Chapter 37

"Ready?"Hunter asked me his hand on the door handle.

I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer and nodded at him.

"Open it."I whispered because there was no putting it off any longer.

Hunter smiled at me then swung the door open to reveal the vice president, his wife, Aaron and Veronica. I could see a couple of men in suits behind them who I assumed were the security detail. It took everything in me to stay put instead of running away like every instinct in me was telling me to.

"Mom, dad."Hunter greeted politely kissing his mom's cheek and shaking his dad hand.

"Mak, my dear, took you long enough to open the door."His mom scolded patting his cheek affectionately.

Mak?

"Sorry, we were upstairs."Hunter apologized stepping aside to let them in revealing me in the process.

"Oh yes you have company. Nice to meet you. Wait, you look familiar. Have we met before?"His mom asked me.

"Yes I performed at Aaron's wedding. It's nice to meet you again, I'm Nala."I introduced trying to stop my voice from shaking as I spoke to her.

"I remember now, you sang beautifully."She praised.

"Thank you."I smiled because her compliment was genuine.

"I don't think we were properly introduced, I'm Martha and this is my husband Jacob."Martha expressed pulling her husband closer.

"It's nice to meet you sir."I said shaking his hand.

"Likewise."Jacob replied with a polite smile.

"Bro!"Aaron exclaimed excitedly hugging his brother.

Hunter chuckled and hugged him back before pulling away. They looked at each other and had some unspoken communication between them. They nodded at each other and Hunter allowed him in. It was like some sort of wordless truce.

"Nala, the singer. It's nice to see you again."Aaron greeted giving me a brief hug that took me by surprise.

"Same here."I replied biting my tongue to keep all the words I really wanted to say to myself.

Hunter might have forgiven him and it was none of my business but to me what he did was a bulshit move.

The last one in was Veronica before Hunter closed the door.

"Mak."Veronica greeted looking at him shyly tucking a loose hair strand behind her ear.

Oh no bitch, you're not that innocent.

And what was with that name? Mak?

"Hi Vera."Hunter replied hugging her.

It lasted more than the acceptable two seconds and it made me feel stuff I shouldn't have been feeling.

They pulled aside and Hunter immediately pulled me to his side wrapping his arm around my waist.

Veronica looked at our closeness and had an unidentified look on her face.

Jealousy? Anger?

Honestly I didn't care because it was her loss and my gain. And besides she was a happily married woman now.

"Vera you remember Nala."Hunter asked.

"Yeah of course, how could I forget? You sang wonderfully."Veronica replied holding out her perfectly manicured hand to me.

"Thank you."I said shaking her hand briefly.

"Supper is in the dining room."Hunter informed them directing them all away from the door.

Hunter and I walked behind them side by side drawing strength from each other.

"Mak?"I asked hoping for an explanation.

"It's short for Makau."Hunter expounded.

"Oh."I mumbled when it made sense.

"I like bear though."Hunter whispered leaning in to bite my ear discretely.

I grinned and pushed his face away before we were caught.

I knew supper with the Mutua's wasn't going to be easy but Hunter and I would get through it together.

"Wow, that's quite a spread. Where did you order from?"Veronica asked walking into the dining room.

"I didn't, Nala cooked."Hunter informed her smiling proudly at me.

"Oh well, it looks good."Veronica replied shortly.

"Thank you, please sit."I invited as if I was the woman of the house.

Well I'd cooked and was Hunters date so I might as well have been.

"It really does."Martha commented taking a seat next to her husband who sat at the head of the table.

Aaron and Veronica sat on one side together while Hunter and I sat opposite them. I was facing Veronica sandwiched between Hunter and his mother.

Tradition dictated that guests were supposed eat first but the women were also supposed to serve the men so I was very confused as to what step to take. I looked at Hunter for help who smiled at me and squeezed my thigh under the table.

"I know you're all hungry so please dig in."Hunter invited reaching for a serving spoon and giving it to his mom.

Martha served her husband some food first before filling her plate. When Veronica was handed the serving spoon she looked at it awkwardly for a few seconds before it hit her what she was supposed to do. She quickly served herself and Aaron before it was my turn to do the same for Hunter and I.

"This is delicious Nala."Aaron complimented digging in.

Everyone else had a compliment to throw my way and I appreciated them all. I had not been doing it to impress them, okay maybe just a little bit and it felt nice.

"You did good baby."Hunter whispered in my ear so only I could hear.

I smiled at him happy that I was making him proud.

"So besides playing the violin, singing like an angel and cooking like a professional. What else do you do?"Aaron asked looking at me.

I'd expected such questions but I didn't like the way he had phrased it. Hunter didn't seem to like it either because his grip on my thigh tightened. I lay my hand over his squeezing gently to reassure him that I was okay and that I had it.

"I was working at a cashier in Naivas but I quit recently. Now it's just singing and performing."I explained.

"Why did you quit? Finally got a rich boyfriend huh?"Veronica asked with a fake laugh and I immediately snapped my gaze towards her.

What the fuck?

"Vera."Hunter growled unhappy with her accusation.

"What? It's just a question?"Veronica defended.

It was clear that she was trying to get a reaction out of me and I was not going to give her the satisfaction of giving it to her.

"No actually I got a better job offer that's full time thus why I had to quit."I explained.

"That's nice."Veronica mumbled looking embarrassed.

"Yeah it is and also Hunter is not my boyfriend."I retorted making all heads snap at me including Hunters.

"He's not?"Veronica exclaimed more excited than she should have been.

"No of course not. Nothing about Hunter is boyish, he's my man."I announced turning to look at him.

I was all smiles outside but on the inside I was screaming. I had just claimed Hunter infront of his whole family yet we hadn't even labeled our relationship yet. I was just so desperate to put Veronica in her place that I hadn't bothered to check my words.

Hunter grinned at me looking very proud of my declaration. At least he was happy about it.

Veronica looked embarrassed and didn't say anything, not that there was anything to say.

"Hunter you didn't tell me that you were dating?"Martha scolded him.

"I'm sorry mother, it's all very new."Hunter apologized.

"But it's been almost two months since the wedding and you didn't say anything."She accused.

"Like I said it's very new, this beautiful lady here has been playing hard to get. I only got her to say yes a week ago."Hunter defended looking at me.

"I had to make you work for it."I chided with a smile.

"Worth every drop of sweat."Hunter replied winking at me.

"I'm very happy for you two. Welcome to the family Nala."Martha expressed with a smile.

I was being welcomed to the family now. Definitely not how I had expected the evening to go.

"Thank you."I nodded politely feeling a little bit overwhelmed.

Thankfully I was given a break when Hunter's dad spoke up for the first time since we sat down to ask about his business. I stayed out of that once since I didn't know much but Martha and Aaron joined in. From what I gathered Aaron worked in the ministry of health as a big official there and needed funds that he was asking his dad and brother for.

Definitely not my forte.

Veronica chipped in once in a while but for most of it she was eating and slyly glancing at me. She didn't intimidate me, I'd dealt with enough spiteful rich spoilt daddies girls in campus to know how to deal with them. I just wished she didn't do it infront of the parents, her husband and current fiance. It was making things very awkward.

"Son you need to reconsider my offer."Hunter's dad spoke a little too loudly drawing my attention back to the conversation.

"Dad like I've been saying for the past I don't know how many years, I'm not joining politics let alone to try and vie for the minister of finance. I'm happy where I am."Hunter replied looking very frustrated.

"Boys no politics at the table remember."Martha admonished.

"We'll it's the only time I get to see him since he keeps avoiding my calls. What will it take you to join me?"Jacob asked.

"Nothing dad, politics is not a family business I can inherit. I don't want this, I never have and never will."Hunter insisted.

"Politics is this families bread and butter. I make it so. It paid for this house and the life you boys have. It's the reason Aaron and Veronica met so you will join me."Jacob yelled taking it a tad bit too far.

"No I paid for this house with my money, I gave you back every single cent so you can't throw that at me. And besides Aaron is clearly happy to carry on the legacy so for the umpteenth time dad, it's a no. Stop insisting because my answer will never change."Hunter asserted.

"Is that your final word?"Jacob asked.

"Yes dad."Hunter declared.

"Okay fine, your loss. I was going to groom you for presidency after I descend."Jacob relented looking defeated.

It was no secret that the politics in Kenya was flawed. Veronica's dad, the current president had been in power for two terms. He was currently in the last year of his final term and it was obvious he would leave the seat to Hunters dad. It looked like Jacob wanted Hunter to take after him when he was done with his ten years. If Hunter had given in, he could be president in ten years. It was a big deal and politics was a dirty game so part of me was pleased that Hunter had refused his dad's offer.

"What about me dad?"Aaron asked pouting like a petulant child.

"We'll talk about it later."Jacob replied shutting Aaron up immediately.

And here I thought my family was the one with issues? Looks like family drama didn't care how much money you had. Come to think of it, more money more problems.

I noticed that everyone was done eating so I got up to clear the dishes.

"Veronica, why don't you help her."Martha suggested.

"No it's okay, I can manage."I assured her but Martha was having none of it.

One hard glance from Martha later and Veronica was getting to her feet helping with the dirty dishes. I stacked the plates together and carried them to the kitchen while Veronica followed me carrying a single platter. That was all she carried so I had to make two more trips. On my last trip I set the fruit tray at the center of the table for everyone to enjoy.

I walked back into the kitchen to find Veronica waiting for me leaning against the sink where I was supposed to put the dirty bowl I was carrying.

"Excuse me please."I requested politely trying not to let her get on my nerves.

She moved two inches at least and I had to walk around her.

"I need to talk to you."She declared straightening up to make herself look more intimidating.

It made me want laugh.

"Save your breath, I already know know what you're going to say and my reply is no thank you."I retorted.

"I didn't say it yet so how can you know?"She asked looking offended.

"Because I've watched enough telenovelas and reality tv to know you're next words. You were about say something like Hunter will never love me like he loved you and that I should stay away from him because I'm poor and he's rich."I expressed shocking her.

"That look on your face proves me right. Well missy here is my response. I will not do that because first of all I was not the girl who was stupid enough to leave a great guy like Hunter for his younger brother. I don't know Aaron well enough to discredit his abilities but I'm not going to take you seriously when you were the one who cheated. So no lady I will not stay away from Hunter. Girl to girl you must know of his ability in bed and I'm not going to give that up just because you still have some residual feelings for him and refuse to move on. So like I said, no."I asserted.

Veronica was stunned silent by my words which was exactly what I was going for. I turned around to leave feeling very proud of myself for standing my ground without stuttering.

"Stop."Veronica called out in a demanding tone.

I stopped but didn't turn around so she was forced to walk up to me and face me.

"You're right. I do have residual feelings for Hunter but they are not what you think."Veronica expressed.

I watched her change right infront of me and its like a mask had fallen off her face. She went from angry and ready to fight to sad and defeated. I didn't say anything and waited for her to explain herself.

"I love Hunter and I always will. He was my first everything. I'm not proud of how our relationship ended and I do regret hurting him but I'm happy with Aaron. Our relationship ended way before I cheated but that's something you'll have to ask Hunter about."Veronica expressed.

"Why are you telling me all this?"I asked her when I realized she was giving me too much information.

"Because I'm not like those mean girls you watch on TV. I care for Hunter and want him to be happy. The mean girl persona was to make sure that you genuinely care for him and aren't using him. He's been hurt enough and I don't want to see him suffer anymore."She explained.

"You could have just asked."I retorted hating all the games she was playing.

"No I couldn't. When you're as rich, powerful and famous as we are, you can't afford that luxury of people being honest with you."Veronica defended.

"I'm not dating Hunter for his money or fame. It's quite the opposite actually. I didn't want to date him because of that."I informed her.

"I know, I've seen that for myself tonight. I promise you that you'll never have any problems from me. I just want Mak to be happy and clearly you're doing that so I'll back off."She assured me.

"I'll appreciate it."I nodded.

Veronica smiled at me before turning around and leaving the kitchen.

I sagged back leaning against the wall for support. That is not the conversation I had expected to have with Hunter's ex. Surprisingly enough I could tell she was being genuine so I decided to take her word for it. I didn't need any problems interfering with our relationship especially in the name of exes whose father commanded the entire countries defense force. I had no idea what the future held for Hunter and I but I was relieved to know that Veronica would not be a hindrance.

I took a few more minutes to compose myself before walking back into the dining room with a smile plastered on my face.

"Are you okay?"Hunter asked me as soon as I took my place next to him.

"Yeah I'm good."I assured him facing him so he could see I was being honest.

He scrutinized my face for a moment looking for any hints of a lie before he sighed choosing to believe me.

The conversation had thankfully veered from politics to a neutral topic like tourism and travel.

"I'm going to Europe next week. Your mother is coming with me. Would anyone like to join?"Jacob asked.

I immediately wanted to raise my hand but then I realized two things, I didn't have a passport and he wasn't really asking me.

"Vera and I have a couple of events so no maybe next time."Aaron apologized.

The parents turned to Hunter.

"I can't, I have work."Hunter replied leaning back on his seat.

I didn't even get asked which immediately cemented my thought. It's not like I could have gone but it would have been nice for them to extend the invitation.

Those thoughts had me reprimanding myself. I was overstating my importance in a family I wasn't even part of. I needed to get a grip and jump back down to earth because clearly the clouds weren't for me.

Everyone enjoyed dessert and more conversation while I talked less disappearing more and more into the background. At some point I started humming in my head because I wasn't being involved in any conversation.

"It's getting late, we better get going. Unless you two would like to stay."Jacob asked Aaron and Veronica.

"No we've already imposed long enough."Veronica replied smiling at me.

We all got up and I retrieved their coats and jackets for them. Hunter was by my side as we walked them out.

"Thank you for a lovely meal son. Nala the food was delicious and it was so nice to meet you."Martha complimented.

"Pleasure is all mine."I replied.