s’ father, hadn’t disclosed my financial troubles from a few years ago with Jules. When the company lost two major distributors during that time, Jack sought me out and made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse.
“Ms. Delacroix , thank you for meeting with me,” he said as he gestured for me to take a seat in front of his grand mahogany desk.
The man was quite intimidating , but my father, God rest his soul, had done well in teaching me how to handle men like Jack Belmont. No matter how intimidating a man is, as a woman, I was to never buckle under the pressure. Never show weakness!
“It’s my pleasure to meet you Mr. Belmont. Although, I must say I am not sure why you insisted on meeting with me,” I responded once I took my seat.
The man ’s face was void of any emotion. His eyes never left mine as he sat across from me. For several seconds we stared at each other, each of us unwilling to break the eye contact.
“I had known your father for several years. We practically grew up together. He was a fine businessman and often advised me in my own business dealings. I was greatly affected when I heard of his passing.”
The mention of my father made me flinch. Each time I thought about all that my father had entrusted me with, it brought sorrow to my heart.
“He was a great man. But I’m sure you did not invite me here to tell me something that I already know. So, if you don’t mind Mr. Belmont, can you please tell me why I am here?” I retorted; feeling aggravated that the man had mentioned my father in an attempt to connect with me. I was no fool. It was obvious that he wanted something and using my love for my father was distasteful!
“Well then I’ll just get straight to it t hen! You have single handedly run your father’s business into the ground! It is quite obvious that you are in over your head and I have a business proposition for you.”
I couldn’t hide my infuriation at the man’s statement. Everything my father taught was instantly forgotten as I stood to my feet and glared at the man.
“I don’t know who you think you are Mr. Belmont, but I can handle my father’s business just fine!” I barked at the unflinching man.
Needless to say, the man hadn’t taken me seriously. After an hour long battle, I had buckled and agreed to marry Jules for the survival of my father’s business. Almost immediately after our business arrangement, my father’s vineyard began thriving. I wanted to believe that I had done what was best for the company, but a man like Jack Belmont wasn’t someone to toy with. I knew he was the cause of my father’s company’s near demise from the start.
Shortly after our meeting he informed me that he had spoken to Jules and had convinced him to marry me. When I was called into a meeting with Jules himself, I was quite pleased to hear his take on the arrangement. He believed that he was the one pulling the strings, and his father was happy that we were going to marry, hoping that Jules and I would produce an heir to his glorious empire. Each party was none the wiser!
S ure our relationship started as merely a contract created out of desperation between Jules and I but as the years went by each time we attended our obligatory events, I fell deeper and deeper for the man. Try as might, Julien Belmont was not a man who you could get out of your head once he took residence.
When I received my invitation to the annual charity gala that Jules’ father Jack was throwing this year, I knew that I needed to tell Jules how I felt. All I needed to do now was to make sure that Emily Roberts was no longer in the picture.
EMILY
Work was a complete blur. I went through the motions, with my thoughts staying on that stupid article in the paper. I was beyond thankful that my face wasn’t really noticeable, which meant that the reporter hadn’t been close enough to get a better shot. The thought of someone following us still made my skin crawl.
I had just gotten into my car
“Ms. Delacroix , thank you for meeting with me,” he said as he gestured for me to take a seat in front of his grand mahogany desk.
The man was quite intimidating , but my father, God rest his soul, had done well in teaching me how to handle men like Jack Belmont. No matter how intimidating a man is, as a woman, I was to never buckle under the pressure. Never show weakness!
“It’s my pleasure to meet you Mr. Belmont. Although, I must say I am not sure why you insisted on meeting with me,” I responded once I took my seat.
The man ’s face was void of any emotion. His eyes never left mine as he sat across from me. For several seconds we stared at each other, each of us unwilling to break the eye contact.
“I had known your father for several years. We practically grew up together. He was a fine businessman and often advised me in my own business dealings. I was greatly affected when I heard of his passing.”
The mention of my father made me flinch. Each time I thought about all that my father had entrusted me with, it brought sorrow to my heart.
“He was a great man. But I’m sure you did not invite me here to tell me something that I already know. So, if you don’t mind Mr. Belmont, can you please tell me why I am here?” I retorted; feeling aggravated that the man had mentioned my father in an attempt to connect with me. I was no fool. It was obvious that he wanted something and using my love for my father was distasteful!
“Well then I’ll just get straight to it t hen! You have single handedly run your father’s business into the ground! It is quite obvious that you are in over your head and I have a business proposition for you.”
I couldn’t hide my infuriation at the man’s statement. Everything my father taught was instantly forgotten as I stood to my feet and glared at the man.
“I don’t know who you think you are Mr. Belmont, but I can handle my father’s business just fine!” I barked at the unflinching man.
Needless to say, the man hadn’t taken me seriously. After an hour long battle, I had buckled and agreed to marry Jules for the survival of my father’s business. Almost immediately after our business arrangement, my father’s vineyard began thriving. I wanted to believe that I had done what was best for the company, but a man like Jack Belmont wasn’t someone to toy with. I knew he was the cause of my father’s company’s near demise from the start.
Shortly after our meeting he informed me that he had spoken to Jules and had convinced him to marry me. When I was called into a meeting with Jules himself, I was quite pleased to hear his take on the arrangement. He believed that he was the one pulling the strings, and his father was happy that we were going to marry, hoping that Jules and I would produce an heir to his glorious empire. Each party was none the wiser!
S ure our relationship started as merely a contract created out of desperation between Jules and I but as the years went by each time we attended our obligatory events, I fell deeper and deeper for the man. Try as might, Julien Belmont was not a man who you could get out of your head once he took residence.
When I received my invitation to the annual charity gala that Jules’ father Jack was throwing this year, I knew that I needed to tell Jules how I felt. All I needed to do now was to make sure that Emily Roberts was no longer in the picture.
EMILY
Work was a complete blur. I went through the motions, with my thoughts staying on that stupid article in the paper. I was beyond thankful that my face wasn’t really noticeable, which meant that the reporter hadn’t been close enough to get a better shot. The thought of someone following us still made my skin crawl.
I had just gotten into my car
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