THE CEREMONY
And the chapel on the Blackwood estate was nothing like the reception hall Aria had dreamed of as a small child: no flowers lined the aisle, no music playing as she entered, and so in lieu of friends and family there were cold-eyed lawyers and a justice of the peace who seemed to be on a routine basis engaged in such transactional proceedings.
The white dress she’d worn had just been delivered to her hotel room that morning—a designer dress, beautifully constructed, making her wonder how Alexander had determined her measurements. It was modest, refined—not the princess gown she’d hoped for, but something that a woman of refined taste would choose to enter a very private ceremony in. It didn’t seem to matter much in her defense—looking the part of a blushing bride as she went into the most defiant situation possible.
Alexander stood in the doorway of the chapel; his dark gray suit bespoke to him made him look more substantial than ever before, and when he saw her, his eyes widened slightly; the only sign to him that her beauty had affected his demeanor.
Walking down the aisle felt like it would go on forever. I was thinking every step down the aisle why Aria was doing this, her father, now in a comfortable room at the nation's top treatment facility, beginning therapy that would save his life. The huge medical bill that was going to go away with this. The future security that would come after three years of debt.
As she moved up beside Alexander, she noticed he smelled of expensive cologne and some sort of man-against-man perfume she refused to identify as pleasant.
"You look good, " he said grimly, the closest she'd hoped to hear of a compliment.
"As do you," she returned, keeping her voice even.
The ceremony was so short, and simple, that it was wonderful. They exchanged gold rings, sung the obligatory vows barefaced, and signed their marriage certificates with a group of people who looked disinterested in being there. There wasn't even a kiss to sign the contract-Alexander just nodded at her when the judge said they were husband and wife as though they had just completed an acceptable business meeting.
“The press release has to be sent out at noon, ” he said as they left the chapel, “and now from this moment forward you are Aria Blackwood, my lusty new wife. ”
There was a black limousine waiting outside, and as Aria and Jacques got into the leather seats, the question that had been burning within her was finally asked.
“ Why the rush? Why couldn’t we let people know we’re engaged and have our wedding later? ”
Alexander had a cool opinion of her, " said Alexander, "because I'm preparing to embark on negotiations on a Phillips merger next week.
" What has our marriage got to do with a corporate merger? "
He studied her again for a moment and then decided what to tell her. “The Phillips family is old money and very traditional. They don’t think the bachelors in positions of power are reliable. They think all bachelors are weak and unpredictable. This deal is worth billions and I need every advantage I can get.
"So I'm just... what? A prop to make you seem stable? " It got more weight in her head because she didn't want it to.
"You're an investment in perception, " he corrected, "and perception is reality in business.
The limo carried Aria through the gate and the estate really opened up for her, for the first time in a good while, to see what home she would have for the next three years. There was the Blackwood mansion set high on a cultivated lawn, a modern take on a classical house, glass and stone being arranged with elegance, and harmony.
"It's... enormous," she breathed.
“The west wing will be yours, ” Alexander confirmed abruptly. “You will have your suite, sitting room and study. We have informed the staff of our arrangement and they are very much under a strict NDA. ”
" They know it's fake? " In a way this annoyed her - strangers who knew about her humiliation.
"They know it's a marriage of convenience, " he corrected. "The legal details are up to us, Reed, and the lawyers. "
As the car alighted at the main entrance Alexander turned to her. "One more thing. We can feel isolated in private rooms of the house, but we'll have to show up with a kind of resemblance to reality in every place where people will think we're out having fun. "
"Meaning?"
"Meaning we address each other affectionately. We stand close. We touch appropriately. We present as a couple deeply in love."
She twisted her stomach at the thought of pretending to be intimate with this cold, calculating man "and when we're alone? "
Something flickered in his grey eyes -- perhaps, you could say, amusement. "When we are really alone, Mrs. Blackwood, you may go, but know that the walls of this house have ears. We're acting now.
As if to demonstrate, he pulled out the car, turned and walked around to open her door, holding out a hand with practiced elegance "Hello darling".
He uttered the words in a way that was strange, harsh and contrived, but Aria forced her cheek in agreement with his hand and what she was supposed to play.
"Thank you... dear, " she answered, the word almost boiling in her throat.
A line of staff waited in the lobby at the front door—a distinguished old man she assumed was the butler, several maids who wore modern uniform dresses, a chef in white and various employees whose jobs she could not immediately tell what they were doing, all wearing carefully observed neutral expressions which showed nothing of what they might know or suspect.
"Mrs Blackwood, welcome, " the butler said under a bow of formality, "I'm Harrison. And we're here to serve you.
Alexander's hand settled at the bottom of her back. A possessive deed, she feared, sent a faint chill up her spine. 'Harrison will lead you to your quarters. I have some calls to make about the press release. We would have dinner together at seven.
With that he pressed a barely audible kiss to her temple (his lips cutting no contact) and trailed off, leaving Aria alone among guests in a house that felt more like a museum than a house.
Harrison led her through a maze of rooms and hallways, each more formidable than the last, and when they finally reached the west wing it was pale blues and muted grays, modern and elegant but somehow sickly.
“Mr. Blackwood had the suite renovated last week, ” said Harrison, opening double doors to reveal a sitting room bigger than her apartment. “He thought that might suit you. ”
Aria wondered how he could conceivably know what colors would look better on her, since he only met Aria two times before today? " It 's... lovely. ''
"This has been done on the dressing room floor. Your belongings have been unpacked. " Harrison said, gazing over an additional set of doors. "There is a staff schedule and house rules and security protocol on the desk. Mr Blackwood is very strict about security. "
“I am sure he is, ” Aria whispered, overwhelmed by the grandeur and strangeness of her situation.
Harrison stopped at the door. "Will you then require anything more Mrs Blackwood? "
Title was still strange. " No thanks, I just want some time to... settle in.
Once alone in her new world Aria stepped out into the living room, leading into a room with a king-sized bed, dressed in fine linens. It led into a marble and glass bathroom whose soaking tub was large enough for three people. There was a dressing room containing her poor wardrobe, which was obviously pathetically inadequate in a space that was designed for a collection ten times larger than it.
A note on the vanity caught her attention - in a distinctly male handwriting, that is.
*a stylist will come tomorrow to be with you in your wardrobe and we’ve got your measurements. We don’t have any formal events lined up for this coming week but I’m seeing what you want us to show up to, and 3 days from now the charity gala. You know what I expect from you.
I think they used " welcome home " or " hope you 'll be comfortable " not " how to get home ".
Aria slumped down onto the tufted bench in front of the vanity, staring at her reflection. The woman who watched her back was wearing a designer wedding dress and a rotten face of amazement. Twenty four hours ago she'd been Aria Collins, the victim of debt and despair. Now she was Aria Blackwood, trophy wife to a man who thought her nothing more than a business expense.
At the very speed at which a tear came down her cheek before she could stop it, she furiously wet the spot, because she'd agreed, with open eyes, to this arrangement, and self-pity will not do much good. For three years she would play the part. For three years she'd be Mrs. Alexander Blackwood.
But she would never, never make the mistake of neglecting that for him she was just another asset to be tended.
CHAPTER 17 Get back in control of our lives? How?" Both were quiet as they walked out, the evening’s chill a sharp contrast to the tension they’d felt inside. Alexander steadied her toward the car, his hand calm even though she sensed he was getting upset. He didn’t say anything until they were inside the car with the privacy partition up. He repeated, with no warmth, "Edwin Reed" as he looked at him. He’s worked at Blackwood Enterprises for fifteen years. I believed in what he said. She watched Alexander’s figure with his hard jaw and intense gaze as the light faded. What can you do about it? We first made sure it was him. Alexander got out his phone. We then make sure Victoria can’t use what she has access to. If the contract has already been published, though, the law is very clear. You always have different paths to choose from, Aria. His eyes met hers and he softened his look a little. Can you trust me? Their conversation stopped at that question. Did she? After al
Alexander finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I think it would be best if we reviewed the terms of our agreement."Aria's stomach dropped. Was he ending it? Now, when everything felt so uncertain? "I see.""Do you?" he asked, an unexpected edge to his voice."You want out," she said bluntly, surprised by the pain that lanced through her at the words. "The merger is secure, so the arrangement is no longer necessary."Alexander's jaw tightened. "That's not what I said.""Then what are you saying?" she demanded, her composure cracking.He stood abruptly, pacing to the window and back. "I'm saying that our current agreement doesn't account for... complications.""Complications," she repeated. "Like what?"He stopped, looking at her with an intensity that made her breath catch. "Like the fact that I can't stop thinking about you. Like the fact that when you kissed me goodbye at the helipad, it felt more real than anything has in a long time."Aria stared at him, stunned into
CHAPTER 15 Aria held her father’s hand and sat by his bed at the hospital. He looked like a small child lying on the white linen with many monitors around him. Based on the advice from Dr. Leighton, Alexander’s medication had been adjusted and the specialist appeared to be feeling hopeful. Doctor Marchese informed her that the arrhythmia no longer threatened the pregnancy. With the new plan, future problems should be avoided. She was thankful for her father’s help, though she still couldn’t feel relaxed because he appeared frail. There was no need for you to hurry back, her father said, even though his voice sounded weak. Everything is fine, I just made the nurses a bit nervous. She encouraged them softly by telling them not to joke. You gave me such a fright that I thought I was going to die. He held on to her hand. How did you enjoy your weekend out of town? I must confess that I am now pressed for time. Aria was not certain how to explain what took place at the Phillip
Strifes of the HeartIt was impossible for Aria to take a breath. She spilled her coffee on the saucer when Alexander shifted his attention and began whispering to her."When?" he was facing away from her as he asked the question. So, how will things progress?She was not able to stand firmly. "Alexander, please—"He put a hand out to stop her as he talked with the other man. I need to find the best person for the job. Paying for it is not a problem. Yes, immediately."Every second felt like I was being put through hell. All kinds of bad thoughts entered her mind: had her father suffered a collapse? Is there something that happened during his treatment? A picture of his weak body lying in the hospital room appeared to her.To conclude, Alexander put an end to the conversation. He controlled his facial expression as he turned to talk to her.He said in a measured voice, “There has been a setback.” Your father suddenly began having a cardiac arrhythmia.The room gave the impression that
LINES BLURRED Alexander made his way back to their suite in the middle of the night. Aria sat in the armchair by the window and watched the moonlight bring shadows to the garden. She wore her nightgown which she had covered with the robe Pascal had provided in her case.Alexander said with a tired voice, “I thought you had already fallen asleep.”She found that it was impossible for her. Their sentences ended in mid-air. She couldn’t rest, since she still had things to discuss with him. Noticing that the difference between truth and fiction was nearly gone.Although he was tired, he seemed to move with ease when he unknotted his tie. The team in Boston had a challenge with the Keller contract.Is all okay with you?It will be the case. He paused. Most of the problems were handled by Edwin.Aria noticed him and observed him carefully. They could still feel the tension left over from earlier. The almost-kiss. The interruption. She finally realized that she didn’t want to act like she
DON'T CROSS THE LINEAria did not slam the door to their suite as she entered it with soft, intentional steps. The room was quiet, only the soft rustling of the curtains as a breeze drifted through the partly opened window. Alexander was standing at the opposite end of the room, facing the window, his back to her. He was looking out at the garden below, his face sharp and remote.She closed the door after her with a soft sound that was inaudible. There was an atmosphere between them; something heavy, something unsaid which neither of them had been willing to tackle.She didn’t do anything for a while, not knowing whether she should break the silence or just wait for him to say something. Then he did, in a low voice as if he had been waiting for her to come back.“I did not expect you back so soon”.“I wasn’t long gone,” she answered, low, standing close to the door.The thick and taut silence that followed was deafening. It wasn’t uncomfortable—not exactly. However, it was loaded wit