Chapter 17 I DO (BUT NOT REALLY)
"Oh my goodness, ma'am, you look so beautiful! And you seem to be getting your glow back."
Joan beamed at me from the doorway, her hands clasped together like she was watching a bride on her actual wedding day.
I smoothed down the cream colored dress one more time, studying my reflection in the full-length mirror. The fabric was soft, expensive, and fit me perfectly, of course it did. Alexander didn't do anything halfway, he always aimed for perfection.
The dress wasn't white like a normal wedding dress, I had noticed that immediately. Instead it was Cream, almost pale, like winter sunlight.
Simple, and elegant, no lace, just small frills and clean lines, It suited me perfectly.
Or at least, it suited the version of me that was about to sign away a year of her life.
"Thank you, Joan." I managed a smile, even though my stomach was in knots. "I... I appreciate that."
"Mr. Graham is a very lucky man." She gave me a wink. "Even if he doesn't know it yet."
I wanted to tell her there was no luck involved. That this was a transaction, a contract and nothing more.
But I just nodded and picked up my small clutch.
Time to go.
The moment I stepped out of my room, I heard Alexander's voice echoing from the hallway entrance.
"...and make sure the files are on my desk by this afternoon. I don't care if you have to—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
I froze at the top of the stairs, suddenly hyper aware of every inch of exposed skin, every breath I took.
His gaze locked onto mine.
For one fleeting, impossible moment, something flickered in his eyes.
Then it was gone.
He looked away, his jaw tight, and turned back to Walter. "I'll be in the car."
And just like that, he was gone. The front door of his Cadillac Escalade slammed shut behind him.
I stood there, staring at the empty space where he'd been, my heart doing something strange and uncomfortable in my chest.
What was that?
"Miss Williams." Walter appeared at the base of the stairs, offering me a hand professionally. "We'll be taking a separate car. Mr. Graham prefers to arrive first."
"Of course he does," I muttered under my breath, taking him hand.
Walter's lips twitched, almost a smile, but he didn't comment
...........
The drive to the courthouse was quiet.
Walter didn't try to make small talk, and I was grateful. Because my mind was too busy spiraling.
This is really happening, I'm getting married.To that annoying man.
The courthouse was surprisingly understated. No grand dramatic architecture, just a plain government building with too many stairs.
Alexander was already there, leaning against his sleek black car, his arms crossed. He looked like a magazine ad, sharp suit, perfect hair, expression cold enough to frost glass.
And beside him were two men I'd never seen before.
Walter opened the door and helped me out, he cleared his throat. "Those are Mr. Graham's friends. Nicholas Cage and Xavier Quinn. They'll be witnesses."
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
As we approached, both men turned to look at me.
The taller one, Nicholas, I assumed, let out a low whistle. "Alex, you didn't mention she was stunning."
Heat flooded my cheeks.
Alexander scoffed. "Does it matter?"
Nicholas ignored him, stepping forward with an easy grin and taking my hand. "Nicholas Cage. Not the actor, unfortunately. Just a humble media mogul." He pressed a kiss to my knuckles, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's a pleasure to meet the woman brave enough to marry this iceberg."
Despite everything, I smiled. "Dandelion Williams."
"Beautiful name for a beautiful woman." He winked.
Alexander made a sound somewhere between a cough and a scoff.
I shot him a glare, which only made Nicholas laugh.
The other man stepped forward, Xavier. He was almost as tall as Alexander, with sharp features and an air of controlled intensity.
"Nice to meet you Miss Williams." He nodded curtly, with no smile and charm. Just cold professionalism.
He looked... tired, actually dark circles under his eyes and jaw tight. Like he hadn't slept in days.
"Nice to meet you," I replied carefully.
He just nodded again and stepped back, his gaze distant.
Someone's in a bad mood, I thought.
"Shall we?" Alexander gestured toward the courthouse entrance, his tone clipped. "Let's get this over with."
How romantic, I thought bitterly.
..........
The ceremony, if you could even call it that, was painfully brief.
A bored clerk attended to us, with a stack of paperwork and two pens.
"Do you, Alexander Angelo Graham take Dandelion Cecelia Williams as your lawful wedded wife" The clerk asked in monotone like he was bored of asking same question for years.
"I do" Alexander replied sharply.
"Do you, Dandelion Cecelia Williams take Alexander Angelo Graham as your lawful wedded husband" he asked now referring to me.
"I do" I whispered, but not really, I said at the back of my mind.
"Sign here. And here. Initials here."he said boredly.
I watched my hand move across the paper, forming letters that spelled out my name.
Dandelion Williams.
Soon to be... what? Dandelion Graham? Dandelion Williams Graham?
Did it even matter? It wasn't real.
Alexander signed beside me, his movements quick and efficient, like he was closing a business deal.
Which, I supposed, he was.
Then Walter handed over the wedding rings, it was a simple but expensive looking platinum band, with a simple mm design Alexander took one and gestured impatiently for me to bring my hand.
I did, and he slipped in the ring without wasting much time, I took the second and did the same almost fumbling nervously with the ring, causing him glared at me with a raised brow.
"Congratulations," the clerk said flatly. "You're married. Next."
And that was it.
No vows or kiss.
Just signatures on paper, exchange of rings and a hollow feeling in my chest.
.............
Outside, a photographer was waiting.
Of course Alexander had hired a photographer.
"Alright, Mr. and Mrs. Graham." The man shifted nervously, clearly uncomfortable. "If you could just... um... stand together? and smile"
We stood side by side, stiff as mannequins.
The photographer winced. "A little closer, perhaps?"
But neither of us moved.
Alexander's jaw clenched and I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves.
"Sir," Walter whispered gently, "Madam Winifred will notice if—"
"I know," Alexander snapped.
Then, with a sigh that sounded like it cost him everything, he turned to me.
His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer.
I gasped softly, my hands instinctively coming up to rest against his chest.
He was warm, solid and his eyes, God, his eyes were so green, so intense, boring into mine like he was trying to see straight through to my soul.
"Smile," he said quietly.
So I did, pulling on every ounce of acting training I had.
But my heart was racing too fast, my breath coming too shallow, and all I could focus on was the way his thumb was tracing small circles against my side.
Was he even aware he was doing that?
The camera flashed.
"Good! Now maybe a kiss?" the photographer suggested hopefully.
My head snapped at the photographer with raised brow, wasn't he aware this was fake?
But before I could protest Alexander grabbed my jaw quickly, forcing me to look at him, then he leaned in, my breath seized....
But he didn't actually kiss me, thank goodness he didn't, he just grazed his lips almost close to the side of my lips, his head blocking the camera.
Pretend, I told myself. You're good at pretending.
The camera flashed.
"Perfect!" The photographer looked relieved. "I think we got it."
Alexander released me immediately, stepping back like I'd burned him.
The space between us felt too wide and too cold.
"Uhm, Mr Quinn and Mr Cage can join in now" the photographer said.
Nicholas stood behind me all smiles, he must be a natural smiler, then the grumpy Mr Quinn stood behind Alex, they both fit their self perfectly, I almost scoffed.
The camera flashed again.
"Perfect" The photographer muttered lost in staring at the images.
"Are we done?" Alexander asked Walter.
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Alexander was already walking toward the exit.
I stood there, feeling strangely.
"Well!" Nicholas clapped his hands together, clearly trying to liven the mood. "That was... something. So, what's next? After party? Drinks? Celebratory dinner?"
Alexander shot him a look that could've iced a boiling pot.
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nicholas, read the room."
"I'm trying to improve the room." Nicholas grinned at me. "What do you say, Mrs. Graham? Want to grab a drink and toast to your new life of wedded bliss?"
I opened my mouth—
"No." Alexander's voice was final. "Walter, take her back to the penthouse. I'll go get the pictures."
And just like that, he was gone.
Again, it's like he had some sort of limit with staying in the same environment as me. And I felt slightly offended.
And who is he to control my movement, that demon.
I huffed.
Nicholas winced. "Don't mind him, little flower, he's always like this. Don't take it personally."
Little flower?, well it's better than Miss suicide queen, like that annoying man called me.
"I won't," I lied with a forced smile.
Because it was hard not to take it personally when your husband, fake or not, couldn't even stand to be in the same space as you for more than five minutes.
Xavier was already walking away, phone pressed to his ear, his expression grim.
Nicholas lingered. "For what it's worth, I think you're exactly what he needs. Even if he's too stubborn to see it."
I wanted to tell him he was wrong.
That I wasn't what anyone needed.
That I was broken and angry and barely holding myself together.
But I just smiled. "Thank you, Nicholas."
He tipped an imaginary hat and left.
And I stood there, in my beautiful cream dress, legally married to a man who'd rather be anywhere else.
Walter appeared at my elbow. "Shall we, Mrs. Graham?"
Mrs. Graham.
The name felt foreign and heavy.
Like wearing someone else's skin.
"Yeah," I whispered. "Let's go."