Chapter 49—Marriage
“So where do we get a priest?” Elvin asked, snuggling Eve who was lying naked next to him. “Would we need to invite people, or would you want it to be quiet?”
Eve smiled. “Whatever you choose. I’m in for it. But if you want my suggestion, I’ll say we start with a court signing. Then after that, we see a priest. You and me. No one else. Except maybe, our best friends, if they won’t be judgmental of what we share.”
Elvin thought about it, then he smiled. “Well, I’m broke. So, something quiet for now. But I surely would have liked to give you a grand wedding.”
“Most grand weddings ended in disaster. If I’m certain you have your heart, as you claim to have mine, then we are good to go. You know, Elvin, this is marriage. You may get tired of me. You may get tired of seeing me.” Eve grinned. “I—I don’t want to look like a piece of work to you.”
“You won’t,” Elvin said. “The problem with marriage is that most couples forget the initial flare that attracted them and become too serious. They no longer go out on dates, dress to impress, share compliments, or play like they used to. I want to get this right with you, and I am hopeful that you would make it possible.” He laughed. “Hilarious that I would be marrying my boss.”
Eve’s face lit up with a smile, and that instance, Elvin’s phone beeped, and he merely looked at it, and removed his gaze, refusing to check it. He was with Eve. No notification was that important.
“You know I don’t believe in divorce, right?” Eve asked. “I like to work things out.”
“Yes, I know,” Elvin said. “And you’re certain that I’m not a monster that would turn on you and hit you sometime later on?”
“You’re a gentleman, Elvin. At least, from what I’ve noticed, you know how to treat a lady. You know what you’re doing. I can confidently say that I am in good hands.”
“Wow. That sure gave me a great sense of pride. Never knew you were that observant.”
“You’d be surprised.” Eve released herself from his warm embrace, and looked down, staring into his eyes. “So, how are we doing this?”
“What?”
“What we are talking about. The marriage?”
“Oh, I’m not sure, yet.”
“Let’s meet at the court,” Eve said.
“Separately?” Elvin asked, a bit scared to let her out of his sight.
“Yes. We’ll pretty much figure out the rest from there.”
Elvin was scared. He feared he may never see her again.
But as if Eve read his mind, she said, “I know you fear losing me. I too do fear losing you. So, let’s begin on the route to trusting each other with something as simple as this. Besides, it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.”
Elvin laughed. “Okay.”
It was totally unnecessary for Eve who was above the laws of Tan Height. But seeing it would be of some importance to Elvin, Eve let herself, for the first time, to be submissive under the law. The court was empty, save for the policemen scattered around the court who seemed to know who she was, and were suddenly mindful of their appearance before her when Eve, in a dazzling diamond gown, walked into the courtroom, hand in hand with Elvin. Elvin of course didn’t understand why they had to stand at ease like they were before their commander, but then, he noticed the judge too wore a worried expression.
“Miss O’Neal,” the judge, a fair elderly man, said, “What—what can I help you with?”
Eve smiled, leading Elvin a bit closer to the judge. “Hi, Marshall. I’ve come to marry this man.”
The judge looked confused. It seemed he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed and said, “Of course.”
After professing their love before the judge, Eve signed on a document, retaining her name, and Elvin who sat next to her asked with a smile, “Are you one of those who likes to retain her maiden names?”
“Not really,” Eve said. “Just write O’Neal after your name, else, the judge won’t declare us married.”
Elvin squinted his gaze at this. “I should write your last name after my first name?” He shook his head.
Eve whispered to him, “If this is about love, surely, you won’t have a problem with that.”
As if she hushed him with that statement, he wrote down his name and her last name next to his, and he signed.
The judge declared them married and handed a marriage certificate to them.
Eve and Elvin walked out of the courthouse to the bright gaze of the sun and were greeted by a long line of black cars with a stretched car in between. Men in dark suits stood by these cars, and Elvin’s first thought was that some celebrity was around.
“Got any idea who they are waiting for?” Elvin asked.
Eve replied, “Yes.” And didn’t add anything as she led Elvin who now felt a bit stupid to the black, stretched car.
The guard opened the back door for them, and Elvin released his hand from Eve’s.
“What is this?” Elvin asked, a bit confused. She didn’t need to go this far. It was supposed to be a simple wedding. And where was his car? He looked around but it was not in sight.
“You are part of my family now,” Eve said.
“And this is not some stunt, because I didn’t pay for any of these.”
Eve smiled and walked up to him. “You don’t have to bear my name.” She took up his hands. “People will still refer to you as Elvin Field. But you’re part of the O’Neals now. These are my guards, and I pay them quite handsomely.”
“Oh, come on, Eve. You are just a mere company owner. You shouldn’t go this far with expenses. It could cost you a lot.”
Eve shook her head. “No, darling. This is about no company. Remember that family that controls the city?”
Elvin’s eyes lit up.
Eve curtly nodded. “I am the head of that family.”