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Chapter 22
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A 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
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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
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I followed Ethan’s advice but instead of the brooch he suggested, I went with a large veil covered in small cream colored flower details that went perfectly with the dress. By the end of the evening Grace was dabbing at her eyes, pure joy written on her face. I found myself sharing in her excitement too. I was getting married.Several times I would catch myself admiring the full look in the mirror, and picturing whatEthan’s face would be like if he saw me. As soon as I noticed, I would shut the thought down. The lines between reality and out pretend marriage was blurring quickly. “It’s becoming harder to keep my hands off you”. I looked around guiltily like I suspected everyone could see my thoughts written on my faceWith my dress packed up for the reveal for my parents, I left to find Gideon to take me home. I found two men standing outside his car when I got to him.“Goodday, Miss Ricci.” The dark skinned man said, stretching a calloused hand to me. “My name is Hakeem, and thi
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 26
It was only when I was in front of Ethan that I admitted to myself that I actually missed him. He came, with another car in tow to convey me, my family and Lisa to his mansion. Naturally, we rode alone, in a quiet so intense that it was almost tangible.My anxiety for the engagement and my move into Ethan’s house forced me to break it. “How was your week?”“Good.”“Did you tear down any small towns?” -He glanced at me with an irritated look.-“I was joking.” “I noticed.” There was silence again.“Are you still searching for the person responsible for the gala incident?”“Yes.”“Do you like my dress?”“What is this? Twenty questions?” I was impressed that he knew the game show.“You said you wanted me to relax around you, how do I do that when your face is set in a permanent scowl and you refuse to have conversations with me?”He sighed. “Yes, I like your dress. It’s stunning, but you would look great in a potato sack, so it’s not so much the dress as it is you.” I basked in hi
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When his words sunk into my head, I found the strength to push him away from me. His surprise about my reaction bought me enough to roll away from him and scoot to the edge where I stood.When Ethan recovered from my actions he rolled off the bed stalked me again.“What are you doing Ethan?”“What does it look like I’m doing?”“You said there would be nothing physical between us. You specified that in the contract.”“It can be easily changed, what do you want? More money?”In essence, he wanted me to sell my body to him. I remembered all those nights ago, where he had dropped wads of money to ‘appease’ me after we had slept together. I had refused to take his money then, there would be no difference now. Especially, when he still thought so lowly of me.“I don’t want your money Ethan.”“Could have fooled me.” He snapped, as he trapped me between the door and his body. He grabbed my hips and pressed me into him, where I could feel his hard length. I bit my lip, willing my body
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 28
I was waiting. Waiting for Ethan to break the silence during the car ride, but knew it would not be possible with Gideon driving us to his home. I fought the urge to fidget in my nervousness. I didn’t want any part of my body revealing how apprehensive I felt. This was it, i was moving in with Ethan. As if this wasn’t difficult enough, he had the gall to suggest a change in our contract.My hands gripped Wynona’s gift tightly when the car slipped through the automatic gates, gliding to halt in front of his doors. Again I marveled at the beauty of his home. It had the outward appearance of a cyberhouse. With its smooth edges and sharp cuts. In a way they mirrored their owner. I spared a glance in his direction and found his head forward.Soon it would be just the two of us in the house. For all the hope i had that Gladice would be around, i knew she only came during daytime.I rolled my shoulder when i got out of the car and Ethan’s attention slipped to it. I froze, till he walked a
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 29
I plastered a smile on my face and walked towards them. The tension that was in him when he left my room last night was gone, and replaced with a warm but calculating expression. I wasn't sure if I liked this side of him either.I smiled and said good morning to Gladice, brushing my hand across Ethan's shoulder in my unwillingness to get any closer him. Gladice watched my awkward movements impassively. A split second after I thought I was in the clear and just before I was to take my perch on the stool beside him, he grabbed my hand and yanked me towards him. His eyes burned with a hint of desire and mischief as he lowered his mouth to mine.With a simple kiss, he claimed me. It was a statement that I was his to take, to gladice it may have looked like a normal kiss but i knew a threat when i saw one.I hated him for his cockiness, but my hate did not stop my body from molding into his andsubmitting under his ministrations.When he pulled away, he brushed his lips against mine,
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 30
I shrugged. “I donno, for starters, why you’re such an asshole.”He smirked lifting his hands to my mouth. His hand swiped against my bottom lip and it darted out to get whatever he was trying to wipe off.“You have quite a mouth on you. I bet I could put it to use in other ways.”“Ethan…”“I have agreed to your terms Mae, We’ll play by your rules for a little while.”“How about dinner tomorrow night?”“Why not now?”“I wasn’t lying when I said I have work to get to. I’ll be holed up in the office all day.” I felt a twinge of disappointment.“Fine. Tomorrow.” Was I really agreeing to this? A date with Ethan Crowe. We might as well, He wanted to get get in my pants, I wanted him in it too, and I know sooner or later it would happen. It was best that we had some semblance of control over the situation. I was starting to see why he liked having power so much.Ethan left me downstairs to work in his room and i had the whole downstairs to myself. Gladice had not come back in so it
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A Bargain With The Devil chapter 71
“That went very well if you ask me.” Jace said when I had stayed deathly silent in the car on our way home. “Except for the part where you disappeared into your mind and I had to do the whole compliment thing.”“Oh, I uhh, got distracted.” Maybe I could just not go. I could tell her we were down with the cold that day and decided to stay home.“I noticed. You were not much help when she wanted to pick shoes. I hope my option would not be considered a fashion faux de pas.” He added brightly, failing an attempt at a French accent.“I think both shoes looked great. Either was fine.” If I did the sick thing, and she sent condolences then Ethan would find out that I declined an invite without telling him.“Course you do. Do you mind telling me exactly what is wrong? You know what they say about problems shared.” He wriggled his brows in the mirror.A second opinion would be great. “I would love to attend; I mean my dress, worn by one of the rich people in this state. But…I don’t want Ethan
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 70
For the following weeks, Ethan knew to avoid me, and I made sure that I kept seeing Ethan to a minimum. I was up late and spent most of my day in my room making Lindsey’s dress.The door was always locked, in case he had the bright idea to stop by. A few times, I would hear his footsteps stopping at my door for a while, before he would continue down to his own. Each time I would hold my breath, like it kept me from going to it and opening it to see his face.The only highlight in those weeks, save for watching my dreams for Lindsey’s dress come to life, was spending time with Jace. His easygoing attitude was rubbing off on me and I found that I could relax more in situations I thought were normally stressful.He had helped me pack Lindsey’s heavily beaded dress into a carrier bag and loaded the car with the things I needed.“You know, if this driver thing doesn’t work for you, you can always be my personal assistant. You’re great at that.” I joked as I climbed in with my tools in the
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 69
“You’re back early.” I uttered like an idiot, my smile fading from my face. God, why did the man have to looks o stunning in a suit.“I had some documents I wanted to get, you look…busy.” He answered staring at Jace’s outfit.“Yeah, I’m just helping out with Mrs. Lindsey dress.“ Jace explained, Ethan’s eyes clouded into an unreadable expression.“I see that. Mae, can I talk to you?”“In private?” I squeaked. Jace already started waddling out of the room.“No you stay.” He told Jace. “You can meet me in my office?” I gave a curt nod. Satisfied, he left.“Can I take this off now? I can feel a pin poking the side of my ass.” Jace groaned, and his backside in search of said pin.“They stay on till I’m done.” I informed him as I made my way out of the room. “Give me a second okay? Don’t do anything, don’t even sit down. Remember there are pins everywhere.” “Mannequin mode, got it.I moved to Ethan’s office and pushed the door open. “Hey…” he murmured, His eyes softening.When he turned fro
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 68
“Hey, hey.” He whispered, pulling me to the side. “It’s alright. She’s gone. It’s okay...“ He wrapped his hands around me and gave me a comforting squeeze.After a while, I moved out of his grasp, and tried to steady my breathing.“I’m sorry I reacted that way. I am not used to confrontation like that.” “I completely understand.” He said supportively.“You do?”He began nodding but ended up shaking his head side to side.”I have no idea what you’re feeling right now. Confrontation is my jam, I was going to sucker punch her in the face before that guy showed up.” A laugh escaped my mouth and I sniffled. “Do you feel better?”“A little.”“Hi there.” Another woman spoke up next to us. I remembered her standing off to the side when the first woman was yelling. Was she also going to give me a piece of her mind? I steeled myself for trouble. Jace did too because he turned angry eyes on her.She raised her hand in submission. “I just came to find out if you were alright? I’ve met that woman a
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 67
I made sure that Ethan was completely out of the house before I showered and went downstairs, I had a busy day... I had sent Lindsey the styles that I had finally settled on and she had chosen from the two I sent. Now I just had to go fabric shopping. Gladice was in the living room dusting the mantel when I finally went down, showered and dressed.“Mrs Gladice, so good to see you back! How are you feeling.”“Very well thank you Mrs. Crowe.”“Oh take it easy with that greeting. “ I chided. “I’m going to be out for a while, I just need to get some supplies for a project.” She nodded.“Breakfast? Before you leave. I saw that the fridge is already stocked with food. Thank you”“Oh it’s nothing. I have chef blood running through my veins.” I winked at her and continued on my way. “And I’ll have breakfast while I’m out. Thank you.”“GideoN!” I called as I made my way to his side of the house and then I remembered what Ethan had said. Gideon was gone.“Mae…” I heard Jace’s voice behind me. H
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 66
I was determined to give Ethan the silent treatment till I could not anymore. I just did not want my family be a part of this act The less dad knew him the better for us .From outside I could hear dad and our neighbor, Wes chanting. They had been on opposing teams since I was a kid.I plastered a smile on my face before I opened the door. At least dad would be majorly distracted by the game and not have the chance to focus on Ethan. I wore a green jersey, The color of dad’s team. Ethan for some reason had gone with the opposing team. Way to pick sides. I rolled myeyes.“Mia figlia.” dad greeted earnestly and he smiled proudly when he saw my jersey, and then his eyes fell on Ethan’s.“I see you have chosen the losing side.”Billionaire or not, football was something dad took seriously. So did Mr. Wes because he clasped Ethan on the shoulder and pulled the whole six feet of a man under his sweaty arm .“Oh please, we’ve been resting all this time. No one was worth putting energy.“You
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 65
“He’s a very pretentious fellow.” I commented, recalling the way he looked me over. I knew his kind, They usually came in the form of tourists to the restaurant. With their elevated sense of importance and nasal way of speaking.“It’s not about what he is, but about what he can give to you.”“I went through his website, I don’t think I’m wanted at that company.”“He told you he wanted you, did he not? I had discussed the details with him, did he go back on his word?”“No Ethan, what I am trying to say is that my designs are very different from the designs that are associated with his brand, it’s easy to tell that he doesn’t actually want me in his company. He’s just offering because you got involved.”“A lot of people would be grateful, that I got involved.”“I’m sorry that I don’t fit that mold right now, I like to know that when I’m picked to work in a fashion house it’s because I’m actually good, not because my billionaire husband forced my work on an unsuspecting victim.” My words
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Did Ethan invite someone over without giving me a heads-up. I sighed loudly. I could not even force an atom of energy into my steps, they would have to manage a measly smile.I flattened my dress to my body like it would make me look more presentable. The man took a swig of his drink and dropped the glass on the bar, then he got up slowly and walked up to me. why were they drinking in the dark with just the side light? That barely showed anything.“Beth, lights on.” I paused. I waited for a second before the room was flooded with bright fluorescent light. I now had a good look at Ethan’s guest. I gaped at him when I recognized theface.“You’ve already met Jace.” Ethan said, rounding meJace grinned down at me with a charming smile. For the second time that day, we held hands. He was one of those people that loved to maintain intense eye contact during conversation, seeing as they were one of his enthralling features. With a sigh I looked away. Why was he here?“Yes, I met him. At the
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 63
“You see, my birthday is coming up. I don’t usually do anything fancy about it but I was thinking this year could be different. That’s why I’m here even. I was thinking it would be a great choice to handle the breakfast themed table.”“Oh yeah, these people are great.” Wynona interjected. “Double win if you could get the hot waiters too.”“I-I’ll see what I can do?” she glanced at her. “Anyway, I had this brilliant idea, to have you style a dress for me. We can pick one together and you change it however you think will look gorgeous-I’ ll pay you of course. We would get a really popular piece, so people can identify the before…and then my dress would be an after,” Lindsey was very lost in her imaginings. As she spoke, she used her hands to draw the picture in her mind. I waited for her to finish.“…wouldn’t that be amazing?” She laughed in glee. “I’m so sorry Lindsey, but I can’t do that…” ”What?” She looked confused.“The thing with Saskia’s dress, it was a one time thing.”“But…it d
