A Marriage of Convenience and... Disaster

“OMG, they found me!” Briella thought, dashing into the bar full of patrons just as Alex ordered another round of bourbon. It had been a rough night for him, and he was getting ready to disappear. Tomorrow, he would have to honor the contract and marry Sydney. He never believed this day would come, but here it was, and he felt frustrated. Briella was tired of living in hiding. Her once-peaceful life had become chaotic thanks to her brother’s gambling habits. Even after his death, she was still paying his debts with no relief in sight. And now she was one of those debts. Just how evil could her brother have been? From the corner of her eye, she spotted them before they saw her and made a dash for one of the private rooms, hoping to find solace; or an escape. Alex, lost in thought, jumped up at the sudden arrival of the mysterious woman. The room was dim, so he could barely see her. “Excuse me, miss? I didn’t request an escort, and I believe you’re in the wrong room,” he said with a wave of his hand, wishing to be left alone. “My apologies, sir. I must have gotten in the wrong room,” she replied, but made no move to leave. The voices in the corridor grew louder as the manager denied her pursuers access to the private rooms. Thank heavens. Alex eyed the lady with interest. Just who was she, and who was after her life? “Well, since you’re here, help yourself to a drink. You look like you could use one,” Alex said, extending a glass in her direction. Without a second thought, Brie settled into the seat next to him and downed the entire contents, to Alex’s surprise. “That bad, huh?” Alex muttered as he refilled two glasses this time and handed her one. “Are all your nights always like this? If you have to drown yourself in alcohol to do it, why bother?” “We aren’t that different right now, are we?” Brie replied, counting the whiskey bottles scattered around him. Even though she couldn’t see him clearly, he must be rich. His frame and voice sounded young. She shook her head to clear the effects of the whiskey. This wasn’t the time to fawn over a man; not when she was on the run. “At least I don’t have to resort to a job I don’t just hate, but find demeaning,” Alex said as he raised his glass to hers and took a long sip, sarcasm dripping from his words. “Excuse you?” Brie shot back, catching his meaning. Who did he think he was? The noise in the corridor had quieted down, but Brie knew they’d be lying in wait for her exit. Still, she had to leave; she was barely forming coherent sentences. “I need to go,” she muttered, stumbling to her feet. She didn’t want him to get the wrong impression, lest he try to harm her. “I think that’s a horrible idea, but your choice,” Alex grinned, switching on the lights. He stared in awe at the beauty before him. Even in her inebriated state, she would turn heads wherever she went. And he had been mistaken; she wasn’t an escort. “I can’t let them catch me. I can’t marry that monster. He’ll break me. I didn’t bargain for this; my stupid, idiotic brother did. And now I’m stuck running for my life. I need to get to the root of this.” Brie held her head in her hands, the alcohol doing its work. She realized too late that she’d spoken out loud and felt embarrassed. “Not if you marry me first,” Alex joked, picking up his jacket to leave. “I’d rather have a stranger than that annoying bitch.” “What do you mean?” Brie demanded as realization struck. Did the Heavens just work a miracle for her? “Well, he can’t marry you if you’re already married. Plus, I need a wife before midnight,” Alex said dejectedly, holding the door open. “But sir, I don’t know you…” Brie muttered as he beckoned her to walk with him. The restaurant was quiet, except for a few patrons: it was a Wednesday night. “That’s not important. I need a wife. You need security and money. It’s a win for both of us.” Alex wasn’t sure if he was serious or if it was alcohol. He loathed Sydney but wasn’t ready to lose his inheritance. “As logical as that sounds, it’s a bit rash: even for me,” Brie said, biting her nails. She always did that when she was nervous. What did she have to lose? Which was worse; keep running or find a protector? “Since you can’t do this, I’ll have to find someone else who can play my wife. I need to go now.” His silky voice was like a brushstroke against her skin. “Why did I drink so much?” she thought to herself. “Okay… Let’s do this,” Brie said, as the implication sank in, she was getting married. It didn’t matter to whom. At least this man seemed reasonable. She only hoped she wouldn’t regret it come morning. Alex released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Until this morning, he hadn’t made up his mind. But right now, he would do anything to keep Sydney away from him. He eyed the woman in front of him. She didn’t deserve the fate carved out for her; he didn’t deserve his either. But he needed this. He would rather marry a stranger than Sydney. And whoever was chasing Brie couldn’t have good intentions. They would break her in a million ways. And just how many of them were there, anyway? “Let’s get out of here then,” Alex said, leading her to the side exit he always used to dodge the paparazzi. The sooner they get this done, the better. He’d deal with his family later. An hour later, they walked out of the courthouse as husband and wife. It was done.