PROMISED TO HIM
CHAPTER 04
MAYIBUYE DUMA
I cried until my chest hurt, until my voice broke, until my body gave up and I dozed off with tear stains on my face. When I woke up, I was no longer in the cold corner where I’d collapsed. Instead, I found myself in a massive bedroom—everything white, the walls, the curtains, even the bedding. The kind of room that looked too clean, too empty, too far from home.
My stomach tightened.
Then the man from yesterday walked in, his voice soft like he was careful not to break me.
“Mayi… I’m sorry about this.”
My heart raced. “I want to go back home. Please. I don’t want to stay here… gogo must be worried sick.” My voice cracked at the thought of Mantuli.
He nodded slowly, almost rehearsed. “Mantuli is in good hands… I’ve hired a maid to take care of her.”
“Why?” I wiped at my swollen eyes, confused and angry. “You don’t know us. I have nothing—please just take me back home. That’s all I want.”
His expression tightened, like my plea was heavier than he could carry. “Mayi… it’s not that easy, like you think.”
Something inside me jolted. My chest went hollow. I got off the bed too quickly, swaying a little. “Wait—how do you even know my name?”
He took a deep breath and stepped closer. “I was a big friend of your mother since varsity. My father… he wanted us to date, but your mother was with Robert—my father’s business partner your father. I’ve known her for a long time, Mayi. Longer than you think.”
I froze. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy. “Grandma never told me that. How am I supposed to believe you?”
He didn’t argue. Instead, he held out his hand, silent but steady. I hesitated, but curiosity pushed me. He led me down the hall, into a study. The place smelled like old books and leather. He moved a mat, revealing a hidden latch. My breath caught when he opened it. A safe, or maybe a secret chamber, I wasn’t sure.
“Come.”
Fear gripped me, but I followed. Inside, my world tilted. There were pictures—of Mama. Paintings, family photos, some of her smiling, laughing. My throat closed. I touched one of the frames, tracing her face with my fingers.
“She… she was here?” My voice cracked into a whisper.
He nodded. “You see now? How close she was to us? My father wanted this bond, this… relationship, to continue into the next generation.”
I shook my head, stepping back, overwhelmed. “This is too much.”
“I know,” he said softly. “It’s a lot to take in. But everything will be fine.”
His words didn’t comfort me. They scared me more.
Later, I bathed, trying to wash away the heaviness pressing on my chest. In the wardrobe, rows of clothes waited for me—expensive dresses, shoes that looked brand new, untouched tags. I hated it. I didn’t belong in this world. I picked a simple red dress and tied my hair into a neat bun.
The heels? A disaster. I wobbled with each step, As I was about to fall, strong arms caught me.
A muscular man—light-skinned, jaw sharp enough to cut, tuxedo hugging his broad frame. For a moment, our eyes locked, and something in my chest flipped.
I quickly cleared my throat, breaking the moment.
“Can’t you see where you’re going? Busy daydreaming.” His voice was deep, teasing, with a hint of irritation.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I… I’m sorry.”
He clicked his tongue, brushing invisible dust off his tuxedo. “Reckless girl.”
Before I could snap back, a voice echoed down the grand staircase.
“Roy!”
The man from earlier descended with authority, his eyes sharp but smiling. He reached us and pulled the stranger closer, presenting him like a prized jewel.
“Here she is—Mayibuye. Your wife. Mayi, this is Roy. Your husband.”
My heart dropped.
Roy’s jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might crack. He didn’t look happy. He didn’t look pleased to see me. No—his eyes burned like he hated this as much as I did.
I crossed my arms, tilting my chin high.i was like Boy, you may be handsome, but don’t give me attitude. Because I hate this thing too.
When I was a little girl, I used to dream of men like him. Tall, broad-shouldered, perfect teeth, clean fade like the ones in romance novels. I used to think one day I’d have that love story.
But now?
Now the dream felt like a curse.