The Unavoidable Deal with the Devil

I stared blankly at the contract in front of me, my fingers cold on the paper. My name was already printed clearly at the bottom, waiting for my signature. Just one year. One year of my life connected to ruthless Lucas Blackwood.

The pay off was undeniable huge. Half up front, the rest at the end of the contract, and a compasation if I do well. Enough to pay Noah's tuition, pay off my debts, and finally breathe fresh air without constantly looking over my shoulder in terror of getting an eviction notice.

But at what cost exactly? My sanity? My dignity?

Sophia's voice brought me back from wonderland. "Ava, honey, sign it fast." She encouraged me. Do you have another specific job in wait? No. Do you have a rich uncle who just died tragically and left you millions? No. And Lucas Blackwood is hot and handsome despite being a real terror? Yes."

She winked mischievously. "This doesn't help the situation, Sophie." She sighed dramatically.

"Ava, I know it's really crazy, but you need this. You would be even more crazier not to have it. You're not really in love with him because of his heartless nature, so there's no heartbreak, no drama. Just a salary and a year to put up with her fools."

I breathed out a shaky breath, almost breathless. I hated that she had common sense, I needed it so badly. Lucas was cruel, arrogant, and handsome as a rabid dog, no doubt. But he also offered me security, something very rare to come by.

I picked up the pencil ready to sign it. "One year," I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else.

Sophie was beaming dramatically. "One year, dear. And then you'll be free as air."

I signed my name on the space provided with a loud bang. Lucas Blackwood was now my future husband just like that.

The next morning, everything was fixed, so fast. My resignation from Blackwood Enterprises was announced with no hesitation, and within hours the media had picked up the story, flying with the impending marriage of Lucas to his "long-time love." A long-time love indeed. I almost cried reading this final part.

Lucas made sure to keep his distance since he signed the contract, but his assistant, Oliver, took care of everything efficiently like it was him. My things were moved same day to Lucas's house and I had barely entered when I was greeted by the most unexpected and warmly sight ever.

An elderly woman, dressed in a rather soft lavender dress, sat elegantly on one of the living room sofa, drinking tea like a queen that she's on her throne. Her silver hair was carefully styled to perfection, her pearl earrings gleaming gloriously under the warm lights. She looked up when I entered, her eyes sparkling with love.

"Oh, so you're the girl my grumpy grandson finally chose, hmm?" She caught my eye, and I recognized her immediately. "Uh… yes, ma'am?" Her lips curved into an ever cheerful smile.

"Oh, don't be so formal, my child. That makes me look too old You can always call me Eleanor."

I hesitated before nodding to hr order. "Nice to meet you again, Eleanor."

She stood up with surprised and elegant grace as she pproached me, taking my hands in hers. "Oh, aren't you such an adorable soul?"

She stood up, squeezing my hands like a succulent fruit gently. "Lucas never mentioned it to me he was bringing in such a real beauty." I bit my tongue so hard not to say it, because Lucas probably wouldn't believe it such exist. Eleonor's smile wideneden more.

"I can already tell I'm going to like it. Lucas has been such a terrific troll lately, it's about time someone shook things up here as a savior. I let out a small laugh. "I'll do my best to clean it up."

Eleonor's warmth was more like stepping into the sun after a cold night. She radiated everything kindness, the exact opposite of her proud grandson. For the first time since signing this awful contract, I felt... welcomed, at home.

That feeling didn't last long as I expected.

Later that evening, I met the next mean person in Lucas's life: his best friend, James Carter. Unlike sweet Eleanor, James wasn't happy to see me, my shadows. He sat across from me in Lucas's large dining room, his sharp blue eyes carefully observing me as if I were an insect under a microscope, for an experiment.

"So, he said, swirling the whiskey in his glass, you are the poor unbelievable assistant who managed to throw herself at the great Lucas Blackwood."

I stiffened at the contempt in his childish tone. I won't say it worked, I wasn't provokd. "Instead, of working, you decided to throw yourself into the fire."

His lips twisted into a small smile, but his eyes remained cold and distant. "You are clever. I grant you. But don't think for a second that I believe in this deceitful game."

" Act right?"

He leaned forward, his voice low and menacing " You may have fooled the media, even poor Eleanor, but not someone like me. I know exactly what you're doing here."

I raised an eyebrow at him. " Oh, really? Then, tell me."

"You definitely here for the big money."

I closed my eyes in anger. " Well, yes." That seemed to be the blunt truth. I crossed my arms. "Lucas paid me to do this for him. Did you think I would marry someone like him for love?"

James narrowed his eyes at me. " Most women would gladly jump at the chance to be Mrs. Blackwood." He continued mockingly.

"So they can have it tgen. I'm just here to do a job and get paid for my work."

He studied me for quite a long moment, then let out a small, humorless laugh. "Either you're incredibly honest, or you're a great actress and a liar."

I shrugged. "Believe whatever you want then."

James made no effort to say anything after that, but his disbelief was clear. I had a feeling Lucas' best friend was watching my every move in the mansion and beyond. And something told me he expected me to fail woefully

I might have succeeded in winning Eleanor's heart in seconds, but what about the unfortunate James? He's not so easy to convince among them. And with Lucas always so cold, I might be walking on thin ice.