The Arranged Marriage

Over the next few weeks, Julia and Blake partied like nobody’s business. She usually stayed at Blake’s instead of Alexander’s house. Now that she wasn’t working, she could sleep all day and have fun all night.

The nights were amazing, and today she was very exhausted, but she needed some more clothes and decided to go back home.

When she walked into the house, one of the maids stopped her. “Ma’am, you need to have lunch with Sir and his secretary.”

“Right now?” Julia grumbled.

“Yes, miss. It’s about the event tonight.”

Julia went to find Alexander.

Alexander and Ava were sitting outside. Julia went up to them and slopped down. She wanted to get this over and done with.

“Afternoon, Julia,” said Ava in a gloating tone.

But Julia couldn’t care less about the two of them. “Can we discuss what needs to be done so I can get on with my day?”

Ava began to speak, and Julia was trying to follow, but her eyes felt heavy.

“Julia?”

She jerked her head up. “Yes, I heard everything.”

Alexander tilted his head. “You didn’t even hear what I asked you.”

Julia stood and grabbed the book on the table. “No need to explain. I’ll be ready tonight. You two enjoy.”

She went back to the bedroom and climbed into bed.

“Julia… Julia?”

Julia opened her eyes, and it was Alexander. “What happened? Are they here? Is something wrong?”

“I had to see that you’re okay. You’ve been asleep for seven hours straight without moving. You need to get ready for tonight.”

“Oh, okay, I’m fine; close the door on your way out.”

She threw on a short dress and some heels, did her makeup and hair, sprayed on some perfume, and was ready to go out.

This time she was going alone, and Alexander would meet her there.

When she got to the event, she saw Alexander, and as usual, Ava sat across from him.

As Julia headed toward them, she could feel everyone’s stares on her and wondered if she had done something wrong. Was something off?

Alexander turned too, and he looked at her up and down. He too seemed to be taken aback. Had she embarrassed him?

She got to their table, and Alexander stood up and kissed her on her shoulder. He pulled out the chair for her, and she sat down.

She looked around for a waiter, so she could get a glass of champagne.

“Julia?”

“Yes? Have I done something wrong?”

“You look…” Alexander trailed off.

She nodded, and when she saw the waiter, Julia motioned for him to come over, and he did. She got a glass, swirled it around, and took a sip.

Julia wondered if Blake was here yet and looked around the room.

“Honey?”

She turned to Alexander and smiled, but her tone was clipped. “What do you want now?”

“Who are you looking for?”

“Why does it matter to you?”

“I’m your…”

“Yes, yes, I know. You wouldn’t know them anyway.”

“Try me.”

“Why are you so nosy tonight?”

“Fine, so be it.”

She could see that he had turned back to Ava as they spoke across the table, but then she spotted Blake. Julia motioned for her to come over.

They hugged, and Blake sat next to her.

Julia scooted more closely to Blake and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “This is her.”

Blake nodded and leaned in. “She’s pretty, but you’re gorgeous.”

“Oh, stop.”

“No, really, do you see what you look like now? Everyone in the room is looking at you, Julia.”

“Ironic… Everyone else but this jerk.” She motioned her head in Alexander’s direction.

They both laughed, and Julia motioned for the waiter to bring some champagne, and they toasted and chugged it down.

They called the waiter back and told him to leave the bottle as they drank.

“It’s time to start,” Alexander said.

Blake began to go back to her seat, but Julia asked, “Can’t she sit here?”

“No,” Alexander said shortly.

“Okay, then I’ll go with her.”

“No, you won’t.” Alexander’s voice was ice cold, and his hand was clasped on her knee.

“I’ll see you later,” Julia said to Blake.

Blake smiled and went to her table.

Julia felt Alexander touch her curls, and she turned to smile at him.

He leaned in. “What a shame that the most wanted woman in here belongs to a man who does not want her.”

He kissed the top of her head and pulled back. Julia was shocked that he had said something so cruel. He was taunting her and just being an asshole.

Julia scooted next to Alexander. She put her hand on his neck, and when he turned to her, she saw the warning in his eyes.

She didn’t care. According to him, he had the most desired woman, so she would give him just that.

Julia pulled his neck down and planted a very aggressive kiss on him, and he had no choice but to respond.

The light was dim, but she knew that if someone were watching, they would see. When she pulled back, she smiled at him sweetly.

That would teach him not to provoke her for no reason.

The speech finished, and the minute that happened, everyone could mingle.

Julia could see that Alexander had his eyes on Ava, who seemed to be seething with rage. Julia got up and went to Blake’s table.

They asked for more champagne. “I saw that,” Blake said.

“He asked for it.”

“How so?”

Julia told Blake what Alexander had said to her.

“What an asshole.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

They laughed. “I’m done talking about him and his mistress,” Julia insisted.

“Do you think you’ll ever have a real lover?” Blake asked.

“I don’t know, Blake. I might. I mean, I do want someone like that, and clearly, Alexander doesn’t. I would have to keep it a secret like he does.”

“We should work on that.”

“Julia.”

She focused deeply as she turned and saw Alexander. The room spun a bit. The alcohol was doing its job.

“Dance with me,” Alexander said.

Julia knew it was not up for negotiation. Alexander took her hand—and they headed to the dance floor.