Enemy of my heart

I still couldn't believe I was doing this. What had happened in the last twenty minutes? I had just signed my life away to a total stranger and I didn't even stop to think about it. There must be something wrong with me.

"Okay, congratulations Mr and Mrs Kingsley. "

So I was now Mrs Kingsley? I was now married? Lily was going to kill me. I just knew it.

Great, just great. I had succeeded in turning my entire world upside down in just a few minutes.

"Thank you so much for agreeing to do this. You have no idea how much this means to me. " he said, taking my hands in his.

"You're welcome..... I'm sorry I forgot to ask your name." I replied

"It's Alexander, Alexander Kingsley. Now it's time for you to meet my parents and let them know we're married."

"Now?" I asked

"Yes actually. Is there a problem?"

Yes, there were several problems. The biggest one being the fact that I just got married to a total stranger. The next one being that Lily was going to kill me as soon as she found out about this.

"I need to change my outfit if I am going to meet your parents. I don't know what they are like and I need them to have a good first impression of me." I replied, staring down at my outfit. I was dressed in a t-shirt and baggy jeans since I had only planned on going to the grocery store but somehow I had ended up at the courthouse, again.

What was wrong with me? I couldn't keep doing this. I needed to focus. First, I had to change my clothes and then hopefully survive meeting his parents.

"I'll just go home and change and meet you back here in about thirty minutes. " I said

"Where do you live?" he asked

"Not far actually. I live about two blocks away from here. I promise I won't waste your time."

"Is it okay if we drop you off at your house and wait for you?"

"Are you sure you want to do that?" I asked

"Sure, why not? "

"Alright then, let's go." I said and got up from my chair

You are definitely going to regret this, I said to myself.

We got to my apartment a few minutes later and I made him wait in the car while I went upstairs to my apartment to get ready.

Lily was sitting on the couch, reading a book when I walked in.

"Finally, you're back. Did you end up at the courthouse again? " she asked

I nodded

"I thought you were getting groceries. Why did you come back empty-handed? "

"Okay enough with the questions now. I have somewhere to be right now so I can't talk much."

I left her in the living room and went inside my room. I began rummaging through my closet looking for a dress to wear. After about five minutes of searching, I gave up and decided that I would borrow one of Lily's dresses instead.

"Hey Lily, can I borrow one of your dresses? " I asked

"What for?" she asked

"Look, I don't have time to explain but I really need a dress to wear right now. "I replied

"Are you going on a date?"

"Yes and no. It's complicated. "

"What do you mean by 'complicated '?"

"Like I said, I don't have time to explain right now but I promise I'll tell you everything when I get back. I just need a dress to wear right now." I pleaded

"Fine. I've got some dresses in my closet. I'm sure you'll find one that fits." She replied

I thanked her and went inside her room. I found a dress I liked and tried it on. Fortunately, it was my size. I grabbed a pair of heels from her closet as well and hurriedly began applying my make-up. I was done in about twenty minutes. I checked myself out in the mirror before saying goodbye to Lily and climbing down the stairs.

My heart was pounding. I had no idea what I just signed up for. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down before I got to the car. I entered the car and closed the door.

"Wow, you look amazing. " Alex complimented

"Thank you. We can leave now. "

"Are you sure you are okay with this?" he asked

I nodded. I couldn't say a word because I was trying to keep myself from crying so as not to ruin my make-up but it was getting harder each second.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm really sorry I forced you into this but I didn't have any other choice. I was already out of options and almost out of time."

"It's fine. I already agreed to help you. Besides it's too late to change anything. We are already married. Let's just go and see your parents. "

"I guess I should tell you a little bit about my family before you meet them. I have three siblings, two brothers and a sister. I'm the oldest so I am next in line to inherit everything and my father promised to donate his entire fortune to charity if I didn't find a wife in twenty four hours. I had only twenty minutes left and was about to give up when I noticed you."

"Wow, I didn't know that. So how's your family like?" I asked

He sighed before answering.

"Trust me you don't want to know but I have to tell you anyway since you will be meeting them in a few minutes. My dad is pretty chill or at least he was before he became ill. He really wanted to see at least one of his children get married because he only has a few days left to live. My mother on the other hand is really strict, mostly with me. She lets my younger siblings do as they please. My younger brothers, I don't like talking about them or to them because we don't really get along that much. I mostly only talk to my sister because she is the easiest person to talk to in my family. "

"What are your siblings' names? " I asked

"My immediate younger brother's name is Brad. My other brother's name is Daniel. My sister's name is Patricia but I love calling her Pat."

"And your parents?"

"My mum's name is Helen and my dad is Henry III."

"So why are you not Henry IV?"

"Well, that's because my mum threatened to divorce my dad if he tried to name any of us Henry. "

"Good for you."

"Now tell me a bit about yourself. I only know your name Aurora. "

"What exactly do you want to know?" I asked

"Anything you're willing to tell me. Your hobbies, your job, your family. "

"I'd rather not talk about my family. "

"Why not?"

"I don't talk to them anymore. They are dead to me."

"Okay, I won't ask about them then. But I do want to get to know you."

"Okay, so I live with my best friend Lily who is pretty much the only family I have left at this point. I work at a bakery not too far from my house. My dream is to have my own bakery one day. I love baking."

"So what do you when you are not baking?"

"When I'm not baking, I love listening to music and reading romance novels."

"What a coincidence, I enjoy reading romance novels as well."

"Do you have a favourite book?" I asked

"Yes, one of my all time favourites is Trampled Roses by Fiona Owens."

" I love that book as well. I actually love all her books. "

"That's good. At least we have something in common. "

"Yeah I guess. Are we at your parents house yet?" I asked

"Yes, we're already at the estate ma'am. " Dave replied

I had actually forgotten he was in the car with us because I was already so comfortable talking with Alexander. I tried to calm myself down as I was getting nervous again.

"It's okay. Everything will be fine. " Alex said and squeezed my hand.

Dave parked the car and got out to open the doors for Alexander and I. I was taken aback by how huge the estate was. There were several houses on the property and several cars as well.

Alexander came and took my hand in his and led me towards the main building on the property where the doors were already held open for us.

"Are you ready?" Alex asked

"As ready as I'll ever be." I replied

We walked through a really long hallway before we got to the main living room in the house. I had never seen a house with these many rooms before.

"There you are. We have been waiting for you all day."

"Hey Pat, where's dad?" Alex asked

"He is still in his room. Mum is getting him ready for dinner. I'm so sorry, who are you?"

"Pat, this is my wife, Aurora. Aurora, this is my younger sister, Pat."

"Wait, you actually found someone to marry you? Wow, I'm shocked. Anyway, it's nice to meet you Aurora. My brother can be a bit of a handful at times."

I smiled and for the first time I was actually calm. That was until I met his parents. His mum brought his dad in a wheelchair to the dining area.

"It's to finally meet you...."

"Aurora, We meet again."

I froze.

I couldn't believe he was sitting in front of me, after all these years. After everything he did to my family that I couldn't forgive him for, ever, he was sitting here with a smug smile on his face like nothing happened.

"Do you two know each other?" Alex asked

I shook my head. "Of course not."

"But he just called your name."

"He must have mistaken me for someone else."

Alex stared at me like he wasn't satisfied with my answer but at least he finally dropped it.

He pulled out a chair for me to sit and took the seat next to mine. I stared at all the food on the table and wondered for a moment if we were expecting more guests because the food I was looking at was definitely too much for seven people.

"So you two got married huh?" Helen began

"Yes, we got married at the courthouse. I brought the certificate along just in case you chose not to believe me." Alex replied, pointing to an envelope on the sofa.

"Okay then. You have fulfilled my requirements so it is time for me to honour my part of the agreement. You will be meeting with my lawyers tomorrow so we can do the official handover and sign all the necessary documents. Well done my son. I am proud of you."

Alex smiled at his father and I began to feel sorry for him. I was pretty sure he had no idea who his father really was or else he wouldn't be in the same room with him.

I zoned out for the rest of the dinner mostly because nobody seemed willing to talk to me and also because I didn't want to talk to any of them. It was hard having to sit through dinner with them but I was glad when it was finally over and I didn't have to look his father in the eye anymore.

"There will be some ground rules you two must adhere to during the period of your marriage." Henry began, shortly after we finished dinner

"What are these rules? " Alex asked

"Firstly, you must remain married for at least five years."

Five what? I just signed five years of my life away to a man I just met today. I couldn't believe it.

"Secondly, cheating in any form and kind is strictly forbidden. "

"Thirdly, you two must live together and share the same room."

I had no idea how we were going to pull this off but I knew I had to try for Alex's sake. I looked at him and saw that he was already sweating so I took his hand in mine and he squeezed it.

"Lastly and most importantly, you must produce a heir within the five year period. "

Did I hear this man right? I need to have a child within the next five years or everything goes to waste.

"Can you give us some time to talk about this?" Alex asked

"Sure, take all the time you need but I need your answer by morning. "

Alex took my hand and led me towards the gazebo outside. He waited until we were alone before he spoke.

"You don't have to do any of this if you don't want to. I'm sorry for dragging you into all of this. I had no idea any of these was going to happen. "

"Five years? I have to spend the next five years of my life married to you? This is completely ridiculous. " I said, tapping my heels on the floor

"I know and I just found out as well if not I would have given you a heads up. I didn't know he was going to do this. I just thought that I had to get married and get my inheritance. I've worked my butt off at his company for years with the hope that I was going to inherit it one day. He told me yesterday that if I didn't get married within twenty four hours, all his properties and wealth would go to a complete stranger that none of us know about. I can't let that happen. "

He suddenly got down on his knees which startled me as I wasn't expecting him to do that.

"Please I really need your help."

I was torn. On one hand, I didn't want to spend the next five years of my life married to a stranger and other hand, Alex really needed my help. I didn't want to be the reason for him losing his inheritance.

"I'll do it."

"You will?"

"Yes but I have a few conditions of my own."

"What are they?" he asked

"I want to open my own bakery. "

"Done, is that all?"

"No, I also want to be free to do what I want. I don't plan on being a full housewife. "

"I understand and I am not going to stop you from working. "

"Good. Now the most important issue is the heir. I don't plan on having kids yet. "

"It's okay. We don't have to discuss it now. We can talk about it later."

"Okay then. I think we can go back inside now."

"Thank you so much for agreeing to do this. You have no idea how much this means to me "

He took my hand in his and led us back to the living room where his family was waiting for us.

"We have agreed to your terms. " Alex said to his father as soon as we sat down

"Great, so we'll meet with the lawyers tomorrow morning to sign all the necessary documents. "

"It's getting late. We need to leave now." Alex said, staring at his watch

I stared at the time on my phone. It was almost nine pm. I didn't realise it was that late.

"Why don't you two spend the night here?" Helen asked

"No" Alex and I replied at the same time

"We're leaving now. See you all tomorrow. " Alex said and led us to the car.

"Why did you say no?" I asked as soon as we got into the car. Dave was in the driver's seat. Apparently, he was Alex's personal assistant and best friend.

"I already told you. I don't like spending time with my family. "

"If you say so." I replied and leaned back into my seat. I stifled a yawn and realised how tired I was.

"You can sleep if you want. I'll wake you up when we get to your place." Alex said and helped me recline my seat a bit.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't fall asleep in a stranger's car but this was far from normal.

True to his word, he woke me up when we got to my place.

"Oh we're here already." I said, struggling to open my eyes because I was really tired

"Yes but you can sleep a little longer if you want. I'll wait."

"I can't although I want to. Lily has been texting me all day. I need her to know that I am okay and I haven't been kidnapped. "

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah. I'll see you too. Goodnight. " I said, opening the car door

"Wait."

I turned around to face him.

"I almost forgot to collect your number."

"I forgot as well. Here, let's exchange numbers."

He gave me his phone and I typed in my number. I gave him mine and he typed his number in it.

"I'll call you tomorrow. Goodnight then."

"Goodnight." I said and walked towards my apartment. Unfortunately for me, Lily was waiting for me at the door.

"Where have you been? I've been texting you all day. " she asked

"Can I at least come in first?" I asked

"It's your house as well. You can come in if you want. "

"Thank you." I walked in and shut the door behind me.

"Explain yourself. " Lily said as soon as I sat down

"Fine. Sit down and I'll explain everything. "

"I'm all ears."

"So you know how I was supposed to go and get groceries but I came back empty handed?"

"Yes. I'm still wondering what happened so you better tell me right now if you want to sleep tonight."

"Calm down. I'll tell you everything. "

"First of all, you have to promise not to get mad."

"Aurora, what did you do?"

"I did something crazy, very spontaneous and out of the blue."

"Just tell me what you did"

"I'll get to it soon."

"Hurry up, I'm tired of waiting. "

"I ended up in front of the courthouse again. "

"Again? You really need to stop doing this. "

"I know. I'm trying but somehow every time I take a walk, I always end up there. I can't help myself. "

"So what happened today? " Lily asked

"You are probably not going to believe me but I got married today."

"You did what?"

"You did what? " Lily asked

"I said I got married. Look, here's proof." I replied and showed her a copy of the marriage certificate I had signed earlier.

"I can't believe this. How did you go from getting groceries to getting married? It doesn't make any sense. "

"I know. It still doesn't make sense to me either."

"By the way, who did you get married to?" she asked

"Alexander Kingsley " I replied

"Girl, do you know who Alexander Kingsley is?"

"Not really. We just met today. Why are you asking? "

"No reason. Just that you just got married to one of America's most eligible bachelors and you have no idea who he is. Almost every girl I know has dreamt of getting married to him and yet he just happens to choose the one person who has no idea of his existence to be his bride. Something's not adding up."

"I told you I was going to explain everything. "

"And I am still waiting for an explanation."

"So what happened was this. I ended up at the courthouse like I have been doing for a while now and I accidentally bumped into him. He asked me if I would be willing to marry him."

"And you accepted? Just like that?"

"No, I was shocked at first but he kept begging me and telling me he was running out of time and that he was going to lose everything he had worked for if he didn't get married within the next few minutes."

"So you agreed to marry him? "

"What could I do? We were already causing a scene. Besides, I kind of felt bad for him."

"So you married a stranger because you felt sorry for him? Who does that?"

"Me apparently."

"So where did you go after borrowing my dress and shoes?"

"He wanted me to meet his parents to show them that he had actually gotten married."

"So you had dinner with his family? How was it?"

"Not bad but not great either. His sister seemed nice though. His brothers weren't at dinner so I only got to meet his parents and his sister."

"I need more details. "

"I need to tell you something but you have to promise not to freak out. "

"I'm not making any promises. "

"Fine, I'll just tell you. His dad is Henry Kingsley. Remember I told you about him a few months ago? "

"Yes. Hold on, are you to tell me that you just got married to your number one enemy's son?"

"Yes and I am starting to regret it."

"Did he recognise you?"

"Yes, he even called my full name but I pretended like he had the wrong Aurora Kingston. "

"Does Alex know? "

"No and I don't plan on telling him about it."

"Why not?"

"Because his father is dying and I still want him to see his father as a good man in his death. "

"But you know he is the exact opposite of what you just said right? How were you even able to sit through dinner with him?"

"To be honest, it was really hard but I just tried to focus on my food."

"So what's going to happen now? Are you going to move out? "

"I have to move in with him. It's part of the requirements."

"Great, how am I going to be able to afford the rent now that you're moving out?"

"We'll find you a new roommate. "

"But she won't be you. I can't go through the hassle of finding another roommate again. "

"There might be another way."

"What way?"

"I'll have to ask Alex for a favour. "

"Do you think he will agree?"

"Well, I am his wife now."

"I'm really going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too." I replied and gave her a hug

I was terrified but I was trying to keep myself from falling apart.

Alexander's POV

I was lying in my bed trying to process everything that happened today. I had gone on my knees to beg a total stranger to marry me, something I never thought I would have to do.

I had never really thought about getting married so when my father told me I had to find someone to marry within twenty-four hours, I thought it was a joke especially since he loves joking around.

I realised he wasn't joking when he froze my accounts and revoked my access to all his properties and said that I would get them back if I got married in the next twenty-four hours. I realised I was done for. I hadn't had a serious relationship in the last five years because I had commitment issues.

I called a few of my ex girlfriends and asked if they would be willing to marry me but they thought it was a prank call and hung up.

I was about to give up when I noticed her standing in front of the courthouse, looking lost. She was about to leave and she bumped into me.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's fine." I replied and continued to stare at her. She looked so beautiful

"Do you need something? " she asked

"Marry me." I said without hesitation

Where did that come from? I can't believe I just said that.

"What did you just say? "

I had no other choice. The twenty four hours were almost up. "Marry me, please."

"Why would I want to marry you? I don't even know you." She asked

"I know you don't know me but please hear me out." I pleaded

"I'm listening."

I went down on my knees in front of her, not caring if anyone was watching. I was really desperate at this point and was willing to do anything.

"So the thing is that my father told me to get married within twenty four hours or else I would lose my inheritance and I can't afford to do so after working so hard in his company for years."

"So, what exactly is your point?"

"I only have twenty minutes left and I still haven't found someone to marry. Please help me. I'm really desperate. I'll do anything. "

"Fine, I'll do it."

"Wait, are you sure?"

"Yes, let's get married. "

"Thank you so much. I promise you won't regret it. " I replied and she helped me get back up

I called my lawyer to let him know that I had found someone and I called Dave to be our witness.

Fortunately, we were able to sign the marriage certificate within the time frame my father gave me. I stared at the certificate in relief, grateful that I wasn't going to lose my inheritance.

"Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me." I said, carefully placing the certificate inside an envelope

"You're welcome. I'm sorry I forgot to ask your name. "

I can't believe I forgot to let her know my name.

"It's Alexander, Alexander Kingsley. Now, it's time for us to meet my parents and let them know we're married. "

She seemed like a really nice person and I felt bad for making her do this but I didn't have a choice. I was still thinking about everything that happened earlier when my phone suddenly rang.

I checked the caller ID. It was Dave so I answered it.

"Hey man, what's up?" I said

"I was just checking to make sure you were okay. Are you okay? "

"To be honest, I'm far from okay. I wasn't planning on getting married for at least another five years and know I'm married to someone I've barely known for twenty four hours. It's insane. "

"I know and this is only the beginning. It's only going to get worse from here on out."

"I hate that you are right."

"Anyway, what do you think about her?"

"Who? Aurora?"

"Yes. What do you think about her? Why made you choose her?" he asked

"She seemed like the perfect person. She didn't seem like any of the girls I've dated in the past. Also, I noticed her staring at some of the other couples who got married at the courthouse today. She just seemed like the perfect candidate for it. I think I must be crazy or something. "

"No, I don't think you are crazy. I still want to know what you think about her though, as a person."

I smiled as I thought of how she looked in her dress tonight. She had been so nervous to meet my parents and I couldn't blame her. They were very intimidating.

"She seems like a really nice person. "

"And?"

"I love how her eyes light up when she smiles. I also love the way she taps her fingers when she is nervous."

"Yeah, I noticed she was tapping her fingers all day long, except the times when you were holding her hand."

"Yeah, I noticed that as well."

My other phone started ringing and I was surprised to see Pat's name on the screen.

"Dave, I'll call you back." I said and hung up the phone before answering Brad's call

"Pat, what is it? You hardly ever call me unless you need money. "

"Well, that's not why I called. "

'So why did you call?" I asked

"You need to come home right now. It's urgent. "

I looked at the time. It was a few minutes past midnight.

"Did somebody die?"