THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Zara’s POV

My mother-in-law who has graciously arranged for a renowned wedding planner and designer named Charlotte Montgomery. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, seems reluctant to let go of my husband and our marriage. Despite this, I try not to let it dampen my spirits. As I sat there, engrossed in my messaging app, my mother’s voice broke through my concentration.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.

Startled, I refocused my attention and forced a smile, assuring her that everything was fine. “I was just checking in with Lucas to see where he is,” I calmly explained.

Mrs. Montgomery chimed in, understandingly. “Ah, it’s rush hour, and the roads are congested. Mr. Blackwood is probably caught up in the traffic,” she said, offering an explanation for Lucas’s delay.

Mrs. Montgomery proceeded to elaborate on the forest motif that she had planned for our wedding. The mere thought of a Twilight-like atmosphere filled me with an overwhelming sense of excitement, and I couldn’t help but clap my hands joyfully. As the discussion continued, the door swung open, and Lucas finally appeared, clutching a box in his hands.

“Those are the hotdog buns I bought!” I exclaimed with delight.

My fondness for hotdogs seemed to be taking over my thoughts, particularly my craving for the long, juicy ones. I shot Lucas a disapproving look as he took his time to arrive.

“Those are mine,” I said rudely, snatching the box of buns away from him. Yes, hotdogs! Finally!

“I’m sorry, dear. The traffic was unbearable,” my husband apologized, attempting to make amends. However, my irritation with him lingered, and I ignored his attempts to make peace.

“Go ahead then,” I grumbled, my grumpy mood overshadowing any clarity about my emotional state.

Lucas frowned, glancing at his mother and Mrs. Montgomery for guidance. “May I use your bathroom?” he inquired, seeking a moment of respite.

“Of course, Marco, please assist Mr. Blackwood,” Mrs. Montgomery instructed her assistant. As Lucas made his way to the restroom, someone called out to Mrs. Montgomery, and my mother hurriedly left the room as well.

Left alone, I could no longer resist my hunger. With the hotdog buns in hand, I indulged in their delicious and savory taste, savoring every bite with delight. It was a small comfort in the midst of my mounting hunger.

“Son, Zara, may I ask you something?” My mom’s intuition kicked in, noticing my unusual cravings, mood swings, and irritability. “Are you experiencing pregnancy symptoms? It seems quite apparent to me, my dear.”

I nodded, confirming her suspicions, and she squealed with joy. “Oh, this is such wonderful news! It calls for celebration-a gender reveal party, a baby shower, and so much more!”

In that moment, an idea sparked within me. “Actually, Mom, I would love for our wedding to double as a gender reveal party. I want to keep it a secret from Lucas until that moment. I want to surprise him,” I shared, gently rubbing my stomach.

“Of course, my dear. We’ll keep it our little secret for now. I’ll also inform Stephanie so that she can customize your gown accordingly, ensuring your comfort. And remember, take care of yourself-watch your diet, avoid excessive exertion, and minimize stress. If Lucas ever causes you stress, just call me, and I’ll straighten out that stubborn husband of yours,” Mom assured me, her kindness and support shining through.

I couldn’t help but feel grateful for my amazing in-laws. Just as I thought Lucas had remained in his own world, he suddenly appeared by my side, grasping my hand.

He whispered softly, “I’m sorry, dear. Can you forgive me?”

His words tugged at my heart, realizing that my unsuspecting husband was empathizing with my pregnancy, mood swings, and irritability.

“It’s all right,” I replied, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Unbeknownst to us, both Mom and Mrs. Montgomery observed the scene, sharing in our joy. I blushed with a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude.

The rest of the day was spent at our home. Then, we enjoyed the evening in the mansion and decided to return home the next day. This time, it was just Lucas and me, as the grandparents happily borrowed their grandson once again. My son reveled in the attention, thoroughly spoiled.

As Lucas prepared to return to work, my emotions got the best of me. I clung to him, not wanting to let him go, tears streaming down my face.

“Are you sure you’re okay, my love? Should we see a doctor?” he asked, concern etched across his face. I shook my head, my tears flowing freely.

“I’ll be fine, Lucas. Go on, or you’ll be late for work,” I reassured him, wiping away my tears and sniffing. Sometimes my emotions got the better of me, but it was a part of this journey we were embarking on together.

“Then why are you crying, my dear? If you’re not feeling well, I can skip work. You are always more important to me than anything else, my love. Remember that, always,” he said, kissing my forehead tenderly.

Thankfully, I managed to persuade my hesitant and skeptical husband to go to work. He had other obligations to fulfill, but I made it clear that he needed to come home with a hot dog from Seven Eleven. That was my one request.

As I sat in the living room, engrossed in reading my monthly reports and catching up on the latest business news, my phone rang. To my delight, it was a very familiar voice-one I hadn’t heard in over a month. It was my son’s best friend, Nick.

“Nick! It’s been so long. I’ve missed you,” I exclaimed, unable to contain the joy in my voice.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

His baritone voice sounded a bit raspy as he responded, “Hey Zara, how have you been? I’ve missed you too.” I could sense the sincerity in his words.

I couldn’t help but sneeze and roll my eyes. This guy always managed to confuse me. I didn’t know what to believe about him.

“Everyone else misses you too, you know. But you never respond to my messages or answer my calls. So, of course, Nick, you must miss me,” I said, dripping with obvious sarcasm.

He teased, “You sound just like a jealous girlfriend, Zara.” I raised my eyebrows at that remark.

“As if! If we have an issue, Nick, let’s talk about it instead of avoiding it,” I replied firmly.

There was a sigh from the other end of the line. “If only you knew, I’ve been searching for the right time to confess my feelings to the woman I love,” he confessed.

It seemed like Antoinette and I might not be the only ones heading down that path.

“That’s great! And since you’re the only single one among our friends, spill the news. What’s going on?” I inquired, eager to hear his update.

“I really need your help. Just come over to my condo if you’re free. It’s a small thing,” he requested, sounding a bit embarrassed. I’ve always thought of him as an older brother.

“What are friends for? I’ll be right there. Let’s find that perfect girl for you. Don’t disappoint me! I remember you being quite the ladies’ man back in college,” I added jokingly, hearing his chuckle on the other end of the line.

“I hope she likes me too. I’ll be waiting for you,” Nick said.

I couldn’t help but think that he deserved someone amazing-someone kind and sweet, just like him.

I drove to his condo, which was conveniently located near our alma mater. Antoinette and I used to spend time there during college, especially when the academic year was winding down and there wasn’t much to do.

We often found solace in their well-stocked kitchen, which probably contributed to my college weight gain. But with Lucas’s help, I managed to shed those extra pounds. As I drove, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that Nick was the only one among us who was childless and single.

He was always a bit awkward when it came to expressing his feelings for the woman he loved. It amazed me how someone like Nick, who was handsome, charismatic, wealthy, and a true gentleman, could struggle in matters of the heart.

I felt incredibly blessed to have a friend like him. Despite the significant difference in our social statuses, both Nick and Antoinette treated me with kindness and never made me feel inferior to them.

I arrived at Nick’s condominium, pleasantly surprised by how clean and well-maintained it looked. In college, Lucas had a reputation for being rude, but not all men are like that. Antoinette and I understood that there are both good and bad men out there.

I appreciated the fact that Nick’s diligence and cleanliness had rubbed off on us. He truly cared about maintaining a presentable home, which was a refreshing trait. However, his attempts at flirting often fell flat and turned women off.

As I entered, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome Nick looked in his polo shirt and pants. He seemed to be in a rush, and I couldn’t resist teasing him, “Where are you off to?”

He scratched his head, slightly embarrassed, and gave me a small smile. “Isn’t it okay to tidy up a bit? Besides, I always strive to be a gentleman, Zara. You know that, don’t you, Zara?”

“I hope you have a plan to genuinely help her when we find the woman you love,” I said, eager to hear his thoughts.

He fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. It seemed like he was contemplating his next move. “Hey, wake up from your daydreaming again,” I playfully flicked my finger in front of him, snapping him out of his reverie.

“I want you to see something significant, something you should see before anyone else, Zara,” he said seriously. I was taken aback because Nick rarely took himself so seriously, making it all the more intriguing.

“Alright, where is it?” I asked, following him through the condo.

Memories flooded back as we passed the living room, the place where we used to have movie marathons back in college. We reminisced about the days of using DVDs and CDs, before Netflix and Chill became a popular phrase.

Ah, those were the times. My college years held some of my most cherished memories. They represented the pinnacle of my happiness as a young woman-much more enjoyable than my high school days, actually.

We finally stopped in front of a door, and I was surprised because Nick had always kept this red-door room off-limits since our college days.

“I want to share my feelings with you, Zara,” he said, unlocking the door.

The room was initially dark, but as Nick switched on the red light, I stood there, stunned by what I saw. It felt as if I had been transported to another world-one filled with fear and apprehension. The walls were covered with pictures of me, documenting every moment of my life, like a disturbing timeline. It was as if I had a secret stalker.

I turned to Nick, my eyes filled with disbelief. What did all of this mean? I wanted to ask, but fear held me back. What reassuring answer would he provide? I was terrified and trembling.

“I’ve loved you for so long, Zara. I’ve been in love with you since our college days, but I was too clumsy to make my move, and someone else stole you away!” Nick’s voice broke as he shouted, his eyes shining with intensity.

This wasn’t the Nick I knew. This was a different person.

“He always hurts you, Zara! Look at me! You feel the same way I do. That guy will continue to hurt you and deceive you. Don’t be blind! ZARA, YOU SHOULD BE MINE!” He cried out, a mix of despair and madness consuming him.

I reached out to touch him, but he slapped my hand away. “Nick, I’m your friend,” I promised calmly, hoping to reason with him.

“I don’t want to be just friends! I LOVE YOU, AL! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, BUT YOU DON’T KNOW IT! You were mine first! ZARA, PLEASE, CHOOSE ME!” he pleaded, his emotions spiraling out of control.

Shaking my head, I replied firmly, “Nick, for the sake of our friendship, let’s forget that this ever happened.” I turned to leave, but his final words stopped me in my tracks.

“By the time you leave this place, Zara, you’ll regret not choosing me.”

Trembling, I exited that room, feeling shaken and disturbed. Nick, I’m your friend.