All Chapters of The Last Minute Bride: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

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 li

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 Na

34 - NathanI walk away, leaving my grandfather pretending to ignore me. I know what Aurora can do. I wonder if he even remembers her or realizes who she is? She’s the reason our merchandising sector has done so well. She’s been the liaison running all of Lady Corleone’s overseas suppliers and warehouses. I wonder what they are doing without her? Mallory is dumber than a box of rocks and won’t be able to run a thing without Aurora. I freeze on my way back up to our bedrooms. I think I know how to make this better. The question is will she give me a chance? She thinks I want Keanna here. She thinks I am no better than Sullivan and Preston. I decide to leave her alone and talk to Jessie first. I need more information and something tells me my wife’s personal assistant is leaving out important details. I relax in my office seat as I pull out my phone.“Hey, Boss.”“How is she?”“You’re asking, so you already know the answer to that question.”“Don’t play with me Jessie. Keanna is gone a

36 - AuroraMia made sure I have every outfit in my closet available to me, but Demitri and the three guys following him don’t look the slightest bit irritated at schlepping up bag after bag to my room. None of them bat an eye at my living arrangement either. My guess is they understand the arrangement that Nathan and I have or they are paid well enough not to mention it.Normally I would put on all black and slick my hair into a low ponytail. All business, but can easily transition into dinner and drinks. Today, though, I feel the need to insert my personality today and I have a feeling there will be a fifty fifty split on whether people at the Westfield Group like me or not. That thought alone has me dancing around my room as I get ready.I choose a vintage jumpsuit with a sheer black sleeveless bodice that has black polka dots all over it and a red sweetheart cami under. The pants are these fantastic, high waisted palazzos accented with three large red buttons on each side of the c

38 - AuroraLana and Joel are amazing. I don’t think I have ever laughed this much with coworkers ever. I know Nathan offered his office to me, but I haven’t stepped foot in there yet today. I feel a deep sense of gratification that I am frustrating him and he can’t or won’t show it here. Here he is stoic and quiet. Watching him observe and listen to his employees has been fascinating.Lana set me up behind the dual desk setup she and Joel have. This thing is probably custom made for this space. They each have their own work station, but the center of the long desk is open to allow others to pull up a chair and collaborate or to spread out large documents and blueprints to study.I’m not doing anything, but Lana has a running commentary for me on the inner workings of the office, what projects are in production now, what is is the works, negotiations, and all the things she does for Nathan on a daily basis. Joel interjects the business talk with all the Tea you could possibly imagine.