The Devil Is Mine

The Devil Himself

CARSON

"Mr Robert is calling, sir. Are you sure you don't want to pick it up?" Davis, my personal assistant, asked as he looked between me and my phone.

"As you can see, I am busy," I said without looking up from my computer.

"I'm afraid you don't really have a choice on this one. You don't plan on embarrassing your grandfather, do you?"

"If my grandfather makes an arrangement without consulting me, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't expect me to show up either," I said firmly as I concentrated on what I was doing.

"I guess he expected this much. He said you can have the King's company if you listen to him just this once," Davis said, and I snapped my head to look at him for a second.

My grandfather is probably the wealthiest man who lives. He worked hard to get to where he is and created the King's company from scratch. He would do anything to protect the company, and now, he's willing to give it up?

"What does he want in return?" I asked with a frown.

"Instead of what he had planned for tonight, he wants to make an announcement instead," Davis explained, taking me by surprise.

"An announcement? He would give up his legacy to me because of an announcement?" I asked in disbelief.

Whatever it is, I can bet that it's not going to be an easy task.

"What is the announcement about?" I let my curiosity get the best of me rather than declining the offer immediately.

"Your wedding date," Davis announced, earning him a scoff.

"I don't even have a woman in my life. What is that man thinking about?"

"Apparently, Mr Jones owes him something important which I am yet to figure out, so in return, he will allow his daughter to marry you," Davis explained. "Tonight is your engagement party and…" he paused to check the time.

"It's starting in an hour."

"You're kidding, right?" I let out a dry laugh, and he shook his head.

"Unfortunately, not. Mr Alvarez said his offer should be worth the stress, though."

If grandfather is willing to give up his company for me to marry that family, something big must be up.

"Find out everything about the Jones and what relationship they have with grandfather. While you're at it, find out about the girl I am to marry," I ordered.

Davis placed an envelope I didn't realize he was holding on my desk. "He sent this in case you are curious, and I also did some background check on her."

Davis brought out another envelope, and it's moments like this that I appreciate his competence.

I looked through the envelope, and one of them contained pictures of a young woman.

"Is this her?" I asked as I stared at the picture.

"Yes, sir. She is Alyssa Jones. The only child of Patrick Jones and Natalie Jones," he confirmed.

I stared at the picture a little longer, and I couldn't deny how beautiful she was. She was smiling so brightly in the picture like a kid without any worry, and I couldn't help but stare a little longer as if I was trying to solve a puzzle.

I know for sure that Grandfather wouldn't suggest I marry her for her looks alone. Something is up his sleeves, and I must find out.

"When did you say the engagement is happening?" I asked as I traced my index finger on her pictures.

"If you leave now, you will get there thirty minutes before the party begins," Davis said, and I nodded.

"Get the car ready," I ordered.

Davis drove me to my grandfather's house, and I wondered what the sly old man must be thinking.

"Tell me everything about the lady," I commanded.

"She's twenty-four. She applied for a job recently at the King and got the offer earlier today before Mr Alvarez made the whole plan," Davis said, and I wondered what grandfather was up to this time.

Is he playing another game with me? There is only one way to find out.

I walked into the penthouse I used to love as a kid and everywhere looked boring now. My eyes scanned around the room, and it didn't take long before I saw Mr. Robert, my grandfather's assistant, and then, my soon to be fiance.

She was everything the picture did not indicate. Her beauty was like a ray of sunlight that brightened the room without much effort.

Her white dress hung her curves in all the right places, showing off her slender waist and full hips. The way her skin glowed under the light was so captivating, and I'd understand if my grandfather wanted me to marry her for her looks alone.

She is beautiful.

My eyes were drawn to her face, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. She looked so delicate— petite and breakable, yet striking. High cheekbones, pointed nose, lips that curve into a frown as she looks between her parents and Mr. Robert.

Despite the scowl she was wearing on her face, she looked undeniably beautiful.

"Mr Alvarez," Mr. Robert called, snapping me back to reality. "This is Alyssa Jones, the young lady I was telling you about."

He didn't tell me s**t about her and I don't have a problem telling that to his face, but seeing how Alyssa swallowed the lumps in her throat, I bet she wasn't comfortable around me.

Not that I cared, but I decided to let it go, just this once.

"So this is the lady making waves," I announced. Look aside, she looks pretty ordinary to me, and I couldn't stop wondering why my grandfather was suddenly interested in her.

"I'm right here, you know?" She finally spoke for the first time since I entered the room. I didn't miss her shaky voice, and I just knew she's no match for me.

I love confident women. The one who demands respect and acts accordingly. This one here looks like a lot of trouble, and she'd be a liability.

I tuned to her parents, eager to find out exactly what is going on from them since I'm not a patient man.

I'll understand if they wanted their daughter to marry me for money, but she looks weak— just a day in my world, and she'd break.

"Let's talk business," I let out.

"But the engagement is starting soon…" Mr. Robert tried to argue but was soon cut off by my glare.

"I'll be waiting in my office."

I went to my old office before I moved out, and Mr. Jones and his wife joined me almost immediately.

"Tell me, what did my grandfather offer you to sell your daughter?" I asked, hitting the nail in the head.

There was a pause in the room, as the couples looked between each other, looking offended, but there is no point beating around the bush, and it's not how I do things either.

"W… what do you mean?" Patrick tried to sound like a businessman but failed miserably.

"You don't agree to the marriage without a reason, right? What did he offer you, or rather, what are you owing him? Your daughter seems too fragile to be my wife," I confessed.

"If I am to get married, I need a woman who can take care of herself," I added, not minding how it makes them feel.

I can't have a crying baby in my home when I already have so much on my plate.

"She is not going to be a liability. I can assure you of that much," Patrick cleared his throat as he spoke.

"I'll need you to be honest with me if we are about to be in-laws," I demanded. "If I'm going to find out whatever you're hiding anyway, why bother keeping it from me?"

"It's not a secret. It's just not your business."

"I hope it's worth wasting your daughter's life because she will never be happy with me."

Natalie looked at her husband as if begging him to stop while they could, but he was pretty determined.

"The party must have started. We should head out," Patrick suggested, and I nodded.

"Sure, go ahead."

Patrick left my office with his wife, and I didn't miss the guilt in his eyes. He's hiding something, and I'll find out soon enough.

I went out to join the party when my eyes caught Alyssa smiling with some random man. Her eyes met with mine, and a smirk graced her perfect lips.

Maybe I underestimated her a little too quickly. On another look, she doesn't seem as innocent as she looks.

She broke our eye contact, and I watched as she pulled the man standing next to her closer before kissing him.

Her gaze were fixed on mine the entire time, and I knew this was a challenge. She wanted to rile me up and make me stop the engagement.

I felt a wave of anger wash over me at her petty tricks and stormed over to their side.

"Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Woman," I said through gritted teeth.

I know her plans were to get on my f*****g nerves but watching how another man wrapped his hands around her only angered me even more.

My breath hitched and I was refraining myself from punching the i***t hard on the face.

His face widened as he turned to face me and ran off almost immediately. I didn't miss the disappointed look on Alyssa's face, but I hope what I'm about to do next will even drive her crazy.

All eyes were now on us as I pulled her by my side harshly.

"Since my beautiful fiance can't keep her hands to herself," I said, watching her face for every reaction. "I've decided to change our wedding date," I said, and she snapped her head to look at me.

"What are you talking about?" She whispered.

"We are getting married in two days," I announced, and the room dropped silent.