Anna's POV
The one week we agreed on passed in a hurry and I was happy to be free.
We had gone on several dates and even made the news headlines on one occasion when our pictures were leaked.
And I end up in the news as a mysterious woman Nicholas Chester was dating.
For that one week, we were a perfect couple to the public and almost angered each other to death in private.
"Good morning"! I greeted Lily in a happy voice as I walked into our tiny office.
Lily in her usual post, beamed at me and congratulated me for another job well done.
"Well-done Boss" she said, smiling.
The day passed as usual and a week also passed by quickly since the last day I saw Nicholas.
Unlike my past clients, he occupied my thoughts for the next few days.
It was hard to forget him, aside from his horrible attitude. He was a pleasant sight to the eyes and I enjoy his company sometimes
I was lounging on my couch on a Saturday afternoon when someone rang my doorbell.
I frowned at the sound, I wasn't expecting anyone but I still went to check on the door.
And standing there at my doorstep in his full glory is Nicholas Chester, his eyes stared into mine the moment I opened the door.
Pretending not to be surprised at his presence, I folded my arms and gave him a questioning look.
"To what do I deserve your presence sir" I asked.
"Can I come in? we need to talk" he responded.
No, we don't!.
I scream in her mind but still let him in.
My apartment is a tiny apartment with a bedroom and a small living room and a cooking area where I usually eat after cooking.
It was okay for me until now, his eyes scanned the tiny space before he proceeded to sit on the couch.
The only one in the whole apartment.
"What do you wanna talk about?" I asked.
"I want to get married to you" he announced calmly.
"Pardon?"
I could not believe my ears.
"Yes, I came here with another offer. This one will be longer than the last one. Ever since that day, Grandfather has kept nagging me to bring you to him again and again and he has asked about our plan to get married" Nicholas responded, raking a hand through his hair.
I could hear the frustration in his voice.
"All that is none of my business, you decided to lie to your grandfather. You have to deal with the consequences" I replied without giving his words a chance.
I would be a fool to agree to his terms again.
"I will pay you one hundred million for a year of marriage," he said.
I could believe my ears and I stared at him in confusion.
"I know you have tons of money, but I'm not after your money I will have to turn down your offer Mr Chester" I replied flatly.
I was starting to feel insulted, he must think I was a gold digger and was after his wealth.
"Two hundred million" Nicholas countered again.
I sighed in frustration.
"No amount of money will make me do this, take your money and leave". I yelled and ushered him out of her apartment.
Over the next few days, the pressure kept getting higher.
He calls me everyday and even on one occasion sent a bouquet of flowers.
"Wow, Anna. I think you've earned yourself an admirer" Lily called out to me after the flowers were delivered with my name on it.
I collected the card written inside and found Nicholas's name signed on it.
"Throw it away," I said to Lily and went back into my office once again.
This carried on for a while until one day when I finally gave in.
But I accepted the deal on her terms, and we signed a prenup and a marriage certificate with his lawyer and Lily as witnesses.
Lily vehemently stated her opposition to the craziness I was walking into.
The following day, our living arrangements changed and I moved in with him.
His house was in a high end neighborhood, the house sat among many others of the same structure.
"Welcome, it's just me here and a housekeeper that comes twice a week.
The house basically runs itself and Mum comes on some occasions too but aside that it's me but now it's just us.
Let me show you to your room".
"We will have separate rooms?" I asked in surprise.
"I believe we will both want our privacy" he replied and continued walking up the stairs.
The weekend of that week was spent at the Mansion and the grandfather was very happy to see me while the hostility from his family increased.
Nicholas announced our marriage during dinner one night and the whole family aside, the grandfather exploded.
"This is a joke right?" His mother asked in a wavering voice.
"It's not, we signed our marriage certificate and we had witnesses Nicholas's response earned a couple of gasps from his mother and sister.
I have come to realize that he has a bad relationship with his parents or he was the black sheep of the family.
"What do you mean by married?
This is a joke right?" His mother asked, raising her voice.
"Enough, Stop stressing yourself, they are married already." Her husband cautioned and she grudgingly kept quiet.
"Well, that's not bad. At least I still have to plan the wedding party", She said with a light laugh after her initial outburst.
And I cannot help but notice the fakeness of her laugh.
I know living with these people would be a nightmare.
While everyone was occupied, my eyes collided with that of his sister, and she smirked before glaring at me from across the table.
"Tomorrow is a Saturday, we will go for a wedding gown fitting. I will call my designer tonight for an appointment. So tomorrow we will go together, okay?" Selina turned her attention to me.
And I nodded at her question and ignored her eyes.
"Good, the designer was the one that made Rebecca's dress. She has gifted hands and her work is exquisite. Only the richest in this country can afford it," Selina continued, her words having an underlying meaning.
Rebecca was the first daughter-in-law of the family and the mother of Nicholas's nephew.
She married Nicholas' older brother, who was currently out of the country on a business trip.
The dinner ended and I was already dreading the following day with Selina.
Just like last time, Nicholas and I end up in the same room like that night, but things are no longer like they were in the past.
"Can I share the bed with you?" Nicholas asked softly and I nodded.
I realized he was no longer snappy towards me and now talked calmly and respectfully sometimes.
We slept off with our backs turned to each other but during the night we ended up with our arms around each other just like last time.
I was the first to wake up the following day, and I woke up to my head placed on his chest and one of my arms laid across his torso.
Scared of getting caught for staring at him, I moved out of his arms gently but he tightened his arms around me and mumbled something in his sleep before I could escape.
"I want to hold you like this for a while longer" he said a little louder and I could not believe my ears.