The rain hadn't let up by the time Elena followed Adrian out of the restaurant. His driver - a man in a dark suit with the build of a bodyguard - held an umbrella over him, barely sparing her a glance before ushering them both toward a sleek black Bentley parked at the curb.
Elena hesitated at the door. "This is insane."
Adrian opened it with a cool glance. "So is marrying a stranger. Get in."
Her pulse kicked up a notch. She slid into the plush leather seat, inhaling the faint scent of expensive cologne and new car. Adrian settled beside her, composed as ever, like this was an ordinary Tuesday night errand rather than an impromptu engagement.
"Where are we going?" she asked again, folding her arms.
"To buy you a ring," he said simply, tapping his phone. "If I'm going to marry you tomorrow, we'll do it properly."
"Tomorrow?" Elena nearly choked. "Don't you think this is a little fast?"
Adrian's gray eyes slid toward her, cool and unreadable. "You're the one who proposed, Elena. I don't procrastinate when I want something."
Something. Not someone. The word sent a shiver through her.
The car glided through the wet streets, bypassing traffic as if the world moved aside for Adrian Blackwell. Which, Elena realized uneasily, it probably did. Within twenty minutes, they pulled up to a jewelry boutique glowing with soft light despite the late hour.
"This place is closed," she whispered as Adrian stepped out first.
"Not for me," he said calmly.
Sure enough, the doors opened before he even reached them. A nervous-looking manager appeared, bowing slightly as if greeting royalty. "Mr. Blackwell, welcome. Everything is ready for you."
Elena followed Adrian inside, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The entire store was empty except for two attendants who looked as if they'd been woken from sleep - and didn't dare complain.
"Something elegant," Adrian instructed curtly. "Not gaudy. Platinum or white gold. Oval cut."
Elena blinked at him. "You have opinions?"
Adrian shot her a faint smirk. "I don't do anything halfway."
One by one, velvet trays appeared, glittering with diamonds that made her eyes hurt. She reached instinctively for a modest band, but Adrian caught her hand, his touch firm and warm.
"No," he said softly, selecting a larger ring and sliding it onto her finger. "This one. It suits you."
Elena stared at the stone - dazzling, almost obscene - and tried to protest. "Adrian, this is too much-"
His gaze sharpened. "You're marrying me. Get used to it."
The air between them thickened. For a moment, Elena forgot to breathe.
The transaction took minutes - no paperwork, no delays. Adrian signed something with a flick of his pen, and the ring was hers. Or rather, his, on her hand.
Back in the car, silence stretched between them, electric and heavy. Elena found herself sneaking glances at him, trying to read the man behind the tailored suit and ruthless calm.
"You're very sure of yourself," she muttered at last.
Adrian didn't look up from his phone. "I don't make decisions I'm unsure of."
"And me?"
That earned her a glance, sharp and assessing. "You intrigue me."
Her cheeks warmed at the unexpected admission. "That's not very romantic."
"I'm not a romantic man, Elena," he said flatly. "But I protect what's mine. That should be enough for you."
The car slowed outside a towering hotel - his, judging by the discreet Blackwell crest on the doors. Adrian stepped out first and held the door open for her.
"Stay here tonight," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Elena stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"You'll need to be rested for tomorrow." His tone left no room for argument. "We'll go to the courthouse at ten. After that, you'll be Mrs. Blackwell."
"Just like that?"
Adrian's smile was cool, almost predatory. "You started this, Elena. I'm just finishing it."
She opened her mouth to argue, but he was already guiding her inside with a hand at the small of her back. The touch was light, but commanding, and sent an involuntary thrill through her.
The hotel suite he arranged for her was larger than her entire apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the stormy skyline, and the bed looked soft enough to swallow her whole.
Adrian lingered at the door as the bellhop set down her things - he'd somehow had her bag sent over without asking. Another reminder of how easily he bent the world to his will.
"Goodnight, Elena," he said softly, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Tomorrow, everything changes."
And with that, he was gone.
Elena didn't even take off her coat before grabbing her phone. Her fingers shook as she dialed home. Her mother answered on the first ring.
"Sweetheart," her mother said brightly, almost too brightly, "we just heard the news!"
Elena froze. "What news? I only decided this tonight-"
"Mr. Blackwell's assistant called us an hour ago," her father cut in from the background. His voice was warm, but with an edge of something else-relief. "We'll meet you both at the courthouse in the morning."
Elena's stomach dropped. "You're not... mad?"
"Mad?" her mother laughed softly, though it didn't reach her voice. "Darling, do you have any idea what this means? Our company has been hanging by a thread. Adrian Blackwell's support could change everything. This marriage is-"
"A lifeline," her father finished bluntly. "So cooperate, Elena. Don't mess this up."
She pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at it in disbelief. Her own parents weren't warning her. They were celebrating.
******
The real shock came the next morning - when she stepped into the courthouse, expecting some quiet paperwork, and found it cordoned off, with security guards snapping to attention.
Adrian Blackwell was already there, waiting in a crisp suit, papers ready, witnesses lined up - powerful men in darker suits who bowed slightly when he passed.
He didn't just agree to marry her. He'd orchestrated everything.
"Good morning, Mrs. Blackwell," Adrian said smoothly as she approached, his gaze burning through her. "Are you ready to make it official?"
Before Elena could answer, the judge appeared, summoned like a servant. Everything happened fast - signatures, vows, rings exchanged again under Adrian's relentless stare.
And just like that, it was done.
When they stepped outside, cameras flashed. Elena froze. "You didn't say anything about press!"
Adrian slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, his lips brushing her ear.
"Get used to it, wife. The world watches everything I do."
She stiffened as his fingers tightened slightly, possessive. "Where are we going now?"
Adrian's smile turned wicked. "Home. To celebrate properly."
