I Walked Into The Devil’s Lair!

CHAPTER THREE: A DEAL WITH RULES

Adrian’s smile didn’t fade quickly.

It lingered at the corner of his mouth like he knew something Lena didn’t.

His features. sharp and deliberate, his strong jawline shadowing beneath the office lights. Lena had never seen a suit drape over someone so perfectly, emphasizing the clean lines of his broad shoulders and athletic physique.

Damn.

Lena thought, trying not to stare, that this man looked like he was sculpted by the gods, every detail too perfect to be accidental.

“Snap out of it Lena”, she wasn’t here to admire. She was here for her brother Noah. Adrian hesitated before eventually turning away from her and walking towards his desk, each step slow and deliberate.

He slipped one hand into his pocket, while the other brushed the edge of his desk, fingertips gliding over the polished surface.

He leaned against the table, crossing one ankle over the other while loosening his tie slightly. Arms crossed, he asked Lena again.

Adrian’s gaze settled on Lena, Sharp and unwavering as he spoke directly to her.

“I’ll ask one more time”, his voice deep and smooth.

“Why did you really sign the contract?, little storm”,

Adrian tilted his hair slightly studying her.

She swallowed hard, eyes dropping to the floor as she bit her lip.

” I…I really just did it to save my brother”, she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

When she noticed Adrian’s gaze lingering on her as she spoke, her cheeks flushed as she quickly looked away.

Adrian studied her, She could either be lying or desperate enough to be useful. Adrian’s gaze remained steady.

“You’re loyal to your brother”, he stated like a fact.

“A woman like you would never let him go through that alone”. He paused.

“It was only a matter of time before you signed the contract”.

He said, arms folded like he was proud of his words.

Lena’s brows creased, forcing a frown.

“You sound very confident for someone who knows me,” she said, standing her ground.

Adrian stood and slowly walked up to Lena, stopping only a few inches from her, Lena instinctively stepped back, her heart picking up pace between his steady gaze.

“Oh little storm”. He whispered caressing her chin.

“I know far more about you than you think”.

Lena looked up at him, barely reaching his chest, her small frame seemed even smaller indeed in his gaze.

“Well how’s that?”, she said mustering up confidence to look him in his beautiful grey eyes.

Adrian’s expression didn’t change

“I make it a habit to understand the people I do business with”.

Lena stared at him in disbelief, brows knitting together,

“You investigated me?”

A faint smile touched his lips as he pulled away from her.

“I needed to know you were trustworthy so my men ran some background checks on you”. He said blatantly staring through the window, he took in the view of high-rise buildings as his back faced Lena.

“Follow me”

Adrian ordered quietly as he walked towards the exit door, footsteps heavy and calculated. Lena, still confused followed right behind him. Adrian led Lena as they walked through the hallway, his right hand tucked into his pocket. towering over her frame.

A pair of assistants who had been whispering beside a desk suddenly fell silent the moment they noticed him. One of them straightened the stack of files in her hand like she had been working the entire time.

“Good morning, Mr. Hayes”, another employee passing by greeted, dipping his head respectfully.

Adrian acknowledged the greeting with a small nod but didn’t slow his pace.

Lena walked behind him in steady strides trying to keep up with his pace. Eyes scanning the corridor, taking everything in, phones rang across nearby desks, keyboards clacked rapidly, lawyers with thick files under their arms walking by… it all felt so overwhelming.

Now and then, someone’s gaze shifted to her curiously. They all wondered who the unfamiliar woman walking behind their boss was. Lena suddenly became very aware of her surroundings. The sound of her heels against the polished floor felt louder than usual.

Adrian however didn’t seem to notice any of it… or maybe he just didn’t care.

He walked forward confidently, knowing he owned every inch of the building. Lena realized this wasn’t just a successful man… he was a man everyone answered to.

Adrian continued without slowing down, forcing Lena to walk quickly beside him to match his pace. Adrian’s lips tilted up slightly as he glanced at her.

“You should understand”, Adrian said calmly, his eyes forward.

Lena stared at him. “Understand what?”

“The terms of our arrangement.

Her stomach tightened.

“Adrian’s tone remained steady. “From this moment forward, our marriage must appear completely real”

Lena scuffed, “Appear?”

He nodded once.

“To the public, to my associates. To the media if necessary”.

“And what exactly does that involve”, Lena asked cautiously.

Adrian stopped briefly near a large window overlooking the city before turning slightly towards her.

“Loyalty”.

“No scandals”.

“No unnecessary attention, when we appear together you stand beside as my wife”.

Lena folded her hands unconsciously.

“And when we’re alone?”.

Adrian studied her before continuing down the hall,

“When we’re alone we stay out of each other’s business and personal affairs.”

Lena exhaled quietly, not sure whether the rules assured her or made things worse, she thought for a second

“What do you gain from all this?”

Adrian stopped walking then he glanced at her,

“Stability” he replied calmly.

Lena’s brow knitted together, “That’s it?”, Adrian’s lips curved slightly

“Appearance matters in my world Lena”.

They reached the elevator and the doors slid open.

“And there’s one more thing”

Lena looked up at him.

“I don’t repeat instructions”. He added as the elevator doors slid shut trapping them both in.

The silence felt different in there. Deafening, making Lena suddenly aware of the small space between them.

Adrian stood beside her, face front like a gentle giant, one hand resting casually in his pocket while the other aiming for the button leading to the top floor.

Lena kept her eyes forward feeling his presence beside her. It was unsettling how he filled the space without a word.

“So”

She finally said folding her arms,

“This is the part where you explain what I just signed my life to”, Adrian glanced at her snickering while shaking his head,

“Dramatic little storm” he teased.

“I’m realistic”, Lena reacted in defense.

The elevator humming came to a halt as they reached the ground floor. Adrian stepped out first without hesitation. Lena followed, her eyes lifting immediately to the massive underground parking lot of the building,

A driver was already waiting

Within seconds the driver opened the back door for them, and the ride was quiet

Lena watched the city pass by through the tinted car window. Her mind was racing with questions she was not sure she wanted answers to.

After nearly 20 minutes, the car slowed, and tall iron gates appeared ahead opening automatically,

Lena leaned slightly towards the window as the car drove inside,

The property was enormous. A massive mansion stood in the distance, surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens and long stone pathways, Her eyes widened,

the mansion looked like something straight out of a fairytale.

The car didn’t stop there, I stress it continued down a smaller road that curved around the estate.

A second building came into view.

Unlike the grand mansion, this one was modern and quiet. Glass walls reflected the soft evening light, The structure sat slightly apart from the main house.

The car finally stopped, and Lena looked from the building back to Adrian.

“I thought we were going to the house.”

“We are”, Adrian muttered as he stepped out of the car.

“Then…why’re we here”, Lena frowned slightly as she followed him.

Adrian stopped in front of a glass entrance, turning to her. “Because the conversation we are about to have is not one I have in my home”, he said calmly before turning his back and opening the door.

“After you.”

Lena hesitated for a second before stepping inside.

Soft lightening glowed along the walls welcoming her large windows looking over the gardens silently observing the estate. A long leather couch sat near a low table and a small bar stood against the far wall. Everything about the room felt mysterious.

Adrian removed his suit jacket and draped it neatly over the back of a chair, he seemed relaxed.

Lena remained standing, eyes wandering around the room, till they finally settled on him.

Adrian continued from the discussion they had at the company, “From tomorrow you’ll be living with me”.

Adrian leaned lightly against the counter,

Lena’s eyes opened widely, maybe she didn’t hear well,

“ L…Living with who?!”. She gasped

And tomorrow seems… “fast”

Adrian walked past her toward the door.

“I told you earlier” He said calmly “I don’t like wasting my time”.

He stopped at the doorway and glanced back.

“My staff will prepare a room for you tonight “

Lena let out a quick breath. This feels so unreal

“Adrian” she called before he could leave.

He paused

“What exactly have I gotten myself into?”.

For the first time that evening, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“You’ll find out soon enough “, and with that, he opened the door and walked out.

The soft click echoed throughout the quiet room.

She stood there alone staring at the door he had just disappeared through.

Tomorrow she would begin living as Adrian Jaye’s wife.

She suddenly became lightheaded, the thought sending chills down her spine.

Deep down, she had a strange feeling that signing the contract was going to be the easy part.

Living with Adrian Hayes was going to be far more dangerous… she felt it.