MY BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND (Sandro Marcos)

Chapter 35: Balancing Acts

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Alexander's phone started buzzing with back-to-back notifications. It was the beginning of another busy day filled with political meetings, strategic planning sessions, and, of course, wedding preparations. Since deciding to run for Governor, Alexander's schedule had only intensified, leaving him with little time to breathe, let alone plan the wedding that he and Isabella had dreamed of.

Alexander rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced at his calendar, which was packed with appointments. His first meeting of the day was with key political allies to discuss campaign strategies. After that, there were meetings with local business leaders, followed by a lunch event with community organizers. It was a non-stop grind, but Alexander was determined to give his best to every commitment, even as the wedding loomed on the horizon.

As Alexander got dressed, Isabella entered the room, already dressed in a smart blouse and slacks, her laptop tucked under her arm. She gave him a warm smile, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Good morning, Alex," she greeted him, leaning in for a quick kiss. "You have a busy day ahead."

Alexander sighed, buttoning his shirt. "Tell me about it. I've got back-to-back meetings all day. I'm meeting with Senator Martinez and a few other key supporters this morning, and then I've got a lunch event. It's going to be a long one."

Isabella nodded, understanding his commitment but also feeling the strain of their packed schedules. "I've got a meeting with the wedding planner at noon to go over the final details. I'll take care of as much as I can, but there are a few decisions I'd really like you to weigh in on."

Alexander paused, a twinge of guilt flickering across his face. "I'm sorry, Bella. I know I've been all over the place lately. I promise I'll try to make time for the wedding stuff, too."

Isabella squeezed his arm gently. "I know you're doing your best, Alex. This campaign is important, and I'm with you every step of the way. But don't forget, this wedding is about us. We need to make time for it, even if it means taking a few minutes here and there."

Alexander nodded, appreciating her patience and support. "You're right. I don't want to let the campaign overshadow what's supposed to be one of the happiest times of our lives. Let's find some time tonight to go over the details together, even if it's late."

With a plan in place, they went their separate ways, each diving into the demands of the day. Alexander's first meeting was held at a local café, where he and Mayor Keon discussed key policy points that would appeal to their constituents. The conversation was intense, with both men strategizing on how best to position Alexander's campaign as a fresh and forward-thinking alternative.

"Ilocos Norte has a lot of untapped potential," Mayor Keon said, sipping his coffee thoughtfully. "If you can convince the people that you're the leader who can unlock that potential, you'll have a real shot at this."

Alexander nodded, his mind racing with ideas. "I agree. We need to focus on actionable plans that will improve people's lives—like enhancing agricultural support, boosting tourism, and improving infrastructure in the more remote areas. We've got to show them that we're not just making promises but delivering results."

The meeting went longer than expected, and by the time Alexander checked his watch, he realized he was already running late for his next appointment. He quickly wrapped up the conversation and rushed to his car, juggling phone calls with local leaders and responding to messages from his campaign team. The day blurred into a whirlwind of handshakes, discussions, and political maneuvering.

Meanwhile, Isabella was deep in conversation with the wedding planner at a charming little café near their house. Swatches of fabric, floral arrangements, and venue sketches covered the table as they discussed the overall look and feel of the wedding. Isabella's vision was clear—she wanted a celebration that felt intimate yet elegant, a true reflection of her and Alexander's journey together.

"Have you had a chance to decide on the menu?" the planner asked, flipping through her notes. "We'll need to finalize that soon so the caterer can start preparing."

Isabella hesitated. "I've looked at the options, but Alex and I haven't really had the chance to go through them together. He's been so busy with his campaign..."

The planner nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Balancing a political career with wedding planning can't be easy. But don't worry, we'll make sure everything comes together beautifully."

Isabella smiled, grateful for the planner's reassurance. "Thank you. I'll try to get Alex's input tonight. I just want to make sure this wedding reflects both of us."

As the afternoon wore on, Isabella continued working on the wedding plans, trying to make as many decisions as possible to lighten Alexander's load. She finalized the flower arrangements and chose the table settings, taking pictures of everything to show Alexander later. It wasn't ideal, but she was determined to make it work.

Back at his final meeting of the day, Alexander sat in a sleek conference room with local business leaders, discussing potential partnerships and funding opportunities for his campaign. His phone buzzed with a message from Isabella, a photo of a beautiful centerpiece arrangement accompanied by a simple question: "What do you think?"

Alexander glanced at the photo, a smile tugging at his lips. He quickly typed a reply: "Looks perfect. You have great taste, Bella. I trust you on this."

But as the meeting dragged on, he found his thoughts drifting more and more towards Isabella and their wedding. The campaign was important, but so was their future together. He knew he needed to find a way to balance both worlds.

By the time Alexander finally returned home, the sun had set, and the house was quiet. Isabella was in the living room, surrounded by wedding materials and her laptop, diligently working through the remaining details.

Alexander walked in, his expression tired but resolute. "Hey," he said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her. "I'm sorry it's so late. The meetings just kept going."

Isabella looked up, her eyes warm but slightly weary. "It's okay, Alex. I managed to get a lot done today. I just want us to go over a few things together."

Alexander nodded, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I'm sorry I haven't been as involved as I should be. I promise, starting now, I'll make more time for this. For us."

They spent the next hour going over the details Isabella had prepared, Alexander offering input and suggestions where he could. Despite the late hour, there was a sense of comfort in sharing this moment together, a reminder that they were a team, capable of navigating even the busiest of times.

As they finally settled on the couch, the weight of the day slowly lifted. Alexander took Isabella's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Thank you for being patient with me, Bella. I couldn't do any of this without you."

Isabella leaned her head on his shoulder, a contented smile on her face. "We're in this together, Alex. No matter how busy things get, I know we'll find our way."

Alexander kissed the top of her head, feeling a renewed sense of determination. With Isabella by his side, he knew he could handle whatever challenges lay ahead. The campaign, the wedding, their future—it was all within reach, and together, they would make it all happen.

As the night wore on, Alexander and Isabella continued to talk, planning not just their wedding but their life beyond it. In the quiet moments, amidst the chaos of politics and planning, they found their rhythm once more, grounded by the love and commitment that had brought them this far.