Lisa, a driven doctor new to the bustling city of Pietermaritzburg, finds herself in the backseat of a taxi going nowhere near her destination. Enter Dali, a charming taxi driver and self-proclaimed hustler, who takes it upon himself to get her there. Worlds collide as their paths cross, sparking an undeniable connection despite their vastly different backgrounds. Together, they navigate the vibrant chaos of Pietermaritzburg, their lives intertwined by fate and a love that defies expectations.
Sisi, you are the only one in this cab and I've been driving for a while now, are you sure you know where you're going?"
My heart thumps loud enough to jump out of my chest as the cab driver finally asks the big question. Am I sure? I don't know. This is my first time here and I know he's going the extra mile for me and telling him that I have no idea of the place won't make anything easier. It's getting dark and with each beating, it's hard to breathe.
"I... I'm new here but, my aunt told me to get off at a garage, she'll be waiting for me there and I was told the route that the taxi takes, I'll see the garage..."
I fix my mask and look out the window feeling nervous as the cab goes. He looks at me briefly through the mirror and sets his eyes on the road again.
"I can see you are new here is wam and if I was another driver, I'd have long left you on the side of the street... What's your name?"
I look down and play with my fingers. He's slowed down the cab speed and is lighting his cigarette.
"Monalisa," I answer and look at him through the same mirror.
"Lisa... You don't mind me smoking?"
I shake my head no and he nods. The smell of the cheap cigarette takes over the Quantum invading my nose and moving me from a non-smoker to a passive smoker.
"Can you call your Aunt... Lisa," he puffs out the smoke as I shakely dial the number again. Truth is, there's no aunt only an owner but you never say such to strangers, especially Men in a new city.
The phone rings and an excited worried voice comes to the speaker.
"Sisi, you should've been here by now and I'm starting to worry it's getting late, how far are you?"
My cell phone sound is too loud. The driver lets a chuckle before he asks for me to hand over the phone to him.
I'll give the driver the phone ma, he'll tell how far I am," "Alright Sisi," I hand the driver the phone and I look outside at the city lights I am filled with wonder and tired from driving at night and day. They converse in IsiXhosa and I have little understanding of the accent. I do understand enough to express the basics without sounding too coconut, but growing up in Washington with white parents I had no other choice but to hold competence in English.
My parents are white and no, they're not my real parents, mine were killed in a car accident and I was only 3 months then. Susan the nurse and her husband were always trying to get a child and wanted one badly, so when I was stranded with only my name written on the clothing label, they officially adopted me. Me... a Black Child with thick curly hair and zero white genes in me... At least with what I know.
They chose to keep my name Monalisa but I grew up being called "Joy" which is my second name and one that I don't want to use now that I'm in the new city.
You know, you are quite slow for a doctor... Lisa," I'm brought back from reality by the cab driver giving me my cell phone back.
"Pardon?" I take the phone looking at him confused.
"They said you must take a taxi that'll drive you to Algoa Park and drop you off by spar but because this isn't a taxi to Algoa, you're at Njoli Sisi Monalisa," I don't even know how far I am from the place I was meant to go but I feel too stupid to even call myself a doctor. Years in medical school yet I can't even know when I'm taking the wrong car... So much for wanting to adapt to the culture of my people. "Oh! good wonderful... How do I get there? Where can I get cabs that go in the area? Please excuse my dumbass..."
I breathe and bite off the sides of my fingers.
"Don't worry about it, I know where your aunt is and I'll drop you off at the gate..."
I feel a sense of relief fills me and I sit back and relax.
"Thanks, and how much will it all cost? And please don't tell me that it's nothing..."
"Haa don't worry about it, Lisa... Just paying it forward. I was also helped by a cab driver when I first came here knowing no one."
Well, bless your heart... And this may be going off but I didn't get your name..."
My jitters seem to calm a bit. I thought I'd have to ask the driver to take me to the nearest B&B and the extra costs would've emptied my pocket before I even started working.
He exhales and becomes quiet for a good minute.
"You, you call me Dali..."
I take it in and digest it. He turns over his shoulder and gives me a short smile of comfort more so for him than me.
I finally get a clear line of his face. Full of scars by the neck... the days of struggle drawn on the map of scars filling his dark skin, he also needs a good bath. I'm not judging or anything because he's a hard worker but I must add that his hygiene is iffy... Has he even eaten anything good the past hours he's been on the road? Oh god, why am I even worried about someone who makes three times my monthly pay in a matter of days? Taxi drivers are the real rich people if you ask me.
"Susan was right. You are really beautiful Joy,"
"Thank you very much, Ma."
The owner smiles as she welcomes me inside the house, I look around at what's to be my new home and smile briefly at her. Dali pushes the luggage in and they chat about something in IsiXhosa that I can't understand.
They laugh in between as I'm still looking around the cozy home. The kitchen is small and opens to the eating and TV area. Two bedrooms and a small hallway that goes to the bathroom and the backdoor. The walls are bright white with a touch of beach blue and silver tools. It fits a young single doctor like myself.
Crimson Island. Home of heinous chaos. There was blood and tears. And evil plans. A crossbreed. A no-go. A wolf who hasn't found a mate. My family is not interested in me. My alpha rejected me. And my friend turned me down. So I recently received a new pack assignment. The island of Crimson. The worst of the wolf type calls this place home. Vicious. Beasts are cruel. Wicked actions. I'm not among them. But I'm also not a Midnight Wolf. I'm something completely different; an Omega stuck in the body of an Alpha. All the guys turn their heads as I go one step closer to my doom. I'm raw flesh. Property that must be claimed. Hide and seek has evolved into a game of life and death. With fangs and claws. As well as malice and grief. Only the most powerful will survive. Enter at your own risk. In a world where packs define power, Garnet Hazel, a strong-willed she-wolf of the Midnight Pack, is destined to unite with the son of the rival Shadow Alpha. As the mating ceremony unfolds, a shocking revelation shakes the foundations of her existence, leading to a perilous journey of self-discovery and forbidden love. Crimson Island is a tale of identity, betrayal, and redemption, where love transcends pack loyalties and challenges the boundaries of fate.
Isabella, a fierce she-wolf, has always known she will one day be Alpha. However, when the Crimson Moon rises, her partner rejects her, destroying her world. Now, a renegade wolf with a terrible past demands vengeance, and Isabella must choose between embracing her wounded heart and rewriting her fate.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”