Chapter 7 A MADE-UP MIND

IRIS' POV

I woke up early the next morning and decided that I wasn't going to spend my time wallowing in self-pity. I would go about my life as though I was not married. If Julian wanted to act like I didn't exist, then I would return the favor.

I got ready and dressed in a black corporate gown that hugged my curves. I put on a little makeup and let my hair hang after I had blow-dried it. I stepped into my four-inch Jimmy Choo heels that elevated my already tall figure. When I was sure that I was looking good, I grabbed my bag and then headed out of my room just as Julian was coming out of his. He stopped in his tracks and his gaze swept over me. The look of desire in his eyes was unmistakable.

I simply turned on my heel as I began to descend the stairs, exaggerating the swaying of my hips on purpose.

When I got to the parking lot, my driver was already waiting for me by my car, and I got into the car without sparing another glance at Julian who was right behind me.

I got into the office and tried to avoid people as much as I could. I didn't want to be asked about my marriage. I didn't want to hear anything about Julian. I didn't think I could handle it well. I needed time to compose myself in the office before I could speak to anyone.

My father had suggested that since I was getting married, there had been no need for me to work at the family company anymore. I had almost taken him up on the offer, but I was glad I didn't. I needed to get out of the house if only for 5 hours out of a day. I worked every day from 9 am to 1 pm. It had been 9 to 5, but my father had cut my hours short as a compromise. He claimed that no respectable wife should be working all the time. It wouldn't give me any time for my husband or my new kids.

It was funny to think about the irony of it all-my husband acted like I didn't exist, and the girls stared at me like I was some weird puzzle piece that they didn't know how to fit into their lives. I didn't blame them for it if somebody just walked into my life one day. I wouldn't know where to place them either.

I stayed in my office the whole day working on some paperwork for my father, I had even lost track of time. I was exhausted but I had avoided thinking about Julian.

I could not wait to go home, have dinner, have a shower, and read a book till I fell asleep. I might have not gotten my fairytale ending, but it didn't mean I couldn't read about fictional people who got theirs.

I was glad that everybody was busy when I made it to the reception, and I didn't have to say hello to anybody. I had made it to my car when Jonathan, the head of IT stopped me. He had a huge grin on his face. He was always really nice and everybody liked him, so I didn't want to be rude to him.

"Hey, Johnny," I said with fake enthusiasm.

"Iris! You look great!" He said as he pulled me in for a hug.

"Thank you."

"How is the new husband treating you?" There it was the question I had been avoiding the whole day.

"Oh, quite alright." That was my animated response.

He simply smiled in response. "I am happy for you. I didn't know you would return to work so soon."

"Well, the honeymoon had to end sometime."

He laughed in response. "Hey, I got to go. I will see you tomorrow." I told him quickly.

"Sure thing."

We shared another quick hug and then I got into the back of the car. I let out a huge sigh of relief, grateful that the encounter was over.

***

JULIAN'S POV

I dragged my tired body up the stairs. Utterly exhausted from the day's work. The more I worked at that company, the more I wondered why I had fought so hard to keep the company in the first place.

It was draining.

I dropped my briefcase in my room and then went to check on my daughters. Zoey and Zara were sound asleep when I walked into their room. I gave each of them a kiss on their forehead and then I walked out.

I passed by Iris' room and then I hesitated. I wanted to walk past but everything in me wanted to open the door and check in on her. The lights were turned off which meant she was probably asleep.

I opened the door slowly and then walked it. I was surprised to find her with a book in her hand, but she was already asleep. I walked over to her bed and took the book from her hand. I placed a bookmark to hold her page for her and then I placed it by the side of her bed.

She looked so beautiful and peaceful in her sleep, that I had to take a moment to admire her. She was like a forbidden treasure, I could look at her, but I could not touch her and it infuriated me, especially since I was the one who gave myself these restrictions. I had to remind myself repeatedly that it was for the greater good.

I slipped out of the room quickly before I did anything that I would regret in the morning, and I practically fled into my room as though I had been doing something bad.

In my room, the image of her in her sexy dress this morning attacked my thoughts for the thousandth time that day. I could not even stop myself from staring at her. If she intended to dress like that every day, then I was going to be in big trouble.