The deal 1

"Do you have an appointment?" A grumpy-looking man with arms crossed stood in front of her. He had a scary scar that ran across his face but Adele had no time to be scared. She tried to look past him but he shoved her back. Adele gave him a dirty look because she almost fell to the ground.

She caught sight of Mr. Hale approaching the building. Her eyes lit up but she had to find a way past the guard so she could get closer to her target.

She maneuvered her way from the guard and ran as fast as she could to the main entrance.

"Mr. Hale! Mr. Hale!!" She yelled continuously. Another guard came around to help chase her out but she was reluctant.

"Come here, lady," The man grouched and lifted his hands. Her right leg eventually moved instinctively and came in contact with his balls when he tried to touch her.

"Mr. Hale! Listen, I'm ready to accept your request." She yelled. Her voice was so low and tiny that he couldn't hear her. He was almost inside when he heard the guard shouting. He turned around to see his men pushing a lady. His eyes widened a little when he saw it was little blue. With a sly smile, he sent one of his guards to get her. He ignored her and walked inside his building.

Adele had already lost hope that she would ever get to see him. She thought the man was sent to dismiss her but she was shocked when the man said, "Let her in."

Her heavy heart was now lightened up and she felt optimistic. She was sure something good would come out of her encounter with him. The guards at the gate were reluctant with the instruction given to them but disobeying their boss's order was fatal.

"You may go." The one with the scar grouched. Adele scoffed before walking majestically past the two people who had just harassed her. She turned back and stuck out her tongue at them. Approaching the building, her eyes widened. It was actually bigger than what she had seen from outside.

"Okay, this man is very well to do." She whistled as she stared around. Because she was so focused on finding Mr. Hale, she didn't notice the exterior decoration around the building. Her eyes caught a man standing beside a car with a black hat on and a black cloak. Adele thought he looked suspicious but her attention on him was caught short by the guard that came to her rescue. The moment she turned again in that direction, he had already disappeared. She began to doubt if she ever saw anyone there.

"Focus, Adele!" She hit her jaws and hissed. It hurt her a little. She was there to get a longer life span and not to let her curiosity get the best of her.

The ride on the elevator was quiet and uncomfortable. Adele felt she needed to say something to ease the tension she felt.

As she opened her mouth to speak, the elevator door opened and they were already at the boss's floor which was the 30th floor.

She held her tongue as she was led to wherever she would meet Mr. Hale. She was thinking of how best to approach him without seeming desperate. She wouldn't want him to toy with her over money.

The guard knocked on the door and a low "Come in," was muttered. Adele shut her eyes. She could hear her heart racing faster than normal.

With the guard leaving her to her fate, she opened the door and walked inside. Walking in reminded her of the scene she met at her former boss's office. But she was prepared for anything. With a stern face, she closed the door and turned slowly toward the guest.

She met his red orbs staring intently at her. His jet-black hair was quite messy with bangs all over his face. She couldn't deny he was a beautiful man but that wasn't her reason for wanting to see him.

"Seeing you here, means, you've given my offer a thought, little blue." He relaxed in his seat as he stared at her, his facial expression, mused.

"Unfortunately, yes. So, say whatever you have to say, and let's get this over with." She replied sassily which she later regretted.

"I'd advise you to loosen the attitude, little blue." His eyes darkened a bit. "You're here on my terms."

That was right! She was at his mercy.

"I'm sorry," She looked away and narrowed her eyes. She couldn't believe she had to put up with the same man she had been avoiding. But she wanted to see her grandmother leave before her. In the end, she needed him more than he needed her.

Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of a falling object. She looked down to see a paper in front of her. It was clearly the contract. For some reason, she was scared to pick it up. She already knew the two rules inside. Not that she would break off any of it.

With much hesitation, she picked it up and began to scan through it. Just as she had thought, there was no way for her to chip in any suggestion. The context of the contract stated that she was submitting her life to him. There was no room for objection.

"This is ridiculous!" She slammed the paper to the ground.

"This is no different from slavery." She blurted in anger. She already knew this but she needed to try to change some things.

"If you don't like the terms, you might as well leave." He stood up.

Adele clenched her fists till they were almost turning white. This was what the heartless man did to all of his victims all in the name of money.

"Besides, it's just for three days and we will never see each other again." He was gently strolling toward her. Adele was fixated on her thoughts. She knew he was a bad man but not to this extent. It was extreme. In those three days, he could do anything he wanted to her including cutting off body parts, or even selling her to a slave trader, or using her for one of the rituals she had always heard about.

The risk was great.

"What are you thinking, little one?" He was towering over her while she raised her head to look at him. His gloved hands were situated in his pockets as he stared down at her.

"Will you do it or not?" He was serious. His eyes held no mockery or sarcasm.

Adele had already made her decision. But she knew she would surely regret it in the end.

"Yes... I will do it." She muttered. Her shoulders fell as those words left her mouth. There was nothing she could brag about again.

"I didn't hear you. Maybe you should tone up a bit."

She shut her eyes in irritation, still with her white knuckles.

"I said I will do it." She swallowed to urge to haul any abusive word at him.

Before he could say anything, she picked up the contract and walked past him to the desk in front of them. She took a pen and signed on every required slot.

Mr. Hale wondered about the kind of woman he had landed this time. She was feisty and strange. Somehow, he couldn't read her at all. His eyes never left her, even after she signed the contract. Adele wanted to hear him tell her to leave and come back the next day. Everything was already so tiring for her and she needed rest. Plus she needed to take her drugs before she became a bloody mess.

"Strip."