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Chapter 16
Last Updated:
2024-06-18 07:37:35
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A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 17
I know he wanted to talk. We could not stay outside, in case they were reporters around, nor did I think it was smart to stay anywhere close to my father, that left one possible choice.“Come with me” I said and pointed a thumb towards the stairs. He gave a curt nod and followed silently behind me as I led him to my room.If I thought Ethan in the living room was an invasion, then him, in my bedroom was so much worse. I couldn’t help but be hyper aware of all his movements. The way his eyes roamed over the contents on my dressing table before he leaned on it, the colorful fashion designs I had pinned on my walls and the general disorder that was my bedroom.“You didn’t use the card.” He said gruffly, his face set in a scowl.“I needed a break today. You said the gala is not till the weekend so, I reckon I still have time to find something to wear.“He nodded. “And the documents?”“I’ll send them to your email this evening.” I began to feel mild irritation. He could easily ask me those
Last Updated : 2024-06-19A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 18
A driver was outside the door early the next morning just as Ethan promised, but so were a few reporters. I don’t know if they were there of their own accord or if Ethan had dropped an anonymous tip. Either way they were outside when I left the house, and they took several photos of me in my red waistcoat and matching pleated skirt before the driver opened the car door. Contrary to Ethan’s believe I had good looking clothes, I had spent the most part of my high school, making outfits I dreamt I could wear to a fashion school.I greeted the driver politely just as I slipped into the back seat. Only when he had turned , gotten into his side of the car and pulled away from my home, did he answer me,“Good morning miss Ricci. My name is Gideon and I was instructed to take you wherever you need.” He finished looking at me in the rearview mirror.“It’s nice to meet you, Gideon.”“Would you like some recommendations? I’ve driven lots of celebrities to fashion stores before I started wor
Last Updated : 2024-06-19A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 19
“…so I told her that if she wanted Anchovy’s in her salad, she could just fucking buy em instead of screaming like a toddler. Let’s just say the whole dinner went smoothly after that.”I doubled over, laughing my head off. Wynona was the easiest person to be around.“Did you get the contract after that?”“What do you think?” she smirked as she pulled a blue sequined dress from a hanger and pressed to her body. So far, we had hit three stores.“What do you think about this one?”“I think it takes away from you, rather than compliment your tone.” Since she learned that I was passionate about fashion, she would constantly ask my opinion.“You don’t let people walk over you especially now that you’ll soon be Mrs. Crowe. They didn’t get their reputation from being softies. The black or the green?”“Black’s better, but we can do better.”“Just find a dress for me!”I lay the dress in my hand gently on the lounge. “I think your color should be purple. “ I rooted around for deep colo
Last Updated : 2024-06-20A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 20
I was disappointed by Ethan’s reaction to my dress when he picked me up in the evening. He took a hard look at me and then frowned as if my very presence was going to ruin his entire evening. I mean I didn’t expect him to fall head over heels in love with me, but the dress…It deserved a little bit of attention. I would have settled for a backhanded compliment too but none was forthcoming. He remained silent the entire drive, making me more nervous.When the driver stepped out to open the door for us, he spoke for the first time.“They will be more than a dozen eyes on us tonight. There won’t be any cameras on the inside so we can relax a little. But people will be watching. A few of them will report to my grandfather by dawn tomorrow.We have to give them a good show.”“Nice pep talk. I don’t feel nervous anymore.” I answered, sarcastically.“Then it’s a good thing we’re not here to please you.”He got out first, and then extended a hand to me in the car. Here goes nothing, I si
Last Updated : 2024-06-20A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 21
Ethan leaned back in his seat while I remained frozen in mine.“Ethan.” She said coolly. “Can we talk?”“I’m occupied right now”“Surely, you can make time for an ‘old friend’, just a few minutes.” He watched her quietly like he was considering it, and then to my dismay, he stood up. I felt the spindly claws of jealousy wrapping its fingers around me.“I’ll be back, beautiful. “ He told me, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. Ava’s eyes darkened at the gesture but she said nothing.I watched them walk away before I realized how alone I was at the gala. I was grateful the room was dark around me, so no one could see me or my embarrassed face. I emptied my glass of wine and looked around for Cartwright and Wynona. I could not find them anywhere on the floor. That was just great.Maybe they were hidden among the other dancers. As I contemplated leaving the comfort of my chair in search of them, a waiter approached me with a bottle and fresh glass in his hand.“Gift from Mr E
Last Updated : 2024-06-21A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 22
He wasn’t joking about taking me home. We pulled into the drive of a house secluded in the forest, while I watched in amazement. I was staring wide eyed at the dark building when he stepped out and rounded to my side of the car.“Can you walk, Mae.” Of course, I could. I might have enjoyed the ride in the wheelchair at the hospital but it did not mean my legs were incapable of movement.I stepped out, still wearing my dress from the gala, my heels were in Ethan’s hand. After he closed the door to his car, he watched me take a few steps to the marble doors of his home. The first steps were easy, but then the world slipped under my feet and in a split second, I was falling forward. My hands shot out to catch my weight.I never made contact with the floor because I was swept up by Ethan and crushed into his hard chest. I sighed in relief. That could have been a nasty fall.“Thanks.” I muttered, calculating my path again.He let out an exasperated sigh before he lifted me, bridal sty
Last Updated : 2024-06-22A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 23
While I’m sitting there sipping the rest of my soup slowly, A young woman walks in, in shorts and a baggy shirt. She paused when she saw me sitting by the counter.“Oh hi! I’m sorry, I heard the car leave, so I assumed it was both of you.” “Are you Gladice?” I asked cautiously. She gave me a toothy grin.“No, that’s my mum. I help out here a few times, to take the load off her. I’m Cecelia.” She extended a hand towards me, which I shook lightly. “how’s the soup? The boss said you were feeling under the weather last night.”That was an understatement, I could not recall a good chunk of the evening. This brought me to a question I had been avoiding, something I was too shy to ask Ethan.“Did you…help me out of my clothes last night?” “Oh no, we came this morning. I guess your fiancé did.”Of course. Or maybe I changed myself but didn’t remember it.“Miss Ricci.” An older woman announced as she walked into the kitchen, a small duster in her hand. She shared similar feature with Cec
Last Updated : 2024-06-23A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 24
His eyebrows drew together in a scowl as he took in the sight.“Ethan! I would say ‘what a surprise’ but it really isn’t anymore. You seem to materialize whenever Mae’s in the house.”I looked down at my cleavage spilling out of the ill-fitting dress, hoping my red cheeks were properly hidden. He cleared his throat.“Some tsked in disapproval. “Your grandfather needs to take a break. Sometimes I feel likeEvelyn’s enabling his actions.”“I’ll look into that.”He took a final look at me before he made his way up the stairs, unaware of the four pairs of eyes that tracked his exit. I gave the women, Emma and Olivia the stink eye. Fake marriage or not, Ethan was off the market, they did not need to stare at another woman’s husband like that.“He’s absolutely smitten with her,” Grace told the girls with a grin “He’s constantly looking for a reason to be here, whenever she’s around.”They looked disappointed by the information and I tried to overlook the delight their reactions stir
Last Updated : 2024-06-24
Latest chapter
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 102
MAEI walked out of the bathroom without a towel. I mean, why would I need one? I was alone, or so I thought. The music playing from my speaker filled the room, "Get You" by Daniel Caesar and Kali Uchis. I swayed my hips, humming along to the song, enjoying how peaceful life felt for once. Being naked really made me feel happy and comforting. It felt nice, just being in my own space with no one bothering me.Then I turned around, mid-dance, and froze.There he was.Ethan. Freaking Ethan. Standing there like this was his room, his eyes as wide as mine. My brain short-circuited for a second before it all hit me. I was standing there, completely naked, in front of him. My scream was practically louder than the music playing in the room.“WHAT THE HELL?!” I yelled, scrambling for something, anything, to cover myself. My eyes darted around the room in a panic, looking for a towel, but of course, there wasn’t one. Because why would I have thought to grab one? I did the only thing I could
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 101
ETHAN I watched Mae storm out of the kitchen, angrily. You could definitely tell by her angry foot steps and the huffing sounds she kept making.She didn’t even glance at me, not once. The coldness in her attitude was enough to make me feel like the worst person alive. It was weird, she also looked cute when she was either angry, sad, frustrated…. She was just cute. But then, I’d messed up big time, yeah, I knew that. But I had my reasons. I needed to talk to Ava alone, and I didn’t want Mae there. It was already hard enough trying to sort out whatever… marriage of ours was. I wasn't sure how I felt anymore. Everything was confusing.And having both of them in the same place? It was like a disaster waiting to happen. Still, Mae’s reaction? It stung more than I wanted to admit. I didn't think she'd be this mad, I thought she'd at least understand that I had a reason.I always had a reason for everything, for getting married to her, for talking to Ava. For everything.Last night was
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 100
MAEThe car ride was already awkward enough without Ava opening her mouth, but of course, she couldn’t keep her little mouth shut. She leaned forward slightly, her voice had a hint of fake concern, more like mock concern.“So, Ethan,” she began, “how have you been holding up after, you know, the photo?” I tensed in my seat, my hands gripping my bag a little too hard. She didn’t even bother looking at me when she said it, like I wasn’t even there. I mean I was cool with her ignoring me but bringing that up was crossing the line. Probably because I suspected she was responsible for releasing the photo.Ethan’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel, but his voice was calm when he answered. “I’m fine, Ava. You should probably be asking Mae how she's holding up. She is the one being bombarded by stupid people online.” Her eyes flicked to me in the rearview mirror, and I caught the way she rolled them before quickly looking away. She didn’t say anything after that, though, whi
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 99
MAEThe sound of her voice made my stomach twist. I turned my head, and there she was. Ava, walking toward us in a short red dress so tight I wondered how she was even breathing. It was a hot dress but I wasn't going to ever compliment her.Her dress matched her red heels and her fake smile was plastered across her face like she’d faked her smile countless times. My face twisted into a scowl as I watched her walk towards us, weirdly in slow motion, or maybe it was my eyes.Of all the people we could run into tonight, it had to be her.Ethan noticed her too. He straightened a little in his chair, his expression unreadable. She stopped at our table, her smile somehow widening as she greeted him first, completely ignoring me at first, like I was invisible. “Ethan,” she started, her voice sugary sweet, annoying the fuck out of me. “It’s been so long. How have you been?”I swallowed the urge to roll my eyes. She was acting like I wasn’t even here, which was honestly fine because I didn’t
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 98
MAEI woke up the next morning to the soft light spilling through the curtains. For a moment, I blinked at the ceiling, trying to remember what had happened the night before.My thoughts were still fuzzy when I shuffled into the kitchen, hair tousled, wearing an oversized sweater and socks that didn't stop the cold. I was greeted by the sight of a half naked Ethan already there, leaning casually against the counter with a coffee mug in hand. His dark hair was still damp, and he looked far too put together for this early hour. “Morning,” he said, his voice smooth and weirdly comforting. How can someone look and sound so hot without even trying?“Morning,” I mumbled back, heading straight for the coffee pot. After everything that had happened yesterday, I needed coffee.“Don’t forget, we’ve got our date today.”I froze mid-sip, the coffee suddenly too hot on my tongue. I didn't expect that he'd actually follow his grandfather's advice. He’d said it so casually, as though it was the m
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 97
MAE I hesitated for a second, standing awkwardly by the door, still being stared at by Ethan and his grandfather. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be here or not. What if Ethan didn't take me with him because he didn't want me to be here?Oh fuck. What if this was like a private thing?Ethan's grandpa, lying back against the pillows, suddenly smiled at me. He looked okay. He didn't look like someone who had collapsed a few minutes ago."Come on in, Mae," he said warmly. He gestured to the chair by his bed. "Come sit. You're not just gonna stand there all day, are you?"I stood frozen for just a moment longer than I'd planned. I glanced over at Ethan, who was sitting by his grandfather.I swallowed hard, trying not to seem as nervous as I felt, then walked over to the chair. Ethan's Grandpa scared me, mostly because of what I'd seen about him online. I mean he was chill but also scary."Thank you," I murmured as I sat down, clasping my hands tightly in my lap. My heart was thudding
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 96
MAEMy fingers trembled as I stared at the email again, the words blurring through the tears falling down my cheeks. This could not be happening.My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t breathe, and my head pounded. Who would do this? How did they even get the contract? My vision blurred, and my knees felt weak and it felt like I'd fall. Oh God.Before I could fully process what I was seeing, Ethan’s hand shot out and snatched my phone from me. “Hey!” I yelled, but my voice came out shaky. I reached for it, but he stepped back, holding it out of my reach. His eyes scanned the screen quickly, his face hardening as he read the email.“Mae…” His voice was soft and then, before I could say anything, he pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I froze for a second, caught off guard, but then the situation hit me again. I sobbed into his shirt, my hands clutching it tightly.“Hey, it’s okay,” he murmured, his voice low. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”“Ethan…” I choked out, my voice muffled
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 95
MAE My eyes flew open. I blinked hard, staring up at the ceiling. The entire room was dark and very quiet.The room was too quiet. And... wait. How did I even get here? The last thing I remembered was sitting on the couch with Ethan while he answered calls, trying to stop the news from spreading.I must have dozed off. But how did I end up in bed? Ethan wouldn’t have carried me. Would he? Maybe he woke me to get to the bedroom but I can't remember because of how sleepy I was.I sat up slowly, the pounding in my head making me wince. The glow of the moon outside the window made me realize it was late, really late.I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my toes touching the floor lightly. Ugh. My body felt heavy, and my head pounded seriously.Fuck. This is what days without proper sleep and feeding causes. I dragged myself to the bathroom, pausing by the huge mirror above the sink. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would stop my pounding headache
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 94
MAEEthan’s eyes locked in mine as I entered the living room. He hung up on the other person on the line as I approached. His face was masked with the same unreadable expression, the “business mode” expression. I usually find it hot but at the moment, it made my stomach turn. This wasn't business, but us or what is left of us hanging by a tiny thread.“Mae,” he started. His voice was steady and cautious as though I was a fragile object he didn't know how to handle. I didn't answer immediately. I stood there halfway in the room, between the couch opposite me where he was standing by the side. His hair strands were slightly out of place, a few falling down his forehead almost touching his orbs, his shirt which seemed he had just picked out from the wardrobe without any thoughts, was wrinkled, and his trousers were wrinkled in a way that seemed he had clutched at it out of frustration. Good, at least he wasn't entirely unbothered by all this.I'd be frustrated too. This was supposed to
