Chapter 5- Smile

It had been two days, and within those days, Eavon had been busy arranging our contract marriage. I made it clear that I didn't want a ceremony—no church wedding, not even a civil one. Just a contract.

"Don't worry, babe. I'll marry you for real someday," he whispered as he signed the papers.

I ignored his words, waiting for him to finish. The judge in front of us looked unreadable. Once it was over, I stood up.

"Now that we're married, mark my words,"

I said, raising an eyebrow before getting into the car. He tried to open the door for me but it was too late. Through the tinted window, I saw his jaw clench. He didn't look angry, but worried. He got into the car, his eyes fixed on me.

"Wear this, babe," he said, his voice serious. He held out a huge ring with a diamond at its center, surrounded by smaller, sparkling diamonds.

I stared, stunned. "No," I said, shaking my head.

"Why?" His serious gaze snapped my attention back to him.

I knew he was reacting to my coldness and the way I'd been pushing him away, but I couldn't let him know that I was actually attracted to him. Our agreement was strictly business.

"I-I just don't want to."

"Do you know how much I want to kiss you every time I'm with you? But I respect you, Shay. It hurts every time you move away from me, ignoring me and making me feel like I have no—" He stopped himself, his voice trailing off. "Never mind. Just wear it to make this more believable."

He started the car, driving so fast that I grabbed onto the seat. My heart pounded against my ribs, and I felt a surge of panic. We could get into an accident.

"S-stop," I whispered, gently touching his arm.

Without a word, he slowed down and then pulled over to the side of the road.

"I-I'm sorry, babe," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. I could feel his heartbeat racing, trapped within the cage of his arms.

I felt guilty for making him feel worthless. I was also terrified of his fast driving, and the fear was a familiar feeling. I broke away from his embrace and looked at his face.

And then it happened again.

That damned headache.

In my mind, I saw a man, and I was staring at him, just like I was staring at Eavon now. I found myself mimicking what I saw in my fleeting memory. I leaned closer to Eavon, his breath warm on my lips.

"Shay, our agreement..." he whispered, his hands on my back, as if pushing me away.

His words snapped me back to reality. I flushed the crimson and pulled away, turning my back to him, wanting to disappear into the ground. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had unconsciously copied the memory in my mind.

Who was that man?

"S-sorry," I whimpered.

"It's okay, babe. Don't think about it, okay?" he said, gently stroking my back. His touch and his voice were so calming that I felt my panic subside. I couldn't understand the power he held over me, and it was driving me crazy.

We still hadn't had a serious conversation. I hadn't asked him how he knew me, why he was doing all this, and all the questions that swirled in my mind. I wanted answers.

When we arrived back at his house, where I was now living, I went straight to the room he had given me. I called my parents to reassure them that everything was fine, without telling them the truth.

The news about Orion had gone silent, and the police were no longer looking for me.

Had he really handled everything? So quickly?

Eavon didn't bother me for the rest of the day, which surprised me. I tried to sleep, but my mind replayed the scene in the car over and over. If he hadn't spoken, I would have kissed him. I was so embarrassed.

Just as I was about to go crazy with my thoughts, someone knocked on the door. I expected it to be Eavon, but it was Bea.

"Yes, Bea?" I said, forcing a smile to hide my panic.

She held a beautiful red dress and a pair of stilettos. "Ma'am, Sir Eavon wants you to wear this. He's waiting for you downstairs." She placed the items on the bed.

I didn't ask any questions and began getting ready. It was a long, red satin mermaid-style dress with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. The color suited me perfectly, and I loved the way the fabric hugged my body. I paired it with small silver earrings and a matching necklace. After doing my hair and makeup, I looked presentable.

I couldn't understand why I was getting so dolled up for a dinner with Eavon. It was exhausting.

When I was finally ready, I walked out of my room and saw Eavon at the bottom of the stairs, adjusting his hair in his phone's camera, looking tense. He even fixed his tie.

My phone slipped from my hand, the sudden noise grabbing his attention. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. I quickly picked up my phone and walked down the stairs, giving him a small smile.

When I reached him, he raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay? Your phone?"

I looked away from his intense gaze. "I'm fine. My phone isn't broken."

"You look so gorgeous, babe," he said, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Eavon was wearing a stylish, all-black suit with silver chains and a decorative pin on his lapel. He looked like an action star, or maybe a mafia boss. I tried to hide a laugh at the thought.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I just shook my head and walked out of the house. I didn't see a car, so I waited for him.

"Where are we going? I'm tired, and I don't have a choice. Where are you taking me?" I said, my tone is a bit harsh. But he just smiled, offering me his arm. Confused, I took it and followed him.

We walked to the side of the house, and as we turned a corner, lights strung above us flickered to life. I was admiring the beautiful lights when he guided me up a set of stairs.

And this is where it began.

He removed my hand from his arm and took a bouquet of pink roses and baby's breath from a man standing nearby. He handed it to me. I was filled with questions as I looked at the beautiful bouquet.

A few more steps, and we were at a dinner table set under a canopy of roses and fairy lights, with many candles creating a romantic ambiance. Eavon led me to the table, and I was in awe of the beautiful setting. I had never felt this happy before. I'd never had anyone go to such lengths for a date.

But then I remembered our agreement. We were only married on paper. And even though I didn't know his true intentions, my only goal was to use him to clear my name.

So why is he doing this?

"Shay, smile. Act like you love me," he whispered, his voice suddenly cold. I looked around and realized a photographer was capturing our every move.

Right. He's doing this to convince people that we're a real couple, so they'll leave me alone.

I forced a smile for the camera, and gasped as he stroked my bare shoulder and then his hand rested on my waist. A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt myself wanting him to pull me closer.

Stop it, Shay! What are you thinking?