The billionaire's ledger

Chapter 4: The Price of Pride

Silas didn’t budge. His arm was like a steel bar across the door, and the heat coming off him was insane. He looked at me like I was the only person in the room, even though music was blasting and people were literally throwing money around behind us.

"Move, Silas," I snapped, trying to sound tougher than I felt. My heart was doing gymnastics.

"I don't think so," he murmured. He leaned in closer, that minty scent hitting me again. "You look tired, Elena. That diner job must be exhausting. How much they pay you? Peanuts?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick stack of bills. He didn't even count it; he just fanned it out near my face. It was more than I’d make in three months at the diner.

"Here’s the deal," he said, his voice dropping to a low growl that made my skin prickle. "One quick favor. Use that pretty mouth of yours, and this is yours. No more double shifts. No more heavy lifting."

I stared at the money, then at his smirk. My stomach twisted. I needed that cash bad. My rent was late and my mom’s meds weren't cheap. But looking at him, so smug, so sure he could just buy me, made my blood boil.

"You’re disgusting," I said, my voice shaking with pure rage. "You think because you have a penthouse and a fancy suit you can just own people? Keep your blood money."

I shoved his arm away with everything I had. He actually looked shocked. Like, his brain couldn't process the word 'no.'

"Elena, wait—"

"No! I'm not a toy you can just order with a side of fries," I yelled, not caring who heard.

Suddenly, a woman in a tight headset scurried over, looking panicked. She looked at me, then at a tablet in her hand, then back at me.

"Wait... you’re the girl from the bakery?" she hissed, her eyes wide. "Where is Sasha? Sasha was supposed to deliver this. She’s the one who signed the... special VIP contract."

The room went quiet for a second. Silas froze, his eyes narrowing as he looked between me and the frantic assistant.

"Sasha had a family emergency," I said, crossing my arms. "I’m just filling in for my friend. I didn't sign anything except the delivery log."

Silas’s face went pale, then dark red. He realized he just tried to buy a girl who wasn't even supposed to be there. The 'trap' he set for the girl he wanted had caught the wrong person, me.

"You weren't even the one I..." he started, looking totally confused and, for the first time, actually embarrassed.

"Yeah," I spat, reaching for the door handle. "You’ve got the wrong girl. In every way possible."