Chapter 4 A Deal With The Devil

"Where are you going, Aurora?" Eliana asked as soon as I was about to leave my room.

"That's none of your business." I ignored her and went past her.

I still haven't confronted her about how she blocked Nikolas's number from my burner phone and told him I'm happy with the current arrangement when I'm not. She grabbed my hand and stopped me before I could leave my room.

"What's wrong? You never talk to me like this." She questioned.

"And you never stabbed me in the back before, Eliana. I know what you did with my burner phone and Nikolas. I never expected that from you." I snapped, disappointment shadowed over my face.

Eliana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Before she grabbed both my hands. As much as I wanted to be angry at her and yell at her, she was my only sister and someone very close to me. So I knew the look in her eyes was nothing but guilt.

"Ari I swear to God I only did it for you. I was worried sick you were going to take a step you would regret for the rest of your life. I mean, have you ever heard how cruel Nikolas Salvatore is? How many people has he killed? Do you actually like him?" She asked.

"This is what happens when you belong to a crime family. Our father and brothers have killed more people than that. Matteo must have killed many people too, and mostly women, given his history of assaulting his girlfriends." I paused, "Do you want me to spend the rest of my life with that man, Eliana?" I ignored her last question.

"But he's our father's choice, even if you like it or not. If you go against him, then he would kill you." She raised her voice.

"He can kill me then. I would rather die than get betrothed to Matteo Giordano." I announced and moved past her before she yelled,

"You leave me no choice, Aurora. I'm going to tell Father. You can't see it, but Nikolas is way more dangerous than Matteo. He belongs to the Salvatore Empire, and you know their reality. Their family is nothing but bad news. And I have to protect you from them, and for that, I can do anything." Her determination scared me, but I wasn't backing down.

My hand was gripping the doorknob when I turned around and glared at her, "Do whatever you want; I've already made up my mind, Eliana."

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Eliana's words were still playing in my mind like a broken record. It might take some time to convince Nikolas of this contract marriage. If Eliana reveals my plan, my father will immediately kill me before I can take a step.

I nervously looked at the same room where Nickolas was in yesterday with that blonde girl. Not that his personal life is any of my business, but I don't want to be at the place where he brings all his side chicks. But I guess a beggar can't be a chooser. This was all my idea, so I have to deal with whatever consequences that comes with it.

"Are you done analyzing the door?" A deep voice whispered right in my ear.

The sudden presence caught me off guard, and I whipped around to find Nikolas just a few feet away from me. My eyes went wide as I realized how close our faces were, so I took a step back just to get stuck between the door and him.

"I thought you were inside," I answered the question from before.

"Having cold feet now?" His eyebrows raised in question.

"I'm not the kind of person to go back on my words," I crossed my arms around my chest and looked straight into his eyes.

Nikolas took another step towards me, leaving almost no distance between us. He lowered his frame and narrowed his eyes. My heart was beating so fast that I was afraid he could hear it. I wanted to push him back so I could breathe, but I knew that this was some kind of sick test.

Just then, I heard a click behind me and glanced down. He held a key card for the room, which he just tapped against the electronic lock. I knew he was playing me, but thankfully I stood my ground. Nikolas walked past me into the room, and I followed him in.

As much as I disliked him right now, I couldn't help but take in the entire room. It was nothing less than a suite, which was surprising to find at a golf club. The Prestige room was a perfect blend of modern sophistication and luxury. In the left corner, a black modular sofa with a coffee table in the middle was displayed. On the right side, a dining table with a comfortable yet sleek design completed the sophisticated look of the living room.

In the center, a set of three to four wide steps led to two paths: The straight one opened into a polished open kitchen, while a right-side corridor seemed to lead to private rooms. Nickolas led me to the couch, sitting opposite me across the coffee table.

"I would have offered you something, but I have an important night meeting soon. So shall we discuss the contract?" He pointed towards the papers in my hand.

"You can read it and let me know if you have any questions." I placed the contract on the table and he picked it up.

I quietly analyzed him as he continued to read the agreement. I made sure that I wasn't staring non-stop, but still, we kept making eye contact whenever he raised his eyes.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Aurora? I take my commitments very seriously?" He looked genuinely concerned, and I couldn't help but sigh. "Trust me, I've thought about all the options, and this is the most stable one. You don't know my father like I do. He is my father, but he's cruel to his children. So I know what I'm doing if I want to survive in this mafia world." I told him in a soft tone.

I was fully prepared for all the questions he could ask. I rehearsed them in my mind again and again to make sure my plan was foolproof. I did detailed research on him and how he might need me, and it's all highlighted in the contract along with the conditions. All he needed to do was ask questions, which I thought would take more than an hour for sure.

But to my surprise, he read the contract once and signed it without asking any other questions. I just stared at him in confusion. If this is how he deals with business, then I'm doomed in the future. I was still in a state of shock when he passed me the contract and his pen. Nikolas smirked when he saw my expression.

"Weren't expecting the deal to be done this quickly?" He asked.

"Are you sure you've read everything? Including the conditions we need to follow throughout the marriage?" I asked with surprise.

Without looking at the contract again, he looked straight into my eyes and repeated everything written on the paper.

"Party A and B agree to no physical contact except in public, for appearances. They will maintain separate living arrangements under the same roof with no emotional attachment involved. The marriage shall last for a predetermined period of a year, after which they may divorce. No romantic rumors shall pass during the period of marriage. Both parties should maintain confidentiality throughout the marriage."

I can see why he's known as a genius in the business world. It was my first time meeting someone as intelligent as him. All he needs is power over other families to secure a better future for himself, so that he can become a Mafia Boss. But I'm surprised he's ok with all of this.

"But you had some questions yesterday. I thought you needed answers for them especially where you asked about the potential war between both families. What about conditions you want to add?"

"You are a Sinclair and I'm a Salvatore, there would be a disruption in the beginning. Eventually, everything would settle down once everyone realizes that we are married for love. And that's what we need to sell for people to be on my side in the upcoming voting session. That's my only condition,"

He knows what I bring to the table, which is the tremendous power thanks to the establishment, more people in his favor since he will be married to my name, and fiancée of his enemy, which can bring more power to him in the underworld. I shouldn't underestimate myself and how powerful of an ally I can be. So I added that condition and signed the papers with confidence.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Nikolas." I extended my hands towards him.

"Niko." He took my hand in his. "You're about to be my wife, so I would like you to call me Niko."

I almost choked on air when he said I was about to be his wife. I hesitated at first but made up my mind a few seconds later.

"Niko," I called his name, "I guess we're getting married." He nodded as I pulled my hand away.

Niko's expression was unreadable, and the look in his eyes sent a chill down my spine. I didn't trust him-not yet-but I knew he would respect the confidentiality of the contract. Still, that look... it was something I couldn't decipher, like he's hiding something. And now, I was bound to live with this man for a whole year. What can even go wrong? This is a business deal anyway.

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