The Waiting Game
The moment they arrived at the Marriage Affairs Bureau, Esmery felt her nerves coil tighter. Her fingers curled around the fabric of her jacket as she tried to steady her breathing.
"Breathe in… breathe out… everything will be alright."
"Ashton, calm down. You're acting like you're the one getting married," Esmery muttered.
He chuckled lightly before reaching into the center console and pulling out a pack of minty gum.
"Here," he said, tossing one to her. "You always overthink. Chew this, it'll help."
Esmery smiled, appreciating the small gesture. She unwrapped the gum and popped it into her mouth, the cool mintiness slightly soothing her frayed nerves.
"Thanks," she murmured, exhaling slowly before stepping out of the car.
Ashton leaned against the driver's door. "Should I wait for you?"
"No, I'll take a cab after," she said, adjusting her jacket.
Ashton frowned, his brows furrowing. "Wait, you have your mask, right? You can't risk getting recognized. If the media finds out, they'll rip you apart."
Esmery sighed. "Good point. Thanks for the reminder." She reached into the car and grabbed a black mask from the glove compartment, slipping it on.
Ashton gave her a small salute. "Good luck."
She waved as he drove off, then turned to face the building.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she thought, inhaling sharply before walking to a shaded spot near the entrance.
Time ticked by. Five minutes. Ten. Fifteen.
Still, no sign of him.
Esmery tapped her foot impatiently, glancing at the passing crowd. Her irritation grew as the seconds stretched into minutes.
"Is that guy playing with me?" she wondered, crossing her arms.
Just as she was about to turn on her heels and leave, a sleek black luxury car pulled up in front of the bureau. The deep, polished finish gleamed under the sunlight, exuding power and status.
Her eyes widened.
"Wow. Even though I'm rich, I couldn't buy this car. Even my best-selling endorsement deals wouldn't cover half of it."
Her curiosity piqued as the car door opened.
First, two men in black suits stepped out—bodyguards, by the looks of them. They surveyed the surroundings with a professional, no-nonsense demeanor before stepping aside.
Then, a man emerged.
He was dressed in a tailored dark blue suit, his broad shoulders and tall frame exuding authority. His movements were smooth and controlled, his mere presence commanding attention.
"He must be the boss," she thought instinctively.
But just as her heartbeat quickened in anticipation, she caught sight of a woman a few steps away from her.
The confidence Esmery had been building crumbled.
"Maybe they're not here for me… Maybe I've been stood up," she thought, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment.
She clenched her jaw, annoyed with herself.
"For fuck's sake, Esmery, get a hold of yourself. You're acting like a jealous girlfriend when you haven't even met the guy."
Still, the frustration lingered. She had been standing here for twenty minutes, waiting for a man she had agreed to marry without even knowing his face.
If he was ugly, she'd castrate him in her mind.
With an irritated huff, she tore her gaze away from the approaching men, turned her back to them, and crossed her arms.
"He better be handsome."
Little did she know, the man in the dark blue suit was walking straight toward her.
A Marriage Sealed with a Kiss
A light tap landed on Esmery's shoulder.
She ignored it.
A second tap.
She clenched her fists, willing the person to leave her alone.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Her patience snapped. She whirled around, ready to unleash her frustration.
"What is your prob—"
Her words died in her throat.
Standing before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
Tall, with striking features sharp enough to make gods envious, his deep-set eyes carried a mysterious allure. His jet-black hair was neatly styled, and his lips—God, those lips—held the faintest smirk, as if he knew exactly what effect he had on people.
Esme blinked. Then again.
"This is the most handsome man I've ever seen, and I doubt I'll ever see anyone better in my life."
Silence.
Then, a deep, rich voice responded, "I am."
Esme's eyes widened in horror. Had she said that out loud?!
A wave of embarrassment crashed over her, and her cheeks turned scarlet.
Desperate to regain her composure, she blurted out, "W-Why did you keep tapping me? What do you want?"
The man's smirk deepened.
"Is that how you talk to your husband?"
Esme's brain short-circuited.
"Talk to—Wait. What?!"
"Just like I said," he continued, his voice smooth as silk. "I'm the one you've been waiting for. Your groom. And I apologize for keeping you waiting. Something came up."
Esme could barely process his words.
Not only did this man look like a Greek god, but his deep, velvety voice sent shivers down her spine. His aura was commanding, powerful, as if he was used to having the world at his feet.
Before she could spiral further, he extended a gloved hand toward her.
"Shall we?"
Esme hesitated for a moment. Then, suppressing her lingering nerves, she placed her palm in his.
"His hands are warm."
Together, they entered the Marriage Affairs Bureau, standing in line just like the other couples.
Despite the mundane setting, Esme couldn't shake the unrealness of the situation. Here she was, about to marry a man she had met only yesterday—a stranger whose name she didn't even know.
But strangely enough, she didn't regret it.
Soon, the moment arrived. They signed the marriage certificate, officially binding their lives together.
Then, the final step.
"The groom may now kiss the bride," the official announced.
Esme froze.
Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes darted toward her husband.
He leaned in slightly, but instead of capturing her lips, he lifted a hand, brushing his thumb against them before pressing a light kiss there.
The gesture was unexpected.
**Intimate.
Gentle.
Yet filled with authority.**
Esme's breath hitched.
"Why does this feel more intense than an actual kiss?"
"Disappointed?" he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.
Esme quickly shook her head, but her lowered shoulders betrayed her nervousness.
Jayden—yes, Jayden—noticed. A faint, almost imperceptible smile ghosted his lips.
With the procedure complete, Jaden led Esme toward his luxury car, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back.
"You can take the car home, right?" he asked his guards.
Esme's stomach dropped.
Wait.
She just realized…
She didn't even know her husband's name.
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Jayden, ever perceptive, chuckled. "No need to be ashamed. You can call me 'husband' or 'hubby' for now. Whichever you prefer."
Esme's eyes snapped up to his, heat creeping up her neck.
Hubby?!
This man was clearly enjoying himself.
Swallowing her flustered state, she cleared her throat and said, "I wanted to tell you… it's not necessary for your bodyguards to leave because of me. They can ride with us."
The moment she said that, Jaden's two guards—Casper and Lumiel—exchanged a look of admiration.
"She's different from the usual women around the boss."
But before they could feel too pleased, Jayden shot them a pointed look.
His tone was light yet firm. "Clasper. Lumiel. Didn't you two want to go on a double date with your girlfriends?"
The guards stiffened.
Esme blinked.
Jayden smirked.
"Nice try, wifey. But you're riding with me. Alone."