151.**Author's POV**Melissa couldn't believe what just came out of Easton's mouth. He had asked her out on a date, made her get dressed and dolled up just for him to ask her for tips on how to propose to Nicole? This was absurd.She couldn't see anything else and just stared at Easton in shock. Easton on the other end didn't notice how shocked she was.“I really want to propose to her before she leaves for her event. I have no idea how to go about the perfect proposal, what to do and how the stuff works. Since you're a girl like her, I know you will definitely know what she likes, won't you?” He asked, finally raising his head to look at her. She forced a smile immediately.“Yes, of course I do,” She answered, her heart boiling in rage.Easton smiled and heaved a deep sigh of relief. “That's wonderful then! I want to get the proposal done tomorrow. If you can share tips with me, I'll get everything done immediately. And I'd really appreciate that.” He smiled at her.As much as she ha
152.**Author's POV**Nicole couldn't believe this was actually happening right now. She thought it was a dream and if it was, she wished never to wake up again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at Easton, her heart bubbling with unspeakable joy. The people around started clapping to encourage her, and she smiled at Easton. “Yes, I'll marry you!” She exclaimed, and he placed the ring on her hand.Nicole stared at the beautiful ring and kissed him. They hugged as cameras flashed in all directions, capturing the moment, and before they knew it, it was on the news and had gone viral. Everyone was talking about it, and some were even watching it live and dropping comments about how happy they were that these couples are finally going to get married.Some girls were painted that Easton was off the market. They had crushed and admired him for years, but now he was getting married and leaving them behind. As much as they hated this, they didn't know what to do. It was too late, and
153. **Author’s POV** Easton couldn't believe what he was seeing right now. Melissa was in a black lingerie, and she didn't even cover it up. Was she trying to seduce him or what? Melissa didn't answer his question, instead she took slow steps to where he was seated and traced circles on his chest. Easton slapped her hand away and quickly stood to his feet. “What the heck do you think you're doing? Are you drunk?” he asked because he had no idea what was happening here and what this lady was up to. Melissa chuckled. “I am not drunk, Easton. But if there is anything I'm drunk with, it's the love I have for you.” she wanted to touch him again, but he slapped her hand away once more. “Don't touch me,” he warned her. “When did you start this one? We've been friends for God knows how long. I seriously wish you're playing a prank on me right now. Go put your clothes on.” he turned away from her, but she walked to where he could see her. “This isn't a prank, Easton. I know it's comin
154.**Nicole’s POV**I walked back to my room after the show and heaved a deep breath as I plunged to the bed. The door opened and Emily walked in. “What do you think you’re doing?” She asked, her face contorting into a frown with her arms folded.I scrunched up my face in confusion as I looked at her. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m trying to rest.” I answered with a sigh as I placed my hands at the back of my head. “You still have an interview with Flow Fashion newspapers and the show is airing on an hour. You shouldn’t be lying down here but preparing to leave.” She scolded and I groaned in frustration.“Is that today?” I felt like crying. Since I got here, it’s been from one show to another. I haven’t had the chance to rest or even take some shot eye. Worse, I haven’t been able to speak with Easton as well, and I miss him like hell. I couldn’t wait for all these to be over this week, and I’d finally be able to go home. “Yes, it’s today, Nicole. Don’t tell me you forgot!” She facepalme
155.**Easton's POV**I froze the minute the question left her mouth. Was it that obvious? Has it become that obvious? I quickly composed myself and smiled at her. “No, I'm perfectly fine. You don't have to get worried.” I assured her with a smile, but she didn't look like she believed what I was saying.“You don't look fine to me. Tell me, babe. What's the matter with you? Why do you seem like you're going to die any minute?” The panicked expression she had on her face made my heart bleed. I shook my head frantically and gave her an assuring smile again.I knew I had to find a way out of this to avoid her numerous questions, so I decided to say what was actually going on in my mind.“Do you really want to know what is wrong with me?” I asked, and she nodded, a look of determination in her eyes. “It's because I missed you so much, and I feel sick without having you by my side. I feel like dying when I wake up in the morning and can't see your face. Do you have any idea how many effec
156.**Author's POV**The day for the date finally came. Melissa stood in front of the mirror as she wore her clothes. She was finally going to end this all today. She packed her hair into a ponytail and wore a sleeveless red gown that stopped below her knees. Her makeup was moderate yet sexy. She smiled at the mirror. “I will get everything I've always wanted today. Nothing is going to stop me now.” With a huge smile, she grabbed her purse and stepped out of the room. She alighted the stairs to see Easton already waiting for her. His bag was turned to her and she used that opportunity to admire how broad his back was. He had always been someone she secretly admired right from when they were kids, but things had to take a different route and here they were; here she was going to take what rightfully belongs to her by force.She sucked in a breath and finally got down from the stairs. She cleared her throat to draw Easton's attention. Easton turned to look at her and smiled.“You rea
157.**Author’s POV**Nicole pinched herself to see whether she was dreaming or this was reality but alas! She wasn’t dreaming. She covered her mouth to muffle her cries as she rushed to the living room door.Easton had alre put something on and rushed after her. “Nicole wait! Give me the chance to explain. Please, it’s not what you think!” He called after her and she stopped in her tracks.“Not what I think? Easton, you were in bed with her… naked. You two were naked!” she snapped as she couldn’t get that horrible sight out of her head.She wondered why Easton would chose to break her heart this way. “Believe me, I have no idea what happened. I just woke up and saw—”“And you expect me to believe that?”“Nicole, listen to me. I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you, Nicole. You have to trust me please.” Easton held her shoulders.“How do you expect me to trust you after what I have seen? I wasn’t told, Easton. I saw it with my two eyes. You were in bed with that bitch! She
158.**Author's POV**Melissa panicked as she held her head. “What do I do? What should I do?” She bent down and placed her hand on Easton's chest. She leaned close to see if he was breathing, but he wasn't. His pulse was weak.She became scared and ran to her room. She took her phone and called Frederick. He answered after the first ring. “Frederick, I'm on deep shit. I had no idea Easton was sick, and I think the drug I put in his drink yesterday just made things worse. He spat out blood and is unconscious right now. I don't know what to do.”“Calm down, Melissa. I have no idea what you are talking about. Did the plan work or not?” He asked.“The plan worked and Nicole has gone, but—”“That's all I need to hear. I don't care whether Easton dies or leaves. It would be good for him to die anyway. That way, Nicole would have no choice but to choose me at last.” He laughed out loud. He really loved how things had turned out. That would mean that he was the only one who was going to have
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