“I was planning on buying one in the morning” I murmured, looking at the box.
Surely it wasn’t…
“Open it” he urged me.
My fingers opened the box, my breath hitching. It was. I stared at the old man, stunned. Never had I anticipated that he would take such an action. I knew how much this item meant to him. It was sentimental. It had belonged to his wife. I could not dream of taking it from him. No matter how beautiful it was. But the old man’s eyes were shining as he gazed at it, a reminiscent expression on his face.
“Grandfather,” I said, trying to hand the box back to him, but he held up a hand and halted me in my tracks.
“Stop,” he said harshly, his eyes fixated on the black diamond ring “I am gifting this to you. I want you to have it,” he said as I gently placed it back down on the coffee table, “I want you to put it on your new wife’s finger. Your half-sister Charlotte has been eyeing this, the little snake-like viper, and her mother too. Neither of them appreciates the ring for what it is, or what it stands for. This ring has been in the family for generations” he said fondly, a small smile curved on his lips “and every marriage has been a happy one with this ring. I hope that you will have the same. I know that this Flair woman” he said, fixing his eyes on me “will appreciate the ring far more than Charlotte ever will. Your grandmother will be pleased to know that it was going to you. She wanted to gift it to you and I’m honoring her wishes.”
His eyes were suspiciously shiny as he stared down at the ring. He cleared his throat. “Anyway,” he said briskly, getting back to his feet and becoming the strict businessman again “good luck on your marriage tomorrow and I hope that you keep me well informed on how things are progressing, especially when it comes to producing an heir,” he said loftily.
I inclined my head, standing up and leaving the box sitting there, the diamond twinkling in the flames “I will Sir” I said gruffly “and I will also ensure that you receive a copy of the marriage license, signed by the witnesses.”
“Good,” he said pleasantly, reaching over and shaking my hand “Charlotte’s having an engagement party in a few days” he added as I let go of his hand “I expect you and your new wife to attend as a show of solidarity” he chuckled “it should prove to be very interesting when you introduce Flair to the family in an official capacity” he added, shaking his head and then turning on his heel.
He left without another word, leaving me alone. I reached over and plucked the ring out of the box, examining it closely. It was a beautiful ring, but what made it priceless was the sentimental value and the knowledge it was a family heirloom that spanned several generations. I never thought the old man would willingly part with it, not as easily as he had done. I pictured it on Flair’s finger and gave a slow smile. I knew it would look perfect on her. I only hoped she liked it as much as my grandmother had loved it. Tomorrow morning, I would find out for myself. I carefully put the ring back in the box and then took it upstairs with me. As I placed it in the safe, I mused that by tomorrow evening, this house would no longer feel as empty and I looked forward to having company with a beautiful woman such as her.
Flair POV
The next morning came too soon. As I got myself ready, Rachel did the same and when we left for the courthouse, my emotions were a mess, my face revealing the inner turmoil I was feeling.
“Flair, you know you don’t have to do this. You can say no at any time” Rachel advised me, adjusting one of her earrings in the limo.
I shook my head “I gave my word” I said softly, and I never broke my word. Not if I could help it.
Sitting snugly in my bag were the divorce papers ready to be filed, and I couldn’t help but glance at them sadly. They reminded me that I was about to lose the man I had considered myself in love with, and the life I had lived for the last three years. It gave me a feeling of nostalgia.
“Well I think you’re nuts to get divorced and then married on the same day with Grayson Oakes but I support your decision,” Rachel said loyally, a wide smile on her face “simply because I think that Grayson Oakes will treat you with a lot more respect than Johnathon ever did.”
I glanced at her and gave a wry smile. Rachel had never liked Johnathon and the feeling had been mutual. She did like Grayson however and was enthusiastic about this marriage. So enthusiastic, she had insisted I wear a white dress, a simple maxi dress, with my hair left down loose and simple jewelry. I had to look semi-bridal as she put it, rather than going in yoga clothes. I had graciously acceded to her wishes.
We reached the courthouse and my stomach began to flutter. I was nervous. I could feel my hands wringing together. Rachel got out first and then took my hand, helping me.
“Don’t be so nervous. If Grayson isn’t good to you, you’re always welcome to come back to the apartment” she said fiercely “and I’ll kick his ass for you” she added for good measure, making me give a stilted laugh.
“Now where is he?” she murmured, glancing around as we stepped inside.
I pointed wordlessly to where Grayson was standing with his assistant Timothy. Rachel practically dragged me over to them.
“Good morning Miss Flair,” Grayson said jovially, inclining his head “and you too Rachel. This is Timothy” he introduced us, a twinkle in his eyes “but I believe you have already met him” he added.
Rachel smiled widely at Timothy who flushed and adjusted the collar of his shirt. I quietly took the divorce papers out of my bag. Grayson took them from me and then waved down a clerk. “I have already made the arrangements. Follow me” he directed.
We went into an empty room, Rachel and Timothy following behind silently. A judge came in. Within minutes I was officially divorced. I was in a state of disbelief at how easy it had been. “I will arrange for Johnathon to receive his copy of the papers” Grayson assured me nonchalantly as I nodded blankly.
Timothy disappeared and came back with a justice of the peace. Grayson helped me to stand. Rachel giggled as she and Timothy stood back, witnessing the rather small and private ceremony. I watched my groom as he listened intently to the words, a solemn expression on his face. He was taking this wedding ceremony seriously. I was taken aback by how handsome he was again. The sparkle in his eyes, the small curve of his lips, the chiseled jaw. All of it made him handsome and attractive to me. I blinked, realizing that Grayson was grabbing my hand and smoothly sliding something onto my finger.
I glanced down at the ring in awe. I was stunned. I hadn’t expected a ring, considering what short notice this contract marriage was. But Grayson had put a black diamond ring on my finger. It was stunning. It was a large round oval shape and had tiny white diamonds around it. It looked vintage or old but it was gorgeous. It fit perfectly as well to my surprise. I admired it, holding it up and gasping out loud.
“Grayson it’s beautiful” I murmured as the minister finished the ceremony, congratulating us “when did you have time…?”
Rachel looked at my finger “It’s stunning” she declared, hugging me from behind and then hugging a bemused Grayson “you did good” she complimented him as Grayson chuckled in amusement.
“It’s beautiful” I agreed and Grayson smiled.
“It’s a family ring,” he said fondly.
I automatically went to take it off, but he shook his head and put his hand over mine in reproach “No, it belongs to you now. You’re my wife. You’re now Flair Oakes. I hope you don’t mind that we don’t use the family name Deluca” he added, “if you prefer we can use that.”
I shook my head “I like Flair Oakes better” I assured him, grateful he hadn’t even noticed that my real name was Grant on the marriage license which he had tucked away in his briefcase.
“It has a nice ring to it” Rachel quipped, making us all laugh.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.