Chapter 17

"Not really no."I replied making their face fall in disappointment.

I kept getting questions and compliments about my singing and it was very confusing. I thought that maybe one of my co-workers was playing a prank on me but I wasn't close enough to any of them for such levels or intimacy.

"I loved your dress. Where did you get it?"A girl about my age asked as she paid for some beauty products.

"I can't really remember."I replied not knowing what dress she was talking about.

"Too bad, I'd love to get one just like it. You're really pretty by the way."She complimented.

"Thank you."I answered still confused.

When it was time for my break four hours later I couldn't be happier to get away from my counter. I was really feeling weirded out since I had no idea where all those people recognized me from. I even got a couple of business cards with people wanting me to perform in their events. That was all well and good but I still didn't know where all my free publicity was coming from.

I had a thirty minute break so I decided to get some fresh juice since I didn't have much of an appetite. I was joined by two other co workers who were having their late lunch as they read through the paper. I didn't pay much attention to them and kept scrolling through TikTok watching videos.

Suddenly the two ladies stopped chatting excitedly and I could feel their eyes on me. I looked up and they were staring at something on the newspaper then looking up at me.

"Damn, it is you."One of the girls, Grace exclaimed.

"Me what?"I asked confused.

"You were at the big wedding!"Girl two, Laura added still looking at me in shock.

The first question that came to mind was how did they know that? I hadn't told anyone or posted about it in any of my socials.

Grace turned the newspaper around for me to see and right there printed on paper was a photo of me performing at the wedding with a big smile on my face and the guitar in hand.

"Singer performs cover of I do by Willy Paul and Alaine at the royal wedding."Laura read the caption out loud.

I reached for another copy of the newspaper that was on the table and flipped to the page where photos from the wedding had been posted. I looked through all of them and sighed in relief when I realized that it was the only one. There were no photos of me and Hunter together which was great. I had no idea how I would have explained that to everyone.

The post in the newspaper filled in a lot of gaps giving me an explanation as to why people were all of sudden recognizing me. The event had been televised too and aired online so it made sense as to why people knew who I was.

"How did you get to the wedding? It was invite only. I mean even some of the big leagues in the country didn't get to go but you did."Grace asked.

I fucked the groom's brother and the bride's ex that's how.

That was the answer but I didn't say that instead I smiled at them taking my time to think of a plausible enough answer.

"I got in as part of the band. They needed a back up singer and since I know them they asked me to step in and I did."I explained giving the most plausible excuse I could come up with.

I definitely couldn't tell them the truth so a well crafted lie had to be my saving grace.

"Wow that's so cool and you made it into the papers. How was the wedding? Tell us everything."Laura demanded.

I laughed and shared details of the wedding with them. As much as I could without sharing too much information or outing myself.

"I so envy you. You met the president and his family."Grace exclaimed gushing at the photos once more.

"He's actually really nice in person and his wife too."I informed them.

"I'm so jealous. Maybe I should become a singer too, then I can meet lots of famous people."Laura proclaimed.

"It was a one time thing ladies, chance of a life time and will probably never happen again."I assured them because I knew it was true.

I had only been there because of Hunter and since I was never seeing him again, my days of fame were done. At least no one knew anything about me because the newspaper article declared that I was part of the band too just like I had told the girls.

"Well I'm sure you'll never forget it."Laura commented.

She had no idea how right she was because that weekend would forever live in my mind but mostly because of all the memories Hunter and I had shared.

We didn't get to talk much else because our break ended and we had to get back to work. For the rest of my shift since I knew what was actually going on I was able to be more accepting of people and respond accordingly to their comments about the event and any possible future work. I gave my contact information to those who seemed genuine enough with the permission of my manager of course since I was conducting business where I wasn't supposed to.

Other than that my shift ended without any problems and after I clocked out I passed by the butchery to get myself some meat for supper. I would treat myself to a nice meal since I had a couple of gigs lined up for the next three weekends with the promise of more to come.

When I got home I immediately took a shower before I started cooking as I listened to some music on my phone.

I thought I had put the event drama to rest when I left work until I got the most unexpected phone call.

Ken was calling me and I wanted to let it ring out but changed my mind in the last second and picked up. I knew it had something to do with the event otherwise he wouldn't be calling me. We hadn't talked since we broke up, our only interaction being during the wedding.

"Hello."I mumbled my phone stuck between my shoulder and my ear as I stirred my food.

"Nala hi. I didn't expect you to pick up."Ken confessed sounding surprised.

"Me either but I did. What do you want?"I asked refusing to waste any energy being kind to him.

"I don't get a how are you or how've you been?"Ken replied with a nervous chuckle.

"No because I don't owe you shit. Now what do you want before I hang up?"I asked adding salt to my food, stirring and covering the pot to let it simmer some more.

"You're right I'm sorry. I'll get straight to the point. I assume you already saw the post in the newspaper?"He asked sounding jealous.

The only photo of the band was of them in the blurred background of the post made about me. Somehow that made me smile and I made a mental reminder to get myself a copy the next day. I would cut off that picture and preserve it as the day Nala won against the Forever Soul bad as Ken and the guys referred to themselves.

"Yes I did. What about it?"I retorted.

"Well you see people have been asking about you. They seem to think that you're part of the band."Ken explained.

"But I'm not because you kicked me out."I spat out venomously.

"It's been longer than a year Nala, get over it already."Ken replied.

"You did not just say that. Fuck you, you disgusting asshole."I cussed out and hang up tossing my phone on the bed.

Who did he think he was trying to control my feelings like that? His betrayal would forever be in my mind no matter how many years passed. We had created something beautiful and when he realized he could do it without me he tossed me aside without a single thought. I would never forgive him for that.

I heard my phone ring again but I just ignored it and kept cooking. I was making rice and beef stew and my rice was already done so I waited for the meat to cook as I washed the dishes I'd already used.

Ken kept calling and I really tried to ignore it but the ringtone got annoying so I gave in and picked up on the fifth ring.

"What do you want Ken?"I yelled into the phone.

"Don't hang up, I'm sorry."He apologized.

"What? Do? You? Want?"I emphasized already pissed at him.

"We have a gig this weekend and the event coordinator is insisting that you be there otherwise they'll go with another group."Ken explained.

I didn't intend to but something about his request sounded funny to me so I burst out laughing. I fell on my bed with with laughter my phone still stuck to my ear and it took me a few minutes to calm down.

"Wait let me get this straight? You guys need me?"I asked still choking with laughter.

"Yes."Ken sighed in defeat.

"After you kicked me out now you need me?"I asked again chuckling.

"Yes we do. Please Nala."Ken begged making me start laughing once more.

Like the maniac that I was, with the hurt feelings of a woman scorned I cut off my laughter abruptly and with the iciest tone I could muster I addressed Ken.

"Now listen here you ungrateful piece of shit. I gave you three wonderful years of my life and we created a beautiful thing but you tossed it in the trash when you thought you found better. Now here you are needing me but guess what I won't help you and I never will. So you and your Forever bastards can shove that gig up your asses for all I care but I am not helping you. Never call me again unless it's for your funeral after you choke on a guitar string."I cussed out and hang up.