A deal with the devils heart

Chapter 1

Mia's POV

Spotting him in the crowd felt like being hit by a tidal wave. The man I had spent ten years trying to forget was staring at me, Damien, my ex-husband.

Celine nudged my elbow, her voice pulling me back. 'Breathe, Mia. You’ve got this.'

I straightened my dress and forced myself to climb the stage.

'It’s been five years, five long years of blood, sweat, and tears to build this brand. Ad none of this would have been possible without you all, thanks for your submit and cheers.''

The crowd laughed and raised their glasses, but my eyes remained on him. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t smile. He just stared at me.

“Your speech was brilliant,” Celine said as she helped me get down the stage.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

Then I saw him coming towards our direction, he was heading towards me

“Celine,” I whispered, trying not to panic.

“He’s coming my way.”

“Relax, Mia. Deep breaths. Just remember what we rehearsed,” she said, her voice calm and reassuring.

Damien reached me in a matter of seconds. “You look gorgeous,” he said, taking my hand as he brushed a light kiss on it.

I stood there, stunned. His deep baritone voice still had the effect of making my heart skip and his dimples, damn his dimples on his cheeks when he smiled was a beauty to behold. He looked more handsome on a closer view and surely hasn't aged a bit.

Celine cleared her throat, trying to draw my attention.

“ Get yourself together” she whispered in my ears then she turned to Damien with a frown on her face

“I sadly would have to leave you two, I have guests to meet.” She said as she left

I quickly remove my hands from his.

“I’m impressed by what you’ve achieved,” Damien said, his tone casual, as though we were old friends catching up over coffee. “You’ve really made a name for yourself.”

I let out a dry chuckle. His attempt at small talk was annoying. How dare he act like we had parted ways on good terms?.

“I’m genuinely happy for you,” he continued.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to be polite and also wanting to end this discussion.

“If that’s all, I’d like to excuse myself.” I said, a bit disappointed in myself, that all the years I had spent rehearsing this moment in my mind, imagining the perfect words to make him feel less of a human like he made me feel. But now that I had the chance, my brain decided to go on a break.

“Wait,” he said, as he gently touched my hand. “Can we...talk? Maybe catch up? I’d like to make amends for the past.”

I scoffed at his words. ‘Catch up?’, ‘Make amends?’ He made it sound as if we left on mutual understanding.

“ Can you please stop this charade and honestly I hope we never get to meet again, Damien. And if we do, just pretend you don’t know me—like you had been doing,” I said, my voice trembling as I turned and walked away. I could feel the tears at the corner of my eyes as I hurried to the restroom, desperate for a moment alone.

Once inside, I let the tears flow freely. Nothing had prepared me for this. Nothing.

Celine came in moments later.

“Oh, dear.” she said, as she patted my back. “I saw you rush out and thought I’d check on you. Are you okay?”

I shook my head, as I hugged her.

“ I hate that bastard,” I cursed.

After patting me for a bit, she asked, concerned.

“You still love him, don’t you?”.

“Does it matter and besides I can’t afford to think about that now,” I said, straightening my dress. “I need to get back to the guests. And have a conversation with Asher.”

Asher was our biggest investor, and renewing his contract was of utmost important but the thought of speaking to that flirt was something i dreaded but I knew Mrs. Ryan would skin me alive if I didn’t get to renew his contract with us

Taking a deep breath, I headed out of the restroom and walked to his table.

“And here she is, the woman of the hour,” Asher said, rising to his feet. His eyes were all over my body then he leaned in to peck my cheek. “You look stunning, Mia. I barely could take my eyes off you.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said politely.

He waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, please, call me Asher.”

“Thank you, Asher,” I said, forcing a smile.

“The way you say my name makes my heart skip a beat,” he said, leaning in closer, his lips closer to my ear. “Maybe one day, you’ll be mine. All mine.”

I stepped back awkwardly, letting out a nervous laugh. “You have quite the sense of humor,” I said, trying to brush it off.

But Asher wasn’t joking. He leaned closer I thought that he was going to give me a kiss but rather he pecked my cheeks.

“ Congratulations once again.” He whispered into my ears.

But before I could respond, a hand pulled Asher away and gave him a punch.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” Damien said

“Stop it!” I shouted.

Someone held Asher, preventing him from retaliating, Damien grabbed my arm as he pulled me toward the exit.

“Let go of me!” I said, trying to free myself.

“Not a chance,” he said, his grip firm but not painful. “You’re leaving with me.”

As we were out of the hall, he finally let go. I turned to him.

“And what stunt did you just pull in there? You can’t just go around punching people!”

“And is this how you do your business, allowing scumbags like him making advances at you,” Damien said, his tone unapologetic.

“No, he wasn’t," I snapped. "And even if he was, it’s none of your business.”

“Well, it is my business now,” he shot back.

His words made me freeze

And it was at that moment I realized I hated him. Not for what he did to me, but for the way he still had the power to make my heart beat for him.

“ Marry me” he said