Wed or Dead

X

After the crazy night, Eliana didn't get much sleep.

After two hours in bed, she had to get up for a job interview at 7-eleven. The manager, Thomas, was very nice, and Eliana hoped he will hire her. He asked her to wait for his call and because she still didn't have her own phone she gave him Casey's number.

There was another thing Eliana had to do today. She had to meet with Axel Evans.

The lawyer who once worked for her parents. After they died Eliana met him once at the funeral. He gave her his business card and call him if she ever needs help.

The funny thing is tho. Eliana called him once. When her adoptive parents died. When she was a terrified teenager who desperately needed help to get custody of Casey. He didn't pick up.

Later Eliana learned that left to work in the UK. He came back to the country a week ago as he told Eliana when he was asking her to come to his office.

***

He was working as a corporate lawyer, he was one of these business sharks they would make legal TV series about. He had some fancy office in the city centre.

"Axel, it's nice to see you," Eliana said politely.

"Pleasure all mine. I still remember you as a little kid Eliana you've grown so much. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Please sit. Do you want something to drink?"

"There's no need. Why did you invite me here?"

"To talk. How have you been lately?"

"It's been better, I must admit"

"Understandable, you must be nervous about inheriting such a large sum of money"

"Not really, it's just that my uncle doesn't want me to inherit it" 

To my surprise, his eyes shined with a mix of worry and guilt.

"I'm sorry to hear that"

Now Eliana felt guilty for expecting him to be here for her. Axel had his own life.

"Oh... I'm sorry," Eliana said.

"I should be the one saying this to you but it won't change anything so let's go to the business instead," he said firmly "I'm back in the States for another six months. I want to make sure you receive everything your parents left you so I'd like to represent you at the probate court hearing if that's okay with you"

"I'm sorry but I don't have enough money to pay a fee"

"You can pay me after you receive the money and if you won't get them for some reason I will consider this case to be pro-bono"

"R-really?" Eliana looked at him with wide eyes.

"Of course. That's the least I can do. Bring this case to the end. I regret convincing your father to add that part about age to his will. I'm terribly sorry Eliana. Can you tell me why you think your uncle doesn't want you to inherit it?"

"Ethan - my uncle's son - came to my house drunk and drugged and started talking about me giving up my rights to inherit or else. And I wouldn't budge under his threat so he beat me up"

"Did you report the incident to the police?" Axel asked.

"Police told me I can file papers for a restraining order"

"That's always something"

"Not nearly enough. It won't stop Harvey or Ethan"

"Do you have a plan?"

Eliana looked at him, wondering if she could really trust this man. He was working closely with my father for many years. So she decided to tell him everything.

"This will sound crazy, but I didn't have money to hire security, so I decided to get creative... perhaps too creative. I will get married"

Axel had many follow-up questions, she shared with him the plan she crafted with Eva and how it changed when I approached Rafael Vincenti. Axel's eyes widened in disbelief

"Are you mad?" Axel stood up, looking at her in disbelief.

"I know this is dangerous"

"This is... an understatement" he rubbed his temple.

"I needed to do something. I didn't know what. I feel so helpless. I know it's a long shot, I know it will backfire"

"You need to consider very carefully what this man's intentions are, why is he decided to help you?"

"I offered them 50% shares of my company"

"Eliana, that's a lot. Did you try to negotiate?"

Um... shit.

"Yeah, of course," 

"Sweet Jesus..."

Axel covered his face with his hands, completely disappointed with her choices. 

"Have you signed anything?"

"Not yet. That's why I came here. Rafael invited me for a dinner to discuss the agreement between the two of us. Later he wanted the meeting with lawyers to negotiate and sign the papers where everything we agree on is included. That's why I wanted to ask you if-"

"Of course, I will come"

"There's a fee issue. I don't have money now... Is it possible for me to pay in instalments?"

"Eliana, your father paid me enough. I don't want your money"

"No, I have to pay you"

"You don't," he said simply, "I will do everything I can to help you, I owe this to Oliver. And since we're on the topic of me helping you, I don't think marriage is a good idea. There's a safe house your father build. I can buy you a plane ticket and make sure you have everything you need there. You can wait for it all to end there without anyone knowing where exactly are you. You will be perfectly safe and you will go back in six months"

"No" she responded firmly, my eyes sharpened, and she felt anger rising inside her.

"Listen, this might be the best option. You won't lose part of the company that way"

"But I will lose Casey. I have temporary custody which means I can't just move her to another country and I'm not leaving without her"

"Just for a little while, you will come back to her in a few months"

"Absolutely not" Eliana can't just leave her 

"So you're willing to lose half of your company just so you can stay with her this half a year"

"Yes"

He shook his head in disbelief and smiled.

"What? Am I funny to you?" great, another person who laughs at her.

"No, I just think your sister is lucky to have you"

At the evening Eliana learned that she got the job at 7 eleven. 

&&&

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for your interest in this story. Please, let me know what you think. I take criticism, suggestions, and questions.