Drowning In His Lies

Chapter 9: My Own Fiance

Three weeks later.

I have not spoken to Jaden in three weeks. He has called 112 times. Sent 89 messages. Sent flowers to my office. I returned everything.

Amanda posted on i********:: "So happy to be back with my man in Lagos. Some small Port Harcourt girls tried to steal him but they failed. #LondonToLagos #RealLove"

Her followers laughed at me in the comments. "Who does this M.C. Jones think she is? A small girl from PH wants to steal our Amanda's billionaire?"

I blocked her. I blocked Jaden. I blocked everyone.

I focused on work. Starlight Media signed two new deals. We are now worth 500 million naira. I bought a new car. A white Benz. I moved to a bigger apartment.

I am successful. I am rich. But every night, I look at my finger where that cheap silver ring used to be.

Today, Tola says, "Madam, there is a man to see you. He says his name is Mr. David Briggs. From London."

"Send him in."

A tall, handsome man walks in. Dark skin, clean suit, American accent. He is not as tall as Jaden, but he is more mature. More calm.

"Ms. Jones? I'm David Briggs. I own Briggs Oil & Gas. We are partners with Cole Energy. I was in the boardroom that day... the day Jaden proposed to you. I saw everything."

I sit down, confused. "Okay?"

"I came because... I have been watching you. Your work. Your strength. How you built this company from nothing. And I have to be honest, Ms. Jones, I was supposed to have dinner with Amanda last week in London, but I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Me? Another billionaire?

"Mr. Briggs, I am not looking for a man right now," I say.

"I know," he says, smiling. "That's why I like you. Jaden told me he lost you because he lied. I won't lie. I am not engaged. I have no fiancee in London. I have no wife. I have only my company and my heart, and both are available if you want."

He brings out a small box. Not a ring box. A key box.

"This is the key to my penthouse in Banana Island. And this," he brings out a contract, "is a 1 BILLION naira merger contract between Starlight Media and Briggs Oil. No conditions. No 50%. Just you and me, partners."

One billion? My mouth opens.

"And," he continues, coming closer, "if you say yes to dinner tonight, I promise, I will never make you drown in lies. I will make you swim in truth."

My phone rings. Jaden.

I look at David. I look at the phone. I look at the 1 billion contract.

Three weeks ago, I thought my story ended with Jaden's proposal.

But maybe, my story is just starting.

Maybe Jaden was Chapter 1 to 8.

And David is Chapter 9.

I pick up the phone and I finally answer Jaden.

"Jaden," I say, loud enough for David to hear, "I'm having dinner with my new fiance tonight. Don't call me again."

I hang up.

David smiles. "Fiance? I like the sound of that."

I smile back. For the first time in three weeks, a real smile.

"So, Mr. Briggs... where are we having dinner?"

And as I walk out of my office with David Briggs, holding a 1 billion naira contract, I know one thing for sure.

Mimi, the small girl who drowned in the pool, is dead.

M.C. Jones, the billionaire CEO who walks on water, is just getting started.