Five Years Later
~Aiden~
....
Aiden Blackwood, the owner of Blackwood Corporation, stood confidently, his golden hair perfectly styled, and his brown eyes gleaming with charm. He exuded an aura of dark, sexy charisma that drew people to him like a magnet.
As he walked into the party celebrating the forty-fourth anniversary of Blackwood Corporation, he was the center of attention. Shareholders and guests alike fawned over him, trying to curry favor and score points.
Aiden's grandfather, the founder of Blackwood Corporation, beamed with pride as he watched his grandson work the room. He had handed over the reins of the company to Aiden five years ago, and the young man had taken it to new heights.
But amidst all the accolades and admiration, Aiden's grandfather noticed something that didn't sit well with him. His grandson seemed to be ignoring the women who were vying for his attention, and rumors were starting to circulate that Aiden might be gay.
The grandfather didn't like that one bit. He wanted Aiden to settle down and produce some grandchildren, not to mention secure the future of the Blackwood legacy and to close any loopholes for enemies to slip in.
As Aiden made his way through the crowds, he was stopped by his grandfather, who excused them both and led him out to the veranda.
"Aiden, I'm proud of what you've accomplished," his grandfather said, his voice low and serious.
Aiden smiled and thanked him, but he knew what was coming next.
"With every successful man, there's always someone by his side your grandmother built this company with me, I had someone I could lean on for seventy five years of marriage in my eighty nine years of life ," his grandfather continued.
"It's time you thought about settling down, Aiden I don't like how this rumors about you and Ryan in a relationship it might not mean anything to you and him but Stephanie is using this as a chance to state we can't have a CEO who does immoral things behind close doors, not that I care whether you are or not but seeing as we established you weren't make sure Stephanie have nothing to talk about that can stir up trouble."
Aiden rolled his eyes inwardly, he had thought that this was a conversation they'd had many times before but he was surprised his father mentioned his grandmother he loved her and he thought highly of her this might take a turn for the worst seeing as how his grandfather hated Stephanie he might have to come up with a solution for this. But he kept his thoughts to himself, knowing that his grandfather wouldn't let up until he got what he wanted.
"I mean it, Aiden," his grandfather said, his voice firm. "If you don't get married within two months, I'll give my shares of the company to someone else. Maybe Stephanie or her son Nick, make up your mind Aiden Blackwood you are the Heir to the Blackwood corporation you need to have a solid foundation to leave no stone unturned."
Aiden's eyes widened in shock. He had always assumed that his grandfather would give him his shares. But now, it seemed that his grandfather was willing to give away his shares to someone else if Aiden didn't comply with his wishes.
"You can't be serious," Aiden said, trying to keep his cool.
"I'm dead serious," his grandfather replied. "I want to see you settled down and secure the future of this company. If you can't do that, then maybe someone else should take over."
Aiden felt a surge of anger and frustration, but he knew that he had to keep his cool. He couldn't let his grandfather's ultimatum dictate his life and he knew Damian Blackwood was a man of his word and didn't change his mind easily, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to lose the shares of the company.
He was trapped, and he didn't know what to do.
Aiden took a deep breath and tried to think clearly. He couldn't let his grandfather's threat dictate his life, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to lose the shares of the company.
"Grandfather, I understand your concerns, but I don't think this is the right way to go about it," Aiden said, trying to reason with him.
"I'm not asking you, Aiden, I'm telling you," his grandfather replied, his voice firm. "You have two months to find a suitable wife and get married. If you don't, I'll give my shares to someone else."
Aiden felt a surge of anger, but he knew that he had to keep his cool. He couldn't let his grandfather's ultimatum dictate his life, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to lose the shares of the company.
"I'll think about it, Grandfather," Aiden said finally, trying to placate him.
Damian nodded, seeming to accept Aiden's response. "I expect to see you married within two months, Aiden. Don't disappoint me."
Aiden nodded, feeling a sense of unease. He knew that he had to find a way to get out of this situation, but he didn't know what to do.
As he walked back into the party, Aiden felt like he was trapped. He couldn't let his grandfather's ultimatum dictate his life, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to lose the shares of the company.
He scanned the room, looking for a way out of this situation. That's when he saw her - a beautiful woman with long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes. She was standing alone, sipping a glass of champagne, and Aiden felt a surge of interest.
Maybe, just maybe, he had found a way out of this situation.
Aiden's eyes scanned the room, his mind still reeling from the conversation with his grandfather. He needed to find a way out of this situation, and fast. That's when he saw her - a mysterious woman wearing a stunning black velvet gown with an open-cut side and slit. Her jet-black hair seemed to gleam in the moonlight, and Aiden felt a surge of interest.
He followed her from afar, curious to know who she was and why she looked oddly familiar. As he watched, she made her way through the crowds, exchanging smiles and laughter with the other guests.
Aiden's eyes widened in surprise as he realized that she was actually part of the party celebrating the anniversary of Blackwood Corporation. He had never seen her before, and he couldn't help but wonder who she was.
As he approached her, their eyes met, and Aiden felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. They stared at each other for a moment, the noise of the party fading into the background she looked at him as if she was searching for him.
"Hi," the woman said finally, breaking the silence. "I'm Juliana."
"Aiden," he replied, taking her hand in his. "It's nice to meet you, Juliana."
As they chatted, Aiden found himself becoming more and more drawn to Juliana. She was intelligent, witty, and beautiful, with piercing green forest eyes that seemed to gleam with a hint of gold.
"So, what do you do?" Aiden asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"I'm the owner of Ethan Parfums, a luxury perfume company." Juliana replied
Aiden's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Ethan Parfums? As in the perfume corporation that grew in the industry just three years ago.
Juliana laughs and replies "well I strived to the top that is all I can say."
Aiden says "That's an interesting name. Is Ethan your... boyfriend or husband?"
Juliana laughed. "No, Ethan is actually my son's name. I used his name for my company, and I'm planning to launch a new brand of perfume called Lucas, after my other son."
Aiden's eyes widened in surprise. "That's amazing. I've never met anyone who's used their children's names for their business ventures."
Juliana smiled. "I'm a proud mom, what can I say?"
As they continued to chat, Aiden found himself becoming more and more intrigued by Juliana. He couldn't believe his luck - he had stumbled upon a beautiful, intelligent, and successful woman who seemed to have it all together.
And maybe, just maybe, she could help him get out of the predicament he was in.