ONIKA'S POV"Laura, don't put your stuff there. I want to keep my canvas there," I sighed, stretching my legs on the worn-out armchair.Laura, who had been tossing her things onto the couch like she owned the place, shot me a look. "Canvas? Since when are you painting again?""Since I will be staying here. I still retained my job, Laura. Don't put that there"She groaned. "You're lucky I love you and you're lucky you're pregnant."I didn't argue. Instead, I let my eyes drift around the small cottage. It was oldâŠprobably built in the 70s, with creaky wooden floors and outdated wallpaper that still managed to look beautiful. The kitchen was tiny, the living room was cozy, and the bathroom? Well I wasn't used to the sorts, but I was grateful it had plumbing.It was nice.Laura was already making herself at home, digging through bags, putting away groceries, and setting up a coffee station in the corner like she planned to stay forever. Did she? I had thought she was going to be here unti
ONIKA'S POV"Yes, I understand," I said into the phone, rubbing my temple. The woman on the other end had been rambling for the past five minutes, and I was rapidly losing my patience.I had called her for research on a local art scene feature, hoping for some useful insights as I had been Informed that she could help. Instead, I was stuck listening to her recount the time she met a âfamousâ artist at a grocery store.I was already one step away from screaming down the phone that I didn't need to hear about that."Thatâs⊠very interesting," I forced out, my fingers tapping against the edge of my desk. Across from me, Matt smirked, clearly enjoying my suffering. We had gotten on quite fast and I found out that even though he was a total chatterbox, he was totally nice and very helpful.Chris had upped my pay yesterday by a bit, telling me he'd do more if he saw more progress in my work, which was the only reason I hadnât hung up yet. Every extra dollar counted, and if I had to endure p
NATHAN'S POVI swirled the whiskey in my glass, staring at the headline, a frown clear on my face.Confirmed: Onika Orion Runs Away Again â Engagement to Nathan McAlison Called Off.The words blurred together, but the part that mattered was clear. Onika. Gone. Michigan. Michigan? Fucking hellâŠI sat back, rubbing my jaw. Michigan. Where in Michigan?The media had picked up on it fastâfaster than I expected. My inbox was flooded with emails from reporters demanding a statement, executives pretending to be concerned, and a few âconcernedâ acquaintances looking for gossip.I ignored them all. Instead, I dialed Onikaâs number. It rang once before I was met with the robotic voice.âThe number you have dialed is unavailable. Please check the number and try again.âI frowned and tried again.Blocked.She fucking blocked me.A sharp exhale left my lips, and for the first time in years, I didnât know how to react. Shock, frustration, and something dangerously close to panic tangled inside me.
ONIKA'S POV"Did you tell him anything?" I asked, watching as Laura dropped her phone back onto the counter.She sighed and sat beside me, her hands resuming the gentle massage on my stomach. I was laying on the couch, my shirt ridden up so she could help ease the uncomfortable knots by messaging it or whatever."Nothing he needed to know about," she said simply.I huffed. "You suck at lying, you know."Laura arched a brow. "And you suck at taking care of yourself and here I am, doing it for you."I rolled my eyes but didn't argue because, well, she wasnât wrong. She scowled at me and pressed a little harder, her thumb soothing out the pain by rubbing it slowly. "You haven't eaten dinner, I didn't forget. I should also order something for myself and since you're pregnant, I'll get you something too"I snorted, sitting up. "Gee, thanks. So generous.""Only because I pity you," she shot back, already scrolling through her phone. "What do you want?""Something greasy. Fries, a burgerâ"
Onika's POVI stared at the resignation email on my laptop screen, my fingers hovering over the send button. I have made this decision for myself, no one pushed me to it. I have to do what's best for me and my baby and right now, I need some rest.It's not like I was going to rest completely, it's just one less thing on my table.The more I hesitated the more it became hard to send, I loved that job, I loved the people there also they were all so nice.With a quick push, I pressed the button without thinking. I raised my hands to close my laptop but just as I was about to a message popped on, it said, "message not delivered."What!!, was this nature's sign to tell me not to quit, definitely not.I resent the email only to get the same response, I did it over and over again but nothing changed."Fuck," I cursed. "Why can't anything go right." I thought of how hard it would be if I went there and resigned myself.I stood up from the bed and walked lazily to the bathroom to wash my face,
Nathan's POV The burn of whiskey is familiar now, almost comforting as it slides down my throat, I had been drinking since she left. I sit in my dimly lit living room, a half-empty bottle on the table beside me. The room is silent, save for the faint hum of the city outside. The room reeked of alcohol and loneliness, all the beautiful things that were used to adorn the room became dull and useless, they all lost their beauty in mine eyes.Everything lost its spark after she left, then I realized that she is my world and without her I am nothing but a mould of clay and emptiness.I take another sip, my mind reeling with thoughts of regrets.But I lost her.Just when I managed to get her back, just when things were going smoothly, this happened.I push the thought away, but it found its way back. She didn't let me explain, but even if she did what would I have said to back up my claims.Fuck, I messed up.I flinched when I heard the sudden ringing of my phone, pulling me out of my tho
Onika's POV I walkd towards the cabinet to get something to eat but I was disappointed to see it empty, I made a mental note to get some groceries later.I walked lazily and went back to the couch, Laura laid asleep on the bed, she was tired and I knew, she had been trying to hide her own tiredness and problems just so she could focus on mine.Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered how firm she stood my me, leaving everything behind just so I wouldn't be alone here. I didn't have much to be grateful for but Laura's one of the things in my grateful list.I picked up my sketch pad and decided to finish the drawing from earlier on, I erased some of the touched I added that made it look like a deranched bird.I grabbed my phone to put on a Lena dey Rey album, I scrolled through my music history, a notification of a new article popped up.I knew I shouldn't click on it, I knew it would be related to me one way or the other but I couldn't silence the voice inside of me screaming to cli
Onika's POV My eyes widened as I saw his face, why was he doing here, I poked my head to take a peep and check if he had left but Kent's figure still stood there talking to one of the villagers."I clearly told him not to come," I mumbled to myself."I told you this was more than just caring for a friend, why would he go through the stress of finding you and coming here when you told him not to if he was just trying to be friends," Laura muttered."You're my friend and you did the same," I said trying to tease her."I'm different," she replied pouting her lips.I think we're too noisy for people trying to hide from someone, I poked my head to check again but I didn't see him."I think he's gone," I whispered to Laura."You think? Let me check," Laura said carefully waking out of the corner we hid."He's gone," she said after she scanned the area."Wheww," I let out a sigh of relief. I had clearly told him not to come, I didn't want to see anyone that would remind me of the past, I kn
Nathan's POV "What's are you waiting for Onika, it's almost 7 pm you would be late for our dinner" I said to Onika, it was almost 7pm and she wasn't ready yet. "I'm coming she said walking down the stairs making me open my mouth in awe" she was wearing a long white flowing gown it was armless. Though her dressing was simple she still looked really elegant and beautiful in it. I felt so happy that she was going to belong to me soon, she's going to be my wife, my partner and the mother to all my children and I'm going to make everyday of her life a beautiful fairytale. "If you keep staring like that then I'm not sure we would be able to get to our destination before 7" she said teasing me. "It's not my fault, I just can't help but stare at the beautiful angel in my front. You look so beautiful honey" I said pecking her cheeks. Holding her hand we walked to where our car was parked entering it we went to our destination. As we arrived at the Cable Beach, Onika's eyes widened in aw
Onika's POV Nathan still wouldn't tell me where he was taking me to he kept insisting that he was a surprise and that I should just be patient and see what was going to happen. "Are you sure you don't want to tell me were we are going Nathan?" I asked for the hundredth time while on the flight. "Just be patient Onika, you would know when you get there" he said with a smile on his face. As the plane touched down, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Nathan still hadn't revealed our destination, but the warm tropical air and palm trees visible from the plane window hinted at a paradise. We collected our luggage and made our way to the taxi stand, where Nathan finally revealed our destination: Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas.The taxi ride to our resort was a blur of colorful buildings, lively music, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. As we checked into our luxurious beachfront villa, I couldn't wait to start exploring. Nathan handed me a tropical fl
Nathan's POV I couldn't stop myself from laughing when they both looked at me as if they had heard something bad. "I'm just joking no need to be so serious about it" I said making Laura laugh also."Well I was already planning the way you were going to carry the next baby," Onika said looking at me mischievously. "Com'on ladies can we go and do what we came here for, we need to check the wedding dress fitting for Onika today." I said they both needed. Soon the designer called Onika to come over to try her out her wedding dress. Onika came out of the dressing room looking like an angel the long white dress fitted her perfectly. It was an off shoulder fitted dress with a cape around the waist. I could help but open my mouth agape in shock. "The dress looked perfect on you" I complimented her and she blushed shyly. She change to her old dress while the receptionist packed the wedding dress into a shopping bag. "So my Onika is finally going to have her happy ending and even her dre
Onika's POV It was already time for me to be discharged from the hospital. Nathan has been very happy since the birth of our child, he has always been around, he even went as far as learning how change diapers saying he wanted to act like a normal father and not a billionaire. This act makes my heart melt in love and happiness. My Nathan was no longer the proud and arrogant father, he was now a loving and doting father. "Lucas get the car ready, we need to get going now" Nathan said to his assistant as he carried Daniel in his arms. We finally decided to name our child after Nathan father. Daniel it was such a nice name. Nathan mother was very happy and touched when she heard the name we gave to our child. "Your dad will be so proud and happy when ever he is" she said with a smile on her face. We need to get going now Onika Laura said with a smile on her face. We walked out of the hospital only to be met by the media outside. "Congratulations Miss Onika on giving birth to your
Onika gives birth Nathan's POV Four months later. "Com'on Onika can't you be any faster we need to go shop for child's clothing" I called out from downstairs. I've been waiting for her to get ready for over an hour now. She's already in her due month and she could give birth anytime in this month. We were able to find out the child's gender even though we didn't mean to. Onika's was feeling really skin and we had to do a scan on her that was how we found out about our child's gender. We even did our child's gender reveal party a week ago, everyone was happy especially my mom and her best friend Laura. "Will come and drive me to the boutique or will you keep on day dreaming about God knows what." Onika said smiling looking a bit irritated. She is easily irritated by things these days, I asked my mom about it she said it's because of her pregnancy. I could only nod in confusion not understanding pregnant women and there mood swings.As we arrived at the boutique, Onika's irrita
Onika's POV Nathan mother was standing at the door smiling sheepishly at me, I thought I was dreaming until she spoke up "can I come in?" She asked. I could only nod my head walking back inside as she followed me quietly. "Who's that babe?" Nathan asked while serving the dish on the table."Nathan" his mother called from the living. Making Nathan look up in shock, it was obvious that he had no idea that his mother was coming. "What are you doing here mum?" He asked his face looking stern. "Can't I come to see my son and my future daughter in-law" she said making both of us look up in shock. She walked over to the dinning table sitting on down to have breakfast with us, "will you keep on standing or will you both join in for breakfast" she said serving food into her plate. As we sat down at the table, the tension was palpable. Nathan's eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was clenched. I could tell he was still upset with his mother.Willow, on the other hand, seemed determined to ma
Onika's POV "Let's leave this place" I said to Nathan feeling nauseous after see so much blood. I still can't believe that Gina killed herself just like that. Even though she made my life a living hell from the beginning, I was still willing to forgive her but she ended her own life just to escape prison. I feel like I'm the one to blame for this. Nathan held my hand in a comforting manner "it's not your fault Onika she brought it upon herself" he said leading me out of the hospital. Nathan drove us back to the house in silence, he seems to be contemplating on what to say. "How are you feeling now?" I asked smiling a bit. "I'm okay, I just had bruises on my stomach and my head" he said making me look up at the bandage on his head. It was already turning red now. It seems his wound has reopened. I made a mental note to myself to change it when we get home. As we arrived home, Nathan seemed to be struggling to keep his balance. He was weak and pale, and I could tell that he was in
Nathan's POV I opened my eyes slightly looking around to see the doctors and nurses walking around my room carrying trays with some medical stuffs on them. "Doctor, Mr Nathan has regained consciousness" one of the nurses said calling the attention of the doctor. He came closer to me checking my vitals and injures to see how I was doing, "thank goodness mr McAllison you woke up sooner than we expected. Do you know where you are or do you recall anything?" He asked. "Calm down doctor I haven't lost my memory yet" I replied him jokingly looking around the room in search for onika. "Any problem Mr McAllison?" He asked when he noticed me looking around confused. "Where is onika, doctor?" I asked him as he looked at me confused. "The police contacted Miss onika when you got an accident but she is yet to come Mr Nathan" the doctor said. "What that can only mean that something bad had happened to onika, call my assistant for me" I said feeling really anxious. "Sir, you are awake, are
Onika's POV I braced myself for death.Tears streamed down my face as I waited for the gunshot that would end my life. My chest tightened, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. My child... they wouldnât get to see the world, to take their first breath, to feel my love.It was heartbreaking.I squeezed my eyes shut.But the bullet never came.âWhat the hell?â Gina's voice dripped with rage.My eyelids fluttered open, and through my blurry vision, I saw her shaking the gun, pulling the trigger repeatedly. Nothing happened.The gun was empty.A dry laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.Ginaâs furious gaze snapped toward me, and for a split second, I saw something else beneath her anger, panic. She hadnât expected this.Her face twisted, and before I could react, she struck me hard across the face.Pain exploded in my skull, my head snapping to the side. Blood filled my mouth, the sharp metallic taste making me gag. I gasped, blinking through the ringing in my ears.âJust wait, Oni