Julie didn’t know how to respond to Michael’s words, but that didn’t stop her from questioning everything she wanted to say. She wanted her dreams she’d lived with and later forced to push aside. Julie knew that her feelings and dreams made little sense to anyone but her. Julie found many of her hopes and dreams based in her past traumas, and she’d have to grow past them. To her, nothing made sense these days, because she used her past to translate the present. Only that didn’t work anymore, Michael changed it all. She’d learned she could live her life questioning everything and doing nothing. Or just go with whatever happened and live with whatever unfolded. She could plan everything to the tiniest detail, but the plan could fall apart before she even started. People weren’t truthful, and she hated that. Ultimately, she had to continue, regardless of their presence. Julie pondered the extent of Michael’s temptation. She wanted to believe he wanted this. Julie
Eventually, Aria left the rehab facility after what felt like forever. It hadn’t been easy, and she’d been there longer than the four weeks they promised her initially. She complained about that last part. It meant Aria avoided the media coverage of the modelling agency debacle with several other mind-boggling twists from distributing drugs to what shocked her the most was trafficking women. Aria was unaware of the agency trafficking their models. It wasn’t until Leon explained to her that the modelling agency wasn’t supposed to set up dates for the models or profit from those dates. Her father’s people were scrambling to hide the fact that he and his staff had turned a blind eye on Aria’s career and situation. She desired distance and no connection with her father. Aria finally heard from someone else other than her father’s people or Leon the bitter truth of what situation she’d grown up in. That she spent half her life as a dirty secret and the other trying
“Julie, come to bed, love. It’s late. You can do that in the morning. I’m sure that the interior designer will understand if you don’t have it waiting for him at nine in the morning.” Michael stood at the door to Julie’s office with his arms crossed before him and a stern look on his face. She’d been more preoccupied since he’d bought her the house. She’d currently focused on the interior designer’s requests, while also editing her novel and working on a new one. Julie needed everything to be perfect within the house. He liked that she’d busied herself with it. If she saw the house as her home. The one she’d always wanted; he was sure she’d settle down and accept their marriage. Perhaps she’d be able to accept having a family with him as well. There was nothing he wanted more now. She continued to do things for him every day that made his day perfect in his eyes. He saw no motive for Julie’s actions. But that didn’t matter because he had his own w
Julie heard his words, and she believed what Michael said. He sincerely meant it all, but she wondered how her leaving him made him realize her impact on his life and how he felt. The only reason she originally did things for him was to keep him happy. That way he wouldn’t notice her. At least, that’s what she told herself in the beginning. Her acts of love improved his life, as even the smallest gestures made a difference. Some people neglect the unimportant tasks. But she’d found doing these things made everything nicer for others. In better times, people were more kind and accepting of her quirks. Julie longed for someone to return the insignificant items, showing genuine concern for her. She expected nothing like that from Michael, but for some odd reason, Julie kept a slim hope going that it could happen. Now she knew it had. What would she do with that knowledge? That was the question Julie had pondered since Michael gave her the house. She knew she care
Aria entered the condo and saw nothing had changed there. She relaxed completely. She’d feared Leon would have a party for her return. Prior to rehab, she always aimed to be the centre of attention at parties. Commanding attention from everyone and squashing anyone who threatened her command of that attention. Now Aria understood why she did that. It was her way of getting her parents to pay attention to her. But it wasn’t effective, and she’d learned only horrible behaviour got her what she wanted, even if that horrible behaviour granted her hardship and disaster. Aria didn’t have to pretend for others any longer. “Thank you for abiding by my wishes, Leon.” Aria said as she clung to him. She’d clung to his arm and pressed against him since she left the rehab facility. She was unaccustomed to months of abstinence from any form of physical touch or sexual activity which the rehab centre insisted on. Aria felt a need for physical touch.
Julie didn’t like the idea of going shopping in person. Too many variables were possible. What she most dreaded was how strangers responded to her experience. They knew nothing about her life or her lived experience. Nor did they care to be kind or learn anything about it, because it showed how their convenient life inconvenienced someone else. This response often came with permission for them to mock, insult, and be rude to her. With words like “You’re being overdramatic,” “You’re imagining it,” “Just get over it, you’re an adult,” or her favourite response, “You’re just seeking attention.” If she revealed her ADHD to some, she’d heard, “That’s a boy’s disease and women can’t have it.” These thoughts plagued Julie for many years. She knew it was pointless explaining to them how wrong they were for saying these things and believing it all. It’s not a disease. It’s a condition women and men can have, and there’s no cure. Then there’s the stupid rea
Thankfully, the shop was large, and they separated Aria and Julie from each other. They’d only exchanged names before Leon and Heath intervened at the shop to separate them until their time there ended. They met at the cash register as Michael and Leon paid for their purchases. Aria and Julie spotted each other in their change rooms, coming and going. It surprised Julie when Aria came out in several white gowns and the senior salesclerk helping them mentioned right at the start that she was uncomfortable with the groom seeing the gown before his wedding day. “I feel I should warn you it’s bad luck to see the bride’s wedding dress before the wedding day.” Leon politely shut her down with a smile. “We aren’t interested in anything too traditional, thank you. We’ll see them, anyway.” Julie piped up. “Congratulations. And he’s right. The tradition isn’t about bad luck. This tradition originated from the fear of someone kidnapping the bride on her way
Julie followed Michael to a nearby café where Leon and Aria already sat at a table. “Everything okay?” Leon asked Michael as they approached. “Julie’s hesitant, but she’s willing to keep an open mind, and Aria?” Michael at least had the decency to look toward Aria for her reaction. Julie saw little reaction from Aria. But she noticed Ariad didn’t have her overly bright smile and wasn’t her loud, chatty self. This gave Julie a sinking feeling about this encounter. They sat, and the two men talked business for a while before they ordered their coffee. As they waited for their order to arrive, Leon turned to Julie. “I noticed you have a recent novel coming out soon. Did you know your books have caused quite a stir at the country club with everyone?” “No, I’ve been avoiding the club. Well, I knew a few people took offense. But it’s not something I intended.” Julie said. Her words quietly answered Leon’s question.