Chapter 04
Meanwhile, 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."Seriously, Rian, I'm really not marrying him, not like that. It's just..." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Everything is complicated, but I promise I'll explain everything to you. I will, I promise." She pleaded, hoping her sincerity was evident in her eyes.Rian still looked tense, but he was beginning to calm down."Do you trust me?" Laura asked firmly, searching his eyes for an answer."I do," Rian replied with a sigh."Good, now let me explain," Laura said, leading him to one of the luxurious armchairs in her apartment.*****"So, you still have to get married to him?" Rian asked, still not entirely satisfied with Laura's explanations."Yeah, just for two years," Laura answered."Just? That's a whole two freaking years! We could get married within that period, but that can't be possible now since you have to be with another man..." Rian questioned, his frustration evident."Yeah, but..." Laura attempted to speak, but Rian interrupted her."But how did he actually agree to get married to you when he had a wife?! That's outrageous..." Rian exclaimed."Rian!" Laura managed to interject."What?!" Rian responded defensively."It's only a fake marriage. I don't think I have to move in with him or anything," Laura explained, uncertainly."You don't even know how sure your words are, Laura. What if you have to move in with him for real? Or attend couple outings, business events too? What if he wants his kids? Are you going to introduce a new dad to them, after they've gotten used to me?" Rian muttered the last part, but it was coherent enough for Laura to hear."That's not going to happen, I know that for sure," Laura assured him.***As the first rays of dawn kissed the horizon, Christian stirred from his slumber in the opulent embrace of his billion-dollar mansion. The soft, silken sheets clung to his form as he gently disentangled himself from Tonia's tranquil sleep. With careful grace, he slid out of bed, leaving her to bask in the warmth of their shared dreams.The marble floor beneath his feet felt cool and smooth as he made his way to the expansive closet. A flick of a switch brought the room to life, illuminating rows upon rows of meticulously organized suits, each tailored to perfection. Selecting a charcoal gray ensemble, he dressed with effortless elegance, the fabric draping flawlessly over his frame.In the lavish bathroom, Christian's reflection stared back at him from the mirror, a testament to his success and determination. A splash of water refreshed his face, awakening him to the challenges awaiting beyond the sanctuary of his home.Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee danced in the air, courtesy of the skilled hands of their personal barista. Christian savored a sip, allowing the rich blend to invigorate his senses before indulging in a light breakfast prepared by their gourmet chef.With his briefcase in hand, Christan bid farewell to the tranquility of home, knowing that within those walls, he found solace and strength. As he stepped into the waiting car, the engine purred to life, propelling him towards the bustling cityscape where his empire awaited his command.As Christian stepped out of the sleek black car, the imposing façade of his multi-billion-dollar company loomed before him, a testament to his ambition and drive. Damien, his steadfast assistant, stood at the entrance, a beacon of efficiency in the bustling foyer."Good morning, Mr. Christian," Damien greeted with a crisp nod, his tablet held firmly in hand. "I've compiled the agenda for today's meetings and briefings."Christian acknowledged him with a nod of appreciation, his gaze focused and determined. Together, they traversed the gleaming corridors, passing by busy employees who paused to offer respectful nods in Antonia's direction.Damien outlined the day's schedule with precision, detailing each meeting, presentation, and conference call awaiting Christian's expertise. With unwavering focus, Christian absorbed the information, mentally preparing himself for the challenges ahead.As they reached the boardroom, Damien handed Christian a folder containing the necessary documents and notes for the day. "Your first meeting is with the executive team to discuss the quarterly projections and upcoming initiatives," Damien informed him, his tone professional yet supportive."Thank you, Damien," Christian replied, his voice commanding yet appreciative, and they parted ways momentarily, each tasked with their respective duties in the pursuit of excellence.Christian walked into his office and settled into his seat, his laptop spread out on the desk before him, ready to work when his phone beeped. He rarely replies to any messages or calls during working hours unless they're important.His wife rarely messages him during working hours so he wondered who it could be.He checked who the text was from and was a bit confused, wondering why his "fake" wife was texting him."Why and when the hell did you agree with dad to me moving in with you and your wife?!" The message read, displayed in block letters, leaving Christian staring at the blunt message his "fake" wife sent him.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
Chapter 12"Um.." Christian began again, and Antonia knew something was up as he never stutters, except it's something he can't seem to break down to her."What? You can tell me," Antonia said with a chuckle, now turning to face him."Well," Christian moved a bit forward, resting his right palm on the counter."You know, about the get-together coming up, with all other CEOs?..""Yeah, the 'big event'" Antonia mimicked with a laugh."Everyone's been talking about it, of course I do, and I know you're going to be there too... right? or not since you don't like events like that, but you have to, it's a good course to win over deals, don't you think?" Antonia commented."Yeah, I know that.. and yeah I will be attending.." Christian said, straightening out his arms. "But.. I.. will be going with 'her'" He said, and straightened his posture afterwards."Who?" Antonia finally said, after turning dramatically with a knowing look on her face. She did have a clue of who it was."Laura, Laura Gra