A Deal with the Devil
1230 Words
With a frown, Eric reclined in his chair and stated bluntly, "This is a mistake." Helping him is like trying to save a drowning ship with paper.
And you are the one who is going to drown. To keep myself from breaking, I held onto the edge of my desk and exhaled deeply.
Eric Winters, my business partner and co-founder of Forth Wright PR, was direct. But he was also the voice of reason when I needed it most.
"It's not about him," I replied, trying to sound calm despite my skepticism. This relates to us and the business.
If we clean up this mess, we will firmly establish ourselves as the leading crisis managers in the industry.
Everyone will know that Forth Wright PR is unbeatable. Eric lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're defending yourself.
I know you, Jewel. Not to save Dane's empire, but to find answers. I flinched as his words hit too close to home.
Eric always saw right through me, even when I wasn't ready to face the truth. "What if I do?" I snapped back, my eyes sharpening.
"What if I would like more information?
Eric said, "Supposedly did," after his activities. Keep in mind that the complete narrative was never told to you.
And even if you want closure, is this the way to get it? By dragging yourself back into his mess? I went silent, and my jaw tensed.
Eric was right; of course, he was, but he could not understand.
What it was like to live with a constant sense of unsolved problems and an unquenchable curiosity regarding the source was beyond his comprehension.
I turned my head away from him and peered out the window of our office
. Alcazar had told me to get out, and I could still hear the anguish in his voice over the phone.
Merely, "Eric, you weren't there," I said. "You failed to notice the look in his eyes when he walked into this office.
He's got a serious problem.
And if someone is chasing him and involving me in this as well, I must know why.
I have to take control of the tale before it controls me.
With a groan, Eric ran a hand through his dark hair. "All right. Let's say you agree to the case.
What happens when things go sideways?
What if this tale is made up by the media to claim that Jewel Ford, the resentful ex-fiancée, is assisting her billionaire ex-lover in reviving his failing company?
Because you know that's exactly what they're going to do. I hesitated, but my assistant, Sarah, interrupted me before I could respond.
"I apologize for interrupting, but you must see this." After coming in, she set a new iPad on the desk across from me.
As soon as I raised it, my stomach fell. The headline shouted across the screen that Jewel Ford and Alcazar Dane were back in bed.
Sources claim that the PR guru is already involved.
"What the devil?"
I whispered as I read the article.
There was a lot of speculation in the piece, which connected my name to Alcazar's scandal and hinted at a revived passion between us.
Eric leaned over to read the screen and scowled even more.
"This is exactly what I mean, Jewel.
Already, you're being painted as his collaborator.
My anger boiled to the surface as my hands tightened.
Whoever was behind this was acting recklessly by trying to harm Alcazar and, in turn, my business by using me as a pawn.
"I will not allow them to tarnish my name," I said in a firm voice. "Retrenchment now will give the impression that I have something to hide.
No. I'm taking on this case, and I'll find the criminal. Eric sighed again, yet there was a glimmer of resignation in his eyes.
"All right.
If you choose to accomplish this, you won't be doing it alone. We operate as a team and under our circumstances.
First, we set boundaries with Dane. You, not him, make the choices here. I nodded, grateful for his support despite my increasing determination.
"I agree. We ask him to tell us everything first. No more secrets.
My heart was racing later that night when I stood outside Alcazar's penthouse and pushed the intercom button.
The door opened almost instantly, and Alcazar was standing there, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me.
He appeared to be a man who was having difficulty maintaining his calm rather than the powerful billionaire I knew in the dim light of the corridor.
"You came," he said softly as he moved aside to let me enter. I walked by him, my shoes clicking on the gleaming floor.
The apartment was as modern and elegant as I recalled, but there was a touch of chaos today, with a half-empty whisky glass on the counter and papers scattered on the coffee tab.
"Let's get one thing straight,"
I murmured, turning to face him.
"It's a business issue.
Not much more. Do you require my help? Then you are telling me the truth.
No lies, no half-truths. If you can't do that, I'm going to leave. Alcazar nodded, his jaw tightening. "You have my word."
I studied him for a time, searching for any hint of deceit. He kept his steady, unblinking gaze on me, and for the first time in years, I saw the man I had once loved.
I replied, crossing my arms, "All right." "Raise your voice. Who is in charge of this? And why am I the target of this?
Alcazar stopped and ran a hand through his tangled hair.
"It's challenging.
The man behind this, Richard Harlow, was once my mentor. He blames me for his death, but it's more than just retribution.
He's trying to ruin everything I've put so much effort into by using you to get to me. My mind was racing, and I frowned.
"Why me?
He wants me to get engaged in this, but why? Before Alcazar could answer, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor as the lift dinged.
Alcazar's expression darkened, and he walked tensely towards the door, which made my stomach turn.
His whispered words were low and sharp: "Stay here." But I was more intrigued than I should have been, so I followed him.
As the door opened, I had a glimpse of the man on the other side. He was a powerful man with a scar down his cheek, and he was holding a big packet in one hand.
Alcazar thrust the envelope into his chest.
"Message from Harlow," he remarked before disappearing back into the lift. Alcazar opened the envelope and closed the door, his face pale.
He pulled out a single sheet of paper and read it, his hands trembling slightly.
"What is it?"
I could barely raise my voice above a whisper when I asked. He handed me the document without a word.
I looked at the note and my blood froze. You'll be sorry you didn't get involved in this, Jewel.
Beneath the sentence was a grainy photo of me taken through my office window earlier that day.
I looked up at Alcazar, but my heart was pounding.
"What on earth did he do to deserve this?" Alcazar's jaw tightened, and his voice was low and threatening.
"Because he is observing."
And he doesn't intend to stop.
- Writer
