bristled at the mention of the competition. “Fabrico isn’t even in our league. They simply copy the latest trends and mass-produce them – they haven’t produced anything original in decades!”
“But they’re still the most profitable textile company in the country,” Eric pointed out. Then, suddenly, he grinned. “I’m sorry – it’s my job to focus on profit, and Fabrico makes more money than Chemtex. The shareholders would like that to change. I’m just trying to determine how we can make that happen.”
Uh-oh. Maybe Lucky didn’t like this new guy after all. “Are you planning to cut my budget?” She shifted forward in her chair, the mere thought of this sending her into a panic. “Because that would be a disaster. My team needs the freedom to –”
“I didn’t say anything about budget cuts,” Eric interrupted smoothly. “I’ve only just arrived. I still have to analyse the company’s current situation. Thanks for the chat; you’ve been very helpful.”
It was a clear dismissal. Lucky got to her feet, annoyed and confused. First he shot her flirty glances, then he turned around and got all heavy-handed! She couldn’t figure this man out. She returned to her office and tried to focus on work, but her mind kept wandering back to Eric. What was it about him that she found so intriguing?
* * *
Lucky and her brother had arranged to meet at his favourite fast-food outlet. She found him in a corner booth, flipping through a newspaper.
“Siza!” She rushed at him and he enveloped her in a hug.
“Have you gained weight, Lucky Packet?” he demanded, eyeing her critically as he took his seat.
Lucky made a face. “I hope not.” She slid into the chair beside him. “So? Unjani? How’s the family?”
“Everyone’s fine, sisi, how are you?”
“Tired,” she replied happily. “It’s so good to see you!”
“As always,” he teased, glancing through the menu. “Since I know there’s no point in asking if you’ve found Mr Right yet, I’ll stick to asking about work.”
“How do you know there’s no point in asking?” Lucky placed her order, then waited for her brother to place his.
As soon as the waiter was gone, Siza leaned forward. “Have you found him?”
Lucky smiled. “Not yet.”
Siza spread his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I rest my case. Back to work then. Have they made you CEO yet?”
“I wish. We finally got a CFO, though. Eric Rukhava.”
Siza frowned thoughtfully. He ran a small business consultancy and was always interested in hearing about Lucky’s work. “Where was he based before Chemtex snapped him up?”
“He worked for an accounting firm in the UK. He came very highly recommended,” Lucky answered. “He strikes me as the kind of person who could get things done in his sleep. Smart, efficient, pragmatic …” She sighed. “In other words, exactly the type to make my life miserable. Except …”
“Except what?”
Lucky hesitated. “I think he was flirting with me a little.”
“Yoh!” Siza chuckled. “Doesn’t he know how you feel about people who work in accounts?”
Lucky laughed. She had missed her brother. They chatted until the food arrived and then the conversation twisted its way into dangerous waters. As much as Lucky loved her siblings, there was one brother she wasn’t very happy with at the moment. Xolani, the second-born, had recently confessed to cheating on his wife of ten years.
Although he said the affair had been very brief and was over, Lucky was devastated. She had never expected this to happen to her family and she certainly never expected the guilty party to be her own brother!
“I really think it’s time you forgave him,” said Siza cautiously.
Lucky looked up, her eyes wide with indignation. “I forgave him long ago!”
“Really? Then why haven’t you been in touch with him?”
“I’ve been busy.” Lucky pushed her plate away, her appetite gone. “How are things between him and Joyce?”
Siza shook his head sadly. “They had a huge fight two weeks back and she kicked him out.”
“What?” gasped Lucky.
“It was bad. He had to spend the weekend at my place and Zihle barely spoke to either of us. You know how close she is to Joyce.”
“Oh, Lord.” Lucky held her head in her hands. “Xolani was always a ladies man, but I didn’t expect this from him. Poor Joyce! Do the kids know what’s going on?”
“No one has told them the whole truth, but they know something’s up.”
Lucky traced little circles on the table. She had been planning on dessert, but there was no way she could stomach it now. The five of them had grown up in a close-knit, devout Christian family and she still couldn’t believe what her brother had done. When Joyce first came to her with her suspicions, Lucky had confronted Xolani. He denied it and she believed him. He kept up the façade for weeks, only confessing when their parents became involved. No one was perfect and Lucky didn’t expect the people she loved to be any different. She could handle mistakes. What she couldn’t handle was deception.
“Is he still staying with you?”
Siza winced. “He’s in a hotel now. He loves Joyce,” he added with certainty, beckoning to the waiter to bring the bill. “He’s just … confused.”
“Nonsense.” Lucky clicked her tongue in annoyance. “How do you get confused after a decade of marriage?”
“Lucky –”
“Let’s talk about something else,” she interrupted, reaching for her wallet.
Siza sighed. “Maybe we should go watch a movie. Something brainless and funny. What do you say?” He grinned. “Dinner is my treat and the movie can be yours, like old times.”
Lucky smiled. “As long as I get to pick the movie.”
“Hhayi khona, Lucky Packet – you picked last time!”
“That was months ago,” she said. “Besides, you picked the restaurant.” She laughed at his stormy expression, glad to be off the topic of Xolani. She hadn’t seen Siza in ages and she didn’t want Xolani’s problems to spoil the reunion.
* * *
Eric closed his office door and leaned against it, deep in thought. For some reason, he couldn’t get that pretty Head of D&T out of his mind. He shook his head and walked to his desk.
She was attractive, of course, but it was more than that. She had a certain quality about her, something he found irresistible. Eric
