KARMA

SONIA MOKONE

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES

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KARMA
 COPYRIGHT PAGE

This is a work of fiction. The events

and characters described herein
are imaginary and are not intended
to refer to specific places and living
persons. The opinions expressed in
the manuscript are solely the
opinions of the author.

KARMA 

All rights reserved 

Copyright ©2023 by Sonia Mokone 

This book may not be reproduced,
transmitted or stored in whole or
any part, including graphic,
electronic or mechanical without
the express written consent of the
publisher, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in
critical articles or reviews.
 KARMA

HERE’S ONE THING ABOUT

LIVING IN CITIES, life seems
simple and quite incredible on the
outside. It is understandable why
people from disadvantaged areas
often runs to the cities,  there
are great opportunities, unlike in
poverty stricken areas, and those
kinds of cities have enough
resources, rural areas are the worst
of them all but quite peaceful at
times, it depends on how your
neighbours react to your family’s
success and the struggles and it
depends on the kind of people your
community members are, one of
the most important thing about
living in your home village, it has a
sense of belonging, despite the
changes and the disruption. What
life really is without hiccups ? even
though life is quite well and may
seem peaceful it gets tough with
days and seasons and when that
happens, one remembers home if
not, you’d find yourself in a
deathbed or lying in some ditches
fighting for your life or dealing with
stress and depression that all you
had is lost within a minute, blessed
are the lucky ones. Those are the
kind of experiences that makes one
fear living in cities or have different
opinions before they could attempt
living in cities. 

The beginning of another blessed

year started with excessive love,
definitely love always persevere, and
peace, without wars or whatsoever. A
confident betting man would take a
bet and swear the year 2020 would
end just perfectly as it started, with
tears of joy if there is anything
greater. 

The TRUCE FOUNDATION had

been done the final touch-ups and
was in a well state to operate. The
hiring process had started and no
unemployed human being would
want to miss out the opportunity, to
put food on the table and a chance
at freedom and having a voice in his
family. That is how it is said to be,
the moment when you as a person
start contributing that’s when you’ll
have a voice in your family. Thanks
to THE SCOTLANDS for creating
few job opportunities for
unemployed people. 

DANE “SHAKA”
SCOTLAND specifically, the old
man really isn’t arrogant, he has all
the money and power. Consider his
second name “Shaka”, he considered
himself a true warrior, a great
warthog, this name he was given by
people who knew his hard
work. Though he was old and not so
attractive as before, he has done his
time. He had grown up to be a
definate old, weak and tired lion
who’s always sitting in his den
waiting for numerous preys to offer
themselves as his meal. Looking at
his face which seemed like a
troubled and angry warthog and his
body when sitting was like a suit
hanged out. He had really grown
but his words and actions would
make you rethink if he really was
old or had suffered a severe stroke at
a young age which left him in that
unpleasant state. Nonetheless was a
great man, who’d help all people in
need whenever he could.
Behind every successful man there’s a
strong woman behind, FAITH
SCOTLAND was the woman behind,
all this time. It was time for their
one and only daughter to shine. You
could underestimate Faith because
of her pretty face, but you should
know to never judge a book by it’s
cover, she was a strong woman with
unconditional love and powerful
words who held the Scotland’s
homestead strong by love, peace
and moreover, prayer. Everything
she ever did was in her family’s best
interest even though his husband
never understood her work ethics,
she was modern wife with
indigenous mind so she was hard to
be studied. Faith was a very
spectacular woman with stunning
looks and body. Even though she
had grown, she gets old like a fine
wine. Her eyes were brownish. Faith
found this odd and absurd but Dane
liked her toes moreover, she had
great and lovely toes which matched
with her skin tone and her
elephant-like eyes with her long
brown-black hair.

RAYMOND HUDSON arrived in

JOHANNESBURG to try his luck too,
a month before the hiring started so
as to familiarise himself with the life
in Johannesburg, places and the
people. His first day in
Johannesburg could be featured in
one of the most funniest comedy
movies for youth and teens but in
actual life and fact, it has never been
hilarious. It can  never be described
as splendid or perfect, only if there
was a single thing that’s perfect in
the world, but rather embarrassing
and shocking even to a one year
baby but especially to him because
he has never encountered such, he’s
just used to poverty and thought
that is the only sordid thing in the
world, little did he know. From
where he came, BONNIE, his
grandmother blessed his route and
said he’d travel safe, you’d believe
that he misunderstood Bonnie’s
words because safety was just a
simple word when he arrived in
Johannesburg. Just like INGRID, his
sister said to him before he could
step out the door

“Brother, Johannesburg
is not the same as
walking in Kuruman so
freely with pride, it is
very dangerous. Don’t
walk around butt naked
and showing all the
least you’ve got unless
if you really want to
sleep naked. There are
venomous people there
only few you’d find
them meritorious but
 no one is a saint. See, if
you don’t find your
head put on top of dice
table with a gun then
consider yourself
fortunate but do not be
idiot when you find
money, the ladies are
not just pretty faces,
they’re vile”

Ingrid had been in the city before it

was quite obvious that she knew
what she was talking about, the
drama she has been when she lived
in Johannesburg. She came back in
weeks, running and though she
never wanted to talk about what
happened it was written in her eyes
that where she came wasn’t so great
at all. She did tell a part of it if not
all atleast.
“Living in such poverty
stricken areas isn’t easy.
My friends were going
away to find jobs so
they could put food on
the table, they pleaded
that I should go with
them and I agreed. The
only first mistake I did
was not asking where
we were headed. We
arrived not so well in
the city of
Johannesburg, my view
was on the image of
Johannesburg and I’ve
forgotten that I was
never told that we
come to Johannesburg.
The taxis were so
confusing and we
ended up losing all the
money that we had,
three men were
following us and never
thought twice to rob us,
luckily Mia, one of my
friends, wasn’t hurt
much as she tried to
fight for herself,
unfortunately she
wasn’t powerful that
much. We spent the
first night on the
streets, we had to keep
an eye on our lulages
so if one had to sleep
the others had to keep
an eye. Waking up the
following day we had to
find a job, quickly
enough, but we were
most underqualified
and corruption too had
a hand, we were so
unfortunate because we
had no money to bribe.
Two of the bosses told
us aggressively that he
had no jobs for us but
if we do what he
wanted us to do, then
we’ll make quick cash,
our mind was on the
money not the job. He
called us in the club
where we’d be dancing
for jerks and allow
them to have fun with
us, then we’d get
money, the more we
entertained them the
more money came in. I
and Mia never thought
twice, we ran, living
Carol and Charity who
were up for
entertainment. It’s a
pity we had no money
to get back home,
instead we stole one of
the richest but old
man’s money who lived
alone. We immediately
got in a taxi and came
 home. Since then I
don’t want to go back
there, we haven’t heard
of Carol and Charity.
Johannesburg is not a
walk in the park”

Raymond found this very hilarious

then when his sister told him and
actually adviced his sister to quit at
once watching movies. Little did he
knew. Those were the two mostly
important people in his life, Bonnie
and Ingrid. Since the death of his
father who was the only parent to he
and Ingrid and died during a severe
march trying to stand up for his
rights and other people’s belongings
which wanted to be taken away that
was a hard blow. Like a true leader
that he was, Raymond’s father,
RICHARD HUDSON, was appointed
as his village’s councilor in
TEMBISA. When troubles lurked in
his village and people were forced
to move out it was Richard’s job to
stand up for his people. They
marched to stop being forcefully
removed from their home town and
that is when the shootout happened
and sadly Richard was aimed as he
was the leader of Tembisa and
contested against their
removal. GERALD VERA, the most
affluent man, business man was so
brutal to aim the bullet straight into
Richard’s heart. He had all the
money and everything, he had lived
all his life in Tembisa, why would he
want all Tembisa to himself and let
people suffer ? He was the leader of
assassins who forcefully wanted to
remove the people in their
households. After the death of
Richard it was a celebration to
Gerald that his plan will succeed
without stumbling blocks but the
people of Tembisa fought to a core
and claimed their only homes, they
owed Richard that
much. Concerning that Raymond’s
mother left them in Tembisa o a
couple of months after she gave
birth to Raymond and their father
had to leave work to keep an eye on
his kids since they were too young.
That was ages before the march.
God bless Bonnie for taking them in
after the death of her husband who
weren’t so understanding and never
wanted a baggage, taking care of
other people’s kids while their
father continued with his job,
making money for them. It
somehow felt like a betrayal for
Bonnie to her husband who didn’t
want them in but it had to be done.
Bonnie sweared to never leave her
family out there suffering when she
could do something. 

Raymond met the real gangsters in

Johannesburg. He thought of
Ingrid’s story and came to a
realisation that Johannesburg is not
a walk in the park like his sister told
him. Surely what he faced was
nothing compared to what Ingrid
faced when she was in
Johannesburg. Would Raymond
return right in the spot to where he
came from ? Wouldn’t even attempt
living in Johannesburg fearing his
life. Despite the challenges he faced
when coming to Johannesburg,
living in that kind of place was a
dream come true, he has always
wanted to live far away from his
village home and it’s people in
Kuruman, the view alone left him in
awe but expenses shocked him to a
core. It could’ve been a lot better if
he’d find a job to pay bills and send
some home because soon the little
that he had was going to run out
soon, living in Johannesburg is
expensive but the thought of going
back without money nor job never
strike his mind. The amazing part is
that, his next door neighbours were
the Scotlands and at times he’d pass
by for assistance. He lived in a fine
apartment though but it was
nothing like his neighbours, their
apartment was not just a fine one, it
was ten out of ten. The view from
the inside was exceptional beautiful
like it’s people. He thought the
saying “you could learn a lot from
the book cover” was meant for these
people and he wouldn’t dispute that.
It was quite embarrassing for him, a
man with pride, to ask for assistance
from them, not because he knew
who they really are and then they
wouldn’t give him a job, he really
didn’t know the Truce Foundation
was theirs but he felt weak, without
control and without backbone. That
is actually not how he’s raised, he is
raised to be able to stand of his feet
but someone once told him to not
let his pride ruin many
opportunities for him in
life. Adapting to this new life in
Johannesburg was quite a nice
experience for him, despite how
boring and shocking it may be
sometimes, even though his
apartment was just a house and 
where he lived in KURUMAN was a
home, he’d compromise a lot to be
in Johannesburg even though it was
dangerous. He loved Kuruman and
missed his family but thinking of
poverty, bad dreams, the status and
all the absurd things happening
there, it would be so stupid but
brave of him to return back and yet
familiarise himself with the owls
screaming all night on top of Anne’s
roofs, learn to kill different toxic
snakes every week because he’s a
man, get to sleep with cockroaches
every single night under the same
roof and his neighbours dogs and
cats fighting and making noise all
night and his bed itself making
funny sounds everytime when he
moves too bad for him because
when he wakes up he’d be
complaining of back pains, that is a
bad experience, he’d get a nice sleep
afternoon if only he wouldn’t be
given multiple jobs to do at once,
after all he’s a man so why would he
complain ? Would he choose that
kind of life rather than the one he
was currently living ? Sleeping in a
good state bed and getting all his
beauty sleep. That, he wouldn’t do
and once you get a taste of
something tastier and sweet, it’d be
hard to walk away from, in his state
no therapy would come in handy
especially when his mind agree to
disagree with his heart.

THE 20TH OF FEBRUARY

ARRIVED, it was in his best interest
to get the job. He quite waited
patiently for this day and has always
been fully prepared since he was
still back home until this day. The
day of interviews has arrived.

“DEAR GOD, JUST

LIKE ANY OTHER
DAYS, I COME
BEFORE YOU
O’LORD, I ASK FOR
PROTECTION AND
STRENGTH. WALK
WITH ME LORD AS I
GO TO TRUCE
FOUNDATION
INTERVIEW, LORD I
KNOW I’M A SINNER
BUY I REALLY NEED
THIS JOB TO HELP
MY FAMILY BACK
HOME BUT I LEAVE
EVERYTHING IN
 YOUR HANDS.
THANK YOU LORD
FOR ALL THE
GREAT THINGS
YOU’VE BEEN
DOING TO HUDSON
FAMILY”

Just before he could leave, he

kneeled down and prayed just how
Bonnie taught him. A man who
believes in God himself. He knew
too well that nothing beats a
prayer. Bonnie once told him that if
he pray without the words “thank
you lord” then definately his prayer
is incomplete because these words
are very important and meaningful
when you pray. This was something
Bonnie and Faith had in common.
They believed in God and they were
their own families pillar of strength,
if they were to meet they’d actually
get along despite their age
difference because they speak the
same language, that is absolutely
amazing because it is rare to find
someone who think alike as you.

 Right after he prayed, he exited his

apartment, locked his household
and threw his apartment keys in the
pocket of his suit. He walked, not so
long, Truce Foundation was not far
from where he came, before he
could could think of it he was
already there. He wouldn’t waste his
last cents on local transport because
money is what he needed and
wouldn’t waste a bit of it.
Nonetheless he didn’t mind
walking. He arrived 30 minutes
before the interview process could
begin, what a punctual man. There
were a bit punctual people too
inside the building who came for an
interview like him. He entered the
building and sat down next to
others, in one of the black single
chairs, in an open space, away from
every dazzling objects in the
building, nervousness had no mercy
on him, to be noticed by a young
and exuberant lady few metres away
from him, sitting at a desk. He
looked from a distance to notice
that lady glancing at him
innocently. In his mind, she could
see he was nervous and more
terrified because he had never been
in such buildings, the men next to
him seemed a lot calmer and
happier moreover, not that he was
not happy, he was just getting used
to such things. He thought the lady
might be laughing at him quietly,
the coward that he is, to not think of
it too much, he ignored the lady and
looked out of the window so that his
eyes wouldn’t meet hers. Time was
moving quite fast enough and the
line moved closer to the young lady
who’d everyone would pass by first
before entering the main
office. Many got out of the office in
different moods and facial
expressions, some seemed unhappy,
some joyful and some were hard to
be detected and that actually made
Raymond more nervous and set
him to trembling. Felt like standing
up and walking out the door to
where he came from, but every now
and then, he reminded himself why
he is doing this and what it is more
important in life. The young lady
glancing at him didn’t make
anything easier for him. He got even
closer to the desk lady as the line
moved and sat to other type of
shiny chairs attached to the wall of
the building and there were more
and more of them entering the
building for an interview, that too
didn’t make things easier for him.
He questioned his capabilities and
as more serious and good-looking
men and women entered, he
wondered if he does have a slight
chance. This kind of world he was in
was not the one for him.

“Raymond Hudson...
Raymond Hudson”

The desk-lady called twice,

Raymond seemed to be deaf. He
stood quickly enough not trying to
show others that he was definitely
terrified. He walked like a real
business man as he wailded to the
desk-lady as his name was
called. The moment he stood, the
men and women fixed their eyes on
him, probably they wanted to see
who the other mate of theirs was or
they were surprised by such
amazing name. It was like one of
those days in school when your
name would be called as one of the
outstanding students and everyone
would be left in awe because
everybody knows or thought you’re
not that smart. He approached the
desk-lady.

“You’re Raymond
Hudson ?”

The lady asked doubtful and

seemed unconvinced.

“Yes, Raymond Hudson

is me”

Raymond wanted to get this over

and done with, because at first it was
the desk-lady glancing at him and
now the whole room is gawking at
him like he’s some madman who
broke in one of the filthy prison.

“Do not hesitate or

think otherwise,
everybody is here for
 their own reasons and
so as you. Just be calm
and remind yourself
why you came here in
the first place. Your
vision is greater than
your fears and us
glancing at you” 

The desk-lady said to Raymond,

putting her left hand on top of his,
she then instructed him to the main
office. He just smiled and said
nothing. Raymond was wowed by
her words even though he wouldn’t
admit it, such courageous words, he
never thought nor expected
especially from someone who had
been glancing and making him
uncomfortable since he entered the
building.

“Beautiful office packed

with nice desk, with
 nice and shiny,
comfortable chairs and
all the necessary
equipments, some of
us see such things on
TV, now finally” 

Raymond’s mind ran for a little

while as he entered the office where
interviews takes place. The
interviewer glared at him, he didn’t
seem surprised, shocked or
whatsoever, with vile and desiring
eyes. 

“You may be seated,

Raymond Hudson,
right ?”

The interviewer said while flipping

through the file she had in her
hands.
 “Yes ma’am”

Raymond answered quickly enough.

The lady just smiled, poured a glass
of water and handed it to Raymond.

“No, you do not have to

call me ma’am, you can
call me whatever you
want, I look the same
age as you or maybe
younger, that’d be a
huge disrespect to you”

Raymond was pleased, the desk-

lady definitely knew what she was
talking about when she said
Raymond should be calm.

“I prefer to be
professional and call
you ma’am or mrs
stallion”
Raymond then responded.

“Do not be modest Ray,

just be free, I am not
yet married though
and I’m just being nice
and respectful and that
is exactly how I want
people in the building
treat each other, so tell
me more everything I
need to know about
Raymond Hudson “

He then took a deep breath and

thought of the desk-lady’s words
before saying anything. The
interviewer slid back to her chair
and listened attentively. They had
the conversation for an hour.
HOPE SCOTLAND seemed a lot
happier than impressed. The only
daughter of Dane and Faith was the
one interviewing her people in her
new company. Why was she the
only one holding the interviews ?
Atleast if they were two or three
then it wouldn’t be so concerning,
but it is her company and her rules
anyways. She walked on high heels
with confidence. Wearing a red two-
piece suite. She definitely resembled
danger, with her eyes you could tell
that she definitely means business
and in it for blood, with walk she
definitely make it a point that she is
the only boss and no one should
underestimate her but with her
words, what a sweet girl ! She
showed great compassion and great
personality. She told Raymond that
he’d be called in week’s time if he
got the job and sent him out. She
looked very convincing and in her
eyes it was clear that this job is
Raymond’s, it was guaranteed. A
part of Raymond was hopeful that
he will definitely get the job as he
nailed the interview and in his
mind, Hope is impressed but
another part of him doubted as he
thought of all the people waiting to
be interviewed too which seemed
greater than him. He likely to doubt
himself, thinking himself as a little
low-boy from poverty world and
this kind of world he was in, he had
no idea of where he’d start or if he’d
adapt to it and do what he’s
expected to do, that’s if he get the
job. It was very weird to learn that
Raymond had been in and out of
Scotland’s apartment but he never
met Hope, she had been definately
busy and swamped with the new
functioning company of hers. When
he got out the office he passed by
the desk-lady to thank her
personally even though he hesitated
first but Bonnie was operating in his
mind so he had to do what is right,
he said that the desk-lady reminds
him of his sister, Ingrid. They’re
feisty and hard to read and they too
have a different way of giving
people hope and always tell great
courageous stories.

“Hello, once again. I

want to thank you for
your nice words, they
really helped me
during the interview”

The desk-lady smiled, she didn’t

seem to be keen to respond or
maybe she was about to do what
Raymond did, smiling and walk
away, before Raymond could walk
away she opened her mouth
 “ It is ok, I just noticed
how nervous and
terrified you were and I
thought of giving you
courage, that is what I
like to do. My name is
Isabella Clark, nice to
know you”

Raymond was happy to get to know

someone else, apart from the
stallions, but cautious. When
Isabella said to him that they should
meet and spend time together. He
jumped and turned her off
immediately thinking Isabella might
be out for his blood.

“I know what you’re

thinking, Johannesburg
is dangerous. I’m also
 new here and have no
friends and family”

Isabella said to Raymond glancing

at his eyes, now Raymond could
breath and let her in because she is
as new as him in Johannesburg and
it’d be great to have a
friend. Raymond walked out the
building, a lot calmer and happier
than when he first walked in.

It had been days and Raymond and

Isabella are greatest and closest
friends ever. How quick is it to make
friends in Johannesburg ? They
hanged out together and visited one
another everynoon, shared their
stories of life. When Raymond
finally got a call he had been waiting
for, his life became greater and he
became a lot happier than ever
before. He could take a phone and
call his family but he wanted to see
how it goes first. Isabella wanted to
confide in him and tell him
something that he should know but
he was too excited about his new
job, definitely something big that
Isabella wanted to tell Raymond.
Every chance she got, Raymond
ruined it with his excitement about
the job. It would be so uncool of
Isabella to take away her friend’s
happiness just like that, in a second,
it was better than to hold onto it and
at the end she’d regret her choice.

“There’s something I
have to tell you. I
cannot keep it to
myself anymore, you
definitely have to
know”

Isabella broke the joy and the

atmosphere changed. Could Isabella
be in love with Raymond, her friend
? And was that jealous and insecure
to take away Raymond’s joyful
moment ? Raymond’s face turned
from being happy to being
confused. He wondered and waited
patiently to hear what Isabella had
in store for him, which seemed so
serious and couldn’t wait.

“Hope is a pretty face

but don’t raise your
hopes high, it is
extremely difficult
being under her
leadership so do not
raise your hopes high.
You might end up in
the lion’s den without a
way out, be careful Ray.
Don’t befriend her too
much”
Isabella said and Raymond burst in
laughter. At first he thought Isabella
was joking and would change her
story but something came into his
mind which sent him to laughter
even more.

“Come on Bella,
jealousy doesn’t look
too good on you, we
are best friend and it’s
good to look out for
me. Do not be worried
Im not going to date
Hope, I know that’s got
you so worried”

Isabella was left not knowing what

more to say. Little did Raymond
knew that Isabella is looking out for
him as a great friend as she is and
she wouldn’t like seeing Raymond
waste away because even though she
is new in the city she already know
some of the dealings and business
in Johannesburg. Isabella didn’t try
so hard to make her point, she said
her words once again and left all in
Raymond’s hands who thought
Isabella was jealous and that is
sometimes to be expected. It is just
because Raymond doesn’t believe in
many of the things he’s been told,
like her Ingrid’s story about
Johannesburg which turned to be
true. You could say Raymond was a
man who believed in seeing than
being told. His first day at work
arrived and was looking handsome
as ever prepared for his P.A job. It
was not because he’d be working
closer to Hope, the richest and
beautiful lady in the city, it was
merely about job and getting
paid. He greeted Isabella like most
of the times, with a smile and
quickly went to Hope’s office who
greeted him with a big smile. She
looked like she had been pacing in
her office, waiting impatiently for
Raymond who wasn’t even a second
late. He took a seat and waited for
Hope to give out the lease
agreement because he had been
waiting for that particular
moment. He didn’t even bother
thinking hard and reading the
whole document, he turned straight
to where his salary weekly was, R
5000. 00 per week, that was very
appealing and it softened his heart
moreover. He immediately took a
pen and signed in every single page
and was ready to start.

“Welcome to Hope’s
World. I accept you as
my ... You know what,
save one for the last.
You really don’t have to
start now, we’re not
busy at the moment,
 we’ll see each other
next week monday but
I see you’re eager and
want to be paid, so
here’s your advance, I
like to keep my people
happy”

What a great business God has

granted Raymond with. Hope gave
R 5 000.00 to Raymond as an
advance, he didn’t even complain
nor questions himself a bit. He took
the money and went back to where
he came from, passing Isabella yet
again with a smile and told her
they’ll meet late. Raymond’s mind
was only on the money and quickly
wanted to rush to the bank to send
R 2500.00 back home. He knew that
from that particular moment things
are going to go so well, so why
should he stress ? Especially about
money when he’s going to be paid
weekly. Raymond was so happy to a
greater extent when telling Isabella
about his day,his new job and Hope
when they were sitting on a couch,
drinking and celebrating their new
jobs. Isabella wasn’t really
entertained, not so happy, especially
for someone called a real friend and
even though Raymond noticed he
didn’t want to ruin his mood about
Isabella’s worries.

“Something is not
really right Ray, you’ve
just given a job, signed
the document and yet
she gave you an
advance. Did you read
the document ? What
exactly is your job ? I
thought you’d be
starting right away but
... Ray open your eyes
and be aware”
Here we go again, that’s exactly what
Raymond never wanted in the first
place, this couldn’t have happened
if he’d just kept his good news to
himself because Isabella is not going
to be so excited for him. Even
though their little party didn’t end
because of Isabella’s worries and
Raymond accusing her of jealousy
and being a fake friend, Isabella was
so not convinced by Raymond’s job
and Raymond was in a fine mood
and very happy at it. In his words
Raymond said Isabella might be
jealous because they’re not doing
the same job, he gets paid a lot
better than Isabella, he can be
granted with advance, he’s given
time to rest and he’s working closer
enough to Hope, which are things
that Isabella doesn’t get yo do. That
was enough for a friend in
Johannesburg to get jealous, maybe
Isabella loves him so she’s afraid to
loose him to Hope. That was never
going to happen, Raymond
guaranteed her, even though she
was not so happy she had to be
entertained for her happy friend
who was over the moon. On a day
Raymond was told to come to work,
he looked a lot like a real business
man with money as he entered Miss
Hope’s office with confidence. His
face changed when he entered to
find his new clothes for the job on
Hope’s table and was confused
because he thought he’d be the one
dressing himself, the clothes of his
choice.

“No Ray, I cannot let

you work with such
nice clothes, you’d get
yourself dirty and in
this industry it is very
dangerous. You’re still
new and too soft and
 not street smart. I
welcome you as my ice
boy. Listen everytime
when you’re going to
deliver a pack of drug,
you have to be vigilant
and seem to know your
business, you’re
starting tonight”

Raymond’s heart nearly stopped

when Hope told him all his job
description. He never expected such
betrayal from somebody so sweet
and good-looking. He had no need
for tongue and before he could
think of anything Hope told all the
details about his first job to sell
drugs and that he’d get paid
immediately. That was atleast his
one and forever job. To think that
he had signed the contract without
even reading and he never listened
to Isabella, that made him feel like a
real stupid but to think of his family
back home, whom are depending
on him was a real heartbreak. What
would Bonnie say when Raymond is
no longer sending money or if he
decides to get home empty handed
? What would Bonnie say when she
discover the kind of job he is doing ?
Not like she’d ever found out about
that, it is only between him and
Hope.

“No I refuse to take the

job”

Before Raymond could continue

with his speech of not taking the
job, Hope was already in his throat.
Telling him about the contract and
that he cannot just walk away, tell
the police or atleast somebody
else. Raymond had to take the job,
wear his new job’s clothes with a
broken heart and do what he’s
expected to do. He didn’t know a
thing about this industry and was
just beginning. He wondered why
would Hope sell drugs if she isn’t
poor and have all the money, how
cruel and arrogant of her ? He
wondered is Dane and Faith does
know about all of these or they’re
just hiding behind their glitters and
glamorous life ? Not that he’d ask
them, he wasn’t supposed to say a
word to anyone.

“Nothing bad is going

to happen to you. This
is the home address
where you’d be
delivering the drug,
you see that spare nice
room ? you’d find it
there”

Without even saying a word he

quickly turned, ready to do his job.
 “you know how to use a
gun ? I could supply
you with one just for in
case”

Raymond didn’t even bother to

respond, he got out of the office and
waited for other workers to clock off
and go home. He went straight to
the storeroom as instructed and was
left in stitches, finding all the drugs,
bank machines and the guns, knives
and sword there. It was really
surprising to find such things in a
nice room. It made sense to
Raymond why Hope was never
home, she really had been busy. He
took the drug as he were instructed
and went to deliver it. Though it
seemed like a nice- dangerous job, it
had to be done by him. After doing
his first dangerous job, he went
home and the money clocked in his
phone, R 5000.00 from Hope,
without enthusiasm, he went to
sleep. Knowing he’d be called
anytime noon for another
delivery. In a month’s time, he had
been made R 50 000. 00, it depends
on the deliveries, not on being paid
R 5000.00 weekly anymore. It was
enough money to send
home. Isabella was keeping a close
eye and noticing Raymond’s
behaviour. He no longer hangs out
with her, always busy and tired,
always making excuses and always
jumpy and jitters. When she asked
him, Raymond was quick to tell a
tale like how Hope told him. That
he works very closer to the boss and
sometimes he handles her business.
Though Isabella was agreeing and
seemed happy, something inside of
her told her that something is off
and Raymond is hiding something
big. Raymond’s job seemed to be
going well and Hope was happy to
learn how quick it is for Raymond
to learn and do a clean job. MR
HYDE, the biggest client of Hope
wanted his dirty money to be
cleaned and it was in Raymond’s
hands to launder the money. Using
Truce Foundation. It was really
getting him worried how his jobs
keep getting worser and dangerous
and wanted a way out but his hands
were tied. When Isabella threatened
Raymond to ask the police to find
out what’s going on in Truce
Foundation, instead of Raymond
enlightening Hope, he asked a hand
in marriage in Hope. When Hope
wanted to refuse, Raymond had her
exactly where she wanted her. 

“Yes I am good looking

and all that, I want
marriage in
community of
property. If you don’t
 then you leave me no
choice but to whisper
something in police’s
ears. You’ve got a lot to
loose compared to me”

Indeed Hope had a lot to loose

compared to Raymond and
wouldn’t want that to happen.
Without thinking hard, she’d give
Raymond what he wanted thinking
Raymond just want the money and
wouldn’t try anything funny. Bonnie
wasn’t really so understanding and
suspected that Raymond might be
forced, unfortunately she had no
power to do anything, since
Raymond has took his decision and
Hope’s parents had given them
blessings. Isabella was just as
Bonnie, left stranded, speechless,
suspicious and worried
moreover. Not so long after Hope
and Raymond’s little marriage. The
police came sniffing around Truce
Foundation, that’s when Raymond
knew that it’s going to get bad under
Isabella’s worries. Hope was
convinced that Raymond had done
something, furiously fought with
Raymond and demanded answers.

“Why would I do that,

this is my company
too, my wealth too. I
wouldn’t do anything
to jeopardize it. It is in
our best interest to
keep our eyes on the
ground and get low for
a while”

Those were the words of a smart

and handsome Raymond. He knew
in his heart that the police are too
smart to stop sniffing around
because where there’s fire there’s
smoke, they will keep sniffing until
they find something and Isabella
could be the one behind all of these.

HOW QUICK IT WAS for Raymond

to get used the life he was living and
would do anything to protect it.
Does that mean he would silence his
friend, Isabella ?

 Raymond found himself sharing a

cell with few of the most eminent
gangsters from Johannesburg. To
Hope, it was a celebration and a loss
too, a loss that she’d have to go all
over again to find a puppet who’d do
all the dirty work for her. How
stupid she was, thinking that she’d
live her normal life. Marrying Hope
was a nice plan for Raymond so that
he wouldn’t suffer the consequences
alone. Since she was married to
Raymond, Hope, who was then
Hope Hudson lost everything. Her
business was shut down and all her
money she had no access to it. It
didn’t take long enough and she was
also in gaol, it’s a pity she didn’t get
a chance to get through Raymond’s
head or shout at him. It was such a
disgrace that Hope would actually
tarnish her parent’s reputation and
drag their name through mud. 

Three months in jail, Raymond

discovered that Hope was pregnant
with his only child. It was his
responsibility to get them out and
have a stable home before their
child could arrive.

 Isabella and Mr Hyde payed the

cost. Where Raymond got the
money to bribe the officers and turn
the whole thing to Isabella and Mr
Hyde ? In weeks time, Isabella was
in gaol with the former trusted
client of Hope for money
laundering and selling drugs. It was
unbelievable in people’s eyes that
Bonnie even urged Raymond to
return home, Jo’burg was not good
enough for him, but with the news
that sent Bonnie and Hope’s parents
to the core, Raymond couldn’t just
up and leave neither the Scotlands
could break Hope from Raymond. 

The child was on the way and there

was nothing they could do about
that unless if Hope could abort but
Bonnie and Faith were Christians
and wouldn’t allow such a ‘sin’. After
months of Hope pushing a trail,
KEN HUDSON, their son was born.
The growth of Ken was the sweetest
and important growth ever, having
everything he needed. The future
was promising, years had been great
and Ken growing up to be a colossal
and great man like his father but not
until Isabella and Mr Hyde were
released in jail. Isabella was not evil
but Mr Hyde wouldn’t take it lying
down, he reinstated the demon
inside Isabella to get revenge
because truly speaking Mr Hyde
could’ve deserved it after all he was
not a saint but Isabella was clean
and had no business connected with
the illegal activities that had been
happening.

 Not with the crime money, Ken

refused to learn such and actually
continue living an interesting life
with the money of illegal activities
of his parents. He was so young to
make such a decision of letting go of
his parents and was ready to execute
his plan until Raymond caught him
over a phone conversation with
AJAX, Mr Hyde’s 18 year old son.
Now another big secret was kept
between a son and his father that
Hope was never told about. In
another corporate world, Hope was
lurked in , little did she know that
Mr Hyde was behind all of the
business. Doing what she once did
to the poor man, Raymond, when
he first arrived in Jo’burg. She was
Mr Hyde’s ice girl, running errands
for him and doing illegal activities
she once made Raymond do. 

“What goes around comes back around”

Ken was well aware and would get in
serious trouble with his mother for
knowing things from the onset
while Raymond acted a saint like he
never noticed from the
start. Raymond was yet to pay for
his sins too, it was terrifying to Ken
that he might loose both his parents
to gaol like they did to Isabella and
Mr Hyde and thought of playing
knight in shining armour.

 At age 16, Ken was the one in

juvenile gaol for being sold drugs by
another gang lord known as Ajax. It
was the same situation, like how Mr
Hyde convicted for being sold drugs
and pinned with the while illegal
activities. It was Ken who was living
that life. How could Ajax, his friend
and boss, betray him in that manner
? Ajax sold him drugs as a way of
keeping them safe for him and he
was pinned with being a gang lord,
little did he know it was Mr Hyde’s
business and Ajax. To learn that,
Raymond and Hope where terrified.
How quickly Ken was rotten just like
his parents ? But little did they know
that Ken was paying for their sins.
That goes without saying that a
child will pay for his parent’s sins
and karma will always catches up
with you.

            [ THE END ]