Page 36 of Completely Captivated
“This is confidential, but I’m having some…health problems…neurological, to be exact.Can you walk me through everything you remember from the time I arranged the flight until we landed back home?I’m trying to pinpoint what could’ve been the catalyst.”
“Sure.I hope you’re okay.Let’s see.You called me Tuesday evening and scheduled the private jet for first thing Friday morning.You were very specific about the time to leave because you’d already secured dinner and show reservations.We left on time, the car service was waiting at the private strip to take you to your suite.I didn’t see you again until you and your party boarded the plane Sunday evening and we flew home.”
“Did I seem odd or different to you?In any way?The smallest change may help me identify important details.”
“The only difference, honestly, is you finally looked and actedhappy, Aaron.I’ve never seen you so thrilled before.You were going on and on about a new business venture you and your new wife were going to start together.”
“Did I tell you how I planned to propose to her?Or anything about the ceremony?”
“You told me all about it,” Todd confirmed.“Tuesday night when you scheduled the flight.You’d already arranged for Bellasara’s to open after hours for just you two because you wanted it to be fairy-tale special for Christa.With how you two tried to refuse to use separate seat belts for takeoff on the return trip, I didn’t even question if everything went as you’d planned.It was obviously even better.”
“Thanks, Todd.I appreciate your time.”
“No problem.So, I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”
“Tomorrow?For—what?”
“Lance called earlier and said you have to be in San Diego for a meeting first thing Monday morning.Sounds like it was very fortunate the meeting was pushed back a week, especially since you haven’t been well over the past few days.But it evidently puts the kibosh on your upcoming two-week honeymoon trip, though.I guess that’s why Lance originally wanted you to head down Friday morning instead, so you’ll have some relaxation time first.Will Christa be joining you?”
“Uh, no, not this time,” Aaron hedged.What two-week honeymoon trip?
“That’s too bad.I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, so am I.Let me talk to Lance about a possible change of plans, and I’ll get back with you later.”
“Sure.Just let me know when you’re sure of the arrangements, and I’ll file the flight plan.”Aaron finished his conversation with Todd, every nerve in his body firing instantaneously with anxious energy.
Aaron rifled through the other contents of the package and found a video, no doubt documentation of their nuptials.Unable to resist, he put the movie in and watched with rapt attention.He was there of his own volition.The camera zoomed in on him as he recited his vows.He repeated the words exactly as the official instructed, then added his own twist.
“With this ring, I’m not only giving you all my love, but every part of me.Mind.Body.Heart.Making you fall in love with me all over again every single day will become my life’s ambition.If the day ever comes when you give these rings back to me, I’ll know you’re throwing my love away, tossing us aside.I’d never be able to love anyone again after that.Hold on to us no matter what the future throws at us.Our love, our marriage, and our life together are all that matter.Never give up on me, Christa, and I’ll make you the happiest woman who ever lived.”
“The words Christa said to me in Lance’s office.”He felt an invisible sledgehammer slam into his chest.
Watching himself on the video of his Vegas wedding but having no recollection of a single moment troubled him beyond belief.Not remembering a single word, not knowing how he’d managed to function throughout the entire ceremony bothered him on a deep-seated level.But having no recollection of their wedding night nearly broke him.
When the camera panned out, his gaze left Christa’s face long enough to realize his best friend Logan was standing beside him during the ceremony.
He fired off a text to Logan next.
Aaron:Need you to come to my place.Urgent.Hurry your ass up.
Logan:Get your panties out of a wad.On my way.
Twenty minutes later, Logan walked in and went straight to the kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and made himself at home.
“So.How’s the happy couple?How long do you think the honeymoon phase will last?”
“I don’t remember any of what happened last week.How we got there.How we got married.How she moved in with me.”
“Yeah, right.”Logan guffawed at Aaron and took a long draw from the longneck bottle.
“I’m serious.”Aaron looked up at Logan, concern etched on his features.“What happened?I don’t remember any of it.”
“What was the last thing you remember?”Logan moved to sit on the couch across from Aaron when he realized his friend wasn’t kidding.
“I woke early Monday morning and felt like I had the worst hangover headache I’ve ever had.When I sat up, I realized Christa was in bed with me, which was unusual.Then I got up and saw her clothes in my closet.Her empty suitcases sat at the foot of my bed.There was a wedding band on my finger, and even in the fading moonlight, I could see the ring on her finger.
“I called Lance, freaked out because I had no idea what was going on.He said he’d warned me about her.That she knew who I was.She knew about my money, my company, and she’d found a way to get around signing a prenup.He was convinced she’d drugged me and reminded me of what an idiot I was for falling for her innocent act.”
