by Louise Make
After lunch and well into her green tea, Langa squinted at her companion over her cup.
“You still haven’t told me why you did what you did yesterday.”
Thomas sat back, smiling at her enigmatically. All evidence of his mischievous sense of humour had disappeared from his eyes.
“Of course I have, my dear. It’s all I’ve been doing this entire lunch.” He leaned towards her. “There was a second reason I wanted to speak to you. Lazola called me earlier. He’s been called overseas on business and won’t be back for another week. He asked me to apologise to you on his behalf.”
Langa tried to hide her disappointment. “I see.”
“He has many demands on his time, my dear. The hotel is only a small part of that.”
And so are you.
Langa heard the silent addition loud and clear. Lazola was a busy man with no place in his life for a demanding relationship. His work was everything to him. Langa needed to either accept that or look elsewhere.
Lazola had woven himself into her being within a matter of months and she couldn’t imagine anything similar with anyone else. But did that mean that she could accept his detachment from her? His feelings obviously didn’t match hers. Could she settle for coming second? Would that not be worse than simply making a clean cut and walking away while she still had the strength?
“Thank you for clarifying things, Thomas.” The stiffness in her tone brought sadness to the older man’s eyes. “I’ll be checking out early. Could you see to it that a driver be ready to take me home in ten minutes?”
Thomas’s hands folded in resignation. “Of course.”
*
“Oh sweetie, that’s wonderful !”
Langa stopped crying for the first time since her friends had arrived at her place. She hiccoughed at Angela in amazement.
“H-how is that wonderful, Ang? I’m t-telling you that I just had my heart broken by a brute and you’re ready to bring out the ch-champagne?”
“She doesn’t mean it like that, sunshine.” Vuvu plopped herself down on the bed beside Langa. She’d found grapes in Langa’s fridge and was munching her way through a bunch. “It’s more the fact that you’re lying there, a complete basket case over a man. You’re a weepy mess and look like you’ve had a run-in with a locomotive.”
“Great. Tell me again why I’m friends with you two?”
“Because you love us?” Angela grinned hopefully.
“I thought it was because of my amazing looks and sense of style.” Vuvu lay down beside her and popped another grape into her mouth. “Now look, you’re not going to see it right away, but from where we’re standing this is pretty flipping marvellous. You’re in love. You’ve found the one for you. It’s the best thing that could ever happen, and Ang and I are happy that you have that.”
“But I’m not, Vuvu,” Langa sniffed. At least the tears seemed to have stopped. “And I’ll never have him, not the way that I want.”
Angela sat down on her other side and patted her hair. “Of course you will, sweetie. You just need to calm down a bit and let things run their course.”
Vuvu nodded. “Yes. Quit trying to tackle the runaway horse and let it come to you.”
“I thought it was a runaway train.”
“That too. You know what I mean. Step back a little and gain some perspective.”
“You’re right.” Langa sat up and wiped at her tears. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Lord, Vuvu was right about the way she looked. “There’s no use crying over what I can’t have and can’t change. I need to distance myself from Lazola and pick up the pieces. It’s the only way to heal.”
Angela jumped up. “No, no, no, sweetie! That’s not what we meant …”
“It’s the only way, Ang. Sorry, but there’s no fairy-tale ending this time.”
*
Lazola called her when he returned to the country but Langa avoided talking about that night, saying the phone was not a suitable way to discuss their shifting relationship. Lazola let it be, but she sensed that he wasn’t happy about it.
Instead, he asked her about her high school and university years. Langa wasn’t sure how she felt about his interest. In return, Lazola told her about the high school year he spent in Denmark on an exchange programme; and the varsity holidays he never got to enjoy with friends because he had to learn about his father’s businesses.
Once she trusted that he wouldn’t ambush her with emotional talk, Langa relaxed a little. They stayed up half the night talking and, for the first time, she had difficulty getting up for work the next morning.
By mid-October the Rhadebe Omni-Chic Hotel was booked to capacity and the bookings stretched all the way until the end of summer. The hotel’s ability to create an awe-inspiring experience for every guest was on everybody’s lips. The success of the marketing campaign had exceeded even Langa’s expectations.
Countless entertainment journalists called to request interviews and since Lazola was unavailable, Langa found herself stepping in each time. Reports appeared in hospitality and tourism magazines everywhere.
The internship project was underway as well, since most of the selected students had completed their exams. Though not intended as a publicity stunt, the mass sponsorship did end up gaining a lot of attention – mainly because three other major chains were exposed on an investigative programme for collaborating to hike accommodation prices while simultaneously short-changing employees on remuneration. The ROCH was lauded as being an impressive example of success, integrity and generosity.
Langa hardly allowed herself a day off. She found that time alone only invited emotional turmoil and thoughts of Lazola Rhadebe. There was no possible way she could accept the job he’d offered her. Working side by side with him, watching him reject what they could have had, would eventually destroy her.
She resolved to see the rest of the ROCH contract through, and said a silent goodbye to her hopes for anything more.
By the end of the second month of the ROCH’s public success, Langa was surprised when the MD of a rival marketing company asked to meet with her. She arrived at The Adonis to find him waiting.
“Mr Cohen.”
“Please call me Gordon.” He smiled, though his gaze remained calculating. “I’m glad you agreed to meet with me. I’ll get right to the point. You’ve been making waves, Miss Cima. I’ve been watching your progress and your work ethic has always been remarkable, but you’ve exceeded even that in the last few months.
“I’d like to offer you a position, one I have no doubt would interest you. Head of Marketing, effective the moment you sign on the dotted line. Our company’s growing rather rapidly, with a new branch opening in Hong Kong. We have a few weeks to go before we open our doors there, and I want you signed with us as soon as possible. Once Hong Kong is operational, you will be stationed there for the first two years.”
Langa fixed astonished eyes on him. “I don’t know what to say, Gordon. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.”
He leaned forward. “But? If you’re worried about your remuneration, I assure you there’s no need.”
“No, no but. I guess it’s just really unexpected. Moving to Hong Kong would be a very big step.”
“Do you have anything tying you here?”
Langa sighed. “I don’t.”
Gordon Cohen watched her in silence for so long that she started feeling a little uncomfortable.
Finally, he nodded. “Feel free to take some time to think about it. I need to fill this post soon, though. But I’m sure you’ll see what an amazing opportunity this is once you’ve allowed it to sink in.”
She thanked him for his interest and headed straight back to her office.
*
Langa spent the rest of the week buried in her work. Whenever thoughts of the other job offer came up, she pushed them aside. She told herself it was because she was too swamped to do justice to such a serious decision. While the thought of leaving her life in Joburg worri
ed her some, the thought of having a bigger reason to stay frightened her even more.
“I need to be with you,” he’d said.
Chapter 5
5
Langa was early; the conference room was still empty when she entered. She liked allowing herself extra time to set up and prepare for meetings she would be heading.
Minutes later the other invited members filed in with their assistants and took their seats. She’d completed her second quarter on the ROCH plan. The success of her work was overlapping into other sections in the company. Robert had called together the heads of department to gather status updates from each.
Once everyone was seated, Langa greeted the room and prepared to address them. After reporting on the marketing department’s successes, she launched into her ideas on how to tackle future goals. At one point she noticed Robert nodding approvingly at her. She was making him proud.
Two hours later, all the relevant points and queries had been covered and the meeting concluded. As soon as one of the assistants announced that the pre-ordered lunch had arrived, Langa started planning her escape. She had a tub of yoghurt waiting on her desk, along with a folder of market research reports.
Before she’d voiced her feeble excuse, however, the door opened again. It was behind her so she did not see who had entered, but goosebumps spread across her skin.
No, it’s not …
Only one person made her react so instinctively, simply by being near her. She wouldn’t have believed it possible, but excitement was rippling along the back of her neck and skating down her spine. It had to be him.
Lazola’s unique scent wrapped itself around Langa as he strode past her to greet Robert. They talked for a minute before Lazola turned away, seeming to scan the large conference room. He looked magnificent in a dark-blue business suit and white shirt. Clearly the weeks apart had dealt him none of the havoc they had thundered upon her.
Langa felt her irritation rise as some of the women brightened visibly. He smiled at each one.
Langa caught herself watching jealously as Olivia, one of the single ladies, sauntered up to Lazola. She had a reputation around the office for having every man at her beck and call, and Lazola didn’t seem to be putting up much resistance either. He made no move to put distance between them when she lightly touched his lapel. Instead, he laughed at something she murmured softly.
Langa grabbed her documents and quickly tossed them in her file. The best thing would be for her to get as far away as she could from this man. At least until she felt equipped to handle being around him again.
“Langa, there you are. I do hope you’ll spare me some of your time. Have lunch with me.”
Langa wasn’t sure who was more surprised, she or Olivia, who blatantly disregarded the concept of personal space. She gritted her teeth when she turned to see that Olivia now had a possessive grip on Lazola’s arm. How could he act like he wasn’t encouraging this sickening flirtation?
“I appreciate the offer, Mr Rhadebe, but I still have a long day ahead.”
“Cut it short. Robert agreed with me when I mentioned how you push yourself far too hard.”
Langa flicked an annoyed glance at her oblivious boss. “Robert had no business giving you the impression I’d be free today. We’re having our software upgraded and –”
“He did say that someone needed to be here to meet the IT supplier in the afternoon, and I’m not suggesting you cancel the appointment. Olivia here assures me that her diary is completely open. I’m sure she’d be happy to stand in for you.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “That’s not what I –”
“Please, Olivia.” Lazola smiled at her. “Langa is going to wear herself out if we don’t step in. And I regard it as my personal duty to take her out for the rest of the day and pamper her as much as I can. After all, I am the reason she’s been taxing herself these last six months. You do understand, don’t you?”
He lifted Olivia’s hand from its hungry grip on his arm and patted it coolly before releasing it. She knew she’d been had; there was no way she could refuse McMann’s most important client. Her blue eyes turned icy as she turned to nod at Langa.
“Good, you found her,” Robert said as he joined them. “If I know her as well as I think I do, she would’ve disappeared to eat a measly energy bar at her desk.”
“Yoghurt,” Langa grumbled.
Robert frowned. “No offence, but you look like you need a break. Consider it a work lunch if that’ll ease your compulsive conscience. A long work lunch. See you Monday, Langa.” Robert’s cellphone rang and he left to answer it privately.
Lazola stepped forward. “I hope you won’t make me beg, Langa.”
She felt herself slowly melting in the warmth of his smile. “I suppose I can’t turn down a so-called work lunch with a valued client.”
“My car’s downstairs. We’ll start at your place, as you’ll need to pack an overnight bag. Thomas tells me you didn’t spend your full weekend at the hotel the last time I invited you.”
Langa cringed visibly. Olivia and a couple of other assistants were still in the room and eavesdropping quite conspicuously. She was sure that Lazola’s words would have spread through most of the company by the end of the day, powered by the gossip airwaves. The only thing likely to save her reputation was her attachment to her desk. She’d been too busy to arrange clandestine meetings. Langa hoped that would be enough to stem any speculation about an affair between Lazola and herself.
He seemed nowhere near as fazed as she by the possibility of being the topic of the latest office gossip. He helped her into her suit jacket and guided her from the room.
“That was terrible of you, playing poor Olivia like that.” Langa felt herself leaning into the hand he placed at the small of her back as they made their way to the lifts.
Lazola’s full lips curled. “Olivia played herself. Is she always that … forward?”
The lift doors opened and they stepped inside. Langa shot a small smile at him as the doors slid shut.
“What? You’ve never struck me as the type of man to be intimidated by an assertive woman – Oh!”
The vehemence with which he grabbed her was unexpected, and Langa’s breath left her body in a whoosh. His strong arms wrapped around her and one hand came up to undo her loose knot.
“Lazola?”
“I’ve missed you, Langa. Just give me a moment.”
Despite her bewilderment, Langa’s body rejoiced at being in the embrace of the one person who made her feel complete.
“Why did you leave the way you did?”
Langa sighed. “How could I stay, Lazola? You left first, remember? I couldn’t wait around indefinitely. I have a life of my own and a career to tend to.”
She didn’t want him to know how hurt she’d been. That was why she had avoided this very talk during their recent night-time phone calls. She was afraid he’d figure out how deep her feelings for him were, how she’d fallen madly in love, like a naïve girl. That was the last thing she wanted him to know.
She leaned back in his arms and offered up what she hoped was a casual smile.
“Look, Lazola, we’ve made each other no promises, and that’s fine by me. We’re both adults. We work well together and that’s all that matters. Let’s not jeopardise a good thing by overanalysing our status quo.”
Something dark flitted across his handsome face, but he cleared his expression before Langa could define it.
“Very well. Let’s just enjoy ourselves, shall we?”
He released her as the lift doors opened onto the ground floor and led her out to his car.
An hour later Langa’s eyes widened in surprise. “This is where we’re having lunch?”
Lazola grinned. “You’re surprised. I thought you’d enjoy it, but if you’d prefer to go somewhere else I’d be happy to. Name the place.”
“No,” she quickly replied. “This is perfect.”
Lazola got out and opened the door for her.
The sun warmed her instantly and all around was the sound of small children playing.
“Let’s get a move on. I’ve reserved the best spot in the whole park.”
Lazola took a picnic basket from the back seat and grabbed her hand before leading her to the shade of some large trees near the lake. He spread out the blanket and started unpacking the food. They sat and ate together, chatting and laughing comfortably. It was the first time Langa had seen him so relaxed.
She also couldn’t help but notice how easily he drew attention. He, on the other hand, seemed unaware of the women sitting on benches, flitting glances his way while reading or eating lunches of their own.
“… Of course, the obvious answer is that you’re in love.”
Langa nearly choked on an olive. “What?”
Lazola was watching her from beneath hooded eyes. “I’m talking about your behaviour lately. I’ve been wondering why you’ve been keeping me at arm’s length.”
Langa felt the panic clutching at her heart. “I’m not – I haven’t been avoiding you. We’ve both just been busy, you know that.”
“That still doesn’t explain how agitated you get around me. Don’t worry about it. I respect your feelings.”
“You do?”
“Naturally. I don’t know what you see in Nkosi, though; you two don’t quite match.”
Langa wondered how the conversation had gone downhill so fast. “Ben?”
Lazola put his hands up. “Don’t snap, I’m not being critical. Okay, I am a little. I’m just surprised.”
“Why would you think …?”
“If you’re hiding behind Nkosi so you won’t have to deal with how well you and I suit each other, you’re not the woman I thought you were.”
“I’m not hiding,” she said.
“You know, you were right about challenges exciting me. You challenge me, and you’ve shown me a different side to myself. Could it be that I’ve done the same for you? Is that why you’re looking for someone safe? Because, somehow, I just don’t see someone as soft as Nkosi satisfying you – all of you.”
Langa felt the heat in her cheeks. He thought she wanted Ben? How absurd. She considered confirming his suspicions, then realised she’d have to keep the act up whenever Ben was around. The last thing she wanted was to drag innocent bystanders into the wreck that was her love life.
