CHAPTER SIX: His Name
1376 Words
ara sat frozen at the dining table long after the call ended.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Her signed contract still lay in front of her like a mistake she could no longer take back.
Mr. Kane likes being informed.
The words stayed in her head.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her chest tightened slowly.
Upstairs, a door closed softly.
Her mother.
Mara rubbed both hands over her face and leaned back in the chair.
What had she done?
The company was slipping through her fingers.
The board no longer trusted her.
Employees were leaving.
And now she had legally tied herself to a man she didn’t even understand.
A man who looked at her like he already knew how this would end.
She hated that most.
The next morning felt heavy from the moment she opened her eyes.
She barely slept.
Every hour her mind dragged her back to the same thought.
Marriage.
Elijah Kane.
Control.
By the time she walked downstairs, Lucille was already in the kitchen.
The silence between them hurt immediately.
Mama…
You signed it.
Mara stopped moving.
Lucille didn’t turn around from the counter.
I told you not to.
Mama…
You still did it.
Her voice cracked quietly on the last word.
That made regret twist hard inside Mara’s chest.
I didn’t have a choice.
Lucille laughed softly.
Painfully.
There is always a choice.
Mara looked away.
Not this time.
Not when her father’s company was collapsing.
Not when people depended on her.
Lucille finally turned around slowly.
You think this man saved you?
I think he gave me time.
He bought you.
The words landed sharply.
Mara grabbed her bag quickly before the conversation could continue.
I have to go.
Mara.
She stopped at the doorway.
Her mother looked terrified again.
Not angry.
Terrified.
Stay away from him as much as you can.
Mara forced out a tired breath. That’s impossible now.
Then she walked out before her mother could answer.
The black car waiting outside looked expensive enough to make neighbors stare.
The driver stepped out immediately when he saw her.
Miss Vance.
Mara hated hearing her name sound formal now.
Mr. Kane is expecting you.
Of course he was.
She entered the car without another word.
The entire ride felt suffocating.
New York moved loudly outside the tinted windows while silence filled the inside of the car.
By the time they arrived at Kane Holdings, Mara already felt exhausted.
The building rose above the street like it owned the city around it.
Cold glass.
Sharp edges.
Nothing welcoming about it.
The moment she entered the lobby, employees began moving differently.
Quickly.
Carefully.
Like one mistake could cost them everything.
Nobody spoke loudly.
Nobody lingered.
Even the receptionists straightened immediately when the elevator opened.
Then Mara saw why.
Elijah walked out.
Conversations died instantly.
People moved aside without being told.
One assistant nearly dropped her tablet trying to step out of his path.
Elijah didn’t react.
Didn’t slow down.
Didn’t even look at anyone.
That silence followed him naturally.
Like people had learned him the hard way.
His eyes lifted toward Mara.
And stopped there.
A pause.
Then he walked toward her calmly.
Perfect suit.
Controlled expression.
Untouched by stress.
Meanwhile her entire life was falling apart because of him.
You’re late, he said.
Mara stared at him in disbelief. I got here three minutes early.
Still late.
God, she wanted to throw something at him.
Instead she folded her arms tightly.
You enjoy acting like this?
Like what?
Like everybody around you exists to obey.
A faint pause.
Then…
They usually do.
The arrogance in that answer made heat rise instantly inside her chest.
You’re unbelievable.
And yet you signed the contract.
That shut her up for half a second.
Elijah noticed.
Of course he did.
He noticed everything.
Come with me,” he said.
Not asking.
Never asking.
Mara followed him toward the private elevators, already irritated again.
The second they entered, the doors closed quietly around them.
Silence.
Too close.
Mara exhaled sharply. You manipulated me.
Elijah didn’t look surprised.
You signed willingly.
You pushed my company into panic and waited for me to drown.
His gaze shifted toward her slowly.
Interesting choice of words.
Don’t do that.
Do what?
Act calm while ruining people’s lives.
The elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
Elijah stepped out first.
Mara followed angrily behind him into his office.
The second the doors shut behind them, she threw the contract onto his desk.
You forced me.
Elijah glanced at the papers briefly.
Then back at her.
I gave you a solution.
You removed every other option first.
Silence.
But Elijah still looked calm.
That calmness made her angrier than shouting would have.
You think this is funny? she asked.
No.
Then why does it feel like you planned every second of this?
A pause.
Then…
Because I did.
Mara froze.
Not from fear.
From the honesty.
Elijah walked toward the window slowly.
The board lost confidence months ago, he said calmly. Your company was already collapsing before I arrived.
You made it worse.
I made it faster.
Her jaw tightened.
You really don’t care who gets hurt.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Gone immediately.
You signed the contract to protect the company, he said quietly. So don’t pretend you wouldn’t destroy yourself for it.
That one hit too personally.
Mara looked away first.
And she hated herself for it.
Before she could answer…
phones suddenly started vibrating outside the office.
Fast.
One after another.
Voices filled the hallway.
Quick footsteps.
Assistants rushing past the glass walls.
Something felt wrong immediately.
Mara frowned.
What’s happening?
Elijah looked toward the office doors briefly but said nothing.
Then her own phone buzzed violently in her hand.
Notification after notification after notification.
Messages.
Calls.
News alerts.
Her stomach tightened.
Slowly, Mara unlocked the screen.
And froze.
BREAKING NEWS:
Billionaire CEO Elijah Kane Announces Engagement
Below it…
a photo of her entering Kane Holdings this morning.
Taken secretly from outside.
Another headline appeared seconds later.
Who Is Mara Vance?
Then another.
Inside Elijah Kane’s Sudden Engagement
Her pulse stopped for a second.
No.
She looked up sharply.
No.
Employees outside the office were whispering now.
Staring.
Watching her.
Mara turned toward Elijah slowly.
You told the press?
Elijah stayed calm.
Too calm.
No.
Silence.
Then…
But I knew they’d find out.
That answer hit colder than a confession.
Because he expected this.
Prepared for it.
Allowed it.
You used me.
His expression hardened slightly.
Careful.
No! Mara stepped toward him angrily. You knew this would happen.
The media follows me everywhere.
You could’ve stopped it.
A pause.
Then Elijah said quietly…
Why would I?
The room went still.
Mara stared at him like she didn’t recognize the man standing in front of her.
Maybe she didn’t.
Because who thinks like this?
Who controls things this easily?
Her phone kept vibrating.
Calls flooding endlessly.
Friends.
Board members.
Unknown numbers.
Reporters.
The walls suddenly felt tighter.
Smaller.
Her life was no longer private.
Before she could speak again, the office doors opened quickly.
One of Elijah’s assistants stepped inside, visibly nervous.
Sir…media is gathering outside the building.
Mara looked toward the windows immediately.
More flashing lights appeared below.
Cameras.
Reporters.
Cars stopping.
Her stomach dropped.
The assistant swallowed hard. Security is trying to clear the entrance.
Elijah nodded once calmly. Understood.
The assistant disappeared immediately.
Mara looked back at him in disbelief.
How are you this calm?
He walked toward her slowly.
Not rushed.
Never rushed.
Mara…
No. Her voice cracked this time. You don’t get to stand there pretending this is normal.
You signed an agreement tied to my name. Attention was bound to happen.
I didn’t agree to this.
You agreed to me.
The words landed heavily between them.
Mara’s breathing slowed.
Not calm.
Shock.
Anger.
Fear.
Everything mixed together painfully.
She turned toward the door immediately. I’m leaving.
Elijah’s voice stopped her instantly.
Looks like you can’t leave through the front anymore.
More camera flashes exploded outside below.
The reporters were multiplying.
Waiting.
Mara stood completely still.
Then slowly…
Elijah stepped closer behind her.
Close enough that his voice lowered.
Cold.
Dangerously calm.
From this moment forward, Mara…
A pause.
Then…
Everything you do reflects my name.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD