3. Unexpected Encounter

Elena’s POV

Welcome to hell, mia bella.

The words hung in the air like a storm. Nothing in my life has been easy. Not even in childhood, not even in teenage life, and now, not even in adult life. 

Seeing his signature smirk on his face and the desperation in his eyes to make this harder, so as he could, sent shivers down my spine.

I stood there frozen.

‘I have already set your wedding with my colleague’s son. You’re not going for any interview.’

‘Just make sure you don’t embarrass yourself. Or worse, the family name.’

‘And judging by that expression, I don’t think you have many other options, do you?’

“Ma’am? Ma’am? Are you okay?” Greta’s voice pulled me back to reality.

“Yeah-yeah.” I said as I realized I was standing in the hallway. When did I come out of his office? I followed Greta till we reached her office. She looked like the strict teachers in the movie. Perfect bun. Glasses. Black coat and skirt. But she’s a kind lady.

“Please wait until your contract is ready,” she said when we entered her office. 

“Sure,” I replied while she took some stuff from her desk and left the room. I sat on the couch, hands clasped tightly in my lap, staring blankly at the fancy glass table in front of me. My heart was still pounding in my chest like it was trying to beat its way out and run off without me.

This isn't how I imagined my day to go.

Signing a contract to be Rowan Blackwood’s assistant? What was I thinking?

God, how did I end up here?

I bit my cheek and crossed my arms. No matter how terrible Rowan Blackwood was, getting tortured by him is way better than getting married to a stranger. 

You’ve literally chosen the devil you know over the devil you don’t. Bold move.

One of my inner voices said.

At least this devil wears cologne that smells like heaven and not mothballs and desperation. And did you see his jawline when he said “mia bella”? I mean, priorities.

Another one said. 

This isn’t a romance novel! He’s going to be your boss, not your bad-boy fantasy.

Tell that to the—

Shut up! I screamed in my brain. Very good. Now my inner head voices are fighting. I haven’t even started the job yet, and I’m already going crazy. 

Just as I took a deep breath, Greta entered the room and handed me a file. “This is your contract. Kindly read the terms properly… to avoid any future problems.” She emphasized the last sentence with more effort.

I gave her a small smile and flipped through the contract, reading each line like a responsible adult. Everything seemed standard—confidentiality, office hours, salary breakdown… until my eyes landed on something that made me pause.

> Special Terms & Conditions—Personal Directives by the CEO

What in the actual hell?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I started reading, which made me realize that not running the moment I saw him was a big mistake. Now I understand why Greta emphasized her last sentence.

1. A freshly brewed black coffee must be placed on my desk exactly when I enter the office and at 7:00 PM.

(Temperature must be perfect.)

I’ll make sure it will burn your tongue, bastard.

2. Do not be late. Not even by a minute.

(If you’re not ten minutes early, you’re already late. Don’t test me.)

Seriously?

3. You are required to stay for late-night work whenever I say so.

(No prior notice necessary.)

Asshole.

4. You will not—under any circumstances—touch the Montblanc pen.

(I mean it, Bella. Hands off.)

I’ll break it for sure.

5. The ‘slap incident’ or our past college incidents shall never be mentioned again.

(Unless you’d like your desk to be moved next to the restroom.)

I turned another page, hoping it would get better.

6. All nicknames given to you are final and must be responded to.

(Possible options include Bella, Cage Girl, Miss Storm, or Cupcake. You don’t get to choose.)

7. If I say “cancel all my meetings,” it means bring whiskey and don’t ask questions.

My eyes shot up, and Greta was already giving me a sympathetic look.

I closed the file slowly. “Is this a contract or a psychological torture manual?”

“Those are Mr. Blackwood’s… personalized terms. He mentioned that you should pay extra attention to those rules—and put in as much effort as possible to follow them.”

I gritted my teeth, but no, I’m not letting him win so easily by running away. I didn’t think the second time and signed the contract.

Just hope I don’t regret this.

***********************************************

“IT’S HIM?!” Natalie practically screamed from the other side of the call.

“Yeah,” I muttered, slumping into the back seat of the taxi, forehead pressed against the window.

“And you signed the contract?” She asked.

“I had no other option,” I said with a scoff, watching the city blur past.

“What do you mean by you didn’t have any other option?” She snapped with worry, “Elena, do you know what kind of trouble you have gotten yourself into? He’ll not leave any chance to take his revenge.”

I met Natalie in my second year of college, right after I transferred. She was the first person who spoke to me like a human instead of sizing me up like everyone else did. We just…clicked. 

Then we actually became best friends as I told her about Rowan, my tormentor and personal devil. I told her about my family too. She’s the only person who has ever seen my scars and still stayed.

“I know, and I can fight him, but I can’t fight my father,” I replied.

“It’s your battle, Elena. Fight it like a warrior, but be careful,” she replied, her voice laced with worry.

I smiled, “Trust me, it’s for the best.”

************************************************

I entered my house. Nate was glued to the screen, fingers dancing over the controller like a pro.

I tossed my bag on the table and plopped down beside him.

“Where’s everyone?” I asked.

“Mom and Dad went on a date,” he replied.

“Oh,” I said in acknowledgement.

“How was it, Sissy?” he asked, paying much more attention to the game than to me.

“I got the job,” I said, my voice barely audible.

His head snapped at me, “Wait. What did you just say?”

“I got the job,” I repeated with a grin on my face.

He threw his controller in excitement as we both stood up and started jumping and shouting like crazy.

“You did it, Sissy! You did it!” His grin was infectious as he wrapped me in a bear hug and spun me around.

“Ahh! Nate! Stop!” I said with a laugh, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Congrats, Elena! I’m proud of you!” he said, his voice full of pride.

I smiled, feeling more ready than ever to face whatever came next—with my brother by my side.

*****************************************************

The loud buzzing of my phone tore through my sleep like a chainsaw. I groaned, eyes still shut, blindly reaching toward my nightstand until my hand finally grabbed it.

"Hello?" I mumbled, voice rough, brain half-dead. I didn’t even glance at the screen.

"Good morning, Mia Bella."

My eyes snapped open.

Fuck.