One Last Time
–•Prologue•–
The door closed subtly after him.
The man who carried aura like his credit cards. A black watch— ROLEX — adorned his wrist while the sleek silver metal of his designer badge glistened under the dim lights of the café.
He wasn't your typical wannabe rich brat. I mean, he was the "rich" not the brat.
The man wasn't someone you could pull up with a gucci dress and Yves Saint Laurent heels— no— he was the type you'd be ready to get on your knees for.
With his name on the headlines every damn single day. An expressionless guy with girls drooling over him when he didn't fucking dare touch even a single one.
Shoes tapped against the floor, sound increasing with every single step. Figure ascending towards a girl seated on a table of two, looking equally mesmerizing.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Two minutes, Madeline.
His one word was enough to silence a whole crowd, but to the girl who sat in front of him? He was a fun game.
Across from him, a girl sat, legs folded elegantly one folded over the another as the slit in her dress was enough to reveal pure, glistening soft skin. Seductive but a dangerous game.
Her voice had authority so tangled you wouldn't realize the moment you stepped into the trap.
Not any ordinary CEO but one with such power that a glance could shut you up.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*pulls out the seat and sits down*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
A marriage.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Of convenience.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
We're already in too deep, quite late to back out.
A low, deep and dangerous sound. Enough to make your stomach twist. But her expression— just as neutral as it was before.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Darling, you got me in this mess.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
And I'm fixing it, so co-operate.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Ordering me now, real sweet of you.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Look here, Elijah, don't mess with me.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
It's not a child's play. It's your problem and be grateful I'm stepping up in the first place.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*grabs her chin and yanks her forward* I really don't understand you, little rabbit.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*grabs his hand* Do you want me to cut the hand that touched me?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Nope, not interested. *let's go of her wrist*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Two years.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Just two? *tilts his head*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Two so people don't get suspicious.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
I'll have the contract sent by two days.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*stares at her and then nods*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
I'll play by your rules this time.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Now goodbye. Feel free to have this as a token of our partnership.
Madeline stood up, sliding her half eaten slice of Blueberry pastry.
But he took it, eating a bite of the same spoon she had eaten earlier from as he watched her disappear outside.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*smirks* Game's on, sweetheart.
HOW DID WE GET HERE THOUGH?
That's a story for next time!
–•A Pretty Mistake•–
Elijah stepped out, dressed in his usual shade of black, wearing a mask to avoid public confrontations.
His bodyguards walked a little far, not in view but ready to strike, to let him blend in.
When a woman, dressed in red sequin body-fitted long cocktail dress bumped into him.
Behind her the reporters followed.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*eyes widen*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
What the hell!?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*puts a finger on his lip* Shh!
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*quickly holds her hand and starts running back*
Even though he tried his best to avoid the Publicity, it came back to him either way.
The dashed into the hotel, him dragging her towards his room, but there was no way they could reach Thirty-first floor this fast. In front of them— an elevator, almost full but enough space for one.
They quickly made it before it could close.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*breathes a sigh of relief as they entered*
And that was when his body froze, never had been a girl standing so close to him, such that he could almost feel body heat radiating off her.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*breath hitches as he looks at her*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*looking away*
When suddenly the doors opened and the crowd pushed them out, causing Madeline to almost trip.
But a massive hand shot out and grabbed her wrist before she could fall.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*holds her hand tightly*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Thanks. *straightens up*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
So, hiding, huh? Who are you?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Mad-(I can't tell him about my real identity!)
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Oh I know you're mad, I wanna know your name, sweetheart.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Madonna.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*tilts his head* Why were they after you, Madonna?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
I-I don't know, they mistook me for someone else, probably?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
You're lying.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*takes a deep breath*
Before Madeline could say something else, Elijah grabbed her waist, pulling down his mask and kissed her.
Hoping the reporters would think of them as a shameless couple and ignore them. But instead—
The sound echoed in the hallway, loud. Extremely loud.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*gasps and pushes him*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*stumbles backwards but catches himself*
PAPARAZZI
Oh my god this is exclusive!
PAPARAZZI
Harper CEO in a relationship with Elijah Donovan!
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*freezes*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Harper CEO?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*turns to look at her* You're not Madonna.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
You're Madeline.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
You lied.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*eyes widen* I- I had to, what if you were some reporter too? And you didn't tell me you were "The" Elijah Donovan either.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*grits his teeth* I rescued you. All the way from downstairs, and you're saying if I was a reporter too?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*Steps backwards*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
That... I didn't think clearly.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*steps forward, caging her in* You didn't think clearly?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
God, this a mess. *chuckles dryly*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*leans in* Next time–
And another photo, this one clearly revealing their faces too.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*looks at the camera* Goddamn *mumbles*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*intertwines their fingers as he clasps her hand* Move. Madeline.
They both walk out, frustrated from paparazzi attack, as he takes her to a hidden lift, only for VIPs.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Hey, be gentle!
She exclaimed as he squeezed her wrist.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Oh the photos will make me gentle enough.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Don't talk to me like that! You're the one who thought kissing me was a good idea—
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*turns to look at her* Shut up before I kiss you again.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*eyes widen as she closes her mouth*
–•Forced Proximity•–
There it was, the elevator, almost camouflaged.
A few steps away, the shutters of camera grew closer as Elijah pulled her inside.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Shh… *places a finger on her lips as he pulls her in the elevator*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*nods, panicked*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Now... I know this elevator is cramped but stay quiet.
Even less than a whisper but heard by Madeline clearly due to their forced proximity.
The way their torsos touched each other. The way his hand unknowingly rested on her waist.
And that's when the lights went out.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
God, VIP elevators? Even beggars wouldn't use these.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
What are you doing?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
What? *squints his eyes*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
What's that touching me!?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Where? And don't scream.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*touches the point which was touching her*
And that's when, the world around him began to spin. Wild, ferocious feelings consumed the polite pretense.
Madeline noticed it, the way his breath hitched as the top of her finger collided with the fabric of his pants.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Madeline. *strained voice*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*gasps and moves backwards*
Of course, being the small elevator it was, there was no space to move anywhere. That simple movement only ended up with her brushing against him.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*grabs her shoulders* Don't. Fucking. Move.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Excuse me?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
*growls* Don't you get it, Harper?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*narrows her eyes* No, what the hell!?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Shush! If they hear you it won't do good to your image.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
As if! You've already drowned me in this madness.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
I was helping you!
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Good job, buzzkill. *rolls her eyes*
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
I hate you.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Not like I love you.
The elevator comes to a stop, Elijah grabbing her hand once again as they walk out once more pretending to be royal lovers.
I walk out of the café, barely holding back the urge to slam my fist into that ugly smug expression he carried. Fuck.
He thinks he could trample on me? On this reputation I spent years building up.
Running away from those cheap paparazzi reporters was my problem until he decided to put up that gentlemanly act on which worsened it further
Lovers? And yeah that is the trending topic on every news.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*plucks her phone out and dials* Dianne.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
I want a press conference arranged at Vendetta hall. Monday, 11 AM. Sharp.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Send a personal invitation to each and all those editors who made my love life a delusional mess.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Or you're fired.
I could almost feel her flinch from on the screen, but I couldn't care less.
An assistant is an assistant, not fucking Family.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
God now that bastard has even messed with my vocabulary.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
You're the one that keeps messing with my head though.
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*turns around sharply*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Excuse me?
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Need a ride, princess?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Ride? No, thanks husband. *sarcastically*
I quickly lifted my helmet from my bike And put it on. My leather suit clinging to my body.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
I think you deliberately bought that color, to match mine... don't you think? *whispers against her ear*
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Pardon?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
*chuckles* It's just a coincidence.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Too many coincidences don't you think?
MADELINE HARPER/FL
Fuck off, Donovan.
I say as I speed away. His loud scream echoing after I rev.
ELIJAH DONOVAN/ML
Gonna miss you too, Harper.
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