Unmasked
Chapter 16

There is something about being hurt more than once that makes you question whatever kindness that comes your way. Thando is sleeping peacefully next to me. He has his hands wrapped around me and I should be happy that we are now in a good place but there is a part of me that is unsettled. There is a part of me that feels that maybe he is pretending to be okay with me so that he can use everything against me at a later stage.

I get my phone from my side table and make sure to put it on silent and reduce the screen lighting so that it doesn’t wake him up. I text Zac hoping that he has unblocked me and I am thrilled to see my message being delivered and a few seconds later it shows that it has been read.

‘You are still awake.’ He accuses. His tone is not soft.

‘I can’t sleep.’

‘What’s up?’

‘I opened up to Thando.’

‘You did what?’

‘I had to Zac, I am tired of this façade of a life. How long do I have to drag myself in the mud before I can finally come clean.’

‘I am guessing it didn’t go the way you thought it would right?’

‘Weirdly, he took it better than I thought he would.”

‘That is weird.’

‘I know right. I want to believe that it is just in my head but Zac how does he react softly to all this mess? I mean it’s not everyday that you learn that your partner has all these secrets.’

‘Or maybe he is just a good person. Have you thought about it?’

‘I know he is and I can’t take that away from him but Zac people like you and I are not so trusting.’

‘I understand you Zara, but what do you want to do?’

‘I don’t know. If I am being honest, I am actually scared right now.’

‘I have always viewed Thando as a very good man, it would shock me to replace out that he is otherwise. Besides you have told me to stay clear of your marriage haven’t you?’

‘Yes, I don’t want you doing anything Zac.’

‘But you are scared.’

‘So scared.’

‘Plus he listened to our conversation remember, he knows the reason I am in this marriage so why is he taking it lightly? Why isn’t he reacting?’

‘What if he hired someone to dig into our past and he knew everything about it before you opened up? What if he wants to use this for his career growth? You know how big this case is not so?’

I sigh deeply after reading the message.

‘Or what if he is just a good person and he is just glad that you have opened up to him?’

‘I don’t know Zac.’

‘Tell me what you want me to do.’

‘Look into him, replace me anything. I just need to know that my baby and I are fine.’

‘Sure. And if it’s something that will hurt you?’

‘I will still want to know. Just give me everything as you will replace it.’

‘And then?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘And if he is out here to get you? What do we do?’

‘It’s high time we stop fighting Zac.’

‘We will stop when the war is over.’

‘And Zara.’

‘Yes?’

‘I have a strong feeling that either Celine or Sasha ratted you out.’

‘Aren’t you sleeping with Celine?’

‘So?’

‘Then why don’t you trust her?’

‘I have kept her this long just to keep her in check.’

‘Zac you really need to stop thinking that everyone is a bad person.’

‘Thando had the chance to prove me wrong but here we are.’

‘You know we haven’t settled that right?’

‘I know.’

‘And Zara.’

‘Yes.’

‘I want you to be careful, I need you and my niece in good condition.’

‘Look at you being an Uncle. I thought you didn’t want me to have this baby.’

‘I didn’t. I don’t. but if you want her and she makes you happy then I will support you.’

‘It could be a him you know.’

‘Even better, so that I am not out numbered.’

‘Sleep.’

‘Have a good night hey, and I will call some of my old friends just to look into your husband.’

‘I will appreciate.’

‘Do you need me to hack his phone?’

‘No Zac, that’s just absurd. Thando is not that type of person that we need to get into his phone. I bet there is nothing there.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘I trust him.’

‘Whatever you say.’

‘Thanks Zac.’

‘Good night.’

‘Good night.’

I turn off my data and look at Thando who is still sleeping peacefully. I kiss his forehead and slide down so that I am lying next to him.

‘Good night husband.’ I whisper.

…

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏾‍♀️