Chapter 10
Eleanor never imagined her runaway adventure would end here. Sure, she had agreed to be with Leon after he crashed the wedding, but in her mind, they were supposed to spend a little more time getting to know each other first.
So, when she saw how quickly he moved into action, she hesitated and finally voiced her concern. “Are we really getting married right now?”
Leon laced his fingers with hers, his tone filled with certainty. “What else would we be doing?
“Don’t you think this is a bit rushed?” she asked, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Leon leaned down so their eyes were level, the corners of his lips curling into a knowing smile, like he could see straight through her.
“I’m just worried that if we wait, you might find someone else to run away with you from another wedding. Then, wouldn’t I be left with nothing after all the trouble I went through
To Eleanor, that was a complete misunderstanding. She quickly made her stance clear and said, “I’m not the kind of person who goes back on her word.”
Leon gave a noncommittal nod. Then, he tugged her forward like the matter was already. settled. “If so, let’s go.”
But Eleanor was still a little unsure, so Leon had to pull out the line he had been saving just in case. “Aaron’s a full–blown maniac. If we don’t register our marriage today, he might break into my place tonight and drag you back–then all of this would’ve been for nothing, wouldn’t it?”
If it had been anyone else, she fnight have doubted it. But Aaron? Yeah, he was absolutely crazy enough to do something like that.
The moment Leon said it, Eleanor’s hesitation disappeared completely. She grabbed his hand and broke into a run toward the city hall.
They were halfway through the lobby when Eleanor suddenly froze, her eyes wide. “Wait, we just showed up to get married with nothing in hand. Did we even prepare anything?”
Leon reached into his pocket and handed her a folder full of neatly prepared documents. When she saw what he gave her, her eyes widened even more. “How did you get my ID and photo?”
Without even thinking, Leon gave up his accomplice right away. “Clara. I told her you asked me to crash the wedding, and she didn’t want to see you walk into the Fords‘ mess either, so she agreed to help.”
So, it had been her friend, Clara Thornton. Eleanor finally remembered how Clara had insisted on taking her purse earlier that day. It all made sense now.
Chapter 10
With one of them wearing a tuxedo and the other a wedding gown, the two of them stood out like movie stars among the line of couples waiting to register their marriages,
A few staff members nearby whispered gossip under their breath, but Leon’s hearing was sharp–so sharp that he couldn’t hold back his grin.
Eleanor, completely clueless, turned to him and raised a brow. “What’s with the smirk?”
Leon bent down and murmured by her ear, “They’re comparing your face to the runaway bride on the news.”
Eleanor immediately remembered the chaos when she had run out of the hotel.
burned with embarrassment as she realized the reporters with their cameras had probably gotten some crystal–clear shots.
Leon couldn’t hide his smile as he looked at the blush creeping up her neck. He opened his arms, pretending to be all serious. “If you’re feeling a little shy, I can offer a safe harbor for you to hide in.”
But the more he teased, the bolder she became. She straightened her back, lifted her chin, and muttered under her breath, “Let them stare. So what? It’s just a runaway bride situation. Most people wouldn’t even have the guts.”
Leon nodded proudly, clearly impressed. Before long, they finished filling out the forms and went through the paperwork check before walking over to the photo area for their picture.
It was Eleanor’s first time getting married–and with Leon, of all people–so she felt a little stiff and awkward. Leon gently fixed her hair that had been tousled by the wind, then pulled something from his pocket and carefully clasped it around her neck.
It was a dazzling diamond necklace, and the second she saw it, Eleanor’s eyes widened in shock. She instantly recognized it as the famous “Whisper in the Wind” piece that had been auctioned off for over two billion just a few weeks ago.
“You bought this?” she asked, stunned, staring straight at him.
Leon arched a brow and pretended to think. “Yes and no. Technically, it’s a gift from my grandmother to her future granddaughter–in–law. She even gave me a message to pass along to you, Ms. Sutton.
“What did she say?”
Leon replied, “She said, “Thank you, Ms. Sutton, for taking in my reckless, lawless grandson. I couldn’t be more grateful.“”
