Chapter 03
From the Desk of Asher's Conglomerate and Gracias ConglomerateThe polished marble floors of the office corridor absorbed the hushed footsteps of employees going about their tasks. The atmosphere within the two towering corporate headquarters, Asher's Conglomerate and Gracias Conglomerate, was charged with a tension that had transcended the confines of business rivalry.In the spacious office of Christian Asher, CEO of Asher's Conglomerate, the grandeur of success mingled with the whispers of secrets held for far too long. He leaned against the mahogany desk, his countenance a curious blend of solemnity and anticipation. On the opposite side of the city, in the lavish office of Laurasia Gracias, CEO of Gracias Conglomerate, a similar tableau unfolded. Laura sat at her desk, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood, betraying a mixture of nerves and determination.The digital clock on Christian's desk read 11:58 AM. He stared at the screen displaying the live feed from Laura's office. The anticipation in the air was palpable as the clock ticked closer to noon.Exactly at noon, their hands moved in unison, each of them pressing the button that would transmit their joint statement to the world. It was a calculated move, a disclosure that would ripple through news outlets and social media platforms, changing the course of their personal and professional lives forever.The press release opened with the stark reality: Laurasia Gracias and Christian Asher were married. The unexpected alliance, a product of circumstances that had once driven them apart, was now laid bare before the world. They stood side by side in the photograph that accompanied the announcement, their expressions both resolute and vulnerable.The narrative they had concocted was carefully woven into the words of the statement. "We understand that the public has questions, and we are here to address them. We are parents to two wonderful children who mean the world to us. For the sake of their happiness and well-being, we have chosen to put aside our differences and stand together as a family."Behind the scenes, as the statement went live, an entirely different scene was unfolding. In a lavish penthouse, Barry Gracias watched the live broadcast with a sinister grin. He reveled in the knowledge that his manipulation had brought about this orchestrated revelation. The satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable, a chess master moving his pawns across the board.As the announcement rippled through the public consciousness, it did not take long for the media to seize upon the revelation. On a screen split into two, two broadcasters dissected the unexpected turn of events."Kara, this is unprecedented! The feud between Asher's and Gracias has been the stuff of legends. Who could have foreseen this?" the male broadcaster exclaimed, his tone a mix of disbelief and intrigue."You're absolutely right, Tom. It's like something out of a dramatic romance novel. But what's even more fascinating is how seamlessly they've concealed this marriage and their children. It's like a modern-day fairy tale," Kara responded, her eyes wide with incredulity."The dynamics at play here are mind-boggling. Their companies have been bitter rivals for years, and now they're linked by marriage and parenthood. Is this a strategic move or a genuine change of heart?" Tom mused.Back in their respective offices, Christian and Laura exchanged a glance through the live feed. The screens had captured the exact moment their announcement was being discussed on air. For a fleeting moment, their eyes locked across the digital expanse, a silent acknowledgment of the path they had chosen to tread together.In the streets below, pedestrians glanced up at the towering buildings that housed the two conglomerates. Whispers of surprise and disbelief mingled with the noise of the city. The announcement had sent shockwaves through a society that had grown accustomed to their rivalry.And as the world tried to wrap its collective mind around the newfound connection between Asher's and Gracias, the hearts of two people beat in rhythm, their unspoken affection now laid bare for all to see.The stage was set, the spotlight blazing. Two figures, bound by circumstance and united by choice, stepped into a narrative that was poised to redefine not only their lives but the very landscape of the business world they inhabited.The public's reaction was a whirlwind of surprise, curiosity, and speculation. The news of Laura Gracias and Christian Asher's secret marriage and shared parenthood became the talk of the town, dominating headlines, social media feeds, and water cooler conversations alike. The apparent contradiction of the fierce business rivalry between their conglomerates and their newfound personal connection was a plot that rivaled the most captivating dramas.Chapter 04Meanwhile, in Laura's apartment, a completely different scene was unfolding. Rian stood before Laura, his face displaying a mixture of anger, confusion, and disappointment. Laura tried to calm him down, knowing she had betrayed his trust by not keeping him informed about recent events."Seriously, Laura, I trusted you completely. I gave you everything, all of me. I didn't mind your kids! I was going to make you my wife, but what do I see everywhere? You're getting married?! To Asher's son, your dad's sworn enemy?! Laura, what the hell is going on? What?.." Rian's voice trembled with emotion as tears threatened to escape his eyes.Laura couldn't bear to see him in such distress. She stood immediately, determined to explain everything and make things right with him."Rian... Rian..." She called, reaching out to him."Listen, I would never do that to you, I would never..." Laura tried to reassure him, pulling him closer and trying to meet his gaze to convey her sincerity."Seri
Chapter 05---Christian glanced at the text message from Laura, his expression unchanging as he dismissed it with a nonchalant shrug. He had no intention of engaging in a conversation about their fabricated marriage, especially during work hours.Meanwhile, Laura, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions, decided to confront Christian in person. She knew her father's manipulative tactics all too well, and she needed to confirm whether the ultimatum he had presented was indeed true.With determination fueling her steps, Laura made her way to Asher's Conglomerate, her heart pounding with uncertainty as she prepared to face Christian.As she entered the grand lobby of the towering building, Laura's gaze swept across the bustling surroundings until it settled on Christian's office door. Gathering her resolve, she marched forward, her footsteps echoing in the polished corridors.Christian glanced up from his desk as Laura entered his office, her presence unexpected yet unsurprising. He
Chapter 06"What?" slipped out of Laura's mouth. "What..what do you.. what do you mean?" She asked, moving closer to Barry to be sure she heard what her had had just told her."That marriage.. it's happening for real" Barry repeated. Laura stood still, unable to move from a spot, trying to process and digest what Barry had just said.***After an heated argument with her dad, Laura decided to go out for a drink._____Laura pushed through the throngs of people, the pulsating music reverberating through her body as she entered the dimly lit club. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, and the dance floor was a sea of bodies moving in rhythm to the pounding beat.She made her way to the bar, her heart heavy with the weight of her worries. Settling onto a stool, she signaled to the bartender for a drink, needing something to numb the turmoil raging inside her.As she watched the bartender mix her drink, her gaze drifted across the crowded room, taking in the chaotic scene
Chapter 07"She said someone messaged her that you were drunk and passed out, and sent her a pic and the bar's address" Rian said, making Laura arch her brows. "That doesn't sound like Christian" She thought. How did whoever texted Riley have her contact or who was watching her last night to know when she passed out? Is someone stalking her?It should be Christian right? But how did he get Riley's number or isn't it him?"I think tomorrow should be okay, what do you think?" She was brought back to reality by Rian's faint words."Huh?" She said. "What? Weren't you listening all along?" Rian asked, pushing his left foot forward in a way that moves him closer to her."Um..no, sorry" She apologized, dipping her spoon into the bowl and stirring the soup that was now getting cold.Rian's eyes fall to the bowl, "You should drink up, it's getting cold" He said and she nodded with a hum. "I will""And yeah, I was thinking we could go on a date, either today or tomorrow but I realized tomorrow
Chapter 08As Laura settled into her seat, she made a conscious effort to avoid any lingering glances in the direction of Christian and his wife. Despite the temptation to steal a glimpse, she kept her gaze fixed firmly on Rian, engaging in light conversation to distract herself from the unease that simmered beneath the surface.Across the room, Christian and Antonia were engrossed in a heartfelt discussion, their voices hushed as they shared intimate moments of connection. Antonia's eyes suddenly flickered towards the opposite side of the room, catching sight of Laura and Rian seated at their table. A soft gasp escaped her lips as recognition dawned, and she turned to Christian with a knowing look."Christian, look who's here," Antonia murmured, her voice filled with excitement as she nudged him gently.Christian glanced in the direction indicated by Antonia, his gaze locking with Laura's for a brief moment before she quickly averted her eyes. He felt a surge of discomfort prickling a
Chapter 09"What?" Laura asked firmly, as if she had been resurrected back into her senses. Antonia noticed the sudden change in her demeanor."Was there anything bad about my question, Laura?" She asked, rather friendly."Miss Gracias, it's Miss Gracias to you Mrs Asher" Laura responded and Antonia smiled. "We'll leave now" Christian said, standing up. "What? Babe.. we.." Antonia said, also standing up and trying to pull her husband back to his seat but he only smiled at her. "We'll get to meet each other properly later, let's not do this here today" He said and she followed after him as he walked away.Laura scoffed angrily as she gulped a whole glass of beer. Rian sighed and also drank a glass."You see what I'm saying, you've not even moved in and see what she just did right now?" He grumbled worriedly."Yeah, prepares me for the worst" Laura grinned.****Asher's Mansion*"Why did you stop..""Don't do that again, Antonia. Not even when she gets here, don't do that" Christian said
Chapter 10As the reporters neared the end of their news segment, one of them leaned in slightly, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Hey, did you hear about the big banquet coming up? Apparently, all the CEOs and their spouses are going to be there. It's going to be a who's who of the business world," he remarked, his voice tinged with anticipation.His colleague nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I heard about it. It's going to be quite the event. Do you think Christian Asher and his wife, Laura Gracias, will attend? I really hope they do," he mused, his tone hopeful.The first reporter's expression brightened at the mention of the power couple. "They should," he replied with a nod. "I mean, after everything that's happened, it would be a missed opportunity if they didn't show up together. The media would eat it up."His colleague chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Oh, you know they would. The Asher-Gracias saga has been the talk of the town
Chapter 11---As Christian stepped into the foyer of his mansion, the familiar scent of home enveloped him, a comforting embrace after a long day. He loosened his tie with a sigh of relief, the tension of the day melting away with each step he took.In the spacious kitchen, the soft glow of overhead lights illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance over the gleaming countertops. There, amidst the aroma of simmering sauces and roasting vegetables, Antonia moved with practiced grace, her culinary expertise on full display.Christian paused in the doorway, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched his wife work her magic in the kitchen. With each chop of the knife and stir of the spoon, she moved with effortless elegance, a vision of domestic bliss.Stepping forward, Christian approached her silently, his footsteps muffled by the plush rug beneath his feet. As he drew closer, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close in a gentle embrace.Antonia