Selina's POV
I stood beside Alex, my heart racing as the magistrate gestured to the marriage certificate.
"All you have to do is sign here and here," he instructed, his index finger tracing the required signatures.
I glanced down at the document, my mind reeling. Was I really doing this? Marrying a stranger to escape the Red Eye Circle's clutches?
I smoothed my short black corporate flare gown, a nervous habit. Mia had styled my hair into elegant French braids, but I hardly felt composed.
Alex, on the other hand, exuded confidence in his tailored suit and matching black trousers. His oceanic blue eyes met mine, filled with reassurance.
Taking a deep breath, I picked up the pen and signed my name.
As Alex added his signature, his hand brushed mine, sending a shiver down my spine.
"It's done," the magistrate declared, a warm smile on his face. "You are now husband and wife."
Alex's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. I felt a flutter in my chest, unsure what the future held.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Chase," the magistrate said, handing us a copy of the marriage certificate.
Mrs. Chase. The title sounded foreign, yet strangely comforting.
" This isn't happening! " A voice interrupted, loud and assertive.
The door to the court room flung open and Mr Eric walked in, his eyes red rimmed with rage etched on his face .
"This Court wedding is not going to hold. You are not getting married to Selina. She belongs to me. "
Alex stepped forward, protective. There's nothing you can do about this father. The marriage is official."
Mr eyes venomous stare locked onto mine
" You think a mere sheet of paper will stop me from getting what I want? Selina belongs to me son and you are only making matters worst by trying to get in-between me and the Red eye circle. You are naive and young, you don't want to get on my bad book."
" What's your worse father? If not for you to disown me because of your greed. The certificate has already been signed by both Selin and I and officially she is now my wife. She belongs to me. There's nothing you or the Red eye circle can do about it"
Alex's arm found my petite waist and he pulled me to himself like a protective shroud.
I felt a surge of gratitude towards Alex but Mr Eric's menacing gaze sent shivers down my spine.
Mr Eric's fury escalated.
" You are here by disowned Alexander Chase. From this day onwards, you seize to be my son and a member of the Chase family."
Alex's expression darkened,his eyes squinted.
" I've been expecting it along time ago father. A long, long time ago. Its a shame it came now. I don't want to be your son. I can't be the son of a man whose thirst for power and control and fame has led him to do extreme things like turning an innocent and naive girl to a sex slave. I don't want to be your child. Sometimes I wonder if you are even my real father because you're a a disgrace to fatherhood. You make a terrible father and your decision are as fucked up as you are."
Mr Eric gritted his teeth,his gaze locked onto his son like a hungry lioness ready to devour a baby gazelle.
" You think I am a horrible father?." Mr Eric chuckled sarcastically.
" Terrible is an understatement. If there was another mighty word to describe you, that's how incompetent your life is." Alex thundered,his grip tightening around me.
" You were never really around when I needed you even as a child growing up and suffering from losing his Mom at a wee age of five. You didn't care. All you cared about was women, liquor and sex. What kind of a father are you. I feel ashamed on your behalf."
Mr Eric's face turned beet-red with rage.
The magistrate couldn't express the level of shock at me Eric's outburst of rage and illicit intentions but he couldn't do anything. Everyone knew that the Red eye circle ruled the world and he couldn't stand a chance against him.
Mr Eric shot me a cold glare.
" A battle line has been drawn and this battle is between the both of us. Let's see if you can securely protect Selina after all, I am the famous Mr Eric and you know to well what I am made of ." Mr Eric growled and stormed out of the courtroom.
I let out a sigh of relief,my legs quit trembling beneath me.
I knew I was safe even if it was for the mean time.
Alex pulled me to a hug,his gesture comforting. He planted a peck on my forehead. My heart beat slowed under his warm embrace.
" I promise to keep you safe. The war has just begun and I promise that I'll do anything to keep you safe.
Tears welled up in me.
" You didn't have to make your father disown you because of me. You can't have issues with your father because of me. Please Sir Alex. Let me go back to your father my master where I belong. Please." I sniffled,my voice a mix of confusion and pain.
Alex pulled away from me and cupped my face,his expression resolve.
" My father would have disowned sooner or later even without you being in the picture. It's just a pity you got caught up in all of this but please Buttercup, don't blame yourself for everything that happened. I will protect. That's a promise I am making and willing to keep even at the detriment of my existence."
" Don't say that. You can't die because of a mere slave like me." Alex placed his index finger over my lips,his gaze cautious.
Alex gaze softened,his finger tracing my lips.
" You don't know how much you mean to me Selin. I've been in love with you since when I set my eyes on you four years ago."
Confusion wrestled in my mind.
Four years ago?
" Four years ago?." I repeated, confusion etched on my face.
" You don't need to worry about what happened for years ago or the circumstances of how I met you. I promise to tell you about it when the time is right. Fit now,I want you to have faith that I would protect you."
I nodded affirmatively,my eyes locked onto his oceanic blue eyes that loving glued to mine.
Alex pushed my head forward and our lips met,soft, delicate and loving.
Maybe Alex is truly my salvation. I still had my doubts.