His contracted wife

Chapter three

Chapter 3

Sleeping did not happen that night for Emilia. She dreamt and woke up with several possibilities running through her mind on what she was going to do with Julian Blackwood.

What could he want from her? Why did he get so involved with an event planner of all the personalities he could meet regularly? None of it made any sense to her and the dismal and rather confusing and stifling feeling did not leave her alone at all.

The intercom awoke her from her half-slumber where the sun’s rays had just begun to filter through the thin sheet of curtains.

It took her a moment, she groaned as she tried to lift her hand to cover it to stop the sound coming from her; she was utterly drained. It didn’t matter, though. The day had come. Today, she was going to meet the man who held the key to her life and the boost of her acting career.

She reluctantly got up from the bed; she felt her limbs heavy as she showered and put on her clothes. This time, she chose her best dress: a black leather with a plain and sheath cut that fits her body perfectly, as to say slutty but not too.

Professional but sleek. It was worn with simple high heels and a small gold necklace that was also vintage and was a family heirloom. A small reminder of where she came from as she landed into a world which had no connection with the life she once led.

When Emilia left her apartment she was once more feeling the familiar jitters and concern in her tummy.

Breathe she had to remind herself several times, do not panic, do not panic. I still remember it was just a meeting, there was nothing more to it.

She was a professional and she had dealt with such clients in the course of her work.

Julian Blackwood was only a man— a man who had so much control and authority as the owner of the school, but a man nonetheless and it was within her capacity to deal with him.

Emilia gripped the strap of her bag tightly, and after they entered the building, she just greeted the receptionist without speaking.

This time; she was expecting.

The elevator ride to the upper floors may seem to take a lifetime, and every button of the elevator was pressed with a tortoise-like speed.

On entering she was surprised to find the interior of the restaurant to look more like a posh Internet startup with dark wooden floors, metallic frames and artwork covering the walls.

There was only one table on one side of the hall, and there was an elegantly dressed young woman typing at a computer terminal. She almost did not even glance in her direction while he was typing.

The assistant entered something swiftly and then rose from the chair. “Miss Gray, right this way, please, sir is waiting for you: Mr. Blackwood.”

Emilia walked behind him through a very dark hallway feeling her heart throbbing in her chest wildly.

Office doors were extremely large. The assistant rapped the door once and, without waiting for a reply, turned the doorknob and pushed it open, indicating with a bow to Emilia that she should go in.

She heaved a sigh and entered the house.

Julian Blackwood’s office was stereotypically grand, and the neatness almost seemed surgical.

But the man standing in front of the windows captured her attention more than the whole city skyline below did.

He was tall, much taller than she’d imagined, indeed any other stereotype that one may have imagined.

His glossy black hair was well groomed and his pant suit enhanced his width and the natural dominance that he exuded. He did not look back at her right away, but even then, she could sense the aura that seemed to exist around him.

“Miss Gray,” Julian said, his voice was authoritative. He slowly got up and swivelled to face her; his eyes black like the empty night. For a moment, she stood like a deer caught in a car's headlights.

“Yes, Mr. Blackwood,” she answered, and it was a miracle she was able to sound so calm.

He gestured for her to take a seat on one of the metallic chairs that were in front of the transparent desk that he had.

She did, blushing slightly as she became aware of the focus of his attention as he moved from his position behind the desk to in front of it. Every step the man took was precise.

“Glad to be here,” I returned the smile and relaxed on the chair hearing the words that I have longed to hear from him.

“You’re welcome,” he answered, and sinking her teeth into her lower lip, she continued,

“Thank you for the opportunity.” She also made sure that he did not dominate her. “I look forward to participating in the galas. ”

Julian’s expression didn’t change. He gave nothing of himself away and his expression remained that of impassiveness. “The gala is important, of course. But this presence is not only connected with the gala. ”

Emilia’s heart started shivering inside her stomach. This was another chance Cheryl was talking about. As she got to this point, she felt it was going to turn out in a direction she never thought of.

“I have gone through your portfolio and I must say that I have great ideas about your work”

Julian pronounced the words very calmly, but something was menacing in his tone that made her understand that he was assessing her.

“But I need more than an event planner, Miss Gray, I need someone who can do a lot more.... special job.”

Emilia’s mind raced. What could he have ever wanted from her? She did well in the work she was paid for, but this was something beyond whatever she was paid to do. She inclined her shoulders slightly and felt her heart beating hard.

“I’d like to know what you mean by exactly that?”

“For what?” I asked him.

“I need a wife,” he replied to me as if that statement should explain everything.