The party

Hannah woke up in the morning to an empty bed. Adrian had already left for the day, and the quiet of the room felt unusually heavy. With a soft sigh, she rose and took a quick bath, preparing herself for the busy day ahead. After dressing, she called the office to notify them of her leave for the day.

"Good morning, this is Hannah. I wanted to inform you that I'll be taking a leave today," she said to the receptionist.

"Of course, Mrs. Ashford. Is there anything else you need?"

"No, that will be all. Thank you," Hannah replied before ending the call.

Just as she was about to hang up, her phone rang with her mother's call. Hannah's face brightened as she answered.

"Hello, Mom!" Hannah said cheerfully.

"Hannah, dear, how are you?" her mother's voice was warm and filled with pride.

"I'm well. Just getting ready for the party. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine. I just wanted to remind you that Adrian invited our family to his first business party since your marriage. I know you'll look stunning. My daughter always does," her mother said, her voice filled with affection.

Hannah's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mom. I'll make sure to represent us well."

After they ended the call, Hannah was surprised to hear a knock on her door. Julie, the housekeeper, entered holding a bouquet of roses.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ashford," Julie said with a smile, placing the bouquet on a nearby table. "These are for you."

Hannah's eyes widened as she took in the vibrant roses. The sweet fragrance filled the room, and her fingers traced the elegant tag attached to the bouquet.

She opened it and read:

"Go to the dressing room. I've bought you a dress. - Adrian"

Intrigued, Hannah headed to the dressing room. There, she found a stunning dark maroon dress with a thigh-high slit. The fabric shimmered subtly, accentuating its elegant design. Alongside the dress was a card with a note:

"The password for any purchases you might want is 1505.

The password, her birthday, made her smile. She headed to the dressing room with a flutter of anticipation. The fabric was luxurious, and the design was both elegant and striking. The deep color accentuated her features, and the high slit added a touch of bold sophistication. Hannah couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement; the dress looked incredibly expensive, and she knew Adrian had chosen it with care.

She took her time getting ready, wanting everything to be perfect. As she was about to finish, she noticed Adrian's watch lying on the dresser. It was a beautiful timepiece, gifted to him by William, her stepfather. The watch, a cherished gift from William, her stepfather, was a symbol of Adrian's success and their shared history. She decided to bring it with her to the party, knowing it would mean a lot to Adrian.

Meanwhile, at the party venue, the event was buzzing with high-profile guests and celebrities.

Adrian was in his room, preparing for the evening's grand event. He looked exceptionally handsome, embodying the epitome of sophistication and success. His perfectly tailored charcoal-gray suit fit him like a second skin, accentuating his broad shoulders and slim waist. The suit's sharp lines highlighted his chiseled features and the confident poise he exuded. His dark hair was styled meticulously, each strand in place, adding to the overall refined appearance. Adrian's blue eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and anticipation, reflecting the light with an almost magnetic intensity. Every detail, from the polished cufflinks to the crisp, white dress shirt, spoke of his attention to detail and undeniable charm.

As Adrian adjusted his tie, Noah, his assistant, entered the room. "Sir, Elijah has arrived," Noah announced.

Adrian looked up, his face breaking into a welcoming smile. "Yeah, ask him to come in," he said, turning his attention back to his preparation.

Elijah walked in, and Adrian greeted him with a warm handshake. "Welcome to the company, Elijah. I'm glad to have you on board. But please, don't call me 'Sir.' I'm much younger than you. Call me Ashford."

Elijah nodded, appreciating the informality. "Thank you, Ashford."

Before their conversation could continue, a soft, feminine voice interrupted from the hallway. "Ashford, if I may?"

Adrian excused himself and stepped into the hall, his attention immediately drawn to the figure standing at the doorway. There stood Hannah, looking absolutely breathtaking. She wore a stunning deep maroon dress that seemed to shimmer in the ambient light. The fabric hugged her curves elegantly and flowed gracefully with every movement. The dress featured a daring slit that added a touch of allure while still maintaining an air of sophistication. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face perfectly, and her makeup was flawless, highlighting her natural beauty. Adrian's breath caught in his throat as he took in her radiant presence.

"How do I look?" Hannah asked, her voice a blend of confidence, knowing she was perfect.

Adrian's gaze softened, a smile spreading across his face. "You look good, but not better than me," he teased.

Hannah rolled her eyes playfully, though a shy smile tugged at her lips. She approached Adrian and handed him the watch, its surface gleaming in the light. "I thought you might want this tonight," she said softly.

Adrian's eyes filled with warmth and gratitude as he accepted the watch. "Thank you. I was going to ask my assistant to bring it, but I'm glad you did."

Adrian then turned to Elijah. "There's a new member of our board that I want you to meet, Hannah. Elijah, this is my wife, Hannah. Hannah, this is Elijah, our new board member."

Hannah smiled and extended her hand to Elijah. "Nice to meet you, Elijah."

Elijah looked at Hannah with admiration, his eyes misting up slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ashford."

Adrian smiled and added, "Congratulations on joining the team, Elijah. I hope you enjoy the party tonight as well."

As Adrian and Hannah prepared to leave the room, Elijah watched them with a mix of emotions. Seeing Hannah's elegance and the way Adrian's eyes lit up with pride made him reflect on how his own daughter had grown into such a beautiful woman.