Zara entered the white Rolls Royce, not excluding Ryan and Kael. Her heart thumped rapidly as the drive was slow and steady.
After Robert told her about going to the court to register their marriage, a group of unknown people entered, dressed her up, and did a little makeup after she had begged them not to overdo it.
Robert was stunned to see Zara in a beautiful white short gown and light makeup. Despite her simplicity, she looked the most beautiful.
His boss, Zayden, had always been keen on not getting married. Until now, Robert couldn't believe Zayden would actually be getting married on such short notice.
Zara broke the silence between Ryan and Kael and cleared her throat.
She opened her mouth to say something, but the words got stuck.
Ryan and Kael sat at the front of the car while she sat in the passenger seat. She turned back to see cars following them, and her heart skipped at the thought that they might be tracing them.
"I think those cars are following us," she said, sitting upright.
Kael turned back to check since he wasn't the one driving.
"Oh, that's for protection," he said and fell silent once again.
Zara's brows creased, and her hand moved to her chin in a thoughtful manner.
Why would they need protection? Is he some kind of billionaire?
Zara chuckled deeply and said, "You've watched too many dramas, Zara."
Her eyes went up to the mirror to see Kael staring at her. She felt embarrassed that she had just spoken to herself loudly, so she cleared her throat and looked elsewhere.
It felt like an eternity for Zara to reach the court as she felt nauseous from the breeze. She was glad when the car suddenly stopped, and she gazed out to see the Court Affairs Bureau standing tall and mighty.
She was about to step down when the door opened to reveal Zayden's outstretched hand. He was wearing a well-tailored white jacket with matching trousers, a strip of golden satin braided down the side. He also wore a neatly ironed black tie.
His left hand was in his pocket while the other was extended toward her. Zara could feel her pulse pounding like a drum as she stared at his face.
He was smiling, and Zara couldn't help but feel attracted to him once again. His white suit and trousers made him look more like an angel—or was he a devil in form of a human? She didn't know, but at that moment, all Zara could think about was placing her hand in his.
He pulled her up gently, and even though she was wearing high heels, she still felt short beside him.
They entered the registry, and Zara was expecting it to be filled with people, but instead, it felt like only the two of them existed in their world.
She looked around but didn't see anyone except for the person who would likely help them through the process.
"Why is this place empty?" she asked, directing her question to Zayden.
"I booked the whole place," Zayden said with a smile, leaving Zara shocked as her mouth hung open.
The county clerk took them to an office that was well-arranged and very neat.
Zayden took a seat while Zara stood, her hands shaking nervously.
He saw the empty seat and turned to look at Zara, nervously biting her lips. Even though he knew she was anxious, he couldn't help but find her sexy when she bit her lips.
"Sit down," he said, patting the chair next to him in a caring manner though that was only a facade.
Zara did as she was told, avoiding both Zayden's and the county clerk's gaze.
"May I have your identification card?" the county clerk asked with a smile.
Zayden handed over both identification cards, earning a questioning look from the county clerk.
"My wife is a little shy," he said, ruffling Zara's hair. She felt extremely embarrassed and wished the ground could swallow her up.
Upon hearing this, the county clerk smiled and checked the identification cards. She handed them a form to fill out their names after verifying the information.
Zara's hands shook, her palms becoming sweaty as she wrote on the paper. She could feel Zayden's gaze on her but didn't bother to look at him. After thirty minutes, Zara finally finished with the paperwork and signed her name.
"Don't be nervous... Hubby is here for you," Zayden whispered in her ear, his hot breath making her cheeks turn red.
She couldn't help but find the word "hubby" pleasing to the ear. If only he could call her that more often.
Zayden chortled as he saw her face light up.
The county clerk then gave them their vows to exchange.
She stared at the words on the paper, a rush of anxiety filling her again. These words would finalize her marriage to Zayden. She looked at Zayden's face and then back to the paper.
She didn't know this man, yet she couldn't help but feel attached to him, like a red string pulling her toward him.
Was she ready for marriage? Yes, she was. What was stopping her? Absolutely nothing.
She knew she would regret it if she backed out now. She had always dreamed of marrying a loving man, but that wasn't an option now. She could disappear at any moment in the next eleven months, so this was for her own good.
It's just eleven months, and you'll get through it in no time.
"I, Zar... Zane," she stopped mid-sentence, remembering that to Zayden, she wasn't Zara, but Zane.
Her heart began to race as she realized she had filled in the wrong information and didn't know much about Zane or her family. She regretted not checking on Zane identity when she had the chance.
Her eyes traveled to the identification card, and thankfully, she could see the information, though the face was obscured by another paper.
"I, Zane Sawyer, take Zayden..." her voice trailed off as she glanced at Zayden's identification card.
"Zayden Wellington, to be my lawfully wedded husband," she added.
Why does that name sound familiar? she wondered.
"I, Zayden Wellington, take Zane Sawyer as my lawfully wedded wife," he said swiftly, and the deal was sealed.
As soon as the stamp was placed on the paper, it dawned on Zara that she was married, and there was no going back. This man before her was now her lawfully wedded husband. It might not be the dream wedding or the dream man she had always cherished.
Zara kept staring at the stamped paper as she stood up, not paying attention to where she was going until she bumped into a hard, rock-like wall.
She looked up to see Zayden instead of a wall and rubbed her head. She was sure by now that her head had turned red.
Was his chest made of rock? she wondered as she rubbed her head in pain.
"Wifey, where are you going? We need to seal our marriage," he said with a teasing smirk.
"What seal?" Zara asked, her mind warning her that his words would be dangerous.
"A kiss," he said, leaning closer to her, his voice barely above a whisper and his warm breath danced across her skin, sending shivers down her spine.