Chapter 4

• Chapter 4
• Strong footsteps echoed across the corridor, and a tall man with a muscular, lithe figure walked into the office, eyeing his mother with disdain.
• “What is the meaning of the stunt you pulled at the office, Mother!?” he questioned, slamming his fists on the table.
• "Now, now, that's no way to talk to your mother, is it?" Eleanor Blackwood replied, her face scrunching up in disapproval.
• Julian scoffed. "I was about to close a very important deal; this had better be worth it."
• “I found you a wife,” Eleanor announced suddenly, shocking Julian.
• He scoffed and clenched his fists. "You must be joking!"
• "I already told you this: I'm not ready to settle down yet. This decision is mine and mine alone to make. What is your problem?"
• “The board of directors has been breathing down our necks about you settling down, and I think it's high time you fulfill your duties, or else I strip it all away and allow Alexander to take over,” Eleanor spat out with contempt.
• "They can all go to hell. I'm Julian Blackwood, for crying out loud, the sole heir to this empire, and you want to give it all away to Alexander?! Like hell I'll let you!”
• Eleanor smirked. “Then let's meet on Monday at the court. She'll be there, and we'll make it quick and hassle-free,” she beamed venomously.
• Julian huffed out a breath, making up his mind. His jaw ticked in frustration; he didn’t have time for one of his mother’s numerous schemes now. He stood up, and without another word, he left the office, slamming the door.
• _________
• Leslie walked steadily into one of New York’s biggest courts. Perspiration gathered at her forehead, and she wiped it off and adjusted her simple white floral gown. An attorney guided her through a spacious hallway and into a courtroom that screamed luxury and power. Two men stood at the end of the room as she walked in, one whom she recognized as the judge and the other her husband-to-be.
• Dressed in a crisp black suit and tie, his dark brown hair styled to perfection, he stood tall and straight with a physique that made women fall at his feet. With a defined scowl on his face that indicated he’d rather be anywhere than there, she didn’t blame him, though; she’d rather be anywhere than here too. She increased her footsteps and reached the end of the room, nodding to the judge. She turned around to her would-be husband and said with outstretched hands and a small smile, “Hello, I am Leslie Harrison.”
• “Julian Blackwood,” he answered in a cold voice, not bothering to shake her hand. His eyes locked with hers for a brief moment, and she shuddered involuntarily from the coldness in his deep hazel gaze. His eyes roamed her body briefly, and a glint passed through them before his expression turned back to being blank. He turned his gaze toward the judge and signaled him to begin.
• The ceremony was cold, lacked any warmth, and was extremely short. Leslie couldn’t believe she was married just like that, but as she stared at the white certificate with the name “Leslie Blackwood” on it, she knew without a doubt that this was her reality now.
• Julian picked up his copy of the certificate, glanced coldly at it, and started walking out of the room. Leslie followed behind, struggling to keep up with his long strides. He paused when they reached a secluded corner of the court, and Leslie heaved a rushed breath; she had speed-walked in order to keep up with his strides.
• He turned to her and began, “Listen up, Miss Harrison. I only have one thing to say to you.”
• He gazed at her condescendingly and continued, “This marriage is one of convenience. I believe you do not have any funny ideas about love or friendship. I don’t do love and friendship, Miss Harrison. Do not expect any affections or emotional connections between us.”
• Leslie’s eyes widened in shock and subtle hurt. It was like a long, sharp knife twisting in her heart. Here she was, thinking she was going to at least maintain a cordial, peaceful relationship with the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with, but it looks like he has other plans.
• “What do you mean by that?” she asked.
• Julian must have noticed the hurt in her, because his voice softened subconsciously, and he stepped forward, finally allowing his eyes to roam her body. She looked beautiful and so out of place in his world. He was shocked by how quickly he was attracted to this woman with big green eyes and a petite frame. He was both shocked and angry at how fast she could get a rise out of him, but he’d never let her know that. This relationship was nothing more than a ticket to secure his legacy.
• “I just wanted to let—”
• “You know what, Mr. Blackwood?” she interrupted sharply, her anger rising. “I do not need you to lecture me on things I already know, like a high schooler. You think I expect anything from you? Ha!,” she scoffed out loud. “I was forced into this too, you know. I have dreams and aspirations too, you know. I also have a life I envisioned for myself too, you know,” she raised her voice, her eyes staring at him defiantly. How could someone so handsome be so cold and ruthless?
• “Then why are you here, Miss Harrison? Why did you agree to this?” he questioned coldly and stepped closer to her. She took a few steps back, her chest tightening with awareness of his closeness, and he came closer again until her back hit the wall. He stared down at her coldly, then at her lips, and she subconsciously ran her tongue over them. He snapped back to his senses and stepped away from her, feeling disgusted with himself for having this kind of reaction to someone he barely knew.
• Leslie heaved a sigh of relief; his closeness did something to her insides, and she wasn’t sure she was supposed to be having such a reaction towards this man.
• “Then why did you agree to this?” he demanded again, his cold gaze lingering on her.
• She cleared her throat and steeled her body. “That is none of your concern, Mr. Blackwood.”
• Julian’s eyes hardened once more as he said, “Don’t make the mistake of thinking of this as anything more than a business arrangement. I’ll never acknowledge you as my wife!” With that, he turned toward the door and walked away.
• Leslie shut her eyes as a feeling of deep isolation and anger raked her body. She felt hurt, rejected, and alone — a cold husband and a loveless marriage.
• How can I go about this now? What have I gotten myself into?