Chapter 9 - A Prelude

We stopped at the Vodacom shop first. The consultant who helped us seemed highly susceptible to Menzi's magnetic pull. She practically fell over herself the minute he showed the slightest interest in anything, quickly launching into detailed explanations and leaning into his personal space to demonstrate.

I tried separating from them and finding someone who'd actually help me, but Menzi's grip on my hand wouldn't let me move more than touching distance away. Karabo had lodged the application on the Paragon Holdings group account that afternoon, exactly as Menzi said he would, and all I was meant to do was pick a handset and let a corporate eSIM drop onto it. I made him phone Karabo from the shop floor and cancel it, then photographed my own ID and last month's bank statement into the app and registered the line in my own name. After that we argued over who was going to pay, which he seemed to think should be him even though the phone and the contract were mine.

"You got your way with picking the network," I pointed out, pushing his card aside and pushing mine across at the girl.

"Because it's practical. We'll be on the same network, so calls to me are free." He swapped the cards, smoothly.

"I won't be calling you at all, if you don't put your damn card away!"

That did the trick, although I could tell he was unhappy about it. He'd just have to get over it. The QR code came through while we were still standing there and the new number woke up on my screen. "Sharp," the consultant said. "It's live."

Once we got back in the Bentayga, his mood seemed restored.