The Billion Dollar Contract novel Chapter 16

"And you? Why aren't you with someone?" Gabriel asked taking Nicole by surprise. She hadn't talked to anyone about her personal life. Vanessa and Rick were her friends but she wasn't so close to them in a personal way because of what had happened to her in the past.

"I- um. I had a rough relationship" she replied taking a sip from her wine hoping it would help calm her nervousness

"Look, if you don't-"

"No no, it's fine. I actually want to talk about it since I haven't done that with anyone. It eats me up sometimes" she said cutting him off

"I had this boyfriend from highschool. We were in love or so I thought" she began with a shaky smile

Gabriel knew she was only smiling to cover her pain. He gently placed his hand on hers showing her that she could trust him

"Thanks" Nicole said when she felt Gabriel's hand on hers that was on the table. It gave her a sudden relief knowing that he was ready to listen to her stupid and sorrowful story

"We usually had quarrels but they weren't a big deal to me cos I loved him. One day I found him..." Nicole inhaled deeply before continuing

"I found him sleeping with my best friend" she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks

"I got mad and asked them both to get out of my life.... After awhile, Dylan came back and apologized. He said he never meant to cheat on me, that Claire my best friend had been the one to throw herself to him. I forgave him and we got back together, I didn't give it a second thought because I was madly in love with him.... Dylan wanted sex and I wanted a best friend but I was willing to give in to his demands....I soon noticed that he received texts from random girls late at night and he became indifferent towards our relationship....I went over to his place on his twenty third birthday and caught him in bed with some girl" Nicole couldn't hold it anymore, she broke down in tears

"I should have never forgiven him. I knew he wasn't being honest when he first apologized but I still forgave him" she said in tears

"Don't blame yourself" Gabriel said trying to console her

"I was so stupid. I was a complete idiot" she sniffled still blaming herself

"I tried moving on but each relationship turned out to be the same, that's how terrible I am"

"Don't say that, you're a great person"