The Marriage Clause

Chapter 7

Andrew

The lawyers left the house. My Mom, Grandma embraced me one after the other. I caught Julia's eyes across the room. She smiled at me, then walked out, without waiting for me to react.

“What's gotten into you? Up till last night, you were determined to leave. What changed your mind overnight?" Mom asked me, holding me by the arm.

“I just thought it over again with my heart and got the answer. You know, some answers can only be gotten right, when you think them over with your heart and with your brain." I replied, using Julia's words from the previous night.

“That doesn't sound like something you would say or come up with." My Grandma observed.

“Yeah. That statement screams Julia." Peculiar said and nudges my side, playfully.

Overly smart brat. How did she know?

I eyed her.

“Yes. I borrowed it. Julia haven't copyrighted it yet." I replied.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Sir Frederick left the room. I quickly excused myself from the midst of my rejoicing family and went after the new Chairman.

I caught up with him at the front of the water fountain, which reminded me of one person; Julia.

“Sir Frederick." I called out to her father.

He stopped, then turned to me. I didn't need to Google Search displeased facial expressions to know the man wasn't pleased to see me.

Well, that given. He has every reason to be displeased and even scared with my decision to stay and my presence. Especially with his strange movement in the company.

But, that discussion for another day. Today, I would only see him as a senior and as Julia's father.

“ Sir Frederick. I am ready to do work under you for the management and growth of J&J Empire." I volunteered humbly.

“That's good,but let leave all that till the whole Will Reading is over." He replied and walked away, like I was some time ticking bomb.

He wants the whole Will to be read before anything can start? Which brings the questions; Why did he announce himself as the Chairman yesterday? Why did he began his movement in the Empire? Why did he brought the final will reading to an halt this morning?

Sir Frederick is utterly suspicious,but I would not worry about him this morning. I have something of bigger concern to attend to.

I rushed back to my suite, and dressed up. I wore a slim fitting blue jeans pants with a denim jeans shirt that comes with it. I combed my hair up. Accompany my outfit with a light brown boots and dark sunglasses.

I checked myself out in the full length mirror. I loved what I saw. I went to the car park,drove out my red sport car, parked it at the front of the gate of the Estate and waited.

After ten minutes, the person I had been waiting for came out. Julia. She looked gorgeous, dressed in blue skinny jeans,white shirt tucked in,blue slim belt, black small leather bag and matching black wedge sandals.

Her long hair were let down her shoulders. I resist the huge to pull her in for a deep kiss and dug my hands into those thick luxurious hair. I shake off that thought. Kissing Julia right now,is a dangerous path, I don't think I am quite ready to set down on.

She sighted me and stopped amid strides. I could tell she was taking me in.

I spread out my arms for her to come in. She looked taken aback. For a second,it looks like she wouldn't move, then she suddenly ran up into my outstretched arms. I immediately wrap them around her, smiling. I could tell she was smiling too.

“Thank you so much Julia." I said.

“I thought you were mad at me." She replied, holding me tight.

I breathe in the scent of her shampoo, perfume and her. She smells really good,that I didn't want to break the embrace.

I reluctantly did. I can't let someone see us embracing.

“I was, but not anymore. I am sorry for yesterday." I apologized.

She smiled,but said nothing. I continued.

“I thought about it and realized you were right. Some answers can only be gotten..."

“....If you think them through with your heart and not with your head." She completely with me.

We laughed together.

“That's why I came out to meet you, so we can make up."

“That's sweet of you, but I am going to the Library, as you can see." She reminded me.

There is no way on earth I am letting that stop me. There seems to be a pensive need in me to spend as much time as I can with her.

I placed out my hand.

“Give me your phone. "

She obeyed hesitantly. I scrolled through her contact, until I found the number I was looking for. I dialed the number.

“Who are you calling?" Julia asked.

“Madam Cassandra." I replied curtly.

“What? Why? Need the call. Andrew, end the call."

Madam Cassandra was the director of the Library,thus a direct supervisor to Julia. I know by experience, how strict that woman can be, even to me. She is also the only one in the Library who is aware of the connection between mine and Julia's family.

Julia held my arm in protest, but I didn't let her collect the phone. I raised the phone up in the air. Since she is just a little below five feet, she couldn't match my close to seven feet height.

Madam Cassandra answered the call.

“Hello. Julia. If you don't get here within five minutes, you would be late... " She was saying.

I cuts her short. “Good day, Madam Cassandra. This is Andrew James."

She paused.

“Hello Mr Andrew James. I hope there is no problem. Why are you calling me using Julia's phone? " She asked.

I noticed the shift in her voice. From carefree to careful.

“I am with Miss Julia right now." I glanced the lady in question. “Something came up, so I don't think she can come to work today. Please, pardon her for today on my behalf. You would do that, right? "

“Yes,sure. No problem. My regards to Julia."

“Thank you Madam Cassandra. Bye."

“What did she say?" My best friend asked.

“It has been taken care of. What are you so scared of? Have you forgotten that your best friend is the CEO of J&J Empire? " I asked, jokingly.

She laughed heartily, which makes my heart race. For the first time, I noticed she was holding a lunch bag.

“What have you got there?" I asked.

“Lunch." She replied, lifting up the bag.

“It's mine now and so are you. Let's go." I took her hand, led her to my car and opened the door for her.

“Thank you." She said as she sat in.

I closed the door, went round and got into the driver's seat. I ignites the engine and zoomed off into the road.

Julia

The landscape was extremely beautiful. Green neat cut carpet grass spread out everywhere on the hill slope. Below the slope was a running fresh stream. Two wind vanes stood turning on the higher part of the hill.

In that lovely spot, Andrew had set up a picnic spot for us. My heart swells from the tenderness in the gesture.

We spread a picnic sheet on the carpet grass, then set the food and drinks prepared by Andrew on it. I set my own lunch down as well.

I walked around, barefooted, while Andrew took shots of the place on his camera. I spread my hands, running around. The joy I feel in my heart makes me so light that I could fly. I felt light flashes on me as Andrew took pictures of me.

“Are the pictures coming out nice?" I asked.

He stiffened, probably startled that I caught him. I ran to him and reached for the camera.

“Let me see." I requested.

He pulled away. “No. They are my private collection. "

“ I won't look again."

“ I will add this to the collection on the wall in my room." He shared.

“Why don't you exhibit your pictures in J&J Gallery?" I suggested.

“No way. If I would ever exhibit my pictures, it would be in my own gallery, where I can explain the story behind each and every picture to all the people who attend the exhibit."

I giggled. “You can do the same in J&J Gallery. You know you are crazy sometimes."

“Yup,but you are the only one who knows about it." He admitted.

“Of course. That's because I am your best friend, the only person who knows you in and out." I agreed.

He moved closer to me. Stared deep into my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to walk or look away. His eyes were that charming and enchanting.

He brought his voice low to octave.

“Don't you think it strange? That you are the only one who knows me so thoroughly. You understands me easily and I am at ease around you... " He stared down at my eyes, then my lips, then my eyes again. He continued. “Should we.... do you think we can... that we should....."

Say it. Say it. If you love me as much as I love you, just ask me out. God! Andrew is about to ask me out!