Chapter 4: His Deal.

Damon's POV 

I was still dripping from the shower when her text came in. I'd been expecting it.

I knew who she was long before she knew me. I knew her name. I'd seen the bruises she hid under all the make up.

She needed me. 

The party wasn't our beginning. It was just the first time she'd known I existed.

The first time I stood close enough to her for her to feel it.

When I saw her at the party, I knew I had only one chance.

I waited quietly for two years for her— for the moment she'd run out of options.

"Hi Aurora" I texted, and added a smirk emoji. I teased her. A smile escaped my lips.

There was something about her, calculating, restrained, familiar, in a way that unsettled me.

My navy blue robe clung to me tightly the way I imagined she would.

When she told me she was married, I knew exactly what stood between us.

Her father's contract.

Mr Borealis was my father's nemesis. A name so forbidden in our household. 

He was the man that stood dangerously in my father's way. 

His leverage? His daughters.

I hated that.

I headed towards my closet and put on the first silk pyjamas. 

Her message came in. "Rex? Damon Grey?"

Deleted.

Aurora: "Hello Damon. I know you can help me"

I chuckled, I love an audacious woman.

"What do you need?"

Typing...

Aurora: " I need to my escape my marriage to Brian today"

I grinned. Satisfaction filling my heart.

Me: "Alright. On one condition"

Typing...

Aurora: "Anything"

I raised my right eyebrow in scepticism. I watched. I wanted to to tease her a little, but every inch of me pleaded to be with her.

She would never know that.

Me: "Anything? Really?"

Delivered.

Typing...

Aurora: "Probably not but I need you"

"Ouch." No woman had ever spoken this way with me. I was even more intrigued.

"Alright Aurora. Meet me in two hours, at my penthouse. Here's the address. Call if you need to"

Without waiting for a response, I turned off the phone. 

I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I only felt this way once. In college...

                        (Flashbacks)

I was driving to the hospital to see my grandmother to say goodbye. Tears filled my eyes. 

She was in hospice from her long battle with dementia.

I had received a call telling me it was time.

I was drinking with my friends when the call came in.

I had promised her I would be with her in her final moments.

I was drunk.

Then everything went blank.

                     (Present)

The memories became foggy. The room spun. I held my head and tried to grab a chair, desperate to call for help.

I needed my medication.

I headed towards the door, and almost stumbled on the pillow that fell from my bed. 

I dragged myself up.

Something happened that night. Something I can't seem to remember no matter how hard I try. 

She reminded me of the memories my head tried to suppress.

An image of a woman formed in my head...

I knew Aurora long before she knew me. Her father had tried to marry her off to me. I loved her then even when our fathers were enemies, I love her even more now.

I headed towards the medicine cabinet and popped a few pills in my mouth, swallowing them dry.

Few minutes in, the spinning stopped. I began to steady myself.

More images flashed through my head. A place. A car. A woman.

I groaned.

                          .....

The clock struck. The time even more urgent. I headed towards the door already dressed. I knew she would not refuse my offer. 

As the deadline slowly approached, I made a call to my assistant telling him to set up a meeting with Mr Borealis. 

We needed to have a proper conversation.

I drove to the meet up spot. My penthouse.

I hid behind the bushes, quietly observing the environment.

If she were to be a minute late, heck even two seconds, I'd call off the deal.

I reclined in my seat waiting.

Her text came in.

"I'm at the spot. Where are you?"

I observed. 

I had seen when her car approached the gate. She wound down and I could see that she came alone.

When she got out of the car, something in me lit up. Hope, maybe.

I liked her name but I couldn't wait to see how it would sound with my last name.

I stepped out of the car and walked quietly towards her.

She wore a red dress. Her wavy hair bounced in the wind.

"Hi Aurora"

She turned around, scared.

"Hi Rex. You're just the way I remembered" she said calmly.

"Here's the deal. We get married today."

I watched the colour disappear from her face. She froze, expression filled with what looked like uncertainty.

"I can't get married to you. My wedding is in an hour"

"Fine then"

I turned to leave. 

"Wait. Please. Help me"

She avoided my gaze.

"I can stop your marriage to your abusive fiance." 

She appeared visibly shocked.

"Marry me today and you'll be free from him. Isn't that what you want?"

Without waiting for a reply, I continued.

"I offer you my name, your life, your freedom on one condition."

"What's that?" she questioned.

"After our marriage, we live together, stay in the same room. We'd live as husband and wife but we would not consummate the marriage. You decide if we'd do that. You'd be guarded and watched. You'd live on my own terms. You're not allowed to leave my sight without telling me, for five years. After that, you can file for a divorce"

She hesitated. "What if I don't want any of that?"

"Then marry Brian. You'll need a whole lot more make-up" I said coldly.

"Please Damon. I couldn't possibly live like that. How would we share a room?. At least we could have separate beds"

Her words cut deep into my heart. Separate beds?. I wanted to be close to her. To have her. 

"Fine. As you wish." I said even though I didn't want to.

"Thank you"

"What's your decision Aurora?."

Time stood still. I could see a look of fear wash over her face. Her body stiff with anxiety. 

I smirked so subtly it was impossible for her not to miss it.

"Promise me one thing Damon"

"What's that?"

"I'd be safe"

"You're already safe. I'd burn the world down before I let anyone hurt you"

A call came in interrupting our discussion. It was my assistant telling me about the meeting I requested for with her father. 

It was set for the next day.

I wanted it to be earlier.

Since I'd be marrying his daughter today, he deserved to know.

"Fine, handle the rest" I told him then ended the call.

"What do you say Aurora Borealis?"

Her phone rang. Loudly.

She was embarrassed.

I looked away and smiled. I watched her through the corner of my eye. She struggled to put off the sound.

After struggling for a while, she answered it.

"Hi Lily, yes. Yes, he's going to help"

She paced uneasily staring at her reflection in the tinted glass of her car.

"Alright Lily. I'll do that"

She ended the call.

I walked closer to her. "You have two options, choose wisely. Once you're mine, you're mine alone"

She nodded and gulped.

The wind blew fiercely. It raised the corner of her dress revealing more of what I had imagined.

I turned away.

"Fix your clothes" I ordered.

I stretched the written agreement towards her. I had already penned my signature. All that was left was for her to sign.

She read through the contract. Every line confirmed all I'd told her.

The pen in her hand traced every line she directed, she signed.

"What about Brian?" she asked.

I grimaced. I hated that name but I couldn't let her know.

"Don't worry, I'll handle him"

She heaved a sigh and handed the papers back to me.

I stepped closer. Close enough for her to feel my breath on her skin. I tucked the strand of hair in her face away and wiped a speck of dust on her nose with my index finger. 

She looked up to me, I towered over her.

"One more thing Aurora Borealis, try not to fall in love with me." 

"Deal?"

"Deal"

"I'll send the location for the wedding. Don't be late Mrs Grey."

She smiled weakly.

She turned and headed towards her car leaving me standing in the wind

Five years, one contract. One choice.

Aurora Rosella Borealis, you're mine now.