Eleanor Carter hated mornings, especially the early ones. The soft glow of dawn peeked through the narrow window of her tiny Brooklyn apartment, coaxing her awake. She groaned, rolling over in bed as her alarm buzzed relentlessly. Her shift at Java Haven, the local coffee shop, awaited her, and while she didn't hate her job, it wasn't exactly the dream she'd envisioned for herself.

By 7 a.m., Ellie had donned her signature apron and was navigating the chaos of the morning coffee rush. Steam hissed from the espresso machine as customers barked orders for oat milk lattes and caramel macchiatos. She moved with practiced precision, serving drinks with a forced smile.

"Ellie, we've got a big one coming in," her boss, Monica, whispered with a mix of urgency and awe. "Adrian Blackwell is here."

Ellie froze. Adrian Blackwell? The billionaire mogul who graced magazine covers and dominated headlines with his charm, business acumen, and scandalous love life? She glanced toward the door just in time to see him step inside. Tall, with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes, he looked every bit the part of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted.

He wasn't alone. Flanked by an entourage of assistants and bodyguards, Adrian exuded an aura of control that made the crowded coffee shop feel like his domain. As Ellie prepared his order—a black coffee, no sugar—she couldn't help but notice the subtle tension in his expression.

When his turn arrived, he stepped to the counter, locking eyes with her.

"You're Eleanor Carter, right?"

The question caught her off guard. She blinked, unsure if she'd misheard. "Excuse me?"

Adrian leaned in slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "We need to talk. Privately."

Ellie frowned, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. "I'm sorry, but I'm working."

"Your shift ends at two, doesn't it?" Adrian said smoothly, glancing at her nametag as if it held the answer. "I'll wait."

Before she could protest, he turned and took a seat in the corner, his imposing figure impossible to ignore.

Two hours later, her shift ended, and true to his word, Adrian was still there. Against her better judgment, Ellie found herself sitting across from him in a quiet booth, her arms crossed defensively.

"All right," she said, her voice sharp. "What do you want?"

Adrian's expression softened, but his tone was firm. "I need your help."

Ellie laughed, the sound more incredulous than amused. "You're Adrian Blackwell. What could you possibly need from me?"

He hesitated for the briefest moment before replying, "A wife."

Her jaw dropped. "A what?"

"A fake one," he clarified. "It's...complicated. But the short version is, if I don't get married within the next six months, I'll lose my company."

Ellie stared at him, unsure whether to laugh, scream, or walk away. "And you think I'm the right person for this insane idea?"

"You're perfect," Adrian said, his eyes locked on hers. "You're not tied to my world, which makes you credible. You're smart, unassuming, and from what I've learned, you're trustworthy."

Her heart raced. "You've been spying on me?"

"Research," he corrected, his tone unapologetic. "You're the only one who fits what I need. And I'll make it worth your while—financially."

Ellie's mind swirled with questions. The offer was ludicrous, the stakes unimaginable. Yet beneath his polished exterior, she saw something raw in Adrian's expression—a desperation he was trying hard to conceal.

"I don't even know you," she said finally.

"Then get to know me," he replied. "But understand this: I don't have time to waste. Say yes, and I'll give you anything you want. Say no, and I'll find someone else."

Ellie leaned back, her head spinning. Whatever this was, it was far from the ordinary life she knew.

"Why me?" she asked softly.

Adrian's gaze never wavered. "Because you're the only person who can save me."

To be continued...

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