Chapter 6
983 Words
Julian turned to one of his men. “Take her and lock her up in the east wing.”
“Let me go!” Ariana struggled but she was quickly overpowered.
“Mr. Julian will be back in an hour and he expects you to have changed your mind.” one of the men said in an intimidating voice before locking the door behind her
Ariana’s heart sank as she was locked in the room. From losing her memory to being forced into a marriage to a stranger, things were moving too fast.
But as the silence went on, she realized that Julian held all the cards. No one could help her because she literally knew no one.
After about an hour had gone by, she heard someone opening the door.
Julian stood in the doorway, the expression of. his face unreadable.
“Well? Have you made your decision?”
Ariana took a deep breath. “I'll do it.”
Julian's face didn't change, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. “Good. I have some terms.”
“You'll be my faithful wife in public. No scandals, no embarrassing me. You'll attend functions, smile, and play the role.”
Ariana nodded reluctantly.
“Secondly, we are not going to have any s****l relations. We'll both have separate rooms”
Ariana scoffed. “Do you really think I would want to sleep with you?”
Julian ignored her jab and continued.
“Finally, my business and personal life are off-limits. You will also be getting a generous allowance” Julian concluded.
Ariana nodded again, feeling like she was signing away her soul.
“How long do I have to be your fake wife?”
“3 months. After that, you're free to go.”
Ariana took on serious expression on her face “I also have some terms of my own.”
Julian raised a brow. “Fine. What are they?”
Ariana folded her hands. “First, you must help me in finding out who I am and regaining my memory”
“Secondly, you cannot send people to kidnap people just because you want to see me. If you want to see me, you must ask with respect.”
“Agreed.”
Julian turned to one of his men. “Get her some suitable clothes. Designer labels only. We need to polish her up.”
“Also, inform Grandma Agnes that we're coming to visit,” Julian instructed. “She'll want to meet my fiancée.”
Ariana's heart skipped a beat. “Your grandmother?”
Julian's expression softened slightly. “Yes. She's the matriarch of our family. You'll need to impress her.”
Ariana felt a surge of anxiety. What would Julian's grandmother be like? And what would she expect from her?
Soon, some maids arrived with clothes and makeup kits.
“We’re here to get you ready for Grandma Agnes,”
Ariana nodded, feeling like a doll being prepared for display.
The team worked their magic, transforming her into a vision of elegance. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her makeup accentuated her features.
As they finished, Ariana gazed at her reflection, barely recognizing the woman staring back.
Julian arrived, his eyes scanning her transformed appearance. She looked breathtaking, but he was not about to say that to her.
“You look acceptable,” he said, his tone neutral.
Soon they arrived at the large living room where Grandma Agnes waited for them, and Ariana's nerves returned.
As they entered the cozy living room, Grandma Agnes enveloped Ariana in a hug.
“It’s so glad to finally meet you. I didn’t know my grandson had been hiding you all this time.”
Ariana was surprised, she expected his grandmother to be like him, but she was the complete opposite. She wondered how Julian ended up being so cold.
As they sat down for tea, Grandma Agnes began asking questions out of curiosity,
“So, how did you two meet?”
Ariana glanced at Julian, who raised an eyebrow, leaving it to her.
Ariana smiled warmly. "We met at an art gallery. Julian accidentally spilled wine on my dress."
Grandma Agnes chuckled. “Oh, Julian, you've always had a knack for making an impression!”
Ariana playfully added, "And I was surprised by his quick apology and charming smile."
Julian's expression softened slightly, but he remained silent.
“And your first kiss?” she asked with a mischievous smile.
Julian nearly choked on his tea. He wasn’t expecting a question like that.
Ariana held back a smile, a little amused at Julian's reaction.
"Well, we had just finished a movie and Julian here was a little bit too shy so I had to make the first move.”
Julian was a bit annoyed that she called him shy he didn’t show it.
As they finished tea, Grandma Agnes asked, “So, when's the big day? When are you two tying the knot?”
Julian's expression turned serious. “We're getting married tomorrow, Grandma. Court wedding. Simple and quiet.”
Grandma Agnes's face lit up. “Oh, how exciting! I'll make sure to prepare for the celebration afterward.”
Julian's gaze turned somber. “Also, Grandma, don't forget to prepare for your surgery. You know it's scheduled soon.”
“Of course! I'm just happy you've finally fulfilled my wish of getting married.”
As Ariana and Julian to the west wing where her room was, she became curious about what Grandma Agnes said and decided to ask Julian about it.
“What was that about your grandmother having surgery?”
Julian's gaze intensified, a subtle warning flickering in his eyes. "Remember, my personal life is off-limits."
"As you wish," Ariana said, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Suddenly, she felt a bit dizzy and some images from the past glanced through her head.
“What's wrong?”
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