Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Black Tie Or Traditional

"You look beautiful, Vee."

Menzi turns his head my way in the back seat, giving me a soft and proud grin as we sit in the line of cars crawling up the drive of a far too extravagant venue.

"Thank you." I nudge my shoulder into his.

"No, thank you. If you hadn't agreed to be my plus-one to this thing, I'd have been finished. Do you remember the Director of Cricket's niece? The one I had to look after at that premiere at Montecasino? She hasn't left me alone since, and the Director asked me to bring her tonight, but thankfully you'd already said yes."

"Sounds like true love. I'm sorry to have stood in the way."

"Please. Cricket's the only thing I've ever loved."

"Romantic."

Running my hands down the sky-blue satin of my gown, I take a deep breath. The price tag on this dress almost made me sick, it was so expensive. Thirty-eight thousand rand. More than I earn in a month, hanging off my hips. But as soon as I put it on and my brother saw the confidence run through every nerve in my body, he handed over his Investec card and paid for it before I was even out of the fitting room.

Confidence has been an interesting word lately.

I couldn't tell you the last time I felt it consistently, but I have as of late. As much as I don't want to admit it, Zondi's attention has done a number on my self-confidence — in the best way possible.