Adrian's
The view from my office was impressive, but today, it did nothing to calm my nerves. Meridian City stretched out below me, its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets usually a source of pride. Today, it just felt like a reminder of everything I had to manage. The board meetings, the investor calls, the constant pressure to stay ahead of the competition—it was enough to make anyone crack. But I couldn’t. Cracking wasn’t an option.
My desk was a mess of papers and reports, the clutter reflecting the chaos I kept hidden from the world. I’d been up late reviewing the latest financials, trying to find a way to keep the shareholders happy while navigating the ever-shifting landscape of the tech industry. It was exhausting, but I didn't have a choice. This was my life, and I'd made my bed. Now I had to lie in it.
The phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. It was Diana Kingsley, my executive assistant. She was one of the few people I trusted to keep things running smoothly. If she called, it usually meant I had to deal with something important.
"Mr. Langston," she said, her voice calm but firm, "your mother is on line one. She says it's urgent."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. My mom, Evelyn "Evie" Langston, had a talent for picking the worst times to call. It wasn't that I didn't love her—I did—but she had a way of reminding me of everything I was trying to avoid. Like my family, for instance, and the mess that was my relationship with my brother, Oliver.
"Thanks, Diana," I said, picking up the phone. I had to force a smile into my voice. "Hi, Mom. What's up?"
"Adrian, darling," she said, her voice filled with warmth and worry. "I haven't heard from you in ages. Are you taking care of yourself? Eating properly? Sleeping enough?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine, Mom. Just been busy. You know how it is."
"I do," she replied, and I could almost hear her frown through the phone. "But you need to take care of yourself. You can't work all the time. And it's been too long since you've come home. I miss you."
Guilt hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew she was right, but I couldn't afford to take time off. "I'll try to visit soon," I said, hoping to pacify her. "I just have a lot on my plate right now."
She sighed, and it sounded heavy. "I know. I just worry about you. And about Oliver. He's coming to town, you know."
That caught my attention. "Oliver? Why?" My tone was sharper than I intended, but my brother's name always had that effect on me.
"He wants to talk to you," she said, her voice gentle. "Please, Adrian, don't shut him out. You two are brothers. You need to find a way to mend things."
I felt my jaw tighten. Oliver and I hadn't spoken in years, not since he walked away from the family business and left me to deal with everything. He'd always been the rebellious one, the one who wanted nothing to do with the corporate world. I, on the other hand, had embraced it, taken the reins, and made it my own. Our father had left a mess behind when he died, and I had to clean it up. Oliver had bailed, and I hadn't forgiven him for that.
"I don't know, Mom," I said, trying to keep my anger in check. "He's the one who left. What does he expect from me now?"
"Just hear him out," she said, her voice pleading. "For me, Adrian. I can't stand this rift between you two. You're family. You need each other."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I knew she was right, but it didn't make it any easier. "I'll think about it," I said, not wanting to commit to anything. "But I can't promise anything."
"That's all I ask," she said, sounding relieved. "Thank you, Adrian. And please, try to take some time for yourself. You need it."
"Yeah, I will," I lied. "Talk soon, Mom."
After I hung up, I felt a mix of anger and guilt. My mother always knew how to push my buttons, and mentioning Oliver was a sure way to get under my skin. The idea of meeting him, of having to pretend like everything was okay, made me want to punch something.
I walked over to the window, looking out at the city. It used to give me a sense of control, but today, it just felt overwhelming. The chaos was closing in, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep it at bay. My father's picture sat on my desk, his stern gaze a constant reminder of the expectations I'd inherited. I'd spent my whole life trying to prove myself, trying to show him that I could do it. But the more I succeeded, the more it felt like I was losing myself.
I picked up the picture and set it face-down. I didn't need his judgment right now. I had enough on my plate without dealing with the ghosts of the past. But Oliver's return was going to complicate things, and I couldn't afford complications. Not with the launch of our new tech product coming up and the shareholders breathing down my neck.
I needed to focus, to keep my head in the game. The company was everything to me, and I couldn't let anything—or anyone—distract me from my goals. But the chaos was getting louder, and I didn't know how much longer I could pretend it wasn't there.
Adrian's POVThe invitation to the gala had been sitting on my desk for weeks, a reminder of the social obligations that came with my position. Normally, I would have ignored it—parties weren't my thing—but tonight was different. Tonight, I had a plan.I glanced at myself in the mirror, adjusting my tie with a critical eye. My suit was tailored to perfection, the fabric clinging to my frame in all the right places. I prided myself on my appearance, knowing that first impressions were everything in the world I inhabited.The gala was being held at one of the city's most prestigious venues, a grand ballroom filled with chandeliers and marble floors. As I stepped inside, the air hummed with excitement, the chatter of the guests blending with the soft strains of classical music.Hoping she accepted my invitation,I scanned the room, searching for Bella Martinez. She stood out in a sea of designer dresses and sparkling jewelry, her vibrant energy drawing my eye like a magnet. She wore a sim
When the invitation to Adrian Langston's gala arrived in the mail, I was torn. On one hand, it was a chance to network with some of the biggest names in the tech industry. On the other hand, it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and into a world of glitz and glamour that felt alien to me.I stood in front of my closet, a sea of outfits spread out before me. Nothing felt right. Everything seemed too flashy, too out of place for someone like me. But then I remembered Grace's words echoing in my mind, urging me to take risks, to seize opportunities when they presented themselves.I picked out a simple black dress, the fabric soft against my skin. It was understated yet elegant, the perfect choice for a high-profile event like this. I slipped into a pair of heels and checked my reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.As I made my way to the gala, my phone rang, and I saw Grace's name flashing on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering, knowing
"I've been thinking about your proposal," I began, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "And I’ve decided to accept it. But I have a few conditions."Adrian raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Conditions?"I nodded. "Yes. I want to maintain my independence. I’ll work on your project, but I need to be able to take on other clients as well. And I need assurance that my work will remain my own, that I won't be just another cog in your corporate machine."A slow smile spread across Adrian’s face, and he nodded. "Fair enough. I respect your need for independence, Bella. I wouldn’t want to stifle your creativity. You have my word that you’ll have the freedom you need."His agreement was surprisingly easy, but I could sense the underlying tension in the room. Adrian was a man used to getting his way, and I wondered how long it would be before our professional relationship tested these boundaries."Thank you," I said, relaxing a little in my chair. "I think this c
As I stepped out of Adrian’s office, the unsettling echo of his phone call still resonated in my mind. The excitement of the new project was tempered by the chilling glimpse I’d had of the real Adrian Langston. Trying to shake off the feeling, I focused on the positive – I had set my boundaries and Adrian had respected them.I walked down the sleek, modern hallway towards the elevator. The polished marble floor gleamed under the bright lights, and the walls were adorned with tasteful contemporary art. As I approached the elevator, I was surprised to see Lucas Simmons waiting. He was impeccably dressed as always, his dark suit fitting him perfectly, and his blue eyes sharp and observant."Ms. Martinez," he greeted me with a polite nod, his voice smooth. "Do you have a moment?""Of course, Mr. Simmons," I replied, curious. "What can I do for you?""Please, call me Lucas," he said, offering a faint smile. "I wanted to have a quick word with you about Adrian."I raised an eyebrow, puzzled
The next morning, I woke up with a sense of determination. Despite Lucas's cryptic warning and the unsettling encounter I had witnessed, I was committed to making this project a success. Adrian's world might be intimidating, but I wasn't going to let it consume me.After getting dressed in a professional but stylish outfit—a navy pencil skirt paired with a cream silk blouse and black pumps—I grabbed my laptop bag and headed out. The weather was cool and crisp, the sun just beginning to peek through the clouds. I made my way to Adrian's office, my mind focused on the tasks ahead.When I arrived at the office, I was greeted by Diana, Adrian's efficient assistant. "Good morning, Ms. Martinez. Mr. Langston has asked to see you in the conference room," she said with a warm smile.I nodded, my curiosity piqued. As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but wonder what Adrian had in store for me. I reached the conference room and paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before pushing th
The air in Adrian's office was tense, almost suffocating. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on us. Adrian stood by his desk, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed in concentration. He was already typing furiously on his laptop, no doubt formulating a strategy to counter the attack from Monica’s company."Adrian," I started, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me, "how bad is it?"He paused, glancing up at me. The hardness in his eyes softened for a brief moment before he sighed. "It’s bad, Bella. Monica’s accusations could damage our reputation and our stock prices. We need to respond quickly and decisively."I nodded, feeling the urgency. "What can I do to help?"Adrian's gaze held mine, a flicker of appreciation crossing his features. "We need to prepare a public statement and gather evidence to refute Monica's claims. Your design skills could be invaluable in creating a visual presentation to support our case.""Consider it done," I replied, determination la
The office buzzed with frantic energy, the tension palpable. Phones rang incessantly, and hushed conversations filled the air. It was clear that Monica's attack had thrown everyone into high alert. Adrian stood at the center of it all, a pillar of resolve amidst the chaos. His expression was a mask of determination, though I could see the strain around his eyes.I took a deep breath and approached him, my own nerves threatening to overwhelm me. "Adrian, what’s our next move?"He glanced up from the documents spread across his desk, his gaze sharp and focused. "Damage control. We need to counteract Monica’s claims with solid evidence. The legal team is working on a detailed rebuttal, but we need to manage the public perception as well."I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I can help with the PR strategy. We need to turn the narrative around."Adrian gave a curt nod, appreciating my readiness to dive in. "We’ll need a press release, a media briefing, and a social media
The office hummed with a frenetic energy that mirrored my own internal chaos. It was a new day, and we were ready to face Monica’s attack head-on. Adrian and I had spent hours strategizing with the PR and legal teams, ensuring every detail was perfect. Today was our day to turn the tide.Adrian stood at the center of the conference room, his presence commanding as he addressed the team. His crisp white shirt and tailored navy suit projected an image of unwavering confidence. The cufflinks, glinting in the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, were the only hint of the underlying tension he carried."Everyone," Adrian began, his voice steady, "we have a solid plan. Our rebuttal is strong, our evidence is irrefutable, and our narrative is compelling. Let’s execute flawlessly."I watched him, a mix of admiration and determination coursing through me. Adrian’s ability to remain composed under pressure was inspiring. I knew that with him leading us, we stood a fighting ch