BARGAIN WITH THE BILLIONAIRE DEVIL

Irene Stewart POV

I downed my beer, trying to clear my head, but the loud music and laughter around me just made things worse. I wanted to join in, laugh, and flirt like everyone else, but I couldn't shake off the weight of my thoughts.

I thought to myself “this may as well be my last day on earth”. This was because after that drink if I didn’t kill myself, the people I am owing money to would kill me.

Two million dollars! How on earth was I supposed to come up with that kind of cash? It felt like an impossible mountain to climb. I sat at the bar, gripping my hair in frustration, and feeling like I wanted to scream.

It all started with my dad. He said he needed money for heart surgery, and I trusted him without a second thought. I emptied my savings and sent it all to him. But then I found out he'd gambled away the money I gave him. I was crushed, but that was not all ,due to the gambling he had gotten himself into a massive debts that I knew nothing about. Then suddenly, I got a threat demanding two million dollars, or else they would kill me and my dad, I guess seeing as my dad couldn’t pay up there money, threatening me, his daughter was the next best thing for them to do. I was ready to confront my dad, but before I could, I heard he'd died of a sudden heart attack. It felt like karma, in a twisted way. Dealing with his mess was overwhelming. I've spent countless nights crying, feeling sorry for myself, stressing about the debt, my job, and my messed-up life. It's been rough, to say the least.

I ask the bartender for another glass. I want to get drunk tonight and at least forget my sorry. The empty glasses continue to line up in front of me and I feel a bit dizzy.

“Hey.”

I look up at the sound of a manly voice and my heart almost leaps out of my chest. Damn!

A handsome man is standing beside me looking down at me with a smile plastered on his face. He's wearing a white shirt topped with a shiny black leather jacket. His gorgeous black hair is a bit disheveled but it suits his outlook. His blue eyes shine with a brilliant luminosity as he stares at me.

Shit, blue eyes had always been my weakness. I always look at blue eyes dreamily not knowing how it captures me. Now, there's this super-hot guy, with eyes like the ocean, checking me out. Maybe it's the booze messing with my vision, but damn, he looks like a god.

"Hi," I smile back at him.

"I think you need company," he says smoothly.

I giggle. "You have no idea what I really need right now."

I need money. Two million dollars, to be exact.

"Enlighten me then," he says, sliding into the seat beside me, sipping his drink. Those lips of his... perfect.

I squirm a bit and give him a curious look. "I don’t talk to strangers."

"Well, you’re talking to one right now," he says with a grin.

I try to give him a glare, but he's too cute. Scratch that, he's too hot.

"Okay, I’ll make you an exception. Just for tonight," I give in.

"So what’s your name?" he asks.

"Elena," I say, though it's not my real name. There's no way I'm giving my info out to just anyone.

"I don’t believe you," he smirks.

Yeah, Elena's a fake name, alright. But I let it slide. "Okay, I’ll let you call me that for now," I say, raising an eyebrow.

"For the meantime?" I catch that, but I push it aside.

Ignoring his panty-dropping smile, I ask, "How about you? What’s your name?"

"Jared," he says.

I burst out laughing. "Anyone could say they're Jared."

“Well, it’s just fair. You can call me Jared and I call you Elena.”

I take a sip of my drink. He looks to be a bachelor and a playboy with the way he flirts, taking advantage of his outrageously gorgeous looks.