Sydney

Leah, Mike, and I went out for our last meal together the day before the 'wedding.' Mike's Steakhouse was our destination. Mike was grumpy as usual, and I was agitated. He'd been particularly silent recently; perhaps he was still angry with me or mistook me for a gold digger who took the easy way out. Maybe he was correct.
He dropped us near our door and was about to climb up for his flat when I called him. He stopped and looked at me curiously.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked.

He looked amused, " no, why would I be mad at you?"

I looked at his face for any hints. There wasn't any.

"I just figured you'd think I took the easy way out," I said.

"Anyone would have done the same Sydney, don't beat yourself up over it. I was just thinking about Rob, he is getting a TV role for me. I have been preparing for the auditions, so I had been a bit off." He explained.

"Oh, my goodness! Mike, that's fantastic; congrats!" I was ecstatic for him.

"It hasn't been finalised yet, so don't tell Leah just yet. If things don't work out, I don't want to see her heartbroken.

"Sure," I answered, "my lips are sealed."

I then leant in close to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and hugging him.

"Thank you for everything," I said quietly.

"It's been nice knowing you," he rubbed my head awkwardly.

I'm not sure when I fell asleep, but Leah jolted me out of it the next morning. I yawned as I awoke from my slumber.
"Can you tell me what time it is?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and yawning again.
"It's a bit after seven o'clock but get out of bed. This is something you must see!"

She was about to add something else when there was a quick succession of a loud knock on the door.

"No way! I hope it isn't them." She made a remark and then dashed out of my room to open the door. What was all the hoopla about when I got out of bed? Then it hit me like a tonne of bricks. My wedding was today!
I walked into the living room as soon as I heard Mike's voice. The brothers and sisters were staring out of the window.

"Hey, come over here and have a look." Leah's gaze was fixed on the scene outside the window. I glanced out the window. There were maybe five or six reporters with zoom lens cameras aimed in our direction across the street from our flat, snapping away. Mike then pointed to the front door of our building. The building entrance was guarded by two big and burly African American men dressed in black suits and glasses.

Mike shook his head and added, "They sure got the news fast."
"I'm sure there's more behind the building," Leah added.

"How are we going to get out?" I said I knew I was marrying a powerful man. But I had no idea it meant getting undue publicity.

"I'm sure your fiancée would send some hot bodyguards," Leah said as she looked at the suit-clad men.

I rolled my eyes. My phone rang and somehow, I knew it would be Aiden. Summon the devil and the devil was here.

"He...hello?" I spoke.

"How are you, Sydney?" His deep voice rang in my ears.

"All OK," I said.

"Sydney, you have been cleared of all accusations. I've completed the contract's requirements. It's now your turn."
I could almost sense his grin.

" I am not exactly running away. I cannot even leave the building as it's surrounded by the press and your guards, so your investment is pretty much safe." I replied sarcastically. The nerve of that man.
He burst out laughing. " You'd have made a break for it, anyway, wouldn't you?"
I tried to remain calm by closing my eyes.

"What you want me to say, that I'm marrying you? What else are you looking for?"



"You know exactly what I'm looking for," he remarked quietly. My heart had begun to flutter like a butterfly, and I could barely breathe.

"I have to get going, I have to finish packing, and I have to do stuff!" I murmured.

"Okay, but don't leave the building. Jennifer will get you out in a reasonable amount of time. My guards will keep those reporters at bay in the meantime."

"OK," I added as an afterthought, "and thank you for getting me out of this problem." Getting out of this drug issue had been a huge relief.

"You're more than welcome. I'll catch up with you later "he murmured, sluggishly.

I was still holding on to the phone when Leah roused me from my reverie. Once she got my attention, she suggested having some breakfast, before the 'wedding'.
**************************************

Aiden

I looked at my watch to see what time it was. After a few more hours, I'd be 'married.' It was a strange feeling. At the very least, I didn't have to waste time on flowers, chocolates, or flowery declarations of everlasting love in order to get a woman to marry me. It was completed quickly and professionally. Businesslike, to say the least.

With a cryptic smile, Matt, my best man, added, "You should watch the news."

"Do you think it's good?" I inquired.

He smiled and switched on the television.
My wedding was being covered by a buxom redhead!
"We captured footage of a suspicious woman leaving the Reiner estate on Monday..." they said, showing an image of a woman wearing scarves and dark glasses. I peered closely; she was Wendy going out for some errand...... I laughed.

"Mr Reiner's secretary was seen bringing gifts to this unassuming residence. According to eyewitnesses. That's where Mr Reiner's enigmatic fiancée calls home......"

They showed footage of Sydney and Jennifer leaving her flat. She was escorted into the limo right away. Her face was obscured by the big bodyguards, and she was quickly encircled by cops. Her beautiful auburn hair, which shone in the afternoon sun, was the only thing visible.

"Everyone wants to know who this enigmatic woman is. What brought them together? How did she win over the elusive billionaire's heart? Was it a Mills and Boons-style whirlwind romance? After the break, we'll find out." The redhead announced

I put the television on mute. " Well, that was interesting!" I mused.

"Are you having fun with it?" Smirking, Matt said.

"I have to say, it's been a lot of fun."

"You never mentioned her to me? Where did you meet her and how did you get to know her?" Matt inquired as he sipped his coffee.

A smile emerged on my face as I remembered the coffee shop event.

"Starbucks! We just happened to cross paths in a coffee shop."

*********************

Sydney

In the enormous automobile, I sat nervously. I was convinced the reporters encircling the limo, like ravenous vultures, wouldn't see me because the windows were so dark. I had hardly gathered my breath when I was hurried inside the limo. Mike and Leah had been ushered into a different car in front of them. When I felt Jennifer's touch on my shoulder, I turned to face her.

"Don't be concerned; the crowd will disperse shortly." She stated it with a smile.
I returned a feeble smile and closed my eyes. I was taken to a private airport, where a private chopper was waiting for me. With my mouth open, I stared at it. We arrived in a grassy pasture a short while later. My legs felt like jelly and my head was foggy as I walked into an enormous building via a VIP entrance with two bodyguards on either side.

"Can you tell me where I am?" Jennifer was the one who asked.

"Of course, the wedding will take place at the Reiner estate," Jennifer explained.

"This is Reiner estate? Aiden lives here?" I asked aghast looking around at the huge corridors and opulent interior.

"Not always, he spends most of his time at his penthouse in the city. It's easier to commute to work, but yes this is his home or rather one of his homes. It will be yours soon." She beamed proudly.

I was ushered into a chamber fast. It appeared to be a fashion model's changing room. In one area, there was a large mirror with a variety of cosmetics. My wedding gown was hung in a different corner. I was greeted by two well-dressed women who I assumed were the stylist and beautician.
"Okay, ladies, we're running out of time. We need to have her ready as soon as possible." Jennifer gave the order.

I was grabbed and made to sit on a chair in front of the mirror. As the girls worked their magic on me. I felt like Cinderella with Jennifer as my fairy Godmother. Except for the fact that I was marrying a devil rather than a prince charming.