Chapter 2: A Deal With The Devil
The night was quiet, but Ella's mind was anything but. She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the sleek folder Enzo Kingston had handed her earlier that day. The fine print blurred together as her thoughts raced, a chaotic mix of fear, doubt and temptation.
Jake was pacing the small living room, his agitation growing with every passing second. "What's there to think about, Ella?" he snapped, running a hand through his dark hair. "This is the opportunity of a a lifetime."
"It's not as easy as it sounds, Jake," Ella murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jake stopped in his tracks, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. "What's not simple about it? He's offering you money, powered, and a life you could only dream of. You just have to marry the guys. It's not like he's asking you to love him."
Ella flinched at his words. Love. The word felt foreign now, a distant memory of something she once believed in. Her relationship with Jake had started with promises of a bright future, but over the years, it had devolved into something transactional, a partnership of survival rather than affection.
"This isn't a game," Ella said, clutching the folder tighter. "This is my life we are talking about."
Jake's jaw tightened. "Our life, Ella. Don't forget that. Everything I have don, everything I have sacrificed, it's all been for us. Don't throw this away because you are scared."
His words stings Nd guilt gnawed at her. Jake had always been her anchor, the person who stood by her when things got tough. But lately, his support felt more like a weight, dragging her down rather than lifting her up.
She looked back at the folder, her hands trembling as she flipped it open again. The terms were clear: a one year contract marriage with a generous financial agreement, no emotional involvement, and absolute discretion. Enzo's signature was already there, bold and precise, as if he had no doubts about her answer.
"Why would he even want this?" Ella asked, more to herself than Jake. "He is rich, powerful and could have anyone he wants. Why me?"
Jake shrugged, his tone dismissive. "Who cares? Maybe he needs a cover story. Maybe he doesn't want to deal with the drama of a real relationship. None of that matters, Ella. What matters is that you say yes."
Ella's stomach churned. She thought about the man behind her offer—Enzo Kingston. He was everything she wasn't: confident, commanding, and utterly untouchable. Even in their brief interactions, he had excuded an air of dominance that left feeling small and insignificant.
"I don't know if I can do this," she admitted, get voice shaking.
Jake's expression darkened. "You can, and you will. Do you want to keep living like this? Struggling to pay rent, barely making it through each month? This is our chance to have everything we wanted."
Everything he's ever wanted, Ella corrected silently.
Jake moved closer, his hands gripping her shoulders. "Trust me, Ella. This is the right move. You will thank me later."
******
The next morning, Ella arrived at Kingston Enterprises witha heavy heart and an even heavier sense of dread. The folder was tucked securely in her bag, but she still wasn't sure if she could go through with it.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than usual, the air thick with tension. When the doors opened, she found herself face to face with Enzo's senior assistant, a sharp eyed woman named Clara.
Mr. Kingston is expecting you," Clara said, her tone clipped and professional.
Ella nodded, her palms sweating as she followed Clara into Enzo's office.
Enzo was seated behind his massive desk, his dark eyes fixed on a stack of papers. He didn't look up as she entered, but his presence was as overwhelming as ever.
"Miss Anderson," he said finally, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "Have you made your decision?"
Ella hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her bag and pulled out the folder, placing it on his desk with trembling hands. "I have," she said softly.
Enzo looked up then, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "And?"
She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "I will do it."
For a moment his expression didn't change. Then, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Good."
He reached for the folder, flipping it open to verify her signature. Satisfied, he closed it with a decisive snap. "You will move into my penthouse by the end of the week," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. Clara will handle the logistics."
Ella's head spun. "Move in?"
"Of course," Enzo said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "If we are going to convince the world that this is a real marriage, we will need to live together. Appearances are everything."
She nodded numbly, the reality of her decision sinking in.
"I expect you to adhere to the terms of the contract," Enzo continues, his voice cold and detached. "No exceptions."
" I understand," Ella said, though she wasn't sure she did.
Enzo leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes studying her intently. "Good. Then we are done here."
Ella turned to leave, but his voice stopped her
"Oh, and Miss Anderson," he said, his tone laced with warning. "Don't make me regret this."
******
That evening, Ella returned to her apartment to find Jake waiting for her. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You did it," he said, his voice filled with excitement.
Ella nodded, her emotions a whirlwind. "I did."
Jake kissed her forehead, a triumphant smile on his face. "This is it, Ella. This is the start of our new life."
But as she lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, Elaa couldn't shake the feeling that she had made a dela with the devil and that the price would be higher than she had ever imagined.