Chapter 3: Suprising the Cawthorns

Julian’s POV

I watched her walk off, clutching her book in one hand as she stormed off ‘I was just trying to be a good professor’ I thought to myself as a smirk formed on my face.

I quickly recollected myself and packed up to go home, to my father’s house, that is.

“We are gathered here to read Master Billy Cawthorn’s will” I heard the lawyer say.

“Sorry I’m late” I said casually, walking down to where my step mother and her children sat.

“Why did you even come here?” Maria snapped, of course she would have something to say to antagonize me, she’s my step mother.

“This is my father’s home” I answered, taking my seat calmly as I crossed my leg, watching her face redden with anger.

“Please continue” I said, gesturing to the lawyer who quickly adjusted his pair of glasses and started reading intently.

“My estate in Italy, will be given to my second son, Festus Cawthorn” the lawyer read as Festus smiled, his eyes watching me for a reaction.

I looked at him, hand to my chin, my face expressionless, I’m sure it hurt him to know that I didn’t care about the house.

“To Julian, I give my prized possession, my home in Norway and the factory” the man read, squinting his eyes.

“How does he get the factory.. read that again, that can’t be right” Maria said sharply, her high pitched voice resounding in the room.

“Madam, your late husband wrote this will, I have no say in it” the man said, turning back to his book.

“The Cawthorn Corp goes to any of the children who gets married first and their marriage has to last for at least a year” the man said calmly as he flipped the pages.

“What?” Festus snapped.

“You heard the man and fortunately enough, I’m engaged, to be married” I said, showing him my fingers, the ring carefully placed to shine.

“You thief!” Maria said, standing up.

“How am I a thief, I’m my father’s first child and I’ll be getting married, aren’t you supposed to be happy for me?” I asked, a smirk forming on my lips.

“Ahem.. you’ll live in this house with your wife for at least three months, it says so in his will, if there is any sign of animosity between you both, you automatically lose your rights to the company” the lawyer said amidst our bickering.

“Well then, I’ll be getting married in two weeks, anticipate my wedding” I said smiling at them.

I caught them off guard, I would be fulfilling father’s last wish…

Months prior…

“I want you to get married” Father said, holding his glass.

“You call me out of no where and want me to get married?” I asked as I furrowed my brows.

“Yes, please Julian” he said calmly as he dropped the glass, making it shatter.

“Father, what is happening to you” I asked concerned, holding him closely

“I’ll be gone soon, just get married soon” he answered before shutting his eyes.

That day, I didn’t understand why he had told me all of that, not until I heard the lawyer read his will, now I was even more convinced, I had to get married before the month ends.

I walked to the entrance of the hospital, I noticed her eyes beaming with hope.

“Amelia!” I called out, she quickly turned and upon seeing me, her expression changed.

“What do you want?” She asked boldly, no female had the nerve to look at me straight in my eyes, yet this hobbit dared.

“Is that how you talk to your would be husband?” I asked, leaning closer to her face.

“Hold your horses” she answered “Try to at least whisper” she added, trying so hard to pull back.

“You’re going to fall” I said, watching as she walked backwards.

“No, I’m no..” she said before losing her balance, I quickly wrapped my hands around her, preventing her fall as she still clutched onto her backpack.

“Get away” she muttered, putting her hand against my chest.

“No thank you?” I asked as though I didn’t know she was rather ungrateful.

“Hehe” she answered “Honestly, what do you want?” She asked again.

“My father’s will has been read, we’ll be going clothes shopping tomorrow” I answered, putting my hand in my car.

“Clothes shopping?” She asked.

“Yes, you see, we don’t have much time left, we need to get married and I need to take over” I answered.

“Oh that explains the ring” she said pointing to the shiny ring on my finger “I thought no one’s supposed to know you’re taken, or..you know, married” she asked, her eyes looking directly at mine.

“Would you like other ladies to have a go at me?” I asked, a smirk forming on my lips.

“Pfft, you can do whatever” she answered “It’s no big deal” she added, a smile on her face.

“I have yours by the way, you’ll need to wear it when we go see my family or as I’d call them,my late father’s family” I said, my expression getting serious.

“So clothes shopping tomorrow and we’re seeing your family when?” She asked, her voice was soft.

“This weekend” I answered sharply.

“Oh, okay, so in two days” she said, her eyes averting my gaze.

“Are you nervous?” I asked.

“No..no, why would I be?” She answered, I could notice her quivering, I didn’t know if she was scared of me or nervous about seeing my family, I shook off the feeling immediately.

“You want a drive home?” I asked, opening the car door.

“No, if anyone sees us, it’ll raise suspicion, thank you, I’ll go home alone” she said calmly, turning her back on me.

I came to the hospital to see how she and her mother were doing, I guess they’re alright, I thought to myself as I drove to my apartment.

The next day, after classes, I turned to see where Amelia was, she hadn’t come to class, which she promised to be at but soon after she came standing at the door of my car.

“Professor Cawthorn” she whispered, I jolted at the sound.

“Oh God” I said sharply “I was looking everywhere for you” I remarked.

“I was late to class, so I just didn’t attend it, come on, let’s go, I’m just trying to keep my end of the bargain, my mother’s doing alright because of you, so, dress shopping it is” she said ecstatically.

“Never, do that again!” I said angrily, I hated being sneaked upon.

“Okay, okay, sorry” she casually apologized as she entered the car.

The drive to the clothes store wasn’t too long yet, it was quiet.

Immediately we walked inside, I noticed her eyes scan the room and then looking at me, she seemed happy, my eyes looked back, as though reassuring her and I didn’t know why.

‘Snap out of it Julian!’ I thought to myself as I noticed myself smile at her, her genuity, ‘What is happening to me?’ I asked myself, this didn’t seem normal, my heart was racing only by seeing her smile, I quickly walked into the store, making my expression candid, I wouldn’t want anyone to see my weakness, not her or anyone else.