An Unwanted Bride

Thanks to the adoring treatment she received from her husband by the door, Natalie entered his father's office with a smile on her face instead of tight nerves. The room seemed colder than the rest of the house with thick dark green curtains blocking the daylight. Her eyes finally fell on Alonso Senior who sat behind his presidential desk. His face was without a doubt, the coldest thing in the entire office.

"Hello, Mr. Valois. I was told that you wanted to have a private word with me."

When he stayed silent, Natalie just walked over with a polite smile until she got to one of the two chairs across from the president. She hung around waiting for an invitation to sit, but since it didn't come, she stayed standing. It felt like being a student in trouble with the stern school principal.

"Congratulations on becoming a Valois," he said coldly with eyes that avoided hers.

"Thank you; you are very kind."