III: A Forbidden Deal

The sound of the bell continued to ring in my ears as I saw Theo and Heather walking inside the place.

I swallowed hard, immediately realizing that Theo should not see me here.

With a hushed voice, I turned to my coworker and faked a reason to be able to excuse myself. Mercifully, she agreed and I immediately ran towards the staff room and slammed my back against the cold wall, hoping it would somehow help calm me down.

My heart continued to thunder as I took a deep breath.

What is he doing here? Did Heather force him again to come? My fists clenched. I can't be seen here. I don't want him to see me here. He will just feel bad and I don't want him blaming himself why I ended up working here.

Immediately, I went to talk to Melissa to give me an early day. I told her I have a quiz to catch up and she immediately let me go.

I felt bad for lying but I can't be seen by my boyfriend.

I fished the phone from my pocket and texted.

'Can I meet you now instead?'

It did not even take five minutes before I received a response.

'As you wish.'

Was all he replied but I felt a heavy burden on my chest. I know what would entail making a deal with a guy like Azrael but right now, I don't have much of a choice.

Hailing a taxi, I went to the address he gave me earlier and it did not take me long to get to the place.

The building at 3-11 Northerndale stood like a shadow carved out of the city skyline — sleek, dark glass reflecting nothing but grey. I clutched my bag tighter to my chest as I stepped out of the taxi, a cold wind sliding under my skin.

A shiver ran through my spine, as if telling me that coming here was never a good idea and that I should turn around and go back to the restaurant. Watch how Heather clings to my boyfriend and how my boyfriend don't have much of a choice after she paid his hospital bills.

But then I reminded myself that I needed this. That I needed to spare Theo from that.

My feet started moving towards the building. The world felt too quiet here, too still, like the silence was waiting to be broken by something irreversible.

I hesitated only for a moment before I stepped inside. The lobby was marble and chrome, sterile in a way that screamed wealth and danger. A man in a dark suit greeted me with a nod, not asking for my name. He already knew who I was.

“He’s waiting for you,” the man said, gesturing toward the private elevator.

Of course he is.

The elevator ride was silent and suffocating. My reflection in the mirrored walls stared back at me — wide eyes, trembling lips, and the uniform cap still perched awkwardly on my head. I pulled it off and stuffed it in my bag as the doors slid open to reveal the penthouse floor.

The room was dimly lit, draped in shadows. It smelled faintly of leather and something darker — like expensive whiskey and danger wrapped in silk.

Azrael King stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, dressed in black, his posture elegant and poised like a ruler surveying his kingdom. He didn’t turn around immediately.

“I thought you’d change your mind about all this,” he said, voice smooth like honey, lethal like a blade.

“I almost did,” I admitted, stepping inside, forcing the door to click shut behind me. “But I need this.”

Finally, he turned. Sharp jaw, eyes like ink, lips curled in a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Of course you do,” he said. “But the question is: what are you willing to give for it?”

I swallowed, clutching my bag tighter. I wonder what I could possibly give to this man who has more than I have currently.  “You said you wanted something in return. Name it.”

Azrael walked toward me slowly, circling like a wolf studying a deer who walked into his den willingly. “It’s not money, Saskia.”

I froze. My blood turned to ice.

He smiled at the reaction. “Oh right." He chuckled before reaching to one of his wine bottles and pouring some on his glass.

"You're Valerie Damer here. A struggling student with a broken heart. I must say, you’ve played your role well. Almost fooled me."

My fingers curled into fists. “Get to the point.”

“You want to pay off the debt Heather Kelcey covered for your boyfriend. You want to erase her influence. But you also want to keep your secrets. That doesn’t come cheap.” He stepped closer, eyes boring into mine. “I want a favor. One I’ll collect when I choose. One you won’t refuse.”

I hated how calm his voice was. How sure.

“And if I say no?”

He tilted his head. “Then you walk back out there, watch your boyfriend grow even closer to the woman you despise, and eventually lose everything you tried so hard to protect. The choice is yours, princess.”

I closed my eyes. This was a deal with the devil — and I knew it. But in this moment, it felt like I had no other choice. If I said no,

I’d lose Theo. If I said yes, I might lose something else. But at least I’d be the one deciding what mattered more.

“I agree,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “But nothing that would put Theo in danger.”

Azrael’s grin widened. “Smart girl. Don’t worry — I’m not interested in your little love story. I have bigger plans.”

He walked to the desk and handed me an envelope — thick, unmarked. “This will cover the exact amount. No more, no less.

Deliver it to Heather, and she’ll have no excuse to linger.”

I took it, my hands shaking. It was heavier than I expected, like it carried more than just money.

“And the favor?” I asked quietly. “When?”

His gaze turned cold and his mouth curved into a grin before he said,  “It wouldn't be fun if I tell you now, would it, princess?"