105. Epilogue
105. Epilogue
Alina's Pov
2 years later
“Are you crazy?” Thea yells barging into my office. “I can't believe you are doing this today out of all days!” I ignored her, continuing to type furiously on my laptop. I got used to her barging into the publishing house every second day and complaining about something or the other. It's what made her Thea. Yes I had taken over the publishing house and now became a successful Author and owner of this business. Theodore was utterly proud of all the hard work and my achievements and finally after a year, I got my reward of becoming the bestseller.
I had only ever imagined it in my dreams, so living it felt surreal. “Bruh! We are going to be late for the signing!” Thea shut my laptop, making me sigh. Why did I hire her as my manager once again? Yeah, to keep me on track. And she was just doing her job, I reminded myself and killed the urge to slap her. She loved her job by the way. She said it was thrilling.
“I was in the middle of a very important scene,” I glared at her.
“The scene can wait! Your fans cannot!” She reminded me. “Your husband has already booked your hair and makeup appointment and wants you to be on time. You know this is important for him as well.” Oops, did I forget to mention that after much persuasion and dedication of endless confessions, date nights and steamy sex, I finally married Theodore Maxwell last year? Yep, I was no longer Stacy Miller. I said good bye to her some time back. I was now called Alina Maxwell. Not for the whole world though. That was going to change today in the press conference plus book signing. Yep, my book signing for the bestseller I wrote.
Theodore had convinced me to finally introduce me to the whole world as his wife at today's press conference. Of course because I was the CEO of the T.M. publishing house, he arranged the conference to break the news to everyone. Till now, there were rumors of him dating me but obviously no one knew we were already married. That was because I wanted to wait until I had achieved my goals and made my career on my own. I didn't want the world to believe it all happened because I married a business tycoon. Theodore, although not liking to keep this away from everyone, still understood and agreed. Which is why our wedding was very private with only close members.
I know the haters gonna still feed onto bullshit, but with time I learned to ignore and not give a shit about it. All that mattered were my fans who finally recognized me for my work.
“Hey your ass out of the chair right now!” Thea grabbed my bag and my coffee cup.
“Ok, ok!” I said getting up. Sometimes, I forget how blessed I am to have her in my life. Honestly, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her.
The press conference room buzzed with anticipation, filled with reporters, flashing cameras, and eager fans clutching my latest bestseller. Theodore stood beside me, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of excitement. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as the moment drew closer.
As I stepped onto the stage, Theodore leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “You look breathtaking, Alina,” he murmured, his voice a private caress amidst the public chaos.
“Shut up,” I whispered back, though my lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile. His words, simple yet profound, calmed my nerves and reminded me why I loved him so much.
We settled into our seats, and the moderator introduced us, his voice a steady hum that seemed distant against the rush of my thoughts. The first few questions were predictable, focused on my book, my inspirations, and the journey to becoming a bestseller. I answered them with practiced ease, feeling Theodore’s supportive gaze on me the entire time.
Then came the question we had been anticipating, yet dreading. “There have been rumors about your relationship with Mr. Maxwell. Care to comment?”
The room fell silent, all eyes on us. I glanced at Theodore, and he gave me a reassuring nod before turning to the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Theodore began, his voice calm and commanding. “It’s time to set the record straight. Alina and I are not just dating. She's also my wife.”
A collective gasp swept through the room, followed by a frenzy of questions and camera flashes. I felt a mix of relief and anxiety, the truth finally out in the open. But amidst the chaos, I spotted Anders in the crowd, holding up Asher. My son, dressed in his school uniform, was waving brightly at us, his innocent excitement a grounding force.
I waved back, my heart swelling with love and pride. Seeing Asher there, his smile wide and eyes sparkling, reminded me of the real reasons behind my hard work and achievements. It was all for moments like these, where my personal and professional worlds came together in harmony.
The rest of the conference passed in a blur. Theodore answered questions with his usual poise, and I chimed in, feeling a newfound confidence with him by my side. Finally, it was time for the book signing. I sat at a long table, pen in hand, as fans lined up, eager for a signature and a few words.
As the last book was signed and the crowd began to disperse, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Theodore wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards the exit. “You did amazing,” he whispered.
“Thanks to you,” I replied, leaning into his warmth.
When we finally got home, the house was quiet and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the day’s hectic pace. Theodore led me to the living room, where a bottle of wine and two glasses waited. We sank into the couch, the weight of the day slowly lifting off our shoulders.
“To us,” Theodore said, raising his glass. “To all our accomplishments and the journey ahead.”
“To us,” I echoed, clinking my glass against his. Asher had slept on his way back in the car so Anders took him to his room. We sipped the wine, the silence between us comfortable and filled with unspoken love.
He pulled me close, his lips brushing against my forehead. “I’m so proud of you, Alina.”
“Shut up and kiss me,” I whispered, and he did, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that spoke of love, commitment, and the promise of many more moments like this.