Chapter 6

Adrian was silent for a while, the first person he thought of consulting was Grace, he had learned to rely on her more lately. It was as if he was also falling in love with her but he was trying to shove the feelings away.

"Okay", he said, thanked Mr Richard and went back home.

That night, back at Grace’s apartment, Adrian sat down with her and shared the news.

"So, what’s the catch?" Grace asked, sensing his hesitation.

"I’ll be working for his son, doing all the work," Adrian explained. "But the credit will go to him. I won’t get recognition for it, and I’ll have to stay out of the spotlight. But the pay is good, and it’s a chance to rebuild."

Grace was silent for a moment before speaking carefully. “That sounds hard, but it’s better than nothing, right?”

Adrian nodded, his face etched with conflict. “Yeah. I don’t have many options. And this could be my chance to prove myself again.”

Grace placed a hand on his. "I believe in you. You can do this. Even in the shadows, you’ll find your way back."

The following morning, Adrian felt a shift in his life that he hadn’t expected. When he picked up the phone to call Richard Morgan, he was filled with a sense of purpose, a new determination that had been lacking for weeks. This job wasn’t glamorous, and it certainly wasn’t what he had envisioned for himself, but it was a chance. A chance to rebuild, to prove to himself that he was more than just his family’s legacy, more than just his name.

"Mr. Morgan," Adrian said, his voice steady. "I’m ready to start."

Richard’s voice on the other end was calm and professional. "Good. I’m glad you’ve made the decision. Come by my office this afternoon, and we’ll finalize the details."

Adrian hung up, a weight lifting off his shoulders. It was real now. The contract was set, the job was his, and for the first time in a long while, Adrian felt like he could see a way forward. He would be working behind the scenes, hidden from the public eye, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t about the fame anymore it was about survival, about clearing his name and proving that he still had value.

Later that afternoon, Adrian met with Richard at his office, where they finalized the terms of the job. The contract was clear: Adrian would work as the shadow to Richard’s son, handling all the day-to-day business while his son took all the credit. Adrian didn’t mind. He was here to prove his worth, and if staying out of the spotlight was what it took, then so be it.

Richard was kind enough to offer Adrian a place to stay, a better residential area than Grace’s apartment, but Adrian hesitated. He’d grown fond of staying with Grace. The quiet nights, the simple meals, and the way she had supported him without question it was something he hadn’t expected, but something he deeply appreciated.

"Grace, I have a place offered by Richard," Adrian told her later that evening as they sat together on the couch, the warm glow of the lamp casting soft shadows around them. "It’s a better area, much closer to where I’ll be working."

Grace looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "It’s a nice offer," she said slowly, "but I can’t leave my grandmother. She’s still recovering, and I don’t want to be far from her."

Adrian nodded, understanding her reluctance. "I get it. I don’t want to leave you either. How about this: I’ll rent the place out, but I’ll stay here with you for now. That way, I can still save up, and you’ll have the help you need with your grandmother."

Grace thought for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly, before she finally smiled. "That sounds like a good idea. But don’t feel like you have to stay here just because of me. I want you to take the opportunity."

"I want to," Adrian replied, his voice soft. "It’s not just about the opportunity. It’s about us. And I’m starting to realize I want to be here, with you."

Grace’s heart skipped a beat. She had grown attached to Adrian over the past few weeks, seeing a side of him that no one else had. He wasn’t the arrogant, entitled man he used to be; he was someone who had fallen hard, but was now determined to rise again. And somewhere in between helping him with his grandmother and seeing him fight to rebuild his life, Grace had started to care for him too—more than she had ever expected.

Over the next few days, Adrian moved into the new place Richard had arranged for him but kept most of his belongings at Grace’s apartment. They spent more time together, the boundaries between friendship and something more gradually blurring. Adrian found himself thinking about her constantly about how kind, strong, and unwavering she had been in his time of need. He’d come to rely on her in ways he never thought possible.

One evening, after a long day of work, Adrian returned to Grace’s apartment, exhausted but content. He found Grace sitting on the couch, reading a book. The familiar sense of peace settled over him as he joined her, taking a seat beside her.

"You look tired," Grace remarked, glancing up from her book with a concerned expression. "How was work today?"

"Busy," Adrian replied, rubbing his temples. "But productive. It feels good to be doing something again. Even if it’s in the background, it’s still something."

Grace smiled. "I’m proud of you. You’ve come a long way."

Adrian’s heart fluttered at her words. He looked at her, his voice low and sincere. "You’ve been there for me through everything, Grace. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."

She reached out, gently placing her hand on his. "You’re not alone anymore, Adrian. You’ve got me. And you’ll get through this. I believe in you."

For a moment, the world seemed to pause, and Adrian felt a rush of emotions he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time. He had been lost—broken and alone—but now, with Grace beside him, he felt like he had a reason to keep going. He didn’t need to prove himself to anyone but himself, and as long as he had people who believed in him, he would rebuild.

Slowly, almost as if unsure of what he was doing, Adrian leaned forward and kissed Grace. It was a soft kiss, gentle but full of meaning—a kiss that said everything he had been feeling but hadn’t yet been able to express. It was the start of something new between them, something that had been building quietly in the background as they spent more time together.

When they pulled apart, Grace smiled at him, her eyes warm. "I think we both needed that," she said softly.

Adrian chuckled, his heart lighter than it had been in months. "I think you’re right."

From that moment on, their relationship shifted. What had begun as an unexpected friendship had turned into something deeper, something neither of them had anticipated but both of them were willing to embrace. They were no longer just two people living in the same apartment, they were partners, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.

Adrian’s job was going well. He found himself enjoying the work, even though he knew he was in the background. His contributions were making a difference, and that was enough for now. The money he earned was helping with Grace’s grandmother’s hospital bills, and it felt good to know that he was doing something meaningful again.

But Adrian wasn’t just working to pay the bills. He had bigger plans. He had always been interested in the tech industry, and with the money he was earning, he decided to start investing. It wasn’t much at first, just a small venture into stocks and shares, but it was a step in the right direction. Slowly but surely, he was building something for himself, something he could be proud of, even if no one knew the full extent of his work.

Two years had passed, and Adrian's life had transformed in ways he could never have imagined. Giga Tech, the company he had quietly build from the shadows, had grown exponentially. What had started as a small venture into the tech industry had become a force to be reckoned with, attracting attention from all corners of the business world. It wasn’t just a company, it was a revolution, reshaping the way people interacted with technology.

Adrian had kept his identity hidden, operating behind the scenes for the most part, allowing his team and the company’s public face to take the limelight. But the company had become far too big to remain in the background forever. Rumors swirled about the elusive CEO speculation that he was young, brilliant, and a mystery to the public. Some said he was a genius, others claimed he had been a prodigy, while others whispered that he had connections with the most powerful figures in the business world.

Benson Williams, now well into his early thirties and eager to prove his worth, had been following Giga Tech’s rise with growing envy. He was ambitious, driven by the desire to win his father’s favor and secure his place at the top of the Williams family legacy. To do that, he needed to align himself with powerful entities in the tech world. Giga Tech, with its meteoric rise, was a goldmine of potential.

When Benson learned that Giga Tech was open to collaborations with select companies, he jumped at the opportunity. He needed this alliance, both to gain leverage with his father and to increase his own stature in the business community. He heard rumors of a meeting with the CEO an invitation that, in his mind, was a rare chance to gain favor. It was whispered that if you could impress the CEO, the doors of the future tech world would open to you.

Benson was determined to make a lasting impression.

On the day of the meeting, Benson arrived at the sleek, high-tech headquarters of Giga Tech, a place that looked like something out of a science fiction movie. The building was a testament to innovation, with glass walls, smart lighting, and a futuristic design. He had never been to a place like this before, and it both intimidated and excited him.

He was escorted through the corridors, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had rehearsed his pitch a hundred times, knowing that this was a chance to make a significant mark in the tech world. The meeting room was impressive, glass walls that overlooked the city, modern furnishings, and a large table at the center.

Benson’s breath caught at the door and his steps halted when he saw the man seated on the CEO's seat was his rejected and outcast half-brother, Adrian.