111 THESE STEPS WITH YOU LUKE’S POV So, Laura and I had been here for minutes, having a conversation that I couldn’t understand myself. It was actually nice being around her, she was fun to talk with, but I just didn’t want to get moved by her beauty. A promise made to my late grandfather, I was not going to do anything stupid, leaving my wife and start following some other lady. Even though I didn’t love Ariel, I needed to be faithful. Our discussion eventually came to an end, and I stood up, fully prepared to leave the bar. “Hold on,” Laura halted me. I turned around. “What now?” “You didn’t give me your number,” she spoke lowly. “Was I supposed to?” I asked, cause I was not ready to do that. Even if I did, her calls would be ignored. “Just give me, will you?” “I have to remind you that I have a wife.” She rolled her eyes. “I never forgot that.” “I think you did.” I shook my head after that. “Let’s not waste any more time here. There’s somewhere I need to be right now.” “You’re the one who’s squandering the time here. If you can just let me have your contact, we’ll leave this place immediately.” “Why’s my contact so important, huh?” “Cause we’re friends. And as a friend, I need to have your contact.” “Who said we’re friends?“/ Laura chuckled. “Are you kidding me right now?” “Do I look like I’m joking?” I made a serious face. “I don’t know,” she responded beneath her breath. “You know what? It’s okay. If you don’t want to give me your number, it’s cool. You can leave now.” I nodded, smiling at her. Finally, someone was starting to have some senses. THESE STEPS WITH YOU “What about you? Aren’t you leaving?” I asked, not that I was concerned anyway. “You do not have to worry about that,” she answered, and I could hear the bitterness in her tone. I was guessing she was infuriated with me. “Are you sure?” “Yes!” She snapped immediately. And her tone softened as she apologized,” I’m sorry, if you want to leave, just leave.” “Okay then.” I nodded, and made my way to the door. My eyes widened the moment I opened it. Yes, I saw Tiffany. ARIEL’S POV Still at the party, I found myself perched on a plush, cream–colored sofa in the midst of Andre’s opulent mansion. The room was filled with the murmur of conversation, tinkling glasses, and the soft melodies of a grand piano in the corner. My eyes were fixed on Andre, as he ascended the stage at the far end of the room, his charismatic presence commanding the attention of the gathered guests. The moment the room became quiet, Andre’s voice echoed through the space, and his tone was filled with gratitude. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. It means a great deal to have you here to celebrate with us,” he began, flaunting his smile in the glow of the spotlights. “I am truly honored by your presence.” I observed him, and my eyes were tracing the lines of his confident posture, the way his gaze swept over the crowd. He pressed on with his words. “As many of you know, my family has recently moved to New Haven. It’s a joyous occasion, and I am grateful for the support and well wishes we’ve received.” The room became filled with applause and genuine smiles as Andre acknowledged the well–wishers. I couldn’t help but be captivated by his presence, the way he effortlessly commanded the attention of the room. I had known him for years, and yet, in this moment, he seemed larger than life. Wow, that was actually nice of him. “And of course,” he spoke boldly. “I must express my gratitude for the success of Vitality Group. We have achieved great milestones, and I am confident that we will continue to thrive in the years to come. Our commitment to excellence and innovation remains unwavering, and I am proud to lead such a remarkable team. LUKE’S POV 314 THESE STEPS WITH YOU I was shocked to see Tiffany. Well, I wasn’t that shocked. But right now, she should be among the last people that I wanted to see. I was feeling guilty for breaking her heart. That was if she was heartbroken. But the fact that we had sex, and I just had to end our relationship, was really crazy to her. I must probably be the person who she despised so much in the world. “Luke,” she slowly called my name, her eyes fixed on no one else but me. “Tiffany,” I said back in the same manner. “What are you doing here?” “I just came to grab a few drinks,” I replied. “Ill be leaving now.” I wanted to walk away, but she held my arm. “Before you leave, I just want to let you know that I’m pregnant.” Her words left me in a state of shock. “You’re pregnant?” “Yes, and you’re obviously the father.” “What? How is that possible?” I still couldn’t believe my ears. Who knew? Maybe she was lying. “Don’t ask me that. You knew what happened between us.” “But that was like weeks ago. Why are you telling me this now?” “What is wrong with you?” She glared at me. “You think I’m lying, or do you think I’m joking?” “You better be,” I told her coldly. “Well I’m not. This baby in my belly belongs to you. Like it or not, this child is your responsibility. When you’re ready to talk something sensible, you know where to find me.” She walked inside the bar, and I was still shocked. Was she really telling the truth about her pregnancy? Was I actually the father? Oh this was all nonsense. ARIEL’S POV Everyone was quiet as Andre continued his speech, “You know, life is a series of peaks and valleys. There are moments of triumph and times of hardship, but it’s how we navigate through them that defines our journey,” His eyes went upward, and he shook his head, smiling. “When me and my family *started our company, we had nothing but a vision and sheer determination. We faced countless setbacks and obstacles. There were times when it felt like the THESE STEIN WITH YOU world was against us, but we persisted. We believed in our mission, and that unwavering faith propelled us forward.” “And then, slowly but steadily, things began to change. We pivoted, we adapted, and we innovated. Our family worked tirelessly, pouring our hearts and souls into our shared dream. We weathered the storms, learned from our mistakes, and emerged stronger each time.” “I’m talking about my family in this one. My father, my mother, and Mason; my brother. It wasn’t easy. But we had to overcome all obstacles. And then The Vitality Group came to life.” His smile lingered on his visage. “Success isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey—the lessons learned, the bonds forged, and the impact we make along the way. Our company’s success is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, to the power of teamwork, the love of family, and to the belief that anything is possible with passion and perseverance.” He glanced at me, and I smiled at him. Then he continued, “Life, my friend, is a magnificent tapestry of experiences. It’s about embracing the challenges, relishing the victories, and always striving to reach new heights. Our journey is far from over, but looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for every twist and turn that brought us to where we are today.” I turned around, gazing at the entrance, to see if Luke was coming. He had promised that he would be here, and I didn’t know why he was taking so long. Wait, why was I even eager to see him?