A Recipe for Disaster

Hannah woke up, her body still heavy from the tension of last night. Her mind was foggy at first, but then she remembered—today's client meeting. Adrian had stressed how important it was. Pushing herself out of bed, she glanced over at him, still asleep, and sighed.

 Determined to be prepared, she got bathed and got ready, opting for a sleek, fitted black blazer over a chic, sleeveless blouse. Her hair, flowed freely in soft waves, giving her a sophisticated yet relaxed look. She paired her blazer with tailored pants and classic pumps, exuding confidence.

After getting dressed, she laid out Adrian's charcoal gray suit and tie, ensuring he'd look his best for the important meeting. She knew today's meeting was crucial for the business, and they needed to look the part. After setting his clothes aside, she called for Julie to bring some lemon juice to help Adrian recover from his hangover.

She walked over to the bed and noticed that Adrian was still fast asleep, despite her having woken up multiple times already.

She sighed softly, her brow furrowing. "Adrian, wake up," she whispered, gently shaking him. No response. Hannah tried again, this time louder. "Adrian, it's already 9:00. You told me we need to meet your client this morning!"

Adrian didn't even stir.

Frustration growing, Hannah grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand. "I didn't want to do this," she muttered before lightly sprinkling water over his face.

Adrian jerked awake, blinking against the light. "What the—Hannah?" His voice was thick with sleep, stirred, groaning, "What time is it?"

"It's morning," Hannah replied, amused by his confusion. 

Adrian, rubbing his temples, asked, "Can I have some lemon juice, please?

Hannah handed him the glass. As he took a sip, he asked, "The party's over?"

Hannah glanced at him with mild disbelief. "It's morning, Adrian. You drank too much last night, probably trying to forget whatever happened."

Adrian furrowed his brow. "I didn't even have alcohol. What are you talking about?"

"Sure," Hannah said with a smirk. "Leave it, Adrian. You mentioned you wanted me to meet a client today, someone important for the business. It's already 9:15, so go get ready. Besides, I did you a favor by choosing your outfit. Don't expect me to do that again."

Adrian looked at the clothes she had picked out, chuckling. "Did you take advantage of me while I was passed out?"

Hannah's eyes widened, and she smacked him with a nearby pillow. "You wish! Just get up and stop being ridiculous, Downstairs for breakfast. I'm heading to the office.

Adrian laughed, the teasing glint in his eyes fading into something softer. "You're leaving without me?"

"Yes, someone has to be at the office on time," she replied briskly, picking up her bag. "It's already 9:30. If I wait for you, we'll both be late at least one of us needs to be there on time.

Once she was gone, Adrian pulled himself out of bed and headed to the dressing room. He paused, looking at the suit she had picked out. "She's got good taste," he muttered to himself, slipping into the clothes. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he took a moment to adjust his tie, admiring how the suit fit perfectly. For a second, he caught himself grinning. It's just a suit, he thought, shaking his head. But something about today felt different.

He picked up his phone and dialed his assistant. "My wife is heading to the office. Make sure she's well taken care of when she arrives."

Meanwhile, at the office, Hannah stepped out of the car, and heads turned as she walked confidently inside. Adrian's assistant was already waiting for her. "Mrs. Ashford, this way please. Mr. Ashford will join you shortly."

As she settled into Adrian's office, the door creaked open and Elijah stepped in with a warm smile. "Hannah, good morning. How are you?"

Hannah smiled back, feeling a touch of familiarity. "Good morning, Uncle Elijah. I'm doing well, thank you. You're here for the client meeting too?"

"Yes," Elijah nodded. "This client is a significant partner for the business. If we secure the deal, it will be a major boost to our company. Adrian's been working on this for a while."

Hannah nodded, trying to focus on the conversation, but there was something about Elijah today—an unease she couldn't shake. "I see. I'll do my best to help."

Elijah studied her for a moment before placing a hand on her shoulder. "If you need anything, just let me know, Hannah."

Hannah gave a polite smile, but the strange feeling in her chest lingered as Elijah left the room. 

Adrian entered the office, looking as handsome as ever in his perfectly tailored suit. His presence was magnetic, commanding attention the moment he stepped in. As he approached, his gaze fell on Hannah, seated confidently at his desk. A smile crept across his face. I never thought I'd see her here, in my office, as my wife, he mused. The thought made his chest tighten in an unfamiliar, pleasant way.

Hannah looked up, noticing his arrival. He stood tall, radiating confidence and charm, his dark hair slightly tousled, his sharp jawline accentuated by the crisp collar of his shirt. She found herself momentarily speechless. How does he always look so... perfect?

Adrian caught the way she was staring and couldn't resist teasing her. "Lost in my handsome face,?" he quipped, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Hannah rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "In your dreams, Adrian," she shot back, standing up.

He chuckled, clearly amused, and took a few steps closer, slipping his arm around her waist. "Come on, let's go meet the business partner," he said, guiding her toward the door.

"Come on, let's go meet Mr. Dan Sullivan and his wife," he said, guiding her towards the door. "They're both excited to meet you."

They walked into the boardroom where Dan, a well-respected senior businessman with years of experience, and his wife were already seated. Dan's reputation preceded him; he was known for his sharp business acumen and leadership in several successful ventures. His wife, elegant and poised, stood by his side, exuding a quiet confidence.

Adrian smiled warmly, extending his hand to Mr. Dan. "Mr. Dan, it's great to see you again. Let me introduce my wife, Hannah."

Dan shook Adrian's hand, then turned to Hannah, his expression softening. "Mrs. Ashford, it's a pleasure.

Hannah smiled politely. "The pleasure's mine, Mr. Sullivan."

Adrian glanced at Dan's wife and introduced her as well. "And this is Emma, Dan's better half."

Hannah shook Emma's hand, exchanging pleasantries before they all sat down.

Adrian stepped forward to begin the presentation, his every movement smooth and confident. As he spoke, his voice was clear and commanding, each word meticulously placed. The room hung on his every word, captivated by his expertise and his ability to simplify complex concepts. His talent was undeniable, and Hannah couldn't help but admire him as he seamlessly explained the strategy, his vision, and the future of their partnership.

He's incredible, she thought, feeling a swell of pride she hadn't expected. As much as Adrian could be infuriating, he was truly brilliant when it came to business.

When the presentation concluded, Dan stood up, clearly impressed. He extended his hand to Adrian, his smile wide. "That was the best presentation I've seen in years," Dan declared, shaking Adrian's hand with enthusiasm. "I don't have a second thought about it. We're partnering up. I trust you with this entirely. Woah, what talent!"

Adrian accepted the praise graciously, but Hannah could see the glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. He was proud, as he should be. She stepped forward and shook Dan's hand as well, smiling warmly. "Congratulations, Adrian," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine pride.

Dan's wife, who had been quietly observing, smiled and leaned in. "You two make such a beautiful couple," she remarked, her eyes twinkling. "It's refreshing to see a husband and wife working together like this.

Adrian mentioned you're working in the fashion industry, Mrs. Ashford. How's that going?"

Hannah nodded, appreciating the attention. "Yes, I'm with a dress brand at the moment, handling their operations. It's been challenging but rewarding."

Dan's wife, Emma, smiled approvingly. "I've heard about the brand you're working with. It's quite up-and-coming in the industry. It's wonderful to see women taking charge."

Hannah smiled, grateful for the support. "Thank you. We're launching a new line soon, and I've been deeply involved in the final stages. It's exciting."

Before Emma could ask more, Adrian chimed in with a grin. "You two should come over to our place for lunch sometime. My wife is an incredible cook."

Hannah's smile faltered slightly as her eyes widened in shock. Adrian, what are you doing?! She thought in a panic. I don't even know how to make toast!

She quickly recovered, though, forcing a polite smile, but beneath the surface, she was silently cursing him. Adrian, I swear, I'll kill you later.

Dan's wife grinned. "That sounds lovely! We'd love to come over for lunch. We have some shopping to do in the morning, you know how wives are," she added with a playful wink. "We love to shop!"

"12:30 it is then," Adrian agreed, completely ignoring the silent daggers Hannah was throwing at him with her eyes.

As soon as the business partner and his wife left the room, Hannah turned to Adrian, her expression serene, but there was a storm brewing behind her eyes. For a moment, she said nothing, letting the silence build tension. Then, without warning, she stomped on his foot with precise, unrelenting force.

Adrian winced, looking down in surprise. "Ow! What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that was for!" Hannah hissed under her breath. Hannah crossed her arms over her chest, her tone as icy as her calm exterior. "You volunteered me to cook, Adrian. Cook, for Dan and Emma Sullivan. I can't even scramble eggs without setting the kitchen on fire!"

Adrian chuckled, not at all fazed by her anger. "Don't worry, darling. I'm sure you'll figure something out. Besides," he leaned closer, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "you always manage to surprise me."

Hannah glared at him, though the smallest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "You better hope I don't surprise you by making you eat takeout in front of them."

Adrian grinned. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me," she muttered, walking out of the boardroom with her head held high. But as she walked ahead of him, Adrian couldn't help but smile at the fire in her step, admiring her all over again.