Jason Morgan is forced to marry Elizabeth, sight unseen, in order to unite two families. Will it eventually turn into love or will it be an unholy matrimony?
Alliances
A/N: Here is a preview of my next story. I'll post a few times a week while I finish up the other ones I have going. Let's say Mon/Wed/Friday. Jason's pretty much a jerk for quite a while but things will get interesting later on.
Chapter 1 – I Do but I Don't
Jason Morgan is not a happy man. An arranged marriage is not what he had planned for his life and it's not something he's looking forward too. He had fought Sonny tooth and nail, but his partner would not budge. It had to be done and Jason would just have to suck it up, even though the thought of it made him want to jump on his motorcycle and take off indefinitely to nowhere.
He fiddled with the buttons on his tuxedo. God, he hates wearing these things. They make him feel like he's pretending to be someone he is not. Muttering under his breath, he marched out to the balcony and gripped the rails. Christ, he doesn't even know what she looks like. He momentarily saw the veil come off in his head and it was some crazy chick named Sam that had tried to seduce him at Jake's about a year ago. He almost gagged before moving back inside.
The more Jason fretted about the situation, the more agitated he became. He picked up a glass and hurled it across the room causing Sonny to glance at him from a chair in the corner.
"This isn't going to help, Jason. What's done is done. Do you want to start a war?"
Jason clenched his teeth. "No."
"Then stop acting like a child. You know this is good for business and it doesn't have to be forever. In five years or so, you just claim irreconcilable differences."
Sonny smirked at Jason's expression. Truth be told, he doesn't think that Jason will end it in five years. Elizabeth is perfect for him. Sonny wouldn't have agreed to this if he didn't think she is a suitable partner. Jason tends to have a one-track mind and has focused too much on business. He deserves to have a good personal life too and Sonny is hell-bent on giving him one. When the necessity to unite the families had presented itself, both he and Lorenzo agreed that it made sense. They really thought the pair would be good for each other and wouldn't have agreed to it if they hadn't felt strongly about it.
"Five years!" Jason plopped onto a chair and put his head in his hands. "I'm so fucked."
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Elizabeth gazed at her reflection in the mirror as the people scurrying around her became a blur. She looks beautiful, but she can't stop the sadness from enveloping her. At twenty-two, she is being forced to marry someone she has never met. This wedding was thrown together in two weeks and it was arranged to keep the peace and form an alliance between the two families against an unseen enemy. In the last year, there had been a lot of power struggles and many men were lost. Her father had approached her and basically told her that she had no choice. They could lose everything, including their lives if they didn't do something to show a sign of strength. God knows that she fought him tooth and nail, but her father would not budge. The Alcazars moved to the area the prior year and were eager to run their new territory. Corinthos/Morgan and Alcazar Enterprises were sworn enemies at first. That was until the Ruiz family attacked them both and they banded together temporarily for survival. Liz sighed and glanced at her mother who gave her a knowing look. This is going to be the longest day of her life.
Skye isn't happy about this marriage either. She wants Elizabeth to fall in love and meet someone really special, but that isn't going to happen now. All she can do is be there for her beautiful daughter and pray that Jason will turn out to be a good husband. Liz is their only child and she simply adores her. Skye had some long drawn out fights with Lorenzo over the arrangement, but all the yelling had only led to exceptional makeup sex. She will just have to pray that Jason is worthy of her daughter and that she will find happiness eventually.
The door opened and Lorenzo moved inside. "It's time."
Skye hopped up and kissed her daughter on the cheek and left the room as Lorenzo gazed at the beauty standing before him who means everything to him. Even though he saw the sadness in her eyes, what she didn't realize is that her father truly believes that Jason Morgan is good for her daughter or he would have never put her through this. While he will admit that it is an unorthodox way to get married, his parents had met in a similar fashion and they had an epic love story.
He placed the veil over his daughter's face. "You're so beautiful, Bella," he said seeing the tears forming in her eyes. Bella is his pet name for her and he has called her that since she was a child due to her beautiful eyes and skin.
"Thank you, daddy."
"Mi Hermosa hija," Lorenzo said softly. "Are you ready?"
Elizabeth couldn't speak or she'll cry, so she simply nodded her head and Lorenzo led her out to the vestibule.
The music started playing and it was all a blur from there. She is shocked that there are so many people in the church. Biting her lip, she took a deep breath, as the music started playing, and they started to move forward. She isn't sure how her legs even worked, but her dad slowly eased her down the aisle despite her frayed nerves. Elizabeth's dress is stunning and Jason has no idea just how much beauty he is about to encounter. She purposely did not look up at him, afraid that if he looked really mean or if he is very old, that she'll bolt—family be damned.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
Lorenzo smiled. "I do, and her mother."
Skye is already dabbing at the tears on her face.
Jason couldn't keep still. He feels like he is coming out of his skin and fights the urge to run and never look back. Lorenzo blocked Jason's view as he moved the veil back and kissed his daughter gently. When he finally stepped out of the way, Jason and Liz's gaze met for the first time.
He had to remind himself to breathe she is so gorgeous. Liz bit her lip again as she stared into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. He is beyond handsome.
She stepped up a level and Jason joined her. Placing her hand into his, she immediately felt a current shoot through her body; as did he. The ceremony was very long, but they stole glances at each other when they could when curiosity got the best of them.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Jason gazed at her nervously. They hadn't even had a conversation yet and now he has to kiss her? Liz smiled and nodded at him to go ahead.
In the back of his mind, he knows he has to make it look real, but it just felt so wrong, so he put his hands on either side of her face and softly kissed her succulent lips. When he pulled back, he smiled at her and she blushed. At that moment, he didn't think he'd ever get tired of seeing her do that.
They stepped down and held hands as they walked through the church and entered the receiving line.
After a half-hour, Jason lost count of how many pictures he had endured. Liz's face hurt from all the smiling, and just when she was about to beg to sit down, they were running out of the church and climbing into the back of a limo—finally alone.
Jason searched his mind for something to say. "Do your feet hurt yet?"
Liz chuckled. "Not too bad. Yours?"
Jason smiled. "Yeah, they are killing me."
Liz giggled.
He noted what a beautiful smile that she has and wonders if she realizes how captivating she is.
The car soon lurches to a stop and Liz turned to see where they are and realizes that it is a park where there are a lake and flowers.
Jason helped her get out and they posed for even more pictures with the bridal party. A few times, they had to gaze into each other's eyes and Liz's face would redden. They can feel an attraction and are somewhat relieved by that. Finally, they got back into the limo and drove to the reception to face the crowd.
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"We're here-showtime," Jason said. He couldn't wait to have a drink. She was having more of an effect on him then he wanted to admit. In fact, he could easily get into trouble if he didn't make a concerted effort to check himself. He is still in no way agreeable to all of this and has no plans on giving Sonny the satisfaction of thinking what he ordered him to do was okay.
The door flew open and Jason got out. He bent over and held his hand out to help her and then gripped the side of her waist as they strode inside. When she jumped a little at his touch, he smirked.
Everyone cheered as they entered the room and the photographer pulled them aside for more pictures.
"Lucky I'm not carrying right now or that photographer would be going down," he muttered.
Liz giggled.
They finally made their way to the reception area where everyone cheered again. There were several funny yet heartfelt speeches, food, and then it was time to dance.
Jason led her to the center of the dance floor, noticing that her dress seems to weigh a ton. He pulled her closer. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. This dress is getting heavier by the minute though."
"We could always leave."
She pulled back a little so she could see if he was serious. "Do you have a death wish?"
"Your mom looks tough and all, but I think I can outrun her."
Liz smiled and resumed her previous position. She almost tripped on the dress and Jason steadied her and then tightened his grip.
"You should know that I'm a klutz."
"You should know that I'm very good at protecting people."
"Good to know."
When the song finished, he danced with Skye.
"How is my daughter doing?"
"She seems fine. I think the dress is a bit uncomfortable for her."
"And how are you doing with all of this?"
"I'm fine," he said forcing himself to smile at her, although nothing about this is okay. He'll have to keep up appearances, but once they got back to the house, all deals are off.
Skye isn't sure what to think about Jason at this point, but she has a bad feeling that he is far from fine.
After the dance was over, he went to stand with Johnny and Francis at the bar.
"She's a real looker," Johnny said watching Liz mingle.
"I'm glad you're so fond of her because you're her guard."
Johnny almost spits out his drink. He hates guarding people. It doesn't use his full potential.
"Suck it up, O'Brien," Jason said under his breath. "If she turns out to not be a runner, I'll move things around."
He looked up and saw Liz's mom dragging her out of the room. About fifteen minutes later, Elizabeth appeared in a different gown which is knee-length and her hair is down. One couldn't argue with the fact that she looks incredible.
Her eyes shifted from the group of friends she is standing next to and met Jason's gaze. A smile lit up her face and he couldn't help but return it. Internally, he is at battle with himself and sometimes he won and sometimes he lost.
"What was that?" Francis asked.
Jason rolled his eyes. "I'm just being polite."
"Sure…"
"Please. She's not even my type," Jason said gruffly.
"Why because she's gorgeous, smart, and wife material?" Johnny said sarcastically.
"Exactly."
"She's way too good for you," Francis muttered, tiring of Jason's attitude.
"Can it, Corelli."
He observed her as she danced with her friends and could tell she is having a really good time. Bristling at his lust for her, he sealed their fate his mind. There is no way in hell he is going to allow himself to get sucked into that vortex-no fucking way.
About an hour later, Skye finally made her way over to Jason. "My little girl is tired. You two should leave."
Jason nodded. "I'm on it." God knows he would kill to get out of his tux.
He approached Liz and took her hand. "It's time to go."
She nodded and said her goodbyes, and then they headed back to the limo. By the time they got to the hotel, Liz had fallen asleep and was nestled against Jason's side. He wiped a chocolate curl out of her face and stared at her and then muttered, "What am I doing?"
He got out and carried her inside the building. People smiled at him, but he just ignored them like he always does. They got to their floor and another gentleman walking by helped him get the door open and he went inside and paused for a moment almost horrified. It looks like someone regurgitated love all over the place. Liz stirred in his arms and her eyes fluttered opened. He was mesmerized by them for a second and then he placed her down on the floor. They stared at the king-sized bed and he could sense her nervousness.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you," he said before loosening his tie. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he could tell by the look on her face that it was way too soon and frankly, if they went there, it would further seal their relationship and he couldn't have that. It would ruin his plans to teach Sonny a lesson.
Liz awkwardly averted her gaze and then went over to her suitcase and filtered through it. To her shock and horror, there are only negligees in there. She is going to kill her maid of honor.