05: caught

ELIANA

I paced back and forth in my room the next morning, wondering if I should go through with this. He hadn't recognized me, and I didn't have to worry about being rejected.

I'd made up my mind. I had to accept his proposal.

“Eliana, darling, I brought you some ginger tea for your stomach,” my aunt announced as she walked in. “Solidad told me you didn't want to be disturbed last night, so I let you sleep. How are you feeling now?”

“Thanks, Aunt. I'm fine now.”

I took the cup from her and drank the tea.

“Eli, you should be in bed. Just because you feel better doesn't mean you're completely recovered.”

She directed me to the bed and made me sit. The moment I did, I winced. I was still sore from the previous night's adventure with my dad's best friend.

“You see? You're not fine yet. Should I call the doctor?” she asked, worry written all over her face.

If only she knew what was really wrong with me.

“Aunt, I'm fine.” I got up, kissed her cheek, and headed out. “I'll be back before you know it!”

Scott had told me to come at noon, but I couldn't wait that long. I stopped at a restaurant to get something to eat. Knowing my aunt would insist on feeding me something bland for my stomach's sake, I'd skipped breakfast at home.

I collected my order and sat down.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't the brat chasing after my boyfriend like a whore!”

I looked up at the familiar voice.

“Vicenta, I have no time for your nonsense. You know I have nothing to do with your ridiculous boyfriend,” I snapped.

“How dare you?! Girls, teach her a lesson.”

Her friends immediately moved toward me. I couldn't possibly fight them all.

“Come any closer, and you'll get hot gravy in your eyes. Trust me.”

I gripped the container tightly, ready to pour it on anyone who dared approach.

I didn't know why they enjoyed picking on me. They were always dumping things on me or spreading lies, but not today. Not when I had an important meeting with the man I'd always wanted.

My threat seemed to scare them. They hurried back to their table, and I left the restaurant. I'd already paid, anyway.

When I arrived at Blackwell's Digitals, I couldn't help looking around. I'd never been inside before. I'd visited a few times, hoping to catch a glimpse of Scott, but I'd never managed to get past the entrance.

“Good morning. I'm here to see Mr. Scott,” I greeted the receptionist.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, I—”

“Then I'm sorry. I cannot help you.” She cut me off.

“He asked me to be here.”

“We hear that all the time,” she mumbled, looking me up and down.

I couldn't blame her. I was wearing a tank top and ripped jeans, my stomach exposed. After a sleepless night, I probably looked exhausted, too.

Remembering the card Scott had given me, I quickly dialed his number. Surprisingly, he answered on the first ring.

“Mr. Blackwell, I've made up my mind. I'm at Blackwell's Digitals, but the receptionist won't let me through.”

“Wait there. Someone will bring you up.” He paused. “What's your name?”

“Marie! Uh... Marie Thorn.”

I'd almost forgotten the fake name I'd chosen.

“All right, Marie. I'm sending someone to get you.”

Soon, a woman approached the reception desk.

“You must be Marie Thorn.”

“Yes.”

“Follow me.”

I followed her into the elevator. A few moments later, we stood outside Scott's office.

“Go in, Miss Marie. My boss is expecting you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

Scott sat behind his desk, looking serious and composed. Suddenly, I felt shy and small. I stood there, waiting for him to tell me what to do.

“Lock the door and come here.”

His voice was soft but firm. I obeyed without hesitation.

When I approached him, he pulled me onto his lap. My eyes widened at the sudden closeness.

Was he always this forward?

“For you, baby. For you,” I murmured.

He gave me a questioning look, and I realized I'd said that aloud.

“How's your little body feeling?” he asked.

“Fine. Just a little sore.”

“You only had to tell me to stop, and I would've. I was too rough last night, and you said nothing.”

“That's exactly how I like it, Daddy,” I whispered against his lips.

He kissed me slowly, his hands resting on my waist as he drew me closer. I wanted to feel that closeness again, right there, that very minute.

“Kiss me again,” I whispered.

He pulled back, a smile playing on his lips.

“Always eager. I like that, baby.”

He gave me another quick kiss before saying, “Not now.”

“Please, Daddy. I want you.”

“You'll have me tonight. I promise.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Good girl. For now, sign this.”

I glanced at the document he handed me.

“What's that?”

“An agreement. You'll be exclusively mine. We'll spend time together on my terms, under the conditions we've discussed.”

His eyes stayed on mine as he explained. I tried to concentrate on the document, but having him this close made it difficult.

“Do you accept, Marie?”

He leaned closer, his voice low.

“Yes, Daddy. I want this, too.”

“Good girl. Put your name here and sign.”

I signed immediately.

“Prepare yourself for tonight. My driver will pick you up.”

“Yes, Daddy!”

“Later, little one. Now go before I change my mind about letting you leave. I'll call you later.”

I hurried out of his office, excitement bubbling inside me.

Everything was going better than I'd planned. I'd just signed a contract that would bring me closer to my dad's best friend than I'd ever imagined!

---

I barely had time to settle down at home before my father called me into the living room.

“Eliana! Come downstairs, please!”

I sighed and headed down, wondering what I'd done now.

Then I saw him.

Scott.

He stood beside my father, looking as composed as ever. For a moment, my heart leaped with joy. Then I noticed his expression.

He wasn't looking at me the way he had in his office.

His face had hardened, and his eyes were fixed on mine.

My stomach dropped.

“Eliana,” Dad said, “you remember Scott Blackwell, don't you? He's going to be in London soon, and I asked him to look out for you while you're there for art school.”

I struggled to keep my expression neutral.

“Of course,” I managed.

Dad smiled, oblivious to the tension between us. “Good. You two have a lot of catching up to do.”

Scott's jaw tightened.

“Jack, could you give us a moment?” he asked.

Dad looked between us. “Is everything all right?”

“It's fine,” Scott replied, his voice controlled. “I just need to speak with your daughter.”

“Of course. Eliana, don't keep him long.”

Dad walked away, leaving us alone.

The moment he was out of earshot, Scott's expression changed.

“Marie Thorn?” he said coldly.

My heart pounded.

“Scott—”

“Don't.” He stepped closer. “You lied about your name. You lied about your age. You're twenty, Eliana. Twenty!”

I swallowed hard, unable to look away.

“I can explain.”

“Explain what? That you deliberately deceived me?”

“I didn't mean for you to find out like this.”

“Then how did you expect me to find out? After I'd taken you to London? After I'd continued this arrangement without knowing who you really were?”

His words stung, but I couldn't deny the truth.

“I wanted you to look at me,” I admitted. “I wanted you to see me as a woman, not Jack's little girl.”

His expression hardened further.

“This is forbidden! You're my best friend's daughter, for goodness' sake!”

The words pierced my heart, but I refused to back down.

“But you wanted me, too!” The words escaped before I could stop them. “You kissed me. You made me an offer. You can't pretend last night meant nothing.”

“Last night happened because you lied to me!”

“I've wanted you for years, Scott. And you wanted me, too. Don't act like I'm the only one who felt something.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Then his expression twisted with anger.

“Shut up!”

He shoved me away.

I lost my balance and fell to the floor with a loud thud. Pain shot through my ankle, and tears sprang to my eyes.

For a moment, Scott stood frozen. Then his anger seemed to give way to regret.

He rushed over and helped me to my feet, but the moment I tried to put weight on my leg, a cry escaped my lips.

“What's wrong, Eli?” he asked, supporting me.

“My ankle…”

“Eliana? Scott? What the hell is going on here?”

Dad's voice cut through the air.

Scott froze, still holding me upright. I could barely look at Dad as I stood there in Scott's arms, with no idea how either of us would explain what had just happened.