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8 - Aurora
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-25 02:45:13
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The Last Minute Bride 9 - Nathan
9 - NathanIt has been 2 years and I still can’t get her off my mind. The one girl who didn’t chase me down, doesn’t respond to my messages or calls but sent me to cloud nine and I didn’t even touch her. Ugh. I rub my face after another seemingly endless board meeting. My grandfather sits more like a relic than a leader across from me. The problem is he’s a dangerous one. The kind who remembers everything and forgives nothing. He doesn’t need a vote to control the room. He only needs his voice—and the fear he’s spent a lifetime earning. Sullivan has spent the last two years reminding me of my grandmother’s, his wife’s, will and the legacy stipulation. I have been doing my best to ignore him, but it’s getting increasingly difficult.And then there is my uncle Preston. The snake in Brioni. The man who smiles like a benefactor and moves like a politician. Where Sullivan uses dominance, Preston uses suggestion. He would never take a knife to my back—he’d pay someone else to do it, and o
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-26The Last Minute Bride 10 - Nathan
10 - NathanMy grip tightens around the folder in my hand. I don’t recall the woman they’re talking about, but the implication is clear—they’re arranging a marriage behind my back…again.“What happens when he refuses?” My grandfather is smart enough to know that is the probable outcome.“He could care less; he will f*ck anything with a pulse. He is going to marry and he will gain full access to the company with an heir or we let the will run it’s course and he misses the deadline, forfeits the inheritance… and the board will have no choice but to vote in someone more compliant. Someone loyal to the legacy. That woman died a conniving b*tch. She managed to make it impossible for us to gain access to all of the funds she has stocked away, and I can’t figure out how to get around it without him being married with a child. Besides, unless he asks, I don’t see any need to disclose her age.”Oh, this is going to be interesting.I step back silently, rage flaring cold in my chest. I don’t
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-27The Last Minute Bride 11 - Nathan
11 - Nathan“She is young enough to be taught and molded to our lifestyle. Also, if you are as good in bed as rumors proclaim she will be less likely to cheat on you and have illegitimate children provided we train her properly. That we need to prevent at all costs.” I don’t even know what to say to my grandfather’s words. Now, I need to seduce her and be good enough so she doesn’t cheat on me, but train her to deal with me sleeping with other women because I am allowed to be unfaithful, but she isn’t. That's his biggest concern for this 18 year old child.“She will be well provided for and her father’s business will be taken care of for the foreseeable future, it’s a win for all of us.” Again, my uncle chiming in with his fake sunshine and rainbows as if his opinion matters in the slightest.“Do we know how she feels about this whole thing?” I can’t explain why I care, but I do. She’s barely an adult. “How long will I have to get to know her and propose?” I’m barley entertaining
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-28The Last Minute Bride 12 - Aurora
12 - AuroraThe last two years have been amazing. Lady C has sent me all over the world negotiating contracts on my own and finalizing some of our biggest deals. I’m now the Creative Director for the company and the face next to Lady Corleone in the boardroom. Of course Mallory is now our Chief Marketing Officer and the face next to Lady in the press. She is poised to start slowly taking over the company over the next five to ten years. I can’t decide how I feel about that. I think Lady C has realized that Mallory is not going to do well by herself. Mallory isn’t capable, or willing, to learn how to conduct and maintain business outside the bedroom and dinner parties. I notice Lady C has been slowly putting strategic people with special talents in place to help her daughter along. There are several analysts and managers that work together to make the both of them look good and we do it all behind the scenes. I’m not even sure if Mallory knows that she has no real say or decisio
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31The Last Minute Bride 13 - Aurora
13 - Aurora“We don’t have anything to talk about besides work. All you do is work, so I just work more to fill the time that you are gone. At some point in our time together I thought you would have made me, us, a priority. But clearly greedily climbing your way to the top is your only priority.” He says finally looking me in the eye. All I see is animosity there. “You do not give me the time and attention that I deserve. You should be willing to put your little work hobby aside to focus on your relationship with me and what I need. Instead you are late to dinner because of meetings and have to leave in the middle of the night for ‘trips.’” He air quotes.“Excuse you.” I say hissing low, trying to not make a scene. “You work every bit as much as I do because your father requires it of you, not because of your work ethic. It’s the only way you’ll get back in his good graces after you were let go from the marketing firm. Don’t blame that on me. Does he know that I supported your f
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-01The Last Minute Bride 14 - Aurora
14 - Aurora“Hello sweetheart!” She almost shouts into the phone. “I can’t believe you are already calling me, I bet the ring is HUGE! With the money his family has, it hast to be huge, or maybe a family heirloom. Something vintage and completely unique. I hope you took lots of pictures and looked really surprised. Did you get any strategic pictures with celebrities and well known people in the background? I hope so, they will sell for far more. I should have mentioned that before you went in.” She is talking a hundred miles a minute and she sounds like a lunatic.“Mom..”“You know, I bet if we ask, the restaurant will let us stage pictures so we can get really good quality ones. Your cousin has that friend that does photography, I bet she would do it for us to help get her name out there.”“Mom…”“I am going to need a close up of the ring, with your face in it of course, otherwise Margory won’t believe me.”“MOTHER, STOP!” I shout, stopping in my tracks. The mention of Margory is t
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02The Last Minute Bride 15 - Aurora
15 - Aurora“Can’t do what? Can we talk? I just want to understand what you’re going through. Maybe I can help.”“No, go away! There’s no way you could understand this. I can’t be forced into anything and they will figure it out soon enough.”Ok, maybe I can keep her talking long enough to get to her. The drop is really far straight down to rock filled water. There’s no surviving, which I assume is her intention, but I can’t just walk away now.“Who are you trying to show that you can’t be forced?” I’m hoping she’ll just answer automatically, too distracted by her emotions.“My parents are trying to force me into an arranged marriage to save their company, but I can’t marry some heartless playboy who’s like my dad’s age. I just turned eighteen, I don’t want to get married now. I was enrolled in school and had plans for myself before all of that serious relationship stuff. Marriage is supposed to be wonderful and beautiful and not some business deal.” She’s rambling.“You are not
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03The Last Minute Bride 16 - Aurora
16 - AuroraI tell her everything, including my night with Nathan. I kept most of the dirty details to myself, but I feel like I can trust her for some reason. She’s a decade younger than me, but so mature for her age. She’s the first person that has sat and asked me about me, and truly wanted to know, in so long, I don’t even remember the last time I had a conversation like this. That’s a lie. I know the exact day and time I last had a conversation like this. I now regret deleting and blocking his number.“So I stormed out of the restaurant and just drove off. I’m sure that I will see the bill on one of my credit cards tomorrow, the little scrub. The best part is that he and Mallory both think they are with someone who can support them and that they will be able to lead a life of leisure off the other’s money. Neither of them have their own, they both live off of their parents’ hard work. I can’t wait for that bomb to drop. And I know it sounds super mean, but I hope it's somewh
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-07
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The Last Minute Bride 33 - Nathan
33 - NathanI don’t think I have ever considered homicide before, but Sullivan, Preston and whoever the f*ck they have downstairs have crossed a line. The only reason I’m able to walk away is because Aurora didn’t say she was leaving. She said she needs space and that she signed up for this, whatever ‘this’ means. And a f*cking fertility doctor? Not a chance. If we have a kids it’s going to be the old fashioned way. I have not waited for this woman for two years, just to have Sullivan and Preston f*ck it up. I need Brandon and Sam to get to the bottom of whatever it is they are after with this marriage.I walk by the kitchen where Toni is busy working away, the only one in the room. I continue to my grandfather and uncle’s wing of the manor. They’re not in the sitting room or offices, but I hardly expected that. Neither use the offices over here if they can help it, preferring to set themselves up in the main office, my office, to make themselves feel important. The billiards room, li
The Last Minute Bride 32 - Aurora
32 - AuroraLeaning against the door I let the angry tears fall. I don’t know what I expected or why this is bothering me so much. I know I signed up for an arranged marriage to a stanger. I should have figured a guy who needs to be set up with a wife has the need for a reason. I slide down the door taking deeps breaths. I need a plan, that is the only thing keeping me from completely losing my sh*t over someone who doesn’t deserve it. What is my next move? I don’t have anyone to call. Mia is safe and I won’t bring her into this any further than she already has been. And she needs to stay as far away from Sullivan Westfield as I can manage. There is literally no one else. My parents can’t help me and they wouldn’t since I cut them off. Gabriel is useless and even if we had split amicably he wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. I am stuck here with no job. I have no idea where my phone and laptop are, I realize as I scan the room with fresh eyes.This room was designed for a woman, for N
The Last Minute Bride 31 - Aurora
31 - AuroraI woke up in the softest bed I have ever been in. It took me a minute to figure out I wasn’t at home and then another to remember why I wasn’t at home. I looked around and Nathan was nowhere in the bedroom. So I took a moment to look around before I went and explored his house to find him.The queen sized bed is so comfortable and I am surrounded by pillows. It’s like its own island in the middle of this room with light sheer curtains hanging from the four posts. Definitely a feminie touch, I make a mental note to ask about it.Everything is in soft whites and creams, very modern and clean. There are pops of burgundy or a dark red in places. It’s hard to tell with the muted light from the windows. I slide out of bed to keep exploring and realize I am in an oversized t-shirt. When did I change? The plush off white carpet is so soft on my bare feet, I could lay on the floor and fall back to sleep. I find my way to the en suite bathroom that is huge and decide to ta
The Last Minute Bride 30 - Aurora
30 - Aurora“Don’t worry, I might give her back to you, eventually.” Denise snickers as she marches us straight through the house to a back deck that overlooks a large yard leading to a lake.“Oh wow! This is so beautiful.” The view is gorgeous. Lush green lawn and a glassy lake large enough to look very peaceful, but I can still see the other bank. The houses are also close enough to have comfortable neighbors, but not so close that you lose the effect of being alone. I find myself walking to the edge of the deck and holding the railing and just listening to the sounds of nature around me.“Do you like it?” I hear a husky voice in my ear as arms wrap around my waist.I nod, not wanting to break the silence.“Would you like something like this?” He asks after a few moments of standing here with me.“I’ve never really thought about it. I have always lived in a condo in the city because that’s where my job was and I traveled so much that it didn't seem practical to have something l
The Last Minute Bride 29 - Nathan & Aurora
29 - NathanI am ready to kill my best friend. I had not planned on telling her I have been looking for her obsessively like a lovesick puppy since the day she disappeared…ever. He and Sam are the only ones I told about that night and I didn’t give them all the details, just enough to help them understand how special she is. She is like no one I have ever met before. She treated me like a person not a bank account and had no idea who Nathan Westfield the celebrity or brand name was. Even after the merger with Lady C’s company we never had any contact. But I was able to see how she worked and what she’s able to accomplish with that mind of hers. I know she was dedicated to that tool of a boyfriend and gave him far more time than he deserved, but she worked on projects for our combined enterprises and should have had brief run-ins in some capacity with me, but nothing. No matter how much time I forced myself to be in proximity with Lady C and Mallory inside their company I never saw Au
The Last Minute Bride 28 - Aurora
28 - AuroraOnce I get half way, I change my focus to Nathan, who has a smile on his face. It’s subtle, but all for me. I’m glad he can’t see my face. I’m still conflicted about the idea of what Mia was meant for today, and that the only reason any plans have changed are because of my involvement. His eyes never once wandered from me, like I was the only person in the room. I use that focus to propel me forward.As I got to the front, both Mia and Brandon turned front before the focus changed from me to everyone at the altar.As I get to Nathan, he steps forward and offers me his arm to help me up the stairs to the top, before reaching for my veil. I stop him with a hand, anyone here who has any idea what’s going on, won’t think it stange that I keep my face covered. I want the reveal to be at the last possible second.He leans in and whispers, “You are so beautiful.” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I don’t know when someone, that isn’t my father, has said that last
The Last Minute Bride 27 - Aurora
27 - Aurora I stuff down my frustrations and put on my best smile. I have to go through with this now more than ever. I won’t let Mia anywhere near Sullivan Westfield or his son. Mis squeezes my hand. I’m not sure if she heard or understood what was being discussed, but we are here together. Mia helps me get my veil in place before the limo door is opened. We climb out and I refuse to look at or make contact with Nathan, my emotions are all over the place and I need space. As we are let in the back door, Nathan nods to a person I can only assume is an employee of sorts.“Will you please take my fiance to her place and keep everyone away from her until after the ceremony. Mia, I will have you stay with Brandon. He can keep you hidden better” With no further instructions, I am lead away with no companion.The woman in front of me must have done her research because she seems to know every secret passage and hallway. We see no one on our way to the back of the church and she has me pl
The Last Minute Bride 26 - Aurora
26 AuroraWe stepped up to the limo and Nathan handed me in helping me with my dress. Mia looks completely confused when we all pile in together.Once we are all comfortable and acquainted we use the 30 minute drive to get each other caught up on my break up with Gabriel, how Mia and I met and the plan Mia and I came up with to get her out of getting married.“So how are we going to play this out when we get there?” Brandon asks. “I don’t feel like your grandfather cares either way, really. He just wanted you to get married and have a kid in a hurry.” He looks at Nathan. “I think he liked the idea of having someone young to mentor and guide a bit, but that was probably an added benefit for him pairing you to someone as young as Mia. No offense Mia.” He adds as an afterthought.“We expected some kind of drama no matter what. I should be the only one to walk down the aisle, my veil was designed to obscure quite a bit and hopefully all of the focus will be on me until I get to you all a
The Last Minute Bride 25 - Nathan
25 - NathanWhen the photographer tells us she has all that she needs Aurora pulls away from me quickly not making eye contact. Maybe the moment I thought we shared was just for me. She focuses on the photographers camera when she speaks next. “How do we want to do this, because I’m sure your grandfather is going to have a lot to say and so will Mia’s mother.” She grimaces, finally looking up at me. “I know it was risky to make her my bridesmaid, but right now she needs to be protected from all of this. She needs to be near me until it all blows over.”“Wait, she’s here?! Now you know someone is going to try and force her and I to marry right?” I run my fingers through my hair as my heart drops again and this time it isn’t a good feeling. My grandfather with try and force the situation to his benefit, which is Mia as my wife. He wants to control her, that much is a given with this situation.“I thought you had a mind of your own and could choose for yourself?” She bites back, she’s eas
