As they drive through the streets of Pietermaritzburg, Thiwe can’t help but wonder what is happening. But she’s put out of her misery by Mrs. Thembekwayo, who disturbs her racing thoughts:
"I said, your mom!”
“Thenjiwe can’t think sometimes,” Mrs. Thembekwayo adds.
“Hmm?” Thiwe managed to say something.
It turns out Thiwe’s mom said she is the new mother-in-law of a famous cricketer named Tim Tinkler and has recently joined the conglomerate Tinkler Family. People weren't even aware that she had a daughter.
“She went as far as releasing your lobola, wedding, and delivery date,” Mrs. Thembekwayo adds.
“Delivery date?” Thiwe screams.
“Yes, along with pictures of you, Veli, and Tim at the hotel, the mall, and the airport. I saw some of the reporters looking at them. I didn’t think it was you."
Thiwe keeps quiet. She realises her mom just painted her as a 22-year-old pregnant fiancé when it’s only been days since she started dating Tim. Her phone is ringing non-stop. Veli and Mrs. Thembekwayo know very well not to force Thiwe to talk when she is stressed. The two don’t even bother asking her where they are going.
They arrive at Tim’s house using a secret entrance, as some of the reporters are already waiting outside. The driver tells Thiwe where to go, and she asks Veli and Mrs. Thembekwayo to stay in the car. Mrs Thembekwayo firmly agrees to stay in the car, as she knows exactly where she is and is not interested in seeing Gavin Tinkler.
As Thiwe walks through the kitchen from the garage, her anxiety escalates, and the motion lights are not helping to reduce her anxiety. While in the kitchen, she spots Ken, who is grabbing a glass of wine.
“Well, well, if it’s not my pregnant sister-in-law."
“How old are you?” Ken asks Thiwe almost dismissively.
Thiwe retaliates by shooting him a threatening look with her brown eyes. Due to the deafening silence accompanying the reaction, Ken is terrified.
“It’s that way." Ken suddenly points in the direction of Gavin’s office.
With every step Thiwe takes, she wonders how she got here. She knocks softly.
“Come in”
“Take a seat.”
Thiwe looks around the office, every piece of furniture is wooden but almost panel-like. Thiwe grabs one of the executive chairs and sits right across from Gavin, who looks stressed.
“I know it’s a lie."
“Excuse me?”
“Your parents are desperate. But at the moment, their issue is a drop in the ocean."
“The stock price for Tinkler industries is not plummeting only because of them."
“But I would have prevented it if they acknowledged you as their daughter. I thought you grew up with your grandparents."
“I did, sir. They left my brother and me with our grandparents to launch a political career. Welcome to South Africa, where you don’t need to play happy family to gain political traction."
“What has been your involvement?”
"Firstly, sir, I love your son, and I will marry him. One day”
“But I can assure you that I am not pregnant because we’ve been dating literally for two days."
There is silence between them as Thiwe’s words are said with so much passion and as if tears are going to flow out of her eyes.
Gavin starts laughing—a contagious laugh.
“This is Tim’s only relationship I haven’t been able to control, which means that it is genuine," Gavin said, handing Thiwe a glass of water.
“Excuse me?”
“Your parents' statements are a lie. We will deny the allegations. So, it won’t be difficult to shut down. The challenge is Zahra. She is releasing a damning article tomorrow about how she’s wrestling a man with so much money for her inheritance."
Gavin suddenly opens up to Thiwe about the stress he’s going through.
“All the while Tinkler Industries has an alleged heir or heiress from the infamous Mda Family, Gavin Tinkler is still not willing to let go of Phakama media.”
“That’s the headline tomorrow, but I can’t let go of Phakama Media. It’s her baby.”
Thiwe realises that he must be referring to Tim’s mother, his wife, who disappeared.
“She built that company, and I stopped her from going when I found out she had an affair with Zahra’s dad."
“There’s a lot of onion skin that hasn’t been peeled on that one. The company went bankrupt. My wife disappeared. I can’t seem to let go of the company in case she comes back. I had thought Zahra had sent you, but after realising who your parents were and what they did today, I know you were not involved. I apologise”
Thiwe opens her eyes wide open.
“Sir, why are you telling me this?” Thiwe surprised.
“Love can make you do stupid things and keep you fighting for things other people don’t see or understand."
“Sir, I can ask my mother to withdraw her statement. I apologise”
“You can try, but I think it will be better not to admit anything now. For you to lie low for a while and...”
“Break up with Tim?” Thiwe attempts to finish off Gavin’s sentence.
“Whatever you do, don’t break up with him. Call him every day if need be.
“Excuse me?”
“The case between Zahra and I is going to be hard for him."
Gavin mentions to Thiwe that he pushed the trial date to after Tim's tournament so that Tim could play to the best of his ability.
“I can’t lie low, sir. I have exams."
“I have given you security personnel for when you write your exams."
“Excuse me?”
“Yes”
Bandile suddenly budges in, stomping his feet in urgency, with Ken following in pursuit.
“Mr Tinkler”
“Bandile. It’s been a while."
“Tim asked me to fetch Thiwe immediately."
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