I don't have enough ways to thank you dear reader for reading this far. Your continued support means the most to me. See you in the next chapter!
Aris went into his office expecting to go through normal, boring, everyday procedures for most of his day. There was a stack of letters on his desk, and he went to it first. Just as he picked up the letters, there was a knock on his door.“Yes,” he said as he looked up, the mail still in his hand.“Sir, there is a call for you on line one.”Already? He had just walked in.“Who is it?” he asked, knowing his assistant would not bother him unless it was either high priority or an emergency.“It’s from Mr Smithson.” Aris knew who that was, all right.It was one of his contractors from the new branch he was building. The man would not call unless it was important.“Put him through,” Aris said as he put the mail back down on his desk.It would have to wait.And that was how that little stack spent most of the day—on his desk, waiting to be seen to. He spent most of the day not minding it, but at the end of the day, when he was done with pending tasks, he picked up the stack. He went through
She spent some time talking with her lawyer before she had to leave. Hunter was right outside the door waiting for her. She smiled at him as he walked with her through the building and towards the exit. She got her sunglasses from her purse and placed them over her nose. She was walking through the car park towards her car when she thought she heard someone call her name. But then she heard it again.“Adrea!” She froze and turned, Hunter tensing, turned with her.As she turned her head, she was a little surprised to see her cousin, Tia. She was not alone either. There was a man with her.Hunter shifted so that he was between the newcomers and Adrea. Adrea noted the small frown on her cousin and the glimmer of curiosity in her companion, even as she put a hand on Hunter’s arm. He looked at her. She gave him an assuring smile.“She’s my cousin,” she told the man, who nodded and stepped back.‘Overdoing it much?’ Tia thought, even as she put on a happy expression.“Tiara,” Adrea said to
Rafael sat down without sparing her a second glance. He adjusted the cuffs of his shirt as one of his lawyers opened a black binder and began placing documents on the table between them. Adrea found herself staring at the small details—the way he tapped a pen cap against the table, the straightness of his posture, the slight crease in his brow that meant he was focused and calm. Too calm.Evelyn cleared her throat and nodded toward the opposing team. “Shall we begin?”Rafael’s lawyer, a severe-looking man with silver streaks in his dark hair, adjusted his glasses. “Thank you. We’d like to open with a matter regarding the portfolio of investments acquired during the marriage through Ms Galanis’ trust. Specifically, Mr Nikolaidis is interested in negotiating the repurchase of the shares he obtained in Nikolaidis Holdings using that capital.”Adrea blinked, stunned.Evelyn leaned forward. “The shares were purchased through funds from our client’s trust. By the terms of the prenup, those s
Adrea sat stiffly in the high-backed leather chair, her fingers folded tightly in her lap. The office was too quiet—no clock ticked, no air conditioner hummed. Even the ceiling lights gave off a subdued glow, casting long shadows on the glossy wooden table between her and her lawyer, Evelyn March.“Do you want water, tea?” Evelyn asked kindly, smoothing her skirt as she sat down opposite Adrea. “You look like you haven’t had anything all day.”“I haven’t,” Adrea admitted, her voice lower than she expected it to be. “But if I put anything in my stomach, it might come back up.”Evelyn smiled gently, understanding without pressing. She opened a folder, papers clipped and colour-coded with neat sticky tabs. “We’ll keep this straightforward. The property division is already largely settled, thanks to the prenup.”“Right,” Adrea said, her mouth dry.Evelyn slid the top paper across to her. “Here’s a summary of what Rafael brought into the marriage and what you brought in. According to the te
Aris stretched out on the poker table, arm slung behind his head, a lazy grin playing on his lips as he watched Adrea retrieve her blouse from the floor. The air was still heavy with the scent and the heat of their shared pleasure, but his eyes danced with mischief.“You know,” he drawled, “I’m not entirely sure whether to be flattered or concerned.”Adrea shot him a look as she slipped her arms into her shirt. “Oh? Do tell.”He propped himself up on his elbow and turned slightly, baring his shoulder to her. A faint red imprint in the shape of her teeth sat just beneath his collarbone. “You bit me, Adrea. That was not a nibble. Tell me, do you have a fetish without telling me you have a fetish, why don’t you?”“I don’t have a fetish,” she stated as she crossed to him with deliberate slowness, raising a brow. “Besides, you’re one to talk. You liked it.”Aris grinned shamelessly. “Guilty. But I wasn’t the one leaving territorial marks every time I touch you. My back is still healing.”Ad
Aris noticed that Adrea was a little distracted in the night. She had joked with everyone but she had less of her usual spice. Moreau was the first to declare that he needed to go. He had a date. Sanne had said she had an early appointment the next day and needed to get going too. Vivienne had decided that it was time she went home anyway and that was how the night ended.As they funnelled out the door the group noted that Adrea was making no move to leave and the girls had been giggling together as the elevator doors shut them out from the apartment. Aris shook his head and then turned all his attention back to Adrea.She was packing the cards away into their dedicated drawer. She looked up as he entered the room. She smiled up at him as she fully turned to face him. He got close to her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.“I am so happy,” he said, “Do you know why?”She gave him a quizzical look. What an odd way to start a conversation. Besides, how was she supposed to know?H