Chapter 9: Obtaining the Marriage Certificate

Upon departing the Registry Office, Emma stared vacantly at her newly acquired marriage certificate book.

Had she genuinely married Alexander Sinclair? The entire experience felt utterly surreal, dreamlike in its improbability.

Merely one week previously, she and Alexander inhabited entirely disparate universes, yet commencing from this moment forward, she’d officially become Alexander Sinclair’s wife.

Remarkably, they’d progressed from initial encounter to marriage certificate acquisition within a single week’s timeframe.

The previous morning, she’d visited his office to formalize their contractual agreement.

Their arrangement constituted essentially a matrimonial convenience; establishing predetermined conditions simplified matters considerably.

She hadn’t anticipated complications, particularly as the agreement demonstrated remarkable leniency toward her welfare.

The singular fundamental stipulation: she’d cooperate during requisite occasions,sustaining an affectionate presentation before the Sinclair family, attending prestigious social functions, and comparable circumstances.

Following one year’s duration, she’d retain absolute divorce authority, and subsequent to dissolution proceedings, Alexander would remit ten million pounds in financial compensation.

Emma had experienced absolute astonishment upon initially observing the extraordinary numerical figure following the compensation specification. She’d recounted the zeroes repeatedly before achieving confirmation, her hands trembling uncontrollably throughout the process.

She remained contemplative when Alexander unexpectedly articulated: “This evening, proceed to your residence and consolidate your possessions in preparation for relocation. I’ll retrieve you at 8 PM tomorrow evening.”

Emma startled visibly and elevated her gaze, encountering his penetrating obsidian stare. Her countenance flushed scarlet.

She compressed her lips, recalling the fourth contractual clause from the preceding day’s agreement,one Alexander had deliberately emphasized for her particular attention:

During matrimonial duration, the parties shall maintain normal conjugal relations.

She hesitated momentarily upon initially encountering this specification, subsequently blushing profusely whilst stammering: “President Sinclair, why…?”

Didn’t this indicate she’d be intimate with Alexander?

Wasn’t their matrimonial arrangement purely theatrical for the Sinclair family’s benefit? How could it encompass physical intimacy?

“Ms. Thompson, I trust you comprehend something of significance,” Alexander addressed her, his countenance and articulation demonstrating extraordinary seriousness.

“Although our matrimonial arrangement resembles contractual obligation, regardless of its inception, I maintain profound earnestness regarding marriage itself. Throughout our matrimonial duration, I shall demonstrate respect toward my spouse and will perpetually maintain absolute fidelity, eschewing infidelity or impropriety entirely.”

“I suspect you’d similarly object to your husband engaging in relations with alternative women during your marriage.”

Confronted by his penetrating obsidian gaze, Emma’s cardiac rhythm accelerated dramatically.

She opened her oral cavity, staring blankly at him, her heartbeat progressively intensifying beyond reasonable regulation.

Recovery required considerable temporal investment, and she deliberately averted her gaze, yet her cardiovascular system persisted in its frenzied percussion.

She’d genuinely failed to anticipate his profound matrimonial earnestness; his perspective diverged dramatically from her preceding expectations.

Disregarding individuals of Alexander’s exceptional stature, numerous ordinarily positioned men engaged in extramarital affairs subsequent to matrimonial commitment.

Yet Alexander demonstrated contrary inclination…

Despite the arrangement’s contractual foundation, he’d willingly assume matrimonial accountability.

This profoundly moved her emotional sensibilities and generated considerable affection toward him.

Having articulated such considerations, she apparently possessed insufficient justification for continued reluctance or modesty.

Emma compressed her lips, her facial complexion radiating incandescent warmth.

Matrimonial cohabitation represented merely physical interaction, didn’t it? Although she retained fragmentary recollection of that evening’s specifics, Alexander’s physical endurance and technical proficiency surely demonstrated exceptional caliber, and she’d undoubtedly derive satisfaction from future intimate encounters.

Furthermore, requesting his complete abstinence throughout a matrimonial year subsequent to marriage seemed fundamentally unreasonable…

Consequently, she nodded delicately and acquiesced.

Alexander’s current request for her relocation demonstrated perfect reasonableness; it simultaneously constituted subtle reminder regarding this matter.

Following contractual finalization, Emma possessed absolutely no justification for reversing her commitment, so she nodded and softly articulated, “Very well.”

Where her perception couldn’t penetrate, Alexander’s lips curved into a subtle, satisfied expression.

That Afternoon

Both parties returned to their respective professional obligations with customary routine.

Emma’s matrimonial registration with Alexander proceeded with remarkable expedition. Utilizing his exceptional status, he’d secured dedicated personnel managing the procedural requirements, consuming barely ten minutes total. She’d officially transitioned into married status.

Upon arriving home following occupational responsibilities, Emma’s initial priority wasn’t unpacking.

She subsided into her comfortable sofa for an extended interval, subsequently extracting her marriage certificate from her personal bag.

She’d experienced distraction throughout the entire afternoon,her cognitive faculties had wandered persistently whilst executing keyboard functions.

Her marriage certificate felt distinctly warm. She manipulated it repeatedly before opening the cover, exposing photographic representations of both participants.

Whether constituting genuine perception or imaginative embellishment, she detected an almost imperceptible smile upon Alexander’s photographic countenance.

Emma’s cardiac rhythm executed another acrobatic performance, and she involuntarily touched his photograph with her fingertip.

This visage possessed such extraordinary handsomeness,even within formal photographic documentation, he appeared breathtakingly magnificent and luminous.

This devastatingly attractive man represented her genuine husband!

Contemplating this reality, she couldn’t suppress an involuntary chuckle.

Should her intimate confidante discover this development, she’d experience absolute bewilderment.

Following extended sofa recumbency, Emma hastily prepared herself a simple noodle preparation. Post-consumption, she retrieved her travel luggage and commenced packing her possessions.

She’d occupied this rental property subsequent to joining Sinclair Empire Group, thus residing there for approximately three months exclusively, accumulating minimal material possessions.

Additionally, she maintained an uncomplicated lifestyle,her garments and personal necessities consolidated conveniently.

She expended approximately two hours transferring everything into dual suitcases, positioning them for tomorrow’s departure.

Following organization completion, she contacted her landlord to negotiate lease termination.

They’d negotiated six-month rental commitment with deposit provision, yet her sudden lease discontinuation generated landlord dissatisfaction,they categorically refused deposit reimbursement.

Emma experienced momentary regret, contemplating whether she might petition Alexander for deposit recompense.

Nevertheless, she solely entertained this consideration internally. She patted her facial complexion and self-soothed: “Following one year’s duration, I’ll acquire ten million pounds and become a prosperous woman!”

The Following Day

She proceeded to professional obligations with accustomed normalcy. Proximate to occupational termination, Emma’s mobile device transmitted an electronic message.

[Vehicle Registration: London-A, 8 PM, positioned outside your residential location. Alexander Sinclair]

Emma cross-referenced the telephone number against her business card; the numeral diverged, suggesting this constituted Alexander’s private contact information. She expeditiously preserved it and transmitted responsive confirmation: “Acknowledged.”

Unexpectedly, upon descending to her residential floor, she encountered James.

He clutched a floral arrangement, evidently positioned in anticipatory waiting.

Emma’s countenance contracted with displeasure. Nevertheless, James greeted her with apparent warmth upon recognition: “Emma.”

Emma experienced irritation merely observing him, retreated backward deliberately, and responded with glacial formality: “What business transpires here?”

“Emma, I committed errors. My existence proves genuinely hollow without you! I positioned myself exterior anticipating your arrival from occupational responsibility, and I’ve procured flowers. Would you consider forgiving me?”

“James, don’t you experience profound humiliation articulating such falsehoods? The moment you attempted bartering me to another individual, our romantic connection terminated completely. I communicated this absolutely explicitly previously,never permit yourself to manifest before my presence again.”

“Emma, demonstrate compassion rather than callousness. You comprehend my affection for you. Should you possess unwillingness for involvement with President Richardson, that remains perfectly acceptable. I’ll identify alternative methodologies for professional advancement. Extend forgiveness and accompany me.”

Whilst articulating this, James extended his appendage to grasp her posteriorly.

Emma escaped with expeditious movement, experiencing intensified revulsion from his outstretched hand. She directed a piercing glare at him: “James, do you genuinely fail to comprehend? Our romantic involvement has concluded. I’m declining your request.”

Unwilling to prolong entanglement with this individual, Emma proceeded with direct ultimatum: “Furthermore, I’m already matrimonially committed. I’ve become another individual’s spouse presently. Withdraw your contaminated appendages from my person.”

“Married?” James froze momentarily, his facial expression rapidly darkening, his optical assessment acquiring sinister qualities: “You matrimonially committed merely one week subsequent to our dissolution? Precisely whom did you marry?”

He’d conducted himself with self-deprecating supplication, exclusively endeavoring to placate her in hopes of maintaining her instrumental utility for prospective circumstances.

He’d implemented comprehensive efforts for her satisfaction, yet she remained emotionally detached, and she’d fabricated matrimonial falsehoods.

He fundamentally rejected the probability that Emma had already contracted matrimony.

Emma possessed exceptionally conservative romantic values. They’d sustained four-year romantic involvement with exclusively kissed interaction. She’d categorically prohibited nocturnal visitations. How could she suddenly contract matrimony?

James subsequently displayed authentic temperament characteristics, acquiring aggressive demeanor. He captured her wrist and articulated through gritted dentition: “Didn’t you previously engage in intimate relations with another individual? Why persist with innocent pretense? Throughout our four-year involvement, you presented yourself as a chaste, virtuous woman, yet subsequently you orchestrated matrimonial commitment with another? Emma, you genuinely demonstrate shamelessness.”

“Accompany me! Should you possess capacity for intimate relations with alternative individuals, what constitutes problematic involvement with President Richardson? Facilitate his satisfaction on my behalf, and I’ll refrain from terminating our romantic connection.”

Emma trembled with fury. She’d never observed such shameless behavior. Nevertheless, he possessed substantial physical power and she couldn’t liberate herself. Just as he attempted forcing her into an automobile, Emma, experiencing desperation, penetrated his appendage with her dentition and engaged in desperate physical resistance.

“Ah!!” James articulated a pained exclamation, suddenly released her, cursed vehemently, and elevated his appendage for retaliatory violence.

Emma experienced sudden alarm, recognizing her inability to evade the anticipated strike.

However, at that precise instant, dual appendages enveloped her waist, gently withdrawing her from danger.

She subsided into a comforting embrace.

That distinctive fragrance cool, refined woody cologne,instantly permeated her sensory awareness.

Simultaneously, James articulated a anguished scream.

Emma startled, opening her optical organs.

What she observed was Alexander, maintaining protective positioning around her waist with singular appendage whilst deliberately withdrawing his contrary extremity.

She elevated her gaze to encounter his unfathomable obsidian optical assessment.

“Are you unharmed?” he inquired, examining her countenance.

Emma’s previously frantic consciousness gradually stabilized, and she experienced as though his serene assurance had extinguished her internal turbulence. Her originally chaotic cardiac percussion progressively decelerated.

She executed headshake: “I’m unharmed.”

Upon verifying her uncompromised condition, Alexander pivoted and directed his attention downward toward James, who remained recumbent upon the pedestrian surface.

His articulation proved inscrutable, yet transported unmistakable frigidity:

“Sir, precisely where did you intend conducting my wife?”