SURRENDER TO YOU

A Tempestuous Pact

Elena threw her bag onto the passenger seat and slid into the back of the yellow cab, exhaling sharply as the weight of what she had just done settled in her chest.

"Where to, miss?" the cab driver asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

"Brooklyn Heights, Montrose Street," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. She needed air. She needed clarity. And she needed her.

Twenty minutes later, she was standing in front of a familiar brownstone, ringing the doorbell like her life depended on it.

The door flung open.

"Jesus, Elena, you look like you've just seen a ghost! "

"Close enough," she muttered, brushing past her best friend, Sophia Carter, and stepping into the cozy apartment.

Sophia shut the door and folded her arms. "Alright, spill. What did your father do this time?"

Elena collapsed onto the plush couch, rubbing her temples. "Not just him... Alexander Pierce."

Sophia’s blue eyes widened. "Wait. The Alexander Pierce? Mr. Cold, Rich, and Infuriating? That Alexander Pierce?"

Elena groaned. "Yes, and don’t make me say his name again."

Sophia plopped onto the couch beside her. "Okay, now I need wine for this." She grabbed the bottle sitting on the coffee table and poured them both a generous glass. "Talk."

Elena stared at the deep red liquid before downing half of it in one go.

"Dad sold all of the company shares to him,," she said flatly.

"What! He did?" Sophia asked, shocked by the news.

Sophia placed a hand on her best friend's cheeks searching her eyes for answers "But how could he do that to you, sweetheart, after all your years of hard work"

"I don't know too, Sophia, but I went to Alexander's office to confront him as I was not involved in the agreement. Since I had a legal right to my shares, I thought I could strike a deal with him, but instead, he proposed a contract."

Ava frowned. "What kind of contract?"

Elena took a deep breath, staring at her glass like it held the answers to all her problems.

"A marriage contract."

Silence.

"You’re joking."

Elena shook her head.

Sophia set her glass down carefully. "You’re marrying Alexander Pierce?"

"It’s fake," Elena said quickly. "A business arrangement. One year. No emotions, no real marriage. Just a show to keep his board happy and save my father’s company from collapsing, and I get to walk away with 30 million dollars as a divorce settlement."

Sophia stared at her for a solid five seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Sophia!"

"I’m sorry!" Sophia gasped between laughs, clutching her stomach. "It’s just... you? Married to him? Do you even know how to fake being a devoted wife?"

Elena shot her a glare. "It’s not funny."

"Oh, it’s hilarious."

Elena groaned and leaned back against the couch, covering her face with her hands. "This is a nightmare."

Sophia’s laughter finally faded, and she nudged Elena’s shoulder. "Okay, okay, but seriously… are you okay with this?"

Elena hesitated. Was she?

"Do I have a choice?" she murmured. "If I back out, my father loses everything. Harper Industries dies. And Alexander made sure I knew that."

Sophia’s expression darkened. "That manipulative bastard."

Elena scoffed. "Oh, trust me, he’s worse than that. He’s arrogant, controlling, an... and.... "

"Hot as hell?" Sophia added with a smirk.

Elena shot her a look. "Not the point."

Sophia shrugged. "Just saying, if you’re gonna be in a fake marriage, you need to loosen up and know what he tastes like, at least he’s not some sixty-year-old with a beer gut."

Elena groaned. "I hate you."

"No, you don’t, "Sophia said grinning.

She refilled Elena’s glass. "Alright, so what’s the plan? Just… survive a year and cash out?"

"Something like that," Elena replied staring at the deep red liquid.

"But... "Elena said, looking into her best friend's eyes with fear running through her veins.

"But what Elena?" Sophia asked, patiently waiting and paying full attention to what her best friend had to say."What if I lose myself? What if I become Alexander's little puppet? What if it doesn't work out? I don't know what to do, Sophia; I just don't feel like I can do this." Elena said close to tears.

Ava hummed, studying her. "Elena I know you hate being controlled, and Alexander Pierce? He’s the definition of control. But sweetheart sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the things we love and cherish the most. " Sophia paused taking a deep breath.

"Remember how your mum assisted your dad in building Harper Industries from nothing? I so much admired her; she was strong, brilliant, and fierce with business, just like you are, Elena, and even though she's no longer here to witness your strive, her impact is what you've been building on, and I'm sure she would be very proud of you. "

Elena exhaled. "You think so?"

"Yes, girl, and you know what else I think? That if Mrs. Harper were to be in your shoes, she'd have done the exact same thing just to save the company," Sophia added.

"I really don't know what I'd do without you. Come here," Elena said, drawing Sophia into a tight hug.

"So what’s your move?" Sophia asked close to a whisper, withdrawing from the hug.

Elena finally met her gaze, determination burning in her eyes.

"I may have signed his contract," she said, voice steady. "But I’m not going to be his puppet."

Sophia smirked, lifting her glass. "Now that sounds like the Elena I know."

They clinked their glasses together, but deep down, Elena knew... this was only the beginning.