Chapter 8
Nicole couldn’t help but stare at Gabriel.
She watched him closely, the way he sat there so composed, so controlled, as if what they had just done—signing a contract that bound their lives together for six months—was nothing more than another business deal.
Why is he doing this? She wondered.
Her mind immediately began to wander, drifting into places she probably shouldn’t have gone to.
Could it be that he’s impotent or something?
The thought startled her, but once it entered her head, it refused to leave. She quickly tried to justify it. A man his age, rich, handsome, powerful—yet still single. That alone raised questions. Maybe that was reason enough for him to remain unmarried for so long.
Or wait… maybe he’s gay? She thought.
But she dismissed that almost immediately.
No… he doesn’t look gay.
She sighed inwardly.
Why am I even thinking this much about it?
Anyone could choose to remain a bachelor, regardless of age. It was a free world after all. Still, with all the money Gabriel had, it seemed strange that he would choose to be alone forever.
Or maybe… just maybe… every woman who had ever come into his life was only interested in his wealth.
That thought made a little more sense.
But if that were truly the case, then why would he offer her twenty-five million dollars for just six months of pretending?
That didn’t add up.
‘Okay, Nicole,’ she warned herself internally, ‘you need to stop assuming things inside your head. Concentrate on what is in front of you.’
She forced her attention back to reality.
Gabriel, meanwhile, was seated behind his desk, completely focused on his laptop. His fingers moved effortlessly over the keyboard as he finalized the transfer of half of the money he had promised her.
Nicole suddenly felt her phone vibrate.
She frowned slightly and reached for it, unlocking the screen. A new message notification caught her attention. When she opened it and saw the alert from her bank, her breath caught in her throat.
Her account had been credited with 12.5 million dollars.
Her heart skipped.
She stared at the screen, blinking once… then twice… just to be sure she wasn’t imagining things.
He had told the truth.
He had actually transferred half of the money immediately after the contract was signed.
Before she could fully process what she was feeling, Gabriel’s voice broke the silence.
“Here,” he said, extending his hand toward her. “This is your engagement ring.”
Nicole lifted her gaze and saw a small black box resting in his palm.
She took it slowly, almost hesitantly, and opened it.
Inside was a diamond ring so beautiful it made her breath hitch. The stone caught the light effortlessly, sparkling in a way that made it obvious this wasn’t an ordinary ring. It was the kind of ring that cost hundreds of thousands—maybe even more.
She was still staring at it when she noticed Gabriel reaching for the ring.
“If you’ll allow me,” he said softly.
Before she could respond, he gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.
For a moment, Nicole froze.
This was supposed to be nothing more than a contract… and yet, here he was, treating the moment with care, with tenderness. He was being a gentleman even when there was no obligation to be one.
“Please don’t blow this off,” Gabriel whispered close to her ear.
His voice was low, almost vulnerable.
And then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the study, leaving Nicole sitting there—alone, overwhelmed, and unsure of what she was supposed to feel.
A few minutes passed before the door opened again.
This time, it was a maid.
“Ma’am,” she said politely, “I’m sorry to disturb you, but Master ordered me to show you to your room… that is, if you don’t mind.”
Nicole blinked, momentarily pulled back to reality.
“Oh… okay,” she replied, standing up from the sofa.
“This way, please,” the maid said, leading the way.
Nicole followed her through the hallway, her eyes drifting over everything around her. She couldn’t help but stare in awe at the details—the artwork, the lighting, the way everything looked carefully placed and intentional.
Whoever designed this place must be incredibly talented, she thought.
The maid stopped in front of a cream-colored door and opened it.
“This is your room, ma’am. Please call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Nicole said softly.
She watched as the maid exited, closing the door behind her.
Nicole stood still.
The room was massive—at least three times the size of her bedroom back at her apartment.
It carried both a classic and modern touch, blending elegance with comfort effortlessly.
The ensuite bathroom alone was the size of her entire living room back home, and the walk-in closet was twice the size of her old bathroom.
Her gaze drifted upward to the chandelier hanging above the bed.
It was stunning.
Words failed her.
If she had to describe the room with a single word, it would be luxury—pure, undeniable luxury.
Nicole decided to arrange her clothes.
When she stepped into the walk-in closet, she realized something surprising—her clothes had already been neatly placed inside.
“They’re really good,” she murmured to herself.
Yet, as she looked around, she noticed just how insignificant her clothes appeared in such a vast space.
“I guess I’ll be needing more clothes,” she concluded.
But even if she brought everything she owned, she knew it still wouldn’t make much of a difference.
The thought made her feel a little sad.
She quickly reminded herself that this wasn’t permanent. She wasn’t going to be here forever.
Not wanting to sit alone with her thoughts, Nicole decided to take a tour of the mansion. She requested the house administrator and asked him to show her around.
As they walked through the house, Nicole tried to mentally note every room, every hallway, every door. The mansion was enormous, and she worried that she might one day get lost inside it.
When the tour ended, she realized something.
She hadn’t been shown Gabriel’s room.
“What room is Gabriel’s?” she asked.
“The room right across yours, ma’am,” the administrator replied.
“Okay. Thanks for the tour.”
“It’s my pleasure, ma’am.”
She dismissed him and stood there quietly for a moment.
Nicole contemplated her next move.
After a brief pause, she finally made a decision.
She was going to pay Gabriel a surprise visit.