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 met her gaze with a cool detachment, his expression betraying none of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface."Ms. Gracias, what brings you here?" Christian inquired, his tone polite but guarded."I need to clarify something," Laura stated, her voice tinged with urgency. "Is it true that I have to move in with you and the kids?"Christian's gaze flickered for a moment, a subtle acknowledgment of the truth behind her words. "Yes, it is," he replied evenly, his tone devoid of emotion. "Your father made it clear that I had no choice in the matter."Laura's heart sank at the confirmation, the weight of her father's manipulation pressing down on her shoulders. She had hoped against hope that there might be a way out of this fabricated arrangement, but now it seemed she was trapped in a web of deceit spun by her own flesh and blood.Christian watched her closely, his expression unreadable as he observed the turmoil playing out in her eyes.With a heavy heart, Laura exited Christian's office, her mind swirling with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions. The truth of their fabricated marriage hung between them like an invisible barrier, a constant reminder of the tangled web of lies they were both ensnared in.As she made her way out of the building, Laura couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that loomed over her like a dark cloud. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, and she knew that navigating the treacherous waters of her father's schemes would require every ounce of strength she possessed.---After leaving Christian's office, Laura felt the weight of her father's manipulation heavy on her shoulders as she made her way back to her apartment. With each step, her mind churned with the grim reality of her situation, and when she finally arrived home, she found Rian waiting for her, his expression a mix of concern and apprehension."Laura, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost," Rian exclaimed, rising from the couch as she entered the room.Laura met his gaze with a heavy heart, the weight of her guilt threatening to crush her spirit. "Rian, we need to talk," she began, her voice tinged with solemnity.Sitting down beside him, Laura recounted her encounter with Christian, sparing no detail as she relayed the ultimatum her father had presented. She watched as Rian's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief, his eyes widening with shock as the reality of their situation began to sink in."So, you're actually going to move in with him? With his wife and kids?" Rian asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.Laura nodded, her heart heavy with guilt. "I don't have a choice, Rian. My father made it clear that if I didn't comply, he would expose Christian's secret marriage and destroy both of our lives."Rian's brows furrowed in frustration as he processed the gravity of Laura's words. "This is insane, Laura. How could your father do this to you? To us?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with anger.Laura sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her guilt. "I know, Rian. I never wanted any of this to happen, but I feel trapped, like there's no way out," she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion.Rian reached out and gently took her hand in his, his touch a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty that raged around them. "We'll figure this out together, Laura. I won't let your father tear us apart," he vowed, his eyes burning with determination.With Rian's unwavering support by her side, Laura felt a glimmer of hope begin to stir within her heart but she was still scared as she knew how much of an unwavering man her dad was."Do I really care about handling his company?" "I have my company" "I don't need his" "Should I elope with Rian?" "What about the kids?" These thoughts begin to play in her head."I have to go see dad" She muttered to herself as she got into her car.**At Gracias Mansion**"Where's dad?" Laura asked as she barged in at once and without even allowing her mom to reply, she walked in straight to where she knew Barry would be, his room. "Hey darling, what's...""Dad!" Laura half-yelled, taking Barry aback for a split second before his face went stoic."What do you want?""I don't want to move.."If this is about Asher, I'm not changing my mind concerning anything related between you two""Dad!.." She shouted before her face changed to a pleading one."Leave" Barry simply said."I.. I promise to do anything you want, just.. I don't wanna move in with him, why do I have to do that? I have a company to manage, two companies manage, moreover this isn't a real marriage or whatever, we aren't getting married for real so why do I have to move in with him? It's just a fake marriage for fuck's sake and he even has a wife, how do you think his wife would feel with me moving in with her husband?" Laura lamented.Barry let out a light scoff and with little traces of frown on his face, "And who said it isn't a real marriage?" He said.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
Chapter 13*Antonia's POV*It was 1 am when I checked the time on my phone, I don't really know why I was suddenly awake but I was. I wasn't feeling sleepy anymore. I looked at Christian who was sleeping peaceful on the bed, he looked tired after 8 hours of work, he should be.Then, my mind flashed back to our conversation when he came back work. I seriously am mad that he has to go to the gathering with her, but I seem to have no choice but to deal with it.I won't say I'm scared but I'm seriously worried, what if I lose my husband to this woman? I would say not to believe her, but the kids, they seriously look like Christian and the results came out positive too.And there me who can't have no baby for him even after three years of marriage. We've been trying a lot, more like I have.Christian seemed to be okay with me not having a baby, but I wasn't. His mom and dad didn't like me that much, they were never in support of our marriage and I couldn't even bear a baby, this was bad for