CHAPTER1
1498 Words
(Amara's POV)
Lukas slammed his fist against the table and growled, "You'll marry him, or you'll regret it."
I recoiled when the scream reverberated around the little, poorly lit kitchen. I could feel the pounding of my heart in my throat. After my third day's work, I had just returned home, my body pleading for rest and my feet hurting. Rest, however, was not an option. Not when he was standing there staring at me with bloodshot eyes as if I were the cause of all his troubles.
He snarled, thrusting a crumpled piece of paper into my face and saying, "Take this,"
I grasped it with trembling hands. My tears made the words hazy. It was an agreement, a marriage contract, to Elias Voss.
Lukas whispered, "Marry him," in a low, menacing voice. "Or I'll make your life even worse than it already is."
"Why are you doing this?" My voice was almost heard as I whispered.
My skin crawled as he laughed, a loud, sour sound. You believe you have an option? There's no other way out of this pit. You will regret not signing it.
The words swam before my eyes as I gazed at the paper. A union with Vienna's most influential billionaire, Elias Voss. It had the feel of a bad dream. However, what option did I have? I had nothing to turn to, no money, and no way out. I felt like I was being choked by my father's threats, which hung over me like a black cloud.
"Amara," Lukas demanded in a piercing tone. You are no longer a child. It's time to mature.
I grabbed the pen with a wobbly hand. A tear spilled onto the page, smudging the writing.
With a ruthless grin, Lukas grabbed the contract from me. "Good girl," he replied, his tone full of derision. "You're finally useful for something."
My nails dug into my palms as I balled my fists. I wanted to fight back, to scream, but I knew it would be useless. He would simply make me feel worse.
"Your feelings are not important to me. "This is a business arrangement," Elias stated in a chilly, disinterested tone.
My hands were shaking as I held the white rose bouquet at the altar. There were a lot of people in the great Viennese church, including high-society friends, business associates of Elias, and strangers who looked at me as if I didn't belong.
Standing next to me, tall and commanding in his sleek black suit, was Elias. I felt like nothing more than a bother when his gray eyes pierced through me.
"Do you, Amara Frey, take Elias Voss to be your lawfully wedded husband?" inquired the priest.
I started to say something, but nothing came out. I had the sensation that my throat was shutting.
Elias murmured under his breath, "Do it," in a quiet, authoritative voice.
With a hardly audible whisper, I nodded. "I do."
Elias made impersonal and icy promises. You, Amara Frey, are my wife, Elias Voss. For better or worse, in health and illness.
The remainder of his comments were hardly audible to me. I noticed him when my gaze strayed towards the throng. Lukas. He was grinning as he stood at the rear. My stomach rumbled. I had gotten myself into what?
Elias's hand touched mine as we swapped rings. I felt a chill go down my spine from his chilly touch.
The priest said, "Congratulations," but it sounded hollow.
Elias looked at me, his face unreadable. "Let's get this over with," he murmured.
With a sinking heart, I nodded. There was no wedding here. A transaction took place.
"Don't expect me to play the loving husband," Elias remarked, breaking the penthouse silence.
I felt uncomfortable standing in the center of the opulent room. I was unable to appreciate the stunning views of Vienna that were provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows. My heart was thumping in my chest as my mind raced.
With his back to me, Elias poured himself a drink. "You will have a room of your own. We'll get along just fine if you stay out of my way."
Too tired to protest, I nodded. "Oh, and one more thing—don't trust your father," he said as I turned to go. He is not who you believe him to be.
My heart skipped a beat as I froze. "What do you mean?"
Elias turned to me, his steely eyes unblinking and icy. "You'll find out soon enough," he warned in a menacingly low voice.
He left me alone in the large, chilly penthouse before I could reply. A shiver went down my spine as the door banged shut. By that, what did he mean?
My thoughts were racing as I walked to the room he had given me. The bed was inviting, but I had no intention of falling asleep. My phone buzzed as I lay there.
Lukas had sent the message: "Begin collecting data on Elias. Don't let me down."
My heart pounded. Was my father using me as a pawn in his scheme?
My hands shaking, I gazed at the message. "Gather information?" I said to myself in a whisper. What was it Lukas wanted me to learn?
In an attempt to stabilize my breathing, I turned over. I heard a sound at that moment. It was subtle but distinct. Steps.
The penthouse was occupied by someone.
My heart was pounding when I jumped up in bed. Did Elias do it? Or another person? I looked about, ideas buzzing in my head.
"Hello?" I yelled, hardly raising my voice above a whisper.
Quiet.
With my feet freezing on the hardwood floor, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I crept over to the door and strained to hear. The footsteps echoed in the silence, closer now.
"Who's there?" I yelled once more, with greater force.
Nothing.
My hand trembled as I reached for the handle. Could it have been Elias? Or worse, someone Lukas sent?
Slowly, I opened the door and looked into the dark corridor. Tension was heavy in the air.
A voice called softly, "Amara?"
My heart fell. Elias was the one.
"What are you doing?" Trying to seem brave, I asked.
His face was unreadable as he took a step closer. "I could ask you the same thing."
I said, "I thought I heard someone," in a voice that was almost audible above a whisper.
For a brief moment, Elias's eyes softened. Amara, you're not secure here. You must realize that.
"Why did you say that about my father?" Desperate for answers, I pressed.
He paused, and I could feel the tension between us. "Because he's not who you believe him to be." He poses a threat.
"Dangerous how?" With my heart pounding, I inquired.
I can't go into detail right now. Have faith in me. Remain near me.
"Trust you?" I shot back, my words laced with disbelief. "You're the one I just married for a contract!"
Elias took a step closer and met my gaze. Additionally, it was signed by you. Whether you like it or not, we're all in this together.
I could feel the weight of our shared predicament, and the air crackled with tension.
At that moment, a huge crash reverberated from the penthouse's opposite side. My heart fell.
"What was that?" panic rose. I gasped.
Elias's face became stern. "Stay here."
I was out of breath when he turned and ran down the hall. I stood motionless, caught between the want to follow him and my fear of the unknown.
The footsteps had reappeared, louder and more menacing. I needed to know what was going on.
With my heart racing, I took a deep breath and left my room.
I said to myself, "Please be careful," and followed Elias into the shadows.
I walked carefully down the hallway, feeling as though the darkness was closing in on me. Elias's voice sounded strained and muted, but I could still hear it.
With every step I took, my pulse pounding, I drew closer to the sound's origin.
I was just about to cross the corner when I heard a familiar voice.
"Lukas!"
My throat tightened with each breath. Why was he in this place?
Elias spoke in a forceful, quiet voice. "You shouldn't be here."
"I can't let you take her," Lukas said in a chilly tone.
Anger and fear jolted through me. By that, what did he mean?
The floor cracked under me as I stepped forward, prepared to face them both.
"Amara!" Elias's voice became abruptly sharp as he called out.
When I realized I had been caught, the stress was high.
"Stay back!" I got a rush of adrenaline when Lukas yelled.
Then there was silence.
The suspenseful cliffhanger lingered in the air. I had gotten myself into what?
I had no idea what was ahead, and I was caught between two men who only regarded me as a pawn.
- Writer
