THE CEO RUN AWAY BRIDE

THE LAST DUNNER

This was it. Dinner #3.

The last one on the contract.

After tonight, I get 5 million naira. A new passport. And freedom.

So why did my stomach hurt?

The dress was white this time. Adrian picked it. "To remind him what he lost," he said.

I didn't say anything.

Because 2 nights ago he kissed me.

And we hadn't talked about it since.

The restaurant was the most expensive place in Lagos. Crystal chandeliers. String quartet. Every CEO in the city was here.

Including Damian.

He was at the head table with my father. And he was watching us.

Adrian's hand was on my back the whole time. Possessive. Warm.

"Remember," he whispered. "Smile. You're mine tonight."

Mine.

The word did something to me.

Appetizers came. Small talk. Fake laughs.

Then Damian stood up.

"I'd like to make a toast," he said.

The room went quiet.

"To business," Damian said, raising his glass. "And to the people who try to steal what's not theirs."

His eyes were on me.

My father looked down.

Adrian didn't flinch. He just squeezed my hand under the table.

"Actually," Adrian stood up. "I have a toast too."

He pulled me up with him.

"To the woman who had the courage to say no," Adrian said, looking at me, not the room. "To Ella. Who chose herself."

Cameras flashed.

Damian's face went red. "You think this is funny? She's my fiancée!"

"Was," I said. My voice was clear. "I'm not anymore."

Damian slammed his glass down. "This isn't over, Ella!"

"Yes," Adrian said quietly. "It is."

Security started moving toward Damian.

"Let's go," Adrian said to me.

We walked out. Together.

In the car, neither of us spoke for 10 minutes.

Then: "Contract is done," Adrian said. "Lawyer will wire the money tomorrow. And the passport."

"Okay," I whispered.

Another 5 minutes of silence.

"Ella," he said. "I don't want you to go."

My heart stopped.

"What?"

"I know we had rules. I know this was business. But I don't want you to disappear."

Tears hit my eyes. "Adrian..."

He pulled the car over. Turned to me.

"I fell in love with you in a wedding dress, soaked and angry," he said. "And I fell more every day after."

"Rule #1," I whispered.

"f**k the rules," he said. Then he kissed me.

This time it wasn't rushed. It wasn't angry.

It was home.

When we pulled apart, I was crying and laughing.

"What happens now?" I asked.

"Now," Adrian said, wiping my tears. "You and Kemi move in. And we figure it out. Together."

No contract. No deal.

Just us.

My phone buzzed.

Kemi: Mommy when are you coming home?

I smiled. "Soon baby. Soon."

For the first time in 10 years, I wasn't running.

I was choosing.

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THE END... or is it?

TO BE CONTINUED IN SEASON 2: "THE BLACKWOOD WIFE"