THE CONTRACT

THE JEALOUS EX

CHAPTER 4: FOUR

Morning came too fast.

7AM. Makeup artist in our house. Photographer. Stylist.

"Mr. and Mrs. Adebayo, GistLover wants an interview.

Couple of the year feature."

Victoria was already ready.

White power suit. Hair in a tight bun. Red lipstick.

CEO mask fully on.

The girl from the kitchen at 3AM was gone.

"Smile," she told me in the car. "Hold my hand.

Act like you love me."

"How?" I asked.

"Like this." She took my hand. Her hand was cold.

But she didn't let go.

The restaurant was full. Bloggers, cameras, flashlights.

"Congratulations Mrs. Adebayo!"

"You two are so cute!"

We sat down. Ordered food neither of us would eat.

Then I heard it.

"Vicky?"

The whole restaurant went quiet.

He walked in.

Tall. 6'2. Navy blue suit. Gold watch. Angry eyes.

Chidi.

The name from her phone. The name from the 2AM text.

Victoria froze. Her hand squeezed mine hard.

"Chidi. What are you doing here?" Her voice was ice.

"What am I doing here?" He laughed loud.

"This is MY restaurant, Vicky. Remember?

I bought it for you 2 years ago."

He looked at me. Up and down. Disgust.

"So this is him? The 2 million naira husband?"

My stomach dropped. He knew everything.

"Don't," Victoria said. She stood up.

"Don't what?" Chidi pulled a chair and sat at our table.

"Let me tell everyone the truth.

How my ex is marrying a broke boy for money.

How she paid 2 million to save her dying company.

How it's all fake."

Cameras flashed. Phones came out.

#FAKEWEDDING started trending in 2 minutes.

"That's enough!" Victoria said.

"No, what's enough is you using people," Chidi said.

"He thinks you love him. You don't.

You used me for 3 years. Slept in my bed.

Now you're using him.

You'll dump him in 6 months just like you dumped me."

He turned to me. "Bro, run.

She doesn't love anyone except money.

The moment she gets her inheritance, you're gone."

"Security!" Victoria shouted.

Two men dragged Chidi out. But he kept shouting:

"Ask her about the 200 million! Ask her why her uncle wants the company!"

The damage was done.

Videos everywhere.

In the car, silence.

Victoria stared out the window. Her jaw was tight.

Her hands were shaking.

"Is it true?" I asked finally.

"What?"

"All of it. The money. Using me."

She closed her eyes.

"Chidi cheated on me with my PA. For 2 years.

Now his father owns 30% of Okoro Group.

He's suing us for 200 million.

If I don't secure the inheritance by marrying, we go bankrupt."

She laughed bitterly. "So yes. It's about money.

Everything in my life is about money, Daniel."

"Is that why you picked me? Because I'm cheap?"

"No," she snapped. Then softer: "No.

I picked you because when I looked at you,

you looked like you wouldn't lie to me."

We got home.

She went straight to east wing.

Didn't eat. Didn't talk.

At midnight my phone buzzed.

Unknown number:

"Told you. She's lying.

Chidi's father will take everything if she marries you.

Run while you can."

I looked at my ring.

Then I looked at her closed door.

The contract said no feelings.

But tonight I wanted to punch Chidi for hurting her.

And I hated myself for caring.

The jealous ex had come.

And he brought the truth with him.

Or what looked like truth.

One thing I knew:

This 6 month contract

just got 10 times more complicated.