After days without update I hope this covers up 🥺🫶🏼. Things just keep getting choked and I sometimes forget to update here… other times I’m lazy… but heyyyy I’ll definitely be more consistent 💕
Meridian City was electric at night. The skyscrapers loomed against the dusky sky, their facades shimmering with countless lights. Streets bustled with people, the hum of traffic a constant backdrop. It was the kind of place where dreams were made and shattered in a single night, where ambition drove everything, and the stakes were always high.I was at the annual Meridian Tech Conference, one of the biggest events of the year, a showcase for all the latest innovations in technology and design. My ticket in was a freelance gig with one of the tech companies showcasing their products. As a freelance graphic designer, it was a chance to network, to connect with new clients, and, hopefully, to land more gigs.I’d dressed for the occasion, choosing a sleek black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. It was sophisticated but not flashy—just enough to make a good impression. My hair was down in loose waves, and I wore my favorite red lipstick, the one that made me feel confid
The air in the conference hall felt charged, as if every molecule had aligned to signal something monumental. I stood in the small meeting room, my pulse racing after Adrian Langston's abrupt entrance. He had this presence that filled the entire space, his entourage trailing behind like shadows. They waited at the door, respectful yet alert, while he stood in front of me, watching."I don't mean to be rude, but I'm in the middle of a meeting," I said, trying to muster a confident tone. I was determined not to be intimidated by his reputation, his wealth, or those impossibly intense blue eyes that seemed to look straight through me.He glanced around, his expression cool. "Doesn't seem like much of a meeting," he replied, his voice low and velvety, yet with an edge that hinted at his authority.Before I could respond, one of his assistants stepped forward, offering a polite smile. "Mr. Langston, the room has been reserved for you. There must have been a scheduling mix-up," she said, he
The conference hall was alive with activity, a pulsating rhythm of voices and laughter that reverberated off the high ceilings. Neon lights flickered in patterns, casting an ever-changing glow across the polished marble floors. As I stood near the edge of the crowd, I felt like a spectator in a world where I didn't quite fit in. The attendees were a sea of expensive suits and elegant evening gowns, a parade of wealth and status.Adrian Langston was at the center of it all, like a king holding court. He moved through the crowd with ease, his tailored navy suit hugging his broad shoulders and tapering to a perfect fit at the waist. His crisp white shirt was open at the collar, hinting at a more relaxed side beneath the corporate exterior. A simple gold watch peeked from under his cuff, and his dark hair was styled with just the right amount of tousled charm. He exuded confidence, the kind that could only come from being at the top of the corporate ladder.I, on the other hand, felt out
“I couldn't help but notice you earlier—you seemed a little out of place among all these suits." Adrian added. I couldn't help but laugh, though it was more of a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, I guess I don't really fit the mold," I said, glancing around at the impeccably dressed crowd. "I'm just a freelancer, not part of the corporate world.""Freelancer, huh?" Adrian said, leaning back slightly. "What kind of work do you do?""Graphic design," I replied, gesturing to my portfolio. "I was supposed to meet a client here tonight, but it looks like that plan fell through."Adrian's eyes flicked to my portfolio, then back to me. "Would you mind if I took a look?" he asked, his tone genuinely interested.I hesitated for a moment. Showing my work to Adrian Langston felt like stepping into a different realm, a place where the stakes were much higher. But something in his gaze told me he was curious, and I had a feeling it wasn't just polite small talk."Sure," I said, opening my portfolio and fli
Meridian City was known for its fast pace and relentless ambition, but the morning after the conference had a quieter energy. The streets, though still busy, had a more relaxed feel as people went about their routines. I sat in my apartment, contemplating what to wear to my meeting with Adrian Langston's team later that afternoon. It was a big opportunity, but I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard.I chose a simple yet sophisticated outfit—a tailored charcoal blazer over a white blouse, paired with high-waisted black trousers that flattered my figure. My shoes were sleek black ankle boots with a modest heel, giving me just the right amount of height without sacrificing comfort. To add a touch of flair, I wore a silver necklace with a delicate pendant, a subtle nod to my personal style. My hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and I kept my makeup light but polished, with a touch of eyeliner and my signature red lipstick.After getting ready, I decided to grab coffee at
The next morning, I found myself at Adrian Langston's office building, an imposing structure of glass and steel that towered over the cityscape. It was a far cry from the cozy café where I'd met Marcus or my own modest apartment in the outskirts of Meridian City. Here, everything was sleek, modern, and precise—the kind of place that told you to walk quickly and speak only when necessary.I was dressed in my best business attire, a fitted charcoal blazer over a crisp white blouse, paired with tailored black trousers and sleek black heels. My hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and I wore a subtle touch of makeup, just enough to look professional. I was nervous, but I kept a confident stride as I entered the building, my portfolio clutched under my arm.The receptionist directed me to the top floor, where Adrian's office was located. The elevator ride seemed to take forever, my heart thumping in my chest as I rehearsed what I would say during the meeting. I wasn't sure what to exp
After the meeting with Adrian Langston, I needed to get out of the city. The pressure of Meridian City’s corporate world was stifling, and I was struggling to shake off Diana Kingsley's warning about Adrian's demanding nature. I needed a grounding presence, a reminder that life wasn't all business propositions and corporate schemes. My family in the suburbs was the perfect antidote.The drive to my mom's house was therapeutic, the city’s skyscrapers gradually giving way to quieter streets lined with trees. The neighborhood was familiar, with its wide roads and well-kept lawns. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and distant wood smoke, a sharp contrast to the city’s exhaust fumes and crowded sidewalks.When I pulled into my mom's driveway, I saw her tending to her garden, a trowel in one hand and a watering can in the other. She looked up and waved, her face lighting up with a smile. She was in her early fifties, her short brown hair flecked with gray. She had the same eyes as me, wa
Adrian'sThe view from my office was impressive, but today, it did nothing to calm my nerves. Meridian City stretched out below me, its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets usually a source of pride. Today, it just felt like a reminder of everything I had to manage. The board meetings, the investor calls, the constant pressure to stay ahead of the competition—it was enough to make anyone crack. But I couldn’t. Cracking wasn’t an option.My desk was a mess of papers and reports, the clutter reflecting the chaos I kept hidden from the world. I’d been up late reviewing the latest financials, trying to find a way to keep the shareholders happy while navigating the ever-shifting landscape of the tech industry. It was exhausting, but I didn't have a choice. This was my life, and I'd made my bed. Now I had to lie in it.The phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. It was Diana Kingsley, my executive assistant. She was one of the few people I trusted to keep things running smoothly. If
Third-Person POV* The Langston Group office hummed with an underlying tension that felt almost tangible. After the morning's whirlwind of press management and corporate maneuvering, things had calmed slightly. But the calm was deceptive—it was the eye of the storm. Bella sat in her office, staring at the blinking cursor on her laptop. The draft for the next public statement was coming along, but her thoughts were everywhere except the screen in front of her. Every time she tried to focus, fragments of her earlier conversation with Adrian crept in. _"I just wanted to protect you."_ His words had lingered in her mind, threading through every thought and emotion. She’d seen the sincerity in his eyes, the cracks in his usually impenetrable demeanor. But there were still too many unanswered questions, too much uncertainty in the air. Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. She glanced at the screen: **Oliver**. “Hello?” she answered. “Hey, Bella,” Oliver’s voice came through,
Third-Person POV* The mood in Adrian’s office shifted as Oliver laid the folder on the desk. The contents weren’t just proof—they were ammunition. “This,” Oliver said, tapping the top page, “is the original financial report from one of Monica’s shell companies. And this,” he pulled out another sheet, “is the version submitted to the press. See the difference?” Adrian leaned forward, scanning the documents. “The numbers don’t match. She inflated the figures to make it look like Langston Group made massive payoffs.” “Exactly,” Oliver replied. “Not only that, but I cross-checked the supposed emails between you and Monica. The timestamps don’t align with when those emails were sent on the server. They’ve been altered.” Diana appeared in the doorway, a mug of coffee in one hand and her tablet in the other. “Good news?” she asked, noting the faint tension easing from Adrian’s face. “Potentially,” Adrian replied, holding up the evidence. “But we’re not out of the woods yet.” Di
Third-Person POV* The Langston Group’s sleek glass building glinted in the early morning sunlight, a symbol of power and prestige—or at least it had been until today. Inside, the usual buzz of productivity had been replaced by chaos. Phones rang incessantly, conversations were hushed but frantic, and the atmosphere was charged with tension that no one could ignore. On every major news channel and across social media, a single headline dominated: *Langston Group Caught in Corporate Sabotage Scandal.* The story was damning, laced with alleged evidence of Adrian Langston and Monica Tate’s collusion years ago to bring down a rising competitor in the tech industry. Financial records, private emails, and a supposed whistleblower’s testimony painted a picture of ruthless tactics and unethical decisions. Adrian sat at the head of the executive conference room, his hands steepled as his piercing eyes scanned the room. Beside him, Oliver was scrolling through his tablet, his jaw tighten
Bella’s POV* Adrian’s words hung between us, heavy and unyielding. The city buzzed faintly in the background, a distant hum compared to the thunder of my heartbeat. “I love you.” It should have felt comforting, but instead, it sent a jolt through my system—a mix of anger, confusion, and something else I wasn’t ready to name. I searched his face for a hint of insincerity, something that would validate my need to pull away, but all I found was raw honesty. “That doesn’t fix this, Adrian,” I said finally, my voice quieter now but no less firm. “I know it doesn’t,” he admitted, stepping closer. The warm scent of him—spicy cologne, faintly mingled with the cool night air—washed over me, stirring memories I wasn’t ready to confront. “But it’s the truth. And it’s all I have to offer you right now.” I took a step back, needing space to think, to breathe. His closeness felt like a magnet pulling me in when I was fighting to hold my ground. “Adrian, love isn’t enough if I can’t tr
Chapter 57: Fractured Silence *Bella’s POV* The ringing of my phone jolted me awake, cutting through the haze of restless sleep. I didn’t need to check the screen to know who it was. Adrian. Again. It had been three days since our fight, and he’d been relentless—calls, texts, even showing up outside my apartment once. I hadn’t answered, hadn’t given him a shred of acknowledgment. Every message he left only added to the whirlwind of emotions I was trying to suppress. I groaned, throwing the covers off and padding to the kitchen. The early morning light streamed through the windows, the city already humming with life. It was a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My coffee maker sputtered as it brewed, the sound oddly comforting in the silence of my apartment. Silence I had purposely maintained. I needed time to think, to process what Adrian had told me. But every time I tried, my thoughts spiraled back to him—his desperate eyes, his voice cracking as he begged me
Adrian’s POV* The day had started with promise. Bella and I had finally settled into a rhythm—one that felt almost... normal. A word I never thought I’d associate with my life, but somehow, with her, I could breathe easier. This morning, I’d caught her laughing with Diana in the break room. Her smile lit up the drab office like a rare ray of sunlight piercing through gray clouds. For a moment, I had stood there watching her, captivated. She had glanced my way, her laughter trailing off, and that familiar flush crept up her cheeks. “See something you like?” she’d teased, her voice light but carrying a hint of challenge. “Always,” I’d replied, unable to resist. The way her gaze softened in response had stayed with me all day, a warm ember I carried through hours of meetings and decision-making. But that ember had long since died out. Now, the air between us was charged and electric, heavy with tension. Bella stood across the room, her arms folded tightly, her expression a m
3rd Person POV* The Langston offices were unusually quiet for a Thursday afternoon. The tension from Ethan's botched proposal had eased, but a subtle undercurrent of anticipation hummed through the halls. The team was already preparing for their next steps, and as usual, Adrian was in control, orchestrating every move like a maestro. Meanwhile, Oliver leaned against Diana’s desk in the executive wing, flipping through a folder. He had that careless charm of his, the kind that made him seem effortlessly capable, even when he wasn’t trying. “You know,” he said, his eyes flicking to Diana, “I still don’t understand how you keep this place running so smoothly. I can barely keep my inbox under control, and here you are managing Adrian, Bella, and Lucas like it’s nothing.” Diana, who had been typing furiously on her laptop, glanced up, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Unlike you, Oliver, I don’t treat my responsibilities like a joke.” “Ouch.” He pressed a hand
Adrian's POV* The next morning, I was already pacing my office when Oliver strolled in like he didn’t have a care in the world. He was holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of folders in the other, his usual lopsided grin plastered across his face. “Morning, brother,” he said, his tone annoyingly chipper. “You look like you didn’t sleep.” “I didn’t,” I shot back, stopping mid-stride. “Ethan’s proposal has more red flags than a dictatorship, and I need answers.” Oliver chuckled as he sank into the chair across from my desk. “You always did take things so seriously.” “Someone has to.” I leaned forward, my hands gripping the edge of my desk. “You said you had a hunch about him. Care to elaborate?” The grin faded from Oliver’s face, replaced by something sharper, more calculating. It was a side of him most people didn’t get to see, the side that reminded me he wasn’t just the family screw-up he liked to pretend to be. “I’ve been digging into Ethan’s company,” he sa
Chapter 53: A Thin Line** *Adrian’s POV* The second the conference room door shut behind Ethan, I wanted to throw something. Anything. I could feel the pulse in my temples, the barely controlled rage threatening to slip its leash. He strutted out of here like he hadn’t just insulted my intelligence with that laughable presentation, like he hadn’t smirked at Bella one too many times. *Breathe, Adrian.* I ran a hand down my face, forcing the tension out of my shoulders. Losing control wasn’t an option, not here, not in front of my team. Lucas and Diana lingered behind, their quiet conversation filling the heavy silence. Bella was still seated near the far end of the table, her arms crossed, deep in thought. She’d been watching Ethan closely during the presentation, and I could tell her instincts were telling her the same thing mine were—he was lying. But then again, Bella always seemed to notice what others missed. It was one of the many things about her that both fascinated a