πŸ‘‘ Chapter Twenty Two πŸ‘‘

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MaRINI'S POV

I stared at the award sitting on top of the table trying to wrap my head around how it happened in the first place. I was not expecting it making it the biggest surprise. I was honored that my employees thought so highly of me. It was proof that I was on the right path with what I was doing. I prayed that I never got to a point where I disappointed or failed them after they held me in such high regards.

Lulu was seated across from me on the table drawing shapes with her nails on the wooden top. The after party was currently under way and she didn't seem to be enjoying it. Amani and Jeremy had dragged Isaac to God knows where and I was taking a break from talking to literally everyone in attendance. It was a miracle I found a secluded table.

"I don't want to be here." Lulu whined next to me laying her head on the table and pouting at me.

"I never forced you to come and you could have left as soon as the award ceremony was over." I replied.

"And be labeled the rebellious sister who doesn't support her siblings. No thanks and I can't leave, Jeremy was my ride and he is currently having a contest with Amani as to who can fit the most strawberries in their mouth." She replied pointing at them.

I looked over at the dessert table and saw Amani and Jeremy stuffing their faces with strawberries dipped in chocolate. They were having fun and I was glad Amani finally had someone who could deal with her kind of crazy. Isaac was making sure they didn't get into too much trouble.

"Leave them be and call an uber to take you home." I replied.

"And show a stranger my home; no thank you."She countered.

"Now you're just making up excuses as to why you don't want to leave. Maybe you do actually want to be here. Now if to yell excuse me dear sister I need to use the bathroom." I told Lulu who was looking at me open mouthed for calling her out on her bullshit.

"Just try and have fun."I requested before getting up and leaving her on the table glaring at me for telling her the truth.

As much as Lulu tried to act indifferent, she was actually a people's person and did enjoy having company. She just had a hard time trusting people especially the male gender. She had traveled the world and seen things that she wouldn't even share with me which changed her whole outlook on the world. No she wasn't damaged; she was just careful who she let into her life.

I went into the bathroom and did my business before walking out of the stall to wash my hands and retouch my make up. There was someone else there putting in a little more lipstick that they should have.

I didn't recognize her but she did look familiar. Maybe she won an award tonight or was with one of my business associates.

"Nice arm candy you got out there. Can I have him after you're done?"She asked me and I turned to her feeling angry and insulted.

Angry that she thought that Isaac was something she could buy from me or inherit like some item and angry because she thought me to be some kind of floozy who just used men and dumped them.

I thought about what answer to give her for a few seconds and all answers I conjured up were just too rude and I didn't want to get into a cat fight. It was a waste of time and not worth my energy.

"You couldn't afford him even if you tried." I replied clicking my clutch shut and strutting out the bathroom dramatically and making sure to slam the door behind me for good measure.

I hope she choked on that tube of lipstick. Too harsh? Maybe but she honestly deserved it for sounding so entitled. Isaac was irreplaceable so her asking for him like she was borrowing a tampon was just insulting.

I walked back into the ball room and was immediately bombarded by someone I was hoping not to run into; the Senator for Nairobi county. He was married with kids but he still found time to hit on me. Like I'd ever become a second wife to such a pompous man. He had a pot belly which I found very unattractive, yellow teeth that disgusted me and hadn't lost his native tongue whenever he spoke English, nothing wrong with that for others but his was a different story.

"Ah the Kiarie girl I have been looking for all night." He chuckled eyeing me up and down.

Girl? Really? I was all woman from the weave on my head to my pedicured toenails . Didn't he see just how different we looked? How had people elected him Senator in the first place?

"Mr Senator so nice to see you this evening. Where's the wife?" I asked to make him uncomfortable.

"Home, sick. Couldn't make it." He replied a little too fast for my liking as if that was the last thing he wanted to be talking about.

How could be be ashamed of his family when he paraded them around like trophies during the campaigns? Looks like the family man he claimed to be was just a wolf in sheepskin.

"Well say hello to her and the kids when you see them later. I hope she feels better soon. Now if you'll excuse me. Ill be leaving." I excused myself.

"Not so fast I wasn't done talking." He said holding my hand preventing me from leaving.

I halted my steps and gave him a mean once over my gaze lingering on the spot where he was holding me. His hands felt like acid on my skin and I resisted the urge to rip my hand away. I didn't want to cause a scene but this man was testing my patience.

Before I could react I felt a muscular hand slip over my waist and I was pulled into a warm buff chest. The senator had no option but to let go of his hold on me which was a relief for me.

"Babe." Isaac literally purred into my ear and it took everything in me not to just curl into his chest and never leave.

I know we were supposed to be staying away from each other in terms of feelings but how could I especially after that.

And he'd called me babe? Was I in an alternative universe or something where we were dating and I had no idea. He was holding me so possessively it made me feel all warm inside. Standing in such proximity reminded me just how much taller he was than me. I was tall for a female but Isaac actually made me look short compared to him.

"Hey."I breathed back turning to look at him with a nervous smile asking him what he was doing with. He just smirked at me before kissing my hair and turning to the Senator who was looking at us puzzled.

"I'm sorry we haven't been introduced? You are?" Isaac asked clearly clueless and I knew he was being honest with his inquiry. The senator looked insulted that Isaac didn't know who he was.

"I'm the Honourable Leonard Kivuti, senator of this county." He introduced arrogantly and I almost scoffed.

Did he have to use the word honourable or include his status in the introduction. You didn't hear me introducing myself as Dr. Marini Kiarie, CEO Zuri Safaris. Yes I had a PhD but not everyone needed to know that.

"Nice to meet you. I am Isaac Mutua." Isaac introduced.

"You are Kenyan?" Leonard asked.

"Yes by birth. I can show you my ID if you want."Isaac replied but made no move to let me go.

"No need young man. You just don't look like it but we do have your kind in the country so that's not a huge deal."James brushed him off trying to play it cool.

"My kind?" Isaac whispered in my ear softly enough so only I heard it.

I held in a laugh so as not to embarrass us both. The senator just didn't know how to talk.

"I was just about to tell this beautiful young lady here that she should consider running for office. I'm running for governor next term so she can take my place and be the senator." Leonard suggested and this time a scoff managed to escape me which I quickly covered with a cough.

Not subtle enough but I wasn't bothered. I could feel Isaacs gaze on me meaning he had no idea what to say and was leaving it up to me.

"As much as I'm flattered that you'd consider me for such a position I'll have to decline. The only time I'm ever running for office is if I run for president and since I'm not of age yet well just have to wait and see won't we." I retorted with a hint of sarcasm.

"Of course." Leonard chuckled nervously because I had obviously made him uncomfortable with my reply.

"Please excuse us Senator. My partner has been asking me for a dance since we got here and I'm feeling up to it. Have a nice evening." I wished him and didn't wait for a reply before pulling Isaac with me to the dance floor.

I wasn't in the mood to dance but anything was better than listening to that man arrogantly talk about himself and his run for office.

Isaac didn't resist when I pulled him to the make shift stage and my arms around his neck. Thankfully it was a slow song. I felt him hesitate before he put his hand on my waist and get into the song. It was Sitaki by Pascal Tokodi, a romantic slow song.

"Thank for saving me back there. If you hadn't come I'd have been stuck with him longer and ended up hitting him or something." I confessed meeting Isaacs gaze that was already on mine.

"I'd say you were a damsel in distress but I saw you clenching your fist and decided to step in." He explained and I gave him a grateful smile.

We continued dancing for a while and anyone looking at us would have thought we were an actual couple but that was the furthest from the truth. Isaac held me like I was the most precious thing to him and his eyes spoke so many emotions that his mouth obviously couldn't. Had our talk worked or was I just reading into things because it hadn't worked for me. I was still crushing on Isaac but I guess I just needed to try a little harder to get over it. The best way to do that was no not think about him and that meant getting out of my own head.

"Babe huh?" I teased and mentally cringed at that weird change of topic.

Isaac groaned and tossed his head back in laughter exposing his neck towards me. I had to bite my lip and look at anywhere else but that. The skin on his neck was so smooth it was literally inviting me to kiss him.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to bring that up."He replied looking at me with a shy smile.

"Don't worry it stays between us."I replied and he chuckled.

"I would appreciate that." He nodded and just then the song ended.

He let go of my waist and my hand slid away from his neck. I almost whined from the loss of contact but I don't think I could have handled another song without making a fool out if myself.

"I'm tired. Let's head home."I announced to him and he nodded in agreement.

"Yes please but we have to round up the rest of our small party first." He informed me.

Isaac held his hand out for me, I took it and we went on a search for our siblings. We found them on the same table we had been occupying. Jeremy was having an arm wrestling contest with Lulu and he was clearly loosing. Amani was recording the whole thing and taking turns cheering on for them both since she couldn't exactly pick her best friend over her sister and vice versa.

"Okay kids enough. Let's go."I announced and Lulu held up one finger asking us to give her a minute.

She was obviously holding back the whole time because she put Jeremy's hand down in one swift motion that no one saw coming.

Jeremy groaned out in defeat, Lulu cheered grabbing her winnings which was a few thousand shillings notes and Amani hugged Jeremy in consolation.

"Don't cry you big baby. Here wipe your tears." Lulu teased holding up one note for Jeremy.

Before he could reach it she snatched it away.

"Oops too slow. Let's go. I've been wanting to get out of here all night." Lulu declared jumping up and headed towards the entrance.

I grabbed my trophy and joined her while Amani walked behind us with a sulking Jeremy.

"She likes winning doesn't she?" Isaac asked.

"More than anything. She used to make up her own games just so she could win. It's all in good fun though." I replied and looked at Lulu who was skipping happily lost in her own world.

I loved both my sisters even with their own unique qualities.

We walked them back to their car and after making sure they understood that they had to text when they all got home safe we let them go.

Getting into the car I let Isaac drive us home after the long night. Long but good all the same minus the run in with the senator.

"Thank you for coming tonight. You being there made the whole night easier." I thanked Isaac.

"Anytime and anything for you." He responded with a sincere smile and I beamed relaxing into the seat and enjoyed the quiet drive home.

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Thank for reading. Don't forget to vote and comment and share please. It means a lot to me.

I love you all and be blessed.Β 

I have no idea why I wrote this chapter. Seems more like a filler but the next one is going to be more action filled.

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