Chapter 18“I come with news”, Christopher said sullenly. Ashley ended her mental train and looked up at him in concern. “There’s a new professor, and Chantelle is awfully friendly with him”, Christopher grit his teeth.Ashley snickered in relief. She was expecting something awful and ground breaking, Christopher changed crushes every three days so it wasn’t that serious.“I think he parked in my spot this morning”, she said, her amusement fading. Christopher sneered.“You deserve that after laughing at me”.Ashley rolled her eyes and pretended to ignore him by grading the assignments that arrived without excuses. Christopher watched her for three seconds max before he burst again.“But really, how is your husband?”, he asked curiously. Ashley knew he was dying to hear news about how he was secretly a good guy underneath or something, all her friends being hopeless romantics really wasn’t a good decision on her part.“He’s being a pain in my ass”, she facepalmed, pushing away her lapt
Chapter 19Yu Zhen stood beside Ian as the man drilled rules into the heads of the other members of the board. He owned the corporation at this point, so he was in line to make changes, many of which were tied to removing Mark from their list of partners. Yu Zhen never understood the old Hills man, how did it profit him to keep giving Mark resources when he used them to take investors and customers away from them?“The Agora villa is to be remodeled into a community park”, Ian said imperiously and closed the meeting. Yu Zhen would have snickered if he didn’t know how mad Ian was about the whole thing. Mava had taken to calling him an emotionless brute in a roundabout way in every interview, and Yu Zhen knew that Ian was only this way because he was emotionally constipated and he never learned how nor saw any reason to lay all his emotions on his sleeves. So needless to say, her words and the negative opinion of the public irked him gravely. Fortunately Ian had decided to wait for thei
Chapter 20After a week had passed, Ashley was almost ready to give up. Ian had been nowhere near the house. She even asked Louis to tell him she was burning down all the library books to the ground, still nothing. The man had returned them back to their previous manner of zero speaking or any form of communication. What a dick move!She settled in her office chair and checked the time, it was almost 4pm, she wanted to be online in time for Mava’s big surprise. She sighed wistfully as she remembered the days where she wasn’t married to the horrid woman’s annoying ex-fiance.“I wonder what the announcement is about”, Christopher said, sneering slightly like Mava had cheated on him too. Ashley didn’t really mention that part in her stories. She only talked about her and Ian having a heart to heart, the intricacies of the whole thing were not her stories to share, but seeing as Mava had spent a month talking shit about her engagement with his hero, it was only fair that Christopher would
Chapter 21Two weeks later:Ashley flopped on the bed tiredly. It had been a horridly trying week. Mid-terms were always the worst for grading. Especially for her class, because these students happened to be extremely competitive, so she had to check every single word closely.She screamed into her pillow and huffed in annoyance. The one thing that the week even more trying was the fact that ever since Mava had broadcasted that stupid video, everyday had been a different battle of trying to get close enough to him to get him to even listen to her presentation. She had a week! A week to convince him; and as Rita, Yu Zhen and the guards relayed to her, his ire would only increase with time.He was losing to Mark even business wise, because the last thing she heard was about an international company looking for who to partner with. Rita told her that they thought Mark was more popular and hence the better choice. Ashley immediately believed their industry was crap. Who in their right min
Chapter 22The senior management of Hills corp dragged their bodies out of the meeting room tiredly. They had sat there for ten hours straight, since seven in the morning. They were weary in body and in mind, so weary that they didn’t even linger to talk to each other like they usually did. They blamed it on Lewan. The man was so focused on trying to get an emotion out of Ian that he had mentioned how well Mark was doing in recent times due to his engagement with Mava Presley. It was said in casual conversation but Ian took it personal and chaired a ten hour meeting from seven to five.None of the employees were allowed to leave until the meeting ended, no matter what their jobs were. The entire atmosphere of the headquarters of Hills corp was somber and depressing, because one man was in a bad mood. “What’s next on the list?”, Ian asked his assistant, Kevin – the one that made him discover just what would have been happening under his nose if he had gotten married. Kevin swallowed w
Chapter 23The whole room was divided between people congratulating Ian and trying really hard to stare the mask, sunglasses and the hat off of Ashley. It was a remarkably curious thing. Who was the woman special enough to make a hard-hearted man like Ian Hills smile?“Thank you all for your well wishes”, Ian started, his voice cutting through the chatter, “But I would like to be with my wife, you all are dismissed”, He said and waved them off. They could not get away fast enough, he could suddenly change his mind and start another ten hour meeting.Ashley felt something pull at her heartstrings a little bit as he said ‘my wife’, reminding herself that it was acting and he was a surprisingly good actor, she waved at them like an elegant hostess.Only Sven, Yu Zhen and Rita still stayed behind.“Ashley you are literally the coolest person alive”, Yu Zhen breathed. Rita smirked and flicked her hair.“Of course she is, I have excellent taste in friends”, she puffed. Ian squinted at the b
Chapter 24Ian didn’t expect her to be able to present anything at all. But she did, and her voice was so convincing that he had half a mind to tell her to become a saleswoman, she would succeed massively. He surmised that she didn’t formulate the proposal on her own, she wouldn’t have chosen to be a biology professor if she was this good at concocting business plans.He had to admit, even without the proposal, Ian would have given in to her demands. It wasn’t that he was jealous of Mark, he just didn’t want the literal bastard having an upper hand over him in any way. So her plan, no matter how strange it was, would ensure that he and Mark had an equal playing field. However, if he was being really honest with himself, he would have given in because of how good she looked. She was eye-candy of the highest variety, like an empress out to defend her throne.He remembered the feeling of absolute shock that descended on him when he realized Ashley was the foxy woman elegantly strutting
Chapter 25Ashley was sipping a juice box through a straw. It was her fourth juicebox of the afternoon. Christopher and Chloe were sitting in front of her and they were also sipping from juice boxes. They were all in her own relatively small – compared to where she was residing currently– home, sitting haphazardly on the sofas as Christopher read comments aloud from the video she had ‘anonymously’ posted in the morning of her entire stint with Ian the previous day. She had to commend Sven, the camera didn’t waver once.@Ian’sfavoritesuit commented: “He is glorious, he is our king, he is perfect, he is Ian Hills.”@Ian’swife’sredcoat commented: “Her body is so gorgeous I want them both to adopt me!”“My body is gorgeous and I have a fan, both of you should pay to see me”, Ashley interrupted with a laugh. Chloe gave a mockbow and Christopher knelt.“Our gorgeous bodied queen”, Chloe snickered. Ashley threw an empty juice box at her.@ibelieveinHillssupremacy commented: “CAN Y’ALL SEE YO
The morning sun painted a golden hue over the Hills estate as the mansion's staff prepared for another day in the bustling household. In the heart of the mansion, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sizzle of bacon wafted through the air, signaling the start of a new day.In their private quarters, Laurent and Miniscera, the energetic twins of the De Luca family, were already stirring with the anticipation of breakfast. The rhythmic beats of lively tunes filled the room as they gleefully danced to their individual songs, each lost in their own world of melody.Laurent, with a contagious enthusiasm, moved to the beat of an upbeat pop song that echoed through his headphones. His small feet shuffled across the carpet in a display of youthful exuberance. Miniscera, on the other hand, twirled gracefully to a more melodic tune, her headphones delivering the sweet strains of a classical composition.As the twins descended the grand staircase, their impromptu dance continued. The staff
In the quiet cocoon of the Hills mansion, where grandeur met intimacy, a private library stood as a haven for the family. The scent of aged leather and the hushed rustle of pages greeted anyone who entered, creating an atmosphere of serenity and wisdom.One lazy afternoon, as sunlight filtered through the tall windows, Ashley descended the spiral staircase, her steps muffled by the plush carpeting. A gentle hum of lullabies reached her ears, drawing her towards the library.Upon entering, she was met with a scene that painted a portrait of domestic bliss. Ian, surrounded by towering bookshelves, sat in a hammock that gently swayed between two ornate columns. Cradled against his chest were the twins, their tiny forms cocooned in a shared blanket.Ian, engrossed in a storybook, read aloud in a soft, rhythmic cadence that matched the gentle rocking of the hammock. The twins, their eyes wide with innocent curiosity, listened intently, occasionally reaching out to touch the pages as if try
On an ordinary day that decided it was anything but, Ashley felt the first inklings of labor. Panicking, she called out to Ian, who was busy juggling paperwork in another room."Ian! It's go time!"Ian, startled, sent papers flying in all directions. "What? Now?! They're supposed to come next week!"Ashley, with a mix of urgency and humor, nodded. "Yes, now! The babies are on their way, and they clearly have no regard for our schedule!"Ian, caught in the whirlwind, fumbled to gather the hospital bags. Yu Zhen, who miraculously appeared as if summoned by impending chaos, rushed in."What's happening?""Babies decided to make an early debut," Ashley said with a grin.Yu Zhen, trying to suppress joyous laughter, patted Ian on the back. "Congratulations, Papa Ian. Let's get you all to the hospital."Ian, now in a state of controlled chaos, ushered Ashley to the car with a mix of urgency and care. "Watch your step, Ashley! We've got precious cargo onboard, and it's not just me driving.""
On the day of the vow renewal, the air buzzed with anticipation as Ian and Ashley prepared to reaffirm their commitment to each other. The venue, adorned with elegant flowers and soft lighting, provided the perfect backdrop for the occasion. This event had garnered significant attention, not only because of Ian's stature as a billionaire but also because it marked the first time the public would see Ian's wife without her enigmatic mask.As the ceremony began, close witnesses gathered—Yu Zhen, Rita, Mark, Christopher, Chloe, Hillary, Ashley's mom, Ian's grandfather, and others who had played integral roles in their journey.Ian, dressed in a tailored suit, stood at the altar with a mixture of nerves and genuine emotion. Ashley, radiant in an elegant gown, approached him with a smile that conveyed both joy and a hint of the unexpected journey they had shared.The officiant, capturing the essence of their story, began with a reflection on the unconventional path that led them to this mo
Ian and Ashley, having left the memories of their contract marriage behind, embarked on a new adventure to Las Vegas for pure enjoyment. This time, the atmosphere was light and carefree as they strolled down the vibrant streets. Ian, ever the gentleman, happily carried Ashley's bags filled with newfound treasures from the shops.As they explored the dazzling city, Ashley's eyes widened with awe at the glittering lights and lively energy that surrounded them. The iconic landmarks and famous attractions seemed to come alive with a renewed sense of joy. Ian, noticing Ashley's excitement, couldn't help but smile as he shared in her delight.They visited famous casinos, catching glimpses of extravagant shows and indulging in the lively spirit of the city. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the occasional cheers from those striking it lucky at the slot machines. Ian and Ashley, hand in hand, embraced the thrill of the moment.One of their evenings in Las Vegas, the neon lights of
A week later,In the opulent embrace of his living room, Ian reclined on a plush sofa, his head finding a comfortable haven in Ashley's lap. The soft glow of ambient lighting cast a warm ambiance, and the room itself seemed to exhale luxury. Ashley's gentle fingers traced soothing patterns through Ian's hair, creating an intimate cocoon within the grandeur of their surroundings.Seated nearby, Yu Zhen held a tablet in his hands. His eyes, framed by an air of quiet determination and pure gloating, scanned the digital pages of a news article. The hushed murmurs of his voice began to narrate the unfolding drama—the arrest of Reid Hills, the shameless father that tried to be Ian's new rival, a pretend tycoon whose empire had crumbled under the weight of illegal activities.As Yu Zhen delved into the details, the living room became a theater of intrigue. Ian, nestled in the comforting warmth of Ashley's lap, listened attentively. It was his plot after all, even though he was more attentive
Ian sat at the head of the large round table, cross legged as he looked at the figures on the projector.The employees were the calmest they had ever been, no matter how harsh Ian was outside the room, he was kinder with nice figures.The first time Ian had commandeered a meeting was a time to remember.In a spacious boardroom adorned with polished mahogany furniture and muted hues, a group of employees gathered, their collective unease tangible in the air. At the heart of their apprehension was Ian, a figure revered and feared for his unforgiving scrutiny during meetings.As the employees settled into their seats, the low hum of anxious whispers reverberated around the room. The subdued lighting seemed to intensify the gravity of the impending assessment. Each individual nervously shuffled papers, stole glances at one another, and exchanged fleeting expressions of concern.Ian, a seasoned executive with a penchant for precision, entered the room with an air of authority that seemed t
Ashley reclined on the bed, her legs gently throbbing. She was covered only by a white blanket, Ian had most likely covered her up so she wouldn’t get cold after. Ian had stood up before her and she had no idea where he was, so she decided to check out the bunker. The room, much like Ian’s general tastes, was monochrome and it spoke volumes through its grayscale symphony. Every detail seemed meticulously curated to embody a sense of sleek simplicity.The bedframe boasted clean lines and stark contrasts. Its black frame stood out against crisp white sheets, inviting a sense of tranquility. As Ashley traced her fingers along the smooth surface, she marveled at the precision that went into crafting this seemingly unassuming piece of furniture.The walls were an expanse of unyielding concrete. Splashes of black and white danced in harmony, offering a visual feast that resonated with Ian's avant-garde taste.It felt to her like Ian had dedicated all his energy in making sure the room was a
As Ian stepped into the lit up gallery, he realized that his irritation was unfounded and unnecessary. It wasn’t his gallery anymore at this point, he should rename it to the hall of worshiping his wife.He kept Ashley’s eyes closed and backtracked to the stairs. He had thought the photos on his phone were too much. This was something that archaeologists would discover in five hundred years and declare Ashley as a former queen. She would never let him live this down.He turned around, remembering that the library was still dark and he went to the other part filled with paintings of violence and bloodshed. Great!He looked as though he could only paint three types of things. One, his grandfather’s kind of paintings, two, violence and bloodshed – things he wanted to do to some people that irritated him severely – and three, Ashley.The fact that Ashley was the most popular in terms of amount and quality was something he needed to think about later.“I’m tired of closing my eyes”, Ashley