Contracted to love

Chapter One: Struggling Fate

Elena Carter exhaled a worried breath, the heaviness of the past few months pressing down upon her chest like a vice. She clutched the worn handle of the antique café tray firmly, willing her trembling fingers to calm down. Burned coffee and the aroma of baked pastries overwhelmed the small, hectic diner where she worked, a far cry from the battle raging in her mind.

Her mother's latest hospital bill crumpled in the corner of her apron pocket, a bitter reminder of how little time she had to get it paid. The doctor's words echoed in her mind: Without the surgery, she won't make it through the year.

"Elena, table four!" Mrs. Hendricks' booming voice interrupted her somber musings.

"Coming!" she shouted, grabbing the coffee pot and rushing over to the corner table.

The corner man didn't even glance up as she approached. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with an aura of authority that put Elena on edge. The power suit, the expensive watch on his wrist-everything about him screamed authority.

But most astonishing to her wasn't his face-it was the little girl beside him, moving her legs rapidly back and forth beneath the table, her green eyes interested.

Elena put on her best customer-service smile. "Good evening. Can I get you something?"

He looked up then, and Elena nearly stumbled. His eyes were intense, cold blue staring at her as if she were a puzzle to be solved. His face was good-looking-strong jawline, dark hair well-brushed back, but there was something else. A chill. As if he had shut off his emotions years ago.

"Black coffee. No sugar," he spoke, his deep voice making her shiver in a strange manner.

"And pancakes!" The little girl grinned up at her, unaware of her father's icy face.

Elena smiled gently, smiling. "Pancakes it is."

The girl grinned. "I'm Lily!"

"Lily," she repeated, the name rolling over her tongue like a song. "A pretty name."

Lily snorted, but her father cleared his throat, reminding Elena he was still there.

"Are you always so nice to customers?" His voice was unreadable, but his eyes-there was something in them-curiosity? Humor?

Elena flinched. "I try to be."

He hummingly didn't respond, only looked at her like she was a problem he was still working out.

Shaking off the odd tension, she turned on her heel and hurried back towards the counter, heart still thudding against her ribs. Something about this man made her uneasy. It wasn't just his wealth or his overwhelming presence-it was the way he looked at her.

Preparing their order, she caught snippets of their conversation.

"Is Mommy coming back soon?" Lily asked softly.

There was silence. A heavy, long silence. Then the man's voice, firm and low.

"No, Lily. She's not."

Elena's heart constricted. She didn't know what their past was, but she recognized pain when she heard it.

When she returned with the pancakes and coffee, Lily slapped her hands together in delight, devouring the food ravenously. Elena couldn't help but smile.

"She likes you."

Elena gazed at the man-Alexander, she recalled from the name on the credit card when he had paid.

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Lily," he replied softly, nodding toward his daughter. "She doesn't take to people easily."

An odd warmth filled her chest. "She's a sweetheart."

Alexander didn't respond, but merely regarded her again, still unreadable as before.

It wasn't until later, as she stepped out into the chilly night air when her shift finally ended, that she realized she'd been holding her breath during their whole conversation.

And she had no idea that this would not be the last time she'd see Alexander Vaughn.

Not even close.