ARIELLA'S POV

IT was finally morning, the day was bright and everything was very clear. I woke up to see my emerald ring, it's so unique, and I admired the vintage green stone. I had so many questions in mind like why did he have the ring in his bag? Why did he propose to a stranger? What if he was a human trafficker and I was just his next target?

Sylaq woke up, he raised his head and kissed me twice on my lips. His green eyes met mine. He muttered, "future MRS. Steel, good morning."

"My Angel, good morning," I greeted him, planting a kiss on his forehead. His green eyes were more visible, more beautiful, and I could easily get drowned in them. His curly brown hair was messy, his soft pink lips were perfectly shaped, and he had the perfect muscular body with no tattoos on the front but I spotted an oval-shaped scar on his back.

"Hmm, what's that on your back?" I asked placing my hand on it gently. His face turned pale and then he responded with a forced smile, "let's just say that scar was a souvenir from my past life and I'd rather not talk about it now."

"But you'll eventually tell me right." My question was followed by a nod from him. I wondered what sort of past he had, should I be concerned about this and was this a sign that I shouldn't marry him? No, I would marry him.

Yet, I knew that this, that all this was happening way too fast. I was being irrational by agreeing to marry this stranger but I wanted an escape from the fact that my ex cheated on me with my best friend, and from the fact that I might have killed Steve. Starting afresh with Sylaq seemed like my best solution even though it was selfish of me to think like that. Last I checked, I had never been a selfless person either.

Sylaq's face softened, and he lightly scooped me up in his arms. I was just in my white lingerie while Sylaq was in his black boxers. My eyes darted to the blood stain on the. bed.

"Don't worry about it. I'll clean it up," he said when he noticed me staring at the stained bed.

As he carried me out of the cave, I could hear the rhythm of how his heart was beating. It was a sensation that caused my whole body to tingle helplessly. We stopped at a nearby river, and we both entered the wide and clean river, our bodies relaxed when we felt the warm water touching our skin.

I for one always loved swimming cause it helped me to think. If I was with my camera, I'd capture this moment. We were moving slowly in the river while Sylaq was running his fingers through my hair. He seemed to love my hair a lot.

His soft lips melt into mine causing a sensation of hotness in my body.

"Future MRS. Steel, we'll get married today," Sylaq grinned.

Huh? Was he serious? But he just proposed last night and......

I asked curiously, "how are we gonna get married today?"

"I've taken care of everything, I've got it all covered. The wedding will take place in two hours or less," he assured me confidently. My escape plan seemed to be coming into motion way too quickly for me to even think about how wrong or right this whole thing was. It wasn't a right choice but it was a wise choice and sometimes, wise choices were better than right choices.

"You're a real-life Prince Charming," I kissed him, and he kissed me back with much passion, dazzling my whole body with electrifying sparks of igniting fervor.

We were both helplessly gazing into each other's eyes as if we were lost souls who just reunited and neither of us did anything to ruin this elating moment.

After swimming, we went back to the cave. Sylaq kissed the blood on the bed before cleaning it with wet leaves that he got from the tree. He gave me his black hoodie and black joggers to wear. I instantly put his scented clothes on, they smelled like him.

Heaven.

His eyes widened with amusement, "they fit you perfectly."

I was stunned to see Sylaq putting on my wedding gown.

"Huh?" I mumbled.

"I gave you my clothes to wear so I am wearing your wedding gown. I'll just die out of jealousy if you wear it again," the weird guy in front of me explained. I couldn't help but laugh at his funny appearance.

"Laugh again and I'll make you mine again right now," he warned dangerously causing my knees to weaken.

"I don't mind us making love but we'll be late," I shook my head trying not to stumble on my feet. I didn't miss the victorious smirk playing on his lips as we exited the cave.

I felt bad when I glanced at Ellie's burnt car. I made a mental note to get her a new one as soon as I was settled. I was pretty much stunned to see Sylaq's brand of car. The fact that he owned a Rolls Royce could only mean that he was very rich. Sylaq helped me to get into the car and I made myself comfortable. As he was driving, I realized that I might have really driven far from my house. I wasn't so sure if this was Dobana or a neighboring town. Everyone at home must be talking about how the sheriff's first daughter, Ariella Reas was left at the alter, and out of desperation, she killed her fiancé or rather ex-fiancé. Ugh, my life was a mess but right now, I didn't want to think about anything that might obstruct my future.

"And we're here. This is Jade's house, she'll help you with a new wedding dress and other wedding stuff," Sylaq voiced, bringing me out of my thought. Was it me or was this trip incredibly fast? The exterior of the bungalow in front of us was shimmering and it seemed as though it was enchanting. I loved the gold-colored building and I was excited to see the insides.

"Hmm, will she manage everything in less than two hours?" I asked as he opened the door for me to come down.

"Trust me, she will," he reassured me.

Since the house was opened, we entered and we were soon greeted by an average-height black-haired lady wearing a purple gown. The interior decor was out of this world yet, it held much simplicity. It was a glass house with a sparkling chandelier in the middle and different colors of bobs were lit around the transparent ceiling. I could see the sky without having to go outside and it was simply put, terrific.

"Woah! Is that you in a wedding gown?" The lady I presume to be Jade let out a sardonic laugh. She also had green eyes and she looked as though she was in her early thirties or late twenties. Sylaq chuckled something to himself, earning mocking giggles from both Jade and me.

"Hey dude, it's been so long," she grinned, giving him a tight hug.

"I'm glad to see you too," he smiled. After she broke the hug, she asked him who I was.

He held my hand softly and introduced me with a dazzling smile, "she's Ariella, my future wife and I need you to help her with a wedding dress cause the wedding is in like two hours."

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you. OMG, you're very gorgeous," she cheerfully greeted me. It was easy for me to return her greetings with pleasant smiles.

"Great! I gotta go now but don't worry, I'll be back in one hour," he reassured me. We kissed each other on the lips until Jade coughed making us all laugh. Sylaq went away, leaving me alone with Jade.

"I've got the perfect gown that will match your gorgeous outlook. I'm so sure that you're gonna love it," she squealed, leading me to a room full of ready-made lovely wedding gowns. She went to the left corner, bringing out the most gorgeous wedding gown that I've ever laid my eyes on. The modern dress was decorated with pearls and it was magnificently tailed at the button.

"It's way more beautiful than I ever imagined it to be," I screamed out of joy. Jade was super pleased by my reaction and she wasted no time in putting it on me. Luckily, it fitted me perfectly. She also helped me with my make-up and curled my hair into a high ponytail. It was easy to relate with her since she was undoubtedly friendly.

"Sylaq will take care of you," she told me. I felt the need to ask her questions but my handsome Sylaq entered wearing a black and silver attractive tuxedo.

"Dam, you look extremely gorgeous," my cheeks flushed intensely at his compliment.

"MR. Steel, you don't look bad yourself either," I teased.

****

Sylaq took us to a very beautiful garden, it was decorated with all kinds of Daisy flowers. How did he know that I love Daisy flowers? Jade accompanied us since she was our only witness and apparently, our photographer too.

A judge was present in the garden which made me wonder how Sylaq put it all up and that too within a very short time. Although nobody from my side was here to witness our marriage, I felt as though I was doing the right thing. I was sure that I was signing up for a new and exciting life so without a second thought, I picked up the pen and smoothly signed up to be MRS. Ariella Steel.

Jade cheered for us when we both signed the marriage document. As our lips brushed, we mouthed optimistically, "till death do us part."