Accidental Attraction

Waking up in a luxurious hotel for the past week has the been the best, I could barely believe it when I was offered this opportunity, it felt like a dream but it's sad it coming to an end and decided to spend the day out since I was done with all my work .

Walking out the reception towards my car, I heard a little commotion and turned around to watch a guy sprint through the luxurious resort's manicured gardens, glancing over his shoulder at the relentless swarm of paparazzi closing in. With a desperate urgency, he looked towards me getting into my sleek convertible. Without a second thought, he approached me, his eyes pleading.

"Drive, now!" His voice cut through the tension, I was bewildered, hesitated for a moment before unlocking the car. He slid into the passenger seat, his tailored suit wrinkled, and his eyes scanning the approaching chaos.

I revved the engine as the paparazzi descended upon them like a swarm of locusts. "What's going on?" I demanded, hands gripping the steering wheel.

"I'll explain later. Just go!" He snapped, and I accelerated, leaving the pandemonium behind.

As we sped through the tropical paradise, his breaths were heavy with relief, but the paparazzi were relentless. I expertly maneuvered through winding coastal roads, my heart racing in tandem with the engine's roar. I glanced at him, recognizing the determination in his eyes.

"They won't give up easily," he muttered, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Take the next left; it's a shortcut through the forest."

I obeyed, the car weaving through the dense foliage. The paparazzi, undeterred, followed closely. The atmosphere grew tense as the pursuit intensified, the lush greenery a blur around them. His charm was replaced by a stern focus as he guided me through the labyrinthine paths.

A sudden rain shower added to the chaos, making the narrow roads slick. The tires screeched as I skillfully navigated the slippery terrain. He gripped the door handle, his knuckles turning white. "Faster! We need to lose them."

I pushed the accelerator to its limits, the car darting through the rain-soaked curves. The paparazzi, however, were relentless, closing the gap with every turn. The tension inside the car mirrored the intensity outside, raindrops pelting against the windshield like a relentless drumbeat.

In a daring move, I executed a risky manoeuvre, narrowly avoiding a collision with an oncoming vehicle. His heart seemed to pound as the paparazzi, momentarily deterred, regrouped for another pursuit. The adrenaline-fueled chase continued, the tropical storm intensifying around them.

His composure unravelled, shouted directions, guiding me through narrow passages and hidden shortcuts. The car's headlights cut through the rain, revealing the fleeting glimpses of the ocean beyond the trees. The chase reached its climax as we approached a cliffside overlooking the vast expanse of the turquoise sea.

I hesitated, my foot hovering over the brake. He realized the gravity of the situation, urged me to continue. "Don't stop! We can't let them catch us now."

With determination etched on my face, I pressed on. The chase reached its zenith as they hurtled towards the cliff's edge, the paparazzi closing in. At the last possible moment, I swerved, narrowly avoiding disaster, leaving the pursuing horde stranded at the precipice.

Breathing heavily, I sped away from the edge of danger, the sound of the rain and the distant paparazzi fading into the tropical night. The adrenaline-fueled escape left us both silent, the only sound the rhythmic hum of the engine against the backdrop of the island's serene landscape.

As the rain subsided, I finally spoke up

"What was that? It was crazy" I asked still in shock

"It's just the paparazzi being themselves,

"You must be really someone important for them to chase you like that

"Not really but anyway thanks for the help, your driving skills were great"

"It was nothing but if you really want to thank me, how about having a personal interview with me, I could use it to up my credit and maybe get a promotion, I am a journalist "

"Nah not looking for any of that, I am a very private person." He answered getting out the car

"Ok but you never told me your name, mines Chloe Davis

"Lucas Winston" he said winking at me before walking off

Week back to work was bizarre, I thought after the assigned project, I would finally get some respect in the office but everyone still sees me as a novice even though I have worked here for two years, just because I am younger then but soon enough I will proof myself to all of them.

Lucky enough today is Saturday which means no work today, I plan on having a stress free day but I keep getting texts from an unknown number for the past two days asking to meet up but it could be a killer so I didn't bother answering back but it has gotten worse to the point of calling me even in the middle of the night and I have had enough and answered the call this time

"What? What is it why do you keep disturbing be me I can get you arrested you for harassment" I yelled at the person but he just chuckled instead

"Hello to you too Chloe"

"Who are you and why do you know my name?

"Oh forgot me so soon, why haven't you answered my texts? I have been trying to reach out for so long."

"Sorry I didn't respond to an unknown number, you haven't answered my question

"Why don't we meet up so you can find out, I will send an address let's meet there

"It's crazy you think I am going to meet up with a stranger" I respond annoyed

"Well we will just see if you are going to come or not" he says ending the call but I could sense the smirk on his face which annoyed me because I knew I was going to go there as the curious person I am and couldn't resist.

Waited at the address he sent for the past thirty minutes but he was a no know show, I came to the conclusion I was being pranked and decided to leave.

"Leaving so soon?" A voice said behind me

"You!!, you're the one sending the messages all this time, why didn't you just say so instead of all this mystery?"

"Well what will be the fun in that" he says with a smirk on his face.

"Ok corky much, so why did you need to meet up?"

"Well I have something very important to ask, why don't you sit so we can talk" I nodded back down.

"Go ahead, " I said, anticipating his question.

" I want you to marry me."

"What?"

"I want us to get married"

"I heard you clearly the first time, are you crazy?" I said

"I am talking of a contract marriage not a real one" he said then I busted into laughter thinking he was playing a prank on me, he looked at me, and he wasn't laughing with me

"Don't tell me you are serious" I asked horrified

"Yes I am, it can benefit the two of us" I looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Here I thought my life was already a mess and had enough drama."

"Why do you want to marry me

"Well apparently since the paparazzi couldn't caught up to us, they came up with rumors that you are one of my many lovers, which is causing a lot of problems in my life right now

"Ok but I don't see I've come into all of this?"

"The thing is I come from a traditional Orthodox family where such is frowned upon, so when they asked I told them you were my wife" he said whispering the last part but I heard it.

"What? " I screamed

"Shhhh! No need to shout, so I really need your help here"

"I already made a horrible decision helping you with the paparazzi which lead to this nonsense, so that not happening

"What come on, if I don't introduce you to them quickly my inheritance will be taken away and I have worked too hard for that to happen

"So you want me to pretend to your family about being your wife for a dinner, since you have money you could have hired any other girl to do

"Firstly I chose you because we can both benefit from this and no not just pretend, we will be really getting married"

"Nope not doing this, not interested

"Wait I will give you the interview you want" he says holding on to my arm

"Nah no longer interested" I say pulling my arm away.

" I will get you an interview with Cara Anderson" he says causing me to freeze in my step

"How? She's the most difficult celebrity to get an interview with" I ask excited causing him to smile

"Well I am a very influential person so doing that will be easy but that will be after the wedding" he said which got me thinking, if I could do an interviewing with Cara, i would receive all the respect i deserve and possibly a promotion.

"If we are to go ahead with this, what else could I benefit

"You will receive a hundred thousand dollars every month for the duration of the marriage"

"Ok for how long does this marriage have to last?"

"A year then we can come up with something to end it" I nodded in response

"Alright that's a yes which is great, let's get going

"Go where?

"Get married duh"

"Today!!!?" I ask "Yes" he responds.

"But don't we need time to arrange the wedding and everything?"

"Don't worry I have all that settled, let's go"

"You knew, I would agree didn't you?" I ask but he just shrugs his shoulders with a smug in his face.

The courthouse stood stoically in the heart of the city, its grand architecture contrasting with the urgency that propelled Alex and I through its doors. We were on a mission, driven by circumstances that demanded haste. The scent of bureaucracy lingered in the air as we approached the marriage license counter, fingers tightly intertwined.

"Lily this is my friend Mark and Mark Lily" he says

"Nice to meet you" I say shaking his hand

"Do you have the papers? " Yeah here you go"

"Here read and go over it properly before signing them" he hands over the papers to me

"Alright everything seems okay, hand me a pen please " he gives it to me, I signs the papers and he also signs it

"Ok the contract is settled let's move quickly please" he stated gesturing towards the courthouse.

My dress, a simple yet elegant choice, whispered against the polished floor as we joined the queue. He dressed in a hastily chosen suit, I stole glances at Alex, a mixture of excitement and nervousness playing in his eyes.

As we reached the counter, a middle-aged clerk greeted them with a practiced smile. "How can I help you today?" she inquired, pen poised over a stack of forms.

"We're here to get married, I called earlier Alex Harrington" he replied, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart. "Quickly."

The clerk nodded, unfazed by the urgency in his tone. "Alright, let's get started. Fill out these forms, and make sure everything is accurate. Once you're done, we'll move on to the next steps."

Seated at a nearby table, Alex and I huddled together, our pens moving swiftly across the forms. The questions were routine, names, addresses, occupations, but the weight of their answers held the gravity of the situation. Our eyes met occasionally, a silent reassurance that we were in this together, no matter how hurried the circumstances.

Once the forms were completed, we returned to the counter, handing them over to the clerk. She reviewed the information, typing diligently into the computer. "Everything seems to be in order. Now, we will proceed to the ceremony. The clerk provided them with details about the ceremony, guiding us through the process with a detached efficiency that seemed at odds with the significance of the occasion.

As the afternoon sun bathed the courthouse in warm hues, Lucas and I stood before the small gathering of his friend. The officiant, a courthouse employee with a warm smile, led us through the vows. Each word carried the weight of our journey, a journey that brought us to this moment of commitment.?

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declared, sealing their union with a simple yet profound statement. We exchanged rings, the metal cool against their skin, a tangible symbol of the choices we had made in the face of adversity.

As we exited the courthouse, hand in hand, like the perfect couple we claim to be.

I glance at him, a smile playing on my lips. "Well, that was something, huh?"

He chuckled, squeezing my hand. "Something indeed.

"Now the next stop of today

"And where will that be?

"We are going to my parents house for you to meet my family.

What do you mean I'm meeting your family?

"What do you mean by that? That's the main purpose of all this

"And you couldn't have told me this earlier" I argued.

"I did, I just didn't say how soon so focus on how we are going to act like the perfect couple in love and just a heads up, my family can be really mean and suck up so prepare yourself."

"Oh My God"

"Look, just calm down, if you keep acting like that we are going to get busted.

"Don't tell me to calm down I am a journalist not an actress" I yell at him

Driving to the mansion nestled within the heart of a thriving Michigan, the air in the car was thick with anticipation as he prepared to introduce his newly hired wife, Me, Chloe Davis, to his traditional Orthodox family. The Harrington residence exuded wealth and sophistication, with its grand , marble floors, and priceless artwork adorning the walls. He knocked on the door waiting for us to be let into the main house.

"Oh Lucas you are here, that's great come in I want you to meet Eleanor" His Aunt squealed with excitement

"Aunt Luna wait I want you to meet my wife Chloe" he announced waiting for her reaction

"So you're the girl he was running around with" she says with disgust in her tone.

"Nice to meet you Ma'am" I put out my hand for her but she ignores me

"What's taking so long Luna?" A man seems to be his father since the resemblance is striking resemblance.

"Well your son said he's married and shows up with this washed up good digger "

"Calm down, I am sure he has a perfectly good explanation for this, right son? Why don't you guys come in?

As I and Lucas entered the ornate dining room, the rich aroma of a home-cooked meal wafted through the air. The long mahogany table was impeccably set, and the family members were gathered, dressed in elegant attire that reflected both tradition and affluence. His Aunt, Luna, sat at the head of the table, exuding an air of authority befitting the matriarch of the Harrington dynasty.

" So Father, everyone , I can explain ," Lucas announced, his voice resonating with confidence as I gestured towards me.

"You better start talking" she demanded

"Ok, remember when I travelled to Vegas a year ago, well I met Chloe over there and we clicked. We dated for sometime and decided to get married recently.

"That was a year ago and you had all these while to tell us.

"Yes aunt, I am sorry" he admitted apologetic.

"But what were you doing at the Stanford hotel in the first place?

"We were celebrating our honeymoon " he explained

Luna Winston, a woman of grace and poise, studied me with a discerning gaze. Her silver hair cascaded in perfectly coiffed waves, framing a face that bore the wisdom of years spent managing the intricacies of familial and societal expectations.

"Welcome, Lily," Victoria said with a warm yet fake smile. "We are delighted to have you join us. Please, take a seat."

I wore a tasteful and modest attire that reflected my respect for the occasion, gracefully taking her place at the table. The family's eyes were upon me, each member curious about the woman who had captured Alexander's attention.

As the meal commenced, conversation flowed around the table. Alexander's father, Charles Harrington, a distinguished gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair, proceeded to start a conversation.

"So Chloe, may I ask what you do for a living?" His father asks to know about my background as I expected

"Well sir I am a journalist

"A singer! Lucas Winston, you couldn't find someone better to fall in love with than a News rat with no future

"Aunt, how can you be so disrespectful to my wife?" He asked shocked at her behavior, putting my hands on me apologizing for the insults

"What? All I said is the truth, no one knows her neither do we know her music

"Luna that's enough" his father shuts the conversation down before things could escalate.

The atmosphere in the dining room shifted as Alexander's older cousin, James, a shrewd businessman in his own right, delved into the specifics of my role within Lucas's company.

"So Chloe, why did you marry my cousin?" He asks , his voice dripping with disgust

"Because I love him." I responded

"Oh really or you married him because of money " he asks causing me to freeze before responding to him

"No I didn't marry him for money, like I said I love him plus I didn't know who he was until we were married but that doesn't change anything" I answered with no hint of nervousness.

The rest of James' questions, while probing, were met with articulate responses, showcasing my competence and expertise.

Throughout the evening, I tried to navigate the delicate balance of fitting into his family dynamics. I gracefully adapted to the formalities of their Orthodox traditions, displaying a keen understanding and respect for their customs. From the exchange of pleasantries to the intricate rituals associated with family gatherings,

As dessert arrived, served on exquisite china plates, Luna addressed me directly. "Chloe, we appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better tonight. Lucas holds a special place in our family, and we trust that you will complement the values we hold dear."

I met Luna's gaze with sincerity, and replied, "Thank you for welcoming me into your home. I have great respect for the Harrington family, and I am committed to supporting Lucas in both his personal and professional endeavours." Hoping I am finally being accepted.

"Alright since we weren't able to attend the wedding why don't we throw you guys a party to celebrate the wedding and introduce chloe properly to the rest of the family " his father announced

"Don't worry dad, all that's not needed

"That's a great idea, and it's been a long time we had a party, we can have it next week Saturday " mom says agreeing with my father

"Alright it settled then next Saturday it is" he agrees knowing there's nothing he can do to change their mind then tapping on my hand assuring me everything is going to be fine.

The evening concluded with a sense of approval lingering in the air. The Harringtons, known for their discerning judgement, seemed genuinely impressed by my poise, intelligence, and respect for their traditions.

As I and Lucas bid farewell to his family, making their way through the grand foyer of the mansion, Alexander whispered, "You handled that admirably, Lily. My family can be quite traditional, but they appreciate authenticity. You've not won them over yet but you will eventually."

"So this gala? What should I expect?" I asked

"Knowing my aunt except for anything.

The grand ballroom was adorned with sparkling lights and draped in lavish decorations, a testament to the opulence of the party my mom had organized to celebrate Alex and I's engagement. I was dressed in a stunning evening gown.

As we made our way through the crowd, I couldn't shake the feeling that Alex's mother, Victoria, was eyeing her disapprovingly from across the room. They approached the center of the room where a magnificent chandelier cast a warm glow on the gathered guests.

Victoria, a poised and regal woman, greeted them with a tight smile. "Chloe, dear, you look... charming," she said, her tone laced with a subtle condescension that didn't escape my notice.

"Thank you, Mrs. Winston," I replied, trying to maintain my composure.

The party continued, but I soon found myself in an uncomfortable conversation with Eleanor, a striking young woman with carefully styled hair and a designer dress. Eleanor had been a longtime friend of the Harrington family, and it was clear that Victoria had high hopes for her as a potential match for Alex.

"So, Lily, how did you and Alex meet?" Eleanor asked, her tone sweet but with an undertone of curiosity that felt intrusive.

Lily glanced at Alex, who sensed the tension and subtly squeezed her hand in reassurance. "We met at a charity event in vegas. Alex was there, and we just clicked," I replied, attempting to keep the conversation light.

Victoria, however, seized the opportunity to interject. "Eleanor, darling, you must share your story with Lily. Alex is quite the catch, and it's always good to know one's competition, isn't it?"

Eleanor chuckled politely, playing along with Victoria's thinly veiled attempt to unsettle me. "Oh, Victoria, you always have a way with words. Well, Lily, Alex and I have known each other for years. Our families go way back, and it just seems natural for us to be together."

I felt a knot forming in my stomach, but I smiled gracefully, not wanting to give Victoria the satisfaction of seeing my discomfort. The night continued, with Victoria orchestrating moments to bring Alex and Eleanor together, all while casting subtle glances of disapproval at me.

During a dance, Victoria approached Alex with a sly smile. "Why don't you ask Eleanor for a dance, Alex? I'm sure she would love that."

Alex glanced at me, sensing the tension but unsure of how to navigate the situation. "Actually, Mom, I'd like to dance with Lily, my wife first."

Luna's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, of course, dear. Dance with Chloe. There'll be plenty of time for other dances later."

As we glided across the dance floor, I could feel the weight of Victoria's disapproval. The tension reached its peak when Luna, seemingly innocently, suggested a dance between Alex and Eleanor immediately after I and Lucas finished ours.

I excused myself to the restroom, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. As I returned, I overheard Luna whispering to Lucas about the importance of family alliances and the legacy they carried.

As the evening drew to a close, they decided to end the party with slide shows of Lucas's pictures. We all focused our attention on the screen as it began to play but we soon realized it wasn't Lucas in the video but his Aunt kissing someone who isn't her husband.

"Shit" I hear someone say as the video continues to play leading into more explicit content leaving everyone in shock.