The Devil's Deal - Trapped as the Enemy's Bride

Chapter 2

ALEX’S POV

Each failed relationship left scars, deepening my resolve to abandon love. I envisioned myself as an old woman living alone in a little cottage down in the countryside, with nothing but the company of feral cats and bittersweet memories of what could have been. What a miserable way to live.

Well, all that has changed now, and I owe it to none other than my man, Marcel. We had met at a charity event I reluctantly attended. The room buzzed with lively chatter as the clinking of glasses overshadowed the gentle music that played in the background. Still, I felt out of place in the crowd. This is largely attributed to my introverted nature, which struggled against the masks I wore at events like this.

The buffet stand provided some type of comfort as I wandered toward it, familiarizing myself with the platter of dishes, each one a distraction from the chaos within me. Suddenly, I was cornered by one of the guests—a man, whose eyes I had often felt devouring me from afar. The sly smile on his lips unsettled me, followed by his touch that left me feeling irritated and unsure of how to handle the situation without causing a scene.

Then Marcel appeared. His voice, calm yet commanding, broke through the tension. “Excuse me, is this man troubling you?” he had asked, looking me in the eye as though trying to read me.

For a brief moment, my mind went blank. Marcel’s presence was intimidating and imposing, holding a promise that he would act if needed. Yet something about the way he looked at me carried a silent assurance that I was safe with him.

“He is,” I said confidently.

The shift in Marcel’s gaze as it fell on the man remained vivid in my head, clear as day—cold and domineering. “I believe it’s time for you to leave,” he told the man.

Reluctantly, and with a look of anger, the man mumbled an apology and left the scene. A sense of relief washed over me as soon as he was out of sight, and I turned to Marcel to thank him.

For a split second, the world stood still. I was lost in the warmth of his brown eyes. His words barely registered, until a gentle tap on the shoulder brought me back to reality. The genuine concern in his eyes was unlike any that I had seen. The rest of the night, we exchanged numbers and spent hours talking about nothing in particular, but everything all together. It felt like we had known each other for a lifetime. I knew I had found someone special by the end of the evening.

It was love at first sight for both of us. The walls I had so carefully built began to crumble.

Days passed, and I heard nothing from him. I caved into the thought that I had probably fooled myself into believing we had something going on, that it was just another disappointing love story. But one weekend, my phone rang, and to my surprise, it was him. Marcel called to ask me out on a proper date. He explained that he had been busy with work and had finally found the time to reach out. But I didn’t mind at all. It just felt good to know he hadn't ghosted me.

We agreed to meet at a cozy little restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. The date seemed carefully planned out rather than a last minute arrangement. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft candlelight adding a romantic glow.

His eyes lit up with surprise the minute he saw me walk in. “Wow.” I read his lips, amidst the silent whisper. He tried to hide it, but the look of admiration in his expression could not be missed.

My cheeks flushed red as I held his gaze. I knew I made the right decision with my knee-length black dress that hugged my curves perfectly. It was a simple yet elegant dress with a sweetheart neckline highlighting my collarbone and delicate, loose straps that dropped from my shoulder to my upper arm.

“You look stunning, Alex.” He said, standing up to greet me.

“Thank you, Marcel. You look charming as well.” I replied with a smile, shyly tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

Again, just like the first time, we were lost in each other’s gaze. A thousand words were said in those silent moments. His voice finally broke through the silence, warm and soothing. “Forgive my manners,” he said. “Please, have a seat.” He pulled out the chair for me—a perfect gentleman he was.

We placed our orders and continued talking. There was a subtle mystery about Marcel that somehow made me feel at ease and intrigued at the same time. The tension that had ensued slowly melted away as we conversed.

The food soon arrived, but I barely noticed. My attention was fixed on him, on the way his eyes lit up as he shared stories about his work, travels, and little jokes that had me roaring with laughter. I was taking it all in. And the way his expression softened whenever he listened to me made my heart flutter. I felt seen and appreciated.

“Alex,” he called softly, gently reaching for my hand. “I know this is all too sudden, but I cannot let this night end without telling you how I feel.”

“Huh?” I blurted out, completely caught off guard. Is this— what I think it is?

“Ever since I first saw you, I knew that there was something special about you.” He continued, his steady gaze locked onto mine.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing as I waited to hear the words that followed. “I tried, but couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He admitted, a faint smile etched on his lips. “I don't want to rush things between us,” he hesitated, as though trying to muster up the courage for what he was about to say.

“If you would allow it, I’d love to spend more time with you, get to know you better, and see where this would lead us.”

His words caught me off guard, and my mind spiraled, with no idea what to say. I could feel the tension rising within me, and I feared he would hear how loudly my heart pounded in my chest.

Say something stupid! You feel the same way too. So, just say it!

“Marcel, I…” the words faded from my mouth.

“Alex,’ He leaned closer, his voice a velvety whisper. “Will you go out with me officially?”

“We haven’t known each other for that long. What if…”

“There are no what-ifs, Alex,” he interrupted gently. “I know you feel the same way I do. You just have to trust your heart and go for it. Who knows, this might just be the big beak we both have been waiting for.”

He was right. The connection we shared was undeniable, and I felt it. But what if I jinx this like my other failed relationships? What if one month into it, he realizes that I am not the woman he wants and ends up breaking up with me?

Still, I’ll never know unless I try.

I took in a deep breath and looked into Marcel’s eyes. They held hope and sincerity in them, strengthening my resolve. “Marcel,” I began, steadying my voice. “I can’t deny that I feel the same way you do, or that the connection we share is indeed special.”

His eyes lit up with anticipation as I continued. “I admit that this is a gamble for me. But I won't let my fear hold me back. I also want to take the chance to see where this will take us.”

A sigh of relief escaped his lips, followed by a wide smile. “So, does this mean you’ll be my girlfriend?”

I nodded, a smile appearing on my face. “Yes, Marcel. I’ll be your girlfriend.”

His eyes sparkled with joy as he kissed my hand gently. "I promise to make this worth your while, Alex. Thank you for making my night."

True to Marcel’s words, being with him was worth my emotional investment. A year later, he asked me to marry him, and I became hopeful for a happy ever after. Sadly, my worst nightmare has only begun.

“Run, Alexandra,” he called after me, with an eerie calmness. “But you won’t get far.”