The Coefficient

 

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Prolouge

The Day Before

The day was quite warm, exactly the opposite of a normal day here in Washington. 

I walked up the stairs to the entrance of the white, presidential building. I opened the door, heels clicking against the ground every step I take. I slowly swipe my ID card and make my way to the elevator. Checking the time on my Marc Jacobs watch, 11:45 AM, it read. "Shit," I was already two hours late. Good job that is a new record Sofia.

I walk into my fathers office smiling at the receptionist and guards at the door. Odd, they looked scared. Ha. I'm being  paranoid, it's not like he is going to make me fake marry someone to help save his company. Before walking in I fix up my black business like dress.

I wish I was already prepared for what would await me on the other side of the door. I mean, come on, how did I not see it coming? 

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One: In which the deal is made.

The Day Of.

"So if I understand this correctly, I will be engaged in a relationship with this," I didn't know what to call the man standing in front of me, “this wart face," well that was stupid, "for two whole months."

My father looked at me rather amused, like something I had said had struck a comedy nerve in him. "Darling, that is exactly what I have said. Oh. And don't forget the fact that you will in fact be sharing a home throughout the two months you will encounter in this relationship."

I looked over at Louis, he didn't look as happy as he was when I first walked into the room, he looked emotionless. Like all of his feelings had been drained out of him suddenly.

He had no color in his face he looked dead to me, but then again he is dead to me. How could he ever think that I wouldn't forget that dreadful day in Sixth Grade, I still have mud in my ears due to it.

I wish I could forget the memory, the faces of everyone in our grade staring at me standing there drenched in the sticky mud that had taken over the ground that day. Disgusting. 

"Elisa did you hear me?"

"Yes, of course. You were talking about," I looked around the room trying to trigger a memory of something my father always talks about.

"About your new living plans."

"Oh, yes of course. My new... living... plans"

"You will move into the Petersburg Mansion next week and after that you will live there until I say so. Now that I have your attention, yours and Mr. Petersburgs, I would like to ask you both to behave under this contract. Louis, your behavior will affect the outcome of the donation I put in for your family. And Elisa, your behavior will affect how much money I give you at the end of this." My father was never one to just give away money, Mr. Petersburg must be a very good friend of his if he is doing all this to save his stupid old paper company.

"Yes father."

Both of the gentleman leave the room leaving me and Louis to talk among ourselves. I look over at him, his well-defined cheekbones popping out of his face. If he weren't such a jerk I might have taken a chance at him.

"Do you like what you see?" His deep voice scared me.

"I rather not think that the male sitting across from me is the same eleven year old boy who threw me in the mud pit."

"Though you had forgotten."

"I couldn't forget."

"I bet you set up this whole thing. Just to get a chance to murder me." He glares at me.

"That is correct."  I glare back digging my nails into my thigh to restrain me from choking him.

"Well isn't this going to be fun." He stands up and tightens his suit stretching out his arm for me.

"What are you doing?"

"We have to make a grand entering to show the public how much we really love each other don't we?"

"Kill me now." I groan in protestation while taking his arm.

"Trust me darling, I would without hesitation."

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