The Forgotten Clause

Chapter 3: Unwanted Attention

Lila ran inside Elias' office, slamming the door behind her. “You knew.”

Elias sat behind his large glass desk, rarely looking up from his computer. "You'll need to be quite specific."

She placed her palms on his desk and rested in. “The death threats.”

His fingers froze on the keyboard. He slowly closed the laptop and turned his steely blue stare towards her. “I did.”

Lila's stomach wrenched. "And you weren't planning to inform me?"

Elias leaned back and clenched his fingers. "What could you have done if I had?"

“I don’t know, maybe prepared myself? Maybe I wouldn’t have walked into that press conference completely blindsided.”

He exhaled through his nose. “I was handling it.”

She threw her hands up. “Unbelievable. And you didn't believe I needed to know?

Elias rose quickly, his chair scrapping against the floor. He strolled around the desk, reducing the distance between them. "Lila, you're in this situation because of me. That means that I'll deal with the threats, the press, and whatever else comes our way."

She chuckled. "So, I'm just expected to relax and believe you?"

He took another stride forwards. She got close enough to feel the heat pouring off of him. “Yes.”

Her breath froze. His presence was suffocating in the worst—and best—way.

She swallowed hard. "I have little confidence in men who conceal secrets from me."

Elias c****d his head and examined her. "Then I advise you get acquainted with disappointment."

They were interfered with by a harsh knock on the door. Marcus, Elias' assistant, walked in. "Sir, we have a problem."

Elias' jaw tightened. “What now?”

Marcus hesitated, flicking a glance at Lila. “There’s been another attack. On your penthouse.”

Lila stiffened. “My—what?”

Elias’s eyes darkened. “Details.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “Someone broke in an hour ago. They bypassed security, trashed the place, and left a message on the mirror.”

Lila’s heart pounded. “What message?”

Marcus pondered before pulling out his phone and showing them a picture. The words LEAVE WHILE YOU CAN were written in strong red characters over the restroom mirror.

Elias' entire body rigidified. As he looked at Lila, his jaw tightened slightly. "You're heading in with me."

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

His voice was pure authority. “I won’t argue about this. You’re not safe.”

She crossed her arms. "You have no authority to decide where I live."

His lips curled into a shape dark and unclear. “Actually, I do. Because if something happens to you, this entire arrangement crumbles. And I don’t take chances.”

Lila wanted to argue, but the memory of that message, the sheer violation of someone being in her space, silenced her.

She huffed. “Fine. But I want my own room.”

Elias smirked. “For now.”

Moving into Elias' penthouse was daunting. Everything was elegant, advanced, and extremely costly. He lived like a king, which made her feel more like an alien.

Lila entered the sitting area and was astounded by the floor-to-ceiling windows that presented the stunning urban vista. When she heard footsteps behind her, she looked back to find Elias examining.

"Second thoughts?" he asked.

She crossed her arms. “You wish.”

A ghost of a smirk played at his lips. “Good. Because I need you to get used to this quickly.”

She frowned. “Why?”

Elias stepped closer, eyes locked onto hers. "Tomorrow, we're making our first public presence as a couple."

Her stomach twisted. “Another press event?”

“No.” He slid his hands in his pockets. “A charity gala.”

Lila groaned. "Fancy clothes, false smiles, and pretending we don't resent each other? "That sounds great."

Elias smiled. " Nobody said you should appear like you don't resent me."

She raised her eyes. "You get excitement in this, don't you?"

His smirk deepened. “Immensely.”

The gala was even worse than she expected. Photographers, journalists, and New York's elite congregated in one confined ballroom. Lila felt the attention garnered upon her as soon as they stepped in, and Elias' fingers pressed into a small area of her back.

"You're doing great," he said into her ear, spreading thrills down her spine.

"Quite straightforward for you to say," she said quietly. "You're acquainted with this."

A waiter appeared with champagne, and Elias took two glasses before passing one to Maria. “Drink. It helps.”

Lila raised her brow. "Are you planning to get me sober?"

His lips tightened. “Would it help?”

She asked, taking a sip. The bubbles floated across her mouth, and she relaxed for a moment.

Then a voice pierced through the murmur of chatter. “Elias. Darling.”

Lila shifted to see a stunning woman getting closer. Blonde and elegant, she wore a look that left not much to the mind. Recognition struck her like a huge vehicle.

Charlotte Sterling. Elias' ex-fiancée.

Lila's hold on her glass tightened as Charlotte's eager blue glance fell on her. "And this has to be the lucky bride-to-be."

Elias' hand on her back stiffened gently. “Charlotte.”

Charlotte’s red lips curved. “No kiss hello?”

Lila raised a brow. "I'd rather avoid getting lipstick on my fiancé."

Charlotte laughed lightly but with hatred in her voice. “Fiery. I like that.”

Elias’s voice was cold. “What do you want, Charlotte?”

Charlotte sighed dramatically. “You wound me. Can’t I congratulate my ex on his engagement?”

Lila smiled sweetly. “Of course. Though you must be devastated.”

Charlotte's eyes grew dimmer but her grin continued. "Oh, I'll adjust."

The tension between them eased, but before Lila could answer, Elias softly tugged her close. “We have to circulate. Enjoy your evening, Charlotte.”

As they moved through the crowd, Lila whispered, “She still wants you.”

Elias exhaled. "Charlotte usually desires what she can't possess."

Lila looked up at him. "And what about you?"

He glanced down at her with a confusing expression. "What about me?"

Her throat had gone bone-dry. "Do you always get what you wish?"

Elias smirked. “Usually.”

Before she could reply, a sharp cry echoed through the event. Guests turned, murmurs spreading like wildfire.

A woman stood near the exit, her hand covering her mouth as she pointed to the grand staircase.

Lila turned.

And then she saw it.

A message scrawled in blood-red paint across the pristine white wall.

LEAVE NOW OR SHE DIES.

Her breath caught.

Elias stepped in front of her instantly, shielding her. His voice was steel. “We’re leaving. Now.”

But Lila couldn’t move. Because deep in her gut, she knew.

This wasn’t just a warning.

It was a promise.