" Clock out, Tasha. Let's meet for drinks," Elara typed on her phone.
" Elara, it's not even afternoon. You should be talking about coffee."
" In or out?"
" Can't say no to free drinks even if it's during work hours. Your parents are going to fire us!"
Grabbing her bag, Elara marched out of the office and headed straight to Lovers Lounge, where Tasha was already waiting for her with an expectant grin.
Tasha Evermore and Vanessa were the only friends Elara had while growing up. Tasha was partly adopted by Elara's parents after the incident that happened when she was just six years old.
Since then, Tasha has always stayed by Elara at all times. Due to her poor grades, Elara could only make her a receptionist in her company.
Elara strode into the plush lounge, scanning the dimly lit space for Tasha's familiar smile. Spotting her friend nestled in a cozy corner, Elara made her way over, her stilettos clicking on the polished floor.
Tasha, dressed in a vibrant red dress, stood to envelop Elara in a warm hug.
"Girl, you look like you've lost your last marble. What's going on?"
Elara slid into the luxurious armchair, signaling the waiter for a drink.
"You won't believe what happened, even if I told you." Her voice trembled, and Tasha's eyes narrowed in concern.
"Try me," Tasha urged, sipping her own drink as she brought out her phone.
The waiter arrived with Elara's drink, and she took a grateful sip, the cool liquid calming her frazzled nerves. Tasha reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Elara's arm but she withdrew her hands as quickly as she placed them.
"Pffft!" Tasha spilled out her drink before staring wide-eyed at Elara.
" What?" Elara asked, frowning and glaring at her. She just ruined her dress!
But Tasha's next words made her pause. "Engaged to a billionaire, huh? And you didn't even tell me?"
Elara groaned, pressing her fingers to her temple. How the hell did Tasha find out? She wasn't at the engagement last night. "I am not engaged, Tasha."
Tasha nodded, but Elara knew she didn't believe her. "That's not what the news says."
Elara snapped her gaze to hers. "The news?"
She pulled out her phone, flipped it around and sure enough, there it was. Her name, tied to Leo Watson's in bold, glaring letters. An engagement announcement.
Photos from Vegas.
Elara gasped as she caught sight of one: Leo and her standing too close, his hand on the small of her back, her head tipped toward him like they were something real.
Elara snatched the phone. "This is a misunderstanding."
Tasha snorted. "Yeah, sure. A misunderstanding that made the front page."
Elara shoved the phone back at her. "I can't do this today. I'm going home."
Tasha raised an eyebrow. "Why? We barely started-"
" Like you said, it's too early-"
Tasha rolled her eyes. " Yeah. Like I believe that shit. You are just going home so you can have a breakdown in private."
"Yes."
She sighed. "You're not even going to come up with a good excuse?"
"I am sick."
Tasha gave Elara a once-over. " Lame. You look perfectly fine to me."
"I have a fever."
"No, you don't."
Elara huffed. "Fine. I'm dying. Actually, I'm already dead. I'll be buried tonight. Will you let me be now?"
Tasha burst out laughing. "Girl, you are too much." She waved her off.
Elara's hands were shaking. Her heart was still thundering in her chest from that absurd conversation with Leo Watson.
It made no sense. None of this made any sense!
Taking a deep breath, she threw Tasha an envelope" Tasha, I am actually married to him-"
"Elara!" Tasha screamed, her eyes almost bulging out as she stared at the documents. "Oh my God, are you seriously married to that man? I thought it was a joke!"
Elara groaned, gripping the wheel tighter. " Tasha, I don't even remember getting engaged or married to him."
There was silence in the room. Then, "Wait. What?"
"I don't remember agreeing to any of this. I don't remember signing any damn contract."
" But the contract and marriage document says otherwise," Tasha replied. Then she added, " And it's legally binding."
" Yeah…" Elara slurred.
Tasha sucked in a sharp breath. "Elara… that's insane. Do you think someone forged your signature?"
"I thought that too, but unfortunately I wasn't drugged or coerced, and it's legit."
Tasha let out a low whistle. "Okay, okay. Let's think this through. You need to go to that gala and tell Leo you're not marrying him. Simple. He should listen to you, right? After all, he cannot force you to the altar."
Elara laughed humorlessly. "You think he will just say 'Okay' and let me go?"
"There has to be some legal loophole," Tasha insisted. "No way you're stuck with this for three years."
Elara groaned and threw her head back against the seat.
"My lawyer already checked and there isn't any loophole that can save me. Since I signed the contract willingly, I'm bound. And since I signed it two or three days ago, I can't dissolve the marriage just yet. I have to stay married to him for at least three months before I can even attempt to get out."
"Three months?!" Tasha shrieked. "Elara, this is crazy! What are you going to do about Joshua?"
David!
Elara's heart ached at the mention of his name. The man she loved. The man she had spent years building a future with. How was she supposed to explain this to him? How could she throw everything away just like that?
"I'll try to call him," Elara muttered in response. "That's if he'll even listen to me. My engagement is public news now."
Tasha sighed. "Elara, you know I'd burn down the world for you, right?"
She laughed. "I know, babe."
"Good. Let me know if you need anything, okay? Even if we need to beat Leo Watson's ass, I'll do it with you."
"Thanks, Tasha. I need to go."
Elara quickly got up and left the lounge straight to her car in the underground parking lot. She took a deep breath and started the ignition, driving out of the parking lot and heading straight home. Her mind was a storm of thoughts, all centered on one name: Leo Watson.
The man who, apparently, she was married to. The man who acted like her outrage was amusing. The man who for reasons unknown, had her life in a chokehold.
Elara decided to call Joshua. She dialed his number. The call went straight to voicemail. In shock, she listened to the automated message.
"Leave a message, and I'll call back later...."
Bullshit.
Elara tried again, and it went to voicemail yet again. A sick feeling settled in her stomach as the driver pulled into her apartment building's parking lot. She stepped out of the car alongside Tasha, still trying his number.
Joshua wasn't answering. Was he ignoring her?
" Give him sometime, Elara."
Elara reached the elevator, her finger hovering over the button when a voice called out to me.
"Miss Clarksville."
She turned to see the front desk man watching her with a polite expression. "Yes?"
"A dispatch rider came earlier. He left a package for you from Mr. Leo Watson."
Elara let out a loud, frustrated groan. "Can I go ten minutes without hearing that name?"
The man chuckled and gestured toward the desk. "Would you like to see it?"
She dragged her feet toward him as he brought out a large box and placed it in her hands. It was heavier than she expected. Her stomach went tight with anxiety.
"What's inside?" Elara muttered to herself, turning the box slightly. There was no indication, no label, just a plain black box with some fancy insignia and her name on it.
She sighed, thanking the man before stepping into the elevator, clutching the box against her.
What are you up to, Leo Watson?