It was a very strange day for Mark. He had spent hours in the morning trying to psych himself up for the inevitable way he would be publicly humiliated by Ian. He hadn’t started the day expecting to get accused, beaten up and strangled by his brother. He also most definitely didn’t start the day expecting to sit in Ian’s study with Yu Zhen and Ian talking to HIM about business, expecting him to actually contribute. It was a most surreal day.He had an ice pack to the side of his face because it felt like it was swollen, honestly Ian should have been reabsorbed into the military, he would be so beneficial to the country on the battlefield.He was still suspicious, they had no reason to trust him and yet they were seemingly letting him listen in to – frankly genius – strategies. He felt like he had a severe hole in his brain with the speed and efficiency Ian was using to discuss business matters. Could he ever reach this level? No. He was okay with it, not everyone was born as a genius.
Mark stood to the side with Rita as he sipped from a citrus juice box, inwardly thanking his stars that he wasn’t the one being pummeled. Yu Zhen and Ian were a fast and efficient team, one would think Ian would let Yu Zhen do his job, but since it involved the professor lady, Ian refused to sit it out.This juicebox was really good. “What’s in this?”, he asked Rita. The girl grinned proudly at him and Mark felt a surge of joy and protectiveness for his little sister, even though the only thing that truly tied them together was Reid. He wished he was from Hillary’s side of the family.He wondered how they grew up. Ian had always disappeared from the room when he walked in and Rita followed immediately after, so he couldn’t say he really participated in their childhood, he had been born a plague and he would forever remain a plague.“I don’t know either, but Ashley gets it from wherever she gets it and it’s always so good!”, Rita exclaimed, picking another one from the box of juice bo
Yu Zhen bounded over to Ian as he already managed to remove Leon from him. Ian wondered why he even thought of doing that. It was a rather stupid impulsive decision considering that Yu Zhen was standing not more than twelve feet away from them, he had to know he couldn’t win.The little pest had gone straight for his face. He was smelling something annoyingly sweet and he tried to rub it off with the back of his hand. It persisted. He would wash his face when he left this place.“You little fucker!”, Yu Zhen growled, shoving Leon to the ground and pointing a gun at his head. He had been so worried when he had seen the pest jumping at Ian. Leon started to cackle and Yu Zhen began to believe the rumor about him being crazy. There was no other reason for him to laugh in the face of likely death.“Fucking kill him!”, Rita yelled and Yu Zhen looked to see Mark holding her back with all his might. The man was actually struggling as his veins popped out and his face was red with strain. Rita
Ian could only hear beeping. It was considerably annoying. His body felt like it was being pulled in several directions, just like his mind. He had too much to do. His fiancee was thankfully proficient with managing the affairs of their coming nuptials and it was the best he could hope for.He had a pounding headache too, but for some reason he couldn’t massage his temples. He was terribly frustrated. Was he suspended in a dream? Was he actually sleeping? He had better things to do, the proposal to get more shares from his grandfather wouldn’t write itself up. He also had Mark to worry about. With ninety five percent of the shares still in the air with his grandfather, Mark still had a fair shot. Beep Beep. He shouldn’t be sleeping, he should be working.He felt like he had lost track of time and space completely, and each attempt to grasp at something tangible was dissipated. It was like trying to catch smoke. He needed to get hold of something to ground him.Was this his transition
Ashley nearly flinched. This wasn’t even the side of Ian that tried to irritate her to get back her memories. This was the pure unadulterated version of Ian that she remembered clearly, the one that hated her for no reason. She had been told that Ian had been exposed to the same gas she had, and she had come along with Chloe from where they were practicing their daily memory strengthening routines. Immediately she got into the room, Ian had grabbed her tightly and kissed her before telling her to stay away from him. She had been confused at first but now she understood. The bastard was back and she wasn’t sure she had enough patience to make him a normal human being all over again. She wondered how she had done it the first time and chalked it up to some kind of superhuman characteristic that she clearly lacked now.However, she wasn’t a professor for nothing. She had faced down tigers – literally, some of their field trips were the wildest – and men like Ian’s grandfather. She could
The drive home was tense. Ian wasn’t doing what he was ordered – by himself – to do. He had barked at her to stay far away from him immediately she sat in the car and when she sat down he shifted to the window. They were going to his favorite house, he needed his library to calm down, he didn’t know why the pest had to go with him. There was a whole SUV with Yu Zhen and Rita but no, she preferred to sit in the car with him. Maybe it was the fact that it was a Maybach, proper food for gold diggers like her.“How long is it?”, he asked the chauffeur as he lowered the divide.“Plenty of time sir, three hours”, the chauffeur said with a smile and raised the divide again himself. Ian closed his eyes in exasperation. Why the fuck was the man smiling? Three hours in a space with her was torture.“I can prove we’re-”“Your voice irritates me”, he sneered, refusing to glance at her, instead choosing to look outside the window. Rita had taken his laptop away the moment he created a new password
Ian's eyes opened at once to a world that seemed to have warmer tones than when he last saw it. The scent of fine leather and something else that tickled his heart nicely was present abundantly in the air. The gentle hum of the engine outside was a distant source of brown noise, making it seem as though he had woken up in a fantasy.The window with the privacy tint, offered glimpses of the world outside that framed like a moving painting. Something stirred on him and he looked down to see Ashley nestled comfortably with her head in the crook of his neck and her body lying against him. He was likened to a waterbed for the short woman.It was so undeniably peaceful, and Ian felt the beginning tendrils of happiness forming in his heart. As usual, like all things with him went, a little voice crept into his head and whispered things about how he was being exactly like Reid by cheating on his intended with another wife. He didn't know how this one did it, but he was adamant to never wal
Ian was stewing in an emotion that was not his own. Something akin to a claw tightened around his chest, limiting his breathing. He grit his teeth and got out of the car. What a wonderful wife!She couldn't even wait till he was out of the car before she hurried along with her guard. A fucking guard. She was nicer to a guard than to her literal source of wealth, he wondered how her thinking was so backwards. Of course, the guard was probably her source of something else. One did not get so happy simply seeing their bodyguard.All his unfounded theories got him angry and he stormed off into his room, not even saying a hello to Louis. He was yet to understand the reason he was so bothered about whatever she chose to do. He didn't want to marry her anyway, he needed to make amends with his intended for getting seduced.He hadn't been in contact with his phone since he had woken up so he got into the room with the intention of getting an already calibrated new one from one of his drawers
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