Chapter 5 Contacted Marriage

I sat on the stool, my best friend, Tiffany, doing my hair. I looked beautiful, very beautiful, I couldn't deny it. Will Elijah like my new look? Would he go weak at the knees the same way I knew I would go weak when I saw him in those dark suits?

Tiffany stopped, examining her work, a look of worry sat on her face.

"What's wrong, Tee?" I asked her.

"Are you sure about this? Maya, you're marrying a guy you barely know?" She said, her lips set into a frown.

I forced a smile, looking up at her. "I'm fine, Tee. I know it doesn't seem that way, but really, this is what is best. Elijah is what is best for me"

"I don't know, Maya. I just don't feel good about this marriage. Why is he in such a rush? You've known the guy..for like three weeks? Minus the two weeks he was actually absent in your life," she said, refusing to see my point.

"I know it seems crazy and unbelievable, but we're in love... I just know it, Tee. He's the one for me," I said, the lies going through my teeth swiftly. " And we're having a baby together. I have to put my child first."

I felt a tinge of guilt knowing I was lying to my best friend, but I had to convince her. I couldn't get married to Elijah without my best friend at my side.

Tiffany knew nothing of my past, so she wouldn't understand why I needed his protection

Tiffany forced a smile on her face. "If that's what you want, I'm very happy for you. I wish you a happy married life, love. You look very beautiful, by the way.

I smiled at her, my gratitude for her knew no bounds.

As we hugged, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was getting into something very dangerous.

I stood before the judge, my heart racing with anticipation. Elijah stood beside me, his eyes fixed on the judge.

"Do you, Maya Sanchez, take Elijah Tyler as your lawfully wedded husband?" the judge asked.

I hesitated, my mind racing with all the possibilities. Elijah wasn't actually who he said he was. I can't back out now. This was for my child.

"Yes," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you, Elijah Tyler, take Maya Sanchez as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Yes," he said almost immediately, no hesitation in his voice. This made him look up at him with a smile, but he didn't even look my way, his face bare of any emotion or reaction

"Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife," the judge finally announced, a smile on his face.

As we exchanged our vows, the feeling of trepidation took over me. I couldn't shake that feeling that something bad was about to happen, or I was digging a hole for myself.

It was time to sign the marriage contract. I scanned the content quickly before my eyes widened in shock

Two years?!

It stated our marriage was supposed to last for two years.

"What is this?" I whispered, my eyes wide as a saucer. "Why does it say we'll be married for only two years?"

Elijah's expression went grim, "That's the only way it can happen, Maya. I'm doing this for the child only. You know that?"

"What about me?" I snapped. I quickly shut my eyes, I had forgotten we were still on the court. "Don't I deserve some consideration for this? Why didn't you tell me?" I said more quietly this time.

"What change would it make? You didn't think I was going to marry you, and then we'd fall in love and live a happy ever after, did you?" He scoffed, turning his face away from me.

I felt the tears sting my eyes, but I quickly composed myself. I couldn't let him see me break. That would only give him satisfaction.

I looked back, my eyes taking in Tiffany's worried and curious gaze. It looked like she was ready to beat the sh*t out of Elijah. I gave her a smile, telling her I was fine.

"I won't do this with you, Elijah. If you're not going to stay with me for the long run, then there's no need to stand with you at this altar. I'm backing out!" I slapped the contract on the table, turning my heels to leave the court.

Who the hell did he think he was?

"You're not exactly in a position to make a demand. You need my protection." He said. I looked back at him to see him narrowing his eyes at me.

"I don't need anything from you. How dare you?! How dare you come into my life, demanding a flimsy contract from me? Two years? Two fu**ing years?! Is that all I'm worth to you?"

"You're a actually not worth anything to me. I don't have time for this. Your time is ticking. You need to sign the contract." Elijah's expression turned cold.

"I'm not signing the damn thing. I'm taking this child and wiping the memory of you out of my life." I glared at him. I turned around ready to grab Tiffany's hand and leave the courtroom. But what I saw stopped me.

I could clearly see a red light pointed at Tiffany. I looked outside the church, tracing where it came from, and perched atop the building, was a sniper peering through the scope of his rifle, his finger poised on the trigger, as he took aim at Tiffany.

I felt my heart almost jump out of my mouth. I turned my body to face Elijah.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my body shaking in fright.

"They're not from me," he said, smirking.

"They are here for you, Maya. Your past has finally caught up with you. You move one inch, your beloved best friend goes down on you... another innocent blood smeared on your dainty hands," he finished, smiling wickedly.

I felt my blood go cold, beads of sweat began to form across my forehead and palms.

Slowly, I walked towards him. I couldn't let Tiffany go down on me. I couldn't let another innocent soul die for me. This was my fate.

My happy ever after was all a fairy tale after all.

I took the pen, signing my name across the thin black line. Tears went down my cheek, dripping on the contract, the ink smudged on the paper.

I was about to face my reality now.

I could feel his warmth spread over me, his nose trailed delicately on my ear, leaving wet sparks over it.

"Welcome to your hell, Astrid Grey" he said, my real name rolling out of his lips like a curse. "The woman, Lizzy, you murdered is finally coming to haunt you."