The devil's bargain

Chapter 9: The Devil's Bargain

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding. The ring box on my bedside seemed to tease me, a sparkling reminder of the choice I faced. Adrian's proposal resonated in my head, intriguing and horrifying in equal measure.

One year of my life for financial freedom. It seemed easy, but nothing involving Adrian could ever be simple.

I pulled myself out of bed, my body hurting after a sleepless night. As I made coffee, my phone rang with a text from the hospital. Dad's health has worsened overnight. They needed to work soon, but without cash, they couldn't continue.

My hands shook as I read the message. The walls of my little apartment appeared to close in, crushing me with the weight of my worries.

I needed air.

Grabbing my jacket, I stepped out, meandering mindlessly around the busy downtown streets. People raced by, wrapped up in their own lives, ignorant to the rage blazing within me.

My feet brought me to the park where Mom used to take me as a kid. I fell into a seat, watching kids play on the swings. Their laughing felt like a stab to my heart, reminding me of easier times.

"What would you do, Mom?" I muttered, wiping back tears. But Mom was gone, leaving me to face this dilemma alone.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Chelsea.

"Heard you've been hanging out with Adrian Russo. Careful, V. Men like that will eat you alive."

I stared at the screen. Chelsea's false sympathy made my skin crawl. She'd never worried about my wellness before. Why start now?

As if beckoned by my thoughts, a darkness fell upon me. I glanced up to see Chelsea herself, gorgeous as usual in fine clothes that probably cost more than my whole wardrobe.

"Vianne, darling!" she cooed, air-kissing my lips. "What a surprise to see you here."

I faked a grin, my guard quickly up. "Chelsea. What brings you to this part of town?"

She waved a polished hand dismissively. "Oh, just some shopping. But never mind it. Tell me about Adrian. Word on the street says he's pretty taken with you."

Her eyes sparkled with barely veiled hate. I know that look. She was fishing for information, looking for any vulnerability she might attack.

"It's nothing," I replied, trying to keep my voice neutral. "We just ran into each other a couple of times."

Chelsea's giggle sounded like sparkling glass — lovely, yet sharp enough to cut. "Oh, honey. Adrian Russo doesn't simply 'run into' people. He's playing some game, and you're the piece."

Her comments touched too near to home. I sprang up suddenly, wanting to flee. "I have to go."

Chelsea grasped my arm, her grip unexpectedly strong. "Be careful, Vianne. Men like Adrian will offer you the world, but they'll steal all you have in exchange."

I jerked my arm away, disturbed by the intensity in her eyes. "Thanks for the advice," I said, running away.

My thoughts raced as I walked home. Chelsea's admonition simply added to my uncertainty. Was Adrian really just using me for some game? Or was Chelsea trying to ruin whatever was developing between us?

Back in my flat, I paced restlessly. The ring box grabbed my attention again, and I couldn't resist opening it. The diamond gleamed in the afternoon light, beautiful and deadly.

I slid it on my finger, just to see how it felt. The weight of it seemed weird, foreign. But when I glanced at my hand, a little part of me rejoiced at the sight. For a minute, I let myself imagine a life of luxury, of never having to worry about money again.

But at what cost?

My phone rang, pulling me out of my dream. It was the hospital again. Dad's health was bad. They wanted a decision on the procedure – and cash – quickly.

Panic grabbed at my throat. I had no options left. No more favors to call in, no more assets to sell.

Except...

My eyes rested on the ring again. One call to Adrian, and all my problems would gone. Dad would receive his operation, my bills would vanish, and I'd have a year to decide out my next step.

But Chelsea's words tormented me. Was I selling my soul to the devil?

With shaky fingers, I called Adrian's phone. It rang once, twice...

"Vianne," his voice was warm, hopeful. "I've been waiting for your call."

I took a long breath, steeling myself. "Adrian, I—"

A loud crash stopped me. Something heavy banged into my apartment door, followed by loud yells.

"Open up, you little bitch! We know you're in there!"

My blood ran cold. Loan sharks. They'd found me.

"Vianne? What's going on?" Adrian's voice was sharp with worry.

The door split under another blow. I backed away, fear gripping me.

"Adrian, help me," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Please."

"Where are you?" he asked.

"My room. They're breaking in. I—"

The door burst open with a thunderous crack. Two burly men stormed in, their eyes locking onto me with predatory determination.

"Time's up, sweetheart," one of them growled. "The boss wants his money. Now."

I clutched the phone like a lifeline, Adrian's words a distant shout in my ear. But as the guys advanced, I knew it was too late.

No one was coming to save me.

The first man lunged, his meaty hand going for my throat. I ducked, energy surging through me. The second man circled around, cutting off my exit.

"Please," I gasped, backing away. "I just need more time. I can get the money, I swear!"

They laughed, a wicked sound that chilled me to the bone. "Sorry, darling. Boss says time's up. But don't worry, we'll find other ways for you to pay."

The look in their eyes left no question about what they meant. Bile rose in my throat as I realized the full horror of my position.

I was stuck, cornered like an animal. My eyes darted around the room, looking desperately for a weapon, an escape route, anything.

The ring glinted on my finger, a bitter memory of the choice I'd been agonizing over. Now, it seemed like a sick joke. What good was Adrian's offer if I didn't live long enough to accept it?

As if in answer to my thoughts, a commotion exploded in the hallway. Shouts and the sound of running feet rang through the building.

The loan sharks hesitated, swapping worried glances. "What the hell?"

Seizing my chance, I grabbed the nearest object – a heavy vase Mom had given me – and threw it at the closest man's head. It hit with a satisfying crack, and he stumbled back, cursing.

I bolted for the door, heart beating in my ears. Freedom was just steps away...

A hand grabbed my hair, pulling me back with brutal force. I cried out in pain as the second man spun me around, his face twisted with rage.

"You'll pay for that, you little—"

His words cut off suddenly as a fist connected with his jaw. The man crumpled to the ground, showing Adrian standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Get your hands off her," he growled, his voice colder than I'd ever heard it.

The first guy, recovering from the vase to the head, charged at Adrian with a roar. But Adrian moved with lightning speed, dodging the attack and delivering a swift punch that sent the thug flying.

In seconds, it was over. Both guys lay groaning on the floor, while Adrian stood over them, barely winded.

He turned to me, his face softening with concern. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, too stunned to speak. Adrian closed the gap between us, his hands gentle as he checked me for injuries.

"I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner," he whispered, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

Before I could reply, the sound of sirens filled the air. Adrian tensed, his eyes racing to the window.

"We need to go," he said quickly. "Now."

"But—" I peered around my damaged flat, my thoughts whirling.

Adrian gripped my face, pushing me to see his eyes. "Do you trust me?"

The question lingered in the air between us, heavy with meaning. Did I believe him? This guy I scarcely knew, who had just saved my life?

I stared at the sleeping loan sharks, at my damaged house, at the life I'd been frantically trying to keep together. Then I glanced back at Adrian, noting the intensity in his stare, the wordless promise of protection.

In that moment, I made my choice.

"Yes," I muttered, startled to realize I meant it.

A grin passed over Adrian's face, there and gone in an instant. He grasped my hand, taking me quickly out of the apartment.

As we ran down the stairs, sirens increasing louder, I couldn't escape the feeling that I'd just passed a point of no return. For better or worse, my fate was now bound to Adrian's.

We burst out of the building just as police cars screeched to a stop out front. Adrian's sleek black car idled at the curb, engine going.

He opened the door for me, his hand warm on the small of my back. "Your new life starts now, Vianne. Are you ready?"

I hesitated for a split second, the weight of the choice pressing down on me. But as I met Adrian's look, something shifted inside me. A spark of joy, of possibility, ignited in my chest.

With a deep breath, I slid into the car. Adrian joined me, and we pulled away from the curb, leaving my old life in the rearview mirror.

As the city passed by, I couldn't help but wonder: Had I just made the worst mistake of my life? Or had I finally found my road to freedom?

Only time would tell. But one thing was clear — nothing would ever be the same again.