emeal i
st
ofinst
ruct
ionsformetoabidebywi
thr
egar
ds
totheguards.
Idi
dn'tev
enbotherar
gui
ng.Ijustnodded,
becauseIknewIhadnochoiceinthematter
.

Hi
m:babe,
arey
oul
i
steni
ng?
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:y
ournotar
eyou
Me:
juste-
mai
lmet
hedo'
sanddon'
ts 
Him:(chuckels)youar
etr
ulyoneinami
l
li
on.
Yourstubbornnesshasnobounds 
Me:
I'
ll
taket
hatasacompl
i
ment
. 
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tmeani
tasone.
 
Me:
stopi
nsul
ti
ngme,
andr
atherki
ssme

Si
yaroll
edhi
seyesandsmi
l
ed.Hel
eanedi
n
cl
oserandki
ssedme.

Whenhepul
l
edawayhel
etoutasi
gh
Hi
m:I
'
mreal
l
ygoi
ngt
omi
ssy
ourl
i
ps 
Me:
justmyl
i
ps?
Hi
m:wel
lthatandev
ery
thi
ngel
se.

Hl
okescl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat

Him:yout
wohav
enoshame.I
'
m si
tt
ingr
ight
here

Si
yaandIbot
hlaughed.

Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
out
ooHl
okes 
Hi
m:y
aah,
what
ever
 
Me:
forr
eal
Hi
m;cani
asky
out
odomeaf
avour
 
Me:
what
 
Hi
m:pl
easecheckuponBoni
forme.Shedi
dn'
t
t
akemyleav
ingqui
tewel
l
Me:sendmehenumber
s.HerandIcandr
own
oursor
rowst
oget
her
 
Hi
m:t
hx

Whenwear riv
edattheairportt
heguardst ook
Si
yasluggageandloadedt hepl
ane,whilehe
st
ayedwi t
hmei nthecar.Itwasfi
nal
lytimef or
hi
mt ogo.Idon'tt
hinkI
'v
edr eadedanythingmy
whol
el i
fe,l
i
keIdreadedthismoment .

Hi
m:pr
omi
sey
ou'
l
ltakecar
eofy
our
sel
f 
Me:
Ishoul
dbesay
ingt
hatt
oyou 
Him:I
'm ser
iousbabe.I
'm goi
ngtobe
under
coverforawhil
e.Ineedtobesurey
ourok.
Ican'
taf
fordtobewor r
yingabouty
ouwhil
eI'
m
ont
hef
iel
d.

Me:
Ipr
omi
sey
ouI
'
llt
akegoodcar
eofmy
sel
f.
 
Hom: good.Andr
ememberifany
thi
nggoes
wrong,youdoastheguar
dssay 
Me:
ok 
Hi
m:l
etmego 
Me:
wantmet
owal
kyoui
n 
Hi
m:ify
ougetonthatpl
aner
ightnow,
I
woul
dn'
tlety
ouof
f 
Me:
(chuckl
es)i
nthatcasey
ouwal
ksexybut
t
t
her
ealone 
Hi
m:1mor
eki
ss

Il
eanedi
nandgav
ehi
m aki
ss.

Si
yagotoutt
hecarandl
eft
.Idi
dn'
tev
engett
o
seehi
mt akeoff
.Oneoft
heguardsdr
ovemeto
myhouse,whil
etheot
her
sdrovebehi
ndus.

WhenIgottomyplaceIwentstr
aighttobed.I
hadhadabusyweekend,andnowi twasti
me
togetbackt
onor
mal .

Itwasweir
dsleepi
ngwi
thoutSi
yanextt
ome.I
wassousedt obei
ngi
nhisarms,andnowher
e
Iwasaloneinacol
dbed.

Iwokeupt
henextmor
ningandGotr
eadyf
or
work.
 
Weonlyhad2weekslef
tbef
oret
hegal
adi
nner
,
soIhadalott
ogett
hrough.

Itr
iedcal
l
ingSiy
a,buthisphonewasof
f.Soi
fi
guredhehadn'
tarr
ivedinCuba.
Theguardsdrivemet owork,butdidn'
tgo
i
nsidetheoff
ice's.I
nst
eadthewai t
edinthe
par
king.It
houghi twassi
ll
y,butididn'
tbother
say
inganythi
ng

WhenIgottowor k,Annawasinameeti
ngwi
th
theeventpl
anner
, soIwentst
rai
ghtt
omy
off
iceandstar
tedmyday .

WhenAnnawasdone,shecametogivemean
updater
egar
dingt
hegal
adinner
.Isi
gnedoffon
thequot
es,t
henwentt
omeetwithJason.

WhenIgottoJason'
soff
icehewasonthe
phone,
buthewrappeduphiscal
lwhenhesaw
me.
Hi
m:hey
 
Me:hi
.Icametogiv
eyouanupdat
eont
hegal
a
di
nnercomingup

Igav
ehi
mthewor
ksheet
,andhespot
tedmy
ri
ng.

Hi
m:t
hat
'ssomer
ocky
ouhav
ether
e

Me:
ohy
aah,
itcameasasur
pri
se 
Hi
m:Iguesscongr
atul
ati
ons 
arei
nor
der
 
Me:
thanky
ou
Hi
m:canIasky
ousomet
hing
Me:
shoot
Him:areyousur eyourmakingtheri
ght
deci
sions?Don'tgetmewr ong,buty
ouguy s
l
it
eral
lyjustgotbacktoget
her.Andnowy our
engaged.
 
Me:Jason,
I'
veknownSiy
aforawhi
l
enow.I
'
m
100%sureIwanttobehi
swif
e. 
Hi
m:he'
sal
uckyman
Me:
thanky
ou.ButIt
hinkI
'
mthel
uckyone.
 
Hi
m:asl
ongasy
ourhappy
.

Isatwit
hJasonforawhi l
egoingt hroughthe
companiesfi
nanci
alf
igures.All
Inal lf
inancial
ly
thecompanywasdoingwel l.Whichmeantal l
ourstaf
fwouldbegetti
ngtheirbonusesI n
December.Wealsowentt r
oughtt hefini
shing
detai
l
swi t
hregar
dstothegal adinner.Andal l
waswell.

Af
termymeet
ingwi
thJason,
Iwentbackt
omy
of
fi
ce.
Ihadamissedcall
,fr
om Si
ya.Ii
mmedi
atel
y
cal
ledhi
m back.

Hi
m:babe
Me:
hi
Hi
m:Iwasj
ustl
ett
ingy
ouknowIar
ri
vedsaf
ely
i
nCuba 
Me:
Imi
ssu 
Hi
m:notasmuchasImi
ssy
ou 
Me;
how'
sCuba?
Hi
m:sameol
d.Justl
onel
ywi
thouty
ou
Me:
may
bey
oushoul
djustcomeback
Hi
m:I
'
llmeety
out
oni
ghti
nyourdr
eams 
Me:
Iguesst
hat
'sbet
tert
hatnot
hing 
Hi
m:I
'
vegott
orunbabe.I
'
m of
ftoBr
azi
l
 
Me:
alr
eady
? 
Hi
m:y
aah,
we'
vegotal
ead,
andIneedt
oacton
i
tasap 
Me:
soIguessI
'
llhearf
rom y
ou
Him;yaah.Justpr
omi
senott
ofr
eakouti
fI
don'
tcall
. 
Me:
I'
ll
try
Hi
m:l
oveu
Me:
lov
eumor
e.

WhenSi y
ahungup,If
ocusedmymi ndbackon
work.Idi
dn'
twanttot
hinkaboutSiy
atoomuch.
Ihadtolear
ntol
ivewit
houthim her
e.

Afterwork,
Iwentst
raightt
othegym.Iasked
theguardstowai
tinthecarbutt
heyref
used.

I
tkindofannoy
edmebecauseIt
houghti
twas
abutmuchhavingt
hem f
oll
owmeeventothe
gym
Aft
ergym Iwentstr
aighthome.It
ri
edmyl uck
cal
li
ngSi
ya,buthisphonewenttovoicemail
.

Ideci
dedt
olethi
m be,
andgohav
eabat
h.

Iimmediat
elydr
oppedmyphonewhenIsawa
refl
ect
ioni
nthemirr
or.

WhenItur
nedar
oundIsawSi
zwest
andi
ngi
n
f
rontofme.

Hi
m:don'
tscr
eam

It
ri
edr
unni
ngbuthehel
dmyhand

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
Idon'
twantt
ohav
etohur
tyou.I
j
ustneedt
ospeakt
oyou

Itookadeepbreat
h.Whatt
hehel
lwasSi
zwe
doingi
nmyr oom.

Me:
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e
Hi
m:Ineedy
ourhel
p 
Me:Si
zwe,I
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
nhel
pingy
ouwi
th
any
thi
ng 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe.Pl
ease.
 
Me:
Sizwe,
youneedt
ogetoutofher
e. 
Him;r
if
oloeIcan'
t
.I'
m bei
nghunt
edl
eftand
r
ight
.Ineedyoutohel
pmegetholdofghost
. 
Me:soyouthoughty
ouwouldbr
ingwhoev
er'
s
hunt
ingyoutomyhouse.Ar
eyoucrazy
 
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
thav
eachoi
ce.
 
Me:
youal
way
shav
eachoi
cei
nli
feSi
zwe
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
noti
nki
ndofl
i
fet
hatwel
i
vei
n
Me:
that
'snotmypr
obl
em.Ineedy
out
oleav
e
Him: Rif
il
oe, youknowIcareaboutyou,
but
don'tthi
nkI '
m heretoask.Ineedt
ospeakto
ghostandy ourtheonl
ywayi l
lbeabl
etodo
that
.Soi fthatmeansIhav etoconvi
nceyou,
thenIwi l
l

Itookast
epbackwhenSi
zwepull
edouthi
s
gun.Hedi
dtpoiti
tatme,buthewast
ryi
ngto
makehispoi
nt.

Me:
Sonowy
out
hreat
eni
ngme
Hi
m: don'
tl
ookati
tthatway
.Thi
nkofi
tas
moti
vati
on 
Me:
ifSi
yafi
ndsoutabouty
oupul
l
ingagunon
mehewil
lwantt
okill
you 
Hi
m:I
'
llt
akemychances 
Me:wow.Ineverthoughtadaywouldcome,
whenIsawyou,oneofmycl osestf
ri
ends
t
hreat
eningme. 
Him:Rif
il
oe,youthi
nki
nwanttodothi
s?I
'
m
fucki
ngdesperat
eandtheonl
yper
sonwhocan
helpmeisghost

Il
ookedatSi
zwe,
andhel
ookedsoshaken.

Me:
Sizwet
ell
mesomet
hing
Hi
m:what
Me:wasanyofourf
ri
endshi
preal
,orwasi
tal
l
j
ustl
ies 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
don'
ttr
ybut
termeup.Justt
ell
met
het
rut
h
Hi
m:(
sigh)mostofi
twasr
eal
.
Iwassomadathi
mforl
yi
ngt
ome.Buthowdo
Iki
ckhi
m out
?

Ipi
ckedupmyphoneandSi
zwegr
abbedi
t

Hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ng
Me:
cal
l
ingSi
ya 
Him;youcan'tuseyourphone.t
hel
i
nemi ght
notbesecure.Ineedyoutouseaburnerphone 
Me:
Idon'
thav
eabur
ner
Hi
m:usemi
ne 
Me:noways.I
fyouwantmet
ogethol
dofSi
ya
wedoitmyway
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe

Iheardknockonthedoorandwebothf
roze.
Sizwesti
llhadt
heguninhishand.
 
Sizwecamecl
osersohecoul
dwhi
sper
somethi
nginmyear

Hi
m:I
'
m guessi
ngt
hosear
eyourguar
ds

Inodded

Him;goopenforthem andtell
them y
ourok.Do
notevent
hinkoftel
li
ngthem I'
m her
e.Unless
youwantyourhousetoturnintoawarroom.

Itookadeepbreat
h,andwentt
othedoort
o
speaktooneoftheguards

Hi
m: mam, Icamet
omakesur
eyouar
eo.
k..I
t
hinkIhear
dsomev oi
ces.
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.Iwasont
hephonewi
thaf
ri
end
Hi
m:doy
oumi
ndi
fIdoasweep

Ist
art
edpani
cking.Oft
heseguy
sfoundSi
zwe
her
e.Siy
awouldkill
usboth

Me:Iwasjustaboutt
otakeabat
h.Canwedo
t
hatlat
er?
Hi
m:I
'
dpr
efert
odoi
tnow
Me:wel
l,
nowisn'tasui
tabl
eti
me.Any
wayif
t
her
ewassomeonher eIwoul
d'v
escr
eamed
myheadoffbynow. 
Hi
m:asy
ouwi
sh.

Theguar
dtur
nedaroundt
ogobackdownstai
rs
andIcl
osedt
hedoorandletoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef

Iwal
kedbacktowher
eSi
zwewas,
andhe
l
ookedshi
tscared
Him;It
houghtf
orasecondy
ouwer
egoi
ngt
o
sel
lmeout 
Me;
wedon'
thav
elong.Gi
vememyphone

Herel
uctantl
yhandedmemyphone.Idi
all
ed
Si
ya.Lucki
lyheanswer
edont
he4r i
ng

Hi
m:babe 
Me;
hi.Ar
eyoubusy
 
Hi
m:noty
et.I
'
vej
ustar
ri
vedi
nBr
azi
l
Me;
promi
set
okeepanopenmi
nd 
Hi
m:what
'sgoi
ngon 
Me:
justpr
omi
se
Hi
m:whathav
eyoudone
Me;it
'snotr
eal
l
ywhatIdi
dasmuchaswhatI
shoul
d'v
edone
Si
zwedeci
detojustgr
abmyphonef
rom me.
Damnfool
didntr
eali
zeiwast
ryi
ngt
obutt
er
Si
yaup.

Hi
m:Ghost
Si
ya:
whoi
sthi
s 
Hi
m;i
t'
sst
ud
Si
ya:
whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thr
if
il
oe 
Him:Ineededt
otal
ktoy
ou,
andshewast
he
onl
ywayIcould 
Him:Isweari
fyouhur
tonehairf
rom herhead.
Iwil
lki
ll
youwithmybarehands 
Him:I'
m nother
etocauset
roubl
e.Ij
ustneed
yourhel
p
Hi
m: di
dn'
tyougetmymessagef
rom t
hose
i
diot
syousentt
omei nDur
ban
Hi
m:Ghost
,pl
ease.Ihav
enowher
eel
set
ogo
Si
ya:
sowhatdoy
ouwantf
rom me 
Hi
m:Iwantt
owor
kfory
ou.
Si
ya:
nothappeni
ng.
 
Him;ghostplease.Idon'
thav
eanot herchoi
ce.
ThepeopleIwor kedforf
oundoutIwast heone
whohelpedyouescapeIy ourlastmissi
on.And
nowtheiraf
terme
Hi
m:andnowy ourl
eadi
ngt
hem t
ori
fi
loe.You
f
ucki
ngpr
ick 
Ihear
dt heguar
dsr
unningupst
airs.Si
zweput
thephoneonmydresserandpointedhi
sgunat
me.

Him:Ri
fi
lothi
sisn'
thowIpl
annedforthi
stogo.
IswearIdon'
twanttohur
tyou.Ij
ustneed
ghostt
ohearmeout

Idi
dn'
tev
engett
orespond,
becauset
heguar
ds
hadbar
gedi
nnear
lybr
eaki
ngmydoor
.

Theyal
lpull
edoutt
hei
rgunsandpoi
nted
towar
dsSizwe.

Idon'tknowwhatSizwewast hi
nki
ng.I
t'
snot
l
ikehecouldjustwalkoutofher
easifnothi
ng
happened.IfSiy
agothishandsonhim,hewas
goingtokil
lhim.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

64

WhatIsawinmyroom l
ookedl
ikeascenefrom
someJamesbondmov i
e.Theonlydif
fer
ence
wasthatt
herewasnoJamesbondt osaveme.

It
ri
ednott
opani
c,butmyst
omachwast
iedi
n
knot
s. 
Sizwehadt
heguntot
hebackofmyhead,
whi
l
e
theguar
dswer
eall
point
ingt
hei
rsathi
m.

Ther
ewassomuchshout
ingbackandf
ort
h. 
Theguar
dskeptt
ell
i
ngSizwetoputdownhi
m
gun,
whil
eSi
zwekepttel
l
ingthem t
obackof
f.

Itr
iedtogetthem al
ltocal
m down,
butt
hey
couldn'
tevenhearme. 
Iknewdeepdowni nmyhear tt
hatSi
zwe
wouldn'
tpul
lthetr
igger
,butmyheadwas
tel
li
ngmesomet hi
ngdiffer
ent.

Il
ookedattheguardsandwonderedwher ethe
hel
lSiyagotthem f
rom.Inst
eadofcomingup
wit
hasol ut
ion,t
heykeptmakingt
hesituat
ion
worse.Mindyouit’
smybr ai
nontheli
ne.
It
ri
edtel
li
ngev
ery
onet
okeepqui
et,
butt
hey
weremaki
ngsomuchnoi
set
heycoul
dn'
thear
me.

IknowSiyasai
dtodoast
oldbuti
nthi
scase
thesei
diot
swerepl
ayi
ngwit
hmylif
e.

SoIt
ookmat
ter
sint
omyownhands.
 
Ist
artedtur
ningar
oundsl
owl
y.Iwant
edt
otr
y
andreasonwithSi
zwe.

AsIt
urnedaroundt
henoi
sest
art
edget
ti
ng
l
essandless.
 
Whenmyey esfinall
ymetwi thSizwe's,allI
coul
dseewasf ear.Ireal
lydon'tunderstand
whySizwegoti
nt othisli
fest
yle.I
tdoesn’ tsuit
hi
m.Whywast eal awdegr eeandchaseaf tera
Gangst
erl
i
fe?
 
Itookadeepbr
eat
h.Andt
ri
edsl
owl
yreachi
ng
forthegun.
 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:st
oppingyouf
rom doi
ngsomet
hingy
ou’
re
goi
ngtoregret
 
Hi
m:don'
t 
Me:
giv
emet
hegun 
Hi
m:Ican'
t.I
fIdot
hat
'ssi
gni
ngmyl
i
feaway
 
Me: i
fyoupullthattr
iggeryourdeadanyway.
Let'
sratherputthegundownasasi gnofgood
fai
th.ThatwaySi yawil
lknowy ouhadno
i
ntenti
onofhur ti
ngme
Hi
m:gethi
m ont
hephoneagai
n
Me:
ok.I
'
m goi
ngt
osl
owl
yreachf
ormyphone.
 
Imov edslowl
yawayfrom Si
zwe,towher
emy
dressingt
ablewas.Si
zwesti
llhadhi
sgun
pointedatme.
Ihadjustr
eachedmydressi
ngt
abl
e,whenI
hear
dagunshotgoingoff.
 
Iqui
ckl
yfel
ltot
hegr
ound.Bef
oret
henextone
wentof
f.
Myheartwasbeat
ingatsuchaf
astpace,
I
swearIcoul
dn’
tbr
eath

Iopenedmyeyesandsawt
hingshappeni
ngi
n
sl
owmot i
on.
Si
zwewasonthegroundinapoolofbl
ood.The
guar
dswer
erunni
ngov ert
ome. 
Il
ookeddownandsawmyhandscov
ersi
n
bl
ood. 
Oneoftheguardsr
antothebathr
oom toget
towel
s,whil
etheot
heronecal
ledforan
ambulance.
 
Itr
iedmovingbutIcoul
dn'
t.Myi
ntest
inesf
elt
l
iketheyhadbeencutinhal
f.
 
Ikepttryi
ngtobreathe,buti
twasgetti
ngmor
e
andmor edif
ficul
t.Myey esstar
tedf
eeli
ng
heavy,andmyheadst ar
tedfeel
ingl
i
ght
headed. 
Theguardwhor ant
ogettowel
sretur
ned.He
forcedmetoli
edown.It
ri
edtell
i
nghimt ost
op
try
ingtomovemebecauseithurt
,but
,Icoul
dn'
t
form wor
ds.
 
Ijustkepttr
yingtobreath.Myeyeskeptt
ryi
ng
toclose,butIkeptf
orcingthem open.
IknewifIcl
osedthem t
herewasachancet
hey
wouldneveropenagai
n. 
I
’v
eneverr
eal
lybeenaf
rai
dofdeat
h.Buti
nthi
s
momentIwaster
ri
fi
edofi
t.

All
Irememberwassomeonetry
ingt
opicki
ng
meup.Thepainshott
hroughmybodysobadl
y,
Ibl
ackedout
.
Icouldhearv
oices,andsir
ensi
nthenear
dist
ancebutmyey esfai
ledme.
 
Ifi
nall
ygaveintot
hedarknesst
hattookov
er.
Therewasnousefight
ingit
.Atl
eastwit
h
darkness,
ther
ewasnomor epai
n.

Atfi
rstIwasscaredofthedarkness.Ifel
tli
keit
wantedt oconsumeme.Itf
eltcold,anddark.
ButthenIheardafamil
iarv
oice.Av oicet
hatI
hadmi ssedsomuch. 
Itur
nedar
oundt
ofi
ndmymot
herst
andi
ngnext
tome. 
Il
ookedatherandsawhowmuchIhadr
eal
l
y
missedher
. 
Shelookedsodif
fer
entfr
om t
helastt
imeIhad
seenher.Shehadnotr
acesofabull
ethol
e. 
Shehel
dmyhand,
andIhel
dont
oher
sfordear
l
if
e. 
Shedi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ngt
ome.Wej
ustst
ood
t
oget
her
,handi
nhand.
 
Iwantedtot
ellherhowmuchImi ssedher,and
howmuchmyl i
fehadchangedsincelosi
ngher,
butIcoul
dn’
t.AllIcoulddowasholdherhand
andcheri
shherpr esence.
 
Awhil
elat
er,
mymot
herst
art
edl
ett
inggoofmy
hand.
 
Itr
iedhol
dingont
ighter
.Iwasn’
treadytol
et
hergo.Iwascomfort
abler
ightwhereIwas.

Her
:it
'snoty
ourt
imey
etRi
fi
loe
Me:
butma.Idon’
twanty
out
oleav
eagai
n
Her:
Ihavenev
erl
eftyouRi
fi
loe.Whatyoumiss
i
smyphy si
cal
bei
ng.ButSpi
rit
ual
lyIam wi
th
youever
yday
Me:butwhydothesethi
ngskeephappeni
ngt
o
me?Whycan'tIhaveanormall
if
e?
Her
:becausey
ouar
enotdest
inedf
oror
dinar
y
t
hings.Keepf
ight
ing.I
ntheendi
twi
l
lal
lbe
worthit
 
Iwantedtospeaktohersomemor e,
butshe
star
tedwalki
ngaway.Itri
edtaki
ngawalk
towardsher,
butsawalightcomeon. 
Ii
mmedi
atel
ywinced.Andt
ri
edgoi
ngbackt
o
mymom,butthel
ightwast
oostr
ong.
Ist
art
edopeni
ngmyey essl
owly
.Idi
dn’tf
eel
muchpai
n.ButIcoul
dfeelal
otofdi
scomfor
t
i
nmyabdomen. 
Il
ookedar
oundandsawSi
yaasl
eeponachai
r
nextt
ome. 
Iwonder
edwhenhear
riv
ed,
becausehel
ooked
l
ikehehadn’
tshav
edi
nawhil
e. 
Thenur
sewal
kedi
nasIwast
ryi
ngt
osi
tup.

Her
;Mor
ningmi
ssMokoena.Wel
comeback
Igav
easmi
l
e. 
Her;y
ou’renotwell
enoughtosi
tupy
et.Letme
r
atherreadj
ustthebedfory
ou
Sher
eadj
ust
edmybedandpi
l
lowsf
orme.

Her;
Im goi
ngtolety
ourdoctorknowt
hat
you’
reup.CanIgetyouany
thing?
Me;
justsomewat
erpl
ease
Shewentoutandcamebackwit
hajugofwat
er.
Shegavemeagl asswi
thast
rawini
t.
 
It
ookonesipanditwentdownt
hewrongpi
pe.
Gosht
hepainIfel
twhencoughi
ngwasli
keno
ot
hert
hatIhadexperi
enced.
 
Si
yawokeupwhenhehear
dmecoughi
ng.He
l
ookedsot
ied.
Iwassti
l
lthir
stybuttooscar
edtotakeanother
si
p.Thenurseinsi
stedIt
ryagai
n,butIsai
dno. 
Siyawal
kedt
owardsusandt
ookt
hegl
assf
rom
thenur
se’
shand.
Him;evenaf
terbei
ngshoty
ouar
easst
ubbor
n
ashell
.
Ismi
l
edathi
m andher
oll
edhi
sey
esatme 
Hi
m;y
ouhadmewor
ri
edt
her
eforami
nut
e 
Me;
whatdayi
sit
?
Hi
m;I
tsSat
urday
 
Me;
soIwasoutf
oranear
lyaweek?
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
whatabouty
oumi
ssi
on
Him;
wewil
ltal
kaboutt
hatatanot
hert
ime.For
nowdri
nky
ourwater
Me;
I’
m nott
hir
sty
 
Hi
m;howy
ouf
eel
i
ng
Me;
numb
Hi
m; It
houghtIwasgoi
ngt
olosey
out
her
efor
aminute 
Me;
y oushoul
dbesol
ucky
.You’
rest
uckwi
th
meforli
fe 
Hi
m;i
t’
snotf
unny
 
Me;
Siy
aI’
mfi
ne.I
sn’
tthatal
lthatmat
ter
s 
Hi
m;butyou’
reher
ebecauseofme.Ican’
ttake
t
hatr
iskagai
n.Ir
efuse 
Me;
sowhatexact
lyar
eyousay
ing 
Him;Rif
il
oe, Ineedy outomakeadecisi
on.I
cannotprotecty ou,i
fyou’
real
lthewayher
e.I
needyoui nCuba.I t
’stheonl
ywaywecould
makeusandev eryt
hingel
sewor k
ME;
whatdoy
oumeant
heonl
yway
 
Hi
m;exact
lywhati
tmeans 
Me;
soy
ou’
regi
vi
ngmeanul
ti
mat
um 
Him;notexact
ly.Ij
ustneedyoutot
ry
under
standwher eI
’m comi
ngfrom 
Me;
Siy
a,getout
 
Hi
m;what
 
Me;Ihavejustwokenup.Andal
lyoucareabout
i
smegoi ngtoCuba.Yoursodam sel
fi
sh.It
s
al
way saboutyouandwhatyouwant.Well
you
cantakeyourstupi
dul
ti
matum andshoveit
. 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
Me;
out

Si
yawant
edt
oar
guebuthehadnogr
oundst
o
st
andon.
 
Iunderstandhei sscaredaboutwhatcould
happen,butgi v
ingmeanul ti
matum isn’
tgoing
tohelp.Hesoqui cktowantmetosacr i
fi
cemy
l
ife,
andy etheisn’twi
ll
ingt
odot hesamef or
me.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

65
IknowI’
m har
donSiyaatti
mes,butatti
mesI
feell
i
kehedoesunder
standwhereI’
m comi
ng
from.
 
Hehadnor i
ghtt otellmeaboutul
timatums.I
di
dn’twanthim goingbacktotheforce,andhe
i
nsist
edonit.Ididn’tgi
vehi
m anyst upi
d
ul
ti
mat ums,butatthesamet i
meIwant edust
o
work.

Si
yat
urnedt
oleav
e,butgr
abbedhi
shand

Me;
don’
tgo
Him;Rifi
loe.Idon’
twanttofi
ghtwi
thyouwhi
le
you’
reinahospi t
albed.Al
lIwanti
stomake
surethatyouaresafe.
 
Me; Iunderstandthat
.Ir
eallydo,butIj
ustcan’
t
seem tounder st
andwhyI’mt heonlyonewho
i
sr equir
edt omakesacrif
icesforour
rel
ationshi
p. 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
ifIcoul
d,Iwoul
d
Me;
howl
ongwoul
dIneedt
obei
nCUBAf
or?
Hi
m;I
ndef
ini
tel
y 
Me;
that
’sal
ott
oaskf
or 
Hi
m;Iknowi
tis.Buti
t’
stheonl
yway
Me;I’
veneverjustwant
edtobeahousewife.
I
’m goi
ngtodieofboredom,t
henlat
erresent
youformakingmeputmyl i
feonhol
d,while
yousavedthewor l
d 
Hi
m;I
’
vegotapr
oposi
ti
onf
ory
ou
Me;
What
 
Hi
m;wor
kforme
Me;
ye 
Hi
m;I
’
llmakey
ouCFOofNdhl
ovucor
por
ati
on 
Me;
soI
’
dbasi
cal
l
ybesl
eepi
ngwi
tht
heboss 
Him;you’
dtechni
cal
lybetaki
ngcareofyour
husbandsasset
s.Bothi
ntheboardroom and
Bedr
oom 
Me;
youcanbesoar
rogantsomet
imes 
Hi
m;I
’
dli
ket
othi
nkofi
taschar
ming
Me;
I’
m notsur
eI’
m comf
ort
abl
ewi
thy
ouri
dea
Hi
m;why
Me;becauseSi
ya.Il
ikemyindependence.And
tohavemeworkingforyouwouldmakeme
seem l
ikesomegolddigger
Him;Theonl yreasonyousayt hatisbecause
youareafraidofwhatpeopl ewill
thinkofyou.
Rif
il
oe,we’regetti
ngmarr i
edsoon.Youwor ki
ng
formewoul dmeany ouaretakingcareofYOUR
Company.Pl usanywayy ouhav ethe
quali
fi
cat
ions 
Me;Iguessy
ou’
rer
ight
.ButIst
il
lneedt
othi
nk
abouti
t
Hi
m;phew.
.
Me;
wer
eal
l
yfi
ghthar
ddon’
twe 
Hi
m;butweal
sol
ovej
ustashar
d
Me;
I’
mreal
l
ygl
ady
ou’
reher
e 
Hi
m;Iwoul
dn’
tbeany
wher
eel
se 
ME;
whathappenedt
oSi
zwe 
Him;Idon’
tthi
nky ouneedtowor
ryyour
sel
f
aboutthat
.Justconcent
rat
eongett
ingbet
ter
Me;
But
 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe,
restup.I
’
llcomebackt
oseey
ou
l
ater
 
Me;
fine
Hi
m;canIbr
ingy
ouany
thi
ng
Me;
food.I
’
m st
arv
ed 
Hi
m;cool
.Nowl
etmegetaki
ss 
Me;
nope.Ihav
en’
tbr
ushedmyt
eet
hinaweek
Hi
m;haai
Igi
veup

Hel
eanedi
nandgav
emeaki
ssont
hecheek
WhenSi yaleft
,thedoct
orcamet ocheckupon
me.Appar entl
ythebull
etmissedal
lmajor
organs,butIwouldhavetotakethi
ngseasyfor
awhi l
e.Whichobv i
ousl
ymeantIwoul dneedto
takesomet imeof f
.WhichmeantIwouldmost
probrabl
ybegoi ngtoCuba.

Jasoncametov i
sitmedur
ingl
unch.Si
yacame
i
nashej ustl
eft
.

Hi
m;whatdi
dhewanther
e 
Me;
hecamet
ocheckuponme
Hi
m;Isee

IknewSi
yawant
edt
osaymor
e,buthechoset
o
keepqui
te
Me;sowhatdidyoubr
ingmet
oeat
?Ican’
t
st
andthehospit
alf
ood 
Hi
m;chi
ckennoodl
esoup 
Me;
smel
l
samazi
ng 
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
ady
oueat
ing
Me;
I’
vegotnews 
Hi
m;makemyda 
Me;
I’
ll
comet
oCUBA 
Hi
m;ar
eyouser
ious
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;f
inal
l
ysheseest
hel
i
ght
 
Me;st
opgloat
ing.I
’
mjustdoi
ngt
hisbecauseI
l
oveyou 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
ret
aki
ngmyJobof
fer
?
Me;
may
be
Hi
m;whatel
sedoIneedt
odot
oconv
incey
ou?
Me;
not
hing.Justl
etmet
hinkaboutt
his
Hi
m;hav
eyout
oldJason
Me;
yes.
 
Hi
m;wel
lthat
’sgr
eatnews
Me;especi
all
ysi
nceI
’
m get
ti
ngdi
schar
gedon
Monday 
Hi
m;f
orr
eal
? 
Me;
ya
Hi
m;t
hat
’sgr
eatnews 
Me;soar
eyoureadyt
otal
kaboutSizwe?Oh
andwher
edidy
ougetthosei
diotguar
ds?
Him;Theguardscamerecommended.They
weren’
tanyofmyguys,butIt
houghtIcoul
d
t
rusttheper
sonwhorecommendedt hem. 
Me;
sowhathappenedt
oSi
zwe 
Hi
m;(
clear
sthr
oat
)he’
sar
ound 
Me;
whatdoy
oumean
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loecanwer
athert
alkaboutsomet
hing
else.Ican’
tdi
scl
oseany
thi
ngel
sewi
thr
egar
ds
toSizwe 
Me;
fine.Wannaseemyscar
 
Hi
m;howbadi
sit
 
Me;notasbadasIt
hought
.Makesmel
ook
t
ough
Hi
m;(chuckl
es)youalwaysfi
ndsomethi
ng
f
unnytosayabouttoughsit
uati
ons 
Me;nousecr
y i
ng.Ichoset
obewit
hyouandi
n
t
urngotabul
letthr
oughmystomach 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
reof
fi
cial
l
yagangst
er’
slady
 
Me;
(chuckl
es)Iguessso
Hi
m;weshoul
dgety
ouagun 
Me;
haaSi
ya.Iwasj
oki
ng 
Hi
m; I
’m ser
ious.Weneedy
out
olear
nto
pr
otectyour
self 
Me;
I’
m notsur
eIcandot
hat
Hi
m;we’
l
lgety
ouasmal
lsexyl
i
ttl
egun.
 
Me;
yourcor
rupt
ingme 
Hi
m;y
ou’
l
lbebonni
e,andI
’
llbeCl
yde 
Me;
Iguessso 
Hi
m;her
eyoushoul
dputt
hisbackon

Hetookoutmyengagementr
ingf
rom hi
s
pocket

Me;
iwonder
edwher
ethatwent
 
Hi
m; Oneoft
heguar
dsgav
eitt
ome,
aft
erI
ar
ri
vedinJHB
Me;
wher
ear
etheguar
ds 
Hi
m; If
ir
edt
hem.From nowononl
ymyguy
s
wi
llbel
ooki
ngaf
teryou 
Me;
good 
Hi
m;Ishoul
dleav
eyout
orest
 
ME;
don’
tgo
Hi
m;y
ouneedt
orest
 
ME;
Ineedt
ocuddl
e 
Hi
m;f
ine.Mov
eov
er

Ishift
edabi t
,andSi yacamet oj oi
nme.Iknow
thatthi
sr elati
onshipisn’ti
deal,buttomet here
i
snoot hermanIwoul devendream ofbeing
with.Siya’sli
fest
ylemaybei mper f
ect.ButI
hopedt hel ovewehav eforeachot herwould
carryust hroughthet oughtime.becauset he
thoughtofbei ngwi t
houthi m hurtmemor ethan
thebulletthatwentt hroughme.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

66(
bonus)

Si
yaendedupf
all
i
ngasl
eepi
nmyhospi
tal
bed.
Somuchforhi
m keepi
ngmecompanyt
il
lif
ell
asl
eep.

Whenmynursewal
kedi
nshel
ookedatus
di
sappr
ovi
ngl
y.

Me:
shhhdon'
twakehi
m.He'
sti
red
Her:t
henheshouldgosl
eepathi
shouse.You
needtorest
,whati
fhehurt
syouwhi
leyour
asl
eep? 
Me:
hewon'
t.Pl
usIsl
eepbet
terwi
thhi
m next
t
ome 
Her
:makesur
ehekeepsawayf
rom y
ourscar
Me:
Iwi
l
l
Her
:I'
l
lcomecheckupony
oul
ater
 
Me:
thanky
ou.
Whenthenurselef
t,Imov
edcl
oset
oSi
yaand
dr
if
tedofft
osleep.

Iwokeupt hefoll
owi
ngmor ningfeeli
ngabi t
grimy.Iwastri
edofhavingtheur inecatheteri
n.
Ireall
ywantedthenur
sest ot akeitout.Itwas
start
ingtofeel
uncomfortable,plusIfeltli
keI
neededmor epainmedicati
on.Myi nci
sionwas
throbbi
ng.

Siy
awasstil
lasl
eepnextt
ome,
soIgent
ly
shookhi
m awake.

Me;
babewakeup
Hi
m:haana,
Rif
il
oe
Me:
whatdoy
oumeanthaana?Thi
sismybed
Hi
m:i
tsact
ual
l
ythehospi
tal
'
sbed.
 
Me;
babyI
'
m ser
ious.Ineedy
out
ocal
lmy
nur
se

Si
yaopenedhi
sey
esal
armi
ngl
y

Hi
m:what
'swr
ong?Ar
eyouok
Me:justr
elax.Ij
ustneedanotherdosageof
pai
nkill
ersandIwantthem totakeoutthi
s
uri
necatheter
.It
'sdi
sgust
ing 
Hi
m:t
hat
'snoty
ourchoi
cet
omake 
Me:Si
ya,Ineedtobat
h.I
'
vebeenher
eforov
er
aweek.Ifeel
fil
thy
Hi
m:y
ouexadur
ate 
Me:
pleasebabe
Hi
m:f
ine.

Hegotupandwentsear
chi
ngf
ormynur
se.
Whenhecamebackhesatont
hechai
rnextt
o
me.

ThenurseaskedSi
yatostepoutsoshecoul
d
takeoutt
hecathet
erbutheref
used

Me:
Siy
a,j
ustgo 
Hi
m;butbaby
Me:butnot
hing,
I'
m nol
ett
ingy
ouseet
his.I
t'
s
di
sgust
ing
Hi
m:Icoul
dcar
eless
Me:j
ustgohomeandt
akeashower
.Then
comebackwit
hbr
eakf
ast
 
Hi
m:wi
l
lyoubef
ine
Me:
yes.Iwantt
otakeabat
hany
way
 
Him:I
'vepackedall
yourbathoi
l
sinyourtoil
etr
y
bag,
alongwitheveryt
hingel
seyoumightneed 
Me:
thanky
oubaby
Hi
m: whatwoul
dyoul
i
kemet
obr
ingy
ouf
or
br
eakfast
 
Me: I
'm notal
oudanyt
hingheav
y.Somaybea
f
ruitsalad.Ohandmypj'sandmygown.Idon'
t
l
ikethishospit
algown
Hi
m:ok.Il
ovey
oune 
Me:
lov
eyout
oobabe

Hegav emeaki ssinthecheekandl eft

.My
nurseclosdthedosedthedoorbehindhi m and
camet otakeoutthecathet
er.Iwincedabit
becauseItwasuncomf ort
able,butifel
tasense
ofrel
iefonceitwasout.

Getti
ngbackonmyf eetwasabitmoredi
ff
icul
t
thanIthoughtitwouldbe.Myfeetwer
eabit
wobbly,andthepressurefr
om myabdomen
didn'
tmakei tanyeasier
.
Iwasgr at
fulwhenthenursetookoutmydr ip.I
pl
annedonsoaki ngmy sel
finthetubforawhi l
e.
Unfort
unatel
yIwasn'tall
owedt ouseanyofmy
bat
hoi l
s,becausetheycoul
dcauseani nfecti
on.
Soi st
ucktotheplaneoldbathsoap.

I
twasabutdiff
icul
treachi
ngall
thespot
sI
neededt
o.ButnonthelessIenj
oyedmybat
h. 
Mynursest
ayedwi
thmeandhel
pedmeget
dr
essed.

Iconvi
ncedhernott
oputi nanothercat
heter
.I
fel
tli
keIcoul
dwalkifIneededthebathroom.

Bytheti
meIwasfini
shedbat
hing,Iwasinalot
ofpai
n.Myabdomenwast hr
obbing.Thenur
se
puti
nmydr i
pagai
n,putdi
dn'
tincreasemypain
med.Shesai
dIneededtogetusedt onot
takingsomuchdrugs,
especial
l
ysinceIwas
beingdischar
gedt
hefoll
owingday
.

Siy
aarr
ivedjustast
hemedsbegant
owor
k.I
wasn'
ti
nasmuchpai n,
butiwasver
y
uncomfort
able

Hi
m:y
oudon'
tl
ookt
ogood
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.I
'
mjustabi
tuncomf
ort
abl
e 
Hi
m;whatcanIdo
Me:
not
hing.Justsi
ther
ewi
thme
Hi
m:i
tbr
eaksmet
oseey
oul
i
ket
his 
Me:
justshutupandsi
tdown.
 
Hi
m:Iboughty
oubr
eakf
ast
 
Me:
il
lhav
eitnow.Justgi
vemeami
nut
e 
Hi
m:doy
ouwantmet
ocal
lyourdoct
or 
Me:
no.I
'
mfi
neSi
ya
Hi
m:y
oudon'
thav
etopr
etendwi
thme
Me:I'
m notbabe.Thenur
sesai
dIneedtocut
downont hepai
nmeds.Somybodyi sj
ust
adj
usti
ng 
Hi
m: (
sigh)i
fyournotgoi
ngt
oeat
,atl
east
dr
inkyoursmoothi
e
Me:
ok.
.wher
eisHl
okes?Ihav
en'
tseenhi
m 
Hi
m:hehadt
ost
ayi
nBr
azi
l
 
Me:
wil
l
,hemanagewi
thouty
ou 
Hi
m:hedoesnhav
eachoi
ce 
Me:
whendoy
ouneedt
ogoback 
Hi
m:assoonasy
ouroutofher
e 
Me:
soi
m goi
ngt
obeal
lal
onei
ncuba
Hi
m:unf
ort
unat
ely
Me:
Damn
Hi
m: may
beyoucouldkeepy
our
sel
fbusyby
pl
anni
ngourweddi
ng
Me:
it'
stoosoonf
oral
lthat
 
Hi
m:why
?
Me:weSt i
ll
needt
ogof
orpr
e-mar
it
al
counsel
l
ing 
Hi
m:counsel
l
ing?
 
Me:
yescounsel
l
ing 
Hi
m:haai
baby
.Wedon'
tneedcounsel
l
ing 
Me:
nocounsel
l
ing,
noweddi
ng 
Hi
m:haaRi
fi
loe,
nowy
ourbei
ngunf
air
Me;
takei
torl
eav
eit
Hi
m: butwewon'
tbeabl
etot
ell
thecounsel
l
or
t
hefullt
rut
haboutmyl
if
e
Me:youmeanaboutghost
.Butwecant
ell
him
aboutSi
ya 
Hi
m:I
'
m notsur
eaboutt
his 
Me:ball
siny
ourcourt
.AndIal
sot
hinkwe
shoul
dbeceli
bat
e,ti
l
lwegetmarr
ied
Siyalookedhorri
fied.Ij
ustknewhewoul dn'
t
agreetothat.Itr
iednottolaugh,
becausemy
stomachcoul dn'
thandleit
,buthi
sfacejust
crackedmeup.

Hi
m:babyar
eyout
ryi
ngt
oki
l
lme?
Me:stopbeingdramat
icsi
ya.noonesev
erdi
ed
f
rom abst
aining 
Hi
m:butbabyt
hatj
ustt
ort
uri
ngme
Me:
you'
l
lli
ve 
Hi
m;r
if
il
oe,
ber
easonabl
e 
Me:
Iam.I
twi
l
lhel
pusi
nthel
ongr
un 
Hi
m:howwi
l
lithel
pme?
Me;
itj
ustwi
l
l 
Him:youwin.I
'
lldot
hecounsel
l
ing.Justno
abst
aini
ng 
Me:
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
t 
Him:whatist
heret
othi
nkabout
?I'
mtr
yingt
o
compromiseher
e
Me:
I'
ll
see

Siyashookhisheadatme.IknewIwouldn'
tbe
abletocommi tt
oneversl
eepi
ngwi t
hhimti
ll
ourwedding.ButIj
ustenj
oyedteasi
nghim.
PlusIlov
edthewayhepout s.

Me:
youl
ookcut
ewheny
oupout
 
Hi
m:It
oldy
ou,
mendon'
tpout
 
Me;
youdo,
andIl
ovei
t 
Hom:
yourenj
oyi
ngt
hisar
en'
tyou 
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
ourt
alki
ngabout
Hi
m:t
ort
uri
ng,
mel
i
ket
his
Me:
imustadmi
titki
ndoff
eel
sgoodhav
ing
y
oubyt
hebal
l
s.Nopuni
ntended 
Hi
m:shameony
oubabe
Me:
otl
abast
rong 
Him:maybe.OrmaybeIwi
l
lfi
ndmy
sel
f
someonetohelpmeout

IgaveSiyat
hedi r
ti
estl
ookever
.Imayplaywi
th
him,butI
'm notgoingt
otakehi
mtal
kingli
ke
that
.I'
m asjeal
ousashell
.

Me:
Siy
ayouront
hini
ce 
Hi
m;butbabe,
youst
art
edi
t 
Me:andnowI'
m endi
ngi
t.Icat
chyoueven
l
ooki
ngatanot
herwoman,IswearI
'
llki
l
lyou 
Hi
m:1bul
l
etandy
out
hinky
ourJacki
eChan 
Me:
tryme 
Hi
m:Iwoul
dn'
tdar
e. 
Me:
bet
ternot
 
Him:babeyouknowIcoul
dnev
erbewit
h
anyoneel
se.Il
oveyout
oomuchfort
hat
. 
Me:
Goodt
oknowt
hat
. 
Hi
m: andIbet
ternotcat
chyoulooki
ngatany
ot
herman.IswearIwouldsel
fdist
ri
ct.
 
Me:
wel
latl
eastt
hat
'soutt
heway
.

Webothlaughedandteasedeachot
herabout
howj
elousandpossessivewebothwere.
 
Si
yastayedwi
thmeforthewhol
eday.We
watchedsometv
,pl
ayedcar
dsandjustr
elaxed.

Iknowheisbusy ,andhim bei

ngherewhileHis
team i
sinBrazi
lisprobabl
ydiffi
cul
t.buti
tfel
t
goodknowingthatwhenIr eal
lyneededhim he
wouldbethere.
 
Ispentsomucht
imei
nthepastnaggi
nghi
m
forat
tenti
on.Butnowthosei
nsecur
it
ieswer
e
gone.Siy
ahadpr ovedhi
slov
eformecountl
ess
ti
mes.

Hislovemaynotbet
heperf
ect.Buti
twashi
s
veryownthugki
ndofl
ove,
andthatwasal
lI
needed.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

67

Siyaspentthenightwithmeagain.Ithi
nkmy
nursejustdecidedtokeepheropini
onsto
hersel
fbecauseIwasbei ngdischar
gedt he
fol
lowingday .Iwasreal
lyuncomfor
tableduri
ng
thenightthough.IhavenoideahowIwas
goingtocopewhi leathome.
Thenextmorni
ngIdeci
dedtowakeupandtake
abath.Si
yawasal
readyup.It
hinkhewasj
ust
exci
tedtofi
nal
l
ybegoinghome. 
Mydoct
orcamet
odohi
sfi
nal
check-
upandwe
l
eft
.

Siy
adrov
eusst r
aightt
ohishouse.Iwantedto
getaf
ewt hi
ngsalongthewaybutherefused.
 
Hepr
act
ical
l
yescor
tedmet
othebedr
oom.

Thefir
stthingIdi
dwaschangeoutoft
he
tr
acksuitandputononeofhi
sgowns.

Me;
stopf
aff
ing,
I’
mfi
ne 
Hi
m;Geti
ntobed.I
’
llgogett
hehousekeepert
o
makey
oubreakf
ast
Me;Si
ya,
Ican’
tst
ayinbedf
orev
er.Ineedt
oget
usedt
owalki
ngagai
n 
Him;t
hedoctorssai
dy ouneedtot
akethi
ngs
easyforawhi
le.Sostopargui
ngandgeti
nto
bed 
Me;
fine.
Hi
m;whatwoul
dyoul
i
kef
orbr
eakf
ast
 
Me;somethi
nggr
easy
.I’
mti
redofeat
ingal
lthi
s
heal
thyshi
t 
Hi
m;gr
easybr
eakf
astcomi
ngup 
Me; andi
fthedoctororder
edmetorest.I
’
m
surehealsomentionedsomet
hingaboutbei
ng
cuddledwhil
eIrest 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loeamangawakhohav
enol
i
mit
s 
Me;
agi
rl
sgott
odowhatagi
rl
sgott
odo 
Him;Ineedtoshowerandheadt
otheoff
icefor
afewhours.ThenwhenIcomebackI’
m all
your
s
ME;
soy
ou’
rel
eav
ingmeal
lal
one
Hi
m;babeI
’
vebeenwi
thy
ouf
or2weeks.Ineed
t
omakesur
eev
ery
thi
ng’
sst
il
li
nor
der
ME;
Itsf
inebabe.Butf
ir
stmybr
eakf
ast
 
Hi
m;comi
ngr
ightup.

Si
yawentdownst
air
sandcamebackwi
th
br
eakf
astfort
wo.
 
Hegavememine,
thengoti
ntobedwi
thme
andhadhi
s.

Me;
didn’
tyousayy
ouneededt
ogett
owor
k 
Hi
m;It
houghty
ouwant
edmet
ost
ay 
Me;Siy
aIalwayswantyoutostay.I
fthi
ngs
wereuptomey ouwouldneverl
eavemysight
.
Butwebothknowthat’
simpossibl
e 
Hi
m;I
’
vebeent
hinki
ng
Me;
Lor
dhel
pusal
l
 
Hi
m;babyI
’
m ser
ious 
Me;Okay.Letmegetmyseri
ousf
aceon.
(
Clear
sthroat)
…I’
mlist
eni
ng
Him; Iwast hi
nkingmaybewecouldaskmy
mom t ocomet oCubawithus,
soshecant ake
careofy ou.Andmay beyouguyscanstar
t
planningtheweddi ng

TjoIlookedatSi yaandwonder edwhathewas

thinki
ng.Ididn’twanthismom any wherenear
me.Thatwomant reatedmelikeshitwhil
eI
wasi nCuba, andnowhewant edhertotake
car eofme.Butatt hesamet i
meIneededt o
treadcarefull
y,becauseSiy
a’sloveshismom,
andt helastthi
ngIwant edwast odriv
ea
wedgebet weenthem

Me;
(cl
earst
hroat
)baby…Myl
ove.
..Idon’
tthi
nk
t
hat
’ssuchagoodidea
Hi
m;whynot
 
Me; well
,becauseyourMom andIar
en’texact
ly
fr
iends.I
’m surethel
astt
hingshewantsisto
havetotakecar eofmeorevenhel
pplanning
ourwedding 
Hi
m;baby
 
Me;
Siy
aaaaa
Him;we’
regoingtobemar r
iedsoon,
which
meansshe’sgoi
ngt obeapartofourl
iv
es.I
needyoutoputintheeff
ort
 
Me;
mhmmmmmmmmmm
Hi
m;cany
ouatl
eastt
ry 
ME;
butbaby
 
Hi
m;pl
ease,
please,
please 
Me;
fine
Hi
m;Thanky
ou 
Me;
don’
tthankmej
usty
et
Hi
m;1mor
ethi
ng 
Me;
what
 
Hi
m;She’
sdownst
air
s

Fuckman.Siyahadawayofannoyi
ngme
beyondmeasure.Whatwasthepoi
ntinhi
m
aski
ngmei fhi
smom couldcomeifshewas
al
readyher
e?

Hi
m;pl
easedon’
tfr
eakout
 
Me;
Siy
aman 
Hi
m;babypl
easet
ry

It
ookapi
l
lowandhi
thi
m wi
thi
t

Me;whybot
heraski
ngwheny
ou’
veal
ready
madeupyourmind 
Hi
m;Idi
dn’
twantt
otaket
her
iskofy
ousay
ing
no 
Me;see.ThisiswhyIwantpre-
mari
tal
counsel
li
ng.Youhavenoregardswhatsoev
er
aboutmyf eel
i
ngs 
Hi
m;baby
.I’
m sor
ry 
Me;
don’
tli
e
Hi
m;ok…I
’
m notsor
ry.ButIdol
ovey
ou 
Me;
that
’snott
hepoi
nt 
Hi
m;y
oursocut
ewheny
ourmad 
Me; t
ryi
ngt
obut
termeupi
sn’
tgoi
ngt
ohel
p.
I
’m sti
ll
madaty
ou 
Hi
m;whatdoIhav
etodot
omakey
ouf
orgi
ve
me 
Me;
Not
hing
Hi
m;whataboutaki
ss 
Me;
I’
m eat
ing 
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ounana
Me;
justshutupandhel
pgetdecentf
ory
our
mom. 
Hi
m;I
’
vegotsomecl
othesf
ory
oui
nthecl
oset
 
Me;
doy
ouhav
eadr
essi
nther
e 
Hi
m;acoupl
e 
Me;
handmeoneoft
hem.
.mxm

Siyagotupandwentt ogetmeadr esst oput

on.Iwasabi tannoy edathim,butIdidn’twant
ustof ightabouti t.Hedi dwhathedidwi th
goodi ntenti
onsbuti twould’
vebeenni cei fhe’
d
di
scussedi twithmef i
rst.I
tsnotthatIhat ehis
mot her,i
tsjustt hatafterCuba,Idon’
tt hinkI
couldev ertrulyhav ear el
ati
onshipwit
hher .
Plusweal l
knowhowmuchshel ovesLi nda

IputontheMaxidressthatSi
yagav
emeand
walkeddownst
air
st ogoseehismother
.
Idon’
tknowwhyshedi dn’
tcomeupst
air
s.It
’s
suchami ssi
ontowalkupanddownthestai
rs.
Especi
all
ysinceIwassti
ll
inabi
tofpai
n.

IfoundSiya’
smom havingteai
nthedi
ning
room.Itookadeepbreath,
andwenttogreet
her.
 
ImadesureIwor
eoneofmybi
ggest
,fakest
smi
lesever
.

Me;
SawbonaMa
Her
;Makot
i.Unj
ani
 
Me;
I’
m goodandy
ou 
Her
;bet
ternowt
hatSi
yaandIar
eongood
t
erms

Iwant
edt
orol
lmyey
esbutIcoul
dn’
t,
because
shewasl
ooki
ngatme.

Her
;joi
nmeforsometea.Sar
ahmakest
he
mostamazi
ngscones 
Me;
thanksma

Isatdownnextt
oherandpour
edmy
sel
fsome
tea

Her
;sot
ell
mehowy
ourf
eel
i
ng 
Me;
I’
mfi
nema,
justgl
adt
obeoutt
hehospi
tal
 
Her
;I’
m gl
ad.
.Iheary
ouandSi
yaar
eengaged 
Me;
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)Yesma
Her
;sowhendoy
oupl
anonget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Me;
nocl
ue.We’
ret
aki
ngi
tonedayatat
ime 
Her;
wellt
hat
’sgood.Noneedtorush.Wedon’t
wantyouguy
smaki ngsuchhast
ydecisi
ons,
onlytogetdi
vorced.Pl
usIfeel
li
keyouaren’
t
readyformarr
iage.Li
ndaontheotherhand
would’vemadeawonder f
ulwif
e.

Shewascl
ear
lyt
ryi
ngt oannoyme.SoIt
ooka
deepbr
eat
handdecidedtoplayal
ong

Me;wel lt
hetrut
hisMa.Iwashopi ngSiyaandI
wouldelope.Itj
usttakesthestressoutof
havi
ngt oplanaweddi ng.Andthatwayonlythe
i
mpor tantpeopl
ewoul dbethere.Justmeand
Him.Itisourweddingaf t
eral
l.

Shel
ookedatmehor
ri
fi
ed

Her;that
’snottheNdhl
ovuwayofdoi ngthi
ngs.
Siy
abongai stheheadofthefamil
y,t
hereisno
wayhewoul dagreetothat.I
fyoutwoare
gett
ingmar r
ied,t
henyouhavetodot hi
ngsthe
pr
operwayorelset
heancest
orswi
l
lnev
er
bl
essyouruni
on

Me; nothingsbeendeci dedbutwe’l

lsee.Andby
theway .doy oursel
fandIbot hafavourand
stayoutofmyr elat
ionshipwit
hSiya.Webot h
knowi fitcamet oithewoul dchosemeov er
you.Iam t heonewor mi nguphisbedafterall
.
SoifIwer eyouIwouldbehav e.Youdon’twant
tohav emeasanenemy

Si
ya’
smom lookedl i
keshewasr eadytofai
nt.I
fi
nal
l
yhadherrightwher eIwantedher .I
twas
hi
ghtimeIgotintheringwithher.Ifshe
want
edaf i
ght,
Iwasgoi ngtogiveheroneshe
woul
dneverforget.

Her;
youhavenoshame.whodoy
out
hinky
ou
ar
espeaki
ngtomel i
ket
hat.
Me;I'
mt hewomanwho'
saboutt
obecomey
our
daught
erinlaw.

Her;notifihav
eany thi
ngtodowithi
t.Si
ya
belongswithLindaandisexact
lywhoheis
goingtoendupwi th.shehasgi
venhim2
chil
dren,andwhataboutyou,whathaveyou
giv
enhi m?ha.Justy ouwai
tandsee

Me; wel
l,i
guessi t
sgameon.butj ustsoyou
know.I'
m notgoingany wher e.Ifyouwantto
takemeon, makesur ey ourreadyt osay
goodbyetoy ourbelovedson.becauseasf aras
I'
m concernedyourjustasr eplaceabl
easi am.

Ismi
l
edatherandst
oodup
Me;excusemema.Ineedt
ogol
i
edown.I
’
ll
seeyoulat
er

Il
efthert
herelooki
ngl
i
keshehadchockedon
herowntongue.
WhenIgottoourr oom,Si
yahadj
ustf
inished
get
ti
ngstressed.Ial
wayslov
edhowhel ooked
i
nasuit.I
talwaysremindsmeofthef
irstti
meI
sawhim

Me;
youl
ookni
ce
Hi
m;doI
 
Me;
yep.Il
ovet
hatsui
tony
ou

Hel
ookedathi
msel
fint
hemi
rr
or 
Hi
m;doy
ou 
Me;
yes.Makesmewantt
ori
pitof
f
Siyalookedatmeandsmi led.Iwal
kedclosert
o
him andstart
edkissinghim.Istart
edoutslow
andsul t
ryandthenpr ogr
essedtolust
ful
.I
knewwecoul dn’ttakeitf
urther,
butIwantedto
butterhi
m up,becauseIknewhi smotherwas
goingtocompl ai
naboutme.

Si
yapul
l
edawayandl
ookedatme

Hi
m;babe.Whatwast
hatf
or?
 
Me;
Not
hing.I
’
vej
ustmi
ssedy
ourl
i
ps 
Hi
m;y
ourmaki
ngi
thar
dformet
oleav
e 
Me;wel
lyoubett
ergo,
becausewecan’tdo
any
thi
ng.Doct
orsai
dnosexf or6weeks
Hi
m;ar
eyouser
ious
Me;
yep 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
Baby
…im ser
ious
Hi
m;damn
Me;I
fyourni
ce,
may
bewecoul
dfi
ndaway
ar
oundit
 
Hi
m;nowy
ou’
ret
alki
ng 
Me;
(chuckl
es)got
owor
k.I
’
llseey
oul
ater
 
Hi
m;howwast
eawi
thmymom?
Me;i
twassurpri
singl
yni
ce.Idi
dn’
treal
i
zehow
muchImissedher
Hi
m;see.Yout
wowi
l
lbebestofbuddi
esi
nno
t
ime 
Me;
yaah…wepr
obabl
ywi
l
l.
 
Hi
m;i
vegott
ogo 
Me;
ok.
.Gi
vemeaki
sst
oremembery
ouby

Si
yagav
emeaki
ssandl
eft
.
Ilookedatmy sel
fandsmi led.Gonewast he
Rifi
loewhocr i
edherwayt hr ought hi
ngs.Nowi t
wast imeIstart
edst andi
ngupf ormy sel
f.Siy
a
l
ov edmeasmuchasIl ovedhi m, andI’
dbe
dammedi fIl
ethismot hergeti nt hewayoft hat
.
Ifshewant edtoreal
lytakemeon, iwasgoing
tofightherti
ll
myl astbreat h.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

68

WhenSiy
aleftf
ort
heoff
ice,
Idecidedt
osetup
anappoi
ntmentwi
thmybeauti
cian.
 
Icouldn’
tgotothesalon,soIaskedherto
comet othehouseinstead.IknewIwasn’
twell
,
butthatwasnoexcusef ormenott obeti
dy.

Anhourl
atershear
ri
vedwit
hherteam.They
fi
xedmyhair,
didmynail
swhil
eIhadlunchand
ev
enhel
pedmewax 
Whentheywerefinall
yfi
nished,
Ifel
tli
keanew
per
son.Iwasinabi tofpain,
butatl
eastI
l
ookedmorelikemy sel
f.Ipaidt
hem,then
wal
kedthem out.
 
Ineededt
otakemypi
l
lsandanapbef
ore
dinner
.

WhenIwokeupitwasj
ustaf
ter6pm.It
ookmy
phoneandcal
l
edSiy
a

Hi
m;babe 
Me;
Hey
.IhopeIam notdi
stur
bingy
ou 
Hi
m;nev
er 
Me;
doy
oupl
anoncomi
nghomeany
timesoon 
Hi
m;y
ah.I
’
mjustaboutt
oleav
etheof
fi
ce 
Me;
ok.I
’
llt
akeashowerbef
orey
ougether
e
Hi
m;don’
t.Wecanshowert
oget
her
 
Me;
mmhm soundsi
nter
est
ing 
Hi
m;i
l
lmakei
twor
thy
ourwhi
l
e 
Me;
sol
d..
.Ishal
lwai
tfory
ou
Hi
m;good.Seey
ounow
Me;
byel
ove

Ihungupandgotdr
essed.Iwant
edt
oseewhat
wasfordi
nner
. 
WhenIgott
otheki
tchen,
Siy
a’smot
herwas
cooki
ng.

Me;
hiMa.Howwast
her
estofy
ouraf
ter
noon?
 
Her
;mcm
Me;I
’m gl
ady
ou’
redoi
ngwel
l
.Sowhat
’sf
or
di
nner
?
Shel
ookedatmeast
houghIwascr
azy

Me;
noworri
es.Iwaspl
anni
ngf
orSi
yaandme
t
ogooutf
ordinner
Her;
soisthatwhaty
oudo?Feedmysont
ake
awaysal
lday?
Me;
notr
eal
l
y.Buthedoesn’
tcompl
ain
Her
;mxm

Itookabott
leofwaterf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeandwent
tothel
oungetowatchsomeTV.

WhenSi
yaarri
vedhegr
eet
edhi
smot
her
,then
camet
ositnextt
ome

Hi
m;hi
nana 
Me;
haybabe
Hi
m;y
oul
ookgood.
 
Me;
Thanky
ou.Ihadt
hebeaut
ici
ancomeov
er 
Him;youcoul
dbebal
dandy
ou’
dst
il
lbe
beaut
iful
 
Me;
thanksbaby
 
Hi
m;sowhat
sfordi
nner
?
Me; y
ourmomsmaki
ngl
egofl
amband
vegetabl
es 
Hi
m;Ihopey
ougotsomer
est
 
Me;
Idi
d.Thanky
ou 
Hi
m;wannat
akeaqui
ckshowerbef
oredi
nner
?
Me;
Ineedmor
ethanj
ustami
nut
e
Hi
m;oh.
.Nowwer
etal
ki
ng.

Ihi
thi
m ont
het
high

Me;
behav
e..
.yourmot
her
sint
heki
tchen 
Hi
m; wewoul
dn’
twantt
orai
seherbl
ood
pr
essur
e 
Me;(giggl
es)def
ini
tel
ynot
.I’
m enj
oyi
nghav
ing
heraround 
Hi
m;r
eal
l
y 
Me;
yes
Hi
m;wel
lthat
’sonet
hingIcancr
ossof
fmyl
i
st
Me;I
’m gl
ad.It
hinky
ouhav
ewayt
oomucht
o
wor
ryabout 
Hi
m;GodIl
ovey
our
ightnow
Me;
I’
vebeent
hinki
ng 
Hi
m;shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed
Me;It
hinkI
’
llt
akey
ourof
ferr
egar
dingbei
ng
CFOofNdhlov
uCorp
Hi
m;r
eal
l
y 
Me;
yes
Hi
m;t
hat
’sgr
eat
.I’
l
lletmyl
awy
erknow.
 
Me;
Iwasal
sothi
nki
ng,
weneedt
osetadat
e
f
ort
heweddi
ng
Hi
m;t
hankGod 
Me;I’
m notr
eal
l
yuptopl
anni
ngabigweddi
ng.I
washopingwecoul
ddosomethi
ngmor
e
i
nti
mate
Him;babyIwoul
dmarr
yyour
ightnow.Idon’
t
caref
orabigweddi
ng 
Me;
sol
et’
sel
ope

Si
yal
ookedatmel
i
keIwasi
nsane

Hi
m; butbabe.Don’
tyoudr
eam oft
hebig
wedding?Withfami
lyandf
ri
endset
c. 
Me:MaywheniwasaLot
tgi
rl
.Buyr
ightnowi
dontr
eal
l
ycare
Hi
m:It
hinkweshoul
dst
il
lhav
eabi
gweddi
ng
Me;
ok,
butt
heni
want3weddi
ngs.
 
Hi
m;l
ordhel
pus 
Me;
(gi
ggl
es)l
etmef
ini
sh 
Hi
m;ok.I
’
llt
rykeepi
nganopenmi
nd 
Me;thef i
rstone,wil
ljustbethetwoofusanda
pri
est.Somewher esecluded.Thenwehavethe
normal t
radit
ionalandwhi t
eweddingatmy
home, t
henaty ourhome 
Hi
m;soundspr
omi
sing 
Me;
yousai
dIcoul
dhav
ewhat
everIwant
Hi
m;Idon’
tthi
nkmymom wil
lappr
eci
ateour
f
ir
st“
wedding”bei
ngwi
thj
ustt
he2ofus
Si
ya’
smom wal
kedi
naswewer
etal
ki
ng.

Her
;di
nner
sready
 
Si
ya;
thanky
ou

Si
yahel
pedmeupandwewentt
osi
tint
he
dini
ngr oom.Si
ya’smom hadal readydishedup
forus.WhichIdidn’
tunderstandwhy .I
expectedhertol
ayoutthef oodont het abl
e.
Godknowswhatsheputi nmyf ood.

Iwasn’
treal
l
ycomf
ortabl
ewi
theati
ngherf
ood,
phel
athi
swomanhatesmyguts.
 
Luckil
yshewalkedtotheki
tchentofet
chher
food.SoIknewthiswasmyonl yoppor
tuni
tyt
o
getoutofeati
ngherfood

Me;
babe.It
hinkIneedt
olaydownabi
t
Hi
m;what
’swr
ong 
Me;
I’
mjustsuddenl
yfeel
i
ngabi
tsor
e 
Hi
m;Goupst
air
s.I
’
llbr
ingy
ourdi
nnert
her
e 
Me;canIr
atherhavesomethingelse.Idon’
t
meantoberude,butIdon’
tthinkIcanstomach
l
ambatthemoment  
Hi
m;whatcanIgety
ou 
Me;
I’
ll
makeasmoot
hie 
Him;youcan’
tli
veof
fsmoot
hies.Youneedt
o
eat 
Me;i
llcomedownandmakesomet hi
ngj
ust
now.Fornow,
Ijustwantt
olaydown 
Ist
oodupandwalkedtowardsourr
oom.I
wasn’tr
eal
l
ysor
e,butIjustwant
edtoav
oid
eat
ing.

Whenwegottoourr
oom Si
ya,
openedt
he
bl
anket
sformeandIgoti
n

Me;
gohav
edi
nnerwi
thy
ourmom.I
llbef
ine 
Hi
m;no.t
hatcanwai
t.I
llst
aywi
thy
ou 
Me;
baby.I
’mjustgoi
ngt
otr
yrestabi
t.I
’
m sur
e
I
’mj
ustover
react
ing 
Hi
m;It
hinkweshoul
dcal
lyourdoct
orj
ustt
o
makesur
e 
Me;
Siy
ast
op.Isai
dI’
mfi
ne 
Hi
m;(
sigh)y
ousur
e?
Me;
yes.Nowgoandenj
oydi
nner
. 
Hi
m;ok.I
llbedownst
air
sify
ouneedme

Siyagavemeakissandwalkeddownstai
rs.Il
et
outasighofr
eli
ef.Idi
ntl
i
kelyi
ngtohim,but
therewasnowayIwaseatinghi
smother’
s
food.

WhenSiy
acamebacktoourroom hel
ookeda
bi
tof
f.Ij
ustknewi
thadsomethi
ngtodowith
hi
smother.

Me:
baby
..
.what
'
swr
ong
Hi
m:not
hing 
Me:
Siy
a 
Hi
m: Ri
fi
loe,
whydi
dnty
out
ell
meaboutt
he
f
all
outyouhadwi
thmymot
her 
Me:
fal
lout
Hi
m:shesay
syoubasi
cal
l
yat
tackedher
Me:
ist
hissomeki
ndofj
oke
Hi
m;doIl
ookl
i
keI
'
mjoki
ng?
Me:
Idontknowwhaty
ourt
alki
ngabout
 
Hi
m:shesay
syout
oldheraboutusel
opi
ng
Me:Idi
d.ButIdon'tseenhowthat
'
sabigdeal
.
Wewer edi
scussi
ngt heweddi
nganditol
dher
wewereconsider
ingelopi
ng,howist
hat
at
tacki
ngher?
Hi
m:i
don'
tknowok
Me:
babycomeher
e

Hecamet
osi
tnextt
ome
Me: st
opst r
essingy
oursel
faboutt
hings.I
'
ll
speaktoy ourmom int
hemor ni
ng.I
m sureshe
j
ustmi sunderst
ood

Him:
thanksbaby.Iknowicanal
way
scounton
yout
obet hebi
ggerperson
Me:IwantustoworkSiya.Andifwe'r
egointo
workyouhavetot
rustme.IfIfel
tli
keyour
mom andIweren'
tgett
ingalongIwould'
vetol
d
you.
 
Hi
m:Iguessyourr
ight
.She'
spr
obabl
y
ov
err
eact
ing 
Me:nowthatt
hat
'
sov er
.Ir
emembery
ou
pr
omisi
ngmeabat h 
Hi
m:ar
eyousur
eyourupt
oit
 
Me:
def
ini
tel
y 
Hi
m:I
'
llgof
il
lthet
ub.
Si
yagotupandwenttothebathroom.Iwas
gl
adhismothersai
dsomethingbecausethat
wayshewastheonenagginginsteadofme.

Si
yacamebackandhel
pedmeundr
ess.Ikept
l
ooki
ngatmyscar

Hi
m:what
'swr
ong
me:
Ijusthat
ehowi
tlooks 
Hi
m:i
twi
l
lheal
bet
terwi
tht
ime 
Me: howam Igoi
ngt
oweabi
ki
niwi
tht
his
hi
diousscar
 
Hi
m:y
oucanat
att
oo 
Me:goodi
dea.May
beweshoul
dgetmat
chi
ng
t
att
oos 
Him:asLonLoni
t'
snotbut
ter
fl
iesorf
air
iesI
'
m
good 
Me(
chuckl
es)I
'
llt
hinkofsomet
hing.

Oncewewer
ebot
hdoneundr
essi
ngwewentt
o
t
hebath.

Si
yawasl i
kemyownpersonalnurse.Tobe
honestIwasenj
oyi
ngt
heattenti
on. 
Wesatint
hebathf
orawhi
l
e,j
ustchat
ti
ng
aboutt
heweddi
ng.

Hi
m:y
oushoul
dSt
anupsoi
canwashy
ou 
Me:
soy
,I'
m notf
ragi
l
e.Icanbat
hmy
sel
f 
Hi
m:butIwantt
obet
heonet
odoi
t 
Me;
fine.ButDont
ouchmyscar
 
Hi
m:Iwon'
t.
 
Me:
fine.Hel
pmegetup
Siyat ookmyhandandhel pedmest andup.He
start
edbywashi ngmyback, andt henmov edto
mychest .Atfi
rstIthr
oughtitwasa
coincidencewhenhebr ushedagai nstmy
nipples,butthenhest ar
tedpinchingthem,andi
knewt hi
swasn' tj
ustacoincidence

Me:
somuchf
orbat
hingme
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
ourt
alki
ngabout
 
Me:
real
l
y 
Hi
m:r
eal
l
ybabe

Hemov edhi
satt
ent
ionbacktowhathewas
doi
ng.Hewashedovermystomach,t
hen
moveddowntomyp* **
y.Il
etoutal
it
tl
emoan.

Inst
eadofjustwashi
ngmedownthere,he
star
tedsl
owlymassagingmycl
i
t,al
lthewhil
e
nottaki
nghiseyesoffmine.Themor ehe
massagedmet here,
themor earousedI
became.Icoul
dseet hathi
smanhoodwasas
hardasarock,soidecidedtoal
sopl aywi
thi
t.

Webot hmov edatthesamepacef orawhi le.

TheSiyaputmyni ppl
ei nhi
smout h.Hist ounge
keptrol
li
ngar oundov ermynipple,whi lehis
fi
ngerswor kedtheirmagiconmycl i
t.Siy
awas
tor
tur
ingmei nthemostdel i
ciousewayandi
wasenjoyingev er
ymi nuteofit.JustasIwas
abouttoletgoSi y
acamet oacompl etehal t

Il
ookedathi
m conf
used

Hi
m:y
oucan'
tcum y
et 
Me:
whyt
hehel
lnot
Hi
m:Iwantt
otast
eyouwheny
oucum 
Me:
siy
aaaaa
Hi
m:l
et'
sgot
othebed 
Me:
I'
m notgoi
ngt
omakei
tther
e 
(
Chuckel
s)I
'
llCar
ryy
ou 
Me:
wel
lhur
ryup.I
'
m dy
ingher
e

Siyasmil
edatmeandgotoutt hebath,
thenhe
carri
edmet oourbed.Heputmedowngent l
y,
thenstar
tedwit
hthenippl
esagain.

Hesl
owl
ymov eddownf r
om t
heni
pples,
down
t
omystomach,andthentomycl
it
. 
Theminut
ehecircl
edhist
oungear
oundt
hecl
i
t.
Ihel
dontothesheets.
 
Hewemtf r
om kissi
ngitit
,toli
ki
ngandgentl
y
bit
ing.Hetheninser
ts2f i
ngerswhil
eli
cki
ng,
andItwasgameov erforme.Ihadaneart
h
shatter
ingorgasi
mt hatri
ppedethr
oughmy
body
,tot
hepoi
ntofmeshaki
ng

Si
yal
ookedupatmeandsmi
l
ed,
whi
l
eIcaught
mybr
eath,

Hi
m:Ihopey
ouf
oundt
hatsat
isf
act
orymadam 
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:I
'
llt
aket
hatasay
es.
 
Me:
yes
Him:good.Nowgeti
nthebl
anket
sandsleep.
You'
vehadfart
omuchexcit
ementforoneday 
me:
whatabouty
ou 
hi
m:whataboutme 
Me:
Ial
sowantt
otast
eyouasy
oucum 
Hi
m:y
ouupt
oit
 
Me:
yes
Hi
m:ok,
getup
Isl
owl
ygotdownonmykneesandputhi
min
mymouth.

Il
i
ckedandsuckedhi
mt i
l
licoul
dfeel
hewas
cl
ose.Theni
wentasdeepasIcoul
dtake.
 
Siy
acamewi t
husmuchi
ntensi
tyasi
did.Then
coll
apsedont
hebed

Iwipedmymouthandwentt
ogolayi
nhi
s
arms.Webot
hlayinbedt
ryi
ngt
ocomebackt
o
eart
h.

Hi
m:y
ourf
li
ppi
ngamazi
ng 
Me:
Icant
ell
 
Hi
m:Ihopey
oudi
dn'
thur
tyour
sel
f 
me:
Siy
ajustshoosh
Welayonthebednakedti
l
lwestar
tedfal
li
ng
asl
eep.Unf
ort
unat
elyhi
sphonehadotherpl
ans.
Helookedatt
hecal
lerI
Dandpassedthephone
tome
Il
ookedatI
tandsawi
twasLi
nda.

Me:
Linda
Her:
oh,
hi.
..am Iwashopi
ngt
ospeakt
osi
ya 
me:
He'
sasl
eep 
Her:Ij
ustwantedt
oremindhi
mthatiwas
goingformy16weekscantomor
row.Hehad
promisedtocomewit
h. 
Me:
I'
ll
remi
ndhi
m 
Her:
thanky
ou

Iputdownthethecal
landgavesiyahisphone
back.Tobehonesti
twasdiff
icul
ttothinkof
Siy
agoingtot
hedoct orwithLinda.Especial
ly
si
ncetheydi
scussedthiswhileiwasi nhospital
.Butnonthelessiwasn'tgoingtoletthattur
n
i
ntoanargument.I
nsteadIwasgoi ngt ogive
si
yathemessageandl ethim handleLinda.I
hadmyplatef
ullenoughdealingwi t
hhi s
mother
.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

69

IgaveSi
yahismessage, t
hencuddl ednextto
hi
m.Ithi
nkheknewIwasn' treadytodiscuss
hi
sappointmentwi
thLinda, becausehejust
hel
dme, ti
l
lwebothfel
l asl
eep.

WhenIwokeupt hef
oll
owingmorni
ngSi
yawas
sti
l
lfastasl
eepnexttome.It
'swei
rdhowwhen
he’
sinSAhesl eeps,
butoncewegettoCuba
he'
l
lbeupt
hroughmostoft
heni
ght
.

Igotoutofbedandwentt otakeashower.I
wassohungr ybecauseIhadmi sseddi
nnerl
ast
ni
ght.SoIwantedtomakemy selfbr
eakf
ast.

AftermyshowerIwentt oSiya’
sclosett
osee
thet hi
ngshehadboughtf orme.Hehadsai dhe
boughtaf ewt hings.Butthi
swasn'tthecase.
Hehadl i
ter al
lyboughtmeawhol enew
war drobef ull
ofcl ot
hes.Mxm Siyacanwast e
moneyatt imes.

Iworeoneofthedressesandmysl
i
pper
s,t
hen
wentdownst
airs.

IfoundSi
ya’
smot
herhav
ingt
eai
nthedi
ning
room 
Me:
mor
ningma 
Her
:hmm 
Ideci
dedtositwi
thher
.Iwant
edt
orai
seher
hi
ghbloodjustabi
t
Me:ma,Ihear
dSi
yasay
ingt
her
e'sapr
obl
em
bet
weenus
Her
:mxm
Me: y
azma.I '
m notawareofanyproblems
betweenus.PhelaNnaIl ov
eyouli
kemyown
mother.I'
m sorr
yifIof
fendedyouaboutel
oping.
Butdon'tworryne.We'l
lhavet
hebigbeauti
ful
weddingthatyoualwaysdreamedofforSi
ya.I
can'
twaittobemakot iwahaNDHLOVU.That
wayy ouandmewi l
lbeti
edtoget
herforet
erni
ty
Her
: y
oumayt hi
nkyourclever,butyouhaveno
i
deawhatI 'm capableof
.Youwi l
lneverbe
umakot iwakaNDHLOVU, aslongasI 'm al
i
ve.
Never.Thereisonlyonegi r
lthatSiyabongawi
ll
marry,andthatisLinda 
Me: wellIGuessy
oubett
erstar
ttaki
ngyour
pil
ls.Idon'
twantyout
appingoutonthef
ir
st
round. 
Ismiled,t
henwentt
otheki
tchent
omake
breakfast
. 
Thewhol epointofmepr ov
oki
ngherwast osee
i
fsher eall
ywaspl anni
ngsomethi
ng,andnow
I'
m 100%conv incedherandLi
ndawer ebot
hup
tosomet hi
ng.Imaynotknowwhat .ButIwas
sureashellready
IfoundSiya’shousekeeperinthekitchen.I
wasn'treal
lysureifIt
rustedherornot .She
seemedabi tcl
osetoSiya’smother.Ijust
greetedher,andstart
edmaki ngbreakfast.
 
Her:
mam, Iwasj
ustaboutt
ost
artmaki
ng
br
eakfast
 
Me:
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.I
'
llhandl
eit
 
Her
:Idon'
tthi
nkMrNdhlovuwoul
dappr
ove.He
gav
emespecifici
nst
ruct
ionst
omakesureyou
r
est
. 
Me:l
etmehandlehi
m.Youcancar
ryi
nwi
tht
he
r
estofy
ourdut
ies.
Her
:yes.Mam
Imadebreakf
astf
oral
lofus.I
ncl
udi
ngt
he
guar
ds.
 
Igav
emamazal
aher
's,
thenwentt
owakeSi
ya.
 
Imadesur
eIdidn'
tdi
shupformeandSi
ya.I
di
dn'
twantherspi
ki
ngmyfood. 
WhenIgotupst
air
s,Si
yahadj ustgot
tenoutthe
shower
.Hewasintheclosetgetti
ngdressed 
Me:
mor
ningbaby
 
Hi
m:mor
ning.
 
Me:
breakf
asti
sready
 
Hi
m:pl
easet
ell
mey
ouwer
en'
tcooki
ng 
Me;
fine.Iwontt
ell
you 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
whathappenedt
orest
ing?Di
dn’
t
y
ouhearwhatt
hedoct
orsai
d?
Me;BabyI
’mfi
ne.Ican’
tjustst
ayinbedthe
whol
eday.Idi
ntwantyourmotherthi
nki
ngI’
m
l
azy 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
ret
ryi
ngt
oimpr
essher
Me;
somet
hingl
i
ket
hat
 
Hi
m; t
hat’
ssweetofy
ou,
butallt
hatmatter
sis
whatIt
hinkofy
ou.Andr
ightnowim not
i
mpressedatal
l 
Me;
butbaby
Hi
m;noar
gui
ng.Youneedt
orest
. 
Me;
ok
Hi
m;good
Me;
Letmef
ixy
ourTi
e

Imov
edcl
oserandf
ixedhi
sti
eforhi
m.
Me;
sowhenar
eyoumeet
ingwi
thLi
nda 
Him;Idon’
tthi
nkI’
ll
beabl
etomakei tt
oCT
andback.I
’vegotsomuchtogett
hrough
befor
eweleaveforCUBAtomorr
ow 
ME;Maybey
oucanflyherdown.I
’m sur
ewe
canf
indaGynef
orheraroundJHB 
Hi
m;doy
oumi
ndhandl
i
ngi
t
Me;wit
hPleasur
e.Maybeshecanbri
ng
Ol
wetho,soyoucanseehi
m befor
eweleav
e

Si
yal
ookedatmesuspi
ciousl
y

Hi
m;baby
,yousur
eyou’
reok 
Me;
yes.I
’
m cer
tai
n
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ou 
Me;
Ilov
eyoumor
e
Hi
m;wi
l
lyouphoneLi
ndaandl
etherknow 
Me;
sur
e.Butf
ir
stl
et’
shav
ebr
eakf
ast

Wewal keddownst
air
shandinhand.Iwentto
dishupforus,
andwej oi
nedhi
smot heratt
he
tabl
e.

Him;Ma.IspoketoRif
iloelastni
ght,
andshe
doesn’
tseem t
othinkthereisaprobl
em
betweenthet
woofy ou. 
Her
;mhmm 
Him;Ri
fil
oe,i
stryi
ng.Canyoujustt
rymeeti
ng
herhal
fway?Ican’
thavethemostimport
ant
womeni nmylif
ehatingeachother
 
Her
;Iheary
ou 
Hi
m;Thanky
ou.

Wehadther
estofourbreakfast,
thenIwentt
o
t
heki
tchent
owasht hedishes.Siy
afoll
owed
me

Hi
m; Ihopey
ou’
renotpl
anni
ngonwashi
ng
t
hose 
Me;Iwas,
butIguessI
’
lll
eav
etheseher
efor
Sar
ah 
Hi
m;at
leasty
oul
i
sten 
Me;
Itr
y 
Hi
m;I
’
m of
f.I
’
llseey
oul
ater
 
Me;
cool
.I’
l
lcal
lyour
egar
dingLi
nda 
Hi
m;t
hxbabe.

Hegav
emeaki
ss,
thenl
eftf
ort
heof
fi
ce.
 
IknewIwasreall
ygoingtobebored,sit
ti
ngin
bedthewholeday,soIdecidedt
ogoupst ai
rs
andsortoutt
heLindaissue.Tobehonestit
wasgoingtotakemeawhi l
etogetusedto
thi
s. 
Themi nut
esheanswer
edt
hephoneIr
oll
edmy
eyes.

Her
;Hel
l
o 
Me;
HiLi
nda.I
tsRi
fi
loe 
Her
;what
’sup 
Me;Siyai
sn’
tgoi
ngtobeablet
ocomet
oCTf
or
yourdoct
or’
sappoi
ntment
Her
;Mxm It
houghtasmuch.Di
dyouhav
e
any
thi
ngt
odowi t
hthis?
 
Me;Li
nda,justshutupandli
sten.Iwant
edt o
knowifyoumi ndedfl
yi
ngtoJHBf oranother
appoi
ntment.Thatwayhecanst i
llseet
hebaby
Her;soIhav
etobetheonet
oflyar
ound,
becausehecan’
tmaketi
meforme
ME;
takei
torl
eav
eit
.It
’supt
oyouhun 
Her
;whatt
imesmyf
li
ght
Me;
TheJetwi
l
lbet
her
eat11;
00am 
Her
;ok 
Me;Iwashopi
ng,
may beyoucoul
dbr
ing
Ol
wethowit
hyou,i
fit
’snott
oomuchtroubl
e 
Her
;why
 
Me;Weleav
ef orCubatomorr
ow,andIt
hought
i
twouldbeniceifhecoul
dspendti
mewith
Ol
wethobeforethen
Her
;(si
gh)ok.
 
ME;
thanky
ou

Ihungup,
thencal
l
edmyGy
ne.Lucki
l
yshehad
anopeni
ngat3pm. 
Aft
ersor
tingoutt
heLindai
ssue,
Imadea
smoothi
e,thenwentbackt
omyr oom.
 
Ineededtot
akeanap,
bef
orehav
ingt
odeal
wit
hLinda.

WhenIwokeup,
Ihadl
unch,
thenwent
downst ai
rstoprepdinner
.IknowSiyasaidto
takeiteasy,butIknewIwasgoingt odriv
e
my sel
fcrazythinki
ngabouthim andLinda
l
ookingatt hesonarofthei
rbaby. 
WhenIgotthekitchen,Sar
ahwasalr
eady
makingdi
nner.Idecidednott
odi
stur
bher,and
wentbacktomyr oom.

Iwaswat
chi
ngTvwhenSi
yacal
l
ed

Me;
Hil
ove 
Hi
m;Hey.I
’
vejustl
eftt
hedoct
or’
sof
fi
ce.
Owet
hoandIarecominghome
Me;
IsLi
ndawi
thy
ou?
 
Hi
m;She’
sleav
ingnow 
Me;
Inv
itehert
odi
nner
 
Hi
m;huh 
Me;
youhear
dme 
Hi
m;whywoul
dwedot
hat
 
Me;
becausey
ourwi
fesay
sso 
Hi
m;I
nthatcase,
Iwi
l
ldoast
old 
Me;
good

Aftermycall
,Iwentdownt
oletSarahknow
thatLi
ndaandOlwethower
ejoini
ngus.ThenI
wenttotakeabath.

WhenSiy
aar
ri
ved,
Ihadj
ustf
ini
shedget
ti
ng
r
eady.

Hi
m;heyy
ou 
Me;
Hi 
Hi
m;Ol
wet
hoandLi
ndaar
edownst
air
s. 
Me;
I’
ll
goseet
hem now 
Hi
m;don’
tIgetaki
ssf
ir
st 
Me;
comegeti
t.

Igav
emymanaki
ss,
thenwebot
hwal
ked
down 
Theminut
eIsawLindamyskincrawled.Ther
e
wassomethi
ngabouthert
hatdi
dn’tseem ri
ght.
Ij
ustcoul
dn’
tputmyfi
ngeronit

Igr
eetedher
,andwenttogi
veOl
wet
hoahug.
Helookedsomuchbiggert
hant
hel
astt
imeI
sawhim. 
Hi
m;aunt
y.TodayIsawmybabybr
other
 
Me;
didy
ou
Hi
m;y
es.Daddysay
shel
ooksj
ustl
i
keme 
Me;
real
l
y 
Hi
m;y
es.
 
Me;
im gl
ady
ougott
oseehi
m.
SomethingOlwet
hosaiddidn’
tquitemake
sense.Howdidheknowt hesexwhenLi nda
wasjust16weeksalong?Isn’
titusuall
yat18
or20weeks?Andcomet ot hi
nkofit,Li
nda
l
ookedquitebigf
orj
ust16weeks.  
Wesatdownandhaddi nnert
ogether
.Itwasa
bi
tawkwardbecausether
ewasn’tmuch
conv
ersat
ion.SoIdeci
dedtotr
ysomet hi
ng

Me;(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)soLi
nda,
how’
sthebaby
doi
ng 
ShelookedatmeandthenatSi
ya’
smother
.I
knewrightt
hent
hatsomethi
ngwasn’
tri
ght
Her
;ev
ery
thi
ng’
sfi
ne 
Me;goodtoknow.Hav
eyouguy
sthoughtof
anynamesyet?
Her
;Iwast
hinki
ngt
onamehi
m af
terhi
sfat
her
 
Me;
that
’sni
ce.I
sntl
ove

Si
yaj
ustnodded
Her
;sowhendoy
oupl
anonhav
ingchi
l
dren 
Me;notanyt
imesoon.Iv
ealr
eadygotOl
wet
ho
andJuni
orontheway,sowe’
renoti
nahurr
y

Shelookedatmeandsmi l
ed.Nottheki
ndof
smil
ethatwasfr
iendl
y,butmoreli
kesheknewI
wasupt osomet
hing

Me;Ma,y
oumustbeexci
tedt
obea
gr
andmotheragai
n 
Her
;yes.I
t’
sapi
tyy
ouwer
en’
tabl
etocar
ryy
our
t
winstoter
m

Si
yal
ookedatmeandt
henathi
smot
her
 
Hi
m;wast
hatnecessar
y 
Her
;Iwasj
ustsay
ing 
Me;Si
ya.It
’sf
ine.Igety
ourmot
herdoesn’
tli
ke
me.I’
m okwit
ht hat
Her
;ar
eyoudoneeat
ing 
Me;
yes.
 
Hi
m;Let
sgo 
Ist
oodupandSi y
a’sandIwal
kedt
owardst
he
door.Ihadnoi
deawhereweweregoi
ng

Me;
Babeandnow 
Him;Ican’tstandt
hetensi
oni
nt hatr
oom.Ij
ust
don’
tunder st
andwhymymot herdoesn’
twant
togetalongwi t
hyou 
Me;
For
geti
tbabe.I
t’
snott
heendoft
hewor
ld 
Hi
m;NoRi
fi
loe.I
t’
snotr
ight
 
Me;
that
’swhyIdi
dn’
treal
l
ywanthert
aki
ng
car
eofme, becauseIknewi
twoul
dteary
ou
guysapar
t 
Hi
m;It
hinki
t’
sti
meshegoeshome 
Me;
it’
sapi
ty 
Him;i
tsti
me.Ican’
tst
andherconst
antmood
andnaggi
ng 
Me;Iunder
stand.Butwecan’
tgoanywhere.
Olwet
hoisheretoseeyou.Youneedtospend
sometimewithhim,
Hi
m;y
ourr
ight
 
Me;I’
m goi
ngbackupst
airs.Youshoul
dtake
Olwet
hoout.Maybewatchthe8pm mov i
eor
somethi
ng
Hi
m;YouknowIl
ovey
ou 
Me;
Yes.AndIl
ovey
ou 
Hi
m; Il
oveyoumore,becauseIcanseehow
muchyou’r
etry
ingt
omaket hi
swork.Inev
er
t
hought,ev
enforasecondthatyouwouldsitat
at
abl
ewi
thmyex
Me;babywe’
reget
ti
ngmarri
ed.I
t’
smyj
obt
o
hel
pyoucarr
yyourbur
dens
Hi
m;Thanky
ou 
Me;st
opbeingsomushy,
andgospendt
ime
wi
thyourson.I
’
llseey
oul
ater

Igavehim akiss,thenwentbackinside.Iwas
gladthatt
hingswer efinal
l
ynormalbet weenus.
Iwasn’tgl
adt hatLindawaspregnant,butI
wasn’tgoi
ngt oletSiya’
spasti
nterf
erewi t
hour
futur
e.
[
05/
13,
11:
40]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

70

Iwentbacki
nsi
de,
andheadedt
oourbedr
oom.
Thi
swholethi
ngwit
hLi
ndawastroubl
i
ngme.
Thingsj
ustweren’
taddingup.Iwant
edt
ogett
o
thebott
om ofthi
s,butatthesameti
me,
Iwasa
bitworr
iedofwhatIwouldfind.

Whati
fLindawasn’
tcarr
yingSi
ya’
sbaby?How
wasIgoi
ngtoprovei
t,wit
houtcomingacr
oss
asbi
tt
er?

Ideci
dedtoputthi
sli
tt
lei
nvest
igat
iononhol
d.I
neededt
oplanthispr
oper
ly.
 
AsIwasbusythi
nkingaboutLinda,
Someone
knockedonmydoor.It
ookadeepbr eat
hin
andoutandwenttoseewhoi twas.Iopened
andfoundLi
nda

Me;
Hi 
Her
;sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bing 
Me;
what
’sup 
Her;
Ijustcamet
ofi
ndoutwhaty
ou’
repl
ayi
ng
at
?
Me;
I’
mlost
 
Her
;youknowexact
lywhatI
’
mtal
ki
ngabout
Me; Li
nda,I’
mt i
red,
andIwanttogett
obed.So
stoptalki
ngaroundinci
rcl
esandgetst
rai
ghtt
o
thepoint
Her;
Iknowyou’r
euptosomethi
ng,
soIcamet
o
gi
veyouawordofadvi
ce.BACKTHEFUCKOFF,
bef
oreyougethurt
Hi
m; Mhmm youknowf orsomeonewhohasso
muchtolose,
yourv
eryconfident
.Especi
all
y
si
nceful
lcust
odyofOlwetho. 
Her
;what
’st
hatsupposedt
omean 
Me;nothi
ng,j
ustthatf
rom whereI
’m sit
ti
ng,I
haveal
l t
hewinni
ngcards.Soyoubetterstayi
n
yourl
ane,orel
seIwill
makey ou.
Ithinkshedidn’
texpectmet osayany t
hing.
Becauseshel ookedabi toutofpl
ace.She
turnedaroundandwal kedaway

Il
etoutasi
ghofreli
ef.Si
ya’
sbaggagewas
pr
ovingt
obealot.Iwasjustgl
adwewere
l
eavi
ngmostofiti
nSA.

Idecidedtogotakeabath,t
orel
axabi
t.I
hadn’tevenst
artedpacki
ng,
andwewere
l
eavingtomorrow.

Idi
dn’treal
i
sehowl ongIwasi nthebathf
or,
unti
lSiy
aar r
ived.It
hinkit
’sbecauseIwas
thi
nki
ngaboutt hiswholeLindathi
ng 
Hi
m;y
ourst
il
lup 
Me;
yaaah,
whatt
imei
sit
 
Hi
m;af
ter10
Me;
didy
ouandOl
wet
hohav
eagoodt
ime 
Hi
m;yah.Idon’
tthi
nkIr
eal
i
sedhowmuchI
mi
ssedhim.
Me;
youneedt
oreal
l
ymakemor
eti
mef
orhi
m 
Hi
m;Iknowl
ove
Me;
Iwast
hinki
ng 
Hi
m;l
etmej
oiny
ou,
thenwecant
alk 
Me;webothknowify
ougeti
nher
e,t
her
ewon’
t
bemuchtal
king 
Hi
m;i
l
lbehav
e..
.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;Fine.ButthenIneedtol
ett
hewat
erout
andthenfil
lthetubagai
n 
Hi
m;wel
lyoubet
tergetonwi
thi
t

Irol
ledmyeyesathi
m andletoutt
hewater
,
thenref
il
ledt
hetubandaddedsomebathoil
s. 
Siy
ajoi
nedme,andIsati
nbetweenhi
slegs,
so
Icoul
dlaymyheadonhischest

Me;
didy
ouspeakt
oyourmom
Hi
m; y
ah.She’
sdeci
dedshe’
sfl
yi
ngdownwi
th
Li
nda,f
ir
stthi
ngt
omorrow
Me;
babe.CanIasky
ousomet
hing?
 
Hi
m;any
thi
ng 
Me;pl
easedon’
ttaket
histhewr
ongway
.Ij
ust
wanty
outobehonestwithme. 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
promi
se 
Hi
m;f
ine 
Me;di
dy oubyanychancesl
eepwi
thLi
nda,
bef
oreyouwokeupinhospit
al 
Hi
m;no.Why
Me;
justaski
ng
Him;Rif
il
oe.That’
snotjustsomer andom
quest
ionthatpoppedintoyourhead.Ify
ou’
re
aski
ngmet his,
it’
sbecauseyoumi ghtknow
somethi
ngIdon’t
Me;Si
ya.Don’
tusey
ourint
err
ogat
ionmethods
onme.thatMambojumboworksonsuspect
s.
Notme
Hi
m;whyar
eyoubei
ngdef
ensi
ve 
Me;
stopi
t.You’
rest
il
ldoi
ngi
t 
Him; Baby
,youneedtounderst
andsomet
hing
aboutme.Iam tr
ainedtoknowwhensomeone
i
slyingtome.Iknowy ou’
reuptosomet
hing.I
j
ustwantt oknowwhatiti
s 
Me;
Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ou’
ret
alki
ngabout
Him;yoursuddencoolnessaroundLindaisn’
t
normal.Notaf
terever
y t
hingwe’vebeenthrough
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;I’
mjusttr
yingt
omakesureyougottosee
yourchi
l
drenbefor
eyoul
eft
.Ist
hatsuchabad
t
hing 
Him;notatal
l.I
tmakesmel oveyouevenmore.
Butthefactt
hatyoui
nvi
tedLindatodi
nner
doesn’
tmakesense.Andnowy ou’r
easkingme
aboutwhenIsleptwi
thher
Me;
for
getIsai
dany
thi
ng 
Hi
m;Iwon’
tfor
get.ButIwi
l
lwai
tfory
out
otel
l
mewhenyou’
reready 
Me;
thanky
ou

Wesatinthebat
habitlonger
.Idon’tknow
whatIwasthi
nki
ngaskinghim suchaquesti
on.
Obvi
ousl
yhewouldpickupsomet hingwasn’
t
r
ight
.Nxa

Thenextmorni
ng,IwokeupandSi
yawasn’
tin
bed.Il
ookedar
oundforhi
m,andhewasn’
t
any
wher
eint
hehouse,
soIcal
l
edhi
m

Hi
m;mor
ningsl
eepyhead 
Me;
wher
ear
eyou
Hi
m;It
ookmymom andLi
ndat
otheai
rpor
t.
 
Me;
ok,
Il
lseey
ouwheny
ougetback 
Hi
m; Ishouldbebacki
naboutanhour
.Then
we’
vegott ogo 
Me; Babe,
Ihav
en’tev
enstar
tedpacki
ng.Ial
so
needsomestufff
rom myhouse.
 
Hi
m;i
tsbei
nghandl
ed 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;babe 
Me;(si
gh)nev
ermi
nd.I
’
llber
eadybyt
het
ime
yourback 
Hi
m;cool
 
Ideci
dednott
oar
gueandr
athergogetr
eady
..
.
Ipackedt
hef
ewt hi
ngsIneeded,li
kephone,
l
aptopandot
hersmallt
hings.Thenwentto
bath.

Byt
het
imeIwasdone,
Siy
awasback.

Hi
m;r
eady
 
me;
Iguess 
Hi
m;we’
vegott
ogo 
Me;butbabe,
Ineededsomet
hingsf
rom my
pl
ace 
Him;babe.What
every
ouneedwecanbuyi
n
Cuba
Me;that’
snotthepoint.Butf
orgetIsai
d
any
thing.Let
’sjustgo
It
ookmybackandwewal
kedt
owar
dst
hecar
.

Onourwayt
otheai
rpor
tIgotasmsf
rom Li
nda

Her
; askyourmanwher ehesl eptthenightyou
guy
sar guedaboutpri
orit
ies.I
fIremember
cor
rectl
y,helef
tyourassinJHBandf lewt ome
i
nCT.Sonextt imeyouwantt olaythelaw.
Makesur eyouknowy ourlane.

Mybl
oodstar
tedt
oboi
l.Her
eIwasfl
yi
ngal
l
t
hewaytoCUBAforamanwhomightbel
yi
ng
t
ome. 
Itookmyphoneandthr
ewitatSi
ya.Hel
ooked
atmeandtri
edfi
guri
ngoutwhatwasgoi
ngon

Me;
don’
tlookedatme.Readt
hef
ucki
ng
message

Hepickedupthephoneandr
eadLi
nda’
s
message.Thenhegavememyphonebackand
cont
inuedwit
hhislapt
op 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Don’
t 
Me;
soy
ou’
renotgoi
ngt
osayany
thi
ng 
Hi
m;Ri
fil
oe,
asy
oucansee, we’
renotal
onei
n
t
hecar
.Wecandiscusst
hisonthej
et

Il
ookedatSiya,andpr
ayedhewasn’
tpl
aying
wit
hme, becauseri
ghtnowI’
vehadj
ustabout
enoughoftheLindai
ssue

Whenwegott
otheJet.Si
yasatdownand
pour
edhi
msel
fascotch
Isatopposi
tehi
m andj
ustst
aredathi
m.He
l
ookedupandshookhishead

Hi
m;You’
rer
eal
l
yint
hemoodt
ofi
ghtne 
Me;
I’
m wai
ti
ng 
Hi
m;f
orwhat
 
Me;
anexpl
anat
ion
Hi
m;y
ou’
renotget
ti
ngone 
Me;
Ibegy
ourpar
don 
Hi
m;y
ouhear
dme 
Me;
Siy
a 
Him; noRi
fi
loe.You’
veal
readydeci
ded,
sowhy
bother 
Me;
Siy
a,Iwantt
oheary
ousayi
t 
Hi
m;Saywhat
 
Me;
thaty
ousl
eptwi
thherwaybef
orey
our
mi
ssi
on 
Him;List
entomeandLi st
entomecarefull
y,
becauseI’
m onl
ygoingtosaythi
sonce.Idi
d
notsleepwit
hLindabef
oreCuba. 
Me;
Butt
hat
’snot
 
Him;youseewhatImean, Ij
ustt
oldyouIdidn’t
,
butyousti
lldon’tbeli
eveme.Whatelsedoy ou
wantmet osay ?Can’tyouseewhatshe’st r
ying
todo?Andy oumadam, arewalki
ngrightint
o
hertr
ap,andy ouexpectmet opl
ayalong.Keep
meoutoft his.I
’vetol
dy outhetr
uth,
andt hat’
s
that
.

Il
ookedatSi
ya,andhel
ookedli
keannoy
edas
hel
l,
butsomethi
nghesai
dresonat
edwithme.
 
Hewasr i
ght.Iwasplayingrightint
oLinda’
s
tr
ap,wit
houtevennoticingit
.Whi chnowmade
meev enmoredeterminedt ofindoutthetrut
h.
Becausewhatevershe’shidi
ng, i
sprobably
huge.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

71

Isatwi
thSiy
ainsil
ence,f
orawhi l
e.IknowI
waswrong.Ishoul
d’
veratherdi
scussedthis
withhi
m,i
nsteadofimmediatel
ybeli
evingLinda.

Oncewehadt akenoff
,Iwentt
osi
tnexttoSiya.
Ithoughthewouldl
ookupbuthedi
dn’
t.hejust
carri
edontypi
ngonhislapt
op.

Icl
osedhisl
aptop,
andpl
acedi
tont
het
abl
e.
Hejustl
ookedatme

Me;
babyI
’
m sor
ry
*
***Si
l
ence*
***
*

Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;aft
ereveryt
hing,
youst
il
ldon’
ttrustme.I
j
ustt
hought
,thatyouandIwerepastthatf
aze
Me;
wear
eSi
ya.
 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,Ilovey ou.Morethananythi
ng,butI
won’
thavey out hr
owi ngtant
rums.Itannoysme
thef
uckoff.Ifthere’ssomethingupsett
ingyou,
wecantalkabouti t.Inst
eadofgoingallpsy
cho
onme
Me;
aski
esbaby
Him; andwhilewearediscussi
ngthi
s.Pl
ease
refr
ainfrom under
miningmei nfr
ontofmy
staff
.Ifyouneedtosaysomet hi
ng,sayi
tin
priv
ate.Iwon’thavemyt heguar
dsheari
ngyou
speakt omel i
kethatagain
Me;
okay
…….CanIgetaki
ssnow 
Hi
m;mxm.You’
reahandf
uly
az

Icoul
dseehewasabitannoyedsti
ll
.SoIknew
Ihadtodosomet
hingabouti
t.Iwasn’
tgoi
ngto
si
tonfli
ghtf
orov
er10hours,wit
hSiyamoping.

Ist
oodandsatonhi
slapi
nasquat
ti
ngposi
ti
on

Hi
m;whatar
eyoudoi
ng 
Me;
kissi
ngi
tbet
ter
 
Hi
m;haanaRi
fi
loe
Me;
Babyman 
Him; youknowwhaty
ourdoi
ngi
ssexual
harassmentri
ght
Me;
don’
tactl
i
key
oudon’
tli
kei
t 
Hi
m;ost
outmar
ane 
Me;
Ilov
eyou
Hi
m;howmuch 
Me;
thi
smuch

Ileanedi
nandst ar
tedkissi
nghi
m agai
n.Thi
s
ti
meher esponded.Iknewthent
hatall
was
forgi
ven.

Ipull
edaway
, whenIf
eltsomet
hinggr
owi
ng
betweenmylegs.

Il
ookedatSi
yaandsmi
l
ed

Me;
behav
e 
Hi
m;mhmm t
his6weekt
hingi
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme
Me;
shamey
az,
andi
tsonl
ybeenaweek 
Hi
m; atl
eastI
’
llbei
nBr
azi
lformostoft
hose
weeks 
Me;IhearBr
azi
l
iangi
rl
sar
erat
hergood
l
ooking 
Hi
m;notasgoodl
ooki
ngasy
ou 
Me;
(chuckl
es)ni
cesav
e 
Hi
m;i
t’
sthet
rut
h 
Me;
sowhatar
ewegoi
ngtodoaboutRambo
t
her
einbet
weeny
ourl
egs 
Hi
m;Idon’
tknow,
gotanyi
deas
Me;
plent
y 
Hi
m;I
’
m al
lear
s 
Me;
comei
l
lshowy
ou

Hest
oodupshacki
nghi
shead.

Il
eadhimt otheti
nybedr
oom...
.Ishal
lrefr
ain
fr
om explai
ningwhatwedidi
nthesmall r
oom.
ButIguessyouguysgetthepi
ctur
emos.Let '
s
j
ustsayIwasabl
etot
ame
Rambo. 
  

Whenweweredone,
get
ti
ngupt
onogood.If
ell
asl
eepi
nsi
ya'
sarms.

     

WhenIwokeup,Siy
awassi
tti
ngnextt
omeon
hi
slapt
op.Iwonder
edi
fhehadgott
enany
sl
eepatal
l.

Hi
m:goodt
hingy
ourup.Wel
andi
n20mi
n
Me:
whydi
dn'
tyouwakeme 
Hi
m:Iwasgoi
ngt
o,butt
heny
ouwokeup
Me:
didy
ougetanysl
eep
Hi
m:no,
beent
oobusy
.Come,
let
'sgogetr
eady
f
orl
andi
ng

Iqui
ckl
yfi
xedmyhai
r,andwentt
ojoi
nSi
ya.

Whenwearri
vedi
nCuba.Hl
okeswasatthe
ai
rpor
twai
ti
ngforus,
wit
hsomeoftheguards.

Ismil
edwhenIsawhim.I
thadbeenawhil
e
si
nceIsawhim.Iwal
kedt
ohim andgav
ehima
warm hug

Me:
lookwho'
sbeenwor
kingout
.You'
rehuge 
Hi
m:l
i
nkwhaty
ousee
Me;
mxm 
Hi
m:sohowar
eyouhol
dingup
Me:
fine.
 
Hi
m:how'
sthepai
n 
Me:notasbadaswhenIf
ir
stcameoutof
hospi
tal
 
Hi
m:wel
lyourof
fi
cial
l
yagangst
erswi
fe
Me:
myman'
snotagangst
er 
Hi
m:samet
hing

Il
ookedoveratSiy
aandhel
ookedabi
t
uncomfor
tabl
e.SoIwal
kedovert
ohi
m,asand
wegotinthecar.

Whenwear ri
vedhome, Iwenttogreetmam
Marthaandthembi.Thenwenttothemain
bedr
oom.Itfeltki
ndofwierdbeingbacki
n
Cuba,af
terhowIleftt
helastti
me. 
Il
ookedatthebed,andmyheartski
ppedabeat.
Icoul
djusti
maginesiy
aandLindaInthi
svery
bed.Iqui
ckl
ysnappedoutofi
t,whenISiya
camein.
Hi
m:y
ouok 
me:
yes.Justaboutt
ogeti
ntobed
Hi
m:weneedt
otal
kfi
rst

Isatont
hebedandhej
oinedme

Him;Ij
ustl
ookedatmyschedule,
anditl
ooks
l
ikewedepartf
orBrazi
l
,thedayaft
ert
omorrow 
Me:
thatsoon
Hi
m; y
es.We'
'vegotal
ott
hatneedsour
at
tent
iont
hatside
Me:
ok
Him; tomorr
owweneedt ogot hr
oughyour
contractasCFO.Ithinkwealsoneedtogo
throughyourresponsibi
l
iti
es,
sothatyou.ca
startasap
Me:
cool
 
Hi
m: l
ast
lyweneedt
opi
ckadat
efort
he
weddi
ng 
Me:
whi
chone 
Hi
m:t
hebi
gone
Me:can'
twerat
herstar
twit
hthesmal
lone,
and
t
hendealwi
ththeother
. 
Hi
m: soyouwereseri
ousaboutourf
ir
st
weddingt
obejustthe2ofus
Me:
yes
Hi
m:sowher
edoy
ouwantt
hist
otakepl
ace
Me:
Ihav
en'
tthoughtabouti
tasy
et
Hi
m:ok.Thi
nkabouti
tandl
etmeknow
Me:
cool

Hemov
edcl
oserandgav
emeaki
ss
Hi
m: Ineedt
ogowor
k.Youshoul
dtr
ygetsome
sl
eep
Me:y
oushoul
dcomet
obed.Youdi
dn'
tsl
eepa
wi
nkonthepl
ane 
Hi
m:not
ime.I
l,
wey
oul
ater
 
Me:
Shar
p
Me:oh,bef
oreyoul
eav
e,cani
nusey
ourl
apt
op.
Mi
ne'sbusywit
hupdat
es 
Him:I'
m goi
ngtoneedmine.May
bey
oucoul
d
askbul
leti
fyoucanusehi
s. 
Me:
pleaseaskhi
mm f
orme 
Hi
m:sur
e

Si
yawentupst
air
stowor
k,whi
l
eIchangedi
nto
PJ'
s

Notl
ongaf
ter,
Hlokesboughtmehi
slapt
op
Hi
m:ghostsai
dyouwantt
onot
his 
Me:onl
yify
ournotusi
nit
.Ij
ustwantt
olookat
someweddingi
deas
hi
m:nowor
ri
es,
youcanusei
t 
Me:
thanks

Hehandedmet
hel
apt
opt
henwal
kedout
.

Igoogledacoupl eofplacesbutnoneoft hem

real
lyhadwhyIwasl ookingfor.Iwants
somet hingr omanti
candsecl uded,butsofar
mostoft heplaceswerej ustt
oobusy .Unti
lI
sawt hisbeaut i
full
ookingresortri
ghtherein
Cuba.Itl ookedperfect
, j
ustwhatIwasl ooki
ng
for.

Ideci
dedt
osav
esomeoft
hepi
ctur
esoft
he
r
esor
t.Iwant
edt
ogetsi
ya'
sopi
nion.

Wheniwasdonesavi
ngt hepict
ures.Iwent
i
ntot
hefol
der,
andattachedthem toane-mail
,
t
hensentt
hem toSi
ya.

WhenIcl
osedt
hefil
eIwasin,
Imist
akenl
y
doubl
ecl
i
cksontoanot
herf
il
e. 
Idi
dn'ti
ntendonsnoopi
ng,
butcur
iosi
tygott
he
bet
terofme.

Youcanimaginetheshocki got,whenisaw
thatfi
l
ecint
ainedpict
uresofLinda.Whywould
Hlokeshavepict
uresofli
ndaonhi slapt
op.

Ist
art
edgoi ngthroughthepict
ureand
i
mmedi atel
yregrett
edit.Someofthepict
ures
werer
at herpr
omi scuous.Shewasmost l
y
nakedandlookingdi
rect
lyatwhoev
erwas
taki
ngthepict
ures.

Il
ookedthrought
hepictur
etry
ingt
o
under
standwhyHlokeswouldhavethese.I
t
j
ustal
ldidntmakesense,butt
hensuddenlyi
t
di
d.

Theonl ywayHl okeswouldhavethese,i

sifhe
tookthem, andthatwouldonlymeanhewas
havingorhadhadanaf f
airwit
hLinda.Shock
didn'
treal
lysurprise,
mebecauseIknowHl okes
hadalway shadaney ef
ortheladi
es.

Nowmyonlypr edi
camentiswhet
heri
tel
lsi
ya
orwhet
herIkeeputtomy sel
f.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
72

Ikeptgoingthroughthepict
uresonebyone.I
couldn’
tbeli
evethis.I
fSiyafoundouthewoul
d
ki
llHlokes.Butnowmyconcer nwasifHl
okes
wasr eal
lyoverme, ori
fthi
swashi swayof
payback.

Ir
eal
lywant
edtotell
Siya,butIknewi
fIdidi
t
woul
ddestr
oyhi
sr el
ati
onshipwithHl
okes.

SoIt
hinkit
’sbesttowai
tforhimt
oret
urnf
rom
Br
azi
l.Thentakeitf
rom t
here.

Icopi
edall
thepi
ctur
esofLi
ndaontoafl
ash
dri
ve,
thenwentt
ogiveHl
okesbackhi
slapt
op.
 
Thi
swholethi
ngwasst ar
ti
ngtogetbi
ggert
han
It
houghti
twould.Ij
usthopedi
twouldend
soon.
 
It
ri
edtoactnormalaroundHlokes.Idi
dn’
twant
hi
m suspect
inganyt
hing.ThenIwenttoSiya’
s
of
fi
ce.Iwantedtoseeifhehadgottenthe
pi
ctur
eshadsenthim, f
orthewedding.
 
Me;
canIcomei
n
Him;babe.It
houghty
ouwoul
dbef
astasl
eep
bynow? 
Me;
Noty
et.Di
dyouseet
hepi
csIsenty
ou?
Hi
m;y
es.Thepl
acel
ooksni
ce 
Me;
soshoul
dIbooki
t?
Hi
m;weneedt
odi
scussdat
esf
ir
st 
Me;
tomor
rowni
ght

Si
yal
ookedatmeconf
used

ME;
Let
’sgetmar
ri
edt
omor
rowt
oni
ght
 
Hi
m;ar
eyousur
e 
Me;
100% 
Hi
m;weneedt
ofi
ndsomeonet
omar
ryusf
ir
st 
Me;
Vegas 
Him;babear
eyousur
eyouwantt
odot
hisso
soon
Me;
yes
Hi
m;comeher
e

Imov
edf
rom wher
eIwasandsatonhi
slap

Hi
m;what
’sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou.Youseem abi
t
of
f
Me;
whatdoy
oumean
Him;whydoesitseem l
i
key
ou’
rei
nahur
ryf
or
ustogetmarr
ied 
Me;
(si
gh)Si
yat
hel
astt
imey
ouwentona
missi
on,Inear
lyl
ostyou,
andt
echni
cal
l
yyou
weren’
tmine.Notof
fi
cial
l
yany
way 
Hi
m;Isee 
Me;I
’
m sureyoucangetyourl
awyert
odrawup
apr
enupt
ialagr
eementbytomorr
ownight
 
Hi
m;pr
e-nup?
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;whosai
dany
thi
ngaboutapr
e-nup
Me;Siy
a,youareamul
ti
mil
l
ionai
re.Youneeda
pr
e-nuptoprot
ecty
ou 
Hi
m;Notwi
thy
ouIdon’
t 
Me;
babe 
Hi
m;notupf
ordi
scussi
on 
Me;Si
ya,
asy
ourfi
nanci
aladvi
sor,
Istr
ongl
y
r
ecommendyougetapr
e-nupinpl
ace 
Him;youseet
hisi
swhyIloveyou.Buti
t
doesn’
tmeanI’
m goi
ngt
ol i
stent
oy ou
Me;
But
 
Hi
m; di
scussi
onover
.Youwantust
oget
marr
iedtomorr
ow.Wegetmarri
edt
omorr
ow 
Me;sobabe.Wear
egoi
ngt
ojustgetmar
ri
edi
n
COP
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
we’
rei
nsane 
Hi
m;j
ustpr
omi
semeonet
hing 
Me;
any
thi
ng 
Hi
m; Promisemethatnomatt
erwhatwego
t
hrough,we’l
lmakei
twork.Al
ways 
Me;
Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m;wellIguesst
hisi
sourl
astni
ghtas
si
ngl
es 
Me;
Iguessso 
Hi
m;weshoul
drest
Me;
rest
 
Him;yes.Ipl
anonenjoyi
ngmylastnightasa
bachel
or.Fastasl
eepint
hecomfortofmybed 
Me;
(chuckl
es)l
etsgo

Westoodupandwewalkedtoourbedr
oom.
Wetookaqui
ckshower
,thenwewenttobed.
Iwokeupt henextmorni
ngwi t
hbut t
erf
li
esin
myst omach.Icoul
dn’
tbeli
evethatthi
sdaywas
thedayIwouldbecomeSi ya’
swife.Aft
er
everyt
hingwe’v
ebeenthrough,wewer efi
nal
ly
goingtogetourhappi
l
yev eraft
er.
 
Il
ookedatthemanlyi
ngnextt omeandIknew
Iwasmakingther
ightdeci
sion. 
Ourr
elat
ionshipmaynotbeperf
ect,
buti
twas
mostdefi
nit
elywort
hfi
ghti
ngfor.
 
Si
yawokeupasIwasst
ari
ngathi
m

Hi
m;whatdi
dIdo 
Me;
whatdoy
oumean
Hi
m;whyar
eyoust
ari
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
Me;
justadmi
ri
ngmyhusbandt
obe 
Hi
m;Husband.Il
i
ket
hesoundoft
hat
 
Me;
sowhatt
imedowel
eav
eforv
egas 
Hi
m;I
vegotabet
teri
dea 
Me;
what
 
Hi
m;l
etmehandl
eev
ery
thi
ng 
Me;
haa.nowy
ourmad 
Hi
m;Justt
rustme 
Me;
Siy
a,Idobut
 
Him;t
henallyouhavet
odonow,
isr
elax
.Il
l
handl
eever
ything 
Me;
bet
terbegood 
Hi
m;onl
ythebestf
ory
ou 
Me;
thanky
oubaby
Hi
m;y
oucant
hankmel
ater
 
Me;
how 
Hi
m;You’
l
lsee 
ME;
ok.Comewashmyback 
Hi
m;wi
thpl
easur
e

Wegotoutofbed,
andwentt
oashower
t
oget
her.Thenwewentupt
ohav
ebreakf
ast
. 
Whenwegott ot
heVer anda,Hl
okeswas
al
readyhavi
ngbreakf
ast.Igr
eetedhi
m andsat
nexttoSi
ya.I
twasabi tawkwar
d.

Me;
soHl
okes,
howi
sBoni
doi
ng 
Him;she’
sok.Shemi
ghtbecomi
ngher
efor
Chri
stmas
Me;
Youmustmi
ssher
 
Hi
m;l
i
kecr
azy
 
Me;Si
ya,
may beweshouldaskLi
nda,
if
Ol
wethocanspendChri
stmasher
ewithus

IsawHl
okesl
ookupatme

Si
ya;
thatsoundsni
cel
ove 
Me;It
hinkitwouldmakel
if
eeasi
erwi
thher
bei
ngpregnantyouknow 
Si
ya;
that
’sv
eryt
hought
ful
 
Me;
butwhati
fshewant
stocomewi
th 
Hi
m;notanopt
ion.I
’
m notspendi
ngChr
ist
mas
wi
thher
 
Me;
il
lspeakt
oher

Il
ookedatHl
okesandnoticedhel
ookedati
ny
bi
tuncomfor
tabl
e,whenwespokeaboutLi
nda.
SoIdeci
dedtodi
gal i
tt
le 
Me;
Hlokes.Youshoul
dseeLi nda.Shelooks
r
eal
l
yheav yfor16weeks.Shamey az.It
hink
t
hebabyisgoingtobebig
Hl
okes;
Im sur
eshe’
l
lbef
ine 
Me;yousayt
hatbecauseyou’
reaman.I
fyou
hadseenher
,youwouldn’
tbesayt
hat
Hi
m;womani
ngener
alcar
rydi
ff
erent
ly.
 
Me; Iguessso.CausewhenIl ostt
het winsthey
werejust12weeks, andyoucouldhardlytellI
waspr egnant
.Butwi t
hLindashame, her
stomachwasal readyshowing.That
’swhyI
thi
nkshe’sgoingtohav eabigbaby.Ifeelreal
ly
sorr
yf orher

Icoul
dseeHl
oke’
sfacechange.
IjustknewthenthatIwasontosomet
hing.
Thankfull
ySiyawasconcent
rati
ngonreadi
ng
thepaper.
Hlokesst
oodupandwentupst
air
s.Iwas
guessi
nghewantedt
ospeaktoLinda.
 
All
Ineedednowwastogetrealhard-
core
evi
dence,t
hatLi
ndawasn’
tcarr
yingSiya’
s
chi
ld.
 
Iknewdeepdowni twoul
dhur tSi
ya,butIwoul
d
rat
herhavehi
m hurtnow,thentofi
ndoutafter
thebabi
esborntheheisntthefat
her
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

73

Aft
erbreakfast
,Si
yawenttohisof
fi
ce,
whil
e
Nai
lsandt wootherguar
dstookmeshoppi
ng.

Whenwegott ot
hebasement,Isati
nthefront
becauseNai
l
swasdrivi
ng.Ineededhishelp
wit
hsomethi
ng.Ij
ustpr
ayedhewoul dn’
ttell
Si
ya

ME;
nai
l
s.CanIasky
ousomet
hing?

Hi
m;any
thi
ng

Me;Let’
ssayhypotheti
cal
lyIwantedt
ogetmy
handsonadigit
alfi
le,wi
thoutany
bodynot
ici
ng.
Howwoul dIdothat?

Hi
m;doesGhostknowaboutt
his

Me;
Isai
dhy
pot
het
ical
l
y

Him;Mam.Idon’tmeantober
ude,butnoone
askssuchaquesti
onhypot
het
ical
l
y
Me;
arey
ougoi
ngt
ohel
pmeornot

Hi
m;no

Me;
andi
fit
sSi
ya'
sbesti
nter
est
 
Hi
m:I
'
dst
il
lneedt
odi
scussi
twi
thhi
mfi
rst
 
Me:nai
l
s,please.I'
m beggi
ngy
ou.Ijustneed
somecert
aintyregardi
ngmysuspi
cions 
Hi
m:y
ou'
regoi
ngt
ogetmei
ntr
oubl
e 
Me:onceSi
yaknowsthetr
uth,
ther
eisnoway
hewouldbemad.Ipr
omise 
Hi
m:(
sigh)t
ell
mewhaty
ouneedt
oget
 
Me:Ineedtogethol
dofapat
ientf
il
eata
doctor
'sfi
rm 
Hi
m:who'
sthepat
ient
? 
Me:
Ican'
tsay
 
Hi
m:i
fyouwantmyhel
p,y
ouneedt
otel
lme
ev
ery
thi
ng.Ot
her
wiseIcan'
thel
pyou 
Me:pr
omiseyouwon'
tsayawordt
oSi
ya.Not
t
il
lwe'
recer
tai
nthatI
'
m cor
rect
 
Hi
m:Ipr
omi
se 
Me:
it'
sLi
nda

Het
urnedtol
ookatme,
thenconsser
ntr
atedon
t
heroadagai
n

Him:i
vegotaf
eel
i
ngI
'
m goi
ngt
oregr
ethel
ping
youonthi
s 
Me:
nai
l
spl
ease 
Hi
m:f
ine.Butwedot
hingsmyway
 
Me:Idon'
tcArehow,
buti
justwantt
otakea
l
ookatthatf
il
e
Hi
m:whati
fyoudon'
tl
ikewhaty
ouf
ind 
Me:
atl
eastIwoul
d'
vet
ri
ed 
Him:ok.Butwe'l
lonlyst
artonceghostand
bull
etareinBr
azil
.Idon'
twantthem gett
ing
suspici
ous 
Me:
thanky
ou 
Hi
m:j
ustdon'
tmakemer
egr
ethel
pingy
ou
Me:
Iwon'
t.

Whenwear riv
edatthemal l
,Iwentt
oacouple
ofbouti
questot r
yandfindsomethi
ngtowear.
Iwalkedpastthebabybouti
quethatIcamet
o
thel
asttimeiwashere.Myhear tmelt
edabi
t,
butitol
dmy selft
omov eon.

Iwasn'treal
lyl
ookingforaweddingdress.Ijust
wantedani cebohemienst y
ledr
ess.Nothingto
fancy
,justsomethingclassi
c.

If
oundani
cev
int
agest
ore,
thatl
ucki
l
yhad
exact
lywhatIwaslookingfor.It
ri
edona
coupleofdr
esses,
andf inal
l
ymadeachoiceon
afull
lengt
hivor
ybacklessdressandmatchi
ng
i
voryshoes.

Aftershoppi
ngIwentt
ogetsomesexy
l
ingeri
e. 
Nail
slookedsouncomfort
abl
eint
heshop,
soI
askedhimtowaitout
side.

Iboughtacoupleofl
inger
iesets,
becauseI
coul
dn'tdeci
dewhichonei l
i
kedmor e,then
wenttotbuySiyaari
ng.Iwentwithaplane
whit
egoldr i
ng.Si
yai
sn'tr
eall
ythefl
ashyt y
pe.

Last
lyIwentt
ogetmyhai
randnai
l
sdone,
even
waxed.
 
Al
lthatwasl
eftnowwasf
ormet
obecomeMr
s
Ndhlovu
Iwasr atherqui teonmywayhome.Iwas
excit
edt hatIwasmar r
yingt hemanIlov e,
but
atthesamet imeIlongedf ormypar entstobe
here.Ithinkt hat'
spartoft hereasonnowant ed
ourweddi ngt obeaboutj ustthe2ofus.
Becausei twon' tbeeasyt ohav eaweddi ngin
qwaqwawi thoutmypar ent sbeingt
here.Soat
l
eastnowwhenIt hinkofmyweddi ngday ,
Iwill
thi
nkoft hi sday.Andnott hehugeweddi ngthat
Siyasmot herwant sustohav e.

WhenIgothomet heplacewasabuzz .Ther

e
werepeoplewalki
ngupanddownev ery
where.I
coul
dn'tev
enuset hemainentrance.Ihadto
usetheentrancev
iatheki
tchen.

IsawmanMart
hawal
ki
ngt
owar
dsmewhen
shesawmecomei
n
Her
:Ihearcongr
atul
ati
ons 
arei
nor
der
 
Me:
thanky
ouma
Her
:youandghostar
ejustf
ull
ofsur
pri
ses 
Me:
wer
atherunpr
edi
ctabl
ear
en'
twe
Her:
butI'
m gladyou'
vef
oundy
ourwaybackt
o
eachotheragain.
 
Me:
thanky
ouma

Igav
eherahug.Mam,
Mar
thahadawayof
remi
ndi
ngmeofmyownmotheratt
imes

Me:whatar
eyoumaki
ng,
yourki
tchensmel
l
s
amazi
ng
Her:y
ou'
ll
hav et
owai
tti
l
llat
er.ButIpr
omi
sei
t
wil
,bedel
ici
ous 
Me:
Ican'
twai
t 
Her
;hav
eyouhadl
unch 
Me:yes,
thanky
ou.Ihadsomet
hingwhi
l
eIwas
att
hesalon 
Her
:youshoul
dgor
est
.I'
m sur
eyourt
ir
ed 
Me:
I'
ll
goj
ustnow.Fi
rstIneedt
ogoseeSi
ya 
Her:
isn'
titbadluckf
orthegr
oom t
oseehi
s
br
idebeforetheweddi
ng 
Me:
butma, Ihaven'
tseenhi
m si
nceIl
eftt
his
mor
ning.Imisshim
Her
:youcanseehi
mlat
er.
Me:
hama.Howcany
oudot
hist
ome
Her
:come.I
'
llwal
kyout
oyourr
oom,

Itookherhandandwal
kedoutt
heki
tchen.
Lucki
lySiy
awalkedi
n,j
ustaswewer
ewal ki
ng
out
Hi
m:t
her
eyouar
e 
Me:
oht
hankGod.I
'
vemi
ssedy
ou 
Hi
m:I
'
vemi
ssedy
out
oo

Heleanedi
nandgavemeaki
ssbutipull
ed
awaybecausemam Mat
hawasst
andingnext
tome

Me:
Siy
a 
Hi
m:what
 
Me:behave..
.anyway ,
I'
vegottogo.Mam
Mart
hainsist
si t
'sbadluckforyoutoseeme
bef
oretheweddi ng.SoyouMrNdhl ovu,won'
t
beseei
ngmef ortherestoftheaft
ernoon 
Hi
m:that
'sgoi
ngtobet
ough,
sinceweshar
e
t
hesamebedroom 
Me:youcanuset
hespar
ebedr
oom t
oget
r
eadyin
Hi
m:f
ine.IguessI
'
llseey
out
oni
ght
Me:
whatt
ime 
Hi
m:ber
eadyby8pm.
Me:
Shar
p.

Igav
ehim akissonthecheek,
andwal
kedwit
h
mam Marthatomybedroom.Iwant
edtoshow
hermydressandshoes

Me:
sowhatdoy
out
hink 
Her
:It
hinki
t'
sbeaut
if
ul.Il
ovet
hel
i
ttl
ebi
tsof
l
ace
Me:
I'
m gl
ady
oual
sol
i
kei
t 
Her:y
oucouldwearasackandhewoul
dst
il
l
t
hinkyourbeaut
if
ul 
Me:
Ihopeso
Her
:comesi
t
Isatont
hebed,
andshesatont
heot
toman

Her:
astradi
on,whenagir
lgetsmarr
ied,t
he
el
derwomanadv i
seheronmar r
iedl
i
fe.So
si
nceI'
mt heonl
yelder
,It
hinki
t'
smydut yto
gi
veyousomeadv i
ce.

Ismi
l
edather
,andpay
edat
tent
ion

Her:ri
fi
loe,
youareoneofthemosthumble
peopleI'
veevercomeaccr
oss.Inev
erthought
thatGhostwouldfi
ndawomanasgr aci
ousas
you,buthehas.

Somyadv i
cet oyouashiswif
e,istoal
way
honourandrespecthi
m asyourhusband.
Remembertoal wayspray
.Youaregoingto
facealotofchall
engesbei
ngmarri
edtoman
l
ikeghost,butal
waysremembertopray.Itwi
l
l
bey ourshi
eldagai
nstever
yat
tackthatyou
face.

Manypeopl ethinkt
hatawayt oaman' shear
t
i
sthroughsex, buti
ntruthit
'sabout
humblenessandr espect.I
fyoupract
icewhatI
havetol
dy ou.Youwi l
lneverevergowrong

Ihadtear
sineyes,
becausewhenmam Martha
spokeall
Icoul
dhearwasmymot her
'sv
oice.

Ist
oodupandgav
eherahug.

Me:
thanky
ouma 
Her:
any
timey
ouneedany
thi
ng,
justl
etme
know
Me:
Iwi
l
l 
Her:
l
etmel eav
eyout
orest
.You'
vegotabi
g
ni
ghtaheadofyou
Me:
thanky
ou.

Igav
emam Mar
thaahugandt
henshel
eft
.

Itookmydressandhungitontheoutsi
deof
mycloset,
thetookanap.Iwantedt
obenice
andfreshf
ortonight
.

WhenIwokeupf
rom mynap,
itwas6pm.

Igotupandwentt osoakmy sel

finahotbubbl
e
bath.Ihad2mor ehoursl
eftbef
oreSi
yaandI
wereof f
ici
all
yone.Iwasbothner
vousbutalso
excit
ed.
Igotoutandwentt
ogetdressed.Iknowhow
ti
mesensiti
veSi
yais,
soIdidn'
twanttobelat
e.

Iputonmydress,
thenputonmygownov eri
t.I
wantedt
oputinabitofmakeup,andIdi
dt
wantanyofi
tgett
ingonmydress.

Atexactl
y19:
50,Iwasdonegett
ingr
eady.I
cal
ledmam Marthaonhercel
landaskedhert
o
comet omyroom.

I
twasf i
nal
lysi
nkingi
nthatIwasgoingt
omar r
y
Siy
a, andIneededsomeonet ohel
pcalm my
nerves

Whenmam Mar
thaar
ri
vedshegaspedf
orai
r.

Her
:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul 
Me:
doy
out
hinkso 
Her
:Iknowso.
 
Me:
I'
m gl
ady
out
hinkso 
Her:ghostwon'
tknowwhathi
thi
m,whenhe
seesyou 
Me:
thanky
ou
Her:st
opwor r
yingandenjoythemoment .You
l
ookbeautif
ul,Ghostlookshandson,andthe
setupistodiefor.Rel
axandbei nt
his
moment .
 
Me:
yourr
ight
 
Her
:Ghostwi
l
lbeher
einamoment
.Letme
l
eaveyou
Me:
wishmel
uck
Her:youdon'
tneedl
uck.You'
vegotGodon
yourside.

Shel
eftme,
andSi
yawal
kedi
n
Hi
m:wow
Me:
wowt
oyout
oo.
 
Hi
m:y
oul
ookgor
geous 
Me:
youdon'
tl
ookt
obady
our
sel
 
Hi
m:t
hemi
nist
erhasar
ri
ved.Weshoul
dgo
Me:
wai
t
Hi
m:what
'swr
ong
Me:
not
hing'
swr
ong.Ij
ustwantt
otakey
oui
n

Hemov
edcl
oser
,andhel
dmyhand

Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou 
Me:
let
sgogetmar
ri
ed

Wewal
kedoutourr
oom handi
nhand.Iwasn'
t
surewher
ewewer
edoi
ngt
his,
soIl
ethi
mlead
theway.

Hi
m:Ihopey
oul
i
kei
t

Wewalkedpasttheverandat
owar
dsthebeach.
Ii
mmidiat
leyf
ell
inlovewitht
hesi
ghti
nfrontof
me.

Therewasanisleofcandl
esfr
om t
heveranda
al
lthewayt ot
hebeach,wher
easimplewhite
podium st
oodinfr
ontofahugebackdr
opoflit
fl
owers

I
twaseveryt
hingIcoul
deverhopef
orandmor
e.
Si
yahadreal
lyoutdidhi
mself
.

It
ookof
fmyshoesasweappr
oachedt
he
beach.Iwasreal
lyhappywehaddeci
dedtodo
thi
ngsthisway.Thi
swasn'tasher
adebuti
t
repr
esentedus.

Webothwalkedsl
owlydownthecandl
eli
tisl
e
t
oget
her.Si
yakeptsqueezi
ngmyhand.

Whenwegott
othepodi
um,
thepr
iestbegan.

Hereadascr
ipt
uref
rom t
hebibl
e,andthen
gav
eusspacetosayourvowstoeachother

Siyasvowsreal
l
ytouchedme.Youcoul
dhere
thattheywer
en'
trehear
sedbuti
nst
eadthey
wer efr
om t
heheart.

Ihadt
ear
sfal
l
ingt
hroughoutt
hecer
emony
.
Hi
m: atl
easttodayI
'
veboughty
ouhappyt
ear
s,
i
nst
eadoft ear
sofpain.

Itwastimetosaymyv ows,andli
keSiyaI
spokefrom myhear
t.Ijustwant
edhimt oknow
thatIl
ovedhim.Ipr
omi setobethebestwif
ei
could,
andThatiwouldalwayshorrorhi
i
m

Af
terourvows,weexchangedr
ings,
then
si
gnedthenecessar
ypaperwork.

Thepr
iestdecl
aredushusbandandwi
fe,
and
Si
yapull
edmei ntoaki
ss.

Fi
nall
ywewer ebot
hti
edtoeachot
herfor
et
erni
ty.Iwasnowoff
ici
all
yMrsNdhl
ovu.

Il
ookedi
ntoSi
yasey
es,
andf
ort
hef
ir
stt
ime
si
ncewehadmet ,Iwas100%surethatIhad
madetheri
ghtdecisi
on.Despi
tet
hechall
enges,
Iwasgladwehadmadei tthi
sfar
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

74

Af
tertheCeremonywehadabeaut i
ful
candl
eli
t
di
nneronthev er
anda.Icoul
dn'
thav
easkedfor
abett
erevening

Si
yahadt
akenoffhi
sjacketandwewer
ebot
h
wal
ki
ngaroundbar
efoot

Hi
m:ar
eyour
eadyf
ordesser
t 
Me:
mostcer
tai
nly
 
Hi
m:wai
ther
e
Hewenttot
heki t
chenandretur
nedwit
ha
beaut
if
ul1t
ierchocol
atecoff
eecake.

Hi
m:bestIcoul
ddoundert
heci
rcumst
ances
Me:
it'
sper
fect
 
Hi
m;comecuti
twi
thme

Ist
oodupandwecutt
hecaket
oget
her
.

IfedSiy
aapieceoft
hecasks,andpur
posel
y
spreadsomeici
ngont
ohisface

Hel
ookedatmewi
thhi
smi
schi
evoussmi
l
e

Hi
m;y
ougotj
okesnow
Me:
Icoul
dn'
tresi
st 
Him;(chuckel
s)y
ouknowwhatt
heysayabout
payback 
Me:
Siy
adon'
t

Idi
dn'tev
engett
of i
nishmysentence.Hehad
al
readygott
eni
cingov ermyupperl
ipandnose

Itookaservet
tet
onwi
pemy
sel
f,buthe
snatchedi
taway

Me:
Siy
a
Hi
m:comeHer
e

It
ookast
ept
owardshim,andhest
art
ed
ki
ssi
ngmewher
etheici
ngwas.
Hi
m:t
her
e.Al
lcl
eanedup 
Me:
reci
procat
e 
Hi
m:I
'
m al
lyour
s

Imovedcl
oseandki
ssedhim ont
hecheek
wher
eIhadspreadt
heici
ng.

Me:
all
Done
Hi
m:t
hanky
ouMr
sNdhl
ovu 
Me:
alway
sapl
easur
eMrNdhl
ovu 
Hi
m:dancewi
thme 
Me:
ofcour
se

Hepulledmei
nandwehadourf
ir
stdanceas
husbandandwi
fe.

Ev
ery
thi
ngwasper
fect
.Itwasj
ustmeandSi
ya
andt
hat
'sal
lI'
veev
erwant
ed.

Aft
eral
otofdancinganddri
nking,wedecided
i
twasti
met oheadtobed.Atleastasoftonight
wewoul
dn'tbeli
vi
nginsin

Siy
ascoopedmeupandt
ookmet
oour
bedroom.

Heputmei
nthebedsmi
l
ing

Me:
whatar
eyoubusysmi
l
ingabout
Him:Ican'
tbel
iv
ehowluckyi
am.Despit
eyou
seei
ngallsi
desofme,
yousti
llst
ayedwi
thme.
 
Me:
Ilov
eyoudespi
teal
loft
hat
Hi
m;Iknowy
oudo,
andt
hat
'swhyi
lov
eyou 
Me:
stopbei
ngmushy
,andgetmeouroft
his
dr
ess
Hi
m:mhmm,
nowwe'
ret
alki
ng

Istoodupunzi
ppedmydr essfrom behi
ndand
ki
ssedmyshoulders.Idon'
tknowwhati twas,
buttoni
ghofal
lnightsIwantedtobewithSiya.
Iknowwe'bemadel ovebef
ore,buttoni
ghI
wantedtobetr
ulyonwi t
hhim.

It
urnedatroundandmydr essfel
ltothef
loor
.
Si
yalookedatmylinger
ieapprovi
ngly

Hepi
ckedupmydr
essandt
ossedi
tasi
de

Me:
li
kewhaty
ousee
Hi
m:l
ove
Me:
somakel
ovet
omet
hen
Hi
m:y
ouhear
dwhatt
hedoct
orsai
d
Me:f
orgetthat
.Ifi
thur
tsI'
l
ltel
lyou.Butr
ight
now,
allIwantistobeonewithyou 
Hi
m;y
oul
ooksosexyi
nthi
s.

It
urnedar
oundsohecoul
dseet
her
estofi
t

Hi
m:pr
omi
sey
ou'
l
ltel
lmei
fyoucan'
thandl
e
t
hepai
n
Me:
promi
se

Imovedabitcl
oserandst
oodi
nbet
weenhis
l
egsandstart
edUnbutt
oni
nghi
sshi
rt
.Then
unzi
ppedhi
spants

Hetookadeepbr
eat
h,becauseheknewwhat
wasaboutt
ohappen
Hi
m:wai
t

Il
ookedathi
m

Hi
m:getont
hebed

Iwassotur
nedin,
Ijustdi
dast
old.Il
ayont
he
bedwit
hhimlooki
ngatme

Hi
m:pl
aywi
thy
our
sel
f 
Me:
butbaby
,Il
i
kei
tmor
ewheny
oudoi
t
Hi
m:Iknow,
buti
li
ket
owat
ch
Me:
int
hatcaseI
'
llputonashow.

Ist
artedbypl
ayi
ngwithmynippl
es.Whichwer
e
bar
elycover
edbecauseoft
hetypebraIwas
wear
ing.

ThenImov edmyhandsslowlydownmychest
,
ti
l
lIreachedmycl i
t.Il
ookedatSiy
aandsaw
howt urnedonhewas.Whi chmademeeven
moret urnedon.

Istart
edcircl
ingmyf i
ngerar
oundi tslowly.I
didn'
treali
zehowwetIwas.Iincreasedt he
paceslightl
y,thencl
osedmyey es.Siyadidn'
t
mov e.Hejustkepttaki
ngdeepbr eathes.

Iincreasedthepacesomemoreandstart
ed
rockingtomyownr hy
thm.Myeyeswereshut
closed,becauseall
Icoul
dimagi
newasSiyas
l
ipsonme.

Iwasst
art
ingt
ogetclose,Ididn'tevennoti
ce
Si
yacomeonthebed.Ijustfelthim openi
ngmy
l
egswi
der
. 
Ithoughthewoul dtakeoffmyt hong,buthe
didn'
t.Insteadhest ar
tedmuf fi
nmewi thiton.
Thelacef abriconmycl itandhistounge
togetherfeltamazing.Iarchedmybackand
heldont ohi shead.Ireall
ydidn'
twantHimt o
stop,
becauseIwassocl ose.Butasalwayshe
stoppedj ustasi wasaboutt oexpl
ode

Hi
m:noty
et 
Me:
yourcr
uel
 
Him:i
twon'
tbetool
ongnow.Butf
ir
stl
et'
sget
yououtoft
hese

Igotupandhet
ookof
fmybr
a,t
henmyt
hong.

Hi
m:t
her
eyouar
e 
Me:
nowt
hatI
'
m nakedwhatnext
 
Hi
m:goi
ngf
orwar
dyouri
nchange 
Me:
int
hatcase.Laydown

Hel
aydown,
andIgotont
op.

Hi
m:begent
lewi
thy
our
sel
f 
Me:
Iwi
l
l

Ist
art
edsl
owl
ysi
nki
ngont
oSi
yasmanhood.
 
Sofart
herewasnopain.I
thadbeenawhil
e
si
nceIhadhadhi
mi nsi
deme, soIhadt
otakea
momenttoletmybodygetusedtothef
ull
ness

Ist
art
edmov
ingsl
owl
y.Ir
ockedbackandf
ort
h.

Siyahel
pedmebal
anceonhishandsandwe
real
lyst
art
edmovi
ng.Ther
e'snot
hingmor
e
empoweri
ngthanhavi
ngy
ourmanenj
oyi
ngy
ou
whenyouri
ncharge.

SoIdeci
dedt
otur
nar
oundandt
ryr
ever
se
cowgi
rl
. 
Siy
aclearl
yapproved,becausehel
ikedlooki
ng
atmybutt.Sointhisposit
ioni
tgav
ehi mt he
bestofbothworlds.

IrodeSi y
alikenoot her
,Iwantedt omakesur
e
her emeberdourweddi ngnight.Iknewhewas
enjoyinghimselfbecausehekeptspankingme.
Whi chmademegof aster
,unti
lwebot h
couldn'tt
akeitanymor e.Webot hexpl
oded
together.

IswearI
tfel
tli
ket
her
ewer
efi
recr
acker
sgoi
ng
off
.
Icol
l
apsedbackwar
dsonSi
yawi
thahugegr
in
onmyface.

Hi
m:y
ounev
erseest
oamazeme 
Me:(
chuckel
s)t
hat
'swhathappenswheny
ou
l
etmetakechar
ge 
Hi
m:Ishoul
ddoi
tmor
eof
ten 
Me:
may
be

It
urnedar
oundandl
ayonhi
m.Iwant
edt
osee
hi
m.

Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ouwhi
l
eyouraway
 
Him:I'
l
lbebackbyChr
ist
mas.Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ss
yourbi
rthday
 
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evewe'
remar
ri
ed 
Hi
m:y
oubet
terbel
i
evei
t 
Me:
whenar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lyourmom 
Him:(
sigh)we'l
ltal
kaboutt
hatt
omorr
ow.Right
nowallIwanti
sf orustost
ayi
nourbl
issf
ul
bubbl
eawhi l
elonger 
Me:
wannagoagai
n
Hi
m:r
if
il
oey
ouwantt
oki
l
lme
Me: I
'
mt hi
nki
ngtheshowert
hist
ime.Unl
ess
yournotuptothechal
l
ange
Hi
m:soy
ourchal
l
engi
ngme
Me:
yes
Hi
m:i
nthatcasei
t'
son

Igi
ggl
edasIgotup,
hespankedme.

Wemadel oveintheshoweragai
n,andthen
onemor et
imeont hebed.Haai
,Iwasnow
off
ici
all
ydone.Icoul
dn'
ttakeanymore.
Me:Igi
veup.I
'
m done.Hel
lI'
mtappi
ngout
ev
en
HI
M:y
oust
art
edt
hechal
l
angemos
Me:wellI
'm endi
ngi
t.Haai
,you'
l
lki
l
lme.My
poornanaisachi
ng
Hi
m: t
hatmeansI
'
vewonmychal
l
ange.Now
wecansleep
Me:
mxm

Helaughedatmeaswebot hgoti nt
obed.I
di
dintevenbot
herwit
hPJ's.Ij
ustwantedto
sl
eep.Befor
eSiyagotany
mor eideas.

Him:butbaby
,howareyougoi
ngtosleep
naked,
andexpectmenottodoanyt
hing 
Me:yout
ouchme,
Isweary
ou'
l
lsl
eepont
he
f
loor
Him:wehaven'
tev enbeenmarri
edfor24hr
s
andal
readyyourthinki
ngofsendi
ngmet othe
fl
oor
.Haaiwear edoomed

Hegotinthebl anketsandcuddl
edmef r
om
behi
nd.Icouldf eelRumbogetti
nghar
dagai
n,
butij
ustignoredhim.  
IhavenoIdeawhyihadchal
langedsi
ya,
knowinghehasasexualapi
ti
teofaDamnli
on.

Iwokeupt henextmorni
ngt
othesmell
ofSiyas
cologne.Il
ookedar
oundandhewasn'
tinour
room. 
Il
ookedatmylefthandandsmiled.I
twasmy
conf
ir
mingthatl
astnightwasn'
tadream.

Igotupandwor emygown,thentookour
sheets,
beddi
ng,
andclot
hesfrom l
astni
ghtto
thelaundr
yroom.Iputanot
ef orThembit
oget
mydressdr
ycl
eanedwi
thsi
ya'
stux
,then
r
etur
nedtomyroom

Iopenedt
heWi ndowsf
orf
reshai
r,andputon
cl
eanbedding.

Iwasabi tsawfr
om lastnight,soIwentt
o
soakmy selfi
nanicehotbath.Iaddedmybat h
oil
s,andj ustl
ett
hewat erhealme.Asmuchas
wet ri
edt obegentl
e,weendedupgoi ngwil
d,
andher eIwaspay i
ngforit.Butintr
uthIdi
dn't
care.Ihadagoodni ghtandt hat'
sall
that
mat t
ers.

WhenSi
yacamedownIwasst
il
li
nthebat
h.

Hi
m:mor
ningMr
sNdhl
ovu 
Me:
mor
ninghubby
Hi
m: Icamet ocheckony
ou.It
houghty
ouwer
e
st
il
lasleep 
Me:Iwokeupawhil
eagoandt
idi
edup,
right
nowI'
mt r
yingt
osoot
hmypoorbody
Hi
m:di
dIhur
tyou 
Me:no,mymusclesj
ustaren'
tusedtot
hat
muchacti
vi
tyanymor
e.Ithinki
t'
sti
meistar
ted
wor
kingoutagai
n

Him:Babe,
thedoct
orsai
dyoumustt
aket
hings
easy
Me:
heal
sosai
dtol
i
stent
omybody
.
Him:I'
ll
getyouaper
sonal
trai
ner
.Idon'
twant
youpushingy
our
sel
ftohar
d 
Me: makesurehe'
scute.Ineedsomeeye
candywhil
ey ouri
nBrazi
lchecki
ngoutt
hehot
gir
lsfr
om there
Hi
m:scr
atcht
hat
.Nai
l
scant
rai
nyou
Me:
butbabyIwasj
ustj
oki
ng 
Him:I
'm nott
akinganychances.Idon'
twanta
Cubanmant aki
ngmywi fefr
om me
Me:
asi
fyou'
dlett
hathappen
Hi
m:nev
er.I
'
dlocky
oubot
hup
Me:(
chuckel
s)i
sn'
tthatabusi
ngy
our
r
esour
ces 
Hi
m:wheni
tcomest
oyouIspar
enoexpense
Me:
what
ever
 
Hi
m:comeout
,I'
dli
ket
ohav
ebr
eakf
astwi
th
mywif
e.
Me:
wif
e..hmm Il
i
ket
hesoundoft
hat
 
Him:I'
l
lbeinmyof
fi
ce.Comecal
lmewhen
yourdone
Me:
Shar
p

Igotoutt
hebat
handwentt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatt
o
wear
.

Iset
tl
edonapeachshor tspaget
tist
rapdress,
andgoldsandals.Iwasn'
tinthemoodf or
anyt
hingfancy
.

WhenIwasdonegetti
ngready,Iwentupst
air
s
t
ocallSi
ya.Ibumpedi
ntonail
sont heway
t
here

Hi
m:congr
atul
ati
ons 
mam 
Me:
thanky
ounai
l
s
Hi
m:weneedt
otal
k
Me:
cani
twai
tti
l
llat
er 
Him;notr
eall
y,j
ustbecar
eful
aroundbul
l
et.I
'
ll
expl
ainl
ater
Nail
swal kedawaybefor
esayi
nganythi
ngelse.
IwonderedwhathemeantaboutHlokes.Iput
thethoughtasi
de,andwentt
oSiy
a'soffi
ce

Iknockedfir
stbecauset
hedoorwascl
osed,
thenIwalkedin.

Siy
awasbusywit
hHlokesi
nthesecondof
fice.
Igreet
edt
hem,t
henwenttosi
tinSi
yasoff
ice.

Hecameoutwi
thj
l
okesr
ightbehi
ndhi
m.

Me:babe,i
fyourbusyy
oucoul
dhav
ebr
eakf
ast
uphere 
Hi
m:doy
oumi
nd?
Me;
notatal
l
.I'
l
lBr
ingy
ourbr
eakf
asther
e 
Hi
m:t
hanksbaby
 
Me:
HlokescanIgety
oubr
eakf
astaswel
l
Hi
m:pl
ease 
Me:
sur
e.

Iwalkedoutandletoutasi
ghofr el
i
ef.Ijust
hopeHlokesdidn'
tnoti
ceanyt
hing.Atleastthey
wereleavi
ngtoday.

Idi
shedupf
orbothofthem,t
heaskedt
hembi
tohel
pmecarr
ythetrays.

IgaveSiy
ahisbr
eakfastandt
hembigav
e
Hlokeshi
s.Si
yapul
ledmei nf
oraki
ss.

Me:
I'
ll
leav
eyout
owor
k
Hi
m;ar
en'
tyouj
oini
ngme 
Me:
noti
nher
e.Ther
e'st
omanyt
est
ost
eronei
n
oner
oom f
ormyl
i
king 
Him:Iwantedt
ogothr
ought
hecont
ractf
or
yourposi
ti
onwit
hNdhl
ovuCorp
Me:gi
vemet hecont
ractandI
'
llgoov
eri
t
downst
air
s. 
Hi
m:whati
fyouneedcl
ari
tyonany
thi
ng 
Me;Siy
aImaybeyoungerthanyou,butI
'
veput
cont
actsl
i
ket
hesetogetherbef
ore.I
'l
lmanage
Hi
m:okbi
ggi
rl
.Her
e'sy
ourcont
ract
 
Me:
thanky
ou

Itookthecont
ractandheadeddownstair
s.I
wantedtoreadthroughiti
nmyroom butfir
stI
wenttohavebreakfastwit
hmamaMar t
hain
thekit
chen.

Her
:al
i
li
li
l
i.t
her
eshei
sumakot
ikandhl
ovu 
Me:
mor
ningma 
Her
:howdoesi
tfeel
tobemar
ri
ed
Me:
sur
real
.
Her
:Isawghostt
hismor
ning.Hel
ookshappy
 
Me:
Ithi
nkwebot
har
e 
Her
:si
tdown,
I'
ll
makey
ouaf
reshcupofcof
fee

Ihadmybr eakf
astwhi l
etal
ki
ngwi
thmam
Martha.Shewastelli
ngmehownowweneed
todothingstr
adit
ionall
y.

Iknewshewasright,
buti
twas4weekstil
l
Christ
mas,andi
justwant
edt oenj
oyt
hat
beforepl
anni
ngabigwedding.

Whil
eIwaseatingbreakf
ast,t
hembi r
aninwith
myphoneinherhand.IsawIhadmi ssedcall
s
f
rom Li
nda.Ir
olledmyey esandcal
ledherback,
j
usti
ncaseithadsomet hingtodowith
Ol
wet
ho

Her:
whatt
ookyousol
ong?I
'
vebeencal
l
ing
youall
mor
ning
Me:hiLi
nda.Howar
eyou,
I'
m goodt
hanksf
or
aski
ng 
Her
:nxa.Isentyouane-mai
lyest
erday
,Ist
il
l,
hav
en'
theardfrom you 
Me:
sor
ryman,
yest
erdaywasabi
thect
icf
or
me 
Her
:asyouknow,Chri
stmasi
saroundthe
cor
ner
,Ineedtogoshoppi
ngforol
wetho 
Me:
ok.Howmuchdoy
ouneed 
Her
:aboutR20000.
00 
Me:
I'
ll
speakt
oSi
ya,
thenI
'
lldot
hedeposi
t 
Her
:good
Me:
whatar
eyourpl
ansf
orChr
ist
mas 
Her:Iusuall
yspenditwi
thsi
yaandol
wetho,
but
I'
m guessingthi
syeari
twil
lj
ustbemeandmy
son
Me:Iwasact
uall
yhopi
ngOl
wet
hocoul
dspend
Chr
ist
masholi
daysher
e 
Her
:youmustt
hinkI
'
m crazy.YouwantMeto
l
etyouhav
emysonf oroveramonth.Nev
er

Me:maybewecoul
dhavehimforChr
ist
mas,
andyoucanhav
ehi
mf ornewy
ears 
Her:
yournotev
enSiy
aswi
fey
etandal
ready
youwanttopl
ayst
epmommytomychild.

Il
ookedatmyr
ingandsmi
l
ed.

Me:Linda,
it'
suptoyou,
all
Iwantedwasfor
olwethotospendTi
mewi t
hhisfat
her
.Buti
f
that
'stoomuchtoaskforthenf
ine
Sheputthephonedowninmyear .Idi
dn'
ttel
l
,
heraboutSi
yaandIbei
ngmar r
iedbecausehe
hadn'
ttol
dhismothery
et.Pl
usI'm notr
eal
ly
onetogloat
.

If
ini
shedmybr
eakf
astt
henwentt
omyr
oom.

Iemai l
edSiyathemessagef rom Li
nda,then
star
tedgoingov ermycontract.Mostofitwas
normal,exceptfort
hesalary.Thi
ssalarywas
nearl
ydoubl ewhatIearnedatmyol djob.I
knewSi yadidn'
tputmucht houghti
ntothis.He
j
ustlikestowast emoney.

Isenthi
m ane-mailr
egardi
ngthi
s.Idi
dintwant
toearnmore,j
ustbecauseIwashiswif
e.
Anyway,i
tsnotli
keIneededthemoney.
IwasSti
l
lgoingthr
oughmycont
actwhen
someoneknockedint
hedoor
Iopenedandi
twasHl
okes.

ME;
Heyy
ou 
Hi
m:handt
hem ov
er 
Me:
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
Hi
m:don'
tpl
aydumb
Me:
Hlokes
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
I'
m war
ningy
ou 
Me:
sincewhendoy
ougi
vemewar
nings
Him:Idon'
tknowwhatyouhavepl
anned,
buti
knowyouhavethosepi
ctur
es,
andiwantthem
back 
Me:
whatpi
ctur
es
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
pleaseI
'
m beggi
ngy
ou.
Me:
i
fIwer
eyouIwoul
dgo.Idon'
twantSi
ya
f
indi
ngy
ouher
e

Hel
etoutasi
gh,andtur
nedt
oleav
e,butt
hen
hel
ookedatmeagain

Him:Idi
dn'
tknowuntil
youment
ionedhowbi
g
shewas.IswearIdi
dn'
t. 
Me:
Idon'
t
Him:I
'
lltellghostassoonaswe'rebackfrom
ourmission.Pleasej
ustdon'
tsayanythi
ngyet.

Hlokeshadbasical
l
yjustconfi
rmedmy
suspici
ons.Notonl
ydidhesleepwit
hLi
nda.
Buthewast hebaby'
sfather
.

Ijustdi
dn'
tknowi fIcoul
dkeepthi
sfrom Si
ya.
IfhefoundoutthatIknewandididn'
ttel
l
,hi
m,
hewoul dbereal
lymadatme, butatt
hesame
Ti
meIfel
tli
kei
twasonl
yfai
rtol
etHl
okest
ell
hi
m hi
msel
f.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

75

Isatinmyr oom cont

emplati
ngwethert
otel
l
Siyaornot.Eit
herwayshitwasgoi
ngtohitt
he
fan,andiwasst ucki
nthemiddl
e.

Whatguar
anteedoIhav
ethatHlokeswil
ltel
l
Si
yaoncethei
rback?Whati
fhegetscoldfeet
.
Si
yawouldhavemyheadifIdi
dn'tt
ell
him.

Iwasreall
ystuckanddidn'tknowwhattodo.
Themor eIthoughtaboutit
,themoreIknewI
hadtotell
Siya.I
'm hi
swife.Myloyal
ti
eshavet
o
al
waysliewithhim. 
IknowIwasbet r
ayi
ngHlokes,
buti
wasn't
will
i
ngt
obr eakthetr
ustt
hatmyhusbandhas
formeoverHlokes.

Itookadeepbr
eathandwal
kedt
oSi
yasof
fi
ce.
Itwasnowornever
.

WhenIgottohisoffi
cehewasont hephone.I
satononeofthechairsandwai
ted.Iknewi
fI
walkedoutImightnothavet
hecouragetotel
l
him.

Si
yakeptlooki
ngatmequizi
cal
lybuti
didn'
t
move.Ij
ustsatther
ewai
ti
ng. 
Hl
okeswalkedinl
ooki
ngpissedashel
l.I
pr
etendednott
onoti
ce,andconser
ntr
atedon
myphone.
Hewenttothesecondof
fi
ce,
whi
l
eIwai
tedf
or
Si
yat
ofini
sh.

Siy
afi
nal
l
yfi
nishedhi
scal
landcamet
osi
tnext
tome.

Hi
m:MaNdhl
ovu 
Me:
Hibaby
Hi
m:what
'sup,
youseem outofsor
ts 
Me:
weneedt
otal
k 
Hi
m:cani
twai
tti
l
llat
er 
Me:
no 
Hi
m:baby
,I'
minthemi
ddleofsomet
hingreal
l
y
i
mpor
tant
.CanIcomeseeyouwhenI'
m done 
Me:Si
ya,Iwoul
dn'
tbedi
stur
bingy
oui
fthi
s
wasn'
ti
mportant
 
Hi
m:okay
.Doy
ouwantt
otal
kher
eori
nour
bedr
oom
Me:
ourbedr
oom 
Hi
m:l
eadt
heway

Ist
oodupt
owal
kout
,butt
henhadani
dea

Me:baby ,
actual
lycant heguyscl
eart
heof
fi
ce.
It
hinkit
'sbestwedi scussthi
sherewi
thHl
okes.
Buttheresthavetogo
Him: babyweareleavi
ngforami ssi
oninaf ew
hours.Ican'
thaveanyofmymenl eavethei
r
postsatthemoment .Myli
fedependsonI ntel
andrightnowtheyarebusygett
ingal otof
thi
ngsi npl
ace

Me:
thenwe'
l
lhav
etodot
hisher
e

Iwal
kedt
othesecondof
fi
cet
ocal
lHl
okes.
ThenIcamebackandsatdown.

Si
yakeptl
ooki
ngatmeandt
henatHl
okes.

Me:
Hlokespl
easecl
oset
heseconddoor
.

Hecl
osedt
hedoor
,thenSatdown

It
ookadeepbr eat
handl ookedatHlokes.He
i
mmediatel
ytensed.It
hinkher eal
i
sedwhatI
wasdoi
ng

Me:
Hlokes,It
hinkt
her
eissomet
hingy
ouneed
t
osaytoSiy
a

Si
yal
ookedatme,
thenatHl
okes
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loedon'
t 
Me:It
hinki
twoul
dbebet
teri
fhehear
ditf
rom
you
Si
ya:
whati
sit
Me:
Hlokes 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
yourmaki
ngami
stake

Iknewtheni
fIdi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng,
Hlokes
wouldn'
t

Me:baby ,IwashopingHl
okeswouldsay
something,butsi
ncehedoesn'
twantt
oI'
llhav
e
tot
ellyou.

Hi
m:I
'
mli
steni
ng

Me:
fir
stl
ybeari
nmi
ndIdon'
thav
e100%pr
oof
ofwhatI'
m aboutt
osay,butist
il
lfeel
li
key ou
deservet
oknow.BecauseIdon'
twantt okeep
secret
sfr
om you

Hi
m:Baby
,outwi
thi
t 
Me:It
hinkLi
ndamightbel
yi
ngr egar
dingyou
bei
ngthefat
heroft
hebabythatshe'
scarr
ying

Si
yakeptqui
tef
orami
nut
e,t
henl
ookedatme

Hi
m:sowhatdoest
hathav
etodowi
thBul
l
et 
Me:
Ithi
nkHl
okesmi
ghtbet
hef
ather

Si
yal
ookedatHl
okes

Hi
m:i
sthi
str
ue 
Hl
okes:
Ithi
nkso 
Hi
m:soy
ousl
eptwi
thLi
nda
Hlokes:y
es.Wewer
edr
unkandi
tjust
happened 
Hi
m:sowhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
meear
li
er 
Hlokes;Ionlystart
edbeingsuspici
ous,
whenI
heardrif
il
oet al
kingabouthowbi gshewasfor
16weeks.SoIcal l
edLinda,andshedenied
everyt
hing.Butfinal
lyadmit
teditwhenI
thr
eatenedtot elly
ou 
Him:howdoyouexpectmet
otrusty
ouaf
ter
thi
s.Yourmysecondi
ncommandandnowthi
s.
Fuckman
Hl
okes:
dude,shi
thappens.Idi
dn'
tmeanf
or
t
hist
ohappen 
Hi
m:ar
eyouf
ucki
ngser
ious?
 
Hl
okes:
ghost
,don'
ttr
yget
ti
ngall
hol
iert
han
t
houonme.Youtookmywifeawayf
rom me
Hi
m:sot
hisi
syourwayofpay
back
Hl
okes:
dude,Idi
dn'
tfal
lforLi
nda,
Irespect
ed
t
hebrocode.Unl
i
keyouwhowentandmar r
ied
myex.

Iknewt heni
twasmytimetoexcusemy sel
f.
Thiswassomet hi
ngSi
yaandHlokesneededto
sortoutonthei
rown.

Ist
oodupt
oleav
e,butsi
yal
ookedatme

Hi
m:howl
onghav
eyouknown

Thelooki
nhi
sey
esgav
emechi
l
lsdownmy
spi
ne

Me:notl
ong.Ihadmysuspi
cionswhi
l
ewe
wer
einJHB, buti
wasn'
tsur
e 
Hi
m;i
sthatwhyy
oui
nvi
tedherf
ordi
nner
 
Me:
par
tl
y
Him:soyouknewt
henandyoudidn'tthi
nkyou
shoul
d'
vetol
dme,i
nst
eadofdiscussingitwi
th
yourex

Il
ookedatSi
yasur
pri
sed.Washer
eal
l
ypi
ssed
atme?

Me:Siya,ldi
dn'
tknow100%aboutHl
okes,
I
unt
ilabout10minsago.
Him:buty
oususpect
edLi
ndawasl
yi
ngandy
ou
sai
dnothi
ng
Me;
babe
Him:Rif
il
oewhathappenedt
onotkeepi
ng
secr
ets? 
Me: Si
yaIneededt omakesur eofthi
s,bef
ore
tel
l
ingyou.Idi
dn'twanty outothi
nkItoldyou
becauseIwasbitter.IwantedtomakesureI
wasn'
tmi
staken

Het
urnedhi
sat
tent
ionbackatHl
okes.

Hi
m:youroutoftheteam.Packyourbags,
.I
'l
l
makesur
ey ougettr
ansfer
redsomewhere

Hlokes:arey oufuckingkiddingme?Yourmad
becauseIf uckedLi nda,whoy ouhadno
i
ntenti
onofbei ngwi t
h,butyounotonlyfucked
mywi fe,youf ucki
ngmar r
iedher,andnowy ou
wanttof uckingf i
reme?Fucky ouGhost.I
'
m
notgoingany where.

Him:I'
m notmadt haty
oufuckedLinda.I
'
m
madbecauset heonlyr
easonI'
mf i
ndingout
aboutthisi
sbecauseofRif
il
oe.Youshould
havetoldmeman.
Hlokes:Ghost,whenIreal
isedyouandRi
fi
loe
wereserious,Ibackedoff
.Itbr
akesmetosee
youwi t
hher,buti want
edbothofyoutobe
happy,whichiswhyIbackedof f
. 
AndnowyouWanttofi
remebecauseofLi
nda.
fucky
ouman.Fuckyou

Hl
okesst
oodupandl
eftSi
yasof
fi
ce.

Ikindoffel
tbadforwhatwehaddoneto
Hlokes.Siy
aandi wer
ehappy,
andpartofi
t
wast hankstohl
okes

Me;
babyhehasapoi
nt 
Him:Ri
fi
loe,don'
tgeti
nvol
vedi
nthi
s.I
fIcan'
t
t
rustbul
let,
Iwonthavehiminmyteam.That
s
f
inal
Me;
butbabe
Him;butnothing.Heshoul
d'
vetoldMe.Ican'
t
possi
blyexpectsomeonewithsecret
stohave
myback

Il
etoutasi
gh

Me;
soar
eyoumadatMeaswel
l
 
Hi
m: yourtoocutetobemadat.ButIam
di
sappointedthaty
oudidn'
tcometoMe
i
mmedi atelywhenyoubecamesuspi
cious

Me:baby,youneedtounder st
and.Ijustdi
dn'
t
wanttoseem bi
tterorj
elous.Ineededt omake
sur
ebeforesayi
ngany t
hing

Hi
m:whoel
seknowsaboutt
his
Iwant
edtosayhi
smot
herknew,
butwhatpr
oof
di
dIhave?

Me:
I'
m notsur
eIany
oneel
seknows 
Hi
m:whataboutmymot
her

Tj
onna,
Idon'
tthi
nkIt
houghtt
hist
hrough

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe

Me:
Ithi
nkshemi
ghknow 
Him:Iwouldn'
tputitpasther.Fuckman.Idon'
t
knowwhatholdLindahasov erher
.Whywould
shegoalongwiththis?Itdoesn'
tmakesense 
Me;
Siy
a,I
'
m not100%sur
e 
Him:i
ll
bety
ouev
ery
thi
ngIown,
thatshe
knows 
Me: baby
,cany
oucal
m downpl
ease.Wedon'
t
knowthat
Him:yourgoi
ngtocutLi
ndaof
ffinanci
all
yasof
now.IwantOlwet
hoinCubabythetimeIget
back 
Me;Siy
a..
..
.babycanwepl
easet
hinkabout
t
his.
 
Hi
m:ar
eyougoi
ngt
ohel
pmeornot?
Me:
babyI
Him:Ri
fi
loe,thatwomannearlytor
eusapart.
Shet
oldusshewashav i
ngababybyme.It'
sa
damnmi r
acley oustay
ed.AndnowIfindouti
t
wasall
al i
e,andy ouwantmet osi
tbackand
l
aughaboutit
Me:
BABY,
that
'snotwhatI
'
m say
ing.

Si
yawasasstubbor
nasDamnox.Iknowhe
wasmadatLi
nda.Hell
sowasI,
buttotake
Ol
wethof
rom herwasj
ustt
oocruel
Het
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
all
edanumber

Si
ya:Gor
don,IneedthesecondJetr
eadyf
orSA
assoonaspossibl
e
Him:itj
ustneedst
obecl
eaned,
theni
tshoul
d
beready 
Si
ya:
good.Makesur
eJameyi
sonst
andby
Hi
m;y
essi
r

Heputt
hephonedown,
thencal
l
ednai
l
s.

Siya:
nails,
yourgoi
ngtoreplaceBul
letonthi
s
mission.Makesureyourpackedandbrief
edin
thenexthour
Hi
m:sur
eghost
 
Si
ya:
getskul
lready
.Iwanthi
mtogof
etch
Ol
wet
ho.
 
Hi
m:sur
e

Isatt
her
einsi l
ence,watchingSiyagi
veorder
s
l
eftandr
ight.Ididn'
tknowhowt odeal wi
thhi
m,
whenhewasi nt hi
sOpsl eadermode.Ist
ood
upandwalkedt owardshim, whi
lehewasont e
phonewi
thoneofhi sguys.

Itookhishandandpull
edhim.Hestoodst
il
l.I
tr
iedagain,anst
il
lhedidnmove.It
ookhi
s
phone,anddroppedthecal
l

Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe 
Me:
come 
Hi
m:I
'
vegott
oomucht
odobef
oreIl
eav
e 
Me:
all
Ineedi
s15mn
Hi
m:Iknowwhaty
ourt
ryi
ngt
odo.I
twon'
t
wor
k 
Me:
please 
Him: nobaby.Ol
wethoi
scomi ngt
oCubaand
that'
sthat
.I'
m donewhenIcomestoLinda.I
wantherandherbloodsucki
ngway soutofour
l
ives,andI'
l
lbedammedi fIl
etherbri
ngupmy
son. 
Me:
(si
gh)ok.Ij
usthopey
ouwon'
tregr
ett
his 
Hi
m:Iwon'
t.

Il
eftSi
ya'sof f
icefeeli
ngdr ai
ned.Ireal
lyt
hough
Iwasdoingt her i
ghtthi
ngbyt ell
i
nghi m.But
nowhe'stransf er
ringHlokes,he'
scutLindaoff
andhe'
st aki
ngOl wethofrom her.
 
Ij
ustfeel
li
kebymet ell
i
ng,
I'
verui
nedsomany
peopl
e'sl
ives,whi
leIrodei
ntot
hesunset
.How
doIli
vewiththat?
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

76

Istayedi
nmybedr
oom ti
l
llunch.Skul
lhad
pickedupOl
wet
hoandtheywer el
eavi
ngfor
Cuba.

Iwasabitworri
edaboutwhereOlwethowoul d
sl
eep.Reasonbeingt
hattheguestroom that
Li
ndausedt ousewasall
thewayont heother
endofourfl
oor.I
twasn’
tsuit
ableforOlwetho.

IneededtohaveOlwethomov eint
othe
bedroom nextt
oours,butthatroom waskind
ofli
keast or
eroom.IthoughtIcoulddiscuss
thi
swi t
hSiyaduri
nglunch.May beIcouldgo
getafewt hi
ngsbeforeOlwethoarri
ved
Iwentupstai
rsandIf
oundSiy
aandHlokes
havi
nglunch.I
twasgoodseei
ngthem t
ogether
,
eventhoughyoucoul
dsensether
ewassti
ll
a
bi
toftensionbet
weenthem.

Me;
nicet
oseey
out
woget
ti
ngal
ong

Hlokesr
oll
edhiseyes,
whil
eSi
yajustshookhi
s
head.It
ookthatasasignt
oshutupandeatmy
l
unch.

Me;
babe
Hi
m;Mhmm
Me;
I’
vebeent
hinki
ng 
Hi
m;shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed 
Me;
you’
rer
eal
l
ygr
umpy
 
Hi
m;baby
,notnow.Pl
ease 
Me;I
ncasey ou’
veforgot
,youleav
etoday
, so
whenexact
lyam Isupposedtospeaktoyou
Hi
m;(si
gh)I
’
mli
steni
ng 
Me;Ineedt heGuar
dstohel
pmeclearthe
bedroom nextt
oours.I
’
dli
ketogeti
treadyf
or
Olwetho.
Hi
m;Idi
dn’
tthi
nkaboutt
hat
Me;Ofcour
senot
.You’
ret
oobusybei
ng
gr
umpy 
Hi
m;y
ourmaki
ngi
twor
se 
Me;
shame…sowi
l
lyout
ell
them ornot
 
Hi
m;y
esl
ove.I
llgett
hem t
ocl
eart
her
oom 
Me;
Thankyou.
.It
hinkI
’
llneedt
ogoshopping.
We’
l
lneedabedandacoupleofot
hert
hings 
Hi
m;can’
tyoudot
hatoncewe’
vel
eft
?Myguy
s
ar
eabitbusy
 
Me;
Siy
a,Ineedt
ogett
hisdone,
bef
oreOl
wet
ho
get
sher
e. 
Hi
m;whysoqui
ckl
y 
Me; becausey oudraggedhi
m awayf
rom hi
s
ot
her .Theleastwecandoi smakesurehehas
anicer oom tosleepin 
Hi
m;Wel
lthatwi
l
lhav
etowai
t 
Me;
arey
out
ryi
ngt
opi
ssmeof
f

Si
ya,j
ustlookedatmeandcar
ri
edonleav i
ng.
Mxm hereIwast r
yingt
omakesur
ethingswer e
al
ri
ghtforhissonandhewasbasi
cal
lyignori
ng
me. 
Wehadtherestofourlunchinsi
l
ence.Gone
wasmyplayf
ulSiya.Hehasbeenr epl
acedwi
th
t
heannoyi
ngashel lGhost.

OnceIwasf
ini
shedeating,
Istooduptotake
myplat
etot
hekitchen.Il
ookedatSi
ya,andhe
trulyl
ookedl i
kehewasi
nabadmood.I fitwas
anyot herdayIwoul
dn’
thavehadaproblem,
buthewasl eavi
ngf
or3weeks,andt
helast
thingIneededwashavehimthismoody

Iputmyplat
edownandwentt ositonhi
slap.
Hehardl
ymov edtomakespaceforme.Hlokes
stoodupandlef
t.

Me;
yournof
unwheny
ou’
rei
namood 
Him;baby
,it
’sbeenoneoft
hoseday
s.Ij
ust
needyoutogivemeamoment  
Me;Siya.Youleavet
oday ,
I’
m notgoi
ngt
osee
youfornexttoamont h.Andyouwouldr
ather
spendthedayi nabadmood.  
Hi
m;whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
 
Me;
tel
lmewhat
sbuggi
ngy
ou 
Hi
m;not
hing 
Me;
li
es 
Hi
m;(
sigh)l
eti
tgoRi
fi
loe
Me;
butbaby
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;st
op 
Me;
fine.

Istoodupandt ookthedishestothekit
chen.I
wasn’ tgoi
ngtoenter
tai
nhismoodanyl onger.
InsteadIwasgoingtogetstartgett
ingt
hings
readyf orOl
wetho,

IknowSi yasaidnottospeaktoLinda,butI
hardlyknewwhatOl wetholi
ked.Ineededideas
onhowt odecoratehi
sroom, orwhathis
favouri
tetoyis,andwhatfoodsheeat sor
doesn’teat.Si
yawouldbeannoy edbutI’m sur
e
he’
l
lgetov
eri
t.

Idi
all
edLi
ndaandl
ucki
l
yshepi
ckedup 
Me;
Hi 
Her
;Hi
 
Me;
Linda,
I’
m sor
ry 
Her
;whatcanIdof
ory
ou 
Me;IknowwhatI’m aboutt
oaskmightseem
heart
less,
butpl
easebearinmindt
hatI’
m doi
ng
thi
sforOlwet
ho 
Her
;st
opbabbl
i
ngandt
ell
mewhaty
ouwant
 
Me;Imtryi
ngtogetar
oom r
eadyforOlwetho.I
j
ustneededtoknowwhatDi
sneycharact
ershe
l
ikes
Her
;**
***
***Si
l
ence*
***
** 
Me;
Lindaar
eyout
her
e 
Her
;(sni
ff
)isSi
yar
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
hismar
a?Ri
fi
loe,
howam Isupposedtoli
vewit
houtOlwetho?I
’
ve
broughthi
m uponmyownf orsolong,
andnow
he’sj
usttakenawayf
rom me.Howam I
supposedtoliv
e
Me; Li
nda,j
ustgivehimt i
met ocalm down.I’
m
sureonceheseeshowmuchOl wethomisses
you,he’
llbr
inghim back.Youjustneedto
concentr
ateony ourpregnancy.Il
lmakesure
Olwethoistakencareof
Her
;(snif
f)Heli
kesmilesfr
om t
omor
row.Hi
s
whol
er oom her
eisdecorat
edwit
hmil
es.
 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Her;
andheneedst
ogetnewglasses,
Iwas
goi
ngtot
akehimforhi
syear
lycheck-
upt
his
week
Me;
il
lnott
hatdown
Her
;He’sal
soal
l
ergi
ctofi
shandhasasthma.
He’
sgotapumpwithhi
m.Butyoumightneed
anext
raone 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Her;Rif
il
oe.Iknowy ouresentme.Idon’tbl
ame
you,butpleasetakecar
eofmybabyf orme.
He’smywor l
d 
Me;
Iwi
l
l

Ihungupwit
hmyheartfeel
i
ngheavy.Si
ya
walkedi
nasIwasmakingnotesofal
lofthe
thi
ngsLi
ndatol
dme.

Hi
m;hi
 
Me;
higr
umpy
 
Hi
m;babyaski
es.Ishoul
dn’
thav
etakenmybad
moodoutonyou 
Me;you’
resur
eashel
lshoul
dn’
thav
e,buty
our
f
orgi
ven 
Hi
m;whatar
eyoubusywi
th 
Me;
justmaki
ngnot
esoft
hingsIneedf
or
Ol
wet
ho

Hel
ookedatt
hel
i
st.

Hi
m;howdoy
ouknowaboutt
heast
hma?
Me;
Ihav
emyway
s 
Hi
m;y
oucal
l
edherdi
dn’
tyou 
Me;
yes.But
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Idel
i
ber
atel
ytol
dyounott
o 
Me;
itwasf
orOl
wet
hoSi
ya
Hi
m;y
oucoul
d’v
easkedme 
Me;ar
eyouser
ious?You’
vebeensodamn
moody 
Him;fort
helastt
ime,pl
easer
efr
ainf
rom
havi
nganycommuni cat
ionwi
thLi
nda.I
m not
goi
ngt oaskyouagai
n
Me;
Butbaby
,hati
fOl
wet
howant
stot
alkt
o
her
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;ourst
ubbor nnessisn’
tgoingtohelpyou.
AsmuchasIdi sli
keLinda.Olwetholoveshi
s
mother
.It
’sgoingtobedi ffi
cul
tforhi
mt o
tr
ansi
ti
onfrom Livi
ngwi thherful
lti
me, t
obei
ng
awayfr
om her.Imj usttr
yingtomakeiteasyon
hi
m 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
wecant
othatwi
thoutLi
nda 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;f
ort
hel
oveofGodst
opar
gui
ngwi
thme.
 
Me; Li
stentomeandl ist
ent omecar ef
ull
y,
becauseI ’
m gett
ingsickofy ourstubbornness.
Olwethoisnotapor ny oucanuseagai nstLi
nda.
Heisy oursonandi t
’sinYOURson’ sbest
i
nterestforhimtohav ear el
ationshi
pwi thhis
mother.IfI’
m goingtobel ookingafterhim,
thenIam goingtoneedt ohav esomesor tof
contactwithhismother
Si
yal
ookedatmeandshookhi
shead.

Him;dowhat
evermakesy
ouhappy
.Butdon’
t
sayIdi
dn’
twarnyou 
Me;
what
’st
hatsupposedt
omean
Hi
m;not
hing.
 
Me;
whyar
eyousost
ubbor
n 
Hi
m;Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
out
hat
 
Me;
sohav
eyouspokent
otheguar
ds
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
thanky
ou

Imov
edcl
osert
ocl
oset
hedi
stancebet
ween
us

Hi
m;Il
ovey
ou 
Me;
(si
gh)Il
ovey
out
oo 
Hi
m;sowhendoy
ouwantt
ogoshoppi
ng 
Me;
canwegonow
Hi
m;gi
veme10mi
nut
es
Me;
arey
oucomi
ng 
Hi
m;y
es.
 
Me;
cool

Iqui
ckl
ychangedf
rom mydressi
ntoapai
rof
j
eansandaspaghett
ist
rapt
op. 
Thenwentdownst
air
stomeetwi
thSi
ya.

Wewenttothemallwi
thacoupl
eofguards.I
boughtOl
wethoanewbed,ni
ghtst
and,sheet
s
andbeddi
ng,andev
ensometoystokeephim
busy.
 
Icoul
dtel
lSi
yawasr
egr
ett
ingcomi
ngwi
thme.
 
Iconv
incedhimtogethim anewps4,sothat
hecouldhavesomethi
ngtokeephim busy.

Bythetimewel ef
tIwasexhaust
ed.Mostof
Olwetho’
st hi
ngswer egoi
ngtobepickedupby
theguards.Siyadidn’
twantt
hem del
iver
edfor
secur
ityreasons.

ThemomentIgothomeIcol
l
apsedont
hebed.
Si
yaj
oinedme

Him;r
emindmet
onev
ergoshoppi
ngwi
thy
ou
agai
n. 
Me;
(chuckl
es)Idi
dn’
tasky
out
ocomemos 
Hi
m;Idi
ntwanttogeti
nyourbadbooksmor
e
t
hanIal
readywas 
Me;
(si
gh)shutupandr
unmeabat
h
Hi
m;canIj
oiny
ou 
Me:
howl
ongdowehav
e 
Hi
m;20Mi
nut
es 
Me;
per
fect

Wehadourbat handluckil
yallwasforgi
ven.I
l
ovedSi y
at odeath,butIknewthatourtwohar d
headswer egoingtoclash.IknowIneedtobe
submissive,butIal
sofeelli
kehedoesn’t
consi
deral l
thepeopleinvol
vedbeforemaki ng
deci
sions.Ijusthopedwecoul dl
earntofight
fai
rl
y.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

77

Af
termybath,Iwentt
oseehowf
arSi
ya’
sguy
s
wi
thOlwet
ho’sroom. 
Lucki
l
y,t
heyhadf
ini
shedcl
ear
ingi
t,and
Thembi
wasbusycl
eani
ng.
 
Iwenttofet
chabr oom, soIcoul
dhel
p.That
wayitwouldbequicker.Becauset
hefur
nit
ure
hadarr
ived,andIwantedSiyatoseti
tupbefor
e
theyl
eft
.

ThembiandIcl
eaned,t
henIaskedt
heguar
ds
toputt
hefur
nit
ureinsi
det
heroom. 
Ihungupthecurtai
ns,
whilenai
l
sputthebed
anddeskstoget
her.Si
yawasbusywitha
bri
efi
ng,soNail
swasassisti
ngmeinstead.
 
WhenIwewer efinal
l
ydone,
Iwashappywit
h
t
heresul
ts.IhopedOlwet
howoul
dli
keit
. 
Si
yawassti
l
lbusywit
hhisguy
s,soIwentt
o
cl
eanmysel
fupfordi
nner

Si
yacamedownj
ustasIwasget
ti
ngdr
essed.
Him;Icametoseeify
ouwantt
ohav
edi
nner
hereordownst
air
s 
Me;
canweeather
e
Hi
m;ok,
I’
ll
godi
shupf
ory
ou 
Me;
thanksbabe.

Ideci
dedt
oratherchangei
ntomyPJ’ssi
nceI
wasn’
tgoi
ngtohav edi
nnerupst
air
s.

Si
yacamedownwi
thdi
nner
,andwebot
hdugi
n.

Hi
m;babe
Me;
mhm 
Hi
m;Iwaswonder
ing
Me;
mhmm 
Hi
m; haveyoudeci
dedonadat
efort
he
wedding 
Me;
notr
eal
l
y
Hi
m;anypar
ti
cul
arr
easonwhy
?
Me;Iwashopi
ngwecoulddot
hatoncey
ou’r
e
onbett
ert
ermswi
thyourmom.Idon’
twantt
o
hav
eherbadmouthi
ngme 
Hi
m;(
sigh)I
’
m sur
eshewi
l
lbehav
e
Me;
whatdi
dyoudo 
Hi
m;let
’sj
ustsayshewi
l
lbest
ayi
ngoutofour
l
iv
es 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m; Ididn’
tdoanythi
ngdrast
ic,Ij
ust
t
hreatenedtocutheroutourl
ivescompl
etel
y.I
t
hinkshegetsthepoint 
Me;
Idoubtshewi
l
lev
eracceptmei
ntot
he
f
amil
y 
Hi
m;shedoesn’
thav
eachoi
ce 
Me;I’
l
lgi
veheracoupl
eofdayst
ocalm down,
bef
oredi
scussi
ngtheweddi
ngwi
thher.
 
Hi
m;t
hanky
ou 
Me;soyouwantthewhol
ewhi
teweddi
ng/
t
radi
ti
onalweddi
ng 
Him;aslongaswehav
ethetradi
tionalwedding.
Youcanmakeadecisi
onregardi
ngt hewhit
e
wedding 
Me;
idj
ustat
radi
ti
onal
weddi
ng 
Him;soyoudon’
twantt
hewhol
ewhi
tedr
ess
andbri
desmai
dsect 
Me;notreal
ly.YouandIareal
readymarr
ied,
I
don’
tseewhyweneedt odothewhole
tr
adi
ti
onal t
hingnow.I
Dr at
herhaveusdothat 
Hi
m;what
every
ouwantl
ove 
Me;
doIhav
eabudget
? 
Hi
m; j
ustmakesur
eI’
m notbr
okeaf
tert
he
weddi
ng 
ME;
sonobudget
 
Hi
m;Lor
dhel
pme 
Me;I
’mjoki
ng,
I’
m sur
eal
lwe’
l
lneedi
sabout
R200000.
00max 
Hi
m;soundsreasonabl
e…Youhaveaccesst
o
myaccount
s.You’l
lhandl
eev
ery
thi
ng 
Me;
sincewhendoIhav
eaccess
Hi
m;Igotnai
l
stol
i
nkt
hem t
oday
 
Me;woul
d’v
ebeennicefory
out odi
scussthat
wi
thme.WhatifIdon’
twantthem l
i
nked? 
Hi
m;hawbaby
.Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ogethel
p 
Me;il
ll
eti
tsl
i
de.Butnextti
me, pl
easedi
scuss
t
hingswit
hmebeforedoingthem 
Hi
m;Yesmam
Me;
Thanky
ou 
Him;IguessIshoul
dtel
lyoumyunclesare
sendi
ngal et
tert
oyourf
amilyt
hiscoming
weekend
Me;
towho?Becausemypar
ent
sar
en’
tar
ound 
Hi
m;y
ourauntanduncl
ethatImet
 
Me;
agai
n,y
oushoul
d’
veasked 
Hi
m;aski
es
Me;whatel
sehav
eyoudonewi
thoutt
ell
i
ngme
Si
ya 
Hi
m;t
hat
’si
t.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
you’
reahandf
ulsomet
imes 
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ou 
Me;
notgoi
ngt
owor
kthi
sti
me.
 
Hi
m;sohowmuchdoy
out
hinkt
hey
’l
laskf
or 
Me;
nocl
ue 
Hi
m;howmuchdi
dtheyaskf
orf
rom Hl
okes 
Me;
R75000.
00
Hi
m;shi
t.Ar
eyoumadeoutofgol
d? 
Me;they’
l
lpr
obablychar
gey oumor e,si
nceyou
al
readygotmepregnantbefor
emar ringme.Oh
andformarr
yingmelegall
ywithouttheir
consent
Hi
m;butbabyt
hatwasy
ouri
dea
Me;Idon’
tpl
anont
ell
i
ngt
hem t
hatpar
t.I
’
llsay
i
twasallyou
Hi
m;y
ou’
regoi
ngt
obankr
uptme 
Me;t
hat’
swhaty
ougetforkeepi
ngshitfr
om
me.Pl
usmyunclesdon’
tpl
ay.They
’regoi
ngto
mi
lkyou
Him;wel
lit
’sagoodt
hingIcan’
tli
vewit
hout
you,
oridberunni
ngf
orthehil
lsbynow 
Me;(chuckl
es)Ilov
eyout
oobabe.Ev
ent
hough
youpissmeof fatt
ime
Hi
m; enoughtostaywi
thmymom f
oramot
h
af
terthewedding? 
Me;
youmustbeouty
ourdamnmi
nd 
Hi
m;i
tsherwayofmendi
ngt
hings 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;booboo 
Me;
readmyl
i
pscar
eful
l
y..NOTHAPPENI
NG.
 
Hi
m;butRi
fi
loe 
Me;
butnot
hing 
Hi
m;(
sigh)It
ri
ed 
Me;2minut
esagoyouweretel
l
ingmehowshe
hasnochoi
cebutt
oacceptmeandnowyou
wantmetogospendamonthwithher
 
Him;Ij
ustt
houghty
out
wocoul
dreal
l
ygett
o
knoweachother
 
‘
Me;
conv
ersat
ionov
er 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
justt
hinkabouti
t 
Me;
Ihav
eandmyansweri
sno 
Hi
m;ok.
. 
Me;phewhaai
,youcanbest
ressf
ulatt
imes
yaz

Aswewer
etal
ki
ng,
someoneknockedont
he
door
. 
Si
yat
oldwhoev
eri
twast
ocomei
n.

Nai
l
s;boss.She’
sar
ri
ved 
Si
ya;
il
lbet
her
enow 
Hi
m;canIt
aket
hosef
ory
ou

Hepoi
ntedatourpl
ates

Me;
don’
twor
rynai
l
s.I
llt
aket
hem upnow
Him;
Ireal
l
ydon’
tmi
ndmam.I
m goi
ngupt
her
e
now 
Me;
Ify
oudon’
tmi
nd 
Hi
m;Notatal
l

Het
ookourpl
ates,
andl
eft
.
Me;
sowho’
sher
e 
Him;oneofmynewagents.She’
sbeen
tr
ansfer
redt
omyteam f
orthismissi
on.Imet
herwhil
eIwasi
ntr
aini
ngaf ewyearsago
Me;
She 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;Idi
dn’
treal
i
sey
ouwor
kedwi
thwomanas
wel
l
 
Hi
m;baby,
we’
reunder
cov
er.Att
imesy
ouneed
womanint
hepi
ctur
e

Me;
sowhatexact
lydoesshedo 
Hi
m; Ican’
tdi
scusst
hatwi
thy
ou.Youknow
t
hat 
Me;
isshepr
ett
y
Hi
m;haaRi
fi
loe,
don’
tev
ent
hinkofst
art
ing
wi
tht
hat
 
Me;
whatI
’
mjustaski
ng 
Hi
m;Ipr
efernott
oanswer
 
Me;
Siy
a,i
sshepr
ett
yyesorno 
Hi
m;Iguessshe’
sav
erage 
Me;
hav
eyouev
erhadat
hingwi
thher
 
Hi
m;no 
Me;
youbet
terhav
enot
 
Hi
m;i
sthei
nter
rogat
ionf
ini
shed?
 
Me;
Iwantt
omeetherf
ir
st
Hi
m;Baby
…pl
ayni
ce 
Me;
Ofcour
seIwi
l
l 
Hi
m;ohgodhel
pme

Iputonmyjeansandat-shi
rt
,thenwewalked
handinhanddownst
air
st omeetthi
sJessi
ca
woman.

ThemomentIl
aidey
esonJessi
ca,
Ipi
nched
Si
ya’
ahand.
 
Hesaidshewasaver
age,t
hischi
ckwasal
otof
t
hingsbutav
eragewasn’
toneofthem.
 
Shelookedoutshest eppedoutofsome
workoutmagazine.Herskinwasf l
ippi
ng
tanned,
shehadl ongcrownhair,andshelooked
l
ikeshetrai
ned24/ 7.Shewaswear ingar
my
greenshort
swithabl acktopandsneakers.

Iwil
lbehonestr i
ghtoffandsayIdi
dn’tl
i
keher
onebit.IknowIhadn’tevenmether,
but
knowingshewasgoi ngt obeinBr
azi
l wi
thmy
husbandf ornear
lyamont h,
buggedtheshi
tout
ofme.

Shehadahugeassgri
nonherf
acewhenshe
sawSiy
aapproachi
ng.

Shej
umpedupandr
ant
ohi
m,andgav
ehi
ma
hug.Si
yahadt
oletgoofmyhandnxa

Her
;Ihav
en’
tseeny
oui
nagesG 
Hi
m;Hi
Jess.Howar
eyou 
Her
;fi
ne.I
’
vemi
ssedy
ouguy
’sman.Li
kehow
l
onghasit
 
Hi
m;about10y
ear
s 
Her
;Iseey
oust
il
lashandsomeasev
er

Al
lIcoul
dthi
nkwas.Modi
mont
huset
hisgi
rl
.
Pl
ease 
Si
ya;
ahmm Jess.Thi
sismyRi
fi
loe.Ri
fi
loet
his
i
sJessi
ca 
Me;
Hi 
Her;
ohy
oumustbet hefamousgi
rl
fr
iend.I
’
ve
hear
dafewt
hingsaboutyou
Me;
it’
sthewi
fe 
Her
;I’
m sosor
ry.Idi
dn’
treal
i
sey
ouguy
swer
e
marr
ied.

Ihadt
ofor
cemy
sel
fnott
orol
lmyey
es.

Me;
nicet
omeety
out
oo 
Her
;you’
real
uckywoman.Iknowalotofgi
rl
s
i
nthefor
cewhohavewantedGhost

Idi
dn’
treal
l
yknowhowt or
espondt
othat
,buti
t
mademedi sl
i
keherev
enmore

Siy
a;(cl
earst
hroat
)Babe,
I’m goi
ngtobri
ef
Jess.I’
l
lcomeseeyoubeforeweleave 
Me;
sur
e

Igav
ehi
m adeat
hst
aresandhegav
emea
don’tst
artki
ndofsmi
l
e.ThenIwentt
othe
ki
tchen. 
Ineededsomet hi
ngtodri
nk.IknowIshouldn’
t
bejealousbutt
hatwomanwashotashel l
.And
shewasgoi ngunder
coverwithmyhusbandf or
nearlyamonth.KnowingSiy
a,Iprobabl
y
wouldn’tbeabl
etogetholdofhim.Ihada
feel
ingthismonthwasgoingtobet hel
ongest
ever.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

78(
bonus)

Si
yastay
edwithJessi
caforov
er2hour s.Iwas
hi
ghl
yannoyed.IknowIwasover
react
ingbutI
j
ustcoul
dn’
thelpit
.

Whenhecamedownt oourroom Iwasi

nbed
wat
chi
ngamovie.Idon’
tevenrememberwhatI
waswatchi
ng,becauseIwasn’tconcentr
ati
ng.I
wast
obusyt hi
nkingofall
thescenariosofhow
t
ogetri
dofthisJessicagi
rl.

Ihadlit
erall
yjustgottenLi
ndai
nherplace,
and
nowher ecomest hi
sf l
i
ppi
nggymfanati
c
l
ookingwomanf rom Godknowswhere,and
she'
sleavingwi t
hmyman.Haai ,manli
fe
wasn'tfai
r

Si
yacameinasIwasthi
nki
ngaboutJessi
ca.
Hetookof
fhi
sshoesandgoti
ntobedwi t
hme.

Hi
m;baby
.Youok

Me;
fine

Hi
m;t
het
eam i
sready
,wel
eav
einaboutan
hour

Me;
anhour?

Hi
m;y
es.Ineedt
obei
nBr
azi
lbymor
ning

Me;
(si
gh)Mhmhh

Hi
m;doy
ouwantt
otal
kabouti
t

Me;
no

Hi
m;baby

Me;
Siy
a
Hi
m;Icant
ell
somet
hingsbot
her
ingy
ou

Me;
itsnot
hingSi
ya

Hi
m;sowhyar
eyoupout
ing

Me;
I’
m not

Hi
m;i
tsJessi
cai
sn’
tit

Me;
whywoul
dyousayt
hat

Hi
m;baby
,Iknowy
ou

Me;
didy
ouper
sonal
l
ychooseherf
ort
he
mi
ssi
on
Hi
m;no

Me;
mhmm

Hi
m;baby
,ther
e’snot
hingt
obeJeal
ousabout

Me;
whosai
dIwasJeal
ous

Hi
m;baby
,it
’swr
it
tenal
lov
ery
ourf
ace

Me;
Siy
aIwi
l
lfl
i
ppi
ngsl
apy
ou

Hi
m; nana,I
’
ml eav
inginl
esst hananhour
,can
wejusttr
ygett
ingalongt
il
lthen
Me;
I’
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou

Hi
m;notasmuchasI
’
llmi
ssy
ou 
Me;
promi
set
ocomebacki
nonepi
ece

Hi
m;Ipr
omi
se

Me;don’
tgogett
ingshotSi
ya.I
’
m notsur
eI
coul
dhandl
ethatshi
tagain

Him;baby
,thi
sti
methi
ngsaremoreplanned
out.I
t’
sal
lgoi
ngtobefi
ne.I
’
llbebackbefor
e
youevenknowit

Me;
good

Hi
m;NowcanImakel
ovet
omywi
fe,
bef
oreI
l
eav
e

Me;
I’
m noti
nthemood

Hi
m;AMEN

Me;
what

Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
obegonef
oramont
h.

Me:
so

Him:sohowcany ounotwantt
ogi
vemea
goi
ngawaypresent

Me:
Agoi
ngawaypr
esent
Hi
m:y
es.

Me:sohowmuchti
mearey
ougoi
ngt
ospent
wi
ththi
sJessi
cawoman

Hi
m;haai
Igi
veup.I
'
m goi
ngt
otakeashower

Me:
sity
ourassdown

Him:nana,Il
ovey
ou.Onlyy
ou.Jessi
cajust
happenstobeapartoft
heteam not
hingmore

Me: Iknowbabe,buti
t'sjustwier
dhavi
nga
femalearoundyou.Especiall
yoneIdon'
tknow.
Plussheseemsv erytouchytouchy
Hi
m:y
ourexadur
ati
ng

Me;I
'
m ser
iousl
ybabe.Di
dyouseehowshe
j
umpedupwhenshesawy ou,andhowshewas
al
lov
eryouli
keafl
ippi
ngdogonheat

Hi
m:hababy(
laughi
ng)

Me:l
aughal
lyoul
i
ke,
butI
'
m ser
ious.Thatgi
rl
want
syou

Hi
m:buti
don'
twanthermos.

Me:y
oubetterbehav
ewhil
eyouront
his
mi
ssionofy
ours,orel
se

Hi
m:orel
sewhat
Me:orel
seI'
l
lfi
ndmysel
fanicelooki
ngCuban
man,andl
eaveyouwi
ththatJessi
cathi
ngof
your
s

Him:baby,
Cubahasbeengoodt ome.The
gangst
ersherear
emyf ri
ends,
thegover
nment
makesurewe'rewel
ltakencar
eof.Pl
easedon'
t
makemeki l
loneoft
hem becauseofyou

Me:
(chuckel
s)soy
ou'
dki
l
lforme

Him:anyday
.Especi
all
yifi
twasamanaf
ter
you

Me:
that
'snotf
unnySi
ya.Youshoul
dn'
tj
okel
i
ke
t
hat
Him;whosaidIwasjoki
ng?Youknowhowhard
ihadtoworkforustogether
e.I'
dbedammed
i
fIletsomeguytakeyoufrom me

Me:
soIguessI
'
m nott
heonl
yjel
ousone

Him:j
ustt
hinkofherasanot
heroneoft
he
guys.

Me:
I'
ll
try

Him:youdon'
teverneedtofeelt
hreat
enedlove.
Yourmywife.Imarr
iedyoubecuaseIloveyou.
Nootherwomancanev encomecl osetothat
.
Nomat t
erhowbeautif
ultheyar
e. 
Yourt
hebestthi
ngthat'
shappenedt
ome.I
l
oveyou,
that
'snevergoi
ngtochange
Me:
(si
gh)Il
ovey
out
oobooboo

Hi
m:comeshowdaddyhowmuch

Il
aughedwhi l
emov edont opofhi
m and
start
edkissi
nghim.IknowIwasj ustbeingsi
l
ly
withthewholeJessicathi
ng,buti
tjustcameas
asurpri
se,butasalways,Siy
ahadawayof
calmingmedown.

Wemadel oveagain,butt
histi
meitwashot
andsteamy,l
ikeSiyawastryi
ngtoproveapoint
tome,becausewewentf rom mebeingontop,
tohi
mt aki
ngov eri
namat terofmi
nutes.

Whenwewer
ebot
hdone,
Siy
acol
l
apsedont
op
ofme.
Me:
Siy
aaay
oursoDamnheav
y

Hemov
edandl
aynextt
ome

Him:howam Igoi
ngt
osur
viv
eamont
hwi
thout
you

Me:
sel
fser
vice

Hi
m: hababy
,whatmandoest
hatwhenhehas
awif
e

Me;
theki
ndofmant
hatt
rav
els

Hi
m:nothappeni
ng

Me:
fine,
we'
l
lusephonesex
Hi
m:haaRi
fi
loe

Me:what?Youcanv
ideocal
lmeandwecan
pl
ayaround

Hi
m:soundsi
nter
est
ing

Me:
I'
ll
makei
twor
thy
ourt
ime

Hi
m:deal

Me:come,let
'sgety
oucl
eanedup.Your
r
unningoutofti
me

Wewentt
oshowertoget
herandendedup
maki
ngl
oveagai
n.Thist
imether
ewasno
for
epl
ay.I
twashotst
eamyandst
rai
ttot
he
poi
nt.

Whenwecameoutt heshower
,Siyagot
dressed.Helookedsogoodinjustjeansanda
hoodie.Iwasusedt oseei
nghi
mi nsuitsallt
he
ti
me, thatev
eryti
mei sawhimincasual cl
othes,
i
ttookmebysur pr
ise

Iputonmypi
nksi
l
kbum shor
tPJ'
sand
sl
ipper
s.

Si
yal
ookedatmedi
sappr
ovi
ngl
y

Me:
andnow

Him:pleasedon'
twalkaroundher
ewit
hthose
on.Idon'twantmyguardsseei
ngyoul
iket
hat 
Me:
baby
,Iwasgoi
ngt
oputmygownon.Rel
ax 
Hi
m:y
oushoul
dweart
heonesi
einst
ead 
Me:
Siy
aint
hisheatMar
a 
Hi
m:Iwasj
ustsay
ing 
Me:
baby
,youneedt
ochi
l
l 
Hi
m: I
'
llt
ryr
ememberthat,butf
ornow, pl
ease
wal
kmeout .I
'
m suret
heteam i
salready
wai
ti
ngformeI'mthebasement 
Me:
let
'sdot
his.

Iputonmygownandsl
i
pper
sandwal
kedSi
ya
tothebasement
.

Thelastti
mei didthisIwasbasicall
yf all
i
ng
apart.I
t'
sli
keIhadaf eel
i
ngthatsomet hi
ng
wasgoi ngtohappent ohim.Butthisti
me
aroundIwasn'tner
v ousoranxious.Ifeltli
ght
asthoughIknewhewasr eal
l
ycomi ngback.
Whenwegott othebasementtheguar
dswer
e
al
lreadyt
oleave.IsawHlokes,
andwentt
o
gi
vehim ahug.

Me:
takecar
eofy
our
sel
f 
Hl
okes:
I'
ll
bef
ine,
Me:youhav
eababyont heway
.Makesur
eyou
comebacktor
aiseherorhi
m
Hi
m:Iwi
l
l.
 
Me:
comeHer
e

IgaveHlokesawarm hug.IcouldfeelSiya'
s
eyesbur
ningintomybackbuti didn'
tcare.I
consi
deredHlokesaf
riendandhewoul djust
havetodealwit
hthat
.

Hl
okes:
domeaf
avour
 
Me:
any
thi
ng 
Him: Iknowwehadn'tdiscussedthi
s,butBoni
i
ssupposedt obevi
sit
inginthenextweekorso.
Pleasedon'tsayany
thingaboutLinda.Ihaven'
t
toldher,Ij
ustneedt
of i
gureoutwhatI '
m going
tosay  
Me:
Iwon'
tsayany
thi
ng 
Hi
m:t
hanky
ou.
Me:I'
m gl
adshe'
scomi
ng.I
twi
l
lkeepmef
rom
bei
ngbored 
Hi
m:y
ourt
hebest
 
Me:
soIt
akei
tI'
mfor
giv
enf
ort
ell
i
ngSi
ya
Him:Iwasnevermadaty
ou.Iunder
stoodwhy
youhadtotel
lhi
m
Me;
thanky
ou

Igavehi
m anot
herhuget
henwentt
osay
goodbyet
omyhubby .
Me:
gotev
ery
thi
ngy
ouneed 
Hi
m:al
lexcepty
ou 
Me:
wel
l
.I'
l
l,ber
ighther
ewheny
ougetback 
Hi
m:Il
ookf
orwar
dtoi
t 
Me:
giv
emeaki
ss 
Hi
m;comegeti
t

Il
eanedi
nandgavehim aki
ss,IknewIwas
goi
ngtomissmykissi
ngbuddybigti
me.

Hi
m;behav
ewhi
l
eI'
m away
 
Me:y
esy es,Ipr
omi
set
obehav
e.I
'
lldoast
old
bl
ahblahblah
Hi
m:t
hat
'smygi
rl
 
Me;
whatt
imedoesOl
wet
hoar
ri
ve
Hi
m:i
nthenextcoupl
eofhour
s 
Me:
I'
ll
makesur
enail
swakesme.Jwantt
obe
t
her
ewhenhegetsof
fthej
et 
Hi
m:t
hanksbaby
 
Me:
Shar
p.

Igav
ehim onel
astki
ss,
andwatchedhi
m go
geti
ntot
hesamecarJessi
cawasin.

Ifeltabitannoy
edbuti r
efusedtoponderonit
.
ItrustSiyaandI'
m sur
ehewoul dn'
tdoanythi
ng
tohur tme.

Iwal
kedbackupst
air
swi t
hnai l
sbehindme.
Thehousei
nst
antl
yfeltqui
eterwithoutSiy
aand
someoftheot
herguards.AtleastOlwethowas
goi
ngtokeepmebusy.

Me:
nai
l
s,canIasky
out
oletmeknowwhen
Ol
wet
hohasl
anded.Iwantt
opi
ckhi
m upf
rom
t
heai
rpor
tmy
self

Hi
m:wi
l
ldo

Me:
thanky
ou

Hi
m:canIgety
ouany
thi
ngel
se

Me:I'
m goodt
hankyou.I
'mj
ustgoi
ngt
ogot
o
bed.I
t'
sbeenalongday

Hi
m:goodni
ght

Me:
goodni
ght

Iwentbackt
omynowcol
dbedandt
ri
ed
get
ti
ngsleep.Lucki
l
yafterthedr
amaf
il
leddayI
hadhad,
Ifellasl
eepinseconds.

Iwaswokenupbymyphone,
acoupl
eofhour
s
fr
om mefal
li
ngasl
eep.

Isawi
twasnai
l
s,t
ell
i
ngmet
ogetr
eady
.

Igotupandf reshenedup,thegitdressedin
tr
acksuittopandbot t
oms.Ididn'tbitherwi
th
shoes.Ijuststucktomyslipper
s.Itwas2am.
I'
m surenoonewoul dnot
ice.

OnceIwasready,Iwentt
othekit
chetogeta
bot
tleofwat
er,t
hewenttosiya'
soff
ice,
tolet
t
nai
lsknowIwasready.

Me:
hey
..I
'
mready
 
Hi
m:l
et'
sgo

Wewalkeddownt
othebasementparki
ng,
and
l
eftwi
thsomeoft
hesecur
itydet
ail
.

Whenwear
ri
vedatt
heai
rpor
t,t
hej
ethadj
ust
l
anded.

Skul
lwascarr
yingOl
wet
ho,
whowasf
ast
asl
eepinhi
shands.

Igr
eet
edhim,andmadespacef
orolwet
hoto
si
tint
heback,whi
l
eIsati
nthefr
ontwit
hnai
ls.

Skullj
oinedtheot
herherguar
dsi
noneoft
he
othercars.
Whenwegothome, Nail
scar
ri
edOlwetho
upstai
rs.Iaskedthem Toputhimi nmyroom
i
nsteadofhi s.Idon'
twanthim wakingupand
nothavingaf amili
arfacecl
oseby.

Igoti
ntobedwi
thOl
wet
hoandi
mmedi
atel
yfel
l
asl
eep.

Ireal
lyhopedOlwethowouldadjustquickl
yto
beingwithouthi
smot her
.Thelastthi
ngI
wantedwast oseehim crybecausehemi ssed
her,meanwhileSi
yawasal lt
hewayaccr ossthe
conti
nentandi wasleftt
oplaymommyt ohis
son.
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

79
Iwaswokenupthefol
lowingmor ningby
Olwet
ho.Hehadabiggrinonhisf ace,
andwas
shaki
ngmeawake.Iwassot i
redIwant edt
o
tel
lhi
mtogobacktosleep,butthenI
rememberedhepr
obablyhadjetlag

Hi
m:aunt
y,aunt
ywakeup 
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:Iwantt
ogopl
ayont
hebeach,
wakeup 
Me:
boyi
sn'
ti
ttooear
lyf
ort
hat
 
Hi
m:pl
ease,
please,
please
Me:
(si
gh)l
et'
sgety
oubr
eakf
astf
ir
st.

Irel
uctantl
ygotupandmadethebed,and
openedt hewi
ndows.Ol
wethokeptf
oll
owing
meev erywher
e

Hi
m:aunt
y,mommysai
dIwasgoi
ngt
obe
spendal
lmyhol
i
day
sher
e 
Me:
yesboy
 
Hi
m; Ican'twai
tti
l
lChr
ist
mas.Iwantt
osee
whatfatherChr
ist
masboughtf
orme 
Me:
I'
m sur
ehe'
l
lgety
ouev
ery
thi
ngy
ouneed 
Him:comeaunt
ylet
sgohav
ebr
eakf
astsowe
canplay
Me:boy
,youneedt
obat
hfi
rstt
henwecan
hav
ebreakf
ast
 
Him:no,Iwantt
oeatnow,
thengopl
ay.Ican
bathl
ater 
Me:
ok,
letmebr
ushmyt
eet
hthenwecango 
Hi
m:ok,
buthur
ry

Ifr
eshenedup,
andputmygownon,
thenwent
downstai
rst
ohavebreakf
ast
.
Mam Mar t
hahadlai
doutaperf
ectspr
eadas
usual
,butOlwet
hosfacesai
dsomethi
ngel
se

Me:
boy
.What
'swr
ong
Hi
m:Idon'
tl
ikeanyoft
hese
Me:
whatdoy
ouwantt
oeat
Hi
m:cer
eal
Me:
let
'sgott
otheki
tchenandseei
fwehav
e

Itookhissmallhandandwentt
othenki
tchen
tolookforcer
eal.Lucki
l
ymam Mart
hawas
there.
 
Ol
wet
hor
anupt
oherandgav
eherahug.

Her
:hi
boy
 
Hi
m:hel
l
ogr
anny
Her
:howar
eyou 
Hi
m:hungr
y 
Her
:whatcangr
annymakef
ory
ou 
Hi
m:cocopops 
Hercomesi
t

Il
ookedatmam Marthawi
thgr
ati
tude.Atl
east
wit
hheraround,
taki
ngcar
eofOlwethowould
beeasi
er.

Iwentthedini
ngroom t
odishupformy
sel
f,
thenwenttogoandjoinOl
wethoandmam
Marthaint
hekitchen

Ihadbreakf
astwhi
let
alki
ngtoOl
wetho.He
wantedtodosomanythings,
Iwonder
edwher
e
I'
dgettheener
gyfr
om

Me:
fini
shupsoi
canshowy
ouy
ourbedr
oom
Hi
m:Ihav
emyownbedr
oom?
Me:
yes,
eatupandI
'
llgoshowy
ou

Olwet
hofi
nishedeat
ing,
andi
tookhi
mtogo
seehi
sroom. 
Theminut
ehesawithel
ovedit
.Hekept
j
umpingupanddownonthebed.

Hehadal
ltheener
gyi
nthewor
ld.

Aft
erseei
nghi
sroom, wechangedandwewent
topl
ayonthebeach.

Weplayedonthebeach,bui
l
dingsandcast
les,
t
henswimming.Olwethowashavingagood
t
ime,andiwasgladhewasn'tcr
yingf
orhis
mother
.
Whenwewer ebot hti
redofpl
ayi
ng,
wewent
backinsi
detobath.Ir
anOlwethoabath,but
whenIwenttofetchhim,hewasasleeponmy
bed,wit
hhiscut
eSandyt oes.

Icoveredhi
m wi
thabl
anketandwentt
ogo
bathinst
ead.
 
Itookmyphonewit
hme, Iwantedt
otryget
holdofSiy
a.I
twasalr
eadymiddayandihadn'
t
heardfr
om hi
m

Itr
iedhi
mt wi
cebutbot
htimesitwentt
o
voi
cemail
,soIlef
tamessageandhopedhe
wouldcal
lmeback.

Ihadaquickbath,thengotdressed.Si
nce
Olwethowassleeping,Ideci
dedtogoov er
someofthefiguresforNdhlovuCorp.I
fIwas
goingtot
akeov erasCFOi nJan.Ineededto
f
ami
l
iar
izemy
sel
fwi
tht
hecompanyst
ruct
ure

Iwentupst
air
stosi
ya'
sof
fi
ce,
togethi
slapt
op

WhenIgott ohisoffi
ce,Nai
lswasbusyonthe
phoneinthesecondof f
ice,
Idi
dn'twantt
o
dist
urbhim,soijustwenttoSi
ya'sdeskt
otake
thelapt
op.Iknowheusual l
ykeepsiti
noneof
thedrawers.

Lucki
l
yIfounditi
nthever
yfi
rstdr
aw.It
ooki
t
andwasabouttowalkout
,whenIhear
d
somethi
ngdrop.

WhenIl ookeddownIsawsiya'
sringonthe
fl
oor.Ipicketi
tupandst
oodtheretry
ingto
understandwhyhewouldleavei
tinhisoff
ice
draw.
Itookt heringandpl acedi tinthesaf e,t
hen
wentbackt omyr oom.Iwast r
yingr eall
yhard
nottoov er
reactregardingt heringi ssue.But
whywoul dhej ustleaveitint hedr aw?Whyt ake
i
tof finthef i
rstplace.Myannoy ancewas
l
eadi ngt oangerreallyquickly,becauseIknow
i
fIhadj ustleftmyr i
nglyingar ound, whileI
wentsomewher ef ornearl
yamont h, Si
yawould
havemyhead.Butbecausei t'
shi m, i
llhavet
o
pl
ayi tdown.

WhenIgott
omyr
oom,
Ist
art
edwor
king.

IwashopingthatonceIgotlostinthenumbers,
Iwouldf
orgetabouttheringissue.Iwent
thr
oughdozensoffinancialr
eports,t
axrepor
ts
andevensalar
yreports.
Ihadn'
treal
isedhowbi gofabusinessNdhl ov
u
Corpwast i
l
l t
hen.Siya'
sstaffwashighl
y
quali
fi
ed.I
twascl earthathi
ssecondin
command, wasgoodatwhathewasdoi ng,
becausetheretur
nsov erthepast7years,were
quit
eimpressive.

Iwassobusywi t
hwhatIwasdoing,Idi
dn'
t
real
i
sethatIhadmissedl
unch,
until
Iheardmy
tummyrumbling.

Ilookedov eratOl
wethoandhewasst i
llfast
asleep.IwonderedweatherIshoul
dwakehi m
ornot,becauseIwaswor ri
edhewoul dn'tsleep
atnight.Buthelookedsopeaceful
,Ididn'thave
thehear tt
owakehi m.

Iwenttot
heki
tchent
omakemy
sel
fsomet
hing
toeat
. 
Mam Mar
thawasal
readypr
epar
ingdi
nner
.

Me:
hima 
Her
:hi
..Iwaswonder
ingwhathappenedt
oyou
guy
s 
Me:
Olwet
hoi
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
andi
lostt
rackof
t
ime
Her
:ther
e'sl
eftov
erl
unchi
fyou'
dli
ke 
Me:
carr
yonwi
thwhaty
ourdoi
ng.I
'
lldi
shup
f
ormysel
f 
Her
:ar
eyouenj
oyi
nghav
ingOl
wet
hoar
ound
Me:
yes,
butihaveaf
eel
i
nghe'
sgoi
ngt
okeep
meonmytoes.
Her:
boysalwaystendtobemorehy
pert
han
gi
rl
s.Especi
all
yatolwet
ho'
sage.
 
Me:
IjusthopeI
'
llbeabl
etokeepup
Her:
you'l
lbef
ine.Andify
ourl
ostory
ouneed
hel
p,youcanalwaysaskme 
Me:
thanky
ouma

AsIwasbusytal
ki
ngtomam Mar t
ha,
nail
s
wal
kedinhol
dingOl
wethoshand.Hel
ookeda
bi
tsad,
li
kehehadbeencryi
ng.

Ipi
ckedhi
m upandputhi
m ont
hecount
er

Me:
boy
,what
'swr
ong 
Him:(
sni
ff)Iwokeupandyouweren'
tthere.
ThenIwenttol
ookevery
whereandicouldn'
t
fi
ndyou.
 
Me:
I'
m sor
ryboy
.Ij
ustcamet
ofi
ndsomet
hing
t
oeat 
Hi
m:(
sni
ff
)aunt
yImi
ssmommy
.CanIcal
lher

Il
ookedOl
wet
hoandher eal
l
yl ookedsad,
buti
di
dn'
twantHi
m speaki
ngtoLindawhenhewas
down,
becausethatwoul
donl
ymakehert
hink
hewasunhappy
.

Me:boy,
youcancall
mommylat
er.Iwas
t
hinki
ngkingwecoul
dwat
chmoviesfi
rst
 
Hi
m:whatmov
ie
Me:
anymov
iey
ouwant
 
Hi
m:canwewat
changr
ybi
rd
Me:
we'll
godownl
oadi
tnow.Butf
ir
sty
ouneed
t
oeat 
Hi
m:I
'
m nothungr
y 
Me:
youhaven'
teatensi
ncebr
eakf
ast
,youneed
t
oeatsomethi
ng 
Hi
m:(
sni
ff
)butaunt
yidon'
twantt
oeat
 
Me:let
'smakeadeal.Youeatsomet
hing,
then
wecanhav egowatchmoviesinmyroom.We
caneventakepopcornandsomesweets
Ol
wethoj
ustshookhishead.Il
ookedatmam
Mart
haandshesmiled.
 
Idi
dntknowwhatelsetodo,ol
wethohadn'
t
eat
enany t
hingsi
ncebr
eakfast
,andnowhe
di
dn'twanttoeat
.

AsIwastry
ingtofi
gureouthowt
obr
ibehi
m
i
ntoeat
ing,
Siyacal
led.

Me:
hel
l
o
Hi
m:hi
babe.Howar
eyou 
Me:
I'
m good,
you
Hi
m:f
ine.Sor
ryImi
ssedy
ourcal
lear
li
er 
Me:
it'
scool
Hi
m: ar
eyouok?Iexpect
edy
out
obi
temyhead
of
f 
Me:babe,
I'
vegotmor
eimportantthi
ngst
o
wor
ryaboutthany
ounotphoning 
Hi
m:t
hingsl
i
kewhat
 
Me:
li
keconv
inci
ngOl
wet
hot
oeat
Hi
m:;
i
shegi
vi
ngy
ouahar
dti
me 
Me;
notr
eal
l
y.It
hinkhej
ustmi
ssesLi
nda 
Hi
m:l
etmespeakt
ohi
m

IgaveOlwet
hothephone,andwentt
ogr
aba
bott
leofwaterf
rom t
hefr
idge.

Ol
wethogavemethephoneback,
andl
ookeda
bi
tsad.Hehadt
earsi
nhiseyes

Me:
whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m
Hi
m:Ij
ustt
oldhi
mtodoast
oldorel
se 
Me:
orel
sewhat
Hi
m: Rifi
loe,
OLwethoi
sachil
d.Hedoesn'
thave
achoice.Ify
outel
lhi
mt oeat
,thenhemusteat
Me:
pleaset
ell
mey
oudi
dn'
tshoutathi
m
Hi
m:j
ustal
i
ttl
e 
Me:
mxm

Iputt
hephonedownonSiya.Hehadn'tseenor
spoketoOl
wethoi
nawhile,andinst
eadof
bei
ngnice,
hewaslect
uri
nghim aboutfood.

It
ookof
fol
wet
hosgl
assesandwi
pedhi
stear
s.

Me:
sor
ryboy
, 
Hi
m:(
sni
ff
)aunt
y,daddyshout
edatme
Me:
don'
tmi
ndhi
m boy
.He'
sjustgr
umpy
.
Hi
m:buthemademyhear
tsor
e
Me:oohmyboy ,don'
tcr
y.I
fyoudon'
twantt
o
eat
,youcaneatl
ater
Ol
wethoi
mmedi
atel
yst
oppedcr
yingand
smi
led

Me:
that
'smor
eli
kei
t.
Hi
m:canwegowat
chamov
ienow 
Me:whydon'
tyougogetuncl
enai
l
sto
downl
oaditf
oryou,
thewecangowat
ch

Hi
m:okay

Itookhi
m of
fthecount
erandher
anupst
air
sto
nail
s

ManMar
thal
ookedatme

Her:he'
sgoty
ouwr
appedar
oundhi
sli
tt
le
f
inger 
Me:hawma, yousawhowheart
brokenhewas
af
tersi
yaspoketohi
m.Icoul
dn'
tjustwat
ch
hi
m cry
Her:hedoesn'tcryblood.Ifyoudon'tputy our
footdown, he'
l
lneverlistentoyou.Chil
drenar e
thebiggestmanipulatorsali
ve.I
fheseest hat
hecangetawaywi t
ht hings,hewill
starttaking
advantage 
Me:
Lor
dhel
pme
Her
:you'
l
lbef
ine.Justt
rybei
ngmor
easser
ti
ve 
Me:Ihav
enoi
deai
fIcan.Hiscut
eli
tt
leface
j
ustmakesmemel
t.AndIdon'
twanthim
hat
ingme 
Her:hewon' thateyou.Buthewi l
lseeGhostas
av i
ll
ain,becausehei smorestri
ct.I
t'
sbett
eri
f
youbot hwor kasat eam.Soifghostsayshe
needst oeat,thenyouneedt omakesureyou
alsosayt hesamet hing.Ot
herwisehe'
ll
be
walkingalloveryouinnot i
me 
Me:
yourpr
obabl
yri
ght
.Ij
usthopeIcandot
his
Her
:you'
l
lbef
ine.

Olwet
hocamebackwi t
hamemor yst
ickthat
hegotfr
om nai
ls.Iputtoget
heroursnacks,
thenwewentupstair
stowat cht
hemov ie.

Webot hgotItomybedandwat chedangry

bi
rds.Ifi
gur
edIwoul dletOlwethogetaway
wi
thnoteatingfortoday,butasoft omorr
owI
wouldhavetotrybeingal i
tt
lemor estr
ict
.

Myphonerangaswewer
ebusywatchi
ng.I
l
ookedatt
hecall
erI
DandsAW i
twasSiya.

Me:
babe 
Hi
m:y
ouputt
hephonedownonme
Olwethol
ookedatmeandouthi
sfingeronhi
s
l
ips,t
osignal
formetokeepqui
te.

Me:
hol
donsi
ya

Igi
ggl
edandwentt
othecl
oset
.

Me:
I'
m back 
Hi
m;whatar
eyouguy
supt
o
Me:
we'
rewat
chi
ngamov
ie 
Hi
m:di
dheeat
 
Me:
no,
buthe'
shav
ingpopcor
n 
Him:Nana,
youcan'
tl
etOl
wet
howal
kal
lov
er
you.
 
Me:haaimanSiya,
hejustdidn'
tfeell
ikeeati
ng.
It
snotabigdeal
.AndIdon'twantt ohearyou
shout
ingathi
m agai
n.Youmadehi m cr
y,i
t
near
lyt
oremyhear
tint
opi
eces 
Hi
m:hehasgoty
our
ightwher
ehewant
syou 
Me:Idon'
tcar
e.Any
wayI
'
vegotabonet
opi
ck
wi
thyou
Hi
m:whathav
eIdonenow
Me:
wher
e'sy
ourweddi
ngr
ing 
Him:ahmm It
hinkIl
efti
tinmyof
fi
ce
somewher
e 
Me:
somewher
e?Whydi
dyouev
ent
akei
tof
f
Hi
m:Nana,
Ihadt
o.Icoul
dn'
tgot
oBr
azi
lwi
th
i
t 
Me:
andwhyt
hehel
lnot
Him:becausewhi
leI'
m her
eI'
m Ghost
,and
ghosti
sn'tmar
ri
ed. 
Me:
nxa,
thi
smi
ssi
onofy
ouri
sgoi
ngt
obor
e
me 
Hi
m:I
'
vemi
ssedy
oursmar
tmout
h 
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou 
Me:
mhmm 
Hi
m:soy
oudon'
tl
oveme
Me:
youknowIdo
Hi
m: baby
,askiesman.Ishoul
d'vetol
dyou.I
t
j
ustcomplet
elysli
ppedmymi nd.I'
m sor
ry
Me:
fine
Hi
m;soI
'
mfor
giv
en 
Me:
yes 
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ouRi
fi
loe.Al
way
sremembert
hat
Me:il
ovey
outooSi
ya.I
mj ustst
ill
try
ingtoget
usedt
othi
swhol
eundercovert
hingofyours.
 
Him:iknowbabe.Andicanseey ourtr
ying.I
j
ustneedyoutotrustme.Iwouldneverdo
anyt
hingtor
uinwhatwehav e.
Me;
I'
ll
try
 
Hi
m;ok,
letMego.I
'
ll,
speakt
oyoul
ater
 
Me:
Shar
p
Hi
m:putt
hephonedown
Me:
noy
ouputdownf
ir
st
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)Idon'
tknowi
fIwantt
o 
Me:
thendon'
t 
Hi
m:Ihav
eto
Me:
gobackt
owor
kbabe.We'
l
lchatl
ater
 
Hi
m:I
'
llSky
pey
ou
Me:
Shar
p.

Thist
imeiputthephonedown..becauseI
knewifIdi
dn'
twewoul dgobackandf or
th.
 
ImissedSiyasomuch,butiwasgl
adihad
Olwethoaroundt
okeepmecompany .Ij
ust
hopedthatwitht
imeiwouldbeabl
etogetused
toplayi
ngmommy .
[
05/
13,
16:
37]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

80

It
'sbeenaboutaweeknowsi
nceSi
yahadleft.
Lif
eathomehadbeenok.Olwet
hohassett
led,
andhewasget t
ingusedt
obei
ngwi
thoutLi
nda.

Ihadn'
treall
yspokent oSiya,sincethel
astti
me
hepromisedt oSkype.Ihadt ri
edhim acoupl
e
ofti
mes, butthenhesentmeamessagesay ing
hecouldn'tt
alk,soIlethim be.It
'snowbeena
wholeweekandst i
l
lnot hi
ng.

Whatti
ckedmeof fwasthathewasabl
eto
phonenail
s,t
odiscusswork,
buthedi
dn'
thave
ti
metofindouthowOl wet
hoandIweredoi
ng.
Theonlygoodnewswast
hatBoni
swawas
arr
ivi
ngtoday
.

Iwaski ndofgladbecauseIwasst art

ingt
oget
bored,IcouldonlychattoOlwethosomuch,
andal lwedidwaspl ayonthebeachorwat ch
cartoons.Ineededanadultaroundand
thankfull
yBoniwascomi ngtomyr escue.

Iwenttot
heairpor
twit
hnail
stopi
ckherup.
Olwet
hostayedwit
hmam Mar t
ha,buthe
wasn’
tver
ypleasedaboutt
hat,
butIneeded
somemet i
me.

Whenwegottotheair
por
tBoni
hadjustl
anded.
Shel
ookedsorel
iev
edwhenshesawme

Me:
wel
comet
oCuba 
Her
:thanky
ouf
orhav
ingme 
Me;I
'm sogl
adyourher
e.Atl
eastnowI
'
llhav
e
someonetotal
kto 
Her:
I'
m exci
tedt
obeher
e.I
t'
smyf
ir
stt
ime
over
seas
Me:
Ithi
nky
ou'
l
llov
either
e. 
Her
;Il
ovei
tal
ready
 
Me:
come,
theguar
dswi
l
l,gety
ourbags
Her
;yousur
e?Idon’
twantt
oinconv
eni
ence
any
one
Me:
don'
tbesi
l
ly.Theydon'
tmi
nd 
Her
:ok,

Wegoti
ntot
hecar
sandnai
l
sdr
oveushome.

Me:
sohow'
sli
febackhome 
Her
:ev
ery
thi
ng’
sfi
ne.Justbeenmi
ssi
ngHl
okes.
Iwasabitdisappoint
edwhenhetol
dmehe
wasgoingtoBr azi
l
.Iwashopi
ngIwoul
dgett
o
spendsomet i
mewi t
hhi
m
Me:Iknowhowyouf
eel
.Butcheerup,
wecan
st
il
lmakethehol
i
day
sfun
Her
:thanks 
Whenwegothome, IshowedBoni
aroundt
he
house.Thenl
ast
lyt
oHl okesr
oom.
 
Her
:yourhomei
sbeaut
if
ul,
thanky
ousomuch
f
orhavi
ngme 
Me:
it'
snotr
eal
l
ymyhouse.Buti
t'
sapl
easur
e
t
ohaveyou.
 
Her
:it
'samazi
nghowy ou'
veadaptedtothi
s
whol
eopsli
fethi
ng.I
'
m sti
llst
ruggli
ng 
Me:
canIbehonest
?
Her
:ofcour
se 
Me:Ihaven'
treal
l
ybeenadapti
ngqui
tewel
l
.I'
m
st
il
ltr
yingtogetmyheadaroundi
t 
Her
:ar
eyouser
ious?
Me:
deadser
ious 
Her:(
sigh)t
hankgoodness.Iwasbegi
nni
ngt
o
t
hinkthatsomethi
ngwaswr ongwit
hme 
Me:ohbeli
eve,t
here'
snothi
ngwr
ongwi
thy
ou.
I
t'
sthei
rjobthat
'swrong 
Her
:tel
lmeabouti
t
Me: (
chuckles)l
etmeleav
eyoutof
reshenup.
I
'm sureyou’r
eexhaust
edaft
ery
ourfl
ight
. 
Her
:Iact
ual
lyfeel
qui
tegood.It
houghtI
'
dbe
sosl
eepybynow
Me:
jetl
agl
ove.I
t’
sthewor
st.
 
Her
:hopef
ull
yI’
l
lbebackt
onor
mal
soon 
Me:your,befine.Letmeleaveyou.I
fyouneed
any
thing.I'
l
lbedownst ai
rs.Youcanjoi
nmef or
l
unchifyou’reputtoit
Her:Soundsgr
eat
.I’
l
ltakeaqui
ckshower
,then
I
’l
lcomedown
Me:
cool
.

Iwentdownstair
stol
ookforOl
wetho.IknowI
hadsaidIneededsometi
meout,butIkindof
missedhim. 
Ifoundhi
mint
heKit
chen,
mam Mart
hawas
teachi
nghi
mtomakeahotdogf
orhimsel
f

Hi
m;aunt
yyourback 
Me;
Yesl
ove
Hi
m;di
dyoubr
ingmeany
thi
ngni
ce
Me;
noBoy,Ijustwentt
ofet
chAunt
yBoni
from
t
heair
por
thim 
Him;mommyusual
l
ybuy
smesomet
hingwhen
shegoesout
Me;Ipr
omiseyou,
nextt
ime,
I’
ll
makesur
eIget
yousomet
hing 
Hi
m;t
hanksaunt
y.You’
ret
hebest
Igavehi
m ali
tt
leki
ssonthecheek,thenwent
tohel
pmam Mar t
halayoutlunchonthe
ver
andainst
eadofthedi
ningroom.

Iwasstart
ingtodi
shupf ormysel
fwhen
Olwethocamerunningwithmyphoneinmy
hand.Imust’
velef
titi
nthekit
chen.

Hi
m;aunt
ydaddywant
stot
alkt
oyou

Itookthephonef
rom Ol
wet
hoandaskedGod
tohelpmenottokil
lSi
yaov
ert
hephone.

Me;
hel
l
o 
Hi
m;nana
Me;
HiSi
ya 
Hi
m;Iknowy
ourmadatme 
Me;
***
*si
l
ence*
** 
Him;babeI
’
m sor
ry.Thi
ngshav
ebeenabi
t
hect
ic 
Me;
***
**si
l
ence*
***
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
***
**Si
l
ence*
***
 
Hi
m;baby
,I’
m sor
ry 
Me;
Mhmm 
Him;ButRi
fi
loe,
Itol
dy out
hiswoul
dhappen.
It
’sbey
ondmycont r
ol.Whatdoyouwantmeto
say?

Iwasabouttoanswerhim butThenIhear
d
Jessi
cainthebackgr
oundt el
l
inghi
mt hey
’ve
gottogo.
Iputt
hephonedown, bef
orehecouldtel
lme
anyt
hing.Idon’
tknowwhyhebotheredphoni
ng
me,whenheknewhecoul dn’
ttal
k.Mxm

Lucki
l
yBoniswacamedown, soIhadtopush
myangeraside,
andconcent
rateonhavi
ng
l
unchwit
hmyguest .

Her
;youok
Me;
I’
mfi
ne.Justabi
tannoy
ed 
Her
;Letmeguess.I
thast
odowi
thy
ourman
Me;
Goodguess 
Her
;I’
vegotal
i
steni
ngeari
fyou’
dli
ke 
Me;I
fwe’
regoingtot
alkaboutmen,
thenIneed
abot
tl
eofwine. 
Her
;I’
donl
ybehappyt
ojoi
nyou 
Me;
youar
eagodsent
.
Igotupandwenttot
hecel
l
arandcameback
wit
habottl
eofwine.
 
Ipour
edusbot
hagl
assandwedugi
n

Her
;sowhat
’sup 
Me; I
’mjustannoy edwit
hthiswholeOpst
hing.
LikeIhaven’tspokentoSiy
ainaweek.And
thenhecalls,for2secondsandthenhehasto
go.LikeIfeelli
kehedoesn’tpr
ior
it
ise 
Her;Tel
lmeabouti t
.Ihaven’
theardfr
om
Hlokesinaboutaweekaswel l
.Theonl y
communi cat
ionIgotwasmyf li
ghtdetai
lsand
that’
sit
.Hehasn’tevencall
edtoseeifIarr
ived
safel
yornot 
Me;whycouldn’
twef
indnor
mal
men,
wit
h
nor
maljobs?
 
Her;
atleasty
ourmarri
edtotheman.I’
m
st
art
ingtothi
nkthatHl
okesandIwil
lneverget
i
ttoget
her
 
Me;
whywoul
dyousayt
hat
Her;Ir
eall
ylovehi
m.Liker
eal
ly.ButIj
ustf
eel
l
ikelat
elyhe’
sabitdi
stant
.Li
kemay behe’
s
hidi
ngsomet hi
ng

GoshwhenBoni swa,sai
dthatIfel
tsobad,
becauseIknewHlokeswaspr obabl
ystr
essi
ng
abouttel
l
ingheraboutLi
nda

Me;I
’m sur
ehe’
sjustst
ressedaboutwork.I
knowit
’sbeent
oughont hewholeteam 
Her
;Ihopeso.Ir
eal
l
ydon’
twantt
olosehi
m 
Me;I
fHlokeswasn’tseri
ousaboutyou,
he
woul
dn’thaveboughtyouall
thewayacrosst
he
worl
d.Heclearl
ywantstobewithyou
Her;I
tfeel
sgoodt
ospeakt
osomeonewho
knowshowIfeel
Me;look,Siy
aandIhavebeenthroughamil
l
ion
i
ssues.We’vehadmor edr
amat hananyr
eal
ity
show,Butintheendwebot hl
oveeachot
her,
andwej usttr
ymakeitwork.Despi
te
ever
ythi
ng 
Her
;(si
gh)we’
l
lseehowi
tgoes 
ME;
yahhaai
. 
Her
;It
hinkweneedanot
herbot
tl
e 
Me;
youar
emyki
ndofgi
rl
.

Iwentdownandgotusanotherbot
tl
e.Then
wenttocheckonOl
wetho.

If
oundhi
m sleepi
nginhi
sbed.I’
m guessi
ng
mam Mart
hamust ’
veputhi
m downforhis
af
ter
noonnap.

Iwentbackt
ojoi
nBoni
Me;
Weshoul
dgooutt
oni
ght
 
Her
;out
 
Me;
yaah,
li
keacl
uborsomet
hing 
Her;
Hlokeshadsai
dweneedt
okeepwi
thi
nthe
compound 
Me;Hlokeswho?Hl
okesi
sinBr
azi
l
.YouandI
ar
estuckinCuba
Her
;youhav
eapoi
nt

Me;I
tsDecemberholi
days.Wecan’tjustbe
st
uckher
et hewholet
ime.Becauseifwewer e
i
nSAwewoul dbehavi
ngtheti
meofourl i
ves 
Her
;ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his 
Me;notr
eall
y,buti
tsbett
erthansit
ti
ngher
e
andmopingaroundbecauseourlovel
iv
essuck 
Her
;I’
min 
Me;Good.NowIneedtofi
gur
eouthowI’
m
goi
ngtoconvi
ncenai
lstol
etusgoout
 
Her;
isnai
l
stheonewi
tht
het
atooosal
lov
er
hi
m 
Me;
yes 
Her
;gosh.Goodl
uck.Hel
ooksl
i
keahar
done
t
ocrack 
Me;yaah.Thefi
rstt
imeImethi
m heseemed
l
iket
hat.Butdeepdownhe’
sactual
l
yat eddy
bear

Webot
hbur stoutl
aughi
ng,
becausewesaw
nai
l
swalki
ngt owar
dsus.

Hi
m;Ladi
es 
Us;
HiNai
l
s 
Him;Ahm mam,I’
vegotGhostont
hel
i
nef
or
you.Hesayshecan’
tgethol
d 
Me;
thanky
ou.

It
ookt
hephonef
rom nai
l
s,

Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;babe 
Me;
what
’sup 
Hi
m; Ican’
tconcent
rat
eonwor
k,knowi
ngy
our
pi
ssedatme 
Me;
sowhatdoy
ouwantmet
odo 
Hi
m;Iwanty
out
otr
yunder
stand 
Me;
Ido 
Hi
m;y
oudon’
t 
Me;si
ya,j
ustfi
nisht
hismissi
onandcome
home.That
’sal
lIaskofyou 
Hi
m;Iwi
l
lbabe.Ij
ustneedy
out
obepat
ient
 
Me;
Fine 
Hi
m;I
’
llspeakt
oyousoon 
Me;
ok 
Hi
m;Il
ovey
oubaby
 
Me;
Ilov
eyout
oo 
Hi
m;I
’
vegott
ogo,
il
lspeakt
oyoul
ater
 
Me;
bef
orey
ougo,
Ineedt
oasky
ousomet
hing 
Hi
m;what
 
Me;BoniandIar
egoi
ngoutt
onight
.Iwant
edt
o
knowwhoIneedtoor
gani
sesecuri
tywi
th.
Nail
sorskul
l 
Hi
m;outwher
e 
Me;
Idon’
tknow.Acl
uborsomethi
ng.Wewant
t
ocheckoutt
heCubanni
ghtl
if
e 
Hi
m;nothappeni
ng 
Me;
whynot
 
Hi
m;becauseI
’
m nott
her
e 
Me;
Siy
ast
opbei
ngsel
fi
sh 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
Me;No.don’
tflippi
ngRifi
l
oeme.You’r
eallthe
wayinBrazi
ldoingGodknowswhat.Andnow
youwanttothrowaf ucki
nghi
ssyf
itbecauseI
wanttogoout
Hi
m;(
sigh)babe
Me;Si
yano.I’
vebeencrampedheresi
ncewe
ar
ri
ved.Whycan’ty
oujustt
ryput
ti
ngyoursel
fin
myshoesforone 
Him;f
ine.Dowhat
every
ouwantt
odo.I
tsnot
l
ikey
oul i
stent
omeanyway
 
Me;
fine 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
whatSi
ya 
Hi
m;(
sigh)cantt
hiswai
tti
l
lim back 
me;
why
 
Hi
m;becauseasy ourhusband,
im aski
ngy
ou
t
owaitt
il
lim back 
Me;
andagai
n,i
askwhy
Him;becausei
m notcomfor
tabl
ewithy
ou
goi
ngoutt oacl
ub,andi
m notther
e 
Me;
butSi
ya,
Nai
l
swi
l
lbet
her
emos 
Hi
m;t
hat
snott
hepoi
nt 
me;Well
,i
m goi
ngandt
her
esnotadamnt
hing
youcandoabouti
t 
Hi
m;webot
hknowt
hat
snott
rue 
Me;Si
ya,isweart
oGod,i
fyoudaret
ryt
ost
op
me.Il
lnev
erspeaktoy
ouagain 
Hi
m;thatwoul
dbedi
ff
icul
tconsi
der
ingy
ourmy
wi
fe
Me;i
sthatwhyyouwant
edt
ogetmar
ri
ed?so
youcoul
dcont
rolme 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
eveni
fitri
ed,i
wouldntbeabl
eto
cont
rol
you.youdonthaveasubmissi
vebonei
n
you 
me;
say
stheman,
whot
ookof
fhi
sri
ngandl
eft
i
tinhi
sdr
aw.
Hi
m;sot
hisi
saboutaf
li
ppi
ngr
ing 
me;
Noitsabouthowyoucangetawaywi
th
mur
der
,butidontdar
estepoutofl
i
ne
Hi
m; Iact
ual
lycantdothisanymor
e.Justdo
whatyouwantok.justf
uckingdowhatyou
wanttodo.

Iputthephonedownonhi m again.Idon’t
underst
andwhySi y
ahadt obesodamn
contr
oll
ingatt
imes.Hewant edmei nCuba, I
comet oCuba.Hewant smet oQuitmyj ob,I
quitmyJob,andnowbecauseIneedsome
fr
eshairI’
m wrong,buthegetstodowhathe
wantswheneverhewant sandI'
mj ust
supposedtobeokaywi thi
t.
[
05/
13,
16:
42]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

81
JustasIhadputthephonedown,Siy
acalled
again.Ir
eal
l
ydidn’
twanttospeaktohim about
thi
s. 
Hewasn’ tbei
ngf ai
ratal
l.Ist
oodupandwent
tothelounge,becauseBoniswa’sphonestar
ted
ri
ning.Ij
ustknewi twasHlokes.Itookadeep
breathandanswer edSi
ya

Me;
Siy
a 
Him; doyourselfafav
our.Never
,andImean
everputthephonedownonmeagai nRif
il
oe.
Nomat t
erhowmady ouareatme, I
’m st
il
lyour
husband, andIthi
nkIdeserveali
tt
lebitmore
respectfr
om y ou.
 
Tjo,
nowIknewSi
yawasmad.Idi
dn’
tdar
e
answer

Hi
m;I
’
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m; you’
renotgoingany
wher
etoni
ght
,orany
ni
ghtunti
lI’
m back. 
Me;
but
Him;butnot
hingRi
fi
loe.Youneedt
ojustl
i
sten
andstopbei
ngsoquicktoanswer.
 
Me;
mhmm 
Him;youar
egetti
ngonmynervesyazRif
il
oe.
I
vetri
edsohardtoaccommodatey
ourevery
need,
butal
lIgeti
nretur
nisy
ounagging 
Me;
***
***si
l
ence*
***
***
***
**
Hi
m;ar
eyouev
enl
i
steni
ngt
ome 
Me;
***
***si
l
ence*
***
***
***
**
Hi
m;Ri
fi
leo
Me;
Siy
a,whatdoy
ouwantmet
osaymar
a 
Hi
m;howabouty
oust
artwor
kingony
our
manners,
andstar
tacti
ngyourage.Your
f
ucking26year
sold,
butyoukeepactingl
ike
yougoddamn5y ear
sold.

Tjo.
.Nowmyey esstart
edt
owat er.Whyon
earthwasSiy
abeingsounr
easonable?AllI
want edwast
ogoout ,
andj
ustrelaxabit
.Was
thatsuchabadthi
ng 
Me;
arey
oudone 
Him;notev encl
ose.Foryourownsake,make
surethatbytheti
meI ’
m backyou’
vegrownup.
ImarriedyoubecauseIneededawi f
e,nota
whiney5y earol
dwhot hrowstant
rums
becauseshecan’tgetherway. 
Me;
(sni
ff
) 
Him;sonowyouwanttocry,wheny
ouarethe
onewhostar
ted?aminuteagoyouweregoi
ng
offatmeandnowyouplayi
ngthevi
cti
m. 
Me;
canIgonow 
Hi
m;(
SIGH)i
l
lspeakt
oyoul
ater
 
Me;
shar
p

Thisti
meIwaitedf
orhimtoputthephone
down,becauseIdi
dn’
twanthi
m bit
ingmyhead
offagai
n.

Iwentbackout
sidetosi
twit
hBoni
.Webot
h
l
ookedateachotherandsmil
ed

Her
;It
akei
tweai
ntgoi
ngnowher
e 
Me;
(chuckl
es)whatdi
dHl
okeswant
 
Her
;Heaskedmywhyi
m causi
ngt
roubl
eonmy
f
ir
stdayher
e 
Me;
No 
Her
;ser
ious.Henear
lyt
oremyheadof
f.
Me;
Haai
,Igi
veup.I
fHl
okesi
sal
soagai
nstus
t
hent
her
eisnohope 
Her
;(l
aughi
ng)
 
Me;
mar
awhyar
emensoannoy
ing
Her
;onl
yGodknows 
Me;I
mj ustgoi
ngt
odr
ownmysor
rowsi
nwi
ne
t
oday 
Her
;thatbadha 
Me;
ya.Li
ker
eal
l
ybad 
Her;
wel
l
,her
e’sat
oasttoourcr
azymen,
who
ar
emaddeni
ngashel
l 
Me;
cheer
s

IsatwithBonionthev er
andafordrinki
ngwine.
Olwethostayedwithmam Mar thaformostof
theday.Apparent
lytheywerebaking.Wewent
from 2bott
lesto4.Wel i
stenedtomusicand
j
uststayedhome.
Me;
Ifeel
li
kebr
aai
Vley
s 
Her;
Oqadil
e.Nextt
hingourphoneswi
llbe
r
ingi
ngof
fthehook,j
ustbecauseofmeat.

Iburstoutl
aughi
ng.Boni
swawasf unny.She
madeaj okeoutofever
ythi
ng,whi
chwasgr eat
becauseaft
erthefi
ghtIhadwithSi
ya,t
helast
thi
ngIneededwast obearoundsomeone
upti
ght

Me;we’
rest
ayinghomeMOS.Thel
eastt
hey
canl
etusdoisbraai
 
Her
;Ihaveafeel
ingwe’r
egoingt
owakeupwi
th
amoorseheadachetomorr
ow
Me;i
ll
dealwi
tht
hattomorr
ow.FornowIwant
t
ofeelnumb,
andtheonl
ywayIknowhow,isby
wi
ne 
Her
;If
eel
yougal
Me;
letmegol
ookf
orNai
l
s

IwenttocheckonOl
wet
ho, andIf
oundhi
min
theki
tchenwit
hmam Mart
ha.

Me;ma,wewer
ethi
nki
ngofhav
ingabr
aai
for
di
nner
 
Her;
thatsoundsni
ce.I
llj
ustmakePap,
grav
y
andsomesalads 
Me;
woul
dyoul
i
kesomehel
p 
Her
;no.Yougor
elax,
il
lhandl
eit
 
Me;t
hanky
ouma,
il
lgoaskNai
l
stogobuyt
he
meat
 
Her
;per
fect
 
Me;
Olwetho,don’
tyouwantt
ocomesi
twi
th
meandauntyBoni 
Him;not
hanky
ouaunt
y.Il
i
kehel
pinggr
anny
cook 
Me;
car
eful
nott
obur
nyour
sel
f
Hi
m;Iwont
.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
Pinki
epr
omi
se.
Hi
m;doubl
epi
nki
epr
omi
se 
Me;
Ok,
il
lbeout
sidei
fyouneedme.

Iwentupstai
rst
oasknail
stosendoneofthe
guar
dst ogobuythemeat,t
henwentback
downstair
stochi
llwi
thBoni

Skull
camebackwit
hthemeatandst
art
ed
braai
ngforus,
whi
l
ewedownedour5thbott
le
ofwine.
 
Iwasfi
nal
lyatthest
ageofnotf
eel
i
ngany
thi
ng,
andi
tfel
tfant
asti
c. 
Thatisunti
lSi
yacall
ed.IshowedBoni
the
Call
erIdandshelaughed
Her
;youshoul
dbeanswer
ingt
hat
 
Me;
Idon’
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thhi
m agai
n 
Her;
andbyy ounotanswer
inghim,don’
tyou
t
hinkthatwi
l
l makethi
ngsworse 
Me;
who’
ssi
dear
eyouonv
ele 
Her
;yourofcour
se,butwebothknowyou’
re
maki
ngthingsworsebynotansweri
nghi
m

Ideci
dedt
oli
stent
oBoni
andanswer
edhi
m

Me;
Hi 
Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
what
’sup 
Hi
m;Iheary
ou’
rehav
ingabr
aai
 
Me;If
igur
edsi
nceIwasn’
tal
l
owedout
,Iwoul
d
br
ingt
hepart
ytome 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)y
ou’
reaspeci
alki
ndof
st
ubbor
nyaz 
Me;
Il
ltaket
hatasacompl
i
ment
 
Hi
m;i
twasn’
tmeantasone 
Me;soyourtaki
ngti
meoutofy
ourschedul
eto
phoneme,justt
oinsul
tme 
Hi
m;no,
IphonedbecauseImi
ssedy
ou 
Me;
youhav
eaf
unnywayofshowi
ngi
t 
Hi
m;l
etsnotev
engot
her
e 
Me;
finebyme 
Hi
m;soy
oust
il
lmadatme
Me;
Ithi
nkI
’
mtoodr
unkt
obemad 
Hi
m;Icant
ell
 
Me;
Siy
a.Al
adynev
erget
sdr
unk 
Hi
m;buty
ouj
ustsai
d
Me;itdoesn’
tmat t
erwhatIsai
d.Your
supposedtodisputei
t
Hi
m;nextt
imeIpr
omi
set
o 
Me;
good.Nowy
ou’
rel
ear
ning

Hi
m;sohowmanybot
tl
eshav
eyouhad 
Me;
just5 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.5 
Me;
yes,
andi
t’
sther
eal
l
ygoodst
uff
 
Him;doy
ouhav
eanyi
deahowmucht
hose
cost
 
Me;
sendmeani
nvoi
ce,
I’
ll
payt
hem back 
Hi
m; (chuckl
es)y
our
eal
l
yar
eenj
oyi
ngy
our
f
reedom 
Me;youcall
thi
sfreedom?Haaibaby
,thi
sisnot
f
reedom,thi
sisRobinIsl
and 
Him;(chuckl
es)Robi
nisl
andwi
thabr
aai
anda
cel
lar
?Idon’tthi
nkso 
Me;
Youhav
eapoi
ntt
her
e 
Hi
m;sowe’
regood 
Me;
il
ll
tyouknowt
omor
rowwheni
m sober
 
Hi
m;wher
e’sOl
wet
ho 
Me;
cooki
ng 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.
Me;
rel
axman,
he’
sjusti
ntheki
tchenwi
thmam
Mar
tha
Hi
m;Ihopehe’
snotdi
stur
bingher
 
Me;she’
stheonewhowontl
ethi
m outher
si
ght
Hi
m;(
sigh)Ihav
etogobabe 
Me;
shar
p 
Hi
m;noIl
ovey
ouny
ana 
Me;
Nix.Keshar
pkawena 
Hi
m;ser
ious 
Me;
ser
ious,
ser
ious
Hi
m;wel
lmi
nangi
yaz
’fel
angawe 
Me;
evenwhenIpi
ssy
ouof
f 
Hi
m;(
sigh)ev
ent
hen 
Me;
wel
li
nthatcaseIl
ovey
out
oo 
Him;t
rynottobur
nmyhousedownwhi
l
eyou’
re
busybr
aaing 
Me;
HawSi
ya,
I’
m notBr
aai
ng 
Hi
m;sowho’
sBr
aai
ng

Me;
skul
li
s 
Hi
m; Ri
fil
oe,Skul
lhasbett
erthi
ngstodothan
t
obraaiforyou.Whoistaki
ngcareofhi
spost
whi
lebraaing?
 
Me;
butbaby
,Idi
dn’
taskhi
mto.Heof
fer
ed 
Hi
m;whatar
eyouwear
ing 
Me;
whatdoest
hathav
etodowi
thany
thi
ng 
Him; Skul
lhasat
hingfort
heladi
es.Theonly
reasonhewouldoffert
obraaii
sifyou’
rei
na
biki
ni 
Me;Siy
ashameony
ou.I
’
m act
ual
l
ywear
ing
shor
tsandatop
Hi
m;howshor
tar
eyourshor
ts 
Me;
hawSi
yaar
eyouser
iousv
ela 
Hi
m;I
’
m nott
aki
ngchances 
Me;sowhyl
eav
ehi
m her
eify
oudon’
ttr
ust
hi
m 
Him;I
t’
snott
hatIdon’
ttr
usthi
m,i
t’
sjustt
hatI
knowhim 
Me;
andy
out
hinkIwoul
dfal
lforhi
m
Hi
m;no 
Me;
sowhat
’swi
tht
hej
eal
ousy
 
Hi
m;I
’
m notJeal
ous 
Me;
Icansmel
li
tal
lthewayf
rom her
e 
Hi
m;y
ouwoul
dn’
tunder
stand 
Me;
Igi
veup 
Hi
m;I
llspeakt
oyoul
ater
 
Me;
shar
p

Iputthecalldownandj ustshookmyhead.Si ya
l
ikestosayI’mj eal
ous,butherehewasaski ng
mewhatIwaswear i
ng.Butnont helessIwas
gladwehadki ndoffpatchedthingsup.Idi dn’
t
real
lyli
kearguingwithoversuchsill
yt hi
ngs,but
atthesamet imeIfeelli
keheneedst olight
en
upabi twhenitcomest omehav i
ngal i
fe
outsi
deofhim.
[
05/
13,
16:
43]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

82(
bonus)

*
***
***
*Si
yassi
deoft
hest
ory*
***
***

Af
termyconv
ersat
ionwi
thRi
fi
loe,
Ifel
tabi
t
bet
ter
.Ihatedargui
ngwit
hher
,butatt
imesshe
hadatendencyofannoy
ingme.

Iknowsheneedsherf r
eedom,and
i
ndependence,butwhatshefai
l
stounder st
and
i
st hatl
ifei
sn'
tal
waysroses.Mebeingont hi
s
missionmeansIneedtokeephersafe,andher
goingclubbi
ngwasn'
tar i
skIwaswill
i
ngt otake.

AsIwasbusyt
hinki
ngaboutRi
fi
loe,
Bul
l
et
cameint
omyoffice

Hi
m:Ghostweshoul
dgetgoi
ng.Yourmeet
ing
wi
thFer
nandezi
sin20mi
ns 
Me:
isev
ery
onei
npl
ace 
Him:yes.Wehavetheclubsur
rounded.Our
guyshavetakenovert
hesecur
itycameras,
and
thecarsar
eloaded
Me:
andt
hedr
ugs 
Hi
m:sor
ted 
Me: good.Makesurenoonemessest hisup.
We'renotdeali
ngwithjustanybodyher e.Thi
s
mani sthemostfearddrugLor dinthewor l
d.
Andi fIcangetaf
ootint hedoor,thenwewi ll
beabl etomakearr
ests,withouthim even
suspectingus
Hi
m:sur
e
Me: di
dyouspeaktoBoniswa?Iknowhow
stubbor
nRif
il
oeis,
hopefull
yBoniswawi
ll
tal
k
heroutoft
hiscl
ubbingi
dea 
Him:Ispoket
oher
.Theywon'
tbegoi
ng
anywhere 
Me:atl
easty
ourwomanli
stens.Ri
fi
leoi
sas
st
ubbor
nastheycome 
Hi
m:(
chuckel
s)y
oumadey
ourbed 
Me:
tel
lmeabouti
t
Him:let
'sgetgoi
ng.For
getaboutRifi
loe.You
needtoconsernt
rat
eont hismissi
on.Your
ghostnow.Letsgoshowt heseBrazi
li
ans
fl
ames 
Me: r
ememberwhatIsaid.Thismancannot
suspectathi
ng.Idon'
twantbloodspi
l
led.
Tonighti
sall
aboutconnect
ions. 
Hi
m:Rodgert
hat
 
Me:l
et'
sgetoutofher
e.LetJessi
caknowt
o
meetusint
heparki
ng 
Hi
m:sur
e

Il
ockedmypersonalphonei
nthesaf
e.Evenif
somethi
ngweretohappentome.Atl
eastthey
wouldn'
tknowaboutRif
il
oe.

It
ookout2ofmygunsandst r
appedthem ont
o
me,t
henleftwi
thBul
led,Bonesandsomeof
myothersecur
it
ydet
ail.
Whenwegotdownst
air
sJessicaandt
her
est
oft
heteam wer
ewai
ti
ngforus.

Iwasreall
ygladRif
iloewasn'
there,
becauseif
shesawwhatJessi cawaswear i
ngshewould
tot
all
yfl
ip.Especi
all
ysinceJessi
caispl
aying
mygirl
fr
iend

Me:
Ready
 
Her
:howdoIl
ook
Me:
goodIguess 
Her
:areyouki
ddi
ngme?Il ookli
keacheap
whor
e.Thisdr
esshar
dlycoversme
Me:it
'sall
apar
toftheactJess.Theyhav
eto
bel
i
evey oumygir
lf
riend
Her:
canwejustdothisandgeti
tov
erand
donewi
th.If
eelexposed 
Me:ar
ey ousur
eyourupt
othi
s?Idon'
twant
anymist
akes 
Her:t
hisi
swhatI
'
mtr
ainedf
orG.I
'
m good.
Let
'sdothi
s 
Me:
ok.Let
'sgo

Wegoti nthecar,andi madei tapoi

nt,nott
o
star
eatJessica'
sl egs.Iwassousedt ogoing
undercoverwi
thjustguy s,
butnowhav i
nga
womani ntheteam wasabi tdif
fi
cul
t,buti
guessitonlymakessense.  
Mostdr ugdeal
ersorgangleader
shavegi
rl
sal
l
overthem,andnowIwoul dalsohav
etopl
ay
thepart.

Ij
ustfel
tbadbecauseIcouldn'tr
eal
lybe
honestwit
hRif
il
oeaboutthispartofmyjob.I
t
wasalleasywhenIwassi ngl
e.Ihadno
commi t
menttoanyone.Icouldreal
l
ygetint
o
myr oleasghostandnotf eel
likeIwas
bet
ray i
ngSomeone.Butnowt hingswer e
di
fferent.Rifoloewasmywor ld.Iloveherso
much, andt het houghtofmepr etendingtobe
wit
hanot herwoman, mademef eell
ikeIwas
bet
ray i
ngher .

Ihadfor
biddenherf
rom goi
ngtothecl
ub,
but
herei
wasaboutt owal
kintoastr
ipcl
ub

Whenwear r
ivedout
sidetheclub,Ij
ustt
ooka
minutet
ogathermythoughts.Ineededt
oget
Ri
fil
oeoutmymi ndandconserntr
ateonbei
ng
Ghost

Weal
l
,putourearpi
ecesi
nourear
s.

Me:
nai
l
scany
ouhearus 
Hi
m:y
esboss.Loudandcl
ear
. 
Me:
isev
ery
onei
npl
ace

Theyal
lanswer
ed

Me:
let
'sgett
hisshowont
her
oad

It
ookadeepbreat
he,
thengotoutt
hecar
,and
walkedar
oundt
oopenforJessi
ca.

ItookJessi
ca'
shandandwewewal kedinto
theclub,wi
thbul
let,
andsomeoftheguar
ds,
whiletheot
hersstayedout
side

Themomentwest eppedfooti
ntheClub,
we
wereshowntotheVIPsecti
on.Wesatdown
andaverynakedl
ookingwait
resscametotake
ouror
ders.
All
wehadt odonow,waswai
tfort
hef
amous
Fernandezt
oar
ri
ve.

TheVIPsect
ionwewereseat
edi
nwasabout
thesi
zeofsmall
apar
tment.
 
Thestr
ipperst
hatwereuphere,werecl
ear
ly
speci
fi
call
ychosenforGhost
,becauset
hey
wereallt
omyt ast
e.

Bull
etl
ookedatmeandsmi l
ed,becausehe
knewthatifFer
nandezwasputtinganeff
ort
i
ntomeetingwithme,itmeantwehadar eal
ly
goodchanceatgetti
ngwhatIcameher etoget,
whichwasconnecti
ons.

AllIhadtodonow, wasdrink,
andpretendt
o
enj
oyt hestr
ipper
s.Ididtwanttomakemy
hostthinkIwasn'
tenjoyi
ngtheeff
orthehad
puti
ntof
indt
het
ypeofgi
rl
s"ghost
"li
kes.

Ourdrinksarri
vedandweal lpr
etendedtodri
nk.
GOLDENRULENUMBER1wheny ougo
undercoverandy ouneedtodri
nk,youalways
orderbeers,sothatyoucanpret
endt odri
nk,
meanwhi l
e,yourspit
tingi
tbackinsi
dethe
bottl
e

Ori fy
ouroff
eredagl assofwhiskey,y
ourat
her
takethebott
le,sothatyoucanpr et
endto
drink,
yety
ourspitt
ingitback.

Thel
astt
hingyouwantistodr
ink,
onl
ytof
ind
outy
ouhavebeendrugged.

Thewait
ressser
vinguswasoneofourown,
whichmeantsheknewwhentofetcht
heso
cal
l
edempt ybot
tl
esandrepl
acethem wi
thf
ull
ones,
justsot
hati
tlooksl
i
kewear
edr
inki
ng.

Wechi
l
ledi
ntheVI
Psect
ionf
oraaboutanhour
.

Ihadmyarm ar
oundJessica,whi
leIpr
etended
towhi
spersweetnot
hingsinherear
.

IknewthatFernandezwasi nthebui
ldi
ng
becauseoftheintelthatihadrecei
ved,soi
knewhewaspr obablywatchingusfrom oneof
thesecur
it
ycamer as,soIhadt omakesurewe
l
ookedconvincing.

Jessi
cawasquit
eagoodact r
ess,
sheknew
exact
lywhent
osmi l
e,orwhentol
eani
nand
ki
ssmei napl
ayful
manner.

Ihadmyonehandar
oundherneck,
whi
l
ethe
ot
heroner
est
edonhert
high

Themusi cwaspumpi ngandt hestri

pperswere
doingt heirt
hing.Iwasnowal otlessanxious
thanIwaswhenIwal kedin.Ithinkit
sbecause
Jessicawaseasyt ochill
with.Ifedoffher
chemi stryandthatmadet hingseasierforme,
andhopef ul
lyconvi
ncingtoany onewat chin

Whilewewerewaiti
ngf
orFer
nandez,Igotone
ofthest
ri
pperstogi
vebul
l
etalapDance.The
poormanlookedli
kehewant
edtodie.

Iknowt hi
swasallanact,
butwehadt
omakei
t
l
ooker eal
.ButIknewdeepDownhewas
enjoy
inghimself
.

Ihear
dnail
stel
l
ingmet hatFernandezwas
comingt
otheVIPsect
ion.Iguessedwehad
conv
incedhi
m enough.

Il
ookedatHlokest
henatJessi
caj
ustt
omake
sur
etheyhadheardnai
l
s.

WhenFernandezarri
ved,
hewasescort
edby
hi
ssecur
itydetai
land2verygoodl
ooki
ng
Br
azi
li
anchicks.

Hi
m: wel
lwel
lwel
l
.Ifi
tisn'
ttheoneandonl
y
Ghost

Ist
oodupandhel
doutmyhandt
oshakehi
s.

Me:
Fer
nandez.Wef
inal
l
ymeet
 
Him:Iwaswonder
ingwheny ouwoul
dr each
outtome.I
Tseemsonl yfi
tt
ingf
orpeopleof
ourcal
ebr
etodobusiness 
Me:
wel
l
,her
eIam i
nthef
lesh 
Hi
m:I
'
m honour
ed 
Me:
shal
lwegetonwi
thi
t 
Hi
m:Ohcomenowghost ,what'
stherush?Ha?
Wecandi
scussbusi
nesslat
er.Fornow,I'
min
t
hemoodtohavesomef un.
 
Me:
ofcour
se,

Iwasreal
lyhopingwewoul dmeetupandjust
getdowntobusiness,butasfatewoul
dhavei
t,
hewantedtohav efunfi
rst
,whichobvi
ousl
y
entai
l
edgirl
s,andtonsofalcohol.

Thi
swasclear
lygoi
ngt
obealongni
ght
.Andi
hadpr
omisedtocal
lRi
fi
loe

Fer
nandezsatopposi
teme,whi
thhi
sgi
rl
s.
Whil
ejessr
emainednextt
ome
Hel
ookedatJess

Hi
m:i
sshewi
thy
ou 
Me:
yes 
Hi
m:what
'shername 
Me:
ruby
 
Hi
m:hernamesui
tsherper
fect
ly.Shel
ooks
j
ustl
i
kearuby

Iwi
nkedatJessi
ca,
andshegav
eusadashi
ng
smi
le

Him:weshoul
dhav
eRuby
,putonashowf
or
us 
Me:
whatki
ndofshow 
Hi
m:we'
reatast
ri
pcl
ubar
en'
twe 
Me:
wel
lthi
soneonl
yst
ri
psf
orme 
Hi
m:y
ousur
esheai
n'
twear
ingawi
re 
Me:
whywoul
dshebewear
ingawi
re 
Him:wel
l
,thesedaysFBIandUnder
cov
er
agent
scomei nal
lfor
ms 
Me:noneedtowor
ryaboutt
hat
.I'
vescr
eened
her
.She'
scool 
Hi
m:howsur
ear
eyou 
Me:
100% 
Him:Idon'
ttr
ustgir
ls.Iwanttomakesur
e
she'
snotanagent.Andt heonl
ywayhow,i
sto
makesureshe'snotwear i
ngawir
e

Il
ookedatFernandezandi knewhewasn' t
pl
ayinggames.Forsomer easonhedi dn'
ttr
ust
Jess,Andihadtodimi
nisht hatasap

Il
ookedatJess
Me:
ist
her
esomet
hingy
ouneedt
otel
lme 
Her
:Noofcour
senot
 
Me:myfr
iendoverher
eseemst
othi
nky
ou'
ve
gotawi
reonyou 
Her
:whywoul
dIhav
eawi
re 
Me:
yout
ell
me 
Her:GhostIdon'
tunder
standwhaty
ourt
alki
ng
about 
Me:
str
ip

Wit
houtevenhesi
tat
ing,
jessi
ca(
ruby
)st
oodup.
Shelookedatme

Her
:unzi
pme

Ist
oodupandunz
ippedherdr
ess,
thenSat
downagai
n.

Shet urnedaroundt ofaceme,t

henstart
ed
pull
ingof fherdress.Idi
dn'
tdaret
akemyey es
offofher .Ihadtoconv i
ceFer
nandezthatshe
wasi ndeedcl ean.

Jesst
ookoffherdr
ess,andstoodi
nfr
ontofus
i
nonlyherhi
ll
sandredLinger
ie

Il
ookedatFer
nandez

Me:
youhappy
?

Hi
m: sear
chherbr
east
s.Woment
endt
ohi
de
t
hingsint
her
e 
Ist
oodup, andandstoodi
nfr
om ofJessi
ca.
Ourfacesnearl
ytouchi
ng.
 
IputmyhandsaroundHeranduncl
i
ppedher
bra,
andthr
ewitont hef
loor
.

Me:
tur
nar
ound

Shet
urnedar
oundandl
ookedatFer
nandez

Me:
wegood
Hi
m:per
fect

Isatbackdown, whi
lesheputherclot
hesback
on.Oneofthegirlswhocamewi t
hFernandez
wasnowsi tt
ingonhislap,
soJessicasetnext
tome, andputherhandinmine

Me:sonowthatt
hat
'soutt
heway
,howabout
wehaveagoodti
me. 
Hi
m:nowwe'
ret
alki
ng.Howaboutal
apDance 
Me:
Idon'
tthi
nkmygi
rlwoul
dappr
ove 
Hi
m:shecanj
oini
n

Il
ookedatJessandshesmi
l
ed

Me:
whyt
hehel
lnot
.

Fernandezsignal
l
edatoneofhisguys,andi
n
not i
meabout5gi rl
scametoourtabl
eand
start
edstri
ppingandgiv
ingusl
apdances

Oneofthegi
rlsf
ocusedonbull
et,
whil
eJess
gotupandsatsquatposi
tononmylapand
star
tedki
ssi
ngmyneck

Themi
nut
eshedi
dthat
,sher
emi
ndedmeof
Ri
fi
loe.

Iwasabi tuncomf ortabl

e,buthadnochoi ce
buttoplayalong.Ihadt odoany t
hingt ogetthe
j
obdone.Andr i
ghtnowt hatentail
edf orgett
ing
aboutrif
il
oeandconser ntr
ati
ngonwi nning
Fernandez'
strust.IjusthopedRi f
il
oener vfi
nds
outaboutthissideofmyj ob,becausei fshedid,
iwascer t
ainiwoul dloseherf orgood
[
05/
13,
16:
43]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

83

West ayedattheclubf
ormostoftheni
gh.
Fernandezinsi
stedonushavi
ngfunashecal
l
s
i
t,butinall
honestyIwasn’
thavi
ngfun.

I
nst
eadher
eiswasmaki
ngoutwi
thJessi
ca,
whi
l
ethi
nki
ngofRi
fi
loe.

Astheni
ghtst
art
edt owinddown,Ideci
dedto
tr
yconvi
nci
ngFernandeztodi
scussbusiness

Me;
weshoul
dst
artdi
scussi
ngbusi
ness.
 
Him;Ghostmyfri
end.Whyareyousoupt
ight
?
Youhaveyourgi
rlal
lovery
ou,buty
ouwantto
di
scussbusi
ness.

IknewIhadtotreadcaref
ull
ynow.Idi
dn’
twant
tomakehim suspici
ous

Hi
m;Ihav
eapr
oposi
ti
onf
ory
ou.
 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng.
 
Him;Let’
staket
hispar
tyt
omymansi on.Then
tomorr
owmor ni
ngwecandiscuss“
business”
asyoucalli
t
Shit.Thi
swasn’
treal
l
ygoingasplanned.I
f
Fernandezwant
edmeathi shouse,i
twas
becausehehaddoubts.Ihadnochoicebutt
o
cont i
nue

Me;
soundsl
i
keapl
an 
Hi
m;myman. .
.YouandIar
egoi
ngt
omake
magi
ctoget
her

Icoul
dhearNailscursi
nginmyear
.It
’snev
er
advi
sablet
omov efr
om anagr
eedupon
l
ocati
on,becausethatmeantmyguysdi
dn’
t
haveeyesontheinside
Iknewatt hi
sverymomentnailsandthe
hackersweretryi
ngtogetaccesstothe
securi
tycamerasatFernadez’
smansion,but
becausewedi dn’
tseethi
scomi ng,
itmightt
ake
l
ongerthannor mal
Weallgotupandstartedwalki
ngout.Skul
lwas
out
sidewait
ingforus.Igoti
nmycarwhi le
Fer
nadezgotintohi
s.Atleastnowwewoul d
haveafewmi nut
estocomeupwi t
hagame
pl
an. 
Themi nuteIgoti
nthecar,
Itookmyhandout
ofJessica’
sandletoutasi
gh.

Me;
somebodyt
alkt
ome.Howf
arar
ewewi
th
t
heCamer
es 
Nai
l
;boss,
we’
rebusywi
thi
t 
Me;
makei
thappen.Weonl
yhav
e20mi
n 
Nai
l
s;y
essi
r 
Itur
nedandl
ookedatHl
okes.Hehadhi
slapt
op
open.

me;
wher
ear
eourguy
s?
Hi
m;onr
out
etot
hemansi
on 
Me;makesuretheyarenotmarked.Icannot
hav
eFernandezsuspect
ingany
t hi
ng 
Hi
m;sur
e

Me; nai
l
s.Mylif
edependsonyoubeingabl
e
accessthosecamer
as.Makesureyouget
access 
Hi
m;sur
eboss.

Isatt
herewi
thmyheartraci
ng.I
fIwasgoi
ng
tobeatunf
amil
i
arterr
it
oryJessandIhadt
obe
asconvi
nci
ngashell

Whenwear r
ivedatthemansi
on,
Ilookedat
Jessandshesmiled

Me;
let
’sdot
his
Igotoutthecarandopenedthedoorf
orJess.
Sheslippedherhandi
nmi ne,
andwefoll
owed
Fernandezinsi
de

Heshowedusar oundthenwewenttohis
ver
sionofamancav e.Itwasbasi
cal
lyan
undergr
oundf
loor,wherehekeptgi
rl
s

Ther
ewer eal
ldif
fer
entt
ypesofgir
ls,
whi
te,
bl
ack,Lat
ina,
Indi
an,Chi
neseyounameit

Iknewt
henthatIwasgoingtohav
etosacr
if
ice
mymarri
agevowsforthesakeofmyJob

WesatdownandFer
nandezl
ookedatme

Hi
m;y
ouseeghost
.Idon’
tonl
ydeal
indr
ugs.I
alsohav
esomeofthemostbeaut
if
ulwomani
n
theworl
dri
ghther
einmyhouse 
Me;
Icanseet
hat
 
Hi
m;sowhynotpi
ckagi
rlyoul
ike,
andl
ether
makey
ourdr
eamscometrue.

Iswal
lowedhard.Thi
sshi
twentf
rom 0t
o100
i
nlessthanafewhours

Il
ookedoveratHl
okesandhenodded.Ihadno
choi
cebuttodothi
s.

Il
ookedatall
thegi
rl
sanddeci
dedont
he
Br
azil
iangi
rl

Me;
her.Wi
tht
hef
ri
skyhai
r 
Hi
m;Goodpi
ck.
 
Hi
m;Ev
a,comeher
e

Shewal
kedt
owar
dsus 
Hi
m;Thi
sisagoodfri
endofmine.Ineedy
out
o
makehi
m andhi
sladyfr
iendHappy.

Shenoddedandhel
doutherhandf
ormet
o
fol
l
ow.
Me;whydon’
tyouandRubygogetr
eady
.Il
lj
oin
youi
nasec

Rubyst
oodupandt
heywal
kedt
ooneof
bedr
ooms.

Me;
Fer
nandez,
Ineedt
ousey
ougent
s 
Hi
m; downt
hepassage,
seconddoorony
our
l
eft
 
Me;
thanks

Istoodupandwalkedtot
hebathr
oom.Ijust
neededtothi
nkaboutwhatIwasaboutt
odo. 
Isatonthebathroom stoolandtookoutmy
headpiece..
.Ij
ustneededt ohearmyownhead,
j
ustforasecond.HowdoIbet rayRif
il
oelike
thi
s?I’
vedonet hi
sacoupl eti
mesbutal l
before
Imadehermywi fe.Andnowher eIwasabout
tomakehi st
oryintheOP’sgame, butatthe
expenseofmyconsci ous.

HowdoIlookatRi
fi
loe,
knowi
ngIhada3sum
wi
thot
herwoman,mostofall
Jess 
Iputt
heheadpi
ecebacki
nandl
etoutasi
gh

Me;
Nai
l
shav
eyougotv
isual
yet
 
Hi
m;noty
etboss.Hi
ssecur
it
yteam i
shar
dto
cr
ack 
Me;
fuck 
Hi
m;We’
rest
il
ltr
ying 
Me;Ineedt
oknowifhehascamerasin
bedr
ooms?Ineedt
otrygetoutoft
his 
Hi
m;gi
vemeasec

Ihear
dnai
l
sty
pingandIknewhewast
ryi
ng

Hlokes;
Ghostyouneedtogetback.You’
ve
beeninther
efort
oolong 
Me;
giv
emeasec
Hi
m;wedon’
thav
easec 
Me;
fuck,
fuckf
uck

Ghost;Boss,I
’
veaccessedthef
looryou’
reon,
andtherearecamerasever
ywhere 
Me;
fucki
nghel
l
 
Hl
okes;
Ghost
,you’
vedonet
hisbef
ore.Justdo
i
tandgeti
tov
eranddonewit
h 
Me;
Giv
emeasec 
Hi
m;wedon’
thav
easec.Getouther
e

Outtookoutt heearpi
erceandpunchedt he
wall
.Idinthaveachoice.Ift
herewer ecameras
i
nther oom thatmeantthatFernandezhadhis
peoplewatchingus?SoIhadt odowhatIhad
todo.Justsot hatwecouldclosethisfl
i
ppi
ng
missi
on.

Itookanotherdeepbreat
h,andputmyearpiece
backin.Ineededtothi
sandgetmyt eam t
he
helloutofhere.

Iwal
kedbackt
owher
eFer
nandezwas.Hewas
busymaki
ngoutwi
thoneoft
hegi
rl
s

Me;(
clear
sthr
oat
)soFer
nandezmyfr
iend.
Showmet owher
eRubyandEvaar
e

Hesnappedhisfi
nger
s,andoneoft
hegi
rl
stoodup.Shehel
dmyhandandpull
edmeto
oneoftherooms.

WhenIwalkedIf
oundEvamaki
ngoutwit
h
Jess,
Theybothl
ookedatmeasIwal
kedin

Ev
a;y
our
eadyt
ojoi
nus 
Me;
yout
wocar
ryon.Iwantt
owat
ch

IcouldseeJessi
cawasabitoutofplace,
but
beingtheprof
essi
onal
shewas,shejustwent
wit
ht hefl
ow.
Theybot hcontinued,
whi l
eIsatdownand
watched.Idli
ei fIsai
dIwasn’ttur
nedon.Iam a
manaf teral
l,butdespitebei
ngturnedon,
Ist
il
l
regr
ettedwhatwasgoi ngtohappen

Isawali
quorcabi
netnexttothebed, soIstood
upandwenttopourmyselfsomewhi skey .I
knowIsai
dwedon’tdri
nkonmi ssi
ons, butr
ight
nowIneededsomethi
ngtohel pmer elax

Isatbackdownandwat chedasEvatookof
f
herRuby’
sclot
hes,
til
lshehadnothi
ngon. 
Ipouredmysel
fanotherglassandcont
inued
watchingt
hem.Iknewt hatI’
dhavetoj
ointhem
soon 
WhenIf
ini
shedmygl
ass,
Rubyl
ookedatme
Her
;It
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
ojoi
nus 
Me;
comeher
e

EvaandJessbothst
oodupandbothcame
towardsme.Ist
oodandl
etEva,
unbutt
onmy
shir
t,whi
l
eRubyunzi
ppedmypants.

Wemovedtot
hebed,
andIl
ett
hel
adi
esdo
t
hei
rthi
ng.
 
Imadesur eweusedpr ot
ect
ion.Iwasn’
twil
li
ng
toputRifi
loe’
sLif
eatri
sk.ImadesurethatI
onlyhadinter
coursewi
thEvaandnotJess.I
washitt
ingitfr
om theback,
whileEvamuffed
Jess
ThatwayIknewthatther
ewasstil
labarr
ier
betweenJessandI.Idi
dn’
twanthercat
ching
feel
ingsf
orme.Ithinki
twasmywayoft ryi
ng
toeasemyconscious
Whenwewer efi
nal l
ydone,wecoll
apsedonthe
bed.Il
ookedattheceil
ingandhopedthatI
coul
dlookatRif
iloeaft
erwhatIhaddone.

Istoodupandwentt othr
owt hecondom away,
thengotdressedandwenttothelounge.Ihad
provedmy sel
ftoFer
nandez,andowi twastime
totalkbusi
ness

If
oundFernandezexact
lywher
eIhadl
efthi
m
wi
thHlokes.

Isatdownandhesmi
l
edatme

Hi
m;howwasha?
Me;it
’sal
waysagoodexper
ience,
wheny
ou
hav
ebeautif
ulgi
rl
siny
ourbed 
Hi
m;mypoi
ntexact
ly.Nowl
etmebehonest
. 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng
Him;Ineededtimetomakesur eyouwer en’
t
FBIi
nt hefor
ce.SoIjustknewtheonlyway
wouldbetomakesur ey oudi
dn’thavewiresor
anyt
hingony ou.Youcanneverbet oosafe 
Me;
soy
ou’
rer
eadyt
otal
kbusi
ness 
Hi
m;showmewhaty
ougot
 
IlookedatHlokesandhewal
kedoutt
ofetch
thedrugs.Hecamebackandopenedupthe
case

Istoodupandgav
eFer
nandezoneoft
he
packagi
ng’
s.

Heopenedi
tandt
ast
edt
hedr
ugs

Hi
m;mhmm t
hisi
ssomegoodst
uff
 
Me;
str
aightf
rom Col
ombi
a 
Hi
m;sohowmuchi
nret
urn 
Me;
hal
fofwhaty
ou’
recur
rent
lypay
ing 
Hi
m;andwhatdoy
ougeti
nret
urn 
Me;Ibecomeyoursecondincommand.I
suppl
yyouent
irechai
n.Every
thi
ng.
Hi
m;t
hat
’sashi
tloadt
oaskf
or 
Me;y
ousai
dsoy
our
sel
f.Thi
sst
uffi
sthebest
ev
er
Hi
m;y
ourcocky
 
Me;
notatal
l
.I’
m abusi
nessman 
Hi
m;ok,ok.We’
llst
artoutwit
hyousuppl
yi
ng
Br
azi
l
,thenyoul
lwalkyoursel
fup 
Me;Gi
vemeBrazi
l
,JamaicaandBar
bados.
Thenl
etmeworkmysel
fup 
Hi
m;mhmm deal

Il
ookedatHl
okesandhel
etoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef.
Iwal kedoutt hatmansi onfeeli
ngl i
keami ll
i
on
bucks.Fi nall
yIwasget ti
ngintotheringwiththe
biggestgangst er
sali
v e.Iwasgoi ngtomake
historyintheOP’ sgame.Ev entheFBIhadn’ t
crackedt hisring,andher eIwas10y ear
sintoit
andIwasf i
nallyi
n.Ijusthopedt hatwhat
happenedt onightwoul dnevercomet oRif
il
oe’s
attention,becauseIknewshewoul dnev er
forgiveme
[
05/
13,
16:
44]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

84

BoniandIspentther estofoureveningpret
ty
dr
unk.Ireal
lyenjoy edhercompany .Shehada
wayofmakingt hingsseem li
ghter.Welaughed
alotandevenplay edwiththekaraokemachine 
It
houghtIwasbadatsi
ngi
ngne,
butBoni
was
atanot
herl
evel
.Shehadmel
aughi
ngsohar
d.

Me;chummy ,
weneedt
ogof
orsi
ngi
ngl
esson.
Li
keasinyester
day
 
Her
;I’
m nott
hatbad,
It’
sjustt
heal
cohol
 
Me;
nicet
ry
Her
;forr
eal
Me;
ify
ousayso

Il
ookedatt
het
imeandi
twasaf
ter1am

Me;Tj
o,Ican’
tbeli
evethet
ime.I
t’
s1;
30am,
andSi
yastil
lhasn’
tcal
l
ed

Shet
ookoutherphone

Her
;Hl
okeshasn’
tphonedei
ther
 
Me;
Iguesst
hei
rpr
obabl
ybusy
Her
;(y
awn)Iguessso 
ME;
weshoul
dgot
obed
Her
;tel
lmeabouti
t

Wecl
osedthedoor
sandwi
ndowst
henwal
ked
t
oourrooms.
WhenIlookedatmybed,i
tlookedsoempty
andcol
d.IknowIfi
ghtwit
hSiya,butIl
ovehi
m
andmisshim somuch.
 
Ichangedint
obedandthoughtaboutt
hedayI
j
usthad.IhavenoideawhyIdoubtedmytr
ust
forSiy
asomuch.Hehadnev ertr
ulygi
venmea
reasonnottotr
usthi
m. 
Ithi
nkIletmypasthurtfr
om Hlokesinter
fer
e
withmyr el
ati
onshi
pwithSiy
a.Ijustneededto
real
lyl
etmyguar ddownandl etSi
yaloveme.
Ifel
lasl
eepwi
thSi
yai
nmymind.Iwishedfor
nothi
ngmoret
hantohav
ehi
m wrappedaround
me.

Iwokeupt hef
oll
owingmorni
ngwi
thOlwetho
shakingmeawake.Iwassohungoverandti
red,
IwishedIcoul
dtel
lOlwet
hogoawaybut
couldn’
t

Hi
m;aunt
ywakeup 
Me;
Olwet
hocomesl
eepwi
thme 
Hi
m;Idon’
twantt
osleep.Youpromi
sedwe
woul
dgoChri
stmasshoppingt
oday 
Me;
Idi
d? 
Hi
m;y
es,
aunt
y.Lastni
ght
 
Me;
oh 
Hi
m;wakeupsowecango 
Me;
gobr
ushy
ourt
eet
h.I
llwakeupnow 
Hi
m;ok.
.Butdon’
tfal
lasl
eepagai
n 
Me;
Iwon’
t.Ipr
omi
se

Ol
wet
hor
anof
ftohi
sroom l
ooki
ngsoexci
ted.
Igotupandf eltl
ikeshit.Myheadwas
poundingandmyst omachf eltl
i
kei
twasrol
l
ing
aroundincir
cles.Idon’tknowwhatIwas
thi
nkinghavi
ngal lthatwine.NowIwasr
eaping
thefrui
tsofmydr inking.

Imadet
hebed,
thenwenttohav
eashower.It
wasonl
y10;
00am,andthesunwasal
ready
Bl
azi
ng

Aftermyshower
,Igotdressedi
nri
ppedj
eans,
tanktopandmyallst
ars. 
IfIwasgoi
ngshoppi
ng,
thenIneededt
obe
comfort
abl
e.
WhenIwasdonegett
ingdressedIwentt
o
checkonOl
wethoandfoundhim get
ti
ng
dressed

Me;
your
eadyboy
 
Hi
m;near
ly 
Me;
I’
m goi
ngmakey
oucer
eal
fir
st 
Hi
m;I
’
m nothungr
y 
Me;Olwet
hoi
fyoudon’
teat
,we’
renotgoi
ng
shoppi
ng 
Hi
m;ok,
okAunt
y.I
’
lleat
 
Me;
that
’smyboy
.

Iwentupst
air
sandf
oundmam Mar
thai
nthe
ki
tchen.
Me;
mor
ningma 
Her
;mor
ningRi
fi
loe 
Me;
isBoni
up 
Her
;she’
sjustfi
nishedeat
ingbr
eakf
ast
.CanI
makeyouanythi
ng?  
Me;
Not
hanky
ou.Myst
omachi
snotsohappy
 
Her
;si
tdown.I
’
llmakey
oumyhangov
ercur
e 
Me;
wil
li
thel
p 
Her
;ofcour
se 
Me;
Thanksma

Isatdownandmam Mart
hamadewat ched
mam Marthaasshemadehersocal
l
edcur e.
Themomentshegaveitt
omeInearlypuked

Me;
ma,
thi
scan’
tbei
t 
Her
;dr
inkup.I
twi
l
lmakey
ouf
eel
bet
ter
 
Me;
buti
tsgotar
aweggi
nther
e 
Her
;Iknow 
Me;
ohGod 
Her
;don’
tthi
nkabouti
t,j
ustgul
pitdown

Il
ookedatmam Mar
that
henatt
hegl
ass.
 
Ipickedi
tupandgul
peditdowni
nonego.It
tookabsol
utel
yev
ery
thi
nginmenottobri
ngup 
Igotupandtookabott
leofwat
erf
rom t
he
fr
idgeandgul
peditdown

Me;
thanksma 
Her
;seenott
hatbad
Me;
Iguessso

Ol
wet
howal
kedi
nwi
thBoni
A
Her
;mor
ning 
Me;
heygal
 
Her
;howy
ouf
eel
i
ng 
Me;
hor
ri
ble 
Her;
didMam Mar
thamakey
ouherf
amous
cur
e
Me;
yaah
Her
;itwi
l
lki
cki
n.Gi
vei
tamoment
 
Me;
Ihopeso

Olwethohadbreakf
ast,whi
l
eIwentupst
air
sto
speaktonai
lsabouttaki
ngust
othemall 
WhenIwalkedint
oSiy
a’sof
fi
ce,
ever
yone
l
ookedl
iketheywerei
nagoodmood.

Me;
mor
ning 
Nai
l
s;mor
ning 
Me;Nai
ls.Ineedt
ogoChri
stmasshoppingwi
th
Ol
wethoandBoni.Wi
l
lyoubeabletotakeus?
 
Hi
m;i
l
lneedt
ospeakt
oghostf
ir
st 
Me;
doy
oumi
ndget
ti
nghi
m ont
hel
i
ne 
Hi
m;sur
e

Nail
sdial
l
edSi
yaandheanswer
edont
he
secondri
ng

Hi
m;Nai
l
s 
Me;
babe,
It’
sme 
Hi
m;(
clear
sthr
oat
)Oh.
.ahmm hi
lov
e
He;
hi.
.Youok 
Hi
m;y
aah,
fine.Justt
ir
ed.I
t’
sbeenal
ongni
ght
 
Me;sor
ryf
orbother
ingy
ou.ButIneedt
oask
yousomet
hing 
Hi
m;ok,
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Me;IpromisedOl
wet
hoIwouldtakehi
m
Chri
stmasshoppi
ngt
oday.Ij
ustfor
gott
oruni
t
pastyoufi
rst.
 
Hi
m;babegett
othepoi
nt 
Me;
cannai
l
stakeus 
Hi
m;sur
e 
Me;
thanky
ou
Hi
m;don’
tusey
ourcar
d.Taket
hecashf
rom
t
hesaf
e 
Me;
howmuch 
Hi
m;howev
ermuchy
ouneed 
Me;
Thanksl
ove 
Hi
m;don’
tthankme.That
’sy
ourmoney
 
Me;
ok.I
fyousayso 
Hi
m;shar
p 
Me;babe,
yousur
eyou’
reok?y
ousoundabi
t
of
f 
Hi
m;I’
mfi
neRi
fi
loe.Ij
ustsai
dmost
hatIwas
t
ir
ed 
Me;
jeesI
’
m sor
ryIwasj
ustaski
ng
Hi
m;by
e

Si
yaputt hephonedown,andIj
ustst
aredatt
he
phoneblankl
y.Ihadnoideawhatwaseati
ng
hi
m up.Butheser i
ousl
yhadtogetov
erit
al
ready
.

Igav
eNailsthephone,
thenwentt
othesaf
e
andtookoutsomemoney .
 
Iwasn’tr
eall
ysurehowmucht ot
ake.SoIj
ust
tookabout20k,j
usttobesaf
e.

Me;nai
ls,
I’
ll
bedownst
air
s.Pl
easel
etmeknow
whenyou’
reready
 
Hi
m;y
ougat
herOl
wet
ho.We’
l
lwai
tfory
oui
n
t
hebasementpar
king 
Me;
Thanky
ou

Iwenttomyr oom tofet

chmyhandbagandmy
sungl
asses.Iputthemoneyint
hebag,t
hen
wenttofet
chOl wethoandBoni

Me;
youguy
sready
 
Boni
;yesdear
 
Me;
Ma.Doy
ouneedany
thi
ngf
rom t
heshops?
 
Her;nodear
.It
hinkwe’
vegotev
ery
thi
ngwe
need 
Me;
Imeantf
ory
ouma.Notf
ort
hehouse 
Her
;don’
twor
ryaboutmeFi
fi
.I’
m good 
Me;
ok.
..Ol
wet
hocomeboy

Iwal
keddownst
air
swi
thOl
wet
hoandBoni
.I
knowMam Mar t
hahadsaidshedoesn’tneed
anyt
hing,butIpl
annedonbuyingherand
Thembi Chri
stmasgif
ts.

Whenwearr
ivedatthemall
Olwethowas
bey
ondexci
ted.Weboughtcl
othes,t
oys,
Chr
ist
masdecorat
ionsandaChrist
mastree 
IdecidedI’dcomebackandbuyOlwethohis
presentsfrom Sant
athefoll
owi
ngday,whi
ch
wouldal sogiv
emet imetobuysomethi
ngfor
Siya,becauseIcoul
dn’tf
igur
eoutwhattoget
hi
m.  
Boni
andIbothgotafewthingsandthenweal
l
hadl
unchatoneofther
estaurant
s.

Bythetimewegothome, wewereallexhaust
ed.
Thefir
stthi
ngBoniandIdidwassitonthe
couch,whil
eOlwet
howentt ohi
sroom toplay
wit
hsomeoft he 
Me;
Ican’
tbel
i
eveIhav
etodot
hisagai
n
t
omorr
ow
Her
;Thepr
iceofbei
ngamommy
 
Me;Idon’
tev
enknowwhatt
ogethim.That
chi
l
dhasmor et
oyst
hananurser
yschool
 
Her;
may betr
yfi
ndi
nghi
m somet
hingmor
e
sent
imental
 
Me;
somet
hingl
i
kewhat
? 
Her
;Ihav
enoi
dea 
Me;
il
lhav
etosee

AsBoniandIweret
alki
ng.Skul
lcamei
nwi
tha
phonei
nhishands

Hi
m;mam.I
’
vegotGhostonl
i
nef
ory
ou
Me;
thanks 
It
ookt
hephonef
rom Skul
landwal
kedt
omy
r
oom.
 
Ireal
l
ymissedSiya,andIwashopingwecould
haveanormalconversat
ionwi
thoutfi
ght
ing.

Me;
baby
 
Hi
m;Hi
lov
e 
Me;
what
’sup 
Hi
m;Ineedt
oapologi
seforthi
smor
ning.Iwas
abi
tshor
twi
thyou.I’
m sor
ry 
Me;
(si
gh)i
tsf
ine.Canwej
ustf
orgetabouti
t? 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loeI
’
m sor
ry 
Me;
Siy
aIsai
dit
sfi
nehl
e.Justst
opapol
ogi
sing.
Imi
ssyout
oomuch 
Hi
m;Iguessi
t’
sagoodt
hingI
’
llbehome
t
omorr
ow 
Me;
arey
ouser
ious 
Hi
m;y
aah.I
’
m donewi
thBusi
ness,
andnowi
t’
s
t
imet
ocomehome 
Me;
Ahhhhbaby
.That
’st
hebestnewsev
er 
Hi
m;y
ah,
Iguess 
Me;Siy
a,what
’sgoi
ngon?Youdon’
tseem l
i
ke
your
self
 
Him;Baby
,Ij
ustwantt
obehome.I
t’
sbeenabi
t
hect
icher
e 
Me;(
sigh)ok.I’
l
lmakesur
eev
ery
thi
ng’
sin
or
derbefor
ey ouar
ri
ve 
Hi
m;Il
ovey
ouRi
fi
loe.Pl
easeal
way
sremember
t
hat
Me;
Siy
aIl
ovey
out
oo
Hi
m;I
’
llseey
out
omor
rowmor
ning 
Me;
Bye 
Hi
m;By
e

Iwasaboutt
oputt
hephonedownbutIhear
d
Si
yaSigh.Iknowhesai
deveryt
hingwasokay,
butsomethi
ngabouthi
m seemeddiff
erent

Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;babedon’
t 
Me;
Ijustwantt
omakesur
eyou’
reokay
 
Hi
m;I
llbef
ine 
Me;
comehome 
Hi
m;I
’
llbet
her
eint
hemor
ning.Ipr
omi
se 
Me;
No.comehomenow
Him;
(si
gh)Ineedtofi
nishupsomet
hing.I
’
llbe
homeinthemorni
ng.Ipromi
se 
Me;
ok.
 
Hi
m;putdownt
hephone 
Me;
noy
ouputdownf
ir
st 
Hi
m;y
ouar
esodamnst
ubbor
n 
Me;
lov
eyout
oo
Iputt
hephonedownbeforehecoul
dsay
anyt
hingel
se.Si
yawasabitof
fbutatl
easthe
wascominghometomorrow.
[
05/
13,
16:
46]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

85

Despit
eSiy
a’smoodonthephone.Iwas
exci
tedhewascominghome.It
’sbeenmor
e
than2weeksandfi
nal
lymynightmarei
sov
er.
 
It
ookaqui
ckshowert
henwentt
ochi
l
lwi
th
Boni

Me;
Hi 
Her
;Hey
 
Me;
sot
heguy
sar
ebackt
omor
row 
Her
;yaah.Hl
okesj
ustcal
l
ed 
Me;I
’mtryi
ngtothi
nkofwhatt
odof orSiy
a.
He’
sbeengonesolongandheseemsso
moody.If
eell
ikewe’r
ereal
l
ydi
sconnectedat
t
hemoment  
Her;
I’
m sur
eit
’sj
ustt
hedistance.Oncehe’
s
homeevery
thi
ngwil
lgetbacktonormal 
Me;
Ihopeso
Her
;Ial
readyknowwhatI
’
m get
ti
ngHl
okes 
Me;
dot
ell
?
Her
;asexyl
i
ttl
enumber
 
Me;
(chuckl
es)Isee 
Her
;It
’skindofbeenawhi
l
esi
ncewe(
clear
s
Thr
oat)youknow 
Me;
(chuckl
es)soundsexci
ti
ng 
Her;
youshoul
dtryit
.Makehim al
lexci
tedand
he’
l
lfor
getal
labouthisbadmood 
Me;
youmi
ghtbeont
osomet
hing 
Her
;tr
yit
.

Isatwi
thBonithr
oughoutDinned.Iwas
thi
nki
ngaboutwhatshehadsai d.MaybeI
shoul
dprepar
emysomet hingspecialf
orSi
ya.

Afterdi
nner.IputOl
wet hotobedandwentto
myr oom,tolookforli
ngeri
e.Iwentthr
ough
whatIhaveanddeci dedonasexyr ednumber
,
thenwenttobed.

Itr
iedget
ti
ngsomesleep,
butsl
eephad
desert
edme,Iwast
ooexcitedt
oseeSi
ya.

WhenIwokeupt hef
oll
owingmor ni
ng,Isoaked
my sel
fint
hebath.Iwaxed,t
weezedandev en
shavedmylegs.Iwantedtolookperf
ectfor
whatIhadplanned.
WhenIgotoutt
hebat,Igotdr
essedandwent
t
ocheckuponOlwetho. 
If
oundhi m al
readyhavi
ngbreakf
astwit
hMam
Martha.Igavehim aki
ssandwenttojoi
nBoni
onthev er
anda

Me;
Mor
ning 
Her
;Mor
ningdear
 
Me;
exci
tedaboutseei
ngHl
okes?
Her
;myhear
tisbeat
ingsof
ast
Me;
Iwonderwhatt
imet
hey
’rear
ri
vi
ng
Her;
they’
veal
readyl
anded.Hlokesj
ustcal
l
ed.
Theyshoul
dbehereanymi nut
e 
Me;
wow.Idi
dn’
treal
i
set
hey
’dbeher
esosoon 
Her
;Iknowhey
.Iwassur
pri
sedwhenhecal
l
ed
AsBoniandIweretalki
ng,Si
yaandHlokes
wal
kedin.Iswearmyheartskippedabeat
whenIsawhim.Hel ookedli
kehisnor
mal
gor
geousself
. 
Ist
oodupandgav
ehi
m ahug

Me;
you’
reback 
Hi
m;i
nthef
lesh 
Me;
I’
vemi
ssedy
ou 
Hi
m;notasmuchasI
’
vemi
ssedy
ou

Ibr
okeourhugandleanedintogivehi
m aki
ss.
Hekissedmeback,buti
tdi
dn’tquit
efeel
the
same.Hesteppedbackandlookedatme.

Hi
m;(
clear
sthr
oat
)Ishoul
dgot
akeashower
Me;
needsomehel
p 
Hi
m;Nott
odaybabe

Si
yatur
nedaroundandwal
kedtoourr
oom,
and
l
eftmestandi
ngther
econf
used.

Iturnedar
oundandnoticedBoni andHl okes
wer ebot
hgone.Isatdownf eel
ingabi toutof
place.WhywasSiyaactingsocol dtowardsme?
Itfeel
sasthoughhecoul dn’
twaittogetaway
from me. 
AsIwasbusyt
hinki
ngaboutthewhol
eSi
ya
thi
ng,
Olwet
hocamer unni
ngout.
 
Hi
m;Aunt
y,aunt
y,daddy
sback 
Me;
Iknowmyl
ove 
Hi
m;Hav
eyouseenhi
m
Me;
ahm he’
sgonet
otakeashower
 
Hi
m;Ican’
twai
t.
..Hesai
dhe’
staki
ngmeout
t
oday
 
Me;
today
 
Hi
m;y
esaunt
y. 
Me;
that
’sni
cemyboy

Olwethowentrunni
ngbackinsi
de.Itmademe
happytoseeSiyamakinganeffor
ttospend
ti
mewi thhim,
butatthesametimeIwas
hopi
nghewoul dspendthedayathome.Imean
heli
teral
lywal
kedinandalr
eadyhe’sgoi
ngout
agai
n

Iclear
edthet
ableandtookt
hedi
shesi
nsi
de,
thenwenttoourroom.

Iwal
kedi
n,j
ustashewaswal
ki
ngout

Me;
hey
 
Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
Iheary
ou’
regoi
ngout
 
Hi
m;yaah.Ahmm Ijustt
houghtIwoul
dtake
Ol
wet
hoi ceskat
ing 
Me;
Isee
Hi
m;isther
eany
thi
ngel
se?Iwasj
ustonmy
wayout
 
Me;
Siy
aI

Hecutmeof
f 
Hi
m; Ishoul
dgo.Idon’
twantt
okeepOl
wet
ho
wai
ti
ng

Heki ssedmeonthecheek,
andthenwal
ked
out.Ijustst
oodt
her
enotknowingwhatt
o
thi
nk. 
Siy
awasn’
tbeinghisnor
malsel
f,andIdidn’t
knowwhattodowhenhe’ssodistant
.Ididn’
t
knowwhethert
oleavehi
m al
one,orkeept r
ying
t
ospeakt
ohi
m abouti
t.
 
Ist
ayedinmyroom,fortherestoft
heday
.I
ki
ndoffeltl
i
kesuchanidiot
.
HereIwasallexci
tedt
hatmyhusbandwas
cominghome.Meanwhilehecoul
dn'
ttake
10minoutofhisti
me,j
usttohavea
conver
sat
ionwithme. 
Isatonmybedandt r
iedtothi
nkwhatmi ghtbe
theprobl
em.Imust'
vefal
l
enasl eep,
because
whenIwokeup,Siy
ahadj ustcomein. 
Hi
m;sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
owakey
ou
Me:
youdi
dn'
t 
Hi
m:y
ouski
ppedl
unch 
Me:Imust
'
vedozedof
f.Idi
dn’
treal
i
sey
ouguy
s
wer
eback 
Hi
m:ar
euok
Me:
Ishoul
dbet
heoneaski
ngy
out
hat
 
Hi
m:Ri
fi
loe,
I'
vet
oldy
ou.I
'
mfi
ne 
Me:
Siy
a,I
'
m notst
upi
d 
Hi
m:Idi
dn’
tsayy
ouwer
e
Me;
what
’sgoi
ngon?
Hi
m;Not
hing 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
tal
ktome 
Hi
m;forthel
oveofGodRi
fi
loe,
WILLYOUJUST
DROPIT

Ishi
ft
edabi
tbecauseIdi
dn'texpecthi
mto
snapatmel
i
kethatfornoreason

Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry.I
'
mjust
.Nev
ermi
nd.
Me:
Siy
a 
Hi
m:I
'vegott
ogo.JessandIhav
eadebr
ief
wi
tht
heLieut
enant
 
Siy
agotupandleftourroom.Leav i
ngmeagai n
wonderi
ngwhatthehellwasgoi ngon.Ihadn’
t
seenJessi
cawhentheyar r
ived.Iwondered
whyshewassti
llhere.

Igotoutofbedandf
reshenedup,t
henwent
upstai
rst
omakemy sel
fsomethingtoeati
nthe
ki
tchen
Imademysel
fasandwi
ch,thenwentbackt
o
myroom t
owatchamovie 
Ilookedar oundforBoni ,
butshewasnowher e
tobef ound, soIfi
guredherandHl okeswer e
catchingup.Whi chiswhatIt houghtSiyaand
nowoul dbedoi ng.Instead, hejustkept
snappingatmeandgi vi
ngmet hecoldshoul
der.
Whi chIdidn’tquit
eunder standwhy .Thelast
ti
meIcheckedwewer eok, butnowIwasn’ tso
sure.Somet hingwasup, andIwant edtogetto
thebot t
om ofi t
 
Ideci
dedt
oleti
tgof
ornow,
andmay
bespeak
t
ohi
m aboutwhat
everwasbot
her
inghi
m
t
oni
ght
. 
Iwatchedamovie,
thenOlwet
hocameandwe
watchedanot
heronetoget
her
. 
Bytheti
mewewerefi
nishedi
twasal
ready
6pm andSi
yawasst
il
ll
ockedupinhi
soffi
ce 
DeepdownIwasst ar
ti
ngtogetannoy
edwit
h
him,butIdeci
dedtol
eti
tgo,si
nceIwast
ryi
ng
to"gr
owup"asSi y
aputsi
t.
 
ItookOlwethot ohi
sroom t
otakeabat
h
becausehel ookedl
ikehewasaboutt
ofal
l
asleep,
thenwecamedownt ohavedi
nner
. 
IfoundSiy
aandJessi
caseat
edatt hetable.
Jessicawassi
tt
ingi
nmyseat,nexttoSiya. 
Igreetedthem andexpectedhert
omov e,
but
shedidn'tandSiyadidn'
tsayanyt
hing.SoI
decidedtorathersi
tdownandkeepmymout h
shut. 
Idi
shedupf
ormy
sel
fandOl
wet
ho,
because
Si
yaandJessi
cahadal
readyst
art
edeat
ing.
 
Ol
wethohadf
ini
shedeat
ing,
whi
l
eIpl
ayed
ar
oundwit
hmyfood
Siyawassobusytalki
ngtoJessi
ca,Idon'
tthi
nk
heev ennoti
cedt
hatther
ewereotherpeopl
eat
thetable.
 
IwasabouttogetupandgoputOl
wethot
obed,
whenHlokesandBoniwal
kedinl
ooki
ngal
l
l
ovel
ydoves. 
Them:
heyguy
s 
Me:
Hi
Ist
oodupandgav
eHl
okesahug 
Hi
m:y
ougood 
Me:
yah
Hi
m:y
oumustbegl
adt
ohav
eGhostback
Ij
ustnoddedandsmi l
ed.Boni
dishedupforher
andHlokes.Thensatdownnexttome.She
l
eanedabi t
 
Her
:youok 
Me:
yah,
I'
m good 
Her
:yousur
e
Me:
yes
Her
:soar
eyoucomi
ngoutwi
thust
oni
ght
 
Me;
out
? 
Her:
Hlokessai
dwewer
egoingout
.Iassumed
youandSiyawer
ecomi
ng 
Me:Iwasn’tawareofanyplansfort
onight
.I
wasactuall
yhopingtospendti
mewi thSiy
a.We
hav
en’treal
lyspokensi
ncehegotback
Her:
maybehe’
sjustt
ryi
ngt
oreadj
ustt
obei
ng
home 
Me;
may
be 
Her
;yousuey
ou’
reok 
Me;I’
mfine.Youshouldenj
oyhav
ingy
ourman
backandstopworryi
ngaboutme. 
Ist
oodupandwenttotuckOl
wet
hoi
n,t
hen
wentt
otakeashower.
 
Iwant
edtoputont
hel
i
nger
ieont
hatIpi
cked
outl
astni
ght
. 
Ist
eppedoutt
heshower
,andmoi
stur
izerev
ery
i
nchofmybody,t
henputonmyli
nger
ieanda
gownoveri
t 
Isati
nourroom wai
ti
ngandwai
ti
ngbutt
her
e
wasnoSiya.

Iwentupst
airstogolookforhi
m butt
heplace
l
ookeddeserted.Ther
ewereonlyafewguards
ar
ound,buttherestofthet
eam wasout.
 
Iwentbackt omyr oom feeli
ngdefeated.I
changedoutt helinger
ieandputonmyPJ' sand
tr
iedgett
ingsomesl eep.Butf ort
heli
feofme,
sl
eepwoul dn'tcome.Iwasnowatapoi ntof
absol
uterage.Siyahadgot tenbackthis
morningafterbeingawayf or2weeks, andhe
deci
dedt ogooutcl
ubbi
ng,
anddi
dn’
tev
enhav
e
thedecencytodi
scussi
twi
thme.
 
Idon'tthi
nkIhadev erf
eltsounv aluedli
keIdi
d
atthismoment .Itfeltl
i
kesomehowIwas
l
osingSi ya.Hi
scoldnesst owardsmeki ndof
scaredmeabi t
.Ijustdidn'
tunder standwhat
wasgoi ngon,becauseSi yaseemedok, wit
hhis
team, butwhenitcomest ome, notsomuch.

Itri
ednottojumptoconclusi
onsbuti
tfeltl
i
ke
Siyadidn'
tlov
emeanymor e.Iqui
ckl
yerased
thatthoughtf
rom mymind. 
Iknewforafactt
hatSi
yal
ovedme.butf
or
somereasonmygutwastell
i
ngmesomet hi
ng
wasn’
tri
ght
It
ri
edsohar
dtofal
lasleepbutsl
eeptr
uly
wasn'
tonmysi
de.I
tjustref
usedtocooper
ate 
Si
yaar
ri
vedwhil
eIwaswatchi
ngsometv.
WhenIl
ookedatthet
imei
twasalr
eady2am 
Forsomeonewhosupposedl
ywentclubbi
ng,
hedidn’
tev
ensmelll
i
kealcohol
.Inst
eadhe
l
ookedassoberasajudge 
Hedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.Hej
ustwenttoshower
t
hengoti
ntobedasthoughever
ythi
ngwasok. 
Me:
Siy
a, 
Hi
m:mhmm 
Me:
canwet
alk 
Hi
m:cani
twai
tti
l
ltomor
row?
 
Me:
notr
eal
l
y 
Hi
m: Ri
fi
loe,
please.I
'
m exhaust
ed.Jetl
agi
s
ki
l
li
ngMe 
Me;
butt
hatdi
dn'
tst
opy
ouf
rom goi
ngout
 
Hi
m;soIhav
etor
epor
ttoy
ounow 
Me;
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
.Iwassay
ing
Hi
m:(
sigh)Ri
fi
loe,
canwej
ustgot
osl
eep 
Me;
whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his 
Hi
m:doi
ngwhat
 
ME:
arey
ouser
iousv
ele 
Igotoutofbedandwenttohissi
deoft
hebed,
becausehejustwoul
dn'
tfaceme

Me:Si
ya,y
ouneedt
otellmewhatt
hehel
li
s
goi
ngon.Mymindi
srunningwi
l
dwithme 
Hi
m;Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ou’
ret
alki
ngabout
 
Me;don’
tundermi
nemyi
ntel
l
igence.I
’
m not
f
uckingst
upid.
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Pl
ease 
Me;Siy
aIsweartoGodifyoudon’
ttel
lmewhat
t
hehellisgoi
ngonI
’m goi
ngtofucki
nggo
i
nsane 
Hi
m;Ther
e’snot
hinggoi
ngon.I
t’
salli
nyour
mi
nd.Canwejustgotosl
eep?Pl
ease 
IlookedatSi
yaandhecoul
dn’
tev
enl
ookmei
n
theeyes
Me;Si
ya,
im goi
ngtoasky
ouonel
astt
ime.
Whati
sgoingon?
Hi
m;andf
ort
hel
astt
ime.Not
hing.

Igotbacki nt
obed, wi t
htearsinmyey es.For
thefi
rsteverSiy a,
sleptonhissideofthebed
anddidn’tcuddleme.Iknowhewasnextt ome,
butourbedf eltascol dasever.Iwentfrom
beingangrytoj ustplai
noldsad.Icouldn’tput
myf i
ngeroni t,butIknowSi yaishi
ding
somethingf r
om me, Ij
usthopedwhat everit
waswoul dn’ttearusapar tmorethanwe
alr
eadyseem t obe.
[
05/
13,
16:
46]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

86
Iwokeupthefoll
owi
ngmor ni
ngandSiya
wasn’ti
nbed.Imadethebedandopenedthe
windows,t
henwenttohavebath.

Christmasandmybi r
thdaywereafewdays
awayandIst i
l
l hadn’
tgott
enagif
tforSi
ya.I
want edtogot othemallbutdr
eadedspeaki
ng
toSiy aabouti
t,becauseiknowhewould
probrablysayno

Igotoutt hebat
handgotdressed.Iwasn’t
real
lyinthemoodt ogetal
ldressedup,soIjust
stucktomyj eandungar
ee,withawhitetop
underneathandmywhi t
eallstar
s.

WhenIgotupstai
rsever
yonewasst i
ll
having
breakf
ast
.Jessi
cawassitt
ingnexttoSiy
a
again,
andtheywereal
lchatt
ingl
ikeever
ythi
ng
washunkydory
Ideci
dedtoratherski
pbr
eakf
astandgopack
mybags.Ineededt omay
begohomeandj ust
gi
veSiyaspace.

Thiswassupposedt obeourfirstChri
stmas
together,butt
hewayIseeit,
itsgoingtobe
withhim andhisteam.SoIwoul drat
herspend
Christmaswi t
hmyaunt,andgov isi
tmymot her
andf athersgr
aves.

Maybebythet
imeIcamebackSiy
awouldbe
outofhi
smood,andr
eadyt
odiscusst
hings.

Ipackedthefewthi
ngsIwoul
dneedovert
he
fest
iveseason,
anddeci
dedtocal
lmyaunt

Her
;Fi
fi
 
Me;
Rakgadi
 
Her
;Ri
fi
loe.What
’swr
ong?Yousounddown 
Me;
im comi
nghome.
 
Her
;whathappened 
Me;
il
lspeakt
oyouwhenIgett
her
e 
Her
;comehomenana.I
llbewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou 
Me;
thanky
ouRakgadi
.
 
Her
;by
eby
e 
Me;
bye.

IputthephonedownandwenttoSi
ya’
soff
ice
tofet
chmyl apt
op.Iwantedt
obookafl
i
ght,
i
nsteadofusingtheJet

WhenIgottot
heoffi
ce,
IfoundSi
yat
her
e
wor
kingwit
hJess.
Me;
Mor
ning 
Hi
m;Mor
ning,

Jessica,j
ustl
ookedatmeandsmil
ed,
butdi
dn’
t
greetmeback.Itsf
unnyhowIf
eltl
i
keIwas
i
ntrudinginmyownhouse.

Me; Icamet
ofet
chmyl
apt
op.It
hinkNai
l
shad
i
tlast

Si
yaopenedhisdrawandgav
emet helapt
op.I
noti
cedwhenhegavememyl apt
opthathehad
puthisr
ingbackon.

IwalkedoutandwenttocheckonOl
wetho.I
foundhimintheki
tchenwit
hMam Mart
ha.

Igav
ehi
m aki
ss,
thenwentbackt
omyr
oom t
o
bookmyfli
ght
.Ibookedaconnect
ingf l
ight
fr
om Cubatot
heUS, t
hentoSA.al
l Ineeded
nowwasmypasspor t

Il
ookedev ery
wher ef
ormypasspor t
,but
couldn’
tfi
ndit.ThenIrememberedthatitwas
i
nt hesafe.Ij
ustknewt hatt
hiswasgoingtobe
afight.

Iwentbackt otheoffi
ce,andwentstr
aightt
o
thesafe.Icouldf
eelSiya’
seyespi
erci
ngmy
back,butIdidn’
treal
l
ycar eany
more.

Iwasn’
tmadathim,butatt
hesameti
me,Idi
nt
wanttofeel
li
keIwasathor
ninhi
sback.

Itookmypassportandmyhousekeysformy
house.Justi
ncaseIneededt
hem,thenlocked
thesafeagai
n
WhenIt urnedar
ound,
Siyawasst andi
ngbehind
me.Iseriousl
ygotafr
ight
,becauseIdidn’
thear
hi
m standingup.

Hi
m;wher
ear
eyougoi
ng

Ilookedathi
m, andsawsomet hingi
nhi
seyes
thatIhadneverseenbefor
e.Hewasn’tangr
y,
butinst
eadlookedabitpanicked.

Hel
ookedatJessi
ca

Hi
m;Jess.Ineedamoment
 
Her
;Si
yaI
'
mint
hemi
ddl
eofsomet
hing 
Hi
m;don’
tmakemer
epeatmy
sel
f
Theybothstar
edateachot her
, asi
ftheywer
e
havinganunspokenconversat
ion.ThenJess
stoodupandwentt othesecondof f
ice

Hi
m;Iaskedy
ouaquest
ion
Me;
I’
m goi
nghomef
oraf
ewweeks.
 
Hi
m;homewher
e?Thi
sisy
ourhome 
Me;
QwaQwa 
Hi
m; andyoudi
dn’tt
hinky
ouneededt
odi
scuss
t
hiswithmefi
rst
 
Me;Siya,Iwasj
usttr
y i
ngt
ogi
veyousome
space.I’
l
lbebackintheNewYear
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.You’
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e

Itookadeepbreathi
nandout.Andcount
edto
10inmyhead.Ididn’
twantt
of i
ghtwi
thhi
m.I
real
lydi
dn’
tbutIfel
tli
kemyangerwasgoingt
o
takeover
Me; baby.Icanseet hatsomethingisbotheri
ng
you.NowIknowy oudon’twanttotellmewhat
i
tis,andI’mt r
yingtounderstandthat.Ir
eall
y
am, butIwon’tbemadet ofeelli
keIdon’texi
st.
It
snothowy ouandIoper ate. 
Hi
m;soi
nst
eady
ouar
erunni
ngaway
 
Me;Siy
a.I
’
m notleav
ingforgood.Ij
ustneedt
o
br
eatheabit
.Ist
hatsuchabadt hi
ng 
Hi
m;y
ou’
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e 
Me;
Si

Idi
ntgett
of i
nishmysent
ence,
because
Jessi
cawalkedin

Her
;Si
ya.Thel
i
eut
enanti
sont
hel
i
nef
ory
ou

Att
hatmomentagai
n,Ipr
ayedhewoul
djust
tel
lhert
hathewoul
dphoneback.Buti
nstead
hewalkedtot
hesecondof
fi
ceandclosedthe
doorbehi
ndhim.

Iletoutasighbecause,
Ireal
lywasn’
tlooki
ng
tofight.Iwentbackt
omyr oom andbumpedin
toHl okes

Hi
m;heyst
ranger
 
Me;
Hiy
ou 
Hi
m;y
ougood?
 
Me;
I’
m goodt
hanks.Andy
ou 
Hi
m;I
’
mfi
ne
Me;
wher
e’sBoni
?
Hi
m;she’
sinourr
oom.
 
Me;
I’
m sur
eshe’
sgl
ady
ourback 
Hi
m;Ihopeso
Me;
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng 
Hi
m;wher
ear
eyouof
fto 
Me;
Home
Hi
m;asi
nqwaqwa 
Me;y
es.Justf
ort
hef
est
iveseason.I
llbeback
i
nJan 
Hi
m;doesGhostknow 
Me;
Ijustt
oldhi
m 
Hi
m;i
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
 
Me;ev
eryt
hing’
sfine.Goenj
oythet
imeyou
hav
ewithBoni.I
’
llseeyouguyswhenIgetback.

Iputonmymostconv
inci
ngsmi
l
e,andgav
e
hi
m ahug.

Hi
m;t
rav
elsaf
e 
Me;
thanksH
Iwal
kedbackt
omyr oom andtookmybag,
and
wasaboutt
owalkoutasSiyawalkedi
n.

Hel
ookedatmybagandshookhi
shead.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
whydon’
tyoul
i
stenmar
aye
Me;Siya.I
’
my ourwi
fe,
notyourchi
l
d.It
hought
aboutwhatyousai
d.ButIDECI
DEDIsti
ll
wantedtogobackhome

Si
yawal
kedtowardsmeandtookmyhandout
myhandandplacedi
tint
hecl
oset

Him;youcan’tleav
e.We’rehosti
ngaChr i
stmas
part
ytocelebratethesuccessofthemissi
on.
Theli
eutenantandsomeoft hemini
ster
sare
att
ending.Ineedyouhere
Bat
hong.Thi
smani shonestythewor
st
communicat
orint
hewor ld.Her
ehewas
pl
anni
ngapar t
yat“our
’’
supposedhomeand
hetel
l
smet hedaybefore. 
NowIwaspi
ssedoff.Siy
awasser
iousl
y
get
ti
ngonmylastnerv
e.

Me;Si
yayouareseri
ousl
yannoyi
ngtheshi
tout
ofme.WhathaveIdonetoyou,
fory
outotreat
meli
kethi
s? 
Hi
m;I
’
m notdoi
ngt
his 
Me;
soi
nst
eady
ou’
rewal
ki
ngaway
Hi
m;Ij
ustneedy
out
oli
stent
ome
Me;Siy
a.Youcan’ tputmeinaboxandexpect
metoacthowev ery ouwantmet oact.I’
m not
oneofthosewomanwhoj ustli
stensto
whatev
erherhusbandsay s.Ihavefeel
ingsSiya.
Feel
i
ngsy oudon’tseem t
ocar eaboutlatel
y.So
becauseIcareaboutMYf eel
i
ngsIdecidedI
neededtogohome, andnowy outel
lmeIcan’t
dothat,becauseofsomest upidpar
ty.What
happenedt oyoudi
scussingthingswit
hme?To
youbeinghonestwithme.

Hi
m;(
sigh)baby
.I’
m sor
ry.Ir
eal
l
yam 
Me;
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
 
Hi
m;Idi
dn’
tmeanf
ori
ttohappen.Iswear
 
Me;
whatdi
dyoudo

Si
ya.Lookedatmeandhadt
ear
sinhi
sey
es

Me;
Siy
ayou’
rescar
ingme
Him;promisemey ouwon’tl
eave.PleaseRifi
loe.
Ican’
tloseyou.Notbecauseofthi
s.Ijustcan’t
Iwal
kedcl
osert
ohi
m andputmyar
msar
ound
hi
m

Me;Si
yaI’
my ourwife.Il
oveyouregar
dlessof
howannoyi
ngy oucanbe.Justtel
lmewhat ’
s
goi
ngon

Hi
m;Isl
eptwi
thJessi
ca

Iremovedmyhandsawayf
rom Si
ya’
swai
st,
andtookast
epback.

TherewasnowaySi yadi
dt hi
s.Hewoul
dn’
t
betr
aymel iket
his.Never.HeknowswhatI
wentthroughwit
hHl okesleavi
ngmefor
anotherwoman.Hewoul dn’tmakemego
thr
ought hi
sagain.
[
05/
13,
16:
47]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
87

SiyaandIhavebot hbeent hr
oughal oti
nthe
shortspaceofti
met hatwe’vebeentoget
her.
Andt hr
oughitall
Ialway s.Al
way shadfai
ththat
wewoul dmay besomehowf indourwaybackt o
eachother.Andbyt hemer cyofGodweal ways
did.

Despi
teital
lIf
orgave.Il
oved.Icr
iedbutnev
er
hadIstoppedl
ovinghim.Notevenwhenhel ai
d
ahandonme.Nev er
.

Il
ookedathim anddidn’
tknowwhatt osay.Al
lI
coul
dpict
urewashimt ouchingher
.Kissi
ngher
andmakinglov
et oherli
kehedidwithme. 
Mycheststar
tedtight
eni
ng.Myhandsst
art
ed
shacki
ng.Si
yasteppedcl
oser,
butIt
ookastep
back.Idi
dn’
twanthi
mtouchi
ngme.

Him;Rifi
l
oe.I
m soSorr
y.I
tisn’
twhaty
out
hink.
Idi
dn’thaveachoi
ce.
 
Me;
stopt
alki
ng 
Hi
m;babypl
ea
Me;Si
yaj
ustshutt
hef
uckup.Okay
.Justshut
up

Si
yakeptquietandl
ookedatme.Ihadsomany
quest
ionsbutnoneoft
hem cameout.

Me;
Ineedy
out
otel
lmeev
ery
thi
ng 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.I
 
Me;Idon’
twanttohearhowsor r
yyouare.Or
howmuchofami stakeitwas.Iwanty
out ot
ell
methetrut
hnothi
ngelse 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Somet
hingsIcan’
tsay
,thi
s 
Me; Idon’
tcar
eabouthowfli
ppingconf
identi
al
i
tis.SiyaIam y
ourwif
e.Youjusttol
dmet hat
yousleptwit
hJessi
caandyouexpectmet obe
okaywi t
hthat

Siy
awasabouttorespond,butthensomeone
knockedonthedoor
.Siy
adi dn’
tdaremove.He
kepthisey
esfi
xedonmi ne.
Ij
ustknewi
twasJessi
ca

Iwalkedtowar
dsthedoorandopenedthedoor
.
Jessicawasst
andingt
herewit
hasmi l
eonher
face.

Isweari
ttookever
ythi
ngi
nmenott
osmack
theshi
toutofher
Her
;Ineedt
ospeakt
oSi
ya

Idi
dn’
tsayanyt
hing.Ij
ustsl
ammedt
hedoori
n
herf
ace.Thenl
ockedit

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.I
tmi
ghtbei
mpor
tant
 
Me;
mor
eimpor
tantt
hanus?
 
Hi
m; (
sigh)Ri
fi
loe,Idi
dn’tmeantohur
tyou.I
r
eal
lydidn’
t.I
tallj
usthappened.
 
Me;
I’
m wai
ti
ngf
oranexpl
anat
ion 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Baby
.Pl
ease.Ican’
t 
Me;ThenyouandIhav
enot
hingmor
etosayt
o
eachother
.

Iwenttotheclosettogetmyalreadypacked
bagandt r
iedwalki
ngout ,
butheheldontomy
hand.Icouldseenothingi
nhiseyesbutfear
.I
sawat earescape,andhewipeditawaywith
hi
sot
herhand

Me;
Letgo 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe.Pl
ease.I
’
m beggi
ngy
ou.Don’
t
l
eave 
Me;
letgoSi
ya 
Hi
m;I
’
llt
ell
youev
ery
thi
ng 
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m;pl
easecanwesi
t 
Me;
I’
mfi
newher
eIam 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
please

Ipul
ledmyhandoutofhisandwentt
osi
ton
thebed.Si
yasatnextt
ome

Him;t
henightoft
hemissi
on,
Imetwi
tht
heguy
Ihadbeentr
yingt
ogettof
ormyent
ir
ecar
eer
.I
i
ntr
oducedJessasmygirl
fri
end,becausether
e
wasnootherwaytoexpl
ainherpresence.
 
Heaskedustomeetatast ri
pclub.Whi chI
agr
eedto.Ii
nit
ial
l
ythoughtwewoul djustmeet
att
heclubandgetstrai
ghttobusiness.But
i
nsteadheaskedthatwediscussbusinessat
hi
shouse. 
Me;
so?
 
Hi
m;Iwasn’
tawar
eoft
hepr
ost
it
uti
onr
inghe
r
an.
 
Me;
andt
hen?
Hi
m;Heinsi
stedI“
testdri
ve’
’oneoft
hegirl
s.I
t
wasj
usthi
swayofmaki ngsureIwaslegi
t.
 
Me;
andt
hen 
Hi
m;babypl
ease 
Me;
Siy
a 
Him;Iendeduphav
inga3sum wi
tht
hatgi
rl
andJessica
IswearIcouldli
ter
all
yfeelmyhear
tbreaki
ng
i
ntopieces.Icl
osedmyey esandtr
iedto
cont
rolthetear
s. 
Him; Rif
il
oe.IswearIusedprot
ecti
on.Ionl
y
actuall
ypenetratedt
heothergi
rlandnot
Jessica.Ij
ustkissedher
.Thatwasall
.Iswear
onmyl i
fe

Icouldn’ttal
k.IknowIwant edtoknowt het ruth.
Butrightnowt hetr
uthwasjusttoomucht o
bear.Whywoul dSi
yabetr
aymel ikethi
s?Why
couldn’thejusthavesaidno?Iwoul drather
havehadhi mly i
nginacoffi
nast hefai
thful
manIf elli
nl ovewith,t
hantohav ehi
m st anding
herelookingl i
keJudas

Hi
m;saysomet
hing
Me;yousaidy
ousleptwithJess,andnow
you’
resay
ingyoudidn’
tpenetr
ateher.Whi
ch
oneisi
t? 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
SIYA 
Him;whenwecamehomef rom t
heclub,
after
themissi
onwascomplet
e.Wehadacoupl eof
dri
nksandonet
hingl
edtoanother.

WhenSi yatol
dmehesl eptwithJessi
ca
will
ingl y.Washonestl
ythelaststr
aw.Imight ’
ve
beenabl etoforgi
vehimforwhathappenedon
themi ssionwithti
me.Butwhathedi dwith
Jessi cahadnot hi
ngtodowi thhismissi
on.He
didt hatwi l
li
ngl
y,andther
ewasnowayIwas
goingt oforgi
vehimforit
,andtomakemat ters
wor se, hewaspar adi
ngherhere.Inourhome

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Ir
egr
eti
tsobadl
y.Idon’
tknow
whatIwast
hinki
ng 
Me;
***
**si
l
ence*
***
 
Him;baby
,Iswear.I
twon’
thappenagai
n.Ij
ust
needyoutofor
giv
eme.Please 
Me;
***
***si
l
ence*
***
* 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loepl
easesaysomet
hing.Pl
ease 
Me;
whati
sitabouther
Hi
m;Ri
f
Me;noSiya.Iwantt
oknowwhatiti
st hatshe
has,
thatwouldmakeyouwantt
ohur tmeso
badl
y. 
Hi
m;(
sil
ence)
 
Me;Tel
lmeSiy
a.Tel
lmewhati
tist
hatshehas.
Thatmadey
oudestr
oyev
ery
thi
ngwehad. 
Hi
m; Rif
il
oe.Iwasn’tl
iket
hat.Iwasdrunk.We
wer
et al
kingaboutthemissi
on,itj
ustfel
teasy
t
otalktoherbecauseshewasi nthesame
i
ndustry
.I’m sor
ry 
Me;you’r
enotSi
ya.You’
renotsor
ry.YOUDID
THIS.Noonehel
dagunt oyourhead.You
wil
l
inglysl
eptwi
thher 
Him;babypl
ease.I
’
m beggi
ngy
ou.I
’
lldo
anyt
hing.
 
Me; t
here’snoneed.Youbrokeus.Noamount
ofbeggingorpleadi
ngwi l
lchangethat
.(Sni
ff
)
you’v
ebr okenusSiya.Ther
e’snothi
nglef
tto
repai
r.NOTHI NG 
Him;Rifi
l
oe.Pl easebabyI’m sorr
y.Itdidn’t
meanany thing.Itwasmebei ngaf ool.Please.
I’
l
ldoany t
hi ng.Younamei tI
’lldoi
t.Rifil
oeI
can’
tlosey ou..
.Notagain.Please

Hi
m;Ri
fi
Me;Siy
a.Ineedyoutounderst
andthatthi
sisi
t.
YouandIareover.We’
redone(sni
ff)t
here’
s
not
hingyoucandoaboutit
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Iwon’
tlety
oudot
his.Wecan
maket
hiswor
k.Weneedt
omakei
twor
k 
Me;Siy
a.gobewithJessi
ca.Sheunder
stands
youdoesn’
tshe?

Shegetshowt hi
swhi l
eOPSt hi
ngwor ks.Me
ontheotherhandIwant edSiyaandnotGhost .
Butyouwer en’twil
li
ngtogiveal loft hatup.
Becauseyouwant edtohavey ourcakeandeat
i
t.Andmebei ngthebiggestidiotont heplanet
gaveupev erythi
ng.Myent i
relife.Ileftitbehi
nd
foryouandnowher eIam withnot hingbuta
brokenheart.

Hi
m;I
’
m sor
ry

Itookabr
eat
h,andl
ookedatmywatch.Ist
il
l
hadtimet
omakeitt
otheair
por
tandgetoutof
here.
Iwipedmytearsandgotup.Inevert
houghti
na
mill
iony
ears,
thatIwouldbeleav
ingCubain
tear
sbecauseofSiya.
..
Iwentt
othecl
osetandt
ookmybag.Si
yast
ood
up

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Youcan’
tbeser
ious 
Me;
mov
eSi
ya 
Hi
m; Iwon’
t.Goddammi
tIr
efuse.You’
renot
l
eavi
ngme

It
ri
edmov
ingt
othel
eft
,butSi
yabl
ockedmy
way 
Hi
m;babypl
ease.Tel
lmewhatIcando 
Me;
Siy
amov
e 
Hi
m;nev
er
Me;
youcan’
tkeepmeher
eagai
nstmywi
l
l 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loewebot
hknowIcan
Me;
soy
ou’
ret
hreat
eni
ngme?
Hi
m;no.Ofcour
senot
 
Me;
Thenmov
e

Si
yadi
dn’
tmove.Hejuststoodt
her
est
ari
ngat
mewit
htear
sinhiseyes.

Me;
mov
e
Hi
m;y
ou’
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e

Thel ookinSiya’
seyesgavemechi
ll
sdownmy
spine.Ithoughtleav
ingwoul
dbeeasy,
butSi
ya
standinginfrontofmemademekindofscar
ed
me.
[
05/
13,
16:
48]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
88

Ist
oodinfrontofSi
yawi
thsuchanger
.Idon’
t
under
standwhyhewouldn’
tjustl
etmebe.

Me;
Siy
amov
e 
Hi
m;No 
Me;
please 
Hi
m;I’
m notl
osi
ngyouovert
his.I
twasst
upi
d.
I
tdi
dn’
tmeananythi
ng 
Me;buty oustil
ldidi
tSi
ya.Yousleptwi
thher.
Youhady ourhandsonherbody.Youshared
yoursel
fwi t
hher.Whatpartoft
hatdon’ty
ou
underst
and?  
Hi
m;baby
 
Me;
we’
redoneher
e.Nowmov
e 
Hi
m;I
’
m notl
ett
ingy
ougo
Thisgoi
ngbackandfor
thwasdr
ivi
ngme
i
nsane.All
Iwanti
stogotomyhomeand
breat
he 
Someoneknockedont
hedoor
.Si
yat
urned
aroundandwentt
oopeni
t

Hl
okes;
ahhm Sor
ryt
odi
stur
b 
Si
ya;
what
’sup 
Hlokes;whatdoyoumeanwhat ’
supdude.We
haveoffi
cial
sarri
vi
ngininacoupleofhour
s,
andy ouhaven’
tconfi
rmedthesecur
it
ydetai
ls.
 
Si
ya;
Ineedy
out
ohandl
eit
Hl
okes;
Ghost
 
Si
ya;
getout
 
Hl
okes;
mxm
Hl
okesl
eftandSi
yast
oodf
aci
ngmeagai
n

Hi
m;babyIneedy
ou.Pl
ease 
Me;Yho.Siyayouaredrai
ningme.Ir
eall
ydon’
t
wanttofightwi
thyou.I
’
m goingtomissmy
f
li
ght.Justmove 
Hi
m;I
’
veal
readyaskedNai
l
stocancel
it.
Me;
(si
gh)Si
ya 
Hi
m;Rif
il
oe.Al
lIaski
sthaty
out
ry.Justt
ry
maki
ngthi
swork.
Me;Ther
eisnot
hingt
omakewor
kSi
ya.Don’
t
yougett
hat
? 
Him;Justgivemet i
ll
theendoft
heweek.
That
’sallIask.Letmeshowyouhowsorr
yI
am 
Me;
Si
Him;babyplease.I
fyoudeci
dey
oust
il
lwant
out.I
’
lll
etyougo
Iputmybagdownbecauseclear
lyIwantgoi
ng
anywher
e.It
’snotl
i
keIcoul
dtackl
ehim.Siya
wasnearl
ytwicemysi
ze.

Iwenttothekitchenandgotmy selfabottl
eof
water
.Ijustneededt ogetawayfrom Siy
a.His
const
antpleading,andbeggingwasst ar
ti
ngto
getonmyner ves. 
Hesl eepswit
hthatbi
tch,andexpectsmej ust
topr et
endtobeokaywithit.Ist
art
edfeel
inga
bitdizzysi
nceIhadn’
teatenallday
,anditwas
alreadyaft
er2pm 
Il
etoutasighandthoughtaboutwhatwas
happeni
ng.Icoul
dn’
treal
lybeli
evet
hatSi
yahad
donewhathedid.Whywoul dhedothi
stous.
WasIsuchabadwi fe,t
hatIledmyhusband
i
ntoanotherwoman’sbed? 
AsIt
urnedar
oundIsawJessi
cast
andi
ng
behi
ndme

Her
;Hi

Il
ookedatherandsmil
ed.Thi
sbitchwasei
ther
i
nsaneorplaneol
ddumb.Whyt hehel
lmade
hert
hinkshecoul
devental
ktomeaf t
erwhat
shedi
d

Her;
I’
m guessi
ngbyt
hatl
ooki
nyourey
es,
you
knowaboutSiy
aandme 
Me;haveyounoshame?Wal
ki
ngar
oundher
e
af
terwhatyoudi
d 
Her
;Idi
dn’
tdoanythi
ng.Ij
ustmadesur
eyou’
re
manwashappy.Youshoul
dactual
l
ybe
t
hanki
ngme 
Me; (
chuckl
es)you’r
eri
ght
.THANKYOU
Jessi
ca.Foropeningmyeyest
owhoIwas
marr
iedto.Andnowsi
ncey
ouwanthi
m so
badl
y.Youcanhavehi
m 
Her;your
eal
lyar
edumbert hanyoupret
endto
be.Idon’
twantt
hatlowli
fethi
ngofyours.Al
lI
di
dwaspayaf avourtoanoldfr
iend.
 
Me;
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
 
Her
;let
sjustsayt
hatLi
ndasay
sHi

Il
ookedatJessicadumbfounded.Di
dsher
eal
l
y
j
ustsaywhatIthinkshesai
d?

Me;
sot
hiswasal
lLi
nda’
sdoi
ng

Her;Iwon’
tli
eandsayIdidn’tenj
oyitbecauseI
honestl
ydi
d.NowIunder st
andwhyshecan’ t
l
etgoofhim.He’sreall
ygoodi nbed.Especi
all
y
whenhedoest hatt
hingwit
hhi stongue.I
t
drovemeinsane 
Icoul
dn’
tbeli
evet
heshitthatwascomi ngout
ofthi
sBi
tchesmouth.Shewast r
yingtogetto
meandsheknewj usthowtodoso.  
Ihonestlyhav enoideawher eBoni cameout
from,butal l
IsawwasBoni j
umpi ngJessica
from behind.I’
m notonef orviol
encebutinthis
caseIwassopi ssedof f,Iwast empt edt
o
parti
cipate.ButunfortunatelyformeHl okes
andSi yaheardthecommot ionandcame
runni
ng.Lucki l
yBoni hadal readygottenina
fewpunches.  
Igiggledabitbutmov edtohelpHl okesgether
offofJessica.Personall
yIwas100%sur eif
JessicahadseenBoni coming,shewoul d’ve
beathertoapul p.Becauseofal l
thet r
aining.
ButbecauseBoni camef r
om behind.She
wasn’tready.

HlokesandImanagedtopul
lBoniof
fof
Jessica.Whi
l
eSiy
ajustst
oodther
ewatchi
ng.
Hedi
dn’
tdar
ehel
pJessi
ca.

Jess;youPshy
cobi
tch.Whatt
hef
ucki
syour
probl
em 
Boni
;youar
eyoucondescendi
ngwhore.What
ki
ndofawomanboastsaboutsleepi
ngwit
h
anot
herwoman’
shusband? 
Hl
okes;
bot
hofy
oushutup 
Boni
;I
fRi
fi
loewon’
tst
andupforhersel
f,Isur
e
ashel
lwi
l
l.Thi
swhorehasgonetoofar
Me;
Boni
.It
sfi
ne.Justf
orgetaboutt
his 
Boni;
howRi fi
loe.Thi
sbitchsl
eptwi
thyour
husbandjusttobreakyouguysup.Youshoul
d
bebeati
ngt heshitoutofher

Il
ookedatBoniandactual
l
yl aughed.LikeI
l
it
eral
lyl
aughedmyheadof f.Thischickwas
cr
azy.Whoattackssomeonel i
kethisfrom
behi
nd, butIcoul
dtellt
hatHlokeswas
uni
mpr essed.Jessi
ca,ontheotherhandhad
herhandupagai nstthebackofherhead.I
’m
guessi
ngBoni must’
vereal
lyhi
theherhard.

Il
ookedov eratSiyaandhelookedbeyond
embarrassed.IwishIcoul
dsayIwassor ryfor
whatBoni di
d,butIwouldbelyi
ng.Si
yahad
boughtshamet oourmar r
iage,
andnow
every
oneknewabouti t
.Tomakemat t
ers
worseitwasallbecauseofthatLi
ndaBitch.Al
l
Ineedednowwasal cohol
,andmycrazyhouse
guest 
Boni
;Hl
okesl
etgoofme 
Hi
m;got
oourr
oom 
Me;
orbet
tery
et,
let
’sgogetdr
unk

Hlokesshookhisheadatbot
hofus.Icouldsee
hewantedtolaugh,butdi
dn’
tbecauseofSiy
a. 
Hel
etgoofBoni’
shandandwelef
tall
3of
t
hem i
ntheki
tchenandwentt
othebar

Me;
you’
recr
azyy
ouknow 
Her;
Icouldn’tj
uststandt
hereandlethert
alkt
o
youli
kethat.IguessI’
mjustghet
toli
kethat
Me;
Ilov
eyouf
ori
t 
Her;I
’
ddoi
tanyday
.Butf
ornow.Let
’sj
ust
dr
ink 
Me;
hel
lyah

Wesatatthebardr
inki
ngsiders,andtal
king.I
wassogratef
ulf
orBoniswa.Shej ustmanaged
t
oli
ghtenupmymoodl ikenoot her.

Her
;weshoul
dgooutt
oni
ght
 
Me;
webot
hknowSi
yawoul
dn’
tal
l
owi
t 
Her;Ri
fi
loeyoureal
lyaresocut
eandinnocent
.
Letmetelly
ousomet hing,
andyouneedto
l
ist
entomecar eful
l
y  
Me;
Ineedanot
herdr
inkf
ir
st
ItookoutanotherSmir
noffst
orm pi
net
wist
fr
om thefri
dge,andsatdown

Her
;Si
yai
stheonet
hatmessedupnoty
ou.
Whi
chmeansheowesyou.BI
GTIME
Me;
buthowdoesonegetov
ert
hat
 
Her;t
hat’syourdepar
tments.Youcandealwi
th
thati
nyourownt ime.Butf
ornowy ouhavehi
m
ri
ghtwher eyouwanthim.Heisallput
tyi
nyour
hands.Youshouldtakeadvantageoft
hatwhi
le
yousti
llcan 
Me;
(si
gh)Idon’
tknowBoni
 
Hi
m;Thi
nkabouti
t 
Me;
Iwi
l
l.ButI
’
m def
ini
tel
ygoi
ngout
 
Her
;cheer
s 
Wesatatthebardri
nki
ng.Whichwasn’
tsucha
goodt
hing,si
nceIhadn’
teat
enanythi
ng.
 
IsawSi
yacomingupthest
air
sandI
i
mmediatel
yfel
theav
y

Hi
m;l
adi
es 
Boni
;I
llgocheckonHl
okes

Boni
swat
ookherdr
inkandwal
keddown.

Hi
m;weneedt
otal
k 
Me;
nott
odaywedon’
t 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m sor
ry.Ir
eal
l
yam 
Me;
(si
gh)sor
ryi
sn’
tgoi
ngt
ochangeany
thi
ng.
 
Him;tel
lmewhatIcandotomaket
hingsr
ight
.
Justdon’
ttel
lmeIhavet
olety
ougo 
Me;
Ther
e’snot
hingy
oucando 
Hi
m;Il
ll
eav
ethetaskfor
ce.Justt
ell
mey
ou’
l
l
st
aywit
hme.AndIll
leav
e.

I
nt hatmoment , Ir
eallywant edt
obel i
eveSiya.
Hel ookedsosi ncere.ButIknewt hatnomat ter
whathedi d,Iwoul dn’
tbeabl etotrul
yev er
forgiv
ehi m.Ihadf oughtLindatoothandnai l
,
becausei bel i
evedSi yalovedmeasmuchasi
l
ov edhi m.butobv iouslyifhewaswi ll
ingto
throwt hatallawayf orani ghtwit
hJessi ca,
theni wast heidiotifichoset ost
ay

Itjustall
goest oshowt hatLindawant edSiya
back, andshewaswi ll
ingtodoany thi
ngt oget
i
t .ij
ustwasntsur ei waswi l
lingtofi
ght
any more.Iwasf inal
lyatthest agewher eididn'
t
wantt ofight,becauseSi y
ahadntf oughtto
keept hev owshemade.I nsteadhehadhur tme
bey ondwor ds,andallIwant edtodof ornow
wasgetdr
unkandj
ustenj
oyt
heCubanni
ght
l
if
e.
[
05/
13,
16:
49]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

89

Il
ookedatthemanstandi
nginfr
ontofme,
and
coul
dn’tbel
i
evewhathadbecomeofour
marr
iage.

Despitemelovi
nghi
m,Ihadnowl ostal
l
respectf
orhim.Howam Iexpect
edtojust
mov eonasthoughnot
hinghashappened?

Siy
ahadl at
eral
lyri
ppedoutmyheartfrom my
chestandnowhewast ell
i
ngmet oforgi
vehi
m.
Wellthatwasn’
tgoingtohappenanyti
mesoon.
Iam tir
edoflet
ti
ngSiya,doashepleases.
AllIcar
eaboutnowist
ryi
ngtofi
ndmy sel
fin
thi
sseaofunhappi
nessthathel
eftmein.

Me;bef
oreIfor
get
.Boni
swaandIar
egoingout
t
onight
.Pl
easemakesuret
hesecur
it
yteam i
s
r
eadyby9pm
Hi
m;Ri
f
Me;it
’snotupfordi
scussi
on.Theday
sofy
ou
di
ctat
ingwhereIgoareover.
 
Hi
m;(
sigh)Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m st
il
lyourhusband
Me;
notf
orl
ong 
Hi
m;what
’st
hatsupposedt
omean.
 
Me;i
tmeansyouneedt
ogett
hehel
loutofmy
way
.Andletmebe 
Him;howlongexact
lyar
eyoupl
anni
ngon
doi
ngthi
st ome 
Me;
notev
ery
thi
ngi
sabouty
ouSi
ya.Foronce,
j
uststopthi
nkingabouty
ouandwhatyouwant.
AndthinkaboutwhatImightbegoi
ngt
hrough.
 
Hi
m;babyI
’
m sor
ry 
Me;
notassor
ryasam

Eversi
nceIhadbeenwithSi
ya,
Ihadneverseen
himlooksolost
.Thesparki
nhi
seyehad
vani
shedandallt
hatwaslef
twasagloomy
l
ook

Hi
m;(
sigh)I
’
llgett
hesecur
it
yteam r
eady
 
Me; good…Ohandonemor et
hing.Makesur
e
thatbit
chisoutmyhousebyt
het i
meIget
back 
Him;butRif
il
oe,
Sheneedstobeher efort
he
Chri
stmasfunct
ion,howwil
lIexpl
ainher
absencetothel
ieut
enant
 
Me;
Siy
a,i
fIev
ensmel
lherscentwhenIcome
back.IswearIwil
lembarrassyoui
nfr
ontofall
yourstupi
dassoci
ates.Don’tt
rymeSi
ya.Today
i
snott heday.

Hi
m;butbaby
 
Me;ar
ey ouf
ucki
ngser
ious?Youexpectmet
o
st
ayherewhi
leshe’
sal
sohereSiy
a? 
Him;baby,
it’
sjustf
orafewday
s,af
tert
hat
you’
l
lneverseeheragai
n
Me; wow.Youreal
l
yareself
ish.Howwoul dyou
feeli
fIhadsl
eptwithsomeone,andIparaded
him al
lar
oundthehouse?Siya,y
oujustdon’t
getwhatyou’
vedonedoy ou
Hi
m;babyIdo,
it’
sjust
 
Me; noyoudon’t.You’r
esupposedt obemy
protect
or.You’r
esupposedt oensurenoharm
comest ome, youmadev owsSiya.Tohonour
meandy etyou’
rethefir
stonetoputakni f
e
throughmyhear t.Andnowy oujustkeep
t
wist
ingi
t 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;St
opwit
htheRifi
l
oebul
l
shit
.It
’snotgoi
ng
t
owork.Nowleavemeal
oneandmakesur e
t
hatwhorel
eaves.

Iwalkedoutthebarannoyedashell
.Idon’t
underst
andhowheexpect smet obeokwi th
havi
ngJessicaherewhil
eI’m her
e.I
tjustgoes
toshowhowsel fi
shhecanbe.

Iwentstrai
ghtt omyroom.Ineededabitofa
breat
her.Ilookedatmyselfi
nthemir
rorandI
sawsomeoneIdi dn’
tknow.Myeyeswerered
fr
om cryi
ng, myl i
psdr
yfrom meli
cki
ngthem,
soalli
nal l
Ilookedli
keaghost.

Itookmyhandbagandwentt
oBoni
’
sroom,
andfoundherwat
chingmovi
es
Me;Iwast hi
nki
ngweshouldgot
othesal
on.I
needtogetmynail
sdone,andmaybeanew
hai
rst
yle 
Her
;whadoy
ouwannadowi
thy
ourhai
r 
Me;Ihav
en’
thadweav
edonei
nages.May
be
i
t’
sti
me 
Her
;letmegr
abmybag.
 
Me;
I’
ll
beupst
air
s.Ineedt
ogetmoneyf
rom
t
hesafe 
Her
;don’
twor
ryabouti
t.I
t’
sonme.
Me;
don’
tbesi
l
ly
Her;Hlokeshasj
ustgi
venmesomemoneyand
Idon’treal
l
yknowwhattodowi t
hit
.What
bett
erwayt hant
ogetoursel
vespamper
ed?
Me;
fine.Nextt
imei
tsonme 
Her
;deal
.
BonitookherbagandIwentt ocheckon
Olwetho.Ihadn’
tseenhi
m sinceearli
ert
hatday
becauseofalloftheshi
tthathappened.
 
Ifoundhiminhisroom.Hehadfall
enasleep
duri
nghismovie.Iputali
ghtbl
anketov
erhim,
andpausedhismov e.Thengav
ehim akisson
thecheek,t
henwentt oSi
ya’
soffi
ce.
 
Ineededtospeaktonai
l
saboutdri
vi
ngusto
themall
.IfoundSi
yainhisof
fi
ce,
butNai
lswas
nowheretobefound

Me;
isnai
l
sar
ound 
Hi
m;He’
stakenJesst
oai
rpor
t 
Me;
Ineedoneofyourguy
stotakemeinto
t
own.Ineedt
ogetmyhairandnai
lsdone 
Hi
m;they
’real
labitbusyatthemoment.
Ev
ery
oneisprepar
ingfortomorr
oweveni
ng 
Me;
socanIdr
ivemy
sel
f 
Hi
m;y
ouknowt
hat
’snotanopt
ion 
Me;
sowhatdoy
ousuggestIdo 
Hi
m;not
hing.You’
rebeaut
if
ulj
ustasy
ouar
e 
Me;i
fthatwer
etr
ue,
youwoul
dn’
thav
edone
whatyoudi
d 
Hi
m;t
hat
’snott
rue 
Me;doesn’
tmat
ter.I
t’
sdone.Nowcany
ouj
ust
makeaplanpl
ease? 
Hi
m;I
’
llgetBul
l
ett
ogowi
thy
ou 
Me;
we’
l
lwai
tforhi
mint
hepar
king 
Hi
m;cool

Iwentdownst
airsandBoniandIwenttot
he
basementpar
kingtowaitf
orHlokes.

Hear
ri
vedandt
ookust
othemal
l
.
Whenwear ri
vedBoniandIwenttogetourhai
r
done.Forsomemi r
acleIl
ett
heladyconvi
nce
met ogetaful
lheadinst
eadofcli
pins.

Wedi
dournai
l
s,t
henl
eftt
ogohome.

WhenIgothomeItookaqui
ckshowerand
wentt
ojoi
never
yoneelsef
ordi
nner.

Bythet
imeIgotther
etheonl
yseatavai
l
abl
e
wasnextt
oSiya.It
ookadeepbreat
handsat
down.

Siy
abrushedhishandovermyt hi
ghbecauseI
waswearingshort
s.Ii
mmedi at
elyfr
oze.I
hadn’
texpect
edhimt odothat.

Hel
ookedatmeandIl
ookedaway
.Il
ookedat
every
oneatt
hetabl
eandtheyall
seemed
obli
vi
oustowhatwashappeni
ng.
 
Si
yal
eanedi
ntowhi
speri
nmyear

Hi
m;y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul

Ilookedathim andwantedtosaythankyou,
butinsteadIj
ustlookedaway.Anddishedup
formy self
.

Imadesur
eIfini
shedmydi
nner
,becauseI
pl
annedondr
inki
ngmyeyesouttoni
ght

Afterdinner,
BonieandIwenttogetr
eady
.I
reall
yfeltl
ikeannoyi
ngSi
ya,soIworemyblack
l
eat hershort
swithmyopentoethighi
ghboots,
andawhi t
etop.
Iputonmymakeupanddidaquick360i
nthe
mirr
or.AndImustadmi
tIl
ookedhot.

Si
yawalkedi
nasIwasl
ooki
ngatmy
sel
fint
he
mir
ror

Thelookonhi
sfacet
oldmehewas
unpl
eased.
 
Hi
m;pl
easet
ell
mey
oupl
anonchangi
ng 
Me;
notachance 
Him;
baby,
youcan’
tpossiblyexpectmetobe
okwi
thyougoi
ngoutlookingli
kethis 
Me;
Icoul
dcar
elessaboutwhaty
ouwant
. 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
comeon.Bef
air

Ij
ustshookmyhead,
andt
ookmyhandbag
andlef
thimther
e.
WhenIgott
oBoni
’
sroom shewasj
ustwal
ki
ng
out
.

Her
;youl
ookhot
.I’
m sur
eSi
yai
sgoi
ngmad 
Me;webet
tergetoutofher
ebef
orehet
ri
est
o
keepmehere 
Her
;let
’sgetoutofher
e

Wewenttothebasementpar
king,andfound
nai
l
sandsomeoft heot
herguardsalready
wai
tingf
orus
.
Wegotinannail
sdroveustotheclub.Il
etout
suchasighofr
eli
efwhenIreal
isedthatSiya
hadn’
tdoneanyt
hingt
otryandr ui
nmyni ght

Whenwear
ri
vedatt
hecl
ubi
twasal
ready
poppi
ng.TheCubanmoonl
ightwasoutand
peopl
ewereonthedancef
loor.
 
Nai
lsledust
oat
abl
eatt
heVI
Ploungeandwe
set
tl
edin.
 
Bonii
mmediatel
yorderedcockt
ail
sandwe
st
art
eddr
inking.Whichisj
ustwhatIneeded

Acoupl eofcocktai
lsdownthelineandIstar
ted
feeli
ngnumb, whichwasthebestf eel
ingi
nthe
wor l
d.Atthi
spointIhadfor
gottenal l
about
Siyaandhisshit,
andIwasact uall
yenjoyi
ng
my sel
f

Inoti
cedoneoft
heguysatanearbytablekept
l
ookingmywaybutIpayednoatt
entiontohim,
becauseIknewt
heguar
dswerewat chingus
l
ikehawks.

Themor
ecockt
ail
swehad,
themor
ewe
dancedandthemor
ethi
scubanhunkkept
l
ookingover

Event
ual
l
yhedeci
dedtoapproachourt
abl
e.I
sawNail
simmedi
atel
ytense.

Igavehi
m adon’
tyoudar
emov
elook,
and
carr
iedt
alki
ngt
oBoni.
Whenhearri
v edhegr eet
edusandaskedifhe
coul
dtakeaseat .Il
ookedoveratBoniandshe
l
ookedunsure,butIthoughtwhatt
hehell,
it’
s
notl
ikeIwouldsleepwi t
hhim.SoItol
dhimi t
’s
cool
.

Hesatnextt
omeandi
ntr
oducedhi
mselfas
Lui
s.Heaskedi
fwemi
ndedifhi
sfr
iendscame
toj
oinus.
 
Il
ookedoverathi
stabl
eandsaw3ofhi
s
fr
iendswavi
ngatus.Iwav
edbackandt
oldLui
s
i
twasf
inef
orhi
sfr
iendst
ojoi
nus.

Hi
m;sowhat
’swi
thal
ltheGuar
ds 
Me;
myhusband’
scr
azy
 
Hi
m;cl
ear
lyot
her
wisewhywouldhelety
ouout
hi
ssi
ghtl
ooki
ngasbeaut
if
ulasyoudo

Ij
ustsmil
edathi
m,andst
oodupt
ogr
eethi
s
fr
iend.

ImustsayCubanmenar egorgeous.Lui
sas
real
l
yli
ghtincomplet
ion,
butalsotanned.He
hadhazelgr
eeneyes,andpi
nkj ui
cyli
ps.

IlookedoverandBoni
,andshesi
gnal
edf
orus
togot ot
heladies.
Weexcusedour
sel
vesandl
ett
hem or
dermor
e
dr
inks.

Boni
;Si
yai
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lus 
Me;
whatdi
dwedowr
ong?
Her
;Rif
il
oe,Iknowwhaty
ou’
retr
yingtodo,
but
bel
i
evemei t’
snotgoi
ngt
owork.It’
sonl
ygoing
tomakethi
ngsworse.
 
Me;
RightnowIdon’
treal
l
ycar
e.Si
yacango
j
ump
Her
;youdon’
tmeant
hat
Me;Boni
don’
tbeapar
typooper
.Ineedy
outo
bemywingwomanandmakesureIdon’
tdo
any
thi
ngtodr
ast
ic 
Her
;Ismel
ltr
oubl
e 
Me;
Ismel
lagoodni
ght
 
Ipul
ledBoniouttheladi
esandwewalkedback
toourtabl
e.IsatnexttoLui
sandBonisatnext
t
ooneofhi
sfr
iends.
 
Lui
sandIchatt
edforsolongitfel
tli
keIhad
knownhimfordecades.Hetol
dmeabouthi s
famil
yandIt
oldhim al
laboutSouthAfr
ica.

Iwassurpri
sedathewellhespokeEngl
ish,
but
thenheexpl
ainedthatheact
ual
lyl
ivesi
nMi ami
,
butisor
igi
nall
yfr
om Cuba

Hi
m;sohowl
onghav
eyoubeenmar
ri
ed 
Me;
notev
enay
ear
 
Hi
m;Sowher
eyourhusband 
Me;
Home 
Hi
m;t
roubl
einpar
adi
se?
Me;
mor
eli
keshi
tst
ormi
npar
adi
se 
Hi
m;wantanescaper
out
e 
Me;
(si
gh)Imi
ghtt
akey
ouupont
hatof
fer
 
Hi
m;t
akemynumber
Itookoutmycellphone,
andtookdownhi
s
number,thencal
l
editsohecouldhavemi
ne.

Him;woul
dIbeov
erst
eppi
ngi
tifIaskedy
out
o
dance 
Me;
notatal
l

Igav
eBonimybagandt ookLuis’
shand.Boni
smil
ed,
andjustshookherheadatme.

Mywor dCubanmencanmov e.Luisjustgui

ded
met hroughthesalsadanci nguntilourfeet
star
tedt ohurt
.Boni ontheot herhandwas
play
ingcardswi t
ht heguy satthetableandby
thelooksofitshewaswi nning.

Lui
stookmyhandandwewentbackt
othe
t
abl
eandchi
l
ledwi
thev
ery
oneel
se.

I
tfeltst
rangehavi
ngmyhandinanothermans
butatthi
spointIwaswaybeyondcar
ing.Al
lI
fel
twasnumb, andIwasenj
oyingLui
s
Company .

Aft
erabout3am,BoniandIwerer
eadytol
eav
e.
Lui
sandhisfri
endsdecidedt
owalkusout
.

WhenIgottothecar
,Lui
sgav
emeahug.I t
wasabiti
ntense,
andgavemeli
tt
lebut
ter
fl
ies
i
nmytummy .

Ibr
oket
hehugandmov edbackabi
tbecause
Lui
swasst
andi
ngreal
l
ycl ose.

Hedi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng,
hej
ustst
aredi
ntomy
ey
es 
Hi
m; Letmeknowi
fyoust
il
lneedanescape
r
oute 
Me;
(chuckl
es)Iwi
shi
twasaseasyast
hat
Hi
m;Icanmakey
ouf
orgetal
labouthi
m
Me;I
t’
stempt
ing,butt
hingsar
etoo
compl
icat
edr
ightnow
Him;I
nthatcase,
I’
ll
beagent
lemanandbi
d
yougoodnight
 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Him;buti
fyouneedaf
ri
end.You’
vegotmy
number 
Me;
thanks.

Hegav emeaki ssont hecheekandwalked

backintot
heclub.Itookadeepbr eat
hand
wonderedifIhadmadeami st
akebybasi
cal
ly
tel
l
inghim Iwasn’
tinterest
ed.Maybehewould
betheonet obr i
ngsomel ighti
nthisdark
bori
ngt hi
ngthati cal
lal i
fe.butatthesame
ti
mei knewt hatwhati feel f
orSiy
awasmor e
thanjustfeel
ings.hewasapar tofme, butat
thesamet imehef eltl
ikeacancert hatwas
eati
ngawayatmyhear t.

Iopenedthecardoor,andexpectedtofi
ndBoni
si
tti
ngintheseatnexttome,butinsteadfound
Siy
asitt
ingther
elookingli
kealionready
pounce.
[
05/
13,
16:
50]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

90

Icl
osedt
hedoorandlookedoveratSi
ya.I
coul
dtel
lhewasboi
li
ng,butIdi
dn’tr
eal
lycar
e. 
Hi
sey eswer
ebloodshotred,
andIcoul
dsmel
l
al
coholfr
om hi
sbreath.
 
Iputonmyseat beltandt ookoutmyphone.I
wasn’tplanni
ngont alki
ngt ohi
m,soIdidn’
t
wanttobot hermy selfwithhismoods.I
nsteadI
wasgoi ngtratherchatt oBonionwhatsaap

Him;soyouarej
ustgoi
ngt
osi
tther
eandnot
sayanyt
hing

Ir
oll
edmyey
es,
andcar
ri
edont
alki
ngt
oBoni
 
Hi
m;sonowy
oudon’
thav
eany
thi
ngt
osay
 
Me; Siy
a,I
’
vejusthadareal
l
ygoodnight
.I’
m
drunkashellandmyfeetar
eki
ll
ingme.The
l
astt hi
ngIneedistohav
eyouyappi
nginmy
ear 
Him;Rif
iloe,howcoul dyoulethi
m holdy ouli
ke
that
.ye.You’remywi feRif
il
oe.Myf uckingwife,
andnowy ou’r
elett
inganothermant ouchy ou
l
ikethat.Whatt hefucki
swr ongwith
Me;
***
***si
l
ence*
***
* 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou

Ij
usti
gnor
edSi
yaandcar
ri
edonchat
ti
ngwi
th
Boni
.

Hi
m;Iswear
,Il
lthr
owt
hatf
ucki
ngphoneout
t
hewindow.

Il
ookedatSi
yaandgi
ggl
ed.Helookedsoangr
y
butatt
hesameti
meIcouldact
uall
ycarel
ess.

Itookgum outofmyhandbagandst ar
ted
chewingoniti
naloudway .Iwasn’
tgoingto
answerSiy
a.Hehaddecidedtodowhathe
wantedtodoandnowIwasal sodoi
ngwhatI
wantedtodo.

AsIwasst
il
lchat
ti
ngt
oBoni
,Lui
scal
l
ed.I
’
llbe
honestandsaymyhear
tgotst
ucki
nmy
thr
oat.
 
Hist
imingwasn’
texactl
yappr
opr
iat
e,butI
deci
dedtoansweranyway.

Me;
Hi 
Him;
Hi…I’
mjustcal
l
ingt
omakesur
eyougot
homeok 
Me;I’
m nothomey
et.ButIshoul
dbet
her
e
soon 
Hi
m;Ican’
tst
opt
hinki
ngabouty
ou 
Me;
that
’snotexact
lyagoodt
hing 
Hi
m;meetmef
orl
uncht
omor
row 
Me;
I’
m notsur
ethat
’ssuchagoodI
dea

Il
ookedoveratSi
ya,
andsawsweatwas
st
art
ingt
or ol
ldownhisf
ace.
Him;
comeon,I
’
llshowy
ouwhatCUBAr
eal
l
y
hast
ooff
er 
Me;
I’
ll
thi
nkabouti
t 
Hi
m;wel
latl
easti
t’
snotano 
Me;
(chuckl
es)By
eLui
s 
Hi
m;by
e

Idi
dn’
tdar
elookoveratSi
ya,
anddeepdownI
wasgl
adIwasruff
li
nguphisfeat
her
s. 
Whenthecarsl
oweddownSi
yagotoutand
sl
ammedt hedoor
.It
ookmycl
utchand
st
eppedout.
 
Ii
mmedi at
elysti
l
ledbecauseweweren’
tat
home.Inst
eadwest oodinfr
ontofahouseI
di
dn’
trecognise.

Idi
dn’
tknowwhet
hert
ogoi
nsi
deorwai
t.So
i
nst
eadIwentbackt
othecar
.Nai
l
slookedat
meinhi
smirr
or

Me;
pleaset
akemehome 
Hi
m;I
’
m sor
rymam.
 
Me;
thent
akemebackt
othecl
ub 
Hi
m;y
ouknowIcan’
tdot
hat
 
Me;
mxm

Iopenedthedoorandwentinsi
de.Thehouse
wasn’tasgrandasHQbutitwasal ov
elyf
amily
home.Ijustwonder
edwhoownedi t.

If
oundSiyasitt
ingi
nthel
oungewi
thabot
tl
eof
Hennessynexttohi
m.

Hi
m;si
tdown 
Me;
Siy
a,whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e 
Hi
m;si
tdown 
Me;Siy
a,I’
mti
red.Canwej
ustgohome
pl
ease? 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
arey
our
eal
l
ytr
yingt
opi
ssmeof
f?
Me;Si
ya,
rightnowallIcareabouti
staki
ngoff
t
hesedamnboot s.Whetheryou’
repi
ssedornot
,
i
snotmyconcer n

Si
yat
ookagulpoftheHennessy
.Mxm ,
.Hi
s
st
upi
dscar
etact
icswereannoyi
ngme.

Isatdownopposi
tehi
m,andt
ookof
fmyboot
s.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Imt
ryi
ngt
otal
ktoy
ou 
Me;andI
’
vetol
dyouI’
m noti
nter
est
edSi
ya.
Whatmoredoyouwantmetosay 
Hi
m;Tel
lmey
ouf
orgi
veme
Me;
Idon’
t 
Him;Soi
nst
eady
ouwantt
ogoandf
uckt
hat
Lui
sboy 
Me;that
’snotabadidea.I
’
m surehemustbe
ver
ygoodkisser
,judgi
ngfrom hi
sLi
ps

IhavenoideawhatIwasthi
nki
ng,sayi
ngthi
s
shi
ttoSiy
a, si
nceIknowwhatabadtemperhe
has

Si
yast
oodupandcamet
owar
dsme.

Him;Iknowwhaty ou’
retryi
ngtodo,andbeli
eve
meitsworking.Bel
iev
emeIgett hepoi
ntOka.
Nowcany oust opwit
hthischaradeofyour
s?
BecauseI’
m abouttolosemyf ucki
ngtemper.
 
Me;
your
eal
l
ythi
nkIcar
e?GoaheadSi
ya.t
hrow
oneofyourt
ant
rums.Hopef
ull
yitwi
llmakey
ou
bet
ter
,andI’
l
lbeabl
etogetsomesleep 
Hi
m;Rifi
l
oe,whatmoredoy ouwantf
rom me?
I
’v
esaidI’
m sor
ry.Whatel
secanIdoforyout
o
f
orgi
veme?  
Me;youcangetyourlawy
ertogetourdiv
orce
paper
sdraf
ted,andthenyoul
eavemet hehel
l
al
one 
Hi
m;y
oudon’
tmeant
hat
 
Me;
Ido.Ir
eal
l
ydo.IwantoutSi
ya.
 
Hi
m;Nev
er 
Me; i
nt hatcaseyoucansi tther
eandwat chme
bewi t
hot herpeople,becausethereisnothing
youcandoabouti t.JustasIwatchedy ousi t
nexttot hatWHOREaf t
eryouwer et r
eat
ingme
l
ikeshit.LikeIwatchedy oudefendhert ome
aft
eryousl eptwit
hher .Iwantyout ofeelthe
painandhumi l
i
ati
ony ouputmet hroughSiya.
Everyinchofit.
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m sor
ry
Me;noamountofwordswi
l
lev
erbeenough.
NotnownoteverSi
ya 
Hi
m;don’
tdot
his 
Me;
youdi
dthi
s,andnowI
’
mfi
nishi
ngi
tof
f 
Hi
m;buty
ou’
remywi
fe 
Me’;wasIyou’
rewifewheny ouhady oudickin
heryouasshol
e?Orwheny ouhadyourmout h
onher?WasIy ourwif
ethen?YeSi ya?Wher e
wasIwheny oucamebecauseshewasr iding
you?YeSiya?Wereyouthinkaboutwhatt his
woulddotome?Whati twoul ddotoour
marri
age.Andnowher eyouar eact
ingal
l sorr
y
becauseoneguyshowsinterestinme 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe,
IsweartoGod,I
’l
lki
l
lhi
m.Heever
l
aysahandony ouagai
n,I
’l
lmakehi
mfucki
ng
di
sappear
Me;whatyouneedt
odoi smakey
our
sel
f
di
sappearf
rom myl
if
e. 
Hi
m;baby,
I’
m beggingyou.I
’
m sor
ry.Pl
ease
j
ustt
ell
mey ouunderst
and 
Me;Siy
a.You’r
estati
ngtoboreme.Ineedt
o
getsomesleep.I
ts5am al
ready
.Socanwejust
gohome? 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
rer
eal
l
ygi
vi
nguponus 
Me;Inever.Notoncegav euponus.YOUri
pped
usapart,
andnowI ’m notwil
l
ingt
ofight
any
mor e.
Hi
m;ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his 
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;Fi
ne,butdon’
tthi
nkf
orasecondt
hatIwi
l
l
maket
hiseasy 
Me;Idon’
twanty ourmoneySi y
a.Youcankeep
i
t.Ij
ustdon’
twantt obetiedtoyouanymore.
I
’mtir
edSiya.Ti
redoffighti
ngLinda.Ti
redof
f
ight
ingyourmother,andnowt ir
edoffi
ghti
ng
you.
 
Hi
m;(
sigh)Il
ovey
ouRi
fi
loe.Ir
eal
l
ydo.Soi
f
yout r
ulywantadivorcethenI’l
lgi
veittoyou.
ButallIaskist
haty outhinkaboutthi
sfir
st.
Givemeamont h,
andi fIcan’tconvi
nceyouto
stay.I
’l
llety
ougo

Me;Idon’tneedconv
inci
ng.Ij
ustneedy
out
o
t
akeast epback. 
Hi
m;okay
.Ift
hat
’swhaty
ouwant
,thenf
ine
Me;
Thanky
ou 
Istoodther
einfrontoft
hemanIthoughtlov
ed
me, andwatchedhim wi
peawayatearfr
om my
eyes. 
Hi
m;I
llshowy
out
oyourr
oom 
Me;
myr
oom 
Hi
m;You’
vebeenupal
lni
ght
.Youshoul
drest
 
Me;
fine

Si
yal
edmet
ooneoft
hebedr
ooms.Iwal
kedi
n
andcl
osedt
hedoor
,thenl
etoutasi
gh.
 
Idon’tknowwhatIwasthi
nki
ngany
more.I
l
ov edSiyabutatt
hesameti
meIwantedt
o
breathe.

Si
yawassuf focat
ingme,wit
hallhi
sli
es,and
hi
sjob,Ij
ustneededtimetofi
gureoutwhatI
wantedinmyl i
fe,
becauseri
ghtnowIwasata
cr
ossroad,andIdidn’
tknowwhethert
oleaveor
st
ay.

Il
ovedSi
ya,butIdi
dn’
tknowifIcoul
dev ert
rul
y
getov
erwhathedid.AndnowhereIwasnear l
y
doi
ngthesamet hi
ngal
lbecauseofanger.
 
Doesthatmakemej ustasbadashim, orwere
myactionsjusti
fi
ed.Imaynotknowt heanswer,
butIdoknowt hatIwouldneverbeabletoli
ve
wit
hmy selfknowingIjumpedfrom Si
yatoLuis
j
ustoutofpain.
[
05/
13,
16:
51]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

91

Iwokeupt hef ol
lowingmorning,feel
ingbett
er
thanIshould.Iexpectedtowakeupwi tha
hangoverofal if
eti
me, buti
nsteadIfeltl
ikemy
normalself
. 
Ipi
ckedupmyphonet
ocheckthet
ime,
andI
not
icedaWhat
sAppfr
om Lui
s

*
**hopey
out
akemeupont
hatof
ferf
orl
unch
*
***
***
Iwi
l
lmakei
twor
thy
ourwhi
l
e

Idi
dn’tknowwhatIwasl
etti
ngmy selfi
nwith
Lui
s.Itfel
tli
keIwasmovi
ngataspeedofa
mil
li
on,andIwasaboutt
ocrash.AllIneeded
nowwastojustgohome.Ineedspaceaway
fr
om ev
ery
thing,
justsoIcanbr
eat
h

Igotupandwenttothebathr
oom tofreshenup
whichwasabitdi
ff
icul
t,si
nceIdi
dn’thavemy
toi
let
ri
eswit
hme

Iwentbacktothebedroom andputonmy
shor
tsfrom l
astni
ghtandtookoutgum f
rom
mybag.

Iwasdr eadi
ngseeingSiya.Somuchhad
happenedsinceyesterdaywhenhet oldme
aboutthewholeJessicaissue.It
houghtgoing
outwoul dhel
p,butinallt
rut
hsIstil
lfel
tangry
andsodamnconf used.

Iwantedt
ofor
getaboutt
hiswhol et
hingso
badl
ybutmyheartj
ustwouldn’
tletme.
Iwentdownst
airsandfoundSi
yasi
tt
inginthe
sameplaceIl
efthi
ml astni
ght
.Hedi
dn’tl
ook
l
ikehehadgott
enanysl eep

Me;
Mor
ning 
Hi
m;Hi
 
Me;
weneedt
otal
k 
Hi
m;si
t

Isatnexttohim,butthenst
oodupandsaton
hislapinsquatposi
ti
on.Hetensedabi
t,but
didn’tmove

Me;Si
ya.(si
gh)Iloveyou.Ireal
l
ydo,butwhat
youdi
dhashonest l
ybrokenme.Ifeelsodamn
l
ostandconfused.Iknowy ousayyou’
resorr
y,
butIj
ustdon’
tknowhowIcanmov eonf rom
thi
s.Ev
eryt
ime,Icl
osemyeyesIseeyouwit
h
her,
andIdon’
tknowift
hatwi
llev
erst
op. 
Ihadsuchhi ghhopesf orus.It houghty ouandI
woul dbet ogetherforever.Ijust(sniff)never
thoughty ouwoul dcheat .Ithoughtwewer e
solid,butobv i
ouslywewer en’t.SonowI
honest l
yjustneedt imeawayf r om you,andt hi
s
whol esituati
on.Ineedt oassessi fIreallywant
tomaket hiswor k,ori
fIwantout .Ineedy outo
tryjustlett
ingmemaket hisdeci siononmy
own.Idon’ twanty out otryandconv i
ncemeor
i
nt erf
ere.

Hi
m;Ir
eal
l
yhur
tyoudi
dn’
tI?
Me;
(si
gh)mor
ethanIev
ert
houghtpossi
ble 
Him;whatwasIt
hinki
ngRi
fi
loe?If
oughtso
hardt
ohaveyouandnowIgoandr ui
nital
l
. 
Me;IjustwishedIunder
stoodwhySi
ya.May
be
i
fIdid,thenIcoul
dlookpastit
.If
eel
li
keI
pushedyoutoher
.May bei
fIhadbeenl
ess
stubbor
nyouwouldn’
thavedonei
t 
Him; i
twasn’
ty ouRif
il
oe.Pleasedon’tever
thi
nkitwasy ou.Iwasanidiot.Il
etmypr ide
aboutthemissiongettome.Shej ustknewhow
tobrushmyego, andthenextt hi
ngIknew, she
wasnexttome.I twasstupidandi nconsi
derat
e.
IfIcoul
dturnbacktime,I’
ddoi ti
nahear tbeat
. 
Me;
(si
gh)(
sni
ff
) 
Hi
m;Whendoy
ouwantt
ogohome
Me;
today
 
Hi
m;pl
easedon’
tcr
ybaby
.Pl
ease
Me;Idon’tknowwhatt odoSiya(sni
ff
)howdoI
getoverthi
s?Iwantt osobad.Iwantthi
slump
i
nmyt hroattodisappear
.Iwanttoseeyouas
themanIf i
rstf
elli
nlovewith
Him;IknowI’v
elety
oudown, butIpromi
seyou
t
hatifyouI’
vemeanotherchance,I’
l
lnev
erhur
t
youagain.I
’
lll
eavet
heforce.We’l
ll
eaveandgo
backhome.Ri
fi
loe,I
’
llgi
veyouthel
i
fey
ouwant
.
Isweari
tonmyf at
her’
sgrave
Me; Siya,t
hisforceisyourli
fe.Ifyoul
eavefor
me, youmi ghtregreti
tlat
er.Idon’twantyou
resentingme.Iwanty outol eavebecauseyou
wantt o,notbecausey oufeelthatyouhaveto
becauseofme.

Siyawantedt osaysomething,
butmyphone
rang,
andi nter
ruptedhim.Il
ookedatthecal
l
er
I
Dandsawi twasLui s.Il
ookedoveratSi
yaand
i
nstantl
yfeltguil
ty

Him;Ihopey
ou’r
enotaski
ngmefort
imeaway
soyoucanspendyourt
imewi
tht
hattwi
t 
Me;
Iwoul
dn’
tdot
hatt
oyou 
Him;t
henyouneedtobl
ockt
hef
uckerbef
oreI
getmyhandsonhim
Me;
youcan’
tkeept
hreat
eni
ngt
odot
hingsl
i
ke
thi
sSiy
a.Whati
fIdeci
deIdon’
twanttobewit
h
youandIwantt
omov eon?Areyougoi
ngtoki
ll
ever
yguyIcomeincont
actwit
h? 
Hi
m;(chuckl
es)Imi
ghtj
usthav
eto.
 
Me;
that
’snotf
unny
 
Hi
m;I
t’
sonl
yaj
oke.Iwoul
dn’
tgot
hatf
ar.
 
Me;
good 
Him;butI
’m ser
iousRi
fi
loe.Idon’twantyou
speaki
ngorspendingt
imewi ththatLui
sguy.
You’r
esti
l
lmywi fe.
 
Me;
I’
m notmaki
nganypr
omi
ses 
Hi
m;I
sthi
syourwayofpuni
shi
ngme
Me;
no 
Hi
m;f
eel
sli
kei
t 
Me; (
sigh)Si
ya,I
’
m notgoingtogetinvol
ved
withanyonewhil
eI’
m sti
l
lmar r
iedtoyou.I
respectmysel
ftoomucht odothat.Ishoul
dn’
t
havegivenLuismynumber .
 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
l
lbl
ockhi
m 
Me;
no.butIwi
l
ltel
lhi
mtot
akeast
epback 
Hi
m;mhmm 
Me;
weshoul
dgohome 
Him;CanIaskyoutost
ayf
ortheChri
stmas
part
ytoni
ght,
theny
oucanfl
youttomorrow 
Me;
butt
omor
rowsChr
ist
mas
Hi
m;andy
ourbi
rt
hday
 
Me;
Iknow 
Hi
m;sostayt
il
lthe26t
h,thenleaveforJHB.I
washopi
ngwecouldspendy ourbi
rt
hday
t
oget
her 
Me;
Idon’
tknow 
Hi
m; pl
ease.Ol
wethoi
ssoexci
tedt
ohavey
our
bi
rt
hdayandChrist
masonthesameday
 
Me;
don’
tuseOl
wet
hot
ofi
ghtourbat
tl
es 
Hi
m;I
’
m not
,it
’st
het
rut
h 
Me;Fi
ne.Justt
il
lthe26t
h.ThenI
’
m goi
ng
home 
Hi
m;t
hanky
ou

Idon’tknowwhatIwast hi
nki
ngst
aying,
butI
di
dn’twantt oletOlwet
hodown.Aft
erallhei
s
i
nnocenti nall
this.

Hi
m; weshoul
dgohome.I
’
vegotamil
l
ion
t
hingst
hatneedt
obedonebef
oret
oni
ght 
Me;
doy
ouneedhel
pwi
thanyofi
t 
Hi
m;nope,
Ihi
redapl
anner
.Al
lIneedi
syouby
mysi
de 
Me; Si
yawearetechni
cal
lysepar
ated.Youcan’
t
expectmetopretendt
hatthi
ngsareok
betweenus 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,t
hisisabi
gnightforme.I
’
dreal
l
y
appr
eci
ateiti
fy ouwer
ethere 
Me;
but
 
Hi
m;pl
ease
Me;
don’
tmaket
hatf
ace 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
recomi
ng 
Me;
youdon’
tgi
veupdoy
ou 
Hi
m;notony
ouIdon’
t 
Me;
fine,
I’
ll
bet
her
e 
Hi
m;Good,
becauseIboughty
ouacockt
ail
dr
ess
Me;mxm,
nowy
ou’
rest
art
ingt
oannoyme
agai
n 
Hi
m;whatdi
dIdonow 
Me;Siy
a,we’
renotgoi
ngtofightagai
n.You
knowyouwerewrong.Butnonetheless,
I’
ll
let
i
tsli
de 
Hi
m;ThankGod.Iwasgear
ingupf
orr
ound2
Me;
Let
’sj
ustgetoutofher
ebef
oreIsl
apy
ou 
Hi
m;y
ouhav
etomov
eof
fmyl
apf
ir
st

It
riedstandi
ngupbutheputhishandsonmy
waistandpushedmebackdown.Ilookedi
nto
hi
sey esandsawt heywer
ealotl
esgloomy.
Theyhadahi ntofhopei
nthem.
Me;
letgo 
Hi
m;Idon’
tknowi
fIwantt
o 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;Ki
ssme

Il
ookedathi slipsandfel
tsodamnt empted,
myhear twasr aci
ngandmyst omachgott i
ed
upi nknots.Iwant edtokisshim, hel
lIhadn’t
beenwi t
hhi mi nov eramont h,myent i
rebody
cravedhim, butatt hesamet imeIcoul dn’t
bringmy selftodoinganything, becauseallI
couldseei nmyheadwasapi ctureofhim and
Jess
Me;
I’
m notr
eady
 
Hi
m;Iunder
stand 
Me;
Thanky
ou
Si
yaletgoofmywai st
,andIl
eanedi
nandgav
e
hi
m akissonthecheek,t
hengotup.
 
Si
yagotup,
andt
ookmyhand,
aswewal
ked
outt
ogohome.

Imaynotknowwhatt heoutcomeofour
mar r
iagewas,butI’l
lbehonestandsayi tfel
t
goodt ohavespokent oSiyaabouthowIf eel
.
I’
m sot emptedtojusttel
lSiyaI’
ll
givehi
m
anotherchance,butIknowI ’
dbel yi
ngtomy sel
f,
becausemyhear twashonest l
ysti
lli
npieces.
Rightnowwhatwebot hneededwasspace.
May beafteracoupleofweeks, wecancome
togetheranddiscussawayf orward.
[
05/
13,
16:
51]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
92

WhenSiyaandIgothome, Iwentst
rai
ghttoour
room t
otakeabat h.Iwassohungr
y,butf
ir
stI
neededtofeel
clean. 
WhenIwasdone, Iwalkedt otheroom withjust
atowelwr appedar oundme.IsawSi yasit
ting
onthebedwi thhislaptopandami schi
evous
smil
eonhi sface.Ijustknewhewasgoi ngt o
tr
ysomet hing,andunf ortunatel
yformeIhadt o
walkpasthi mt ogettot hecloset.
 
Istoodint
hedoorwayjustl
ooki
ngathi
m,
tr
yingtoweighmyopt
ions.

Si
yal
ookedupatme 
Hi
m;andnow?
 
Me;
don’
tyouwantt
owor
kupst
air
s 
Him;notr
eal
l
y.Theguy
sar
eupt
her
emaki
ng
noi
se 
Me;
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)ButIneedt
ogetdr
essed 
Hi
m;and?
 
Me; Si
ya,y
ouhav
ethatst
upi
dgri
nonyourface,
whichcanonl
ymeanonethi
ng,
andthati
s
t
rouble 
Hi
m;Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ou’
ret
alki
ngabout
 
Me;
Siy
amaan
Hi
m;WhaRi
fi
loe.I
mjustsi
tt
ingher
ewor
king
Me;
wabonahe 
Hi
m;f
ine,
Il
ll
ookaway
 
Me;
I’
m notf
all
i
ngf
ort
hatagai
n 
Hi
m;haai
,Uzomal
aphot
il
lKi
ngdomecomeke

Ir
oll
edmyeyesandsl
owlywalkedtowar
dsthe
cl
oset,
andasIknewi
t,Si
yapushedhisl
apt
op
t
othesi
deandpul
l
edmet
owar
dshi
m

Me;
Siy
awabona,
Ijustknewi
t 
Hi
m;y
ouknowmet
owel
l
 
Me;
Letgo 
Hi
m;Idon’
tthi
nkIcoul
dev
ert
rul
ylety
ougo 
Me;
youmi
ghtneedt
ooneoft
heseday
s 
Him;wel
lIsti
l
lhav
ey oufornow,
andIpl
anon
usi
ngthatt
omyadv ant
age 
Me;Siya.YouknowIcan’
tresi
sty
ou.I
t’
sagi v
en.
ButIneedy out
otryandr
espectmydeci
sion.
 
Hi
m;onecondi
ti
on 
Me;
What
 
Hi
m;aki
ss 
Me;
no 
Him;
comeon.I’
vemissedy
ousobadsi
nce
comi
ngbackf
rom Br
azil
 
Me;
Siy
amaan 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
Itsst
il
lme
Me;
(si
gh)Idon’
tknowaboutt
hat
 
Hi
m;l
etmemakei
tupt
oyou

Me;
youcan,
byl
ett
ingmebe
Hi
m;butbaby
,whycan’
tyoust
ay,
andhav
eus
wor
konushere 
Me;
oqadi
l
ejwal
e.Wej
ustspokeaboutt
his 
Hi
m;Ok,
I’
ll
lety
ougoonecondi
ti
on 
Me;
what
 
Hi
m;Gi
vemeaki
ss

Me;
nothappeni
ng 
Hi
m;whynot
 
Me;becauset
hatwoul
donl
ycompl
i
cat
ethi
ngs
ev
enmor e 
Hi
m;how?You’
remywi
fe 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;ok,
ok,
butwi
l
lIgetagoodby
eki
ss 
Me;
may
be 
Hi
m;Butbaby
,youcantj
ustsaymay
be

Hepul
ledmecloser,
andItr
iedt
oti
ght
enmy
t
owel,
becauseIcoul
dfeel
thati
twasaboutt
o
f
all
off

Me;
Siy
a,myt
owel
isgoi
ngt
ofal
l
 
Hi
m;l
eti
t.Ial
readyknowwhat
’sunder
neat
hit
 
Me;
Siy
ahl
e 
Hi
m;Baby
,I’
vemi
ssedy
ou.
 
Me;Siya,havi
ngsex
,isnotgoingtochange
t
hings.Itwil
lj
ustmakethem worse 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
venev
erhadsexwi
thy
ou.Not
ev
er.I
’
veonlyev
ermadel
ovet
oyou.Ev
ery
si
ngl
etime 
Me;
butIneedt
imet
otr
ygetov
eri
t 
Hi
m;ok 
Me;
thanky
ou,
butnowl
etgo

Si
ya,letgo,
buti
twast ool
ate,mytowelwas
al
readyonthefl
oor.Ihadnochoi
cebuttobend
downandpi cki
tup.Iwasbeyondblushi
ng,
and
Si
yaal lsmi
l
es.Mxm 
Iwr
appedmytowel ar
oundmy sel
fagai
n,and
l
ookedatt
hisi
diotofahusband.

Me;
youar
eannoy
ingasf
uck 
Hi
m;buty
oul
ovemeany
way
 
Me;
Unf
ort
unat
elyIdo 
Hi
m;Thent
her
e’shope 
Me;
canIgogetdr
essednow 
Hi
m;wi
thpl
easur
e

Irol
ledmyey esathim,andwenttothecloset
togetdressed.Iputonmyjeanshortsanda
spaghet
tistraptop,wi
thmysli
ppers.

Idi
dn’tseethepointofgetti
ngalldressedupifI
wasn’tgoingany
wher e.Pl
usIwoul dhav etoget
al
ldolleduptoni
ghtforSiya’spar
ty,andI
neededmyski ntobreathsinceIsleptwith
makeupon

WhenIwasdone,
Iwentt
other
oom,
andf
ound
Si
yai
nthebl
anket
s 
Me;
Ithoughty
ouhadal
otofwor
ktodo 
Hi
m;Ineedanapf
ir
st.Idi
dn’
treal
l
ysl
eepl
ast
ni
ght
 
Me;t
hat’
swhathappenswheny
oust
alk
someone 
Hi
m;Ihav
etot
akecar
eofmyi
nter
est
s 
Me;
sowhydi
dn’
tyoucomei
ntot
hecl
ub
Hi
m; becauseIknewifIcameintothatcl
ub,I
wouldhavekil
ledbot
hofy ou.Nai
lsfucki
ng
l
ockedmei nthecar 
Me;
yourt
hreat
sar
ebor
ingy
az.
 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
I’
m deadser
ious.Myj
eal
ousyi
s
oneanot
herlevel
 
Me;
youneedt
owor
koni
t 
Hi
m;asl
ongasy
oupr
omi
senott
odowhatI
di
d 
Me;(chuckl
es)Iam notmakinganypr
omises.
SAhast onsofel
igi
blebachel
ors.Imi
ghtj
ust
gett
empt ed

Si
yawassodamnpr
edi
ctabl
e.Hi
sey
es
i
mmedi at
elywidened,andheclenchedhisf
ist
s.
HestoodupandIdi dn’tmove.Ourfaceswere
soclose,
Icouldbasicall
ysmellt
hemi nt
y
fr
eshnessfrom hi
smout hwash 
Hi
m;Rif
il
oe,Iswear
,Il
lfucki
nggomad.Don’
t
j
okel
i
ket hat
 
Me;whosaidIwasj
oki
ng?Yout
hinkI
’
m scar
ed
ofy
ourfi
sts?

Il
eanedinandputmyl
ipsonhis.Hedidn’
t
move,Iknewhewasst
ill
pissedbecauseof
whatIsaid.
 
Istartedki ssi
nghi m slowlyandlustful
ly,
he
slowl ystartedlet
tinggoandki ssedmeback.I
knowwasonl ydoingthisjustt
opr ovemypoi nt
thatIcoul deasi l
yseducehi m,butatt hesame
ti
mei tfeltsogoodt obei nhisarm, andtohav e
hislipsonmi ne.IjustwishedIcoul dhaveall
of
him, butIknewIwoul dn’
tbeablet otrul
ysee
thingswhenI fIsleptwi t
hhim. 
SoIpull
edback,
justasthi
ngswer
eheat
ingup.
Si
yalookedatmeconfused 
Hi
m;whydi
dyoust
op 
Me;
webot
hknowwhy
 
Him;(sigh)you’
rekil
l
ingmewi ththesegames
ofyours.Rif
il
oe,Igetthepoi
nt.Beli
evemeIdo 
Me;
Let
sgohav
ebr
eakf
ast
 
Hi
m;we’
rei
nthemi
ddl
eofsomet
hing 
Me;
notany
mor
ewe’
renot
.

Itur
nedaroundandwal kedtotheki
tchen,and
l
eftSiy
astandingtherewithaboner
.Hewas
honestl
ycrazyifhethoughtt
hatwit
hjustaf ew
sweetwords,Iwouldjustfor
giv
eandf or
get. 
Wellhehadanot
hert
hingcoming.Ther
ewas
nowayIwasgoingtolethi
m offt
hehookt
hat
easi
l
y .
WhenIgott
otheVer
anda,If
oundBoni
and
Hl
okeshavi
ngbr
eakf
ast.
 
Igr
eet
edt
hem andsatnex
ttoBonu

Her
;thankGod.It
houghtSi
yahadki
l
ledy
ou
l
ongago 
Me;f
ri
endyouhavenoi dea,
whatIshockIgot
,
whenIsawhi
mi nthatdamncar 
Her
;youar
ecr
azyy
az 
Me;
justgi
vi
nghi
m at
ast
eofhi
sownmedi
cine

Hl
okesl
aughed 
Him;youarehonestlygoi
ngtogivethemana
hear
tattack.Youshould’
veseenhisfacewhen
hesawthef ootage 
Mel
foot
age 
Hi
m;oh,
I’
m guessi
ngy
oudon’
tknow 
me;
Knowwhat
 
Hi
m;t
hat
’soneofSi
ya’
scl
ubs.
 
Me;ye.Sov
elav
elahesentmet
her
esohe
coul
dspyonme 
Hi
m; y
ep,andy oudidagreatjobofmaki
nghi
m
mad.Hebasicall
ytoret
heof f
icei
nhalf
 
Me;
no
Hi
m; ser
ious.Hesmashedt
heent
ir
eof
fi
ce.I
t’
s
at
otalmessi nt
here 
Me;
nowonderhe’
ssl
eepi
ngi
nthebedr
oom

AsIwasbusydishi
ngup, Si
yawal kedinandsat
nextt
ome.Icouldtel
lhehadj usthadashower.
HelookedsogoodinjustJeansandaT- shi
rt
,
andsneaker
s,andsmelledl
ikeami ll
i
onbucks.
Hi
m;Pl
easedi
shupf
orme.

Si
yawassodam l
azyatt
ime.Li
keser
iousl
y,al
l
hehadt
odowashol
dapl
ateandputf
oodi
nit
. 
Idi
shedupforhi
m,andt
hensatdownandhad
mybreakf
ast.

Si
ya’sphonerang,justaswewer ehaving
br
eakfast.Helookedatt heCall
erIDandt hen
l
ookedatme.Hedi dn’tanswerthecall
.Instead
hejustt
ookthephoneandputi tont hetabl
e.

Il
ookedathi
m suspi
ciousl
y.Somet
hingt
oldme
i
twasthi
sJessicachi
ck. 
BoninudgedHl
okes,
andt
heybot
hst
oodupt
o
l
eave. 
Ipi
ckedupSi
ya’
sphone,
andcheckedthecal
l
er
ID,
andasfat
ewouldhav
eit
,itwasJessi
ca.

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
fucky
ou 
Hi
m;(
sigh)baby
,it
sjustbusi
ness.Iswear
 
Me;
what
ever
.

Myappet i
tei
mmediatel
yvanished.HereSiy
a
wast el
li
ngmehowmuchhewant sshitt
owor k
out,andhowIneedtoblockLuis,butonthe
otherhandhewassti
lli
ncont actwit
hJessica.

Istoodupandwentt oseeOlwet ho.Thelast

thi
ngIwant edwastofi
ghtwi thSiyabecauseof
thi
schick.JustwhenIthoughtwet ookast ep
for
ward.Hehadawayoft akingusbackt o
squareone.

HowdoIst ayi
nsuchar el
ati
onshi
p?HowdoI
begi
nbuil
dingthet
rustbet
weenuswhenIcan’
t
tr
usthi
mt okeeptohisword? 
Ihadst
art
edt hi
nki
ngther
ewashopef
orus,
but
nowIwasn’tsosure
[
05/
13,
16:
52]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

93
Iwentstraightt
o‘’
our’
’room withSiy
acomi ng
afterme.IknowImi ghtbeov er
react
ing,butthe
thoughtthatSiy
awoul dsti
l
lhavecont actwith
Jessica,
afterever
ythi
ngdrivesmecr azy. 
Iexpectedhi
m nottospeakwit
hheragain,but
i
nsteadshewasst i
l
l cal
l
inghi
m onhispersonal
phone,andagai
n,I’
m expect
edtobeokaywi th
i
t,j
ustbecausehesay si
tsbusi
ness?

Igott
other
oom andtr
iedcl
osi
ngt
hedoor
,but
Siy
awasalr
eadyatt
hedoor.

Hi
m;cany
ouj
ustl
i
sten 
Me;
noSi
ya.I
’
mti
redofl
i
steni
ngt
oyourl
i
es
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loeI
’
m notl
yi
ng
Me;
Siy
a,j
ustdr
opi
tok 
Him;No.Youcan’tkeepplayingthesegames.I
getIhur
tyou.ButIwouldn’tdoitagain.Ineed
youtobeli
eveme 
Me; Beli
evey ou?It
rustedyouwheny ouswore
nothingwoul dhappenbetweenyouandJessica.
Andy ethereIam af ewweekslaterwithmy
worldfall
ingapart,
allbecausey
oudi dn’
tkeep
yourpromi se 
Hi
m; Ri
fi
loe.FORGODSSAKEISAIDI
M SORRY.
Whatel
sedoy ouwantmetodo?
 
Me;nothi
ng.Idon’
texpectorwantany
thi
ng
f
rom yourl
yingass 
Him; I
’v
eapologised,andnowI’m done
apologisi
ng.I
fyouwantt ogothengo.Fuck
sakesIcan’tt
aket hi
sshitany
mor e 
Me;
it’
saboutdamnt
ime

Si
yat
urnedar
oundandl
eftmest
andi
ngt
her
e.I
don’tunderstandhowhet hi
nksit
sokforhimto
speaktoJessi ca,buttel
l
smet obl
ockLuis.
Siyacan’texpectthingstoapplyt
ome, but
whenheneedst oapplythem t
herear
e
excepti
onst other ul
e.

Itookadeepbr eat
h,andchangedi
ntomy
runni
nggear.Ihadn’twor
kedoutproper
lysi
nce
theshoot
ing,andIthinki
twastimeIgotback
i
ntothegym.

Iwentdownst
air
s,andfoundsomeoft
he
guar
dsinthegym.Theyallcl
ear
edt
heroom
whentheysawme.

Idi
dn’
tbothersay
inganyt
hing.Ij
ustputonmy
headphonesandstar
tedworkingout.

Ir
anont
het
readmi
l
l,t
hendi
dsomecy
cli
ng.By
thet
imeIwasdonewi t
hweight
s,Iwas
sweati
ngl
ikecrazy.Idi
dn’
treal
i
zehowunfitI
hadbecome.Igulpeddownabot t
leofwat
er.

WhenIgotbacktoourr
oom,
Siy
awaswor
king
of
fhi
slaptopinourr
oom.

Itookmyheadphonesoff,
andpluggedthei
Pod
i
nt hespeaker
s,andwentwit
hittothe
bathroom.

Ifeltli
keli
steni
ngt ooldschoolRNBandIdi dn’
t
wantt obedi st
urbed.Ichangedoutofmy
clothes,andpressedplay.Thefir
stsongt hat
blastedthroughthespeakerswasTy r
ese-how
yougonnaactl i
kethat.Ismil
edabi tbecause
ofhowr el
evantitwast ooursi
tuati
on.

Igoti
ntot
heshower
,andl
ett
hehotwat
er
soot
hemyachi
ngmuscl
es.

Idi
dn’
thearSiy
acominginbecauset
hemusic
wassoloud.Al
lIf
eltwer
ehisarmsaroundme.

IknowIwasmadathi m,butbeingtheshower
withhi
mremindedmeoft hefi
rstti
mewemade
l
oveinCT.Iwantedsobadtotellhi
mt ogetout
butatt
hesamet i
meIcravedtheinti
macywe
oncehad.

Heki
ssedmyneckandIf
eltshi
ver
srunni
ngal
l
t
hewaydownmyback.

Itur
nedaroundl
ookedatmy“
crazyst
upi
d
husband’
’

Hi
m;I
’
m sor
ry 
Me;
Iknowy
ouar
e 
Hi
m;soy
ou’
rewi
l
li
ngt
ofor
giv
e 
Me;wit
hti
memaybe.ButfornowIj
ustneedt
o
t
rywrappi
ngmyheadaroundit
 
Hi
m;y
ouknowIl
ovey
our
ight
 
Me;
Ilov
eyout
oo
Hi
m;soki
ssme

Hel eanedinandputhi sli

psonmi ne.Ididn’
t
mov eforamoment ,becauseofallt
het hought
s
goingthroughmyhead.Iwant edt
of orgiveand
forgetsobad,butsomet hingwaskeepi ngme
from doingso.Iendedupgi vi
nginthough
becauseIcr av
edhim asmuchashecr avedme.

Istar
tedki
ssi
nghi
m back,wi
thasmuch
i
ntensit
yashewaski
ssingme.Ist
oodonmy
ti
ppytoes,
andputmyarmsaroundhi
sneck
andj
ustenj
oyedt
hemoment

Forthefi
rstti
mesi ncehegotbackt herewere
nogames, rev
enget acti
cs,secr
etsorguil
t.I
t
wasjustourtwol ostsoulstr
ytofindthei
rway
backtoeachot her.

Wekissedforsolong, Ithinkwebot
hf or
gotwe
wereintheshower,neitherofuswantedtopul
l
back,
butwehadt obr eat he.

Ipull
edbackf
istbecausemyt
oeswer
eget
ti
ng
sore.

Hi
m;I
’
vemi
ssedy
ou
Me;
I’
vemi
ssedy
out
oo 
Hi
m;nomor
efi
ght
ing 
Me;
Idon’
tknowi
fIcanpr
omi
set
hat
 
Hi
m;(
chuckl
es)y
ouar
eaf
ir
ecr
ackeratt
imes 
Me;
buty
oumar
ri
edmeany
way
 
Him;Imarri
edyoubecauseIloveev
ery
thi
ng
aboutyou.
.event
houghy oudri
vemecrazy
 
Me;
weshouldgetoutofher
e.I
’
m sur
eOl
wet
ho
i
swonder
ingwhereweare 
Him;he’
sgoneshoppingwit
hnail
s.t
henhe'
s
goi
ngtospendthenightatt
hehousewestay
ed
i
n 
Me;
whoownst
hathousebyt
heway
?
Hi
m;Hl
okesboughti
tforBoni
Me;
sowhydi
dwest
ayt
heni
ghtt
her
e 
Hi
m;canwenott
alkaboutl
astni
ghtpl
ease
Me;
why
 
Him;becauseI
'
m notv
erypr
oudoft
het
hought
s
ihad 
Me;
whatt
hought
s 
Hi
m;babe.Pl
ease 
me;
fine.ButImi
ssOl
wet
ho
Hi
m;gi
vesusmor
eti
met
omakeup 
Me;
makeup?
Hi
m; hawbaby,
pleasedon’
ttel
lmey
ou’
rest
il
l
pl
anningongoi
ngtoQwaQwa 
Me;
Isur
eashel
lam 
Hi
m;but
 
Me;
butnothing.Imaybecal
mer
,butIst
il
lneed
t
oprocessthings 
Hi
m;doIhav
easayi
nthemat
ter
 
Me;
no 
Him;
sohowl
ongar
eyoupl
anni
ngonbei
ng
away
 
Me;
asl
ongasIneed 
Hi
m;canIcomewi
th 
Me;
no
Hi
m; butRi
fi
loe,
whydoIfeel
li
key
ou’
renot
pl
anningoncomingback 
Me;Si
yacanwej ustenj
oythefewdayswe
havel
efttoget
her
.Idon’
tknowwhatthefut
ure
hol
ds.I’
m notgoi
ngtomakeempt ypr
omises.
Justl
etmegetmyshi tt
ogetheri
nmyhead
Hi
m;I
fthat
’swhaty
our
eal
l
ywant
,Thenok
Me;
Thankyou.Nowl
et’
sgetoutofher
e.Ineed
t
odrymyhair

Siy
agotoutfi
rst
,thenIf
oll
owed.It
ookatowel
andwrappedi
taroundmeandhedi dt
hesame.

Bythist
imeNor
ahJones"
don’
tknowwhy
"was
pl
aying.

Hi
m;dancewi
thme 
Me;
int
owel
s 
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
whynot

Heheldouthi shandandpulledmecl oser

.We
sl
owdancedont hebathr
oom f l
oorasifwehad
nowor r
iesatall
.Ilovedt
hismansomuchand
coul
dn’treal
lyimaginemywor l
dwithouthim,
butatthesamet imehehadbr okenmyhear tso
bad.Icouldseehewast ryi
ngtobuildusup
agai
n,butIstil
lhadsomanyconcer ns.

Aft
erourdance,
hel
ookedatmeandj
ust
smil
ed.

Me;
what
 
Hi
m;y
ou 
Me;
whatdi
dIdo 
Hi
m;Yougi
vemehope 
Me;
don’
tst
artwi
tht
hat
 
Hi
m;ok,come,
let
’sgogetdr
essed.Youneedt
o
dr
yyourhai
r
Me;
that
’sgoi
ngt
otakemef
orev
erbyt
heway
 
Hi
m;wantsomehel
p 
Me;
whatdoy
ouknowaboutdr
yingweav
e 
Hi
m;y
ou’
dbesur
pri
sed.

Isatont hedressi
ngtabl
eandlethim dr
ymy
hair.ImustsaySiyahadnoideawhathewas
doing,butIdi
dn’twanttosayanyt
hing.

Whenhefi
nal
lysai
dhewasdone,
mostofmy
scal
pwassti
l
lwet

Hi
m;al
ldone 
Me;
thanky
ou
Hi
m;Isuckatt
hisdon’
tI 
Me;(
chuckel
s)y
aah,
youshoul
dst
ickt
oyour
dayj
ob 
Hi
m;Ipl
anoni
t

Si
yawentt
ogetdr
essed,
whi
l
eIf
ini
sheddr
ying
myhai
r.

BythetimeIhadf i
nishedwi
thmyhai
rand
get
tingdressed,
Siyawasbackonthebed
working

Me;I
’m goi
ngt
omakeasmoot
hie.Doy
ouwant
one?
 
Hi
m;smoot
hie?Haai
.Not
hanky
ou 
Me;
what
’swr
ongwi
thasmoot
hie 
Him;Ineedfood,
notsmoothi
es.Idi
dn’
treal
l
y
gett
of i
nishmybreakf
ast
 
Me;
soy
ouwantmet
omakey
oubr
unch?
 
Him;no,
Iwantyout
osi
ther
ewithmewhi
l
e,I
askMam Mart
hatomakeusbr
unch 
Me;
shoul
dn’
tyoubewor
king 
Him; yes,butthehouseisamess.Thepart
y
plannerandherpeopl eareget
ti
ngever
ythi
ng
readyf ort
onight
Me;
int
hatcase,
Bedi
tis

Iwentandl
aynextt
ohi
m.

Me;ifI
’
m goingtost
ayinher
ewi
thy
out
henI
needyoutocuddleme 
Him;onl
yifwecanf
ini
shwhatwest
art
edi
nthe
shower
Me;
whatexact
lydoy
oumeanby“
fi
nishof
f’
’
Hi
m;y
ouknowmos 
Me;
sor
rybuddy
,butt
hatshi
tai
nthappeni
ng 
Hi
m;andwhynot
 
Me;
becausewear
eabst
aini
ng 
Hi
m;i
sn’
titasi
ntodepr
ivey
ourhusband 
Me;no,
buti
t’
sasinf
oryourhusbandt
osl
eep
wi
thsomeoneot
hert
hanthei
rwife 
Him;sohowlongar
ewesupposedt
obe
abst
aini
ngf
or 
Me;
40day
sand40ni
ght
s

Si
ya’
smout
hli
ter
all
ydr
oppedopen

Hi
m;butRi
fi
loe,
Lov
ethat
’sj
ustt
ort
urous 
Me;
youdeser
vei
t 
Hi
m;(
sigh)y
aahne 
Me;pleasest
opsul
ki
ngandcal
lmam Mar
tha.
I
’m hungry
Hepi
ckeduphi
sphoneandcal
l
edmam Mar
tha.

Wehadbr unchandlunchi nbed.Iwas

surpri
sedthatnoonedi sturbedus.Iwasso
usedtohim beingforeverbusy,Ihadtot
all
y
forgot
tenhowi tf
elttojustchil
lwit
hhim and
trul
yenjoyhiscompany .

Wespentthewholedaytoget
her
.Wejustkept
st
uff
ingourfaceswi
thfoodandwat
ching
movi
es. 
Si
yanearl
yfel
lasl
eept
hroughmostoft
he
movi
es,buteacht
imeIwouldwakehi
m up.

Whenwel
ookedatt
het
imei
twasal
ready6pm.

Me;
shoul
dn’
twebeget
ti
ngr
eady
 
Hi
m; (
sigh)weshoul
d,buttobehonest
,Idon’
t
r
eal
lyfeell
ikedoi
ngthi
stonight
 
Me;
Siy
agetup,
Let
sgogetdr
essed 
Hi
m;Ipr
efert
ogetundr
essed

Ihi
thi
m pl
ayf
ull
yont
hechest

Me;
gety
ourheadoutt
hegut
ter
Hi
m;f
ine.Come,
I’
ll
showy
ouy
ou’
redr
ess

Iwalkedwi
thSi
yatohissideoft
hecl
oset
.He
pul
ledoutasui
tcoverandgavei
ttome.

Iunzi
ppedi
t,andoutcameoneofthemost
exqui
sit
edr
essesthatIhadev
erseen

I
twasasi
l
verA-
li
ner
oundneckbow-
knot
,ov
er
t
hekneel
acef
lar
eki
ndofdr
ess.

Il
ookedati
tinawe.

Me;
it’
sbeaut
if
ul 
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t.
 
Me;
Ilov
eit

Hegav
ememat
chi
ngsi
l
veropent
oesandal
s

Hi
m;onemor
ethi
ngmi
ssi
ng 
Me;
what
 
Hi
m;j
ewel
ry

Hewentopenedaboxi
nhishandthathada
beaut
if
uli
nfi
nit
ydi
amondbracel
et
Me;
Siy
athi
sist
oomuch
Him;Ri
fi
loe,
You’
remywi
fe.I
t’
smydut
ytospoi
l
you 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m;don’
t.
 
Me;
inf
ini
tyhuh 
Hi
m;y
es.For
ever
 
Me;
Ilov
eit
 
Hi
m;t
urni
tar
ound.

Itur
nedt
hebracel
etaroundandsawthathe
hadengr
avedour“weddingdat
e’’
ont
heback

Me;
lov
eitev
enmor
e 
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
ad.
 
Me;
(si
gh)
 
Hi
m;what
 
Me;
Ijustdon’
tknowi
fIcanacceptt
his 
Him;Ri
fi
loe,Iboughtt
hatforyoubef
oreIl
eft
f
orBrazi
l.Ij
ustdidn’
thaveti
met ogi
veitt
o
you.
 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m;st
opt
hanki
ngmeandgetdr
essed 
Me;Ineedtomymakeupandt
henmyhai
r,t
hen
onl
ywillIgetdr
essed 
Hi
m;haaRi
fi
loe,
peopl
ewi
l
lst
artar
ri
vi
ngany
mi
nut
enow 
Me;Si
ya,
incaseyouf
orgoty
ouar
etheone
whomadeuslate 
Him;I’
m goi
ngupstai
rstomakesur
eBull
ethas
ever
ythi
ngundercont
rol
.Pl
easebedonebythe
ti
meIgetback 
Me;
I’
ll
try
 
Hi
m;Il
ovey
oune 
Me;
lov
eyout
oo

Si
yal
eftandIstar
tedgett
ingr
eady
.Ist
art
ed
wi
thmyhair,
thenmov edontomymakeup. 
Ist
ucktobei
ngasnat
ural
aspossi
blewhen
comingt
omakeup.Idi
dn’
twanttoover
doit
.

WhenIwasdone,It
ookmyphoneandsent
Si
yaamessageaski
nghi
mtocomehelpme
zi
pupmydress.

I
ttookhi
m exact
ly60secondst
ocome.I
l
aughed

Hi
m;y
oucal
l
ed,
soIcamer
unni
ng 
Me;
Zipmeuppl
ease 
Hi
m;ononecondi
ti
on 
Me;
whatnow 
Hi
m;Igett
ounzi
pitt
oni
ght
 
Me;Si
ya,
youneedt
ogi
veupont
hat
.It
’snot
goi
ngtohappen
Hi
m;i
twaswor
that
ry 
Me;
nowshushandzi
pmeup

Si
yasmil
ed,
andzi
ppedmeup.Asexpect
edt
he
dr
essfi
tt
edl
ikeagl
ove.

Hi
m;y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m;Idon’
tknowhowy
ouexpectmet
okeep
myhandst
omy sel
f
Me;
Siy
a,j
ustgogetdr
essed

Hepul
l
edouthi
sbl
acksui
t,andgotdr
essed,
whi
l
eIputonmyshoes.

Whenwewer ebot
hdonewelookedlikea
coupl
eoutofamagazi
ne.Si
yalookedli
kemy
ver
yownJamesBond

Me;
standst
il
l,
Iwantt
otakeasel
fi
e 
Hi
m;si
ncewhendoy
out
akesel
fi
es 
Me;
sincey
oul
ooki
nghotashel
l
 
Hi
m;i
nthatcasesel
fi
eaway

Wet ookafewself
iest
oget
her.Somewere
seri
ous,whi
leot
herswerej
ustofusgoof
ing
around.
 
Myfav or
it
eonewaswi thhim kissi
ngmycheek.
It
sfunnyhowwheny oulookatusal l
you’l
lsee
i
sacoupl einlove.Youdon’treall
yseet he
emotionalscars,
ortheshatteredhearts.
Iupdat
edmyWhat
sApppi
cwi
tht
hepi
cofus
ki
ssing

Hi
m;y
our
eady
? 
Me;
yep 
Hi
m;l
etsgett
hispar
tyst
art
ed

Siyat
ookmyhandandwewal
kedupst
air
s
toget
her
.

Iknowmostofmest il
lwantedtoburyhim al
i
ve,
buttheotherpar
twasgladthatforoncewe
werepresenti
ngauni
tedfront.Maybeaft
erall
ther
ewashopef orus
[
05/
13,
16:
53]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
94

WhenSi
yaandIwal
keddownstai
rs,
Icouldn’
t
bel
i
eveathowmuchourhousehadchanged.

Hispartypl
annerhadl i
teral
l
yt r
ansformedmost
ofthedownst ai
rsarea.Theloungeandt he
di
ningroom lookedsomuchbi gger.Theyeven
hadasmal lorchest
ra.Ihadn’treall
yexpect
ed
anythi
ngthi
sgr and.It
’sagoodt hingSiya
boughtmeadr ess.

Me;
wow 
Hi
m;Youl
i
ke?
Me;
itsbr
eat
h-t
aki
ng 
Him;Ourguesthavest
art
edar
ri
ving,
let
’sget
somethi
ngtodrink,
soIcani
ntr
oduceyou
Wewenttothemobi
l
ebar
,andbot
hhada
gl
assofbubbl
y.

Si
yaint
roducedmetosomanypeopl
e,some
wereCuban,someSout
hAf
ri
can.

Imetminist
ers,musici
ans,CEO’s,
andsome
peopl
einhisindustr
y.IwishIcoul
dsayI
rememberedtheirnames,butI’
dbely
ing.Ther
e
wereover100peoplehere.TherewasnowayI
wouldbeabletorememberal loft
hem.

Theonlyper
sonIwasr eall
yint
erestedin
meeti
ngwashi sLi
eutenant.Heseemedl i
ket
he
onewhowasi ncharged,andIwasj ust
i
nter
estedtoseewhatkindofper sonhewas.

Myhandstay
edinSiya’
sformostoftheni
ght
.I
t
ri
edlet
ti
nggo,buthewouldj
ustholdonti
ght
er.
Iknewi
twasbecausehewasasbor
edasIwas.

Someoft hepeopl
eherewereabitannoyi
ng.
Likeforexampl
e,t
heprimemini
sterkept
talki
ngaboutmoney,whi
let
heCEO’sspoke
abouttheRandfal
li
ng.

Ijustkeptsmili
ngasthoughIhadnoi
deawhat
theywer etal
ki
ngabout.
It
appedSi
yaont
heshoul
der
,andwhi
sper
edi
n
hi
sear

Me;
Ineedt
hel
adi
es 
Hi
m;ok.Pr
omi
sey
ou’
l
lcomer
escueme 
Me;
promi
se

Hesmil
ed,andl
etgoofmyhand.Iwal
kedov
er
t
oHlokesandBoni
.
Me;sorr
ytoi
nter
rupt
.Hl
okescanIst
eal
Boni
f
rom you 
Hi
m;pr
omi
sey
ou’
l
lbr
ingherback 
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;ok

Boni
stoodup,
andwewal
kedt
othel
adi
es

Her;
ohthankGod.Iwasbegi
nni
ngt
ofal
l
asl
eep 
Me;
Gosh,
theseguy
sar
esodamnbor
ing 
Her
;tel
lmeabouti
t 
Her
;Howmuchl
ongerwi
l
lwehav
etoendur
e 
Me;i
tsonl
y8pm.We’l
lpr
obabl
yhav
etobeher
e
t
il
lmuchmuchlat
er 
Her
;ifwe’
regoi
ngt
odot
hist
henweneed
l
i
quorcour
age,
andI
’
m nott
alki
ngchampagne 
Me;
tel
lmeabouti
t 
Her;l
etspowderournoses,
thengogetsome
wine

Onceweweredoneint
heladi
es,wewentt
othe
mobil
ebarandgotagl
assofwine.

Her
;fucki
ngbi
tch 
Me;
what
 
Her
;don’
tlooknow,
buty
ouwon’
tbel
i
evewho
j
ustwal
kedin 
Me;
tel
lme 
Her
;it
sJessi
ca 
Me;
tel
lmey
ourj
oki
ng 
Her
;Iwi
sh
It
ookadeepbr
eat
hinandout
 
Her
;don’
tletherr
uiny
ourni
ght
 
Me;
Ican’
tfucki
ngst
andher
 
Her;Ri
fil
oe,l
istentome.Shei
snotafact
orin
yourli
fe.Don’tgi
vehert
hesat
isf
act
ionofher
seei
ngy ouunhappy

IlookedatBoni
,andr ealisedshehadapoint.I
wasn’tgoi
ngtoembar rassmy sel
finfr
ontof
Siya’
sassoci
ates.InsteadIwasgoi ngtopl
ay
theadori
ngwife,andt rynottopoisonher
.

Itookmygl
ass,andwal
kedBoni
backt
oher
tabl
e,t
henwenttoSi
ya.

Siyalookedatmeandhadawor ri
edlookonhi
s
face.Ijustsmi
l
edathim andpr
etended
everythi
ngwasok,despi
temeboili
ngonthe
i
nsi
de.Iputmyhandi
nSi
ya’
sandhesqueezed
i
t.

Icoul
dseei nthecornerofmyey ethatJessi
ca
waswalkingtowardsus.Isqueezedhi shand
andhewi nchedabitbutdidn’tshif
t.I
nsteadwe
concent
ratedontheconv ersati
onathand.

Jessicaar
ri
vedwher
ewewer est
andi
ng,
and
tappedSiy
aontheshoul
der
.

Shegreet
edev er
yone,thenl
ookedatSiy
aand
gavehim ahug.Itookadeepbreat
h,and
pret
endednottonot i
ce.

Si
yahuggedherbackawkwar
dlybutdi
dn’
tlet
goofmyhand.
Idi
dn’
tseeHl
okesst
andi
ngbesi
deher
.
Hi
m;Thel
i
eut
enanthasar
ri
ved 
Si
ya;
thanks.

Hl
okeswalkedaway
,andSi
yaexcusedusf
rom
hi
sassoci
ates.
 
Wewalkedtowar
dsthemai
nentr
anceoft
he
house,
wit
h2ofthebodguar
ds.

Him;I
’m sor
ryshe’
sher
e.Ihav
enoi
deawhy
shecameback 
Me;
canwenott
alkaboutherr
ightnow?
 
Hi
m;ok.

Westoodattheent
rance,andsawoneofSiya’
s
car
’sappr
oachi
ng.I
tstoopedri
ghti
nfrontofus.
Skull
,openedthedoor,andoutcamethe
l
ieutenant.Imustbehonestandsay,
Iexpect
ed
himt obeascar yl
ooki
nggangsterki
ndofguy.
Butinsteadhewasashor twhit
emale,wi
th
greyhair.

Hei
mmedi
atel
ysmi
l
edwhenhesawSi
ya.

Si
yast
eppedf
orwar
dandshookhi
shead.

Hi
m;Ghost
.Wemeetagai
n 
Si
ya;Li
eut
enant
.It
’sapl
easur
etoseey
ouagai
n
si
r 
Hi
m;alway
ssof or
mal
.Goodt
oseey
ouhav
en’
t
l
osty
ourtr
aini
ng 
Si
ya;
All
owmet
oint
roducey
out
omywi
fe

Thel
i
eut
enantf
acedme,
andr
eachedf
ormy
hand
Si
ya;
Lieut
enant,thi
sisRif
il
oe,
Rif
il
oe,
thi
sis
Li
eut
enantDicksonRolf
es 
Me;
It’
sapl
easur
eSi
r 
Hi
m;Pl
ease,
cal
lmeRol
fes

Ismi
l
edathi
m,andt
ookSi
ya’
shandagai
n.

Wewalkedbacki
nside,
andIlef
tSiy
aandt he
Li
eut
enantandwenttogetanot
herdri
nk.

IsawJessi casi
tti
ngatt
hebar,anddeci
dedI
wasn’tgoingtorunaway.I
nst
eadIwalkedupto
thebar,andorderedacosmo

Her
;fancyseei
ngy
ouher
e.It
houghty
ouwoul
d
bel
onggonebynow 
Me;
Hel
l
oJessi
ca,
Hoear
eyou.
 
Her
;You’
reasuckerf
orpuni
shmentne
Me;Idon’
tseehowt
hathasany
thi
ngt
odowi
th
you 
Her;wel
l,
nothi
ngreall
y,butj
ustsot
hatyou
know,imlooki
ngforwardtogoi
ngonthenext
missi
onwi t
hSiyaagai
n. 
Me;
hopey
ouhav
efun 
Her
;oh,
Ipl
ant
o

Itookmycosmoandwalkedaway.Iwasso
damnt empt
edt
othr
owmydr i
nkather
,but
di
dn’twantt
oembar
rassSiya.

Somet hi
ngaboutwhatshehadsai
dscar
edme
abit.Whatdi
dshemeanbyt henextmi
ssi
on?I
f
Irememberproperl
y,Si
yahadsai
dhewasn’
t
goingtobeworkingwit
hheragai
n.
AsIwaswalkingbacktoSi
ya,
Hlokessi
gnal
ed
forme.Iwal
kedtohim

Hi
m;Wil
lyouletghostknowt
hatdi
nneri
sready
t
obeser
ved. 
Me;
sur
e

Iwal
kedbackt
oSi
ya.

Me;sor
ryt
oint
err
upt
,butdi
nner
’sr
eadyt
obe
ser
ved
Si
ya;
thanksbabe.

Wewal
kedtoourt
abl
eandwi
thbot
hSi
yaand
t
heLi
eut
enant
. 
Isati
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heLi
eut
enantandSi
ya.I
hadswit
chedfrom cosmost
owater,
becauseI
coul
dfeelIwasstart
ingt
ogetapi
tti
psy.

Wewereser
vedourst
art
sfi
rst
,thenmov
edon
t
othemain.
 
Duri
ngourmeal ,
Siyastoodupandwenttothe
fr
ont.Hetappedhisglassabi
ttoget
ever
yone’
sattenti
on.Every
onequi
eteneddown,
andsodidtheOrchestra

*
***Si
ya*
***
Thanky
ou.

Ibel
i
ev eyoual
lknowt
hatIam notr
eal
l
ymuch
ofatalker
.SoI
’l
ltr
ymaki
ngthi
ssweetand
shor
t. 
Iwouldfi
rst
lyl
i
ketothankever
ybodyfor
honouri
ngmyinvi
tat
ion.Asy
ouallknowwe
havefinall
ypenet
rat
edthebiggestdr
ugand
prost
ituti
onri
ng,i
nthehist
oryofspeci
al
servi
ces. 
Myteam andIhavebeentr
yingfornear
ly10
year
stotrackdownoneman, andnowfinal
l
y
wehaveaf ooti
nthedoor
. 
Sofi
rstl
yletmesaythankyoutomyamazi ng
andtal
entedteam.Iknowhowfrust
rat
ingit
mustbet oalway
shav et
odealwit
hme, but
nonethelessyoual
lmakeitsomucheasierfor
metodowhatIdo.
Idalsoli
ket
ot hankourLi
eut
enantf
ort
aki
nga
chanceonallofus.Whoknewwhenwestated
thatwewouldbeabletosavesomanypeople’
s
l
ives. 
Andmosti mpor t
antl
yIwouldlovet
ot hankmy
amazingwife.Rifi
l
oe,youaremystrength.
Thankyouforal waysstandi
ngbyme, even
thoughyouwer en’
tfamili
arwit
hthi
spar tofmy
l
ifeyouconti
nuedt osupportmeandst i
ckwith
methroughi
tal
l
.Fort
hatIwi
l
lfor
everbe
gr
atef
ul 
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
IlookedatSi
y aandjustsmi
led.Ihadn’
treall
y
noticedhowmuchhi sjobmeantt ohi
m,unt i
l
thisverymoment.HowcouldIev erl
ethim give
allofthi
sup,especi
all
yforme?

Si
yafi
nishedhi
sspeechandcametosi
tdown.I
l
eanedi
nandgav ehi
m akissont
hecheek 
Me;
youdi
dgr
eat
 
Hi
m;t
hanky
ou

Wecontinuedwit
hdinner
,ti
ll
Isawt
he
l
ieut
enantwalki
ngtothefr
ont. 
Ther
oom i
mmedi
atel
yqui
etened.

*
***
***Li
eut
enant*
***
*
I’
m sureyou’
reall
boredtodeathwit
hallthe
speeches,soI’
l
lgetstr
aightt
othepoint
Asyoucanal
lsee,
I’
m notget
ti
nganyy ounger
,
whi
chmeansit’
sti
meformet oret
ir
e. 
I
’vehadt ot
hinkl
ongandhar daboutwhois
besttorepl
aceme,becauseasy oual
lknowI’
m
pret
tyir
repl
aceabl
e.(
Chuckles)

Soafterlotsofdebat
ewithbot
htheCubanand
SouthAfricanOpscommitteewehavedeci
ded
toappointGhostasyournextl
eader
.

Il
ookedSi
ya,
andt
henatt
hel
i
eut
enant
.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Si
yalookedatt
hel
ieut
enanti
nshock.Ev
ery
one
ar
oundusstoodupandgavearoundof
appl
ause.Siy
ar emainedsi
tt
ing.It
hinkhewas
j
usttr
yingtoregist
erwhatwashappening

Heev entual
lystoodupandwenttostandwit
h
theli
eutenant.Theyshookhands,
andever
yone
cheeredon.

Siy
agaveanot
herspeecht
hanki
ngever
yonef
or
tr
usti
nghi
m wi
thsuchaposit
ionect
.

Iwashonest
lyhappyf orhim,butIwasalso
worri
ed,
becauseIdi dn’
tknowwhatt hi
snext
j
obwouldentai
ls.Notsol ongagoSiyawas
wil
li
ngtogi
veallthisup,andnowIdef i
nit
ely
knewhewouldnev erleavethefor
ce.How
coul
dhewhensomanypeopl edependedon
him.

Theonl
ythi
ngl
eftwasf
ormet
odeci
dei
fIwas
will
i
ngtostay,eventhoughhewouldnever
real
lyl
eavehisjob.CouldIt
rul
ytr
usthim
enoughtolethim goonanothermissi
on? 
Iknewnowmor ethanev
er,
Iwoul
dreall
yneed
totakeast
epback,andmakeafi
naldeci
sion
onwhatiti
sthatIwantt
odo.
[
05/
13,
16:
53]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory

95

Aft
ertonsofdanci
nganddri
nki
ng,t
hepar t
y
fi
nal
lystar
tedt
odiedown.TobehonestI
wasn’tr
eall
ydr
inki
ngmuch.Iwasn’
treal
lyi
n
part
ymodeany more.I
nst
eadIj
ustwantedto
gotobed.

Thelastoftheguest
sleftatabout3am.My
feetwerethrobbi
ngbynow.Webi dthem
goodnight
,thenIwenttoourroom,whil
eSi
ya
wentt
otal
ktoHl
okes.

Thefir
stthi
ngIdidwhenIgottomyroom was
takeoffmyshoes.Ineededani
cehotbubbl
e
bath,
beforegoi
ngtosleep.

Onl
yproblem wi
tht
hati
sthatIneededSi
ya’
s
hel
punzippi
ngmydress.
 
Nonethel
essIwoul
dhavetoputmypr
ide
asi
de,
andaskhimforhel
p.

AsIwasabouttocal
lSi
ya,
hecamebar
gingi
n
wi
ththebi
ggestsmil
eonhisf
ace.

Hi
m;whatdowehav
eher
e
Me;
adamsel
indi
str
ess 
Hi
m;I
’
llbey
ourKni
ghti
nshi
ningar
mour
 
Me;
inthatcase,
Isuggesty
ouhel
pmeoutof
mydress 
Him;it
’sadi
rt
yjobmam,
butIwoul
dbe
honoured

Si
yacamecl
oser
,andIt
urnedar
ound.
Hestartedunzippi
ngmydr esssl
owl
y.Icl
osed
myey esbecauseIknewwhathewasgoi ngto
do,andIdon’tknowifIhadthecour
agetostop
hi
m
Me;
Si
Hi
m;sshhh

Iclosedmyeyesagai
n,asmydressfel
ltothe
ground.Siy
aundi
dmybr aandl
etitf
all
tothe
ground. 
It
houghthewouldst
artki
ssi
ngmyneckbuthe
di
dn’
t.It
urnedar
oundandhewassti
l
lsmil
ing
Me;
whatar
eyousmi
l
ingat
?
Hi
m;not
hing 
Me;
youenj
oypl
ayi
ngwi
thme 
Hi
m;especi
all
yinher
e 
Me;
well
,I
’m notr
eal
l
yint
erest
edi
npl
ayi
ng
t
oni
ght
 
Hi
m;y
ou’
rebodysay
ssomet
hingdi
ff
erent
 
Me;
howwoul
dyouknow?
Hi
m; You’r
enipplesdoal
l t
hetal
king.Andy
our
sl
owbr eat
hingtell
smey ouwantmymout hon
ev
eryinchofyourbody.Especi
all
yhere.

Si
yabr
ushedoneofhi
sfi
ngersovermyclit
.
Ev
enwithmyunder
wearon,Ist
il
lfel
tit
. 
Hi
m;t
ell
meI
’
m wr
ong
Me;
you’
re
Hesl
i
ppedaf ingerintomyundiesandstart
ed
sl
owl
ycircl
ingmycl it
.IswearInear
lyf
aint
ed.
Mybreat
hingstart
edt oqui
ckenandIletouta
moan

Hi
m;sodoy
ouwantmet
ost
op?

Si
yadidn’
tgivemet imetorespond.Inst
eadhe
pushedaf i
ngeri
nsideme.Imayst il
lbemadat
Si
ya,buttherewasnowayi nhellIwasgoingt
o
l
ethim st
opnow.SoIl ethi
m continue
pl
easuri
ngme.I t
’snotl
ikeIhadany thi
ngto
l
ose.

Siyaconti
nuedpl
ayi
ngwi t
hmeunti
lIcoul
dn’
t
takeitany
more.Hepickedmeupandputme
thebed.
Hi
m;shal
lIcont
inue 
Me;
mhmm 
Hi
m;t
hat
’swhatIt
hought

Isl
ippedof
fmypanti
es,
andlayonback.Si
ya
openedmylegswi
deandputhisl
ipsonmycli
t.

I
twasal l
well
,unti
lIrememberedwhatJessi
ca
hadsaidaboutSi
yaput t
inghi
stongueonher
.
***
*Iimmediatel
yfroze.

Me;
siy
a
Hi
m;mhmm 
Me;
stop

Hedidn’
tli
sten.I
nsteadhej
ustcar
ri
edonwi
th
whathewasdoi ng
Me;
Siy
ast
op.Pl
easeI
’
m beggi
ngy
ou

Siy
aimmedi at
elyst
opped,
andgotonthebed.I
hadtear
sflowingdownmyf ace.Si
yal
ookedat
meconfused.

Igotup,andrantot hebat
hroom andl
ockedthe
door.Icoul
dn’
tbeli
ev ehowsil
lyIwasacti
ng.
Siyawasmyhusbandf orGod’
ssake,butt
he
thoughtofhi
m doingt omewhathedidto
Jessicamademef eelsol
ow.

Howcouldhedothat
?Howcoul dhetouchher
l
ikehedoeswit
hme?Orputhi smouthonher
andthencomehomeanddot hesamet ome?
HowwasIgoingtoevergetovert
his?
Isatonthebathroom fl
oor,cr
y i
ngmyeyesout.
Siya,
keptaski
ngmet oopen,butIdi
dn’t
.I
wantedtobeleftalone.Iwantedtof
inal
lycr
y
myey esoutandnothav ehimt el
lmehis
excuses.

Istay
edi nt
hebat
hroom f
orhour
s.Si
yasaton
theothersi
deoft
hedoor.

Iranmybath,andj
ustsatt
herefeeli
nglowand
dirt
y.Noamountofbat
hingcoul
dt akeaway
thatfeel
i
ng.Noneatal
l

Ataround6am,
Igotoutt
hebathroom,andI
foundSiy
anear
lyhal
fasl
eeponthefloor
.

Hej
umpedupwhenhesawme.
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.Tal
ktome.What
’sgoi
ngon?
 
Me;
Itsnot
hing.I
’
m sor
ry 
Hi
m;don’
tbesor
ry.Rat
hert
ell
mewhat
’swr
ong
Me;Siy
a.Not
hing.Canwej
ustf
orgetabout
t
his?
 
Him;Nowecan’
t.Ineedtoknowwhyyouj
ust
spent3hour
scr
yinginthebat
hroom
Me;
for
geti
t 
Hi
m;I
’
m notdr
oppi
ngt
his.
 
Me;Jessi
catol
dmet hatwhenyou(
clear
s
t
hroat
)sleptwi
thhe.Youwentdownonher.
 
Hi
m;Ri
f 
Me;don’
t.(
sni
ff
)Iknowyoudidit
.Andwhen
youdi
dtome.Ital
lcamerushi
ngback 
Hi
m;I
’
m sor
ry 
Me;st
optel
li
ngmey ou’r
esor r
ySiya.I
t’
snot
goi
ngtochangeany
thing.Ihavethatf
ucking
shi
tpr
int
edinmymi nd,andit’
snotgoing
anywhere.I
’
m stuckwit
hthatshit
,andIdon’
t
knowwhatt odowithi
t.Itol
dy ouIwasn’
t
ready
,butyoukeptpushi
ng.

Hi
m;I
’
m sor
ry

IwalkedpassedSiya,
andgoti
ntobed.Iwant
ed
togetsomesl eep.

TodaywasmybothChrist
masandmybirt
hday
,
andIneededt
ogetenoughsl
eepbef
ore
Olwet
hogotback.

Iwant
edhi
mtoenj
oyhi
sfi
rstChr
ist
maswi
th
me.

Siy
a,cametobed,
andIsettheal
armf or11am.
Ineededmoret
hanjust4hour
sofsleep,but
t
hatwasal
lIcoul
dget
.

Iwaswokenupbef
oret
healar
m ev
enwentoff
.
Olwet
howasjumpi
ngupanddownonthebed.

Si
yapl
ayf
ult
ackl
edhi
m

Si
ya;
Olwet
homaan 
Hi
m;daddy
,it
sChr
ist
mas,
wakeup 
Si
ya;
giv
eus10mi
nut
es 
Hi
m;No.Aunt
ywakeup.I
t’
syourbi
rt
hday

Il
ookedatOlwethoandsmi
l
ed.Hewas
genui
nel
yexcit
ed

Igotoutofbed,
andwentt
ofr
eshenup.
WhenIgotbackt
othebedr
oom Ol
wet
hohada
wr
appedboxinhi
shand

Hi
m;happybi
rt
hdayaunt
y 
Me;
ist
hisf
orme 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;
thanksboy
 
Hi
m;openi
t

Iunwrappedit
,andhadat
earescapemyeyes.
Itwasapictur
eofmeandhim,inaframet
hat
saysbest“AuntyMommyali
ve”

Hi
m;doy
oul
i
kei
t?
Me;
Ilov
eit
 
Hi
m;Ichosei
t 
Me;
ohht
hanky
oumyboy
 
Hi
m;daddyal
sogoty
ouapr
esent
 
Me;
didhe 
Hi
m;Yes 
Me;
whati
sit
 
Hi
m;Idon’
tknow.Hewon’
ttel
lme 
Me;
wel
lIguesswe’
l
lfi
ndoutsoonenough

Olwet
howentrunni
ngtothekitchenwhi
l
eI
shookSi
yabackawake,becausehewasf al
l
ing
asl
eepagai
n
Hi
m;baby
,notnow
Me;getup,weneedt
ogi
veOl
wet
hohi
s
pr
esents 
Hi
m;cantwedot
hatl
ater
 
Me;
no.
 
Hi
m;(
sigh)Fi
nr
Si
yagotup,andwenttofr
eshenup.Whi
l
eI
madethebed,anopenedthecur
tai
ns

WhenIwentupst
air
s,Ol
wethowassi
tt
ingatt
he
Chr
ist
mastreewait
ingf
orus

Hi
m;aunt
ycanIst
artopeni
ngmypr
esent
s 
Me;
let
srat
herwai
tfordaddy
. 
Hi
m;he’
staki
ngt
ool
ong 
Me;
whydon’
tyour
undownandf
etchhi
m 
Hi
m;ok.

Ol
wethowentspr
int
ingdownstai
rswhi
l
e,I
mademysel
facupofcoffee.

WhenIwentbackt
ot hel
ounge,Ol
wethoand
Si
yaweresi
tt
ingbytheChri
stmastr
ee
Si
ya;
wewer
ejustwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou 
ME;
sor
ry.Iwentt
ogetacupofcof
fee
Hi
m;whataboutme

Itookonel
astsi
pofmycof
feeandgav
ehi
m
therest
 
Hi
m;t
hanky
ou

Ol
wet
ho;
aunt
ycanIopenmypr
esent
snow.
 
Me;
goahead.

IsatnexttoSi
ya,andt
ookoutmyphonesoI
couldtakepi
ctur
esofOlwet
ho.

Alli
nal
lOlwethol
ovedall
hist
oys.Ienj
oyed
seei
nghisfacewhenev
erheopenedthem
Weal
sot
ooksomepict
uresasaf
ami
l
y.
Ol
wet
howasovert
hemoon.

Ideci
dedtosendafewpicturest
oLinda.I
wasn’tdoi
ngi
ttobespit
eful,
butinst
eadi
wantedhetoknowthathersonwasok.

WhenOlwethowasdoneopeni
nghi
spresent
s,
hewentt
ohi sr
oom t
oplaywit
hal
loft
hem,
whi
leIj
uststay
edwit
hSiya.

Hi
m;happybi
rt
hdaybabe 
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m; I
’
m sor
ryaboutwhathappenedt
his
morni
ng.
 
Me;
let
’sf
orgetabouti
t 
Hi
m;y
ousur
e 
Me;
yes 
Hi
m;Igoty
ousomet
hingf
ory
ourbi
rt
hday
 
Me;
what
?
Hi
m;come,
I’
ll
goshowy
ou

Ist
oodupandputmyhandinhis,
andwe
wal
keddowntothebasementpar
king

Me;
Siy
a,I
’
m notdr
essedt
ogoout
 
Hi
m;r
elax,
we’
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e 
Me;
thenwhyar
ewegoi
ngt
othebasement
.

TheminuteIaskedthatquest
ion,
Igotmy
answer.Siy
ahadboughtmea2016Maser ati
Grant
urismo.I
tstoodther
ewithabigpi
nkbow
onit
Me;
no 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;
OhgoshSi
ya,
It’
sbeaut
if
ul 
Hi
m;I
’
m gl
ady
out
hinkso 
Me;
Ican’
tpossi
blyaccepti
t 
Hi
m;whyt
hehel
lnot
 
Me;
because,
itmust
’vecosty
ouaf
ort
une 
Him;Iknowhowmuchy
ouenj
oyeddri
vi
ngmy
Ferr
ari
.SoIf
igur
edI
’
dgety
ouyourownspor
ts
car
Me;
Siy
a,y
oudi
dn’
thav
eto 
Him;Iwant
edto.Nowst
opar
gui
ng,
andj
ust
sayt
hankyou
Me;
arey
ousur
eaboutt
his 
Hi
m;y es.You’
renowt hewifeofthey
oungest
Li
eut
enantint hehi
storyofOps.Youshoul
d
l
ookthepar t
 
Me;
you’
recr
azy
 
Hi
m;cr
azyi
nlov
eyes
Me;
giv
emet
hekey
s

Si
yagavemet hekeysandIwenttolookatthe
i
nter
ior
.Itwasabsol
utel
ybeauti
ful
.Theexteri
or
i
scharcoalandt
heinter
iorbl
ack.

Hi
m; i
tsalsobull
etpr
oofandhasat
racker
di
rect
lyl
inkedtomycellphone 
Me;
whyam Inotsur
pri
sed 
Hi
m;Ihav
etobeefupsecur
it
y 
Me;
what
every
ousay
 
Hi
m; I
’
m ser
iousRi
fi
loe.Thi
ngsar
egoi
ngt
oget
r
eal
lyti
ght
. 
Me;
whatdoest
hispr
omot
ionr
eal
l
yent
ail
? 
Hi
m;l
et’
sgodi
scusst
hisupst
air
s 
Me;
don’
tIgett
otestdr
ivemycarf
ir
st?
Hi
m;noty
et.Weneedt
otal
k 
Me;
haanaSi
ya.Idon’
tfeel
li
ket
alki
ng.
 
Hi
m; I
tsimport
antlov
e.Iwantust
odi
scuss
t
hisbefor
elunch 
Me;
(si
gh)ok

Il
ockedmycar
,andwewal
kedbackupst
air
sto
ourr
oom.

Isatont
hebed,andSiy
asatnextt
omewi
tha
documenti
nhishand

Hi
m;It
hinkweneedt
odi
scusswhatt
hisnew
pr
omot
ionmeans 
Me;
Ok,
I’
m al
lear
s 
Hi
m;wel
lbasi
cal
l
yitmeanst
hatIwon’
tneedt
o
goonmissi
onsanymore.I
llmai
nlybest
ucki
n
anof
fi
ce,gi
vi
ngorder
s 
Me;
that
’sagoodt
hingi
snti
t 
Hi
m;depends 
Me;
onwhat
 
Him;t
hecur
rentl
ieut
enantwant
smet
owor
k
handi
nhandwithJessi
ca 
Me;
Ijustknewi
twast
oogoodt
obet
rue
Him;Ihav ehowevermanagedtogether
tr
ansferredtoanotherdepar
tment
.Meani
ngi
l
l
onlyprobablyseeheronceamonth 
Me;
mhmm 
Hi
m;I
t’
sthebestIcoul
ddobabe.
 
Me;i
tsfi
neSi
ya.Imean,ifyouwant
edt
ocheat
agai
n,y
ouwould.Weathershewasamil
li
on
mil
esawayornot.Youwouldfi
ndaway 
Hi
m;andI
’
vet
oldy
oui
twon’
thappenagai
n 
Me;
Iknow 
Him;movi
ngon.Bul
l
etwi
l
ltakeov
ermy
posi
ti
on.
 
Me;
Ishegoi
ngt
ooper
ateoutofCUBA?
Hi
m;that
’ssomet
hingel
se,
Iwant
edt
odi
scuss
wi
thy
ou
Me;
I’
mli
steni
ng 
Hi
m;Iwasthinki
ngofsel
l
ingt
hishouset
ohi
m.
I
fyoudon’
thavemind 
Me;
Siy
a,hi
sisy
ou’
rehouse
Him;It
’sOURhouse.Ij ustfi
gureditwoul
d
maket hi
ngseasierforhim andtheagency.
Thatwayt heydon’
thav etogetsecuri
ty
feat
uresbuilti
ntoanotherplace
Me;
makessense 
Hi
m;soIcanpr
esentt
hem wi
tht
heof
fer
?
Me;
yes….Sowher
ewi
l
lwebebased?
Him;OurHQisinJHB,
butI
llbet
rav
ell
i
ng
betweenJHBandCTmostl
y 
Me;
sowe’
remov
ingbackhome 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;
ThankGod 
Him;
Ithi
nkitwi
ll
alsobenef
itOl
wet
ho,
because
hewi
llbeabl
etoseehismother
 
Me;
Iguess 
Hi
m;onemor
ethi
ng 
Me;
what
 
Him;I
’m goi
ngt oneedtostepdownastheCEO
ofNdhl
ov uCorp.Ther
e’snowayIwouldbeable
tomanagebeinglieut
enantandmybusiness 
Me;
You’
vedonei
tsowel
lsof
ar 
Him; ThatwasbecauseIonl
yhadoneopst
eam
torun.Nowi l
lhavet
omanage,ever
yOPSteam
thatexist
sinSA.Therei
snowayIcoul
dbe
abletojuggl
ealloft
hat 
Me;
sohowmanyt
eamsar
ewet
alki
ngabout
 
Hi
m;49
Me;
damn 
Hi
m;mypoi
ntexact
ly 
Me;sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoaboutNdhl
ovu
Cor
p 
Him;Iwi
l
l st
il
lkeep100%shar
esoft
he
company.ButIneedanNdhl
ovur
unni
ngt
he
pl
ace 
Me;
ok,
sowhodi
dyouhav
einmi
nd 
Hi
m;y
ou 
Il
ookedatSi
y a,
andsawhewasser i
ous.Ihave
noideawhythough.Ihadzer
oexper
ience.How
wasIexpect
edt orunthepl
ace?

Me;
Siy
a, 
Hi
m;hearmeout
 
Me;
thi
sisi
nsane 
Hi
m;y
ou’
l
lhav
eat
eam ofpeopl
etohel
pyou 
Me;butst
il
lSi
ya.Youj
ustappointedmeasCFO.
Ihav
enevenstart
edwit
hmyposi tionandnow
youwanttohavemeruntheplace 
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;Si
yaIlovethaty
ouhav
ethatmuchf
ait
hin
me.ButIcan’
t 
Him; Rifi
loeyou’retheonlypersonItrusttorun
mybusi ness.Iknowi tseemslikearushed
decision,butit’
snot .I
’l
lhavepeopleinplaceto
helpy ou.Il
lneverletyouf ai
lRi
fil
oe.Ipromise.
Plusify ou’r
eunsur eaboutanythingyoucan
al
way sj ustaskme
Me;
canIatl
eastt
hinkaboutal
lthi
s 
Hi
m;y
es
Me;
thanky
ou 
Hi
m;Her
e’st
hecont
ract
 
Me;
thatqui
ckl
y? 
Hi
m;Youknowme.
 
Me;
Ido 
Hi
m; j
ustthi
nkofitasawayofusbui
l
dinga
l
egacyforourchi
l
dren 
Me;
youhonest
lydon’
tgi
veupdoy
ou?
Hi
m;notonusno 
Me;
Icanseet
hat

Itookt hecontractandj ustst

aredi t.Iknowt hat
Siyawascomi ngf rom agoodpl ace, buthow
couldIpossi bl
yt akehim upont hisof fer
.I
l
iter
allyjustturned26.Howwoul di tlookifI
becameCEOofhi scompany ?Idon’ twantt o
evergett othet opjustbecauseI’m hi swife.I
t
wouldbeni cetobeabl et ocl
imet hecor porate
l
adderbymy self.butI
’m notsurethati s
possiblewit hmebei ngt hewif
eofsomeoneso
power ful
.
[
05/
13,
16:
54]Ron:
Siy
aandFi
fi
'
sLov
eSt
ory
96
(
endofseason1)

Ispentther
estofChr
ist
masandmybi r
thdayin
areall
ygoodmood.Ihadputev
eryt
hingaside
andmadesur emyfamil
ywashappy.

Idon’
tthi
nkIhadeverseenOlwethosohappy.
Hejustsmil
edandgiggl
edthroughoutt
heday.I
wasgladtoseehewasokbei ngawayfrom
Li
ndaforsuchalongperi
od.Iwasalsogladt
o
seeSiyaspendi
ngti
mewi t
hhim.

IknowIhadsai
dIneededti
met othi
nkabout
whereSiy
aandIst
and.Butthi
spromoti
onof
hisgav
emehope.

May
bewi
tht
imeIcoul
dcomet
ofor
get
ti
ng
aboutwhathedi
d,andt
rybui
l
dingourt
rust
agai
n.

IdidloveSiyaafteral
l,
andmay beIj
ustneeded
tof i
ghtformymar ri
age.Ijusthopedhewould
alsobewi ll
i
ngtof i
ghtforus.BecauseIdon’
t
thinkIcouldevergothrought hi
sagai
n.

Weal lspentt
herestofthedayjustrelaxingand
eati
ng.There’
ssomet hi
ngaboutthehol idays
thatj
ustmakesy ouwanttoeat.Mam Mar t
ha
hadmademeanamazi ngbluevelvetcakef or
mybi r
thday.

Ol
wet
hof
inal
l
yfel
lasl
eepatar
ound6pm.

Iwasalsosot i
redfr
om nothav
ingsl
ept
properl
yfort
hepast2day s,
soIdeci
dedto
l
eav eSi
yaandt hegang,
andgogetmy sel
f
somebeaut
ysl
eep.

Itookaquickshowerf
ir
st,t
henwentt
obed.I
fel
lasl
eepassoonasmyheadhi tt
hepil
l
ow.I
evenputmyphoneonsi l
entsot
hatnoone
woulddist
urbme.

Idi
dn’tqui
terememberheari
ngSi
yacomet
o
bed,buther
ehewaswaki ngmeup

Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe 
Me;
mhmm 
Hi
m;wakeup 
Me;
Siy
aIswear
,il
lfl
i
ppi
ngst
aby
ou 
Hi
m;y
ou’
regoi
ngt
omi
ssy
ourf
li
ght
 
Me;
fli
ght
?
Hi
m;y
es 
Me;
Siy
a,j
ustl
eav
emeal
onet
u 
Him; baby
,yousai
dyouwantt
oleav
eont
he
26th.It
’st
he26th 
Me;
mxm I
’
m notgoi
ng 
Hi
m;si
ncewhen 
Me;
sincenow.CanIgobackt
osl
eepnow 
Hi
m;but
 
Me;Siy
ai fyouknowwhat ’
sgoodforyou,
you
wi
llt
ellyourpil
ottocancelt
hefl
i
ght,andl
etme
sl
eep.Unlessyouwantmet ogo 
Hi
m;ofcour
senot
 
Me;
sol
etmebe

Iputtheduvetovermyhead,anddri
ft
edback
tosleep.Idi
dn’
tseethepoi
ntofleav
ing,
when
Siy
awasadamantaboutmest ayi
ng. 
Maybewit
hti
mewecoul
dgetourshi
tbackt
o
nor
mal.
WhenIwokeup, Siyawaswr appedar
oundme
l
ikeIvy
.Ismil
edabi t,
becauseIknewthat
t
hingswere“ok”
,becauseIknowsomet hi
ngs
wrong,whenhesleepsonhissideofthebed.

It
ri
edt
ogetunt
angl
edbuthehel
dmet
ight
er

Me;
mov
eov
er 
Hi
m;nothappeni
ng 
Me;
dude,
Ineedt
opee 
Hi
m;pr
omi
set
ocomeback 
Me;
promi
se

Heletgo,
andIrantothebathr
oom.WhileIwas
i
nthereIf
reshenedupabit
,thenwentbackto
l
aywithhi
m. 
Hi
m;(
yawn)t
hanky
ouf
orst
ayi
ng 
Me;don’
tthankmesoquickl
y.Ther
ear
e
condi
ti
onstomystay
ing 
Him;
tell
mewhatIneedt
odot
omakeusok
andI
’l
ldoit
 
Me;
mar
ri
agecounsel
l
ing
Hi
m;I
’
m notsur
ethat
’sagoodi
dea 
Me;
whynot
? 
Hi
m; wecantr
eal
l
ytal
kaboutwhatIdot
o
st
ranger
s
Me;
wecanl
eav
eoutsomet
hings 
Hi
m;I
’
m notsur
e 
Me;
Siy
a 
Hi
m;mhmm Fi
ne 
Me;
good.Andonemor
ethi
ng 
Hi
m;what
 
Me;
weneedt
ost
artgoi
ngt
ochur
ch
Hi
m;aahhmm 
Me;
I’
m ser
ious
Hi
m;butbabe
Me;Siya,wehav er
eallyhadbadl
uck,eversi
nce
wegott ogether.It
hinkapartofi
tIsbecause
wejustwentwi ththings.Wenevertr
ulypray
ed
f
orourmar r
iage.Theonl yt
imeIpray
edwas
whenyouwer einacoma.That ’
snotright

Hi
m;Iguessy
ouhav
eapoi
nt 
Me;
andonemor
ethi
ng 
Hi
m;any
thi
ng 
Me; Si
ya,I’
m goingtodomyl evelbesttomov e
onfrom thisJessi
cathing.Itrul
yam, butI
’m
goi
ngt oneedy outopr omisemet hatyouwill
neverandImeanEv erdot hi
sagai n.Ihonestl
y
don’tt
hinkIcouldgot hroughsomet hi
ngli
ke
thi
swithy ou 
Him;Rifi
l
oe.Isweartoy
outhatt
hiswillnever
happenagain.Isawhowmuchitnearl
yr ui
ned
us.I
’m notwil
li
ngtogothr
oughnearl
ylosing
youagain
Me;
good 
Hi
m;sowecanf
inal
l
ymov
eon 
Me;yes.Justgivemet
imewheni
tcomest
o
(
clear
sthroat)sex
Hi
m;I
llgi
vey
oual
lthet
imey
ouneed 
Me;
thanky
ou

Ist
ayedinbedwi t
hSi
yaformostoft
he
morni
ng.Itf
eltgoodt
ojustl
etgoofthi
ngs.Me
bei
ngsoangrywasstart
ingt
odrainme.

AsSiyaandIwerehavingbr
eakf
asti
nbed,my
phonerang.Il
ookedattheI
Dandsawitwas
Lui
s.
Godhehadtheworstt
iming.Si
yal
ookedatme
andt
ookthephoneoutofmyhand

Hi
m;It
houghtwehadagr
eedt
obl
ockhi
m 
Me;
Idi
dn’
tgetar
oundt
oit
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe
Me;
baby
 
Hi
m;bl
ockhi
m
Me;
Iwi
l
l

Hehandedmet
hephone

Hi
m;now 
Me;
don’
tyout
hinkIshoul
dexpl
aint
ohi
m why
 
Hi
m;pl
easedon’
trui
nourbr
eakf
ast
.Justbl
ock
hi
m 
Me;
but

Si
yal
ookedatmewi
thhi
sbossyf
ace.

Hi
m;gi
vemet
hephoneandI
’
lldoi
t 
Me;
noSi
yaman.Cany
ouj
ustr
elax
 
Hi
m;Ri
fi
loe.
.youknowwhat
.Nev
ermi
nd

Hepi
ckeduphi
sphoneanddi
all
edsomeone

Hi
m;Nai
l
sIneedy
out
odosomet
hingf
orme 
Nai
l
s;sur
eboss 
Hi
m; t
hereanumbert
hatj
ustphonedRi
fi
loe.I
wantyoutobl
ocki
t 
Nai
l
s;consi
deri
tdone
Si
yaputt
hecal
ldownandcont
inuedeat
ing

Me;
Siy
ayazy
ournotf
air
Him; Rif
il
oe,welit
eral
l
yjustmadeup.Ihonest
ly
don’tfeelli
kefi
ghti
ngwithyou.especi
all
y
becausei thastodowithanotherman
Me;
fine 
Hi
m; don’teverdosomethi
ngli
kethatagai
n.
I
’m notsureIwouldbeabletocont
ainmy
t
emper  
Me;ohhst
opal
ready
.It
snotl
i
keIsl
eptwi
th
hi
m 
Hi
m;Iwoul
d’v
eki
l
ledhi
m bef
orei
tgott
her
e 
Me;
mxm 
Him;I’
m onl
yjoking,butinal
lseri
ousness
Rif
il
oe.Thethoughtofy ouwit
hanot herman
makesmewantt oself-
destr
uct.Promiseme
youwon’tev
ergiv eanothermany ournumbers 
Me;
ok,
Siy
a.Ipr
omi
se 
Hi
m;good

Irol
ledmyey esathi
m andcontinuedeati
ngmy
breakf
ast.I
t’
sfunnyhowwhensomeonecheat s
theydon’
treali
sehowmuchi thurts,
butthe
minutesomeoneshowsi nt
erestitdr
ivesthem
mad.

Af
terbreakfast,
wewentt oshowertogether.I
ki
ndoff el
tbadt hatIcouldn’
tbri
ngmy selft
ogo
al
lthewaywi thhim, butIhonest
lycoul
dn’t
br
ingmy sel
ftodoi tjustyet.

Icouldseeitwaski l
l
ingSi
ya,buthewastry
ing
tobepatient.Ij
usthopedIwouldgetovert
his
thi
ngsot hatIcouldcomplet
emydut i
esashis
wife.
WhenweweredoneIcall
edmyauntt ol
ether
knowIwasn’
tcomi
nghomeaf teral
l
.Ipromised
Iwoul
dcomeandvisi
theroncewewer eback
i
nSA.

Westay
edinCubaforanot
her2weeks,
thenwe
l
eftt
ogobacktoSA. 
Si
yahaddeci dedtohaveOlwethogobackto
Li
nda.Itwasobv i
ousthatwit
hbothofus
worki
ng,Olwethowouldn’
thaveenoughti
me
wi
theitherofus,soi
twasbestf orhi
mtogot o
Li
nda.ButSiyawouldgetOlwetho2weekends
i
namont h.

Hedidhowevermakei
tcl
earthati
fLindatr
ied
any
thi
nghewoul dt
akehi
m away,andthi
stime
i
twouldbeforev
er

Si
yaandIwer
est
art
ingt
ofi
nal
l
ymendourpat
h.
Ihadfoundamarri
agecounci
l
lornotf
arfr
om
hishousei
nJHB,andwehadanappointment
thefol
lowi
ngweek.

Iwashopi
ngthatwit
hcounsel l
ingIwoul
dbe
abl
etogetbacktobeingcomf ort
abl
ewit
h
havi
ngsexwit
hSiya,becausehewasof f
ici
all
y
dyi
ngfr
om acaseblueball
s. 
: (

Lucki
l
ySiyawasalsoreal
l
ybusy .Hestar
tedhis
newpostasLi
eutenantonthefoll
owing
Monday,
sohewasbusyget ti
ngt hi
ngsinorder
.

Meont heotherhandIwasbusytry
ingto
famil
iar
isemyselfwit
hNdhl
ovuCorp.Ihadmy
fi
rstboardmeeti
nginaweek,soIhadtomake
sureIwasupt odatewit
habsol
utel
yeveryt
hing.

Ont
heot
herhandIhadt
oat
tendSi
ya’
ssi
gni
ng
ceremony.Iwasabitnervous,because
apparent
lyi
twasar eal
lybigdealinhisi
ndustr
y.
SoIhadt omakesureIwasonpoi nt,
becauseI
hadtohostabout100ofhi scoll
eagues.

Soal li
nallwehadahect iccoupleofweeks
ahead.Butmosti mportantl
yIcansayIwas
gladItookthedeci si
ont ostay.BecausewhenI
fi
rstmetSi yaIthoughtwewoul dhav ethe
perfectrel
ati
onship,butIlearnedveryquickl
y
thateventhoughnei therSiyanorIwer eperf
ect
,
thelovewehav ef oreachot herwasl i
keno
other,andthatalonemadeourr el
ationshi
p
worthf i
ghti
ngfor.

ENDOFSEASONONE