ดาวน์โหลดแอป
1.53% Husband With Benefits / Chapter 14: Best Friends

บท 14: Best Friends

After dropping that bombshell on the three people inside, Nora quickly made her way to her next appointment: a meeting with Isabella Ruffalo, her best friend and soon-to-be inquisitor.

Ever since she had discovered the truth about Antonio and Sara, and signed the marriage contract, she had been pondering a way to reveal everything to Isabella. However, she knew that while she could confide in Belle about the will and Antonio's betrayal, she couldn't disclose the information about the marriage. Belle wouldn't be able to keep such a secret, even if her life depended on it.

Fortunately, Belle was leaving the country tonight for her higher studies. In fact, she was supposed to have left last week, but Belle had postponed her departure just to be there for Nora on her wedding day. Nora felt fortunate to have her friend by her side, the one person she could always rely on. As she walked towards the restaurant, she couldn't help but wonder if it was because she had always sensed Antonio's impending betrayal and had therefore never fully opened up to him.

However, as the question arose in her mind, she pushed it aside. Now was not the time to dwell on these thoughts. Her immediate focus was on seeing Belle off while revealing as few details as possible of her own marriage.

As expected, Isabella was waiting for her at the restaurant. A sizable order of chips (A/N: also known as French fries, I think) sat in front of her, accompanied by a glass of iced coffee for herself and iced tea for her. Another thing for which Nora felt grateful. Typically, when Isabella and Nora met, Nora would be in a rush to return home for chores or to meet Antonio for study. Therefore, Isabella had developed the habit of preordering food for both of them, arriving early at their meetings. This allowed them to enjoy a meal and a few extra minutes of conversation.

As Isabella looked up and greeted her with a grin, Nora felt a pang in her heart. Isabella was leaving tonight, and Nora was going to be left alone once again. Nora had known about Isabella's departure, yet she had found solace in Antonio's presence. But now she was going to be left alone... again

Sighing, Nora reminded herself to remain strong and swiftly moved in to hug her best friend.

To say that Isabella was surprised would be an understatement. Nora had rarely initiated such gestures. Her shyness of potential rejection prevented her from even initiating a simple handshake. Isabella quickly reciprocated the hug and asked with concern, "See, I knew you weren't okay. You should've come to me yesterday, babe."

Nora stepped back just as quickly and smiled at Isabella. "I'm fine, Belle! Even if that 'fine' is as delicate as an eggshell. I hugged you because I realized I'm going to miss you."

Isabella gazed intently at her before sighing. "Of course, you're going to miss me, babe. I mean, look at me, how could someone not miss me..."

Nora laughed and promptly nibbled on a chip. This contrasted their personalities. While Nora was reserved around people, Isabella took for granted that she was loved and cared for, thanks to her doting family.

"Now, spill it, girl. Are you going to share or do I need to extract the details from you?" Isabella asked playfully.

Nora didn't need further prompting, immediately launching into the tale of her discovery of Antonio's deceit, Grandpa William's revelation, and her subsequent plan. Isabella listened with occasional exclamations of shock or colorful language.

After recounting everything, Isabella concluded, "So, Grandpa William suspected that this was a scheme to snatch your inheritance? Both your Mom and Sara were involved? And you orchestrated the entire fake wedding?"

"Grandpa William wasn't certain, but he had his suspicions. That's why he stopped me from confronting them. He suggested allowing the wedding to proceed, avoiding a confrontation. However, I swapped the priest at the last minute."

"What do you mean?" Isabella asked, still in shock over the new discovery.

"Grandpa William suspected my mother's involvement, but he lacked evidence. They had planned all along for Antonio to abandon me at the altar. This way, I'd be left with no potential spouse, and Sara would secure her marriage and the will. It was a two-birds-one-stone scenario. Mother knew that if Grandpa William discovered Sara and Antonio's affair, he'd grow suspicious and reveal everything to me."

"But if the affair was exposed at the last moment, even if I knew about the will, I wouldn't have time to act, putting everything in Sara's favor."

"Ha! Fate favored you, and you unearthed the truth, as did Grandpa William! Brilliant turn of events. Changing the priest to an actor, ensuring only a counterfeit marriage license, was a stroke of genius! I wish I'd been there at the meeting this morning. I would've captured a few snapshots of your mother and Sara's expressions to relish later. You stole that little joy from me!"

Nora chuckled at her friend's disappointed expression and shook her head. "Let's move on from this topic."

Isabella, however, persisted, giving a concerned look. "Nora, remember, this is temporary. Antonio is still on their side. They could easily register their marriage..."

Nora responded with an enigmatic smile. "Do you think I haven't prepared for that? Taken steps to prevent it?"

Isabella raised an intrigued eyebrow, eagerly awaiting the revelation.


บท 15: A Drunkard

"We are going to sit here all night if I do not have the answers," declared Demetri Frost, his tone firm and unwavering.

As an uneasy silence settled over the conference room, the collective sighs of the team members were drowned out by the weight of their impending task. They had braced themselves for an all-nighter, but with the looming pressure of the Demon's presence, the prospect of returning home seemed increasingly non-existent.

Demetri Frost wasn't known for his leniency, but his expectations were rooted in a pursuit of excellence that matched his own.

Among the few courageous directors who dared to seek favour, subtle glances were exchanged in the direction of Ian Frost and Seb Frost. Oblivious to the pleading looks of their subordinates, the two men focused intently on the files spread before them. They had no intention of crossing their brother when he looked like that.

Resigned to their fate, the team continued scrutinizing their reports, combing through each detail in search of the elusive mistake. Abruptly, the low vibration of a cell phone echoed through the room, causing startled jolts among the occupants. Eyes darted around, speculation rife as to who among them had dared to bring a phone to the sacred conference room. After all, they would have to bid goodbye to them.

And then, as if in slow motion, the Demon himself made a move, reaching for his phone. A hushed realization swept through the room; it was none other than the Chairman's device. Both Ian and Seb exchanged a look. It was a well-kept secret that only they possessed their brother's private number. So, who was the one calling him?

Straining to catch a glimpse, Ian leaned forward, his eyes widening as he read a single alphabet saved as the contact name. A contact name! Someone other than them also had Demon's number and that person also had their contact saved? Ian's attempt to glean more information was cut short as Demon swiftly answered the call, his voice a low rumble.

"Hmm?"

Seb and Ian strained their ears, attempting to discern the words of the caller that prompted their brother's already formidable countenance to darken further, his icy demeanour turning glacial.

"I will be there in 10 minutes," he spoke sharply before standing up abruptly.

As the others stared in shocked silence, Demon gave the instructions," All of you have thirty minutes." And then he was gone.

A ripple spread through the room. Could it be the ex-chairman who had the gusto to call Demon away from the conference room? However, the speculation did not last long. After all, they had been given a thirty-minute reprieve but if they dared to slack, they would be forced to pack.

Ian and Seb on the other hand had no qualms about gossiping about their brother. Ian had already messaged Demetri's driver for updates about the location while Seb had been consulting the Frost Mansion's butler to confirm if their grandfather had summoned Demetri.

***

Demetri dismissed the driver and drove to the small bar where Nora was sitting, so out of it that she had no idea where her home was. At least that's what he had been told by the woman who had called him from the bar.

Reaching the neighbourhood, Demetri sighed. At least the girl had chosen a relatively safe place to get drunk and drown her sorrows. As Demetri marched into the private bar, he was immediately spotted by the woman who had contacted him. "Mr Husband?" she said.

"Excuse me?" Demetri asked through clenched teeth. The woman immediately realized her mistake, blushed and apologized, "I am so sorry, sir. I forgot to ask your name, and Miss Nora has your number saved as 'Mr Husband'. We had to move her to a private room. There was a scene involving her... it wasn't her fault, but we thought it prudent to shift her so that she would be safe. Your wife is too beautiful and alluring. The two men wanted to woo her and fought among themselves. Thankfully, she announced that she was married and the matters did not escalate. I will take you to her now."

Demetri followed the woman quietly, wondering what he was going to do with his rowdy drunk wife who had even caused possibly caused a scene in the bar just because she was sitting there. He should have questioned the attorney if the woman was a slush. Unexpectedly, as the door to the private room was opened, he encountered a beautiful voice singing, "I wish you would love me again. No, I don't want nobody else..."

The voice seemed to be full of pain, yet there was an ethereal quality to it... It took him a moment to realise that it was his wife who was singing the song. Well, it seemed she was drowning her sorrows about her ex-fiance.

The concierge interrupted the singing softly and spoke, "Miss Nora, someone is here to pick you up."

Nora looked up and squinted as she stood up, swaying on her feet. She questioned, "Who are you?"

Demetri inhaled slowly, reminding himself that the girl was young and too drunk at the moment to understand anything. He spoke patiently, "I am your husband."

Her lips set in a pout, Nora squinted so hard that her eyes were almost closed as she stumbled and came to him, almost falling on him. As Demetri swiftly caught her by the arms, she smiled up at him sleepily and cocked her head, "What a handsome husband. You are much more handsome than my fiance. I am so lucky..." Nora muttered drunkenly as she quickly let go of herself and slumped against Demetri.

With a sigh, Demetri picked her up in a bridal carry and walked out of the private room. With a small shriek at the sudden movement, Nora threw her arms around Demetri and buried her face in the crook of his neck.


Load failed, please RETRY

ของขวัญ

ของขวัญ -- ได้รับของขวัญแล้ว

    สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์

    ป้ายปลดล็อกตอน

    สารบัญ

    ตัวเลือกแสดง

    พื้นหลัง

    แบบอักษร

    ขนาด

    ความคิดเห็นต่อตอน

    เขียนรีวิว สถานะการอ่าน: C14
    ไม่สามารถโพสต์ได้ กรุณาลองใหม่อีกครั้ง
    • คุณภาพงานเขียน
    • ความเสถียรของการอัปเดต
    • การดำเนินเรื่อง
    • กาสร้างตัวละคร
    • พื้นหลังโลก

    คะแนนรวม 0.0

    รีวิวโพสต์สําเร็จ! อ่านรีวิวเพิ่มเติม
    โหวตด้วย Power Stone
    Rank 200+ การจัดอันดับพลัง
    Stone 416 หินพลัง
    รายงานเนื้อหาที่ไม่เหมาะสม
    เคล็ดลับข้อผิดพลาด

    รายงานการล่วงละเมิด

    ความคิดเห็นย่อหน้า

    เข้า สู่ ระบบ

    tip ความคิดเห็นย่อย

    คุณลักษณะความคิดเห็นย่อหน้าอยู่ในขณะนี้บนเว็บ! เลื่อนเมาส์ไปที่ย่อหน้าใดก็ได้แล้วคลิกไอคอนเพื่อเพิ่มความคิดเห็นของคุณ

    นอกจากนี้คุณสามารถปิด / เปิดได้ตลอดเวลาในการตั้งค่า

    เข้าใจแล้ว