Chapter 18

"Are you not supposed to be at the hotel?" Munya asked Eddy. "I forgot to give you some papers," he said. "But clearly it seems business is not on your mind at the moment," he smirked. Choosing to ignore him he simply said, "Leave the papers on the table. You may take your leave once you do that." "Thank you sire," he bowed his head as Munya left him. ------ "So tell me how does it feel to have him right in the palm of your hands," Eddy said standing by her door. "Leave me alone," she spat angrily. "Don't you dare ever speak to me in such a manner," he said grabbing a hold of her neck as she tried to loosen his grip. "You only speak when I say do so, do you understand me, or else," he said with a deadly smirk. Releasing her she gasped for air stroking her neck just as Munya walked in. "What is going on?" "Just thought I should see Rudo before leaving," Eddy said with a smirk. "You may leave now," he said looking at Rudo. "Are you in love with another? Maybe Eddy?" He questioned making her look at him in shock as he turned away not waiting for an answer. Dinner was served but he was a no show. Not wanting to argue with him she simply took a plate of food to him. Setting it before him he surprised her by pulling her onto his lap holding her close. Laying his head against her chest she listened carefully as he apologized for his earlier words. "It's okay Munya she said making him face her as she cupped both his cheeks. He frowned looking at her before reaching for her blouse button. Though her skin was dark he knew the imprint of a hand when he saw one. Not wanting her to shut him out, he smiled placing his lips against her throat. "Eddy happened," she whispered suddenly making him become tense. He looked at her in shock, he knew Eddy was responsible bug for her to actually tell him he was surprised. Holding her close he listened to her as she narrated her past experience with him. After listening to her his next words had her terrified. "I am going to kill him," he said holding her close as she shook her head no. "We still need you around," she said with a panicked look. "Alright love," he said in a calming manner as she stood up. Following her he saw her to her room but she looked scared. "May you please stay until I fall asleep?" she said. "Okay," he simply said shutting the door. ----- Rudo's POV It was indeed a blessing to find favour in the eyes of this man. How that occurred still baffled me. But after seeing Eddy I knew my night would be terrible hence the reason I had asked Munya to stay until I fell asleep. He closed the door as I went to change into my pyjamas. Upon returning I found him standing by the window looking outside in thought. Climbing into bed I expected him to follow suit but he took a chair and sat beside the bed. He seemed to be lost in his thought no doubt thinking over what I had told him. Sighing he pinched the bridge of his nose as I watched him. Why did I have to open my stupid mouth? ------- Munya's POV When she stepped out of bathroom I was amazed by how she could make simple cotton pyjamas look sexy. Sitting beside the bed my mind drifted off to the time in the study. The feel of her in my arms as I held her close felt like second nature. But upon seeing the marks of a bruise on her neck I felt anger bubble within. Don't the unexpected I leaned over to lay a kiss upon her neck. Now kissing her is something I could do all day she brought out a side to me I never knew I had. Saying what I already knew I was not prepared for her next words as she told me about the night of our meeting: "My father brought over friends one evening such that they got drunk into the night whilst my brother and I slept. It was only later in the evening that I felt a presence in my room only to open my eyes and see one of them looking down upon me. He forced himself upon me stealing my womanhood from me but that was not all. When Eddy was looking for him and found him in my room about to do far more damage he stopped his friend threatening me in the process. He said he would kill me if I told anyone before I made my escape. Running into the forest for dear life I just wasn't fast enough as Eddy caught up with me. Pinning me to the ground he looked at me in the same manner his friend before had. I knew what was to come and there was no one around to help me. Fighting him off proved useless in my weak state but I took the opportunity when he let his guard down to push him off as I ran away praying the Lord would save me. That was when I saw your cars and you saved me," she told me. This was why she always became uncomfortable around Eddy. I needed to know the other man. I wanted to deal with both men not just one and this is what had my mind preoccupied. If it wasn't for the sweet saccharine voice that called out my name I would have been completely lost in my thoughts. "Munya," she said softly making me look at her. Smiling at her to reassure her that I was alright I removed my slippers and shirt before I climbed into bed. Laying on top of the covers I pulled her into my arm placing a kiss on her forehead as he lay her head on my chest. ----- They stayed like this for a little while before he spoke. "Your nightmares are always about that night," he stated. "Yes," she whispered. "But when you or my brother are with me they seem to go away. The only men in my life who make me feel safe," she said looking up at him. "I'm glad to hear that you feel safe around me," he said. "Now get some rest love. Tomorrow after my meeting I will be at your disposal to do with as you please. Gareth and V (Vimbai the only trusted maid) will be with you so you are not lonely," he said. She nodded her head in understanding before surprising them both. Leaning towards his lips she gave him a goodnight kiss which left him stunned but smiling afterwards as he watched her fall asleep. --- Knocking on Edith's door he smiled as she opened the looking angry. "I have signed the papers I cannot take any more of this humiliation," she said grabbing the file of papers giving them to him. "I have made arrangements to leave for my father's home effective immediately," she said as he saw a guard carrying both her bags out of the room. "The first sensible thing you have said in weeks," he smiled. "Do take care of yourself Edith and I do hope you find true love as I have." She scoffed at his words. "She doesn't even know what she is getting herself into," she said with a smirk. He frowned upon her words before turning to leave. "Do not forget about my son and my visitation rights," she said as he nodded his head in understanding. He made sure to not cross paths with Eddy for fear of what he would do to the man on foreign soil. ------ Walking into the house he took his briefcase to the office dismissing the maid who usually took it out of his hands. "Love!" He called out walking out of his room loosening his tie along the way. Knocking by her door he opened it peeking in to find no one. Passing a maid along the way to the kitchen he asked her where Rudo was. "She is in the greenhouse your highness," she said bowing. "Thank you," he said running to the back of the house. Watching her inhaling the scent of the roses he smiled at how beautiful she looked surrounded by the beauty of the flowers. Taking her hand gently she gasped before relaxing seeing it was him as he turned her to face him. "Hey love," he smiled pulling her into his arms. "Hi Munya," she whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers never breaking eye contact. "I missed you," he said rendering her speechless as she help onto his shoulders as he lifted her off her feet. Looking down at him she smiled shyly before she told him actually missed him too. Winning a stunning smile from him she leaned down to kiss him as he let her take the lead. Pulling back she looked down at him. "I must be heavy why don't you put me down," she said concerned. "May I take you out to dinner this evening," he said walking with her still in his arms. "And before you say my wife, I must tell you that she finally signed the papers thus I am officially an eligible bachelor once again," he said with a smile. She looked unsure of this as he slowly set her down on her feet but not letting her go so easily. "Love," he said softly. "But what will people say. Soon after breaking off your marriage you are seen with another woman," she said looking confused. "I don't give a damn what people say. Each time I place my lips against yours I am so sure that this is what I want. And each time you kiss me back I know you want this. I have never felt this way before and it truly scares me to what limits I will go to keep you beside me for eternity. I am in love with you Rudo. Never have I used an endearment with another woman. Never have I knelt before any woman. Taking care of her in sickness. The amount of joy I feel at making you smile of laugh is immeasurable. When I see you with my son or with your brother I see you holding a child of your own loving him or her unconditionally. A child I would pretty much like to give you, if I must bluntly say this. Have my actions not proven how much I care for you. And you definitely cannot deny what you feel for me even if you feign ignorance. Push aside your fears love and just trust me when I say I just want to love you and no other woman," he said looking at her as tears rolled down her cheeks. "If you don't stop crying I will kiss you," he said with a smirk watching her shake her head no. "Can we just take it slowly," she said wiping her tears as more came out. "For you, anything love," he said claiming her lips in a slow knee shaking kiss as she wound her arms around his neck holding onto him. Pulling apart he smiled down at her as they walked back to the house hand in hand. "Why don't you relax I will inform you what time dinner will be," he said as they stood by the poolside. "A swim would be lovely," she said looking at the cool water. Relaxing in the water Nash came rushing to the pool splashing water as he canon balled into the pool. Paying him back she splashed water in his direction as he laughed out loud. An hour passed with them lounging in the water the heat proving unbearable. She actually wondered why Munya had made them pack warm clothes. Nash stepped out of the pool a while later too tired to continue swimming as she sat by watching him. As he dried himself off he met Munya along the way who had a towel in his hand. Pulling off his t-shirt Rudo couldn't help but blush profusely at the sight of him in nothing more than swimming shorts. "You are drooling love," he smiled diving into the water perfectly before she could respond. Swimming towards her she squealed in delight as he lifted her up catching her off guard. "I know you think you are hot and all but I have seen better," she teased as his grip on her tightened. Holding onto his shoulders she couldn't hide her smirk as he looked at her contemplating his next words. "Well I'm just stating what I saw," he said laughter in his eyes. "I was not doing such," she said in defence. "If you say so love," he said releasing her as he swam away from her. Stopping midway he looked back to see her still where he let her before he swam back. "I forgot something," he said with a cheeky smile as he took her arms putting them around his neck. Claiming her lips in a lazy kiss he took his time tasting her only to be interrupted. "Your highness," he heard making a low growl rumble from his chest as he pulled back not taking his eyes off her. "Forgive me sire but you have urgent phone call," John said. "Didn't I tell you I didn't want any interruptions," he snapped looking at his assistant. Feeling her small hands turning his head to face her she shook her head no such that only he saw the slight movement. "If you hurry we can pick up where we left of," she whispered into his ear before swimming away from him. He looked at her at a loss of words. It seemed the more time he spent with her the more open and confident she became around him. Grabbing a towel he walked into the house to take the call. It seemed one if their sponsors was pulling out. Setting up a luncheon with them for the following day he went back to the pool only to see her stepping out of the pool. Everything seemed to slow down in that moment as he took all of her in. The one piece swimsuit did justice to her curves as he stood transfixed. Walking towards him she stopped in front of him before she said, "You have a little something here," she said taking the towel in his hands to wipe the corner of his mouth before she burst into laughter. Looking over her he smiled. "Very funny love," he smirked taking a dry towel from the chairs before covering her with it. "Thank you," she said before heading into the house. "What about our deal?" "Oh too late for that. I got tired of waiting," she smirked as his mouth hung open. "Dinner is at seven," he said following after her. "Thank you," she said disappearing into her room. ------ Dinner "Wait a minute you have a brother?" She asked completely shocked. "Yes. Let's just say father got carried away one during one of his business trips. He stays here though, but we never did get along. His ways are different from mine. He is a womanizer simply put and likes to live a lavish lifestyle even though he doesn't want to earn that living like any normal person." "Well he is not normal Munya. He is a prince," she said matter of fact. "I am a king and I still make a living for myself instead of using the people's taxes to sustain my family," he said drinking his grape juice. "Well I guess that's just the difference in people," she said. "But I commend you on taking care of your people even though you can be an angry bear sometimes," she said averting her gaze from his. "Thank you. I was any angry bear before you came into my life," he said reaching for her hand across the table. "It took one brave woman to show me the error of my ways," he said sincerely. She simply smiled focusing on her meal once more. "Whoever prepared this meal is an excellent cook," she said cutting into the steak. "Thank you very much love," he said as she looked at him wide eyed. "You...you prepared our dinner?" "Yes," he said offering her a piece of his steak. Gladly accepting the meat she blushed realizing he was watching her. "I like seeing you like this," he said finishing up his food as she smiled finishing up her meal as well. "How are your legs?" "No longer painful," she replied wiping her mouth before drinking her juice. "May I have this dance?" He said holding out his hand towards her. Looking around she found no one is sight. "Where is everyone?" "Sent them off to bed. I just wanted to be with you," he said as she placed her hand in his. Pulling her into his arms, they swayed to the soft melody coming from the sound system. She felt at peace at that moment in time forgetting about all her troubles as they danced the night away. -------- "Will you accompany me to a meeting this afternoon," he said folding the morning paper just as breakfast was served. "I would be happy to do so. I am tired of being cooped up in this place," she beamed as he poured tea into a cup. Putting two cubes of sugar he tasted it. Once satisfied he handed it over to her. "Thank you," she whispered sipping her tea and she enjoyed the warm beverage. "Pleasure love," he said taking a bite of the toast she handed to him. "We must leave in an hour," he said as she looked at him in question. "The meeting is in Paris," he said. "We are going to France?" She asked in shock. "Yes love. Now I need you to wear something warm. It's been pouring cats and dogs these past few days. Maybe that blue sweater you love, that way I can keep an eye on you easily," he said with a smile. "As you wish my king," she said with a smirk as he looked at her in warning. Finishing her breakfast she went to freshen up. Putting on black ankle boots and black jeans and the blue sweater she wore chose to not bother with any makeup. She simply preferred her natural look using only lip balm to keep her lips moist. Walking down the passage towards the entrance she found him already waiting for her in a blue suit with white converse shoes and a white shirt. "If you wanted us to match all you had to do was tell me," she said making him smirk. Saying goodbye to her brother and the prince they left hand in hand. Nash smiled seeing the dreamy look one of the maids had as several of them watched the couple heading towards the car. Helping her in he closed her door before going around to his side. Following the car escorting them to the airport they chatted about anything and everything. ----- "Do not tell me this is yours," she said looking at the name of the restaurant. "I named it after my son. What better name to use," he said smiling at her. Walking in they were shown to a private room settling down. A few minutes later two men showed up and he was surprised to see his brother. Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Vote Comment Promote Take care ??