The Language of Luxury

Three days before the wedding

THREE DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Morning sunlight spilled across the dining room, warming the polished wooden table where breakfast had already been served.

Anabelle walked in, dressed in a simple cream dress, her hair loosely tied behind her. The quiet aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room.

Thiago was already there.

A tablet rested beside his plate while he read through a document, occasionally taking a sip of his coffee.

"Good morning," Anabelle said.

He looked up.

"Morning."

She took her seat opposite him.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

It wasn't awkward anymore.

The silence between them had slowly become familiar.

Anabelle reached for a slice of toast.

"I thought you cleared your schedule."

"I did."

She looked at him.

"Then why are you dressed for work?"

"I have one meeting."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Only one?"

He nodded.

"I'll be back before lunch."

"So you aren't disappearing for the whole day?"

"No."

She smiled to herself.

"Good."

Thiago looked at her briefly.

"The afternoon is reserved."

"For the wedding?"

"Yes."

Before Anabelle could reply, the butler entered.

"Sir."

"Diana and Mr. Frederick have arrived."

"Let them in."

Moments later, Diana stepped into the dining room wearing an elegant navy-blue suit, with Frederick following closely behind.

"Good morning," Diana greeted warmly.

"Morning," Anabelle replied with a smile.

Frederick nodded politely.

"Mrs. Adebayo."

"Mr. Frederick."

Thiago stood.

"I have to leave."

He looked at Diana.

"Mrs. Benson will arrive shortly."

Diana nodded.

"We'll take it from here."

He turned to Frederick.

"The guest list is finalized."

"I've already approved it."

"I'll review the seating arrangement when I return."

"Understood."

Picking up his suit jacket, Thiago looked at Anabelle.

"If you need anything..."

He paused.

"...Diana and Frederick are here."

Anabelle smiled.

"I'll survive."

He gave the slightest nod.

"I know."

Without another word, he walked toward the entrance.

The sound of the front door closing echoed softly through the mansion.

Anabelle watched for a moment before turning back to Diana.

"So..."

"What are you both planning to teach me today?"

Diana laughed.

"Oh, quite a lot."

Frederick smiled faintly.

"Being Mrs. Adebayo comes with responsibilities."

Anabelle straightened in her chair.

"I suppose today's lesson is about surviving them."

The three of them shared a quiet laugh as breakfast continued.The dining room gradually became livelier as breakfast came to an end.

Mrs. Benson arrived a few minutes later with a folder tucked neatly under her arm.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Mrs. Benson," Diana greeted.

Anabelle smiled. "Good morning."

Mrs. Benson placed the folder on the table.

"Since we're only three days away from the wedding, today isn't about choosing flowers or changing decorations."

She opened the folder.

"Everything has already been finalized."

Anabelle let out a relieved sigh.

"So, no more dress fittings?"

Mrs. Benson laughed.

"No more."

"Thank goodness."

The room filled with soft laughter.

Frederick slid a seating chart toward Anabelle.

"Today's focus is helping you understand the flow of the day."

Anabelle leaned forward.

"The ceremony begins at eleven."

Mrs. Benson nodded.

"You'll arrive fifteen minutes earlier."

"The guests will already be seated."

Diana continued,

"The moment you step out of the bridal suite, the photographers will be waiting."

"They'll take pictures, but you don't have to stop for every camera."

"They'll have plenty of opportunities after the ceremony."

Anabelle nodded carefully.

"So... just walk naturally?"

"Exactly," Diana replied.

"No rushing."

"No looking for the cameras."

"They'll find you."

Mrs. Benson smiled approvingly.

"After that, you'll wait with the person walking you down the aisle."

At those words...

Anabelle's smile faltered for the briefest moment.

Diana noticed but gently continued.

"When the music begins, the doors will open."

"You'll walk at a steady pace."

"Not too fast."

"Not too slow."

Frederick added,

"Once you reach the front, Mr. Thiago will step forward to receive you."

"After the vows, you'll sign the marriage register."

"Then comes the family photographs."

"And after that?"

"The reception."

Mrs. Benson answered.

"There will be a short greeting for close family, business associates and invited guests."

"You won't have to spend the entire afternoon standing."

"I was worried about that," Anabelle admitted.

Diana smiled.

"Mr. Thiago already limited the receiving line."

Anabelle blinked.

"He did?"

Frederick nodded.

"He reduced it considerably."

"He said there was no need for you to spend hours greeting hundreds of people."

A small smile appeared on Anabelle's face.

"That sounds like him."

Mrs. Benson closed the folder.

"The rest of the afternoon is yours."

"You should rest."

"The next few days will be busy."

Just then, a maid entered quietly.

"Ma'am, your rehearsal shoes have arrived from the atelier."

Mrs. Benson stood.

"Perfect."

She looked at Anabelle.

"Shall we make sure they're comfortable?"

Anabelle rose from her chair with a smile.

"I have a feeling my feet will thank me later."

As the ladies left the dining room together, Frederick remained behind for a moment.

He glanced toward the large windows overlooking the driveway where Thiago's car had disappeared earlier that morning.

A faint smile crossed his face.

For the first time in years...

Thiago wasn't putting business first.

And perhaps...

That was exactly what he needed.

ADEBAYO GROUP HEADQUARTERS

The black sedan rolled to a smooth stop beneath the company's glass entrance.

Employees coming and going instinctively stepped aside.

Not because anyone told them to.

Because they recognized the car.

Thiago stepped out, adjusted the cuff of his shirt, and walked toward the entrance with his assistant a step behind him.

"Good morning, sir."

The security team greeted in unison.

Thiago acknowledged them with a slight nod.

He was about to continue when his steps slowed.

His eyes rested briefly on one of the guards stationed beside the entrance.

The man stood perfectly still.

Too still.

Thiago looked at the head of security.

"Where's Daniel?"

The head of security frowned.

"Sir?"

"This is Daniel's post."

The man's expression changed.

He quickly looked toward the guard.

"Identify yourself."

The guard hesitated.

It lasted only a second.

But it was enough.

The head of security's face hardened.

"Detain him."

Two officers immediately moved forward.

The man tried to pull away, but before he could take another step, he was restrained.

Employees nearby stopped in surprise.

No one spoke.

Thiago simply looked at the head of security.

"Report to me when you're done."

"Yes, sir."

Without another glance, Thiago continued into the building.

...

Boardroom

The discussion had already gone on for nearly two hours.

Charts covered the large screen.

Financial reports lay open across the conference table.

As Thiago entered, everyone stood.

"Good morning, sir."

He acknowledged them before taking his seat.

"Continue."

The Chief Financial Officer resumed his presentation.

"The proposed acquisition is valued at one hundred and eighty billion naira."

"The projected return within five years exceeds—"

Thiago raised a hand.

The room fell silent.

"Debt ratio."

The CFO answered immediately.

"Thirty-eight percent."

"Based on current interest rates?"

"Yes."

"What if they rise?"

Silence.

Several executives exchanged glances.

Thiago turned another page.

"How much of your projected return depends on market growth?"

The CFO hesitated.

"...Forty-two percent."

Thiago closed the file.

"Reject it."

The room froze.

One director cautiously spoke.

"Sir... it's a profitable investment."

"It is."

Thiago met his eyes.

"The assumptions aren't."

He slid the file back across the table.

"We don't invest in optimism."

"We invest in certainty."

No one argued.

The decision had been made.

Thiago stood.

"Routine operational approvals go through the COO for the next few days."

"If anything requires my personal attention, contact me directly."

The COO nodded.

"Understood, sir."

As Thiago walked toward the door, his assistant caught up with him.

"Sir."

"The logistics and warehouse teams worked through the weekend to meet the international shipping deadline."

Thiago didn't slow his pace.

"Triple their overtime."

The assistant quickly noted it down.

"And give them Monday as paid leave."

"Yes, sir."

"Should the announcement come from your office?"

Thiago pressed the elevator button.

"No."

The elevator doors opened.

He stepped inside.

The doors closed.

Only after the elevator disappeared did the boardroom slowly come back to life.

No one spoke about the rejected acquisition.

No one questioned the delegated authority.

They simply returned to work.

Because when Thiago Adebayo made a decision...

There was rarely a reason to question it.

SEVERAL MILES AWAY...

The small clinic sat quietly on the outskirts of town, hidden behind tall trees and a rusted iron gate.

Lawrence adjusted the cap on his head as he stepped out of a taxi.

He had been gone since dawn.

A small paper bag containing medicine hung loosely from his hand.

He glanced over his shoulder before walking toward the modest bungalow that served as his temporary safe house.

The front door opened before he reached it.

The elderly man who had been looking after him frowned.

"You were gone longer than expected."

"I had to make sure no one followed me."

The old man stepped aside.

"Come in."

Lawrence entered and placed the medicine on the table.

"Did anything happen while I was away?"

The old man hesitated.

"There was news."

Lawrence looked up immediately.

"What news?"

The old man picked up a folded newspaper lying on the table.

Without saying a word, he handed it over.

Lawrence unfolded it slowly.

His eyes immediately found the headline.

ADEBAYO GROUP CEO'S WEDDING TO HOLD IN THREE DAYS

Beneath it was a photograph.

Thiago.

Standing beside...

Anabelle.

Lawrence's fingers tightened around the newspaper.

For several long seconds...

He simply stared.

His little girl.

She looked happy.

Older.

More confident.

Yet the smile on her face reminded him of the child who used to wait by the window whenever he returned from work.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"It suits her."

The old man remained silent.

Lawrence gently brushed his thumb across Anabelle's picture.

"So..."

"It's finally happening."

The old man nodded.

"They've been talking about it on television since yesterday."

Lawrence carefully folded the newspaper again.

"I should have been the one preparing her wedding."

His voice was quiet.

"I should have been the one standing beside her."

The old man sighed.

"You still have time."

Lawrence shook his head.

"No."

"I'm still being hunted."

"If I go near her..."

"I'll only put her in danger."

Silence settled between them.

Then the old man spoke again.

"What will you do?"

Lawrence looked toward the window.

His gaze lingered somewhere far beyond the trees.

After a long pause, he answered softly,

"I don't know..."

"But whatever happens..."

"My daughter deserves to smile on her wedding day."

Neither of them noticed...

Far away...

A black sedan had just turned onto the lonely road leading toward the safe house.The mansion was quieter than usual.

As Thiago stepped inside, one of the maids approached to take his suit jacket.

"Welcome back, sir."

He gave a slight nod before handing it to her.

"Has Mrs. Adebayo finished with today's schedule?"

"Yes, sir. Mrs. Benson left about twenty minutes ago. Mrs. Adebayo is in the sunroom with Miss Diana and Mr. Frederick."

Thiago walked toward the sunroom.

Laughter drifted into the hallway before he reached the door.

He paused.

Inside, Anabelle was holding a sample wedding bouquet while Diana adjusted the ribbon around the handle.

Frederick stood nearby, reading through the final reception itinerary.

"...No," Anabelle laughed. "If I have to carry this for an hour, I'd rather it be lighter."

Mrs. Benson smiled.

"Noted."

Frederick looked up as Thiago entered.

"You're back."

"I said I would be."

Anabelle turned.

"You finished already?"

"The meeting is over."

Diana folded the itinerary.

"Perfect timing."

"We've finalized almost everything."

Mrs. Benson handed Thiago the folder.

"Only your approval remains."

He scanned the pages without sitting down.

A few seconds later, he closed the folder.

"Proceed."

Mrs. Benson smiled with satisfaction.

"I'll notify the vendors immediately."

After everyone had gone back to discussing the rehearsal schedule, Thiago's phone vibrated once.

He glanced at the screen.

A single message.

We've located Mr. Alexander.

For a fraction of a second...

His eyes remained on the words.

Then he typed a reply.

Do not approach him. Maintain surveillance. I'll handle it personally.

He locked the screen and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

Across the room, Anabelle looked up.

Their eyes met briefly.

Thiago's expression was as calm as ever.

Nothing about him suggested that, at that very moment...

The promise he had made to her had just taken its first real step toward being fulfilled.