The Billionaires’ Contractual Heir.

A Devils’ Deal

I couldn’t help but feel extremely worn out from what just happened in the last half an hour. My feet felt more swollen, my eyes were puffy and judging from the cab drivers’ continuous worried glances he kept throwing at me, am sure my face had smudged mascara that made me look like a corpse bride.

I touch my stomach to try to reassure both myself and my little lemon that we will be alright. All I wanted today was a scream of joy from Marcus about the baby and a perfect wedding but I guess dreams are expensive.

“We’re here ma’am.” The cab driver pulls me out of my thoughts.

I quickly try to arrange my now cut hair and clean off my makeup before pulling a dollar bill from my phone case and giving it the driver.

In front of me is the Vale Tower, made with glass and metal and so long that you would think it touched the sky.

I never thought I would ever step here again after so many years but karma is a b***h.

Taking a deep breath, I convince myself that my plan is going to work and start to head for the main entrance.

“Miss?. Do you have an appointment?” The security guard interrupts my power walk.

“No.” I gulp

“Then, miss you can’t be here.”

I don’t have time for this right now.

“Miss?, I am not a miss, I am Silas Vanes’ new problem. Tell him Elara Vance is downstairs with a contract he can’t refuse.”

The guard looks taken aback but goes in anyway and I follow right behind him.

Inside is so quiet and polished, much different from the loud floral mess of the church. I would expect a reception table but instead, there are large screens showing different directions to various floors and levels and one that’s asks you to input your appointment card.

This is far different from Marcus’ small office or my dad’s’ for that matter of fact.

“This way miss.” The guard calls to me to follow him and we walk quietly to the elevators.He presses a green button and it starts off upwards.

From here, I can see my reflection,my hair is unevenly cut and short to around my shoulders, my dress is ripped and alittle dirty,i am still holding a red wrapped box with the pregnancy kit inside and I am bare footed.

I internally groan as I recall kicking both my six inch bridal heels at Marcus’ car while I tried to hail a taxi.

That wasn’t a really good idea.

I can’t help but suddenly feel like this all isn’t a good idea.

The elevator doors open and the guard escorts me out. From where I am standing, you can tell that this is the highest floor on this building. It is all shiny and polished, with a cafeteria to its left, a wide black reception table at the centre and a large dark mahjong door at the right.

I shiver as I anticipate what’s on the other side of that door.

The receptionist is a middle aged man, probably in his forties, he warmly smiles at me before pressing a button and speaking through it.

My mind is too forged to comprehend what he says. He then stands up and gently knocks on the dark door before gesturing for me to enter.

Quietly and carefully, I push the door open, step inside and let it close behind me with a silent thud.

Slowly I lift my eyes to him.

Silas Vane

He has his back towards me, standing at the edge of his long glass wall and staring outside to the city like a guardian angel ensuring everything is in order.

But him and I know he is far from an angel.

With his back towards me, I take the chance to study his office, it is these kind of rooms you step in and instantly make you feel guilty even though you’re innocent. It has a polish of grey and black all through the furniture. To his left is a long book shelf, stalked with files and huge books, his right is a wall with a large painting with a mere dark shading.

Typical Silas.

At the centre is his table, made of glass and wide enough to fit six people. The floor is covered with a dark woolen fabric carpet, it makes me want to rub your toes into it. It spreads far into the black couch on my left and the other white coach to my right.

His cologne is all I can inhale in the room, burnt cherries and mint with a hint of the fresh ground forest .The same smell since years ago.

It is dead slight in here that the only sound is my heavy breathing.

In a silky and icy voice, Silas breaks the silence. “You’re late for your wedding, Elara. Did Marcus finally realize you were too boring for him?”

With my new found confidence, I respond. “He realised I am too expensive for him. So I am here to offer you the one thing that will destroy him and his family.”

At that, he turns around to look at me and my breath hitches.

Memories from back in college and high school camp come crushing down all at once.

Before Marcus, there was Silas Vane. But he was a devil I couldn’t be with, someone so reckless and unemotional, he was always distant and unpredictable then Marcus came in, Marcus was like an open book, he gave me the reassurance I needed and emotional balance and unlike Silas, who wasn’t willing to be with me, Marcus was.

Yet here I am again, trying to bargain my life to him once more.

“You look like a disaster, Elara. Why would I get down to business with a woman who just ran away from her own life?” He said, looking fascinated at my cut hair and ruined dress.

“You won’t not only have my family’s land for your project, you will have my father’s vote and mine for the board as head Enterprises in New York. You will also..”

“Also what Elana?.. have you? You want me to marry you just to spite Marcus?. That’s a petty reason to ruin your life Little Bird.”

“No, you will have the heir to Marcus’ legacy.”

“What?” He steeped closer to me in utter shock and new interest.

Out of instinct, I touched my stomach.

“I am not just holding my family’s land, Silas. I am carrying the only thing Marcus would actually care about, his legacy.”

Silas’ eyes darkened. “ You’re pregnant.”

“Eight weeks. Marcus doesn’t know yet. He thinks am his boring little prize. But if I marry you, his child becomes a Vane. He loses his own heir to his greatest enemy. Isn’t that worth the price of your ring?”I silently studied his face, waiting for any emotion of disgust to surface, but none did, he didn’t look disgusted, he looked predatory. He walked closer to me and placed his palm on my stomach, it was hot, firm and terrifying.

And once again, my breath hitched.

He was silent for a moment before he pulls away and heads for his desk, he bends and pulls out a file and hands it to me.

Pre-written contract. With my name on it!

“Are you serious? When was this drafted?” It was printed out like he has been waiting for this.

“ Am always a prepared man.” He simply shrugged

“I’ll marry you Elara,I’ll give that child my name but understand this. Elara..once I put my ring on your finger,that baby isn’t Marcus’ anymore. it’s mine. And so are you.”

He then came closer to me, leaned down to my ear, in a low growl, “if you ever let him touch you again,or if you try to run back to him,I won’t just take your land, I will take everything.”