48.

Nikki

It’s been two days since Xander left and I have to admit it, it’s been quite in the house. He calls me every day whenever he gets the chance to and we text all the time but today something didn’t feel right, he was quiet. He didn’t text me in the morning, he didn’t call me and when I asked Charles, he said he had an early morning meeting but something about that sounded like a lie.




“Nikiwe, are you okay?” my mother asks.




I shake my head, “Something doesn’t feel right, something is wrong with Xander.”




She looks at me and frowns, “Why do you say that?”




“He hasn’t spoken to me yet and he usually calls me around this time,”




My mom sighs, “Nikki, I’m sure he is okay. Now let’s get you something to eat, you look hungry.”




I sigh, “I’m hungry, do you have tripe?”




“And so, the craving begin. I do have tripe my child,”




I love my mother. After I dropped to Xander, when I came back home my mother had packed my bags and told me I was going to be living with her until Xander came back and I didn’t fight because I didn’t want to be alone in my house.




She proceeds to prepare me a traditional African dish of trip, pap, and kale. She dishes it out for me and sits beside me.




“So, who is going to be representing Xander at the negotiations?”




I swallow my food, “No idea, I told him we would talk about when he got back but I did suggest he talk to his mother,”




My mother nods, “Okay but between you and me, I don’t like that woman, especially her daughter. She’s always giving you dirty looks.”




I roll my eyes, “Mom don’t mind her, she has issues and besides that’s her big brother, whom she’s meeting for the first time. Jessica’s just trying to be a protective younger sibling.”




My mother shrugs, “I understand, just be careful is all I’m saying.”




I nod and continue to eat. After I’m done, I help my mom with the dishes, and I grab my bag and head out.




Today I have scheduled a visit with Aiden, and I know I shouldn’t be, but I just need to speak to him and just see him, so I can forgive him and move on with this new chapter in my life. I pick up Xlanti on the way as my driver and bodyguard and we make the two-hour drive outside of town to the Johannesburg Provincial Prison. I remember the last time I came here was for Aiden when we were still in college.




“Are you okay? Should I stop the car?”




I breathe out and shake my head, “No, I’m okay.”

“You seriously don’t have to do this Nikki, he’s getting the punishment he deserved,” Xlanti says, “You’re just doing yourself more harm than good.”




“I want him to apologise to me.”




X sighs, “Why?”




“Because he hurt me,”




“It’s not everyone that hurts that’s going to give you an apology or that you have to see an apology from. You have to let God handle this one sis,”




I sigh, he was right but a part of me just wants to rub my happiness in his face and show him that I can be happy without him.




We arrive at the prison, and we walk up to the door, I state my name and who I am visiting, and they let me through. I go through a security check, and I am escorted to the meeting area with X behind me.




The whole place smelt bad, and my stomach wasn’t going to be able to handle it, but I tell myself that I have to. A few minutes pass and they bring Aiden in with handcuffs, he looks at me with his piercing blue eyes and he smirks. They usher him over to me and he sits down in front of me.




“Well, well, well, look who what the cat dragged in?”




I roll my eyes, “Hello Aiden,”







“What can I do for you?”




He looked tired and worn out, but that didn’t ruin his perfectly handsome face. He had lost a bit of weight too.




“I’m just here to talk, say my final goodbyes,”




He chuckles, “I didn’t believe it when I heard but I can’t believe you’re having that man’s baby.”




I nod, “Yes I am.”




He laughs, “You found another man to manipulate so you could steal his wealth and run off into the sunset.”




I shake my head, “No Aiden, I actually love Xander and unlike you he as excepted our child, and he is there for me.”




He looks at X and then back at me, I could tell that there was something that he wanted to say but he was too scared to. He looks down at the table and he sighs.




“Well, I hope this time unlike us, you are happy. I am sorry for everything Nikki; I knew that eventually my sins would catch up to me and I’d end up here.”




I’m taken aback, I didn’t think he would willing apologize, I was ready to fight him for it.




“How long did you think you were going to last Aiden? Lying, cheating, hurting people, you of all people should know that it never ends well.”




“I know. From the bottom of my heart Nikki, I am sorry. You were the only person that cared for me and loved me, and I abused that, being in here made me realize that. It’s too late I know but all I wish for you is happiness.”




I give him a faint smile, “Thank yo Aiden and I’m sorry too. I tried to get you out so you could be there for Jo-Anne’s funeral, and they wouldn’t.”




He nods, “I know, and I appreciate that.”




I nod feeling satisfied and I get up from my chair, he stands up to and in a split second, he pulls me by my arm, and I feel his lips on my ear.




“I’ll see you in hell you bitch.”




They pull us apart and I find myself in the arms of my cousin, he’s holding me tight.




“Let’s get out of here.”




The guard walks us out and he is apologizing all the way to the front desk, a police officer comes and asks if I’d like to lay charges, but I refuse. X takes me to the car and the moment I’m inside, I let out a deafening scream.