Valentine Frenzy

By Lookman Laneon

Jack travels out of the city to implement a curriculum change project in a distant high school. He has only four weeks to complete it, or his pending office promotion would be forfeited.
Having set his eyes on marriage after the promotion, he deploys physical and mental skills to ensure a good appraisal. But working hard is a distraction, his female students and colleagues want a romantic affair with him.
When he refuses to fall for their tricks, he becomes their prime target for the fast approaching Valentine’s Day.
Just when he thinks the project is over, problems spring up from all directions. The dilemma that befalls him is one that threatens to scuttle his job, marriage and even his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lookman Laneon
• Release date: Dec 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9780639919058

Lookman Laneon

Lookman Laneon lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He loves to write about true life experiences and how they affect him and people around. In his spare time, he enjoys working on the computer and exploring the latest tools technology has to offer. He also enjoys music, movies and playing chess.

Book preview

The Valentine Frenzy

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and

incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are

used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any

resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or

persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

THE VALENTINE FRENZY

Copyright © 2017 Lookman Laneon

ISBN: 978-0-6399190-4-1

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used

or reproduced electronically or in print without written

permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews

Also available in the following ebook formats:

epub (ISBN: 978-0-6399190-5-8); mobi (ISBN : 978-0-6399190-7-2)

Cover photography by Shutterstock.com ®

lookman.laneon.com

The Valentine Frenzy

Valentine Series: Book 1

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

About Author

Chapter 1

Jack! I hope you won’t do what I won’t do? Yenzo said, slamming my shoes into the bag.

Jolted up from the bed, I stared at her. Just saying, what do you think I will do in your absence?

Well, I don’t know. You guys are always the same.

Huh, even me?

Since Yenzo got to know that I would be travelling, she’d been acting strangely. Every time I asked about the issues troubling her mind, she hissed and rolled her eyes. I couldn’t make out what she believed I would do in Port-Elizabeth other than the assignment taking me there.

A few minutes earlier, she complained that the reason I shaved my beard was to attract ladies. Even before that, the complaint had been that I smiled too much; ladies in Port-Elizabeth would misinterpret it.

The clock on the wall showed half-past seven, and my sweetheart visited my Rosebank flat to spend the night with me. Being our last meeting before my departure, I thought she’d make it an unforgettable one. But Yenzo had been throwing temper tantrums instead.

I hope you’ll come back the same person? she pointed her left index finger at me.

Ouch! That one hurt. My eyebrows lifted as I moved closer to her.

Why the distrust? Do you have reasons to question my words?

I don’t know. Port Elizabeth is far, and the ladies there…uh, uh.

So what? Don’t we have ladies here in Jo’burg? Why didn’t I get hooked on them?

She ignored me and walked towards the wardrobe; the sixth time she’d turned away in less than an hour. One would think we had a month-long feud, but I enjoyed seeing this amusing side of my darling.

She picked my jacket off the hanger. You are not going with any of the suits. I will leave them here in the wardrobe.

But I love to wear them. Wasn’t it the reason you bit your tongue the very first day we met?

She batted her eyelashes twice and returned the jacket. Even if my joke failed to win her over, I had to take my three-piece suit. Suits always sat well on my broad shoulders, and it fetched me admirers everywhere I went.

What if I have a function to attend, and I feel like showing off a bit? You know, being a city guy from Jo’burg.

She surged towards me, flashing those big eyes of hers. Show off what? You are going to a school, not to a business meeting. There are no special events in a school other than the exams.

For a moment, her eyes glowed brighter than the 60 Watts bulb in the room. But she soon stepped back and continued folding my clothes. Always dress casually and remember to ask for the nearest church the minute you get there.

You see. What will I wear to the chur—?

Wear tracksuits. Wear your jeans. I have packed six of them already. I can buy six more at the bus station tomorrow if those are not enough.

We argued for more than thirty minutes, but I managed to put my suit into the bag. Whenever Yenzo snapped into her sulky mood, she hardly reasoned objectively. Despite her grumpiness, she did a good job packing my bags. My furniture and electronics were in order; the fridge, carpets, and windows all sparkled.

Earlier in the day, we brainstormed on the things I would need for the trip. Conversant with Port-Elizabeth, her parents once lived in the Eastern Cape and she spent a good number of years growing up there. That knowledge was put to good use here as she took her time to brief me about the people, food, and environment.

That she meant well wasn’t in doubt. But being the first time we would be away from each other, she had fears about losing me to some yet unknown ladies. Despite her worries, I would not throw away our two-year relationship.

While she zipped the last of my three bags, I drew closer, placed both hands on her shoulders, and looked straight into her eyes. Adjusting my husky voice to match the tempo of the soul music playing from the radio in the living room, I set in motion my flowery yarns to unlock the emotions that seemed caged in her heart.

See, babe. I need this promotion. If this project turns out well, and I get promoted, we’ll celebrate the new post in grand style. My salary will shoot up, and we can plan the future together, you and I. Things will take a new turn, I assure you.

The stiffness in her shoulders slackened, and I felt like talking to her some more.

When I return from PE, I will get you something special. That’s a promise.

And what do you think is special?

Uhm…well, I haven’t decided on anything yet. But trust me; it will be something you cherish because you’ll have to tell me what you want.

My soft yarns loosened the cords tightening her face, prompting her to brighten up and touch my nose. I knew I’d won the battle.

With one hand behind her legs and the other to her back, I swept her off the carpet.

Blessed is she who is slim and trim for she would be lifted off the ground unexpectedly.

She let out a chuckle that sounded like ringtone in my ears. The fragrance of her dress, which bad temper had subdued before now, filled the room.

Still up in the air, I observed that her silky lilac blouse matched the hue of the ceiling. And while I gently dropped her to the ground, her navy blue jeans matched the colour of my rug. I felt like giving her some compliments for her fitting outfit, but Yenzo had a different thing in mind.

Blessed is he who travel far, communicate regularly, stay committed and remain faithful; for his lady will await his return.

Though witty, her words stung me like a forlorn bee. The glow on my face took a dip, thinking she was back to her sulky self. It occurred to me that keeping her trust would be an uphill task when away from her.

But my sweetheart assured me the whining was over by exposing those evenly spaced teeth that got me hooked the first time we met. Two years on and still enthralled, those alluring smiles had been scarce this evening, but here she was flashing them freely, at last.

I couldn’t be thankful enough that she decided to spend the night with me. Knowing that cleaning the house was usually the seventh item on my priority list, I appreciated her effort for putting my flat in a travel mode.

Before today, whenever she came around, she would return home no matter how late. Her mother always saw to that, anyway. How she managed to stay here this evening still puzzled me. All the same, it could have been awkward if she didn’t show up.

Seeing her laughing again delighted me. Hohoo! Yenzo is back to her old, sweet self. No more hassles. She blushed coyly, and I saw my name written in her eyeballs.

I picked up the pillow and threw at her braided hair. Before she returned the favour, I shifted from the bed. And so began our favourite hide-and-seek game.

Watch out! Your head will scrape the ceiling.

I quickly crouched as instructed. I’d climbed the bed trying to evade her, but my two metres height stretched me closer to the ceiling.

I don’t want to see you going to the bus station with bandaged head tomorrow. I’m done with this. She dropped the pillow and slumped to the bed.

I joined her there and placed a finger on her lips. I will never do what you won’t do.

It wasn’t about you, really. I know you can be decent when you want to be. But it’s a different environment out there in the Cape. The weather changes easily, and people change with it.

She lifted her head and looked around the room. Do you have Samsung charger? My battery is almost flat.

No. Did you leave yours at home?

Yes. But don’t worry. I don’t even want unnecessary calls.

Seeing that her energy level was unusually high, we chatted late into the night, had dinner together, took shower, and then decided to rest our heads.

She slept off immediately, but I stayed awake to make sure all items on my checklist had been taken care of. My first official task outside Johannesburg must be given the focus it deserved.

While my woman snored away, I sneaked into the kitchen for an extra plate of rice. She thought dishing my food on a plate of the same size as hers would reduce my eating habits. The young lady forgot these long limbs of mine needed more calories. Not many people my height walked the streets of Johannesburg.

With the gaps in my stomach carefully filled, I moved to the living room to make calls to my mom and sisters.

Wait for me tomorrow morning, the old woman said.

No way, Mamajack; not this time. Before you get here, I will be gone.

I was fed-up with my mom treating me like a high school boy. Gainfully employed and paying my own bills, she still expected me to seek her opinion before taking decisions about my affairs.

Okay, stay safe and be good.

That sounded better. A few years ago, she would have said: Stay safe and be a good boy. Dear mama was learning fast that her boy had come of age.

Doubts filled my mind when I thought of talking to my two uncles. Those would start schooling me on abstract things time would not permit me to discuss. And with Yenzo lounging in the room, waiting for me to attend to her, my uncles would hear from me later.

She was sleeping face-up when I returned to the room. As if she’d just walked in, I punched my fist in the air and whisper-shouted: Wooah! Yenzo in my crib.

I quickly yanked my clothes off, switched off the lights and joined her on the bed. The first idea that came to mind was to touch her. But then I recalled how much run-around she did earlier. She needed to rest well since she’d go to work the next day.

Before falling asleep, she didn’t ask for my shirt, preferring her see-through evening gown and a shower cap. Having left no hint whatsoever that she wanted to tango, I felt like waking her up to make a request. But knowing how feisty she could be, my sweetheart might just flare up asking, Can’t a lady have a decent sleep?

Like she did with food, Yenzo also rationed bed matters. She would tell me the day, hour and minute we last had a romantic duet. I once told her that she suppressed her urges on purpose or maybe she was frigid. But she denied it, saying she ‘regulated her feelings’ any time of the day.

Never for once did she make a move when in the mood. Her preference had always been to kiss me. And, yes, she could kiss for three hours non-stop. I usually checked if my lips had not melted off after a session with her.

But beyond that, she would come up with all kinds of excuses. I always asked her to prove that blood ran through her veins. Only then would she reluctantly accept to tango with me. Just to be safe, she would say.

So with her sleeping over, I thought she would make it a night of uninhibited bliss. As she got busy packing the bags earlier, I reclined on the bed sieving out the special techniques I would use to send her to planet Mars later at night.

When we got into the bathroom, I didn’t rush to grab her. Of what use would it be since she would be here ‘til dawn. But here she was, sleeping the night away.

I spent my pent-up energy on the bed tossing from side to side. Apart from thoughts of the uncertainties I would face in a city where I’d not been before, that she slept beside me got me restless. Amidst the mumbling and shoving, I managed to close my eyes.

Watching my girlfriend sleeping half naked without making a move proved tough to cope with. The allure of her steep backside raised hairs on my skin. So, I pinched her ear, hoping she would get up and ask me to fulfil my wish. But Yenzo only grumbled, turned over, and increased the snore.

Chapter 2

Dressed in a white T-shirt and denim trousers, I and Yenzo left my apartment for the Park Station in Johannesburg. It was the morning of January 18, 2015, and I had my eyes set on the long Port-Elizabeth journey. The ticket stated that it would be a ten-hour trip, but I knew it would be longer. Although winter was about four months away, Johannesburg was at its cold best.

"Dear Mamajack, I’m on my way to PE. 4 Weeks off. See you soon."

I sent a text to my mom to alert her of my departure. Mike, my best friend, also received a similar text. The dude would be wondering how I managed to plan for the trip without bringing him into the loop.

A private taxi earlier arranged glided to a halt in front of us and soon ferried us out of my Rosebank base. As we drove out of the neighbourhood, I glanced behind one more time. Travelling out of the city wasn’t frequent; so leaving Jo’burg felt special.

The vegetation around the Park Station made it chillier. But the crowd that thronged around provided warmth. Without being prompted, Yenzo rushed to the counter to check my name on the manifest.

I’ve confirmed over the phone already, I said.

Is there any harm in double checking here again?

The seriousness she accorded the trip made one think she was the one travelling. She ought to be at work this morning, but she would rather be with her man.

Having earlier complained of flu, she was pushing herself too hard. Cold weather always gave her problems. So, I thought of setting her free to prevent her from breaking down.

I hope you won’t be late for work. You’ve done well to have come here with me.

Okay, then. Let me leave since you’ll be off in twenty minutes. But please, don’t fall for those Xhosa and Coloured girls. She cautioned, yet again.

I let out a sigh and held her shoulders.

C-o-m-m-o-n, Yenzo. I thought we are over this issue.

I know, but—

Do you think I’ll like to be distracted from an official assignment? This is an opportunity to show my bosses how resourceful I am. Wipe out those funny thoughts from your mind. Why would I want to play around with some village girls when I have you?

She shrugged. "Well, dunno. You might not be the one wooing. A hanstadar like you won’t be hard to find."

"What’s that? What’s a hanstadar?"

Don’t worry. Have a safe trip. Let me know when you get there and please call five times a day.

Okay, dear. It’s hard to leave you here. Left to me, I will stay put. Or do I put you in my bag?

She straightened her face, visibly not in the mood for my jokes.

Please, Jack. You are all I have. Don’t disappoint me. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she adjusted the hood of her cardigan.

Those words echoed in my ears. Yenzo hadn’t looked so helpless before. Thinking she must be speaking from the depth of her heart, I felt like renewing my promise.

I won’t mess around, babe. You are all I have too.

So you say. I accept.

I hugged her for a while; then I stepped back and looked into her eyes. Feelings of love overwhelmed me as I blinked several times, suppressing the tears.

Eager to catch a glimpse of my woman for the last time, my dreamy eyes surveyed her top down. She’d been true to me since the day we met. I had no doubt in my mind that I might lose her before my return.

Why the strange look?

I won’t be seeing this lady for a while. Let me keep enough of her pictures in my head.

She turned her back to me playfully,