A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
1215 Words
Lily stared at him, “Marry you?” she asked, hardly believing what she had just heard.
“It’s a simple solution, isn’t it?”, Martin responded.
A simple solution? Nothing about this was simple. She had just left Mike at the altar. Now, a stranger was offering her a way out—a permanent escape.
She turned to Martin. “Why would you do this for me?”
“I have my reasons,” Martin responded. “But let's just say this offer would benefit us both.”
Lily went silent for a while but Martin spoke again, “You don’t have to decide right now. But if you agree, you’ll never have to worry about your family forcing you into anything again.”
It was a tempting offer, she thought. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
Martin nodded, as if he had expected that answer. “Then let’s make it official.”
A few minutes later, they pulled up at a small courthouse. Martin opened the door for her and gently led her inside.
The judge was a bit surprised at their outfits — Lily still in her fancy wedding dress, and Martin in a sharp grey suit. But no family, no flowers or anything. Just two strangers making a pact.
“Do you, Martin Luther, take Lilian Adams to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the judge asked.
“I do,” Martin responded without hesitation.
“And do you, Lilian Adams take Martin Luther to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Lily thought about the years of b*****e with her parents and how miserable her life would have been with Mike. “Yes I do,“ she said with conviction.
“By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” the judge said.
The papers were signed. And just like that, she was married to a man she had known for less than two hours.
Martin took her left hand and put a silver ring on her finger. And then looked at her with a mysterious smile.
“Welcome to your new life, Mrs Luther.”
---
Meanwhile, at the wedding ballroom, everyone was going crazy.
“Find her!” Benjamin Adams shouted, his face already turning red. “She couldn’t have gone far.”
“I'll find her,” Mike growled with anger, “No one humiliates me like this. No one!”
Sarah Adams looked very embarrassed and sad. “How could she do this to us, after everything we've done for her”
“She made me look like a fool in front of everyone.” Mike yelled. “She’ll regret this.”
Naomi watched the whole scene with a smile. She had always warned their parents that Lily would snap one day. But watching it actually happen was priceless, better than any reality TV show.
She then turned to her mother, “Well this is certainly not how I expected the day to go.”
“It's completely unacceptable,” Benjamin said.
Sarah suddenly exclaimed. “What about Clara, she has to know something.”
“You're right. Call her now,” Benjamin cried out.
---
Lily sat at the backseat of the car while Martin drove them to his estate. Her phone suddenly rang.
It was Clara.
Lily's best friend, and the only person in her life who seemed to care about her wellbeing.
She quickly answered. “Clara?”
“What the hell, Lily?!” Clara yelled, “Did you actually run out of your own wedding? Your parents are losing their minds!”
“I had no choice Clara, I couldn't marry Mike okay, I just couldn't.” Lily said, almost sobbing.
“Okay I get that,” Clara responded. “But who the hell did you leave with?”
Lily hesitated. “His name is Martin Luther. We...got married.”
“You what?!” Clara screamed at her phone.
“It’s...it's complicated.” Lily almost stammered as she responded.
“Oh, it better be,” Clara snapped. “Lily, listen to me. No man just magically shows up at the exact moment you need saving without a hidden motive. You don’t even know him!”
Lily looked concerned. Clara was right. Everything about this was too convenient. But it was too late now.
“I’ll be fine,” she said, but she didn't know this for sure. “Just don’t tell my parents anything.”
Clara sighed. “Fine. But I’m coming over first thing tomorrow okay.”
“Alright, good bye,” Lily ended the call.
The drive to Martin's estate continued in silence. Lily was still trying to process everything that'd happened.
The car drove into a luxurious estate before arriving at Martin's apartment. It was a grand mansion with modern structures.
As the car stopped, a butler opened the door for her.
Martin got out as well and turned to her. “Let's go in,” he said.
As they stepped in, she was greeted with a very beautiful and fancy scenery.
“This is your home now,” Martin said, with a smile. “You’ll have access to anything you need. Personal chefs, a driver, designer wardrobes. If there’s anything you want, just ask.”
Lily was a bit surprised. “Wow, just like that?”
“Well, you're my wife now,” Martin responded. “You should be comfortable.”
A maid showed up and Martin gestured towards the staircase. “Show her to her room.”
Her room. Not their room.
She followed the maid upstairs, and when they got there, she was astonished.
The bedroom was huge, with a private balcony and a walk-in closet.
Maybe this new life wasn't so bad afterall.
Then Martin walked in, looking serious this time, “There are a few things we need to be clear on.”
Lily turned to face him, “I'm listening.”
“First off, this is a marriage of convenience,” he stated. “In public, we'll act like a real couple, the perfect ones. You will attend events with me, and act happy. But behind closed doors, we'll both live our separate lives”
Lily nodded. That actually sounded manageable.
“No affairs,” he continued. “You’re free to do as you please, but I don’t tolerate scandals. If you have any unfinished business with your ex—”
“I don’t,” she cut in quickly.
“Good.” He replied. “And one more thing—You will not ask any questions about my business. Ever.”
Something about the way he said it sent chills down her spine.
“Do you understand?”
Lily hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”
“Good,” he replied. “You should get some rest now. Tomorrow, you’ll officially start your role as Mrs Luther.”
Without saying another word, he turned and left, leaving her alone in her beautiful golden cage.
---
Later that night, Martin was downstairs in his office. He was on a call with someone.
“She's in already,” he said. “Proceed with the next step.”
He paused, listening to the voice on the other end.
He then continued with a sinister smile. “No. She has no idea.”
- Writer
