Chapter 4

Eleanor Blackwood leaned back on her plush chair behind a huge lush teakwood table, glanced around her office that spoke of opulence and splendour, and sighed briefly. "Everything is going according to plan," she muttered.

Footsteps echoed across the corridor, and a tall, strikingly handsome man walked in with a scowl etched on his face.

"You called for me, Mother?" Julian Blackwood said sharply, his voice impatient.

"Now, now, that's no way to talk to your mother, is it?" she replied, her face scrunching up in disapproval. "Anyways, sit down. Let's have some afternoon tea," she offered.

"I do not have time for this, Mother," he bit out. "I was about to seal a very important deal with the Pattersons when your incessant calls came in."

"Oh please," she said, rolling her eyes. "The Pattersons can wait. Sit. Down. Now. I have something very important to talk to you about."

Julian clenched and unclenched his fingers, drew out a chair, and took a seat, breathing in and out through his mouth to regain control. "This better not take too long, Mother. I'm a busy man."

"It will take as long as it takes," she spat out with indifference. His jaw ticked in frustration; he didn't have time for one of his mother's numerous schemes now.

"So," his mother began, "you've been avoiding the matter of you getting married for the longest time now, always changing the topic to something else anytime I bring it up. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands," she said, keeping her gaze level with his, her gaze impassive.

Julian's hands clenched under the table. He'd had a gut feeling that his mother was going to do something like this today. A sense of unease passed through him, but he kept his expression blank as he said, "I already told you this: I'm not ready to settle down yet. This decision is mine and mine alone to make."

Eleanor laughed out loud as if he had cracked a funny joke and said, "Well, my dear, I've given you enough time for that. Now it's time for me to take the reins. I have already found you a wife, a pretty little thing at that," she smiled smugly.

"Excuse me?" Julian said in a low voice filled with ice.

"You heard me, young man. I already found you a wife," she repeated. "The board of directors has been breathing down our necks about you settling down, and I think it's high time you fulfil your duties."

"The board of directors can go to hell for all I care. I. Do. Not. Wish. To. Get. Married now or anytime soon for that matter," he said in a rough voice, his shoulders tense.

"Well, too bad. You'll have to do as I say this time around. You won't have your way this time," she said with a prominent frown on her face.

"And what makes you think I'll agree to this?" he scoffed.

"Oh, you will agree, my dear," she said with a cunning smile. "After all, you wouldn't want to let Fabian down, would you?"

A flash of hurt passed through Julian's eyes, but it was gone in a flash. His already tense shoulders bunched up again, and he fought hard to swallow back the bile that threatened to come out.

"I'll give you a few days, Julian. What do you say?"

"There's no need for a few days. I'll do it. When do you need me?" he asked in a tired voice.

"Wonderful. I knew you'd come around eventually. Your dad would be so proud of you," she said with a twisted smile. "Let's meet on Monday at the court. She'll be there, and we'll make it quick and hassle-free," she beamed.

Julian nodded, swallowed thickly, stood up, and left without another word.

---

Leslie walked steadily into one of New York's biggest courts, known mostly for the top-notch court wedding services it provided. The air around the place was gloomy and hostile despite the cool wind. Perspiration gathered at her forehead, and she wiped it off. She adjusted her simple white floral gown and felt out of place in this huge building.

A short, bald man dressed smartly in a suit walked up to her with a blank face and said, "Miss Harrison?"

"Yes, that's me," she responded.

"Right this way, miss. Madam Blackwood and her son had arrived earlier, but Madam Blackwood had an urgent date to attend to, so she left a few minutes ago."

Leslie nodded, not at all surprised by the woman's attitude. He 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, "Hello, I am Leslie Harrison."

"Julian Blackwood," he said in a cold, velvety 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 towards the judge and signalled him to begin.

The ceremony was cold, lacked any warmth, and 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.

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? Haa," 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 asked again, his 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." With that, he turned towards the door and walked away.

Leslie shut her eyes as a feeling of deep isolation raked her body. She felt hurt, rejected, and alone. What have I gotten myself into?