Orion sat down, eagerly anticipating Aura's arrival. He was already dressed, the clock ticking at seven, even though he had asked her to come at eight. Nevertheless, he felt certain she'd appear any moment.
Orion cherished his company, especially his grandfather, but the pressure for marriage from the old man made him uneasy. His grandfather was well aware that Orion had no one in mind for such a commitment.
Orion had never really connected with girls, so the thought of finding someone to marry seemed daunting. That seemed to be his grandfather's assumption.
The only feasible solution he could think of was his secretary. She was the only woman he interacted with regularly, aside from his mother. Even then, he hadn't opened up to her about anything significant.
Aura was simply someone he had saved once, and out of gratitude, she agreed to work for him.
He hadn't considered how she would react when they arrived at City Hall to register as a couple.
"Mr Wilder, your secretary is here," a staff member announced.
"Bring her in," he commanded, and the worker nodded and left.
"Good morning, Mr Wilder," he heard Aura greet him.
"Let's go," he replied, striding past her.
There was no time for Aura to take in the surroundings; she had finally made it to his home, and now she was being rushed out.
As she reached the car, uncertainty flooded her mind. Orion was preoccupied with his phone and signalled the driver to move—a reminder that he had forgotten someone important.
"Sir, your secretary," the driver noted.
Even he had overlooked her presence, merely following orders.
Orion felt his face heat up. He was on the verge of leaving her behind—the sole hope he had to fulfil his grandfather's wishes.
"Why didn't you get in?" he challenged her, offering no chance to explain.
"I thought…" she started.
"Get in," he insisted.
Aura felt awkward in the presence of her boss—the man she had fantasised about—and her shyness surged. She nervously fiddled with the hem of her dress, which she had splurged on, hoping for a compliment that never came.
As they drove, doubt crept in. Where were they headed? What would he do with her?
Glancing outside to escape the tension, she observed his icy demeanour.
"Sir, we are here," the driver announced.
Orion, still focused on his phone, suddenly recalled telling Aura to dress casually. She regretted it because he hadn't seen her look this way before; he was always accustomed to her in a suit.
"Let's go." He extended his hand as he exited the car.
Aura was caught off guard, her cheeks flushing. She placed her hand in his as they walked toward the imposing building ahead, its sign reading 'City Hall.'
City Hall? What was happening?
His grip on her hand remained firm, and it wasn't until they stepped inside that the reality hit her.
A marriage?
The thought replayed in her mind as her hand trembled in his. With a sudden burst of clarity, she yanked her hand away, leaving Orion staring at her in confusion.
"Sir…," she mumbled under her breath.
"Just follow my lead, okay?" he urged.
The thought of marrying her boss without consent was overwhelming. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of excitement ignited within her. Her dream was unfolding—he was marrying her.
"I pronounce you, husband and wife. You may—"
"No need for that," Orion interrupted the judge, cutting off the traditional prompt to seal the union.
"But it's customary, Mr Wilder," the judge replied, bewildered. He had never witnessed such bewilderment on the day of marriage.
Aura surveyed her surroundings, struggling to piece together how everything moved so swiftly. She glanced at her left ring finger—when had he slipped a ring on her?
"Mr and Mrs Wilder, here's your marriage certificate," the clerk presented them with the official documentation.
Aura was speechless, and Orion had to gently coax her away from the scene.
Inside the car, he knew it was time to be honest with her. He instructed the driver to stay put as he faced his unexpected wife.
"Sir…"
"I'm sorry for doing this without your consent. Don't worry; here's the contract. If you're not satisfied with the terms, let me know, and I'll adjust them."
He handed her the documents outlining the terms of their marriage arrangement.
"A contract marriage?" she questioned, bewildered.
"Yes."
How had they completed everything so quickly? She recalled two men in black suits as their witnesses. Wait—
Weren't those Orion's guards?
He had married her without her knowledge?
And how had he acquired the marriage license?
"I understand you have questions. In due time, I'll explain everything you want to know. But for now, you're officially Mrs Wilder."
"I need to get to the company right away."
The driver would take her home.
Aura was left in a daze, realising she hadn't noticed Orion exit the car.
"Where is Mr Wilder?" she softly asked, searching for answers.
"He's gone to the company." The driver told her.
"Mrs Wilder, I'm taking you home."