Semua Bab Taming My Cold Husband : Bab 1 - Bab 10

“Any luck, Larry?” Leslie said over the phone, her fingers clenched around the device in hope and anticipation."I'm so sorry, Leslie," a voice rang out through the phone. "The gallery owner complained that your art was too avant-garde and not suitable for the theme of her art show, so she wouldn't bother showcasing any of them.""Really, not even one?" she pressed on, clinging to the last string of hope she had left."Not even one. I'm so sorry. Look, I gotta go now. They need me back here."She closed her eyes in disappointment and whispered, "It's okay. Thanks, Larry. Talk to you soon." She hung up shortly afterwards and sighed heavily, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. This was the fourth time her art was rejected from being showcased in an art show. Disappointment had become a daily phenomenon for her ever since she received devastating news about her father's cancer three months ago. She stood up with her shoulders still slumped and smoothed out the

Leslie got down from the bus absentmindedly and walked a short distance to her apartment building in Brownsville. This battered neighbourhood had provided a place for her and her father when they had nowhere else to go. Despite its high crime rate, it was where they called home."Hey, Les," a gruff voice sounded.She turned around and found Ted, a local and a chronic gambler who'd been friends with Leslie and her dad since they moved in."Hi, Ted. How's it going?" she said."I should be asking you that, hon. Tesla's been worried about you. She says you've lost too much weight, and now that I see you," he said, sizing her up from head to toe, "I think she's right."Leslie sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm fine, Ted. I just want Dad to feel better soon.""He will. Don't worry, he definitely will," he said, patting her back firmly. "How about you come around tonight for dinner? Tesla's making those fried dough balls you like so much."If it was any other night, she would'

"That'll be $15.35, ma'am," a somber voice said, snapping Leslie out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw the taxi driver still looking at her through the rearview mirror."Oh, right, sorry," she said and dug her fingers into her purse. She pulled out some money and gave it to the man. She alighted from the vehicle, took two suitcases out of the trunk, and stood in awe of the mansion before her. She felt overwhelmed and very small in this huge mansion."So this is Blackwood Manor," she muttered to no one in particular.A lady in a maid's uniform with an impassive face walked up to her and said respectfully, "Are you Leslie Harrison?"Leslie cleared her throat and responded, "Yes, I am," trying to fake a smile."Welcome to Blackwood Manor, madam. My name is Kris," the lady introduced. "Let me get that for you," she said, referring to the brown-colored suitcases. "Right this way. I've been waiting for you. I was sent to receive you," Kris said, pointing forward with her hand and guidi

Leslie stepped away from the door, feeling that she'd overstepped her boundaries, shrugged, and continued with her tour. She passed several maids and bodyguards as she walked, but they all just bowed respectfully before her, as if they were afraid she'd lash out about something. She still felt uncomfortable about everyone bowing to her. "Maybe I can convince them to stop bowing to me like I'm a queen or something," she thought, putting that thought at the back of her mind and continuing her wandering. She reached a slightly ajar door on the floor below and took a peep inside. Unlike the rest of the mansion, this room had a manly touch to it, as if someone really spent a lot of time here. It even had a subtle, homely feel to it. She saw a portrait on the wall, and it all clicked—this was Julian's office. She was still very curious about this new husband of hers, so she walked in carefully. "I'll just look around quickly," she thought. This office was simply a delight to Leslie. It w

"Isn't that right, Mr. Blackwood... uh, Mr. Blackwood?" a short bald man with a chubby face inquired."Hmm? Pardon?""I said it would be a pleasure working with you on this huge project.""The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Patterson.""You've been awfully distracted these past few days. Is there something on your mind?""No... no, it's just that—""Oh, let the young man be, Edward," said another short bald man who looked identical to Edward. "Didn't you hear that he's married now? He must be bummed that he has to be away from his wife because of us.""Ohh, you're right, Eric. I almost forgot about that. Congratulations on your marriage, son. I can't wait to meet the woman who managed to tame you," Edward said with a smirk. "Bring her along next time, okay?""That's fine by me, Mr. Patterson," Julian said with his best impression of a fake smile. The Pattersons were twin businessmen who were widely influential, and after Julian abruptly left their meeting the other day, he'd been looking f