Married to the Arrogant Senior

“They told me to sign. I didn’t know I was signing my soul to the devil himself.” When the clerk said, ‘Congratulations, Mrs. Knight,’ I actually thought she was joking. She wasn’t. I blinked. Twice. Then again—because surely I was hallucinating. “What did you just say?” I asked, my voice a whisper, shaking as my fingers clenched the edge of the desk. The lady looked up from her monitor, chewed her gum slowly, and repeated it without a shred of humor. “Congratulations, Mrs. Knight. It’s official.” No. No no no. “Knight?” I echoed, looking at the paper in her hand. She slid it toward me. Marriage Certificate. Arielle Marie Brooks… and… Xavier Luca Knight. My throat went dry. “I—I was just here to sign some school sponsorship forms for my aunt,” I stammered, already backing away. “This is a mistake. I didn't marry anyone. I didn't even see anyone!” The woman looked at me like I was dumb. “You signed it, sweetie. In front of a witness. And so did the groom. It’s binding.” A chill ran down my spine. “Where is he?” I asked, voice trembling. As if summoned by the devil himself, the glass doors to the government office slammed open… and in walked Xavier Knight. Dressed in black, sunglasses pushed up on his head, a permanent scowl on his face. Every eye turned. Every breath stopped. Even I—who hated his guts—had to admit it. He looked like trouble. And trouble looked good. But the second his gaze met mine, his jaw clenched. His stormy gray eyes narrowed like he’d just spotted trash in his driveway. He marched straight up to me. “You,” he growled. Me. Him. Oh God. This wasn’t a prank. --- FLASHBACK – One Hour Ago “Just sign this, Arielle. It’s for your aunt’s teaching grant,” the clerk had told me. I didn’t question it. I didn’t read it. I just… signed. My aunt had saved me from a life in the gutter. She raised me after my mom died. The least I could do was trust her paperwork. Stupid, stupid me. --- “Explain,” Xavier snapped. The clerk didn’t flinch. “We processed it as instructed. Both parties signed. It’s sealed. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Knight.” His eyes turned to slits. “I didn’t agree to this. I was signing for a fake press stunt for my dad’s campaign.” “And I thought I was witnessing a school form!” I yelled. Our voices tangled. People stared. “This can’t be legal,” he growled. “It is,” the woman muttered. “Unless you both want to spend a year in court getting it annulled. Oh, and your dad already signed off.” Xavier froze. “My father… what?” She tapped her nails on the desk. “Apparently, this marriage helps his image. A sweet, private marriage to a ‘normal’ girl? Keeps voters happy. So unless you want to tank his career...” He turned slowly to me, like a predator. “What’s your name?” I swallowed. “Arielle.” He stepped closer. “Listen, Arielle. You don’t exist to me. I don’t want to see you. Talk to you. Breathe the same air as you.” “Perfect,” I shot back. “We agree on something.” He took the certificate, crumpled it, and shoved it in his jacket pocket. Then stormed out. I stood frozen. Married. To him. --- LATER THAT NIGHT… “What do you mean you’re married to Xavier Knight?” Mira gasped through the phone. “I don’t know! I didn’t mean to!” I whisper-yelled. “I just signed some stupid papers—” “You’re telling me you accidentally married the hottest, most arrogant senior in school?! Girl, I’ve had dreams about that!” “This is not a dream,” I groaned. “It’s a nightmare.” Someone banged at the door. I flinched. I opened it… and there he was again. Xavier. Looking furious. “I need to talk to you. Now.” --- He stormed into the small apartment like he owned it. His cologne filled the space—dark, spicy, expensive. He threw the crumpled certificate on the table. “We’re getting this annulled. Fast.” “Fine. Let’s do it,” I said, arms crossed. “But until then,” he added, “you don’t talk to anyone. You don’t use my name. And if anyone finds out about this—” “I know,” I snapped. “It’ll ruin your perfect reputation.” He tilted his head, stepping closer. “No,” he said coldly. “It’ll ruin yours. Because the girls at Empire High? They don’t play fair.” I went pale. “You’re threatening me?” He smirked. “I’m warning you.” Then he turned to leave. But paused at the door. “One more thing,” he said, voice like ice. “If you fall in love with me, I won’t hesitate to break your heart.” And he was gone. --- TWO DAYS LATER – FIRST DAY AT EMPIRE HIGH I adjusted the sleeves of my blazer and clutched my books tighter. Empire High was massive. Gold gates. Marble floors. Students with drivers and designer bags. I stuck out like a dented coin. I made it halfway through homeroom before the door opened. Girls squealed. Boys sat straighter. Xavier Knight walked in. I shrunk in my seat. His eyes scanned the room—then froze on me. He said nothing. Not a blink. Not a nod. Just a look like I was invisible. It stung more than I expected. --- LUNCH BREAK I sat alone, picking at my sandwich when a shadow fell over me. It was Bianca Shaw. The queen bee herself. She looked me up and down, sneering. “New girl. You’ve been staring at Xavier.” “No, I haven’t—” “Don’t lie,” she said sweetly. “I’ll give you one warning. Stay away. Or you won’t survive the week.” She dropped her drink—on my lap. I gasped, shot up, and caught her smirk as she walked away. My skirt soaked. My cheeks burning. Everyone stared. Except Xavier. He didn’t even look up. --- THAT EVENING I sat on my bed, wiping tears. I pulled out the crumpled certificate from my backpack. What the hell was this? A joke? A curse? I lit a candle beside me. Tore the paper slowly. The flame danced. One more inch— “Put that down.” I froze. Spun around. Xavier was at my bedroom window. Climbing in. Like a psychopath. “How did you—?!” He grabbed the paper. Blew out the candle. Shoved me back. “You want to ruin your life?” he snapped. “Fine. But leave me out of it.” “You can’t just barge in here!” I shouted, pushing him. He didn’t budge. Then he grabbed my sketchbook—my one treasure—and ripped it in half. I gasped. “You’re insane!” “No,” he said coldly, tossing the pieces at my feet. “I’m your husband.”