2025-03-31 00:24:21A thought crosses Aiden's mind as he steps out of the dressing room. He sure knows Harper loves him but…remembering Wesley's words, he finds himself going across the hall to the party area.
“Sir, you need to interview some of those who applied for the contract,” the man Park sent says after him. Aiden turns to the man. “Why?” The man walks closer to him. “Only five companies were chosen from the one thousand and eighteen companies that applied. So, you might need to be around to select the overall best company because we'll be needing just one.” Aiden nods. “I'll be back in a few seconds.” The man bows as Aiden strides into the hall where a soft music is now playing, the dance ground now filled up. At a glance, he scans the dance floor. There is no one who looks like Harper there. He glances at the tables around even though at the back of his mind, he knows Harper isn't some shy lady that will stay back on her seat while others are on the dance floor. Just as he's about to check her location through his phone, he hears her voice some seat away from where he is. “I'm married,” she says. Curiously, Aiden goes closer to see who she's speaking with. It's a man in a suit, glass of wine in hand, a grin on his face that makes Aiden want to punch out all the man's teeth. “I love you, Harper,” the man says. “Even your parents will be happy if you agree to go on a date with me today.” “Don't you ever listen—” “Shush, girl. Pretty girls don't shout at me. They giggle and smile anytime I'm with them.” The fucking guy grabs Harper's hand as she stands up to leave. “Let go of my hand,” Harper snaps, glaring hard at the man. “Until you tell me you love me, I won't let go of your hand,” the man says with a stupid cocky grin. Without thinking, Aiden grabs a cup of wine from a waiter around. He dashes toward them and pours the content in the glass cup right in the man's face. At once, the man lets go of Harper's hand and she doesn't wait a second more before she leaves. “You bastard!” The man growls. “My gosh, how could I have done something as terrible as this to you, sir?” Aiden's voice drips with sarcasm as he pretends to help the man out. The man jerks Aiden's hand off and with a glare walks off with one eye open and the other closed. Aiden hisses under his breath. Still not satisfied with what he did to the stupid man, he gets a pen and scribbles on it. STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE He strides to the park. Looking around, seeing no one, he drops the piece of paper in the man's car. He lights a cigarette and drops it right in the passenger seat before walking inside, his anger subsided a bit. *** Inside the waiting room, Wesley smiles at Harper for the hundredth time that evening but she isn't having any of it. “You don't have to look so tense, he's just a man,” Wesley says even though himself is damn cold to the feet with nervousness. “This is my last chance, Wesley. If I mess up, my parents are going to make me divorce Aiden. I promised them…shit, Wesley. I promised them I was going to get this contract at all cost.” Wesley tries all his possible best to keep a smile on his face even though a part of him is hoping Harper will not get the fucking contract. Why the hell is she so obsessed about that fucking poor pant? It's been damn ten years and she's never for once looked him in the face or considered his feelings for her. “It'll be fine,” Wesley says more to himself than to Harper. “Mr Wesley, could you please come in?” A voice buzzes through the small room. Wesley stands up and gives Harper another smile before going in. Inside, Aiden adjusts his sunglasses just as Wesley comes in. “Good evening, sir,” Wesley says, pulls back the chair opposite Aiden's in an attempt to sit. “Did I ask you to sit, Mr Wesley?” Aiden asks. Wesley's face colours in embarrassment. “I'm sorry. I thought…well…I'm really sorry.” “Mr Wesley, it's better to be safe than sorry.” Wesley nods. “Yes. That's right sir. You're just as filled with wisdom as I heard.” “Mr Wesley…” Aiden takes a sip of coffee. “I hate it when people flatter me.” “I'm deeply sorry, sir. But I really didn't mean to flatter you.” Aiden takes another sip from the coffee. “What do you want from me, Mr Wesley?” Caught off guards, Wesley frowns. “Excuse me, sir…I don't…really understand…” “You mean to say you don't understand English? That's weird. I have been speaking English since you came in.” Realizing he's in a tight spot, Wesley leans across the table and lowers his voice. “I really need this contract, sir. Even if you want a percentage of the money—” “Wait a fucking minute!” Aiden says. “What are you implying?” “Nothing, sir. I mean…sir,” he chuckles to keep light of a conversation but it doesn't seem to work at all. “I can go to any length to get this contract.” Aiden raises a brow, a mischievous thought in his mind. “Really?” “Yes, sir. I can do anything, sir. I really need to.” To put that fucking poor Aiden in his place, Wesley thinks. “Alright then.” Aiden takes the cup of coffee. He pours some of it on the floor. “How about you take off your suit and clean the floor with it?” Wesley's face turns red. He wants nothing more than to stand up and slap the owner of the Vicholas group but remembering that he's more of a disadvantage than doing something stupid now, he plasters a smile on his face. He takes off his ten million dollars suit and with a damn heavy heart, cleans a coffee worth less than ten dollars. “Oh wow…” Aiden mutters after Wesley cleans the floor. “You really are a man of your word, Mr Wesley. I had no idea you could do it.” Wesley manages a smile even though his face and ears are now damn red with anger. “Now that you have proved to be a man of your word, let's get straight to the interview,” Aiden says. Wesley clenches his fist. What the fuck! Lazily Aiden flips through the document Wesley presented earlier. He closes it and shoves it across the table. “Mr Wesley, you don't meet the required qualifications.”
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Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 5
“I don't—what? If this is a joke, Sir, it's too creepy, I mean, what the…” the rest of the words hang in his throat as he sees that Aiden really meant what he said. Wesley straightens up, wears back his coat and hisses. “You must think this company of yours is worth something because everyone is all over the place wanting a contract with it.”“Will you leave my office if you're done ranting?” Aiden asks. “Trust me, no one is going to get this contract other than me. You'll come back to beg me. There is no one here who deserves this contract other than me.” With that, he goes out, slamming the door after him. Outside, Harper rushes to Wesley, hoping to hear some good news from her best friend but the look she sees on Wesley's face causes her to freeze. “Miss Harper, could you please come in?” A voice echoes around the room before she can ask Wesley any question.“Forget about the contract, they're all a bunch of fools anyway,” she hears Wesley say as she goes in. With cold hands a
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 6
“Have you been sleeping since we left?!” She shoots a murderous glare at him. With a head bow, Aiden mutters some series of sorrys. “He's growing lazier day by day,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Why won't he? All he does is wake up, eat, sleep and then repeat the circle over and over again.” “Mom…” Harper cries. Her mother looks at her. She opens her mouth to talk but soon closes it. “I'll let it slide this morning because of you, dear. But you…” she shoots another glare at Aiden. “Be prepared to start working before the end of this week. It's time you started contributing to this family. I can't continue feeding a useless full-grown man.” She hisses and goes in with her husband. Harper sighs as soon as they are gone. “You're not going to say anything to that either?” Aiden shrugs. “It's time to start working if you actually think about it.” “Damn! Do you know how much work you do in this house? Do you know how many hours of sleep— four hours of sleep is all you get everyday
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 7
“He also gave you a contract?” Harper asks, bewildered. “Well…I don't want to say this, but I actually instructed him to give the contract to Harper because…” he shrugs. “I'm not really in need of the contract. I'm here to settle down, have a family and…things like that.” By the time he's done talking, all the other three people on the table are staring at him in surprise. “Wait a minute. I want to understand this…” Aiden's father-in-law says, “you gave out your contract to our company? For free?” Wesley chuckles. “Come on, dad, you're making it too much of a big deal. You're the only family I have if you actually think about it.”“Oh…my Wesley…” Aiden's mother-in-law cries. “You're too good to be true.”“Shit. Why would you do that?” Harper asks. “You're making me feel indebted to you.” “But…” Wesley quickly says. Once he misses this opportunity, he might not be able to get it back. “Actually…” he bites on his lower lip, staring into his plate. “I messed up.” “What's that?” Wes
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 8
“Oh, you don't have to look so sad about that,” Aidan's mother-in-law says. “I don't know how Harper will feel about it…we've…” he looks down, deliberately lowering his voice. “She's my best friend and I don't…I don't want to do anything that will make her feel bad.” “Oh, gosh, you're so sweet,” Aiden's mother-in-law says. “I already said that is nothing to worry about.” “But…” Wesley looks at Aiden, faking a concerned look. “Will you be okay with it?”Aiden scoffs. “I sure look okay. What damn sort of man will hear this shit you're saying and still remain sane?” “Aiden, this is going to be my last warning,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Shut up right now.” Aiden looks at his father-in-law and shakes his head. “I'm sorry, sir, but there is no way this is going to happen when I'm still in this house.” “That's what you want? I can now see how ungrateful you are. Park your things and get out of this house,” Aiden's father-in-law orders. Immediately, Wesley gets on his feet in front
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 9
“Where is the invitation to the party? He must have given you one when he invited you,” Aiden says. “When should I come pick you?” Wesley asks, deliberately ignoring that stupid question that Aiden asked. “That's true, Wesley, he must have given you an invitation or some sort,” Harper points out. “Come on, girl, don't pretend as if you don't know how things work. He didn't give me an invitation of any sort.” Harper frowns. “How is that possible?” “Wow. So you actually have to be given an invitation to every party?” Wesley asks. “Back in the US, you don't need an invitation if it's a really special party for special people. The owner of the Vicholas group must have had my picture given to the people manning the door.” “That's so cool,” Harper mutters. “But, are you okay? You look so stressed.” “I'm fine.” Harper signs. “I'm really fine.” “You don't have to be worried. I promise everything will be okay. If I knew things were going to get out of hand like this, I wouldn't have d
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 10
Outside by the door, Aiden notices a man walking toward him.At first, Aiden thinks it's because of the cigarette he's smoking. Not wanting some shitty conversation with some security men, he stubs the cigarette under his feet. But still the man comes closer. Bracing himself, Aiden waits, hands in his pocket. “Hand over all you have stolen,” the man says. Aiden frowns. “I saw you going from car to car. I have been watching you over there for the past few minutes,” the man says. Aiden frowns again. This man cannot be drunk, right?“Oh, you want to prove to be stubborn.” Aiden's phone beeps. He takes it out of his pocket. He reads the message.A man in black clothes is on your tail; the message reads. He looks at the man in front of him, the man is in black clothes. Swiftly, he grabs the man and drags him to a corner with dim light. Aiden pushes the man to the ground, his right boot presses tight against the man's chest.“Are you going to tell me now?” Aiden asks, his voice no
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 11
The other people in the room except Harper hisses. A phone rings, everyone in the ring springs toward the phone. Harper answers the call“I have checked all of the chairman's schedule but he won't be less busy in the next two months,” someone at the other end says. “Two months?! Come on, that's too long,” Harper says. “To be honest, people who want to meet with the chairman have to book the appointment five months to the scheduled time,” the person at the other end says. Harper sighs and so do the other people in the room. “Alright. Thanks.” “I'm just tired, dad,” Harper's brother says as soon as the call ends. “What are we going to do now, honey?” “At this rate, we might just lay off the workers and close the company down.” “How could you say that?” Harper snaps at her brother. “Harper? What's that supposed to mean?” “You can't be talking like that!” “Dad, did you just hear your daughter?” Harper's brother turns to their father. “This girl doesn't have a bit of respect f
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 12
Aiden relaxes in his seat. “You said that the last time and…two times ago…and three times ago and what?” He scoffs. “You have been repeating the same old shit since I met you.” All the men on the table don't dare look Aiden in the face even though his face is all concealed with a mask and cap. “You have one more chance left. If any other worker dies due to your carelessness again, I'm giving the company over to another capable person,” Aiden says. Pissed off with the other people at the table, he gets on his feet and goes to the other end of the room. His phone rings. It's a call from his personal assistant. “How is the surgery going?” Aiden asks. “It was successful, sir. I called you to ask you something, sir.” “No. For now, take care of your sister. Family comes first.” “She's okay, sir. Trust me, sir. She's fine.” Aiden sighs. When you think you're a workaholic, you only have to meet Park and he'll definitely blow your mind away. “Two seconds ago when I checked, you had
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Aiden can't resist a grin. This is why he can't get annoyed with this annoying guy. Park always have a quick plan just at the perfect time for any situation. “Miss Beatrice is the CEO of the RLS group and if my eyes are still functioning, you are in her house right now—” “No way—” “Sir, this is the only thing you can do. If you were to remain in Miss Harper's house, you both are probably going to sleep one night and not wake up because there is no way I can arrange security men in that villa without that old mother-in-law of yours poking around with her nose to find out what is going on.” Does he have to describe the woman like that though? Aiden tries not to grin. This is a serious matter. “So?” “Since Miss Beatrice already perceives you as a kind of rich person, it'll be easy to set up security around her house.” “You're suggesting…” “Yes, sir. You have to stay in Miss Beatr
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Park has been working with Aiden for some time now but he still can't get over the fear he has to deal with whenever Aiden makes crazy decisions like this. Too stubborn a boss. He tosses his phone on the table after Aiden hangs up. He paces around the room. How the fuck can he ensure the safety of this stubborn boss of his and still include Harper in the plan? Just as he's about to kick the table in frustration, a plan waltzes into his head. At the other end, the gate finally opens, a strange woman with red hair smiles ruefully at Aiden. “So sorry, I was taking my bath.” “Oh…” but did she have to say that? Damn. “Um…is Miss Beatrice around?” “Yes. She's in her room. She has headphones over head with some crazy whatever she is listening to blaring in her ears,” the red-haired woman says. “Oh…I actually came to see her.” “Of course. Come in,” she opens the gate wider for Aiden. Aiden glances at the blue van again. Nothing weird. It looks like it was just parked there. “My nam
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“Well, you asked for it. I was going to be gentle with you.” All the crowd cheers. He aims the first punch at Aiden. Aiden dodges it with no effort at all. Two minutes later, the coach is sweating, his clothes drenched with sweat but Aiden? Not even a drop of sweat. Feeling a bit bored, Aiden holds the man. “How about you try defending against my punches now?” He clenches his fist. “You think that tiny wrist of yours can hurt me?” He laughs. “Bring it on.” He thrust his hands in his pocket, imitating Aiden. Aiden slowly brings his hands out of his pocket. All the rage he's been holding in all these while fully let out. He throws a punch at the coach, first at the stomach area. The man flies across the room. Not yet. His rage has not subsided yet. Aiden strides to the end of the room. He throws blows on the stupid man's face. When it's obvious the man won't be able to open hi
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“Watch me, you see the way I'm clenching my fist?” The martial art coach clenches a fist in front of Aiden's face. Aiden looks at it, pretends to look really confused. “Babe, just do what he says, okay?” His wife calls from across the room. Aiden glances at her, nods and smiles. The martial arts coach resists rolling his eyes. So this is the man his dear Harper has been married to all these years? This useless man who can't hold a punch? “Now watch me…you're going to hit me back…” before he completes the sentence, he already throws a punch at Aiden near the stomach area. Aiden wants to shake it off like it doesn't hurt—because it doesn't actually hurt—seeing his wife watching, he lets out a groan. The aim is to pretend to be as innocent and weak as possible to carry out his mission in that house. “Let's try again.” The coach throws another punch at Aiden. He is trying hard to hold back his grin at the sa
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Under it, there another message;I LIED ABOUT THAT CONTRACT. HARPER GOT IT HERSELF. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW FOR FUTURE SAKE—SHIT HAPPENS. YOU KNOW I'M WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVEMENT, RIGHT? DON'T TRY ANYTHING FUNNY. I HAVE EYES EVERYWHERE. She collapses against the wall. How does Wesley know about these things? No one knows she's not Harper's real mother. They moved to New York because of this. And…wait a minute. What does Wesley mean about having eyes everywhere? Spy…She gasps. He didn't plant spy cameras here, right? She goes to her closet, searches through it. Like she would find something. A spy camera, anything. She can't. She runs his hand through her hair, sudden sweat breaking all over her body. This is all because of that stupid Aiden.If Wesley had gotten married to Harper as soon as he came back to New York, all these wouldn't be happening. He wouldn't go around checking for ways to threaten her. That stupid son of a bitch. He must leave this house today. She storms
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“It was mother. Want me to grab a cup of coffee for you?” “No. We're heading to the gym this morning. Classes start at seven.” She tosses the duvet off her, getting out of bed. She has a fucking determined look on her face that fascinations Aiden as he watches her. “This must stop,” she says under her breath in something close to rage as she slips into a gown. Aiden doesn't say anything. Saying something at a time like this is not going to make things any better so he follows her outside when she's done dressing. They cross across the living room when they both see Bryan dragging a traveling bag with him, holding two suitcases in both hands. “What's with the bags?” Harper stops walking. “It's either I pack out of this house or your stupid husband does today,” Bryan snarls. “How many times have I told you not to refer to him—”“Shut up, stupid girl,” Bryan snaps. “If you've got half of a brain, you'd ask me how yesterday went.” Without being asked to, he continues. “This stupi
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"Yeah. I got this phone just to speak with you, mom,” Aiden manages to say without stuttering from shock. “Good, son. I'm really proud of you. We'll talk tomorrow.” Aiden hangs up. Unable to control his weight, he falls against the wall. Just how far does the woman plan to go? Hasn't she done enough? All of a sudden, the gate flings open. Before Aiden can get his balance, he sees his wife coming out from the gate. “He's seven feet tall with blue eyes. Kind of small lips…I don't know…but he's got some hair in his hands. Not too much. And…yeah…tattoo? No. He has no tattoo. No beard… please find him within the next five minutes. I don't care how. I think some strange woman has abducted him. No. He'll never cheat on me,” she says the last part more sharply than she's been talking all the while.“He's twenty five…” her lips tremble, the phone slipping out of her hand as she sees Aiden standing against the wall. She rus
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Harper paces up and and down the room. She sits at the foot of the bed. She soon springs to her feet, goes to the window. There is still no sight of Aiden. The time reads 10:30 and still there is no sight of him. He left with her brother in the morning but Bryan came back long ago alone. And when she tried asking Bryan? She got nothing other than a sharp “am I his security guard?” She grabs her phone again and dials his number. “Answer the call, please,” she pleads. The call rings on end. “Why the fuck will you not answer your damn phone?!” She snaps in frustration. What if something bad happened to him? Her heart skips a beat. The Aiden she knows will endure a thousand punches before attempting to throw one. With her heart beating fast, she calls his number again. Could some thugs have picked on him? If he doesn't answer the call this time, she'll have no choice o
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“Mr Wesley, even if you tell me to cut my throat for you, I'll do that right now. I mean, I’ve been trying to figure out what work to do to get Harper a ring but it's…you know how hard it is to make money, don't you?” “Well, I don't.” Wesley takes another sip. “Making money has been the easiest thing for me.” From where he sits, Aiden wants nothing more than to splash the wine in front of him on Wesley's face. Making money sure sounds easy for a man who uses his suit to clean coffee just for a contract.“Actually, I am the owner of this bar,” Wesley says. “But, shush, don't tell Harper. I don't want her to be worried about my networth.” Aiden tries hard to resist a scoff. “You must be trying really hard to live as a secret billionaire.” Wesley shrugs. “I want you to go to Harper's parents…tell them you said a few silly things at the grocery store without knowing the owner of the Vicholas group was around.” “I don't really un
