"You know, Elena, if after all you've said about your annoying boss, you still want to go ahead with his proposal, I really don't know what to say about you anymore." Sienna Carter sounded in disbelief.
" Why are you making it sound like I'm doing something so horrible? Is it worse than what I've endured my whole life? Think about it." Elena Caldwell exhaled.
"It's not too late to tell him no in case you change your mind, though." Sienna snapped her fingers.
Their coffee was getting cold while Elena's eyes wandered around the café. The coffee was freshly brewed with the scent of vanilla candle in the air. The scent distracted them for a while and provided a soothing escape from the city's chaos. New York never sleeps, they say. They bustling honks and hurried footsteps amidst the chatters of strangers enjoying their evening on a weekend.
But right inside the quiet corner, Elena and Sienna sip their coffee slowly. A tradition they've had for almost ten years, they've known each other. It was their best way to catch up and have heart to heart conversations during their good and bad days. It didn't matter how tight their schedules could be. It was a traditional thing.
"I know you think I'm horrible, but it's not like I have a choice, Sienna." Elena disrupted the silence between them. "You of all people know what it's like at home. I don't hate my parents, and I'm not running away from them, but they don't know that I need to get a life of my own and not live under their shadows forever." She added.
Sienna's jaw dropped, and she studied her best friend's face. She has always known her to be resilient and strong, but not this evening. The exhaustion in her eyes was overwhelming. Her gaze is hollow, and she seems to carry a burden she's tired of.
"I get it, I really do," Sienna admitted. "But this is the same Adrian Sinclair we're talking about, darling. Don't do that to yourself! I know you dislike him or hate him or whatever!!" She raised her voice and slammed her mug on the table this time.
"I don't hate him," Elena said slowly. She knew she didn't. She hates it when he's all cold and nonchalant, but it wasn't HATE. "I just... I don't like him. He's way too demanding, difficult, and a total disaster at work. But he's the only one offering me a solution to my problem right now."
"A way out?" Sienna scoffed. "Do you think this is some fairytale where a random billionaire rescues you? Elena, read my lips. You're walking into a deal. This is a contract marriage that means nothing to him but a way to secure whatever business deal he has. It's just him and his status. What do you stand to gain here?"
Elena's fingers have been tracing the rim of her mug since she finished her coffee. On a random day, she would've asked for one more cup of cappuccino or latte, but not today. If she wanted more coffee, she didn't show it. "Do you know why I'm not complaining? Because unlike my parents, Adrian doesn't pretend to love me just to ruin me later. He could easily find someone out there to pose as his wife." Her voice trailed at the end.
Sienna reached across the table and took Elena's right hand to her own left, caressing her bracelets. Elena wished she had other options. She adored Sienna's relationship with her parents, and hers never makes any sense. She knew there were no other ways. Only Ethan has been good to her, but his love wasn't enough solitude to heal her damaged life. With Adrian, she'll have a clear mind to focus on what matters in her life rather than strategies to please her parents or meeting unrealistic expectations from them.
"Even if we found another way," Elena disrupted, meeting Sienna's eyes, "it wouldn't change the way they see me. What exactly is left of me, babe? They've always hinted that they wanted me out. If my paintings weren't plagiarised, I would've moved out yo start my life before it got to this."
Sienna sighed, massaging her temple. "If you were doing this for love, I would've supported you, but what if you end up in a much worse situation?"
Elena smiled briefly, of course humourless. "Worse than what I have now? What could he possibly say than what Mom told me last night?" She shook her head. "With him, it's an agreement. No expectations and no false affection. Just two people who need something from each other."
If Sienna looked convinced, she didn't show it. She leaned back on the hair and released her bracelets. "What's in it for him?"
Elena casted her gaze around the café, ensuring that no one was eavesdropping. New York might be big, but the world is a small place. With her voice lowered, "he needs to be married to finally close a deal with the Middle Eastern investors. You know how big they are on family matters. That would expand his empire across just the USA and London. Some of these old folks trust married men."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "Hell yes, they do."
Elena lets out a sigh. "He thought it best to go with someone who understands the nature of his work. He knows I'm professional so he doesn't want any demand for love... or a real thing. Just a convenient wife until he closes the deal."
The tension of her words settled in between them. Sienna knew there was no talking her best friend out of this. And the desperation in her voice didn't go unnoticed.
"When is the wedding?" She inquired, her tone supportive and defeated.
Elena swallowed hard. "Next weekend."
Sienna gasped and geared closer. "Woah! I guess there's no time to back out now, huh?
Elena smiled weakly. "Hell nope."
Sienna nodded after studying her for what feels like forever. "If you want this for yourself, I'm with you babe."
Relief flooded Elena's chest and she reached out for sienna's hands in appreciation. "Thank youuu. I knew I could always count on you."
"Not so fast," Sienna added in a sharp tone, "if he makes life more complicated for you, I'm making his life a living hell, trust me."
Elena laughs out loud, the first genuine laugh she's had in days. "Absolutely, my lady."
The weight of the decision was still pressed against her, but it felt so right that she was beginning to take control of her life even if it meant stepping into Adrian's life.