PROMISED TO HIM
CHAPTER 09
MAYIBUYE SMITH
Today Roy’s family was coming over for lunch, and the house was buzzing with maids setting the table, polishing cutlery, and arranging flowers.
I had been looking everywhere for Roy since morning, but as usual, he was nowhere to be found.
When the doorbell finally rang, I straightened my dress and opened it. Mr. Smith was the first to step in, his presence carrying a calm authority.
He smiled warmly and pulled me into a hug. Pretty followed with her usual sass and energy, planting a kiss on my cheek before she twirled into the house as if she owned it. Then Jayden arrived, tall and playful, greeting me with a side hug. Last was Mrs. Smith—Lindiwe. She didn’t hug. She didn’t even smile. She extended her manicured hand as if touching me was a chore.
So that’s where Roy got his arrogance from.
Just when I thought Roy wouldn’t show, the man himself decided to make a grand appearance. He strolled down the staircase in casual sweatpants and a plain t-shirt, his face unreadable. He had been here all along, probably hiding in his study.
We sat around the dining table, the air thick with silent judgments and small talk. Halfway through lunch, Roy’s phone rang.
He didn’t even excuse himself politely. He just stood, pressed the phone to his ear, and muttered,
“Excuse me.” Minutes later, he came down dressed in a black leather jacket and a cap pulled low over his eyes
“I need to go I will be back there is an emergency “
Without another word, he left.
No further explanation. No glance in my direction. Nothing.
The table went quiet after he slammed the door. My appetite disappeared, and soon the meal ended. One by one, the family excused themselves until I found myself alone in the lounge with Lindiwe.
She studied me for a long moment, her eyes sharp and unkind.
“You know,” she finally said, her voice dripping with disdain,
“Roy deserves a good woman. An educated one. A woman who meets his standards.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my mouth shut. But the words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Too big from someone who is a housewife, isn’t it?”
Her eyes darkened instantly. She leaned closer, her hand twitching in the air.
“Ever spit shit about me again,” she whispered coldly, her palm lifting as if to strike me.
Before her hand could land, Mr. Smith walked in.
“Lindiwe, let her go and we should leave now ,” he said firmly. His tone was final, but her eyes shot daggers into mine. If looks could kill, I’d have dropped dead on that Persian carpet.
Jayden and Pretty came back shortly after. Pretty announced she had errands and dashed out, leaving me alone with Jayden. His presence was lighter, easier to breathe in after the storm of his mother.
“Is your mom always like that?” I asked, raising a brow.
Jayden chuckled. “Like spitfire? Yeah. She’s… overprotective, that’s all.”
“Don’t forget to include she’s a walking dragon,” I muttered, and we both burst into laughter.
Jayden suggested a walk, so we ended up at the park nearby. The afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the grass as kids ran past us and couples strolled hand in hand. We took silly selfies, laughed at each other’s poses, and for a moment, I forgot all about Roy and his coldness.
“So, sis-in-law,” Jayden grinned, “you won’t give me your digits? Or is Roy refusing?”
I snorted. “I don’t even have a phone.”
Jayden’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? Your man is a billionaire, and you don’t have a phone?”
I laughed bitterly. “He’s not my man. We’re just… a deal.”
Jayden’s smile faded slightly as he studied me.
“You don’t look like a deal, Mayi. You look like someone who deserves better.”
His words stayed with me long after we walked back home.
When we got back, Roy still hadn’t returned. I sat in the living room, staring at the silent walls, the echo of Jayden’s words ringing in my head. “You deserve better.”
Later that night, I was in the bathtub soaking in warm water when I heard the front door slam. Roy’s heavy footsteps echoed through the house.
I stayed longer in the bath, letting the water cool. When I finally stepped out, I found him sprawled on the bed, leather jacket tossed carelessly on the chair. He was scrolling through his phone, completely ignoring me.
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, laughing at some silly show, trying to fill the silence. He glanced at me once, irritation flickering in his eyes.
“Can you not giggle like a child?” he snapped. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”
I muted the TV but refused to leave. “It’s not like you were sleeping,” I murmured under my breath.
His head snapped toward me. “What did you say?”
“Nothing,” I lied quickly.
His jaw clenched, and for a moment I thought he would explode. But instead, he rolled over, back facing me
I lay there in the silence, staring at the ceiling, my chest tight. Somewhere inside, I knew this marriage was going to break me