“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, cherished friends”, Alexander Hills started, his silver hair gleaming under the lights of the chandelier. Ashley threw a glance at Ian’s gorgeous serious-looking side profile and then glanced back at his grandfather. Ian would be a very handsome old man. He had his grandfather’s facial structures and she was sure his grandfather looked a lot like this when he was still young. The Hill grandfather possessed a timeless elegance that bellied his years. His silver hair, meticulously groomed, framed a face etched with the subtle lines of a life richly lived. He had deep-set eyes like pools of wisdom that hinted at a reservoir of stories untold.Ashley directed her gaze back at Ian and her heart skipped a beat as she imagined him sitting beside her with them as old as his grandfather was. She shook her head to dispel her random errant thoughts and realized that the room was laughing. The man’s speech had been going on and she zoned out.“However, as
He had gotten into painting many years ago. Ever since he turned sixteen, he had become permanently stressed. Most of the issues he had at present originated from that bleak period in his life. Mark was brought into the family at that period and it was jarring seeing a boy your age being thrust into one’s life just like that.His father had ordered him to get along with the boy and then he disappeared again, like he was wont to do. Ian had just decided to pick up his brush, as Hills, they had gotten teachers for almost every conceivable thing, so painting came easier to him than it had when he first started. He released a single painting at a period he was particularly in anguish and it had circulated so much that he knew exposing that he had done it would mean his mother would have made him give up heading the corporation in the future to pursue life as an artist.Ian had seen many people’s reaction to his works, they had fueled his vanity greatly. None ever came close to his grandf
Ian had woken up at the right side of bed today, again. Honestly he should start paying Ashley an actual salary, her job was the most efficient among everyone he knew.She had tried catapulting out of bed at the crack of dawn but he had lead arms and was tired as heck. So she had to resign slowly to just sleeping again until a respectable hour.As he got to work, he was met with several smiling faces, some bold ones even looking teasing.He ignored it and sat in his office, Yu Zhen already sitting in the chair opposite his."Mornin'", Yu Zhen saluted, looking impeccable in his brown suit – obviously the shirt in it was unbuttoned to the navel."Hmm, morning. Rundown?", He asked, settling into his seat and grabbing his work tablet from his desk. "Your grandfather loved Renci's painting as usual, your wife is every artist's favorite person, and everyone is now interested in the mega-aquarium. A few of the older women filmed you, and Reid disappeared for no reason to meet a tall guy in
Two months laterAshley reluctantly opened her eyes to the morning light, cold and alone on the bed and the realization of Ian's absence hit her with an unexpected wave of frustration. The bed that was always radiating of shared warmth, felt cold and unwelcoming. A silent resentment crept into the edges of her thoughts.Gazing at the bed, she couldn't help but notice the vacant side where Ian's sleepy adorableness had been a comforting presence. The sheets, now untangled and void of his warmth, seemed to mirror the plane of her thoughts.A sigh escaped her lips, carrying a mix of longing and irritation. The room, once a haven of shared dreams, echoed with the absence of the laughter and whispered banter that usually accompanied their mornings.As Ashley swung her legs over the side of the bed, a sense of discontent lingered in the air. As she navigated the morning alone, Ashley couldn't shake the yearning for the body heat and sleepy adorableness that had become an integral part of h
Ashley grabbed one of Ian's navy blue wool vests – yes she was also surprised he had textures that weren't suits or gym clothes – and wore it on her white short sleeved shirt, completing the aesthetic with loose navy blue pants.She spun around in the mirror and smelled the vest – that did not smell like Ian because sadly, he had very good laundry workers – before shrugging and grabbing a purse and stuffing her things in it.She never took Ian's black card out, she was certain she would never need to spend that much and Rita couldn't come into their room anyways."I'm heading to Saturday scrunchies", she called out as she reached the garage. Almost immediately, her four guards stepped out and bowed their heads."Who's coming with me?", She asked sarcastically. She obviously knew it was Sven. The Saturday scrunchies were accompanied by Sven.School was Oliver. Randomly appearing at Ian's office was for Sven and Liam. Everything else was with Sven and Charles."Sven", they echoed with a
“This is very lousy auditing. You’re fired”, Ian deadpanned and threw the papers in his hand on the floor. This wasn’t the first time this branch had audited lazily. He knew there was a launderer somewhere and he would fish the person out even if it was the last thing he did.“Ah Zhen, Kevin”, he called as he walked out of the office of his prime suspect, the police would be coming over to do their jobs soon. The man wasn’t the only embezzler. They took advantage of their ridiculous location to do their dirty work and the people he often sent were not thorough enough in their search. They most likely hadn’t expected Ian himself to come to their branch.Yu Zhen came up behind him, looking tired as hell. Kevin had long since given up looking put together. “Close down this branch. Permanently. Check out the good employees and transfer them to the closest branch.” If there was Ian thing Ian valued it was useful people and he wouldn’t let the innocents take the fall for the evil ones.Yu
Ashley wasn’t completely sure how she had gotten here. She had decided to start out on grading her student’s papers early enough that it wouldn’t be a hassle at a later date.As she focused on organizing the papers, an unexpected presence had enveloped her from behind. Before she could react, a pair of strong arms encircled her, and a cloth was pressed against her nose and mouth. Panic surged through her as a strange, sweet scent filled the air, but before she could comprehend what was happening, darkness descended.The world blurred into a disorienting haze, and her surroundings faded into an ominous void. Unseen hands guided her unconscious form, leaving behind the unfinished task of grading and the quiet solitude of her office.Minutes ticked by in the eerie silence, the only evidence of disturbance being the abandoned papers and the stillness of the office. Outside, the routine cadence of university life continued, oblivious to the mysterious interruption in Ashley's world.Much l
In the dimly lit confines of Leon's secluded office hideaway, Ashley's senses were on high alert. The room felt like a cage, its walls seemingly closing in on her. Leon, her captor, rambled on about subjects that were inconsequential to her heightened state of anxiety. His voice, a relentless drone, filled the room with a suffocating tension.He was truly crazy.As Leon prattled on, Ashley's mind became a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately searching for any avenue of escape. Her eyes darted around the room, examining every detail. The windows, once overlooked, seemed to hold a glimmer of hope. They were high and seemingly unyielding, but the mere sight of them ignited a spark of determination within Ashley.The room itself was a tapestry of shadows, the dim lighting casting an eerie glow on the impersonal decor. Leon's monologue, a seemingly endless stream of words, resonated in the background. He seemed oblivious to Ashley's internal turmoil, engrossed in the sound of his own voice.
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