A Deal With The Devil

Elena

I never believed in fate or the notion of a higher power. But as I sat across from the man who held my future in his wrinkled hands, I wondered if the universe had a hand in my life or if there was a higher power pulling the strings.

All I could think about was my mother, and the fact that she was laying all alone in a hospital and the cold truth that I couldn't save her.

At least, not on my own.

Thomas Price – one of the most influential men in New York – sat across from me, exuding the effortless confidence of a man who never heard the word 'no'. Expensive tailored suit clung to his wide shoulders, the deep navy fabric complimenting his eyes which never left me.

"You understand what I want from you, right?" he asked, his smooth voice making my heart stop for a minute.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. His face held the same look I had seen my whole life – the stare of a powerful man who knew they owned the room.

Owned you.

"I do." I replied, moistening my lips with my tongue.

The hospital's deadline was in three weeks. My mother needed surgery as soon as possible and I had exhausted every option I had – begging the bank for a loan, picking up several extra shifts and even considered selling our small apartment.

Nothing was enough.

And now, here I was, about to sell my soul to the devil in a designer suit.

"So, I marry your grandson." I said, forcing out the words. "In return, you erase my past and pay for my mother's surgery."

A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. "You are a smart woman, Elena. I was sure you'd make the right choice."

I scoffed. The right choice my foot.

There was no right choice when you were backed into a corner.

I glanced down at the document in front of me. A contract which would seal me to a man I barely knew, save for the occasional news reports on TV. A man who was far above my class and standards.

Evan Price.

Ruthless billionaire and Manhattan's most eligible bachelor. From the rumors I heard, he was a man who took orders from no one – including his own grandfather.

My heart pounded as I thought about what' he'd do to me when I met him and proclaimed I was his wife. I pushed the thought away immediately. It was best not to think that far into the future.

"Your grandson won't like this." I muttered.

Thomas chuckled. "He won't."

My stomach knotted. He said that as if it was a good thing. Heavens save me. What the hell was I getting myself into?

I had the option of walking away. I could stand up and walk out of this overpriced restaurant, let my pride win and figure out another way to sort out my mother's medical bills.

But there was no other way.

And that was not the only problem. Thomas Price had my deepest, darkest secrets in his hands. Secrets I would rather remain buried.

I took a deep breath in. "Fine." I answered. "But once the contract ends, I get to walk away, right? You'll keep your own end of the bargain?"

His smile widened. "Of course, my dear. You can trust me. After all, it's business as usual."

Business. That, at least, was a transaction I could trust.

Glancing down at the pen in my hand, I took a deep, nerve-calming breath before pressing the pen to paper and watching as the ink and my unintelligible scribble sealed my fate with that of a stranger.

"You made the right decision, Elena." He said smoothly, slipping the contract into a leather briefcase.

"I will inform my grandson about our arrangement and you have to meet him tomorrow. His secretary will communicate the time and place to you." He stood fluidly, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I would congratulate you on your marriage, but you may not like that. But, happy married life, Elena. I wish you the best."

Like hell.

And just like that, I was a married woman. The wife of Evan Price – Manhattan's most successful and youngest business man. Who was I? A nobody. A woman with nothing to her name and no social class. How did I even get here?

Some would say fate. I'd say it was my bad luck.

I left the restaurant first; I had to check in with my mother at the hospital and if Thomas kept his words, pay for my mother's surgery. But at what cost. My freedom? My happiness? For two whole years.

As I stepped out of the restaurant, all I could think was WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST DO?

My phone buzzed, a minute later, flashing a message on my screen.

"Your meeting with Mr. Evan Price is scheduled for 10am. Fitbyte headquarters." I read the message slowly, then read it again just to be sure. Well, that was fast. Thomas Price wasn't joking around.

Swallowing hard, I hailed a cab. What was Evan Price going to do when he found out? Did his grandfather already tell him? Would he hate me? Of course, he was. Would he like me? Did I want him to?

Tomorrow, I was going to walk into a meeting with my husband – a man I had never met before – and play wife. It felt as ridiculous as it sounded but it was my reality. My phone buzzed again and this time, it was a notification from my bank.

Thomas Price had kept his own end of the bargain – half of the agreed money was now sitting in my account – it was time for me to keep my own end of it. I just hoped I survived through it.

Morning arrived quicker than I would like, even though I barely slept through the night. My morning routine was a blur and before I knew it, I was walking into Fitbyte's impressive towering glass building.

"Mr. Price is expecting you." A crisp-looking lady announced with a tight smile on her face. "Thirty-fifth floor. Someone will meet you up there. Good luck."

I returned the smile. Although, I felt anything but lucky.

Anxiety rippled through me as I walked towards the elevator. I tried to think of things to say when I saw him, practicing my prepared speech over and over again. After cringing several times and changing the opening speech more than a thousand times, I finally settled for something less corny but still cringe-worthy.

"Hi, Mr. Price. I'm Elena Madison, your new wife." Smile.

The elevator dinged to a stop on the thirty-fifth floor and when the door opened, a young man – about my age – in well-tailoredsuit and sleeked back hair was there to meet me.

"Miss Madison?" he asked, his face was as tight as his suit pants. He would have been handsome if he smiled more.

"Yes." I answered sharply.

"This way please. Mr. Price has been expecting you."

Taking a deep breath in, I took a steady step forward. Okay, Elena, practice your lines one last time. "Hi, Mr. Price. I'm Elena Madison, your new wife." Smile.