DEAN'S POV

Adjusting my bachelor way of life to accommodate living with River was not as hard as I imagined it to be. As long as River was well fed and not in pain she was a delight to be around. She spent her days eating, napping and watching TV. She was like a cat, easy to maintain and self cleaning. Though her claws would come out if she heard me referring to her as a feline. Her injuries were getting better day by day and the bruising on her face was fading. The dark purple hues were gone and now two weeks later they were a faint yellow.

I didn't want to spend all day cooped up in the house with her so I had reactivated my uber driver account to keep busy. River didn't mind being left alone in the house as long as she had food, wifi and the bed was within walking distance from the kitchen.

The only downside to living together was sleeping on the couch. I loved my couch, it was my most expensive furniture but it was not meant for sleeping. I endured it though because even though River could fit better on it, she wasn't fully healed yet. I was a good host and since us living together had been my idea in the first place, I had to make sure that River was comfortable.

I'd had a long day picking up and dropping customers off but I had to see my mom before I went home to River. Rent for the next month was due and even though she hadn't asked for it I was going to give it to her just to be safe.

I let myself into my childhood home like I owned the place and found Dwayne doing his homework in the living room.

"What are you doing here?"He asked without looking up from his books.

"To beat that attitude out of you that's what."I replied.

"So I can become ugly like you? No thanks."He shrugged.

"I see you're feeling better."I chuckled taking a seat on the sofa behind him and placing my legs on top of his head.

"This is why nobody misses you in this house." Dwayne groaned moving away.

"Well unfortunately for you your opinion doesn't count."I retorted smacking him with a pillow.

That action started a pillow fight between us which ended up with me putting Dwayne in a headlock. I wasn't hurting him but I did enjoy messing with him. Our age gap didn't allow Dwayne and I to have a close relationship but it was a good one nonetheless.

"Boys seriously that's my living room your trashing. Dean leave your brother alone."My mom demanded walking in on us.

She had probably been attracted by all the noise we were making. I let Dwayne go and shoved him back into the seat.

"Mom we need to take his key back."Dwayne demanded.

"The day you start paying rent then you can start making the rules."I said smacking his his head with a pillow once more as I got up to greet my mom.

"Hi mom."

"Dean when did you get here?"She asked we we walked to the kitchen for some privacy.

"A few minutes ago. How are you?"

"Good, the school term is just starting to pick up so I'll be busier now which is good."She replied.

"Glad to hear that. I just dropped by to give you this."I said retrieving the envelope with rent and some extra cash for necessities around the house.

"We're okay Dean."She declined trying to give the money back to me.

"Fine then save it for a rainy day."I shrugged stepping away to pick up an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Thank you but you didn't have to."She sighed folding the envelope and putting it away.

"I know but I wanted to. I'll get going now."

"Wait, how is River?"My mom inquired.

I'd told her about the attack and she had nearly gone full mama bear on River. My mom fully supported me on the idea of us living together until River got better. I would still have done it if she didn't approve but it was good to have her support.

"Much better now mom."I assured her.

"That's good to hear. I just made some chapatis for dinner, more than we can finish. Let me pack some for you and River to share."My mom said already looking for a container.

I couldn't say no to my mom chapatis so I patiently waited while she packed them.

"Say hello to River and better keep taking care of yourselves."My mom demanded handing me a brown bag with the chapatis in it.

"I will mom, say hello to dad for me.".I said hugging her goodbye.

I walked into the living room tossing one of my slippers at Dwayne hitting him square in the head. He looked up to glare at me giving me the finger. Maybe I really was a mean bully like River liked pointing out.

"See you around you failed morning after pill."I yelled at Dwayne as I put my shoes on at the door.

"See you never broken condom."He replied grinning at me.

"Boys not in my house."My mom scolded.

I left the house laughing to myself eager to get back to River and see what she had been up to all day. It was probably nothing as it always was which was good. She needed the rest to heal quickly so we could go back to touring Kenya together. We'd only seen a quarter of the country and she had been out of commission for two weeks with two more weeks to come giving us roughly about a month and a half for travel before her visa expired. I had much to show and share with her so she needed to heal up fast.

I ran into Effie on my way up the stairs as she was coming down. I hadn't seen her ever since I ran out of her house the night of River's accident.

"D, good evening."She greeted using her seductive siren voice.

"Effie, hi."I replied.

"It's been a while. How have you been?"She asked me.

"Good, you?"

"Okay. I see you have a new woman in your life."She commented and I knew she was talking about River.

"She's not my woman."I defended.

"It's okay D, I knew we weren't meant to be forever. I'm just glad I got to have you when I could."She said walking down so we were standing on the same step.

She leaned in close enough for me to see down her top my eyes lingering longer than they should have on her ample cleavage.

"You know where to find me if it doesn't work out."She whispered her lips brushing against mine.

She kissed me softly and was gone before I could react. I watched her strut away until she disappeared from sight.

I would surely miss Effie but she and I couldn't see each other anymore, it felt disrespectful to River. We were not dating but we were living together. Then there was the little matter of my growing feelings for her especially now that we shared a living space. I did my best to keep my distance but it couldn't be helped especially when all River wore were tiny shorts and my t-shirts.

When I walked into the house River was nowhere in sight and my body immediately whey into panic mode.

"River?"I called out trying to reign in the panic.

"In the bathroom."Her soft voice echoed.

My shoulders sagged with relief upon hearing her voice.

I kicked off my shoes and put them on the rack, closing the door behind me. The toilet flushed a second later and River emerged drying her hands with the hem of my t-shirt. She had her own clothes but apparently mine were more comfortable.

River approached me and held her hands out. I placed the single rose stem on her palm and a bar of chocolate. I'd made a habit of bringing her something at the end of each day and the little minx was getting spoilt.

"Thank you."She grinned hugging me with the items in her hands.

"You're welcome."I replied kissing the top of her head.

"You smell like chapatis."She commented pulling back.

"Mom's treat."I informed her holding the brown bag up for her to see.

"Great, they'll be perfect for supper."River smiled walking towards her favorite spot on the sofa.

If she wasn't so small I'd fear that she would leave a buttcheek imprint on it from how much time she spent on there.

"I was thinking we can have dinner at a restaurant tonight."I suggested.

"Dean, not this again."River groaned tearing the chocolate wrapping and taking a big bite.

"Yes this again. River you've been cooped up in here for two weeks. You're getting paler everyday. Your wounds have already healed for the most part so I know you're not in so much pain."I reasoned.

"That's not entirely true."She mumbled.

"What?"

"That I haven't left the house. I went with you to the rooftop to hang clothes the other night and went back up to unhang then the next day."She grinned at me.

"That doesn't count River and you know it."I pointed out.

"I'm not going out Dean, not when I'm looking like this."She cried pointing at her nose.

"It's barely noticeable."

"Are you blind? I look like Dracula, that vampire bat in hotel transylvania. You are not changing my mind Dean."She asserted.

For the past one week River and I had been having the same debate everyday after I came home from work. She always won but I refused to give in this time.

"Wanna bet?"I grinned stalking towards her on the couch.

"Yes, now move! I was in the middle of watching a movie. Nick Mutuma is really cute."She grinned at me.

She was making a habit of watching Kenyan movies and her newest obsession was that bald headed actor.

"If you're trying to piss me off its working, now get up and change. We are leaving."I demanded hoping she would defy me.

"No!"

"Oh yes."I smirked because she had given me exactly what I wanted.

I bent over and picked her up carrying her to the bathroom.

"Dean put me down!"She demanded hitting my back.

"Yes ma'am."I conceded setting her on her feet in the bathroom.

I placed her directly under the shower.

"You wouldn't dare."She growled when it dawned on her what I was about to do.

In response I grinned and switched on the shower drenching her from head to toe. River gasped in shock looking at me venomously.

"You're not getting out of this bathroom until you shower. Then after that you're going to get dressed and we are going out to eat." I said kissing her cheek and closing the bathroom door.

I didn't lock it, I was not that crazy but I knew River wouldn't leave without taking a shower now that I'd drenched her.

"I hate you Dean Kamau Kinyua."She yelled pronouncing my name perfectly.

"No you don't, now shower. We're burning daylight."I replied with a chuckle.

To make things easier for River I opened her suitcase with all her clothes in it and picked out an outfit for her. We weren't going far so I chose a pair of ripped jeans, one of my black t-shirts since she was obsessed with them and had already stolen a couple and a pair of black and white sneakers.

River emerged twenty minutes later freshly shower wearing a white robe.

"You look adorable."I grinned while she was glaring at me.

"Get dressed while I shower. Don't forget to properly dry your hair. I don't want you to get sick."I said getting into the bathroom after her.

I'd spent the whole day getting sweaty and dusty so it felt good to shower and wash all that grime off.

River was already dressed by the time I came out her hair in a high ponytail as she sulked on the sofa eating the chocolate bar.

"Put that away, you'll ruin your dinner."I scolded.

"You're like the Grinch, ruining everything."She grumbled but still put the chocolate bar aside.

"Better than when you called me Voldemort because I made you have porridge for breakfast everyday last week."I recalled with a laugh.

"Seriously its like you hate me."She cried.

"Quite the contrary."I replied opening my wardrobe to get dressed.

I had gotten more comfortable with River so I didn't get dressed in the bathroom anymore. It's not like she looked and I tried my best to hide all the important parts from her. My outfit consisted of black Jeans, a white hoodie and a blue denim jacket over it with white sneakers.

"Here."I said handing River a baseball cap and a surgical mask.

Finally she managed a smile because they were perfect to hide her nose and blend in without looking ridiculous.

"Thank you."She smiled putting them on.

"I'm not that cruel waridi. Ready to go?"I asked her.

"Yes."She nodded picking up her phone and a purse.

I turned the TV off and all the lights as we left the house locking the door securely behind me. It was dark by the time we left the house since it was already after seven pm.

"We're not taking the car?"River asked me as we walked past it.

"No. I thought we should walk. You did after all want to see Nairobi city night life."I replied.

"Yep."She replied and I could see that she was a bit scared.

Rivers physical wounds were healing but it was obvious that she had some trauma from that night too but I was going to help her heal and move on.

I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her to my side.

"You know what?"I asked hoping to distract her mind.

"What?"

"I've never realized just how shorter you are compared to me until now."I replied earning a smile from her.

"I've always noticed. It's hard not to when you are over six feet and I'm only five and a half feet tall. But I like it. I think our height difference is adorable."She replied wrapping her arms around my waist.

We looked like a couple walking side by side and even though we weren't, it gave River security so I wouldn't dare pull away.

"I think it's cool too."I affirmed.

The foot traffic was dense as people got home from work and went through the evening business of buying supper. The streets were full of vendors each with something to sell. At some point River stopped hiding behind my jacket to enjoy the view that was Nairobi night life. It was just people, vehicles and vendors but when you really looked there was much to enjoy. Couples enjoying street food together, a kid getting a toy from a hawker, a vendors smile as they made sales and the collaboration of motorists as they all tried to get home after a long day at work.

I took River to a nice restaurant at the end of the neighborhood that sold really good food. It was nearly full but we managed to find a table at the corner. I sat facing the crowd while River sat with her back turned to them to avoid drawing attention to herself.

"I'll go order."I said making sure she was comfortable enough.

She nodded picking the polish off her nails. I didn't want to leave her on her one but nobody would come to serve us unless I ordered myself.

"D.K, my man."The chef yelled excitedly from the kitchen when he saw me.

I didn't like to cook for myself at home so I was one of his regular customers. Now that River was staying with me I found myself eating out less since I cooked all our meals.

"Chris, house special for two."I requested retrieving the money to pay.

"Coming right up."He replied.

I paid at the cashier and got some drinks too. From the counter I could see River seated at the corner scrolling through her phone. Her shoulders were less hunched meaning she was starting to relax. Five minutes later I joined her at the table with two plates of white rice, a platter of meat and potato stew and two sodas.

"Dig in."I invited giving her a plate of rice.

River needed no more coercion from me as she took off her mask and started eating.

"Good?"I asked after watching her eat for a minute.

"Yes."She nodded taking bigger bites.

River had been afraid of gaining weight but I'd never seen someone with a better metabolism than her. With all the eating and sitting around she did she should have gained weight but she looked the same to me.

"Now that I've managed to get you out of the house, maybe we can go for that safari drive tomorrow. I think you've watched enough Nat-Geo to last you three lifetimes."I suggested.

"There's a difference between going out at night for a meal and being out all day in broad daylight."River argued.

"I've seen you with make up on waridi. I'm sure there's something you can do to make yourself stand out less."I reasoned.

"Do I have to? I'm quite enjoying the staycation at your place."She asked.

"It'll be good for you so we are going."I asserted.

"Okay fine, you big bully."She groaned unimpressed by me imposing my will on her.

It was for her own good. The more time she spent in door the less time we had for us to enjoy all the beauty Kenya has to offer.

"Too bad my accident ruined our partying plans."River grinned taking a sip of her soda.

"Don't think you escaped those plans, it's not that easy. I'm just waiting for your lungs to heal and be back at full capacity then we are going."I replied making the smile drop on her face.

I would never push River past a limit I knew she couldn't handle. We were going clubbing together because I knew she would enjoy it. And besides I would be with her the whole time and if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was how to party in style.

"I'm stuffed."River groaned some time later after we had cleared off our food.

She sat back on her chair patting her barely visible food belly. I gave her a few minutes to relax before we left the restaurant.

"Do you have room for dessert?"I asked River.

"There's always room for dessert."She grinned taking my arm.

I took her to a bakery I liked visiting to buy cakes for my sisters and asked her to get anything she wanted. She picked a red velvet cake slice, a couple of cupcakes and some bread for breakfast the next morning.

"Thank you for knowing that I needed this. You're the best."River praised as we walked back home.

"Anytime."I replied pulling her closer to my side.

I was getting addicted to having River by my side and as the days passed so did the realization that our time together was running out as well. River had already been in Kenya for a month even though it felt like only yesterday that she had gotten into my taxi at the airport. I would miss her when she left but I refused to focus on the negative. Instead I would make sure that her remaining two months would be epic and accident free. We had already lost enough time.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

My fellow Kenyans, I did a bad thing. Sorry to ice my readers from other countries out but you'll still get it.

Wakurugenzi I did something bad. After I mentioned Nick Mutuma mid chapter I started picturing him as Dean and now I can't get that image out of my head. Heeeellllpppp😢😢😢.

Nick Mutuma ladies and gents.

He is cute though so I get why Dean is jealous😅😅.