THE PRICE OF BEING HIS FIANCÉ

 

Elena woke up to the sound of her phone vibrating repeatedly.

She reached for it on the bedside table, still half asleep, and squinted at the screen.

Seven missed calls.

Three messages from Maya.

And one message from an unknown number.

She sat up immediately.

The messages from Maya were harmless. Her sister had sent her a picture of the breakfast the hospital had served, followed by a complaint about how tasteless it was.

Elena smiled briefly before opening the message from the unknown number.

Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Hayes. We hope the money is worth it.

Her smile disappeared.

She read the message again.

Then another notification appeared.

This time, it was from a news website.

BILLIONAIRE ADRIAN BLACKWOOD TO MARRY HIS FORMER ASSISTANT

Elena stared at the headline.

She hadn't announced anything.

Neither had Adrian.

With a growing sense of unease, she opened the article.

A photograph of Adrian and herself entering the Blackwood estate from the previous evening appeared at the top. The picture was clear enough to show her face, the dress she had worn, and Adrian's hand resting against her back.

The article described her as a former executive assistant who had unexpectedly become the billionaire's future wife.

But it was the final paragraph that made her stomach turn.

Sources close to the family claim that Miss Hayes has been dealing with serious financial difficulties, including medical expenses involving a close family member. Questions have now emerged about whether the unexpected engagement is a romantic decision or a convenient financial arrangement.

Elena's fingers tightened around her phone.

They had mentioned Maya.

Someone had been investigating her family.

She threw the bedsheet aside and got out of bed.

This was exactly what she had feared.

---

At Blackwood International, Adrian was already in his office when Martin Cole entered.

The general counsel placed a tablet on the desk.

"Have you seen this?"

Adrian glanced at the headline.

His expression hardened.

"I have."

"Someone leaked the information about the proposed marriage."

"Apparently."

Martin tapped the screen.

"The article also mentions Elena's sister. That's more concerning."

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"Find out who gave them that information."

"We're looking into it. But I should point out that the agreement has not been publicly announced, and the legal marriage hasn't taken place. We need to be careful about what we say."

Adrian looked at him.

"Are you suggesting we deny it?"

"I'm suggesting we don't confirm anything until we've agreed on the public statement."

Adrian picked up his phone.

"Prepare a statement. We'll announce the engagement this afternoon."

Martin frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Adrian, the timing is important. If we announce it now, the press will ask questions about her background, your relationship, and the reason for the sudden engagement."

"Let them ask."

"And Elena?"

Adrian paused.

Martin continued.

"She's not used to this level of attention. You need to speak to her before making decisions that affect her."

Adrian looked at the article again.

He had spent years protecting his privacy. Now a woman who had barely agreed to become his wife was being discussed by strangers.

He didn't like it.

Not one bit.

"Get me the name of whoever leaked the photograph," he said.

Martin nodded.

"And Adrian?"

"What?"

"Your uncle called earlier. He wants to see you."

Adrian gave a dry laugh.

"Of course he does."

---

Elena was still reading the article when her phone rang.

Adrian.

She answered immediately.

"Did you see it?"

"Good morning to you too."

"Adrian, they mentioned Maya."

"I saw."

"How did they get that information?"

"I'm finding out."

Elena paced across her bedroom.

"This is exactly why I didn't want my family involved in any of this."

"I understand."

"No, I don't think you do. You can walk into a restaurant and have people take pictures of you. You can have an article written about you and forget about it by tomorrow. But Maya didn't agree to become part of your public life."

There was a brief silence.

"You're right," Adrian said.

The response caught her off guard.

She stopped pacing.

"What?"

"You're right. Your sister shouldn't have been mentioned."

Elena sat down.

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I'm preparing a public statement. I'll make it clear that your family is not part of this announcement."

"And what about me?"

"What about you?"

"Have you considered that I might not want my face on every news website in the country?"

Adrian was silent for a moment.

"I assumed you'd understand that attention would come with marrying me."

"I understand that you're wealthy and famous, Adrian. I didn't agree to have strangers investigate my family."

His voice became quieter.

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Elena rubbed her forehead.

"You can't promise that."

"No. But I can make it very difficult for whoever is responsible."

She let out a tired breath.

"What happens now?"

"I want you to come to my office."

"For what?"

"We need to discuss the announcement and the engagement arrangements."

Elena looked at the clock.

"I haven't even had breakfast."

"Have breakfast. I'll send a car."

"Adrian—"

"Elena."

She closed her eyes.

"What?"

"Please don't turn this into another argument before we've had a chance to discuss it."

She almost laughed.

"You're the one who called me."

"I'll see you soon."

He ended the call.

Elena stared at her phone.

She was beginning to understand that being Adrian Blackwood's future wife would require far more patience than being his assistant ever had.

---

By eleven thirty, Elena was sitting in Adrian's office.

She had chosen a simple black blouse and tailored trousers. Her hair was neatly styled, and she had made an effort to look composed.

Adrian sat behind his desk, reading through a document.

Martin was seated beside him.

"Good morning," Elena greeted.

Adrian looked up.

"You're here."

"Clearly."

Martin stood.

"Good morning, Elena. Please have a seat."

She sat opposite them.

Adrian pushed a document across the desk.

"This is the proposed public announcement."

Elena picked it up.

She read the first paragraph, then the second.

It was brief and professional. It stated that Adrian Blackwood and Elena Hayes were engaged and intended to marry. It also mentioned that they had known each other for several years.

She looked up.

"That's all?"

"That's all," Adrian replied.

"Nothing about how you suddenly discovered that your assistant was the love of your life?"

Martin coughed to hide a laugh.

Adrian gave her a flat look.

"We're not writing a romance novel."

"Thank goodness. Your character would be unbearable."

Martin finally smiled.

Adrian ignored them both.

"Do you have any objections to the statement?"

Elena looked at it again.

"No. It's fine."

"Good. The announcement will be released this afternoon."

"Wait. This afternoon?"

"Yes."

"Shouldn't we at least agree on how we're going to handle questions?"

Adrian nodded.

"That's why you're here."

He stood and walked around his desk.

"There are three things we need to establish. First, we're not going to discuss the financial terms of our agreement. Second, we won't give interviews about our private lives. Third, if we're asked how the relationship started, we'll say we've known each other for years and our friendship developed into something more."

Elena raised an eyebrow.

"Friendship?"

"Would you prefer colleagues?"

"That sounds more accurate."

"Not particularly romantic."

"Neither is explaining that you proposed to me because your grandfather's trust says you need a wife."

Martin looked between them.

"I'll leave you two to settle that."

He gathered his documents and stood.

Before leaving, he turned to Elena.

"If you have any concerns about the public announcement, please let me know. You don't have to agree to anything you're uncomfortable with."

"Thank you, Martin."

He nodded and left.

Elena looked at Adrian.

"Your lawyer is more considerate than you are."

"He's also paid to be considerate."

"That explains it."

Adrian returned to his chair.

"Can we finish this?"

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

He gave her a look.

"Don't start."

She smiled faintly.

For a few seconds, the tension between them eased.

Then Elena noticed another document on his desk.

It was a schedule.

She pulled it closer.

"What's this?"

"Your schedule for the next few weeks."

"My schedule?"

"Engagement photographs, a family event, and a few public appearances."

Elena stared at him.

"You've already arranged all of that?"

"I had my assistant prepare it."

"Your new assistant?"

"Yes."

She nodded slowly.

"Right. I suppose I should get used to someone else doing my old job."

Adrian watched her.

"Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Working here."

Elena considered the question.

"Some parts. I enjoyed the work. I didn't enjoy being treated as though I was lucky to have a job."

His expression changed.

"Elena—"

"I'm not bringing it up to start an argument. I just don't want this marriage to become another situation where you make decisions and expect me to follow."

He nodded once.

"Understood."

She studied him, almost suspicious of how easily he had accepted that.

"Good."

He looked down at the schedule.

"Your first public appearance will be next Friday. There's a charity foundation dinner hosted by the Blackwood family."

"Do I have to attend?"

"Yes. It's one of the events where my family is expected to appear together."

"And Vivian?"

Adrian looked up.

"What about her?"

"Will she be there?"

"Probably."

Elena leaned back.

"Wonderful."

"You don't have to speak to her."

"That might be difficult if she decides to speak to me."

"Then be polite and walk away."

Elena gave him a look.

"Do you give everyone instructions on how to survive your social circle?"

"Only the difficult ones."

She shook her head.

Adrian closed the folder.

"There's something else."

Elena's expression became serious.

"What?"

"The money we agreed on."

She sat straighter.

"Has something changed?"

"No. The first payment has been transferred to the account specified in the agreement. Rebecca should have received confirmation through the lawyers."

Elena checked her phone.

There was a message from Rebecca.

The payment has been received as agreed. I've reviewed the confirmation. Everything is in order.

Elena released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Thank you."

Adrian nodded.

"You're welcome."

She looked at him for a moment.

"I know this is a business arrangement, but I appreciate you keeping your word."

"I said I would."

"People say a lot of things."

Adrian held her gaze.

"I don't intend to be one of them."

For some reason, that answer stayed with her.

---

An hour later, Elena was leaving Adrian's office when her phone rang.

It was the hospital.

She answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Miss Hayes. This is the billing department at St. Catherine's Hospital. We're calling regarding your sister's outstanding account."

Elena stopped walking.

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"We received a payment this morning, but there's still an outstanding balance on her account. We wanted to confirm when the remaining amount will be settled."

Elena's shoulders relaxed slightly.

"I'll check the payment details and get back to you."

"Thank you, ma'am."

She ended the call.

A payment had been made.

But she hadn't made it.

She quickly opened her banking application and checked her account. The money Adrian had agreed to pay was there, untouched.

She frowned.

Had he paid the hospital directly?

She turned around and walked back toward his office.

The door was slightly open.

Adrian was speaking on the phone.

"Make sure the report is ready before tomorrow. I don't want another delay."

Elena knocked.

He looked up and motioned for her to enter.

She waited until he ended the call.

"Did you make a payment to Maya's hospital?"

Adrian put his phone down.

"Yes."

Her expression changed.

"Why?"

"Her account was overdue. I didn't see a reason to wait."

Elena stared at him.

"We agreed on the payment to me. You didn't agree to start paying the hospital directly."

"I was trying to help."

"I know. But you should have asked me first."

Adrian leaned back.

"Would you have refused?"

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

"The point is that I need to know when you're making decisions that involve my family. I don't want to wake up and discover that you've taken over every part of my life because you think money gives you the right."

His jaw tightened.

"I wasn't trying to take over your life."

"Then don't."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Adrian looked at her, his expression difficult to read.

Finally, he nodded.

"You're right. I should have asked."

Elena hadn't expected that.

She took a breath.

"I appreciate the help. Truly. But please let me handle my family unless I ask you to step in."

"All right."

She turned to leave.

"Elena."

She stopped.

"The hospital payment was made because I wanted to help your sister. Not because I expect anything in return."

She looked at him.

"I know."

"Do you?"

She held his gaze.

"I'm trying to."

Then she walked out.

Adrian remained in his chair, staring at the closed door.

He had spent most of his adult life solving problems with money. It was efficient, immediate, and usually effective.

But Elena had made it clear that she wasn't a problem to be solved.

And for a man who was used to fixing everything his way, that was an unfamiliar lesson.

---

At exactly three o'clock, Blackwood International released the engagement announcement.

Within minutes, the news spread across business and entertainment websites.

ADRIAN BLACKWOOD ENGAGED TO FORMER ASSISTANT

BLACKWOOD HEIR FINALLY FINDS LOVE?

WHO IS ELENA HAYES, THE WOMAN SET TO MARRY THE BILLIONAIRE CEO?

Elena sat on her sofa, scrolling through the headlines.

Some comments were supportive.

Others were cruel.

She must be beautiful to have caught his attention.

An assistant? Really?

I give this marriage six months.

Money can make anything happen.

She locked her phone.

She knew people would talk. Still, it was uncomfortable seeing strangers discuss her life as though she were a character in a television show.

Her phone rang again.

This time, it was Maya.

"Elena!"

"What happened?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were engaged?"

Elena closed her eyes.

"Oh, God."

"I saw it online! Your picture is everywhere."

"Maya, I was going to tell you."

"When? After the wedding?"

Elena laughed weakly.

"I'm sorry."

Maya became quiet.

"Are you okay?"

Elena looked at the television, where a news channel was showing a picture of Adrian beside her.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me something. Is he treating you well?"

Elena thought about the hospital payment, the way he had defended her at dinner, and the way he had listened when she told him not to interfere.

"He's trying."

Maya laughed.

"That doesn't sound very convincing."

"It isn't."

"Well, I hope he keeps trying."

Elena smiled.

"So do I."

After ending the call, she placed her phone on the table.

A new notification appeared.

It was another message from an unknown number.

This time, there was no greeting.

Just a photograph.

Elena opened it.

Her heart dropped.

It was a picture of Maya outside the hospital, sitting in a wheelchair with a nurse beside her.

Underneath it was a short message.

You should be careful about the people you trust, Elena. Not everyone in the Blackwood family wants you there.

She stared at the screen.

Then another message arrived.

Ask Adrian what his uncle knows about your sister.

Elena's fingers went cold.

She read the words again.

What did Richard know?

And why was someone using Maya to threaten her?