ÇHAPTER FINALEEveryone was shocked to find out that Alexa was missing. Laura sat on the ground holding the toy that Alexa was using to play before he disappeared. Her mind was blank and she didn't know what to do. Antonia and Christian were also present, both of them just as bothered as Laura was. "Where could he be?" Antonia asked Christian "Maybe we should check the CCTV footage" Christian brought up and immediately Laura got up from the floor. Why didn't she think of checking the CCTV footage since?"Thank God you had it installed," Antonia said as she rushed into the study with Christian and Laura to check the CCTV footage. It took a while before the footage played and Laura kept biting her fingers while counting the time, she was so scared but Antonia's hand kept patting her back as she asked her to calm down. They finally found the clip and watched it so as not to miss any detail. "Rian?" Laura questioned immediately the camera caught him "What did Rian come here for?" Ant
Chapter 01(This book will mostly be in a third person's pov, but in some necessary situations, there will be a first-person pov)*****Staff members bowed as Christian strode into his company, exuding an air of elegance and confidence. His tailored suit accentuated his tall, well-built frame, and he moved with graceful authority down the hallway, his manager walking alongside him.They entered the elevator, their synchronized steps reflecting the harmony of their working relationship. Damien, Christian's manager, received a discreet message on his phone, prompting a change in his demeanor. As the elevator ascended, he discreetly checked his phone, his expression shifting into a surprised "o.""What's the matter?" Christian inquired, his gaze straight ahead, unyielding."Um... someone is waiting for you in your office, sir," Damien replied with a respectful bow."Who?" Christian asked, his attention still focused ahead."Miss Gracias," Damien answered. Christian's eyebrow arched sligh
Chapter 02*At The Hospital*They were all seated in a ward, with two boys who look slightly identical and clinged to their mom, Laura. They were the kids, the one that happened a night six years ago.Christian hadn't taken his eyes off them as he stared with a blank expression. No one knew what he was thinking, he was capable of not showing emotions.Someone walking into the ward made them all snap to reality as they looked up to see if it was who they were expecting and yeah, it was him, the doctor who had just taken some blood samples of the twins.Laura only raised her head and Christian only unfolded his arms while Riley and Damien looked ready and impatient."Well, Mr Asher.." He turned to Christian."The test came out positive sir, the blood samples matched with yours, they're your sons" He said and the two managers sighed in relief and non-relief simultaneously (you know who did which right?) Laura silently released a breath she didn't know she had been holding while Christian
Chapter 03From the Desk of Asher's Conglomerate and Gracias ConglomerateThe polished marble floors of the office corridor absorbed the hushed footsteps of employees going about their tasks. The atmosphere within the two towering corporate headquarters, Asher's Conglomerate and Gracias Conglomerate, was charged with a tension that had transcended the confines of business rivalry.In the spacious office of Christian Asher, CEO of Asher's Conglomerate, the grandeur of success mingled with the whispers of secrets held for far too long. He leaned against the mahogany desk, his countenance a curious blend of solemnity and anticipation. On the opposite side of the city, in the lavish office of Laurasia Gracias, CEO of Gracias Conglomerate, a similar tableau unfolded. Laura sat at her desk, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood, betraying a mixture of nerves and determination.The digital clock on Christian's desk read 11:58 AM. He stared at the screen displaying the li
Chapter 04Meanwhile, in Laura's apartment, a completely different scene was unfolding. Rian stood before Laura, his face displaying a mixture of anger, confusion, and disappointment. Laura tried to calm him down, knowing she had betrayed his trust by not keeping him informed about recent events."Seriously, Laura, I trusted you completely. I gave you everything, all of me. I didn't mind your kids! I was going to make you my wife, but what do I see everywhere? You're getting married?! To Asher's son, your dad's sworn enemy?! Laura, what the hell is going on? What?.." Rian's voice trembled with emotion as tears threatened to escape his eyes.Laura couldn't bear to see him in such distress. She stood immediately, determined to explain everything and make things right with him."Rian... Rian..." She called, reaching out to him."Listen, I would never do that to you, I would never..." Laura tried to reassure him, pulling him closer and trying to meet his gaze to convey her sincerity."Seri
Chapter 05---Christian glanced at the text message from Laura, his expression unchanging as he dismissed it with a nonchalant shrug. He had no intention of engaging in a conversation about their fabricated marriage, especially during work hours.Meanwhile, Laura, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions, decided to confront Christian in person. She knew her father's manipulative tactics all too well, and she needed to confirm whether the ultimatum he had presented was indeed true.With determination fueling her steps, Laura made her way to Asher's Conglomerate, her heart pounding with uncertainty as she prepared to face Christian.As she entered the grand lobby of the towering building, Laura's gaze swept across the bustling surroundings until it settled on Christian's office door. Gathering her resolve, she marched forward, her footsteps echoing in the polished corridors.Christian glanced up from his desk as Laura entered his office, her presence unexpected yet unsurprising. He
Chapter 06"What?" slipped out of Laura's mouth. "What..what do you.. what do you mean?" She asked, moving closer to Barry to be sure she heard what her had had just told her."That marriage.. it's happening for real" Barry repeated. Laura stood still, unable to move from a spot, trying to process and digest what Barry had just said.***After an heated argument with her dad, Laura decided to go out for a drink._____Laura pushed through the throngs of people, the pulsating music reverberating through her body as she entered the dimly lit club. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, and the dance floor was a sea of bodies moving in rhythm to the pounding beat.She made her way to the bar, her heart heavy with the weight of her worries. Settling onto a stool, she signaled to the bartender for a drink, needing something to numb the turmoil raging inside her.As she watched the bartender mix her drink, her gaze drifted across the crowded room, taking in the chaotic scene
Chapter 07"She said someone messaged her that you were drunk and passed out, and sent her a pic and the bar's address" Rian said, making Laura arch her brows. "That doesn't sound like Christian" She thought. How did whoever texted Riley have her contact or who was watching her last night to know when she passed out? Is someone stalking her?It should be Christian right? But how did he get Riley's number or isn't it him?"I think tomorrow should be okay, what do you think?" She was brought back to reality by Rian's faint words."Huh?" She said. "What? Weren't you listening all along?" Rian asked, pushing his left foot forward in a way that moves him closer to her."Um..no, sorry" She apologized, dipping her spoon into the bowl and stirring the soup that was now getting cold.Rian's eyes fall to the bowl, "You should drink up, it's getting cold" He said and she nodded with a hum. "I will""And yeah, I was thinking we could go on a date, either today or tomorrow but I realized tomorrow