Unholy Contract

My hazel eyes followed his every move as he stood on the stage, gazing into the crowd as he gave his acceptance speech.

Everyone in the audience watched him. They watched in awe as he grasped the attention of every man and woman in the room. Each syllable that fell from his luscious lips was drenched in passion that drew eyes from every direction.

He held an air of authority around him, something that some people searched their whole lives for, but that's just who he was. A powerful man. More powerful than I thought, more powerful than what anyone thought.

He held the award in his large hands, his fingers grasping the edge of the glass award. Fingers that had been inside me only twenty minutes ago.

He had everyone fooled. No one caught the vicious glint in his eyes as he spoke. No one saw the black tattoos that marred his skin under his perfectly-tailored suit, each one telling a story of a dark past.

No one was aware of how dangerous Amory Reid really was. But I knew. I knew the truth. That behind every smirk, behind every laugh, there lurked a sinister darkness that licked fear up my spine.

Amory Reid was undoubtedly the most lethal man on the planet.

I wish I knew sooner, just what I was getting myself into when I agreed to marry Amory Reid, but it was too late; I knew everything now. I knew the truth behind my past, and I wish I didn't.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when everyone in the hall stood up, applauding the man that stood on the stage as he watched me with hooded eyes.

My knees trembled underneath me as he began to walk in my direction. Each step he took twisted my gut in anticipation. He stopped, standing in front of me as he gazed down at me with a teasing glint in his icy blue orbs.

I felt liquid heat pool in my southern regions when his large hand caressed my hip, pulling me closer until he could plant a kiss on my jaw, one to shut the press up. When his eyes latched onto mine, my breath hitched in my throat, and his intoxicating lips covered mine in a searing kiss.

I kissed him back. I kissed him back with so much passion I felt like I was floating on air.

I felt like bursting into tears right there, because that's when I knew.

I was completely and utterly in love with Amory Reid.

"Sofia, calm down. You're stressing yourself out," My hazel eyes jumped from my hands to her blue eyes, watching as concern flooded the deep blue pools.

"I know, it's just with Adam's condition, I've been freaking out. The doctor warned me, Liv. Getting the surgery isn't an option anymore, it's crucial."

She threw me a sympathetic look, but it vanished as soon as I threw her an annoyed glare. She knew how much I hated pity. It wasn't something I needed, I wasn't battling cancer like my dad, or living with a hole in my heart like my little brother.

Olivia sighed, rubbing her hands on her jeans as she gave a lengthy roll of her eyes over my antics. When she met my eyes again, her expression softened along with her voice as she spoke gently.

"You should go home, make yourself and Adam a good dinner, take a bath, and relax. Tomorrow is going to go great, but if you don't take your ass to bed, you are going to have one hell of a morning."

I scoffed while an amused grin danced across her features, broadening when I finally stood up to grab my phone.

"So quick to get rid of me, Liv. I'm hurt." I feigned heartbreak as I placed a palm to my heart, and I wasn't surprised when Olivia rolled her eyes before storming to the kitchen.

"Be careful," I heard some pots moving and was suddenly reminded that I had to go home and make food for Adam and me.

"Let me know how tomorrow goes, and please don't say or do anything stupid in that bloody interview."

I scoffed, peeking my head into the kitchen to offer her a playful glare. "What's that supposed to mean, Livvy?" Her chuckle filled the silence of the flat. "Get out of my house and take your ass home, dumbass." I took a step back, leaving out a laugh before I blew her a kiss and walked out the door.

The cool air danced over my skin, a contrast to the heat that resided in Olivia's flat. The trees swayed as the gentle breeze blew through them, rattling the leaves and producing a calming sound that reverberated through the streets of London.

My mind was still racing as a storm of emotions raged through my veins. I felt like I was doing everything wrong.

I felt stuck, as if I was underwater, constantly screaming for help, but the water always captured the helpless cries.

No one would ever know about the constant fear that I faced. The constant fear of something happening to my brother or my father.

After getting the news about Adam from the doctor, I knew I would have to find a well paying job to earn more money for the surgery and for dad's treatment, but it was the interview that I had tomorrow that was causing this turmoil inside me right now, adding to the storm of thoughts that is my mind.

I regretted quitting my job because, without it, I found myself having to budget more than usual which didn't go down well with Adam. The only source of income I had was babysitting for the woman on the floor above our flat, and it wasn't enough for us to survive on.

I stared at the building before me. To say it was huge was an understatement. It looked to have about seventy floors, the huge glass windows showcased how much hard work went into holding up such a high company and it was clear to see even from the outside, that slipping up was not an option.

The shape was modern and unique, the architect who designed it was clearly skilled and his ideas were innovative, it's like his mind went into this building. I couldn't spot one flaw, each window crystal clean. The inside looked hectic as employees walked at lightening speed carrying files and other things.

I noticed how most people walking down this street bypassed Reid Industries as if they were scared to go near it. Hell, even I was scared to go near it. Its structure was intimidating but I think that's what Amory Reid wanted for his building.

He wanted to scare people, exhibit his power and wealth, make people believe they were inferior to him. I stared at the huge glass doors before me in hesitance.

I cautiously made my way towards the door as if it would eat me alive. A beautiful redhead stood behind the pristine marble counter as she typed something on a computer.

I looked around me and noticed that everyone was dressed professionally, their clothes spotless and looking like they cost more than my rent, and I suddenly felt self-conscious of what I was wearing, my black pencil skirt reached until just before my knee and my worn-out white blouse was tucked in with a few wrinkles on the arms. I shook off the thought and instead, cleared my throat to get the receptionists attention.

When she looked up, her brown eyes scanned my frame, and her amused chuckle reached my ears along with the sounds of heels clicking on the marble floors from the other employees.

I gave her a polite smile that didn't reach my eyes before I spoke, trying to sound as professional as possible. "I'm here for an interview, my name is Sofia Cartier.'

A vicious glint lit up in her eyes, spelling nothing but trouble as she eyed me fora moment. "Sixtieth floor. The receptionist up there will tell you what to do."

A gasp escaped me before I could stop it, and my jaw slacked as I watched her carefully. I knew that the sixtieth floor was the top floor the floor that Amory Reid managed his empire from.

"Surely not-" I was cut off by her frustrated exhale which was followed by a roll of her eyes. I crossed my arms over my chest, making sure not to crinkle my resume as I threw her a glare.

"Look-" I cast my eyes over her name tag before I latched my hazel orbs onto her brown ones. "Chelsea, I don't know what you're trying to get at, but I know that Amory Reid isn't carrying out the interviews, I was told to meet with-"

She interrupted me again, looking more frustrated than she had before. "She isn't in today, Mr. Reid's receptionist will speak to you."

When I opened my mouth to speak, she ignored me. She went back to typing on the computer in front of her while she acted as if I wasn't there.

With a frustrated breath, I gathered myself, making my way towards the elevator as I attempted to mentally prepare myself for the interview that I needed to ace.

I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard the elevator ding and the doors proceeded to slide open, my breaths were coming out shallow and my palms were sweating as I took a step out of the fancy elevator, silently praying that I didn't trip over in the heels that I borrowed from Liv.

The first thing I noticed was the silence. Every other floor was bustling with people, chatter filled the atmosphere along with the sounds of shoes hitting the pristine floors, but up here it was dead quiet. The stillness of it made me feel uneasy and uncomfortable but after a while, I finally gathered the courage to take a few more steps, the sound of my heels hitting the polished marble floor along with the sound of raindrops repeatedly beating against the massive windows were the only sounds I could hear.

There wasn't a single person on this floor, which confused me as I thought that there would be hundreds of people looking for a job as Amory Reid's personal assistant.

I stalked further, playing with my earring with one hand whilst my other was by my side, holding my CV. The receptionist desk was empty which furthered my confusion. I walked up to it and noticed a small bell sitting on the counter, ring bell for assistance was neatly engraved in elegant cursive writing on the block of wood that the bell was sitting on.

I hesitantly reached my hand up and was about to press the little gold button when a door to the left of behind the desk suddenly opened, causing my heart to skip a few beats. With my palm placed over my rapidly beating heart, I raised my eyes and was met with the delectable view of Amory Reid.

He stood tall with dark hair that was styled perfectly. His lightly tanned skin accentuated his intense ice-blue orbs and his face was chiseled and perfectly symmetrical with high cheekbones and a jawline adorned with dark stubble.

He exuded danger and looked hauntingly beautiful. His face could put any sculpture of a Greek god to shame. The masculine beauty that he possessed was incomparable. Just like a sunrise or a sunset, each one uniquely different, his beauty was unprecedented.

The suit jacket that adorned his lean figure looked as if it would rip any second as his broad shoulders stretched it to the max, his large biceps putting even more pressure on the expensive fabric.

The room suddenly didn't feel empty as his presence filled it to the max, almost making it hard for me to breathe.

I was so lost in admiring the man before me that I failed to notice when he cleared his throat, but when his powerful voice boomed throughout the large room, each syllable bouncing off the cream-coloured walls, my eyes snapped up and met his. They held secrets and gave away no emotion, a deep ocean with depths so dark you could never see the bottom.

I sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes travelled all over my face. After gathering the courage to speak, I finally allowed the words to fall from my lips.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm here for an interview." I hated the quiver that ran through my voice, letting him know how nervous I was. The frown on his face etched itself deeper when I spoke, causing my insides to twist in fear. He didn't reply to me but before I could comprehend what was happening, he was striding over to me.

His strides were long and powerful. He looked regal with every step he took, his authoritative presence demanded attention. His sculpted face wore a stone-cold expression, masking any emotion that threatened to surface.

As he got closer I got a whiff of his cologne. It was a purely masculine scent, and as it filled my nostrils, I had to suppress the urge to close my eyes. It was minty with a hint of cinnamon and ash; an intoxicating mix.

He stopped at arm's length from me, his gaze travelling from my head to my toes. I was finding it hard to stand. My knees felt week and my palms felt clammy due to his close proximity.

"Who are you?" The viciousness lacing his tone caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. His voice bellowed throughout the large room, each word filling the empty space. It was deep and velvety but cold as ice, so sharp it could cut steel

I shifted slightly in my spot before meeting his eyes. "Sofia Cartier, I am here for an interview, sir." My voice was small but I was grateful that it didn't break or waver.

His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. He observed me carefully, caressing every inch of my skin with his icy orbs.

His gaze returned to mine before he spoke in a monotone voice. "You're on the wrong floor, this is my office. Every other person here for the interview is in a waiting room downstairs." I cursed the receptionist downstairs in my head.

He pinned me with his hard eyes and I gulped, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. "Care to explain how you got up here, Ms. Cartier?"

I took a deep breath to stop myself from stuttering before I explained the situation in a rush. "The receptionist told me that the interview was up here." My voice sounded tiny and I cursed myself for appearing weak.

Suddenly he turned on his heels and began to walk back towards the door he walked out of. I was left standing there confused as I wondered what was happening.

"Are you coming or not?" His steely voice sliced through the thick atmosphere and before I knew it, I was scurrying into his office with him.