ONIKA'S POVIt had been five whole hours,, and I had been occasionally checking my phone to know if the news would somehow come back, but it never came back, and I began to wonder if it was all just a dream.But as Amara came to inform me that the meeting would soon start, I realized it wasn't a dream,, and I would have to explain my partnership with M.r. Sam Damon and then this new issue that had just arisen.“I'll be there in 5 minutes” I muttered to her, grabbing my phone from the table as I prepared to go to the meeting room.As I walked out of the office, I went straight to the meeting room and Amara was at the door already waiting for me.“Mr Sam Damon has sent someone from his team to represent him as he's currently not in the country. His name is Mr Liam. He's inside with the shareholders” She informed me, giving me a heads-up.I nodded, thanking her before I walked in with her following closely behind me.Amara had taken her seat near the corner, her notepad in hand, ready to
ONIKA'S POV I wanted to protest and insist on using my car to go back to the mansion but the look on Damien's face as I opened my mouth made me stop and grudgingly hand over my car keys to him.“Keep it safe” I grunted to him, suddenly feeling my happy mood float away into the sky at the recent change of things.He smiled and collected it, the sight a bit weird to look at. “Don't worry, I'll keep it safe” He smirked. “That's my job”Without waiting for a non existent reply, he walked out of the company, leaving me in the corridor.Silently muttering a curse under my breath, I walked to Amara where she was still talking to Mr Liam but she excused herself to come to me, leaving him to go over the documents she had given him for the financial reports fo finalize everything in that aspect.“Yes ma'am?” She asked, her eyes curious and confused.I pointed to behind me. “My fiance is here right now so I have to go now. Make sure to clock out once it's time, okay? Get some rest and please go
NATHAN'S POVThe next day, I had spoken to Mr Sam Damon and made the arrangements with him again, imploring him not to reveal it to anyone. Onika would be pissed off if she found out what I was doing and she would label me a liar and the last thing I was for that to happen.Besides, Mr Sam was benefitting from the arrangement also so it was a win-win for us both.When I had come back from work by evening, I had just come to pick Onika so we could get over with the meeting and go back home to relax.Onika was already getting ready for the interview. I came home by 5pm, she wasn't in the living room and when I had walked up the stairs to her room, I had heard the sound of the shower running which made me know that she was in the bathroom getting ready.I had seen her door open which was the reason why I had walked in to check on her, I noticed that the painting was still right there above her bed and then I noticed something on her bedside table so I went closer to it, realizing that it
ONIKA'S POV Both of them were looking like I had said the most shocking thing that they'd heard, but if I was to go by what Willow had done to me over the years, I would have treated her to a worse punishment to shame her publicly so people knew the monster that she was.Nathan didn't object, he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, a curse escaping his lips.“Onika…” he said, his voice low but warning like I shouldn't do something like that.If I did, Willow would probably look for more ways to make my life hell. We were way past that.Willow spoke up, interrupting my haze of thoughts. “If you think that I will get on my knees for you to apologize to you just so you can marry my son, then you're poorly mistaken; Nathan would never let me do that; I'm his mother!” She hissed at me, all forms of mock apology gone from her face replaced by the bitch I was used to seeing.I matched her gaze, my eyes dim. “And what makes you so sure? Nathan wouldn't let you do that. You're important
ONIKA'S POVWillow had left the house immediately, cursing under her breath but I didn't care. She had done what I had said and now I was left with Nathan in the living room.He was sitting across from me, and he was staring at me. “Look, now she did it. Does that make you feel better?”“Yes,” I raised my chin. “Keep your mum and the other woman in check, I don't want anything to do with your ex”He winced at that, clearly not liking the term as he probably didn't seem to like Gina that much anymore. That immediately got me thinking. What had she done that had made him break up with her? He was going to get married to her anyway before I came back in the picture. They had also been dating for a long time so what had happened?“Yes, I'll do that,” he muttered, his voice defeated, like he was too tired to argue with me.“What did Gina do to you?” I suddenly asked without thinking, regretting the words once it was out of my mouth but the look of shock on his face was enough for me to kno
ONIKA'S POVDamien looked at me as though to ask if I knew this person.I looked the man over, trying to place the name. He had striking features: blonde hair that was neatly cut, striking blue eyes, and a fit physique.Nope. I didn't know him.“Sorry, I don't think I…” I paused, waiting for him to explain what he was doing here.“Oh, my bad” He smiled. “I don't think we were supposed to meet until it was evening, I have seen your pictures before so when I saw you coming to this cafe, I thought I'd say hi since I'm such a big fan of your work”That suddenly made the gears in my head click in place. Oh my…“You're…” I opened my mouth to say but he beat me to it, offering his hand to me.“Mr Sam Damon's son” He introduced.Ah, they didn't look alike too much, but the air around them was similar, and the blue eyes were hard to miss. “Nice to meet you.” I immediately took his hand, and Damien stepped aside with a silent grunt.Matteo looked at Damien and smiled. “Nice to meet you too,” h
ONIKA'S POV It was just a dream.That was what I told myself as I walked back to my seat, my gaze distant as I slumped back against the chair, the smell of my coffee filtering into my nostrils but that was the least of my worries.Just when I was trying to get rid of the memories in the dream, the next event I went to had to be a ball like the one in my dream.It was just a dream, wasn't it?As I sat back down, Laura was the first person to notice the way my mood had changed and she immediately brought it up. “Who was that?” She asked, referring to the phone call.I looked at my phone dazed, my heart pounding incessantly in my rib cage before I looked at her. “It was just Nathan” I muttered.Her gaze flickered to Matteo, who was watching the exchange silently, and she looked away, giving me a worried glance. She knew that she couldn't say anything that would implicate me or give out the truth of the matter. “What's wrong?” She asked.I smiled at her, understanding her concern. “Ah, i
ONIKA'S POVMy mind was reeling as I led Matteo out of the private art storage.“I have to go now, I hope we can do this again, sometime soon” I said to him, smiling even though it was forced.He seemed to notice it because he suddenly frowned. “Are you okay?”I smiled genuinely this time and nodded. “I'm perfectly okay, it seems, don't worry about me” I laughed. “When do you think you're gonna start with your piece?”He crossed his arms, still watching me silently but when I said something about his piece, he brightened up again. “You know I have a company to run so probably in a week or two time. Once I get back to my home here, I'll make sure to go over the plans” He smiled.“That's really good” I said, itching to go grab my things for the day so I could leave, Nathan would be here any moment now.Suddenly, Matteo asked a question. “Are you coming for the ball tonight?” He asked.I froze at the question and nodded my head gingerly. “Will you be there?”“Ah yes but it's quiet unfort
NATHAN'S POVThe way her eyes lit up as I pulled to a stop made every doubt I had about choosing this place for our date disappear. She looked ethereal with that goofy grin on her face.I knew she would love it. “Like it?” I couldn't stop myself from asking.She turned to look at me and her gaze softened before she leaned as far as the seatbelt would allow to press a soft lingering kiss to my lips.Instinctively, I froze for a brief second before I melted into the kiss and just as I was reaching a hand to pull her closer to me, she pulled away with a small smile. “What was that for?” I asked breathlessly.She shrugged. “Just to show you how much I love it” She chuckled seeing the dumbfounded look on my face.“I should really surprise you more” I muttered under my breath as I tried to unbuckle my belt.“Why? So that I can kiss you?” I heard her ask and I turned to look at her, my brow raised.“That and to see that priceless look of happiness on your face. I want to see it more often” I
ONIKA'S POV Laura came over to me and the first thing I heard was a low whistle from beside me before she spoke up. “I watched the entire conversation and I swear that I can't determine the outcome from the look on your faces. What the hell happened? Good or bad?” She asked, sliding in the seat beside me.I looked at her, a sad smile on my face. “Just there, I guess. He understands, I hope he does but we're cool. Maybe we'll have dinner again tomorrow or something or catch up properly”Laura sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder, her fingers digging into my flesh from how tight she gripped me. “Honey, don't punish yourself, okay? It's not your fault that you don't like him and let me tell you now. You don't have to feel shitty in any way for it, understood?” She asked, her eyes peering into mine as she waited for an answer.I couldn't help it, I laughed slightly at that and nodded to that. “Yes ma'am”She leaned back in her seat. “Man, who would have ever thought your love life wou
ONIKA'S POVI was silent for what felt like a whole minute, unable to bring forth any words.He looked embarrassed, his foot lightly tapping on the floor. “Should I leave?” He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.I needed to get my shit together. “Okay… I mean no, don't leave. Sit with us”Laura glared at me as I said that and she stood up, carrying her bag. “I think I should give you two some privacy. Onika, I'll be at the counter, inform me when you're done” That was all she said to me before she walked off the counter, setting herself on the low stool.I looked back at Kent, forcing a smile. “So you're here. I wasn't expecting you to be here”He glanced down and back up at me again. “Iㅡuhㅡ I just wanted to see you and your employees said you weren't at the office again so I decided to try here and if you weren't here, I'd come over” He explained.“Yeah sure. I know I said I'd call you so we could meet up but I wanted to have coffee with Laura first, sorry if that delayed your
ONIKA'S POVDamien held the door open for me and I got in, dropping my purse at the back seat before I gripped the steering.“Okay, right behind you” Damien muttered, getting on his bike, reaching out to grab his helmet before he put it on, making sure the straps were okay before he gave me a thumbs up.I nodded at him and pulled out of the parking lot, my focus on the road as I started driving out of the company.First day at work after what felt like ages and thankfully I didn't feel more shitty than I already did before coming to work.My thoughts were spiralling even as I neared the cafe, my fingers lightly tapping on the steering wheel as I took a sharp swerve.Damien was right behind me as I pulled the car to a stop at the cafe, unbuckling my seat belt as I switched on the ignition.With that, I got out of the car, locking the door behind me. “Are you going to wait outside or are you coming in?” I asked Damien whose hands were tucked in his pockets.A conflicted look crossed his
ONIKA'S POVAs soon as I stepped into the meeting room, all eyes turned to me. The long table was filled with shareholders, executives, and key members of the project team. At the head of the table sat Mr Sam Damon, his hand resting on the table. As soon as he saw me, he sighed almost visibly, clearly relieved to see me.He stood as I entered, offering a small smile. “Onika.”I nodded in acknowledgment and took my seat. “Mr. Damon.”His sharp gaze studied me. “I would have called you in sooner, but I wanted to make sure you had time to recover from… everything.”His tone was polite, but the intentions behind his words were clear. Everyone in the room knew about the scandal, the drama, and the mess Regina had caused. Even if they pretended otherwise.“I appreciate that,” I said evenly. “But I’m fine. Business doesn’t wait.”A few murmurs of approval circled the table, but one of the shareholders, a middle-aged man named Greg, cleared his throat. “Actually, since we’re on the subject of
ONIKA'S POVConfusion warred with anger and disgust in me. Was she really going to come talk to me now?I folded my arms, tilting my head at Damien. “And what exactly does she want?”He shrugged. “Didn’t say. Just that she needed to speak to you urgently.”I scoffed. “Oh, I bet she does.”There was no doubt in my mind that this was about Regina. That viper had finally met her downfall, and now Nathan's mother was here, hoping to what? Plead her case? She couldn't talk to her son again? Pathetic.I moved back to my chair, dropping into it and rubbing my temples. “Tell her to leave. I have nothing to say to her.”Damien hesitated for a second, as if considering arguing, but then he nodded. “Alright.”He turned to leave, but just before he could step out, I heard her voice.“Damien, please… just give me a moment with her.”Was she seriously begging him? Oh how the mighty have fallen.I clenched my jaw, already irritated. Damien glanced back at me, clearly waiting for a final word.“She s
ONIKA'S POV “Welcome back, ma'am” Amara said, following after me the next morning, her gaze burning into my back as I walked into my office, my heels clacking against the tiled floor.“Thank you. Is everything that I emailed you about in place yet?” I asked, slumping down on the swivel chair. Who knew that I would miss this piece of shit eventually? It felt so comfortable under my touch now and I leaned my head back against the headrest.She looked through the stack of papers in her arms, pulling out a binded stack of documents which she dropped unto the table, pushing them towards me. “Yes, I tried my best to get everything ready and I just need your signature on that one” She nodded to the document she has kept on my table.I looked at it with an arched brow before I grabbed it, flipping through it, unsure where this had come from. “What is this?” I had to ask.I don't remember this. This was for contracting a new construction company, why would we need this?“We need the company t
ONIKA'S POVIt had been several hours on the flight and now we were on our way back to the mansion but surprisingly, it hadn't felt that way. Maybe it was the way Nathan kept throwing subtle glances at me when he thought I wasn't looking. Or the way he kept shifting in his seat, trying to get comfortable but failing miserably.Or maybe it was just the fact that I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days.I looked out of the window. We were back in town meaning back with work and every bad thing that came with being in the country. Not like I could escape it anyways.Nathan was on a call, his voice low but firm as he spoke in hushed whispers. His fingers tapped against his knee, a telltale sign that something was bothering him.After what felt like a whole hour, he finally hung up and sighed, leaning his head back against the seat.I stretched my arms above my head and leaned back into the seat. "Is that work?"Nathan hummed in response, his gaze
ONIKA'S POVThe next morning, I woke up to the feeling of warm lips pressed to my forehead and my eyes fluttered open to see Nathan staring down at me with a smile on his face."Good morning, sleeping beauty" He grinned, sitting up and stretching his arms above his head.It was morning already?I groaned, sitting up also, a yawn escaping me as I tried to get myself oriented with my surroundings again then I looked at him. "What are you doing so early?" I asked, my voice still groggy and full of sleep.He stood up and looked over his shoulder at me. "We're leaving today, you remember that, yeah?" He asked, his brows pinched together.Oh right... We were supposed to leave today. "Right, sorry I'm not myself right now yet" I apologized, throwing my legs off the bed, my limbs aching as soon as I stood up.He nodded, understanding what I was trying to say but there was no judgement on his face, just sheer amusement. "Get ready, breakfast is already done. Also your phone was ringing and I f