Chapter 3: Into The Lion's Den
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain as Ella stood in front of Enzo Kingston's penthouse building. Her suitcase felt heavier than it should have, though as she suspected the weight has more to do with her emotions than the belongings inside.
The building loomed above her, a sleek masterpiece of glass and steel that screamed wealth and exclusivity. She clutched the strap of her bag, her nerves fraying with every passing second. Was she really about to do this?
"Miss Anderson?"
Ella turned to see Clara, Enzo's no-nonsense assistant, waiting near the entrance. Dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, Clara radiated efficiency.
"Yes, that's me," Ella said, her voice timid.
Clara gave her a quick once-over, her expression unreadable. "Follow me, Mr. Kingston is expecting you."
Ella swallowed hard and nodded, following Clara through the grand lobby and I to a private elevator. The doors closed with a soft chime, and Ella's heart began to race as they ascended.
"You will find Mr. Kingston's schedule is demanding," Clara said, breaking the silence. " He expects punctuality, discretion and absolute adherence to his instructions."
Ella nodded, though her mind was too scattered to process the warning fully.
When the elevator doors opened, Ella stepped into a space that took her breath away. The penthouse was a sprawling expense of marble floors, floor to ceiling windows, and minimalist furniture that exuded elegance. The view of the city skyline was breathtaking, with sunlight streaming through the windows, casting golden hues across the room.
Enzo was seated on a white leader sofa, his tall frame casually sprawled as he scrolled through his phone. He looked up when they entered, his dark eyes locking onto Ella's.
"Miss Anderson," he greeted, his deep voice sending shiver down her spine.
"Mr Kingston," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Enzo gestured for Clara to leave, and the assistant departed without a word, leaving Ella alone with the man she had just agreed to marry.
"Come, sit," Enzo said, motioning to the sofa across from him.
Ella hesitated for a moment before obeying, her steps tentative as she approached. She perched on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
"You will be staying her for the duration of our arrangement," Enzo began, his tone businesslike. "Your room is down the hall, and Clara will ensure you have everything you need."
"Thank you," Ella said, her voice trembling slightly.
Enzo's eyes narrowed, studying her intently. "You don't need to thank me, Miss Anderson. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more."
Ella nodded though her throat felt tight.
"I assume you have read the terms of the contract thoroughly?" Enzo continued.
"Yes," she lied, though she had only skimmed through it in her panic the night before.
"Good. Then you will understand the importance of maintaining appearances," he said, leaning back against the sofa. "The world will believe we are madly in love, and you will act accordingly."
"Of course," Ella said, though the words felt foreign on her tongue.
Enzo's gaze lingered on her forehead a moment longer, as if assessing her resolve. "I will be watching, Miss Anderson. Don't forget that."
*****
Later that evening, Ella found herself in her new room, a spacious suite with a king sized bed, a walk-in closet, and an en-suite bathroom that was larger than her entire apartment. She unpacked her belongings slowly, the weight of her decision pressing down on her with every item she placed in the closet.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand and she picked it up to see a message from Jake.
Jake: How's the place?
Ella hesitated before typing a response.
Ella: It's.... overwhelming.
The reply came almost instantly.
Jake: You are doing great, babe. Remember, this is just the beginning. We will be out of this mess soon enough.
Ella stared at the screen, her chest tightening. She wanted to believe him, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that she was in way over her head.
A knock at the door startled her, and she turned to see Clara standing in the doorway.
"My Kingston has requested your presence in the dining room," Clara announced.
Ella nodded, quickly slipping on a cardigan before following Clara through the penthouse.
The dining room was just as grand as the rest of the space, with a long table that could easily seat twenty people. Enzo was already there, his sleeves rolled up and his tie loosened as he sipped from a glass of wine.
"Sit," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him.
Ella obeyed, feeling the weight of his gaze as she settled into the chair.
"I thought it would be prudent to discuss the expectations of this arrangement," Enzo began, setting his glass down.
Ella nodded, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
"Our marriage will be public, which means there will be events, appearances, and social obligations," Enzo continued. "You will need to familiarize yourself with the roles and expections of someone in your position."
"My position?" Ella asked, her voice hesitant.
"As my wife," Enzo said, his tone matters of fact.
The world felt heavy, almost surreal.
"You will need a sever ties with anyone who might compromise this arrangement," Enzo added, his gaze sharp.
Ella's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
"Friends, family, anyone that might pose a threat to our image," he said. "This is a business transaction, Miss Anderson. There is no room for error."
Ella nodded slowly, though the thought of cutting ties with Jake sent a pang of guilt through her chest.
"Do you understand?" Enzo pressed.
"Yes," she said, though her voice was barely above a whisper.
Enzo leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Good. The we will begin tomorrow."
"Begin what?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Your transformation," he said simply.
Ella's stomach churned, but she forced herself to nod. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back now.
As she lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling of her luxurious room, Ella couldn't shake the feeling that she had stepped into a world far more dangerous than she had anticipated. And at the center of it allow as Enzo Kingston, a man who was as captivating as he was terrifying.