"Why is your face like that? Say something!"
"What happened?" she asked, stepping closer.
Elara let out a dry laugh. "You mean what didn't happen?"
She dropped her bag on the couch like it offended her, pacing back and forth. Her head was hot.
"Well I listened to you and we went there," she continued, voice sharp. "To his office like you suggested, that's what happened."
"And?" Maya leaned forward. "Talk to me, what happened in the board room?"
"And he denied me." Her voice dropped softer now. "In front of everyone. Board members, staff… even Victor."
Maya clenched her fists. "That man…"
"Stop!" Elara snapped suddenly.
Maya blinked.
"I'm tired," Elara said, running her hand through her hair. "I'm just… tired."
Before Maya could respond, the front door opened and both sisters turned.
Their mother walked in, looking exhausted, but her eyes lit up the moment she saw Elara.
"Elara?" she said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Elara stiffened.
"Nothing," she replied casually, forcing a smile. "I was bored at home… so I came to visit Maya."
Their mother raised a brow. "Bored? In your husband's house?"
Their mother sighed, dropping her bag. "Ahh… young marriage," she said with a smile. "It's normal. You'll feel homesick at first."
Elara said nothing.
"You'll get used to it," her mother continued gently. "Soon, his house will feel like your home."
Elara muttered to herself. If only she knew…
Later that night…
Elara sneaked into her room after her mum went to bed because she didn't want her mother to know she had been sleeping at home and sat on her bed, staring at nothing.
"She is not my wife." Alexander's voice echoed.
Maya walked in quietly and leaned against the door, "she has gone to bed, now tell me everything," she said.
Elara exhaled slowly. Then she started explaining everything that happened inside the boardroom.
"That Victor…" she muttered. "I don't trust that man at all."
Elara nodded weakly. "He's always threatening me."
"He said I'm forcing myself into a war I don't understand… that I'll get burned."
Maya scoffed. "Let him try first."
Elara shook her head slowly. "I'm done chasing Alexander," she said quietly.
Maya frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… I'm done," Elara repeated, her voice stronger now. "I've tried. I went to him. I embarrassed myself and he pushed me away."
She looked up at Maya.
"It's his turn now."
Maya looked at her sister, and Elara looked so determined.
"Elara…"
"He needs me more than I need him," Elara continued. "The board is already asking him questions. They need a CEO. He needs to be married."
She let out a small laugh.
"And guess what? I'm his wife."
"The marriage certificate will come out soon," Elara added. "When it does… he won't be able to deny it anymore."
Maya nodded. "So we wait?"
"Yes, we wait." She nodded.
That night… Elara tossed and turned on her bed because sleep didn't want to come and when it finally did? It came with a nightmare.
"Pack your things."
Elara turned sharply as Alexander stood at the door. Her heart skipped.
"What?" she whispered.
"I said pack your things," he repeated, walking into the room like it was his.
He looked different. A bit soft,his eyes weren't cold anymore.
"I'm taking you home," he said.
Elara blinked. "Home?"
"You're my wife," he said, his voice was low, almost teasing her. "Where else should you be?"
Her cheeks heated. "I thought you said…"
"I was wrong," he cuts in.
"You don't remember me," she whispered.
Alexander smirked. "Then remind me."
"Show me why I married you," he murmured.
Elara's pulse went wild.
"A-Alexander…"
His hand brushed her cheek.
"Come home with me," he whispered.
"Elara!"
She gasped and woke up to reality, her heart was still racing.
"What… was that?" she muttered as she sat up slowly, dragging her hand through her hair.
"A dream?"
"What is wrong with you?"
"Why would you dream about him like that?"
She shook her head.
"No. No way."
She swung her legs off the bed, standing up.
"You cannot fall in love with him," she said firmly to herself. "That was never part of the plan."
"This is just a contract. A deal. Nothing more."
"Stay focused."
Meanwhile…
Alexander stood by the window in his penthouse, while his phone beeped. He glanced at it casually, then froze.
"What the hell…?"
He opened the notification fully.
BREAKING NEWS: Silverline Group celebrates billion-dollar partnership with Crest Holdings.
His grip tightened on the phone.
"Impossible."
He read further.
That contract…
That deal…
Was supposed to be ours.
My company. Vale Corporation.
"Damn it!"
He turned, grabbing his phone tighter before dialing a number.
"Sir?" his assistant's nervous voice came through.
"How did we lose that deal?" Alexander's voice could tell how pissed he is.
"Answer me," he snapped.
"I-I…" she stammered.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
She swallowed audibly. "The company… they waited, sir."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"They waited for what?"
"For… for a CEO to sign the contract."
"They were patient at first," she continued carefully. "But since there was no official leadership… they moved on."
Alexander's grip on the phone tightened.
"So they signed with our rival?"
"Yes, sir."
His chest burned.
"Get me every detail," he said coldly. "Now."
"Yes, sir."
The call ended.
Alexander stood still for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"This is a mess…"
His mind flashed back to the board meeting.
"You need to be married."
"Elara…"
Her name slipped out.
He clenched his jaw.
"No."
Miles away… A car engine hummed in the dark and inside it Victor sat quietly, watching Elara's photo on his phone.
Victor smirked. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?" he muttered.
"Let's see how long you last in this game."
He leaned back, dialing a number.
"It's time," he said into the phone. "Start putting pressure on Vale Corporation. I want things to get worse."
"And keep an eye on Elara."
His smirk deepened.
"She's the key to everything."
The call ended.
Victor stared at the screen one last time and whispered to himself.
"Let the real game begin."