Chapter 12

I was not a big fan of weddings, unless I was performing at them of course but even I had to admit that the Mutua's really had outdone themselves. The guest list was extensive and I was in the presence of a lot of celebrities so I had to be on my best behavior. We had been at the reception for an hour and I had been alone the whole time. Hunter had abandoned me the minute we had arrived to join his family for the photoshoot. I was bored out of my mind since I didn't know anyone there but I had to remind myself that I had insisted that we come.

I only had myself to blame so I decided to help myself to some of the finger foods being served to keep myself busy. At least there was enough food and drinks for everyone. They had an open bar too and since I'd developed a taste for wine, I decided to get myself a glass. I was walking towards the bar when I accidentally ran into someone. They dropped whatever they were carrying when we bumped shoulders and I immediately turned around to apologize.

"I am so....." I started but the words dried up in my mouth when I saw who I had ran into.

He looked surprised too when our eyes met.

"Nala."He mumbled eyes wide in surprise.

"Ken."I replied with a tight voice.

"What are you doing here?"He asked surprised to see me.

"I could ask you the same."I retorted.

Kenya really was a small country considering I couldn't even get away from people I hoped to never see again. Ken was my ex boyfriend. We had dated during the first three years of campus but broke up in the final year when he kicked me out of the band we had created together. We had started as a duo just the two of us, me playing my violin and singing while he had his guitar. Our band gradually grew to a group of six, all boys and I was the only girl. When we started making a name for ourselves, the guys decided that having a girl in the band was too much for them to handle so they kicked me out.

It's not like people like the violin that much anyway.

Those were the last words Ken ever said to me before I dumped his ass.

"We're performing for the wedding."Ken replied looking very proud of himself.

"Wow, that's great, congratulations."I muttered mustering all the fakeness I could.

"Thank you, how are you doing this days?"He asked me, the guitar case he had dropped the floor all but forgotten.

"I'm great."I replied curtly already done with the conversation.

"Do you still play?"Ken continued and I felt like picking up his guitar and smashing him on the head with it.

Ken was genuinely a nice guy, he was just very unrealiable and didn't have a spine. He could never think for himself that's why when the other four guys voted to kick me out of the band he had agreed with them flushing our three year relationship down the toilet. He thought we'd keep dating even though I wasn't part of the group anymore but I dumped him the same day. I didn't need a man who couldn't stand up for me when I needed him most.

"Definitely, it's my life."I replied honestly.

I did love playing the violin, it was my passion so even if gigs were hard to come by especially as a solo artist, I did my best to keep my dream alive.

"I'm glad to hear that. If I remember correctly yesterday was your birthday so happy belated birthday."Ken said smiling at me.

"Thank you, it was awesome."I replied with a smile recalling the details of the previous night.

Ken looked like he wanted to say more but I was already done talking to him. I wanted to get away from him but I didn't want to be rude, I had been raised better than that. Thankfully the heavens heard me and sent me my saving grace.

"There you are princess, we've been looking all over for you."An excited Brian proclaimed loudly.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him.

"Monkey, you abandoned me."I cried with a pout of my face.

Brian didn't look too pleased with that nickname but his smile didn't fade.

"You're right, I'm sorry but I'm here now. Let's go."He demanded tugging at my shoulders.

I turned to Ken who was looking at us strangely.

"It was nice running into you Ken. Have a great show."I said smiling tightly at him before letting Brian pull me away.

"Yeah bye."I heard Ken sigh behind us.

"Thank you for that, I couldn't escape him."I thanked Brian once we were a safe distance away.

"You can thank me by changing my nickname to something sexier."Brian proposed with a grin.

"Oh no, I'm sticking to monkey."I insisted laughing at him.

"You're lucky you're adorable girlie otherwise I'd have you arrested."Brian grinned at me.

At only twenty eight Brian was a senior superintendent in the Kenya police force. It had a big thing to do with the fact that his father was the minister of defence but what did I know, I was only a lowly citizen.

"Aren't you supposed to be posing for photos right about now?"I asked him.

"My part is done so Hunter asked me to come get you. He was worried about you being bored or running away."Brian replied.

"He took my phone so there's no way I'm leaving."I replied with an eye roll.

When we arrived Hunter had taken my phone as an insurance that I wouldn't leave. It had worked because I couldn't go anywhere without my phone.

"Smart guy. Why would you want to run though? Hunter is a great guy. Better than most of us out here still trying to figure our shit out."Brian asked.

"He is but also definitely out of my league. I like to dream but even I know how to keep myself grounded and close to reality."I replied.

"We don't know each other that well, having only met last night but believe me when I say you're definitely in his league. Don't look at the money and fame, look at the person. I'm a pretty good judge of character so I know I'm not wrong when I say you're one of the good ones. I think you would be good for Hunter and he for you, if you were open to living beyond your fear."Brian advised.

"Can I get flirty, horny Brian back? I don't like this serious side of you."I replied with a groan when I couldn't think of a better answer.

Brian laughed looking at my confused face.

"Don't worry, that's all I had in me."He consoled and I nodded gratefully at him.

His words were deep and gave me hope but they were unnecessary since I'd already made up my mind. Hunter and I could never be for all obvious reasons and there was no need deluding myself.

We made it to the gardens where the bridal party was concluding the shoot. I immediately spotted Hunter who was taking photos with the newly weds and his parents. He was smiling genuinely and I was glad that there was no hate in his eyes towards his brother and new bride.

"I honestly have no idea how he's so strong. If I were in his shoes I would have probably ruined the wedding."I commented.

"Look at you showing your true colors."Brian teased making me shove him playfully. "But you're right, Hunter is built different."He concurred.

Just then Hunter noticed us and his smile changed to something more sensual and flirty. He winked at me and I waved at him.

"The sexual tension between you two is almost palpable, damn."Brian commented.

"Shut up."I mumbled under my breath feeling embarrassed.

I knew his friends knew what we had been up to but they didn't need to talk about it. I was already embarrassed enough.

I watched Hunter excuse himself from his family and approached us. He didn't even try to be subtle as he pulled me into his arms and hugged me.

"You okay?"I asked the hug lasting longer than normal.

I waited for him to pull away and answer since it seemed like he really needed that hug.

"Yeah I'm okay, I just missed you."He whispered in my ear before he kissed my neck and pulled away.

We had been apart for less than two hours and he already missed me. I didn't say anything in reply, just snuggled into his side lying on his shoulder.

"Aren't you two just the cutest? Now if you'll excuse me, half the bridesmaids are single and so am I. Maybe I can talk one of them into seeing what my handcuffs look like around some petite arms."Brian grinned.

"Thanks for getting her for me."Hunter said ignoring his whole speech.

"No problem, I'll see you around Nala."Brian said before skipping away towards where the bridesmaids were.

I was definitely not changing his name, horny bonbos monkey it is.

"You want to meet the president?"Hunter asked me when we were finally alone.

"No what I want to do is get something to eat."I replied because I was famished.

"I'll feed you, I promise. After you meet my family first."Hunter assured me.

"You're not introducing me to your family. Who will you even tell them I am?"I asked not liking his logic.

"The woman who has been driving me crazy since last night."He grinned tightening his hold around my waist and leading me away.

"Hunter no! Hunter stop it! Damn it Hunter!"I growled as he half dragged and half carried me to where his family was.

I stopped struggling when it was too late to run away. I would make Hunter pay for putting me in such an awkward situation.

The first people to notice us were the newly weds. They both looked at me with curiosity probably wondering who party crasher was.

"Aaron, Vera, I would like you to meet Nala, my plus one."Hunter introduced and I sighed in relief when he didn't say girlfriend or even worse, one night stand.

"It's so nice to meet you, beautiful wedding."I commented trying to be as polite as possible to the two people who had hurt my bear.

My bear? Where had that come from? Definitely had to be something in the air.

"Thank you. How do you know Hunter?"Veronica asked sizing me up.

She had no right to do that. She was his cheating ex.

"We met at my birthday party. He was so nice to me and we immediately hit it off."I replied before Hunter got the chance to ruin it.

"That's our Hunter for you. I hope you're having fun. Sorry to steal him away from you."Aaron addressed being super nice.

He looked like a genuinely nice person, just a bride stealer on the inside. Well we couldn't help who our heart loved could we? Even if that person was our big brother's fiancé.

Veronica was still looking at me with a strange expression but I did my best to ignore her. She honestly couldn't do anything to affect me since I knew she wasn't the best person on the inside. She shouldn't have cheated on Hunter. Instead she should have broken off the engagement when she realized she loved his brother and not him. Hunter would still have been hurt but it would have been better than him finding out for himself.

The four parents who had been talking about something on the side approached us and I realized that I was literally sharing the same air with the president of the republic of Kenya. Hunter held me tighter when he felt me shift in his arms.

I wasn't going to run away, just maybe pass out right there on the grass.