Rita's POV

Six months passes by in what seems like the blink of an eye and soon, it's my cousin's wedding day. Sometime during the six months period between their engagement and their marriage, Amina has fallen in like with Jabril. And I say like because with her being the hard headed person she is, as far as she's concerned, she's not sure it's love yet because it's too soon. However, she failed to realize that love has no time limit, this is why I'm pretty certain that's exactly what it is. The looks the pair shared with each other and the unmistakable joy they had when in the other's presence couldn't be termed to be anything but love.

I was so happy for my cousin. Happy that out of what seemed like a bad situation, she made the best out of it and found her match.

I fondly remember the day we joked about him possibly being ugly, when I saw him in real life, I ate my words. Amina has tried to act unaffected by his handsome looks but as her cousin, it was glaring to me that she was pleased by his chocolate aesthetic.

The wedding ceremony has now been on going for the past week as most Muslim weddings, and today was the final day, the Nikah.

We all prepared for the wedding party which was promised to be as extravagant as any I had ever seen by my aunt, Aisha, Amina's mother. I didn't expect any less for their first daughter.

My relationship, on the other hand, was one with an unpredictable dynamic which was made so by my equally unpredictable husband. Sometime after we marked six months together, which was soon after we had our argument on when we would have kids, things changed.

On some days, Cameron would be so caring, we would make love, everything would be fine. However, on most days, it almost seemed like he couldn't stand my presence. He became more impassive, was barely home, and he was always on one business trip or the other, jetting off to different countries.

His behavior honestly puzzled me and at first we would fight about his standoffish attitude, but I quickly realized that arguing with him made nothing better. I had gone to my mother for advice and she had told me to let him be, that he'd come around. He didn't.

The man was like a ticking time bomb, waiting to go off.

Eventually, I did as my mother said, I left him be. Some days he would be sweet to me, I cherished those days. On others, we lived like strangers in the same house, when he was home.

However, today seems to be one of his good days as he hugs me from behind. I'm trying to finish applying my makeup while standing with his heavy arms wrapped tight around my waist, his face nuzzled softly in my neck.

I smile, unwilling to let myself enjoy it too much because I know it won't last. The man almost seems bipolar sometimes.

The color code for the wedding was blue and peach pink. I didn't know how that was going to turn out as I didn't really like the combination, but I respected my cousin's wishes and dressed in a pink dress, covering my hair with a turban.

I was almost done getting ready when Cameron finally pulled away from me before going to wear his suit jacket. I turned around to him, "You look so handsome, baby." I compliment Cam as I move in to kiss his lips.

"Me? You're the one looking too beautiful for your own good. But thank you, babe." He retorted with that grin of his that I loved so much.

"Come, let me take your picture." I suggested as I went to get my phone. "Let's go to the staircase area. The lighting there is really good."

He surprisingly agreed without a struggle and we moved there to take some pictures for a few minutes.

"Damn, babe. All this freshness on one man." I hyped dramatically, making him laugh as I swiped at my phone screen, looking through the shots I took.

"Let me see." Cameron said and I handed him the phone.

"Photographer Rita." He called me and I answered with a sassy, 'yessir'. "These look good, babe."

"Thank you, I know your angles." I said in a slightly cocky tone as I began walking back up to our room.

Cameron on the other hand went downstairs but not before saying, "That you do."

I went into my closet to pick out a small, gold clutch and put the necessary things in it. Afterwards, I headed downstairs.

I heard Cam's voice speaking in a low whisper as I made my way over to him but I couldn't make out his words. He was standing in the foyer, his phone pressed to his ear and his face scrunched up in confusion. However, when he saw me approach him, he hurriedly ended the call before shoving the device into his pocket.

"You ready?" Cam asks me normally as I squint my eyes at him.

I was curious about the reason for his actions and wondered who he could've possibly been speaking to that had him so spooked when he saw me. The fact that this wasn't the first time he was doing this sneaky shit infuriated me. I had the mind to check his phone later on, but I dismissed the idea because I wasn't invasive like that. I didn't want him to feel like I wasn't giving him his privacy or get upset with me for snooping around cause I knew he didn't like that. Especially this close to our anniversary.

But if he has nothing to hide... I slowly shook my head to quell my thoughts.

"Um, yeah." I replied slowly. "Let me just get a bottle of water."

He nodded and I left for the pantry. After grabbing a bottle of water, I made my way out of the house, hand in hand with my husband.

The venue of the wedding party was at the Eko Hotels and Suites Conference Center. There were about a thousand guests to be expected, hence the venue. Although the ceremony was to begin by 4 pm, Cameron and I arrived by 2 pm because I wanted to help my cousin out with getting ready.

As we arrived at the hotel, the car keys were collected by the valet before we made our way inside. We quickly got into the elevator and made our way up to the 15th floor where the ladies had camped.

Temi squealed as she opened the door to the suite they were currently occupying and pulled me into a hug. "Riri!" We hugged like it has been long since we last saw each other as I laughed.

"Hey, Cameron." My best friend greeted my husband when we both pulled away from each other.

He sent her a sharp nod before we all moved into the wide room.

"Where are-?" Cam began to ask after looking around at the people in the room who had yet to notice our presence but Temi cut him off.

"The guys are on the sixteenth floor. Room 516 I think." She informed him. With another nod at her, and after giving me a small kiss, Cameron left the suite, shutting the door closed behind him.

"Is she panicking yet?" I asked Temi referring to Amina and with a laugh she shook her head.

"Not yet."

By thirty minutes after 4 pm, the wedding party was lit. Nigerian weddings are honestly in a league of its own and this event wasn't any different. The music, the dance, the amazing local food, the culturally diverse attires and outfits, the feeling when you are at one is unsurpassed and I was having way too much fun at this point.

I was fixing a plate of food for Cameron at the buffet table when a man approached me. At first, I thought he wanted to get some food so I began to hasten up but then he spoke, halting my movements.

"Hey. Rita, right?" The man asks making me look up at him.

His full black facial hair was the first thing I noticed about him. Full beards, full eyebrows, full well trimmed hair. Followed by his beautiful chocolate eyes that stared down at me. The man stood at above six feet, way taller than me which required me to have to stare up at him. His rich, dark chocolate skin contrasted his pearly whites that he flashed at me in a smile.

I realized that I had been staring at him for a moment too long so I cleared my throat uncomfortably before replying, "Yeah. Do I know you?" I asked softly.

His grin widened before gesturing to himself. "It's me, Idris."

I squinted my eyes up at him in confusion prompting him to explain, "Saddam's friend." He says, referring to Amina's brother. "We used to hang out during the summer back in secondary school."

My mouth takes an 'O' shape as I finally remember him. In shock, I stare at him thoroughly again. Back then, Idris was a scrawny little boy who was barely my height. Almost every time that I would visit Amina's house, he'd be there with her brother Saddam, and after some time, he and I had formed a friendship. However, when I left the country for school, we lost contact. Last I heard, he wasn't living in Nigeria anymore.

"Oh my days!" I exclaimed before pulling him into a hug. "How long has it been?"

"Too many years."

"You look good!" I tell him when we pull away, still remaining at arms length.

"So do you." He says, eyeing me a little.

I shifted on my feet at his stare, bringing my hand up to tuck away the stray strands of my hair behind my ear.

Inconspicuously, I stared at him. He was in a black and gold traditional wear. The colors weren't in the code of the event, however I couldn't help but notice how good he looked in the outfit. The material of his shirt wrapped tight around what looked to be bulging muscles. I immediately looked away from his torso, my eyes going to his face.

"You're a missus now?" He phrases the statement like a question as his gaze flits to my left hand resting on my ear and back to me.

I put it down with a soft smile. "I am." I remember what I was standing there for in the first place so I decide to end the conversation to get back to my husband. "It's been so long, we should totally meet up sometime to catch up." I tell him and he nods in agreement.

After exchanging numbers, he's leaves and I finish fixing Cameron's plate before heading to my seat. Once I'm sure he's good, I head to the dance floor, my mind still slightly occupied by thoughts of Idris.

Running out of breathe from dancing, I go back to my assigned table for a breather. Cameron, who was using his phone as I approached him, put it down when he felt my presence. The action was becoming a habit and I was suspicious of it but I kept my cool regardless.

At our table, the only other people seated were Chioma and her boyfriend, David, the rest could be found on the dancefloor.

"I want to dance so bad." Chioma whined with a frown.

I laughed before diverting my eyes to her round, seven months pregnant belly. "Sorry, babe. Don't worry I'll dance for the both of us." I say making her laugh.

Sometime after Chioma returned from the States, she discovered she was pregnant for her boyfriend of the past three years, David. She lived with him when she was in Atlanta, but with him being a huge music star, he wasn't always around. According to her, it was her excitement at seeing him after not seeing him for weeks on end sometimes that put her in her condition.

However, my friend looked ecstatic and had a beautiful glow. This in turn made me happy. As I looked at her with her round belly and a wide grin plastered on her face, I suddenly wondered if I was finally ready to have a child of my own. I had been feeling this way for a short while now, especially as Cameron and I were approaching our first year wedding anniversary. Perhaps it was time, I considered.

When the song Mad by Sarz and WurlD came up, the couple headed to the dance floor to dance with everyone else, so I opened my purse and pulled out a wad of cash before standing up to join them. "I'll be right back." I called out to the small group.

"Turn up for the both of us!" Chichi hollered and I sent her a grin.

By the time I returned home, I was thoroughly spent and tired. I really just wanted to crash on the bed and sleep but I knew I couldn't. So I took off my dress and put it in the bag I take to the dry cleaners' before taking some wipes and cleaning off my makeup.

Cameron was in his study as usual and I was honestly too tired to be bothered. Afterwards, I took a quick shower before going through my nightly face routine. Once done, I went to get dressed in a short silk nightwear, Cameron walking in once the smooth material was over my body.

"Are you hungry? Do you want me to make you something to eat?" I ask since he had eaten some hours ago.

"I'm fine, babe, thank you." Cam says, dropping a small kiss on my cheek before moving to his side. "I actually need to tell you something. I'm traveling to China on Monday and I'll be gone for about two weeks." He informs me casually as he begins undressing.

I shoot him a glare that he doesn't see because he has his back to me before asking, "What?"

Cameron turns around before repeating, "I said I'm traveling-"

I raised up my hand to stop him. "I heard what you said, but now? Of all times?"

He shook his head, his face scrunched up in confusion at my sudden annoyance and I came to the startling realization that this man didn't even know the date of our anniversary or that it was literally next Sunday. I looked at him in disbelief. "You know what? Please go. That's your business." I tell him with a dismissive wave before leaving the closet and going into our room. I get into the bed, pulling the duvet high up my body.

I wasn't in the mood for this. The fact that he didn't remember such a significant day pissed me off but I also wasn't about to remind him. With a frown, I closed my eyes shut and after a few minutes, during which I didn't hear Cameron come into our room, sleep drifted me away.

.
.
.
What did you think of this chapter?

Cameron not remembering his anniversary date, is it a big deal of was Rita overreacting?

And what do y'all think about the new character, Idris? Hmm 🤔

Don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts.

Until next time, stay safe y'all.