Dating With The Devil

Chapter 5 (Deal)

This morning, Dean woke up feeling like a deflated balloon. His body was weak, his muscles ached, and his energy was completely drained. After running around in the field all day yesterday, his body was officially protesting

So, he made a decision. He would take a day off. A full day of doing absolutely nothing. No meetings. No reports. No annoying employees.

And to ensure total peace, he did something extreme. He turned off both of his cell phones.

Click. Silence.

"Ahhh... finally, peace," he sighed, stretching his long limbs on the sofa. "Now, what should I do to enjoy this freedom?"

The clock showed 11:00

He lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling. And inevitably, his mind drifted to a certain someone.

Riana..

He missed her. He missed her annoying face. He missed her voice. But then he imagined turning his phone on—hundreds of messages, work emails, and calls would flood in immediately. The sound notifications would be so annoying it would ruin his mood.

"Damn, I miss her" he muttered bravely. "I'd better go swimming."

He jumped into his private pool, trying to forget the world. But little did he know, someone else was going crazy because of his silence.

[ At the Office ]

Riana was staring at her phone screen for the hundredth time. Still no signal bars. Still offline.

Before they got closer, she used to be the happiest person in the world when Dean took leave. It meant peace! It meant no bullying! It meant freedom!

But now? It felt like something was missing in her chest. The office felt too quiet. The air felt too cold. She missed the devil.

"Hey guys! After work, let's go karaoke and eat BBQ! My treat!" Paula shouted enthusiastically from across the desk.

Riana forced a smile but shook her head. "Sorry guys, next time okay? I have something to do today."

Paula immediately pouted like a child. "Hah? That's strange! Usually you are the first one to agree! What's wrong with you? Did you get possessed?"

Victoria, who was applying lipstick, narrowed her eyes and looked at Riana suspiciously.

"Wait a minute... your cheeks are pink. Your aura is different. Are you... dating someone secretly? Or are you close to someone?"

Riana’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no, they are sharp!

"No way!" she lied smoothly, trying to sound natural. "I just promised to meet my childhood friend. We haven't seen each other for ages, I can't cancel."

"Ohhh, childhood friend," Victoria nodded, believing her. "Okay then, understood."

"How about tomorrow then?" Paula didn't give up.

"Tomorrow is also full," Riana said quickly. "And anyway... I'm the eldest daughter , you know. I have to help Mom clean the house, cook, be a good daughter and all that."

Paula sighed dramatically. "Okay, so it's just me and Victoria then."

"I have to get back to work now, so don't disturb me, okay!" Riana said quickly, turning her chair around to hide her face.

Dean, you bastard... why are you turning off your phone? Do you know how worried I am?

~Back at Dean's Mansion

Dean was hungry. Since he was feeling domestic today, he had a brilliant idea. I will cook!

" I am a man who can do anything!"

He stood in his huge, modern kitchen, wearing an apron that looked way too sexy on him. He opened a cookbook and followed the recipe step by step.

"Fried rice. Easy. Oil, egg, rice, soy sauce. Piece of cake."

He cracked eggs, chopped onions (badly), and stirred the wok with confidence.

"Yes! I am the Master Chef!"

thirty minutes later.

He put the fried rice on a plate. It didn't look bad. It looked... edible. He took a spoonful and put it in his mouth.

Dean’s face turned green.

"What the... is this food or garbage?!"

It was too salty. The rice was mushy. The egg was burnt. It tasted like a disaster! He followed the instructions perfectly, but why did it taste like s**t?!

"This is my first time cooking and it's a total failure!" he groaned, throwing the spoon into the sink.

Humiliated, he gave up. He grabbed his phone (the personal one, finally turned on) and ordered food online. Practical. Fast. And guaranteed not to poison him.

35 Minutes Later

The food arrived. Chinese fried rice and roasted duck. Dean ate it with tears of relief. It was delicious!

He sat on the sofa, eating happily while watching TV. This was the life.

"Why did you turn off your phone?"

A sharp voice made Dean jump. He glanced sideways and continued eating.

"I just want to enjoy my day off without anyone nagging me," he answered casually.

A beautiful, elegant woman walked in. She looked good, stylish, and incredibly hot—like a model. She walked over and sat right next to him.

"Don't you miss me?" she asked, acting cute.

"You video call me almost every day, and you come here whenever you want. When do I get the chance to miss you?" Dean replied bluntly, not even looking at her.

"Because you are everything to me, darling." She hugged his arm tightly, rubbing against him like a cat.

Dean pulled his arm away with a disgusted face. "Mom, please. I'm eating."

Yes. This woman was Laura, Dean’s mother. A woman who looked way too young to have a son his age.

"By the way," Laura asked suddenly, her eyes sharp. "Who is that woman? Your girlfriend, crush, or friend?You're not mad that I asked for her number, are you?

Dean rolled his eyes. "It's none of your business,as long as you don't hurt her, I won't be mad, Mom."

"Of course it's my business! I am the one who gave birth to you! I have the right to know who my future daughter-in-law is!"

"Can you please go now?" Dean said tiredly. "I just want to be alone."

"Fine! I'm going! Killjoy!" Laura stood up, kissed both of Dean’s cheeks loudly, and left the house humming a song.

Finally, peace returned. Dean continued eating, then took his tablet and started playing online games, shouting at his teammates like a child.

DING DONG!

The doorbell rang.

Dean checked the CCTV screen on his tablet. And instantly, a smile spread across his face.

He pressed the button to open the main door automatically.

"Are you sick?"

Riana walked in, looking worried. She put her bag down and immediately checked his forehead with her hand.

Dean shook his head, looking at her with soft eyes. "I'm fine. Just need extra rest."

"Is my presence disturbing you? If yes, I can leave..." Riana said softly, turning around as if to go.

She didn't even finish her sentence when Dean pulled her arm. In one swift motion, he pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her neck.

"Don't go. I miss you. Do you miss me?" he whispered, his voice husky and romantic.

Riana’s heart melted. She nodded slowly. "Mmm... a little bit."

"A little? Ouch." He pulled back and looked at her face. "Have you eaten?"

Suddenly, his eyes changed. They became dark and passionate. He touched her lower lip with his thumb, stroking it gently.

"I'm hungry... but I want to eat you. Can I?"

"Eek!" Riana slapped his hand away hard, blushing furiously. "You are crazy! I am not food!"

"Well, you are my vitamin," Dean grinned shamelessly. "My daily vitamin. Without you, I get sick."

"Whatever," Riana rolled her eyes but was smiling. "By the way. How about we go out to eat? I'll treat you. And I choose the place, okay?"

Dean shook his head immediately. "No. I don't want to go out."

"Then what?"

"I want you to cook for me," Dean said, his voice turning soft and pleading, like a child. "Please? I want to eat your cooking. I heard it's delicious."

Riana sighed, her shoulders dropping. "Dean... I worked all day too. My legs are tired. My brain is tired. I just want to sit."

"Just simple food! Okay? I'll help you! I'll be your assistant! Come on." he persuaded, shaking her arm.

"I said I don't want to! Don't force me!" Riana pouted, getting annoyed.

Dean’s face fell. He looked displeased. "Forcing? This is not forcing, Riana. this is seduction. There is a difference."

"But I said no! So understand!"

The atmosphere was getting tense. They were staring at each other, having a mini war of wills.

Suddenly, Riana’s phone rang.

It was Raymond.

Riana answered it immediately, glad for the distraction.

"Hello, Ray?... Oh really?... Hmm, wait a minute."

She pressed the mute button and looked at Dean.

"Raymond invited us to his apartment. He said he wants us to come."

Dean raised an eyebrow, looking jealous. "Oh? So you are willing to cook for him?"

"No!" Riana defended. "Not for him! If we go there, I will cook for us! So do you want to come or not?"

Dean turned his head away arrogantly, crossing his arms. "No. I'm lazy. And I don't like being forced to go anywhere."

Riana stared at him, incredulous. "Why are you so selfish, Dean?!"

"I'm selfish? What about you?!" Dean shot back.

Riana was so annoyed that she turned back to her phone, unmuted the call, and spoke coldly.

"Okay Ray, I'm coming. But Dean won't come. He wants to stay home and be a grumpy baby alone."

She hung up.

Dean looked at her. "You are really going?"

"Of course! At least Raymond appreciates my cooking, unlike someone!" Riana grabbed her bag, ready to leave.

But before she could take two steps, Dean grabbed her waist and pulled her back against his chest. He whispered in her ear with a voice that made her shiver.

"If you go there... and cook for him... and smile at him... I will be very angry. And you don't want to see me angry, Riana."

Riana bit her lip, her heart beating fast. "Then... what should I do?"

Dean turned her around so she faced him. He looked at her with a mix of annoyance and love.

"Cancel it. Stay here. And... I promise I won't force you to cook. We will order whatever you want. Anything. Just stay with me."

He looked so cute when he was begging like that. Riana couldn't help but smile.

"Hmm... okay. But you have to promise to be nice."

"I promise," Dean smiled victoriously, pulling her down onto the sofa with him. "Let's enjoy our time."

And just like that, the war ended, replaced by warmth and sweetness. But somewhere else, Raymond was waiting... and he wasn't happy.