Chapter Two: The Choice
1041 Words
Elena barely slept that night.
She had spent hours pacing her tiny apartment above the bookstore, replaying Adrian Sinclair’s words in her mind.
I can save your bookstore… Six months… No strings attached.
It should have been an easy decision: say no, walk away, and figure out another way to save Carter’s Books.
But what other way?
She had exhausted every option—loans, investors, even crowdfunding. The landlord had made it clear: if she didn’t clear her debt in two weeks, she would be out. Six months of pretending to be Adrian’s fiancée in exchange for saving her mother’s legacy? It sounded insane. But was it more insane than losing everything?
With a frustrated sigh, Elena slumped onto her couch, rubbing her temples.
Then, as if the universe wasn’t done tormenting her, her phone buzzed.
Landlord: Final notice, Elena. You have two weeks.
Her stomach twisted.
Damn it.
She hated the idea of agreeing to Adrian’s ridiculous proposal. But she hated the thought of her mother’s dream turning into a memory even more.
By morning, she had made her decision.
Two Days Later – Sinclair Enterprises
Elena stood in front of Sinclair Enterprises, staring up at the massive glass skyscraper that loomed over the city skyline. The building was sleek, modern, and intimidating—just like Adrian Sinclair.
Her palms were clammy, and she wiped them on the sides of her navy dress before gripping the strap of her worn-out purse.
This was it.
Six months. Just six months.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The lobby was exactly what she expected—sleek, polished floors, glass walls, and business professionals who moved with purpose. The scent of expensive cologne and fresh coffee lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the comforting smell of books and vanilla lattes from her little shop.
Elena hesitated for only a second before walking toward the reception desk.
Before she could introduce herself, a woman in a sharp black suit approached her with a clipboard in hand. She had an air of efficiency, like someone who didn’t waste a second of her day.
“Elena Carter?”
Elena nodded. “Yes.”
“Follow me. Mr. Sinclair is expecting you.”
She swallowed hard and followed the woman into a private elevator. The ride up was silent, the soft hum of the elevator the only sound.
Her nerves were a tangled mess.
Was she really about to do this? Sign her life away for six months in exchange for saving her bookstore?
Her mother would have never agreed to something like this.
But her mother wasn’t here.
And Elena was out of options.
Adrian’s Office
The doors swung open, revealing a breathtaking office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. Sunlight streamed in, casting a golden glow on the modern, minimalist furniture.
And there he was—Adrian Sinclair.
He stood behind a sleek black desk, dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit that probably cost more than her entire year’s rent. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto her with the same quiet intensity he had when he first walked into her bookstore.
“Elena,” he greeted, his voice smooth as silk. “You’re on time.”
She straightened her shoulders. “I figured if I was selling my soul to the devil, I should at least be punctual.”
His lips twitched in amusement. “A smart choice.”
He gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit.”
Elena hesitated before lowering herself into the plush leather chair, crossing her legs to keep them from bouncing.
Adrian didn’t waste time. He slid a thick contract across the desk.
“You’ll find everything outlined here—financial arrangements, expectations, confidentiality clauses.” He tapped the document. “Once you sign, we begin immediately.”
Elena glanced at the stack of papers, her heart hammering. “You weren’t kidding about the legal part.”
“I don’t take risks without securing my interests,” Adrian said, his gaze unreadable.
She picked up the contract, flipping through the pages. Six months of engagement. No actual intimacy required. No emotional attachment.
Her throat tightened as she skimmed the financial terms. Not only would he cover her bookstore’s debt, but he would also ensure she had enough money to sustain it long after the contract ended.
It was too good to be true.
And yet, there had to be a catch.
Her eyes flicked to Adrian. “What if I break the contract?”
A shadow passed over his face. “Then you’ll owe me every cent I invest in your bookstore—plus damages.”
Elena’s stomach twisted. That would be enough to bury her in debt for the rest of her life.
“So, in other words, once I sign, I’m stuck,” she murmured.
His expression didn’t change. “Precisely.”
Silence stretched between them.
Elena exhaled, setting the contract down. “And what do you expect from me—besides playing the role of your fiancée?”
Adrian leaned back in his chair, watching her with the sharp gaze of a predator evaluating his prey. “Public appearances. Interviews, charity events, family gatherings. You will act as the devoted, supportive fiancée. No scandals, no slip-ups.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “So basically, a PR stunt.”
“If that’s how you want to see it.”
Her fingers drummed against the desk. “And after six months?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “We announce an amicable split. You get your life back. I get what I need.”
It sounded simple. Too simple.
But Elena had no choice.
Her bookstore was everything.
Her mother’s memory was everything.
She reached for the pen, her fingers trembling slightly.
Six months. Just six months.
Her name looked strange as she scrawled it across the dotted line. The moment the ink dried, Adrian reached over and took the contract, skimming it before nodding in approval.
“Welcome to your new life, fiancée,” he said, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips.
Elena swallowed hard.
She had just made a deal with the devil.
And there was no turning back.
- Writer
