103.**Nicole's POV**After some time, we pulled away from the kiss to catch our breath, and I looked into his eyes with a guilty expression on my face.“Look what you made me do!” I snapped at him and covered my cheek immediately as a blush crept up.“It's not my fault that you can't resist me, Wifey.” He smirked and I blushed. I could recall how I detested him calling me “Wifey”. It's funny how the same name sends shockwaves through my body now.He was right. I couldn't resist him. I was so busy this morning that I didn't get the chance to see him. I smiled. “Of course you're irresistible, but please try not to seduce me next time. It might not stop at just a kiss, you know.” I smirked, and I saw something like shock flash through his eyes.“Nicole?” He called, and I blinked at him, batting my lashes in a cute way.“What? I'm telling you the obvious truth, hubby. So, please be careful how you behave with me these days. My control is slowly slipping away from my grip. I might not be
104.**Author's POV**Nicole was literally trying to control herself. She didn't want to lash out at these girls, and she didn't want them to talk about Easton either. The way they acted like they couldn't wait to get their hands on him vexed her to the core.“Nicole!” They called and she gasped.“What are you thinking about? And why do you have a frown on your face?” Cisca asked and suddenly gasped. “Don't tell me you also have a crush on Mr. Easton. You do, don't you?”“Why would she have a crush on someone she doesn't even measure up to?” Posha asked as she walked to where the girls were seated. “He isn't her type and definitely doesn't fit into the category of the kind of girl he wants, so tell me, Nicole, will you look at yourself and tell me you deserve him?”Nicole was offended. “What the heck are you talking about?” She asked.“Me?” Posha laughed. “Look at me from head to toes,” She turned around before facing Nicole again. “By merely looking at me, you should already know whe
105.Nicole smiled at Krystal after she was done and she sighed. She wanted to put a bandage on Nicole's hand, but the latter stopped her.“It'll get infected if I don't cover it up.” Nicole shook her head. “It's just a graze, Krystal. It'll heal up in no time. Putting a bandage will only draw Easton's attention. I don't want him to punish Posha.” “She should get punished for letting her emotions take control, Nicole. She hurt you!” Krystal snapped.“She didn't mean it. She just got overwhelmed with her emotions. Posha isn't as strong as you all think. She needs help.”“What help could someone as bitter as Posha actually need? She acts like she's on top of the world when she knows how to do nothing but hide behind us to look good!” Krystal snapped. She had been taken Posha's rants in, but she just couldn't take it anymore, especially with Nicole involved.Nicole has been her role model since she was still a newbie, and she adored the lady so much. She had only been quiet since Nicol
106.**Nicole's POV**My eyes fluttered open and the first greeting I received was a delicious aroma. My eyes snapped open and I sat up immediately. I looked around my room. Where was this delicious aroma coming from?I got down from the bed and wore my slippers as I made my way out of the room, trying to find where this aroma was coming from. I got to the dining room, and it got stronger there. No one needed to tell me that it was coming from the kitchen this time around.I slowly made my way to the kitchen and to my surprise, I saw Easton, looking all handsome. Whoa! He was making breakfast. I cleaned my eyes to be sure whether I was dreaming or not, but it was true.“Wow!” I exclaimed and walked towards the kitchen. He turned, and a smile graced his lips the minute our eyes met. My own smile widened as I approached him.He cleaned his hand with a napkin and pulled me into his arms the moment I stepped into the kitchen. “Did you sleep well?” He asked.I rested my head on his chest
107.**Author's POV**The next few days were filled with different activities as Nicole and the models practiced nonstop for the show. During the time of the practices, Posha avoided Nicole like a plague. She didn't want what happened the last time to happen again. She did not apologize, but she felt bad, so she didn't want Nicole to come close to her to avoid hurting her again.While the practices were going on, Kayla was able to clear her name and began to practice as well. She believed that Easton would call her out on that day to perform, and she was not ready to fail.After the last day of practice, Mrs. Roxy gathered the girls together and smiled at them.“Tomorrow, your outfits will arrive and the day after day is the big day. I want you all to put your best into this show. You know this is an opportunity for you to win big contracts, right?” She asked and they nodded.“Good. Don't try too hard, just be yourself and make me proud. I'll be at the sidelines cheering you girls up,
108.**Author's POV**It was already a day to the big day. After their fittings, they organized themselves to have dinner together before the big day but Nicole had to excuse herself because she was going with Easton to see her mother. It's been a while since she last saw her mother. Though they talked on the phone but what beats that than seeing her face to face?A smile graced her lips as their call pulled up in front of her house. Easton got down from the car, opened the car door for her and intertwined their fingers as they made their way to the door.Darlene opened the door the minute she heard the doorbell and embraced Nicole immediately.“Oh, Nikki, you finally came to see me.” She pecked Nicole's forehead.“Yes, mum.” Nicole hugged her again.After they disengaged from the hug, Darlene's gaze went to Easton, who smiled at her.“You're welcome. Please come in,” She said and they walked into the house. After taking a seat, she quickly brought drinks and served them. “It's an ho
109.**Author's POV**The day for the fashion show finally came. It was an outdoor event and news reporters already flocked the location to have live coverage of the event.The night was adorned with stars that glistened as a cool breeze blew. A red carpet led into the area where the show was going to be held.Nicole, Cisca, Nana, Harmony, Josie, Kween, Krystal, Posha and all the other fashion models were busy doing their makeup and getting their hair done. They all looked beautiful and ready for the event.Nicole was sitting at a vanity mirror while a professional makeup artist worked on her face. Her phone vibrated, and she saw that it was Emily calling.“Emily!” She called the minute she answered the phone.“I'm here with Joan. Where are you?” She asked. Nicole noticed the excitement in her voice and chuckled. Emily couldn't wait to see Nicole.“I'm in the dressing room. Tell me where you are instead? I'll come pick you up.” Nicole said.“We're at the parking lot.” “Alright, I'm c
110.**Author's POV**Kayla couldn't believe her eyes. What was Demi doing here? Demi on the other hand couldn't believe Kayla was here as well, but the shock vanished as soon as it came.“Who did you give your body to get here this time?” She asked and Kayla furrowed her brows.“What are you talking about?” Kayla asked with a frown on her face.Demi chuckled. “You usually sleep with men to get to anywhere. I know you can't move Mr. Easton with your body, so tell me, who did you sell your body to this time since that's what you're obviously good at?” She asked.Kayla balled her fists. “I won't tolerate you insulting me, Demi. Mind the way you speak to me before I make you regret it!” She snapped.Demi sneered. She took a glass of wine and took a sip. “Easton serves the best wine. Very soon, I'm going to be among his models. He invited me here to have a look before I sign the final documents with him. What about you?” She asked, changing the topic to something that would benefit her.
180.FINAL CHAPTER**Author's POV**The day for the wedding finally came and Nicole couldn't stop her tears. She had come so far with Easton, and she was proud to say he was the best thing that has ever happened to her.As she stood, facing the mirror in her wedding gown that sparkled like diamonds in the soft light, she couldn't help but think about how far they had come. From the first day they met until this day, she had no regrets.It had started with some sort of agreement, but today it was something real; something sacred and something that would usher them into a new phase of their journey in life.Her makeup artist had to retouch her face and begged her not to shed any more tear. Nicole nodded with a smile.“You look stunning. I'm sure Easton's jaw will drop once he sets his eyes on you.” Emily complimented as she walked into the room.“I know, right? I ain't a model for nothing.” Nicole smirked and Emily laughed.“I see your ego is still intact,” she said, causing Nicole to c
179.SEMI-FINAL CHAPTER**Author's POV**The files were collected and handed over to the judge, who looked through them while Easton explained everything. “It turns out that Ariana was pregnant for her boyfriend and when she saw that he wouldn't be able to take care of her, she pinned it on my father because they had a one-night stand before and made him marry her. When she came into the house, she refused to acknowledge my mother as her co-wife and did all manner of things to get rid of her. All didn't work, and she resorted to poisoning her,” he explained, and the people present gasped.“That's not all, she made sure it was done neatly and did all she could to bury the secret in the rug. She thought she had escaped, and now she's trying to claim properties for a son who isn't even my father's. The DNA test has been conducted, and the results are there. She is a deceitful woman and must be punished by the law!”Carson couldn't believe all these. He faced his mother. “So, he is not my
178.**Easton's POV**As we drove back to my house, Nicole held me tight as she rested her head on my shoulders. Whenever we passed by a speed bump, her grip on me would tighten like she still couldn't believe I was alive and felt like I would vanish if she let me go. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead to remind her that I was going nowhere.Now that I have been granted a second chance to love her again, I would make her the happiest woman on earth. She looked at me with a huge smile on her face and I couldn't help but smile back. It was good to be back. We drove into the compound and I released a long breath. It's been a while and I wondered how Dad and the rest are doing. Edwin told me everything that happened and how things took a turn for the worst, including Ariana and Carson's atrocities. The good thing is I am back, and I am going to return order to this family.We got down from the car and Nicole intertwined our fingers as we walked in together. “I can't wait to see the lo
177.Author's POVTHE HOSPITAL…Nicole's eyes fluttered open and she looked around. She sat up, realizing that she was in the hospital. She laughed out loud when she suddenly recalled what happened.“I must be delusional! No, I'm going crazy!” she exclaimed, placing her hand on her head. “How can I be so dumb, huh? I missed Easton so much that I now have hallucinations because of him.” she spoke to herself, tears rolling down her cheeks.“You were not hallucinating, Nicole, it's real. Easton is alive,” Maven walked in with Edwin and Mrs. Felicia.Nicole shook her head. “No, I'm going crazy. You all are lying. You're just saying this to make me feel better. Easton is dead,” she snapped, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I was at the hospital. Edwin, you were there too. He wasn't breathing. His body was cold and stiff and when I took his hand, it went limp! He got buried right before my eyes, so stop making it worse for me. Just take me to a mental asylum because it's obvious I've gone
176.NEXT DAY…**Nicole's POV**My eyes fluttered open to the ray of sunshine that filtered in through the windows and I couldn't help but smile sadly; it was my birthday.“Hurray,” I muttered lazily and sat up on the bed. I looked up at the ceiling and pictured Easton looking down on me. “Hey, handsome, today is my birthday. It was supposed to be my first birthday with you, and I had already thought of how today would have been, but everything got ruined. You died and left me all alone here to celebrate today on my own. You have plenty of explanations to give me when we see each other again, mister!” I snapped, hoping he would hear me wherever he was.I smiled as tears rolled down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them off as Mrs. Felicia's words rang in my ears. I stood to my feet; I should make this day worthwhile for myself and for him.I rushed into the bathroom and took my bath. When I was out, I walked straight to my wardrobe and scanned through the clothes I had. My eyes went to the
175.Nicole's POVDays passed after my encounter with Ariana and Carson and everything seemed to have calmed down after that. We agreed to go to court as planned, but the case was adjourned until next month due to reasons best known to the court.My birthday is tomorrow, and I had already intended to spend the day with Easton. If I can't spend it with him while he was alive, I can as well spend it beside his grave.This was supposed to be my first birthday with him and…I trailed off in my thoughts and wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks. I heaved a deep breath and stared at my computer. I missed Easton so much. Every day, I keep seeing things that remind me of him, and it hurts whenever I go out for an evening walk and see couples being all lovey-dovey with each other. He was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I would forever be grateful to him for that.I checked my wristwatch and sucked in a deep breath. Why was Edwin not back yet? He told me he was going to the
174.**Nicole's POV**The next day, it was already sunset and I couldn't help the eerie feeling that crawled up my skin. Ariana's threat kept echoing inside my head. I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen and till now I have no idea why.I took my phone and called Edwin. “Edwin?” I called immediately he answered the phone, my voice shaking.“Nicole, are you okay?” He asked.“No, I'm not,” I answered and he hung up. Before I knew it, the door to the office opened and he rushed to me. “What is wrong with you? You can tell me anything.” He said and I sighed.“I'm scared, Edwin. Ariana came with Carson tested and threatened to do something drastic if I didn't release the company's documents to her by sunset today. It'd already sunset and I keep having this sick feeling in my stomach that something bad is about to happen.” I explained to him and he sighed.“You don't need to worry. I already reported to the police by showing them the email sent to you and they are trying t
173.**Author's POV**BACK IN AMERICA…“Have you been stressing lately, Ms. Brennan?” Doctor Faith asked and Edwin gave Nicole the look.She dabbed her index fingers together and stared at the doctor. “She's been burying her face in work lately without breaks. At this rate, she has turned into a machine.” Edwin answered with his arms folded.Doctor Faith smiled. “I thought as much,” She brought out a paper and wrote something in it. “Your body has been stressed lately and you need rest. I'd suggest you take a two weeks break, go out for exercise, do recreational activities and go out to have fun more often. Your body needs it.” She suggested and Nicole shook her head.“I don't need any of that. Just hand me some drugs and I will be fine.” She countered.“Of course I'll give you drugs that'll ease your fever and make you feel better, but I won't go back on my word, Ms. Brennan. I insist that you take a break to bring your body back together. If you keep stressing it, you'll have a men
172.**Author's POV**The next morning, Nicole woke up with a severe headache. Her head banged like it was being put inside a mortar and pounded. She held her head and came down from the bed as she head to the water dispenser in the room.She took a cup and drank from it. “Fuck, why did I drink too much?” She asked herself and sighed.A knock sounded on the door and she muttered a “come in”. Edwin walked in with a tray of food in his hand. “Good morning,” He flashed her a smile and she returned it. She rushed to him and took the tray from him. “Good morning. You shouldn't have stressed yourself like this.” She ruffled her hair.“You were drunk last night. It's necessary that you take some hangover soup to help.” He replied, causing her to smile.“I'm already being a nuisance,” She sighed and sat on the bed. “I feel like I'm making you do a lot of strenous things, you know? You've been acting like a father and I've been more like a troublesome baby.” She placed the food in her mouth