🌸signed for his name🌺

I do

The dress was white. It was on the bed when Lola woke up.

It wasn’t her choice. It was delivered last night with a note: "Wear this. 10am."

Lola stood in front of the mirror. The dress fit perfectly. Too perfectly. Like they had measured her in secret.

There was no makeup artist. No bridesmaids. No family.

Just her. And a contract.

A car was waiting downstairs at 9:30am. Mrs. Cole sat in the front seat. She didn’t talk.

The venue was small. A garden behind a hotel. Twenty chairs. Twenty guests. All of them were business people she didn’t know.

And at the front, waiting, was Elijah Sterling.

Black suit. Black tie. Face blank.

He looked at her when she walked down the aisle. For one second, something flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone.

The ceremony was short. Ten minutes.

“Do you take this man to be your husband?”

Lola looked at Elijah. He wasn’t looking at her. He was looking at the crowd. Making sure they saw this.

“I do,” she said.

“Do you take this woman to be your wife?”

“I do,” Elijah said.

The rings were simple. No diamonds. Just plain bands.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Lola froze. The contract didn’t say anything about kissing.

Elijah leaned in. His lips barely brushed hers. It was quick. Cold. For the cameras.

Applause.

Mrs. Sterling, the host announced.

Photos were taken. Hands were shaken. People congratulated them.

“Beautiful couple.”

“Wishing you both the best.”

Lola smiled. She had practiced that smile in the mirror.

Two hours later it was over.

Back in the car, Elijah finally spoke.

“The press will run the story tonight. Our job here is done.”

Lola looked out the window. “So that’s it? We’re married now.”

“On paper,” Elijah said. “Remember the rules.”

Back at the house, dinner was served in silence. Two people at a table made for twenty.

That night, Lola lay in her huge bed and stared at the ceiling.

She was married.

To a stranger.

For money.

Down the hall, Elijah sat in his office with the lights off.

Six months.

No feelings.

He repeated it to himself.

But for some reason, her face in that white dress wouldn’t leave his mind.