MARRIED TO A STRANGER

EPISODE 4

Alex’s POV

An electric jolt darts up my arm when she suddenly entwines her arms with mine as we step out of the courthouse.

Married.

Our eyes lock and a smile dahses across her expression.

“So what next now?” I question her, letting of of her arm as I stand squarely before her. waiting for more instruction before I leave.

I have a 2 pm flight to catch and I want to be sure I won't be needed anymore for the day.

“That will be all. I need to head to work now. I need your number so I can callyou when I am done with work.”

I nod in understanding as I stretch my hand for her phone. When she gives me the phone, I input my digit and save as “Hubby.”

Then I dial the number.

My phone rings in my pant pocket. I bring it out and save her contact as “Wife with a heart emoticon.

Amusement fills my inside at the thought of telling Mom I was married. I'm imagining how panicked she would be.

“Did you make sure the anchors got a picture of you with the certificate?” I demand, giving her back the phone.

“Yeah, I did.” She replied and glances up with curiosity. “How were you able to get them here quickly?”

I shrug. “I asked my anchor friend to help.”

“Oh?” She mutters and nod her head. “You have no idea how much help you have granted me. Now I can get the company.”

She grins widely and I find myself doing the same.

“Look!” She stretches the certificate at me and I almost thought she wanted me to take it until she pulls it back. “It's real.”

Yeah, it's real.

Annabelle Lorenzo married to Aidan Klein instead of Alexander Klein.

No one needs to know we are married since I am doing this just for her to get the company. Which is why I decided against using my real name.

I'm sure she'll be so upset when she eventually finds out I am not Aidan Klein like I claimed, but Alexander Klein.

But all of that wouldn't matter anymore. The company will already be here and I won't be needed.

“See you then?” It's time to leave.

“Yeah, but I need your address. Could you please text me your address?”

I furrow my brows, about to ask what she wanted my address for, when it strikes me. She already told me she wouldn't be able to head back to her home since it is unsafe for her to be amongst those who planned her accident.

Besides, we are married.

Hence, the need for us to live together.

I didn't think about that but I guess there is still time to get that prepared. I can not take her to the mansion or the penthouse. That is just like giving myself away.

I have to look for an alternative.

“Are you living in a rented apartment, if I may ask?” The next question has me looking up at her, wondering why she assumed I am just a police officer and not rich.

That's what she said before we got married. She told me it didn't matter and she was ok with my low profile.

“Actually, I got one on a mortgage. Is there a problem?” I peer at her with inquisitiveness.

She shakes her head, the excitement from being married bubbling all over her again.

“Take care, husband,” she pats my back and walk past me to the waiting car. I watch her go before bringing out my phone to call Jack.

“Boss!”

“Where are you? I'm almost late…”

“I'm here,” he cuts me short just as a car halts in front of the courthouse.

I made sure the paparazzi were all gotten rid of before now, to avoid getting into the news.

My true identity needs to be hidden to Anna for now. And my identity needs to be hidden from the public as Anna’s husband.

All she needed was a genuine marriage certificate and she has gotten that.

Still, I can't help but worry about her. Now that she got the company, those who tried to kill her once will do it again.

If I want to protect her, she may get to know who I am and it puts me in a pickle.

I take long strides to the car, open it and get into the passenger's seat beside Jack.

“I need a mortgage apartment ASAP. Standalone.” I instruct, going over my phone for a number.

From my pheripheral view, I see him gawking. “What? A mortgage?”

“Yeah. It's urgent. Can you sort that out before I get back from Washington?” I turn to him with desperation.

If I don't get an apartment, I can't take Anna to my real home. The only option is crashing in a hotel for tonight and that means I have some explanation to give.

“Ok boss,” his replies with a concerned filled tone. “Is everything ok, though?”

“I got married,” I suddenly blurts out.

“What?!” He exclaims loudly in total disbelief before bursting into laughter. “You got married…”

His words trail off when I throw him an icy glare.

“Sorry. Is that why you came here? To the courthouse?” I don't reply. I only told him that so he can get me the apartment. “Who did you marry? Your imaginary…”

“Shut up and drive!” I snap at him and he starts the engine, throwing me an apologetic look.

“If you can get the job done, I'll going to call Carlo at once and you know that,” I say, my voice cold and flat.

Jack is my Secretary while Carlo is my right hand man. Carlo does whatever I want of him without question but Jack?

He annoys the s**t out of me.

Yet, he knows about me. Everything. Including my job as the Capo. How I manage having two companies and being a Capo is all thanks to him.

Just then, my phone beeps, indicating a message.

The name Wife pops up and I tap the message.

“Hey, husband,” the message says and I chuckle.

Really?

“Hey, wife. Are you okay?”

“Yes. You haven't sent me your address. Just wanted to be sure you won't let me sleep on the streets tonight.”

Another chuckle leaves my mouth and Jack spares me a curious glance.

I glare at him once more before typing back.

“Don't worry, text me when you are done with work and I'll come get you.”

“Sure?” I don't blame her for having trust issues. I don't trust anyone too.

“Sure.”

As soon as she reads the message without sending back any messages, I dial Carlo’s number and it rings for a while before it picks.

“Boss!”

“I need your help. First, get me every details you can on Annabelle Lorenzo. And second, could you get me a mortgage apartment real quick?”

“How quick, boss?”

“I need both details before I get on my flight to Washington D.C,” I inform him, checking my wrist watch which shows 1:34 pm.

“I'll get it done ASAP.”

“Good. One more thing,” I point out, leaning backward as I decide this is the only way to ensure she is safe.

For the period of time we’d be married, Annabelle will be my responsibility

“Ok boss.”

“Henceforth, I want you to guard and follow Annabelle everywhere she goes to. Ensure no harm comes to her and give me updates on whoever tries to hurt up.”

“Ok?” He sounds curious too and I decide to unravel his curiosity.

“Do your best because I just got married to that woman.” I reveal and a soft gasp leaves his mouth before I can hang up.