Losing Game

"Evie! Are you still there?" I heard my best friend's voice on the other end of the phone. "Yeah, Lora. I'm here..." I almost whispered through my sobs. "So... Do you want to tell me what happened?" Lora said sympathetically.

She is a very witty girl, from an extraordinarily rich family. Her dad, Ian Grand, is one of my father's good friends. They were best friends all their lives and they build their empires side by side. Her mom is a fashion designer, she is a lovely woman that has been like a mother to me. Lora and I were raised together, and we have been best friends since the very beginning of our lives. But, despite our close bond, we are opposites in every possible way. Lora has hair as blonde as the sun that completes her bright blue eyes. My hair, on the other hand, is dark brown, the color of chocolate, and my eyes are green. She is a party animal that manages to drag me along, whereas I would prefer to stay in.

"I was thinking maybe you could come over…" I said, my voice weak from crying.

"Oh, Evie... What's wrong?" Lora said.

"Something bad happened. And I need you here..." I said with a broken voice and started crying again.

"Honey, it's okay. Everything is going to be alright. Try to calm down and I'll be there in a moment. " That was the last thing she said before hanging up.

I was sick and tired of crying, and it seemed that it's all I do these days. Ever since my father told me his plans for the partnership I can't stop crying. How could he?

A couple of minutes later the door opened and Lora was standing there looking at me with worry and sorrow filling her eyes. I can understand the look in her eyes, considering I am currently sitting on the floor crying my heart out. I must look horrendous.

But, why? As it turns out all this fame and power have a price. An awfully expensive price that I am not willing to pay.

My freedom.

Lora fell on her knees beside me and hugged me.

"Hey, didn't I tell you to calm down," she said rocking her body with mine. "Shh, everything is fine now I am here. Tell me who do I have to kill and consider it done." She said in her attempt to cheer me up. Indeed, a cheerful giggle escaped my mouth. I moved my head from her shoulder to look at her.

"Apparently..." I started talking in between deep breaths, "my dad decided that he wants to expand the company by signing a contract with his one and only rival." I said mocking him.

"Alexander Lockwood?" Lora said, already familiar with my father's rant about the young businessman. I just nodded.

Alexander Lockwood, the youngest billionaire in the country. Only at the age of 24, he took over his father's company and, in a year, it became one of the best lawyer companies in the States. And then he expanded and now he has a multimillion-dollar company. He is remarkably successful, and apparently, my dad's only rival.

"Why are you sad then? This contract is going to make your company far more successful and richer, and need I remind you that you are the one to inherit it?" Lora said happily.

"Well, there is just a tiny catch, as my dad likes to call it. I have to marry Alexander to sign the contract and merge the companies." I said and started crying. Again. How could my own father do this to me? I am his daughter, and he is going to marry me off to someone just to grow his business and gain more money.

"And you know what the worst part is?" I asked her still crying on her shoulder. Her blouse was wet from my tears.

"He, says, he is doing this for me. To secure my future... I mean can you believe this?!" I said and I was now coughing from shouting so much. I was upset. How could he?

"Shh," Lora said and patted my back. I could sense her anger. She moved my head from her shoulder and looked at me. I must look awful. She gave me a serious look.

"You are going to calm down right now, and you are going to face your problem as the grown-up woman you are. Before you do, though, I, as your best friend, am taking you shopping. Okay?" she said a bit softer and smiled at me. I tried to protest, but the look on her face told me I should simply nod.

I stood up and went to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked awful. My eyes were red and puffy, and my cheeks were stained with my dry tears. I washed my face and after I applied my make-up, I finally looked presentable. I walked towards my closet. I picked an off-shoulder blue dress and paired it with my favorite black high heels.

"How about shopping and after that partying? I am in the mood for some party" I said while walking towards Lora.

"Now that's not typical behavior for you, but I second it, nevertheless!" Lora exclaimed.

Lora wore a mini red dress with her black signature heels.

"Shall we? My driver has arrived." Lora said cheerfully. I took my clutch and we walked down the stairs.

Unfortunately, just before we got to the door, my dad called my name and made me turn around. He was in the living room with my mother and a man. I could not tell who he was since he wasn't looking at me.

"Whatever it is, dad, it can wait. I am going out with Lora." I said and turned to Lora to leave.

"No, it cannot!" my dad said with much authority in his voice.

"Leave them be, George! As long as Evie is okay with her part of the deal then there is nothing else to say." the unknown man said and then turned around. His voice sent chills down my spine. It was so husky and deep. At the sight of him, I froze. He was extremely handsome. But that's when I realized who I was talking to.

I squeezed Lora's hand because the man in front of me was Alexander Lockwood in the flesh.

"Mr. Lockwood. What an unpleasant surprise…"

֎

Today was a rough day at the office. So many important cases and after the contract I am going to sign with Harrison there are going to be much more. He was supposed to tell his daughter today. I do not trust him much, but I really want this deal to go through. I'll just have to keep a close eye on him.

~

When I arrived at Harrison's penthouse later in the evening, I walked up to the receptionist to let the Harrisons know I was there.

When the elevator reached the top floor, I stepped out and was immediately welcomed by who I presumed to be Mrs. Harrison. She led me to the living room where her husband was. The penthouse was silent. I looked up the marble stairs and I heard chattering.

Harrison talked to me and shook my hand. We discussed for a while the contract and business in general.

"George, as long as your daughter is okay with my terms, I believe that we've got everything else-" I was talking but the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor made me stop. Then George called out for his daughter. I had never seen the great Evie Harrison in person.

She was about to leave with her friend, and she was clearly annoyed by her father.

"Leave them be, George! As long as Evie is okay with her part of the deal then there is nothing else to say" and then I turned around to look at her.

I must admit. This is going to be the best deal I have ever made. She looks stunning in that dress. The things I want to do to her in that dress…

"Mr. Lockwood. What an unpleasant surprise…" she said, her disdain towards me was obvious. I'm guessing she is not taking it as well as her father thought she would.

"Evie!" her father shot her a glare.

"It's alright, George. And Ms. Harrison, please call me Alexander…"

"Okay then, Alexander," she said, and her tone was sarcastic, matching the sarcastic smirk on her face.

"If you'll excuse us, we better get going. Have a wonderful evening!" She said and turned on her heel to leave. She is quite hotheaded. Playing hard to get, but I'm always up for a challenge.

"Why don't you take Alexander with you?" her father said, and she froze, "No!" she said with a rough tone, maybe rougher than she should be judging by the look her father was giving her.

"Why not, darling?" her mother then spoke trying to ease the spirits between father and daughter. I guess she does not have as much of a problem as her daughter does with the agreement.

"Because, mother, we are going shopping and I do not believe that Mr.-, Alexander, would like to be dragged into every shop, Lora and I want to go!" she said angrily, irritated by her parents' behavior.

"It's okay George." I then said to defuse the tension, "I already had a business dinner to attend." I didn't lie technically; I do have a load of work waiting to be done.

Evie looked at me relieved and kind of thankful, and then she excused herself and her friend and left. After that, I quickly greeted the Harrisons goodbye and left.

This is going to be fun...