Krystie's heart raced as she stood outside the imposing doors of the city hall office. It was almost the agreed time, just five minutes to eight.
She couldn't believe she was here, about to get a marriage license with a man she barely knew. But the threat of a lawsuit from Lucian hung over her head like a dark cloud.
"If that's your final answer, then I have no choice but to take legal action against you." These words were stuck in her mind, making Krystie wonder who the hell in this world takes responsibility for their one-night stand by marrying them!
Everything had started with her reckless decision last night when she nursed her broken heart, drowning her sorrows in cheap drinks that she was not careful to end up spiked.
Krystie regretted it because that one night stand had turned into a nightmare when Lucian had showed up on her doorstep the previous day demanding her to take responsibility for him by accompanying him to the bureau office.
Krystie felt a shiver run down her spine as she remembered his words. She knew she couldn't ignore his threat. Lucian was a powerful man, with connections that could ruin her life if she crossed him. And so, reluctantly, she had agreed to meet him at the bureau office.
At exactly eight, a black Spectre, Rolls Royce's newly launched car, pulled over. As the door swung open, the soft purr of the engine faded into the background, replaced by the subtle sounds of his polished leather shoes. With impeccable posture, he emerged gracefully, his tailored suit draped perfectly over his frame, exuding sophistication and power. He straightened his tie and looked at his wristwatch before nodding, a cold smile, not quite reaching his eyes, showed on his face.
Lucian scanned the area, and it was only when he took notice of Krystie did he started walking towards her, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, declaring himself the winner.
Without a word to each other, they were led inside the office by the secretary. Krystie couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. The sterile white walls and fluorescent lighting only added to her discomfort. She felt like she was leading herself into the hell that she had created.
Lucian led her to the counter, where they were greeted by a bored-looking clerk who barely glanced up from her computer screen. Krystie's palms were sweaty as she handed over her identification, trying to avoid the clerk's curious gaze.
Good morning, sir. I... we... Krystie stuttered but she was cut short.
"Marriage license," Lucian said curtly, his voice dripping with impatience.
'Can't he be a little polite,' Krystie thought to herself, rolling her eyes, which didn't escape Lucian's hawk eyes.
The clerk nodded and began typing away at her keyboard, not even for once sparing them a glance. Krystie fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting around the room as she waited for the inevitable.
Finally, the clerk handed them a stack of paperwork to fill out. Krystie's hands trembled as she took the pen from Lucian, trying to focus on the task at hand. Her mind was racing with thoughts of what she had gotten herself into.
As they sat side by side, filling out the forms, Krystie couldn't help but steal glances at Lucian out of the corner of her eyes, unlike her, he had maintained his composure all along.
Krystie knew this was it, it was either now or never, but since there was no other way out, she had to do it.
Once they had completed the paperwork, they returned it to the clerk, who barely spared them a second glance as she stamped it approved. Krystie felt a sense of relief wash over her as they walked out of the bureau office, the weight of the ordeal finally lifting from her shoulders.
Krystie stood outside the courthouse clutching the marriage certificate, her heart heavy with doubt. She had just tied the knot with a stranger, a man who wasn't the one she had dreamed of marrying. This decision pressed upon her as she contemplated the aftermath of her actions, but that was for the future, she didn't want to stress herself over it.
Thinking about it, Krystie felt everything more of a joke to her, a bad drama. She had just broken up with her fiancee yesterday and here already she was, standing at the door of the bureau office holding a marriage certificate, married to a stranger, who was also her ex's uncle, a whole ordeal which had started with only a one night stand.
This was never how Krystie had always pictured her life. All her life, she had always pictured her future with Alex and their two kids and pets, a dog and a cat playing in the bark yard of their house.
Krystie couldn't shake the feeling of regret. Doubt gnawed at her mind, questioning the sanity of her impulsive decision. She wondered what her friend Mark and her twin sister, Chloe, would think, how they would react when they were to find out that she was now married to a stranger!
Krystie had not dared to tell them of this because she knew they would oppose and try to convince her otherwise, but truth be told, she had given it a thought before coming to a conclusion and taking such a step, she had her own plans in mind.
"Krystie, where are you? You should come quickly to the hospital. There is an emergency!" A notification popped up on Krystie's phone, from Mark.
"I'm sorry, I have an emergency to attend to. I have to leave," Krystie said turning to Lucian. Without wasting time, she handed the license to Lucian and bid him goodbye before she ran to her car, started the engine, and drove off, leaving Lucian standing at the entrance watching her.
As Krystie drove away, a small smile tugged at the corners of Lucian's lips. He had met her again and he couldn't help to miss the chance with her again. She might not remember him, but once she had given him the purpose to live for.