The Devil's Contract

Alessia's Point of view

I was seated in Ethan’s exquisitely furnished living room, surrounded by opulence that felt both foreign and suffocating. The plush leather sofa I was perched on seemed to swallow me whole, its deep red hue contrasting sharply with the cool, modern decor.

Elegant artwork from famous artists adorned the walls, and a crystal chandelier hung overhead, its harsh beams highlighting my unease.

I glanced at the gold-plated clock on the mantelpiece—an hour had passed since I arrived, and with each tick, my resolve wavered. What were you thinking, Sia? Go home before it's too late.

I had been initially repulsed by Ethan's offer of a contract marriage but the persistent calls and emails from the bank had worn me out.

I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache threatening to take hold. I had exactly twenty-four hours before the bank took action against me. The weight of that deadline pushed me to this point.

As I stared at the glossy coffee table in front of me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was sacrificing my happiness for duty. This wasn’t just about me anymore; it was about saving my family’s legacy but deep down, I knew that signing this contract would change everything.

Would Mum understand if she was alive? How would Dad react when he found out what I gave up in exchange for his life?

I hadn't even told Hailey. Would she support me if she found out? I could already imagine her reaction - she'd probably pluck out her eyes so she wouldn't see what I was about to do to myself.

I shook my head as if to dispel her image from my mind. Focus, Alessia. You need to do this.

Just then, I heard footsteps descending the spiralling staircase, pulling me from my thoughts. My heart raced as Ethan appeared at the bottom, his presence commanding and undeniably magnetic. He looked different today dressed in a navy blue tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders.

His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I knew you’d make the right decision,” he said with a smug smile as he approached me.

I felt a surge of irritation at his arrogance. “You think this is what I want?” I shot back, trying to mask the fluttering in my stomach at how handsome he looked.

“Of course,” he replied nonchalantly, uncorking a bottle of wine with an air of confidence that made my skin prickle. “It’s a smart move for you. Do you want a drink?” he offered.

“No, thanks. I want to go over the contract with a clear head.”

His smile widened as he stepped closer, closing the distance between us. “Desperation can lead to good decisions. You'll see that this is one of them.”

I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug smile off his face. “Before I agree to this,” I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside, “there are some rules.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “Rules? I’m intrigued. What do you have in mind?”

“First,” I said, holding up a finger, “no kissing. Not even a peck. This is strictly business.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “No kissing? That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?”

“Second,” I continued, ignoring his teasing tone, “no touching. We’re not going to blur any lines here.”

“Why? Are you afraid something might happen?” he replied with a chuckle. “What else?”

“Third,” I said, my voice firm as I felt my resolve strengthen. “We’ll sleep in separate beds. I won’t be sharing a room with you.”

Ethan’s laughter echoed in the room. “You’re really laying down the law here, aren’t you? Are you done?”

I ground my teeth in frustration as it dawned on me that I would have to move into his house—his lavish home that felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. “Yeah,” I responded.

The amusement vanished from his face. “You don't have to worry about any of that happening except when we are in public. We have to keep up appearances then. I'm not crazy about your body. You're not my type.” he said, his tone dripping with disdain.

He leaned forward slightly, “Can we proceed, Babe?”

“Don’t call me that!” I shot back, my heart racing at the way he said it—so casually, so intimately. I hated the way he made me feel desirable one minute and dirty the next minute. If I wanted to make it through this storm without drowning, I had to set boundaries.

“What would you like me to call you then?” he asked, his voice low and teasing as he held my gaze. For a moment, I was lost in those piercing blue eyes—eyes that seemed to see right through me and into my very soul.

“That's not important now,” I finally said, breaking the gaze. “Let’s get down to business.”

Ethan dialed a number while maintaining eye contact with me, a confident glint in his eyes. “I like the sound of that,” he said smoothly.

My heart raced at the realization that this was happening— I was about to sign away my freedom to a man who didn't care about anyone's feelings except his own - the Devil in suit.

Thirty minutes later, as I stared at my signature, the reality of what I had just done settled heavily in my chest. I dropped the pen onto Ethan’s polished desk, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

What had I gotten myself into?

Ethan’s voice broke through my thoughts like a splash of cold water. “We are making a public appearance tonight at one of my investor's galas,” he announced, his tone casual as if he were discussing the weather.

I blinked at him in disbelief, struggling to process his words. “What?” I managed to stammer. “A gala? Tonight?”

“Yeah,” he said with a smug smile that made me want to wipe it off his face. “Bring your A game. Don’t worry about what to wear,” he added dismissively, as if it were no big deal. “I had a dress prepared for you.”

My jaw dropped as shock coursed through me. “You what?” I gasped, my mind racing. Was he serious? How did he even know that I was going to accept his proposal?

“You can’t just decide these things for me!”

He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Oh, come on, Alessia. It’s part of the deal.

I stared at him in disbelief. What had I gotten myself into? For the umpteenth time, I asked myself that question as a wave of frustration washed over me.

“Ethan,” I said slowly, trying to keep my composure despite the storm brewing inside me. “I'm not going to any gala with you tonight.”

“What kind of rings would you like? Diamond or gold?” He asked, ignoring my outbursts. I'm going to kill this man.