ONIKA'S POV“What can I get for you today, Mr McAlison? Would you still like your lady to try the dresses you picked out last week?” An attendant came to us, her gaze sweet and a smile on her face.I whipped my neck to look at Nathan who seemed to don a sheepish expression as he realized he had been caught. He had picked out dresses since last week? Since he hadn't been informed of the ball at that time, why would he do that?Ugh.To this point, I don't even know why I was remotely bothered about what the man did.“Yes, we would love that” He replied to the woman who flashed an even bigger smile.I narrowed my eyes at Nathan, but before I could say a word, the attendant clapped her hands in excitement and gestured for us to follow her.“This way, please!” she chirped in an almost annoying cheery voice, leading us deeper into the store.I leaned toward Nathan as we walked, careful not to let the woman hear what we had to say. “You picked out dresses last week? Were you planning to spri
ONIKA'S POVI took one last look in the mirror, preparing myself to head out with Nathan when my phone rang.With a sigh, I reached forward and carried it from my makeup table.“Yeah, Laura?” I said as soon as I put the phone to my ear, my tone a bit hesitant and confused.Her bubbly voice came in almost immediately. “See you at the ball?”I was looking down at my makeup kit laid on the table but I immediately raised my eyes to my vanity mirror, my eyes becoming wide with each second.“Wait what?” My voice came out as a squeal.I could feel the amusement in her tone as she replied me. “Yeah, he called me and asked. Short notice so I may run late”I couldn't believe she actually said yes to Matteo.“I'm guessing you'll outdress everyone there. Your style is always so unique, that's why you run the beauty company” I teased her as I often liked to do.“Actually very contrary to what I intend to do because he didn't tell me earlier so there's no way I'm busting my ass to look for a dress
ONIKA'S POVI stilled, my eyes wide as I stared at Kent from across the room.Nathan, who was beside me could notice the sudden way I seemed to freeze so he looked down at me, his gaze soft.“You okay?” He asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.I nodded and quickly looked away from Kent's direction. “Yeah, I'm fine” I muttered.He nodded and with his hands hovering lightly across the small of my back, we went around to the guests so he could greet people.“Mr McAlison…” a cheery voice broke me of a train of thoughts and I watched as the men shook hands firmly, a smile on their faces.I stared at the chubby man who stared at me with a smile too. “Well hello, nice to meet you, Miss Orion” He stretched out his hand.I took his hand, firmly shaking it whilst exchanging pleasantries with him and his wife.After what felt like an annoying endless circle of greeting people, we were finally sitting in the corner, a glass of drink in our hands.“I saw Kent” Nathan suddenly muttered and
ONIKA'S POVMy jaw dropped and the look on my face had to be one of pure shock and confusion.He hadn't even told me about this, I didn't know what to feel at first about this but as the confusion cleared, I knew exactly what to feel: annoyance.He had just done this without even making sure I was remotely comfortable with it but then again what did Nathan know about boundaries. He probably thought I would just play along since he had indeed granted me my wish.I know I said I wanted him on his knees but I didn't fucking mean a proposal in front of everyone. I was aware that everyone was watching, waiting with bated breath.Calm down, Onika.I forced a smile and looked down at him with as much love in my eyes as I could muster and said. “Yes”The crowd erupted in cheers and I could see the flashes of lights from the photographers in the background who were taking photos of this special moment and I knew it was only a matter of hours before this news was all over the country's headline
ONIKA'S POVI stared forward at nothing as the party continued and I unconsciously brought my hands to my lips, looking up at Nathan who was holding my hand tightly while talking to another man who was saying something about some work deals that meant absolutely nothing to me.When I looked at Nathan, I had no idea if this affected him as much as it affected me. He didn't seem remotely put out like I was and I wondered if I was overreacting, anyone who looked at me right now would probably think I was staring at him in shock from the proposal and in a way it was but mostly that I was surprised that he could still hold a conversation with someone without his tone cracking a single bit.Suddenly the person who he was talking to said something to me that made me jerk slightly, a smile automatically spreading on my face. “Yes?” I unconsciously reached for the necklace around my neck, toying with the jewelry.“A big congratulations from me, I'll be sure to send my wedding gift to show my s
ONIKA'S POVThe last week had been a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions and I felt like I was nearing the end of what I could handle.Just like I expected, the news had been blowing up about our proposal and so because of that, Nathan and I had to fix a public date for the wedding and as it was, it was already 3 days before the wedding.The tension between Nathan and I was still as palpable as ever after that kiss and I didn't really mind the tension, it meant that I could keep myself away from Nathan without having to worry about talking to him about it. I sighed, setting down my tea as I stared at the city skyline from the expansive windows of Nathan’s penthouse. The apartment was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the heater.Nathan was out, likely at another business meeting or playing his role as the charming billionaire fiancé. Meanwhile, I was left here, staring at my phone as I had absolutely nothing to do.I picked up my phone and sent a quick text to Laura. “Are you fre
ONIKA'S POV My heart was thudding in my chest and I couldn't seem to take a breath properly.What. The. Fuck?Nathan looked at the phone screen again then looked back at me, panic in his eyes.“I swear I don't know anything about that” I didn't know why I said that but I was desperate and I was not about to let all of the city think that I was actually the daughter of a serial killer.Was i?I didn't know my real parents but surely I couldn't be so unlucky, if everyone believed this then I was surely doomed. Everything I had worked for would collapse and I'd be scorned in the worst way possible.“I know, Onika” Nathan frowned, keeping my phone to the side. “Wait here, I need to make a call. I'll try to get the article down and make amends, okay?”I nodded fervently, watching him as he grabbed his phone out of his pockets and walked over to the side of the house and dialled a number, putting the phone to his ear as he waited for whoever he was calling to pick up the call.With bucking
ONIKA'S POVThe next day, I woke upㅡi barely even sleptㅡ then I grudgingly sat up on my bed wishing that I could just stay in for the day but even I knew that I had to go to work.The work had already begun on the art gallery so I had to be there to go through some things, I couldn't afford to skip work today, that would make it look like I wasn't interested in the project anymore and I had worked my entire life for it.There was a sharp knock on the door and I suddenly turned to look at it, panic filling my eyes like someone was here to smuggle me away.“Onika?” I heard a very familiar voice call out.“Yeah?” I sighed, going to the door and when I opened it, I saw that it was just Nathan who was standing there, staring at me with concern in his eyes again.“What do you want?” I ignored his scrutinizing look and i leaned on the doorway. “Breakfast is ready” he announced, looking at me worried. He obviously expected me to be a bit more concerned about this and yes, I still felt the sa
NATHAN'S POVShe was cradled in my arm and I put her in the backseat of my car, letting her lie down gently, her body curled up.The sight alone was enough to make rage rush through me as I struggled to keep myself in checkㅡthis was my fault.When I shut the door, I beckoned to Damien who quickly rushed to me, his face blank. I had told Laura to go home as I would take Onika to the hospital myself and even though it had taken me a while to convince her, she finally agreed and she left the venue also.“Go to the police station and make sure that Regina doesn't get out. Call my lawyer, I want her charged for all damages and she must not get out on bail, is that clear?” I asked him.He nodded, got on his bike and drove off. My mum sauntered out of the venue but before she could make her way to me, I had already gotten into the driver's seat where I switched on the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot where I was.I had no intentions to begin a squabble with her right now. Not when
ONIKA'S POV"Stop this madness..." I croaked out, my voice barely audible over the noise in the hall as everyone saw me. My legs trembled beneath me, every step feeling heavier than the last. I took one shaky step forward before my knees gave out finally after buckling.Damn it.Strong hands caught me just in time—Damien. His grip was firm, pulling me back to my feet effortlessly.“You’re almost there, Onika. Just a little more,” he whispered, his voice steady, grounding me.I had met him outside the venue and he looked more than relieved to see me, he took one look at me, didn't question me but brought me straight here, telling me on the way that I had a few minutes before the vows would be said and they would officially be married.My eyes locked on Nathan. He was frozen, standing at the altar with Regina, but his gaze wasn’t on her—it was on me. His face twisted with disbelief, then something else—panic. His eyes widened, and without a second thought, he bolted toward me.“Onika!”
NATHAN'S POVI stood in front of Regina, hands in my pockets, trying to keep my cool. She was seated in front of the mirror, fixing her lipstick like this was the happiest day of her life. Maybe it was—for her.“This wedding doesn’t mean anything,” I said, staring at her reflection in the mirror, the sight pissing me off to no ends. “It’s just for the company, the board, the media. That’s it. Understood?”Regina smiled, not even bothering to look at me. “Sure, Nathan. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”“I’m serious.” I moved closer, standing right behind her. “Don’t think this is some kind of fresh start or—whatever you think it is. This is business. We are not getting together”She turned slightly, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “You’re wearing the suit. I’m wearing the dress. That’s all that matters, right?” She gave me this soft, fake smile. “The rest will fall into place later on.”I scoffed, stepping back. “How daft can you get?”A knock interrupted, and Dion walked in wit
NATHAN’S POVThe next day was hectic as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like it belonged to someone else.The tailored tuxedo fit my frame perfectly, the material something that looked straight out of a movie. I should’ve felt proud—or at least present and more focused—but my mind was far from it because I realized that I had caught myself up in the biggest shit I could ever have done.I adjusted the cufflinks, the small silver pieces glinting in the dim light of my room where I stood. If I thought my wedding day would ever come to shit like this, I would just remain single because I knew for sure that this was not how a wedding was supposed to be. The groom was meant to be happy. No calls unanswered. And definitely no bride missing in action.My phone sat on the dresser, silent, the blank screen seeming to mock me by not even lighting up. I’d checked it at least a hundred times already, hoping for some miracle, an update from Barcelona, a message from her, an
ONIKA'S POVMy head lolled to the side and I could hear voices.Distant yet so close.I couldn't see anything, just a blend of nothing with the sharp feeling of light trying to get into my eyes. I was blindfolded.The idea didn't register for a few seconds before I heard a voice saying “How long do we have to keep her?”Immediately, I snapped up and struggled in the chair only to realize that I was bound and something was in my mouth, I couldn't even bring myself to scream, I felt really tired weak and the blindfold that shut my eyes were only serving to further piss me off.There was the sound of scraping chair like someone was trying to get up followed by a whistle and the sound only made fear grip me. It was one thing to know that you were in trouble but it was another thing to not know what kind of trouble you were in. The latter just made you feel hopeless and that was not even enough to talk about how I felt right now.“Look who's awake” A low confident voice hummed. That was a
NATHAN'S POVI felt like a shell of myself the next day as I sat in my office.Believe me when I said I had tried to get some sleep but that was a luxury that I apparently couldn't afford because I had spent the night tossing and turning, my mind going haywire with thoughts. How was it possible that she hadn't checked into the hotel? I had gotten them to go to the nearby hotels but there was no trace of her. There was no way that she could have slept on the streets.Dread filled my veins and I felt true fear the previous night. I didn't believe that I could be this worried over someone but this was fucking Onika! Of course I would be worried about her! I fucking cared about her and now it felt like a part of me has been violently ripped out, leaving me without a vital piece of my life.I had spent the entire night waiting for a call—any damn call—from the people I had stationed in Barcelona, but my phone had remained frustratingly silent. Not a single update. Not from the men I sent t
NATHAN'S POVI pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing heavily, feeling my head ache as I paced across my study. The room was dim and it was dark outside already. I had a long day tomorrow, I had one more day to my wedding but my wife was still missing. Gods.I hit the dial button again, the phone ringing in my ear."Talk," I ordered the moment the call connected.A gruff voice responded on the other end. "We’re still looking, sir. One of our men is sweeping the northern districts, while the other is covering the downtown area."I halted mid-step, my brain short circuiting. "What?""He insisted that splitting up would be more efficient. Said there were too many areas to cover—""Goddammit," I muttered under my breath, gripping the phone tighter. "I gave a direct fucking order, and they’re already doing whatever they want?"The man hesitated. "I told him it’d be best to stick together, but—""Then why didn’t you stop him?" My voice was dangerously low now, my patience thinning fast."He
ONIKA'S POVI drew my hoodie harder over my head, staring at the phone in my hands.The shop keeper kept telling me the details about the phone but that wasn't what I needed to hear, I just wanted him to tell me the fucking price so I could leave this place and go find a place to stay.Apparently getting houses at such short notice in this place was near impossible and I would have to go to the elite part of town because they would have more reservations. I had the money, I just needed to get this phone so I could head next to the hotel.Maybe I could ask this man for help on which hotel I could pick but the way he kept blabbing, urging me to buy the phone and bringing new suggestion had begun to piss me off not to mention that he was constantly cutting me off before he would pull out a better phone, eager that I buy a more expensive one.I couldn't blame him, I probably gave off the air of someone who could afford all these.With a sigh, I tugged my hoodie lower, gripping the phone i
NATHAN'S POVI nodded at my assistant, giving her a slight wave of the hand before muttering. “Let her in”I had successfully kept my mum out because I knew what she was going to say but I really did hope that Regina wasn't here for something like that or I'd have to kick her out.I barely looked up when Regina walked in, but I caught the way she shot my assistant a sharp glare before plastering on a fake smile as soon as she walked in."That’ll be all, dear," she said sweetly, but I could tell she was pissed off that she had been kept waiting for about 5 minutes. Patience was just not one of her values. Even seeing her now as she had the guts to waltz in, made me sick to my guts when I remembered what she did.Regina turned to me, her smile widening. "Nathan."I leaned back in my chair. "Regina."She strode forward, sitting in the chair opposite me. She crossed her legs, dropping her small purse on my table, my eyes narrowing at the movement but I shut up about it unwilling to say an