Bound

Chapter Twenty-One

He smiled as he drove into the city.  He congratulated himself on his cleverness.  The second part of his plan was set in motion.   It had come to him how easy it would be, now that he had the clay he needed, to mold it in any way he so chose.   And Brianna would be putty.   She would be resistant at first, but with him as her only contact in time she would come to fully believe anything he told her, including the massive lie that had him chuckling. 

Pulling into the parking lot at the municipal courthouse Gareth retrieved a black leather briefcase from the backseat of the Audi.   Dressed in an expensive, sleek  Armani suit he placed the mirrored RayBans upon his handsome face and walked up the steps in the dim light of early morning.   Clouds filled the sky, his favorite weather.  Gloom brought out interesting things in people, he mused, pushing his way inside.  

As he strolled the hallowed halls of the court several people nodded in his direction.  Smoothing his sleek silver tie he stepped into the clerk's office.   The heavyset woman behind the counter looked up as he walked to the counter.   She smiled at him, recognition creating her formality as she said, "Judge Viscardi what may I help you with?"

Gareth smiled, his sharp teeth sparkling.   "Well Amber, you can help me indeed" he said silkily, "I've got a marriage certificate to enter into public records.  My own"

Amber looked at him in surprise.  If there was one person in this place she was careful of, it was the esteemed Judge Viscardi.   He had been one of the toughest judges in Backwater Bay since he had been appointed a little over a year ago.   There were no end of the female attorneys that had taken a try at him, all to no avail.  His movie star good looks and stand-offish personality always seemed to keep people at arms length.  So to find out he had married was a shock to be sure.  

He watched the flicker of emotions over her face.  Laughing to himself he said briskly, "Could you please take care of this?  I am due in court this morning, so am in a bit of a rush." 

Taking the document from his sculpted hands she nodded and blushed.  "Right away your Honor"  she said, time-stamping the document.   Glancing at the certificate she saw the bride's name.  Brianna.  That was really pretty.  She probably was too to have caught this man's attention.  

Handing him a  notarized copy of the document she briskly entered the document into the official register.   Married, him...would wonders never cease.  "Congratulations!" she called to him as he turned to leave. 

Gareth paused at the door, removed his glasses and turned the full blaze of his dark eyes on the clerk.  "Thank you, it was a long time coming. "    

As the judge left the room the clerk fanned herself.   Wow what a lucky girl Brianna was she thought....