Adrian and his wife first met in high school. They were always fierce rivals, constantly competing for top grades and awards, each trying to outdo the other.
But beneath the rivalry, a tiny spark of affection slowly grew. From math competitions to classroom debates, their suspicious glances and secret smiles turned into something warmer, something neither of them could ignore.
They started dating in high school and stayed together through college. Yet one big secret remained: Adrian never revealed his true identity. The secret began from a long-ago conversation—his wife had confessed that she hated people who cheated, played with the law, or acted arrogantly. Adrian, who was actually wealthy and could be a little arrogant, chose to hide it, pretending to live a simple life. He feared that if he revealed who he truly was, she might judge him poorly, because back then, in her eyes, Adrian seemed “poor.”
His wife also kept her own secret. She never disclosed that she came from a wealthy family and was destined to become the CEO of Europe’s largest company. She feared Adrian might feel inferior if he knew the truth, so both of them maintained their simple, modest facades—living quietly, loving each other deeply, yet hiding their real selves.
Ironically, the universe seemed to have its own plan. Years later, their companies were forced to collaborate on a massive project. Suddenly, they found themselves in the same building, in the same meetings, while their biggest secrets remained hidden… for now. The line between pretending to live simply and actually being the world’s top CEOs was thinner than ever, and one careless moment could expose everything.
The morning was bright. Adrian and his wife woke up early, savoring the lingering warmth of sleep together in their modest apartment. Though each of them led lives that could impress the world—he, the CEO of the world’s largest tech company; she, the CEO of Europe’s largest corporation—at home, they chose simplicity. No glitter, no media spotlight, just quiet laughter, warm coffee, and embraces that felt deeply real.
“Have a good day, my love,” Adrian whispered, holding her a little tighter.
“You too,” she replied, smiling, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
They parted briefly. He headed to the café, pretending to be a bartender, taking orders and greeting customers warmly. She carried her bag, ready to open the small bakery, smiling at patrons who believed she was just a simple bakery owner.
“See you tonight,” Adrian said from behind the apron, feigning casualness.
“Don’t work too hard, bartender,” she replied, stifling a laugh.
But in reality, Adrian wouldn’t stay at the café for more than five minutes. He turned, grabbed his car keys, and drove to his towering office building. Inside the glass-walled boardroom, top executives awaited. The crucial meeting began, and Adrian became the powerful CEO controlling a global tech empire.
Meanwhile, his wife briefly closed the bakery, swapped her apron for a smart blazer, and entered the same building for her European executive board meeting. Her modest mask and friendly demeanor made everyone believe she was just a small bakery owner, but inside, she controlled one of the continent’s largest corporations.
he boardroom was filled with murmurs and the shuffle of papers. Adrian adjusted his tie, sitting at the head of the table, trying to appear completely composed. After years of pretending to be a simple bartender, he was finally back in his element—CEO of the world’s largest tech empire.
Meanwhile, his wife, equally composed in a sharp blazer, entered the same room. She had just closed her bakery for the day, but inside, she was the powerhouse CEO of Europe’s largest company. Everyone else in the room assumed she was just another board member, calm and polite.
Then their eyes met.
Time seemed to freeze. Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly. “You… what are you doing here?” he muttered under his breath, trying to keep his voice casual.