Intrusion

Isobella's POV

"Can-Can you do me a favour, please?" I tapped his arm to get his attention as we drove down to the courthouse in his black lamborghini.

"What is it, Bella?" A look of concern creased his face as he stared into my eyes lustfully. How could my body want this man yet at the mere thought of it my heart shuddered? I shook the wild thoughts away hoping that he would consider my request.

"Can I invite my best friend?" I summoned the courage to ask him after pondering on it over and over again.

Besides my father who had betrayed me, Jhena was the closest person I had and if I was to go through with this, I needed her by my side. We had made a lot of plans together.

"Sure I would hate my wife to think of me as a monster but we won't wait for her if she is late. I need to be somewhere by 6." He agreed to it, to my surprise.

I dipped my hand into my pocket and dialed her number hoping that this would not be the one time Jhena would not be with her phone. 

She would hate herself for missing my wedding day.

"Hey Jhena, I-" 

"Where the hell are you, Isobella? I left you tons of messages when you didn't meet me at the library by one and by the way I am with-"

"Jhena, I'll explain later. Can you meet me at the courthouse on Allen?" I inhaled deeply.

"Why would you be at the courthouse? Do you have-"

"It's quite urgent, just come, please." I pleaded with her. I had no strength left in me. I just wanted to get it over with. She must have sensed that in my tone.

"Okay honey. I'll be there in a few. Get ready to give me my answers as soon as I get there." She hung up.

"Thank you." I whispered, turning away from this man whose presence in the car was ephemeral. I leaned back in my chair as my mind wandered away.

In no time we got to the courthouse. Immediately I alighted, nervousness tugged at my heart's seams. I smoothed my gown and swallowed. I stared at the busy street hoping that fate would somehow rescue me before I made this irreversible decision.

But somehow fate had its funny ways of abandoning me in moments I needed it to intervene. Like when my mother died a few minutes before we got the money to treat her illness and taking my last chance of wishing her goodbye.

I had pleaded for just one chance but nothing happened and now? It would still abandon me. I had made many plans for my wedding day but none of them were close to getting married now or even to him. Neither did it include being a lamb of sacrifice to atone for my father's debt.

My heart twisted in pain at the thought of my state of helplessness-

"Did you get the rings?" Artemis' voice burst through my thoughts as he turned towards one of his men while I stood before the courthouse entrance waiting for my owner to command me.

"Yes boss." 

"Are you ready?" He asked me, his eyes boring into mine.

I nodded although the question wasn't necessary. It wasn't my call to make. Whether I was ready or not, my hands were tied on this matter.

"Let us go in." Placing his hand on my lower back, he guided me up. With each step, my heartbeat thumped hard and fast in my chest.

We strode into the courthouse which was almost empty. As the door closed behind us, I knew there was no going back but one question stuck in my heart. Why me?

Of all the beautiful ladies rumored to grace his bed every now and then, why did he choose me?

" Artemis." A familiar smile creased on the judge's face as he approached us and I knew the reason why one of the busiest courthouses in LA was now empty. 

Artemis had secured it mainly for the wedding vows. Money indeed had influence. His men stood behind him as we stood before the Judge who seemed so eager to get this done with.

"Do you take Isobella Black as your lawfully wedded husband to cherish, and to love till death do you part?" 

"Yes." I watched his throat bob as he replied without rethinking it.

"Do you take Artemis Lancaster to be your lawfully wedded husband to honor and to respect till death do you part?" He asked.

A shiver ran through my spine at that word. 

Artemis's hands brushed over mine bringing my attention back. 

"Yes." I spurted.

"I now pronounce you man and bride.You may kiss your bride." The judge said to him.

His arms tightened around my waist and he deepened the kiss.I moaned as his hot, firm lips moved along my neck and across my face. My whole body tingled with excitement, as though an invisible electricity were running all through me. 

He then stepped back, leaving me confused and flustered as he held a smile on his face. My heart was still racing from the brief contact with him. I could feel my heart pound against my ribcage and the blood rush to my cheeks. 

The scent of his cologne filled my senses and I could hear the soft brush of his breath over the tip of my nose.  

My lips were still slightly tingling from when he had pressed them against mine for just a second. Although it was just a kiss, I was never fully prepared for the wave of emotions that coursed through me and how my body responded to him.

My pulse quickened and the tips of my ears flushed hot at the memory of kissing his lips just yesterday. The feeling of them lingering on my skin had left behind an imprint and my stomach fluttered like a hummingbird’s wings as it flapped its way towards my lungs. 

It was done. Signed and sealed. I was now officially Mrs Lancaster. I didn't have enough time to get over my new status when the door to the courthouse burst open revealing Jhena.

"What the hell is going on here? Are you in trouble?" I could see the look of confusion on her face as she scanned the room before finally settling her gaze on me.

"No-"

"Is this a dream or am I really seeing Artemis in flesh and blood?" 

"Do you know him?" I asked as Artemis stretched out his hands to shake her.

"Who wouldn't?" She smiled at him.

"Jen." I cleared my throat to her attention. I knew she had not yet grasped the full details of what was happening until I explained to her.

"It's my pleasure, Jhena. Since you are my wife's best friend-"

"Wife?" Jhena's eyes widened as she turned to stare at me in shock. I nodded in agreement with Artemis while expecting her to finish me off with questions but Jhena surprised me.

"Well, that only means we'll see more of each other now." She smiled at him.

My brows furrowed. I could not place my hands on it but there was a look in Jhena's eyes as she shook Artemis' hands. It was something close to longing and if she were not my best friend I would suspect her words too.  

For some reason, they made me feel uncomfortable and jealous which was weird. I parted my lips to speak but Jhena was already at it again.

"And oh yeah, before I forget to say it, I invited-"

"Isobella." A familiar voice called my name as I swung around when the doors flung open. Blood drained from my face and my lips fell apart in utter shock when I saw who it was. I was in no way prepared for this.