When The Devil Wants

Chapter One

(Eleanor's POV)

“I'm attending dinner tonight, 9pm, don't keep me waiting,” Marcus announced, his tone carrying no warmth. He stood outside the door, a clear distance between us.

“You could've texted” my voice cracked.

“Texts get ignored,” he dragged out. Not even sparing me a glance

“So do I,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Eleanor,” his voice called out my name like it had wronged him. His patience wearing thin

“Will she be there?” my voice came out accusingly. His face shifted. Guilt?. Annoyance?. I couldn't tell,

“That's not your concern, Eleanor,” he was close to snapping. But I wasn't backing down either.

“Then what is?” I spat back

“ Don't make a fuss, you knew from the beginning. Our marriage is only on paper.” He said it so comfortably it hurt.

“ On paper?. Two years and that's all I get?” I fought my voice from breaking

“Don't keep me waiting,” he concluded, ending the conversation before it even started. His voice ice-cold. The same one I had gotten used to, the glacier in his voice jabbing at my already bruised heart.

He used the word “I”. His world had only him in it and I had never been a part of it. Once again, it was just business. That's all it had ever been. My heart sank at the realization. Then his footsteps sounded. Not towards me. Never towards me

“ And wipe that look off your face, don't make people question us,” he drawled out.

The door slammed shut, just like the walls of his heart, or perhaps they had never been opened, I sat down at the sofa close to me. The cold and empty room mocking me. The one place I found solace in now felt suffocating, the walls tightening in on me.

His unsympathetic eyes flashing in my mind, Marcus had made it clear from the beginning. ‘You're just a stand in Eleanor’. Those were his exact words.

And they etched into the walls of my heart. He had never wanted this, he was only fulfilling his obligations, and while I eyed him, he eyed the benefits of the contract.

For two years, every day left me hoping I could thaw the frost in his eyes. But with every day that passed, seeing him became a luxury. While I drowned myself in work and alcohol to keep me sane. He was out there signing partnerships for her. Paving the way for her. Her. Stella.

A shadow I could never seem to erase. She was the perfect Cinderella in his fairytale. Her eyes commanded him more than the sight of me in despair. Her existence was his very essence. While I begged and limped for his stare. He had given her the entirety of his heart. And in their world. I was the thorn…..

Time ticked faster than ever

Darkness slowly shadowing the once bright clouds. Mimicking the scenery of my life

9pm had arrived

I wasn't prepared, I stared blankly at the red dress on my bed. Debating if I could keep up with the facade today. Then my phone screen flashed from across the sofa, the familiar name popping up on the screen.

My hands reached for the phone, shaky and unfocused, my mind running in different directions. I picked up on the second ring.

“Marcus”. My voice came out restrained. The bitterness evident in my tone, I swallowed hard.

“Something came up, Eleanor, I won't be attending dinner with you,” his voice sounded from the other end.

“ Something came up. Again”

“It's business,” he said, like that explained everything.

“Business,” I echoed.

“Right. Of course” my low voice carried irritation.

“Don't make this difficult,” he snapped.

“Stay home” Home. That word sounded foreign

“ And where is home, Marcus?” he didn't answer immediately.

“ I'll make it up to you,” he squeezed out, like he ever did.

I had long forgotten what happiness felt like, chasing a love that never was, the walls of my heart silently putting up restrictions. The loud beep from my phone pulled me away from my thoughts. He had ended the call, my answer didn't matter. It never did

I gently picked up the dress on the bed. My hands running through the smooth fabric. The bold red color stared me in the face. The traces reminded me of who I was, the fragments of a scorned lover. I pushed open the room door and stepped out, for the first time today.

“Ms Thornhill, what would you like for dinner?” the housekeeper asked, the pity evident in her eyes. Marcus had forbidden anyone from calling me Mrs Vale. To him, I was simply not worthy.

“It's okay Martha, I'll take care of it myself,” I smiled at her.

“Yes ma'am,” she bowed and made her exit. I dragged my feet to the kitchen.

Hoping to fill myself with food. With the ingredients I could find at the counters, I made myself something light to eat.

Plate in hand, I strolled into the living room. I grabbed the TV remote from across the seat. Finding myself a good spot to sit, I turned on the TV, hoping to distract myself from the familiar ache.

The TV screen came alive. The sound being the only consistent thing in the apartment. Then the familiar silhouette came up. My heart throbbed. Stella, She was back. Even though it felt like she never left, the blinding smile on her face telling tales of a butterfly that had not been tainted by the world. Her face portrayed an innocence that struck the heart of onlookers.

A reporter's voice sounded, “Ms. Hayes, any comments on your reunion with Marcus Vale?," Stella turned around, flashing her signature smile.

“Some love is worth waiting for. We never really left each other.

Cameras flashed. People waved and flagged to get her attention, her sharp eyes staring straight ahead. Confidence dripped from her every step. She was made for the spotlight.

And when she strolled to the familiar car, my chest tightened. So that was the reason. He had canceled plans with me to personally pick her up, my eyes blurred with pain. The ache returned harder than ever. She had won again. The popping headlines mocking me,

The Phoenix has returned.

The goddess had reunited with her love.

A match made in heaven.

The last headline broke me. They were a match made in heaven. And I was the beckoning hell.

Just then footsteps clicked on the floor, my head turned towards the noise as fast as I could. Everywhere was quiet and Martha had gone home for today. I stood up almost immediately, my eyes darting to the door, fear crept into my head.

“Who's there?” There was no answer, just the steady footsteps that kept walking closer, my eyes searched around for the nearest weapon. It landed on a flower vase next to the sofa, I grabbed it with trembling hands.

The door creaked at the same time as my hands lifted.

But my hands remained frozen when I saw the figure that had walked in.

“You?” I breathed.