A Cold Welcome
1120 Words
A handsome young man in his thirties walked into the office. He was dressed in a blue three-piece corporate suit and had a neat haircut.
"You sent for me, boss," the young man said, bowing to Lucas.
"Oh yeah, Lucas, meet Elena, Elena, meet Lucas," Alexander said briefly.
"Well, I need you to inform my lawyer about the contract and get him to prepare the necessary documents then contact the moving company so they can assist Miss Harper with packing.
" Alright! Got it, boss," Lucas replied, instantly taking notes.
As a married couple we shouldn't live separately, isn't it... " Alexander asked locking eyes with Elena.
She lifted her chin. “If I agree, there will be rules.”
Alexander’s brow lifted. “Rules?”
“No expectations. No touching. No real marriage.”
He chuckled a deep, velvety sound. “I have no intention of touching you, sweetheart.”
"Great! " Elena muttered under her breath.
If she was going to play this game, she would make damn sure she didn't let him get to her.
"See you... Husband" Elena said with a gentle smirk
and with that, she stormed out of Alexander’s office, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
She needed air. Needed to process the insanity of what had just happened. Lucas followed closely behind her.
"Miss Harper, the boss has asked me to drop you off and see to your safety. I'll be picking you up tomorrow evening, but the movers will come by during the day to help with the packing," Lucas said in a deep baritone voice as they reached the elevator.
Elena scoffed in disbelief, rolling her eyes furiously.
"What a nice gesture, but no thanks!" Elena said sternly.
" Miss Harper, please let me drop...' Lucas was saying but a gentle feminine voice laced with venom interrupted him.
"Lucas! It's been a while since I saw you. Everything good?"
Elena looked up, meeting the icy blue stare of Bianca Lawson, Alexander’s ex-lover and a well-known Manhattan socialite.
Stunning, lethal, and as fake as her designer veneers.
"Well, well, well, and what do we have here? "Bianca said in a sing-song voice as she scanned Elena from head to toe.
She stepped closer, looking Elena straight in the eye as if to throw her off.
"Another wealth thirsty b***h?" Bianca said her tone laced with mockery.
"Miss Lawson! This is the boss' wife-to-be, please show some respect, "Lucas said to Bianca, who looked unfazed by the news.
"Wife-to-be my foot! Of all the women in New York City, why would Alex choose this thing here over me!" Bianca said mockingly flipping her hair back over her shoulders.
“I don’t have time for you, Bianca,” Elena muttered, rolling her eyes and ignoring Bianca's words as she pressed the elevator button.
Bianca crossed her arms, smirking. “You think the big Alexander Pierce actually wants you? Oh please!” Bianca scoffed.
"You’re just a means for pleasure. A convenient little slut.” She leaned in, lowering her voice.
“But don’t get comfortable. Alexander belongs to me.”
Elena didn’t flinch. She’d dealt with entitled, cruel socialites before.
“Then why are you standing here, wasting your breath?” She replied, though hurt but determined to stand her ground.
Bianca’s eyes flashed. “Enjoy your little fake marriage while it lasts. Because I’ll make sure you don’t survive it.”
The elevator doors opened and Elena stepped inside.
“Try me,” Elena replied smiling.
“I’ll keep in touch, Miss Harper,” Lucas said with a polite bow.
Elena just nodded in reply.
As the doors closed, she took a deep breath.
She had just made a deal with the devil and with enemies like Victoria waiting to strike, this wasn’t just a business deal.
It was war.
* * *
Elena marched through the lobby of Pierce Enterprises, barely registering the sleek marble floors and the towering glass walls reflecting the city lights. The receptionist shot her a curious glance, but Elena ignored it, pushing through the revolving doors and into the crisp evening air.
She needed to think. The moment she inhaled the cool night breeze, her shoulders relaxed slightly. The weight of everything; the contract, Alexander’s arrogance, Bianca’s venom, all pressed against her chest like a vise.
Her fingers twitched around her phone. Should she call Sophie? No. Not yet.
She walked a few steps away from the building and leaned against a street lamp, staring out at the city. New York was always moving, always loud. But somehow, at this moment, she felt completely still.
What the hell did I just sign up for? She asked herself but the only response she got was the gentle rush of evening air.
She pulled out her phone, hesitating before dialing a number.
A deep voice answered on the third ring. “Elena?”
“Hey, Dad.”
There was an awkward moment of silence on the other end then he finally spoke up.
“Elena.” His voice was careful as if he already knew something was off. “What’s wrong?”
“Where do I start?” Elena asked letting out a dry chuckle
“You sound exhausted.”
“That’s one way to put it.” She swallowed hard. “I signed the contract, Dad. It’s done.”
“I signed his deal.”
James’ tone changed, it was filled with fear and concern. “You what?”
“One year, A contract marriage with the devil himself, and when it’s over, we get full control of our company back.”
Silence.
“Elena, I never wanted this for you,” James said with a weary sigh.
“Well, neither did I.” She leaned her head against the cold metal of the street lamp.
Elena, be careful,” James warned. “Mr Pierce is not the type of man we can mess with"
“But it’s done, Dad; you’ll get to keep Harper Industries.”
“Elena... ”
“Don’t,” she cut him off.
“Don’t apologize. Just… tell me it was worth it.”
Another long pause.
“You’re worth more than any company, sweetheart.”
Her chest ached at that. She blinked rapidly, forcing the emotions down. “I should go,” she muttered.
“Elena... ”
“Goodnight, Dad.” She hung up before he could say anything else.
Clutching the phone in her palm, she exhaled shakily.
She needed to get out of here. Away from the towering building behind her, away from Alexander, away from the reality she had just locked herself into.
Straightening her shoulders, she flagged down a cab.
She knew exactly where she needed to be.
- Writer
