Contract Marriage With Mr CEO

Layo's fingers trembled as she adjusted the lace trim of her gown.

The delicate fabric felt foreign beneath her touch, as if it belonged to someone else, someone whose wedding wasn't on the verge of crumbling.

The murmurs around her grew louder, whispers weaving through the grand hall like an unsettling melody. She tried to ignore them, keeping her eyes fixed on the large wooden doors at the far end of Christ Covenant Cathedral. Any moment from now, Tony would walk through them breathless from rushing, an apologetic smile on his lips. He would take her hands, squeeze them gently and whisper some excuse about last minute nerves.

But as the minutes stretched unbearably long, doubt slithered into her chest with a vice like grip.

From the front row, her mother's sharp gaze pierced through her. It was a warning, a silent command to keep her composure. Layo inhaled deeply, lifting her chin. No matter what was happening, she wouldn't embarrass herself.

Then, at last, the door creaked open. The man of the moment arrived.

Her heart lurched as she turned, relief flooding through her, only to freeze in a place when she saw him.

Tony strolled in at an unhurried pace, quite intentional, as if he weren't arriving disgracefully late to his own wedding. His suit was crisp, his posture relaxed, his expression unreadable.

But something was off, there was no urgency in his steps, no remorse in his gaze.

A cold wave of unease swept over Layo, raising the tiny hairs on her arms.

The hall once filled with murmurs, fell into a suffocating silence.

Tony came to a stop few steps away from her, his dark eyes scanning her face, yet offering nothing in return.

Layo swallowed the lump rising in her throat. "You're late", she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

A muscle twitched in Tony's jaw, but his stance didn't shift. Then, with a measured breath, he spoke the words that sent her entire world crashing down.

"I can't do this", he said, with all the nerves he could possibly muster.

Layo blinked. For a second, the words didn't register.

Then a sharp ringing filled her ears, drowning out the collective gasps from the guests. She forced herself to breathe, to move, to react, anything but stand there like a fool.

"What??"

Tony's gaze remained steady, but there was something unnervingly distant about it. He was completely detached.

"I don't want this wedding," he affirmed.

The air in the hall grew unbearably thick.

Layo's stomach twisted violently, nausea creeping up her throat. This had to be a mistake, a moment of panic, he probably wasn't thinking clearly.

Her voice was barely a whisper. "Why?"

His jaw tightened. For a moment, something flickered across his face, but it was gone too fast for her to grasp.

"I just can't," he said simply.

Layo's fingers crossed into fists, her nails pressing painfully into her palms. Heat pricked at her eyes, but she wouldn't cry. Not her, Infront of all these people.

Layo's mother's voice sliced through the silence, firm and filled with barely restrained fury.

"What nonsense are you saying?? We are in the middle of a wedding and this wedding must

happen oo. You can't disgrace my daughter like

this, laye! Laye!(Never)".

A ripple of tension spread across the hall. Eyes bore into Layo from every direction, waiting, watching, hungry for the spectacle unfolding before them. But, Tony didn't flinch, he didn't shift. He only exhaled and said, "I don't love her."

Something inside Layo cracked, a sharp unbearable pain lodging itself in her chest.

She willed herself to stay rooted, to not crumble under the weight of humiliation tightening around her throat.

Her voice was quiet but firm. "Then why wait until now? Why Tony Ajayi?? To humiliate me?? To make mockery of yourself??"

Tony didn't answer.

The silence between them stretched, suffocating and unrelenting.

Layo's breath slowed, realization finally dawned on her. Whatever was happening, whatever has changed, he sure has made up his mind before this moment. He had planned this moment, he had planned this sting of betrayal threatening to consume her.

She braced up herself, and with calculated steps, she turned away from him. Away from the stares , whispers and unspoken pity dripping from every corner of the hall and from the cameras.

She forced back the tears that were almost dropping out, determined not to cry, not Infront of him and not for the cameras.

I wasn't sure how I made it out of the hall.

One moment, I was standing Infront of Tony, suffocating under the weight of his betrayal. The next, I was at the back seat of mum's car, staring blankly at the blurred city scape rushing past the window.

Everything seemed to be happening so fast, like an illusion. I always dreamed about my wedding day, how grand and beautiful it would be, completely the opposite of what has occurred.

Mum sat beside me, radiating barely contained rage. She barely liked Tony, little wonder why. They always said, "A child can't see what an adult sees while sitting, even when he stands". This saying played out so well in my case.

"Disgraceful ", mummy muttered under her breath for the fifth time. I could understand, I feel so terrible for putting her in this position.

I felt like someone had scooped out my insides and left only an empty shell. I've never been this numb my entire life, I honestly just wanted to vanish.

Mummy's voice hardened,

" Do you know how humiliating this is?

The whole of Lagos was there, watching, gossiping. Do you think they'll ever forget?"

My jaw clenched, and my fingers tightened. This was Mum's problem, always thinking about Lagos gossips. I honestly didn't care who forgets or who remembers. Like I myself could ever forget.

I couldn't even tell what hurt me most, the shame of being rejected at he altar or the fact that I didn't see it coming.

Tony had promised me forever. He had told me he loved me even till this morning, he had made me believe in a future that never even existed. Yet, when I looked into his eyes today, he was a total stranger.

My stomach twisted, and I forced myself to swallow the nausea.

Mummy exhaled sharply,

"We need to do damage control oo.

The media will eat this up."

The ringing in my ears were too loud that I could barely hear mummy. Then suddenly, the car lurched to a stop, snapping me out of my thoughts as I blinked twice. We were Infront of mummy's house, her large pristine mansion in Ikoyi. The driver stepped out to open the door.

"Come inside, we need to talk." Mum instructed.

I didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment especially not mum. I just wanted to be alone.

" No, mum." I responded calmly.

"Excuse me," her eyes narrowed.

"I.... I just need to be alone mum," I forced myself to speak.

Mum scoffed, "Alone? Alone to do what exactly? Sit in self pity??

You don't have that luxury, Layo. People are watching. You need to show strength."

This was the part I hated most, mummy being so concerned about people and telling me what to do. Even though, I hate to admit she was right.

I swallowed against the tightness in my throat, " I'll be fine, mum".

Mummy paused her lips, she was clearly unsatisfied. After what seemed like eternity of staring at me, she exhaled and waved a dismissive hand.

"Do whatever you want. Just don't do anything foolish, Layo.

I had nothing to say back but I was relieved she didn't press further.

I remained in the car letting the driver shut the car as the vehicle pulled away releasing a shaky breath.

••••••••••

My apartment was eerily quiet when I walked in. Completely different from the excited atmosphere I left hours ago.

I ripped of the wedding gown, tossing it onto the floor as it burned my skin and felt like a curse.

Collapsing on the bed, I broke into tears. All of a sudden, it felt like the gates of my eyes snapped open and the tears I've been holding all day poured out. I felt empty.

Perhaps, Tony never loved me. He should be given an award for player of the year because, he was so smooth with his games. To lead me on till he shattered me at the altar?? On our supposed wedding day??

Even though I was clothed, and in my confined room, I felt naked. Exposed before the world.

My phone buzzed on the night stand but I ignored it.

It buzzed again, and again.

I reached for it dreading what I could possibly see.

Missed calls: 10 from Mercy, 3 from Tony, 2 from Mum

Messages;

Mercy: "Babes, are you okay? Please call me"

Mercy: "People are already talking. Don't go online."

Mercy:"Layo, please talk to me."

My stomach twisted violently. I obviously didn't need to go online to know what's happening. My disgrace was already trending.

Attempting to turn off my phone, another notification popped up.

It was Tony.

Sitting up quickly, I hurriedly cleaned my eyes with my hands to see clearly.

Tony: I'm sorry.

I had no idea when I laughed out bitterly.

I anticipated an explanation, maybe he could tell me it's a prank and our wedding has been shifted, something like that. But rather, he sends me a pathetic apology?? Sorry? That's all he had to say after publicly humiliating me, after tearing apart everything we've built??

My fingers tightened around the phone as I forced myself to set it down.

I wanted to reply him, cursing him till he regretted his existence, but no, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Pulling the covers over my head, I closed my eyes tightly hoping to will the world away, or probably bid it farewell.

But, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't when I felt like someone else.

The morning light streamed through the curtains, painting golden streaks across Layo's bedroom walls.

She stared at the ceiling, her body probably heavy with exhaustion. She hadn't slept, not really.

Every time she closed her eyes, Tony's voice re-echoed in her head.

"I can't do this,"

"I don't love her."

She forced herself to sit up, her limbs sluggish, and her heart, still weighed down by the sting of betrayal.

Dragging herself out of bed, she walked to the bathroom and turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face. The chill likely shocked her system, pulling her out of the fog of last night.

With steady hands, she picked up her phone and opened Instagram.

She had been avoiding it, but there was no reason escaping reality. The first thing she saw was her name with bold captions and hashtags.

#Bossladylayoleftatthealtar.

#Tonydidherdirty.

#Weddinggonewrong.

Her stomach probably twisted but she didn't flinch.

She clicked on one of the posts, a video played. Tony walking into the hall, the hushed whispers, the moment he shattered her world.

The comments where worse.

"Omo, this one pain me. How can you disgrace someone like this?"

"I knew it, men like Tony don't settle for influencers. He dodged a bullet."

"Layo will be fine abeg. She should keep giving us content and move on."

"Maybe she was the problem, sef.."

Layo inhaled sharply, dropping the phone onto the bed, anger and humiliation curling inside her.

"Was she the problem? Had she been blind?" , she asked herself.

Her thoughts spiraled, but before she could sink too deep, a knock on the door jolted her back to present.

She sighed, dragging herself out of bed.

When she pulled the door open, her friend Mercy stood there, her arms crossed and brows furrowed with concern.

Mercy pushed past her into the apartment, her sharp eyes scanning Layo from head to toe and back.

"You look like hell, girly," she lamented.

"Good morning to you too," Layo muttered shutting the door.

Mercy whirled around.

"What the hell happened, Layo?"

Layo folded her arms across her chest, her throat tightening.

"You saw the video, you already know."

Mercy exhaled her expression softening.

"I don't mean that, I mean why? Why did he do this? Did he say anything to you?"

Layo swallowed hard shaking her head.

"Nothing. He just said he didn't want the wedding."

"Ah!" Mercy's lips parted in disbelief. "And babes, you didn't ask why?"

"I... I did," Layo bit out. "He refused to answer."

Mercy's hand clenched into fists. "Chaaii! That bastard."

Layo sat on the couch, pressing her fingers against her temple.

"I just don't understand, Mercy. Everything was fine..... And suddenly it wasn't."

Mercy shifted close to her. "Are you sure there wasn't another woman?"

The question likely sent a sharp pang through Layo's chest, she shook her head.

"No, he would never cheat."

Mercy scoffed. "Sweetheart, you'd be surprised. Men??"

Layo sighed, rubbing her arm. "I just want to move one."

Mercy studied her for a moment before nodding.

"Then that's exactly what we're going to do. We're taking control of this narrative."

Layo frowned. "How?"

Mercy smirked. "You're going to post something."

Layo hesitated. "Post what? I don't want to talk about it oo."

"Who said you have to talk? Just post a picture of yourself looking unbothered.

Show them that you're still standing, still thriving."

Layo considered it. It wasn't a bad idea.

She had spent years building her brand. She wasn't going to let a man ruin her reputation.

With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone, walked to the mirror and took a selfie..

Her hair was messy, her skin bare, but her eyes. Her eyes held quiet defiance.

She uploaded the picture with a simple caption:

"STILL STANDING."

Within minutes, comments flooded in.

"Yes, queen! Shake it off!"

"That's right gurl! Don't let them see you sweat."

"Tony is thrash, you deserve better."

Layo stared at the screen, feeling a bit relieved.

Mercy sat at the coffee table with a broad knowing smile. She tapped her nails against the coffee table dramatically.

"Okay, what's the next step?" She asked.

"I don't have the energy to think about next steps right now, Mercy."

"Well you should," Mercy countered. "Your ex just humiliated you infront of the whole Lagos. Infact the whole country cause your news should probably be on its way to Abuja by now." "The only way to regain power is to make moves. Show the world that you don't need him, that you're better off without him."

Layo sighed, rubbing her temples. " I don't care what the world thinks."

Mercy arched a brow. "Really? Then why did you post that picture?"

Layo hesitated. "Because, I don't want them to think I'm weak."

"Exactly. So let's build on that Mercy leaned forward."

"Have you checked your email? Brands are probably flooding in with Sympathy deals. You should capitalize on this."

Layo stiffened. The thought of leveraging her pain for engagement made her stomach turn.

But she couldn't deny the reality, her name was everywhere and she has always known how to control her image.

Slowly, she reached for her laptop and opened her email.

Mercy was right, the offers started pouring in.

•Luxury skincare brand: "We stand with Layo. Let's collaborate."

•Adire fashion label: "Stay strong. We'd love to dress you for your next big event."

•A Talkshow invitation: "Would you be open to sharing your side of the story?"

Layo stared at the screen, her mind whirling.

Just yesterday, she had felt like the world was caving in. Now, she had the opportunity to rise from the ashes.

Mercy grinned. "Told you. You control the narrative."

Layo exhaled. "You're such a blessing Mercy, thank you."

"My pleasure, baby. I gatt you," Mercy replied.

They haven't been friends for quite a long time. Infact, they were more of colleagues. But somehow, Mercy always showed up for her in ways she couldn't imagine.

Layo was likely more certain she hasn't lost herself and was quite determined to prove it.