proposition

Elara sat on the edge of her bed, feeling the pressure of the past few days bearing down on her. Her usually orderly and controlled apartment now felt like a prison. The once-welcoming space seemed suffocatingly small as her thoughts raced in circles, replaying the events that had led to her current predicament.

The scandal that had erupted had shattered her world. The accusation of unethical practices, the firm’s sudden withdrawal of support, the whispered conversations behind her back—all of it had come crashing down on her with a ferocity she hadn’t anticipated. She was on the brink of making partner, a milestone she’d worked tirelessly to achieve, and now it all seemed to be slipping through her fingers.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, the screen lighting up with an unfamiliar number. For a moment, she considered letting it go to voicemail again. But something compelled her to answer, perhaps a hope for any news that might offer a solution.

“Hello?” she answered, her voice revealing her exhaustion.

“Elara.” The deep, smooth voice on the other end was unmistakable. Her grip on the phone tightened.

“Damian Blackwood,” she stated blandly, the name leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. “What do you want?”

“I think we both know the answer to that,” Damian replied, his tone as controlled as ever. “We need to talk. In person.”

Elara’s first instinct was to hang up. The last time she and Damian had crossed paths, it had been in a boardroom during a high-stakes negotiation that had left them both bruised and battered. The thought of seeing him again, especially now, was almost too much to bear.

“I have nothing to say to you,” she snapped, the anger rising in her chest. “Especially not now.”

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss this, Elara,” Damian advised, his voice lowering to a near whisper that sent a shiver down her spine. “I have a proposition that could solve both of our problems.”

Elara paused, her curiosity aroused despite herself. Damian Blackwood didn’t make offers lightly, and if he was reaching out to her, it meant he needed something desperately. The thought of having any kind of power over him, even for a moment, was tantalizing.

“I’m listening,” she said cautiously.

“Meet me at my estate tomorrow," Damian said firmly, leaving no room for argument. “We can discuss the details there.”

Elara wanted to refuse, to slam the door on this conversation and on Damian for good. But the nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of her own precarious situation. If there was even a chance that Damian could help her salvage her career, she had to consider it.

“Fine,” she agreed reluctantly. “But don’t think for a second that I’m doing this for you. I’ll hear you out, and then I’ll decide if it’s worth my time.”

“That’s all I ask,” Damian answered. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Elara.”

The call ended with a click, and Elara sat in silence, her mind racing. She had no idea what Damian was planning, but she knew one thing for certain—whatever it was, it wouldn’t be straightforward. Damian Blackwood was a man who thrived on control, manipulation, and power plays. And now, she was about to step into his world once again.

__

The next day, she found herself driving through the winding roads that led to Damian’s estate.

The towering trees and manicured lawns seemed to close in around her as she approached the massive iron gates that guarded his property. As they swung open, she couldn’t help but feel like she was entering a lion’s den.

Damian’s estate was as imposing as she remembered—an architectural marvel of stone and glass perched on a hill that overlooked the city. The beauty of the place was almost overwhelming.

A uniformed attendant opened the door for her as she pulled up to the front entrance, and she stepped out, smoothing her skirt and straightening her shoulders. No matter what happened today, she wouldn’t let Damian see her sweat.

She was led into a spacious living room, where Damian stood waiting by the fireplace, his back to her. He turned as she entered, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. Damian was as impeccably dressed as always, his dark hair neatly combed back. His presence dominated the room, exuding the kind of confidence that came naturally to someone born into wealth and power.

“Elara,” he greeted her with a slight nod, his voice smooth and controlled. “Thank you for coming.”

“Let’s skip the pleasantries, Damian,” Elara responded, cutting to the chase. “What is this proposition you mentioned?”

He watched her with those piercing blue eyes, the same eyes that had unnerved her during their previous encounters. Damian Blackwood was a man who saw everything, missed nothing, and always seemed to be three steps ahead of everyone else.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, as if he appreciated her directness. He gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing, her arms crossed defensively.

“I like your directness. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”

Elara resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Compliments from Damian were as rare as they were calculated, and she wasn’t about to let him distract her with flattery.

“You have until the end of this meeting to convince me that whatever you’re proposing is worth my time,” she said coldly. “So get to the point.”

“Very well,” he added, moving to sit on the edge of a nearby couch, his posture relaxed but his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ll get straight to the point. I need a wife, Elara. And I need one fast.”

She blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. Of all the things she had expected Damian to say, this was not one of them.

“You’re joking,” she said finally, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Not at all,” Damian replied, his tone deadly serious. “My grandfather’s will has a clause that requires me to marry before my thirtieth birthday, or I lose control of the company. I have thirty days left, and I need someone who can handle the demands of my life without getting caught up in the emotions.”

She stared at him, trying to process the absurdity of what he was saying. Damian Blackwood, one of the most eligible bachelors in the city, was sitting here proposing marriage to her—a woman he’d clashed with at every turn. It didn’t make sense.

“And you think that someone is me?” Elara asked, suspicious. “After everything that happened between us?”

“Precisely because of everything that happened between us,” Damian said, leaning forward slightly. “You’re not someone who can be easily intimidated or manipulated, Elara. You’ve proven that. And I need a partner who won’t try to control me or undermine my authority.”

She laughed, a sharp, humorless sound. “You think I’d agree to marry you just to help you keep your company? You must be more desperate than I thought.”

“I am,” he admitted, his voice calm. “Your career is in jeopardy. The scandal you’re facing could ruin everything you’ve worked for.”

Elara’s laughter died on her lips, replaced by a cold, sinking feeling in her stomach. “You’ve been keeping tabs on me,” she stated flatly.

“I have resources,” Damian whispered, not bothering to deny it. “And I know that this situation could ruin your career if you don’t find a way to turn it around. That’s where I come in. Marry me, and I’ll make sure the lawsuit goes away. I’ll clear your name, and you’ll have the financial backing to become a partner at your firm—or even start your own.”

“And in return?” she asked, already dreading the answer.

“In return, you would agree to a one-year marriage,” Damian announced calmly. “A mutually beneficial arrangement. You’ll get your career back on track, and I’ll secure my inheritance. At the end of the year, we’ll go our separate ways, no strings attached.”

Elara stared at him, her mind racing. The offer was outrageous, but the more she thought about it, the more it made a twisted kind of sense. Damian had the power and influence to make her problems disappear, and in return, all she had to do was play the role of his wife for a year.

But it wasn’t that simple. There were risks—emotional, professional, and personal. Getting involved with Damian again, even under these circumstances, could open up old wounds and create new ones.

“And after the year is up?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“We part ways,” Damian said with a shrug. “No strings attached, no lingering obligations. You go back to your life, and I keep my company. It’s a business arrangement, nothing more.”

Her heart pounded in her chest as she weighed the decision. She hated that she was even considering it, but the reality of her situation was harsh and unforgiving. Damian’s offer could be the lifeline she needed—or it could be the beginning of a disaster.

“I need time to think,” she uttered finally, her voice trembling with the effort to stay composed.

“Of course,” Damian replied. “But don’t take too long. We don’t have much time.”

She nodded and turned to leave, her thoughts in confusion. As she walked out of the room, she felt Damian’s eyes on her, watching her every step. She knew that whatever decision she made, nothing would be the same after this.