CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH MY BILLIONAIRE EX

Onika's POV

I stared out of the window of the taxi excitedly as I approached Nathan's house. I didn't notify him that I would be coming because I wanted to surprise him.

Today was his birthday and I did a lot out of my confidence zone to be able to afford his gifts, it was all going to be worth it as I pictured the smile on his face.

Soon I arrived at his ma shin and I paid the taxi man and I got down carrying all the gifts to my chest.

I was utterly excited and I doubted when last I was that happy that the thought of putting a smile on his face was enough to keep me going.

I turned the door knob and I walked in, there was no sign of him in the kitchen so I inquired about his whereabouts from the maid.

"He is still in bed." She muttered but I could notice a foul countenance on her face, it seemed like fear but I didn't bother paying that much attention to it.

I thanked her and dropped all the gifts in the living room as I proceeded upstairs to Nathan's living room.

I could hear a feminine voice giggling inside the room and my heart immediately raced at the thought. I wondered what was going on as my hands froze on the doorknob.

Who was he in with? And what were they giggling about? My heart was starting to become heavy and all of that excited countenance slowly slipped away.

I gathered up the courage and turned the doorknob walking into the room. Nathan's gaze turned to look at me alongside a lady who was wearing my supposed rope.

My heart thundered as I leaned against the door for support. Nathan walked up to me but I moved away from me.

"It's not what you think Onika and calm down." He said calmly reaching for my shoulder but I moved away from him.

"I calm down? Calm down about what exactly? About how you're screwing another girl while I spent all I had to get your birthday gifts? And you dare to tell me to calm down?" I roared out walking ahead to him as I turned my gaze to the lady but Nathan immediately stepped in front of her.

His action hurt me badly because it was obvious he didn't want anything to happen to her. My chest felt heavy like the rest of my body and my legs began to fail me.

"Listen up Onika and enough with this madness, if you won't let me speak then you might as well leave and conclude what you please." He said in a tone of finality avoiding my gaze.

I finally calmed down, maybe because it was time too, or maybe because I feared he was indirectly telling me to leave him.

"Okay, I want to listen to your explanation. Who is she and what is she doing in your room, in my robe and what was all the giggling about?" I asked calmly even if it seemed like I forced the words out of my mouth.

Nathan was quiet for a while and finally, he started talking.

"I honestly don't think I owe you that much of an explanation, to be honest. I'll tell you a few for the sake of decency..."

His countenance and tone to me already changed and it made my chest ache even more.

He was never like this and the only time I remembered he ever acted like this was when his mom asked me to leave me and date someone of his status.

Fortunately for us, we made it past that stage until now.

"This here is Anna and she's my friend. She spent the night here, she only came here to thank me for helping her last night, hence the giggles. What else?" He asked coldly.

Even if I bought the excuse he gave, I couldn't buy his attitude along with it. He was being cold and mean to me and it was so painful to be overlooked.

"What's wrong with you Nathan? Why are you speaking to me in such a manner?" I managed to utter as my tone Began breaking already.

He remained quiet and I smiled and walked out of the room. I went back downstairs to get my bag and leave and probably revisit the issue. Right now the atmosphere was tense and I feared the outcome.

I stared at the gifts I bought for him and how excited I was coming here, he just had to ruin it.

I could sense the tears falling down my cheeks as I wiped them off immediately. Just as I approached the door I heard his tone.

"Wait."

I turned slowly and stared at him deeply not wanting to miss a single emotion.

He walked closer, noticed the gifts, and then returned his gaze to me.

"You didn't have to do that, I asked you to stop spending your money on me." He said in a cold tone that sent me aback.

"I just wanted to do something special for you, it wasn't a lot," I muttered even if that was a blunt lie. I spent a whole lot I didn't have on the gifts.

Nathan knew I was lying and he didn't smile like he always did, this time around his face remained strict and cold.

"Thank you fit the gift but I need to be real with you Onika, I don't know exactly how you're supposed to take this but take it anyways.." he made a slight pause.

I expected the worst to begin admitting he had something to do with the lady in his room but reality hit me real hard.

"I do not want to continue this relationship with you. I've been trying to make things work but I can't continue that for long, my mom doesn't support us and she never will. I hope you understand."

Understand? Understand that I was being dumped.

I lost all parts to speak, I knew if I stayed there for one more minute I was going to break down, and without uttering a single word I walked out of the room.

Chapter 2

Onika's POV

Two years later,

Today was going to be a lot, a great day or a disaster, I didn't know which and I certainly couldn't tell.

My heart groaned as I tried to get a hold of myself by taking a glass of water and taking it all in a single gulp.

A lot of thoughts crowded my mind as I pondered on what I was supposed to center my thoughts on. Frustration was starting to slip in, mixing in with anxiousness.

I was feeling very hot even though the room was well-ventilated. A lot of people were going to be present today and not just people, but Socialites of a very high social cadre.

I could tell I was going to be intimidated by their presence because they were just... rich. I suddenly had mixed feelings about my paintings and presenting them.

What if they didn't like it? What if I was ridiculed? What if no one even bothers paying attention to it? I knew anxiousness was beginning to slip in and there was nothing I could do to calm myself.

At that moment, the door to the room opened and my friend-client walked in swiftly with a very broad smile on his face as he approached me. His smile was enough to force one onto my face.

I immediately smiled because I didn't want him to know I was nervous or anything.

Kent noticed my countenance anyway as he sat down gently beside me.

"Anxiety?" He inquired calmly.

I wanted to deny it because I knew there was no way it was that evident but maybe his advice would be helpful.

"I think so," I muttered and he smiled brightly.

"That's normal for every upcoming star like yourself Onika, I'll advise you to be calm because everything is going to be fine."

It didn't seem like that, I just didn't feel like I wanted to do this anymore. Even if I was The Who consented to Kent's idea I was still having mixed feelings. I didn't want to reject his kind gesture even if I felt I wasn't ready.

Kent was a client of mine who developed an interest in my work which I sincerely appreciated. He remained one of my top customers and slowly a friend.

Even if I wasn't fine with keeping friends, he was so determined to be my friend.

Avoiding no choice, I obliged because I also took a liking to his kind personality.

"You're going to be fine, now we need to go down, we wouldn't want to keep our guests waiting." Kent excitedly walked towards the direction of the door. He almost seemed more excited than me.

"Aren't you coming?" He inquired, staring at me with a suspicious look.

"I just need some minutes to touch up my makeup, you should go ahead I'll meet you down there."

"Okay if you say so, but don't take time, we'll like to start with a good attitude. Nice dress by the way." He uttered and walked away, shutting the door behind him.

I finally gasped for air the moment he walked out. I wanted to touch up any makeup but I did need to see if there was anything wrong with my dress. If there was one thing about these types of events it was that every little detail was captured by the press.

I wouldn't want to be caught slacking off, not when I was trying so hard to give a good impression.

I walked over to the mirror to check out if my dress was in good shape I could see the nervousness directly and I hoped it wasn't obvious to the others.

"I can do this," I mumbled under my breath and picked up my purse. After I was sure I was calm and approachable, I walked out of the room.

I got into the elevator and just as the door was about to close, I could see someone running to the door to catch up but it was too late.

I didn't know if I was hallucinating or if the person looked rather familiar. I decided not to pay any attention to it and focus on my problem up ahead.

The faint elevator bell sounded so loud in my ear that it snapped me out of my mixed thoughts. I walked out and I was beyond shocked at the number of people in the hall.

I looked around and my oh rings were hung at every section of the hall in a very beautiful manner, this was my first time seeing the Interior and Kent outdid himself.

I saw a lot of people hovering around my paintings with smiles on their faces as the hall buzzed with noises from each section. This made me happy as I tried to locate Kent.

This didn't take me long as he found me first. "Oh well, if it isn't the talented artist herself." He said in a very audible tone and all eyes turned to look at me.

My legs froze immediately as the paparazzi were taking pictures of me from each corner, almost blinding me in the process.

Kent noticed this and walked over to me, with his hands placed on my shoulders as he moved me around to show everyone.

Kent approached some men in threes who were the quietest ones I had seen so far in the room. They looked so eloquent and neat, and their suits looked like they could buy the whole hall.

One of them turned to the bar but I could see the faces of the other two and it looked like they belonged to a very high business group. I could have sworn the ba m figure looked so familiar but I shrugged it off.

"Hope you're enjoying the atmosphere?" Kent inquired still with his hands placed over my shoulder which only made me nervous as their gazes turned to me.

"Yes, it's all well. This is a great artist is it not?" One of the men inquired, staring at me.

"Yes she is, this is Onika and she's the artist behind these magnificent works of art," Kent said in my appraisal.

"Nice to meet you Onik, I'm Jack." One of the men said stretching forth his hands which I took and smiled.

"And I'm Lucas, nice to meet you Onika." The second man said stretching his hands forth for a shake too.

"And lastly, This is Nathan," Kent uttered as my thoughts immediately ran to the Nathan I knew, he turned over and I was beyond shocked to see Nathan, my ex.

Chapter 3

Onikas POV

I could feel the anger as it built up inside of me as I stared at him and the priceless look on his face was definitely to my delight.

I reached for Kent's hands and held mine immediately as I saw his gaze narrow to our hands, I smiled.

"Onika...You're here." He stammered and I could see the shock and disappointment evident in his face which was to my delight.

"Yes, I am, it's my party," I said confidently.

Kent looked at the both of us alongside the other one and everyone was wondering what was going on.

"Do you both know yourselves from somewhere ?" Kent finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Oh yes, we do," I replied almost immediately, staring weirdly at me. I could tell he was uncomfortable and something about that just made me happy.

Kent stared at me for some further explanation but I didn't respond, I remained quiet and kept on staring at Nathan who looked like he wanted to be swallowed.

After some minutes of awkward silence, Kent finally spoke.

"Okay we'll have to go check up on the other guests, take care, gentlemen, Nathan.." he said and we were about to leave when I heard his voice.

"It's nice to meet you again, Onika." I heard him utter without turning my back for a single second.

I didn't respond and I just urged Kent to take me to other guests. After leaving his presence, I began to feel very uneasy. I felt sick and choked up.

I had never imagined in a million years that this was how I and Nathan would end up meeting. I loved the position at which he met Kent because it would portray I moved in already.

I tried to concentrate on the guests but my mind was too occupied, I couldn't cope and I was starting to feel uneasy.

"Are you feeling okay?" Kent inquired looking at me worriedly.

"I don't think so, I need to use the restroom, I'll be back Soon," I said and hurried away.

As soon as I got into the restroom I was glad when I realized I was the only one there. I stared at the mirror and I could see the fear and anxiety in my face.

I hurriedly washed off my face as I started breathing heavily. My head was pounding as unpleasant memories began flooding my thoughts once again.

It all felt like yesterday, it still felt like a fresh wound in my heart even if it had been years since it happened. He betrayed me and nothing was going to prepare me for what happened today.

I remembered his birthday, the gifts, and the breakup and it all made tears gather in the corner of my eyes. There was no way I was going to cry about that coward, it was his fault anyway. He could have done better, he could have fought for us, but he didn't!

I wiped off my face and placed a smile on my face, his being here was a great test of my sanity and I was going to pull through.

When I was sure I was organized, I walked out of the restroom and I was startled to see Nathan standing there waiting for me. My heart began racing again as I tried avoiding him but he blocked my way.

"I'm trying to talk to you, can you please wait?" He asked calmly and for a moment I was Lost in his face, I was lost in what we were.

He was everything I wanted then, he was all I had and now we were nothing but strangers.

"Talk to me about what? I do not have the time for any conversation." I said coldly and walked out of his presence.

As soon as I got into the hall, I knew I couldn't cope here anymore. I needed to go home and rest my head because the happenings today were enough for a night.

I looked for Kent and I found him easily talking to some guests and I walked over to me notifying him that I wanted to speak with him.

"I want to go home," I muttered with a lot of mixed feelings lingering around my heart.

"Is anything wrong with you? Are you sick? Or is there something you need to tell me?" He asked worriedly.

"I'm just tired, I need to rest at home."

I knew Kent was smart enough to tell I was lying but he probably didn't want to say anything.

"Okay go ahead for the car, I'll greet some guests and join you there."

Without uttering a single word I walked out of the hall and I could have sworn I saw Nathan in a corridor staring at me.

I hurried to the car and got in finally relaxing, and catching my breath as I waited patiently for Kent. After some minutes he finally came.

"Sorry I kept you waiting, we can go now." He said he eyed the car and drove off.

Throughout the ride, I couldn't get the coincidence of meeting Nathan out of my mind.