Chapter 2 Flash Marriage: Hello, Mrs Ashford

Lauren's heart strengthened after her thought and she took a step to walk out of the building to look for any man she found, but as she was walking, her gaze was attracted to two men who stood beside a luxurious car.

"Boss, Miss Vivienne isn't picking up the call. What should we do now?" a male who seemed to be the subordinate of the man asked anxiously.

The tall man he was talking to seemed calmer and the mature and cold aura around him made even Lauren pause and stare.

The man was tall, gorgeous and the commanding aura which surrounded him would make anyone want to submit to him.

Lauren stood there and was attracted to the words the assistant had said, so she focused her full attention there as she wanted to know what was going on.

The tall man finally turned to look at his assistant, his face was cold and his eyes sharp as if nothing on earth could make him panic, he parted his lips and spat out, "If she doesn't want to come, then find another person who wishes to get married! Even if it's a woman on the street, as long as I'm able to get married and let that old man stop threatening me with the company."

Lauren's calm heart surged when she heard the man's words. She raised an eyebrow and her fist clenched beside her as if she was deliberating on something.

From the conversation between the man and his assistant, she could understand that the man seemed to be in the same situation as her.

Lauren bit her lips and though the man seemed to take the marriage casually, isn't their goal the same? A marriage certificate.

So without wasting time, Lauren gritted her teeth and walked forward before the assistant could leave to carry out the order.

"Mister seems to need a woman to get married to, right?" Lauren spoke aloud which drew the attention of the man and his assistant. They both turned to focus on Lauren who was trying to hide her nervousness under the sharp gaze of the man.

The man looked at Lauren sharply, "And who are you?" he asked, his voice cold and smooth.

Lauren felt her hand become sweaty, but she clenched her fist hard and tried to stabilise her breathing. She looked at the man with a determined expression, "I'm Lauren Sterling, and we seem to be in the same situation, why don't you choose me? I need a groom and you need a bride, isn't that perfect?"

The man was a bit stunned at first, then his eyes became sharper. He looked at Lauren intensely and Lauren also met his gaze with hers that carried desperation.

As minutes passed that seemed like hours, the man finally nodded coldly.

"Then, Miss Sterling, let's go."

***

The signing of the certificate was smooth and fast without any suspense and as Lauren stood outside the registry with her certificate in her hand, she felt dreamy.

"I'm married? Just like that?" she muttered, then her gaze turned complicated when she saw the name of the man.

Alexander Ashford.

Who doesn't know him? This was a name that resounded heavily in the country. The youngest master of the reputable Ashford family and the CEO of the multi-billion-dollar company, Ashford Empire.

When she saw his name at first, Lauren had been stunned and she had wanted to back out, but Alexander had stared at her coldly until she signed her name.

Lauren stared at the certificate that contained a picture of them that was taken, speechless.

"I seem to have bagged a big thigh," she muttered. Though she didn't know why a man like Alexander had agreed to marry her, as long as she could get the relics, then it was fine.

As Lauren was lost in thought, Alexander walked to her and tapped her shoulder which caught her attention.

"Miss Lauren." He called out calmly.

Lauren turned towards him and they both looked at each other awkwardly.

"Ahh. Well..." Lauren stammered.

"The certificate has been signed but I have my rules, Miss Lauren."

Lauren was stunned, her heart skipped a beat when she looked into the serious eyes of Alexander, "Oh.."

Alexander who saw her reaction had a smile in his eyes but he immediately hid it.

He had actually recognised Lauren when she came closer and he heard her name. He knew her because he had investigated the big families in the country and he knew the Sterling family had an heiress who cut ties with the family after her mother's death and the betrayal of her father. He also knew that she was in a relationship with a man. He also recognised her face so he hadn't thought twice before agreeing to get married to her, and also, he changed his mind the moment he took the certificate-No divorce.

"I need you to understand something, Lauren," he said quietly. "Now that we're married, there's no turning back. I don't believe in fake marriages and as far as I'm concerned, this is real."

His words sank deep causing Lauren to panic for a bit. She only wanted her safe but the finality of his words made her question the possibilities. Whatever this was and whatever it would become, as long as Celine and Julian felt the heat, she was all for it. Her pulse steadied and a slow resolve formed beneath her fear.

"I understand." She said calmly.

"I'll give you a day to pack your things," he continued. "My assistant will pick you up tomorrow."

She nodded slowly. "Alright. But I have one condition."

One of his brows lifted slightly. Alex wasn't used to people demanding, he always set the conditions.

"Which is?" He said, deciding to humour her.

"I don't want our marriage to be public for now," Lauren said and her tone sharpened instantly. Alex noticed the coldness in her eyes and for a moment, he wondered the cause of it. "I have things to settle first. Some debts need to be repaid so until then... this stays between us."

Beneath her calm exterior, there was more. Hatred and determination burned and it intrigued him. He didn't ask what she meant by her words and simply watched her.

"Three months," he said finally. "I'll give you that long to handle your affairs. After that, if you haven't finished whatever you need to do, I'll make our marriage public myself. I don't hide what belongs to me."

Lauren closed her eyes for a second, and when she opened them, they became firm, she looked pointedly at Alex and nodded, "Okay!"

Alexander finally smiled and stretched out his hand, "Hello, Mrs Ashford. Please take care of me."

***

Lauren stood outside the bank and in her hand were the relics she had just gotten. Her eyes were puffy as she had cried after seeing the things her mother had kept for her.

In that safe lay a carefully arranged collection of her mother's things and these items carried the weight of memories and secrets.

There was her mother's design book, its cover worn but still elegant. She had filled it with sketches and notes from a renowned lineage of designers. Beside it sat a deed to a jewellery company Lauren had never known existed. And nestled in a small velvet-lined box were priceless gemstones; emeralds, sapphires, and rubies to be precise.

"These... these were all hers?" she had questioned the lawyer when she saw them.

"Every single one, Lauren." Her lawyer, Aunt Catherine, who was her mother's friend, had assured her.

Lauren had felt the weight of the things and felt the thought of her mother. She closed her eyes at the thought of her mother and even standing outside, silent tears tickled down her face.

Her mother's death still haunted her. The mystery of it still ate at her as she had never believed her mother who was so strong would commit suicide. Deep down, she was certain her father's new wife had something to do with it but she just didn't have any evidence.

At the thought of the time she had wasted on a relationship instead of getting more power to avenge her mother's death, Lauren felt so much rage for herself.

The thought of how she had even quit her career just because Julian had told her to do so filled her with regret.

She bit her lips and looked at the document and box with so much emotion.

"You wanted me to see this now... because you wanted me to be ready. I am ready, Mom."

She understood now. She understood why her mother had set this up for when she was older. She had saved it for when she could protect herself and handle the ugly truths of life.

Now, Lauren was ready to stand on her own!

"I'll investigate your death and avenge you! I'll destroy the people who wished me death and make them wish they were dead! I'll become the strong woman you have always wanted me to be, mum! I'll make you proud."