A Familiar Stranger

I always imagined my wedding would be beautiful. I imagined marrying the love of my life at the beach or in the garden, surrounded by family and friends.

Instead, I was standing in the City Hall wearing an ivory dress Stella had picked out for me the day before. Life was funny that way.

“You’re frowning.”

I looked up and saw Micah before me looking annoyingly handsome in a tailored black suit.

Damn! Why does he have to be so hot?

I rolled my eyes. “I’m getting married. What am I supposed to be doing?”

“I mean, most brides smile.”

I scoffed, “Most brides are not marrying strangers.”

“Fair point.” He said raising his hand while smirking.

The infuriating thing about Micah was how easy he made everything seem. The last two weeks had

been a nightmare. My Dad still hasn’t woken up; the

doctors said his vitals are strong and he should wake up any moment. I’ve been occupied with meetings, board approvals, legal contracts, wedding arrangements, and through all these, Micah had somehow remained calm and…nice. Not rich-guy-pretending-to-be-humble nice.

He was genuinely nice, and I found that quite unsettling.

“Hello? You’re staring again.” He said.

“I was wondering if your parents dropped your head as a child.”

His laugh echoed through the hallway causing a few people to look at us.

“See?” He said, “That right there is why we’re going to survive this marriage.”

“That wasn’t a compliment, Micah.”

“Are you sure though? I thought I just heard you calling me your hot husband.” He grinned.

“You’re so insufferable,” I said shaking my head.

“We’re ready for you.” A clerk announced and my stomach tightened immediately.

This is really happening. I think Micah could tell how nervous I was because he held my hand and we entered the room together. The ceremony lasted less than ten minutes; that was all it took to tie your life to another person, just ten minutes. The clerk read a short speech and we signed documents; the witnesses present also signed theirs. Victor dabbed at his eyes dramatically which earned an eye roll from me. He is enjoying this way too much.

The clerk looked at Micah, “Do you take Aria Valen to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Micah looked at me, his expression unreadable.

“I do.”

The clerk turned to me, “Do you take Micah Blackwood to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

I swallowed and looked at Micah, and then at Victor who gave me an encouraging smile. I reminded myself that this is for my father, for the company.

“Yes.” I finally answered and the clerk smiled.

“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He announced with glee.

A strange silence washed over me; it was done; Micah is officially my husband. Victor immediately pulled us in an awkward group hug.

“I knew this would work out!!”

“It has been twenty seconds, Victor.” I deadpanned.

“It still counts.”

Micah let out a low chuckle winking at Victor. The witnesses gradually began leaving while the clerk handed us copies of the marriage certificate.

“Mrs. Blackwood.” He said making me shudder and Micah chuckled.

“I had the same reaction when they called me somebody’s husband.”

That earned an unexpected laugh from me and his smile widened.

“There she is.”

“Who?” I asked, my eyes searching around, curious.

“The woman who wouldn’t stop sulking. Who knew her smile would be this beautiful?”

A blush crept up my cheeks and I rolled my eyes at him. Before I could respond, his phone rang; he whispered “Dad” to me and left to take his call. Micah had mentioned earlier that his father would be flying back from a business meeting today, like me; it’s just him and his Dad. He lost his mum when he was only two. I would be meeting Lucien Blackwood for the first time today, and I’m quite nervous. From what I’ve heard, Mr. Blackwood is nothing like Micah; he is ruthless and unyielding.

The elevator doors opened; Micah stepped out with a tall figure and my blood suddenly went cold. No! It couldn’t be! The man looked up and our eyes met. The same face, the same dark eyes, the same silver streak at his temple, the same devastating smile. It’s the man from the bar! The stranger I had spent the night with, the one whose name I’d never learned, the one I thought I’d never see again. The one I’d lost my virginity to. Now I know why Micah seemed so familiar; he is almost a spitting image of his Dad.

They stood in front of me, both father and son. His gaze shifted from me to Micah, then to the marriage certificate in my hand, then back at me.

Amusement lit in his eyes, “Interesting.” He said, the vibration of his voice reaching my core. I’ve forgotten how well my body responds to him. I’m in trouble.

“Aria, meet my Dad, the infamous Lucien Blackwood. Dad, meet my wife, Aria.”

I could only stare, dumbfounded, wondering why fate hated me this much.

“Hello, Aria.” Mr. Blackwood stared me down.

Fuck my life! My one-night stand is my father-in-law?