One

Alicia’s POV

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow across the vast expanse of the cemetery. I stood at the edge of the grave of Grandma Mary, the woman who had been a support to me my entire life. It's been a month since she left this world and I still can't get over the sadness that manages to creep into my heart every moment. Tears welled up in my eyes, mingling with the bittersweet memories.

With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the grave, my emotions threatening to consume me. It was almost time, time to embark on a new chapter without her influence and presence. I walked towards the waiting black car, its polished exterior reflecting the somber surroundings.

Slipping into the backseat, I shielded my eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses I'd brought with me from the house. The world outside moved in a blur as my driver guided the car through the city streets.

I reached into my bag and retrieved my cell phone. With trembling fingers, I checked the time.

Four hours, I thought loudly, four more hours and I'll be free. No longer would I be a prisoner to this sham of a marriage. The road stretched out before me, a symbol of liberation and possibility. With each passing mile, I got more nervous and my determination to walk away grew stronger.

I'm about to demand a divorce from Nathaniel Dominic Lancaster. He'll be coming home today after two weeks. Asking him for the divorce might not be a walk in the park but still, I have no intention of backing down.

Three years ago, Grandma Mary, the only woman who loved me for who I was and who also happens to be Nathaniel's grandmother, made a request I couldn't say no to.

The old woman had been in the hospital for months, getting treated for leukemia. She didn't want the surgery as she believed she was too old and wouldn't want to bother anyone with her sickness. If she had agreed to the transplant, I would've gladly given her mine.

She wanted me to marry her only grandson. The one and only Nathaniel Lancaster, the sole heir to Lancaster's empire. He was popularly known for a lot of things, including the good and the bad. He's a notorious businessman, brutal in negotiations and agreements, and at the same time, he's always on the cover of every Playboy magazine and gossip blog for dumping an actress or dating an artiste. In one word, Nathaniel is an embodiment of evil and good.

When Grandma Mary asked me to marry him, I refused but I knew I wouldn't be able to look her in the eye after everything she'd done for me and still say no the second time she asked.

We got married like she wanted, a private wedding. To the world, it was a little perfect wedding but to me, it was the most terrible experience of my life. That wasn't how I'd pictured my wedding ceremony to be. It wasn't a dream of mine.

On the night of the wedding, Nathaniel came up to my room with a contract agreement. A knock rasped on my door and when I opened it, it was the sexy devil in a white shirt standing outside my door.

"Come downstairs," he demanded, turned, and walked away.

Reluctantly, I grabbed my phone from the bed and followed him to the living area. The house was a gift from his grandmother, she didn't want me to stay at Natheniel's home because of reasons best known to her but if you ask me, I'll tell you how super grateful I am that I won't be spending the rest of my life in a house where different atrocities have been committed.

He dropped a document on the center table and slightly raised his head. I took that as a cue to open it up and I saw the words boldly written on it.

"Consensual non-monogamy"

I read it out loud and Nathaniel raised an eyebrow.

Groaning, he said, "That means we don't…." I cut him off.

"I know what it means. It means open marriage, I'm not stupid,"

"Sure," he mumbled.

As I skimmed through the contract, I realized almost everything mentioned in the contract was in his favor.

Nervousness lingered in the air as I anticipated what was about to happen. I would've preferred to have this conversation before the marriage, not now. I've heard of how shrewd Nathaniel is when it comes to an agreement.

"Why should I agree to any of this? This was drawn in my absence and you expect me to just pick up a pen and sign" I asked, dropping the file back to the table.

Nathaniel smirked, picked it up, and tore it into pieces. "Let's draw up a new one that'll please you then, this is for the benefit of both of us, especially you,"

Taken aback by his willingness to draw up a new one, I forced a response, "What do you mean by that?"

“I don’t like you and you sure don’t like me. I don’t even know you enough to share a space with you which means we’re both here against our will,”

That wasn’t the response I wanted but I let it go.

Nathaniel began, "Firstly, we agree not to share a bed or room. Personal space will be respected."

Woman: "Agreed. I don’t like sharing spaces, especially with people who I don't know where they’ve been,” I sassed. He stared at me for a second or two before he looked away.

"We both possess the right to seek companionship outside our marital bond."

I scoffed, "How convenient. Since it works both ways, I agree," I guess that part of the agreement works perfectly for Nathaniel and his lifestyle.

We exchanged knowing glances, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"My turn," I cut in before he could say anything. "We have no obligations to each other."

"When you say obligations, I'll love you to explain that,"

I raised a finger, "One, I don't want you all up in my business," Two fingers, "Second, I cook when I want to, not when you want me to,"

He smirked. "That wouldn't be a problem, Birdie. I have chefs, and cleaners, at my beck and call. Lastly, minding my business is my superpower. You're on the brink of death, I wouldn't blink an eye in your direction, are we good?"

"Perfect," I mumbled.

"In public, we shall present ourselves as a couple, we’ll be attending events together, especially family events,"

"That shouldn’t be a problem for me,”

We signed the new agreement the next morning and after that, we didn't look at each other twice.

One month ago, Grandma Mary passed away and ever since she died, the only thought I could nurture was how to get out of this lie of a marriage. Grandma had asked me if I was happy, I looked her in the eye and lied to her that I was.

Was I supposed to tell her the truth while she was on her deathbed?

I met Grandma when I was still a high school student. When she learned I was an orphan, she had me transfered to her orphanage. She sponsored me through University and never left my side for once.

My phone buzzed and as I pulled it out of my bag, I was bombarded with a series of messages, from a strange number. It wasn't the first time it would be happening since I got married to a womanizer. Someone had taken it as a duty to send me pictures of Nathaniel and his arrays of girlfriends at hotels, restaurants, and airports. Maybe this person thinks I care when I actually don't.

As I stared at the pictures, the more anxious and nervous I got. I just couldn't wait for four hours to pass before I saw him and told him I wanted a divorce. I better do it now.

"Driver, please take me to my husband's office, I need to see him now,"