Our 365-Day Marriage Bargain

The First Kiss

It rained that Sunday evening, the world in a cold calming damp of water and a gentle wind blowing against the trees.

Elijah had been waiting outside Elizabeth's house for an hour while she got ready. They would make their marriage official to his grandfather tonight, and get his blessings before he could introduce her to his business partners.

Elijah’s hands gripped the steering wheel firmly as the rain tapped steadily on the car roof. He stared out the windshield at the droplets of water streaming down the glass.

There was a lump in chest, a gnawing feeling of anxiety settling on him as his mind wandered in aimless circles.

‘What if he sees through our little show?' He wondered. His mind drifted back to the weekend that Elizabeth waltzed into his office to sign the contract.

He hadn't liked her much then–he still didn't. But in that moment, she wasn't that little girl he'd grown up teasing for everything she did, right or wrong. She was a gorgeous woman, ignorant of the power she held in the softness of her voice and the effortless sway of her hips.

Elijah threw his head back against his seat headrest and sighed. He could still flee from this woman's temptation; but he needed this marriage more than anything else.

He was interrupted by a gentle tap on the car window. Elizabeth stood under the rain holding a little umbrella. She backed away gently as he reached for the door handle and pushed it open to let her in.

Elizabeth got into the black Mercedes and sat quietly. “I'm sorry I kept you waiting.”

Elijah glanced at her, his expression unreadable. She looked beautiful tonight, more so than the last time. A sleek black dress draped elegantly over her body, and its high slit offered a tantalizing glimpse of her thigh as she shifted slightly in her seat.

Elijah swallowed hard. He felt a slight pressure mounting at the zipper of his trousers, which he quickly tried to suppress. Tension washed through him as his mind wandered, drawn to the treasures hidden beneath that alluring dress.

Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to the road. “It's fine,” he finally said, his voice flat and betraying none of the turmoil swelling inside of him.

Elizabeth sat with her hands folded in her laps. She was nervous, but she wouldn't let it show. She occasionally stole quick glances at Elijah as he drove, hoping he would say something about her dress. But his silence, and the fact her presence didn't seem to rattle him, stung more than she cared to admit.

After a few minutes of driving in silence, she finally spoke, her voice soft but steady. “Do you think he'll believe us?”

Elijah didn't answer right away. He had his doubts about introducing her to his grandpa as his wife. As a sharp businessman, it was quite hard to fool the old man. But he had to believe, Elijah needed him to.

“He will,” Elijah finally responded, hoping to convince himself more than her.

Elizabeth nodded, but she couldn't feel the doubt creeping in. She glanced over at Elijah once more, the man she'd agreed to marry in name only. They were partners in this game of deception, but beyond that, total strangers to one another.

As the car turned down the long road to the hospital, the rain let up, leaving the world outside glistening in the moonlight. Elijah's grip on the wheel tightened as they approached the hospital gates. He pulled into his reserved space and parked.

They got down from the car, the night air still damp with the scent of rain. Elijah was a step ahead as they walked towards the hospital entrance.

As they walked through the brightly lit halls of the hospital, Elizabeth felt a s**t in the atmosphere. Nurses on duty paused their tasks to stare, their gaze drawn to the both of them.

Elijah barely noticed the nurses staring. His mind was solemnly focused on confronting his grandfather.

He got to the elevator first and pressed the button, glancing briefly at Elizabeth as she caught up to him. She stood beside him and took a long, deep breath as the ding of the elevator signaled its arrival.

“Are you ready?” Elijah asked as they stepped inside the elevator.

Elizabeth's eyes flickered with doubt, but she squared her shoulders and nodded. “I am.”

After some seconds of ascent, they arrived at the top floor and walked to Mr. Moore's private ward. The door was slightly ajar and the sweet aroma of freshly served meals infused the hallway.

Elijah took a deep breath and pushed the door. His grandfather, dressed in a hospital gown and seated at a small table near the window, looked up from his meal.

“Elijah,” the old man called gleefully, but his smile quickly faded into a scornful expression. “You finally visited your old dying man.”

Elijah winced, but parted his lips in a gentle smile. “I'm sorry Pa. Things have been crazy at the office since your sudden absence. I've been trying to get everything under control.”

The old man's sharp eyes studied his grandson for a moment before his gaze shifted to the woman standing beside him. His eyes lit up in recognition. “Aren't you Elizabeth Will?” He asked, his voice softening. “My! Look how big you've grown.”

Elizabeth blushed, her cheeks burning bright red as she smiled. “It's good to see you too, Pa Moore. How are you feeling now?”

“Much better,” Pa Moore smiled at her. “I haven't seen you since… the incident,” he stopped, realizing he had touched a sensitive topic. “What brings you to see an old man like me?”

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, then reached for Elijah's arm. Her fingers brushed lightly against his sleeve.

Pa Moore stared, confused by the event unfolding before him. But before he could react, Elijah stepped forward. “Pa Moore, Elizabeth and I are married.”

Pa Moore blinked, his gaze shifting between the both of them. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out from his lips.

Slowly, he rose to his feet, and quietly walked out of his ward, leaving them alone in stunned silence.

Elizabeth turned to Elijah, her heart racing fiercely against her chest. “I don't think he's buying it. What do we do?” She asked, her voice low and anxious.

Before Elijah could respond, they heard the soft click of the door as it opened once more. His desperation led to a surge of panic, and in a split second, he grabbed Elizabeth's waist, pulling her close, and without warning, locked his lips with hers in a hot, passionate kiss.

Elizabeth was caught off guard. She stiffened at first, her mind racing, and her heart thudding against her chest. She wanted to push him away, but he worshiped her lips with an immense desire that took her breath away.

Gradually she melted from his touch, closing her eyes and leaning into the kiss as she played along with her husband's desperate display of affection.

Pa Moore reentered the room and just in time to witness the embrace. He stopped in his tracks and his face softened as he admired them. A smile spread across his lips as he walked back to his seat.

“I guess you won't die alone after all,” he teased Elijah. The couple pulled away slowly, but Elizabeth still hadn't been able to catch her breath.

Pa Moore looked at the both of them, his eyes glinting with mischief. “You have my blessings,” he began. “But I have one last condition.”

Elizabeth and Elijah exchanged a quick, nervous glance. “What is it Pa?” Elijah asked.

His grandfather leaned back in his seat and folded his hands across his chest. “I want you to throw a wedding party at the company. The world deserves to know that Elijah Moore married.”

Elizabeth's heart sank at Pa Moore's request, and Elijah's face grew pale. They had to only let his business partners know they were married, but Pa Moore had different ideas.

“A wedding party?” Elizabeth muttered slowly.

“Yes. A dying old man has to witness his grandson get married while he's still alive.” Pa Moore smiled brightly. “Invite everyone, family, friends, business partners, the press. I want to witness everything.”

Elizabeth wanted to protect. A public wedding was not part of their deal, but Elijah reached for her hand and squeezed her palm gently. He forced a smile as he looked at his grandpa. “We'll let you know once we've picked a date.”

It was one thing to fool his grandfather. But as they left the hospital side by side, a single question echoed in their heads. ‘How do we convince the entire world that we're in love?’