My Husband Is An International Idol

The silent war between Chris and Liliana continued into the next day.

Neither of them had spoken beyond the greetings required during meetings. Their professionalism remained flawless, but everyone around them could feel the invisible wall separating them.

Matthew and Amanda noticed it. Even the staff members who had only worked with them for a few days sensed the unusual tension.

Still, the day’s schedule could not be postponed.

When Cartier’s creative team had arrived, one of the conference rooms inside the luxury hotel had been transformed into a presentation studio.

Elegant campaign boards lined the walls while jewelry displays rested inside glass cases. The concept art featured warm colors, handwritten letters, shared laughter, and meaningful conversations.

The theme was simple.

Friendship Beyond Borders.

Matthew, Mary, Emily, and several executives took their seats as Cartier’s representatives entered the room.

Leading them was Raphael Moretti.

Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, the French model carried himself with effortless elegance.

The moment he saw Liliana, his face brightened.

"Good morning." He walked directly toward her. "I hope I’m not late."

Liliana smiled politely. "Not at all."

Raphael handed her a bouquet of white lilies tied with a cream ribbon.

"I noticed you admired these yesterday. I hope you like them."

Liliana looked surprised. "Thank you. They’re beautiful."

Raphael then reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small red Cartier box.

Everyone inside the room looked over.

"Liliana. This is a small welcome gift from me."

She blinked. "You didn’t have to."

"It’s only a token of appreciation."

Curious, Liliana slowly opened the box.

Inside rested an elegant Cartier bangle crafted from polished gold.

Emily quietly gasped. "So pretty..."

Raphael smiled. "I thought it suited you."

Liliana carefully closed the box.

"Thank you. I truly appreciate the gesture. I’ll treasure your kindness."

Across the hallway, separated only by a transparent glass wall, Chris happened to look up from Pulse’s rehearsal room.

His eyes immediately found Liliana. He watched Raphael hand her flowers and the small jewelry box.

Then, he saw Liliana smile. It was only a polite smile. Professional. Respectful. Yet it was enough to make an uncomfortable ache settle inside his chest.

Aaron noticed where Chris was looking.

"You’ve been staring for almost five minutes."

Chris looked away. "I wasn’t."

Leo followed his gaze toward the opposite room. He immediately understood.

"You were."

Chris didn’t deny it this time.

Meanwhile, the Cartier presentation officially began. The creative director projected the campaign storyboard onto the large screen. Every scene emphasized companionship.

Friends exploring museums. Sharing coffee. Walking through Paris. Writing postcards. Celebrating personal achievements.

No embraces and romantic gazes. No intimate poses.

Mary carefully reviewed every page while Matthew examined the contract.

Finally, Matthew nodded. "Everything looks appropriate."

Mary smiled. "I don’t see any issues."

Emily looked toward Liliana. "The concept fits your image perfectly."

Raphael added, "Our goal is to celebrate genuine friendship. We want audiences to feel warmth, not romance."

Liliana smiled. "I love the message."

The agreement proceeded smoothly. The contracts were signed and the schedules were finalized.

Photographers captured commemorative photographs of the partnership.

Everything had gone perfectly. Or so everyone thought.

Just as the meeting concluded, the conference room doors opened once more.

Several members of the French Presidential Security entered first.

Immediately afterward, Alexandre Laurent walked inside. The President’s son wore a navy suit with a friendly smile that instantly drew attention.

Matthew stood to greet him. "Mr. Laurent."

Alexandre shook his hand warmly. "I hope I’m not interrupting."

"Not at all."

Alexandre’s gaze quickly found Liliana.

"I was nearby. I thought I’d stop in to say hello."

He carried an elegant bouquet of pale pink roses. Walking toward Liliana, he presented them with a respectful bow.

"For you."

Liliana accepted them politely. "Thank you."

Before anyone could say another word, Alexandre lifted another gift. It was a dark blue luxury shopping bag. Its logo immediately caught everyone’s attention. And inside rested a velvet jewelry case.

Alexandre smiled. "I also brought you something."

Liliana looked hesitant. "I really don’t think—"

"Please. It would make me happy if you simply looked."

Seeing everyone watching, she slowly opened the box.

A breathtaking diamond necklace sparkled beneath the conference room lights.

The surrounding staff quietly gasped. Emily covered her mouth. Mary blinked in surprise.

Outside the room, reporters who had been waiting for interviews immediately raised their cameras.

Flash!

Flash!

Flash!

Within seconds, photographs were being taken from every angle.

Liliana quickly closed the box. "This is far too expensive."

Alexandre smiled gently. "I know."

She looked from the necklace to Raphael’s bouquet. Then back toward the two men.

A puzzled expression crossed her face.

"I hope you don’t mind me asking. Why are you both giving me these gifts?"

The room fell silent.

Raphael answered first. "Because I’d like the chance to court you."

Several reporters audibly gasped.

Before the surprise could settle, Alexandre spoke as well.

"I feel exactly the same. I would also like to court you."

The conference room erupted into whispers. Cameras flashed nonstop.

Across the hallway, Chris stood completely still. His eyes never left the scene unfolding beyond the glass.

Everyone instinctively turned toward Liliana, waiting for her answer.

She took a slow breath before speaking calmly. "I’m honored by your sincerity."

She bowed respectfully toward both men.

"But, I have to decline."

Raphael looked disappointed but remained silent. While Alexandre listened attentively.

Liliana smiled gently.

"There is already someone special in my heart. I’ve publicly admitted it before so it wouldn’t be fair for me to accept anyone else’s feelings."

Her answer was graceful. Honest and direct.

The reporters immediately began writing.

Raphael smiled despite the rejection. "I expected that. But my feelings don’t disappear simply because you said no."

Alexandre nodded in agreement. "I respect your decision. However, I don’t mind waiting."

Raphael continued, "I’m not asking you to return my feelings today. I simply want you to know that you’re important to me."

Alexandre smiled warmly. "The same goes for me. If your answer never changes, I’ll still respect it. But until then, I’d like to continue showing my sincerity."

The cameras flashed once more.

Outside the conference room, Chris slowly lowered his eyes. He should have felt relieved because Liliana had rejected them without hesitation, without considering public opinion and without worrying about headlines.

Emily quietly walked over and stopped beside him. She looked through the glass before speaking softly.

"Do you see the difference?"

Chris remained silent.

Emily folded her arms. "Liliana didn’t care that cameras were watching. She rejected them immediately because she didn’t want to give them false hope."

Chris’s jaw tightened.

Emily looked directly at him. "You’re still worried about what everyone else thinks. She’s worried about protecting your marriage."

She paused briefly.

"Chris... You’re a coward."

The words struck harder than any insult. Because deep inside, Chris knew she wasn’t entirely wrong. He had spent years hiding behind timing, responsibility, and public image.

Meanwhile, the woman he loved had just declared before the world that her heart already belonged to someone else.

Even if no one yet knew, that someone was him.

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