FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO

A golden stream of sunlight cut through the curtains, casting soft lines across the tangled sheets.

The air was warm, still heavy with the scent of salt from the ocean and the quiet, rhythmic breathing of two lovers lost in sleep.

Sarah stirred first, awakened by the distant clatter of dishware and the voices of people chatting happily.

At first, she wasn't sure where she was until she felt a warm arm draped across her waist, and the soft rise and fall of a bare chest beneath her cheek. Then it all came rushing back.

Henry...his bedroom...the walk under the stars and the passionate kiss that had left her completely breathless and wanting more.

Curled up beside him, she didn't feel like pulling away or standing up from the bed. She felt at bliss in his warm arms.

She blinked lazily and tilted her head up to check the time on the nightstand.

9:03 AM...

Sarah's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

"9:03 AM?!" She sat up with a jolt, yanking the covers up in pure panic. But the sight that met her eyes made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

She had been so carried away by the pleasure of the previous night, she didn't realise they were both half naked. She quickly pulled the sheet back up, hissing as she shook her lover.

"Henry... wake up. It's morning."

"Hmm… five more minutes," Henry mumbled groggily, his arms instinctively pulling her back down to his chest.

"No!" Sarah cupped her mouth to muffle her voice as she pinched him. "Open your eyes. It's past nine. Everyone is awake."

Henry's eyes shot open instantly.

"Wait...what?!"

They both instantly sat up like cartoon characters hit by lightning, with Sarah holding the duvet up to her chest.

Voices floated in through the windows. Children's laughter, adults arguing playfully and dishes clattering.

It was the unmistakable sound of breakfast being set outside, which invariably meant the estate was wide awake.

"Oh my God, I overslept. I actually overslept here... in your room." Sarah whispered, frantically looking for her nightgown and her robe.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart. I should have woken you up earlier." Henry apologized as he slid out of the bed, grabbing his sweatpants. He also retrieved her night gown and her robe which he gave to her.

"It's not your fault. I should have woken up. My mom must be awake already. She must have found out that I didn't sleep in Annabelle's room." Sarah lamented as she hurriedly got dressed, heart pounding like a runaway train.

"Relax, sweetheart... We'll find a way around it. We could just... sneak you out. No one will notice."

"You're joking, right?" Sarah raised a brow, already dressed. "This place is crawling with your relatives and mine." She tiptoed to the door and cracked it open just slightly.

A peek into the hallway showed that it was buzzing with life, but no one was in immediate sight.

"Do you see anyone?" Henry came behind her, whispering in her ear.

"No," Sarah replied in a hushed voice.

"Let's go. It's now or never." Henry encourages her.

"Not we... Just me." Sarah kissed him faintly on the cheek before sneaking out of the room while he kept watch.

She tiptoed down the hallway with the stealth of a ninja, robe swaying behind her.

Her face tilted downward as if somehow invisibility could be willed into existence through sheer shame. Then she turned around to hurry towards her room when out of nowhere, Blaze's tall frame appeared.

Sarah instantly froze on the spot. She held her breath and watched as her cousin's, eagle-eyed husband stood by the stairs, mug in hand, very much in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Their eyes locked, and for one agonising second, time stopped.

Sarah's mouth parted slightly in panic, wishing the Earth could open its mouth now and just swallow her

Blaze blinked twice, his eyes darting to Henry's room only to see the angry face of a lion already baring his canines.

Then, with the straightest poker face known to man, Blaze lifted the mug to his lips… took a long, deliberate sip… and turned his head as if he hadn't seen a thing.

Sarah exhaled, turning back to her lover who was gesturing for her to keep moving.

Sarah muttered a breathless, "Thank you," and scampered toward her room with the speed of someone escaping prison.

She reached her door, exhaled in relief, and turned the knob.

Before she could push the door, it instantly opened.

There at the entrance, Judith stood with her robes on, arms folded, and eyebrows arched.

Behind her and standing opposite the vanity mirror was Annabelle– bright-eyed and brushing her hair. She looked backwards from the mirror and chirped casually.

"Good morning, lover girl."

Sarah's heart dropped into her slippers.

"M...Mom! A...Annabelle! I...uh....I went to...umm..."

"Annabelle's room?" Judith asked, tapping her finger against her arm. "Right... Where you've been all night gisting about your girlish dreams and who has the cutest boyfriend?"

Annabelle giggled. "Sorry bestie. I couldn't back the alibi. I got busted even before I could check my phone"

Sarah's face was now crimson. She didn't know whether to run or cry.

Judith leaned in, eyes twinkling with restrained laughter.

"I hope the ocean breeze helped you sleep better. Because now you're grounded."

Sarah gasped, "Mom!"

Judith smiled wickedly and opened her arms. "I'm joking, baby. I was young once too. I just hope you wore socks."

Annabelle burst out laughing.

"MOM!" Sarah wailed, burying her face in her hands. "Can I just melt into the floor now, please?"

"No," her mom said sweetly. "But you can go freshen up for breakfast. Oh, and tell Henry I want to see him later."

Sarah groaned as she shuffled inside, her dignity left somewhere between Henry's pillow and Blaze's silent judgment.

But deep down, her heart was still fluttering.

And as she shut the door behind her, she couldn't help but smile.

-

-

"What is so funny?" Amelia couldn't help but notice the smirk in her husband's eyes the moment he joined her in the sitting room.

"Nothing." Blaze kissed her on the forehead. He handed her a glass of freshly squeezed juice before taking his seat on the stool opposite her.

"That face doesn't look like, 'nothing'. Come on, spill it." Amelia pressed, her ears already burning for a morning gossip.

"Promise me first you won't tell anyone." Blaze carefully raised her right leg up and gently placed it on his lap.

"I promise." Amelia raised two fingers up in Scout honour.

"Okay. Remember what I told you last night when I went to get you a cup of warm milk?" Blaze said, massaging her toes softly.

"Yes..." Amelia's eyes brightened in excitement.

"Well, I confirmed it this morning," Blaze said chuckling.

"Oh my goodness..." Amelia cupped her mouth. "You saw them again?"

"Caught red-handed."

Blaze and Amelia burst out laughing, their eyes communicating the rest of the morning gossip until Maria's sharp voice rang out.

"Breakfast is served."