"Your ability to see life and existence for what they truly are, without being constrained by personal biases, is what sets you apart. Your objective perspective grants you clear insight into the world, making you an exceptional writer capable of weaving magic with your imagination," Luci praised Nicholas for his writing skills.
Nicholas couldn't help but feel flattered by her compliments, but the unsettling reality of dining with the devil lingered in his mind.
"I'm not sure about making a deal with the devil; it's just not my thing. And I'm still puzzled about how you can appear as a woman when everyone perceives you as a man," Nicholas expressed his doubts.
"And that, my dear, is where your limitations lie. Despite being an incredibly talented writer, your reluctance to take risks and seize opportunities has hindered your success and prevented you from achieving greatness. Be patient, though. Once you agree to this arrangement, you will learn all you need to know about me," Luci assured him.
"Can I have some time to think about this without fearing for my life and safety? It's a lot to process, considering you're the devil," Nicholas requested, seeking some space to contemplate.
"Alright, I'll give you time to mull it over. Please let me know your decision before the weekend," Luci agreed.
"So, I'm free to leave now?" Nicholas asked, hoping for an easy exit.
"Of course, you're not a hostage. You are free to go," Luci replied, giving him a mischievous smile. "Asmodeus will take you home; he's waiting outside."
Ornias opened the door, signaling Nicholas to follow him. Nicholas bid Luci farewell.
"Thank you for dinner, Luci. I'll be in touch," he said, making his way towards the exit.
"Come with me, sir," Asmodeus directed Nicholas, and they left the house together. Asmodeus drove Nicholas back home
***
He arrived at his apartment at 11:59 pm. Nicholas quickly locked the door, turned on all the lights, and reached for the Bible his mother had given him before leaving Italy. The book had remained untouched on his bookshelf until now. As someone who didn't hold strong religious beliefs, Nicholas had never delved deep into matters of faith like his family members. He relied more on logic and considered religion to be rooted in fantasy and humanity's quest for understanding.
But that night was different. Nicholas found himself praying, something he hadn't done in a long time. It was a peculiar situation—having dinner with the devil herself was already mind-boggling enough, but the fact that the devil appeared as a "woman" defied the traditional depiction of Satan as male. It was a truth stranger than fiction. He briefly considered telling his friend Mark about his encounter with Satan, but he hesitated. Who would believe him? The entire situation was bewildering even to Nicholas himself.
Unable to sleep, he turned to his laptop and immersed himself in research about God, angels, demons, Satan, and heaven. There was an abundance of articles, videos, and research materials on the topic. Exhaustion eventually took over, and Nicholas succumbed to sleep.
Nicholas woke up on his couch to find it was 11:11 am according to his wristwatch. Despite the events of the previous night, he felt oddly calm. Memories of the dinner with Satan flooded back into his mind—it almost seemed like a dream. He glanced at his attire, still wearing the outfit from last night, and noticed his suit jacket discarded on the floor. As he picked it up, a card fell from one of the pockets. It was the card Luci had given him the previous morning.
A wave of panic washed over him. He had dined with the devil and been offered a deal. The more he thought about it, the more fear mingled with curiosity. There had been no immediate threats, just the request to write her story. The opportunity to write such a captivating tale was tempting, but he couldn't shake the feeling that nothing good could come from collaborating with the devil in the flesh.
Another concern plagued him—would working with Satan taint his soul? If God and Satan were real, that meant heaven and hell were real too. The thought of condemning his soul to the depths of hell for the sake of a captivating story weighed heavily on him. It also made him reconsider his intentions to pursue and court Luci. Perhaps this experience would inspire him to change his lustful ways.
"Thank God I didn't attempt to kiss her," he muttered to himself, reflecting on his narrow escape from a potentially disastrous situation.