Broken

*21*

As the guests enjoyed themselves, Mo walked over to her mom and hugged her tightly.

"That was beautiful! I'm so proud of you," her mother was saying. She looked up at the white man beside her. "My baby, this is your step-dad, Marcus Gerard."

Mo smiled and shook the man's hand. "Hi Marcus. Nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"And so have I. And I see that your mom wasn't lying. You really are an exceptional young woman. I'll be really glad to call you my daughter." Marcus grinned. "I'm so happy right now. It's just a pity that your brother and sister couldn't be here with us. Your mom wanted to surprise you."

"It is a pity indeed but this is a really nice surprise!" Mo giggled. "So when are you due? I can't wait to meet this little one here."

"In 7 months. You're finally going to be an older sister," Ma teased.

"At 30! I'm old enough to be my lil sis or bro's mother! Talk about terrible timing."

Marcus laughed. "Aren't you just a toot."

Then Ma pointed at the entrance with wide eyes. "Who the heck is that and what happened to him?"

Mo turned to see what she was pointing at and so did several other people. Mo gasped and speed walked to the entrance.

"Tebatso?!" she pushed him out and closed the door behind her. "What-what happened to you?"

Half his face was covered in cuts and bruises and his tuxedo was torn in various places. He was breathless.

"Tebatso? Oh my goodness! Where's your car? Where are your car keys? I'm driving you to the hospital right now!"

"I'm fine," he whispered as he grabbed a panicky Mo's hand. "It's nothing big. I'm OK. "

Mo stared at him. "No. You're not OK. You're covered in blood and cuts and bruises! What happened to you?"

Tebatso walked to his car and Mo followed him. He opened the backseat door and as Mo peered in, she almost screamed and jumped back in shock. Rea.

"What is he doing-how did you-why is he unconscious-did you fight-"

Tebatso shook his head. "He's in some big trouble. I saw him coming in during the event and I followed him to the bathroom to give him the beating of his life after what he did to you but it looked like some people beat me to it. I had to intervene because he was as good as dead if they continued. They beat me as well but I got out with a slap on the wrist compared to what they did to him. I think he might have quite a number of broken bones and I'm gonna rush him to hospital."

"I'm coming with you-"

"No, you're not." Tebatso closed the car door. "The police are definitely going to be involved and I don't want you anywhere near the police, do you hear me? And you have guests to entertain anyway. Just go and enjoy the party, ok.? I'll tell you when it's done but one thing I am sure of is that Rea will be arrested by the end of this night."

"No!" Mo cried. "He can't be arrested, OK? Make sure that he doesn't get arrested...please."

"Mo, he defrauded your company, has been involved in many car hijacking incidents and you're one of his victims, he is an abuser who caused the loss of your child and...the list is endless. I will not aid this man in any other way except for taking him to the hospital and the more time we spend talking, the more his life hangs by the thread. I will make absolutely sure that I am present in the room when the police put cuffs on him, do you hear me?"

Tears came to Mo's eyes as she gripped Tebatso's arm. "He can't be arrested because he is Aphiwe's father."

Tebatso stared blankly at her before realisation dawned on his face. "The little girl? Thabile's daughter?"