Chapter 3— With Him

She slipped the card into the door and it unlocked. There were divided parts that raged war within her. While one part was itching to go in and manipulate her way into making some money, the other part screamed at her to simply turn back and walk away. But what exactly was she afraid of? She had been married to Benson Saltzman and had tainted her hands in blood and sacrifices, what could possibly go wrong with this man that she couldn't handle?

She moved the door and it opened with ease. The room was covered in dark shades of red. It was so dim that she could barely see through the whole room. A toxic smell of something that she didn't know of lingered in the atmosphere. Just at the center of the room, there was a bed showered with roses, its blanket screamed purity. A different light— a shade of blue was pointed directly at the bed making it the one clearer thing she could see. She couldn't conceal the idea that she adored it.

She walked to the bed. The familiar cologne from earlier freshly hit her nostrils and she exhaled deeply, letting out an excited huff.

" I knew you would like those. I spent quite a fortune arranging that. High quality, trust me."

That voice! Deep velvet stitched with humour and generosity at the same time. It made these unusual goosebumps crippled into her skin, something she barely got but hated. The distant wall held the cherubic shadow of the person. Her heart galloped with every step he took closer.

" Josette Montgomery." The man spoke softly, it wasn't a whisper but it wasn't too loud either. His scent became a shocker in the existing room and breathing for a moment became a complication for Josette.

She turned over and met him. His tall frame could have intimated her but she had dealt with taller men. She could barely see his physique but his face didn't fail to hide beneath the dark but his almond green eyes shone. " Mr Morello." She faked a smile.

" Definitely was not expecting this sort of... engagement."

She didn't hear him say anything but she saw his hand reaching for the tie around his neck.

" I have a higher taste for formality unlike the usual officious approach of men like me."

" What do you want from me, Mr. Morello? I thought I was supposed to have fun here."

" And by fun you mean having sex."

Perhaps she wasn't that holy daughter of Mary just like what she was as a child, she'd probably flinch and gasp from being too weak.

" And this is your definition of having fun, Mr. Morello?" His name rolled out of her tongue not smoothly but furiously. This was definitely not the kind of worst she anticipated.

" Oh! Call me Zade, instead. It is more informal, don't you think?"

And yes! She flinched hard this time. Zade. She recalled the name from earlier and it gave her another set of goosebumps.

" I know you've gotten my message and I'd like to hear what you have to say about it, Miss Josette." He came forward just as the low red light began to hit high. She could now see his face clearly. A chiseled chin, flawless skin that not even a strand of beard or hair can be seen. He didn't look like a typical American, his divine looks could be traced to him being part British for his accent said so. Josette's tomato lips tremble slightly. " What do you want from me?"

" An agreement." He answered simply.

" And what kind of agreement am I to deal with?"

He undid the button of his black and silver brocade that cinched to his muscular frame with brutal elegance.

" You are very good at what you did, Miss Josette. Clean but a little breach here and there but still very perfect."

This time, he was closer to her than before, she hadn't even noticed when he walked. If she could count feet, she'd probably conclude that they were barely three feet apart.

" Letting him go was the best choice any woman would make." His hand reached for this few hair that tangled right at her lashes, she had blinked numerously to let it out but it remained.

Slightly, his hands brushed her face and he got the hair away. Josette huffed, exasperated before stepping back. " You've been stalking me this whole time? What problem do you have with me, exactly?"

" Fine. No more prolonging situations. Your life is on the line, people are coming after you and that includes your traitor ex-husband but there are other people who need you alive and that is where our agreement falls."

She crossed her arms. " You will be my wife, Josette and I promise to protect you from your enemies. Even to help you get revenge, if that is what you desire."

He finished talking, anticipating her response. Josette on the other hand, simply watched him, one brow raised up and a salty laugh threatening to slip from her mouth.

" Good play." She simply said and walked away from him, going towards the exit. " Oh! And by the way Mr. Morello, here's a subjective criticism reserved just for you."

She glanced over her shoulder. Zade had his suit over his arms while his other fingers caressed it rhythmically.

" Poke your nose somewhere else, otherwise, you'd regret crossing paths with me. I've dealt with people like you and I don't mind doing it again."

Zade didn't react, his face remained plain like it was since throughout their conversation.

" I'll be damned, Miss Josette."

The door slid sideways even when she didn't touch it. Strong security they had here. The music from downstairs reached her ears. It was her favourite song playing and no matter how she tried, she couldn't get herself to feel what she longed to feel— energized. She stepped out of the room.

" But don't worry. You have a second chance."

She heard him but she kept walking without looking back.