Chapter 9

My eyes were drawn in front of me. Sitting opposite me was Marcus and the supposed love of his life Katelyn. What the hell were they doing here? I thought this was for Zuri, right or was I wrong?

Katelyn had a beautiful sundress on with dark shades hiding her expression as well as her eyes. You couldn't tell what she was thinking. On the other hand, Marcus had a kitenge shirt . I knew that shirt, it looked so familiar to me. Where have I seen it before?

Oh right ,the shirt he wore on the day we met with my mum. He was trying so hard to impress her then ,I guess things do change. His hand was intertwined with Katelyn's and occasionally he would bring the hand to his mouth and drop a kiss in her palm.

They looked so happy together that I felt like I could puke. He was trying to rub it in. Did they have to sit near me though? I get it dude, you are in love with her and you want the whole world to know it. Zuri and John were also staring at them. They didn't say anything since he was John's boss and he planned the whole thing.

I appreciate that he planned the whole thing but did he really have to also attend? I will not let this awful human being ruin my friends day. This was a huge day for Zuri, so I will shove all my feelings in small box , store it at the back of my mind and be happy for my friend.

" Are you okay?" She whispered

" Yea, great"

" You don't have to be pretend"

" I am not pretending ,we are here to celebrate you today. So no one is going to ruin that, not even them"

" If you say so"

My gaze went back to my champagne glass ,it was empty. I called on one of the waiters and I asked him to make sure my glass was always full. I needed all the alcohol and courage I could get to get through this event.

The food was served immediately after and most people ate in silence as soft music was playing on the background. The menu for the shower was on brand for the event and everything was delicious. Marcus did outdo himself.

We finished eating and went back to drinking. John stood up and requested that we raise our glasses for a toast to his beautiful wife and their unborn child. He proceeded with his speech.

*" I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate this baby shower with us. This is a huge step in our lives as we expand our family. "* He took one of Zuri's hand into his and continued with his speech.

*" The first time I saw you Zuri ,I knew that you would be my future. My wife and the mother of our kids. You gave me hope for my future, something I didn't think about too much in the past but since I met you that is all I could think about. You made me want to be a better man, a better spouse and a better father.

You made me be more considerate to others and take their feelings into account. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Despite of every challenge that we go through, I am assured that we would handle it.

And as we begin this journey as parents, we will be okay because we have each other. I love you so much my love"*

Every single woman had tears in their eyes. That was the most beautiful speech ever. Zuri was full blown crying ,she didn't even try to hide it. His speech was from the heart and we could all feel how much he loves and adores her.

While I wiped some treacherous tears Marcus was looking at me. I didn't understand why he was even looking at me. His hand still held on Katelyn's hand and that was all I needed to rid my mind of any hope that it might conjure up. He was happy with her and that was all that mattered.

Zuri was next in line to give a speech. It took a while as she had to stop crying first and that was becoming a task on it own. Blame it on the hormones .

*" I want to thank everyone for joining us today, we really appreciate it . We are grateful that you have joined us in celebrating our bundle of joy. We are glad that we have people we can depend on especially at this time.

John there is no one in this world that I would have a baby with apart from you. You have been my rock in the past years. You have taken care of me and taught me what it means to love someone unconditionally. I love you so much babe.

As for you Zawadi, you have stood by me all our lives and assisted me in everything. I had hoped that we would we going through this experience together but we don't always get what we want. You have been with me through this journey every step of the way and I will be in yours very soon.

You deserve all the happiness in the world and I hope that one day you do find it"* she concluded.

I couldn't hold the tears anymore. She reminded me that I will find someone somewhere who will love me the way I deserve to be loved. I have waited for far too long for that kind of love. Her speech gave me hope for the future.

When Zuri took her seat I noticed that Marcus let go of Katelyn's hand. He seemed annoyed for some unknown reason. What was up with him? Was he not happy with the heartfelt speeches? Why would he, he is an impossible person to please.

Katelyn looked embarrassed by Marcus action. She settled her hand on her baby bump and moved it in circular motion as if to calm the baby down or perhaps it was to calm herself down. Something was clearly wrong with those two but it didn't concern me.

It was my turn to give a speech and then lastly Marcus. I was nervous about giving a speech as I am terrible at public speaking. But what worried me the most was what he was going to say. I didn't want to anticipate what he was going to say as he is unpredictable, we should expect anything from him.

I rose gently from my seat and straightened my skirt before I began speaking.

*" Hey everyone, I want to take this chance to appreciate everyone for coming to celebrate this day with us, we are so happy to have you here. To John, you are an amazing man who made my friend fall in love with you.

You have a huge heart and you are always ready to help however you can. You loved her with everything you had and you let her know it every single day. You will make a wonderful dad to this prince or princess. I pray that one day I will be blessed with someone like you.

To Zuri my baby, I don't even know where to start. We have been friends forever and we know each other so well. I always thought that we would be pregnant around the same time but no worries you will be part of my journey as I have been yours. You are a gem and you will make a wonderful mother"* I concluded.

By the time I took my seat Zuri decided to embarrass me.

" She's single you guys, shoot your shot and you might end up with a wonderful woman" she announced.

I felt so embarrassed that I wish I could disappear. You know it's bad when your friend decides to shout it to the whole world that you are single. What the hell was that about?

I looked around the table with a serious expression on my face, trying so hard not to show that I was dying of embarrassment. Katelyn seemed genuinely happy, in her own world probably not following what was happening around her.

John was trying so hard to hide his laughter but he was failing miserably while Zuri wore a determined look on her face. She was serious about that announcement. Bless her little heart.

Marcus had a frown on his face and he was annoyed. What was up with this guy? It was his turn to give a speech before we started giving the couple their gifts. He took a gulp of his champagne and stood confidently.

*" I will go straight to the point. Thank you all for joining us in this special day as we celebrate two young people who have decided to become parents. We are glad that you have accepted to take us with you in this journey. We wish you all the best on this journey you have began"* he concluded.

His speech was short and straight to the point unlike ours. He seemed genuinely happy for them and excited that he had friends who are new parents just like him.

After his speech the guests started presenting their gifts to the couple. I gave them mine first, it was a baby stroller as well as some gender neutral clothes since we didn't know the gender of the baby yet.

Right after giving my gift my phone started ringing and I checked to see that my mom was calling. Not wanting to distract the others I went to pick my call away from the shower in a corner of the hotel. I didn't really check where I was going. My main priority was privacy.

I spoke to my mother for around ten minutes before I hang up. I was still engrossed on my phone when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to give the person a piece of my mind but the words got stuck in my throat.