The CEO's contract Baby

The black Maybach was waiting at 8 AM sharp. Exactly like he said. Elena Hart stood outside her peeling apartment building with one small duffel bag. Inside it: her mother's photo, her old laptop, and her degree certificates. Everything she owned in the world. A tall driver in a suit opened the door. "Mrs. Cole." Her spine shivered. Yesterday, she was Elena Hart. Broke student. Today, she was Mrs. Cole. The ride took 20 minutes. Then they stopped in front of a building that touched the clouds. Cole Tower. The penthouse was not a home. It was a museum. Floor-to-ceiling windows. White marble floors. Furniture that had never been sat on. Cold. Perfect. Like him. "Your room is this way." A kind older woman appeared. "I am Mrs. Patel, the housekeeper." She led Elena down a long hallway to a massive bedroom. The walk-in closet was already full. Designer dresses. Shoes. Bags. All with tags still on. "Mrs. Patel smiled. "Mr. Cole had this prepared last night. He said you would need proper clothes for the gala." "What gala?" Elena whispered. "Tonight. He will announce his marriage." Elena's knees went weak. "Tonight? But we just signed yesterday!" "Mr. Cole does not wait, dear." At 7 PM, the bedroom door opened without a knock. Elena turned from the mirror. The red silk dress hugged every curve. Hair curled. Makeup done by a stylist named Adrian. She barely recognized herself. Adrian Cole stood in the doorway in a black tuxedo. He stopped. His eyes darkened, traveling slowly from her face down to her feet and back up. For a long second, his cold CEO mask slipped. "You look..." He cleared his throat. His voice was suddenly rough. "Acceptable." Elena frowned. "This dress costs more than my rent for a year." "And now it is yours." He walked in, holding a small blue velvet box. "Come here." She walked to him cautiously. Inside was a diamond ring. Huge. At least 5 carats. "This is for tonight. And a tracker." "A what?" He took her hand. His hand was warm, large, rough. He slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. "Every woman in that room will be looking at this ring. It tells them you are mine." And then, he took out a delicate diamond necklace. His fingers brushed her skin as he placed it around her neck. "I know where you are, Elena. Is that really necessary?" "Is it? I'm not going to run. You paid for my mother." Everyone loves Cinderella, he thought. Especially when they realize what she signed.