Chapter 2 The Devil's Bargain

Arielle looked up at the almost six foot long building towering over the heart of the city.

She could not believe that she had finally made it to the Fashion house. She had done a background check on the city and made the discovery of the owner of the store Logan Lutherhold is the owner.

From her research, she was glad they needed new workers. She smiled remembering the effort her grandma had to go through in making sure that she learned the art of fashion.

I am not going to fail you grandma.

Arielle walked inside the fashion house and met with a young maiden whose attention were on the screen of her monitor.

"Good morning.."

"Mr. Logan has no meeting with anyone today" She replied, not making any effort to look at Arielle.

"I am here because of the job offer." She said trying to keep her tone confident.

The young maiden tore her gaze away from the monitor and take a moment to look at her with scrutiny. Arielle did not like the woman's gaze.

"Are you sure you have experience in the fashion world?" She asked looking her up and down.

"I...I" Arielle wanted to speak but instantly realized the woman had thrown a subtle shade at her style of dress.

"The requirement states that we should wear simple clothes." She replied.

After a few more minutes of scrutiny, the young woman reached out to the telephone and placed it on her ear.

"Sorry to disturb you sir. One of the job applicant is here to meet with you" She said and after a few more seconds on the telephone, she dropped the device.

"Use the elevator and move three doors to your right" She announced and returned to her gaze to the monitor.

Arielle moved to proceed to the elevator, she recalled the lady's instruction and on arrival at the door. She saw the label on the door

CEO'S OFFICE

Arielle take a deep breath and knocked at the door.

There is no response and she knocked again.

"Are you deaf!" She heard a heavy deep voice and instinctively pulled the door opened.

"Good morning.....sir"

Arielle froze at the spot the moment she gazed at the familiar face seated on the couch. Her hands became sweat and her knees became weak.

This cannot be happening. Why has lady luck chosen to ruin my life?

The man seated before her as Logan Lutherhold is the same person she had slapped days ago.

"Well.. Well... Well... Who do we have here?" He said, reclining back on his couch as he cracked a smile on his face.

"I...I am sorry" She pleaded.

"You should have said that few days ago." Logan replied.

He reached towards his drawer and picked out a brown envelope. He dropped the envelope on the table for Arielle to see.

"Remember this?" He asked, taunting her with his evil smile.

"I am sorry for everything.." Arielle's voice was cracking as she spoke.

"Let me have your paper work"

Arielle looked up at him. She could not believe if she heard him right or she has been hallucinating.

"I said let me have your paper work..." He said stretching his hands forward.

Arielle rose up to her feet and reached out to her bag to grab her credentials. Her hands were still sweating when she handed them over to Logan.

"Oh and by the way I bought your house few days ago" He revealed casually.

Arielle is shocked by the revelation.

"I understand that you were angry and you have every right to be. But slapping me on the face made me really mad" Logan said.

"And I said I am sorry" Arielle stepped forward. "Please, I need this house more than anything else in the world. My grand ma is ..."

She is not allowed to complete her words as Luther raised his hand making the gesture for her to keep quiet.

"Your credential looks good" He said with an impressive smile and turned his attention towards Arielle. "So give me one reason why I should not tear them right now and send you out of my office" He said, the tone of his voice ice cold.

"I need this job sir. My grandma is in the hospital and my brother is in prison. I am all they got left." She revealed.

"Your reasons do not convince me" Logan said.

Arielle's heart begins to beat faster as he reached out to his drawer and pull out a document .

"Take this. I want you to take your time and read through the document" Logan instructed.

Arielle collects the document and consumes the content. "I...I don't understand sir. What is this?" She asked.

"Here is the deal. I will let you get your house back, pay your grandma's hospital bill and also inform the police to release your brother on the condition that you will sign that contract" He explained in detail.

"And if I refuse?" Arielle asked.

"Then I will file an assault case against you and have the police lock you up just like your brother" Logan informed her.

The tension becomes thick for Arielle. She stared down at Logan for a moment.

There is no denying that he is handsome and well to do. Arielle's only problem with him is the attitude and the ego he portrayed.

"I have a meeting in six minutes. I don't have all the time in the world young lady" Logan said, while checking his wrist watch.

"Is there no other way we can sort this out?" Arielle asked.

Logan rose to his feet and grabbed his Armani suit.

Arielle is nervous as he wore his suit and grabbed a few of his document. "You will hear from the police" He said and tried to walk away, but Arielle held his arm and he stopped.

"Please..." She said tears in her eyes. "Fine, I will sign the contract." She added, wiping away the tears.

"Now that is what I am talking about." He said and reached out to his bag and bring the marriage contract out.

As Arielle signs the document, something deep inside of her tells her she is signing a contract with the devil.