Eighteen Months of Trouble

Adonis leaned back in his chair, swirling the whiskey in his glass as he studied his grandmother. “You dragged me here this late just to talk about marriage?”

Lana smiled, unfazed. “I’ve found the perfect woman for you.”

He exhaled sharply, setting his glass down with a thud. “Perfect? According to whose standards?”

“Mine.” She sipped her tea gracefully. “She’s a therapist.”

Adonis raised an eyebrow. “A therapist?”

“A five-star one,” Lana said proudly.

He scoffed. “And what, you think I need therapy?”

Lana folded her hands on the table. “You need a wife.”

“I already have a woman.”

“Abigail?” Lana rolled her eyes. “That gold digger is not a woman, she’s an expense.”

Adonis smirked. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion on my love life.”

“Well, you didn’t ask for my money either, but you’re spending it just fine.” Lana shot back.

He narrowed his eyes. “I run Ainsoft. I earn my damn money.”

“Then prove it.” She leaned in. “Your brother is in therapy. He can’t handle the company. If you don’t step up, I’ll sell Ainsoft and take you out of my will.”

Adonis clenched his jaw. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” Lana’s voice was calm but firm. “Run Ainsoft until your brother recovers. And get married. I won’t let this family crumble.”

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Who is she?”

Lana smiled, knowing she had won. “Her name is Zoe Powers.”

“I need you to learn something,” Lana said, her voice softer now. “You need a woman’s touch to get out of your shell. Ever since your mother died—”

“Gran, that’s enough.” Adonis’s tone was sharp, his jaw tightening.

Lana sighed, watching him carefully. “You think you’re fine, but you’re not. You bury yourself in work, push people away—”

“I said enough,” he cut in, his eyes dark with warning.

She held his gaze for a moment before nodding. “Alright. But you’ll see, Adonis. This marriage isn’t just for me—it’s for you.”

Adonis exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Lana’s face lit up. “Good boy.”

“But what if I don’t fall in love with her?” he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

“You will,” Lana said confidently, a sly smile playing on her lips. “She’s such a sweetheart.”

Adonis scoffed. “We’ll see about that.”

“You’d be meeting her tomorrow,” she added, patting his hand. “Be nice.”

~~~~🌸~~~~~

Ainsoft Headquarters – Lana Walter’s Office

Zoe sat across from Lana, arms crossed, waiting. She knew exactly why she was here. Her father had already told her everything. There was no need for small talk.

Lana smiled, eyes twinkling. “You look so pretty, Zoe. I can already picture beautiful great-grandchildren.”

Zoe blinked. “Great-grandchildren? I thought—”

Lana waved her off with a chuckle. “Oh, silly me, just joking. It’s just for eighteen months…but he doesn’t know yet.”

Zoe exhaled sharply. She wasn’t in the mood for jokes. The only thing keeping her in that chair was her father’s company.

A knock on the door.

Lana looked up. “Finally.”

The door swung open, and in walked the last person Zoe ever wanted to see.

That jerk!

He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing the moment he saw her. “Gran, what is she doing here?” He pointed a finger at Zoe like she was some sort of disease.

Zoe stood, equally furious. “What are you doing here?”

Adonis scoffed. “This is my grandmother.”

Zoe’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She groaned, pressing her hands to her forehead. This was the man she was supposed to marry? The arrogant, insufferable jerk?

Adonis turned to his grandmother, rubbing his temple. “Gran, please tell me she’s not the one.”

Lana smiled proudly. “She’s the one.”

“God,” Zoe muttered under her breath. “I’m not interested.”

Adonis folded his arms. “Good. Because this woman almost got me killed.”

Lana clapped her hands together, silencing them both. “Sit.”

Adonis sighed but did as he was told, running a hand through his hair. “Gran, listen, I don’t see myself spending my life with her.”

Lana sighed, rubbing her temples. “I don’t know what history you two have or where you’ve met before, but I honestly don’t care. Both of you are getting married ASAP.”

Zoe felt her stomach drop. God, what is she getting herself into?

Adonis leaned back in his chair, looking like he was being forced into a life sentence. “Unbelievable.”

Lana clapped her hands together. “Alright, that settles it. The sooner you two start getting along, the better.” She stood, signaling that the meeting was over. “You’re both dismissed.”

Zoe and Adonis rose from their seats at the same time and headed toward the door—only to both reach for the handle at once.

Zoe glared at him. “Don’t you have any courtesy? It’s ladies first.”

Adonis smirked, nudging her aside just enough to step forward. “Men first, for me.”

Zoe huffed, shoving his arm. “Unbelievable.”

As they bickered, Lana called after them, amused. “The sooner you both stop acting like children, the better!”

~~~🌸~~~~

Zoe stood outside the company, arms crossed, waiting for a taxi. She tapped her foot impatiently, ignoring the way some passersby gave her curious glances. Great. Now I probably look like I can’t even afford a ride.

A  sports car pulled up beside her, the window rolling down to reveal Adonis behind the wheel. He leaned slightly toward her. “Hop in.”

She barely spared him a glance. “I don’t need a ride. I’ll just get a cab.”

Adonis tilted his head, smirking. “I’ll soon be your husband, so don’t give me that attitude.”

Zoe let out an irritated sigh. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. The sooner they started getting along, the better. With an eye roll, she reached for the door handle.

The moment she pulled it open, Adonis suddenly stepped on the gas, the tires screeching as he sped off.

Laughter echoed from his car as Zoe stood there, stunned. “You arrogant, insufferable—” she clenched her fists.

Oh, this marriage was going to be hell.