They say it's bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding ceremony…
“Fuck it!" Jules yelled, holding up the bottom of her dress as she rushed down the hallway, determination and amusement on her face. She needed to find him before they stopped her, she thought, trying her best to keep herself from tripping on her heels. She hadn't seen him since the day before as he was away for his bachelorette party, and she was told they didn't let him attend to his phone. “Jules!” Cassie yelled, almost slamming into the wall in front of her as she stopped, trying to catch her breath. “You're literally getting married to him. You'll be seeing him for the rest of your life!" Those words only made Jules want to see him even more. She was finally getting married to the man of her dreams, and she couldn't wait to see how handsome he looked in his tux. To think no one thought he'd get married to an ordinary store clerk like her. And fuck his aunt for thinking they wouldn't work out. She would never forget the look on his aunt’s face when she said, “My son is out of your league." Just because she'd seen Nolan walk out of Jules' car after he'd begged her to drive him home in her car so he won't be followed. Well, who’s laughing now? “Where the heck is she?” Mrs Hart asked, Jules’ veil in her hand as she got to where Cassie stood. Cassie stared into the distance and managed a smile which didn't quite reach her eyes as she replied, “Off to find her Romeo." "Nolan!!” Jules was panting by now as she stood at the end of a hallway lined with many doors. Her husband, Nolan Cross, was in one of them, but she couldn't tell which, so this was the other option—yell. “Nolan!" She yelled again. A door creaked open at the end of the hall, and a blue eyed Nolan stepped out, his brows pulled together in concern. “Jules, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?” His voice was soft. Jules' smile only broadened, and she tilted her head. Before he could utter another word, she kicked off her shoes and lurched forward, throwing herself at him. Luckily, he was quick to catch her and hold himself from falling backwards. He chuckled softly, staring into her eyes. “Easy there. You don't want to ruin your gown." Jules just chuckled and pressed and a quick kiss on his lips. "I missed you.” Nolan raised a brow. "Really?” Jules nodded slowly. "You left me all throughout yesterday.” “But you were with your girls," Nolan argued with a smile. Jules leaned in for another kiss as if trying to silence him. "I'm not getting married to my girls, Nolan.” “Well, you—" "Juliette!” her mom yelled in frustration from behind. “The ceremony is about to start and you're not half ready!" It only made Jules chuckle again as he put her on her feet gently. Then, taking one last glance at her husband to be, she asked, ignoring her mom. “How do I look?" Nolan took a slow breath and folded his arms, his eyes running from her face down to the flowing gown she was wearing. He saw a woman who'd grown from the struggling little lady who had found him heartbroken…and stayed. To the woman he promised to spend the rest of his life with and he'd forever be grateful for her. “You look stunning, my love." Jules blushed just as her mom took her by the arm. "Juliette Shannon Hart. You are going to be the death of me.” Her mom grumbled and began pulling her away, with Juliette's shoes in her hand. Nolan laughed at the sight, and Jules also couldn't help it. She blew a kiss just as they turned a corner and yelled. “See you at the altar!" Nolan didn't stop staring even when they were out of sight, and his smile never left till a hand appeared on his shoulder. "She looks so happy, man. When are you going to tell her?” Kai, his friend and best man asked, as he emerged from the room. Nolan sighed, his smile wiping off completely. “I really don't know how she'd take it." He replied, the weight of what could destroy his and Jules' relationship putting a dent in his brows. It was getting harder to keep up with the act. “Well, It’s better she hears it from you,” Kai said gently. “She might actually forgive you.” ***** The music swelled as every head turned to view Juliette, who walked arm in arm with her uncle, down the aisle. "She's pretty though. I think that's what he saw in her.” “She's pretty basic to me." “I'm not sure I've seen her before. Does he hide her?" Jules ignored all the voices around her, because well—she didn't know up to half of the people in attendance. And honestly, she didn't care. All she cared about was the man who'd be saying I do to the priest's words. And that was enough to keep her smile. She kept her head straight, suddenly realizing how long the aisle was. From what she could see through the veil, Nolan stood with his hands behind him, his perfectly ironed tux sitting firmly on his muscular body, his blonde hair combed and arranged by whom ever Kai had gotten for him. She could feel his blue eyes on her, though she couldn't place his expression. Finally, they got to the altar, and Jules couldn't hold back her smile. ‘It’s happening.’ she squealed in her mind. And as the priest began the ceremony, she couldn't help but remember how far she and Nolan had come, from the day he ran into her store to escape paparazzi. “I do." Nolan's voice rang through her ears, it was…flat, no emotion. But Jules just shrugged and clutched her bouquet tighter, waiting for the priest to be done. Then finally, “I do." She replied with a bright smile. "By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.” The priest said, "You may now kiss the bride.” Nolan hesitated, then took a step closer. He reached for her veil and pulled it over head, revealing his beautiful wife. Even though his expression was serious, Jules could tell he was impressed. Finally, he pulled an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Instinctively, she put an arm around his neck and leaned in, accepting his lips with everything in her. Then, as the crowd roared and cheered with cameras flashing from different angles, Jules leaned close to his ear and whispered with a sly grin. “I have a surprise for you."“You didn't tell me why you have so many writings on your arm, daddy,” Asher said in his tiny, curious voice, the hint of laughter tugging at his lips as he fumbled with one of Ethan’s fingers, laying on the bed.“Oh, these?" Ethan said with a raised brow, glancing at his tattoos.Asher nodded.“It's art." He replied. “You know, daddy used to like art when he was little." “Like me?" “Yeah, exactly like you. I’d draw on everything—my books, the walls, even my bed. And my mum? She’d beat me so hard.” He pulled a goofy face.Asher giggled."And when I became a man, I still drew everywhere until I drew on my body.”"Isn't that bad?" Ethan nodded. “Very. And if my mummy were here, she'd beat me till I pee on myself." Asher chuckled some more.Jules leaned against the doorway, arms folded, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips.She had expected Ethan to be furious when he arrived at the hospital—instead, he’d said almost nothing about Asher’s condition and took it as a chance
The words hit Jules like someone had clapped a pair of cymbals against her ears.‘Before I get married to Evie.’It echoed, sharp and relentless.She stared at Nolan, unable to look away, her heartbeat pulsing through her ears. Her breathing shook. And she didn’t even know why.Did he have to dump the information on her like that? At this moment?“I made a promise.” He added, his voice low, his eyes unable to meet hers. “And I want to keep it.”Jules just swallowed and turned back to her fingers.“And after the wedding here, we'll move back to the city." She gritted her teeth, forcing her voice out steady. “When is the wedding?”“In about three weeks." He took a quick glance at her but couldn't catch her expression."Well, then…" she paused. “Good luck." But Nolan couldn't help but feel uneasy. The thought of getting married to Evie had died a long time ago, especially when he realized Jules had a son.But there was nothing he could do now because, out of his arrogance and thoughtle
Before Nolan could get to the parking lot, he could see her car zooming out of the premises, with her driver standing dazed by the curb.“Shit,” he muttered, rushing toward his own car and fumbling with his keys. There wasn’t time to ask where she was going.All that mattered was following her.And the moment he got into the car, he got on her tail in a hot chase.They hit the highway, and Nolan slowed a bit, trying not to cause a scene. But when Jules didn’t even stop for a truck as massive as a trailer, his brows lifted.She wasn’t just in a hurry. She was in panic mode.Nolan floored it. He wasn't about to miss her.He glided through cars and trucks and traffic lights that he almost felt like he was doing a stunt for some movie.Whatever was making Jules drive like that sounded like trouble.Finally, she slowed down and swerved into a parking lot.Nolan looked. “A hospital?" He wondered, giving her a head start. Before pulling into a free space away from hers. With the way she dro
Jules pulled open the drawer in her desk and took out the bottle of vodka, poured herself a shot and downed it in one gulp, all while keeping her eyes on the door in case anyone walked in.Then she quickly shut it back in the drawer and smoothened her blouse, taking deep breaths.Finally, she walked out towards the conference room where she'd called for a meeting with the board, the entire executive team, and, of course, Nolan.When she got there, almost everyone was ready and waiting, including Zee, standing at attention behind her chair—and of course Nolan was also present.Their eyes met briefly—only a second—but it was enough to send an unexplainable shiver down her spine.Why? She couldn't decipher.“Sorry for the delay." She said out loud, her voice cutting through the silence in the room. Then a small smile appeared on her lips. “Before I start, I'd like to say thank you to all of you for seeing that the company was still running in my absence." A few nodded. The rest just sta
The sound of Nolan’s heavy footsteps echoed through the house. It felt silent and hollow—just like his chest.It'd been two days since he confirmed Asher was getting a half sibling and he felt nothing less than foolish.‘Do I really act without my brain?’ he asked himself as he got up the hallway and turned towards his bedroom.It was dark out. Later than the time, he usually got off work. But for the last two days, he'd buried himself in more work and drank a little more booze.Evie hadn't spoken to him ever since, and he knew his aunt was lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the right time to bring up their marriage.He opened his room's door and walked in.He froze.“Evie,” he breathed, eyes locked on the figure sprawled across his bed.It was either Evie was lying on his bed, covered with the duvet, and scrolling through her phone, or the booze was playing with his head.“Evie?" He called again.This time, she only spared him a glance for a second and turned back to her phone.
“I’m just glad everything is finally going back to normal,” Jules said into the phone just as the car rolled to a stop in front of her company.“So just like that? The media are silent?" “Nah, not really,” she replied, stepping out of the car. "Some are still digging—wanting to know what's next after this. How Nolan's going to handle the aftermath of all.”"Me included, bitch.” Cassie quipped.Jules just smiled, her eye catching sight of Zee standing at the door, waiting. “Of course you do, Cassie." "Good morning, ma'am.” Zee greeted, her smile sharper than the gator on her pants.“I have to go, Cassie. Some of us have work to do.”Cassie gasped in the background. "Good one Jules." Jules just chuckled and ended the call. “Welcome back, ma'am. You've got—" “Don't tell me." Jules interrupted with a small wave and a smile. “I know I have a lot to do, and you can brief me when I'm in my chair." Zee smiled back and shrugged.She was greeted by the few employees she passed by, but th