The billionaire's contracted princess

"Happy birthday, Miss Nova," Chloe, her favorite maid, exclaimed with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "You look stunning."

"I know right!" Nova turned from the mirror, her hands on her waist as she turned elegantly from side to side, admiring her dress. "If there's one thing that I can say right now, it is that it feels good to be 23. I mean take a look at everything. My dad has never attended my birthday party since I was born but now..."

She turned back again to look at the mirror, a smile graced her lips, reflecting the joy bubbling within her. "...now he is and I feel great. This is my best year yet."

"You're right, Miss Nova," Chloe chimed in, appearing behind her to adjust her hair properly. "Your father is a very busy man. Then, he would try to make out time for you by planning ahead of time but unfortunately, work would make him miss your birthday over and over again and you would end up angry and sad for the whole day."

This was the life of Nova Sinclair for the past 22 years. On every birthday of hers, her father, Dominic Sinclair would come up with a excuse not to be present. Only that it wasn't an excuse most of the time, they were valid reasons which had a thing or two to do with work.

The day she marked her first birthday coincided with his signing a major contract with another company, thereafter making his absence on her birthday a regular event.

Nova was the only child. She was known worldwide as the Sinclair princess because she was the only daughter and child of Dominic and Victoria Sinclair, and despite her father's massive wealth and fame, Nova remained a daddy's girl.

Today was a special day.

Today was her birthday. And what was more interesting? Her dad was in attendance for the very first time in her entire life.

A knock came on the door as Nova continued to admire herself in the mirror.

"That should be mom. How do I look?" She asked Chloe.

"Perfect, Miss Nova."

Immediately, her mother, Victoria Sinclair entered the room looking as gorgeous as her daughter but not enough to steal the spotlight.

"My princess, you look stunning," Victoria said as she held Nova gently on her shoulders and looked at her lovingly.

"Thank you mom."

"Now we must hurry. The guests are waiting downstairs," Victoria then turned towards Chloe. "Is there anything else, Chloe?"

"No ma'am. Miss Nova is ready to go," Chloe replied.

"Good. Now let's go, my darling."

Victoria held her daughter's hand gently, a sense of pride swelling within her as they walked down the stairs.

All eyes were on them.

All eyes were on her daughter.

They could hear the whispers from the guests and the smiles on their faces that followed. Who wouldn't stare at her when she was wearing one of the most expensive designers outfits in the world?

Her dress, a luxurious silk georgette off-shoulder flowing gown draped gracefully around her figure. It was embedded with dazzling diamonds that started from the chest region to the waistline and sewed round the rest of the gown in floral patterns. A customized dress made just for her.

But that wasn't Nova's concern. She was more concerned that there were many guests than she expected.

Her eyes darted from side to side. She could recognize the faces of top businessmen and politicians, many of which she hasn't met in real life but has seen in TV.

How could it be that these men were able to make it to her birthday party? An ordinary birthday party. Not ordinary per se but it was something that she had never experienced before.

She leaned towards her mother's ear and whispered, "mom, how is it that there are so many people today? I thought we planned to keep it minimal."

"Have you forgotten who your father is? Your father is one of the richest people in the world. What makes you think that he can't pull this kind of weight?" Victoria smiled as they finally reached the grand floor, nodding her head as she greeted the female guests.

Nova didn't know where to begin. This was something that she wasn't used to. Was she supposed to go about greeting people like her mother or should she just stand and wait for them to come wish her 'happy birthday?'

She chose the latter -- besides she was the celebrant here.

"Oh dear, you look gorgeous..."

"Happy birthday, Sinclair Princess..."

"Your dress looks amazing. Who are you wearing?"

"You look so much like your mom but you have your dad's eyes..."

And it went on and on.

Despite the fact that Nova wasn't used to seeing such crowd, she couldn't deny the fact that it felt good to be wished a happy birthday from wealthy people. The elites for that matter.

Then, a very familiar face approached her. It was Adelaide Carnegie, the wife of Jeffrey Carnegie, Chairman of The Carnegie Incorporation.

The Carnegies were among the top 10 richest people in the world. With their family wealth dated back to the 1600s, Jeffrey Carnegie, though he wasn't the pioneer of The Carnegie Incorporation, was a solid heir who took their family wealth to great heights.

Nova didn't know much about them but she remembered seeing them a few times in their house and in magazines taking pictures with her dad.

Adelaide was a very beautiful woman but she had this scary aura about her. Rumour has it that it was this scary aura of hers that has helped her husband be above his counterparts and of course Nova was begining to believe it since she felt it herself.

"Oh dearest," Adelaide said with a light-hearted tone as she hugged Nova. "You look stunning in that dress."

"Thank you."

"Happy birthday. And I must say that you look prettier in person than in pictures. It's not like it's my first time seeing you but most times that I come around the house, I always forget to say hello."

"There's no problem at all. I know that it is not good to believe everything the press says about a celebrity but there's something they are right about."

"And what is that, my dear?" Adelaide asked curiously.

"That you smell divine."

Adelaide's cheeks flushed red at the compliment. Another compliment to boost her ego.

"Oh dear, thank you. I get that a lot. I have a feeling that we both are gonna get along fine when you join the family. You haven't met Henry yet, have you?"

'join the family' what did she mean by that? And who was Henry?

"No, who's that?" Nova asked.

"My son. He's somewhere around," Adelaide looked around for her son but turned to reassure Nova. "Don't worry, my darling, you'll meet him soon. It's a special day today and of course, double congratulations."

Adelaide tapped her gently on her wrist before leaving her alone but Nova was more confused than before.

Ding ding ding.

The sound of a fork clinking against a glass cup brought Nova back from her thoughts.

It was her father, Dominic Sinclair, standing on the podium with a wide smile on his face about to address everyone.

"Attention everyone," Dominic cleared his throat before he continued. "Today is a very special day. Not only for my daughter but for I and my wife as well and of course my multi billion dollars company."

Yeah right, that was typically how her father was. He wouldn't fail to mention that his company was worth a lot of billions.

Not that it was easy but he didn't need to remind everyone of it.

Her father, Dominic Sinclair, s self made billionaire was the founding father and chairman of Sinclair Enterprises also known as SET, a renowned global corporation known for its innovative home and industrial electronics.Despite his stern demeanor, to his daughter, he was the sweetest and coolest person.

"Today is the 23rd birthday of my precious daughter and this happens to be the first time that I'm attending her birthday."

The guests burst out laughing.

"But..." He held his index finger up, about to pass his point across. "We are not just celebrating her 23rd birthday, we are celebrating her engagement to Henry Carnegie, son of my dearest friend, Jeffrey Carnegie."

A round of applause was the order of the day in that hall but for Nova, it was the most terrifying and horrifying thing ever.

She wanted to be sure she heard right. Today was her birthday party only. Nobody told her that she was going to get engaged to anyone. Nobody!

"Isn't that a thing of joy?!"her father continued. "My daughter will be getting married to the Carnegie family!"

"What!!!"