Chapter 11

Nicholas’s POV

I swallowed, then turned and gave the maids a look. They bowed and quickly scurried out of the dining room. I didn't want them to see or hear me having any kind of conversation with Debra.

“I gave an order,” I said, trying to sound calm, but my racing heart just couldn't. I hate it when my instructions are ignored. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to...

“Wanted to what? It’s an instruction so hard to deal with. I'll be having a long day at work, and the least you should do is try to mess up my morning.” I said.

“No. I just wanted to make sure you are well fed.” She said, “What is it to you that I am well-fed or not?” I asked. I was already clenching my fist. “Or do you mean I had not been well fed before you came?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

She shook her head. “That's not what I meant.” She said, “Then what did you mean?” She was quiet. “Tell me, Debra, what do you mean?’ I asked, and my voice raised a bit over the top. She trembled, and I gritted my teeth.

I have already lost my appetite. “Why can't you just behave as you used to? Why are you trying so hard? This is so unlike you, and it's irritating.” He said.

“You know I don't.” She began, then paused and continued, “I apologise for how I was before.” She said.

I raised my head, and a light chuck escaped my lips as I pinned her with my eyes. “What's funny?” She asked, her brows raising as she awaited an answer from me.

“Why? You don't find this funny?” I asked, my mouth almost dropping at the way she could pretend. “Should I?”

“Yes. This is hilarious. You are sorry? You should try to get back your memory. Being here with you like this is sickening.” I said. Her eyes stung with tears at my words. I smirked internally.

“Stay away from the kitchen, especially my food,” I said. I started towards the door. “Why?” She asked me, and I stopped on my way. I turned and said, "YYou think I'll poison you?” Her face fell, her eyes clouding with disappointment.

“You never can tell,” I said. After our little encounter last night, I couldn't help but wonder what else she would be capable of. Maybe this was wrong; I shouldn't have ever agreed to marry her.

“Boss.” James nudged my arms. “We are awaiting your decision.” James said. I cleared my throat and straightened my back on the chair. In front of me were men seated behind their chairs, eyes trained on me.

“Oh well…” I began. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear what the question or whatever they said was. “Should we invest in the car development scheme?” James whispered the question silently to me, helping me out of my predicament.

After the meeting, James walks beside me to my office. “What's on your mind?” He asked.

“Nothing,” I said. I had stopped him from telling me the bad news yesterday, and I think I was ready to hear it out now. When we got to my office, I asked him, “What did you want to tell me?”.

James moved his eyes from side to side and said, "It's about the girl you asked us to find.” He said, and I didn't tell him that I already had a feeling it was related to this.

“What happened to her?” I asked, trying not to look too desperate to hear the news. “I think we'll have to stop the search.” He said.

“I didn't give that order,” I said. “But I fear it may be futile.” He said.

“Tell me what happened. What did you find?” I asked him. I knew James more than he thought. This wasn't all he wanted to say.

“She is dead.” He said.

“What?” I felt my world breaking. I slumped into the chair, my world crashing. No. This can't be true. She was just fine when I saw her. “I'm sorry about it.” He said. Everywhere suddenly went blank and dark. This can't be happening. No, no.

My chest tightened. “What happened to her? How did she die?” I wanted to at least know this. James' shoulder dropped. “We've not found out about that yet.”

“Find out where her grave is.” I have never found words to be heavy, but this one was. I didn't even know her name. How can she be dead?

Diamond’s POV

My heart shattered at Nicholas' words. Was it impossible to have him fall for me? My chest was heavy, and I found it hard to breathe. He had not touched my food. He would rather go hungry than take a bite of what I made, and this sickens me.

I was inside my room, and I had nothing else to do aside from sit, ideally, and plan about how to make Nicholas mine. Amid the turmoil raging in my heart, there was a knock on the door. I walked to open it and found Neymar standing in front of me.

“Sorry for disturbing you. I wanted to give you this.” He said he was stretching his hand to hand me a card. “It's for you, and here is also a key to your car. Your assigned driver is out there.” He said.

I felt my eyes water at his kindness. “Thank you,” I said, saying he wasn't as bad as I had imagined after our first meeting. “It's nothing. Nicholas should have done this.” He said.

I couldn't get over the thought that I had a car. I couldn't shake the guilt raging in my heart that I was having the life of a girl who saved me. Seeing me cry, Neymar placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Everything will be fine. Nicholas may be out of it, but trust me, he is not always Luke. He will soon return to his senses.” I was startled, as his statement had caught me off guard. “You think?” I asked, and he nodded.

My mind reverted to our first meeting. I had let some things slip. “You should go shopping or something to get these troubles out of your mind.” He said. I thanked him before closing the door.

He was right. I took his words to heart and quickly wore cargo pants and a white turtleneck, which were from a designer brand. I picked up a bag and styled my hair beautifully before stepping out of the room. My steps were confident. I had to act rich.

The driver was waiting beside a Honda City, a new model. My mouth dropped. I had always been a lover of cars but had to admire them from afar because they were too expensive for me to afford, but now I have one.

True to Neymar's words, shopping helped. I went from one section of the mall to another, picking up bags, shoes, and clothes. I noticed people staring at me awkwardly, and some took pictures of me. I had not gone out shopping, so it felt awkward.

I decided not to focus on that. They could take as many photos as they liked. I don't care and would rather busy myself with shopping. I was getting some jewellery when I heard a voice behind me say, “If it isn't Debra, who else could it be?”

The voice didn't sound friendly. I turned to see the face of the person sneering behind me. I came face-to-face with a blonde and blue-eyed lady with a model body. I raised my brow. “Do you want something?” I asked.

“Wow! You pretend as if you don't know me now, you bitch,” her words were forced and full of hate. She may be Debra's acquittal, but they are not friends. “I don't have to pretend. Who are you?” I asked, raising a brow.

“After what you did to me, you dare to ask me this question?” The lady folded her hands over her chest, flaunting her designer bag and well-manicured nails. A crowd started forming, and people were already filming.

I felt uncomfortable. “See, I don't know who you are, so please stop bothering me; I'd like to shop in peace.” I said it calmly. She lets out a loud, mocking chuckle.

“You didn't come to the award show two weeks ago and left everyone wondering what happened to you, but who knew you were hiding after causing a mess in her entire industry?”

“I don't know what you are talking about,” I said. I'm already losing my patience. Cameras kept flicking, and the crowd was getting bigger; the mummering was growing louder.

“You little liar.” She looked around and said, “Everyone take this down and make videos of us. Today I'll expose Debra for who she is.” She said.

Without another word, I tried to walk away, but she pulled me back and pushed me into the crowd. I shrieked, falling backward.

A pair of strong hands quickly wrapped around my waist, stopping me from falling, and I inhaled a familiar scent.