The morning sun bathed Lavida in a golden glow, reflecting
off the glass towers of Marus Holdings, the family's prestigious company. A
sprawling complex of sleek offices, polished marble floors, and gleaming
conference rooms, it stood as a symbol of the Marus family's wealth and influence.
From luxury real estate to international trade, Marus Holdings touched almost
every facet of elite society, and its reputation was impeccable. Every corner
spoke of power and elegance, from the handcrafted marble staircase to the walls
lined with awards and photographs of generations of Marus leaders.
Inside the top floor corner office, Alexander Marus, 29 and
soon to be 30, leaned casually against the polished oak desk, reviewing reports
with a faint smirk. His presence was commanding tall, broad-shouldered, with
sharp, handsome features that made him the kind of man everyone noticed
immediately. Dark, piercing eyes seemed to measure everything and everyone,
while his perfectly styled hair and tailored suit only enhanced his allure.
"Alexander, you've barely glanced at the figures," his
secretary reminded him softly, holding a neatly stacked folder. "The quarterly
reports need your approval."
He waved her away with a faint smile. "I haven't forgotten,
Elisa. I just have… other matters on my mind."
A soft chime signaled the arrival of Chairman Victor Marus
and Grandmother Helena Marus, Alexander's grandparents. Despite their age, they
looked remarkably young, their posture and grace giving them an almost ageless
presence. Helena's eyes sparkled with mischief as she stepped into the room.
"You know," she said, teasing, "for someone about to hit
thirty, you still act like a carefree twenty-year-old."
Alexander laughed, shaking his head. "Carefree? Me? I prefer
experienced and charming, thank you very much, Gran and Gramps."
Victor's lips twitched in a small smile. "Experienced and
charming, huh? We'll see about that."
Helena laughed softly, her fondness for him clear. "Well,
we'll let you prove it… before we decide how to tie you down."
Alexander smirked, acknowledging their playful jab, and
nodded respectfully. "Understood, Gran, Gramps."
The joke fading, Helena's tone softened into seriousness.
"Alexander, there's something we need to discuss something important about your
future."
Victor stepped forward, voice calm yet commanding. "It
concerns Livia Konate. Her family may not be as prominent in business as ours,
but they are honest, respectable, and longtime friends. We believe she would
make a suitable match for you elegant, intelligent, and poised."
Alexander's brow arched, curiosity piqued. "An engagement?
You mean, marriage?"
"Yes," Helena replied, her eyes warm with affection. "We
think it would be a good union. She is a fine young woman, Alexander. And she
may not know it yet, but she is fond of you in her own way. Consider it… mutual
benefit."
Alexander's mind wandered for a moment. Livia Konate the
name was familiar in Lavida's circles. Polite, graceful, and known for her
poise, yet not someone who commanded the same influence as the Marus. Still,
the idea intrigued him, though he allowed no outward expression.
He let his gaze drift to the city beyond the windows,
imagining the life his grandparents envisioned: golden receptions, whispered
alliances, and a carefully arranged union that would please the family. But he
also felt a spark of curiosity what would it be like to meet this girl, Livia,
in person? Would she rise to the challenge of the Marus world, or crumble under
its weight?
Victor nodded, satisfied. "Arrange for her family to visit
the estate for tea. Let them see who they will be allied with, and observe
Alexander's… response."
Helena patted his shoulder affectionately. "You've grown
into such a fine man, Alexander. I only want what's best for you… and we think
she could be the right choice."
As they left the office, Alexander glanced out the
floor-to-ceiling windows of Marus Holdings. Below, the city of Lavida pulsed
with life, oblivious to the plans quietly shaping the futures of those in the
elite. Alexander's mind lingered on the thought of Livia Konate her reputation,
her charm and a faint, confident smile tugged at his lips.
He was handsome, intelligent, and charming the kind of man
Lavida admired and feared in equal measure. And soon, he would meet Livia, the
girl his grandparents believed would be his perfect match.
Yet, across the city, someone else watched, waited, and
calculated, unaware that the first threads of an even more tangled story were
beginning to form…