The Rival.
1070 Words
“It’s just marriage.”
Selene shot him a glare, her fingers nervously rearranging the cutlery on the table. She tapped the knife against the edge, then moved it back again, unable to focus.
“They can get their marriage certificate tomorrow, and we’ll start planning the wedding at the end of this month,” Helena Crowns said calmly, as if she were discussing a business merger rather than the most personal part of Selene’s life.
“No!” Selene blurted out before she could stop herself. She inhaled sharply, the words tasting foreign and frightening in her mouth. “I mean… we should be the ones who decide when we get married.”
“Oh my God, Selene, quit being a baby,” Lysandra snapped, rolling her eyes.
Selene turned toward Elias, her eyes wide, almost pleading. “Elias, don’t you think they’re rushing us?”
“I don’t have a problem with having the wedding tomorrow,” he replied coolly, his voice low, composed, almost impossibly calm.
Selene swallowed hard.
Tomorrow?
Her chest tightened. What’s the rush? The thought of deciding so suddenly, without warning, made her stomach twist. Six months of careful planning, of avoiding this very moment, seemed suddenly pointless.
Elias POV:
She still didn’t know.
I watched her struggle for control, the way her fingers betrayed her nerves. Six months ago, those same hands had pressed against my wound in the middle of the forest, steady and fearless while my world faded in and out.
I’d searched for her after that night.
Found nothing.
And now she sat at my family’s table, arguing about timing as if fate ever waited for permission.
Marriage wasn’t sudden.
It was overdue.
I could see her hesitating, measuring her words, trying to find a space where she could push back without losing control. And I understood she needed agency. She always did.
As the Crowns prepared to leave, Selene lingered by the entrance, leaning against the doorframe, lost in thought. Her eyes looked distant, like she was already mourning a future she hadn’t agreed to. Her fingers twitched against the doorframe, gripping the wood as if it could anchor her to reality.
“What are you thinking about, love?” Elias asked softly as he approached, his presence filling the doorway behind her.
She shot him a dead stare. “Don’t call me that .”
Helena noticed them standing together and paused. “Have you two met before?”
“I’m his secretary,” Selene answered quickly, almost too quickly, as if correcting the air itself.
“Yes ,” Elias added casually, watching her reaction.
Before she could react, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Eww,” Selene muttered, glaring at him as he walked away, her heart unexpectedly pounding.
The Next Day:
Crowns Industries
Marcus stood by the window, coffee in hand, staring out at the city, the skyline hazy in the early morning light. Elias lounged on the couch, grinning like he had just won a war no one else knew was happening.
“Brother,” Marcus said slowly, his brow furrowed, “what’s going on with you?”
Julian, Elias’s childhood friend, leaned forward, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “Yeah. You’ve been smiling since I walked in. That’s… disturbing.”
“Okay,” Elias said, finally sitting upright. “So there’s this girl. Her name is Selene.”
“Your secretary?” Julian cut in, raising an eyebrow.
“And more,” Elias replied calmly, almost lazily. “She helped me before,six months ago. I was injured after a fight , in the woods. She stayed.”
Marcus turned fully toward him, expression unreadable. “Does she know?”
Elias smiled again, slower this time, the corner of his lips twitching upward with mischief.
“Not yet.”
Selene walked inside the office.with some files
“You must be Selene,” he said. “I’m Julian.”
She nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
Julian chuckled, glancing toward Elias. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Selene raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?”
“No,” Julian said, laughing before walking away, leaving her to process his cryptic words.
Not long after, Elias’s phone rang again.
“Angela?” His tone shifted surprised, almost startled.
Selene pretended not to listen as he turned away.
“You’re back already?” he asked, pausing. “At the airport?”
Another pause.
“I can’t leave the office right now. Marcus will come get you.”
He ended the call and looked up to see Selene watching him, her expression neutral but alert.
“Send Marcus,” she said dryly. “Yes, sir.”
An hour later, the office doors opened.
Angela arrived like a storm wrapped in silk a long coat draping her tall frame, heels clicking confidently against the marble floor, presence commanding immediate attention. Heads turned. Conversations stopped.
Her gaze landed on Elias instantly, softening.
“Elias,” she breathed, moving toward him, every step measured.
Before Selene could step away, Angela’s sharp eyes flicked to her. “You. Secretary.”
Selene straightened. “Yes?”
“Bring me coffee. No sugar. And clear his schedule this afternoon. I need time with him.”
Elias opened his mouth, but Selene beat him to it.
“Of course,” she said smoothly, holding his gaze for a fleeting second before looking away.
Angela’s eyes narrowed as she noticed Elias’s gaze lingering on Selene’s retreating back.
“Why are you staring at your secretary like that?” she snapped, voice low but furious.
Elias blinked, startled. “I wasn’t…”
“ I need to use the rest room “ Angela excused herself.
Selene was just exiting the ladies’ room when Angela appeared in the doorway, arms crossed.
“So,” Angela said, “you’re my fiancé’s secretary?.”
Selene blinked. “Your fiancé?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Angela growled .” I don’t like how Elias is staring at you “
Selene lifted her chin, steady, composed, but bit confused . “Miss, I really don’t understand .”
“ stay away from Elias “ Angela ordered
Selene didn’t flinch. “But…..” Angela already walked away before she could say anything else.
Elias overheard their conversation and thought to himself that they’ll get married tomorrow to avoid this kind of thing from happening again.
- Writer
