Aliya's POV
I couldn't let Nick know how thankful I was to him for showing up when I had no one to save me. Those men almost violated me, and that would have destroyed me, but he saved me and never left my side.
I know I was being a brat, but letting my guard down again wasn't something I was willing to do. Our relationship was clearly contracted. He worked for me, I paid him—it shouldn't be that difficult, right?
As we drove into my dad's mansion, my heartbeat quickened. I knew I shouldn't care what they thought, but I still felt the need to prove that I didn't live for their love—especially since they clearly had none for me.
The car came to a halt, and I couldn't understand why Nick didn't seem amazed at the size of this estate. Anyone who got in here always had their mouths hanging open, but him—it seemed he wasn't impressed. Not like I was aiming to impress him, but he ought to be.
"Don't say anything unless you're being asked a question. I can't risk you spoiling my plans. But if you do, then you'd be the one marrying Liam De Luca," I warned and stepped out of the car, leaving a smirk on his face.
He stepped out as well, trailing behind me. "I wouldn't mind marrying Liam. I heard he's a god and has more riches than anyone could ever think of. Maybe he'd pay me more," he remarked, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Jerk," I mumbled.
"What?" he questioned, but I ignored him.
As we stood before the big doors, they opened up immediately, revealing William with a grin. "Aliya dear, welcome," he greeted, bowing before me, and I gave him a smile. "Welcome, sir," he added, turning to Nick.
He ushered us in, and we followed slowly behind him. "Aliya, why did you leave? It's not the same here without you," he inquired as we headed toward the dinner table.
"It's not been so long since I left, William. You act like I've been gone for years," I chuckled softly.
"I know, but even after the wedding, you can still stay here. Why move out?" he asked, his tone laced with sadness.
"You know I never get along with anyone in this place. What more now, when I have a loving fiancé? He wouldn't be able to contain it," I responded, entwining my hands with Nick's as he offered a wide smile, playing his role perfectly.
"But honey, we can always stay here. I don't mind," Nick murmured, startling me. He was supposed to keep his mouth shut, and he was already talking when we hadn't even passed the hardest stage. Luckily, he spoke for my hearing only.
"The prodigal daughter finally arrives after making us wait for her like we have nothing better to do with our time," Nala, my evil stepsister, remarked. Our eyes locked as I approached.
"Good evening, everyone. Sorry for making you all wait," I apologized, taking a seat, and Nick sat close to me. Dad remained silent, studying Nick.
"I can see you learned nothing from me while growing up, Aliya. You keep your parents waiting and—" Maria, my stepmother, tried speaking but was cut off by my dad.
"That's enough. At least she's made it," he interjected, shocking the hell out of me. He never defends me. What had changed all of a sudden?
"Now, won't you introduce us to your friend?" he continued, gazing at Nick.
"Yes, Dad. This is Nick Johnson. He's my fiancé and the man I want to get married to tomorrow. We love each other, and that's all that matters," I announced, offering Nick a fake smile, and he smiled back with a nod.
The room went silent, and I could see the veins on Dad's forehead almost pop out. What he failed to understand was that he had no say in who I got married to. As long as I get my inheritance and pay off his stupid debt, then he should be satisfied.
"Hello, Mr. Vinichi. It's an honor to be seated with you," Nick's voice broke through the silence. Was he crazy? What was so difficult about understanding simple instructions?
"Mr. Johnson, do you know exactly who you're getting married to?" Dad queried, causing a crease on my forehead. What did he mean?
"Yes, sir. I'm getting married to Aliya, and I love her," Nick responded confidently. It was almost as if he wasn't acting anymore.
"But Nick, I mean you're a good-looking man. Why pick Aliya when I can make a better wife?" Nala's question was a punch to my chest, and it made my blood boil.
"Excuse me?" I tried getting her attention, but she was so focused on seducing Nick. I should have noticed how she popped one of her buttons open the moment we stepped in.
Nala and I had never gotten along, no matter how hard I tried to be close to her when we were younger. She was always this blonde, mean little witch that had all the boys I wanted falling to her feet, but it was never enough.
The one time I succeeded in getting a boyfriend in high school, she seduced him into sleeping with her, and when she was sure my heart was shattered, she dumped him. Nala always found pleasure in my pain. But I wasn't the naive little girl anymore. If she decided to play dirty, then I'd run myself in mud.
I turned to Nick, who was lost in the tension between me and Nala, placing a soft kiss on his lips. His body tensed up, but he eventually returned my kiss. When I broke it off, I could see the rage in Nala's eyes, and that was exactly what I wanted.
"Dad, it's clear I'm not welcome here. Your wife wouldn't stop ripping me apart with her looks, and her daughter has tried to flirt with my fiancé right in front of me. I won't tolerate that," I stated firmly. "We'll be leaving now. We have a wedding tomorrow, and I'll make sure to settle what needs to be settled."
I rose to my feet, and Nick followed suit.
"You should have married a De Luca, Aliya. It would have benefited us more," Dad muttered as I stepped away from the dinner table.
"De Luca or not, you'll get what you want. Besides, all you ever cared about was money and your other family here. It wouldn't make much of a difference who I decide to marry," I replied, my tone laced with pain, but I maintained my composure, ensuring I didn't break down in tears.
"Dad, you can't let her speak to you like that," Nala retorted, rising to her feet as well.
"Yes, he can, dear sister. He needs me now more than ever," I chuckled while Nick remained silent, his expression unreadable as his eyes darted between me and my family.
I didn't wait for another word from them and walked away with my head held high.
"Aliya, I know how your sister and mother can be sometimes, but you know I'll always be here for you," William followed me out of the house. William had been more of a father to me than Vinichi would ever dream of being. He was the only person who still loved me genuinely. That's how lonely and empty my life was.
"Thank you, but you don't need to defend a nasty attitude,and they're not my mother and sister." I replied as I moved away from my car, walking toward him. I placed a kiss on his cheek and bid him goodbye.
Nick and I got into the car, and I sped off.
"I didn't get to eat," Nick muttered. "Oh, and that kiss just made my price go up. That wasn't included in the deal. So instead of 10 million dollars for the first month, you'd pay me 15 million dollars," he winked, and I couldn't help but shrug.
"You've got great lips, so maybe I'll reconsider my price," he continued blabbering, and I just ignored him. I knew he'd never let me hear the end of it.
It was like he had a switch of characters. One time, he's caring; the next, he's annoying, and another time, he's this quiet, observant man. When it came to Nick, you could never tell.
As we approached my penthouse, my phone buzzed. I pulled over, and Nick got out while I picked up my phone to have a look. It was a message from Philip.
My stomach twisted. "I thought I had blocked this bastard?" I mumbled, opening the message.
Philip: Took this sexy photo of you while you were asleep. I'm sure the world will love to see what a beautiful body you have.
My hands trembled as I stared at my screen, and my vision became blurry. The air around me seemed to vanish and the hair on my neck stood up.
"Are you planning on coming in or—" Nick poked his head through my car window but stayed quiet when he heard the sobs that escaped my lips.
"What is wrong, Aliya?" His voice was calmer now.
"My nudes… Philip wants to… he's going to post them," I managed to say with a cracked voice as I turned to face Nick.
Nick's jaw tightened, his usual playful expression vanishing. "He what?"
His sudden intensity startled me. I didn't know if it was anger for me or at me, but I didn't care. I was already drowning in shame.