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Chapter 9; Gala night
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2024-05-19 00:28:33Adrian's POV
The invitation to the gala had been sitting on my desk for weeks, a reminder of the social obligations that came with my position. Normally, I would have ignored it—parties weren't my thing—but tonight was different. Tonight, I had a plan.
I glanced at myself in the mirror, adjusting my tie with a critical eye. My suit was tailored to perfection, the fabric clinging to my frame in all the right places. I prided myself on my appearance, knowing that first impressions were everything in the world I inhabited.
The gala was being held at one of the city's most prestigious venues, a grand ballroom filled with chandeliers and marble floors. As I stepped inside, the air hummed with excitement, the chatter of the guests blending with the soft strains of classical music.
Hoping she accepted my invitation,I scanned the room, searching for Bella Martinez. She stood out in a sea of designer dresses and sparkling jewelry, her vibrant energy drawing my eye like a magnet. She wore a simple black dress that hugged her curves, her hair swept up in an elegant bun. She looked stunning, and for a moment, I found myself unable to look away.
I made my way over to her, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. She spotted me and smiled, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Adrian," she said, extending her hand. "It's good to see you."
"You too, Bella," I replied, taking her hand in mine. Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I quickly let go, cursing myself for the reaction.
"I hope you don't mind me bringing a date," I said, gesturing to the woman by my side.
Bella's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Of course not," she said, her tone polite but guarded. "It's your party, after all."
I introduced Sophia Reynolds, a social media influencer I'd hired to accompany me for the evening. She was a vision in a shimmering gown, her blonde hair cascading down her back in perfect waves. She oozed charm and confidence, her every move calculated to draw attention. And attention was exactly what I demanded.
As the night wore on, I kept a close eye on Bella, watching as she mingled with Sophia and the other guests. She was a natural conversationalist, effortlessly charming everyone she met. It was easy to see why she'd caught my eye, why I couldn't seem to get her out of my head.
I dropped my wine glass and took a stepped forward to meet them when my attention was soon diverted by the arrival of Monica Tate. She is a rival CEO with a reputation for ruthlessness, Basically the Queen in her own world, but in my world- she was definitely an obstruction. She approached me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, her gaze assessing and calculating.
"Adrian Langston," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "What a pleasure to see you here." It was very fake.
"Monica," I replied, returning her smile with one of my own. "To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"
She leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. "I just wanted to remind you that the tech market is a dangerous place, Adrian. One wrong move, and you could find yourself out of the game." This meant she was planning something.
I resisted the urge to bristle at her words. Monica was a formidable opponent, but I wasn't about to let her intimidate me.
"I appreciate your concern, Monica," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "But I think I can handle myself."
She smirked, her eyes gleaming with something akin to amusement. "We'll see about that, Adrian. We'll see."
And with that, she swept away, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease. Monica was a snake in the grass, always lurking, always waiting for the right moment to strike. I couldn't let my guard down, not for a second.
As the night wore on, I found myself drawn back to Bella, unable to resist her magnetic pull. She was talking animatedly with a group of guests, her laughter ringing out like music in the crowded ballroom. I wanted nothing more than to join her, to lose myself in her presence and forget about the chaos swirling around us.
But duty called, and I had a company to run. I tore myself away from the crowd, leaving Bella behind and pulling Sophia away. The two seemed to get along pretty fast. I do hope Bella enjoyed the party and is fully convinced to join my team.
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When the invitation to Adrian Langston's gala arrived in the mail, I was torn. On one hand, it was a chance to network with some of the biggest names in the tech industry. On the other hand, it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and into a world of glitz and glamour that felt alien to me.I stood in front of my closet, a sea of outfits spread out before me. Nothing felt right. Everything seemed too flashy, too out of place for someone like me. But then I remembered Grace's words echoing in my mind, urging me to take risks, to seize opportunities when they presented themselves.I picked out a simple black dress, the fabric soft against my skin. It was understated yet elegant, the perfect choice for a high-profile event like this. I slipped into a pair of heels and checked my reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.As I made my way to the gala, my phone rang, and I saw Grace's name flashing on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering, knowing
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"I've been thinking about your proposal," I began, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "And I’ve decided to accept it. But I have a few conditions."Adrian raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Conditions?"I nodded. "Yes. I want to maintain my independence. I’ll work on your project, but I need to be able to take on other clients as well. And I need assurance that my work will remain my own, that I won't be just another cog in your corporate machine."A slow smile spread across Adrian’s face, and he nodded. "Fair enough. I respect your need for independence, Bella. I wouldn’t want to stifle your creativity. You have my word that you’ll have the freedom you need."His agreement was surprisingly easy, but I could sense the underlying tension in the room. Adrian was a man used to getting his way, and I wondered how long it would be before our professional relationship tested these boundaries."Thank you," I said, relaxing a little in my chair. "I think this c
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Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-05-30
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Bella’s question hung in the air, but I didn’t answer right away. I was too caught up in watching her from the corner of my eye as I drove. Her fingers kept smoothing the emerald green fabric of her dress, a habit that betrayed her nerves despite the confidence she usually exuded. The dress was simple yet stunning, clinging to her curves in all the right ways. “No,” I finally replied, my voice calm, “it’s not casual.” She turned to face me, her brow furrowing. “Adrian, you said—” “I didn’t say anything,” I interrupted with a smirk. “You assumed.” Her mouth fell open slightly before she shut it, her eyes narrowing. “If you’re trying to ambush me, I swear—” “It’s nothing like that.” I glanced at her as I maneuvered the car through the city streets. “Trust me.” She let out a quiet scoff, turning to look out the window. The streetlights illuminated her profile, highlighting the subtle arch of her nose and the delicate line of her jaw. Trust wasn’t something she gave easily, an
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 69; Dinner and Unspoken words
*Bella’s POV* The city lights twinkled like fallen stars as Adrian’s car glided through the bustling streets of New York. I couldn’t help but glance at him as he drove, his focus steady on the road ahead. He wore a charcoal-gray suit tonight, paired with a crisp white shirt and a black tie that made him look like he’d just stepped out of a GQ spread. I, on the other hand, felt as though I’d spent the last hour overthinking everything, including my choice of outfit. Diana had insisted on lending me her emerald green dress—a sleek, off-the-shoulder number that hugged my curves without feeling overly revealing. Paired with silver heels and a matching clutch, it felt like something out of a movie, but it didn’t stop the nervous energy buzzing under my skin. “This place we’re going to,” I said, breaking the silence. “Is it… casual?” Adrian glanced at me, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “You’ll be fine. You look stunning.” His compliment sent a flush to my cheeks, and I tur
