Chapter seven: A deal with the devil

Arya’s pov

Unfathomable emotions washed over my features as I stared at the groom’s name column on the certificate.

“Mr. Nicklaus Harrington”.

How did I get involved with the most dreaded and dangerous man in M country and undoubtedly the world?

Oh my gosh! I instantly regretted my previous actions.

A man that is known for his brutal nature and ruthless actions in the business world, rumors have it that he’s a mafia and a tyrant of the underworld, the most merciless one at that.

Is the supposed man I’m getting married to? What do I do?.

“What’re you doing? Sign the papers”. His deep voice interrupted my dilemma while I batted my eye lids continuously to get back my composure, but all to no avail as my face grew pale white seeming like all blood has drained from it.

I stood there frozenly rotted to the ground not being able to utter a response or take action.

Am I making the right decision? So many questions but no forthcoming answer.

I bit on my lower lip subconsciously, my habitual trait for anxiety and nervousness.

“Getting cold feet?”. He asked with a crumpled face obviously not enjoying the show before him as the irritation in his tone could not be disguised.

Taking a hard gulp and mustering all my courage I thought to clarify things with Mr. Danger, there was no way I was going to marry him. If I had known he was Nicklaus Harrington I never would have agreed. On this basis I’m sure the contract could be annulled.

Meeting his impenetrable icy gaze almost made me rethink my stance but I braced myself while ignoring the snigger from the attendant.

“I can’t”- voicing out my opposition but I was caught abrupt by my ringtone. The look of frustration washed over me, summoning up this courage was no easy feat, just how on earth do I get back this lost bravery I thought already irritated and coupled with the fact the call was from an unidentifiable source.

“Hello” I said with an indifferent tone and not daring to spare Nicklaus a glance cause I’m pretty sure the attendant wasn’t the only one shooting eye lasers at me.

“Hello, is this miss Arya?” the voice over the phone asked in a professional tone which piqued my interest as I let out my response. “Yes”.

“Okay. I’m calling to inform you as the legal guardian of Mrs Melissa Walter that her surgery is due today by 7pm as all preparations has been made for a VIP member”.

The voice over the phone ended her announcement with a thank you while I retreated my phone with shaky hands as I meet Nicklaus deep eyes which were currently boring holes into my head.

An acute sense of guilt made me look away as I was about to break our agreement when he already kept his side of the bargain.

Choosing to ignore my previous actions I went straight away to sign the papers.

Although he had a dangerous reputation he seems to be a man of his words, I’ll hold him to that, regardless I felt a tightening in my chest like I just made a deal with the devil and I’ve got this guts feeling that my life’s about to take a different turn.

****

The drive home is what you call an Antisocial emergency never have I ever been in such a quiet ride, it was nerve-racking so I thought to break the ice.

“Why do you need to get married so desperately?”.

But to my greatest surprise he didn’t utter a word in response, he kept looking at his phone like a robot. Ouch! I had to say my pride was hurt but I was determined to get some answers so I went on “or could it be you’ve secretly admired me for a long time like in the movies” I accompanied this statement with a chuckle to further agitate him and it worked because he shot me a deadly glare but it had no effect on me as I’d prepared to meet those devilish gaze.

At last he spoke but the words were as good as a slap on my cheeks. “I believe the contract clearly stated no asking of questions. Plus you’re not my type, don’t have any silly ideas”.

“Not your type indeed, then why’d you kiss me” I blurted out. My mouth opened and closed with no words to explain as I met his questioning gaze. I shouldn’t have said that, it makes it seem like I’m holding on to the kiss. I vented inwardly.

The rest of the ride was awkward as you’ve guessed but I couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that his dying of a terminal disease?

Soon we arrived at the mansion and I was finally able to get a full view of this majestic structure, it was just as I’d imagined the exteriors to be.

I had to commend him mentally, he sure had great taste, just that the monotonous feel made it look Indifferent, a suitable pair for his personality if you asked me.

Shortly about to part from his heavy presence and dash to my room but halted as he called out to me “dinner with my family is at 7pm. Don’t keep me waiting”. Saying this he took hurried steps towards the plight of stairs leaving me no room to protest.

Time flew in a blink of an eye as the maids came flocking in again for another makeover section, this time around it was a provocative theme and I was loving it.

The maids were very diligent with their work and knew exactly what color pallet suite me best. They worked sequentially and the result was indeed marvelous. Of course nothing less was expected as the criteria to be selected as a maid for the first ranking and world richest conglomerate.

Duly noting the previous mistake, I made sure to notify them about dying my hair. Now I’m all black and good to go.

The sound from my ink black stilettos touching each stairs echoed gracefully complimenting my smooth porcelain slender legs as the silk red dress I was embedded in was a crossed back strap handed kneel length gown revealing just about the right proportion of skin for a classy sexy style.

I eventually reached the end of the stairs only to meet Nicklaus icy eyes boring into mine, one would think he was smitten by my dazzling beauty but he immediately shifted his gaze and turned leaving without uttering a word destroying my expectations of him being a gentleman for once.

With dashed hopes I followed behind but he halted which caused me to stop in my tracks.

“While you’re with me leave your ginger colored hair. The look of defiance looks good on you”. He drawled and sprinted for the door.

Did he just compliment me? I smiled bashfully he was probably the first to tell me not to dye my hair, I guess he’s got a gentlemanly side to him after all.

The ride was long and uncomfortable I still can’t wrap my head around why wealthy people prefer a desolated location for a residence, it’s almost as though they’ve got something to hide.

The car came to a halt and I signed finally we’ve arrived but that was my mere wishful thought as we only arrived the main entrance, the journey to the main house was another ballgame as the landscape area was enough to fit in my entire community.

Taking delicate steps towards the door beside Nicklaus whilst we were greeted by the butler as we found our way to the living room I suddenly felt a firm hand clasp my waist from behind catching me completely off guard, before getting a chance to retaliate he leaned over and whispered into my ear “trust no one seated in there”.

His deep voice tingling my sensation while I struggled to get a hold of myself slapping every perv thought off my mind, luckily this helped me reminiscence on the basis of the contract.

Time to put my acting skills to good use as the contract stated we were to play a lovey dovey role in front of his family. Here goes nothing I thought as I wrapped my hands over Nick’s and boomed a blissful smile while staring into his cold hazel eyes.

We arrived the dinning area and their look of surprise told me I was probably an uninvited guest, my heart sank. I was like a sheep walking into a den of wolves. Just what on earth is Nicklaus scheming!