My whole body began to quiver as I looked up at Ryan who wore a smug or was it? I couldn't tell as my vision was blurred with tears. "What is the meaning of this?" I questioned still in disbelief. Where had it all gone wrong? We were happy, he respected me and so did I...I even fell in love with him so how could he do this to me?!. "It's exactly what it says in the paper, Ciara" "And what is that?" I stubbornly inquired. It was as if I didn't want to believe what the paper read until Ryan says it with his own mouth. A part of me still wanted to fight for whatever we still have left; still wanted to protect our marriage. But then he'd said it. Ryan had uttered those words I so desperately dreaded," I want a divorce, Ciara" *** Ciara is the heiress to her father's company but she left all of that to be in a contract marriage with Ryan. It was supposed to be a 'no-strings-attached' kind of feeling but, she couldn't help but fall in love with him. Just when she wanted to start a clean slate on their first anniversary, she was handed a divorce paper. Ryan is a billionaire and a man with a hardened heart. He never saw Ciara as something more than just a 'fake wife' who was willing to help him out with a case. Deciding that he had had enough, Ryan hands Ciara a divorce paper setting himself free from her but 5years later, he seems to have a change on heart and wants to win Ciara back at all cost. But on his way to the office of the new investor lot his company, he sees a five-year-old boy who looks exactly like him and that wasn't the only shock but the name of his new investor was Ciara. The same Ciara he'd known and once loved. What happens when this two dual meets for the first time since their rough divorce? Would they rekindle their feelings or would they leave it at that? And what about little Oscar, who had ways been curious to know who is father is?. Find out in this long rollacoaster ride!
Ciara
I looked around the men's boutique shop, my eyes scanning for the perfect gift for my husband; Ryan as it was our 1st anniversary.
Picking up the brown tie that caught my eye, a smile spread across my face. The shop attendant could see that I was pleased.
"I guess this is the one you are going with?" she questioned; pleased on her part that she'd finally satisfied me.
"Yes, please"
"Then, let me wrap it up for you?"
I handed the tie over to her, "Thank you"
Whilst the attendant wrapped my gift for Ryan, I couldn't help but remember how we'd first met. It was in a hospital; the same day I'd lost my parents in a car accident.
Ryan happened to have also been involved in a car accident. One thing led to another, I began curious to know the cause of his accidents I'd started working in his house as his caregiver before I knew what was happening next, I was signing a form for a contract marriage with him.
It seemed like a good idea because Ryan seemed like a good guy to me at that time and truthfully, I have never regretted being married to him.
Ryan treats me with respect, way more than I deserved even though our marriage was by name only so this tie I was getting him for our first anniversary didn't even come close for all he's done for me.
"Here you go" The shop attendant said handing me a disposable bag.
Taking the bag from her hand; I say with a smile, "Thank you"
As I leave the boutique, I send a quick text to Ryan; "I'll be at the coffee shop shortly" it read.
"Take your time" came his reply but I was giddy as I couldn't contain my happiness.
Climbing into my car, I gently placed the disposable bag at the back of the car seat before taking off.
While humming to my favourite song over the radio, I wondered if today would be a good day to make my feelings known to Ryan.
"You can't be married for over a year without any feelings involved" I muttered under my breath but was still highly conflicted, "But what if my confession drives him away? That's the last thing I want to happen right now"
I shake my head, dissing the thought. "Let's hold back for one more day. You are married to him, Ciara. You can always tell him about your feelings tomorrow"
As the coffee shop we were supposed to meet up in; CARLA'S M came to sight, I shook off the last surge of tension that coursed through my veins as I packed my car in the parking lot before lighting down with the disposable bag in my hands.
Pushing the front door of the coffee shop open, I walked in; my eyes searching frantically for Ryan when suddenly my gaze landed on him.
He was looking at his phone with a worried expression written all over his face. He was claded in a brown suit, his brown hair was neatly styled to the back.
I gawked so hard at this fantasy man in front of me and didn't snap out of it until my phone rang.
Ryan's eyes met mine and immediately, he rushed up to meet me, "Why didn't you let me know you were here already? I was worried sick"
I smiled shyly, "I'm sorry"
"Follow me" Ryan led me to our table where he signaled for the waiter, "We'll have it now"
"You already ordered?" I asked Ryan when the waiter was gone.
"You like taking hot coffee after a long drive"
This. This little gestures of Ryan, him remembering what I liked and what I didn't like despite us being in a contract marriage, made me fall in love with him.
On his part it could just be that he was being 'kind' or being a 'nice' guy, maybe it was just me reading too much into his actions, I don't know.
But these feelings of mine, I was ready to keep to myself until Ryan was ready to take the next step with me.
"That's right, I got you something" We say in unison as I couldn't help but blush at the fact that he remembered what today was.
"You go first" I say shyly as Ryan brought out a brown envelope from within his bag and handed it over to me.
"What is this?" I questioned nervously.
Ryan flashed me an encouraging smile, "Don't be nervous. Go ahead and open it"
I took that as a sign; A good sign that whatever was inside this brown envelope was something I'd like.
It made me more certain about my feeling for Ryan. Today, I thought. I was going to tell him about my feelings for him today.
This envelope, this gift of his to me had only proven that Ryan felt the same way as me and that conclusion made my hands tremble as I opened the envelope.
My eyes met Ryan's once more as I saw a paper inside the brown envelope.
"Continue" Ryan encouraged and I did. I brought out the paper that was buried inside the envelope and read it's content.
No sooner had I been able to digest the information from the piece of paper, did it fall from my hands.
My whole body began to quiver as I looked up at Ryan who wore a smug or was it? I couldn't tell as my vision was blurred with tears.
"What is the meaning of this?" I questioned still in disbelief. Where had it all gone wrong? We were happy, he respected me and so did I...I even fell in love with him so how could he do this to me?!.
"It's exactly what it says in the paper, Ciara"
"And what is that?" I stubbornly inquired. It was as if I didn't want to believe what the paper read until Ryan says it with his own mouth.
A part of me still wanted to fight for whatever we still have left; still wanted to protect our marriage.
But then he'd said it. Ryan had uttered those words I so desperately dreaded,"I want a divorce, Ciara"
As he handed everyone their room key , he smiled as he gave the last one out . All 39 rooms were filled up. After dinner , he rang a bell to summon everyone to the dinning table. "What's going on ? Haven't went had dinner already?" Room number 13 asked What they didnt know was that this dinner was for him not for them . "I'm sorry to announce this but i'll have you know that as you walked in here of your own accord "Arnold's eye turned bloodshot red "There's no going out " *** Forced to take his own life, the raving ghost of a man filled with revenge takes over the body of a young man called Arnold. It builds a hotel which he named after his first love because it needed blood to keep it around much longer until it's able to take it's revenge. Would his plan be successful or would this vengeance-filled ghost be exorcised before it even has it's chance?. Find out in this blood-thrilling horror story.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
She doesn't remember getting married. Why? Sophia went to Las Vegas only to drink her pain away. Little did she imagine, she would end up becoming someone's wife. But whoās the lucky guy? Who knows? Even she doesn't remember. She was fucking intoxicated! All she has is a marriage contract with an expiry date and a bank balance big enough to pop her eyes out. Contractual terms: 1. Do not marry anyone else unless I permit you. 2. Try not to whore around. Your mother-in-law wouldn't be happy. 3. If I request a live-in relationship. You have to comply. 4. Sex is optional. 5. Contract Termination? Sorry Honey... In my family, couples donāt divorce. PS: I was kidding. Let's catch-up after three years to end this shit and get more money. If there are rules against having sex while drunk, there should be rules against getting married while drunk too. Because THIS isn't fair!
The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!