The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 52: Getting Married

Chapter 52: Getting Married

Aryana was still in the shower when the doorbell chimed. She hurriedly went out of the bathroom and peeped through the keyhole. She was surprised to see who her visitor was so early in the morning.

"Erik..." She said as she opened the door.

Erik was in a daze when he saw Aryana. She was wearing a robe and a towel was wrapped around her head. She looked as fresh as the morning dew that settled on the petals of the flowers.

He coughed to clear his throat.

"This is Ariel. He will be your makeup artist and stylist."

Aryana gaped at the hunk Erik introduced to her. Who would believe that a man like him was a stylist?

Ariel winked at her teasingly then he laughed.

"I am sorry. Please take a seat. I’ll get changed first." She let Erik and his companion in before she hurried to her bedroom to change. It took her fifteen minutes before she came out in a comfortable dress that could easily be removed.

"I brought breakfast. Let’s eat first and after that Ariel will help you with your hair and makeup." He went to the kitchen and arranged the breakfast without ceremony.

Aryana just stood there in a trance. She did not know what to do. ’What’s with Erik?’

"Have you stared enough? Sit down and eat." He said nonchalantly and she obediently sat down.

She was looking at Erik with a big question mark on her face. Erik was an enigma to her. She cannot predict him at all. Sometimes he was so cold and distant. At other times, he was gentle and caring.

Erik chuckled. "I don’t want to be late for our appointment with the mayor."

Aryana finished her sandwich and her juice then she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Her mind was a mess. Was she really getting married? She calmed herself, took a long breath, and came out of her room.

Ariel skillfully applied light makeup on Aryana’s face.

"You’re so beautiful, sweetheart." Ariel flicked his finger as he examined her face.

Aryana giggled. She did not expect to see a muscular man that was so good at doing hair and makeup. It took him less done an hour to finish.

"Erik, you have great taste. I don’t mind you ditching me for her." He teasingly winked at Erik who glared harshly back at him.

Ariel handed Aryana a shopping bag. "Common go change and let’s see whether you are worthy to be Mrs. Lee." He playfully winked at her.

When Aryana came out of her bedroom, Ariel clapped his hands in an animated way.

She was wearing an off-white midi dress made from gorgeous floral jacquard fabric with a ruched bodice that accentuated her busty figure. The thin shoulder strap and the square neckline showed her beautiful collarbone. A pair of exquisite dangling earrings made from south sea pearls encrusted by tiny diamonds were hanging from her small ears. Her hair was braided bun-up style with a few strands hanging on both sides of her face giving her a softer look.

"Absolutely stunning!" Ariel said contentedly. "Girl sit down on the couch."

Aryana sat down and Ariel took out a pair of high-heeled white sandals, slipped them on her feet, and fastened the strap just above her ankles.

Erik nodded in approval. He led Aryana to the elevator into the basement where Ace was waiting for them. He pressed the button for the basement while Ariel pressed G on the panel.

"I’d like to take photos of you in the garden. I saw there was a gazebo there and a rustic-themed swing. I don’t like my efforts wasted."

Erik was about to protest but when he saw the expectant look of Aryana and Ariel he relented.

Ariel took a lot of photos. He was good at choreographing the poses. He forwarded his favorite photo to both Erik and Aryana. It was the one where Aryana was sitting on the swing and Erik was standing at the back with his hands grasping the two ropes suspending the swing. Aryana was lovingly looking up at him while Erik was looking down at her with a gentle smile.

"Can I share this photo on my website to attract more customers?" Ariel looked pleadingly at Erik.

"Don’t even think about it," Erik replied coldly.

"Hmp. What a waste of beauty." Erik glared at him and Ariel stopped talking.

At nine o’clock a red Rolls Royce picked them up. Traffic was heavy so the drive to the city hall was slow.

"Are you feeling nervous?" Erik tried to break the awkward silence in the car.

"Yes," Aryana answered honestly. "Are you sure about this?" She turned to look at Erik and asked.

"Yes." Was his decisive answer.

Aryana twisted the engagement ring on her finger.

"Isn’t it ironic? We are about to become husband and wife yet we are just like strangers. We cannot even find something to talk about on our way to solemnize our bond." She smiled wryly. She tried to make her voice sound indifferent and calm.

Erik moved closer to her. He reached out and took her small hand into his big one.

"Yana, rest assured that I will treat you well as my wife and I will be loyal to you." He looked at her gently.

Aryana nodded and smiled brightly. The dimples on her cheeks appeared fleetingly.

Their car went directly to the basement. A group of six men were waiting for them and escorted them to the elevator. Aryana was looking down at the hands that were clasped together as they rode the elevator in silence to the top floor.

They entered a room and Aryana was surprised to see it was decorated with flowers. It wasn’t grand and lavish like a normal wedding. In fact, the theme was simple yet elegant.

The mayor was already there and so were Marlon and Alex who will be the witnesses. Ariel arrived as well.

"Alex, punch me. I think I am dreaming." Marlon said and Alex gave him a punch in the chest.

"Ouch! Why did you do that? I was just joking." Marlon shouted at Alex. He smoothened the creases of his suit.

Erik glanced at the mayor impatiently. The mayor understood the hint and started the ceremony.

"Do you Erik Lee, take Aryana Jones to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always?"

He took both of Aryana’s hands and squeezed them lightly. "I do." He answered without hesitation.

"Do you Aryana Jones, take Erik Lee to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always?"

Aryana looked into Erik’s dark eyes. She was trying to fathom the complex emotions whirling in those two deep orbs. She saw gentleness but she was searching for something else, even if it was just a glimmer.

Erik’s heart beat wildly as he looked down at the wide-eyed princess who held his gaze captive. Her eyes were changing colors again. They were more green than brown. She was looking at him intensely as if she wanted him to lay bare his soul.

Finally, he blinked and looked at her nervously. Her silence has stretched into minutes and he has never been this nervous in his entire life.

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