Negotiating Terms

Elara stood before the massive iron gates of Damian’s estate, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety.

The decision to meet with Damian had not come easily. The entire drive here, she had wrestled with herself, going over every possible outcome and every consequence. But here she was, standing on the precipice of a decision that could change her life forever.

The gates swung open with a low, ominous creak, and she drove up the long, winding driveway, the manicured lawns and towering trees standing as silent witnesses to what was about to transpire. The mansion loomed ahead, its imposing architecture a stark reminder of the world Damian inhabited—a world she was about to step into.

Upon parking and stepping out of the car, a uniformed butler promptly approached her, guiding her into the grand foyer. The silence of the surroundings felt eerie, and the sheer opulence of the place was almost too much to take in. Crystal chandeliers adorned the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the gl