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Chapter Twelve.

He calls me back. I hang up giggling.

'Did you just say Chery is picking me up tomorrow? Excuse me.'

'What's wrong with Chery now?'

'You're serious? I told you that car is not roadworthy anymore.'

'And I told you to leave my baby alone.'

'I wish you'd call me baby instead.'

I send him a bunch of laughing emoji's before sending him a goodnight text.

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My reflection stared back at me. My face was as blank as an empty book. The bags underneath my eyes were empty, the life sucked out of them. My body stiff and screaming for some rest while my heart just beat away to the tempo of the clock in my room. I walked closer to my reflection and stood there for a good second...

I looked at the top of my forehead where my wild untamed hairline hair roamed freely. My plum full cheeks and lips that looked just like my mother's. My naked shoulders which glided smoothly, glowing and golden like honey. My full, fallen breasts sitting perfectly on my chest. I looked down at my belly...this mushy beautiful thing right here that connected right to my love handles where my fingertips glided across the marks of my skin stretching to accommodate all this loveliness. These bumpy thighs and hips...gosh...where is all this beauty coming from?

And this smile on my face. It can't be because 12h00 is just around the corner...or was it.

There was an extra spring to my step as I made my way to the kitchen to boil some water to bath in. After bathing I get dressed in one of the dresses Nyiso bought for me. It's a beautiful mustard yellow colour and because I felt extra about myself, I paired it a black block heel.

I let my braids loose, but then later decide against it. I tie it up. A nude colored lipstick goes onto my lips and a little bit of mascara to my lashes. I spray on some perfume before taking all the things I needed for this day. I find Zonke on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, reminding me of the weather outside. I go fetch a jean jacket of mine in my wardrobe and throw it over my arm.

My mannequins have been changed again. Two new faces to watch me now.

I make the drive all the way to the palace in under an hour. I roll down the window. They look at me once and let me in.

No ID? Nothing?

I spot him, not so far away. Hands in his pockets. A smile.

"Morning. I mean afternoon." I correct myself.
"Hey. Can I get a hug?" He says taking his hands out of his pockets. I could never resist this man's hugs even if I wanted to.

"You look beautiful." He whispers into my ear, arms tightening around my waist.
"You look handsome too."
"Is that so?"
"Yes." I say rolling my eyes.

Someone clears their throat. I let go of him, but he still keeps me in place. It's Amandla, looking at him and I with a grin on her face.

"Hey Zano."
"Ama." I acknowledge.
"Good to see you." She says before walking off to some cars. I wonder where she is going.

"Anyway, I forgot something in my wing. Come."
"But..."
"Come on." He pulls me by my waist as we made our way up the stairs to the entrance of the palace. We head off to another direction this time around. The day I was here, I was put in the guest wing. A shit massive guest wing at that too cause I'm sure it would be able to accommodate almost 50 people if need be. Probably even more.