Chapter 15

Diamond's POV

“What baby?” I wondered, It was a male voice, and I hadn't seen his face properly. I quickly whirled around to catch a glimpse of Ivan! What the hell did he just say? I was still tongue-tied as he pulled me into his chests, hugging me warmly.

“I'm sorry you had to go through that accident with our baby. I'm back for you now,” he said, confusing me more. Now, pretending to be Debra was becoming harder than I thought.

Everything was sounding weird in my ear, and it was happening so fast for me to digest. I pushed him off me, disentangling myself as he stumbled backwards. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Who... are you?” I stuttered.

“Debra. I have really missed you. Let me touch you. It's been over one month! No one is going to see us here, okay? Don't be scared." He said it calmly, and my heart began pounding in my chest.

He leaned in, pulling my jaw closer for a kiss. “Stay away from me!” I yelled as I stomped on his feet with my heels, quickly taking the door to exit the restroom. “Debraaa…ahhh!…” I heard him wince in pain after I made my way out of the restroom.

I walked as fast as I could to escape Ivan, my breathing becoming more erratic as I sauntered away. When I got to the dining table, everyone was already seated, and I breathed in but couldn't still stabilise my breathing.

“Are you okay?” Mrs. Don asked after finding out that I was panting heavily. Nicholas turned his eyes to me once she asked that question. “I'm fine….” I responded huskily, trying to maintain composure.

“Are you sure, honey?” Nicholas questioned me, touching my neck to feel my temperature. “I'm alright,” I replied with a dry smile.

“Perhaps it's pregnancy?” Mrs. Don suggested.

“Mom!” Nicholas quickly interrupted, as if having a baby with me was that bad. Pregnancy? We haven't even been married for that long. Perhaps she thought we consummated our wedding night.

“What? Aren't you planning on giving me grandchildren?” Mrs. Don inquired, eagerly waiting for an answer. “Mom, let them be; let's just eat.” Neymar interrupted.

That moment, Ivan walked into the dining room, and I turned my eyes away from him. I didn't want to meet his gaze for any reason until I figured out who Debra was to him.

But unfortunately, Ivan sat opposite me, near Mrs. Don, while I sat on the other side with Neymar and Nicholas. I inhaled deep breaths and took my cutlery to start eating.

The table was filled with varieties of food, as it should; I had so many options to choose from. Nicholas's father wasn't around; he was a very busy man. It was just Mrs. Don, Ivan, and the rest of us.

Nicholas was eating, but his pretentious act of us being a lovely couple made him pass eggs onto my plates. “Have some eggs, honey. It's good for your overall system." His lips curled up into a smile while he placed the eggs on my plate.

“Thank you,” I responded, and I continued with my food. “So, Ivan, how was your life in Germany? You left us for over a month.” Neymar brought up a conversation as we all ate.

Everyone fixed their gazes on him except me. “Urmm. Life in Germany wasn't bad. I was busy handling some of our businesses.” He answered.

“I thought you were going to stay there with your father,” Mrs. Don chimed in another query. “No, I would stay in New York. I'm planning on starting up a little company,” Ivan responded.

Mrs. Don concurred with his explanation. “That sounds nice. If you ever need help, you can turn to Nicholas,” Mrs. Don proposed. “Yeah, we are always here, you know." Neymar chimed in, his voice low and husky.

I got tired of staring down at my plate, and as I looked up for a fleeting moment, my gaze met with Ivan, who was seated opposite me, as I quickly looked away. “I know, guys.

Thank you very much,” he murmured, and I felt his legs giving a subtle smooch to my foot from under the table. He was doing that intentionally. Was he flirting with me? I smiled in disdain and shifted my legs away, adjusting myself properly.

What kind of relationship did Ivan have with Debra to be talking about a baby, and who was he anyway?

I turned to Neymar and whispered in his ear, “Who's Ivan to you?” He looked at me and whispered back, “He is our cousin." He answered with a whisper, making them look at us awkwardly.

I nodded slightly, accepting his answer. “I see you get along with Neymar very well,” Mrs. Don said, glancing at the both of us. “He is not bad and friendly too,” I said, flashing my white pearls.

“That's great. Is Nicholas treating you nicely or giving you a hard time?” Mrs. Don inquired, and I swallowed air down my throat. Something is missing after all.

“Oh, c'mon, Mom. You know how much I love Debra,” Nicholas replied, covering up with a sneaky smile as he gently leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. I forced a smile; it would have been more nice if all these were real.

It makes my heart ache more when I see how hard he is trying to make it seem real. It is just toying with my feelings. “Right Debra?” He insisted, piercing his gaze on mine. It wasn't a bad idea after all; maybe I could do whatever I wanted when people were watching.

I pulled him in and crashed my lips against his, not minding the surprise look in his eyes. I didn't relent, pouring all my pent-up emotions into the kiss. The softness of his lips was enjoyable, and I savoured every moment and every sensation.

I felt myself melting into him, losing all control. I got myself when he slowly pulled his lips out. I felt thousands of questions in his eyes with the look he gave me.

“Of course. We are so in love.” I acknowledged his previous question, vibrancy surging through my words and reaction. Meanwhile, they were staring at us with their jaws dropping at my actions.

“That’s quite intense.” Mrs. Don nodded with a smug smile, satisfied with what she saw. Nicholas seemed tongue-tied as he continued with his meal. We ate for some time, and I could still feel Ivan's weird and awkward gaze on me, but I didn't bother to look at him.

“Thanks for coming. Debra. And for taking good care of my son,” Mrs. Don said, pulling me into her embrace after the meal. We were finally about to get going.

“Don't mention it; I will always take care of him,” I replied as I withdrew from her grasp. “Take care of yourself, mom,” Neymar uttered, kissing her hand.

Nicholas also hugged Mrs. Don. He opened the car door for me, and I entered. He steered his car, and we got going. We reached his mansion, and his stern face and cold demeanour became visible as well.

He didn't even bother to open the car door for me, nor did he bat an eye at me. I guess he was done with the pretense. He moved inside without saying a word to us. “Girl, I saw what you did!” Neymar exclaimed, raising his hands for a high five.

I jammed my hands with his, shining my white pearls. “As it should...” I concurred. “That kiss was quite intense. Oh gosh, you are making me reminisce about it. Shit, I should find my partner.” He cried out, biting his lips.

A subtle chuckle escaped my lips: “You are naughty.” I pushed his arm slightly towards his words. Just that minute, another car drove into the mansion. I furrowed my brows, wondering who it could be, until it screeched to a halt and Ivan climbed down.

What the heck is he doing here? Now what? “Why is he here?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

“Ivan?” Neymar was questioned, to be sure. I saw the workers taking out his luggage. “Ivan stays with us here. He is quite close to Nicholas, and I,” Neymar answered as a dry chuckle escaped my lips. This is definitely not good.

Our eyes met, and I averted mine immediately. Shit, this is going to be unavoidable. “Debra, can I have a word with you?” I heard Nicholas's cold voice as I gulped. When I turned to him, he was raising his eyebrows at me.

I twitched my lips and followed him diligently. He went upstairs, and I gently went after him. When he glanced sideways and saw that no one was there, he yanked me roughly and pinned me against the cold wall, making me wince.

I stared down, unable to look at him. “What was the meaning of that little stunt you pulled? Huh!” He yelled, and I fluttered my eyes closed, unable to carry the intensity of his anger.