Chapter 5 A Deal with the Devil

The sudden assault sent Elaina's eyes wide. Her body reacted instinctively, as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Her heart hammered against her ribs, the sound so thunderous it echoed in her own ears.

​The searing kiss claimed her lips, deepening into a hunger that left her breathless. Her body stiffened, and she frantically pressed her hands against his chest. With every ounce of strength she had left, Elaina shoved Alister away. The force finally created a distance between them, though her limbs continued to tremble.

​Elaina wiped her mouth, the lingering sensation of his lips only heightening her unrest. When she spoke, her voice was a fragile, jagged thing. Her gaze locked onto Alister's, demanding an explanation for the line he had just crossed.

​"Sir... what on earth was that?" she stammered.

​Alister simply smirked. "A morning kiss. And you called me 'Sir.' Does that mean you remember what we did last night?"

​His smile and the predatory glint in his eyes seemed to paralyze her. Elaina stood frozen, her face flushing a deep crimson as she clutched the edges of her towel, terrified it might slip. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he was-the light dusting of hair on his chest, and the intricate tattoo that started on his arm and snaked down toward his waist. She didn't understand the meaning of the ink, but a flash of memory hit her: last night, she had traced that very chest with desperate passion.

​"Sir... do we even know each other?"

​Alister nodded. "Since last night. Do you remember my name?" His slight smile deepened, revealing a faint dimple partially hidden by his stubble.

​Elaina searched her clouded memory before nodding slowly. "Alister."

​"And do you remember what you did at the hotel?"

​Elaina nodded again, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Yes. I went to Fidell's wedding."

​"And who is he?"

​"My... my ex-fiancé."

​Alister suppressed a grin. "You crashed your ex-fiancé's wedding. You caused a scene while completely wasted. If I hadn't carried you out of there, security would have tossed you onto the pavement like trash. Do you remember that?"

​Elaina bit her lip and closed her eyes as the fragments of the night before crashed back into her mind. She let out a soft, defeated sigh. She regretted everything. The alcohol she had used for liquid courage had stripped her of all control. Her plan was to unleash her rage on Fidell, but a bottle of Vodka Martini had rewritten the script.

​She realized how reckless she had been. The alcohol had blurred her judgment and made her body betray her. Shame washed over her; she never imagined she would end up in a situation like this.

​Yet, beneath the regret, she had to admit one thing: if it weren't for Alister, she would be stranded on the streets. The thought of what could have happened without him made her shudder. He was right-he had saved her from a much darker night.

​Elaina looked down, her voice barely audible as she whispered a thank you. The words were so soft they seemed meant only for her. She knew a simple "thank you" wasn't enough to repay him, but it was an admission that she was now in his debt.

​Alister tilted her chin up, studying her suddenly somber expression. "Did Fidell hurt you?"

​Elaina nodded, then her eyes went wide. "Sir, do you know Fidell?"

​"Ah, I work at Cakrawala Group."

​"Oh, I see. So you were invited to the wedding too?"

​"Of course. That's how I found you."

​Elaina sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "I must have been an embarrassment last night."

​"A little," Alister admitted, stepping toward a wardrobe. He pulled out a small towel and handed it to her. "But I got you out before you did something you couldn't take back. Here, use this. Your hair is soaking."

​Elaina took it with a shy smile. She wanted to sit down, but the awkwardness of being semi-naked in a stranger's bedroom was suffocating. Alister stepped closer, sending her pulse into another erratic rhythm.

​"Do you want me to help you?"

​Elaina looked up, confused. "Help me with what?"

​"Getting even with Fidell."

​Confused, Elaina stared at him. Her eyes practically screamed, How could a man like you help me?

​Alister smiled, sensing her doubt. "I can. But we'll do it my way. Like two consenting adults who need each other." His fingers brushed against her collarbone, a light, teasing touch. "Don't get drunk again, Elaina. You're dangerous when you're wasted. Last night, if I had taken advantage of you, you'd be lying in that bed right now, exhausted from making love."

​Elaina turned beet-red, her chest tight with embarrassment.

​"It's not that I didn't want to," Alister said, closing the gap until their bodies nearly touched. "You're beautiful and sexy. But I want to do it when you're sober. That's why we're going to make a deal to help you get your revenge."

​Elaina swallowed hard, biting her lower lip. Her skin felt electric under his gaze and the warmth of his breath. "Does that mean... we have to sleep together?" she asked nervously.

​Alister nodded without hesitation. "Naturally. As a couple. Even if your only reason for being with me is revenge, I don't care. We will act like a real, mature couple. Do you understand?"

​Elaina stared at him, her mind spinning. She was furious with Fidell, but was faking a relationship with a stranger a fair trade? And Alister had emphasized a "mature" relationship-which meant more than just kisses; it meant sharing his bed. Could she actually do it?

​"You don't have to decide now. Think about it. Anyway, your dress is ruined. I hope I have something you can wear." Alister opened the wardrobe, revealing rows of neat clothes. "Just t-shirts and dress shirts."

​Elaina looked at the organized closet and pointed to a short-sleeved navy blue shirt. "Can I borrow that?"

​Alister handed it to her. "Put it on. I'll be in the dining room. Breakfast is waiting."

​Elaina's hands shook as she pulled on the shirt. Luckily, her lingerie was still clean. She looked sadly at her torn, dirt-stained gown-the one Fidell had bought her when they got engaged. It had been a beautiful dress, a perfect fit. Now, like his promises, it was trashed.

​The heartache returned, sharp and cold. She stood before the mirror, looking at her disheveled reflection in the oversized shirt that barely reached her mid-thigh. It wasn't proper, but it was enough. She had to face the reality: Fidell was no longer hers. He was another woman's husband.

​So what do I do now? she wondered. Mourn a man who dumped me without a word? She felt like a fool, crying over a love that had already died.

​She grabbed her clutch from the nightstand and tentatively opened the bedroom door. She gasped at the interior. It was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, a massive sofa anchored the living space, and floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city.

​"This looks like a penthouse, not just an apartment," Elaina remarked as Alister appeared from a side room.

​Alister nodded. "It is."

​"Do you live here, Sir?" she asked.

​"Temporarily. This place is a loan. Just like the car I drive-it belongs to the company."

​"I see."

​"Sit down. Food is on the table."

​They sat across from each other at a heavy, elegant wooden table. Elaina opened the containers and smiled at the sight of sandwiches, fruit salad, and garlic bread. It was exactly what she liked. How did he know?

​She took a bite of the sandwich, savoring the savory mix of tuna, mayo, and a hint of chili. It was the best thing she'd tasted all morning. Alister, meanwhile, was devouring a beef burger.

​"Your friend is very kind, Sir," she said.

​Alister looked up. "Why?"

​"Lending you a place this luxurious."

​"Yes, he is. Finish your food; we have a lot to discuss. I don't need you fainting from hunger."

​They ate in silence. Elaina stole glances at him as he read something on his iPad. He was magnetic. Up close, his eyes weren't black, but a deep, warm brown. A handsome, single man... was he a manager at Cakrawala?

​"Elaina..."

​"Yes, Sir."

​"Stop staring at me. You're making me want to take my clothes off."

​"Wh-what? Why?"

​"Because the view is much clearer when I'm naked."

​Elaina immediately looked down at her plate, her face burning. She told herself to be careful with this man. It was as if Alister could read her every thought.