" And what would that be? " The words slipped out of Julie 's mouth making her unsure of her reply
" Marry me.....
This was clearly an answer. Nathan Scott unreadable intensions, his dark and unsettling eyes made her throat dry that instant
He said it like a bomb had just dropped, leaving Julie utterly shattered, seriously questioning her own hearing
"What did you just say.....?
Nathan Scott, his eyes were searing, darkened with something primal, something that made her inside flip in a way she couldn't control. He repeated " You asked for a price, Miss Cortez. This 's my choice. Marry me"
The sharp pain from her nails digging into her palm brought her back to reality. She gasped " Are you kidding me... Am sorry.. is this a joke...."
" I don't tell jokes Miss Cortez. Do you really think I'm bored enough to stand here and joke with you "
Frowning,he tugged at his thin lips, his gaze still fixed on her
Indeed, he was a busy man; There was no way he would waste more time than he had joking around with her when he had important matters to attend to
Julie Cortez took a deep breath" Are you sure you are in your right mind now? I want nothing to do with a stranger I'd a one night stand with accidentally. No way. I've more than enough to deal with right now. "
"So you rather prefer marrying Ashton Luke..." Nathan replied coolly. His tone was rather irritated with the mention of 'Ashton'
Still his expression was as composed as ever, which only added to her confusion. She couldn't grasp the situation at all
She felt the need to clear her head and figure out whether he was crazy of if she was the one loosing it
Obviously she was
Julie Cortez wanted to solve her own problems after all he was just a stranger in her life. Nothing more
"You've to leave. If I get recognize here easily. It won't take long before the paparazzi show up... getting the wrong idea. I can deal with my own problems, with you interfering,it only makes matters worst..."
As soon as she tuk a step forward, Nathan reached out and firmly grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer to him and forcing her to meet his gaze. " You can't possibly solve all of these problems yourself. You're quite aware of the consequences, cutting off the engagement will ruin your family business to the ground and your public image. The best option is right Infront of you.. I can help tarnish everything without any harms on you and if you want Ashton face ruin.....
That depends on your agreement... just answer with a yes or no....."
Her palms felt hot, causing her body to tremble slightly with unease. Julie Cortez felt a wave of anxiety wash over her
For Gawd damn sake, he was just a stranger
Yet she finds it odd how she felt his words reassuring
Or rather the urge to take this chance
After a long while,her racing heart finally began to calm down. Julie spoke slowly,word by word. "Why do you want to marry me...? "
She wasn't a naive eighteen or nineteen year old lost in a fairytale romance
He was,yes a stranger while she was a fashion designer,a public figure
They never had a deep conservation than this and she could barely remember what happened last night
It was just a one night stand
Was that enough for him to become infatuated with her body ? And deciding to help her? Absolutely not! The thought was almost laughable
So why did he want to marry her?
Julie wanted his own reasons
After a brief of several seconds. Nathan parted his lips, speaking in a tone that was neither warm not cold
" I have my reasons. I need someone to marry... And you seem to be the best choice..."
Just that?
Julie blinked in disbelief of his reasons
But looking into his deep dark blue eyes. Julie sensed a faint later of something undescribable and some complex emotions swirling within them
Again she looked closer, it's instantly disappeared. Realizing that he already released her hands
Nathan lips distorted at a stiff angle as he stared into her eyes
Julie fell silent , once she'd wished being the daughter in law of a grand family like the Luke 's. Back then she wanted nothing more than being together with him, but everything changed in one night, the man she'd once considered spending her entire life with turns out he was just a pretender,a lier, having an affair with her stepsister secretly
Cancelling their wedding won't have any harm on him nor his family
Just the thought of his words that night made her inside fill with disgust
He deceived her for five years. She would never let him go scot free
Even if she have to trust a stranger,it's was way better than loosing everything to him...
Her determine gaze met with Nathan 's deep one's " I agree.... let's get married...
Nathan Scott shot her a couple of glances before extending his hand" do you have your household registration and ID with you?... "
"Still anxious? " He smirked slightly, his eyes lazily narrowing. Her emotions were written all over her face; did he really need to guess?
Feeling a mix of reluctance and dissatisfaction. Julie reluctantly handed him her household registration book and Id
"Dorian...
Nathan's secretary, Dorian step out of the car, his boss had specifically told him not to show up until his signal
"President Scott, you called for me...
Dorian was the head of Nathan Scott 's team of secretaries. At twenty eight,he'd been with KINGZ Tech industries since graduating from college, making him one of Nathan 's most experienced employees
For the past two years, his position was changed into being the president personal assistant
Julie Cortez eyes suddenly went wide , shocked by the way Dorian just addressed the man Infront of her . She was at loss of words
How could this guy be
The Almighty Nathan Scott, President of the most popular worldwide bussiness organization, KINGZ Tech industries. The multi billionaire president who with a snap of his fingers, more than hundreds of business company would line up for and at the end wouldn't earn any chances to meet.
He was like a mysterious figure In all of Korea . Paparazzi hardly take photos of him after he left a remarkable events at one of the popular media
He was rather known as the ruthless billionaire
Plus, The Luke family biggest rival especially Ashton Luke, no matter how much effort Ashton Luke ' put into his company, each steps was nothing compared to this man.
For some reason, this two families never loved each other
She felt like she could hardly breathe . Julie felt her throat run dry
"You mean.... You're the... the... President Scott.... You....? How... ? You didn't even..." Julie rumbled each of her sentences nearly stammering
Her mind suddenly flashed to each words she'd use cursing at him and she felt like the ground could just open up and swallow her whole
Gawd
She 'd misjudged him all this while, for a gigolo or rather some rich celebrity with a stunning ride
Even a stalker
" We're heading for the bureau court, inform the old man not to be in rush for any silly ideas... I'll be there eventually..."
Nathan ordered Dorian
With a short bow,he nodded. "Yes Mr President....."
He 'd thousands of questions in his head. But he knew better than to ask questions
Turning back to Julie. Raising an eyebrow. Nathan squinted at her, a look of amusement on his face,a smirk playing on his lips as he said mused " you seem really afraid of me.. now"
" I....." Julie clasped her lips as she stared at him probably losing her senses
"Who wouldn't? You didn't introduce yourself, I just thought of you as a.... " She paused slightly dropping that part of her sentence " I just didn't want to get involved with someone I barely know..." Julie replied matter of factly.
Nathan Scott watched her shuttered. A smile somehow crawled it's way foaming on his thin lips, but in a flash it vanished.
He said after a while" get in "
Julie entered the luxurious car
Her heart raising
On the other hand, Dorian was stiffened for a moment as if he just witness a wonderful sight
He had never imagined one day his Boss would suddenly become gentle for a woman
He was aware how the president hardly glance at women, or show any interest
He'd call them a huge burden
After his grandfather has threatened him to get married, the old man had been hellbent these days giving the young master who had just clocked thirty, a hard breathing space
However, Dorian had already given up a few days ago trying to convince his boss
But just yesterday
Everything changes
.....
Sitting in the back seat, Julie Cortez gazed - out the window avoiding coming in contact with Nathan 's eyes, her hands nervously twisting together. She felt anxious and moreover uncertain
Was this choice right or wrong?
But now that things had come this far, why dwell on it any longer?
Julie Cortez suddenly turn her gaze to the man next to her
Nathan's eyes were close and his usual demeanor was,relaxed
She absentmindedly observed his looks
His chiseled features, exquisite face and those seductive thin lips...
Her face turned an even deeper shade of red
The man was simply a handsome Devil
After a moment of driving. Nathan gaze flicked open, he was fully aware of Julie 's eyes on him all this while
Noticing that she had been caught red handed
Julie Cortez quickly averted her eyes,her cheeks burning red
Nathan smirked staring at her most especially her dressing and said" Are you sure you want to go to the civil affairs bureau court looking like that"
Not noticing the unusual expression on her face. Julie frowned and coldly retorted
" what do you mean by looking like that? President Scott is only now considering this? Isn't it too late"
" Well if a fashion designer doesn't mind then I have no reason to " He replied in a low voice showing no emotional reaction to her outburst
Julie finally caught a hint in high words,puzzled," what do you mean"
. Without answering, his defined fingers tapped lightly, signalling her to look at the overhead mirror
Staring at his baffling gesture, she straighten her posture, turning her face that the mirror
Suddenly Julie cheeks flushed bright red, feeling hot and embarrassed, almost too ashamed to face anyone
Her hair was roughly scattered over a side of her face and his tshirts was still on her
She looks like a total mess
With her face still burning red, she gently made an excuse " Um Nathan.... I mean president Scott, can I please go for a stop..
"Take us to the nearest mall" Nathan ordered,a slight smirk on his lips clearly aware of her discomfort
Julie heaved a sigh
It only took some minutes for Dorian to find a close mall nearby
For what seems like 30 minutes. Julie Cortez already changed into a ivory flower v neck frill tulle maxi gown,toned classic bag and a pair of glossy ankle strap pumps
Without makeup
Julie step out of the dressing room, stopping Infront of Nathan who was indulge in whatever conservation he was having - on the phone
"How do I look? " She asked for his honest opinion
Nathan Scott next word was held mid air. His eyes roaming over her dress up to her face , for a moment he seems lost before replying
" not bad...."
Julie Cortez didn't expect much of his words
"That would be 50,000 won miss"
The female worker informed
Julie Cortez eyes widened. She had just picked up a dress that suit her taste unexpectedly its pricetag was enough to cover her yearly salary
"I don't know....
"We'll take it....." Nathan beat her next word
...
Julie Cortez step out to the civil affairs bureau court looking astonished at the marriage certificate on her hands
She still barely could believe this
Julie saw when Nathan was already waking towards his car packed nearby and she quickly spoke up " ummm Nathan, I'll have to come later. I need to talk with someone first, a friend of mine..." She said
Recently she had tuk note of Kiara Smith miss calls
Nathan paused staring at her for a while before he replied " Fine. But there's something you don't know, called the fifth rule. There's a curfew from 10pm. So don't be late,Mrs Scott " He said a little sternly and Julie 's face fell
" What? A curfew? " She burst out in exasperation,her eyes seeking for answers.
Without a word, she watched as he left her standing there all,by herself.
Dorian respectfully bowed to him when he saw Nathan Scott step out. He quickly open the backseat for him
Julie watched him get into the car,he was just starting straight ahead, not sparing her a second glance
Dorian spotted Julie standing there close to the back door and he couldn't help but wonder why such a beautiful lady would settle for his cold boss. Nevertheless,he got into the car too
Julie watched as he drove off and at that moment she could already feel herself being thrust into a deadly dark abyss
Her phone ringing, snapped her back from her thoughts
Julie gaze landed on the caller id
A frown clouded her face
Speaking of the devil
It was Ashton Luke calling