Chapter 5

Elizabeth’s Pov 

For exactly five seconds, we were New York's happiest newlyweds.

Then Lucas Hayes opened his mouth.

The applause refused to end and cameras flashed from every direction as we walked down the aisle hand in hand, wearing expressions convincing enough to fool anybody watching.

Letting go of our hands so soon would make people talk. 

Reporters were good at spotting tiny details. The next day’s headline would be all about us. 

The moment we stepped out through the chapel door, the reporters swarmed around us, erupting in endless questions. 

“Mr and Mrs Hayes!”

“Elizabeth!”

“Lucas!”

“Over here!”

“Congratulations to you!”

“Mr. Hayes, did the marriage happen because of the scandal!?”

“Mrs. Hayes, how does it feel to be married!?” 

Questions came from all angles with microphones stretched towards us while security struggled to keep everyone behind the barricades. 

“We should give them a show,” Lucas leaned towards me without removing his smile. 

“What do you mean?” I asked back, trying to keep the smile on my face. 

Instead of answering, Lucas removed his hand from our joined hand and placed it on my waist to bring me close to him. 

My eyes widened as I gritted my teeth. “Leave my waist.”

“They look so cute!”

“Can you both kiss!?” There were comments from the reporters. 

“They want more,” he simply said. “You don't want the public thinking we are unhappy already, do you?”

“We are!” I smiled at him as I tried to pry his hand off my waist.

“But they don't know,” he stopped, walked, and stood in front of me. 

The reporters kept quiet, but the flashing of their cameras didn't stop. 

“Stop this, Lucas, or I will smack you.” I gritted my teeth with locked lips while smiling at the reporters. 

He pulled me closer to him, making our faces just inches apart.

He is crazy. In fact, he is mad. 

Is he about to kiss me? Oh God, he is about to kiss me. I screamed inside, my thoughts working at high speed on what to do. 

Think! Think! Think Lizzy!

“Stay put,” he whispered before leaning towards me, and I closed my eyes. 

Then I felt his lips on my forehead. 

The cameras went wild. 

“Aww!”

“They are adorable!”

“What a gentleman!”

The kiss lingered for about three seconds before he stepped back as though nothing had happened. 

I blinked. That was not what I expected. 

What did I even expect?

Nearly an hour later…

My cheeks hurt. Apparently, smiling was exhausting. I never knew because I never did force a smile for that long. 

I had shaken so many hands that I had lost count. 

Lucas, on the other hand, was thriving. 

He laughed with everyone who approached us, behaving like it was his dream to get married. 

Anyone watching how he took every compliment and how he spoke so confidently would think he genuinely wanted this marriage.

Maybe he missed his calling. 

Actor. 

“You should quit your job,” I said, turning to him as the couples who approached us walked away. 

His brows furrowed.

“Huh?”

“You would win an Oscar.” 

He raised his brows, asking me what I was talking about. 

“You should be an actor instead,” I said, and to my surprise, he threw his head back, laughing.

Not a loud one; it was just brief, natural, and…

…annoyingly attractive 

I quickly looked away from him. 

No. He is not. 

What am I thinking? 

I refuse to find anything about Lucas Hayes attractive. 

Never!

“Time for the family photographs!” The photographer clapped his hands, and everyone gathered near the floral backdrop. 

The photographer frowned, gesturing to us.

“A little closer, please.” 

None of us moved, and Richard cleared his throat, making Lucas sigh dramatically before taking one reluctant step closer to him. 

And I did the same. 

“Closer.”

“There is literally no more space,” I muttered, and the photographer heard me. 

“There is. Just come closer.” He insisted cheerfully. 

Lucas leaned in to me. “Afraid I will bite you?” 

“I am afraid you will get bitten by me instead.” 

“With that glare? I believe you,” he chuckled, and I wanted to punch him in the face so much. 

“Oh, I get it, you are anxious about our wedding night,” he whispered 

“If you could both look into each other's eyes…” 

On reflex, I looked up, and he looked down at me too. His grey eyes met mine. 

“Perfect,” he murmured. 

For one strange second, everything around us faded. 

No guests. 

No reporters. 

No noise. 

Just us. 

Then Lucas spoke. 

“Don't worry, I will be gentle on you.”

“As if I will let you touch me,” I said, and immediately, he held my waist, pulling me closer to him, and I gasped.

“Whatever that was, keep doing it,” I heard the photographer’s voice, and it was only us, the guests leaving to let us take only our pictures. 

“Nobody has ever resisted my charm,” he said, smirking down at me, and I felt my heart skip just for a second. 

“Well, golden boy, I will. I don't find you attractive in any way.” 

“Really?” He asked. “Girls have a different idea about me.” 

“I am not one of your girls.”

“You look incredibly natural.” The photographer said, and we both looked at him.

Then we said together,

“Absolutely not.”