Chapter 2 The Unexpected Groom

Aria's POV

"Ms. Lane, this way please", one of the men who came in gestured while he led me into another room. "You'll rest in here for a few hours before we set out in the morning, have a good rest", he stated and left before I could ask any questions.

I fell asleep immediately upon landing on the bed, as I was already tired. An almost silent knock woke me in the morning, and when I opened the door, several ladies came in. "What's going on here?" I asked.

"No time for questions. Hair and makeup first. The wardrobe. You'll be briefed after the ceremony," the man from the previous night instructed, coming from behind the ladies.

"Where am I?" I asked, trying to catch up with the man on what he just said, "ceremony", the word hit me, and then I froze. "What ceremony?" I asked

The man sighed and glanced at his clipboard. "I guess you signed the contract without reading it, Miss Lane. Everything will make sense soon."

No, no, no.

I wanted to ask more, but two ladies came forward and urged me to take my bath quickly, because we were running out of time. After I had bathed, one of the ladies began to work on my hair, while the other took the time to apply make-up diligently on my face. I stared at myself in the mirror, although it was my face, it looked like it wasn't mine. It was softer and more glamorous, and surprisingly bridal.

"Is this a wedding?" I asked with a trembling voice.

They didn't answer. They just smiled and kept working.

"I didn't agree to this."

"Just do what you're told, sweetheart- Smile pretty, say yes, and you'll be fine." One of them poured, meeting my eyes in the mirror.

"Say yes?" I asked, confused.

Before I could argue, another lady came in carrying a garment bag. She unzipped it with care and held up a dress made of ivory silk and pearls. My heart dropped.

"No," I whispered. "No, no. This has to be a mistake."

But they were already slipping the dress over my head and zipping it up tight. It fit perfectly and almost like it had been made just for me. My hair was pulled into an elegant twist; diamonds were clipped to my ears.

Everything felt like a nightmare wrapped in velvet.

The car rolled to a stop in front of a towering building that shimmered like something out of a dream. Tall glass windows with gold trimming, and a red carpet that ran from the valet line through the grand entrance.

A man in a black suit approached me with a headset and a clipboard. "Miss Lane?"

"Um... yes."

"Follow me. We're behind schedule."

Before I could say a word, I was taken inside and hurried through a maze of hallways. My heels clicked against the tiles as I passed catering staff, florists, and a crowd that looked like a paparazzi. Wait, paparazzi?

Then a door opened as we approached it.

"It's time," said the man with the clipboard.

"This must be a mistake. I shouldn't be wearing a wedding gown because I didn't sign a wedding agreement." I calmly informed the man with the clipboard.

"You already are." He replied as if he wasn't moved by my words.

Two men in suits took my arms and guided me down another hallway. I could hear music now, a soft piano and the hum of voices. I tried to dig in my heels, but the dress was too tight, and my limbs were shaky, too.

The doors at the end of the hallway opened wide.

And there I was, standing at the beginning of an aisle lined with roses and gold chairs. Cameras clicked and lights flashed, then dozens of strangers turned to look at me.

At the end of the aisle stood a man in a dark suit. He was tall and broad-shouldered. His hair was raven-black and neatly combed; his jaw looked sharp enough to cut glass. He stood perfectly still, and his expression gave nothing.

Our eyes locked, and I immediately recognized him; he was Julian Cross: the Billionaire CEO who was both ruthless and private, a man who made headlines just by breathing.

And I was walking toward him in a wedding dress.

No! This couldn't be happening.

"I can't do this," I whispered to the man beside me. "This is wrong."

He didn't reply but nudged me forward gently. Smiling at the spectators in a way that says all is well.

Each step I took felt like a countdown to disaster.

I reached the front with my heart pounding. Julian didn't look at me; he just offered his arm like this was nothing more than a business meeting.

"I'm not marrying you," I hissed under my breath. Then he finally looked at me and smiled. A cold smile that sent shivers down my spine.

"Smile," he whispered, with a rich and low voice.

"What?" I blinked at him, stunned.

He leaned in with his lips barely moving. "There are cameras everywhere. If you walk try humiliating me right now, it means you bridged the contract. Then you'll be sued and ruined."

My mouth went dry. The world spun so that I almost lost my hold. Julian held me lovingly, preventing me from falling as if we were a real couple. I'm doomed! Finished! Crushed! It was true I didn't read the contract before signing it. Now I just signed away my dignity, pride and all.

"Your men tricked me," I said, yet his smile didn't change.

"You signed the contract voluntarily."

The officiant began to speak, but the words blurred into background noise.

"I didn't know I was agreeing to marry a stranger on camera!" I hissed.

"You didn't read the fine print." His voice was calm but bored. "Rule number one in business, Aria. Never sign something you don't understand." We kept whispering to each other while the officiant was still speaking.

My hands trembled when I gazed around the hall and saw how much the place was filled with guests. Were they actors or real people, or perhaps they're his friends?

"I don't love you," I whispered.

He tilted his head as he said, "I don't either."

"Tell me this is all a lie. Will you?"

The officiant cleared his throat.

"Julian Alexander Cross, do you take this woman, Aria Lane, to be your lawfully wedded wife. To love and to cherish, in sickness and in health till death do you part?"

He didn't hesitate.

"I do."

"And do you, Aria Lane, take Julian Alexander Cross...."

"I...." My voice cracked as I stammered. "I..."

Julian's hand closed over mine firmly.

"If you say no," he said under his breath, "you'll leave with nothing. And we both know who that hurts."

Josh.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want this. I didn't even know this man.