Chapter 36

Gabriel's parents traveled back to Las Vegas two days after they returned from their honeymoon. Nicole returned to her bedroom to Gabriel's displeasure but he couldn't complain.

A week had passed and everything was back to normal like it used to be before Gabriel's parents showed up. Gabriel resumed work at the office but he was stressed out as he had much work to do and not just that. He was doing a lot of thinking for the past few days, he was trying to think of a reasonable story to come up with regarding his relationship with Nicole when they go their separate ways. He had to come up with an excuse his parents could easily believe because he was more worried about his parent's reaction to their separation than the public.

After thinking for days, Gabriel eventually came up with something. He called Nicole to his study so they could talk, he asked her to name whichever place in the country she would like to reside since the contract between them was going to expire soon. He didn't want her feeling caged inside his mansion when she had a life to live neither did he want her returning to her apartment, she deserved to live like a queen.

Gabriel told Nicole that the only way they could end this was for her to file for a divorce after one year of their marriage, that way it wouldn't be suspicious.

Nicole felt numb after hearing all that Gabriel said. It dawned on her that all the moments they shared were false and had come to an end. She couldn't believe that she let her heart take control during the period of their contract, and now she was the one getting hurt in the end. She managed to conceal her sadness from Gabriel so he didn't think she was weird. She mentally and emotionally composed herself before telling him to give her some time to think about her state or city of choice. He nodded in understanding and asked her to take her time, she then left his study.

The moment Nicole left the study, Gabriel took a bottle of whiskey and began drinking, he was dying inside while saying those words to Nicole. He did notice how pale her face suddenly went while he was talking and he wanted to stop talking at that instant but he couldn't because he wanted her happiness. He knew she reacted that way because she was already used to living in his mansion which was the reason why he was willing to go to any length to make sure she lived a comfortable life.

Gabriel wasn't a heavy drinker but he guessed habits could be formed in a day. He remained in his study and gradually emptied the bottle of whiskey.

Nicole, on the other hand, cried her eyes out inside her bedroom. How was she going to start all over again? Her heart was broken once again but this time the guy in question didn't realize it, he was completely clueless about her feelings. She felt hurt knowing that after spending months with Gabriel he didn't feel even the slightest form of attraction towards her. He must love his ex-girlfriend so much. Who was she fooling? It was obvious from the very beginning but as stupid as her heart was it still got attracted to him even after knowing that it would only get broken in the end. She cried until she fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A month had passed and Gabriel bought a mansion for Nicole in Miami Florida because she had chosen to live there. They both talked and came up with a story that Nicole had decided to go on a tour around the country and would come back to New York from time to time until she eventually attended her tour. Gabriel's parents bought the story to their relief.

Gabriel and Nicole were in his study, she was about to say goodbye because she was leaving for Miami that day. Gabriel had sent the remaining 12.5million dollars into her account. She was supposed to be happy about it since it was the reason why she accepted the contract in the first place but surprisingly she wasn't rather she felt empty inside and there was nothing she could do about it because everything was nothing but a deal.

Gabriel was standing by the window in his study with his hands in his pants pocket while Nicole stood a few inches away from the door. There was an awkward silence between them.  Gabriel couldn't stop himself from staring at Nicole, she looked as beautiful as always in a pink stripe bandage dress with nude heels and a matching purse.

The silence was killing Gabriel, they had never been in such an awkward situation as this because Nicole always had something to talk about but this time was different.

"I already destroyed the contract papers to avoid leaving any trace of evidence," Gabriel said breaking the silence.

"Okay." Nicole quietly replied.

"I hope you still remember our discussion," he said breaking another awkward silence.

"I'll file for a divorce after a year because you're so insensitive to my feelings and only care about your company, thereby making the marriage a boring and unbearable one to be in... I remember everything perfectly well... But you know that's not true..." Nicole replied saying the last part with a concerned tone.

Gabriel didn't reply to that because he didn't know what to say. Ashley had broken up with him for those reasons and he didn't want any other woman to go through the same thing just because she was in a relationship with him, most especially Nicole who wasn't ready for that not to even mention spending her life with a man his age.

Nicole felt hurt when Gabriel didn't give her a reply. He is a businessman as he was wearing a poker face void of any emotion whatsoever, while she on the other hand was trying hard not to break down in tears but that would be impossible as her eyes were already teary.

"You promise to keep in touch?" She asked, her voice already shaking.

"Yeah."

"You promise we'll remain friends even after the divorce, right?"

"I promise," Gabriel replied with a calm voice.

"So, this is it?" She said looking around the study.

"Remember, you can't begin a new relationship until the divorce is finalized." He said.

Nicole only nodded in understanding. She couldn't even imagine herself with anyone else besides Gabriel even if she tried to as her feelings for him were far greater than what she had felt for any other man.

"And you?" She managed to ask.

"You don't have to worry about me. I have a company to run."

"That's true," She said forcing a smile thinking about how he always acted like a rock with no feelings, just then a tear rolled down her face.

Gabriel was hurt to see her cry. He felt like walking up to her, wiping those tears from her face and confessing to her how he truly felt about her, telling her that he didn't mean whatever he said but he just couldn't do it because he was scared of rejection.

"When we eventually get divorced, I'm taking all the clothes in my closet," Nicole said with a smile as she wiped her tears to lighten up the atmosphere.

"They're yours and you're welcome to visit anytime," he replied.

"And don't get jealous cos I'm leaving with my teddy bear." she continued making Gabriel smile.

'She is a strong woman' Gabriel said internally

"Gabriel?"

"Mmm?"

"Can I give you a goodbye kiss?" Nicole requested to Gabriel's surprise.

Why would she want to kiss him in the absence of a maid or any other person?

"I mean we're still married and all," she said bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Okay," he replied.

Nicole walked up to Gabriel and stopped once she was only inches from him, looking him in the eye. Gabriel could see the hurt in her eyes, he wondered why they were there.

Nicole kept staring into Gabriel's eyes hoping to see any emotion but they were hidden to her disappointment. She couldn't tell how he was feeling or what was running through his mind at the moment so instead of trying to know his thoughts or emotions she proceeded with her last request by placing her lips on his.

The kiss started slowly as their lips moved in sync, soon enough it turned into a passionate one as Gabriel wrapped his hands around her waist while Nicole's hands were tangled in his hair. Gabriel made sure to kiss her with so much love since he couldn't say it to her face. After what felt like hours they parted from the kiss, both breathing heavily.

Nicole engulfed Gabriel in a hug after the kiss, she didn't feel like letting go of him as she felt safe in his arms. Gabriel placed a kiss on the top of her head before she eventually let go and ended the hug.

"Goodbye," she said after the hug.

"Goodbye." He quietly replied as she walked out of his study and also out of his life.

Gabriel watched Nicole leave with so much pain in his chest, that he couldn't believe he wasn't going to be seeing her beautiful face and enjoying her company anymore. He watched from the window as her chauffeur drove her out of the mansion to the airport.

The building suddenly became too quiet. Within the few months she lived here, Nicole had given his house a home feeling and now she was gone. He wondered how he was going to cope without her as he would now return to his former miserable life.

Hi lovelies

I'm so excited about this book reaching 1k reads 😊😍

I would love to say a big thank you to you all who have read and voted for it

Words cannot express how grateful I am but just keep in mind that I love you all for following up with me and my story and I promise to give you more stories in the coming year

XOXOXO