I Do

"Wait here, I'll be right back," Xander said, releasing Aurora from his embrace as he stood up, but she refused to him go, grasping his hand. "Don't leave me alone," her eyes pleaded.

Xander's gaze locked onto hers for a moment before their fingers intertwined. "Stay close," he instructed before pulling a handgun from his back.

Instantly, Aurora's eyes widened, her heart racing as she stared at the weapon in his hand.

Before she could process the surprise, Xander scanned their environment as he guided her outside toward the open ground where the gunshots had echoed.

In the distance, four of Xander's bodyguards encircled something. And as he approached them with Aurora, they swiftly turned around and bowed respectfully to him.

"Sir, we apologize for the disturbance," one explained. "We neutralized two drones belonging to this individual." With that, they stepped aside, revealing a motionless figure on the grass, a bullet hole bore into the back of his head

Aurora gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she stumbled backwards. Xander swiftly drew her into his protective embrace. It was her first time seeing such a gory scene.

Xander's gaze narrowed at his bodyguards. "You killed him?" he asked, his tone firm.

"He defied orders, attempted escape, and aimed a pistol at us, sir." The men apologized, tactically producing the pistol.

Xander's brow darkened as he examined the pistol, but his focus remained on Aurora, who trembled in his arms.

"Summon the doctor to my bedroom," he instructed. "Process the intruder's fingerprints and discreetly notify the authorities."

Security was beefed up as Xander ushered Aurora into their bedroom. And the doctor who accompanied them on the trip arrived shortly to examine her.

After the doctor's departure, Aurora's anxiety surfaced. "Your guards killed a man!" she exclaimed, pacing.

Xander countered calmly, "He broke in armed, posing a threat to us. My men had to do their job."

Aurora stopped, her eyes searching Xander's, still reeling from the shocking moments that started off with the gunshot sound and ended with the body of a dead man. She was honestly afraid.

"Can you assure me that I didn't make a mistake by agreeing to this marriage arrangement with you?" She asked, gazing at him, her eyes, desperately pleading for a hopeful response.

If only Aurora had an idea of the turning events in the future, she would have asked him if it was dangerous being with him.

Xander stepped closer, taking her hands in his. "Aurora, wealth comes with enemies. That's why we have bodyguards. Your father faces similar risks as well."

Xander's gentle squeeze and honest gaze comforted her, and he enveloped her in a soothing embrace.

---

"Do you, Aurora Swift, take Xander Scott, to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asked, his gaze fixed on Aurora.

On the other hand, Aurora was unmoving. The scene from last night still bothered her. She was wondering if she would be seeing more of that gory scene after entering Xander's life.

"Aurora," Xander's gentle voice pulled Aurora back from her trance. She was startled for a moment before recognizing their surroundings.

The priest cleared his throat, recapturing their attention. "Do you, Aurora Swift, take Xander Scott as your lawfully wedded husband?" he repeated.

"I do," Aurora stated.

 "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Groom, you may kiss your bride," the priest announced.

Xander's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, taking in Aurora's flushed cheeks. He enveloped her waist, drawing her close. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment before his lips brushed against hers in a tender kiss.

After posing for photographs, Xander swept Aurora off her feet, eliciting a delighted yelp.

"I can walk," she reminded him, arms instinctively circling his neck.

"I know," Xander replied, smiling, carrying her into the house in a romantic princess hold.

---

A few hours later, Aurora and Xander sat down to a lavish dinner spread. Xander popped open a champagne bottle, filling their glasses with golden liquid.

"Happy married life to us!" he toasted.

Their glasses clinked together, and they shared a warm smile.

As Xander sipped his champagne, he noticed Aurora downing the entire content of her glass. "You love champagnes that much?" he asked.

"I do," she smiled, requesting for a refill. "As winemakers, everyone in my family love to drink."

Xander refilled her glass and set the bottle down. "Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my family with age setting in amongst the elders."

Aurora's eyes sparkled with surprise. "Your parents and older siblings don't indulge in champagne during special occasions?"

"Not anymore." Xander shook his head. "They've shifted to low-alcohol, additive-free drinks."

Immediately, Aurora's gaze lit up. Setting her cutlery down, she revealed enthusiastically, "Xander, you might have just inspired a breakthrough for my project."

---

The next day, Aurora left to explore the wine market in Venice with a few bodyguards under her radar.

She watched the locals making wine and tried a few glasses while taking notes on her notepad before returning to the private villa.

"You are not going to ask to come with me?" Aurora inquired, watching Xander from the corner of her eyes as she stuffed a few items into her backpack.

Xander shook his head, smiling. "I'm going to let you take care of your business while I attend to a few meetings here."

He hadn't randomly fixed his wedding in Venice. He had come for someone.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Aurora waved at him and turned to head for the door. But as she grasped the door handle, he grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"You are not going to give your husband a goodbye kiss?" He asked as the corner of his lips lifted in a grin.

Aurora stared at him, her brows slightly furrowing with a glint of confusion in her eyes. Xander had no patience and directly leaned in to kiss her softly.

"Goodbye," he chuckled, slowly dragging his tongue over his lower lips.

While Aurora left for France, Xander attended to his own business.

"Have you found his exact location?" Xander asked Liam as he walked towards his black G-wagon jeep.

"Yes, Sir. The exchange will commence in thirteen minutes. We need to get there now, but the others might be a problem." Liam confirmed as two other jeeps pulled up behind the G-Wagon.

Xander nodded solemnly. "For today's mission, protecting me shouldn't be your priority, catching that loser is! Also, shoot anyone who tries to escape or poses a serious threat if you can't handle the situation," he instructed.

"Yes, Sir!" Liam held the back passenger door open of the G-Wagon for Xander to get in, before jumping into the front passenger seat.