CHAPTER 2
928 Words
DEVIL'S BARGAIN
The rain had not stepped down since dawn. It drummed against the tall windows of the Moretti estate, as though the heavens themselves feared what was about to happen.
Albert Ashcroft sat on the edge of a leather chair, his hands trembling against his knees where he had been imprisoned by Lucien. Every tick of the grandfather clock echoed through the office like the countdown to his execution.
He had rehearsed a hundred apologies on the drive over. Now, he couldn’t remember a single one.
The office door opened.
Lucien Moretti walked in. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he looked every bit like the man the underworld feared. His footsteps were slow and measured, his face unreadable.
He didn’t spare Albert a glance as he walked to the mahogany desk and placed a thick file upon it.
Without a word, he opened it.
Inside were bank statements, contracts, and signature evidence.
Every page screamed the same truth.
Albert had stolen from the Moretti family.
Lucien closed the file with a soft thud.
“So…”
His voice was calm.
“You’ve read it.”
Albert swallowed hard.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I’m guilty.”
Silence.
Lucien rested his elbows on the desk and studied the man before him.
“You know what happens to people who betray me.”
Albert nodded slowly.
“I do.”
“I should have you arrested or killed.”
Albert shut his eyes.
“If that’s your decision… I won’t resist.”
Lucien stood. He walked towards the window, watching the rain slide down the glass.
“You’ve worked for my family for fourteen years.”
“I have.”
“You were loyal.”
“I tried to be.”
Lucien turned.
“So why?”
Albert’s voice broke.
“My company collapsed. I owed people money. I thought I could replace what I took before anyone noticed. I know… I never intended to betray you.”
Lucien let out a quiet breath.
“The road to betrayal is always paved with good intentions.”
The room fell silent again.
Albert waited for the sentence.
Instead, Lucien asked,
“Do you love your daughter?”
The question caught him off guard.
“My… daughter?”
“Clara.”
A smile appeared on Albert’s face despite the fear in his chest.
“She’s my greatest blessing.”
Lucien’s expression didn’t change.
“You’d do anything for her?”
“Anything.”
Lucien walked back to his desk.
“Good.”
He slid the file aside.
“I’m willing to forgive your debt.”
Albert stared at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I do not understand.”
“No police. No execution.”
Hope flooded Albert’s face.
“You… you’re letting me go?”
“I’m giving you a choice.”
Albert nodded eagerly.
“Anything.”
Lucien’s green eyes locked onto his.
“When the time comes… your daughter will marry me.”
The words shattered the silence.
Albert’s smile vanished, his face drained of color.
“No.”
Lucien said nothing.
“You can’t ask that.”
“I already have.”
“My daughter has done nothing wrong.”
“I know.”
“Then why involve her?”
Lucien remained silent for a long moment.
When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than before.
“Because she’s the only price I’m willing to accept.”
Albert shook his head violently.
“No… there has to be another way.”
“I’ll work for you for the rest of my life.”
“I don’t want your life, your house, your business. I don’t want it.”
Tears filled Albert’s eyes.
“You’ll destroy her.”
Lucien gazed at him softly only for a heartbeat and walked towards the door.
“The choice is yours to decide.”
Albert frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Lucien buttoned his jacket and briefly looked towards Albert.
“When the day comes… she must come willingly.”
“And if she refuses?”
Lucien left without saying a word.
Albert remained frozen in his chair, unable to move.
He had walked into the Devil’s house expecting to lose his life.
Instead…
He had unknowingly signed his daughter’s future.
That evening, Clara returned home, the grocery bags balanced in both hands.
“Dad?”
No answer.
She found him sitting alone in the living room, staring blankly at the fireplace. He looked years older than he had that morning.
She smiled softly.
“Long day at work?”
He forced a smile.
“The longest.”
She knelt beside his chair.
“Dad, is everything okay?”
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
For a moment, he almost told her everything. About the money, Lucien, and the impossible bargain.
But the words refused to leave his mouth.
Instead, he whispered,
“Promise me something.”
She laughed lightly.
“What?”
“No matter what happens… trust that everything I do is to keep us alive.”
Her smile faded.
“Dad… you’re scaring me.”
He looked away.
“I know.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Neither of them noticed the black car parked quietly across the street.
From behind its tinted window, Lucien Moretti watched the house for one silent moment.
Then the car pulled away into the rain.
The bargain had been made.
The Devil was only waiting for the right time to collect his bride.
- Writer
