Forbidden love
Marothi’s wedding proposal forces Rachel to choose: her relationship or her family.
There is very little that nursing student Rachel (Lesego Marakalla) won’t do to protect her newly rekindled relationship with her sugardaddy Marothi (Macks Papo). That includes turning her back on her controlling family, who’ve never approved of her dating the shady businessman – especially her mom Celia (Shoki Sebotsane), who has confronted Marothi numerous times. But wait until Celia finds out that her daughter isn’t just dating an older man on Thursday 8 November, she’s going to marry him too! “Rachel doesn’t expect this [marriage proposal]. She’s excited and overjoyed that he wants to be with her even after what she did to him,” says Lesego. Marothi found out in October that Rachel, who was still his ex at the time, used a love potion to steal him away from his new girlfriend. While Marothi is ready to forgive and forget, Lesego says that it’ll be a bigger ask to get Celia to accept the engagement on Friday 9 November.
SPANNER IN THE WORKS
“Marothi is old enough to be Rachel’s father, sure, but they genuinely love each other,” explains Lesego. “Rachel would rather cut ties with her family than ruin chances with the love of her life. Family will always be there if she comes back.” This leaves a bitter taste in Celia’s mouth, who’s furious about her daughter’s engagement, explains the actress. “Celia doesn’t believe that Marothi is with her daughter for the right reason [love]. She constantly questions his intentions. She thinks that Marothi is a bad guy because he is arrogant.” Rachel won’t have her mom badmouthing her fiancé and she makes it clear to Celia and the elders that the wedding will happen “whether they like it or not,” adds Lesego.
SUGAR BABY BLUES
Rachel tackles her wedding prep with vigour on Monday 12 November. “She wants a perfect wedding. This stems from her not wanting to let Marothi down,” explains Lesego. “He is more than a lover. He’s some sort of fatherfigure, filling the void that was left by her father’s offscreen passing in 2013.” Marothi gives his bride-to-be a shoulder to cry on and she doesn’t want to disappoint him, which is why Rachel goes back to her family one last time on Tuesday 13 November. “Rachel flat- out dares Celia to interfere in her wedding arrangements. This young woman is ready for war. Celia can either be a part of it or not even get an invitation. Her choice,” says Lesego.