Eva stared hard at him and then took a long deep breath before speaking, "Are you… are you really going to reject that offer?" she asked, eyes narrowed.
Gage flashed her a lopsided smile. "Let's just say… I'm pretty lazy, pet." He then winked playfully. "I don't have a plan to spend my bachelor's life just sitting in a chair all day and even nights just to make more money I don't even need. I'm already a filthy rich heir and even have my money working for me already, numerous investments and everything that I need to live a carefree life. So I'm actually retiring now."
Eva pinched the skin between her brows. 'Arrogant bastard!' She could not help but curse at him in her mind and wished that she could wring that sexy neck of his.
Though she knew he's just probably being honest, Eva still couldn't help but want to… ugh! She shook her head and her gaze at him then became extremely serious and determined.
"Then hire me." She said. Although there was a tinge of desperation in her voice, her blue eyes were blazing with nothing but confidence and unwavering will. At that moment, she looked like a tiger determined to get something. "Hire me. You may not have any idea who I am, but I am the CEO-… I mean, former CEO of XY Corporation. Hire me and I promise to bring ACEON to the top again and crush XY Corp. in the process!"
Gage's eyebrow simply raised. But due to Eva's desperation, she failed to notice that he didn't look very surprised at all. "So… You're that female CEO who made XY overtake ACEON, hmm?"
"Yes. That's me. So hire me. I promise I can deliver what I say." Eva replied aggressively, eyes blazing with nothing but determination.
Gage rubbed his chin. His mystifying gaze scrutinizing Eva.
"I know the chairman and board will not accept me, with me being the competitor's CEO. Wait… even though now I am the ex-CEO, there is still no way that they would be willing to hire me especially if they hear the rumours..." she paused and struggled to keep her bearing straight. "That's why you should accept the position and then hire me to do all the work for you, since your reason is because you're lazy. I don't mind. All you have to do is appear here and there for some meetings and then cooperate with me in crushing XY Corp." Eva rushed and explained all that in one breath.
Gage hummed as he continued rubbing his chin. "You really want to do all the work while hiding behind me as my shadow? You'll not be getting any recognition at all by doing that…"
"I don't care. I'm fine with it. All I want is to take revenge right now. I'll make them all regret. I told you, I will do anything to get back at them. I want them to feel the pain of losing something they treasure so much! And this is only the beginning. I intend to fully pay them back for their wonderful 'care' of me with added interest!!" And her eyes blazed with fury as she spat every word out. She definitely looked as though she was a she-devil ready to rain punishment down on those who wronged her.
Gage kept his gaze on her.
"I am being very serious. I told you, even if I have to make a bargain with the devil, I'll do it." Eva hissed out as her eyes threw out sparks. It was evident that she was dying to get her revenge.
"You did say that… you said you are even ready to sell your soul to the devil." Gage commented with a peculiar look in his eyes.
"Yes." Eva didn't waver. "If that's what it takes."
"Alright," Gage nodded lazily and a languid smile spread on his thin but sexy lips. He leaned against the wall as his gaze remained fixated on her. "Let's make a deal then, pet. I'll give it to you. All the things that you want…"
Eva exhaled in relief after hearing him accept her ideas. But at the same time, she felt a little nervous now on what he will say next.
"However… Are you certain you're willing to do anything in exchange, hmm? Pet?" Gage suddenly brought this matter of payment up.
Eva nodded furiously and she quickly answered. "Yes! Anything!"
Her unfazed expression and blazing eyes made Gage smile. Then he cocked his head and crossed his arms. "Are you really sure?" he asked again and Eva felt like wanting to strangle his sexy neck again.
"I. Am. Sure. Mr. Acheron." She said firmly, even stressing word by word.
He sighed and suddenly bent to whisper in her ear. "How about… Gage, darling?!" he almost purred as he smiled playfully, causing Eva's mouth to step back as if scalded.
She felt like she momentarily forgot all the chaos in her mind and heart. "W-what are you…" she could only stammer before sighing to take back her composure. "Will you please stop doing that? I am serious here… please stop throwing me off!"
"Alright, looks like you're a bit relaxed now." he commented as if he didn't hear her and leaned against the wall again. Just as Eva thought he's finally back to business again, he rubbed his chin. "But 'Gage, darling' sounds great, right, pet?"
'Gage, darling your face!' Eva barely stopped herself from voicing that out.
When Eva started to glare at him again, he chuckled shortly but his expression became immediately serious just as Eva was about to blow up.
"Alright," his voice and the look in his eyes no longer have any hint of playfulness anymore. "Then I'll be stating my price for the bargain."
Eva waited nervously, twiddling her fingers as the man looked at her and still remained silent. Knowing that making a deal with a devil would always… always cost something big, Eva prepared to brace herself. She knew this was coming. The price of the bargain.
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