It was 3 pm. the next day at the Wells mansion.
Iris just arrived back at home in her sleek black Porsche 911, still wearing the same outfit she had worn the day before.
She stepped out of the car and closed the door behind her.
As she walked toward the mansion, she noticed her mother standing by the front door.
Annie was dressed in a black suit and silver jewellery and a black heel. Her arms were folded across her chest as she waited.
"Where have you been?" Annie asked. "Why did you stay over at Sienna's?"
Iris stopped in front of her mom and looked at her.
"Oh..." she said. "You actually care now?"
Annie's expression softened slightly.
"Iris-"
"Well, I don't," Iris interrupted.
She walked past her mother and entered the house.
Annie turned around and watched her daughter walk further into the mansion.
She sighed.
"This is going to be a long day," she muttered.
Iris walked toward the staircase.
"Iris," Annie called after her.
Iris stopped but didn't turn around.
"What?"
"The Blackwoods will be here soon."
Iris slowly turned around.
"Soon?" she said.
"Yes," Annie said. "They're coming at five."
Iris stared at her mother.
"And Damien is coming?"
Annie nodded.
"Yes."
Iris let out a slow breath.
"Well, I better to get all pretty for my husband." She said sarcastically and rolled her eyes as she walked upstairs.
In just a few hours, she would finally meet Damien Blackwood, her future husband.
Iris walked into her room on a call with Sienna and dropped her handbag on the bed.
Her bedroom was spacious and luxurious, with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the perfectly manicured gardens. Soft natural light filled the room, reflecting off the dark wooden floors and elegant gold accents. Her king-sized bed sat against the centre wall, covered with fluffy black and cream pillows and a soft throw blanket. Beside it were two sleek bedside tables with gold lamps. A large walk-in closet stood behind a set of glass doors filled with clothes, shoes, and handbags. Near the window was her vanity, covered with perfumes, makeup, jewellery, and a few small photographs. A large full-length mirror stood against the wall, surrounded by subtle LED lights. Despite the luxurious decor, the room still felt personal-black and cream tones, soft lighting, a few candles, and little things scattered around that showed it was actually Iris's space.
"Yes, babes, im home already." She said, closing the door behind her.
"No, i didn't talk to my parents, im not just in the mood." She replied.
"Honey, please get dressed. They will be here anyway, minute." Annie shouted from downstairs.
Iris rolled her eyes.
"Babes, I have to go. Wish me luck." She said.
"Yeah... yeah, bye."
A few minutes later, Iris stood in front of her wardrobe before finally choosing a fitted black mini dress with a slightly edgy neckline. She threw an oversized black leather jacket over her shoulders and slipped into a pair of black knee-high boots with a small heel. Silver hoop earrings and a few silver rings completed the look. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she kept her makeup sharp but simple with a glossy lip. She looked confident, bold, and completely uninterested in impressing anyone.
She took a sigh and said, "Let's get over with this."
"Honey, they are here. Come on down." Annie said from downstairs.
Iris walked over to her bed and picked up her phone, and went downstairs
Iris walked down the stairs, her heels clicking softly against the marble steps. As she got closer to the living room, she could hear voices coming from inside.
"It's good to see you again, Richard," Anthony said.
"It's good to see you too, Anthony," Richard replied.
Annie smiled politely at Eleanor before turning her attention to Damien.
"Damien, it's nice to finally meet you properly," she said.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Wells," Damien replied.
Annie smiled.
"Please, call me Annie."
"Of course," Damien said.
Annie looked at him for a moment before asking, "I hope the journey wasn't too tiring?"
"Not at all," Damien replied. "The drive was fine."
"That's good," Annie said. "We were worried you might have had a long day."
"We left a little earlier than planned," Richard explained.
Anthony nodded.
"I'm glad you did. It gives us more time to talk."
Damien gave a small nod.
"Yeah."
Richard looked at his son.
"Damien has been looking forward to finally meeting you both properly," he said.
Damien glanced at his father but said nothing.
Anthony smiled.
"Well, we're glad you're here."
Iris slowed as she reached the last few steps.
They were already here.
She took a deep breath and continued down the stairs.
As she reached the bottom, her eyes immediately landed on him.
Damien.
She recognized him instantly from the picture Sienna had shown her.
He was tall, with dark hair styled neatly, deep brown eyes, and sharp features that gave him a serious, almost intimidating appearance. He wore a perfectly fitted black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, looking effortlessly put together.
Iris stopped for a moment.
Oh.
Sienna's voice immediately popped into her head.
"Damien Blackwood is hot as fuck."
Iris quickly pushed the thought away.
Get yourself together.
Damien suddenly looked toward the staircase.
His eyes met hers.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
And just like that, Iris finally met Damien Blackwood.
Iris walked down the stairs, her heels clicking softly against the marble steps. As she got closer to the living room, she could hear the voices of her parents and the Blackwoods.
"I hope the journey wasn't too tiring," Annie said.
"Not at all," Damien replied. "The drive was fine."
"That's good," Annie said. "We were worried you might have had a long journey."
"We left a little earlier than planned," Richard said
Anthony chuckled. "I'm glad you did. It gives us more time to talk."
Iris slowed down as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
They were already here.
She took a deep breath before stepping into the living room.
Her parents immediately noticed her.
Annie smiled slightly.
"Iris," she said. "There you are."
Iris gave her mother a small nod but didn't say anything.
Then, her eyes moved across the room.
She saw Richard and Eleanor sitting together.
She had already met them yesterday.
But then her eyes landed on the man standing beside Richard.
Damien.
Iris stopped for a moment.
She immediately recognized him from the picture Sienna had shown her.
He was tall, with dark hair, deep brown eyes, and sharp features. He wore a perfectly fitted black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. His expression was calm and unreadable, and there was something about the way he carried himself that made him seem completely confident and with a stern face.
Iris stared at him for a second.
Sienna's voice suddenly came back to her.
"Damien Blackwood is hot as fuck."
Iris quickly pushed the thought away.
Get it together.
Damien noticed her standing there.
His eyes met hers.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
Annie looked between them.
"Well," she said, "I suppose you've finally met."
Iris looked at her mother before turning back to Damien.
Damien gave her a small nod as she stretched his hand out.
"Hi, nice to meet you." he said.
"Hi, i wish i could actually say the same." Iris replied.
There was a brief silence.
"Iris," Anthony said, "you remember Richard and Eleanor."
"Yes," Iris replied.
Eleanor smiled at her.
"It's lovely to see you again, dear."
"You too," Iris said politely.
Richard glanced at Damien.
"Damien, this is Iris."
Damien looked at her.
"I know."
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"You do?"
"Your parents have told me about you," Damien said.
Iris crossed her arms.
"I hope they didn't tell you too much."
Damien's lips twitched slightly.
"Not enough."
Iris stared at him.
For the first time, she wasn't sure what to make of him.
Annie cleared her throat.
"Dinner is ready. Why don't we all head to the dining room?"
Everyone began making their way toward the dining room.
Iris walked ahead while Damien followed behind.
She could feel him walking a few steps behind her.
And for some reason, that made her even more nervous.