Ares povUnconsciously, I circled my fingers around her back, drawing lazy circles. It's already five am in the morning, and she's still very much deep asleep.I smiled to myself and made to pull my arm from under her head, but instead, Valerie wrapped her arms tightly around my waist, pinning me in place. Seems like I was stuck here till when she was ready to wake up.I pulled my phone from under my pillow and almost immediately, Valerie dry heaved and quickly ran out to the bathroom, grabbing the sheets along with her. I panicked and ran after her.She was already doubled over on the toilet seat, emptying her stomach. I pulled her hair up and away from her face and patted her back. When she was done, she rinsed her mouth while I grabbed a towel for her to dry up with.Just as I stood before her, she turned and made to stand, coming face to face with me."Oh my goodness, Ares, you could have at least grabbed clothing!" She scolded me as she turned away, her face flushed."I was worri
Valerie's povI smiled as I watched the trees pass by, the greenery blurring into a sea of life as our car sped along the highway.The landscape was a comforting blur, reminding me of simpler times.At least everything in I and Ares' life has been settled.Today was a day of purpose, a day to give back, and my heart swelled with anticipation as I thought about the charity program.I had always live giving out to the less privileged.The anticipation of helping those in need brought a genuine smile to my face.The car pulled up to the grand entrance of the venue, a beautifully restored old building that now served as the headquarters for the international orphanage network. As I stepped out, I was greeted by the warm, appreciative smiles of the officials. Their eyes sparkled with hope and gratitude, making me feel like I was about to do something truly meaningful.Inside, the hall was bustling with activity. Children of all ages were engaged in various activities, their laughter echoin
Ares povThe meeting room was suffused with the glow of the large projection screen, casting a blue hue across the faces of the foreign investors and board members.My face remained grim and stoic as I sat at the head of the table, absorbing the detailed financial projections and stock market discussions that flowed around me.At least my company has been on a higher rise since!The room was filled with the low hum of serious conversation.The foreign investors spoke with a mix of enthusiasm and caution, their accents lending an international flavour to the proceedings.It was quite annoying heading up to five to six different accents you know!Charts and graphs flickered on the screen, showing the company's performance over the past quarter.“Our market share has seen a steady increase in the Asian sector,” one of the directors pointed out, his voice steady but urgent. “However, we must address the dip in the European markets. Mr Ares, your thoughts?”I nodded, my expression unchangi
Valerie's PovI glanced at Mr. Ares and stood up immediately, my anger boiling over unexpectedly. "What if this is a trap?"He frowned at the obvious tone of my voice and patted the boy's back in assurance."Please call over one of your secretaries to watch over him, Mr. Ares. We need to talk!" My voice was firm, and the tone pushed him away.Mr. Ares? Since when did I call him that?He nodded all the same and called in the head secretary to come and take the boy. The boy threw a huge tantrum as he held on tightly to me, and Ares frowned.I managed to calm the boy down, and the instant the door was shut, I shot him a hard glare as I stood up."That was no way to behave in front of a child!" I scolded him because I didn't find it anywhere near amusing. Like, why was he asking me this? Couldn't he see the scared expression on the little boy's face?"He's the enemy's child!""But still a child, okay?! He doesn't deserve that!" I was angry, really very angry.He sighed as he stared at me,
Ares povThe sun was setting, casting long shadows across the deserted road. I parked the car just opposite the foster home, its worn facade bathed in the orange glow of the evening light.It had a homey feeling no doubt about it.The air was thick with the scent of pines. Valerie sat beside him, her face softened by the dimming light, her attention solely on the small boy in the backseat.I watched as Valerie adjusted Alex’s jacket, her hands moving with a gentleness that tugged at something deep within me.She'll make such a great mother no doubt about it. For a moment, the world outside seemed to blur, leaving only the tender scene before me. The past nineteen hours had been crazy yet somehow, Alex had found a safe harbour in Valerie. The little boy clung to her hand from the back seat, his eyes wide and trusting."We need to get him back," Ares murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper. Valerie nodded, her gaze lingering on Alex a moment longer before she turned to me.The fo
Valerie's POVAs I leaned my head into the soft leather of Ares' car, a wave of tranquility washed over me. I'd never felt more at peace. A smile crept across my face as I thought about Alex. That little boy had found his way into my heart faster than a freight train. Most people would think I'd resent him because he's my ex-husband's love child, but that wasn't the case at all. He's such a sweet child who didn't deserve to see any more of Daniel's wrath.I ran my hand unconsciously over my belly. The thought of my own baby filled me with joy. I couldn't wait to shower my child with so much love that they'd likely feel overwhelmed by it. I smiled and turned to Ares, who had been watching me intently."Lunch?" he asked, breaking the silence."Alright, dear, we'll go to a restaurant!" I nodded happily and turned to stare out the window, watching the landscape blur as we drove.When we arrived at the restaurant, I insisted on a more casual place. I didn't want too much attention, and I'v
Ares povSitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. The office was quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy that surrounded the turnaround firm I owned. It was a sanctuary of sorts, where I could immerse myself in the relentless pursuit of saving struggling companies.Today, however was different as my thoughts were far from the chaos of balance sheets and rescue plans. I held a newly framed photo of Valerie, my heart swelling with an emotion I never thought I’d feel again: love.I'm really surprised I could actually still fall in love after what happened before. I don't even want to be reminded again.Valerie had entered my life unexpectedly, turning my world upside down in the best possible way.Firstly she was just a pawn in my game but now I got to say, she'd be my end. The photograph captured her essence perfectly — her radiant smile, the way her eyes seemed to hold a universe of warmth and compassion.I still couldn't believe how quickly I had fallen for her, but
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
ValerieAs I turned over, I was greeted by the sight of Ares lying beside me, still asleep. His face was peaceful, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips, as if he were reliving the same cherished memories in his dreams. I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, my heart swelling with love for this incredible man who had brought so much joy into my life.Watching him sleep, I marveled at how serene he looked, so different from the powerful, driven man he was when awake. His vulnerability in these quiet moments made me love him even more. I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, my lips lingering for a moment as I whispered, "I love you, Ares."The warmth of his skin, the rhythm of his steady breathing, and the tranquility of the moment wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. I nestled closer, feeling his presence soothe every part of me. In this cocoon of love, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Fo
Ares povAfter the meeting, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The discussions had gone well, and the merger seemed to be on solid ground. As I made my way back to the car, I decided to take a detour. There was a little candy floss shop on the way home that Valerie had mentioned once, her eyes lighting up with childlike excitement. I knew she had a sweet tooth, and I wanted to surprise her.The shop was quaint, tucked away on a quiet street, its bright neon sign flickering against the encroaching dusk. I parked and walked up to the counter where a middle-aged man, probably the owner, was busy spinning the sugary treat.“Evening,” he greeted, his voice warm and welcoming. “What can I get for you?”“Evening,” I replied, smiling. “I’ll take a couple of those candy flosses.”“Got a sweet tooth, huh?” he chuckled, expertly twirling the pink cotton candy onto a stick.I laughed, shaking my head. “Not exactly. These are for my wife.”The man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Ah, a treat f
Ares povI settled into the plush chair at the long, polished mahogany table, set on the terrace of one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. The setting was exquisite, with manicured gardens stretching out before me, vibrant flowers in full bloom, and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain creating a soothing backdrop. The open-air venue was perfect for a high-stakes business meeting, combining luxury and serenity. Heads of state and influential business leaders sat around the table, the air buzzing with animated discussions about mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.Dressed in a finely tailored suit that spoke of understated elegance, I leaned forward, listening intently as a CEO detailed a proposal for a new merger. My input was valuable, and I commanded attention and respect as I shared my insights. The conversation was rich with technical jargon and financial projections, but I was in my element.The terrace buzzed with activity as I settled into my seat, the aroma of
ValerieBut the day wasn’t over yet. “We’re not heading home,” I informed the driver and bodyguards, noticing their looks of amusement. “We’re going to an orphanage.”The driver raised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply adjusting our route. The bodyguards exchanged curious glances but kept their questions to themselves. As we drove, I watched the cityscape change from bustling streets to quieter, more residential areas. Eventually, we arrived at a large, well-maintained building surrounded by greenery.The orphanage was nestled in a serene neighborhood, the kind of place that exuded a sense of calm and care. The grounds were clean, with a neatly trimmed lawn and colorful flowers lining the walkway to the entrance. The building itself was painted a soft, welcoming yellow, with large windows that let in plenty of light.I stepped out of the car, taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful surroundings. The driver and bodyguards followed, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect.
Valerie's povAs the morning sun began to filter through the curtains, I felt the warmth of Ares beside me. His kiss stirred me awake, a gentle promise of all the things to come. Opening my eyes, I found him gazing at me, his eyes soft and full of affection. With a playful smile, I grabbed his arm and pulled him back into bed, kissing him softly and teasing him with light, fleeting touches of my lips."Ares," I whispered against his mouth, "I wanna go out today. Please?"His lips curved into a smile, and he kissed me back, deeper this time, a silent conversation passing between us. For a moment, I thought I had won. But then he pulled back, shaking his head slightly, a firm but gentle refusal in his eyes."No, Valerie," he said, his voice steady.I pouted, giving him my best pleading look. "Please, Ares? I'm going stir-crazy in here. I need to get out."He sighed, his resolve wavering. "Valerie, it's not safe. You know that."I could see the concern in his eyes, but I was determined.
Ares"Ares, it's Dr. Whitman," came the calm voice on the other end. "I wanted to let you know that Valerie and the baby are doing great. Her latest tests came back normal, and there's no need for concern."I exhaled a sigh of relief, gratitude washing over me. "Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you keeping us updated."After ending the call, I leaned back in my chair, a smile spreading across my face. "Valerie and the baby are fine," I announced to Steve, who had been watching me with concern."That's great news," he said, grinning. "You deserve some good news."I nodded, feeling a sense of peace. "Yeah, we do."The rest of the day seemed to fly by. The news from the doctor had lifted a weight off my shoulders, and I tackled my work with renewed energy and focus. By the time the evening rolled around, I felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.As I drove home, I thought about the journey Valerie and I had been on. We had faced so many challenges, but we had come out stronger on
Ares pov The morning light streamed through the windows of my office, casting a warm glow over the room. I was sitting behind my desk, reviewing the latest sales reports with my beta, Steve. The numbers were impressive, and despite everything that had been happening, the company's performance had been stellar."These figures are fantastic," I said, glancing up at Steve, who was leaning against the edge of my desk. "Our new marketing strategy is really paying off."Steve nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Yeah, the team did a great job. The social media campaign alone brought in a 20% increase in customer engagement."I flipped through a few more pages, noting the uptick in sales across various regions. "And our expansion into the European market is finally showing returns. This is better than we projected.""Definitely," Steve agreed. "The partnership with those local influencers really gave us a boost. It's all about getting the right people to promote the brand."I leaned back
Ares povWhen she woke again, the room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the evening sun. I had stayed by her side the entire time, my thoughts a constant whirlwind of plans and promises. As Valerie stirred, I gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, my heart swelling with love and determination."How are you feeling?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.She blinked, her eyes slowly focusing on me. "Better," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for staying with me.""There's nowhere else I'd rather be," I said, squeezing her hand. "Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat."She shook her head, her expression softening. "Just having you here is enough. But maybe some tea would be nice."I nodded and rose from my seat, carefully making my way to the kitchen. As I prepared the tea, my mind wandered back to the doctor’s instructions. I was determined to follow them to the letter, ensuring Valerie and our baby stayed safe and healthy.R
AresShe smiled, her eyes softening. “He was such a sweet child. I hope he’s found happiness.”“We’ll make sure our child knows nothing but love and happiness,” I said firmly. “They’ll grow up in a home filled with love and security.”She looked at me, tears brimming in her eyes. “I love you so much, Ares,” she whispered.“I love you too,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. “More than anything in this world.”We sat in silence for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms. The future was uncertain, but I knew we would face it together, hand in hand. Our journey had been tumultuous, but it had brought us closer than ever. Valerie was my true love, my soulmate, and I was ready to face whatever came our way with her by my side.As the evening shadows lengthened, we talked about our plans, our dreams, and our hopes for the future. We were madly in love, and nothing could change that. Our love had been forged in the fires of adversity, and it was unbreakable.The memory of Daniel and his