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Some Buildings
Data de publicação:
2026-09-02 10:22:30**Tiffany’s pov**
**Present Day and Time**
Some buildings weren’t just made of steel and glass. They were built to remind everyone
who walked through their doors exactly how small they were. Ashford Global Holdings was
one of those buildings.
The seventy story skyscraper pierced the Manhattan skyline like it owned the city itself.
Morning sunlight reflected off its glass exterior, making it impossible to look directly at the
top. I stood on the sidewalk with my father beside me, clutching my leather portfolio a little
tighter than necessary.
“This is intimidating,
” I admitted.
Dad forced a smile.
“It’s supposed to be.
”
Luxury cars lined the entrance. Men and women dressed in tailored suits hurried through
revolving glass doors while security greeted each by name. Everything screamed power,
everything screamed money, and everything screamed that people like us didn’t belong
here.
“You ready?” Dad asked.
I glanced at the building one last time.
“No.
”
“Me neither.
”
Despite everything, I laughed. That earned me the first genuine smile I’d seen from him in
days.
“Let’s go.
”
The lobby stole my breath, I had always noticed, observed and kept details of every building.
But I had never seen anything like this.
White Italian marble stretched beneath our feet, polished so perfectly that it reflected the
enormous crystal chandelier suspended above us. A living wall filled with lush greenery
stood behind the reception desk, softening the otherwise modern architecture. Water trickled
gently through a black granite fountain in the center of the room, adding an unexpected
sense of calm.
I couldn’t stop looking around. Whoever designed this building understood balance,
luxury without excess, modern without feeling cold. My designer’s brain immediately started
analyzing every detail.
“The walnut paneling is beautiful,
” I murmured.
Dad looked at me in amusement.
“You’re admiring the walls?”
“They used natural grain instead of staining it.
”
“Tiffany.
”
“And the lighting is hidden inside recessed coves.
”
He chuckled.
critique the interior.
”
“Only you would walk into one of the biggest corporations in America and
“I’m complimenting it.
”
“Same difference.
”
A woman in an elegant navy suit approached us.
“Mr. Bennett? Miss Bennett?”
“Yes.
”
She smiled politely.
“Good morning. Mr. Ashford is expecting you.
”
“The CEO?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Her smile widened slightly.
“No.
”
“The chairman.
”
.
My stomach tightened.
She led us toward a private elevator. Unlike the others in the lobby, this one required a
fingerprint scan before the doors opened. Definitely billionaire territory. The elevator moved
so smoothly that I barely noticed we were ascending. Dad adjusted his tie for what had to be
the tenth time.
“Nervous?”
“I’ve negotiated million dollar contracts before.
”
“That didn’t answer my question.
”
He sighed.
“I’m terrified.
”
“Me too.
”
The elevator doors slid open, soft cream carpeting replaced marble. Paintings lined the
walls, each one original if I had to guess. The silence on this floor was almost unsettling, no
ringing phones, and no hurried footsteps, just quiet confidence. The assistant led us to a pair
of massive oak doors.
She knocked once.
“Mr. Ashford? The Bennetts are here.
”
A warm voice answered almost immediately.
“Send them in.
”
That wasn’t what I expected, I had imagined someone stern, cold, and demanding.
Instead, the voice sounded… cheerful.
The assistant opened the doors.
“Please.
”
Dad and I exchanged a quick glance before walking inside. The office was enormous,
floor to ceiling windows overlooked Central Park, bookshelves stretched across one wall,
and architectural models occupied another.
Unlike the lobby, this room didn’t feel designed to impress, it felt lived in, and comfortable.
The man standing near the windows turned as we entered.
He looked to be nearly eighty, his silver hair neatly combed back, dressed in a charcoal
suit with a bright blue pocket square that somehow made him appear decades younger. His
eyes sparkled with mischief.
“So,
” he announced, spreading his arms wide,
“this is the famous Tiffany Bennett.
”
I blinked, famous? He crossed the room before I could respond, instead of offering a
handshake, he pulled me into a brief grandfatherly hug. I stood frozen, this was…
unexpected.
He stepped back with a grin.
“You look exactly like your mother.
”
My heart skipped.
“You… knew my mother?”
“Oh yes.
”
His smile softened.
“Brilliant woman.
”
I looked at Dad.
He seemed just as surprised as I was.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Ashford.
” I said
He waved a dismissive hand.
“Oh, nonsense.
”
He walked toward a seating area instead of the imposing desk.
“Call me Richard.
”
“I don’t think I can.
”
“Then humor an old man.
”
I couldn’t help smiling.
“Much better.
”
“Richard.
”
He gestured for us to sit. Coffee appeared almost instantly, delivered by an assistant who
disappeared as quietly as she’d arrived.
“I’ve been following Bennett Interiors for years,
” Richard said.
I frowned.
“You have?”
“Your boutique hotel redesign in Brooklyn.
” He pointed at me.
“Beautiful use of natural light.
”
I stared.
“How do you know about that project?”
“I own the hotel.
”
My mouth opened, then closed. He laughed.
“I also own the vineyard in Napa that your father redesigned.
”
Dad looked stunned.
“And the lakeside resort in Vermont.
”
I turned toward my father.
“You never told me those belonged to the Ashfords.
”
“I… didn’t know.
” My father replied
Richard smiled proudly.
“You’ve both done exceptional work.
”
Warmth spread through my chest. Praise from someone of his reputation meant more
than I wanted to admit.
“Thank you.
”
He leaned back comfortably.
”
company.
“Which is why I wanted to meet the people behind the
Hope flickered inside me. Maybe… this really was about an investment, maybe Bennett
Interiors wasn’t finished after all. Richard seemed to read my thoughts.
“I understand your company has experienced some… unfortunate circumstances.
”
Dad’s expression fell.
“We have.
”
“A shame.
”
Richard nodded sympathetically.
hardship.
”
“Talent shouldn’t disappear because of temporary
“I agree.
”
“So…
” He folded his hands.
“I’d like to make you an offer.
”
I straightened instinctively.
“We’re listening.
”
“I’ll clear every debt Bennett Interiors currently owes.
”
Dad inhaled sharply.
Richard continued as though he hadn’t just changed our lives.
keep their jobs.
”
“I’ll guarantee your employees
I gripped my coffee cup tighter.
“I’ll also award Bennett Interiors exclusive interior design contracts for every Ashford Global
luxury hotel built over the next two years.
”
My heart pounded. This wasn’t an investment, this was a miracle. I looked at my father,
his eyes had become glassy with emotion.
“Richard…
”
He couldn’t finish.
Richard smiled kindly.
“You don’t need to thank me yet.
”
The room suddenly felt very still.
“Because,
” he continued calmly,
“there is one condition.
”
Of course there was, nothing this generous came without a price.
“What condition?” I asked carefully.
His eyes met mine.
“You.
”
Confusion showed on my brows.
“Me?”
“I’d like you to marry my grandson.
”
There was complete, utter, silence. I waited for him to laugh, but he didn’t. I looked at my
father, he looked just as shocked as I felt.
“I’m sorry,
” I said slowly.
“I don’t think I heard you correctly.
”
Richard’s smile never faded.
“I’d like you to marry Damian.
”
My pulse roared in my ears.
“
…Excuse me?”
“It would only be for two years.
”
I stared at him, certain this had to be some elaborate joke.
“You’re serious.
”
“Entirely.
”
I stood so quickly my chair scraped across the floor.
Richard remained remarkably calm.
“I don’t need to.
”
“No.
”
“You haven’t heard the full proposal.
”
“Tiffany” my father began.
I turned to him in disbelief.
“You’re actually considering this?”
“I’m listening.
”
“I am not marrying a man I’ve never met.
”
Richard folded his hands.
“I thought you might say that.
”
“Then why ask?”
“Because I believe you’ll change your mind.
”
I laughed once, it was a sharp, disbelieving sound.
“You don’t know me very well.
”
“Oh, I think I know enough.
”
He stood and walked toward the windows.
“My grandson is many things.
” His voice
became thoughtful.
“Stubborn, arrogant, insufferably dedicated to his work.
”
I folded my arms.
“You’re not exactly selling him.
”
Richard chuckled.
“No.
”
He looked back at me with an unreadable smile.
common than either of you realizes.
”
“I doubt that.
”
“But I think the two of you have more in
“Perhaps.
”
He walked back toward us.
“I won’t ask for your answer today.
”
“There won’t be another answer.
”
“We’ll see.
”
He handed me a simple black business card.
I looked down at the card, then back at him.
“Meet Damian first.
”
“I promise you…
” I placed it carefully on the coffee table… I’m never marrying your grandson”
Richard only smiled, and for some reason… that smile made me feel as though he’d already seen an ending I couldn’t
Último capítulo
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? The Reception
TIFFANY The reception was beautiful, everything about it screamed Ashford, elegant decorations, crystal chandeliers, an enormous ballroom, flowers everywhere, champagne flowing, and guests dressed in designer clothes. I stood beside Damian and watched people congratulate us, I still couldn’t believe this was my life, at one point, I leaned toward him.“Your family went overboard.”He smiled. “This is considered modest.”I stared at him. “Modest?”“Yes.”“You have a very strange definition of modest.”He laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”I looked around. “I don’t think I ever will.”He leaned closer. “You will.” His voice dropped. “Especially once you see where you’re living.”I frowned. “What does that mean?”“You’ll find out.”“Damian.”He smiled. “Patience.”***** After hours of photographs, speeches, dancing, and endless congratulations, the reception finally began winding down, we said our goodbyes, then Damian took my hand.“Ready?”I nodded. “Where are we going?”“Home
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? The Time I
TIFFANY By the time I left the restaurant, my mind was completely exhausted. I had spent the entire evening sitting between the two most complicated men in my life. Damian, the man I was marrying tomorrow, and Leon, the man who had been my closest friend for years. I couldn’t shake the strange tension that had existed between them, it had been obvious, even I had noticed it. Damian had barely spoken during the last part of the meeting, and Leon had looked like he was deliberately trying not to provoke him. I had no idea what was going on between them, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy to figure it out. Tomorrow was my wedding… my wedding. The thought still felt unreal, I was actually getting married to Damian Ashford. A man I had met under the strangest circumstances imaginable, a man I had kissed before I even knew his name, a man I had agreed to marry because my company needed saving, and somehow, somewhere along the way, things had become complicated.
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? The Next Day
DAMIAN The next day, I changed three times, I wasn’t going to admit that to anyone, certainly not Ethan. But if I was meeting one of Tiffany’s closest male friends the day before our wedding, I wasn’t showing up looking ordinary. I wanted to look like her fiancé, not simply some man she’d agreed to marry. I chose a perfectly fitted charcoal suit, white shirt, with a dark tie, my watch, and a subtle amount of cologne, nothing excessive, but just enough. I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt ridiculous. I was preparing for a meeting like it was a boardroom negotiation, except this wasn’t a boardroom. It was Tiffany, and apparently Leon. I adjusted my cufflinks.“Get a grip,” I muttered.***** Tiffany was already waiting when I arrived. She smiled when she saw me, and just like that, all my irritation disappeared. She looked beautiful, of course she did. She was wearing a simple dress that hugged her figure in exactly the right places, her hair framed her face, an
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? I Had Never
DAMIAN I had never been particularly patient, but there were certain situations where patience wasn’t simply unnecessary, it was insulting. Ashley had crossed that line, I stood behind my desk, staring at the documents Ethan had placed in front of me. Every cancelled contract, every suspicious communication, every financial maneuver, and every connection leading back to Williams Holdings, all of it pointed in the same direction, Ashley. She had deliberately targeted Bennett Interiors, she had gone after Tiffany’s clients, she had interfered with her company’s finances, and she had done it because of me. My jaw tightened, Tiffany had been trying to handle all of this without telling me, the thought irritated me almost as much as Ashley’s actions did. I picked up my phone.“Get Ashley here.”Ethan nodded. “Immediately?”“Immediately.”He hesitated. “She may refuse.”“Then remind her that refusing isn’t going to change anything.”Ethan left. I looked at the clock. The
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? I Didn’t Sleep
LEON I didn’t sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tiffany, not the woman everyone else saw, but my Tiffany. The woman who laughed too loudly when she was genuinely happy, the woman who pretended she wasn’t scared whenever things went wrong, the woman who would rather struggle in silence than admit she needed help. She had always been strong, and that was exactly why Damian’s arrangement bothered me so much. He had found her at her weakest point, her company was struggling, her debts were piling up, and then he appeared with an offer that could solve everything.Marriage. It was too convenient, too perfect, and too suspicious. I couldn’t believe Tiffany had simply accepted it, unless she hadn’t had a choice, that thought kept me awake. By morning, I had made another decision, I needed to be closer to her, not obviously, I couldn’t let her know what I was thinking. If I suddenly started behaving differently, she would notice, Tiffany noticed everythi
Signed, Sealed, Seduced? I Had Always
LEON I had always known there was a possibility that one day Tiffany would fall in love with someone else, I just never imagined she would marry him, there was a difference, a painful, brutal difference. For years, I had watched her date men who came and went, some lasted weeks, some lasted months, but none of them mattered.At least, not to me. Because whenever Tiffany called me after a bad date, whenever she complained about some idiot who didn’t appreciate her, whenever she laughed and rested her head against my shoulder, I had always told myself there would be another chance. Another day, another moment, I had time. I had known Tiffany since college. I had watched her grow from the stubborn girl who argued with professors into the ambitious woman who built Bennett Interiors almost from nothing. I had been there when she celebrated her first major contract, I had been there when she cried after losing one, I had listened to her talk about her dreams so many times tha
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