Episode 2

Elisa is only 20 years old and dreams of becoming a great romance novelist. From a very young age, she already showed her love for reading, always imagining herself living a love like the ones in the books she read. Elisa has always been a very sweet and affectionate girl, owner of an enviable beauty. At 20, she was still a virgin, never kissed or touched by a man, except for a single peck that had been stolen by a boy from school when she was 12. After that, she dedicated herself solely to her studies. An only child, she was always very spoiled by her parents.

(…)

After the turbulent morning, Elisa returns to her room and shuts herself away, distraught. She begins to tear up everything she had spent days writing. She never imagined her life would end like this. Of course, she wanted to get married, start a family with children and a husband, but not now and not like this. She dreamed of conquering her writing career, being known for her romances, being able to bring a little self-esteem to her readers through her stories, but she saw herself far from that dream.

Gisele knocks on the door and insists on talking to her daughter, but Elisa didn't want to see anyone. She needed this moment alone to cry.

Gisele - Please, honey, open up for me.

With great reluctance, Elisa gets up, wipes her face, opens the door, and sits back down on the bed, curled up, hugging her knees.

Gisele - Honey, I can't allow such madness. You can't marry a stranger!

Elisa - What do you want me to do, Mom? I can't let my father be killed knowing that I could have helped!

Gisele - Your father is reaping what he sowed. He didn't think about you when he gave you in marriage to a stranger!

Elisa curls up even more.

Gisele - Do you remember my sister, Teresa?

Elisa - Yes, the one who lives in Brazil?

Gisele - That's her! I talked to her and explained our situation. She's going to help us, my love. I'm buying our tickets today. Tomorrow we're leaving for Rio de Janeiro!

Elisa is thoughtful at Gisele's words, but running away is not the solution.

- I'm going to get married, Mom. It's decided. I can't carry the death of my father on my back. I could never live with that guilt!

Gisele hugs her daughter and they both cry together. Elisa felt betrayed by her own father, the man she always had great admiration for, but she couldn't bear to live with the weight of his death, as it was marriage or Eduardo's death.

Gisele - I filed for divorce, honey. What your father did is unforgivable!

…

The next day, Elisa went to college as usual, but she couldn't pay attention to any class. Her mind was only on this marriage and on this man who would be her future husband. Filipa, her friend, ended up noticing Elisa's lack of attention and silence.

Felipa - Lisa, what's wrong with you today? You're so quiet. You haven't answered any of the teacher's questions!

Elisa - It's nothing. I didn't sleep very well last night, that's all!

Filipa - You know you can tell me anything, don't you?

Elisa - Thanks, friend, but there's nothing to tell!

The friend didn't press the matter any further. After class ended, Elisa returned home dejected. Her countenance was one of sadness and pain. Upon arriving home, she found her father talking to a man in the living room. In Elisa's eyes, the man appeared to be about 40 years old at most. She gets extremely nervous, because she thought it was her supposed "fiance." Elisa pretends not to notice and starts to climb the stairs, but is interrupted by her father, who calls her.

Elisa takes a deep breath and approaches the two, greeting them only with a "Hello", but she notices a certain smirk on the man's lips. He was staring at her as if he were looking at a piece of fresh meat.

Elisa feels like a commodity with that look upon her.

Eduardo - Elisa, this is Thompson, Mr. Christian Fox's lawyer!

Thompson - It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Mr. Fox has left me in charge of resolving all the formalities of your marriage!

Elisa remains silent.

Thompson - Well... Here I have the contract with all the requirements made by Mr. Fox. If you agree, just sign on the two lines below!

Elisa takes the envelope and goes up to her room in silence.

Eduardo - Give her some time. It's not easy what my daughter is doing for me...

Thompson - Time is all we don't have, Eduardo! My boss is in a hurry with this marriage. If your daughter doesn't sign this contract, forget about everything and say goodbye to your shitty little life. You're lucky Mr. Fox hasn't killed you yet.

Eduardo - She'll sign it, I guarantee it!

Tompson - You have until tomorrow. You know Christian Fox. He doesn't have a reputation for being patient!

…

Elisa enters the room and goes to take a shower, changes clothes, and sits on the bed. She looks at the envelope in front of her, opens it, and starts reading.

* This contract is valid for twelve months only.

* In the event of breach of contract, the amount of the debt will double and the contract will be extended for an additional twelve months.

* You must attend events, trips and any location requested by the owner of the contract.

* Live in the Fox mansion.

* Be submissive.

* Within the 12 months no betrayals and/or extramarital affairs are allowed.

Elisa feels a terrible dread when she reads the word "submissive." In her mind, the dream of living a book romance is dispelled!

…

It was around 5 pm. The day was quite cloudy and rainy. Elisa read and reread the contract, looking for strength to sign it, but she felt such a great anguish that she couldn't even hold the pen.

(…)

Somewhere else, not too far away, Christian watched the rain fall through the huge window of his office. However, only his body was there, as his mind was on Elisa.

Christian - Ah... Elisa, if you only knew how much I want you!

Knocks on the door bring him out of his reverie. He sits on the sofa and tells the person to come in.

Soledad - Son, your lawyer is here.

Christian - Ask him to come in!

Soledad - Of course, son!

She leaves, and then Thompson enters the office, all smiles.

Christian - So?

Thompson - I did as you asked. I delivered the contract to Eduardo's daughter!

Christian - And where is it? Did she sign it?

Thompson - Well... Not yet, but Eduardo assured me that she would sign!

Christian lets out a heavy breath, standing up again.

- It better be that way. I didn't do what I did for nothing. Elisa has to be mine!

Thompson - Now I understand your obsession with the girl. She really is very beautiful. I've never seen a beauty as wonderful as hers!

Christian is extremely irritated by the lawyer's unpleasant comment. He wanted to punch him in the face.

- Keep your damn comments to yourself. I don't pay you to admire the beauty of my future wife!

Thompson swallows hard. He knew very well what Christian was capable of. He stopped at nothing to get what he wanted.

- Sorry, sir. That wasn't my intention!

Christian - If that was all, you can go, and don't come back here until you bring that document signed! Am I clear?

Thompson - Crystal clear, sir!

The lawyer left the office, and Christian went back to looking out the window. He watched the lawyer's car until it disappeared completely from his field of vision.

.

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