Chapter 3: The Price of a Name
738 Words
The master bedroom was larger than Elena's entire family apartment.
A massive king-sized bed sat in the center, draped in monochromatic silk sheets. Her few meager belongings—a single battered suitcase containing her worn sweaters and university sketches—sat contrasting sharply in the corner of the hyper-modern walk-in closet.
She didn't sleep a wink that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the cold, demanding gaze of Ethan Blackburn.
At exactly 6:00 AM, the bedroom doors flew open.
A fierce-looking woman in a tailored power suit strode in, followed by four assistant stylists pushing racks of designer clothing.
"Good morning, Miss Vance. I am Victoria, Mr. Blackburn's chief public relations officer," the woman announced without introducing herself further. "We have exactly forty-eight hours to turn you from a penniless student into a high-society billionaire’s fiancée. Let’s begin."
For the next six hours, Elena was subjected to an exhausting gauntlet. Her hair was trimmed and styled into glossy waves, her skin treated with expensive serums, and she was forced to try on dozens of high-end dresses. Every outfit was strictly conservative, elegant, and screamed 'Old Money'—the exact aesthetic Ethan demanded to project stability to his board of directors.
"Too bright," Victoria remarked, rejecting a red dress. "Mr. Blackburn prefers neutrals. Sophisticated. Regal. Try the emerald silk."
Elena stood on the pedestal like a mannequin, her arms aching from being adjusted constantly. She felt like her identity was being systematically erased, replaced by a character designed by a corporate committee.
Just as they were fitting a diamond necklace around her throat, the door opened. Ethan walked in.
He was dressed in a sleek midnight-blue suit, looking impeccably handsome and entirely unbothered by the chaos. The stylists instantly bowed their heads, stepping back to give him room.
Ethan walked slowly around the pedestal, his eyes tracking over the emerald silk dress that clung to Elena's curves, highlighting her pale skin and dark hair. His gaze lingered on her bare shoulders, and for a brief moment, the icy mask cracked, revealing a flash of raw, primal hunger.
Elena caught her breath, holding herself perfectly still under his intense stare.
"Will she do, Mr. Blackburn?" Victoria asked, holding her clipboard tightly.
Ethan stopped directly in front of Elena. He reached out, his bare thumb brushing against her lower lip, testing the dark nude lipstick the stylists had applied. His touch sent a spark of pure fire straight down her spine.
"She looks acceptable," Ethan said, his voice low and dangerous. "Leave us."
Victoria and the stylists packed up their gear with lightning speed, exiting the room within seconds and closing the heavy oak doors behind them.
Elena stepped off the pedestal, suddenly feeling very vulnerable in the massive room alone with him. "Is this really necessary? The media doesn't care about a broke student like me."
"The media cares about anyone associated with me," Ethan said, pulling a small, black velvet box from his pocket. "And right now, they are digging into your past. My team is already scrubbing your stepfather's debts from the records, but we need a flawless cover story."
He opened the box. Inside sat a flawless, ten-carat emerald-cut diamond ring that sparked brilliantly under the chandelier light.
"Give me your hand," he commanded.
Elena hesitated for a fraction of a second before extending her left hand. Ethan slid the heavy, cold ring onto her ring finger. It felt like a pair of handcuffs locking into place.
"We have our first public appearance tonight," Ethan said, his eyes locking onto hers. "A charity gala hosted by my family’s biggest rival. The paparazzi will be everywhere, looking for any sign that this marriage is fake."
He stepped closer, his hand sliding up to grip the nape of her neck, tilting her head back. "If you fail tonight, Elena, the contract is voided, and your family goes back to the sharks. Do you understand?"
"I won't fail," Elena whispered fiercely, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Ethan stared down at her lips, his grip on her neck tightening slightly. For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. But then, he let go, stepping back into his cold, untouchable demeanor.
"Be ready by seven. A car will pick you up," he said coldly before turning on his heel and leaving her alone in the room.
- Writer
