The Accidental Husband

Chapter 4

Astrid's words were like a bombshell and they left Julian dumbstruck for a while.

However, he quickly found his voice and replied, "this... this is too much Miss Everett, I am really grateful..."

Everett beamed brightly, thinking that he would finally accept her gifts, but his next words shattered her expectations.

"...but I can't accept this. I only saved you back there because I had to, you didn't need to go to all these lengths to do all this. Honestly, it's not that deep. I really appreciate your gifts but I'm sorry, I can't accept them."

Astrid was still smiling but the smile was one of disappointment. She shook her head gently and said, "if that's the case then I respect your decision."

"Thank you," Julian replied.

The atmosphere between them instantly became awkward because of Julian's rejection, Nora noticed this and quickly chipped in to ease the tension, "we were just having dinner now, young Miss Everett, would you like to join us?"

Astrid turned towards Nora and flashed her most professional smile, "I'd really love to ma'am but I'm sorry, I have somewhere to be right now. Thanks for your hospitality."

Without waiting for any further exchanges, Astrid turned and left the Styles' home with her assistant and the gifts.

Even after she had left, the people in the house were still numb and dumbstruck from the sudden appearance of the young Miss of the Everett family in their home.

Meanwhile, Mr Gary Everett, Astrid's grandfather had just watched the whole incident unfold through Astrid's assistant's communicator.

'This young man!' Astrid's grandfather shook with excitement, 'his character is immaculate! Astrid must get married to him. I'll do anything to have him in my family.'

***

Early the next morning, Julian awoke to the sound of his phone ringing loudly by his bedside.

"Ugh..." he groaned, "who's disturbing my sleep this early in the morning. Today is my day off..."

He frowned when he saw that the number calling him was an unregistered number.

He answered the call and put the phone to his ear, "Hello? Nurse Julian Styles here..."

There was a brief silence before he heard a man's voice. The voice sounded calm, purposeful and carried a lot of confidence behind it.

"Mr Julian Styles, nice to meet you, my name is Gary Everett, and I am the CEO of Everett Corporations."

The remnants of sleep in Julian's eyes instantly disappeared as he sat up quickly in shock.

There was no mistaking this voice, it was Gary Everett’s voice!

'What!?' He exclaimed in his head, 'why is the CEO of Everett Corporations calling me? What's going on? Last night, his granddaughter came here, and today, he's calling me? I hope I'm not in any trouble...'

"Are you still there Mr Styles?" Astrid's grandfather's voice came through the phone and Julian quickly assumed his most confident voice and replied.

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry about that," Julian replied, "I hope there's no problem sir? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Nothing too serious, I just have some plans for you. Can you come to the city hall with your identification by noon?"

There was silence from Julian's side, he was still struggling to grasp why Astrid's grandfather would call him personally to invite him to the city hall by noon.

'Is this a prank call?' Julian asked himself.

Astrid's grandfather must have sensed his skepticism because he continued, "It's important, and I promise you won't regret it if you comply. I give you my word."

Julian's heart thumped wildly in his chest. Why was the CEO of Everett’s Corporations treating him like someone important? This was all a bit strange and overwhelming to Julian but he replied, "Okay sir, I'll be there."

There was a moment of silence before the older man replied, "Good. I'll be expecting you."

At noon, Julian got to the city hall and was shocked to see no one but the stunning Astrid Everett standing by her car in her bodacious sunshades. She was looking around as if she had no care in the world.

Julian approached her with caution, but before he could say a word, she spoke, "Thank goodness you're here. I didn't have to wait long."

"Uh... miss Everett? What are you doing here? I thought I was supposed to meet your grandfather." Julian said,

"My grandfather couldn't make it, he got stuck in a business meeting," she replied absent-mindedly, "but as for what we're doing here? To get married of course!"

"To get married?" Julian's eyes widened in shock. He wasn't expecting this at all.

"Yeah..." she continued in that absent-minded tone, "for some reason, you seem to have attracted my grandfather's admiration, and he wants you as part of his family. Coincidentally, I also need a partner now so who else is a better candidate except you?"

Julian couldn't believe his ears. One of the wealthiest families in the world were offering him a chance to be a son-in-law. It was like a dream.

He was still struggling to wrap his head around this sudden news when Astrid continued, "you can also say no if you're not interested. It's your choice to make."

Julian didn't need to think about it, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain by being the son-in-law of the Everetts, so he raised his head, squared his shoulders and said, "I've made my choice... I accept."

A small smile made its way to Astrid's lips and she said, "alright then, let's go get married."

Together, they walked into the city hall to carry out the formalities.

After signing all the necessary documents, the both of them came out to the front of the hall and Astrid spoke again, "Just so you know, this marriage is one of formality, it is merely my way of fulfilling a promise I made to my grandfather so I implore you to not take it too seriously. In fact, I want you to continue living your life like you were never married, you're free to sleep with women you like, I won't mind at all."

Julian nodded in silence. He knew how arranged marriages worked so he didn't need this pep talk that Astrid was giving him. However, what he wasn't expecting was the item that was lying on Astrid's palm which was outstretched towards him.

"What's that?" He asked, his eyes wide open in surprise.

"These are the keys to the house where we will be living as husband and wife..."

"Uh... I can't take this..." Julian blurted,

"Why not?" Astrid asked and fixed her hawk like gaze on his face.

"Well... because..." Julian trailed off, he couldn't think of any tangible reason not to take the keys from Astrid. It was just that his pride would be hurt. He knew that such logic wouldn't sit well with Astrid so he swallowed his thoughts and accepted the keys, albeit reluctantly.

"Good," Astrid nodded curtly, "my assistant will send other details to you later."

After saying that, she walked off towards her car leaving Julian lost in his thoughts in the front steps of the city hall.

***

Astrid was about to start her car when she heard a knock on her window.

She looked to the side and saw Julian– her new husband knocking on her window and gesturing at her to roll it down.

"What does he want to say now?" She sighed softly as she rolled the window down.

"I forgot to tell you something..." he said calmly,

Astrid arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "Uh huh?"

Julian took that as a green light so he continued, "firstly, we have to exchange contact information in case my mother inquires about you, because she will definitely find out about all this soon..."

"Okay?" Astrid nodded, "my assistant will handle that, anything else?"

"I will send you $3000 monthly to take care of the house bills..."

Astrid's face contorted in disgust but she did not say anything to refute it.

Julian knew that she did not like the idea but he couldn't let her handle all the bills alone, no matter rich she was. His ego had suffered enough already.

"And?" Astrid added when she realized that he had not finished talking.

Looking her straight in the eye, Julian said, "...and now, tell me your plans regarding intimacy between us..."