Saturday morning at a quarter to nine, Sheline puts on a sleeveless lilac gown – one of those Bandele gave thumbs up at the clothing store. Her six-inch stiletto heightens her elegance giving her the swag of a Mediterranean princess. Despite being indoors, her stylish Afro hairstyle glitters.

"You want to show him you're a princess, uh?" Margaret says, watching Sheline strut around.

"Auntie, what can I do? He must see that the clothes suit me."

"Uh." Margaret smiles at the click-clack of her shoes. While Sheline tries to strike the perfect look, the woman thinks her niece is still learning the ropes. "Why don't you use a lip gloss that matches the colour of your dress?"

"Oh, okay."

Few minutes past noon, Sheline steps out of the house with good luck wishes from Margaret. The journalism student lingers by the roadside awaiting the driver Bandele promised to send. Molefi had earlier called to confirm the vehicle's arrival time.

Residents peep through their windows, some stepping out to see the reserved-girl turned fashionista. The situation makes her uncomfortable but she has to live with these permanent onlookers who daily measure her strides.

The harmless ones throw friendly smiles, waving both hands. Others hurl hate looks to show their displeasures. Since she has no friend on Princewill, it's safe to shun them all. Soon, whistling fill the airwaves. And just when it reaches a crescendo, Bandele's driver cruises into view. It's the same Range Rover SUV she has come to love.

Akida, seated in the left corner of the rear- passenger seat, opens up for Sheline to step in. "Come in, our madam," he says with a smile.

Sheline climbs in, scrutinizing faces to be sure she'd met them before – a fall out of the discomfiting whistles. Well, no harm in riding with these guys. The SUV is familiar and Molefi had earlier called.

Immediately they arrive at the castle, Akida takes Sheline through the open lower-floor door straight to the lobbyroom where Bandele awaits her. "Ha-ha." The lion roars in delight and then lifts to his feet, stretching out both hands. "Sheline!"

Sheline hugs him warmly, during which Akida returns to the lower-floor.

"Welcome to my Polemann Castle." Bandele reassesses his guest. "You look nice."

"Thank you, Mister Lion."

He grins at the compliment, urging her to take a seat.

The young lady drops to the chair slowly, dropping her handbag nearby. She can't seem to take her eyes off the wall-décor, electronic stand and yellow feet-hugging rugs. Her stiletto which sang Lucky Dube while she strutted at home can barely cough here in the castle. Actually, she got awed the moment the driver dropped her at the garage where she glimpsed cars she only saw on TV.

Yes, she always knew he's wealthy, but not to this astounding degree.

Right there, ideas jostle for attention in Sheline's head about the nature of his business. They said he's into properties – that he controls many apartment buildings on Polemann and elsewhere. Though the gist sounded incredulous when she first heard it, she now believes.

Bandele maintains a steady gaze on her pretty face while she savours the opulence on display.

She turns to him in shock: despite this stupendous wealth, he picks up a first-year UJ student from the church, drive her around and take her to the cinema. She now understands why people wave at him around Soweto – such humility from a millionaire.

Pono, who had earlier filled up the fridge with special-occasion wines, lunges into the lobbyroom to serve Bandele drink. Normally he serves whiskey or champagne – Bandele's preference when a lady visits. But Sheline doesn't look the type for such drinks, and the boss has been bending the rules since the two met.

"What do I bring you, lady Sheline?"

Sheline darts a look at Bandele who asks her to feel free. "Ask whatever you want, let my boys spoil you today."

"I'm okay, thank you. I already had breakfast."

"You won't drink something this first time you come here?" Bandele gives her a sideways look.

"Okay, then. Anything soft is okay. And maybe a single glass of Billecart Salmon."

Bandele's brows heighten on hearing the wine she just mentioned. Where did she get that from?

Pono serves two Ceres orange and apple juice packs, three yoghurts drinks and hot chocolates, glass cups, ice cubes, spoons and straws of different sizes, all of which leaves Sheline wondering if five people are to be entertained. The lad then scans the rack of the home bar for the wine she requested. Here it is. He serves two glasses.

While Bandele smiles at the warm welcome accorded his guest, Pono doesn't want to be called upstairs a second time. It's been a while a lady visited; this one isn't likely to leave anytime soon. "Anything else, sir?" He says to Bandele who twitches his fingers, signalling to him that he should leave.

"Thank you very much," Sheline says as Pono walks away.

Yet again, Bandele struggles to pick a topic with Sheline. The enveloping silence makes it look like a first meet. He restrains himself from inviting her to the room right away. "It's a happy day," he says at last.

Sheline takes her first sip after which she nods. A happy day indeed. In fact, it will be a happy year.

The boss, sensing her timidness, flashes a smug grin. "Let me show you around."

Unthinkingly, or perhaps feeling favoured, Sheline lifts to her feet, trailing him as he points to different rooms, opening and closing the doors, mentioning the purpose each serve. On getting to the kitchen, a question or two pops up in her mind but she ducks them.

Back to the lobbyroom, he switches on the TV. "Let's drink. I'm not going anywhere today. I'm sure you're here with me too?"

She shakes her head and then leans forward to take a sip.

Sounds of Molefi's footsteps filter into the lobbyroom. Bandele feels like turning him back but the aide's raised hands suggest he's about to recite a praise rant. Bandele's glower makes way for a smile. Molefi won't wait for a trigger before opening his mouth:

All hail Bandele, the King of Polemann

Familiar friends belittle him, strangers rever him

A dozen cars in the garage, a score on the ship

A thousand police officers at his beck and call

Out of town for two days, the rand crashes

When he returns, the dollar loses value

The queen is on the way, who will she be?

Earthquakes or hurricanes, his properties remain

Whoever is not a friend is not important

Businessman today, politician in future

All hail Bandele, the Lion of Soweto

Orlando bows, Soweto salutes

While the praise lasts, Bandele steals glances on Sheline who watches with awe as Molefi rants on and on. Isn't this the guy she saw at school the other day? Sheline feels special to be witnessing this, taking gulps after gulps of the tasty wine, blushing and laughing as much as Bandele who's exhibiting a part of him she has yet to see.

Molefi's words unhinge his boss's tongue. Bandele waves his aide away in a playful manner. The lad withdraws with a bow.

For an hour or more, Bandele digs into his family background and business activities, carefully avoiding unnecessary details. But every word he utters does intrigue her. Sheline listens with rapt attention.

Why isn't he married and why did he select her from the myriad of ladies on Polemann and Princewill? It also occurs to her to ask if he's always been generous or he recently picked up the habit.

The mood in the room puts ideas into Sheline's head. Her well-celebrated Bulawayo wedding now feels like a rushed event. Didn't she jump into marriage too early? Moyo passes for a ball-boy in a tennis court. Here is a bachelor like no other: God-fearing and full of cash. And he's willing to spend it anytime.

As fantasy sweeps Sheline off, Audrey's warning finger hovers above, telling her not to submit to temptation. Mrs Malvin relegates her mom's words to the background, studying Bandele's body language. Should he propose what will she say or do? She had better not think about it.

Sheline loses her moral grip as her shoulders drop. Countless posh cars, a big mansion, super cozy kitchen, multiple landed properties and a caring man – can this be the beginning of a new and interesting chapter in her life? Is this what fate had in stock for bringing her to Soweto? Is this the reason Margaret has been encouraging her towards this wealthy man? Questions pop up in her mind but answers aren't forthcoming. Dear Sheline looks clueless about what the future holds.

"You're not drinking. Are you shy?"

She nods and then shakes her head. "I'm not shy...I'm drinking." Sheline slurs, tilting her head.

Her weakened gesture confirms that she's subdued. Bandele walks towards Sheline's sofa, standing behind her headrest. He places both hands on her shoulders, feeling the pulse on her neck. A veteran slayer can't miss the visual signs. Her guards are down.

Bandele leans towards her right ear, whispering. "Did you say you are married?"

"Yes...but..." she jerks and then retracts.

Before she utters another word, his hands slide into her clothing, sending a tsunami of passion around her subdued body. Tears gloss Sheline's eyes as she makes a weak effort to resist his advances. The professor grips her cleavage – her most vulnerable body part, prompting the lady to lose herself. Bulawayo suddenly feels like a location in Mars. The man nearby looks suitable. Desirable. Why not flow with the tide?

Bandele won't let the moment pass. He picks her up from the chair, walks towards the room and kicks the door open. After placing her on the bed, he bangs the door hard and fastens it. Strong on his mind is to tear her to pieces – an act of revenge for his troubles these past weeks. Bandele helped himself with Sheline.