Chapter Three
1027 Words
The Vegas nightlife was buzzing around Eleanor and Jack. Bright neon lights lit up the streets, and the air was filled with waves of music, laughter, and the sounds of slot machines.
Eleanor and Jack stumbled out of the Luna's Mirage bar, both tipsy and caught up in the excitement of the moment between them.
Eleanor's heel stumbled on the pavement, but Jack quickly caught her, his hands finding it way around her waist as he smiled down at her.
"Watch your step, sweetheart. We don't want you breaking your leg when the night's just getting started."
Eleanor rolled her eyes, pushing off Jack playfully. "Please, I'm doing fine. My eyesight is still perfect."
Jack raised a brow. "Is that so?"
Eleanor raised her chin and took a step, but she stumbled slightly. Jack chuckled as he watched her with a mix of delight.
Eleanor could feel her body getting hot from the earlier tequila shots. But she was not certain if the heat was from the tequila, or from every moment she spent with Jack.
Jack walked beside Eleanor as they went down the bustling Vegas strip. "So Eleanor, what is the craziest thing you have ever done in Vegas?"
Eleanor hummed as she pondered, then smiled. "One time, I walked out of a corporate meeting in the middle of a presentation because I just realized I hated everything about my job."
Jack laughed. "That’s it? That’s your craziest story?"
"Hey! It was actually a big deal!" Eleanor defended. "My boss almost had a heart attack!"
Jack shook his head, with a grin on his face. " That is not crazy enough. Vegas demands something bold and wild."
Eleanor narrowed her eyes at Jack. "So what do you propose?"
A slow and mischievous smile spread across Jack's face. "How about a challenge?"
Eleanor crossed her arms. "Go on."
Jack took a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We keep on saying how lovely and marriage are just scams. Why don't we prove it?"
Eleanor blinked. "How do you plan on proving it?"
Jack grinned deepened. "We get married."
Silence.
Eleanor erupted into laughter. "You're crazy!"
Jack shrugged. "Think about it. We get married, play house for a bit, and then we annul it. No strings attached, no messy divorce. Just two strangers trying to prove a point."
Eleanor locked her gaze onto Jack's, trying to see if he was really serious. But the flicker in his eyes, and the audacity of the idea made her pulse to rain with excitement.
"You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?"
Jack smirked. "Exactly. That’s why we should do it."
Eleanor chewed on her bottom lip, the alcohol already covering her sense of reasoning.
A sober Eleanor would have dismissed this idea and walked away. But this reckless, tipsy version was very tempted.
"Alright," Eleanor slowly said as she narrowed her eyes. "What's in for you?"
Jack spread his arms. "There is no catch. Just two strangers doing a ridiculous social experiment."
Eleanor's eyes locked into Jack's. "Are you really serious about this?"
"Serious enough to do it. Are you?" Jack's eyes flashed with a glint of a daring challenge.
Eleanor hesitated only for a second before a sly smile spread across her face. "Screw it. Let's do it."
Jack chuckled as he threw his arms around her shoulders. "Now you are talking Mrs. Sinclair."
"Watch it," Eleanor warned with a grin spread across her face as they stumbled their way down to the chapel.
---
The Bright Lights Wedding Chapel stood in all its glory, the neon-shaped heart-shaped sign blinking above the entrance.
Inside, a tired looking official in an Elvis costume looked up at the sight of two strangers walking through the door.
"Welcome to The Bright Lights Wedding Chapel! You lovebirds are here to make it official, eh?"
Eleanor and Jack glanced at each other, their grins spreading wider.
Jack nudged her. "You ready for this?"
Eleanor exhaled, still giggling. "Let's get this over with before my sanity kicks in."
The Elvis impersonator clapped his hands. "That's the spirit! Step right up, and we will have you two lovebirds married in no time!"
Eleanor suppressed her giggle as they approached the altar.
The chapel reeked of stale roses and cheap cologne, but it only made the whole thing even more ridiculous.
Jack leaned towards Eleanor and whispered in her ear, "You think they give us matching rings?"
Eleanor suppressed her laugh. "If they do, I want the biggest and tackiest diamond they have."
The official cleared his throat. "Alright, lovebirds. Jack Sinclair, do you promise to love and cherish this woman, through all the good and bad times, in sickness and health, and to stand by her side for the rest of your life, until death do you path you?"
Jack turned his blue eyes towards Eleanor. "I do."
Eleanor laughed. "You are having a lot of fun with this."
The official turned to Eleanor. "Eleanor Carter, are you willing to stand by this man through life's challenges, to love and honor him, until the end of time?"
As their eyes locked, Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. With a soft smile, she whispered, "I do."
The official smiled. "Then, I hereby declare you lovebirds, husband and wife!"
Jack turned to Eleanor with a grin. "Well, Mrs. Sinclair, looks like we are officially scammed by the institution of marriage.
Jack turned to Eleanor with a smirk.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "We are not calling me that."
Jack chuckled. "You do realize we are actually married now, right?"
Eleanor scoffed. "For now."
"Exactly," Jack said, still smiling. "Now, why don't we celebrate this crazy decision of ours with another drink?"
Eleanor laughed, shaking her head. "God have mercy on us both."
As Jack and Eleanor stepped out of the chapel, a small group of people from across the street were busy taking pictures of them. But they did not notice.
And outside the chapel, a mysterious man leaned against the hood of a sleek black car with his gaze fixed on both of them.
Jack Sinclair had just made a reckless decision.
And someone was watching.
- Writer
