Chapter 2: Terms and Temptation
826 Words
Elena barely remembered how she left Damian Cole’s office.
She only knew her legs felt weak by the time she reached the street, and the noise of New York City crashed over her like cold water. Car horns, voices, sirens life going on as if her world hadn’t just tilted off its axis.
A contract marriage.
The words replayed in her head over and over.
You think one night can erase a lifetime of secrets?
She shook her head sharply, as if she could shake Damian out of her thoughts. Four years ago, she had been younger. Softer. She had believed in sparks and timing and fate. She had believed a stranger who smiled too easily and touched her like he meant it.
And then he vanished.
No call. No message. No explanation.
She had cried for weeks. Then she had hardened herself and promised never to need anyone like that again.
Now he was back with money, power, and a contract that could destroy or save her.
Her phone rang.
She stopped walking.
Marcus
She answered immediately. Marcus.
Ellie, her brother said, relief flooding his voice. I’ve been calling you. How did the meeting go?
She closed her eyes. Bad.
How bad?
She leaned against a building, the cold glass pressing into her back. He owns forty two percent of the company.
There was a sharp silence. What?
Damian Cole bought the shares, she said quietly. He controls Walker Energy now.
Damn it, Marcus muttered. I knew something felt wrong. The delays. The pressure.
There’s more, Elena said.
She hesitated.
He wants a contract marriage.
What? Marcus raised his voice. Ellie, that’s crazy. You can’t even consider that.
I don’t want to, she said, her voice breaking despite herself. But if I don’t agree, he pulls his support. The deal collapses. We lose everything.
Marcus exhaled heavily. Come home. We’ll figure this out together.
I can’t, she said. Not yet.
They ended the call with no answers, only worry hanging between them.
Elena slipped her phone into her bag and forced herself to breathe.
She would not panic.
She would not fall apart.
She would face Damian Cole again and she would do it on her terms.
Two days later, she was back in his office.
This time, she came prepared.
Damian looked up as she entered, his expression calm, almost amused. You came.
I didn’t agree, she said flatly, taking the seat across from him. Don’t mistake my presence for surrender.
A corner of his mouth lifted. I wouldn’t dare.”
She placed her folder on his desk. I’ve reviewed the numbers. The deal. The risks. And your so called solution.
So? he asked.
So I have conditions.
That got his attention. He leaned forward slightly. Go on.
This marriage will be strictly business, she said. No emotional expectations. No control over my personal life beyond public appearances.
His gaze sharpened. You think that’s possible between us?
She ignored the question. Second, my position as CEO stays intact. I answer to the board, not to you.
He nodded slowly. Reasonable.
And third, she said, meeting his eyes, after the contract ends, you walk away. No strings. No revenge. No hidden clauses.
Silence stretched between them.
Damian studied her for a long moment, as if reassessing her entirely.
You’ve changed, he said quietly.
She laughed once, without humor. You disappeared. I had to.
Something flickered across his face regret, maybe but it was gone just as quickly.
I accept your conditions, he said. With one addition.
Her stomach tightened. What addition?
We sell this marriage, he said calmly. Publicly. Convincingly. If we look fake, the deal dies.
That’s not an addition, she snapped. That’s manipulation.
That’s reality, he replied. Appearances matter. Especially in our world.
She hesitated. She hated how logical he sounded.
And the length? she asked.
Six months, he said. Until the oil deal is finalized.
Six months.
Six months of pretending to love the man who had once broken her heart.
She swallowed. Fine.
Damian stood and walked around the desk, stopping in front of her. He extended his hand.
Welcome to the agreement, Mrs. Cole.
Her breath caught.
She stared at his hand for a long second before taking it.
His grip was warm. Firm. Familiar.
The contact sent an unwanted shiver through her.
This changes nothing, she said quickly, pulling her hand away. I don’t trust you.
I wouldn’t expect you to, he replied. But you will.
She stood. Don’t be so sure.
As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.
Elena.
She paused but didn’t face him.
I didn’t disappear because I didn’t care, he said quietly.
Her chest tightened painfully.
Save it, she said. We’re married on paper now. That’s enough.
She walked out before he could say anything else.
But even as the doors closed behind her, one truth followed her
The
attraction was already there.
And this time, running from it wouldn’t be so easy.
- Writer
