The Marriage Certificate
1495 Words
Eric's expression remained indifferent, as though the situation had nothing to do with him. Suddenly, he stood up, his tone completely detached, “You all carry on, I’m leaving.”
The woman beside him hadn't yet understood what was happening and instinctively tried to follow, but Michael held her back.
She stared resentfully at Eric's retreating figure, filled with frustration. After all, opportunities to get close to Eric were rare. Eric was the only heir to his family’s empire, and securing a connection with him would guarantee a life of luxury. Yet she had failed to seize the moment—Eric hadn’t even touched her hand the entire evening.
Eric exited the bar, pulling out his car keys as he slid into the driver’s seat. The car sped through the streets of New York, the icy wind cutting into him through the open windows.
He wasn’t sure how long he had driven. It was only when he began to slow down that he realized he had arrived at Jiangwan City.
Parking the car in front of the villa, Eric didn’t rush to get out. Instead, he lit a cigarette, smoking slowly.
“Ding-dong... ding-dong...” The doorbell rang.
Anna had just finished her shower, her hair still damp. Who could be visiting so late at night?
When she opened the door, she was met with Eric's handsome face. Before she could say a word, Eric stepped inside, pushing the door shut behind him with a soft thud, locking them both in.
“You came…”
Anna barely began to speak before Eric’s lips crashed onto hers. His kiss was fierce, like a storm, catching her completely off guard.
He bit her lips roughly. Feeling uncomfortable, Anna tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists and, in an instant, forced her mouth open.
His breath was heavy, thick with the taste of smoke and a faint scent of tobacco. Was he drunk?
Anna's entire body tingled under the force of his kiss, her head spinning. She couldn't fight back, unable to do anything but let him continue.
Suddenly, her shirt was slightly torn open.
Startled, Anna raised her hands to his chest, pushing against him with all her strength.
He pulled back from her lips, looking down at her, his deep eyes swirling with emotions like the tumultuous sea. “Spend the night with me, and I’ll marry you.”
Anna felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She looked at him, disbelief filling her eyes. “What… what did you say?”
Eric’s sensual lips parted as he spoke bluntly, “Isn’t marrying me what you want? I’m offering you that chance now. Spend the night with me, and by tomorrow, I’ll save Tianyi Group from collapse.”
He wasn’t exaggerating—he truly had the power to do it.
Ron and Kevin's words echoed in her ears. After a long pause, Anna finally found her voice. She sighed deeply, “Alright.”
As soon as the word left her lips, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the man before her. Just as she felt a cold breeze brush her skin, she turned her head away from his lips.
“To… to the bedroom,” she murmured, her voice husky, her gaze hazy.
Eric lifted her effortlessly, carrying her towards the bedroom.
—
The next morning.
Anna was woken by the shrill ring of her phone. The space beside her was already cold—he must have left some time ago.
Her phone was still ringing incessantly. She reached over to the bedside table and picked it up, Lily’s loud voice immediately filling the room.
“What happened to you last night? I called you so many times, and you didn’t answer!”
Anna took a deep breath. She vaguely remembered hearing the phone ring once or twice before Eric had silenced it.
Clearing her throat, she said, “I was in a deep sleep and didn’t hear it. Is there something you need?”
“I just wanted to remind you—the magazine shoot scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed to next Monday.”
“Got it.”
“And by the way, did you read the script for 'The Mist'?”
“I did.”
Anna had read it as soon as she received it. The story was captivating, and the character well-crafted. It told the tale of a police officer and a mysterious female assassin, though the focus was more on suspense than romance. It was clearly the type of script aimed at winning awards.
“What do you think?”
Anna answered truthfully, “It’s pretty good.”
Lily chuckled, “I knew you’d like it the moment I saw it. The audition is this Friday, so spend the next few days getting into character.”
“Understood.”
After hanging up, Anna rubbed her forehead. Her body ached as though it had been run over by a truck.
She slowly sat up, her skin sticky. Eric had wanted her multiple times last night. By the time it was over, they were both exhausted, collapsing into a deep sleep.
Anna glanced at the scarlet stain on the sheets, feeling a surge of irritation.
Despite her exhaustion, she dragged herself into the bathroom for a shower.
The next day, the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, she was met by a man she had never seen before. He appeared to be in his thirties, impeccably dressed, with a gentle smile.
“Hello, I’m Ray, Mr. Eric’s assistant. He asked me to pick you up.”
“Pick me up? Did he say why?”
“To register your marriage,” Ray responded matter-of-factly.
“Marriage registration?” Anna felt a jolt of surprise.
“Yes.”
Ray stepped aside, gesturing politely, “Shall we, Miss Anna?”
“But my household registration book is still at my parents’ house.” Anna hadn’t expected Eric to act so quickly.
Ray smiled softly, “You needn’t worry about that, Miss Anna.”
Eric’s car was a Rolls-Royce Phantom. When Anna climbed in, he was sitting in the back seat, scrolling through his phone.
After what had happened that night, Anna felt awkward every time she saw Eric.
She deliberately kept a foot’s distance between them.
Eric glanced at her, his expression cooling. “Do I have thorns or something?”
“Huh?” Anna didn’t quite understand.
“Move closer,” he commanded.
“Oh.” Anna hesitantly shifted closer to him.
When they stepped out of the civil affairs bureau, Anna felt dazed. She had really gotten married—and to Eric, no less.
Looking down at the red marriage certificate in her hand, she couldn’t tell if she was more happy or resigned.
Anna had always harbored a secret—she had liked Eric for years, from the age of sixteen to twenty-six. For a whole decade, her heart had belonged to him alone.
Back in high school, Anna had fallen for the boy who had always been by her side.
Eric had been bold and untamed, a true golden boy. He was the center of everyone’s attention, surrounded by admirers. Countless girls secretly liked him, and Anna was no exception.
Unlike the other girls who boldly wrote him love letters or baked him heart-shaped cakes, Anna had admired him silently. She would hand him a bottle of water during his basketball games, cheer for him at sports events.
But despite everything, Eric never liked her.
She had believed their relationship would stay that way forever—if they couldn’t be lovers, at least they could remain friends.
But in college, due to one incident, their relationship completely fell apart.
As graduation approached in their senior year, Anna had gathered a few of Eric’s close friends, planning a surprise birthday party for him. She had also intended to use the occasion to confess her feelings, which she had kept hidden for so many years.
She had spent a long time preparing for the party—even choosing Eric’s birthday gift had taken over a month.
Eric’s birthday fell on the Qixi Festival, a romantic and special day.
Michael had told her that Eric’s favorite color was blue, so Anna had chosen a blue floral dress for the occasion and even curled her long black hair.
“Michael, has Eric arrived yet?” Despite all her preparations, she couldn’t help feeling nervous on the day.
Michael stood by the door, glancing outside, “Don’t worry, I’ll let you know when he gets here.”
“Alright.”
Michael had practically watched Anna grow up, and he treated her with the fondness of an older brother.
“He’s here, he’s here,” Michael announced, reaching out to turn off the lights.
The room was plunged into darkness, everyone holding their breath. At that moment, Anna could almost hear her own heartbeat.
Once, twice, three times—thump, thump, thump.
- Writer
