Chapter 2
965 Words
*Title: Chapter 2 - The Wedding*
Three days passed in a blur.
Ava barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Miguel’s face in that courtroom, heard the judge say _five years_.
At 8 AM on the third day, a black SUV stopped in front of her apartment. A driver in a suit stepped out and opened the door for her without saying a word.
Inside the folder Lucas gave her was a plane ticket, a dress, and an address. No explanation. Just instructions.
_Be at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 2 PM. Don’t be late._
She was late. By five minutes.
The cathedral was massive, cold, and empty except for a handful of people in the front row. All of them strangers. All of them staring at her like she didn’t belong.
And at the altar stood Lucas Black.
He looked even colder in person. Black suit, white shirt, no tie. His eyes locked on her the moment she walked down the aisle.
“You’re late,” he said again.
Ava clenched her jaw. “Traffic.”
The priest didn’t wait. He started the ceremony immediately, like he’d been told not to waste time.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Ava didn’t hear most of it. Her mind was on Miguel. Did they release him already? Was he okay? Lucas said tomorrow morning, but it was already tomorrow morning in Manila.
“Do you, Lucas Black, take Ava Reyes to be your lawful wife?”
“I do.”
Lucas’s voice was flat. No emotion. Like he was signing a business contract.
The priest turned to her. “Do you, Ava Reyes, take Lucas Black to be your lawful husband?”
Ava hesitated. For half a second.
She thought of Miguel in a prison cell. Of Mom’s hospital bills. Of the eviction notice on her door.
“I do.”
The ring was cold against her finger. Plain platinum. No diamond. No romance. Just business.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Ava looked up at Lucas. His expression didn’t change. He leaned down, and his lips brushed hers.
It was quick. Dry. Completely impersonal.
But her heart still raced.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Black,” the priest said.
That was it. No reception. No photos. No family.
Lucas turned to her the moment it was over. “We’re leaving.”
“Wait,” Ava said, grabbing his arm. “Did you release my brother?”
Lucas nodded to the man standing by the door. The man held up his phone and played a video.
Miguel was sitting on a bench outside the prison, free. He looked scared and confused, but he was free.
Ava let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Tears filled her eyes again, but this time they weren’t from fear.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Lucas didn’t respond. He just walked out of the cathedral.
---
The car ride to his mansion was silent.
Ava stared out the window at Manila passing by. She’d never seen this side of the city. The mansions, the gated villages, the kind of wealth she’d only seen on TV.
The mansion was bigger than she expected. Three stories, white marble, a driveway that could fit ten cars.
A maid opened the door the moment they arrived.
“Welcome home, Sir Lucas, Madam Ava,” she said, bowing.
Ava flinched at the word _Madam_.
Lucas walked inside without looking back. “Show her to the guest room. East wing.”
“Guest room?” Ava said, following him. “I thought we were married.”
“We are,” Lucas said, stopping at the top of the stairs. “On paper. That doesn’t mean you sleep in my bed.”
“Oh,” Ava said, feeling stupid. “Right. No feelings.”
“No feelings,” he confirmed. “You have your own room. You eat in the dining room at 7 PM. You don’t go into my office. You don’t ask about my business. And you don’t talk to the press.”
Ava crossed her arms. “Anything else, Mr. Black?”
“Don’t fall in love with me,” he said bluntly. “It won’t end well for you.”
Ava stared at him. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
His lips twitched. Almost a smile. Almost.
The maid led her to the east wing. The guest room was bigger than her entire apartment. King-size bed, walk-in closet, marble bathroom.
Ava sat on the edge of the bed and finally let herself breathe.
She was safe. Miguel was free.
But she was now married to a man who hated her.
---
That night at dinner, Lucas was already seated when she arrived.
He didn’t look up from his phone.
Ava sat across from him, awkward and out of place in the massive dining room.
“So,” she said, trying to break the silence. “What now?”
“Now you live here,” Lucas said without looking up. “For six months. After that, we divorce.”
“And what do I do for six months?”
“Whatever you want. As long as it doesn’t interfere with me.”
Ava picked at her food. It was expensive. Truffle pasta. She’d never had truffle anything in her life.
“Can I visit my brother?” she asked.
Lucas finally looked up. “Yes. But not alone. My driver will take you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re Mrs. Black now. People will recognize you. I don’t need attention.”
Ava nodded. It made sense, but it still felt like a prison.
After dinner, she went back to her room and found a box on her bed. Inside was a phone. Brand new iPhone.
- Writer
