The Billionaires Accidental Marriage

Vivian Cole anxiously stood in front of the courthouse entrance holding her beautiful bouquet tightly in front of her as if it was a rare treasure. The ivory roses she selected as her wedding flowers carried delicate ivory petals with soft pink edges because they represented a far simpler choice than her former extravagant wedding dreams. The cathedral dreams along with the chandeliers of gold transformed into the simple beauty that this courthouse presented. The morning wind touched her cheeks but she kept a quiet sense of pride shining through her lace-covered heart. This was real. This love experience showed its true nature by removing all pompous elements. Every aspect of this moment fulfilled her deepest desires. She touched up the perfectly arranged waves of her chestnut hair which fell elegantly down to her shoulders. A dim pearl hairpin adorned with a delicate touch became visible under the light's touch. Her hazel eyes moved across the gathering of people which included both passing strangers and routine courthouse visitors, she was tensely searching for her fiancée. She spoke to herself with a calming tone while releasing a trembling breath. She held the bouquet with trembling hands while she tried to untie the satin ribbon. The courthouse doors opened in rhythmic motion before people entered and exited while exchanging quiet talks and walking swiftly. She glanced at her watch. Ten minutes late. “Sebastian was never late.” He considered himself a person who always arrived ahead of schedule even when attending casual brunches. But for their wedding? No. This wasn’t like him. A buzzing sound from her clutch startled her while she was deep in thought. The phone appeared in her hands after she removed it from her clutch while her face showed a subtle grin at the displayed name. Vivian responded with a slightly cheerful tone when she spoke to Jules. “Viv! How are you doing my special runaway bride? Julie used a teasing tone that entered the call with a calming rhythm as she spoke. Since college, Vivian had shared a deep friendship with Julie, and Julie perfectly mastered the ability to detect Vivian's nervousness over the phone. Vivian spoke with an edgy voice while denying that she was leaving but her uncertainty came through. The courthouse wedding lacks any form of dramatics Jules. No drama, no theatrics.” Julie laughed. “No theatrics? You plan to marry Sebastian Cross which you should recognize as a big deal. Sebastian Cross is a type of man that pulls crowds even when he tries to tie his shoes. The soft laugh from Vivian ended when she looked at the courthouse doors again. “He’s not here yet.” “Wait, what?” Julie’s tone sharpened. “You’re kidding.” Vivian spoke hastily to assure both herself and her friend that the situation was unimportant. “He’s just running late. The morning traffic here in the city tends to cause delays. “I can’t believe this Viv” with your nerves the size of a planet you face the courthouse entrance while holding your bouquet. Don’t tell me it’s nothing. Did he say he’d be late?” Vivian's eyes lowered to observe her shoes while she remained silent. She selected these particular shoes for the day because they were both practical and elegant in soft cream color with a jeweled strap. The shoes were both functional and significant in the same way the wedding celebration felt. She shifted her weight uneasily. “No,” she admitted quietly. “He didn’t say anything.” “Viv.” Julie spoke gently yet her concern about the situation remained strong. “Are you sure about this? Although you obviously love him you need to understand that I don’t know, courthouse weddings? On a budget? The event falls short of your wedding fantasy which you always envisioned. Vivian spoke with determination as she elevated her chin while declaring "The wedding itself doesn't matter Jules." “It’s about him. It’s about us. The need for chandeliers along with five hundred guests on the list does not establish our relationship's authenticity. Julie let out a heavy breath through her phone. The way you handle things proves you are a superior woman to me. A simple champagne celebration should have been the minimum I could afford for such a special occasion. Vivian laughed for the second time but her laughter now lacked any genuine emotion. “I appreciate your moral support.” “Always, babe,” Julie replied. You should call me the moment you become Mrs. Cross. I want to hear every detail.” “I will,” Vivian promised. Her expression no longer held laughter after she finished the call. She checked her phone for the third time. Ten more minutes had passed. Where was he? The courthouse doors received her attention as she turned around. The bouquet had become too heavy to handle because she held it tightly with her aching arms. The people rushing by her paid no attention to the woman wearing white since they were preoccupied with their own activities. The experience felt like watching herself from above while her body stood motionless. She had expected to experience pure joy on this day which was supposed to mark the start of her life-long happiness. The start of this experience brought a feeling of an undefined future. Her heart raced when her phone vibrated for a second time. She struggled to unlock her phone while her quick breathing became visible when she read his message. It was from Sebastian. A short message displayed on her cell phone which read "We need to talk." She looked at the screen before her heart fell into her abdomen. The text message kept her attention for an endless period as she allowed her thoughts to race freely. Why would he send this now? The text contained only three words yet they were enough to send her emotions into a tailspin since their wedding was about to start. She glanced around for a second time but became excessively mindful of every single movement and noise. The quickness of her breathing and the tightening grip she had on her phone brought her attention to the situation. This wasn’t right. Something was wrong. The private waiting room of the courthouse contained Adrian Wolfe who waited anxiously while his leg constantly moved. Staring at the ornate wall clock caused his composure to break because each ticking second felt like a painful chip in his mental state. His steel-gray eyes tightened as he checked the time for a sixth occasion. The luxurious room with its leather furniture, polished mahogany tables and light scent of fresh lilies failed to bring him any peace. Claire the assistant stated from her position near the door "She will arrive soon." Her professional suit combined with her steady speech displayed confidence yet her words revealed a faint sense of uncertainty. Adrian shot her a sharp look. "You sound unsure. Do you grasp the consequences involved with this matter? Claire met his gaze evenly. "She signed the contract. Every person knows they cannot defy the authority of Adrian Wolfe. She’ll show." But Adrian wasn’t convinced. The foundation of his life depended on controlling everything yet his entire existence now rested on the hands of someone he did not know. The strain from his body spread through the armrest as he squeezed his fingers against it. As the clerk apologized and left the room Adrian became rigid but the door only produced a creaking sound. The atmosphere became thick with silence when Claire spoke. The speaker proposed that Adrian should prepare for his upcoming marriage ceremony. It might help." The man scoffed as he leaned forward while his well-fitted suit accentuated his body. "Prepare for what? The marriage arrangement appears to be nothing but a contractual business partnership. I accept that signature on paper to satisfy my grandfather’s unrealistic demand. Claire took her time to select the right words before speaking. Your understanding of Marcus Thorn surpasses that of any other person. He doesn’t bluff." When Adrian heard the reference to his grandfather his facial muscles became stiff. People viewed Marcus Thorn as both legendary figure and respected authority. The entire life of Adrian had been dedicated to proving his worth to the empire that Marcus established. The old man faced declining health leading him to require Adrian to wed someone before the month ended or he would lose the business inheritance. The ringing of Adrian’s mobile phone disturbed the heavy atmosphere of the room. The incoming call displayed Marcus Thorn as the name before Adrian answered it against his will. "Grandfather." The deep voice of Adrian spoke through the phone with absolute power in each word. The old man asked about the current schedule status. The pressure in Adrian’s hand increased as he held the phone. "She’ll be here." Marcus chuckled dryly. "You don’t sound certain. The company board maintains an impatience which Adrian needs to remember right now. Staying unmarried would result in the complete loss of my achievements to someone else. You’ll have nothing." Adrian held the phone tightly while the line disconnected from his ear. The harsh reminder of his dangerous situation came back to him when Marcus' words repeated in his thoughts. "What did he say?" Claire asked cautiously. Adrian didn’t answer. A gentle knock on the door made the room atmosphere become heavy. The sudden entrance made him stand motionless as he waited for it. The assistant rushed through the opened door. Her facial expression caused Adrian to feel intense discomfort in his stomach. She approached him with a trembling voice to say that we have been trying to contact her but she remains out of reach. These words struck him with the force of a powerful lightning bolt. His expression showed no emotion but his eyes flashed with anger. For the first time since many years Adrian Wolfe experienced his foundation wobble under his feet. The man stood tall to his complete height while his enormous stature produced a shadow that filled the entire space. His voice, low and sharp, cut through the air. "Fix this." But even as the words left his mouth, unease coiled in his chest. For all his power and control, Adrian Wolfe was about to face the one thing he couldn’t command.