Chapter 3: A Deal with the Devil
The next morning, Sophia sat at her tiny kitchen table, staring at Ethan Black's business card as though it might burn a hole through the wood. Her best friend, Lily, sat across from her, sipping coffee and watching Sophia with wide, curious eyes.
"Let me get this straight," Lily said, leaning forward. "Ethan Black—the Ethan Black—wants you to pretend to be his fiancée. And he's willing to pay you a million dollars?"
"That's the gist of it," Sophia said, rubbing her temples. "I mean, it sounds insane, right? There's no way this doesn't blow up in my face."
Lily smirked. "Maybe. But it's also a million dollars, Soph. You could pay off your student loans, quit your soul-sucking job, and actually breathe for once. Isn't that worth the risk?"
Sophia groaned. "You make it sound so simple. But what if I screw it up? What if he's lying about everything?"
Lily shrugged. "Then you walk away. But if you don't at least call him, you'll never know."
Sophia chewed her lip. Lily was right, of course. But agreeing to Ethan's proposal felt like stepping into quicksand. No matter how tempting the reward, she had no idea what she'd be getting herself into.
Before she could overthink it any further, Sophia grabbed her phone and dialed the number on the card. It rang twice before a deep, familiar voice answered.
"Ethan Black."
"It's Sophia," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I've decided to… take you up on your offer."
There was a pause, and then Ethan's voice softened. "Smart choice. Can you meet me at my office in an hour?"
Sophia glanced at the clock. "An hour? That's not much time."
"You'll get used to my pace," Ethan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "See you soon."
The line went dead.
An hour later, Sophia found herself in the gleaming lobby of Black Enterprises, feeling completely out of place in her modest black blazer and worn-out heels. The receptionist, a polished woman with an icy demeanor, barely glanced at her before directing her to the executive floor.
When the elevator doors opened, Sophia stepped into a sprawling office with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. Ethan stood by his desk, looking every bit the powerful CEO in his tailored suit.
"Right on time," he said, gesturing for her to sit.
Sophia hesitated before perching on the edge of a sleek leather chair. "So, how does this work?"
Ethan slid a thick document across the desk toward her. "This is the contract. It outlines the terms of our arrangement. You'll accompany me to events, attend family dinners, and present yourself as my fiancée. In return, you'll receive the payment in full after six months—or sooner if the deal closes early."
Sophia flipped through the pages, her stomach twisting as she scanned the legal jargon. "And if I back out?"
"You forfeit the payment," Ethan said, his expression unreadable.
She swallowed hard. "This… feels like a lot."
Ethan leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "If you're having second thoughts, walk out now. But if you're in, you need to commit fully. I don't do halfway, Sophia."
His intensity was almost overwhelming, but there was something in his eyes—something vulnerable, even as he maintained his commanding presence. Against all logic, Sophia found herself nodding.
"I'm in," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good. Then sign."
With trembling hands, Sophia picked up the pen and scrawled her name on the dotted line. As the ink dried, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just made a deal with the devil.