Sold to the Devil

IV - PARIS

I find myself in the middle of a maze-like house.

Different hallways lead to different rooms. Just how big is this place? I think this unit occupied the whole top floor of this building. That explains a large amount of space.

I felt like a lost kitten trying to find my way back into the room where I woke up. I almost jumped for joy when I finally opened the right room. It was the farthest room in the house. It was at the corner! The reason why I had a hartime looking for it! Tsk.

I jumped into bed right after going in. I was exhausted. I felt like I had gone jogging just walking around this whole unit. I closed my eyes and didn't realize that I had already fallen asleep.

I was just woken up by the violent rumbling in my stomach. I am so freaking hungry! When was the last time that I ate though? I couldn't remember. All I know is that I haven't eaten anything since I woke up in this room this morning. Based on the dark sky that I can see through the glass wall, it's already night time.

What is that man planning to do? Does he want to starve me to death?

I almost jumped out of the mattress when the sound of a ringing phone disrupted the silence!

I turned around and quickly spotted the phone on the bedside table. I picked it up immediately before the devil could set me on the fires of hell!

"Hello?" I asked as soon as I picked up the receiver.

"Go to the dining room." he harshly ordered before the call went off. tss.

I stood up and walked briskly to find the dining room. I think I already saw it from the living room earlier. I used my fingers to smooth my hair. I didn't know what I looked like, since I didn't even bother to check myself in the mirror. I am so hungry and that's all that matters!

My eyes widened and my mouth watered as soon as I saw the small feast laid on the long table. Gahd, the delicious scent is killing me. I took the seat in front of him before he could say anything. Then I started to eat without wasting any second to even glance at him.

I told you I was hungry!

"Hmm..." I couldn't help but moan when the savory taste of the meat assaulted my taste buds. I kept on shoving spoonfuls of food inside my mouth one after the other. I barely chew them. I am just so hungry that I needed to fill my stomach fast!

"What the hell?!" his voice thundered inside the dining room.

"What?!" I mumbled despite my stuffed mouth. I looked at him while drinking water from my glass. He is looking back at me like I am the most disgusting creature he has ever laid his eyes on.

He looked horrified! I think I traumatized the devil prince with my lack of manners.

"Sorry!" I told him after clearing my mouth. "But this is your fault!"

"Are you seriously blaming your lack of manners on me?!" he snapped angrily.

"How many hours have passed since you brought me here? Huh?" I asked, which made him shut up.

"This is the first time that you fed me since I was taken by that stupid pig! Did you have any idea how hungry I am right now?!" I exclaimed.

"Whatever. You can eat all of these if you want. I have already lost my appetite." he coldly answered after some time. Then he stood up and left me to myself. I sighed in relief after he was out of my sight.

Finally. I can now eat in peace!

After the festive dinner, I went back to my room with a heavy stomach. I could barely walk! I felt so full. I think I ate too much!

I went to the bathroom to wash myself. Then I changed into a pair of silk pajamas that I found in the walk-in closet.

"Ugh! My stomach is so happy." I murmured to myself.

I wanted to go back to sleep but I remembered that I still needed to pack. My excitement came back. I will be leaving for Paris! Oh my gosh! This would be the first time that I will ever experience a trip. And to top it all, I will go to a dream destination for many! Now how lucky is that?!

I went back to the closet and looked for some luggage which I could use. My eyes widened when I saw some Louis Vuitton and Gucci luggage on top of the bag shelf.

"Oh my!" I stroked the material with my palm. I never thought that I could get my hands on these babies!

Okay, now where should I start? I asked myself while my eyes roamed around the closet.

I had a hard time picking out clothes and other things that I wanted to bring with me. So I ended up packing two large luggage which I hardly regret right now. I brought different sets of clothes; casual, formal, sleepwear and everything that I can imagine being my outfit of the day while taking pictures in the city of love.

I was just so excited, so I also packed some heels, sneakers and sandals because I never knew when I might need them. Before I knew it, I had already filled two luggage with just my clothes, shoes and toiletries. I also have a hand-carried Louis Vuitton bag for my other extra things.

A broad grin stretched my lips after pulling the zipper close. Now I need to have my beauty rest! Goodnight!

“Can’t you walk any faster?” he snapped angrily.

We’re now on our way out of his unit, walking along the almost never ending hallway. But I have no time to wonder about how beautiful this place is. How can I do that when I am currently pulling two large and heavy luggage bags with me?!

This man had the audacity to walk in front of me like he is a king on a runway while I couldn’t even walk properly. Now I regret wearing a pair of four-inch stilettos. But who would have thought that I had to be pulling my own luggage? What a gentleman!

And he wants me to get married to him? Huh! He must be out of his mind!

I wanted to scream at his back but bit my tongue instead.

He stopped walking in front of the elevator before looking back at me. He has an annoying, bored look on his face that gives me the strongest urge to scratch it. He's literally watching me struggle!

“This is the fastest I can get!” I almost shouted while scrambling to my feet. He wouldn't have to wait for me if only he helped me with my things. Now he has to suffer the consequences of his actions!

Grrr! I’m having violent tendencies because of this man! I wanted to strangle him so badly!

He gave out an audible sigh when I finally stopped beside him. At the same time, the elevator door opened. I quickly pulled my luggage inside. I stood at the far end, gasping for breath. Thankfully, he took the initiative to close the door and push the right button. Then he walked and leaned on the other end of the elevator wall, opposite me.

Now I'm thinking about whether I should just leave all of them behind. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he would let me carry these all the way to Paris!

We were both silent the whole elevator ride, which took a minute or so. I wasn't surprised about that, since from the balcony yesterday, I noticed that it was one of the tallest buildings in this area. I'm sure that it has more than fifty floors or much more.

I kept on throwing him dagger looks through the mirror in front of us while he stood there like he owned the place. He has this smug expression on his face with his arms folded across his chest.

"Stop giving me that look," he coldly stated after a while.

"Tss." I rolled my eyes before looking away. I kept quiet after that.

I don’t know how many floors we went down because there were only three buttons on the panel. They were labelled PH, GF and BP. Whatever the hell those letters mean?

I'm guessing PH is for penthouse. It was where we came from. GF maybe stands for ground floor? I'm not sure and I have no idea about BP. Is this an exclusive elevator made just for him? Who is he, the owner of the whole building?!

When the door opened, two men were waiting outside. They both looked formal but the other one looked lanky and nerdy because of his very thick eyeglasses and oversized clothes. Both of them wore formal dress shirts paired with sleek pants.

“Good morning Sir.” The smart-looking one greeted him attentively. "Good morning miss," he added, when he noticed me behind him.

"G-good m-morning!" Nerdy stuttered while fixing his thick glasses. Smarty pants glanced at him but didn't say anything.

"Mornin'!" I snorted.

The devil beside me just nodded at them before walking out of the elevator. Smarty quickly followed suit behind the devil whom I realized that I didn’t know the name of until now. How skeptical is that? Right now, I am practically going with these three strangers. Good luck if I can still make it back alive!

Nerdy, on the other hand, almost tripped in front of me. I was about to vent my anger out at him but he took my luggage, which made me sigh in relief.

Thank God! At least one of them is a gentleman!

But I winced when I saw how he struggled while carrying them. He is so thin that I think he will fall down on the floor while trying to pull two large suitcases. Poor guy. I suddenly wanted to get them back but he wanted that. I didn't ask for help, yet he took the initiative.

We walked out of the building and my jaw literally dropped to the ground when I saw a black, shiny limousine waiting for us right outside the entrance! There's a man standing beside it who opened the door for the devil. He graciously made his way in, still followed by smarty pants.

Did he already forget about me? Tsk.

Of course, I also followed them but I didn’t see nerdy before the other man closed the door. There are four big captain's seats inside facing each other. The two men are already seated while discussing something that seemed to be important. I didn't bother to listen to their conversations because I was sure I wouldn't understand anything.

I took the other seat as I marveled at the cozy interior of the vehicle.

Should I just put up with this man’s bad behavior in exchange for all this luxury that I never thought I would experience? Don’t get me wrong, I also dreamt of becoming rich, but certainly not on this level! I just wanted a decent house away from my mom, my own car and enough money to buy what I wanted. That's all!

But this man? He's unbelievable!

Who is he?

He looked too young to become this successful. I’m not sure but he looks like someone who’s in his middle or late twenties.

Is he an heir of an empire? A politician’s only son? A drug lord? A mafia's leader?

I guess I’ll never know. Perhaps in the future. I shrugged. That wasn't my business anymore.

The drive only took around half an hour. I looked outside and realized that we were already on the airport’s runway. I went out after them. My eyes widened when I saw the black private jet waiting for us!

Woah!

We’ll be taking this to go to Paris?

Oh my gosh!

I excitedly walked up the ladder! I didn't even bother to wait for them. I can't wait to get in.

This is too much! I’ve only been with him for a day but I have already experienced a lot of new things! This is so exciting! I suddenly forgot how angry I was before we arrived here. I looked back and saw him walking with smarty pants beside him.

Nerdy, who got out of the passenger's seat, took my suitcases from the trunk. Thankfully, the driver helped him this time.

I went in and chose an empty seat next to the window. I feel like a child with my excitement! I can’t believe that I’m experiencing all of these! If this is a dream, then please don’t wake me up. Ever!

I almost jumped when he suddenly sat next to me.

“Keep your excitement to yourself. You look stupid.” He said in a low voice before leaving me.

What the?!

Did he just come here to tell me that? Ugh! What an asshole!

I rolled my eyes but he didn’t see it because his back was on me. I shot him with dagger looks until he disappeared behind the door. I don’t know what’s inside that. Maybe the lavatory?

Tss. The hell I care.

I took the pad in front of me and fiddled with it to pass the time. I decided to watch a movie until I didn’t know that I had already fallen asleep.

“Ms. Naismith?” I felt someone tugging my shoulder. When I woke up, I saw Nerdy trying to wake me up.

“Ms. Naismith, it’s time for lunch,” he said.

I frowned upon hearing the name that he called me. Ms. what? Since when did I become Ms. Naismith?

Oh yeah! Since that man decided to buy me!

I don’t know how I should feel about that. Although I don’t really like my parents, I still liked my name. It’s what I’ve been using since I was young. It’s a big part of me, but now he wanted to change it just because?

But anyway, I guess it will also be favorable for me. At least our marriage won’t be legal if I am using fake documents, right? But if that’s the case, then I won’t have any claims on him either! Can I take some of his property if we file a divorce? Right, I couldn't. I remember it was in the contract. I have no right whatsoever to claim any of his property.

Ah! How could this be so complicated?!

My head is hurting from thinking about it! It’s a good thing that the flight attendant already came with a tray of food in his hand. He put it on the foldable table in front of me.

“Thanks!” I smiled at him before looking around. I can’t see the devil around but smarty and nerdy are also eating on another set of seats.

Where is he?

Well, why would I care? I just shrugged and started eating. He’s already old and he knew this place better. I know he’s just around. Banging some sexy flight attendant in the back maybe? Though the attendants that I’ve seen are just men.

After eating, I fell asleep again and the next time I woke up, I felt that the plane was no longer moving. Did we land already?

“W-we’re here! Welcome to Paris, Ms. Heather.” Nerdy greeted me the moment I opened my eyes.

I gasped. I thought I woke up in a nightmare. I wanted to shout at him but beat myself to it. I just took a deep breath to calm myself down.

“Let’s go, Miss.” He motioned the way to the door, as if I wasn’t aware of where it was.

I stood up and followed him. I saw the devil outside talking on his phone. Another luxury car is waiting for us outside. I went in without saying a word. Nerdy took the passenger seat beside the driver and after that, the car started moving.

“Wait, where are we going?” I asked in panic.

Where is this nerdy taking me? I looked back and saw that the man was still on his phone. He doesn’t seem a bit bothered that I am being taken away!

“W-we need to go to your class, Ms. Heather. You’re already late.” Nerdy stuttered out.

“What class? And will you please stop calling me Ms. Heather?” I snapped at him.

“I’m sorry Ms. Heather. Before anything, m-my name’s Walter. I will be your assistant. Mr. Alistair asked me to enroll you at a finishing school. You will be attending a crash course because we can’t stay here for long,” he frantically explained, but I still don’t get it. He was talking so fast that I barely heard every word he said.

“Finishing school?!" my forehead scrunched. What the hell is that? That's the only thing that my mind was able to grasp from the hundreds of words that he scrambled out.

"What do I need to finish there? And why do I need to study? What will I be studying?” I bombarded him with questions. Devin didn't say anything about this.

“S-sorry Miss, but I don’t question Mr. Alistair's orders. I just follow them.” he tried to explain. His constant stammering is adding fuel to my growing impatience.

“So if he orders you to jump off the plane, will you just follow him blindly?!” I asked with my voice full of irritation.

I only got more irritated when he just shrugged to answer my question.

Really?! Would he do it? Unbelievable!

What is he? Is he some kind of god that everyone is expected to do his bidding? Oh right! He's the devil himself! He must be thinking that he is the prince of darkness!

Well, he shouldn’t have expected me to do the same thing! He can’t just order me around!

No! Never!

I was fuming while leaning back on my seat. It took a while before I calmed down. That was when I noticed the view outside the car. I moved closer to the window and looked out. This place is so different from the cities that I've been to. The structures and the vibe are unfamiliar yet charming.

"Can we stop?!" I asked when I suddenly saw a beautiful spot. "I want to take a picture there!" I almost pleaded.

"S-sorry Miss Heather, but we have to hurry. We don't have much time left. I heard that the trainer in that facility was strict." he stammered while trying to explain the situation.

I sighed and made myself contented with just looking at the places from inside the car. I think this trip will be so different from what I had expected. It seems that I am here for business, not leisure.

What do you expect? That he will pamper you like a spoiled princess?!