CHAPTER 4:THE DEVIL’S OFFER
1011 Words
Ava's Pov
He finally turned around, and the sight hit me like a punch to the chest.
Up close, he was devastatingly handsome, he had perfect sharp jawline, piercing gray eyes that seemed to see straight through me, and a body sculpted like he spent his mornings in a private gym rather than behind a desk.
Water still clung to his broad shoulders and defined abs, the towel hanging dangerously low on his hips.
My mouth went dry. I couldn’t even speak.
Couldn’t even remember how to form words.
Heat rushed to my face as I stood there, frozen like an idiot.
A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.
He took a step closer, his masculine scent, clean soap mixed with faint cigarette smoke,filling the air between us.
“Careful, Miss Ava,” he said, his voice a low, seductive rumble that sent unwanted shivers down my spine.
“Keep looking at me like that and I might forget this is a business meeting.”
I blinked hard, caught completely off guard.
My cheeks burned hotter. “I…I wasn’t…” I stammered, forcing my gaze up to his face. Get it together, Ava. You don't even know this man for God's sake!
He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“I’m Damien Lorenzo,” he continued smoothly, as if he hadn’t just undressed me with his words. “And you must be the beautiful Ava Thompson. I’ve seen your file. Impressive work ethic… usually.”
I swallowed, trying to regain control. “What do you need me for? And why did you bring me here? Thank you for saving me at the club last night, i guess I mean it, but I need to go home. Now.”
Damien leaned against the edge of his massive desk, arms crossed over his chest, the towel shifting just enough to keep my eyes fighting to stay north.
He studied me for a long moment, all amusement fading into something sharper, more calculated.
“Straight to the point. I like that. I need you to work for me, Ava. As a spy. Specifically, as a personal assistant to one of my biggest enemies named Ethan Kane. You’ll seduce him, gain his trust, and gather evidence. Emails, recordings, financial trails. Enough to bury him in court.”
The words hung in the air like smoke.
I stared at him, disbelief twisting into anger.
“You’re crazy. I could get killed doing something like that! I’m not some secret agent. I’m an accountant, for God’s sake. And I’m not interested. I just want to leave.”
He didn’t flinch.
Instead, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a thick envelope, sliding it across the desk along with a sleek black business card.
“My private number. Think about it. The pay would change your life. Triple your current salary, plus bonuses. Consider the alternative,your mounting bills”
I reluctantly took the envelope and card, my fingers brushing his.
A spark jumped between us, but I ignored it. “I said no.”
Damien nodded once, pressing a button on his desk. “My driver will take you home safely. Think carefully, Ava.
Opportunities like this don’t knock twice.”
The ride home in the luxurious black SUV was silent, my mind spinning.
Back in my tiny apartment, I tossed the envelope on the coffee table and collapsed onto the couch. Damien Lorenzo.
I did a background check on the Internet on his name, he seemed to be an influential person but not too much was said about him.
The man was infuriatingly hot,those eyes, that body, the way his voice wrapped around my name like a promise.
But the offer? Insane. Dangerous. I had a junior sister in high school to support, no parents left after the accident years ago. Still, spying on some ruthless businessman?
No way.
I shoved the thoughts aside and tried to move on.
The next few days were hell.I broke down constantly, crying in the shower until the water ran cold, replaying Ryan and Lila’s betrayal on loop.
I missed two days of work, calling in sick with a voice hoarse from tears. When I finally dragged myself back, I was a total mess,snapping at colleagues, making costly errors on reports that nearly cost the team a client. My senior pulled me aside more than once, concern mixed with warning in her eyes.
Then came the worst day.
My senior colleague, Mrs. Hargrove, approached my desk unusually gently. “Ava, Mr. Reynolds wants to see you in the conference room.” Unusual, but I followed, numb.
She handed me an envelope instead.
Inside: a termination letter, effective immediately, and a receipt for my last month’s pay.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Budget cuts, they said. But with your recent performance…”
Fired. Just like that.
I made it home before the full breakdown hit.
The door slammed behind me as sobs ripped from my throat.
I screamed, hurling a vase across the room where it shattered against the wall.
Picture frames followed, Marcus and me, Lila and me,glasses exploding everywhere.
I smashed everything.
“Why is everything falling apart?!” I cried, sinking to my knees amid the mess.
Rent due.
Sister’s school fees looming.
No savings.
No one to turn to.
My eyes suddenly caught the envelope on the table.
Damien’s offer.
Desperation clawed at me.
I had no choice.
My little sister depended on me.
I couldn’t afford to be broke.
With shaking hands, I opened it, There were details, contracts, a staggering figure that could fix everything.
I made up my mind.
The next day, I stood before Damien’s mansion again, still in awe of its grandeur.
The gates, the fountains, the sheer opulence.
A staff member directed me to the lavish living room. “Please wait here. Mr. Lorenzo will be with you shortly.”
I paced, nerves twisting in my stomach.
Minutes ticked by.
Then, his deep, commanding voice echoed from the doorway behind me.
“Ahhh… I’ve been expecting you.”
- Writer
