Nica arrived home, thinking about that offer and questioning why he would make such an offer. Was he pulling my leg? she wondered. What could I possibly offer him, and what would he gain from that contract?

She eventually let go of the thought and began listening to music through her headphones while drawing the natural beauty that surrounded her. After she was done, she got bored and decided to go to the mall to get a few things for herself.

While shopping, Chris and Ella spotted her and approached her. Chris said, "You just got lucky," then grabbed the pencil she was holding and mocked her.

"It's not like you even know how to draw a straight line or understand what this is used for. Just give it to your friend Ella, the real artist who actually knows her craft."

Ella, though nervous inside, pretended to act tough. "Nica, I know how much you admire my portraits and wish you could draw like me..."

Before she could finish, Nica cut her off with laughter. "So you mean the opposite?"

Chris immediately defended Ella. "Ella is the real artist, so stop saying nonsense."

Nica laughed again. "You really think she is the artist?"

Ella grew uneasy and quickly thought of a way to distract them so she could leave with Chris. She held her stomach and said, "Chris, please take me to the hospital. I'm not feeling too well."

Chris immediately carried her out of the mall. As they left, Ella turned back and gave Nica a smug smirk.

Nica shook her head. Just as I thought. Pretending again. She's always pretending.

She continued shopping peacefully until she bent down to pick up the pencil that had fallen. A man rushed forward and picked it up for her.

"Jordan? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

Instead of answering directly, he asked, "Are you an artist?"

"Yes," she replied.

Jordan smiled. He loved purchasing portraits from a particular artist known as Color Muse-not realizing that the artist was standing right in front of him.

He began speaking excitedly. "I love portraits. I own collections like Divine Faces, Silent Strokes, Dream Frame, and Grace in..."

They both said at the same time, "Color."

They looked at each other and smiled. Those were some of the collections he had at home, and Nica was speechless because they were all her works.

Then Jordan asked, "How do you know about those portraits?"

Nica quickly replied, "I love portraits too, and I draw, remember?" she said, raising her pencil to make her point. "I also do my research."

Nica felt truly happy hearing someone speak of her work with such admiration-especially someone like Jordan, the same man who had offered her a contract. She found herself helplessly drawn to him as he spoke, yet she could not bring herself to reveal that she was Color Muse.

The more they talked, the more they realized they had so much in common.

Suddenly, Jordan's phone rang. He excused himself to answer the call.

While he was away, Nica quietly left without saying goodbye.

When she got home, she was shocked to see her bags outside and her door locked. A note was attached to the handle:

I have given you enough time to pay your rent. Someone has already paid for it.

With nowhere to go, she whispered, "I have to find Jordan."

Having no contact information or address for him, she hurried back to the mall. She was devastated to discover he had already left.

Then a hand tapped her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked.

"Not at all," she replied as she turned around.

The moment she saw him, she screamed, "Jordan! I've been looking everywhere for you. I've accepted your offer... if it's still available."

Jordan looked at her calmly and said,

"No... the offer is no longer available."

Nica looked disappointed, but Jordan suddenly started smiling.

"I was just kidding," he said. "That contract is only for you, and you alone."

Nica was stunned and did not know what to say.

Jordan asked her to follow him, and soon they arrived at his office. Nica stared in amazement.

"Wow..." she whispered. The exterior of the building was breathtaking.

As they entered, she was even more shocked. The inside looked like heaven itself...elegant, luxurious, and beautifully designed.

Jordan offered her a seat and told her to wait, explaining that he had an urgent meeting to attend.

While sitting alone in his office, Nica carefully observed the setting and arrangement of the room. Her eyes landed on the portraits hanging on the walls, and she stood up to admire them.

Suddenly, thoughts of betrayal from her ex-boyfriend and former best friend flooded her mind. Her expression hardened with determination. She would expose her so-called best friend's lies and make her boyfriend beg for forgiveness but by then, it would already be too late.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when Jordan's guard walked in.

"Do you need anything while waiting for Mr. Jordan?" he asked respectfully.

"Just a bottle of water will do," she replied.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, Jordan listened as reports of Chris's mismanagement were presented.

Chris quickly interrupted. "Uncle, please... such conduct will never happen again."

Jordan's face remained cold.

"I do not give second chances."

With those words, he fired Chris on the spot.

Chris refused to accept it and continued begging desperately, but Jordan ended the meeting and announced that a replacement would be found immediately.

As Jordan walked back toward his office, Chris followed closely behind, pleading nonstop. Jordan ignored him completely.

When Jordan opened the office door and stepped inside, Chris caught sight of Nica sitting there. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"No... no, no. Nica can't be here," he muttered. "Maybe I'm imagining things."

To clear his doubts, he remained outside the office.

Back inside, Jordan asked gently, "Are you okay?"

He then ordered his guard to bring the contract documents for Nica to review and sign.

While waiting, Nica pointed at a portrait titled Golden Muse.

"How did you get this?" she asked softly. "That portrait belonged to my mother." Nica said in her thought.

Jordan looked at it thoughtfully.

"I once helped a woman who was in danger," he explained. "She insisted I accept it so she could feel at peace."

Nica wanted to ask more questions, but the guard returned with the documents and handed them to Jordan.

Jordan opened them, pointed to the pages, and showed Nica where to sign after reading through them carefully.

Nica signed.

Jordan felt deeply satisfied. I must win her over, he thought.

For a long time, Jordan had admired Nica from a distance. The only thing that stopped him was the fact that she had been dating his nephew, a complete disgrace in his eyes.

He gently took Nica's hand.

"I will never force you to do anything that hurts you," he said. "And always remember this... you are mine now. I will never let anyone harm you."

For the first time in a long while, Nica felt safe... protected... valued... like someone's priority. It was everything Chris had never made her feel.

Lost in those emotions, she barely heard Jordan ask, "Are you okay?"

"Yes... I... am... fine," she stammered.

Jordan smiled faintly and told her to wait outside while he went to get the car.

As Nica stood outside, Chris suddenly attacked from behind with his words.

"Well, well, well... look who is here. What are you doing in a place like this? This place is far above your class."

Nica smirked coldly.

"That's rich coming from a nobody who survives by hiding behind family connections."

Chris glared angrily.

"At least it's better than where you come from."

He tried to grab her, but Nica swiftly stepped aside, causing him to stumble face-first onto the ground.

She looked down at him without emotion.

"We are done. It's over between us."

Without another word, she walked toward Jordan's car.

Jordan had already opened the door for her. She entered gracefully, and then he turned to Chris.

"This is my final warning," Jordan said darkly. "Never lay your hands on her again. Next time, you may not be so lucky."

Jordan then drove Nica to her house and helped carry her bags to the car.

As they both reached for the same bag, their hands touched.

They froze.

Their eyes locked intensely, neither willing to look away.

Slowly, Jordan leaned closer, about to kiss her......

But suddenly, a cat meowed loudly from behind them.

Nica jumped back in embarrassment.

"Sorry!" she blurted out.

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "Sorry for what?"

Flustered and speechless, Nica quickly turned and walked away.

Jordan simply stood there, smiling at her adorable reaction as he made his way back to his car.

They both arrived at his house, but to Nica, it looked like paradise on earth. She could hardly believe that anyone could live in such a magnificent place.

The moment they arrived, guards lined up to welcome them, while maids stood neatly at the entrance of the mansion.

After greeting both Jordan and his wife, one of the guards drove the car away to park it. Some of the maids carried Nica's bags inside, while others attended to her. Each person had an assigned duty.

Jordan pampered her like a queen and made sure she lacked nothing. He changed her wardrobe, handed her one of his black cards, and said, "If you need anything, just call me."

Nica nodded.

Jordan suddenly leaned closer to her. She closed her eyes, expecting a kiss, but instead he whispered softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Embarrassed, she pushed him away.

But Jordan quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "You are mine now... tomorrow and forever."

Nica felt confused. This was only supposed to be a contract marriage, yet butterflies stirred in her stomach.

She stepped back and quickly said she needed to shower.

Jordan smirked. "Do you want me to bath you?"

Nica's cheeks turned bright red.

"Jordan, you are always teasing me."

He pulled her closer again. "What if I am serious?"

She ran away shyly, while Jordan watched her with a smile.

"She is so adorable," he murmured.

As she hurried upstairs, Nica accidentally entered Jordan's room, thinking it was hers. She stepped into the bathroom and took a shower.

When she was done, she walked out naked, unaware that Jordan was already in the room.

She screamed in shock, while Jordan immediately turned away.

That was when she realized she had forgotten to wrap her towel properly. Her face burned with embarrassment.

Jordan politely excused himself and allowed her to dress.

A few moments later, she stepped out looking stunning in a mini skirt, a simple top, her hair tied into a ponytail, and her signature nerd glasses resting on her nose.

Jordan looked at her for a moment before apologizing.

"I did not know you were in my room."

Nica frowned. "Your room... or my room?"

Jordan smiled and pointed to the door directly opposite his.

"That is your room."

Nica apologized for entering the wrong one, but Jordan shook his head.

"It is not a problem. Whatever is mine is also yours."

Nica raised her head, blushing deeply.

Jordan moved closer.

"You are really beautiful when you let your hair down," he said, gently removing the band from her hair.

Her hair fell softly around her shoulders.

"And even more beautiful without these glasses."

He carefully removed them and leaned closer.

Nica's heart pounded so loudly it felt as though Jordan could hear it.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

She could only stare at him helplessly.

Just then, a maid interrupted them.

"Mr. Jordan, dinner is ready."

Nica quickly rushed out of the room, flustered and embarrassed.

As she walked away, she whispered to herself, "Nica, calm down. You are only his contract wife."

Meanwhile, Jordan stood there smiling to himself.

Why is she so adorable? I keep falling for her more than I should.

Before dinner, Jordan gathered all the maids and guards and gave strict instructions.

"Anyone who breaks my rules will be fired immediately. I do not give second chances."

He then pointed to each person.

"Maria, you are in charge of my wife's laundry. Mira, you are responsible for cooking. Mia, you are her personal assistant. Under no circumstances should anyone disrespect her. Damien, you are her driver."

He looked at them sharply.

"Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir," they all answered in unison.

Jordan dismissed them and then pulled out a chair for Nica to sit. He took his own seat at the head of the table.

Nica smiled warmly.

"I appreciate everything you are doing for me, but I can do my own laundry, cook for myself, and take care of myself."

Jordan gently dragged her chair closer to his.

"I cannot let my queen stress herself," he said. "You are mine, and I will take care of you the best way I know how."

Nica blushed deeply.

Jordan then lifted her hand and kissed it gently.

Butterflies filled her stomach as she stared at him helplessly.