Chapter 2: The devils siren

Sinikiwe counted the digits again, disbelief creeping in. Her account—never holding more than three thousand kwacha, roughly her monthly salary—now showed over three hundred thousand.

All the while, she could feel George’s scorching glare burning into her. She flinched mentally, then closed the folder and placed it back on the desk.

”Go on. I’m listening,” he said in a cold, mocking tone. “It’s not what it seems. Someone set you up. You’re innocent. You don’t know what’s going on. Am I on the right track so far?”

Sinikiwe tugged the frayed ends of her grey jersey—a piece worn too many times, almost ready to be torn into rags—closer around her. She closed her eyes, seeking a moment of peace and clarity.

“And if I said yes, would you believe me?”

George scoffed.

“No? I didn’t think so,” she sighed sadly. It was all wishful thinking on her part.”But I don’t care what you think or what that stupid folder says. I didn’t do it.”

How could he doubt her? She was an exemplary employee. How could he think she’d sell company secrets? She wouldn’t risk jail-or her children’s future-for a quick buck.

Her dignity wasn’t for sale.If looks could kill, Sinikiwe was sure his glare had reduced her to dust. She shrank back and looked ashes.

“Have you no shame at all?!” he yelled, grabbing the folder and throwing it at her. She caught it just before it hit her face.“Yell and scream all you want. I did nothing.”

He stared at her, cold and unyielding.Sinikiwe desperately wanted him to believe her. So much had happened while he was away-she wasn’t sure how much he really knew.

“George-sir, please, you have to believe me. I’m innocent,” she whispered, pleading.

A chill ran down her spine as Easineya Mwango’s words echoed in her mind: This isn’t over, you little slut. I will ruin you. You’ll regret messing with my family.

The woman had been true to her word. Tears welled, but Sinikiwe forced herself not to cry. Abel had destroyed her life, and now they played the victim while tearing her apart.

”Before you left…at the airport,” she began, shifting uneasily. That memory had been the only thing holding her together in the past two months.

“Seriously, you’re bringing this up now? You’re unbelievable.”

“What… what did your cousin say to you?”

“What do you think? He’s too blinded by your sick games.”

She looked up, hurt clear in her eyes. Her confession of love had meant nothing. The one time she took a risk-it came back to bite her.

”That day…you said you would think about it.”

“Still hung up on that?”

“You kissed me back.”

“Hey, you made the first move. I’m just a man,” he chuckled dryly. ”Which sane man would resist an easy lay?”

The carelesly uttered words hurt more than a physical slap. In his eyes, she was cheap.

A self deprecating smile tugged the corners of her mouth as her gaze dropped to her feet, clad in a pair of worn out sandles.Tears threatening to spill.

Maybe she was. After all, she had actively pursued him and willingly offered herself to him whilst dating his cousin.

Tears stung her eyes as a bone-chilling realization crept up on her. She had taken a chance on love and lost miserably. Not with him, she understood now.

She had lost with herself.

“What, you think you can seduce me into ignoring your crimes? Try all you want-it won’t work.”

“I…see…”

“You know, I’m glad Abel came to his senses and cut his losses before it was too late,” George said coldly. “Because you, Sinikiwe, under all that angelic beauty, are nothing but the devil’s siren.”

He had never hidden his dislike for their relationship. Once, he’d even offered her a house and monthly allowance to end it. She’d taken it all in stride-where she should have been hurt.

But now, his words broke her heart.He was the man she loved. He knew that. Foolishly, she’d confessed and kissed him before he left for South America.

The the moment that changed everything.

Rubbing her aching heart, she let silent tears fall.

Oh, her foolish heart. She should have known better. Love wasn’t for her. Ever since meeting George-when Abel was trying to court her-she’d fallen madly.

One cousin courted her with words and riches, but her heart chose the wrong man.It wasn’t like Abel was any less than George. Charming, well-built, the kind who made everything he wore fit perfectly.

He was kind, the kind of man many women wanted. But his money and status never impressed her-something he never understood.

If Abel was a gift to women, George was the god himself: articulate, confident, accomplished, commanding.

She’d fallen for not just his looks, but his mysterious, valiant spirit.

“I want you out. Gone. In the next hour,” George said sharply. “If I ever catch you near my family again, you’ll regret it. I will show you no mercy.”

Sinikiwe scoffed. What was the worse they could do? Break her heart? Trample her feelings? She had no time to mourn her losses and mendher broken heart.

Her son was in the hospital, and she had to be strong.She turned to leave with what dignity she could muster, but the double doors flew open.

A woman, strikingly similar to George, entered. Elegance and aristocracy radiated from her. She looked from George to Sinikiwe.

“Mum,” George greeted, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Is this her?”George sighed and nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets as he moved back to the window.

Mrs. Elizabeth Njolomba approached Sinikiwe, standing before her. Without warning, she slapped Sinikiwe hard across the face.

The sting echoed in her ear. The headache she’d been fighting surged to full force.

“Ma’am…”

“Wretched woman. Ingrate-that’s what you are.”

“Mrs. Njolomba…” Sinikiwe began but silence fell as another slap landed across her other cheek.

“Don’t you dare speak my name with that filthy, lying mouth!” Elizabeth spat. “I curse the day you walked into our lives. Do you even know how much sweat and blood went into this company?”

Sinikiwe looked down as Elizabeth grabbed her chin roughly. Her jaw hurt, if she applied a liitle more force, she was afraid it would snap into two. “Poor Abel had to plead your case. That’s the only reason my son’s cutting you some slack. If it were up to me, you’d be rotting in jail.”

She pushed Sinikiwe backward. Losing her balance, Sinikiwe fell onto the carpeted floor.

Elizabeth glared down, eyes blazing.
“Trash like you, gold-digging sluts, they should never be allowed near decent people.”

George stared out the window, oblivious.

Sinikiwe lifted her head defiantly. An act that seemed to fuel Elizabeth’s fury.

“Arrogant and cocky to the very end,” Elizabeth hissed.“But no more. Get out-run. Run as far and as fast as you can. Because if I catch you, you cheap little slut, I’ll make your life miserable.”Elizabeth’s fierce gaze bore into her as Sinikiwe fought the tears threatening to spill.