Chapter 4 - A Deal

Elisha was trembling, especially since Alex didn't react to anything. His eyes even looked so cold, making Elisha's feelings shrink.

Oh, Lord. Don't say that this man will give her up.

"Sir, I mean– Alex, I beg you, help me. They– they must be the people the older man ordered to find and capture me. Please help me. I don't want to be handed over to such a man."

Alex remained unmoved, and Elisha felt a panic that seemed to spray throughout her bloodstream. She grabbed Alex's arm and gripped him, looking completely distraught.

"Please, Alex. I beg for your mercy. Please don't leave me to them. I swear that I will repay all of your kindness. I will. So, please. Please, help me."

"What?" Alex looked at Elisha with an unreadable expression. "I wonder what you can do for me."

"Th–that– I–I can–" 

"Tell me the specifics. I can't accept flippant statements."

Elisha froze. From the look in her eyes, it was clear that she was confused.

"Didn't you ask for my help?" continued Alex while folding his arms casually. "Then, what can I get in return? Isn't there a law of giving and receiving in this world? What happens if you want to ask without thinking about what you can give in return?"

Elisha felt like she wanted to cry now. Alex's words were not wrong. She didn't have anything she could offer in return for Alex.

Then, what should she do? Should she throw away all hope and give herself up?

It was a terrible fate. It would be much better for Elisha to end her life now.

"What else should I do? All this time, I've always tried to obey and not get into trouble, at least to maintain the good name of the Foster family! But why? Why has my life turned out like this?" 

One of Alex's eyebrows rose while a pair of dark blue eyes stared at Elisha sharply.

He then whispered to himself. "Foster? Is this really what I'm hearing?"

His gaze towards Elisha grew closer and closer as if there was something he was trying to confirm. However, Elisha was utterly unaware of this.

"That's true. I think I've heard of the Foster family's daughter."

There was a loud noise. A loud noise came from outside the door as if more and more people had gathered there. "Sir, we're sorry. But if you don't open the door either, then we will open it by force."

Elisha closed her eyes. She still didn't want to believe that this was the end for her, but Elisha also realized that nothing else could help her.

"No. I don't want it to end like this."

"Take it off."

Elisha blinked.

"Take off your clothes," Alex ordered very briefly. "Now."

Elisha moistened her dry lips. She felt as if she had heard wrong.

“Wh–what the–”

"You want me to help you, right? So, take off your clothes. Do it."

Has this man gone mad? How could Alex save Elisha in such a way?

"Are you telling me to get naked?" asked Elisha in a strangled voice. 

Alex shrugged slightly. "Not being naked is fine, but if that's what you want, then I won't refuse."

Alex looked calm when he said that, unlike Elisha, whose face was red.

“Th–then, what do you intend to do with me?” 

A distinctive scent spread when Alex approached her again, making Elisha powerless.

"Wasn't it you who asked me to help you?"

"Yeah, but what exactly are you going to do–"

"We're gonna make love. What else do you want?"

Elisha gaped at this. Now, she was sure that this man was crazy.

Again she closed her eyes. In her mind, Elisha was overthinking other ways out in despair.

"It turns out that you two are the same. You are no different from that pig-like old man!"

Elisha just said the last thing she could think. The expression on her face right now looks so empty.

"What?"

Alex's posture suddenly changed, making Elisha instantly feel suffocated. For some reason, this man seemed to have an intense energy that could influence her so much.

"Isn't it? Then, what else? Both you and that old fart are the same! You both want my body, don't you think?"

Alex looked like he was going to be angry, but at the same time wanted to laugh. Elisha's words made him emotional, but the expression on her face was funny to him.

"Don't you dare to smile. Do you think my current situation is nothing more than a joke, huh?"

"Oh, my God. This the first time I've seen someone asking for help while getting angry."

Alex took a deep breath. He grabbed Elisha's arm and pushed her away. "Now listen to me! Don't jump to conclusions on your own. Shut up, and let me finish telling you what my plan is! OK?"

Elisha now seemed to be between life and death. Unfortunately, she had no other choice but to retreat.

She couldn't help but think that Alex could be so heartless. Elisha was also surprised by the man's cold and indifferent attitude, which instead reminded her of Tedris, her father.

"Don't try to mess with me." Elisha wasn't just bluffing because now there was a small knife she was pointing at Alex. "I mean it!"

Alex looks unfazed. He only glanced at the knife and felt he didn't need to bother finding where Elisha got the knife.

"Fruit knife." Alex laughed blatantly. "I'm impressed, but do you think it is enough to finish me off? Especially with your shaking hands. Elisha, are you kidding me?"

"Okay. Then, how about this?" Elisha rotated the position of the knife so that it was pointing at her neck. "Now, tell me what your plan is."

Elisha is serious. It meant that she would genuinely choose to die rather than get raped.

"Have you always been this stubborn?"

"What?" Elisha doubted her hearing. She felt that Alex was trying to trick her with a ridiculous question like that. "What do you mean?"

"They." Alex pointed his thumb behind his back towards the door. “Those who were your opponents have now gathered and surrounded you. Then, look at what you did. You even threaten the people who meant to help you."

It felt like someone had hit her hard on the head. Elisha looked so stunned and couldn't believe it.

"Are you going to help me?"

"Couldn't you just be a bit less suspicious of the person who's going to help you?"

"First, answer my question."

"Yes, I'm willing to help you, but it's not free. Some conditions must–"

"I agree." Elisha interrupted Alex in a hurry. "Whatever the terms, I agree."

"Anything?" Alex repeated in a questioning tone. "Is it anything?"

"Of course, as long as it doesn't tarnish my and my family's honor."

If only Elisha knew how much Alex was trying to restrain himself from smiling too widely.

"Okay. I'll take it that we agree. Remember, Elisha. There's no going back in a deal with Alexander Winter unless one of the parties dies. Do you agree?"

A knock on Alex's bedroom door now turned into a bang. It was clear that Dudley Baker's men were impatiently waiting.

"Agreed," said Elisha quickly. "I agree. Don't worry. I'm not the kind of person who breaks promises."

"Good. Then, come here."

"Why? What are you going to do? What exactly are you planning, Alex?"

Alex didn't answer right away and just stared fixedly at Elisha. He then smiled, saying, "Didn't I tell you before? Elisha, we're gonna make love."

Gosh!

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