ONIKA'S POVâMiss Orion, are the rumors true that you're getting married to Mr McAlison?â A reporter shouted over the din and chaos as soon as I stepped out to go back to my car.âMr McAlison, There has been speculations that the sales of your company has skyrocketed since your announcement of your relationship with Miss Orion, what do you have to say about that?âMic after microphones were shoved forward as the reporters were all eager to get their questions answered however Nathan just led me towards the car,his hand resting on the small of my back.He opened the car door for me and then circled around to get into the driver's seat himself.Before the press could circle the car again, Natan switched on the ignition and drove off after putting on his seat belt. âYou should really get your seat belt onâ He muttered, sparing me a glance through the mirror.I scowled at him and focused on the passing nightlife outside. âWhere's your driver?ââI drove myself, it's quite late and it was a
ONIKA'S POVI was staring at my phone the next day as I sat at a cafe with Laura, a cup of coffee in front of me while she sipped a milkshake.âWhat is that?â She nodded to my phone seeing my dumbfounded expression.I didn't need to say anything, I simply turned my phone to her so she could see what I was staring at.The headlines were blazing clear.âMR MCALISON AT HIS FIANCEE'S EXHIBITION YESTERDAY ENDS UP BUYING EXPENSIVE ART PIECE WORTH $100,000âOf course it would have made it to the news by now, what was I expecting from the press?âOh, that's one hot news. I think I'm gonna go find my ex and get into a marriage with him tooâ Laura said, her tone mock serious.âLaura!â I whined.She was taking this whole thing so lightly and that wasn't what I needed from her right now.âWhat?â She took another hurried sip of the milkshake, the sound of her slurping the drink making me raise my gaze to her.My phone beeped again with a message from Nathan which I read with a frown before leaving
ONIKA'S POVâHere you go,â Nathan said the next morning, his voice husky as he set a bowl of cereal in front of me.I stared at the cereal and then back up at him. âWhy cereal this morning? I can do my stuff myself, you know?âHe raised a finger, an amused look on his face as he stared down at me. âIt was in the rules of the contract, wasn't it? This is totally allowed; small gestures like this are allowed,â He reminded.âAre we seriously following the rules strictly?â I asked, grabbing my phone from the counter where I was sitting to look at the message that had just come in.My eyes widened slightly at it, and I looked up at Nathan, who was now at the cabinet, looking through it for something.âWhat's the money for? You sent more than what was expected in the contractâ I said, my voice filled with shock.âI just wanted to. I heard you're trying to open a private museum in New York, right?â He asked looking over his shoulder at me.I knew that I had been looking to build a museum ther
ONIKA'S POVAs soon as we walked into the restaurant that night, I found myself staring around the interior of the restaurant.Everything about it screamed of money, from the gold tables to the waiters dressed in tuxedos, the air around seemed to scream of an atmosphere where only the rich could afford but I could only think of one thing.He had never brought me here.We were led to our reserved table in a VIP booth and Nathan quickly tried to pull out my chair but I beat him to it and quickly pulled out the chair myself, seating myself.He didn't voice out his disapproval at that but his smile seemed forced as he sat across me and folded his hands. âWe're in public, you know how the rules areâI did indeed know how the rules were and I knew I had to calm myself down if I wanted to play by the rules of the contract. âYou're right⊠I'm sorryâ I flashed a huge smile at him.From outside the booth, no one would hear what we were saying but they would see our smiles at least and believe t
NATHAN'S POVSomething that seemed like surprise flashed in her eyes before being replaced by indifference but that small change in her expression had warmed up my heart.This was definitely worth every second.I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and nodded to her to do the same. With a disgruntled sigh which contratsed sharply with the excitement in her eyes, she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, her hands trembling as she got out of the car before me.âWait upâŠâ I chuckled to myself as I got out of the car too before going around the car to stand by her, looking at the eager look in her eyes.âWhen last did you stargaze?â I found myself asking out of curiosity.When we had dated, we had gone stargazing a couple of times but she looked like she hadn't done this in a while which had gotten me curious.She wasn't paying me any attention and her reply was just a monotone. â I haven't come for stargazing in years. I never had the time and I guess I just didn't want toâ She said truthfully as s
ONIKA'S POVThe alarm was ringing but I didn't want to get up.âShut upâŠâ I groaned as I rolled unto my side while blindly reaching for my alarm on the beside table before hitting the snooze button repeatedly.Finally.With a slight groan, I rolled unto my back again and tried to open my eyes. When I finally opened my eyes, I had to use my hand to block the sunlight from the open windows from filtering into my eyes.Why couldn't morning take a little longer to show it's freaking self? I was definitely not a morning person today, I felt tired and my body ached like I had run a marathon yesterday.As I struggled to sit up with a grumble, I looked around my surroundings trying to understand what I was even supposed to do. I was as clueless as ever this morning and I scratched the back of my neck when suddenly there was a knock on the door.âOnika?â A voice from the door sounded.âCome inâ I said without thinking, a loud yawn escaping my lips as the door opened. As soon as the door opene
ONIKA'S POV Nathan and I didn't say anything for a split second, I wasn't even breathing because, technically, the contract would allow him to kiss me because it was mandatory.The photographer seemed to notice our hesitation, and he looked at us in confusion l. âWhat's wrong? Do you need a rest?â He asked, his tone worried. âThis is the last picture, I promise,â he quickly added.That's when I felt Nathan's hand around my waist, gently pulling me to face him, and in my head, the only thing I could think was that he would kiss me without a second thought.I was tempted to knee him in the groin and claim it was a mistake just so that I could disrupt the shoot but I reined in the anger just as Nathan leaned in closer, his mouth by my ear, his hand tightening around my waist.âI want to know, are you comfortable with it?â He asked, his voice soft.Was I comfortable with it? Was that even a question? Of course, I wasn't comfortable with it.âNo, I am notâ I whispered, my voice an indigna
ONIKA'S POVI quickly switched off the lights of my phone when I heard Nathan's voice.âWhat's that? You look pale and worriedâ He pointed out, his tone also worried.âI'm fineâ I said through gritted teeth, my hand gripping my phone tightly.He looked ready to press further as he adjusted his body to look at me. âBabe, what happened?âI scowled at him, not liking the endearment. âWatch it, Nathan, you're this close to pissing me offâ I hissed at him, my voice cold.I had been overlooking everything that he had been saying and doing but now I was already at my limits and I just wanted to remind him of his place.His face fell slightly and he looked frozen like I had said something that hurt him. Good.âDid I hurt your feelings?â I said in a mocking tone, my face scrunched up in a pout before I scowled at him. âDoesn't feel too good, does it? Stay out of my business, Nathanâ I warned.He leaned back in his seat, his expression now void of emotions. âSure as you pleaseâ He said, his ton
ONIKA'S POVAs soon as I stepped into the meeting room, all eyes turned to me. The long table was filled with shareholders, executives, and key members of the project team. At the head of the table sat Mr Sam Damon, his hand resting on the table. As soon as he saw me, he sighed almost visibly, clearly relieved to see me.He stood as I entered, offering a small smile. âOnika.âI nodded in acknowledgment and took my seat. âMr. Damon.âHis sharp gaze studied me. âI would have called you in sooner, but I wanted to make sure you had time to recover from⊠everything.âHis tone was polite, but the intentions behind his words were clear. Everyone in the room knew about the scandal, the drama, and the mess Regina had caused. Even if they pretended otherwise.âI appreciate that,â I said evenly. âBut Iâm fine. Business doesnât wait.âA few murmurs of approval circled the table, but one of the shareholders, a middle-aged man named Greg, cleared his throat. âActually, since weâre on the subject of
ONIKA'S POVConfusion warred with anger and disgust in me. Was she really going to come talk to me now?I folded my arms, tilting my head at Damien. âAnd what exactly does she want?âHe shrugged. âDidnât say. Just that she needed to speak to you urgently.âI scoffed. âOh, I bet she does.âThere was no doubt in my mind that this was about Regina. That viper had finally met her downfall, and now Nathan's mother was here, hoping to what? Plead her case? She couldn't talk to her son again? Pathetic.I moved back to my chair, dropping into it and rubbing my temples. âTell her to leave. I have nothing to say to her.âDamien hesitated for a second, as if considering arguing, but then he nodded. âAlright.âHe turned to leave, but just before he could step out, I heard her voice.âDamien, please⊠just give me a moment with her.âWas she seriously begging him? Oh how the mighty have fallen.I clenched my jaw, already irritated. Damien glanced back at me, clearly waiting for a final word.âShe s
ONIKA'S POV âWelcome back, ma'amâ Amara said, following after me the next morning, her gaze burning into my back as I walked into my office, my heels clacking against the tiled floor.âThank you. Is everything that I emailed you about in place yet?â I asked, slumping down on the swivel chair. Who knew that I would miss this piece of shit eventually? It felt so comfortable under my touch now and I leaned my head back against the headrest.She looked through the stack of papers in her arms, pulling out a binded stack of documents which she dropped unto the table, pushing them towards me. âYes, I tried my best to get everything ready and I just need your signature on that oneâ She nodded to the document she has kept on my table.I looked at it with an arched brow before I grabbed it, flipping through it, unsure where this had come from. âWhat is this?â I had to ask.I don't remember this. This was for contracting a new construction company, why would we need this?âWe need the company t
ONIKA'S POVIt had been several hours on the flight and now we were on our way back to the mansion but surprisingly, it hadn't felt that way. Maybe it was the way Nathan kept throwing subtle glances at me when he thought I wasn't looking. Or the way he kept shifting in his seat, trying to get comfortable but failing miserably.Or maybe it was just the fact that I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days.I looked out of the window. We were back in town meaning back with work and every bad thing that came with being in the country. Not like I could escape it anyways.Nathan was on a call, his voice low but firm as he spoke in hushed whispers. His fingers tapped against his knee, a telltale sign that something was bothering him.After what felt like a whole hour, he finally hung up and sighed, leaning his head back against the seat.I stretched my arms above my head and leaned back into the seat. "Is that work?"Nathan hummed in response, his gaze
ONIKA'S POVThe next morning, I woke up to the feeling of warm lips pressed to my forehead and my eyes fluttered open to see Nathan staring down at me with a smile on his face."Good morning, sleeping beauty" He grinned, sitting up and stretching his arms above his head.It was morning already?I groaned, sitting up also, a yawn escaping me as I tried to get myself oriented with my surroundings again then I looked at him. "What are you doing so early?" I asked, my voice still groggy and full of sleep.He stood up and looked over his shoulder at me. "We're leaving today, you remember that, yeah?" He asked, his brows pinched together.Oh right... We were supposed to leave today. "Right, sorry I'm not myself right now yet" I apologized, throwing my legs off the bed, my limbs aching as soon as I stood up.He nodded, understanding what I was trying to say but there was no judgement on his face, just sheer amusement. "Get ready, breakfast is already done. Also your phone was ringing and I f
ONIKA'S POVMy eyes were wide with horror.What had I done?Nathan was right there, casually sipping his water, completely oblivious to the fact that I had just exposed myself in the most humiliating way possible. Meanwhile, on my phone screen, Lauraâs mouth was hanging open like she had just witnessed a crime scene."Onika. What. The. Fuck?" Her voice came through the speaker, but it was more of a shriek.Oh, for fuckâs sake.I snatched up the phone, clutching it like I could somehow undo the last five seconds. âUhâhey, Laura! Didnât realize it was a video call! Haha, wow, technology, right?â I let out the most awkward laugh of my life even though my voice quivered.Could the earth just open up and swallow me?Laura didnât even blink. She just leaned closer to her screen, her eyes narrowing. âDonât âhey, Lauraâ me. What the hell am I looking at?ââNothing?â I tried, tilting the camera slightly away from Nathan who had sat back on the couch beside me, but it was too late.Lauraâs eyes
ONIKA'S POVWith a sigh, I went to the door and opened it to see Nathan standing there, a small smile on his face."Hey" He smiled at me but the smile on his smile wiped off as soon as he saw the distraught look on my face."Are you alright?" He asked, raising a brow, his hand automatically rising up to touch my face.I didn't flinch away, instead I found myself leaning towards his touch, his hand was cold against my skin and I hummed in satisfaction at how right it felt.He furrowed his brows but he didn't pull away. "Are you alright?" He asked again.I pulled away and nodded, sighing. "Yeah, I'm fine. I think... Let's just go back to the mansion, hm?" I forced a smile at him.A smile creeped up his face and he leaned forward to press a quick kiss to my lips and to be honest, I wasn't expecting it but I leaned into it, kissing him back just as deeply. It just felt....right.Slowly, he pulled away and pressed his forehead to mine, his eyes searching mine. "Alright, meet me downstairs
ONIKA'S POVNathan must have seen the way my face paled because the smile on his face wiped away and was replaced by a more serious expression."Who's that?" He asked, his voice soft as he nodded to my phone.Almost instinctively, I clutched the phone to my chest, looking up at him. "Just a few friends... I uh... Should go take a shower before the driver gets here..." I straightened up, determined to keep my face impassive.Nathan looked like he was almost about to call me out on my lie and argue with me but then he stopped and nodded, like he had accepted defeat and didn't want to push me further than I wanted to tell him.Why didn't I want to tell him? It wasn't like I had anything going on with Kent but a small part of me still felt guilty because I knew that despite how Kent acted, he cared and he would be disappointed if he found out that I had forgiven Nathan and even gotten back together with him. Fuck.I had not spoken to Kent in a while now since I got back from Barcelona. He
ONIKA'S POVThe sound of the shower running was what woke me up the next morning.I groaned and rolled over in bed, my eyes fluttering open as I stared at my unfamiliar surroundings. Where was I?The shower running in the background was more prominent now but I was more concerned on getting myself together to know where I was. It took me about a minute then the memories of the previous night came rushing back and I felt a slight tingle between my thighs.Oh fuck.I buried my face in my hands, second hand embarrassment making me mortified now that I thought about it. Did I regret it? No. But would I want to face him today? No.That's it.I could sneak out of the hotel and get a cab or something to go back to the mansion where I could prolong the time that I would have to face him. It was impossible to get a cab as at last night due to the damn storm but I could order a ride from here and think about my life before he realized that I was gone.He'd soon be out of the shower. Shit.I qui