CHAPTER EIGHT (ELARA'S POV)

The cold lobby of Haye’s enterprise did nothing to cool down the anger boiling with her. She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she stormed through the building, heels clicking hastily on the floor, fury intensifying with each step.

She was in disbelief when she saw the headlines barely two hours after she left his office yesterday.

“Massive Shocker: Billionaire Tycoon Killian Hayes And Fashion Mogul Elara Beckett Are Engaged And Set To Wed!”

“What?!” She screamed as she saw it and instantly sent a text to Killian which he didn't respond to.

Something in her snapped and she was here for a confrontation. She had agreed to the engagement, yes but they were yet to discuss how and when they would announce it. They hadn't made a plan and yet, here they were. Once again, her life has been toyed with by another person.

She stormed through the building, barely paying any attention to those around her. She got to the elevator and went up to the top floor, the higher she went the more hee anger increased and she was certain she was red in the face.

The receptionist on his floor stared at her wide eyed but made no move to stop her.

Good choice.

She pushed the door to his office open, the door rocked on its hinges and slammed into the wall due to the force she had used. Killian paused where he stood by his desk with his phone to his ear.

He watched her as she marched to his desk, his eyes locked with hers. 

“Ela—”

She cut him off by slamming her phone on the desk with an article opened.

“What the hell is this, Killian?”

He raised a single perfectly shaped brow, his face emotionless. “I'll call you back.” he said to the person on the phone before hanging up 

“How dare you announce the engagement?!” She screamed in anger. “First, we weren't done talking about it. Second, why didn't you ask for my consent first?”

Killian slowly set his phone down on his desk. He was acting like she was a mere child throwing a tantrum in front of him and it pissed her off. “Good afternoon to you too, Elara.” 

His calm tone was enraging. “Answer me” she demanded, seething.

 “I did what needed to be done.”

“What needed to be done?” She repeated her voice filled with disbelief at his nonchalant attitude. “I didn't agree to it. You had no right to do such a thing, I did not say you could make decisions for me”

He stared at her.

“This is my life, Killian. My name, my reputation—”

“It was necessary.”

“Necessary?” She repeated, her hands curled into fists at her side. “Is that really your sorry ass excuse?”

Something shifted in his expression at her tone. His eyes darkened and the room suddenly became filled with tension. It was so thick that it felt suffocating. He straightened from his position against the fest then took a step towards her, w and predatory.

Elara's heart raced.

She backed away not expecting the sudden shift. “Wh-what are you doing?”

He didn't answer, instead he kept advancing towards her until she was cornered. Her back bumped into the wall as she became trapped in between two bookshelves. She internally cursed.

Now, Killian was only a few inches away from her. His tall frame towering over hers, she swallowed at the close proximity. Slowly, he leaned forward and placed his hands on either side of her head, trapping her.

The air between them crackled with an unknown emotion. It was so intense that the hairs on her body stood.

He leaned in until his face was a few inches away from hers. She could smell the minty toothpaste in his breath and the aftershave he had used. Once again, she felt a tingle shoot down her spine.

“Watch your tone.” He warned. His voice was low and rougher than before. “Or else, I promise you won't like the way I respond.”

His scent— the same cedar, musk and woody scent, engulfed her making it hard for her to think properly. His grey eyes were as dark as a strong night. She could feel the heat radiating off his body and it warmed her on the inside making her forget why she was even angry in the first place.

Damn him.

Elara's breath hitched but she refused to be intimidated. “I'm not scared of you, Killian.”

His eyes dropped to her lips for a brief second before snapping back to her eyes. “Good. You shouldn't be scared. You should be smart.”

“Move,” she demanded but her voice had lost the initial fire in it.

For a second she wondered what would happen if she leaned into him.

No. Snap out of it.

She shoved that thought to the back of her mind. This was purely business. Nothing more.

“I still need answers.” She said, trying to hold on to what little control she had left.

He leaned back slightly allowing her to breathe without his scent messing with her mind. “I did it because we don't have time to waste. You're back in the city and your sister has seen you and I'm certain she was already coming up with some sort of plan so I had to announce it. It's the only way to put pressure on her.”

“I wasn't ready.” Elara admitted quietly then sighed. “This affects and concerns me as much as it does you, Killian. You should have at least told me, I don't appreciate being caught off guard.”

He looked away briefly. “You’re right,” he said, his voice sounding a bit softer than before. “This is your life. Your reputation. And I should have told you.”

She hadn't expected him to admit his fault, it caught her by surprise. It wasn't an apology but she decided to take it as one.

He turned back to her. “We're already at the bridge.” He continued. “We have to cross it because there's no turning back. We've come too far to start second guessing our decision.”

“So what happens now?” She asked.

He took a step back finally releasing her from his trap. “I was on a call with my team before you stormed in. They are already preparing a series of events where we can make public appearances— interviews, charity events, galas and a lot more. If we want to pull this off, the world needs to see us as the perfect couple.”

He was right. She admitted to herself.

“What about our story?” 

“What story?” Killian asked. His brows furrowed slightly and Elara found it cute.

“How we met, how long we've been dating, where and when you propose. You know, all the good stuff.” She explained.

“I had someone include those in the articles but I'll have him send the details to us so we can memorize it.” Killian said.

She was silent for a moment. “I guess it's time to play house.”

“Yes.” He said, his tone firm.

“But…” she looked him dead in his eyes, her confidence returning as she walked out of the space in-between the shelves.

“We have to make a contract.”