Julian's POV
" I am not doing it, Aunt Margot," I adamantly refused as we walked into my home, it was already a few minutes past 5pm, and all I can think about now is a shower, dinner, and sleep but my beloved godmother has decided to be a thorn in my flesh. For the past two weeks, she has been going on and on about this girl she wanted me to meet. She wouldn't stop singing her praises and comparing her to Izzy, which is part of the reason I do not want to agree to do this; she shouldn't be comparing Izzy to anyone. "I am not asking, Julian," She replied in a serious tone. Why wouldn't she just drop it? "You are trying to force a 32-year-old man to go on a date he isn't even interested in? A blind one at that," I stated, stopping in my tracks "Yes, that is exactly what I am doing, and he doesn't have an option," She responded with a knowing smile on her face, but her tone left no room for argument. "You are 32 already, Julian. If you don't want a wife, I want one for you, and this is your chance; you will never know if you don't try." "So you are trying to say that magically a lady you picked out yourself for me will turn out to be the wife I couldn't get for myself?" I questioned with raised eyebrows, I know she means well for me, but sometimes I really wish she would just stay out of my business. "You cannot know till you try," she shrugged. "And if I don't like her and she isn't even my type in any way?" I asked. "Would definitely be better than Izzy," She muttered under her breath. "Aunt Margot," I called out, not so shocked. She has never liked Isadora from the first day we became friends in preschool. She always refers to her as her father's spoiled princess, which I do not agree with. Isadora has her flaws, but that doesn't make her a bad person. "First of all, we both know Izzy and I do not have a romantic relationship; we are just friends, really close friends." ''Tell that to her," Mags muttered, making me roll my eyes. "Secondly, I will really appreciate it if you stop comparing Izzy with a woman we both don't know," I added. "You mean a woman you don't know cause I have known Sienna since she was just a child although she isn't really familiar with me but her Mum is my really close friend" She responded, the name hitting hard as I remembered the last woman I had met that had that name, Sienna Blake. Gold-digging girlfriend of Damon Cross, the only man who had ever stolen from me and almost got away with it. He was lucky, he only got house arrest, a compulsory mandate to pay back all he had previously taken with interest, and a restraining order; it could have been worse. She was always clinging to him like a second skin, fawning over everything he did like he was so amazing; she was probably the one who pushed him into stealing from me just to support her lifestyle. "And with everything I know about her, she is going to be a perfect match for you," She added, smiling from ear to ear. "But..." I wanted to oppose, but she caught me off immediately. "Before you try to decline once again, I am willing to give you details about her and then maybe a picture if that will make things better." She asked, already pulling her phone out from her purse. "It is supposed to be a blind date," I stated, which I am sure she knew already. "I know, but a picture and a few necessary details about her will not change much; it would even help you tonight when you meet her." "Tonight?" I repeated. "Oh yes, it's tonight and you only have two hours to get ready," She responded, laughing lightly. "I am not going on a date with a woman I don't know and with no time to even get ready," I refused. "I am sure you don't mean that," She clicked, walking past, swinging her purse. "I will be in my room, let me know before you leave, okay, and you better not keep the young lady waiting' She said in a sing-song voice as she got to the stairs, the amusement in her voice infuriating. She knew deep down I couldn't deny her request, no matter how badly I wanted to, and she has always used her hold over me to her advantage. Margot Lane has been the only mother figure I have had for over twenty years now, since she left, and the only parent I have ever considered since I turned 18 and disowned the man I once called father. "So much for a shower, dinner, and a good night's rest," I muttered under my breath, already texting my secretary to reschedule all my meetings before 9am tomorrow, I would have to sleep in. ~~~~ ' Venue: I chose your restaurant at the heart of the city, just so you will be more comfortable, and luckily it is not so far away from her house in case you decide to drop her off Time: 7pm This is all the information you need to know about her, Name: Sienna Elise Blake Age: 27 Occupation: Marketing executive at Oaklyn Marketing Group (OMG) Here is her picture just as promised. P.S.: Her mother said she hates to wait, so please be there on time. She might have a little attitude, but she will loosen up with time; she just needs to get comfortable. She doesn't handle strangers well, especially men. Also, her mother said she doesn't know your name, so do well to introduce yourself properly.' Mag's message read, but my eyes stopped at her name, reading it over and over again, it can't be just a coincidence, right? I quickly tapped on the picture, the face staring back at me confirming my suspicions. Damon couldn't get to me himself, and now he wants to use his girlfriend; this time, I wouldn't let him get away so easily. He will fully understand how I was able to build myself to this point without even one scandal of corruption or anything illegal. I will not fall prey to his schemes a second time, and for bringing Aunt Mag into this, they will have to pay dearly for it. My dear Aunt Mag has no idea what she has just done. Sienna is going to regret ever agreeing to any of this once I am done with her; she wants money, I would give her even more. A taste of the life she can only have in her dreams, and take it away immediately, I get her exactly where I want her. "Sienna Blake, hope you are prepared because I am about to take you for a long ride," I muttered to myself, smirking as I started my car heading for the restaurant.Sienna's POV I stood still waiting until Leah shut the door and her footsteps had faded away before speaking up, "You go blank on me for a full day and then suddenly text me about a trip?" I lashed out, my voice coming out louder than it intended.Julian’s lips curled up, "How is your boyfriend or should I say 'ex' as you said?" The malice in his voice was so raw I could literally feel it."Don't even fucking start, if you had let me explain you would have understood" I defended trying to keep the memory out of my head. I struggled to get myself out of the slump Damon almost put me in and talking about him is the last thing I need right now. "Explain?" He scoffed."I should have let you explain that the same man you swore was your ex was in your house, so close to kissing you? Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't walked in" he rolled his eyes watching me intently waiting for my reaction. One he isn't going to get. "You can think and say whatever you want to, I don't care"
Julian’s POV“Hope everything is intact for the meeting with Ethan Carr tonight?” I asked Leah as we walked into my office, my head banging from the little sleep I had last night all thanks to Mag and her late-night conversation. Times like this are when I miss having at least one staff member around that she could talk to, but Mag insisted we start hiring the staff for a day in the job and then they should leave at night for our privacy. Considering she is such an influential woman and the same for me, it was a very good idea for our safety but right now it is getting to me, she kept ringing it in my head to get a wife so she could disturb her instead and a part of me is actually considering marrying a woman just for that singular purpose. It would really take a lot off my shoulders. “Mr.Thorne, are you okay?” Leah asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.I sighed before responding, “Yes I am, just a bit tired” "Oh sorry about that, would you like me to get anything for you?" She off
Sienna's POV 'You are expected to be at work on or before 8am today, I do not accept tardiness so trust me when I say you don't want to know what I do to people who are late. Prepare yourself because later today, we have a very important business trip to go on in New Jersey. We will be back tomorrow' Julian's bland but information-filled message read, my eyes lingering on the ending longer than I wanted. This message is the only thing he has said or sent to me since he stormed out the day before yesterday. I called in sick from work yesterday but I guess he isn't having it today and so am I. The incident with Damon traumatized me so much, I had to bail on the dinner at Grandma's. I could feel how disappointed everyone was, especially Grandma but I couldn’t have gone. They would have known something was wrong immediately I walked in, and knowing Lila is one hell of a best friend. She would definitely not have let it slide.My eyes moved over the last words so many emotions in my ches
Julian’s POV“Julian, Julian, please wait let me explain” Sienna yelled running after me but I didn’t bother stopping. Why did I doubt her for even a second, I was always right about her.“Julian please, just hear me out” She kept yelling tears streaming down her face as she tried to catch up with me. Fake tears or probably tears from pleading with Damon over whatever they were talking about. I hurriedly got into my car, shutting the door in her face before she could stop me.“Drive” I instructed my driver paying no attention to the banging on my window. He met my eyes through the rearview mirror and immediately started the car…better for him. Sienna hurriedly stepped away as the car began moving, an indifferent look I didn’t understand her face. She shut her eyes closed whispering incoherently to herself before turning and walking away leaving me even more confused. *****“Julian baby” A familiar but unwanted voice whine
Sienna’s POV“I am still very shocked you are home by this time but I promise to come over immediately I am done for the day. You have to tell me exactly what’s wrong” Lila said softly over the phone. She had been going on about how shocked she is for the past five minutes, and I just can’t help but laugh at her. I guess seeing a workaholic like me at home on a Monday of all days speaks for itself."That's fine, I am here, not going anywhere yet” I laughed."You are scaring me more, Babes. Just wait till I get there” She feigned a shiver making me laugh even more.“You are just being dramatic”“Whatever you say” she rolled her eyes.“Bye,” She said in a sing-song voice.“Wait” I called out before she could end the call.“What, you wanna take a month's leave now?” She joked.“You are being silly, Lila,” I laughed. “Just want to remind you about the dinner tonight, Grandma is going to have our necks if any of us are late and I am not ready for that” “I cannot forget the last time I was
Sienna’s POVI was so close to losing it, he had reduced the distance between us once again, tracing my skin with his fingers. None of us exchanged words, we just sat in silence, the tension thickening by the second. “Birdie” He whispered, his voice thick. Right now all I could think about was how much I wanted his lips on my skin, this is wrong but I don’t want to care, only his hands were getting me this riled up.“Why exactly did you come here, Birdie?” He asked, his voice ragged. As I processed his words, it hit me….“Fuck you, Julian” I spat, pushing myself up from his lap, his hands dropping from my waist. He is playing with me as usual, how stupid could I have been?“It doesn’t seem like you would mind a few seconds ago” He smirked, my earlier mood was back and he is definitely not getting away with this.“You are sick”. I put a safe distance between us before continuing, “ You broke one of the rules and we are barely one week in” I stated, folding my arms across my chest.“I