The Devil Dressed in a Suit

The next morning, I had arrived at work with almost the same knot in my stomach.

It had only been here a few days, but Lucas Blackwood had wasted no time, already made it clear: this job was going to be hell on earth I had barely reached my office when his voice echoed like a thunder through the office.

"Ava!"

I instantly froze in mid-step. Oh no, this can't be happening. Not this fast. I turned slowly, ensure to clutche yhe files beside me. Lucas was sitting on his wheelchair close to the doorway of his office, his sharp gray eyes watching my every move like a predator ready to pounce.

"Are you seriously hard of hearing, or are you just addicted to being slow?" Come right here!"

I swallowed hard the invisible lump forming on my throat, and rushed into his office, closing the door behind me. He was already seated, his wheelchair deliberately oushing him next to the table, his fingers drumming impatiently on the smooth surface.

"Sit down right now!" I sat down quietly.

"Explain to me immediately why this report looks like it was written by no other but a five-year-old with a pencil."

He threw a folder onto the table and before I could catch it, it slid off. He frowned. "Sir, I ensured to follow the company's format…"

"Shut up this minute. I don't want and won't tolerate excuses. Fix this now!"

I bit my tongue so hard, forcing a calm expression. He was watching me, deliberately waiting for a reaction, perhaps hoping I would collapse or fail like the others before me. He wouldn't waste time in throwing me out.

"Very sure, sir. I'll look into it with immediate effect."

He was shocked perhaps, he wasn't expecting that. "Of course you will do just". Now get out of my sight before I lose it."

I left quietly without another word, my heart pounding very fast. If I hadn't been in desperate need of the job, something to put food on the table, I would have thrown the report in his face without looking back. The rest of the day was even worse. Lucas Blackwood didn't disappoint as he went on another lay off.

"Are you all sworn incompetent?!" he shouted at a small accountant display. "If I wanted a bunch of brainless roasted chickens to run my company, I would have hired real chickens."

The poor guy lost himself as he stammered out an apology before Lucas interrupted him. Get Out of my sight."

An hour later, another woman left immediately after Lucas disgraced her, and tore her presentation to shreds - literally. He had torn the letters and returned them to her to arrange. By lunchtime, no one wanted to move, speak, or even breathe heavily. The office was a battlefield and Lucas was positioned as the enemy general, shooting anyone who didn't meet his impossible standards. I kept my head down, praying I made it to the end.

A breath of fresh air, and then, like a blessing from above, the door opened and Eleanor Blackwood walked in. Everything changed automatically. Lucas, who had just finished painting a chaotic picture, suddenly froze. His jaw clenched at her presence and his cruel gaze turned into something more controlled.

"Lucas, dear!" Eleanor cried with a big soft smile. "You've always successfully scared your employees to death, I understand?" Some of them laughed nervously but secretly. Lucas frowned. "

Grandma, what exactly are you doing here?" "I'm checking on you, of course! You work hard. You need a break." He returned my warm smile.

"Ava, my love, how are you?" Does my grumpy grandson treat you well?"

I hesitated for a minute. If I said yes, I would be lying through my teeth. If I said no, I would probably be the next person fired. "It's… it keeps me on the edge of my seat," I said carefully. Eleonor laughed heartily.

"Oh, I like everything about you already!" Most people are too afraid to say anything. You must be really special."

Lucas shot me a warning look, but I ignored it. Eleanor had this rare needed energy that made me forget, just for a moment, how terrible her so called grandson was.

"Come on, let's go grab some lunch." She slipped her soft arm through mine before I could answer.

"Persevere is the word dear."

I took a glance at Lucas, half expecting him to protest. He didn't flinch. He just sighed and rubbed his cheeks softly, as if Eleanor was tiring him.

"Very good then. "Don't try to stretch it," he murmured.

As Eleanor took me far, I couldn't help but continue to wonder: why was Lucas Blackwood still human when next to her? And why do I feel like I have to find out something terrible to know why?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I barely could have time to breathe before chaos erupted at Blackwood Enterprises. Lucas Blackwood was extremely furious. And not in a good way this time. The office buzzed with frantic audible whispers, employees glued to their screens, exchanging nervous glances as they watched the news. I hadn't seen Lucas all morning, almost midday, but judging by the way his assistant, Oliver, seemed to disappear into the floor, he wasn't well. And then the inevitable happened so fast.

"Ava!" Oliver shouted, his voice cracking terribly as he rushed toward me. "The boss wants you in his office with immediately effect."

I barely had time to process before I was dragged into what I could describe as the lion's mouth. As soon as I entered Lucas's office, the tension hit me like a brick wall. Lucas sat comfortably behind his large desk, his fingers crossed, his expression unreadable.

The air in the room was heavy, and suffocating. I didn't dare to sit down.

"Tell me, Miss. Mitchell," he began in a low, unfriendly voice. "What do you picture when you look at me?"

I frowned clearly irritated. What kind of question is that... "Speak," he commanded dryly.

I swallowed my saliva, my throat almost dry. "Do I see a man who is very... er, very rich? He started laughing humorlessly.

"Try again for the last time." I was shaken, shocked at his softness.

" A man who is... always angry? His jaw clenched, perhaps in anger.

"A man who is terribly ripped off by the media," he corrected coldly.

I opened my mouth to talk, then closed it. Oh. "So, you saw the news," he asked, His eyes sparkled. "Congratulations. You're not completely useless as I have always thought." I gritted my teeth.

Lucas Blackwood has been accused of something serious - something that, if true, could destroy his entire empire. The media was having a field day.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" I asked, ignoring the way he was looking lustfully at me like I was a bug under his shoe. He leaned back, studying me, calculating and in predatory manner. Then he said the last thing I expected. "Resign from your work."

I held his gaze. "What did you say again?"

"Resign," he repeated without remorse. Immediately. "

I took a step backward. "You... are you firing me now?"

"You'll leave the choice up to you at least." Something was wrong somewhere. "Do you want me to leave? How?"

"I offer you something even more better."

I crossed my arms in confusion." How, please?"

He exhaled slowly, as if trying so hard to tolerate my very existence. "Marry me now."

My brain started spinning uncontrollably. I look at him. "I'm sorry, please"

" You're right with what you heard... - A contractual marriage, yes, that's what it is. Just one year. No emotion attached. No complications. – It's just a business matter, simple."

In disbelief and confusion, I burst into a hysterical laugh. "You can't be serious. He doesn't even have an eye.

"Do you want me to marry you in real life? I repeated it, still trying to understand the madness of the situation at play"

" You look quite presentable no doubt," he said contemptuously.

I stared at him with my mouth wide open. "Presentable enough for what exactly?" Wow. What a proposal, to a non living thing. I must start fainting now, or at least-"

"This isn't about romance, Miss. Mitchell," he interrupted deadly. I need to fix some business mess. A woman, especially one with a good reputation, though yours is not so good, will do that."

I crossed my arms in confusion. " And what do I stand to gain in return?"

His lips curved into something that wasn't a smile, maybe mockery. "Security. money of course. A guaranteed future for your poor brother."

I sat down almost depressed. I knewit. Lucas Blackwood knew exactly what I was enduring his nonsense for. " I see it now."

I kept my voice very high. "What if I say no then?"

He didn't hesitate for some reason best known to him. "Then get out of here and never return back." I clenched my fists. This man is heartless. This cold, calculating, heartless man... was setting a trap for me and I knew not to fall into it. I had a choice though.

But do I really have any? I swallowed hard, staring at him, my mind racing with the impossible. And then, finally, I replied. "I need some time to think."

I was now caught in a ruthless game of power. Will I take the deal to save my financial ruin? Or should I risk losing everything?