Chapter 6

Aria's POV

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After my mother's surgery, I returned home to take a shower. I slipped into a simple black gown. After putting on my red lipstick, I stepped outside my house.

My eyes fell on the sleek black car that looked out of place in the scrawny area. Like a diamond amid dirt. The driver came out and opened the car door. As I entered the car, a familiar musky scent filled my nose, and I whipped my head to the figure beside me.

Lo and behold, the devil in the flesh—Julian. My body tightened as I wasn't expecting him, but his P.A. His eyes lingered on me, the intensity reviving faint flutters in my stomach. "How did the surgery go?" His eyes returned to the newspaper caught in his hands.

Remembering our last encounter this morning, the air suddenly thickened in the confined space of the car. "It was successful, thanks for your assistance," I fidgeted with my fingers. "I thought I was meeting with your P.A."

Without moving his head, his eyes tore to me. "You're not happy to see me?" A smirk played on his lips.

And there went the nervousness as his cocky behavior grated my nerves. "Yes, I am so happy I could die," I said with a straight expression.

Julian snorted with a smile. "He had an important business errand to attend to." The paper fluttered as he turned the pages. "Besides, he won't be able to pick our wedding rings."

"Wed..wed...wedding rings?"

Julian snapped the newspaper shut. "Yeah. What are we supposed to get married with? Swords?"

"That's better, it would be easier to rip your devilish heart out." I tucked my hair behind my ears and fixed my gaze on the bustling city unfolding outside the car.

Julian smiled and returned his eye to the newspaper. "Our marriage will happen in a week. But, you are moving into my house today."

My eyes fluttered as I faced him. "Why so fast? Must I move in today?"

"I like my things moving at a fast pace." Well, he did pay my mother's bill faster than expected.

After another ten minutes, the car finally came to a stop. "Sir, we have arrived Si," the driver announced.

Julian stepped out of the car and stretched out his hand. Cynicism did not attempt to hide on my face as my brows furrowed.

"I might be a devil, but I am also a gentleman." Julian smiled with his eyes.

The sales rep dashed at us as we trodded into the designer boutique. "Good day Sir, Good day Ma. How can I help you?"

Julian turned to her. "My fiancée here needs some beautiful dresses." He glanced at me before plopping onto the sofa.

The sales rep led me to the dressing room where she showered me with different designs and colors of clothes, bags, and shoes. I should have been used to wealth, after all, Ethan was rich. But I wasn't used to this. When we went shopping, Ethan usually bought a dress or two. But now, I was getting a full closet. The price of the clothes made my heart thump.

After Julian paid for the clothes, bags, and shoes that filled up the boot, we went to the jewelry stop. The rings sparkled beneath the showcase. The male sales rep's eyes were fixed on us as Julian and I observed the goods.

My eyes clung to one, but the price made me swallow my desire back. Following my line of gaze, the male sales rep said, "This is a 2-carat, colorless D-F diamond. It's perfectly cut. The rare colorless quality makes it an exceptional investment."

"And how much does it cost?" Julian leaned in. "$100,000, sir."

My stomach twisted. I leaned in and muttered to Julian. "We don't have to buy it." We had already spent about $500,000 on clothes and now this. Even my soul didn't cost this much.

Julian leaned in, till his face was mere inches away, his warm breath teasing my skin. "Is this how you are going to pluck every leaf and fruit till I'm barren?" A taunting smile burnt on his lips as he shot his perfectly arched brows up. "You were so bold this morning when you said those words and I had thought you meant it." Amusement flickered in his eyes, one that mocked me.

With a straight smile, I turned to the Sales rep. "I want this design, but in 5-carat."

The man's eyes flickered to Julian. "That would be $500,000." His voice quivered a bit.

The smile persisted on Julian's lips. "Give her what she wants."

"Okay, sir."

Julian turned to me, confidence still glinting in his eyes and his gaze lingered longer than usual. "Is that all you want?" He questioned with a sweetly teasing tone.

"Do you want me to buy every jewel in the building?" I retorted.

"If you can wear them all." He smiled once more. But his eyes... They were daring me to try anything stupid and he would come for both my sister, mother, and unborn children's souls.

I pursed my lips as I shot him a squinted look. "Yes, that's all." I folded my hands and turned away. Curse his wealth.

After rounding up at the jewelry store, we continued the shopping spree.

***

Night came and I had begun arranging my clothes in the large closet that seemed like its own little world. My eyes glanced over the heap of clothes sprawled across the bed, the bags and shoes, the jewelry, and the expensive makeup.

My phone beeped. A message from an unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. "Julian isn't a good man. If you want to live, cancel the marriage and get out of that house now."

A photo was attached to it. Opening it, it showed a picture of one of his ex-wives, tied in a chair, her eyes blindfolded and her hands and legs chained to the chair. I gasped and quickly my hand stifled my mouth.

Another text came in: this is the last picture of his wife. Zooming in on the picture, I froze the warm air turned chill against my skin. The room in the picture—the dark, haunting space—was the exact room I was in.

My heart thudded against my chest and my breath stilled. Who sent this? And why? Was this a warning or a threat? I couldn't deny the evidence before me, but I also couldn't just take the word of an anonymous text.

I had to find out more. Julian was dangerous, that much I knew. But how deep did his cruelty run? And could I really afford to back out now, with my mother's life hanging in the balance?

My mind raced with possibilities as I stared at the incriminating photo. I had to play this smart. Julian was not a man to be crossed lightly. But I couldn't just ignore this.

I took a deep breath and deleted the messages. I would find out the truth. But I would have to be very, very careful. One wrong move, and it could cost me everything. Including my life.

Steeling my resolve, I continued organizing my new possessions with a growing sense of unease. I was in Julian's world now. And I would have to learn to navigate it. Before it consumed me whole.

As I finished putting away the last dress, a knock sounded at the door. I froze. It was well past midnight. Who could be knocking at this hour?

"Aria," Julian's deep voice called from the other side. "Are you decent? I have something for you."

I glanced down at my flimsy nightgown and quickly grabbed a robe, tying it securely around me. "Y-yes, come in," I called back, my voice wavering slightly.

The door opened and Julian stepped inside, his presence seeming to fill the room. He was still dressed in his suit from earlier, minus the jacket. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of tanned skin.

His eyes raked over me, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I see you're settling in well."

I nodded stiffly. "Yes, thank you for all the... gifts."

He waved a dismissive hand. "Of course. Only the best for my fiancée." He stepped closer, holding out a small velvet box. "I have one more gift for you."

I hesitated before reaching out and taking the box. My hands shook slightly as I opened it. Inside lay a delicate diamond necklace, the stones glittering in the low light.

"Do you like it?" Julian asked, his voice low and husky.

"It's... beautiful," I whispered. "But I can't accept this."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Why not? It's a gift, Aria. For my beautiful bride-to-be."

I swallowed hard. "It's too much. I don't deserve..."

He pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. "Nonsense. You deserve the world. And I intend to give it to you." He plucked the necklace from the box and moved behind me. "May I?"

I nodded silently, my heart hammering. I felt the cool brush of metal against my skin as he fastened the necklace around my throat. His fingers lingered, tracing the line of my collarbone.

"Perfect," he purred in my ear. "Just like you."

I shivered, my body responding to his touch despite my mind's protests. "Julian, I..."

He spun me around to face him, his hand tangling in my hair. "Shh. No more talking."

And then his lips were on mine, hot and demanding. I gasped, my hands coming up to push him away. But he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. I felt myself melting, my resistance crumbling.

This was wrong. So wrong. But it felt so right. I knew I should stop it. But I didn't want to. RTBU

The scene continues with the passionate encounter between Aria and Julian. The sexual tension that has been building between them finally ignites into an intense moment of passion. Despite Aria's reservations and the mysterious warning she received, she finds herself drawn to Julian's magnetic pull.

Julian takes control, his strong hands roaming Aria's body possessively as he backs her towards the bed. Aria's mind races, torn between desire and doubt. She knows getting involved with Julian is dangerous, that he is not a good man. But in this moment, with his lips on her skin and his hands on her body, none of that seems to matter.

Julian lays her down on the bed, his body covering hers. Their clothes are shed in a frenzy of desperate movements. Aria gasps as Julian enters her, her nails digging into his back. He moves powerfully above her, his eyes dark with lust.

Their coupling is passionate and intense, a clashing of lips and limbs. Aria loses herself in the overwhelming sensations, her body responding eagerly to Julian's skilled ministrations. All thoughts flee, replaced only by pure, primal need.

Afterwards, they lay entangled, sweat slicked skin against skin. Aria's breathing slowly evens out as she comes back to herself. Reality crashes back in and with it, a wave of guilt and uncertainty.

What had she just done? She was supposed to be investigating Julian, not falling into bed with him. Had he planned this? Manipulated her with expensive gifts and seduction? Was she just another pawn in his twisted games?

Aria feels tears prick at her eyes. She feels lost and afraid. Julian seems to sense her withdrawal. He tilts her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Stop thinking so much," he says softly, his thumb brushing her cheek. "This is just the beginning for us, Aria. You're mine now. And I protect what's mine."

The possessive statement sends a shiver through her. Is that supposed to be a comfort? A threat? She's not sure.

Julian kisses her again, deeply. And despite everything, Aria feels herself respond. He's like a drug. And she's already addicted.

As they make love again, Aria pushes her doubts aside. She knows she's making a deal with the devil. But in that moment, in his arms, she can't bring herself to care.

After, they drift off to sleep, sated and entwined. But Aria's rest is fitful, plagued by dark dreams and an ominous sense of foreboding. She knows this is only the calm before the storm. And she fears just how destructive that storm will be.