𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Fifty -Three

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The day automatically changed like she knew it would. Imani didn't feel the sunset anymore because her body felt frozen in place; it was a miracle she wasn't shivering. She stood by the door looking at Matthew's back; he was lying with his back to her which felt as if he had dismissed her. There were no words to explain how painful it was.

Matthew didn't talk to her again, and she couldn't find her voice.

She remembered the first night they broke up; it had hurt, but not like this, maybe because she knew she would see him again.

The second time when he said he was in love with her. Those memories almost knocked her down as she recalled the joy of hearing him say it.

That felt like a million years ago. Today, Matthew sounded like he regretted meeting, even though he said the opposite.

Slowly closing the door behind her, Imani went to the room designated for her and Jamie to pack, but she had no strength, so she sat down on the bed for a while to process what had just happened.

It was her idea to have a two-month affair with Matthew, who'd amended it to four, and with a bit of persuasion, she had agreed. Why was it so hard to let go now?

She packed a few of their belongings and then left. She needed to come up with a strategy first. She couldn't handle losing Matthew to a model or anyone else—he was hers, and she intended to let him know.

First, she called the landlord of their previous apartment to ask whether it was still available. She planned to be as close to Matthew as possible.

While she packed, Jamie had gone to visit Matt. Over the last couple of days, they had become close; Matthew enjoyed his curious mind as much as he enjoyed his company.

"Can't we stay with you?" Jamie asked

I wish you could. Matthew thought, closing his eyes for a while before replying, "Sorry, buddy. Your sister has to work." that was a reasonable reply, but it wasn't entirely true.

After Jamie waved Matthew goodbye, he went to join his sister, and they left. Matthew felt as he did the second time they broke up; it was the reason he didn't want her close because every time she walked away, he experienced the same wave of sadness and heartbreak.

Happy that their previous apartment was vacant, Pete dropped them off this time; she didn't mind him driving to their gate. If she was to win Matt back, she had to come to terms with who he was —a public figure.

"Thank you, Pete." although he replied in kind, Imani noticed he was not as friendly as he used to be. Matthew wouldn't have told him about their relationship, so she figured Pete must have witnessed his boss's unhappiness. She regretted that the most.

"We are home?" Jamie said even though the house was empty, skipping happily into the house. It had changed him after we moved. Luckily, it was for a few days.

"Yes, we are," she responded in a low voice, her eyes moving around the house. This was their home, but not for long; she intended to have a place in Matthew's life. He was their home.

It might have taken a while to realize it, but she was glad she could see it now.

While Matt was recuperating, Imani was planning her strategy. Even though she panicked once in a while, especially when she couldn't get him on the phone, she told herself he was still in love with her.

It could take some time to fall out of love with her. Also, she knew he still felt something for her because when she spent time beside him, she could see it in his eyes.

Matthew stayed in bed for days before a full recovery. But it also kept him away from the press wanting a press conference. Instead, his PR team released a statement to various media houses worldwide, giving a record of what had transpired. It was a hectic time for both Matthew and Ocean Corporations.

More than a month after Imani left Matthew's house, he was seen getting cozy at a yacht party with Olivia Henderson.

She saw him in one photo throwing his head back, laughing at something she said.
This was becoming ridiculously synthetic, Imani thought, but that night, Imani tried calling him again, but she couldn't get through, then she tried texting, but the messages too went undelivered. She realized, with an ache in her heart, that he had blocked her.

That brought a different pain in her heart, like he was done with her, as if he no longer considered her a friend or an acquaintance; to Matthew, she no longer existed.

I will show you I exist, Imani swore, getting her phone to call Pete, but he had also blocked her.

With no options other than going to his office, she screamed in her hands with frustration and agony at loving a man she'd hurt too much to want her back.

She couldn't go to his office; it would be embarrassing if he refused to see her.

Matthew, however, was having a great time with Olivia. He could see her as a life partner, the mother of his children even though neither of them had labeled their relationship; Olivia had begun capitalizing on his Image. Although she was successful on her own, some brands called her because of her association with him.

She started planning her life around him. Her lawyer called to advise her not to sign a prenup without first consulting with him.

"Don't sign anything without talking to me first." he had said, telling her the marriage could be like winning a lottery. Olivia wanted to be Mrs. Ocean so bad she packaged herself as a perfect life partner for a man like Matthew. She could tell he was falling for it; in actuality, Olivia had an aversion for children.

But universe had a way of aligning itself so that it often caught most people unaware. Matthew had decided to wed Olivia; it was a swift decision, one that would help him forget Imani and move on. Before he could, father Jose called.

"Matt," He knew it was serious because of the older man's solemn voice.

"What? Are you ill?" He asked, clutching the phone tightly on his ear, preparing for bad news.

"No, I'm as strong as an Ox." Matt smiled, liking the humor in the priest's voice, silently waiting for him to state the reason for the call.

"Imani called." Matthew froze, his heart beating with both excitement and anger that she could go through the older man because he wouldn't pick up her calls.

"What does she want?"

Father Josè cleared his throat as he wondered how to word it.

"She said you've blocked her."

"I don't have to talk to her. She is no longer a part of my life." Matthew replied furiously.

"It seems the Lord has decided to keep her in it."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Don't use profanity with me," the priest chastised. Even though he had taught them better, the boys still cussed as if they wouldn't be understood if they did not.

"What do you mean?" this time, he whispered, anxiously waiting for the priest to reply.

"She is pregnant."

Neither of them spoke. Matthew's world stood still; nothing moved, not even his heart. He didn't know whether to be pleased or horrified, but part of him acknowledged that the girl he had loved not long ago carried his child.