The conference room buzzed with low voices, all eyes shifting toward me the moment I walked in. Even though I should've been in a hurry, there was no stiffness in my composure. My eyes scanned the room- rivals, partners, board members... people who loved my success and hated it equally.
I greeted them with a nod, gesturing for everyone to take a seat as the presentation began. The room dimmed as the slides changed and discussions began, graphs, numbers, arguments... but for the first time, my mind kept wandering. What would my gorgeous wife be doing at home without me?
I shook my head, forcing myself back into the room.
"Mr. Riaan, you seem less interested in this merger," one of my rivals interrupted.
I smirked, leaning back slightly. "I'm very interested. Thanks for your concern."
The meeting continued for almost two hours before I realised I would be late. I didn't want to keep her waiting; it was our first unofficial dinner after all, even though I had no idea how to get along with so many people.
I was deep in my thoughts when the arguments in the conference room slowly faded. When I looked up, everyone was staring at me, confused. Something in my expression must have made them pause.
The only sound I could hear was the tapping of my Ferragamo shoes against the floor. I suddenly felt very aware of how distracted I was. I cleared my throat...
"I think we can make this work," I said, glancing at the screen. "There are a few small corrections we'll need when we begin the project."
I stood up, buttoning my suit jacket, and extended a hand toward Mr. Rowan. "I look forward to this merger."
Mr. Rowan shook my hand with a professional smile. He had secured the deal easier than either of us expected. I didn't think much of it.
I stepped out of the conference room, ignoring the few people already trying to approach me. I didn't slow down.
"No more meetings for the day," I told my secretary as I passed her desk. She nodded immediately.
I needed to get home.
I hurried toward the parking lot when my phone rang. Mira. Of course.
I answered before the second ring. "I'm on my way, honey. Tell everyone to make themselves comfortable."
She kept it short, just letting me know that everyone had already arrived.
I reached my car and fixed my appearance in the window's reflection before getting in and starting the engine.
As I arrived, I walked into the house, my eyes scanning the decorations. She had made the place look almost festive. A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I took it in.
I could already hear the soft mix of voices drifting from the living room.
I paused at the door frame.
Mira looked beautiful, even from her side profile. There were so many people... my smile faded slightly as I scanned the room. Her friends, her cousins, her people.
They were so lost in their old memories that no one even noticed I was standing there. For a moment, I felt like I was outside something I didn't really understand... something that didn't include me.
Then one of her friends finally noticed and nudged her.
"Look... who's here."
Mira turned her head, and the second her eyes met mine, I gave her a wide smile. A real one.
She was the only comfort in that entire warm, crowded room.
I slowly walked inside, fixing my Armani suit jacket as I greeted all of them with a polite, "Good evening."
It sounded a little too formal for a living room full of her friends and cousins, but that was the only way I knew how to be around people I didn't know. For a second, even I realised how stiff it sounded, so I added, "Nice to meet you all," hoping it would soften things a bit.
Mira finally stood up and walked around the table toward me, while everyone else greeted me with the same respect and admiration I was always used to.
One of her male friends joked, "Mr. CEO, you're late."
Another one immediately defended me. "Of course he is. He runs a company, unlike you."
I chuckled softly as Mira added, "Guys, here's my husband, as promised. Please join us for dinner." She gestured playfully toward the dining table she had set so elegantly.
Her best friend teased, "So now you're also sounding like a CEO's wife? Relax, this isn't a business dinner."
The room burst into laughter again.
Mira leaned closer and quietly excused us for a moment. She asked if I needed anything.
I told her to go back and get everyone seated, and that I'd join them in a few minutes.
I went to our room with the excuse of freshening up. I needed a moment. I wasn't used to this kind of environment, but my mind kept drifting back to the dining room anyway.
When I came back, everyone was already seated... but not how I imagined. There was no spot left next to Mira. Instead, they had arranged a seat directly in front of her, like face-to-face. As if I should be grateful for that..
I walked toward the table slowly, not hurrying, my mind noticing multiple things at once.
She was busy.
She didn't even notice I'd returned.
She looked comfortable.
She looked... different around them.
For a second, it felt like she had a world where I didn't exist, and I didn't know how to be a part of it...
I pulled out my chair and sat across from her. One of her friends whispered something, and she laughed. My eyes stayed fixed on them without me realising. My expression had already shifted into something serious, almost angry.
It was a guy. Why was he sitting next to her?
They were talking, passing dishes to each other, serving food. Someone even placed something on my plate. I barely noticed who it was, but I knew it wasn't Mira.
"What's your name?" I asked suddenly, looking only at the guy beside her.
They all went quiet for a second, caught off guard, until I softened my tone.
"I mean... Mira didn't introduce everyone to me yet." I glanced at her, pretending it was curiosity and not something else.
Mira began introducing everyone.
"Ria, Jenna, Ayan..."
And the guy next to her was...Evan.
Even before Mira could finish, I interrupted without realising.
"So you're her cousin, right?"
I asked it lightly, trying to sound casual.
Evan replied, "No... we went to the same university. We were good friends back then."
Back then...
The way he said it bothered me for a moment, but I kept my expression easy as I answered, "I mean... you two still look like good friends even now."
They smiled. She smiled.
My gaze stayed on Mira until she suddenly caught me staring. I masked whatever I was feeling with a small smile. She gestured for me to eat, and I nodded.
She finally added some salad to my plate, and I started eating.
I finished my dinner before everyone else and quietly excused myself from the table.
I walked straight to our bedroom. I saw Mira's expression falter for a second.
I didn't understand...
I didn't know why I was acting like that.
But I knew one thing for sure...I didn't like that I couldn't control it.
After some time, Mira came into the room and asked softly,
"Is everything alright?"
I didn't want to bother her anymore, and I knew I had made her uncomfortable. She must've been wondering what was wrong with me.
I nodded toward her with a forced smile.
"I'm just tired, honey... you all continue without me." I paused before adding,
"And when they're leaving, please call me. I'll come say goodbye."
After what felt like an eternity alone in our bedroom, Mira finally came and told me they were leaving. She sounded... normal again. The same Mira she had been around them.
I had already changed into my night clothes. I pulled on a jacket and followed her out to see them off.
I stood beside her as they said their goodbyes, but a part of me still felt like I was standing outside her world.
I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in me loosen the moment they stepped out.