Kenya and I head out to the venue we found best for Hannah's birthday party, and it wasn't some hotel rooftop after all.

"So this is it? The Dezz-eye-" she tries to pronounce the word on the paper.
"The Dezzi," I correct her.
"Isn't this a little too boujee?" She walks nervously round the silver tables and turns back to me.

"Well, Christian thought it'd be better if we pick a place that wouldn't attract complaints from people about noise. This place is perfect for parties, get togethers and all that, I mean look at it! The lawn there, a gazebo, we'll have a barbecue stand and lights hanging from the ceiling here and it won't be that much," I explain.

"Good thing I bought the lights on time,"

Hannah's birthday is in two days, luckily it will be a Saturday. We have only an hour before we get back to work from lunch, and we start on the lights and decorations with the help of the staff.

"We'll let you know once all the lights are in place," one of the members of staff assures us.
"Thank you so much," we shake her hand, walking out the building.

"Problem solved so far, now we just need cake," we laugh our way to the parking lot.

-

The day finally arrives and Hannah is excited as ever, receiving birthday wishes left, right and centre. While she's at it, Kenya's out organizing the food while Christian and I do some final touches at The Dezzi for her party in the evening.

"I guess this is it!" I cheer, jumping excitedly.
"Well, it's now midday so we can find something to eat?"he suggests.
"Yeah let me just grab my bag," he walks out the door and I find my phone flashing.

"Hello?"
"Wow, Imani. If I had known you were this brave..."
"What do you mean?"I scowl.
"You're dating a-"
"Noni,please. Let's not act like you've never wanted to do the same," I retort.
"Oh, Imani. I'm not here to fight you but then what if mum and dad find out?"
"Who told you?" I ask, expecting the obvious.

"James,"

As expected.

"Wow," I laugh, fuming on the inside.
"It was only a friendly conversation and then he mentioned you in passing. Look, the bottom line is I'm concerned about our parents finding out, you know how they are,"
"You know what, I have to go. It's a wonderful Saturday and you calling me to rub the news in my face is just a spoiler, goodbye," I end the call and walk to the restaurant section of The Dezzi to look for Christian.

I find him sitting in a booth, the waitress  talking to him in a flirtatious manner.

"It's fine, really," I hear Christian say as I approach them, the waitress now leaning on the table with one hand.

"Hello," I stand behind the red haired girl when she jumps a little.

"Oh, apologies I didn't know he was with yo-"
"Well, now you know. Please excuse us," I smile and watch her run off.

"That was awkward," he smiles.
"Well you two certainly can put on a show," I mumbled.
"She was just being polite, Imani,"
"Polite? So what, she also asked for your number politely?" I watch him try to speak but I cut him off," she asked if she can call you sometime and you were 'fine, really', is that it?" I air quote what I heard with a scowl.

"You're overreacting, Imani," he reaches for my hand but I stand from my seat.
"Well I'm glad you agree to that too. I overreact over alot of things, you don't need to remind me about it again," I whisper angrily, standing to leave.

I bump into Kenya locking up her car, and she approaches me with a smile.

"Hey, I am so sorry for arriving late-"
"I'm going home to take a breather," I simply state and walk to my car.

"Wait, where is Christian?"
"Imani!" I hear him shout from the entrance.

I keep walking until I reach my car. His footsteps grow louder and faster until I feel his hand grip on my wrist.

"Let go of me!" I wince at his firm hold on me and turn to face him.
"Hey I didn't know that what I said would have that effect on you," he says calmly.

"Ok, fine. Now, let go of me," I grit.
"I won't,"
"What?"
"Please,"

"Well, I'd like to take a breather before I lash out at anybody. After all, I did overreact," I try to wriggle out of his hand but instead he slowly pulls my body to his hard chest.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," he whispers in my ear.

The words sink and I must admit I did overreact. I just have a serious problem accepting the truth of the matter,  being that I have more problems and I need help.

"Christian, I-"
"I'm sorry, Imani," his cheek brushes against mine as he said the words.

I should be sorry. Sorry for projecting my problems on someone who really didn't deserve it. Ever since I met Christian,he has been nothing but helpful and kind, moreso since it's always him who apologises, I'm not yet there with saying the same 'sorry' but-

"I'm sorry," he whispers yet again and lifts my chin to look into his jade eyes.
"It's okay," my eyes lower in embarrassment.

I most definitely do not deserve his endless apologies. I know starting tantrums are my thing, ending them in peace sure aren't, but right now I feel I owe it to him instead because this was all my anger from Noni's call (and James being a part of it) and I shouldn't have thrown it on Christian and that waitress.

On second thought, it should've been that damn waitre-!

"Imani," his voice causes me to snap out of my trail of thought, glancing at my side to find Kenya still standing there, watching everything that was happening.

Shit.

"Kenya's watching," I murmur.
"What?" His head lowers and I turn back to him when his lips brush against mine.

He takes in the opportunity, his grip on my wrist no more as his hands hold the sides of my hips, pulling me closer.

I give in to him, allowing him to embrace me and soon my hands are wrapped around his neck.

"Ok, ok, y'all," Kenya clasps her hands together, "let's bring this to a pause before we see clothes flying all over the place,"

× × ×

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!" We all cheer once the cloth is pulled away from her eyes.

Confetti fills the room as she walks in.

"Oh my gosh, guys!" she squeals and runs towards Kenya and I, "I knew you hoes were behind this!" she kisses us both.

The party started after our big intro speech, music playing and all of Hannah's friends were on the dancefloor while the others stood round the grill stand.

"Imani," Hannah drags me outside.
"What?"
"You have alot of explaining to do," she archs a brow, her arms crossed infront of her.
"Explaining?" I act confused. We all know what this is about.
Her phone buzzes in her hand and she glances at it, knowing she has to answer to it.
"Look, I'll just enjoy my birthday and not get all Steve Harvey on you for now, ok? Let me get this,"

I nod and watch her walk to the gazebo,bumping into Christian. She looks over her shoulder, giving me a smirk before proceeding .

"Hey,"
"Hi," my eyes lowered.
"I just wanted to check on you, and I was told I'd find you here," his hands slide in his front pockets.
"Well, you found me," I laugh nervously.

We stand in silence for a good while and it started getting a little awkward before he speaks.

"Would you like some ribs? The guys are about to dish it out," I nod and follow behind because my appetite for ribs is now on a high.

-

Hannah's birthday was a success, mostly because she was with Martin and they danced together like it's their last. We clear up the place and call it a night once everyone left, including the birthday girl with all her gifts.

"This should be the last box," Adrian places the large box in the back of Christian's truck and we all wait for Kenya to return from paying at the reception.

"We're done!" she throws her hands in the air approaching us.
"Well, we'll be off now," Adrian shakes Christian's hand, Kenya following behind with a hug.

"See you soon. I'll be dropping Imani off," he smiles and I hug Kenya, knowing I have alot of explaining to do with her- and Hannah.

We part ways and I enter Christian's truck as it roars to life.

"What happened to your Audi, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Nothing, actually. I'm just using this one before the whole building project starts," he answers as we drive into the night.

"Oh, so you want to get in the game prepared?"I laugh.
"Get in what game?"

Gosh, he's slow.

"Nevermind," I stare out the window as he drove.
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This chapter isn't the best but hope it's okay ✨✨
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