Lina’s POV

The wedding was a quick one, taking place in the courthouse. I thought my parents would object to it, since they had a grand wedding during their own time, at least from the pictures that lined the walls in our living room.

But they were content with it, surprisingly.

I decided to wear black that day, showing my defiance. I met Griffin waiting for me outside the courtroom, dressed in black as well.

Even the shirt inside his tuxedo was black.

He angled his head as I walked in, finding my way next to him. There were usually other people lining this floor waiting to get married, but today, it was just the two of us.

I presumed my husband-to-be had something to do with it.

And it dawned on me that I had no idea who he really was. I mean, it had nothing to do with me since we only had to be married for a year, but I should at least know who I was getting married to.

“I thought you were going to be my first runaway bride,” he joked as I drew close.

“I considered it, but I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere before being whisked back by my parents,” I murmured, taking my seat next to him.

“You made the right choice,” he drawled, staring straight ahead. “Because even if your parents decide not to go after you, I would. You already signed the contract, so you have to fulfil your part.”

Yeah. The damn contract. He had it sent over this morning, after making me wait seven whole days for it. He seemed like that kind of person, the one to make everyone else wait for his presence, because he thought he was everything.

The mere thought made me livid.

“Let’s get this over with,” I sighed for the umpteenth time that day, rolling my eyes. “If I have to spend another hour with you, I am going to throw up.”

He chuckled, his white teeth on display. The moment seemed frozen in time. His perpetually stoic expression seemed to have caved in at that moment, revealing soft features.

Griffin’s piercing blue eyes didn’t appear so haunting in that moment. My lips parted on their own accord and a slight breath found its way out of my throat.

“Are you sure about what you just said?”

“What?” I blinked hard and fast.

“Lina,” he said my name like a line of prayer. “Your lips say something but your body says another. Which am I to believe?”

He was teasing me.

I swallowed and turned my head, staring straight at the bland doors in front of us.

A full minute of silence passed between us. At intervals, I found myself staring at him from the corner of my eyes, and found him doing the same too.

Each time I jerked my head forward, he laughed and it got me riled up all over again.

“Who am I getting married to?” I said just as the doors opened and a court worker beckoned us forward. “What do you do?”

He got up and held his hand out towards me. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he took my hand in his and led me into the room. His stoic expression was back, and it felt like the man who’d been sitting with me only a few seconds ago had vanished into thin air.

The exchange of vows was short and direct, and as the words floated in the air, I couldn’t stop wondering who the man with the blue eyes was.

My parents must have called his family name at some point in the night, but I’d been too invested in trying to sabotage the prospects of a marriage that I’d failed to pay any attention.

The judge cleared his throat as he turned to me. “Do you, Lina Hart, take Griffin Barnes, to be your husband?”

My lips began to move in the carefully rehearsed reply when everything in me suddenly stopped.

“Wait, what?”

"Do you need me to repeat the question, Miss Hart?"

Did the judge just say Barnes? As in Barnes of The Barnes? My eyes darted towards Cindy who was standing beside me as one of the witnesses. She had the same expression on her face.

Griffin leaned over. “Do you need to think about this? I could give you a few minutes.”

I shook my head, then looked towards the judge. “I do.”

That was a stupid decision, knowing I could be right. My review had been taken down that night. I saw it after the dinner with his family, but I was aware of the damage that had been done.

If Griffin found out…

I shook my head, as if pushing the thought away from existence. There was no way he could be the same Barnes. A million and one people all over the world had the same name.

It was just a coincidence.

Or at least, that was what I wanted to believe.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the judge announced, but no part of me was in that courtroom. I needed to know for sure. I needed to know the identity of the person I had just agreed to spend the next year of my life with.

"Smile," Griffin instructed as we turned around to take a picture. I couldn't do that, but there was no reason to be frantic because he didn't smile either.

Still, I held my breath as I felt his hands snake around my waist, pulling me firmly to his side. My pulse raced and I struggled to breathe. It seemed like the temperature in the room had been increased.

After what felt like an eternity, Griffin dropped his hand, and I let out a shaky breath. Cindy was by my side in a heartbeat, her glee evident.

“I can’t believe you are married,” she chirped. “Congratulations, honey.”

“Cindy…”

“I know! I know! You didn’t want this, but it is going to be all over soon. But I know what can cheer you up.”

“Did my parents say we can annul the marriage now?”

She laughed. “No, silly. You got the job.”

I looked up at her. “What job?”

“The position of Head Chef at The Barnes.”