The Devil’s Bargain

Chapter 003

ELARA

"I want to discuss repayment,” I said, going straight to the main point.

And he gave me that gaze again, like one who's studying his prey.

He gestured towards a chair. "Sit," He commanded and I sat down.

"Wine?”

“It’s four in the evening, and I didn't come here for that.” I refused because of two things.

Firstly, I don't want to drink anything he offers, and secondly, I'm scared he might syndate it and then sleep with me forcefully, who knows.... he's the devil.

"I guess your head is registering something evil to you" he murmured, and I kept a straight face, not daring to smile with him.

He went ahead and poured the drink anyway, red and expensive.

He handed me the glass himself despite me saying I'm not interested. What's his problem?

I wanted to say no, but the way his eyes pierced deep at me and it made me accept it and place it down on the table.

“You’ve had a busy day, I see,” he continued casually, and I stiffened.

“Excuse me?”

“First National Bank at eleven twenty-two. Ashford Capital at one forty. Three calls to private investors between three and four. Calls to your family and friends that were and weren't reachable.” My pulse skipped, my heart raced. I really underestimated him. My father indeed said, I don't know who he really is, and he's right, because this man is super smart, even more than me.

"You had no right..”

“I have every right, Elara,” He said softly. Not angry, not defensive, just calm and composed.

I grabbed the wine on the table and drank from it before wiping my lips.

“You’re interfering.”

“Interfering?” I watched him walk slowly around the desk. “I am demonstrating terms to you”

He stopped in front of me, close enough that I could see the faint scar near his jaw. Close enough to feel the dangers reeking of him that were about to be rubbed on me.

“There is no institution in this city, that will move against my interests.” He said calmly.

“You’re blackmailing us.” I thundered loudly. It was beginning to make sense. He's the one behind every turned-down proposal.

"If I were blackmailing you, you would be afraid.” He pointed out.

And I realized that was true; I'm not afraid, not the way I'm supposed to be. I looked so reserved, settled, and furious.

“What do you really want?” I demanded.

The room went silent as he looked deep into my soul, making me shift uncomfortably on the chair.

“You,” came the reply I wasn't expecting to hear.

“You can’t possibly think...”

“I don’t think Elara, I decide,,” he interrupted gently.

My breath caught in my throat. What did I even do to get here? What does he even wants from me?

“You don’t even know me, you might run an investigation on me, but you don't know the real me" I said, and he only gave me that smile of his without saying a word.

“So you don’t want money?" I asked slowly.

“No.” He answered.

“You don’t want my father’s company as well?"

“No.”

“Then why me? What do you even want from me?” My voice softened a bit, and he stepped closer.

He didn't touch me, he doesn't need to do that before he gets a reaction from me.

“Because you are the only interesting part of this arrangement.” He said quietly.

“This isn’t a game!" I shouted.

“And I don’t play games, Elara." His gaze dropped briefly to my hands, clenched in my lap, before returning to my eyes again.

“You will come back tomorrow night,” he continued.

“And that's not a question nor a request." His voice dropped dead like ice.

I should have walked out long ago, but no, I didn't. I shouldn't have come here in the first place because all this seems like a trap.

“Why?” I decided to ask.

This time his voice came out low and darker, "Because, Elara… you deserve to understand what you’re about to become.”

My heart pounded hard, "And what is that?”

He came so close that his heat radiated on my skin and his body touched my body, then he whispered into my ears,

“Mine.”

I immediately stood up from the chair abruptly, the chair scraping the floor due to the sudden impact.

“You don’t own me, and I will never be yours" I said defiantly, and he only smiled, one that shows that he will surely have what he wants.

Without wasting another moment, I turned around and walked towards the door, refusing to let him see the way my hands were trembling in fear.

“Wear something black tomorrow, Elara, because that's my favorite color," He said after me...and this was a command.

I didn’t answer because there was nothing for me to say. I found myself in a deep mess, and I regretted ever coming back from school.

I walked out of the building and went straight home. I got home and my dad wasn't around, and this time I wasn't worried.

I walked to my room and lay on my bed, letting the tears I had been holding on to roll out of my eyes.

I couldn't comprehend anything, I'm just so confused and frustrated.

Hours later I heard my room door click open, and I didn't bother turning over because I knew it was my Dad.

"Elara my dear child, I never knew a day like this would come when I would be in a bigger mess and I would need you to help me out. I'm not using you to pay off my debt, but I wish there was a way you could listen to Dante and just do all he asks of you so we can be saved. He's going to protect you and me and...what am I even saying? I can't believe that I'm giving my only daughter out to the devil himself, I'm such a bad father; I have failed" My father rose from the bed and left the way he came, and my tears resumed pouring out again.

I couldn't possibly blame my father right now because sometimes things happen in ways you couldn't comprehend.

I don't know what Dante Valerio truly wants, but whatever it is, for the sake of my dad, I agree to negotiate, and as for tomorrow night... I'm going to show up just for you.