Chapter 14
Laura was confused by the context of the text her baby daddy’s wife had sent to her.
What was she thinking while texting this to her? What did she even do wrong? And to think it was a misunderstanding.
“I knew she must probably hate me lol” Laura muttered as she dropped her phone.
***
A week later
It was the D-Day where every CEOs would gather at the banquet for the get together.
Laura had just arrived at the agreed place with Christian. They had planned to go in the same car to make it more believable. Arriving at the venue together would solidify the fact that they were indeed a couple.
As Laura stepped out of the luxurious car, her gaze swept over the grand facade of the venue, taking in the opulence of the surroundings. The soft glow of the evening lights cast a magical aura over the scene, adding to the anticipation that hung in the air.
Riley, her trusted manager, followed closely behind, his attentive demeanor a reassuring presence by her side. Behind them, the guards efficiently unloaded Laura’s luggage from the trunk of the car, their movements precise and coordinated.
As they approached the waiting car, Damien, Christian’s manager, emerged to greet them. With a polite nod, he opened the door for Laura, a gesture of respect befitting her status as a guest of honor. With a gracious smile, Laura gracefully slid into the back seat where Christian awaited, their eyes meeting briefly in silent acknowledgement.
Damien then turned his attention to the guards, directing them on where to stow Laura’s luggage in the trunk. With practiced efficiency, they swiftly complied, ensuring that everything was securely stored away before joining Riley in the front seats of the car.
With everyone settled in, Damien smoothly took his place behind the wheel, his experienced hands guiding the car towards the entrance of the venue.
**
It’s been thirty minutes since the drive started, and it’s been in silence all through. Damien drove in silence, Riley’s had her head on the road.
Christian rested his head on the headboard, with his eyes closed. Laura had her system before her, working on it. They hadn’t said a word to each other since the journey started.
Laura’s phone suddenly rang, jolting both Laura and Christian out of their trances. Christian turned to see it was Laura’s phone while Laura raised her head to meet his.
He looked away and shut his eyes again.
Laura cut the call and dropped her phone on her lap and made to continue typing away on her laptop when a realization hit her.
“Did you tell your wife I had proposed this idea of going to the banquet together, Mr Asher?” Laura asked, her hands now typing away on her laptop with her attention focused firmly on what she was working on.
Taken aback by her sudden question and first sentence ever since the driver began, everywhere went dead silent.
Christian was more taken aback as he really didn’t expect her to say a word to him or then exchanging any words throughout the entire drive.
It took him a while before he could actually realize she was referring to him.
He turned to her with his brows slightly raised.
“What do you mean?” He asked with no definite expression on.
“Your wife thought I proposed going on this trip together. It would have been nice if you had confirmed it to her that I didn’t, I wouldn’t like a kind of misunderstanding like this with your wife considering our current situation” She said, facing him as she completed her words. Christian only stared on, processing her words.
She smiled almost invisibly and then turned back to her work with her full concentration on her work.
***
The car glided to a halt in front of the grand entrance of the luxurious hotel, its imposing facade towering above them in silent grandeur. Christian and Laura stepped out of the car, their expressions unreadable as they took in their surroundings. The valet swiftly took charge of the vehicle, his practiced movements a testament to the hotel’s commitment to impeccable service.
The lobby of the hotel was a hive of activity, bustling with guests and staff alike, each going about their business with practiced efficiency. Laura’s heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors as she followed Christian through the opulent surroundings. The soft glow of the crystal chandeliers cast a warm, inviting light, while the plush furnishings beckoned guests to relax and unwind.
As they made their way to the front desk, a courteous concierge greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome to the Grand Plaza Hotel, Mr. Asher, Ms. Gracias. We trust you had a pleasant journey?” he inquired, his tone polite and professional.
Christian nodded curtly in response, his attention already drifting elsewhere as he surveyed the lobby with a detached air. Laura exchanged a brief glance with him, her own thoughts swirling with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. Despite the elegant surroundings, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the edges of her mind.
After completing the check-in process, they were escorted to their respective rooms by a courteous bellhop. The corridors of the hotel seemed to stretch on endlessly, lined with intricately carved furnishings and tasteful artwork. Laura couldn’t help but marvel at the attention to detail that had gone into every aspect of the hotel’s design, from the ornate ceiling moldings to the plush carpets that cushioned her steps.
Finally, they reached their rooms, and with a polite nod of thanks to the bellhop, Christian and Laura parted ways.
As the door closed behind her, Laura heaved a heavy sigh. It was really awkward sitting for a three hours drive without saying any words. She wasn’t someone that enjoyed silence that much
She heard a knock at the door and knew who it was without bothering to check.
“Come in” She said as she walked further into her lounge. It wasn’t just a room but an apartment itself.
“I’m here” Riley announced. Laura had insisted that they shared the room together.