CHAPTER 4
1103 Words
It all happened so quickly. I ultimately signed a marriage certificate that same day.
I was married in an instant.
To a man I hardly knew.
I didn't even get his entire name. I let out a sigh.
Aroha then proceeded to settle my dad's debt. I honestly didn't care to ask, and I had no idea where he got that much money. But I couldn't get those black-clad guys off my mind. They appeared at the bar first and then again when Logan attempted to pull me away. I began to wonder if Aroha was a member of any gang.
As we pulled up in front of the same apartment complex where he had taken me the night we first met, Aroha said softly, "We're here."
Like he always did, he jumped out of the Holden Commodore and opened my door quietly and calmly, as if his sharp-looking head didn't contain a million secrets. We went to the lift, rode up and entered his flat.
No sooner had we stepped inside than he grabbed my arm.
“Ahh!” I gasped from the sudden pain. I looked down. His fingers had brushed over the bruises Logan had left. I’d almost forgotten they were there until he touched them again.
He didn’t say a word—just led me straight to his room and told me to sit on the bed.
I blinked, unsure.
Wait, are we seriously about to…?
My heart did a full-on somersault. My face was getting hot. Yes, we were now married, but this was happening quickly.
He was searching through a cabinet, utterly ignoring me.
I nearly burst out laughing when he returned.
A medical kit? Aria, really? What were you contemplating?
He opened the tube of ointment while crouching next to me.
He covered the bruised area with the cream without saying anything. I remained motionless despite hissing at the sting. I slowed my breathing.
Now he was so near. His face—how could he look so perfect? Even the pores on his cheeks seemed invisible. Like, was this dude real?
“You can stop staring now,” he muttered, voice soft but sharp enough to cut through my thoughts.
My heart jumped.
“W-Who’s staring?” I shot back, eyes darting away.
Silence.
Neither of us said anything for a moment. I watched his fingers as they worked, slow and careful. I observed his fingers as they moved, slow and deliberate. Frankly, if those men in black had not intervened, Aroha likely would have been severely harmed by Logan’s crew, and I would have been taken back to that individual's residence. and I'd be dragged back to that creep’s place.
Hold on.
Those guys were who?
At last, I said, "Those men in black earlier." "Who were they?"
Aroha raised her head.
When our gazes locked, an odd occurrence occurred once more.
He looked at me and had that strange pull, as if he were sucking all the air out of my lungs.
I quickly averted my gaze.
"They're pals. I am also one of them. "We are bodyguards," he remarked nonchalantly.
Oh.
Now that made sense. It makes sense why he spoke to Logan as though he was unfrightened. He did appear to have a strong build. I suppose I shouldn't have been concerned.
After putting the ointment on, he got up and left as if nothing had happened.
Over his shoulder, he said, "Let's go."
I became aware that I felt strangely suffocated around him as I followed him out of the room.
Not negatively. Simply put, I'm overwhelmed.
In the living room, we took a seat.
"How can you afford all of this?" I surveyed the spacious apartment before posing the question. There were two bedrooms, a dining area, a comfortable couch, and what I thought was the kitchen through another door. It couldn't be inexpensive.
He cleared his throat. "I don't own it. My friend owns it. The car is no different.
Whoa. "Your friend must be very giving," I remarked.
Indeed. Rich as well. and attractive.
I smiled at that. "You seem proud."
Yes, I would be. He has been really helpful to me.
"Anyway, what do you do for him? Do bodyguards still work?
Yes. I'm protecting him.
I arched an eyebrow. "What's it like to work for someone like that?"
It's awesome. I drive his car and live in his condo, as you can see.
Suddenly intrigued, I leaned forward. "Is it possible for me to meet him?"
He gave a headshake. "I doubt it. He is very private. dislikes being noticed.
"What is his name?"
"Elias Te Mana," he whispered, leaning closer.
I went cold.
"Hold on, THE Elias Te Mana? The Southern Enterprises President?
He smiled slightly at me. "Yes."
I almost choked. Elias Te Mana owned nearly every shopping mall across the country. Like a ghost, he was well-known but had never been seen in person.
Whoa. That is absurd. You know him, then.
"Remember that I live in his place?"
"That's true," I chuckled. "All right, but Could you at least suggest me for a job if I can't meet him?
I thought he might choke when he began to cough so violently.
"Whoa! Are you alright? Hang on, I’ll grab water.”
I hurried to the kitchen, poured myself a glass, and quickly returned.
With a slight nod, he accepted the glass and took half of it.
But I'm serious," I said as I sat next to him once more. "I need a new job because I recently lost mine. I can't rely on you while I sit here. In what other way will I repay you?
He smiled as his face relaxed. Yes. No issue.
"Really?" I smiled and took both of his hands. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
By the way, I'm not kidding. Any job will do for me. I am open to taking on tasks such as cashiering or cleaning. Don't let me sit here and rot, please.
"I won't. You will receive a response shortly.
We sat quietly for a while. I reclined on the couch and gazed up at the ceiling.
Now what in hell was my life?
married to an unknown person. residing in a wealthy man's condominium. under the protection of bodyguards who appeared to be straight out of a spy film.
And for some reason, I stopped feeling afraid.
Not because I had yet to trust Aroha. But because it seemed for the first time that things might be getting better.
Perhaps something new was about to begin.
Or maybe I was just fooling myself.
- Writer
