Elara brow creased in a deep furrow as she sat poised behind the large mahogany office desk. Last night's encounter still lingered in her memory and her mind was still consumed by the weight of her worries.
She bit hard on her rosy hue lips. " How possible was it to forget such an event? The day of my marriage."
Elara truly wanted to believe it all, yet this stranger, Leo Watson- how possible was it for her to marry her? How could she betray Joshua?
Her slender fingers intertwined as she leaned forward, elbows resting on the polished wood. Her elegant, tailored suit of a muted blend of charcoal and navy complement her refined features.
Yet, her creased brows couldn't be erased.
Elara was still lost in her thoughts when the door suddenly burst open to reveal her secretary, Samantha.
Elara jolted with eyes wide."What is it?"
"There's someone here for you, ma'am." Samantha gestured nervously.
With knitted brows, Elara stared past Samantha. She wasn't expecting any of her clients this morning. Who could it be?
" He says it's urgent."
Still lost in her thoughts, Elara heard Samantha's words. Like a flash, her mind flew to that person. She held her breath. Was it the stranger again?
Leo?
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her wandering emotions before giving Samantha a signal. " You can let him in."
In a matter of seconds, a tall man entered, with head slightly bowed.
As he lifted it up, disappointment with a touch of relief settled on Elara's face. It wasn't the Leo guy, though something about this other one's polished attitude appeared similar.
The aura was slightly domineering with not a single smile on that handsome face. What a waste of beauty!
When the handsome dude drew a step closer to Elara, he placed a hand on his chest to say. With a slight bow, he addressed himself.
" I am Harris Ross, Mr. Watson's personal assistant."
The mention of that name Watson made Elara tense. Samantha shifted awkwardly behind her. It was no news that the only Watson that can be so bold around any elite family was the devil himself, Leo Watson, who just took over the Watson Group.
Elara clenched her fist as she tried to hide her distorted emotions. Yet, the handsome robotic Harris took another step towards her. With a stoic expression, Harris extend a black phone toward her.
"Mr. Watson would like a word with you."
Elara eyed it suspiciously. "I don't take orders from anyone."
The man's expression didn't change. His arm remained outstretched. He must have learnt that calm certainty from his boss. That skill of preying on the desperation of their victims.
Frustrated, Elara snatched the phone. Taking a deep breath as she pressed it to her ear. "What the hell do you want?"
There was a pause at the other end.
Then, Leo's voice, smooth and commanding as always, declared calmly.
"Be my wife tonight."
Elara gritted her teeth, pulling the phone away like it had insulted her. What the fuck does he mean by that?
"You're out of your mind. I would rather die than accept-"
His calm voice cut through her threats, as if it neant nothing. " Die? That can be arranged, sweetheart. Fortunately, you won't be the one in there."
Elara gripped the phone so hard in her hands. " You are threatening me? Do you know who I am?"
" Mrs. Elara Watson. Do you like when I remind you that you are my wife?" His voice sounded amused, yet filled with mockery.
" Fuck you, Leo Watson!"
" That's more like it, Mrs. Watson. Where are we doing it? Your place or mine? Perhaps an hotel-"
" Leo Watson!" Elara was suddenly having a headache as her cheeks burned red. Fortunately, the phone wasn't on loudspeaker. Didn't the tabloids said he was a grim devil? Why was he so shameless ?
Then she blurted out in outrage," I am not your wife. Stop calling me Mrs. Watson. I don't want to be your wife. Hell, I don't even want to be in the same airspace as you."
"Now, that's just hurtful," he mused. "We've barely even begun."
"We?" Elara's voice shot up. "There is no 'we,' you lunatic! Whatever contract you have means nothing to me. I don't know what kind of con you're trying to pull, but I am not playing along. If I ever did sign anything, it was under duress, or maybe you even drugged me!"
Leo chuckled again, that deep and infuriating sound that made Elara tingle down there.
"Now, now, let's not get dramatic. You signed willingly."
"I would rather believe aliens invaded my brain and forced me to do it."
"That's creative," he admitted. "But no. Just you, me, and your very clear request that I marry you."
"Oh, go to hell!" Elara snapped as she paced around her office.
More chuckles, making Elara burn with rage. Leo wasn't taking her seriously. Not even for a second.
Taking deep breaths, she flung the words at him. "And take your stupid contract with you. Do you think you can just waltz into my life, throw a piece of paper in my face and expect me to play the doting wife? You're insane. ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!"
Leo Watson laughed again. He actually laughed like this was some kind of joke. Then he replied, " I was wondering when the insults would start."
"You want insults? Fine. You are an egotistical, manipulative, overgrown toddler with a god complex. A complete and utter—"
" And still you are going to kiss me with that mouth. You are one hell of an interesting fiancée " he interrupted.
Elara gasped. "I am NOT your fiancée!"
" Yeah, you are not," Leo agreed. Then he added, "You're my wife."
Elara could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
"Listen to me, you—" But all she heard was a click sound. She stared at the phone in disbelief. Did he just hang up on her?
Elara turned to the personal assistant still standing there. She blinked in disbelief at his calmness. He was watching Elara with hands clasped in front of him like this was just another normal day for him.
" Oh goodness!" Elara was beyond her limits already. She took a deep breath before shoving the phone back into his hands. "Take this back to your boss and tell him...tell him..."
She growled. "You know what? Don't tell him anything. He's not worth my breath."
"Whatever you say, Mrs. Watson." Harris gave her a small, polite bow.
" You…! Breath, Elara….breath!"
Elara so much wanted to scold him and his stupid boss but she controlled her temper. Instead she crossed her arms.
"What kind of man laughs when a woman curses him?"
The assistant merely adjusted his tie. "Mr. Watson is the kind of man who doesn't take no for an answer."
Elara narrowed her eyes. "That's not reassuring."
He nodded, like she had just confirmed something he already knew. "I would urge you to attend the gala tonight, Mrs. Watson. At the very least, hear him out."
"That is not happening."
The man didn't argue. He simply turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Elara standing in the middle of her office and looking like a mad woman.
She needed air or she would truly go mad.