Chapter 6: You're in good hands

The worst part is that they know each other! Her heart raced in panic as all those thoughts ran through my mind.

“You can remember, I see,” Luke said, chuckling.

His words immediately brought her back to the present moment.

Huh? She flinched.

“I want to believe you heard me the first time, but for clarity, I would repeat myself. I meant the crazy stunt you pulled the other day”. He remarked.

Yikes! He sure has some nerves talking to me like that. She muttered under my breath.

“Did you say something?” He asked sarcastically.

“Well, I’m sorry about that day,” Ava started, spreading her palms. “You see, I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again, especially under such circumstances, so I felt I could misbehave a little, and get away with it.”

“Besides,” she added “I didn’t know it was your car” she finished, eyeing him.

Luke laughed. “What do you mean?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean? You know what I mean. Heck, a red car? That’s ridiculous, especially for a grown man like you.” She mocked.

Luke still observed her, amused. This is going to be quite adventurous, he muttered as he let out a chuckle again.

“What do you have against red cars?” He asked finally.

Their order arrived and the waitress placed a plate in front of them each. Ava smiled at the waitress and mouthed her thanks. She turned to Luke, who was watching her the whole time.

“Don’t even get me started,” Ava responded as she sliced the steak and took a bite. “Why don’t we get down to business?” She added.

Luke nodded and picked up his cutleries.

“So,” Luke started, a look of seriousness on his face now, “are you okay with the terms of the contract? I’d like to believe you didn’t draft the contract yourself.”

“Yes, I can cope with the terms. It’s just a year. And, you’re right, I didn’t draft that myself. Hell, I would ever think of marrying you.” She added dramatically. She looked up at him, “Can you, though?”

Luke shrugged. “I have to,” he replied. Even though I'm not cool with the whole plan. He added.

“You’re not in any relationship or anything like that?” She pressed.

“I’m not married. Isn’t that what’s important?”

Ava stared at him for a while then she dropped her cutleries. “Let’s sign these then.

I have to be somewhere” she said resignedly, not wanting to press further. She realized he wasn’t willing to be forthcoming with more information, and she was fine with that. Contractual marriage it is. No strings attached, which she believed was best for them.

She brought out the document and went through it for a while. Then she looked up. “What about here? It states that we are to have a child within one year. What do we do about that?

Argh! Isn't it bad enough that I'm getting married to a man who drives a red car? Now I'm supposed to bear him a child? Gross!

“Gross? He blurted.

Oops! I must have thought out loud. She muttered under my breath.

“I don’t want to have a kid because a contract says so.” she pressed forward.

“Me neither, but you know, this is a contract. We can’t go against what the contract states, not after signing it.

There’s an outrageous termination fee to be paid, if either party does.” I guess we just have to work something out.”

Ava nodded, took a deep sigh, and signed under her name. She passed the document to Luke. Luke signed and handed them back to her.

“The wedding is scheduled to be held in two weeks, so we’ll discuss the preparations over the phone. The dress fitting will be next week. I believe you’ll be there?”

Luke affirmed.

“Alright then. I’ll be on my way” Ava said as she got to her feet. She extended her palms “A pleasure meeting you, again. Luke Carter.” She smirked.

Luke took her palms in his and got up, “pleasure’s all mine” he said, eyes on her face. They stared at each other for a while, heat creeping into Ava’s cheeks. There was a tingling sensation she felt. She didn’t know if it was his hands, his voice, or his eyes that triggered the sensation.

She offered a quick smile and removed her palms from his. She started to walk away.

“See you around,” Luke called to her and she acknowledged with a slight nod.

Luke stared wistfully at her back as she left, wondering what the next few months had in store for them.

~~~

“Ava Grayson, it’s your wedding day. Your smile should be really wide today,” Alex said as she came into the dressing room, holding the wedding dress. “It’s your happy day.”

“It’s my wedding day, Lex, not my happy day,” Ava corrected. “I’m not marrying the man I love. It’s just a marriage of convenience.”

Alex scoffed. “Love? Ava don’t be silly. You’re about to become the most powerful young woman in the world. Who the heck cares about love?”

Ava had to smile at that. “You exaggerate a lot, Lex.”

Alex shrugged. “Again, you’re getting married to one of the finest men in Europe.

You have to agree with me. Luke is drop-dead gorgeous. I’m not exaggerating this time.” She added.

Ava couldn’t deny that. Luke was devastatingly good-looking. She had a thing for good-looking men, but this was marriage, not a ‘thing’. A marriage of convenience at that.

“Get dressed. The bridal entrance is just around the corner.” Alexis winked at Ava and left the room.

“Phew! It's happening, I'm getting married to Mr. Red! I can't believe I'm sacrificing one year of my life for this. Gosh”. She panicked as she paced around.

She moved towards the mirror, stood in front of it, and stared at herself for a while. “You got this Ava, you got this. She affirmed, her lips widened igniting a small smile on her face.

An hour later, Ava was regally dressed and ready for the entrance. She looked at herself in the mirror and was a bit taken aback by her reflection. She looked angelic in that white dress.

There was a knock on the door. “Ava?” Susan Grayson called.

“Mom, come on in.” She signaled the professionals in the room to leave.

Susan opened the door and stood in the doorway, observing her daughter. She smiled wistfully, her heart heavy.

“My God, Ava. You look breathtaking” she complimented and Ava smiled. Suddenly Teary-eyed. “Thanks, Mom,” she said, her voice breaking.

Sensing what was about to happen, Susan moved in quick strides and took Ava in her arms. “You should be your happiest today, sweetheart.” A tear dropped from Ava’s eyes. “Mom, I'm scared.”

“I know, sweetheart. But I assure you, everything will be fine. I know what you're scared of, but I tell you, it's just a matter of time. Okay?”

“But Mom, what if things don't turn out fine? I'm supposed to spend a year with a stranger” Ava said in between tears.

“Enough with the tears, sweetheart. You’re ruining your makeup. You should look your best”. Susan got a few wipes and handed them to Ava.

“You’ll be fine. Trust me.” “Now, you have just ten minutes. Let the professionals fix you back up” She winked at Ava and left.

The next few minutes were cold as a lot of thoughts clouded Ava’s mind.

~~~

Luke stood at the altar, waiting for his bride. He felt a bit uneasy.. and anxious. He was getting married. It was all happening so fast.

Two months ago, his ex broke up with him, and now, he was getting married to a girl he barely knew.

He was going to try to move on. But he wanted to be sure she was safe.

He looked over at his best man, Darrell, who raised his brows. Luke never asked him about what happened at the restaurant, and Darrell never offered any explanation either.

He believed it was for the best. He didn’t want to know what transpired between his cousin and his wife-to-be.

A movement in the audience caught his eyes and he froze. Farida?