Chapter 3 The Deal

AALIYAH:

I opened my eyes slowly, my head still feeling groggy. It was throbbing like hell, causing me to wince slightly. I didn't like the feeling I was getting. My entire body felt like a rock was on it. My eyes parted and I gasped, noticing my surroundings.

This isn't my room! This...room oozed with luxury and perfection. I could literally smell the wealthy aura emanating from the room. Everywhere was golden, the walls were immaculate white and expensively decorated.

How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was that I was at the hotel, drunk and wasted. Then shouldn't I be in the hotel room?

Immediately I sprang up, my legs aching terribly. What happened? Most importantly, what have I done?

My eyes landed on the figure, standing in the room, his eyes blazing with anger. Oh gosh. Damon. The man at the hotel.

I had.. I had just spent the night with him. With a billionaire?

"What the fuck have you done?" he spat, his voice low and menacing. "How dare you?"

I rubbed my temples, remembering how I willingly allowed this man to touch me. How I didn't even try resisting because I was hurt by my sister and my stupid ex boyfriend.

I now understood that we spent the night together in the hotel and he took me to his mansion before I woke up.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how I got here. Who are you?" I tried to ask, pretending I was clueless, but my voice was shaking. My heart thumped just being assessed by this man.

"You know exactly who I am," he growled. "We spent the night together. You're in my house."His voice was so cruel, his gaze murderous. He looked like he was regretting being intimate with me.

I wish I could say the same.

I tried to stand up, but Damon was too quick. He cornered me, his arms trapping me against the wall. "Don't even think about trying to leave," he hissed. "You're not going anywhere until we've had a little... chat."

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "W-what do you want from me?"

"Who are you?" He asked.

I trembled, trying to relax– and failing."I-I'm Aaliyah," I stuttered, my teeth chattering. I'm not easily scared but this man is the definition of intense.. "Aaliyah Perez."

Damon's eyes narrowed. "How did you get into my hotel room? You think I'm going to let you go that easily for crossing boundaries? Do you know I can get you arrested for that?"

I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "No! Wait! I-I don't know," I admitted, feeling a wave of panic wash over me. "I was at the hotel, and then...and then I don't know.. I think I passed out.. I don't know how I got in there. I'm sorry."

"Shit! Fuck!" He growled, grabbing a vase and tossed it. It slammed into the wall, shattering. I was so unnerved by his rage but I still didn't move. He's so.. cold and dangerous.

But I didn't want to leave yet.

"Someone fúcking sedated me." He said, confusing me the more but I didn't dare ask. "And then my bodyguard disappeared!"

Then he whipped his head in my direction. "Listen, Aaliyah, whatever happened between us last night, I don't want to hear about it," he growled, menacingly. "And I don't want anyone else to hear about it either. Do you understand? I brought you here immediately. I discovered you were naked in my arms in the hotel bed.."

I flushed, feeling more embarrassed than ever. I nodded slowly, exhausted.

"Good," Damon spat. "I'll make sure you're taken care of. How much do you need?"

"Pardon?" I'm not sure I heard him.

"It depends on what you're looking for, right?. A comfortable lifestyle? A new place to live?"

"I..you're paying me.." I gasped, breathless. I squeezed my hands tight. Something I do when I'm nervous.

Damon's eyes never left mine. "I want you to be silent. I'll pay you to keep your mouth shut and butt off my life forever."

I gulped, feeling a lump form in my throat. What was I getting myself into?

"I...I don't know," I stuttered, trying to play dumb.

Damon's expression turned even colder. "Don't play games with me," he sneered. "I know exactly what you're thinking. You're thinking about how much money you can get out of me. Well, let me tell you something. I'll give you whatever you want. But in return, you'll do exactly as I say."

"I...I have a problem," I ventured, trying to find a way out. "My sister needs surgery. She has a tumor in her brain."

Damon's expression didn't change. "I'll pay for it," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll make sure she gets the best care possible. But let me make one thing clear: I'm not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I'm doing this because I want to ensure your silence. You'll do exactly as I say, or you'll suffer the consequences."

Immediately, Damon's phone rang. He answered it, his expression growing darker with each passing moment.

"The fúck? Someone took pictures of us together?" Damon gasped, eyes wide with fright. He looked so genuinely scared, and fear started to claw at my heart too.

Is something bad happening?

My phone chimed, and I hesitantly picked it up. My eyes scanned the screen, and my face burned with shame.

Videos of me and Damon were all over social media, with headlines screaming about his latest scandal. Oh no. It can't be I can't believe this is happening. Who the fuck uploaded this? Shit!!

Damon's voice cut through my shock. "This can't happen again," he growled, his eyes blazing with panic "I've been through this before, and I won't let it happen again."

For the first time I've seen him so vulnerable, so hurt "What do you mean?" I asked.

Damon's expression turned bitter. "My brother framed me for a scandal with a minor," he spat. "It took me years to clear my name, and even then, the damage was done. It happened twice. And now...now this happens again. It can't!" he ruffled his hair sadly. "I went to the hotel to chill with my bodyguard, then all of a sudden, he's gone and I spent the night with a stranger and pictures are all over. This was another plan to smear my name."

I felt a pang of sympathy for him, despite the circumstances. Oh shit. What would the world think of him again?

Oh God. What have I done? Why didn't I try leaving? Now he's in trouble.

"I'll get back to you, miss Perez. In the meantime, the maids will bring some food."Damon said calmly..

I nodded, feeling at ease. One moment he's heated and terribly upset, the next, he's calm. I wonder what's going to happen now. Will he actually pay off my sister's bills?

**

I sat beside Damon on the couch, his phone on speaker as he talked to his PR team. I tried to focus on my food, but my ears perked up as I caught snippets of their conversation. I took a tentative sip of my drink.

Damon cut the call immediately and sighed out. He looked up at me and once our eyes met, I saw the resignation in them. "We need to get married," he said, his voice firm. "This is not happening again. I have no choice "

I gasped, my mind reeling. Married? To Damon Hernandez? It was unthinkable.

"No.."

"We have no choice. I'll pay for your sister's surgery and that's a promise."