Chapter Two: Entwined

The room erupted into a mixture of gasps and snickers.

"Has Ava lost her mind?" one of the girls whispered. "Marrying a security guard she just met?"

Ava's face burned with embarrassment, but she stood her ground. Liam, however, was thinking "Maybe she's trying to disgrace the Smith's family".

Mrs. Smith's voice cut through the chatter.

"Ava, what are you doing? Are you trying to insult us with this…lower-class display?" The room fell silent, with only a few stifled giggles breaking the tension.

Ava's eyes flashed with defiance. "Look, I paid for this whole wedding. I can marry whoever I want. It's really none of your business."

Mrs. Smith sneered. "I don't buy your act, Ava. Everyone knows the Smith family is rich and influential. Even the powerful Hamilton Holdings does business with us. I don't think a gold digger like you would marry a poor guy. Do you think this will make Noah change his mind?"

Ava's voice remained steady. "I'm not trying to insult you, but I'm not a gold digger. I'd rather marry a normal person like him than grovel at the feet of people like you." She gazed at Liam, her eyes locking onto his.

Mrs. Smith's face twisted in disdain. "If you have the guts, just get married today." She laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.

"Happy poor life."

Ava's grip on Liam's hand tightened. "Will you marry me?" she asked again.

Liam's thoughts were racing. "She's shaking, But then again, she might help me dodge my mother's terrible matchmaking".

"Please" Ava pleaded.

"Alright," Liam said, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Mrs. Smith's eyes widened in shock.

"Great," Ava said, beaming.

Liam turned to Mrs. Smith, his expression innocent.

"Wait, you said the Smith's family does business with Hamilton's Holding. Which Smith family is that?"

Mrs. Smith's face darkened.

"I can't believe there are people who don't know the big Smith group."

Liam's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Who are you to question me?" Mrs. Smith demanded.

Liam's grin grew wider. "What am I up to? Just thinking about a big wedding gift for my wife."

Ava and Liam shared a look, and then they scurried out of the hall, holding hands.

Ava couldn't believe her eyes. "Married to a total stranger? I must have lost my mind" she thought.

As she took a closer look at Liam, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. Liam caught her staring and smiled, holding his stomach.

"Are you hungry?" Ava asked, still wearing her wedding dress.

"Why don't I buy you lunch at Big Bear?" Ava suggested.

"Big Bear?" Liam exclaimed. "I've never been there."

"I guess securities don't make much. He probably hasn't even heard of Big Bear, now he's lost his job because of me. "Ava thought to herself".

Ava broke the silence. "It's fine, you don't need to worry about it. It's all on me. Let me just go grab my car, I'll be right back."

As Ava left to retrieve her car, Liam whispered to himself, "This is getting interesting."

He took a snapshot of their marriage certificate and dialed a number.

"James, send this photo to my mother. Tell her I'm married, and she doesn't need to set me up with any more girls."

James's voice exploded from the other end of the phone.

"What? You're married? Oh my God, the wedding ceremony is in total chaos right now!"

Liam winced, holding the phone away from his ear.

"I think you should tell your mother yourself"

"James. Calm down. Oh, and cancel the contract with the Smith's group. Take them off the supplier list"

"Got it" James answered as he ended the call.

Ava returned with a small, red car that had patches on its body. Liam's eyes widened in surprise, but he got in nonetheless.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked Ava.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, absolutely. It's fine, it's normal. Just trust me."

Ava started the ignition, but the car wouldn't start. "What's happening?" she thought.

Liam pointed to the gear. "Is the parking brake on?"

Ava touched the brake, and as she tried to move the car, it jerked forward and backward, causing them to bounce around inside. Liam instinctively grabbed Ava's arm as she held the steering wheel.

When the car finally stopped, Liam gently released Ava's arm.

"You should be careful."

Ava smiled sheepishly. "That's just a little hiccup."

Liam gripped the seatbelt tightly, holding on for dear life as the car moved smoothly onto the road.

In the Smith's residence, Mrs. Smith sat comfortably on the couch, sipping a cup of coffee. Noah entered the sitting room, looking anxious.

"Mom, did Ava actually marry someone else?" he asked.

Mrs. Smith set her cup down, her expression calm. "Look at you, Noah. She's just trying to make you jealous, hoping you'll change your mind and marry her."

Just then, Noah's phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered. A voice spoke on the other end, "I've already gotten married, Noah. It's over between us."

Noah's face fell as he processed the words. He slammed the sofa pillow to the floor.

"They actually got married!" he shouted, staring at his mother.

"That can't be true," Mrs. Smith said, but her confidence was wavering.

Noah exclaimed, "Oh my gosh!"

Just then Mrs. Smith's phone rang. She answered, putting the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

There was a pause, and then Mrs. Smith's face contorted in shock.

"What? Hamilton Holdings has cancelled all their collaborations with us?" she shouted, her expression horrified.

She turned to Noah.

"Why?! What happened?!" She shouted equally stunned.

They stared at themselves in shock.

Liam and Ava walked into an open-air space with a casual seating area. They sat down, and Liam asked, "So, this is the big treat?"

Ava smiled, having changed out of her wedding dress into a more relaxed outfit.

"I know it's not much, but trust me, the burgers are so juicy."

As they browsed the menu, a friendly waiter appeared.

"Hey, Berry!" Ava said with a smile.

Berry nodded. "The usual?"

Ava confirmed, "Could we do two house specials, please?"

Berry nodded and left. Ava turned to Liam.

"I'll be right back. I forgot to bring my card."

As Ava walked away, Liam quickly pulled out his phone.

"James, draw up a marital contract, effective six months from now. Compensation set at two million dollars. Send it over when it's done."

Liam's eyes scanned the menu, thinking, "She might be poorer than I think."

Just before he ended the call, Liam shouted, "Wait, make that ten million dollars!"

As Liam ended the call, Ava returned to the table with a piece of paper in hand. She dropped it onto the table and said, "Since this is a flash marriage between us, I thought we might want to sign a marriage agreement."

Liam raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Ava continued, "You really helped me out a lot today, but you still lost your job at Hamilton Hotel. I don't want you to worry; I'm going to take care of you."

Liam's eyes curved in surprise.

"You're going to take care of me?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.

Ava nodded assuredly.

"Let me get this straight: you want to compensate me with a contract?" Liam asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ava explained, "You know, I don't like banks, but you can eat with me, stay at my place. I don't want you to have to worry about money until you get a job, and then we divorce."

Liam's eyes curved again, this time with suppressed laughter.

"What's funny?" Ava asked.

Liam grinned.

"I've just never had a girl wanting to take care of me before."

Ava's eyes narrowed playfully.

"Don't you want that?"

Liam chuckled.

"Why wouldn't I? You're gorgeous and loaded. I'll gladly be your arm candy."

With a flourish, Liam signed the paper.

"Deal!" Ava exclaimed.

Ava stood up. "Oh, let me go check on our food."

As Ava walked away, Liam brushed his jaw with his hand, looking surprised. His phone rang, breaking the silence.

James's voice came through the line.

"Sir, the agreement is ready. Want me to email it?"

Liam breathed in, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"No need, I think I found myself a sugar mommy."

James's voice exploded from the other end of the phone. "Seriously?"

Liam ended the call, chuckling to himself.