2

Chapter 2

Leilani Hades

Jaxon was already waiting for me in front of the city hall by the time I arrived, so I alighted from the cab with my luggage. A suitcase that had everything I owned.

"Lyra," He had the most joyous smile on his face as he walked up to me.

"I was worried about you. Are you ok? I've been trying to reach your phone but you weren't taking your calls," He held my shoulders, his pair of brown eyes gazing into mine worriedly.

He had the most innocent and handsome chiseled face with a sharp jawline, a pair of charming hazel eyes that had me melting inside, thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, nubian-shaped nose, small sexy lips. And a set of white dentition with the most beautiful smile ever.

"Are you ok?" He cupped my cheek in his warm palm, and my heart skipped a beat. What if he finds out that I wasn’t Lyra?

"Ye...yeah. I'm fine. Uhm... about that...I...I... Something happened to the phone," I stuttered. I feared he might suspect something. Though I had the same face outline as Lyra, I was still not confident about this.

He stared at me suspiciously for a few seconds before nodding his head.

"Shall we?" He gestured toward the entrance of the hall, and I nodded nervously.

"Let me help you with that," He offered, taking my suitcase before I could decline his offer.

We headed inside.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Grant," The clerk, a woman in her thirties smiled, handing us our marriage certificate which we both collected, muttering a 'thank you'.

Lyra had given me the address of the city hall earlier and asked me to meet Jaxon here for our marriage registration.

"This is the happiest day of my life," Jaxon looked at the marriage certificate, all excited after we stepped out of the hall, and my heart missed a beat. I was overwhelmed by guilt, my conscience cursing me for lying to this man.

He held my shoulders, a warm smile on his face as he said. "Thank you for being my wife, Lyra. You will not regret this, I promise," All I saw in his eyes was love and excitement. It was unfortunate he had to fall in love with someone like Lyra who was only after wealth.

"Hmm," I managed to smile at him, shrugging his hands off my shoulders and turning away from him uncomfortably.

"So, what next now?" I inquired, turning to him.

"Since you are here with your luggage, we are moving in together," That made my heart skip a beat as I swallowed a breath.

"Hmm... Alright," I managed to nod my head.

"Our ride will soon be here..." He paused, checking his wristwatch. "In ten minutes,"

"Hmm," Again, I nodded.

"Why did you suddenly change your mind about getting married at the beach where we planned before?" He looked at me as we waited for the ride.

I stared at him wordlessly, batting my eyelashes as I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. That bitch! She didn't tell me he would ask me questions.

"Oh... That? The thing is uhm... Something came up. Yeah, something came up," I'm sure I looked dumb with that reply.

The way he stared at me didn't look like he believed the lie I just told him, so I went ahead to brew another one and served it to him. "My Mom... She traveled out of the country urgently. You know, since she was the only one who was going to attend the wedding from my end, I thought it would be fine to just do it this way," I prayed silently he take that this time.

"Oh... I understand that." He muttered, tucking a hand in his pocket. He continued. "What matters is that we are married now,"

"Hmm," I just hummed, nodding my head nervously.

"Our ride is here," He smiled as a black car pulled over in front of the city hall. He hauled down my luggage to the car and helped it inside the trunk of the car.

"After you," He pulled the door of the backdoor open for me, waiting for me to hop in, a smile on his face.

My heart fluttered, and my cheeks flushed. It was the first time this was going to happen. I mean a man opening the door of a car for me. Oops! I never had a boyfriend all my life. I only had a crush on a few guys, and the feelings would always fade away slowly since I could never have any of them.

“My car is faulty, and is being attended to. I hope you don’t mind?” He asked as he hopped inside the cab with me.

“Hmm… It’s fine,” I managed to nod my head, my heart pounding hard in my chest.

We soon arrived at a small apartment in the outskirt of the city, and the driver pulled over.

Jaxon alighted first while I was still struggling with the seatbelt, and by the time I was done, he was already holding the car door open for me.

Jaxon helped me out of the car before going to get my suitcase from the trunk, proceeding into the apartment afterwards. It was a beautiful mini bungalow house with a beautiful interior design. There weren't many furnitures in the house. Just a settee and a center table in the mini living room. A kitchen and dining room which were attached together.

If I would have peace of mind here more than where I come from, regardless of how small the house was, I wouldn't mind.

I was still looking around the living room when two strong arms wrapped around my waist, enveloping me in a warm back hug. I flinched, swallowing a breath.

"Welcome to our home, babe. I'm happy we are finally together," His husky voice caressed my ear, before his warm breath fanned my neck.

"I'm going to be the best husband to you, I promise,"

My heart pounded in my chest as he gently turned me to face him, cupping my cheek in his big palm.

"Hmm," I literally heard the sound of my heart beating loudly, and I could've sworn that he heard it also.

"Uhm... I'm exhausted. I should get some rest," I distanced myself from him as my voice came out shaky. I continued, taking my suitcase from him. "Please show me to my room,"

"Our room," He corrected, and my eyes narrowed as I batted my eyelashes.

'Of course, Leilani. You are both married now, so it's only right you stay in the same room' My subconscious mind reminded me of the scary reality that had me almost gasping for breath. The imagination of Jaxon probably wanting to consummate our marriage tonight, gave me goosebumps and sent chills down my spine. I couldn't imagine myself giving my virginity to a man who was almost a stranger to me. A man I was forced to marry.

"Oh... I will sleep here on the couch then. I'll be fine here," I smiled at him nervously.

His face went blank as he asked "Why?"

"Uhm... Nothing, really. I just..." I paused and shrugged.

"It's fine, babe..." He smiled, holding my shoulders and gazing into my eyes as he continued. "You can stay in the room. I will take the couch,"