The maids kept giving Leslie knowing looks as she walked down the stairs after freshening up. “Is there something on my face?” she wondered, confused as to why they were excitedly giggling and whispering to themselves. She reached the dinner table where Julian was already seated. She gazed at him and flushed again but managed to control her expression. “This man could wear a potato sack and still look good. It's totally unfair”, she thought to herself with a pout as she admired the way his rolled up shirt clung to his bulging biceps and took a seat.Kris arrived to serve them breakfast shortly afterward. "What about my mother?" Julian asked."Oh, she already had breakfast, sir, and then she left for a spa appointment," Kris replied."Left?" Leslie asked. "What time is it, Kris? I didn't check my phone.""It's 15 minutes past 11, ma'am," Kris said."O..oh, thanks”. "It's that late? We must have slept in then," Leslie couldn't remember when last she'd slept in. "And my brother, is h
Leslie looked up at the sound of the voice and saw Vanessa strutting towards her with a big smile on her face. She wore a floral bustier top and a short black mini tulip skirt that displayed her curves. Her hair was styled in a beachy style, and when she leaned down for a hug—which caught Leslie by surprise—Leslie had to bite down on her tongue to stop herself from choking from the overpowering stench of her perfume “sheesh did she spray the whole bottle on" Leslie thought."Hi Vanessa, welcome," Leslie said warmly. "What brings you here?""Why, am I not welcome here?" Vanessa quirked a brow."N-no, that's not what I meant—""Relaxing, Leslie. I'm just messing with you," Vanessa jested and grinned widely. "Why are you still having breakfast at this hour?" Vanessa inquired."Well, we slept in, so…" Leslie responded and trailed off."We? Yeah, Julian and I slept in.""Hmm, that's unlike Julian," Vanessa said with more bite in her words than necessary.Leslie looked up at her, and Vaness
Leslie, who was in the middle of chewing a pastry, choked slightly at Vanessa's words. "Ahem, w... well, it can be challenging sometimes… I guess."Vanessa nodded and continued, "Julian is quite an enigma, isn't he? He can be so closed off, right?""Yeah, I think that's part of his personality because he's like that to everyone. You know, all mysterious and broody," Leslie shrugged."Mysterious, yes, that's one way to put it," Vanessa's lips curled up in a knowing smile. "Did he ever tell you about the time he suddenly left for a month without telling anyone why?"Leslie's interest was instantly piqued. Apart from the dark secret that she'd mistakenly found out about, she knew little to nothing about this man. She casually leaned back in her chair."No, he never mentioned it.""Everyone was so worried at that time. The company even suffered huge losses because of his absence. He wasn't taking our calls nor did he leave any explanation at all. When he finally came back, he brushed it
It had been a week since the board meeting with the Pattersons, and everything had been going smoothly at the office. It was lunch time already, but Julian, as busy as ever, was hunched over a pile of reports that needed review. Another heap was dumped on the table. He furrowed his brows and looked up at Philip."There's more? I thought this was the last batch?""He he, sorry sir," Philip chuckled nervously. "These are the papers from Baseline Constructions. You ordered me to bring them in this morning. I just finished adding the finishing touches and it needs your approval."Julian nodded and straightened in his chair, rolling his stiff shoulders in the process. "I gave you an assignment concerning Mr. Marcus. What are the latest reports?" Julian questioned, dropping the pen in his hands and folding his arms."I've been on the case, sir. Mr. Marcus has been absent from work for 5 days now. No one has been able to get through to him. He's a widower, so his only family is his 20-year-
The east side of the manor was like a different manor entirely to Leslie. Sure, it was grand, beautiful, and spoke of such wealth that normal people could only dream about and wish for throughout their lives. Yet there was something missing—”probably humanity”, Leslie thought. It totally reminded her of how the west wing looked before she added her personal touch to it. It felt too impersonal and totally unwelcoming.A tall middle-aged lady in a maid's uniform with a tight bun and lips set in a hard line came up to Leslie and bowed slightly. "Hello, young miss. I'm Edna. Follow me, the madam awaits you in the sunroom." She didn't even give Leslie a chance to respond and turned around, leading the way."Okayyy," Leslie thought to herself and hurriedly followed the woman.The sunroom was so spacious and beautiful. Huge plush white settees were sprawled about, and the beautiful evening glow of the sun cast a warm light in the room. The huge wall-like windows gave a terrific view of the w
Leslie's heart dropped,and tears pricked at her eyes."No, mother-in-law, please! I'm sorry! Don't stop my dad's treatment now, it's already in a critical stage. Please! Samantha is innocent, please don't involve her in this!" Leslie pleaded."You should have thought about this when you decided to go against my words!" Eleanor sneered."I'm sorry, I... I'll stay away. I'll do whatever you want, just... don't halt my dad's treatment and let Sam go. I beg you," Leslie said."Don't forget this, young lady: I call the shots here and I'm in control. Do I make myself clear?" Eleanor demanded."Yes, m..mother-in-law," Leslie replied with sagged shoulders."Now please leave, your presence is annoying me," Eleanor commanded.Leslie got up to leave but turned back and sniffled her tone firm despite her unshed tears, "Mother-in-law, you promised that this would be a mutually beneficial deal. Then why am I being subjected to this? Why can't I see my dad? Why all these rules?" Leslie questioned, f
Julian watched intently as Leslie walked towards him in a light blue halter top and black capri pants,the soft fabric giving a beautiful contrast to her fair skin. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Was she always this gorgeous? He thought to himself, taking her in as she walked towards the table. She gave him a shy smile and asked, “You haven’t eaten yet?”“No, uh… I was caught up in an important phone call, so I came down late.”“Oh, okay,” Leslie said simply and started eating, missing the side-eye Kris, who was serving the food, gave Julian. That was a terrible lie; he’d come down for breakfast very early but had been waiting for her. When she refused to come down, he went upstairs to look for her himself. He wasn’t so sure why he was acting like a complete teenager when it came to this woman. She evoked emotions in him that he’d never felt before, and it scared him a little. His mind went back to the incident a few minutes ago. He’d never felt so much anger over a person’s f
"Are you serious?!" Leslie squealed as she stood before one of the most luxurious private jets she'd ever seen. Not that she'd seen any, though. "We're really traveling in this?" She exclaimed her heart racing as she stared at the huge silver and red-colored plane."Yes, we are," Julian said, pulling her softly towards the entrance.Leslie tensed as a row of cabin crew members lined up to greet them. Julian noticed her nervousness and squeezed her palm reassuringly. "Relax, they're just our employees."There it was again, Julian using "our" instead of "his." The warming feeling she felt spread across her entire chest in small streams, and she squared her shoulders and followed Julian. The lovely crew in their blue and white uniforms greeted them warmly and ushered them in. Leslie was once again stunned by the interior. It looked big on the outside, yes. But in here, it was twice its size. Leslie felt like she was back in Blackwood Manor. It was spacious and lavish with luscious club s
Leslie's POVI unsheathed the dress from the wrap, and a gasp escaped me… woah! The dress was a beauty, and this wasn't even Lady P's signature style. I couldn't wait any longer and slipped the dress on. Oh God, soft ivory silk clung to me so beautifully. It was a midi A-line dress that stopped just above my knee at the front and, at the back, a shimmering organza trail. I felt the tears again. I never knew I was such a tearful person, but that's just what happens with Julian. He's so sweet sometimes I can't even take it. Who would have thought there was once a time when we couldn't stand each other? I smile at my reflection, my fingers slightly moving over my front, briefly stopping at my tummy. *I have a surprise for Julian too. I can't wait to see his reaction.* I styled my hair in a quick French twist that I'd learned when Julian took us to France to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday two months ago. I placed the little flower crown, which I'd seen beside the wrap–no doubt dro
Julian's POVSix months later"Happy anniversary, Les," I coo, startling my wife. She'd just stepped out of the shower, looking fresh and all mine. God, I love her so much."Julian, you scared me," she giggles, clutching her chest. "What's all this?" she arches her chestnut brow, referring to the platter in my hand."I got you breakfast in bed, love.""Aww, Julian, that's so sweet," her eyes soften, gifting me that molten evergreen gaze of hers."Thanks, baby," she coos, and I swear I turn to mush."Why did you get out of bed?" I grumble.She laughs and crosses the distance between us as I drop the platter of food on the bedside. She wraps her arms around my neck, her sweet delectable lavender scent filling my nostrils."Stop drooling, Mr. Billionaire," she whispers, and I catch myself."What can I say, Mrs. Billionaire? My wife looks delicious in the morning."She laughs. "I'm still in my PJ's, Julian.""You look delicious in anything," I contend, and she laughs harder. I could listen
The car slowly drove up to Belton's Botanical Park, a local spot, one that Leslie had always dreamed of going to. *I wonder what kind of work Julian has here?* He didn't speak to her for days, and when he finally did, it was cold and detached. *I don't even understand why. He sounded really angry. Maybe he just had a bad day?* She planned on asking him that. *I don't want to fight anymore.*Her phone hovered over the call button. She’d wanted to call Betty or Arthur, but she humphed sadly when she realized that no one had remembered her birthday. She didn't even receive a text from anyone yet. She wasn't even sure Julian knew her birthday—they never really discussed it.As the car came to a halt in the now dark park, she thought, *But why is it so dark in here?* Her phone dinged. It was Julian. “Walk inside the park.”Leslie's brows furrowed. *I should walk inside a dark park?* She gulped. “Is this some kind of prank or something?” she texted back, trying to joke.“Don’t waste my tim
Leslie opened her eyes to yet another morning of Julian not being in bed with her. He'd really taken the "I need space" a bit too far, and it instantly dampened Leslie's mood. "Didn't he miss me at all?" she grumbled as she brushed her teeth and prepared for the day. Her anger towards him had dissipated a lot as she understood things from his point of view. Each time she thought of a few nights ago, she shivered, knowing that if things had gotten worse, Vanessa would have killed her.Julian wasn't around much, neither did he try to appease her since the night of their “argument." He'd go to work super early and return at night when she was already fast asleep. She humphed. "Since he doesn't want to see me, I don't want to meet him either. I'll go meet Dad today," she perked up.After having a little breakfast with Eleanor, she headed for the car. The hospital was the same as always, only this time Leslie knew she wasn't going to receive any bad news. She adjusted her denim dress shirt
"If you so much as try to make any sudden moves, I swear I'll slit your throat!," the feminine voice threatened.Leslie felt her eyes glaze over as the grip of the blade on her throat tightened."Vanessa?""Surprise, surprise, bitch,!" Vanessa spat out venomously, clad in a black hoodie and matching tight leggings. Vanessa had a crazed, expression on her face, her eyes red and puffy, lips chapped and slowly turning black."Tell me why you didn't leave when I told you to, huh?""W-what are you talking about?" Leslie couldn't believe Vanessa was here in the flesh. Her mind raced *will I die here? Oh god!*."Haha, he loves your pretty face, right? Let's see if he'll still adore you when I botch up this face of yours!" Vanessa yelled, pulling Leslie by the hair and forcing her to the ground.Leslie was genuinely confused as to why Vanessa was attacking her like this fear pricked her skin and adrenaline flowed in her veins, she couldn't let Vanessa have her way. Before Vanessa could appro
Two months. It had been two months since Alexander's demise. Everything seemed to have fallen into place. Julian fired each and every single board of directors, got reinstated as the CEO, and made back profits and deals worth more than he'd made all year. Now seated on the luxurious couch in the living room, his eyes trailed to Leslie's painting, the one near the fireplace. His therapist had praised him for using hobbies like playing the piano to help with his PTSD and also advised him to take up painting. Leslie had somehow made him spill it out, and now she gave him lessons every now and then, even though he sucked at it. His mind went back to the night he'd seen her putting up her paintings around the living room. He chuckled to himself. She was so scared then, but now she didn't even bat an eyelid before putting him in his place. He glanced at the time again and chuckled. "Thank goodness I told her to get ready an hour earlier.""I'm ready!" Leslie cooed in a sing-song voice as
The sun had set, giving way to the moon as it shone brightly in the night sky. The temperatures had dropped a few degrees as the chilly air surrounded the area. Julian and Leslie, hand in hand, walked to the ambulance situated in a small area away from the bank. Reporters were everywhere, trying to get them to answer questions, but thankfully, the guards were present."Where is he?" Julian's voice came out gruff as he questioned a doctor on standby. As if on cue, a stroller covering a body with a white blanket approached. Julian's hand shook despite his control, and Leslie held onto it tightly, reassuring as she provided him with the strength he needed. The stroller stopped in front of him, and he raised the blanket up, his heart thumping. He couldn't describe the feelings or the emotions he felt seeing Alexander's corpse: sadness, joy, relief, anger, guilt—it all swirled around him like a lake of sharks chomping hard on his insides."ALEXANDER!" A voice from behind called. Eleanor,
“Stop him!” Julian yelled, his heart thumping in his chest at the thought of the stolen golden seal. Immediately, elite guards from all angles in the hall appeared and chased after the escaping Alexander. Julian, too, joined in the chase as Leslie followed in tow, not leaving her husband's side.“Move, you motherfuckers!” Alexander yelled, pushing people away from him. “Get out of my way!” He managed to bypass the security at the front and broke free. Though his muscles ached, he continued running. *This is my final chance. I can't back down now. I won't let them get to me, no!. With this seal, I'll be made for life. I don't need them!, I don't need anyone!,* he thought.The financial district where Blackwood Manor was located housed many important industries—banks, malls, jewelry brands—making it one of the busiest streets in Hudson. Sweat trickled down Alexander's face as he looked through his peripheral vision and saw the elite guards in their black-and-gold ensemble searching fo
A woman clad in a shimmering violet dress came out from backstage to the stage. She pushed a wheelchair forward, and the directors and reporters gasped when they realized who it was. Alexander gulped audibly, his eyes taking on a dazed expression."No, no, this can't happen," he muttered."Welcome, Jane," Leslie said to the girl as Jane pushed the wheelchair forward."Isn't that Mr. Marcus in the wheelchair?" a reporter gasped, and the crowd muttered amongst themselves.Vanessa squirmed uncomfortably, her heart thumping unusually fast in her seat as she muttered through gritted teeth, "Fix this, Alexander!. What are you waiting for?""This is indeed Mr. Marcus, the man who took the fall for the accident and was said to have gone into hiding to escape the penalties. But do you want to know what really happened?" Julian asked, his voice carrying authority."Yes, tell us, Master Blackwood!" the reporters shouted. "Tell us! Tell us!"Leslie placed an arm on Julian, giving him a reassuring