Chapter 12

Diamond’s POV

I turned to come face-to-face with Nicholas. He wrapped his hands around me protectively, making me temporarily forget that he was the one who didn't want me at home.

“Are you okay?” He asked. His voice is calm. I steadied myself on the floor. “Yes.” The crowd mumbled upon seeing us together.

“What's going on?”

“Isn't that the most wanted man in all of Los Angeles? He is successful, too. Why is he with her? A failed girl?”

“I have to call my mom. I'm going to faint from so much handsomeness oozing from him. Quickly make videos of him.”

I never knew Nicholas could have so much effect on the crowd. Just how popular was this man I married? And how rich was he? I know he was from a wealthy family, but I never truly knew how wealthy he was.

“Who are you? And how dare you touch her?” He asked the girl in front of us. The girl now had her mouth slightly opened and her eyes pinned on him. She couldn't find the right words to say.

"Oh, you can’t speak now, right? How dare you push her? What if you hurt her?” Nicholas' voice was firm, and he sounded genuinely angry. That moment, I forgot we were only pretending to be a happy couple.

“It's me, Emma. I am an actress. you don't know me?” She asked, feeling a bit down that he couldn't recognise her. Her voice was so soft that I scoffed. Wasn't she the one yelling at me a while ago?

“Should I know you?” He asked, and the crowd gasped. “What I know is that you pushed my wife, and I am not allowing you to go scoff-free.” He said. This statement earned another gasp from the audience. It was louder than the first.

“He is married? Since when?”

“Oh my God! I would die from heartbreak if I kept standing here and watching him dote on his wife so much.”

“And he is married to Debra of all people? Talk about a twist of fate. Just the right time to seduce a rich man.”

“Only Debra can lead me.” The comments kept coming, and some made me furrow my brows. Something was not right, but I'll leave that for now and watch silently as Nicholas deals with this lady who has embarrassed me.

“Debra is your wife?” Emma asked. “Yes.”

“Why? I mean, how did this...?”

“It's no business of yours. Security!” Nicholas called, and two well-built men walked in and said, “Throw this woman out.” He ordered. “No one bullies my wife and gets scot-free.” He said. This time, his message was not just directed at Emma.

“Wait, don't you dare touch me? Who are you to throw me away? I am a customer like you.” Emma cried as she struggled with the security.

“I own the place, and I don't want a stupid customer like you.” Cameras stutter. I wonder if this was how rich people lived their lives. Always in the face of cameras. Nicholas led me away, his hands wrapped around my waist. I leaned into him.

Taking the opportunity to take a large whiff of his perfume. When we got home, he stopped outside to make an important call while I went in. I waited patiently for him to come in. All this may be fake, but it meant a lot. No one has ever stood up for me.

Now having him do so brings me so much joy. When he stepped in, without thinking, I rushed towards him and wrapped my hands around him, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I said all at once. “You don't know how much what you did for me earlier today meant. I am so grateful.” I said, still holding him close to me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Nicholas' cold voice brought me back to reality. I was hugging him and pressing my body into his. I quickly pulled away from him. My eyes wandered around, refusing to settle on his cold gaze.

“I'm so sorry about that. I guess I was just too excited and couldn't contain it.” I said. “And you thought you could hug me without my consent?” He asked, his voice cold and distant. The warmth and love he was filled with at the mall had disappeared.

“Well, I...”

“Don't get it twisted, Debra. I played my part today and nothing else. It was all merely acting. You don't have to pretend to be moved by that.”

“No. "His phone beeped repeatedly. He brought it close to his face, and I watched as his face contoured in an indescribable emotion. His grip around his phone grew tighter.

He raised his head and gave me a hard stare. “What's wrong? Did I do anything wrong?”

“Everything about you is wrong.” He said that and passed his hand over his head. “And why the hell did you decide to go out? Why?”

“Well, Neymar thought I should.”

“Excuses, excuses, excuses are what you are always filled with.” He said. “Now the whole country knows we are married.” He said this, pushing his phone into my face.

I collected the phone from him and read the message. “FAILED ARTIST DEBRA MARRIED TO THE MOST SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MOGUL. COULD THIS BE TO BOAST HER FAME?”

There were over one million comments, and the likes were over ten million. How did so many people see this? There was a picture of me and Nicholas. It was taken when we were walking out of the mall.

“What does this mean? Why is there an article about us, and who am I, a failed actress?” I asked.

“I can't believe you are asking me this fucking stupid question.” He thundered. “You will not do anything more to disgrace me. I hate being in the news, and I made that clear to you before this marriage, but you found a way to take me there.” He said.

“Well, I didn't mean to.”

“I would not waste another minute with you.” He said that and walked away. My heart sank. Why did I crave his presence? He doesn't even want to be near me.

I walked to my room, determined to find out all about myself. There seems to be a lot I don't know.

Nicholas’s POV

I had gone to the mall for some business when I saw pictures of what was happening being posted online. I would have ignored the picture and Debra entirely if I had known this was what the results of my actions would be.

I hated being the centre of attention. Aside from the few times when I have given interviews in public places, I have not been under the camera. And she hugged me. I felt disgusted by her very touch.

I wanted to wash myself and devour myself with her touch. My heart was too heavy to deal with her. I was still mourning for the striper I saw. I was still having my chest tightened at the thought that I might be stuck with Debra forever.

My phone rang, “Hey Mom.” I said when the call connected. "Oh, my son, I saw the news.” I guess this was what the call was about. “How is Debra?” She asked.

“She is fine.”

“Thank you for taking care of her.” She said, “No need to thank me; she is my priority, and I hope to protect her.” I said.

“Alright son. Aunt Monica said she invited you for dinner by the weekend.” She said, “Please do well to come. If you miss this dinner, your position might be affected.” She threatened and ended the call.

She knew I would not come if she didn't say something like that. She knows I would not try to play with my position. This position was something I had worked for all my life, and I would not allow anything or anyone to ruin it.

I walked to the wine cellar. I wasn't going back to work. For now, I think I need a break from everyone and everything.

Diamond’s POV

My eyes were stung with tears as I went through Debra's box. What have I gotten myself into? Debra was an actress, a model, and a musician who had failed. She was a celebrity, and now I have to keep up with her life. It all made sense now.

Why were they snapping and filming me at the mall? For the past hours, I've been seated in the same position, trying to make sense of everything. It has been my lifelong goal to be an artist. Was this fate’s way of granting it?

I had been avoiding going online, thinking I would be dragged online by netizens. This was not my life, and I wasn't used to it. Someone's knock on my door jolted me out of my reverie. “Come in,” I said.

Slowly, the door opened, and Nicholas stepped into the room. He looked nothing like his usual composed self. “Wh-what are you doing here?” I stammered.