OWNED BY THE DEVIL'S HEIR

THE MEETING

"The door to the car opened even before I could reach for it, I was greeted by a middle aged, good looking man, he should be around his forties, he greeted me formally, he knew my name, I didn't even feel like I could get surprised anymore than I already was......... I responded to the greeting as calmly as I could........"

"Good day Mr......"

"Damon, that's the name, just Damon and I'm very much at your service ma'am......"

"Good afternoon Damon, you can also call me by my name I'd prefer that, okay?"

"That was all we said for some time, after he took off, the atmosphere was intensely quiet you could hear the sound of a pin drop, it was driving me crazy, I had to start up a conversation because I knew he wouldn't start one......"

"Damon, where are we headed to right now?"

"We are headed to the boss's residential house, just at the outskirts of the city, Long Island to be precise ma'am."

"Oh wow..... That's alright, I know it's not in my place to ask or yours to respond, but please can you tell me the kind of person he is and what I'm to expect..."

"I can't really say much, but he is a good person regardless of what people presume him to be, I've been working for him for seven years now, longer than almost all his staffs, I started working when he moved to the city newly, and he has been very kind to me, just do what he tells you to do. When and how you asks you to do it and falling into his good graces won't be difficult, he can be stubborn at times but I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle for you to decide to marry him....... Oh I'm soo sorry I almost forgot, he asked me to take you shopping, he has already asked the designers and stylists he works with to put some thing's together for you, your work is just to try them out and pick the ones you like, that's all."

"Umm... Ok, that's crazy, he doesn't know the marriage is contracted, well it's probably for the best, so it will feel real, so I really need to play along........"

"Alright, there is no issue, let's get going then....."

"We arrived the boutique, it was exquisite, it wasn't the type you'd go into and spend a thousand dollars, it was a quiet luxury, no crowds, just taste."

"Hello Miss Ashley, Mr Alessandro informed us that you'll be visiting, we have some dresses already picked out for you, let's fix you up.....,After picking the dresses, the hair and makeup stylist will take over. Hope that is ok with you?"

"Yes, it is ........"

"I picked all sorts of outfits, I was instructed to not leave until I picked more than I hand full of them, it was overwhelming, I mean they really expected me to pick a dress worth more than ten thousand dollars and still had to pick a lot....…..?"

"Hmmm... I couldn't wait to see who this my supposed husband was, I mean people in the streets are hungry, and he still spent this much on clothes. I couldn't really say much, I just had to give them a little impression that I knew what I was doing, so for the time being I went along."

"We finished up at the boutique, I had changed into the beautiful burgundy low shouldered sun dress and a pair of ballerina flats, my hair was styled into a messy bun and I had a few jewelery to compliment the outfit. We took the rest of the items we shopped, that is I and Damon, then headed for the vehicle......"

"Miss, I must say, you really look stunning in that dress, you made a perfect choice, the boss will be happy."

"It's just Ashley remember.... Drop the formalities ok?....... And I didn't dress or shop for him, I did it for myself, I'm glad our tastes align, it's a plus right? I said as I let out a yawn...."

"Are you ok ma'am, you seem tired......"

"Don't worry about it, I'm just hungry, but it's nothing I can't handle........"

" I was really a bit confused, I mean why did I need to have a change of clothes, not that I'm complaining anyways but I mean, was there an event I needed to attend with him, or did he just feel that I needed to be stepped up to his level, well it's would make sense, for the contract to feel real....."

"Was still in my thoughts when I heard the sound of a gigantic metal gate being rolled open, it felt like it was in a war with the gateman as it grunted, with the hinges protesting"

"Ma'am we are here, let me get your door......."

"I didn't even let him finish speaking, as I stepped out of the vehicle myself......"

"I was speechless, this place is not a residential house, this here is a mansion, the definition of luxury, silent power, the atmosphere elt controlled.... I looked towards the door and I saw as the staffs lined up.... Damon, I whispered, honare they what are dey doing lined up as statues?"

"They are here to welcome you ma'am"

" Huh..... That was my first reaction, I couldn't believe that this was real, it felt too much and way too soon, I new he was wealthy, but I never expected this, It was outrageous, and it just then occurred to me, that this was someone's everyday life...."

"Good evening Miss Ashley, they all greeted me....... Oh my God, Damon if anyone call me "miss or ma'am" again I might just end my life, why can't you all drop it. I still haven't completely dealt with the fact that you all seem to know my name way before I can register anyone's own and you all are adding the unsettling formalities?"

"I'm so sorry, but you have to get used to it ma'am, that's what we call our boss, and he has demanded we accord you the same amount of respect as him and even more or we are fired and I know you are too kind a person to watch another loose his or her job because of you, please bear with us ok?"

"I stepped into the house, into the living room and everything shifted, He was already seated, calm and composed like he had been there a long time before I arrived."

"Lucien.... He wasn't a stranger anymore, I finally got to meet him, the man behind my fears and still behind my relief......"

"I recognized him immediately, it confirmed my suspicions, the man from the street in the morning, the rude yet gentleman who saved me..... That was the first crack in my composure, because it meant one thing, he had known me for a long time and was probably either looking for me or stalking me, but he finally got me."

"He didn't stand, he didn't greet, he just looked at me, and it wasn't the look you give someone you're seeing for the first time, but one you give when confirming something you already knew, the uncomfortable kind."

"I broke the silence, I couldn't keep it in, I really wanted to yell and shout at him with everything in my being....."

"Who do you think you are Mr Lucien? Is that how you always get what you want, you corner people, trap them and call it help, I just can't believe it, look at me thinking I was saved by a Messiah this morning, it didn't occur to me that I just walked straight into a deal. For how long have you been planning this, for how long have you been stalking me?"

"Hmm, that's why I like you, you are feisty, and yes I have known you a long time now, but you were just a silver lining to my morning"

"If you want to know more, I suggest you be a good girl and listen to me, then maybe I'll tell you"

"Now, you have signed a contract to be my contracted wife, but I need something more authentic, so Mrs. Irene will take you to your room where you'll freshen up and put on the dress you find there, I'm expecting you to be down in the n

ext hour, we are getting married"