Chapter 27 Taking Photos Or had Oriana been waiting the whole time for Grant to come back and make up with her? Did she even realize how ridiculously wrong she was this time? Grant thought he had been too nice to her in the past few days, which only encouraged her audacity. Grant didn't take Luna's pastry but instead drained the glass of red wine in his hand, his face tense with barely restrained irritation. "I'll take you back after this," Grant said. A sly curve tugged at Luna's eyes. Oriana assumed they'd head straight back to their residence. She hadn't expected them to stop at city hall midway. Oriana blinked, making sure this was really the city hall. But now it was nighttime. 'They're still open this late?" Oriana asked. She knew the first step after arriving in Jindiwood was to get the marriage license. But showing up at night to do that? That was utterly absurd. Kieran had already gotten out to open the car door for them. "Mrs. Caldwell, don't worry. Mr. Caldwell ubmitted a special request, so they'll process it tonight," he reassured her. Oriana was completely stunned. This made no sense. She dazedly watched the staff welcoming them and suddenly realized Micah's status was not ordinary. As she was about to step out, a folder suddenly appeared in her arms. Looking up in confusion, Oriana saw Micah speaking softly, "My medical reports and asset statements." Oriana instinctively shook her head. "No need." "I have an obligation to put your mind at ease. You have the right to know this," Micah said. Oriana drifted into thought. Ever since they first met, Micah had been keeping her informed. He even flew to Seabar to pick her up. Before getting the license, he had already prepared all the paperwork, every detail reflecting his care and consideration for her. Oriana shook her head. Perhaps this was just Micah's innate courtesy and refinement. She shouldn't overthink it. 1/3 Finished "Be careful, I'll help you," Oriana said. Kieran had already mingled with the staff ahead. Seeing Oriana nervously move to the other side to help Micah out of the car, he opened his mouth instinctively to say something, but stopped himself. He figured Micah probably had some other little game planned for Oriana, so it was better to stay silent. The car was parked outside; the office had closed for the night. They had to enter through the back door. Walking down a short, pitch-dark path, Oriana stepped on a stone and nearly slipped. Micah reacted faster and caught her steadily. Regaining her balance, Oriana patted her chest, heart still racing. "Almost made you fall," she said. "No problem, just be more careful," Micah replied. "Okay," Oriana said. From then on, Micah held her hand, but it felt more like he was leading her along. Oriana smiled helplessly. Who was really the one with mobility issues here? Inside the office, the staff handed them two forms. "Please fill these out over here," one staff member said. "Okay, thank you," Oriana replied. She glanced at Micah and volunteered, "Do you want me to fill it out for you?" Micah handed over his passport. "Thank you." "It's no trouble at all," Oriana said, taking it with both hands. Micah wore sunglasses the entire time, and Oriana hadn't fully seen his face yet. She couldn't help stealing a few glances at the photo on his passport. He looked gentle yet subtly unapproachable, just like her first impression of him. "Is something wrong?" Micah asked. "Oh, no, I'll write it now," Oriana said, caught off guard. Her ears flushed as she quickly turned her attention to the form and began filling it out. Unnoticed by her, Micah's gaze stayed fixed on her through the lenses of his glasses. The process continued normally, and eventually, it was time for their photo together. 2/3 This time, Micah removed his sunglasses and put them away. Oriana instinctively turned to look at him. Unintentionally, her gaze met his, though neither was focusing. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Oriana's heart leapt. His eyes were beautiful, light brown, with a translucent, almost glassy depth. Even without a fixed focus, in that instant of eye contact, he looked straight into hers. It drew Oriana in: she instinctively got lost in the depth of his gaze. "Please face me for the photo first. After your paperwork, you can take more at the front for social media." the photographer interrupted with a smile. Flustered, Oriana hurriedly turned back. She had just been peeking at his passport without anyone noticing, but now the photographer had caught them in the act. Her cheeks burned red, and she felt like she wanted to disappear into the ground. She even thought she heard Micah chuckle quietly beside her. Embarrassed, she couldn't bring herself to look at him ́again. "That's fine. Go ahead," Micah said, stepping in to save her. The photographer laughed, looking at the couple in front of him. The bride's cheeks were rosy, the groom's ears slightly pink, shy, loving, and affectionate. "Okay, both of you look at the camera three, two, one-" he said. Holding the marriage license, Oriana opened it for a glance, then quickly closed it again. Her face was bright red. Hearing her movement, Micah turned slightly and asked, "Was the photo not good?" 20 3/3