Chapter 25

I felt my heart clench in pain when he smiled at her and pulled her closer to him. I watched with jealousy as the two beautiful people looked at each other with so much raw emotion lost in each others eyes.

I knew I wasn't misreading the situation, I'd watched enough movies to know what people who were banging or about to bang looked like. A few weeks ago that had been Hunter and me but now it was Hunter and that gorgeous woman who wasn't me but definitely in his league.

I didn't have the right to be jealous or angry. I'd been the one to reject him after all so I sucked it up, waited until they were out of sight and proceeded to the table. It didn't feel good playing after that but I forced myself because my mother didn't raise a quitter.

"You play beautifully."The lady I'd just finished performing for complimented me.

"Thank you."I smiled politely feeling like I was faking my smile

"Have you ever considered teaching?"She asked me.

"Not really no. I'm not that patient of person and besides I don't have a teaching certificate."I answered.

"I think you're more patient than you give yourself credit for and the teaching certificate is just a formality. I'm the deputy principal at Rolling Hills International School. It's new so we're still hiring and if you're interested, I would like for you to come for an interview. I think you'd be a great addition to the staff. The school isn't that big yet so you wouldn't have too many students to begin with. We're very close knit and young so you would fit right in. The hours are great and so are the benefits. The money is good too."She explained whispering that last part making me laugh.

"Sounds like a sweet deal."I replied.

"That's because it is. Here is my number. Im Magdalene, call me if you like what I'm offering and we'll set up a date for your interview."Magdalene said giving me a card with her name, number, title, school name, logo and motto on it.

"Thank you, a lovely night to you both. Happy Valentines."I wished them politely my mood already lifted.

"You too."Magdalene echoed while her partner nodded politely at me.

I bowed like I did after every performance and left them alone heading for another table. The deal was sweet and even if I'd probably not call, I kept the card safe nonetheless. It was good to have options.

The manager intercepted me thirty minutes later after I was done with my table requests.

"You're needed in the conference room for a performance."He informed me and my heart dropped to my stomach.

I had managed to not think about Hunter and that woman in his arm as I performed but now those thoughts were back with a vengeance.

"I'm tired."I sighed looking for the most plausible excuse.

There's no way I was performing a private show for them with Hunter right there.

"Mr Omolo, the one who requested you thought you might say that so he requested me to give you this."The manager said handing me an envelope and walking away.

Damn you Brian Omolo.

I looked at the white envelope in my hand and it felt like I'd bee served a death sentence. I peeked inside and saw multiple bills of one thousand notes. That was a lot of money and the guys definitely knew my thing with money. It was a trick to get me in there so I could either give it back or work for it. I wasn't even charging anything close to what I'd been given for a private performance.

I stormed out of the dining area and towards the conference rooms as a woman on a mission.

To kill Brian for putting me in such and awkward position. There were three conference rooms and all were occupied and since I couldn't go knocking on each one, I asked one of the waiters walking about which one they were in. He showed me I thanked him walking towards it.

I stopped at the door, realizing I was about to face Hunter all in the name of scolding Brian and got second thoughts. I could just console myself and keep the money with the thought that Brian did owe me for the performance earlier but still it was too much.

I swallowed all my pride, plastered a fake smile on my face and knocked on the door. A waiter opened it for me on their way out so I walked into the extravagantly decorated room. The ten individuals in there didn't notice me at first as they laughed and had fun amongst themselves, probably thinking I was just another waitress.

My gaze immediately landed on Hunter who was talking animatedly with his date, laughing and smiling, his hand on the back of her seat. It hurt even worse seeing them up close but there's nothing I could do about it for I had been the one to let him go.

I decided to interrupt them stylishly by picking up my violin and beginning to play without saying a word to them. Everyone turned to me looking annoyed but they all smiled when they recognized me, all except three people. Owen's lady was looking at me confused because we'd never met but I saw Owen whispering to her who I was changing her expression to a smile. The woman on Hunter's arm was confused too but she had no one to tell her who I was since her date was staring at me in shock. Hunter had definitely not known that I was around which made me turn to Brian and glare at him for putting me in such a situation. He smiled innocently at me but I wasn't buying it.

I tried not to look at Hunter the whole time I was performing but he had such a magnetic pull towards me that I just couldn't resist. Besides shock at seeing me, he was smiling too but I had no idea why he was smiling when he had taken less than two weeks to move on from me. Men really did move fast. Realizing I was getting angry at him again, I turned my gaze and completed the song. I played the final note of get you the moon by Kina and bowed.

Everyone clapped including Hunter and his confused date.

"Nala!"Francis exclaimed getting up to hug me.

"My graceful gazelle, hello."I replied enthusiastically hugging him back.

His wife Louise had gotten up with him so I hugged her too since we were familiar with each other.

"What are you doing here?"Louise asked me.

"Working."I replied showing her my violin.

"Ah of course, thank you for the song. It was beautiful."She replied.

"My pleasure."I mumbled.

"Horsie, no hug for me?"I asked Owen who was sitting next to Francis.

He smiled and got up to hug me lifting me off my feet making me squeal in happiness.

"Nice to see you too. Now put me down and introduce me to your girl before she starts thinking the worst."I demanded and he set me down.

"Oh I already know who you are. This bunch wouldn't stop talking about Nala, the beautiful Violinist. I'm June."The lovely lady introduced herself.

"And I heard lots about you from Owen here. It's so nice to meet you. You're as beautiful as he said you were."I complimented.

"You were right babe. She is awesome."June commented hugging me again.

They were all so nice.

"I know."Owen grinned tugging at my hair playfully.

I stuck my tongue out at him and abandoned them to say hello to Max and Yvonne.

"We meet again so soon. And the plot thickens."Max teased referring to the joke about my story and Hunter's just beginning.

"Too bad I'm not the main character anymore."I replied with a pout glancing at Hunter for a second.

Max immediately understood what I meant.

"Oh yes you are, you need an antagonist and the universe just gave you one."He smiled confidently at me.

His version had me and Hunter ending up together but that's not how I saw it and neither did Hunter apparently.

"We're still in the introduction part, don't worry."Max consoled me.

"Story is over, now shut up. Hi Yvonne."I greeted his girl completely ignoring him.

"Hi Nala, how are you?"She asked politely

"Better now that I've seen you."I said with a wink making her laugh.

"I really need you in my circle, you're a breath of fresh air."She commented with a smile.

"Younger than you too."I reminded her.

"Definitely so hurry and date him so we can become best friends."She whispered in my ear.

I didn't reply just shook my head at her, kissed her cheek and moved alone.

Brian was my next target.

"You are an ass."I cussed in his ear bending over to him.

"But you love me anyway."He grinned boyishly at me.

"You wish monkey. Hi Evelyn, how's the night going?"I asked her.

"Perfectly."She smiled at me.

"I'm glad."I replied and straightened up my heart beating faster because of who I had to greet next.

Hunter was getting to his feet smiling at me, already over the shock as to why I was there. I didn't want him to touch me but if I ignored him then it would look bad.

"Hunter."I mumbled walking up to him.

"Hunter?"He asked confused."Everyone gets their nickname but I don't?"He teased.

His nickname was special to me, held a deeper meaning than just fun and games so I couldn't call him that. Not anymore especially not infront of his date.

"Nope."I replied popping the p but with a fake smile to make it seem like I was teasing him back.

"How about a hug?"He requested holding his arms out.

I couldn't deny him that without raising too much suspicion so I swallowed my pride and walked into his waiting arms. He groaned lowly in my ear hugging me tight against him. Feeling his broad arms around me, his breath on my neck and cologne on my nose had me fighting back tears. Why did fate have to be so cruel to me? He smelled perfect, like Hunter, my bear mixed with citrus and a manly woody scent.

"Fuck I've missed you."He whispered his arms around me.

I've missed you too, I wanted to whisper but I bit my tongue.

We had no right to miss each other especially when he had someone new on his arm.

I chose to ignore him and savor those few seconds in his arms before I reluctantly pulled away. He looked at me disappointed but there's nothing he could've done. If it had just been him and his friends without his date, I'd have hugged him longer but he was in another woman's company not mine.

The lady with him got up too and stood by his side.

"Hi, I'm Nala."I introduced myself holding my hand out when Hunter failed to introduce us since he was busy staring at me.

"Hello, I'm Britney."She replied shaking my hand with her well manicured fingers.

"How do you know everyone?"She asked me when Hunter failed to speak once again.

I didn't owe her an explanation since I didn't know her but I told her nonetheless to avoid being rude.

"We met last month in a club for my birthday. My friends abandoned me but the guys were so kind and accompanied me for the night."I answered without adding too much unnecessary detail.

Like Hunter fucking me into oblivion all weekend and dragging me to the wedding, then fucking me again after.

"Wow that's nice of them."She replied and I nodded.

I wanted to ask who she was but I held back. Hunter's gaze on me was unnerving so I decided that it was time to go.

I stepped back from both of them and faced everyone.

"Guys I would love to stay and chat but unfortunately I don't have that luxury, I have to go."I informed all of them loudly and got lots of protests.

"Come one Nala, stay. Join us for one meal."Brian begged me.

"I'd love to but I'm working. It was so nice to meet everyone again and make new acquaintances. You guys have an awesome valentine."I excused myself picking up my violin with the envelope Brian had sent to me stuck to it.

I hang around for a few more minutes saying individual goodbyes but eventually I had to leave. I ignored Hunter completely and I could feel his gaze on me the entire time. Just before I walked out the door, I made the mistake of turning to him and saw the glare he was sending my way. He didn't like the fact that I'd ignored him. I looked at his date who was staring at him longingly and realized that I was the intruder so with one last look I left the room feeling like absolute shit.

Valentines couldn't end fast enough.