Episode4: The devil's bargain
972 Words
Arrival at the Penthouse
At exactly 8 PM, Olivia stood outside the towering skyscraper where the text had instructed her to meet its sender. Her heart pounded as she stepped into the elevator, her mind racing with questions. Who was behind this? And why now?
When the doors slid open, a security guard greeted her stiffly, escorting her through sleek corridors until they reached an opulent penthouse suite. The door swung open to reveal Aiden Taylor standing by the panoramic window, his silhouette framed against the glittering cityscape.
Olivia froze, her blood boiling at the sight of him. Hatred surge within her—hatred for the man who had fired her without mercy, denied her paycheck, and left her sister’s life hanging by a thread. She clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to stay composed.
“What do you want from me?” Olivia demanded, her voice sharp and biting.
Aiden turned slowly, his piercing gray eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of their shared history hanging heavy in the air.
“I assume you’re here because of my message,” Aiden said finally, his tone cool and detached.
“Yes,” Olivia snapped. “But I didn’t come here to play games. Why did you call me?”
Aiden gestured toward the couch, though Olivia refused to sit. Instead, she crossed her arms defiantly, glaring at him.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Aiden began, his voice devoid of emotion. “I’m offering you a deal—one that will solve all your problems.”
“Oh really?” Olivia scoffed, bitterness dripping from every word. “And what could you possibly offer me after everything you’ve done?”
Aiden ignored her sarcasm, retrieving a folder from the coffee table. He handed it to her, his expression unreadable. Inside were several documents—a marriage contract.
“You’ll enter into a contract marriage with me for one year,” he explained calmly. “In exchange, I’ll give you three million dollars. Your sister’s surgery will be fully covered, and you’ll be reinstated to your position at the company—with a salary increase to ten thousand dollars per month.”
Olivia stared at him, stunned. Was this some twisted joke? After everything he’d put her through, how could he expect her to trust him?
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, suspicion clouding her voice. “What’s your angle, Aiden?”
His lips curled into a faint smirk. “Let’s just say I have my reasons.”
---
Doubt and Desperation
Olivia paced the room, her thoughts spiraling. Three million dollars. That was enough to cover Sophia’s surgery, pay off debts, and secure their future for years to come. But at what cost? Marrying Aiden felt like signing away her soul to the devil himself.
“And if I refuse?” she challenged, meeting his gaze head-on.
Aiden’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. “Then I’ll proceed with legal action. You caused significant damage to my company by abandoning your duties during the investor meeting. The estimated losses amount to four-point-five million dollars. I can sue you for every penny—and believe me, I will.”
Olivia’s stomach churned. Four-point-five million dollars. It might as well have been a billion. She had no way to fight him, no resources to defend herself. If she refused, her life would be ruined completely.
“But why a marriage?” she pressed, trying to understand his motives. “Why not just write me a check or reinstate me without this… charade?”
Aiden hesitated, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. For a split second, Olivia thought she saw something flicker in his eyes—guilt? Regret? But then it was gone, replaced by his usual mask of indifference.
“That’s none of your concern,” he replied curtly. “All you need to know is that this arrangement benefits us both.”
Us both? Olivia almost laughed. There was nothing mutual about this. To her, it felt like extortion—a cruel punishment disguised as generosity.
---
The Rival’s Call
Before Olivia could respond, her phone buzzed loudly in her pocket. Glancing down, she saw Marcus Hale’s name flashing across the screen. Her heart skipped a beat. How had he found out she was here? And what did he want now?
She hesitated, unsure whether to answer. Aiden noticed immediately, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“Who is it?” he demanded, his tone sharper than before.
“No one important,” Olivia lied quickly, silencing the call. But the interruption only deepened her confusion. On one hand, Marcus had offered her a lifeline—an escape from Aiden’s manipulative grasp. On the other hand, his intentions were equally unclear. Could she truly trust either of them?
“This is your last chance,” Aiden said firmly, placing the pen on top of the contract. “Sign it, or walk away and face the consequences.”
Olivia stared at the document, her hands trembling. Every fiber of her being screamed not to trust Aiden, yet the stakes were impossibly high. Refusing meant risking everything—not just her future, but Sophia’s life.
---
As Olivia reached for the pen, her phone buzzed again. This time, she glanced at the screen long enough to read the message:
“Don’t sign anything. Meet me tomorrow. I have a better offer.”
It was Marcus.
Her breath hitched as she looked back at Aiden, who was watching her intently, waiting for her decision. What should she do? Trust the man who had already betrayed her—or take a gamble on his ruthless rival?
With the pen hovering inches above the contract, Olivia’s mind raced. Whatever choice she made next would change her life forever.
- Writer
