Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

It was a bright morning and Jane was awakened by the slight knock at the door. She yawned and stretched from her bed, then looking around the room. It appears unfamiliar and different from the apartment she has lived in for three years.

While she was still trying to recall where she was, the knock came again, disrupting her thoughts and she had to stand up and walked toward the door to see who it was.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lockwood" the maid nodded politely.

Jane blinked, her brow arching in confusion. "You must have the wrong person. Call me Jane," she said, still trying to shake off her grogginess.

The maid's smile softened. "Breakfast is ready. Would you like it sent to your bedroom, or would you prefer to have it with Mr. Caleb, your husband?”

At the mention of Caleb's name, Jane's hazy memory cleared. She remembered everything—the court, the marriage certificate, and the overwhelming emotions of the previous day. She asked the maid, "Is this Caleb's house?”

"Yes, ma'am," the maid replied.

So it hadn't been a dream, all the while. It had actually happened and she went by Mrs Lockwood now. Amazing.

Jane requested her breakfast be sent up to her room and thanked the maid, who bowed and left. Jane closed the door and took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She made her way to the mirror and stared at her reflection.

No wonder the maid had a funny look on her face. She looked dishevelled. Forcing herself from the mirror, she picked up her work things from the floor and placed them on the table. As she immersed herself in her work, a knock came at the door again.

"Come in," she called out.

Caleb entered, dressed impeccably in his suit. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a stern expression. "Good morning," he greeted.

"Good morning," Jane replied, taken aback by his casual demeanour. "What brings you here?”

"I wanted to invite you to have breakfast with me. In this house, breakfast is by 8 and no one is allowed to eat in the bedroom except they're sick," Caleb said, his eyes scanning the room before landing back on her.

“I'm sorry, I didn't know that,” Jane said.

“Well now you do.”

“The maid told you I wanted to eat in here, right?”

“She did,” he admitted. “But it's different now. There are rules that need to be adhered to. I want you to have breakfast with me.”

Jane hesitated and glanced at the mess cluttered around her table. "I need to clean up a bit first.”

"Leave it. The maids will take care of it," Caleb suggested.

"I don't want them touching my private things," Jane insisted, her tone firm.

Caleb's eyes drifted to her finger, searching for the ring that wasn't there. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. "Fine. I'll see you downstairs," he said, turning to leave.

Once Caleb was gone, Jane finished tidying up and changed into a fresh outfit. She couldn't shake off the surreal feeling of her new life as she descended the grand staircase to join Caleb for breakfast.

***

Later, Caleb arrived at his company in a sleek Ferrari. As he stepped out, his presence commanded attention. The company's attendants rushed to take his briefcase and escort him inside. The office fell silent as he walked through, his reputation for being both feared and respected preceding him. They greeted him but he rather waved his hands at them and told them to continue working.

He took the elevator to his office and was surprised to find his uncle, Xavier, waiting there. What irked Caleb the most was seeing Xavier seated in his chair, an impish grin on his face.

"Leave us," Caleb instructed his assistant, who quickly exited the room.

"What are you doing here, Uncle?" Caleb asked, his tone cold.

Xavier chuckled. "Don't you know what time it is? Today marks the third year since your father passed.”

Caleb’s mind was abuzz with thoughts as he processed his uncle's words. For years, Lockwood Enterprises, was currently under the control of his uncle, Xavier, acting as the director and CEO. According to the terms of his father's will, if he didn’t marry by the end of the fourth year, the company would remain permanently under his uncle's control. It was a burden that weighed heavily on his mother, Rose Lockwood, who despised Xavier’s tight-fisted management.

Xavier had thought Caleb would never get married again after his first love, Stella broke his heart. And he was excited when the his brother's Will had stipulated that Caleb had to get married first, which indicated hus brother had actually taken his advice.

Knowing that Caleb hated everything about love and marriage after his first and only love betrayed him, Xavier was able to convince his brother to make it a condition to marry so that Caleb wouldn't die lonely and he had said it was for the interest of his nephew. Caleb's father had bought the idea and unknown to him, Xavier had an ulterior motive.

While the company was under his care, Xavier monitored every penny, refusing to let the family spend as they wished. They were living a charade of opulence, maintaining the reputation of the Lockwood name while struggling with internal financial restrictions. The facade was a necessity to keep up appearances, but it was slowly suffocating them.

"Get to the point!” Caleb demanded impatiently

“I'm preparing to take what's rightfully mine. According to the will, if you don't marry within four years, the company reverts to me," Xavier declared, sliding a document across the desk.

Caleb picked up the document, a smirk forming on his lips. "That's what this is about?”

Xavier smiled. “Of course.”

“I'm afraid you wasted your time coming here. I mean it's not even four years and you're impatient.”

“No, son. I'm manifesting it,” he said.

“It's a good thing you're here,” Caleb said. “I'm married. The will is mine.”

Xavier's expression darkened, but he forced a smile. “What are you talking about? How are you married?”

Caleb showed his ring finger to his uncle. “I've been married for days now. I would have informed you, trust me, but I totally forgot.”

"I must say, this is quite a surprise,” he said softly but his eyes lingered on Caleb. “It's great to know you finally decided to settle with a woman.”

Caleb sighed. “You make it seem like I'm never prepared to take responsibility.”

Xavier smiled wryly. “Of course not, i'm just curious to know how this woman was able to convince you to get married.”

“She didn't convince me. I was just ready to take things to the next level,” Caleb said.

“And she agreed to keep things private? I mean, women like extravagant lifestyles.”

Caleb remained calm. "She's different. We both wanted a private wedding. Not everything is for public consumption.”

"She must be very peculiar then. I want to meet your wife," Xavier insisted.