A Woman's Empire

IV

A/N: This is what I picture Audrielle to look like^^

CHAPTER FOUR

Sheer curtains danced delicately against the windows as the warm spring sun shone into Audrielle's room. It had been almost a week since Audrielle's birthday and she hadn't left her bedroom. Today they had a designer coming in to show Audrielle some dresses for the wedding that was happening in less than a month. With the dozens of birds chirping outside, Audrielle woke up from her slumber. She sat up in bed, stretching her arms as she yawned. Just as her head flopped back down onto the pillow with a thump, a light knock echoed through the large room.

"Ms. Audrielle, your breakfast is ready." A maid said politely and Audrielle pushed herself out of bed, wrapping a short, silk gown over her pajamas which consisted of a pink silk singlet that had a lace trim and cotton shorts.

"You may come in." Audrielle called out as she went and sat down on one of the fancy armchairs that were placed by the Romeo and Juliet like balcony. The sound of the door being unlocked filled the room and in walked a maid, dressed in a long, black dress that hung below the knees and a white apron wrapped around her waist.

Grace, the maid that served Audrielle for most of the week, walked in with a small, sympathetic like smile on her face as she juggled the silver tray towards the little table. She gently placed the tray down beside Audrielle and started to pour a cup of tea.

"Thank you Grace." Audrielle smiled and the maid returned it, about to leave the room when she stopped abruptly in her tracks.

"Oh, Ms. Audrielle, I was also informed to tell you that you will be having breakfast with a guest. They should be here shortly." Grace said, leaving the room with Audrielle sitting there confused as to who her guest could be. The whole week, no one dared to come into her room except for the maids who were either cleaning or serving Audrielle with food. Mrs. Harrington steered clear of her daughter, scared if Audrielle would react. As for Mr. Harrington, he left for a business trip yesterday, and didn't bother saying a goodbye to Audrielle. Grandpa Charles had also left the estate, heading back to England two days after the news had broke but he was too stubborn to walk up the stairs to farewell his granddaughter and Audrielle sure as hell wasn't going to break an ankle by flying down the stairs just to say goodbye to the old man who slapped her across the face and basically sold her life away to an unknown man.

Within that week, Audrielle did a lot of crying and not a lot of reading. Every time she picked up a book, it was about romance and it would result in Audrielle's salty tears staining the books. Audrielle has always dreamed about getting married and having children. But now, the last thing she ever wanted to do was to become a wife, especially to a man she did not know. What Audrielle didn't know though, was that the wedding was already planned out for her. From napkins to seating arrangements, the only input Audrielle had in this was the choice of her wedding dress.

Audrielle took a sip of her jasmine tea when her door was suddenly swung open. With wide eyes and a rattling tea cup in her shaking hands, Audrielle watched the man from the night earlier, waltz in the room with a large grin on his face. His dark brown - almost black - hair was styled back and had a few strands falling over his forehead and ears, making him look like he had just gotten out of a shower. Audrielle's eyes left his chiseled face and wandered down his body. He had broad shoulders and a designer suit that was tailored to perfection, hugged his body in all of the right places. He didn't have a chest pocket nor a tie on and even though Audrielle thought it was very simple, it still looked neat. Lastly, her eyes landed on his shoes that were midnight black and polished to perfection.

"Good morning my soon to be wife. Did you sleep well?" His deep voice boomed and Audrielle's eyes snapped back to his, a not so subtle blush creeping on her face. Audrielle didn't say anything and nodded her head shyly as she placed down the cup of tea.

"I see you've started breakfast without me. That's quite rude of you." The mysterious man suggested, making a tsking noise as he took a seat in the plush chair, opposite of his fiancé. Audrielle was scared. She didn't say anything and kept her hands on her lap, fearing that he might turn around and hit her if she talked back.

Both of them sat and ate their breakfast quietly. Audrielle only took a few bites of her fruit salad and this seemed to annoy him.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"Because I've lost my appetite." Audrielle suddenly snapped, looking away as tears built up in her eyes.

"And why's that?" The man questioned, pushing Audrielle to cast her eyes to his green eyes. Audrielle harshly swallowed the fear that was increasing in her throat.

"Because I am sitting in front of a man who I do not know, let alone his name! And I'm supposed to be marrying him in less than a month because he wants to be apart of this stupid business!" Audrielle screamed and the man looked at her quite shocked; he was not expecting that type of reaction from her.

"Ms. Harrington, my name is Leo Amour. Do you have any clue who I am?" Leo asked, a puzzled look on Audrielle's face as she shook her head no.

"Your father hasn't told you anything about me, no?"

Audrielle shook her head once more and Leo chuckled evilly to himself. Audrielle looked terrified and tightened the rope around her robe as Leo stood closer to his future wife. He grabbed the side of Audrielle's face with a gentle touch and her lips parted, stunned at how this man could go from evil to suddenly have the touch of an angel.

Leo stared at Audrielle. She was such a saint compared to him. They were the total opposite and it showed physically. Her room were soft pinks, purples and embellished in gold features, something that looked like it was out of a fairytale whereas his was modern, dark and sleek. Her eyes were like golden honey; warm, inviting and eyes of an angel. His were dark green like emerald; cold, icy and terrifying.

A gasp left her pink, chapped lips when he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling him closer to his stone cold body. He needed warmth and she offered generous amounts. The smell of milk and honey lingered on her skin, leaving Leo feeling calm. Her skin was warm from the morning sun she had been basking in while eating breakfast. Audrielle was so delicate and moved so elegantly. And that's what Leo wanted; needed. But something felt off about Audrielle, she fit perfectly against Leo but he sensed something, like he had dragged an angel from heaven and pulled her into hell. Her heart beat fast and her legs were shaking, not from anticipation or need but from fear.

For once in Leo's life, he didn't want someone to be scared of him but to feel safe around him, and that was going to be his mission. He wanted Audrielle to feel safe in his arms but not right now. He had to be married first to commit to her.

So with a kiss to Audrielle's cheek, he whispered to her,  "I am the most dangerous man you will ever meet, Audrielle."

He let go of Audrielle and sat back down at the little table, taking a sip of his coffee that had no milk in it. Audrielle stood there as she shook in fear.

"Breakfast?" Leo asked Audrielle just as he took a bite of avocado toast. Clasping her hands together to try and calm her worries, Audrielle sat back down at the table and for the rest of the morning, sipped on her jasmine tea, not wanting to eat anything before her fitting later on in the day.