Chapter Three

We both walked inside his home office where he broke the wine glass yesterday and I wasn't sure what to expect from him as he held a blank face most of the time. Maybe that's what makes him so mysterious, not showing his real emotions to the world must be some kind of a defense mechanism. It's not like I wouldn't get another job but the pay here was really good and I really wanted to keep this job at least for a year so that I would have enough money for my first semester at NYU.

"Mr. Hudson, I am so sorry. I know I was out of line and I shouldn't have called you an asshole. I am willing to take up extra hours of work around the house as a form of punishment but please don't fire me." I started rambling as soon as he sat down behind his desk but he says nothing and kept looking at me with those gorgeous deep ocean green eyes. I kept fidgeting with the ends of my t-shirt awkwardly, waiting for his response but he remains silent while maintaining his gaze transfixed on me. I thought about what Ginny said.

Maybe tears might work on him! I start to think about some really sad dog movies to get myself to cry and once I was sure I have enough tears in my eyes, I started my act.

"You are going to fire me anyway, aren't you?" I asked him with a sad smile, hoping it works and the devil somehow shows some form of sympathy towards me.

"I should fire you and your Grandfather for what you did, Ms. Abrams." He opened his mouth finally but I don't like his tone or his words.

So much for tears! Why do I kept forgetting that he is the devil?!

"Luckily, I am not going to do that today."

Okay! Now we are talking! It has to be the tears but if he isn't going to fire me, what the hell am I doing here?

"Oh okay! Thank you so much, Mr. Hudson." I gave him a puzzled look and he stood up from his chair and walked over to my side. He was way taller than me and I hated how his mere presence intimidated the crap out of me.

Why do tall rich people have to be assholes?!

"Sit down, Ms. Abrams" He instructed me and I had no choice but to listen to him.

"How old are you?"

"Excuse me?" I was completely taken off guard by his question.

"I hate repeating myself, Ms. Abrams." He muttered in an agitated voice and I could feel my blood boiling with anger instantly but I took a deep breath instead to calm myself and answered his stupid question. I can't afford to have an attitude right now.

"I am 21 years old." I answered , looking down at my feet while he kept pacing in front of me.

"Hmmm...so it is just you and your grandfather? What about your parents?" He asked again and as much as I hated answering him, I had no choice but to do so.

"Yes, my parents died in a car accident when I was a baby." I snapped at him, making it clear that I wasn't enjoying his twenty questions which were quite personal.

"Interesting! Listen, Aria. I have a proposition for you and I want you to agree to it."

Okay, so we are on first name basis now?! What the hell does he mean by proposition?

"Wh--What kind of proposition?" I stuttered and cursed myself internally for not seeming confident in front of this arrogant asshole.

"The kind where you have to marry me for a business deal." He said, not pacing around anymore and I looked up at him from my seat as I wasn't sure if I heard him right. He had his signature straight face on and I couldn't help but burst out in laughter after a few seconds.

"Marry you? I'm sorry but is this some kind of a prank? Are they cameras hidden somewhere?" I asked him, still holding my stomach as I couldn't stop laughing. It has to be a sick joke. Even if he wants to marry someone for a business deal, he could get any woman he wants. Either he was crazy or this whole think was a fucking joke.

"I am serious, Aria. Do I look like someone who likes to pull a prank?" He asked, leaning against his desk and I couldn't help but notice how well his three piece tailored suit fit his perfect body.

Fuck, he does look serious.

"Ummm...no but come on, it doesn't make sense. I know rich people do crazy stuff like this all the time for media and appearances. Wait, I have even read about stuff like in my books. This is a classic marriage of convenience trope." I explained with excitement evident in my voice but he was the one with a confused look on his face now.

"Book trope? I have no idea what you are talking about but you have to do this for a year." He breathes out as if this was a normal conversations he has on a daily basis. I shook my head, realising that this isn't some romance book trope and it was real life. There were no fairy tale endings in real life and Xavier Hudson was not a morally grey hero. He was the devil with no heart and soul.

"Wait? First of all, why me? and second of all, what makes you think I will even agree to this?" I asked, folding my arms in front of my chest and I noticed his eyes checking out my boobs momentarily.

Perv!

"It would be easy to convince the board if I tell them I have been secretly dating the house help for months now. It sounds more realistic than bringing a girl out of nowhere and telling the media that we were dating. You will agree because there has to be something you might want in return. Name your price."

"So you are willing to pay me to marry you? Did you think I was some kind of prostitute?" I stood up from my chair as I was beyond angry at him. The way he maintained a neutral face even now made me even more madder. He was unbelievable. He just learnt my name and now he wants to marry me. That's just crazy.

"We will have our set of rules once we marry, Aria. You don't have to sleep with me, Jesus! This marriage is just for appearance sake and for my business. It has to look real because my entire life is displayed on the media. They would know if I bring in some random girl but with you, I could spin the story easily and it would be believable since you practically live here." He explained once again and as much as I was tempted to take up on his offer. It didn't feel right. Yes, I wanted money but this felt like some trap.

A deal with the devil? No thanks. I would rather kill myself.

"I'm afraid I have to reject your proposal, Mr. Hudson. This is not morally right. Now if you'll excuse me, I would like to return to my job if I still have one." I spoke confidently and turned around to leave his office without having a second glance but he stopped me by placing his hand on the door knob and I realised that we were so close to each other. I could practically feel the warmth of his body radiating on me.

Fuck, he smelled so good. It was not fair.

"You know, I could easily fire you and your grandfather right now." He added, giving me an evil smirk and I badly want to slap that fucking smirk off his face.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Hudson?"

"I'll give you today. Take your time and think about it. I need an answer by tomorrow." He spoke in a dangerously low tone that sent shivers down my spine and I didn't like how my body reacted to it. He looked down at my lips and swallowed hard as if he was controlling himself from kissing me. That can't be right. Why would he want to kiss me? I must hardly look attractive to his eyes but I couldn't say the same for myself. He was the epitome of perfection in my eyes, physically and heat spread all over my body just from thinking about closing the distance between us. He may be the devil but I couldn't deny the effect he had on me physically. My nipples were poking through my t-shirt now. I started to sweat despite being in an air conditioned room and for some reason, I was unable to look away from his eyes.

"You might as well go ahead and fire us both." I replied, pushing his buttons further. I was done treating him with respect. He would have nothing over me after he fires us. I was sure my grandfather would understand if I tell him the whole thing.

"You have one day, Aria. I'll see you tomorrow whether you like it or not." He added, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked like he was trying his best to keep his temper in check and I knew he wouldn't let this go. I kept staring at his perfectly sculpted face with anger evident in my eyes. Although, I was angry, I didn't like the way my body responded to his close proximity.

"You may leave now, Ms. Abrams." He let go of the door knob and I rushed out of his office, feeling angry, annoyed and sexually frustrated by the devil himself.

“Oh and one more thing, Ms. Abrams.”

I froze on my spot and turned around to see him leaning against the door frame.

Why do I find this hot? Ugh! I should probably get laid.

“What?” I snapped, no longer giving him any respect. He hasn’t earned it from me yet.

“You cannot tell anyone about our deal. It’s highly confidential.”

“I haven’t agreed.”

“Yet.”

I pursed my lips, trying to keep myself together.

Arrogant, cocky bastard. I wanted to slap him so bad.

“What if I tell anyway?” I challenged him because there was no way I’m not telling grandpa the reason we lost our jobs after today. He has to know that I did the right thing.

“Well, I might have to kill them.” He stated casually and a devilish smirk appeared on his lips when he noticed my face go pale in shock.

He is joking, right?!

I didn’t respond and ran downstairs, not wanting to be under his gaze any longer. He was sick and twisted. Everything about him screamed danger and yet a small part of me was drawn to his darkness. I wanted to know what he was hiding and how dangerous he was. I must be a stupid masochist. My heart was still thumping hard when I reached the kitchen and I took a minute to process everything.

What the hell just happened?!