《I Made A Deal With The Devil》


 Chapter 1 - 1

    <h4>Chapter 1: CHAPTER 1</h4>


    A young woman, dressed in prim and proper business attire suddenly came barging through the door. As the heavy mahogany double doors mmed against the walls, everyone who was in the room swung their gazes to rest on the petite yet curvaceous youngdy who walked in with confidence in her steps. She is Evangeline Young. She has round sses propped on the bridge of her nose and her hair is pulled up into a neat looking bun. The overall look she sported was like a strict, no-nonsense businesswoman. And she was exactly that.


    "Evangeline, what are you doing here?" Samuel Young asked as he rose from his seat at the head of a long table. He is currently in the midst of having a meeting with the board of directors in his ssy office. His eyes narrowed with surprise while the others looked back at her questioningly, too.


    "What do you mean by that, Grandfather? I should be the one asking you that question. What are you doing here? I am the CEO of thispany and you''re asking me what I am doing here?" Evangeline fired off multiple questions as she had a disbelieving and confused expression on her small and pretty face.


    "Eva, leave this ce. I will talk to you once we''re home. You can''t be so disrespectful and barge into a meeting room without prior notice." The old man waved his hand in a dismissive gesture as he sat back into his chair.


    Eva''s eyes widened as she stood there stubbornly and asked, "Grandfather, I am utterly confused. I demand an exnation right here, right now on why you''re doing this." She clenched her fists as she felt angered at how she was being disrespected. ''How could he ask me to leave? I am the CEO for goodness'' sake!'' Eva raged on in her mind.


    "Evangeline!" Samuel lost his cool and shouted at her. "From today onwards, you will step down from your position as thispany''s CEO. The board of directors has already chosen the one who will be recing you and she''s going to take over as soon as possible."


    Eva was stunned into silence. Did her grandfather just shout at her and fire her as the CEO to boot? Right in front of all these people? Her body was unmoving as she looked at the faces of everyone around the table. None of them were showing any signs of shock like she was feeling at the moment. They could only look away when her eyes met theirs. Apparently, she was thest one in the know¡­


    "What did you say? You''re stripping me of my position? Why?" Eva demanded in disbelief as she slowly walked over to where her grandfather was seated. ''This doesn''t make any sense. Is this a dream? I am the CEO of XY Corporation. I am the one who made thispany soar to its current heights. So why am I getting demoted?'' Eva could not fathom why her grandfather is suddenly telling her this out of the blue!


    "Eva, go home. I will talk to you ¨C" Samuel replied with a sigh,pletely not answering her questions.


    "No!" Eva burst out in anger, her fingers were clenched so hard, they were digging so deeply into her palms that little crescents had formed. "I demand an exnation right now grandfather! Tell me¡­ what the hell is happening? Tell ¨C"


    "Because you are not my legitimate granddaughter!! That is why!" Samuel''s voice thundered over the chaos as he rose from his seat again.


    Eva froze in shock. ''What? I''m not a legitimate member of the Young Family? Is grandfather joking with me?''


    Shaking her head in denial, Eva turned her face to look at Samuel Young. "Grandfather, what are you saying? How could you say that ¨C"


    "The DNA test just came out yesterday." Samuel boomed out, cutting Eva off. "You are not rted to us by blood. I don''t know how it happened, but the investigation is still ongoing."


    "No, that can''t be¡­ you''re lying. There must be a mistake." Eva kept shaking her head. Denial hitting her hard as her body began to tremble.


    "I will show you the DNA test resultster. I did the test more than once! There is no mistake, Eva. Now leave this ce and wait for me at home." The old man said firmly and turned around, effectively dismissing her.


    Eva''s knuckles turned white. Her hands were trembling as she slowly clenched them into fists. Eva gritted her teeth and looked at her grandfather again.


    She bit her lower lip to stop her lips from trembling before opening her mouth to speak. "So? Because I am not rted to you by blood, you''re saying that I''m no longer qualified to be thepany''s CEO?"


    The old man averted his gaze, causing Eva tough out like a viiness. "Hahaha."


    "Eva, don''t worry. You will still work as one of the directors. You will assist your sister ¨C" Samuel quickly said, in the hopes of cating her. "Oh. So, my dear younger sister is the one who will be recing me? Hahaha." She barked out inughter again.


    "Eva, y ¨C" Before Samuel could continue his sentence, Eva raised her hand like a boss, stopping the old man from speaking any further. Something dangerous zed in her eyes as she looked straight at him.


    "Forget it grand¡­ oh, Mr. Young." She quickly changed the way she addressed her grandfather. A bittersweet and painful smile curved on her face. Then her eyes became menacing as she stared at the old man once again. "Listen Mr. Chairman¡­ Without me, XY Corporation will crumble down into pieces. Mark. My. Words." Eva dered and with her head held high, she swished out of the room like a queen and closed the door with a bang.


    ...


    At a clinic, Eva sat in a chair staring at her DNA results as her hands could not stop trembling. Her lips curved up bitterly as her eyes watered.


    "So, this must have been the actual reason why I was treated like a robot since I was young¡­ and my parents and family are so cold to me." She muttered to herself. Recalling her memories, Eva remembered her time with her grandmother. Back then, she had already felt that her parents were deliberately ignoring her and were always cold to her.


    "Grandma, do mom and dad hate me? They nevere to visit me and they nevere to my school, too, even if my teachers ask them to." Eva remembered asking her grandmother this when she was younger.


    Her grandmother had replied, "They are training you, Eva, so you can survive the harsh world you will one day face when you grow up."


    "So, their cold treatment is a part of my training to be the one who will run the family''s business?" She remembered herself trying to understand what her grandmother was telling her.


    "Yes. They just don''t want to pamper you because they don''t want you to grow up a spoiled weakling." Her grandmother had exined and she remembered herself fully believing that exnation.


    Ending her recollection of the past, Eva smirked as she crumpled the paper in her hand. ''I am so stupid in believing you. They must have known from the start that I was not their legitimate daughter, right? That''s why they never showed even an ounce of care nor love towards me. They just kept me and raised me because they knew I would be a great asset to them. And now that I''ve be independent and brought thepany to its peak, they see me as a threat and therefore it''s the right time for them to dismiss me? They are casting me out now after they are done using me?'' Eva smiled bitterly as she reasoned things out within herself.


    After leaving the clinic, Eva found herself driving fast. She was trying to call someone but no one was answering her call. Her lips were still trembling but she kept her face cool. When she arrived in front of a luxurious apartment, she rushed up to the highest floor as quickly as she could. While riding the elevator and waiting to get to the highest floor, she nibbled on her thumb.


    Once the elevator dinged, signalling her arriving at her destination, she rushed out and ran to the unit at the end of the hallway. She only had one thing in mind at that moment and that is to see and speak with Julian, her fianc¨¦.


    She tapped in the password of Julian''s apartment and entered. But the moment she closed the door and turned around she froze at the sight of a pair of red high heels at the entrance to the hallway.


    Nervously, she silently walked inside. Her heart was thumping hard as she approached the door of Julian''s room. Taking a sharp and deep breath, Eva then pushed it open.


    Her eyes widened at the sight of two naked people on the bed, fucking ferociously like animals in heat. Eva stood there frozen and then her phone slipped from her hand due to shock, causing Julian Park to whirl around. He cursed at the sight of Eva standing at the door. The woman also looked up with wide eyes and at the sight of her, Eva''s face paled as if she had seen a ghost; unable to believe that the woman her fianc¨¦ was fucking was no other than her younger sister, Jessa Young.


    Julian Park had been Eva''s college sweetheart and current fianc¨¦. He had been such a nice man to her. They have been in a rtionship for years but he never tried to make a move on her. Eva had always thought he was just being considerate and that they were both just too busy to pay attention to their romance. He had told her he didn''t mind theck of intimacy between them and that he was ready to wait until their wedding. But now, here he was¡­


    "What the f*ck, Eva?! What are you doing here? Barging into my house like this?" Julian roared out in irritation. Eva did not speak, she could not. She only stared at the woman who was supposed to be her sister, sitting on the bed with the covers pulled over her.


    "Eva, get out or do you want me to drag you out?" Julian shouted at Eva and stood, not caring if he was naked. He strode forward and was about to grab hold of her arm, but Eva stepped back, avoiding his grasp like it was the gue. Her gaze sharpened as the deadliest sword as she red at him.


    Julian dropped his hand but leaned in and whispered. "We''re over Eva. I heard the news. You are not a legitimate Young. You''re nothing but a nameless bumpkin right now, and yet you dare toe here? Are you thinking ofing to seek shelter in my ce? Listen, I was only engaged to you because we thought you''re the Young''s legitimate daughter." He smirked at her mockingly as he pulled back. Eva could see the scorn in his eyes.


    "Our shitty engagement is already over so don''t you ever show that ugly mug of yours in front of me ever again. I''ve been sick of it for many years now!" Julian continued to berate Eva, not caring that he was trampling over her broken heart when she was already in such a confused state.


    ''Julian, you bastard!!'' She screamed out in her mind. Eva could feel her eyes burning so badly but she bravely held back her tears. ''No. Don''t you dare cry Eva! I am not going to shed any tears in front of this asshole. Never. I would rather die than do that.'' She had already been hit with one piece of bad news after another. Being given another one such as this is nothing, she told herself. ''I am strong. Nothing is going to beat me down. Just watch me!'' She growled in her mind, steeling herself and adjusting her emotions before lifting her downcast eyes to look at the two scums who were before her.


    Clenching her fist tight, Eva opened her mouth and spoke. Her eyes burning with an intensity that made Julian feel a strange and slight shiver and unable to tear his eyes away. "Oh¡­ is that so?" She smirked as she nced at the girl on his bed. Though her smirk looked simr to the ones she usually gives, mischievous and cheery, Julian felt his frame tremble as he looked at it. Somehow, it was different yet the same.


    "Listen to me, Julian, and listen well. One day, I will make sure that you, too, will die from utter regret. I promise you that. Just you wait¡­" Eva stated. Her voice was neither loud nor too soft. But it floated over and both Julian and Jessa heard it, crystal clear. And before Julian could react, the door had already mmed shut with a loud bang right before his face.

 Chapter 2 - 2

    <h4>Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2</h4>


    After leaving the two ¨C her ex-fianc¨¦ and so-called sister ¨C back at the apartment with as much dignity andposure as she could, she ran to her car the moment she stepped out of the posh elevator. Her fists were balled at her sides tightly as she strode over to her car. She was so upset at their betrayal that her hands shook even as she gripped the handle of the door on the driver''s side. After sliding herself behind the wheel, and pressing on the central lock button to lockdown her car doors, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.


    After her breathing returned to normal, she revved the engine and stepped on the elerator, sending her car speeding out of the ce that she never wanted to step into ever again.


    Eva sped up her car once she hit the highway. Biting her trembling lips, her fingers gripped the wheel so hard that her knuckles turned white. Although she tried to forget it, the ugly scenes continued reying in her head, of her fianc¨¦ f**king another woman.


    ''Why? Why did you do this? Why must you betray me too?'' Eva screamed this out within the confines of her own mind.


    Then her grandfather''s disgusted face shed in her mind next as she remembered how he had looked at her. Those eyes¡­ so condemning and cold. She shuddered a little even thinking about it.


    "How could you have cast me away so easily like this? Didn''t I do everything a good granddaughter should have done despite all the cold treatment you have shown me all this while?" she wailed, gritting her teeth as another memory shed in her mind.


    It was a picture of herself when she was young and already being neglected while she watched her parents shower her sister with so much love. She remembered her young self being ignored as she held her perfect score test papers, intending to show them to her parents. However, what she ended up with was watching her parents hug and gift toys to her little sister while ignoring her, who was standing to the side.


    ''Why did everything turn out this way? How could all of them do this to me? Can anyone tell me? Why?!'' Her internal monologue went on and on. Her mind was screaming and hoping for a release¡­someway or somehow.


    Suddenly, she jammed both her feet on the breaks. Her car screeched to a halt in front of a bar along the highway called ''Devils'' Den''.


    Eva desperately drew in deep breaths. Her breathing was short andboured, theck of oxygen to her brain causing her vision to swim before her dangerously. She knew she had to calm down. She needed to calm down!


    After regting her erratic breathing and getting herself under control, Eva then stepped out and entered the bar. It was a normal barmon people visit, so the ce was quite packed.


    Leaning against the counter, Eva decided to get something stronger than her normal Pina Cda or Blue Hawaiian. She then proceeded to order a Long Ind Iced Tea ¨C with a request for it to be extra strong ¨C and then began to drink silently. She winced at the taste of the alcohol as it burned a fiery trail down her throat. However, she relished the sharpness and the sting that the drink brought her.


    The bartender eyed her as she sipped on her drink. "Seems that this is your first time drinking strong alcohol, eh, miss? Would you prefer to order something milder that mostdies drink instead? I can whip it up for you quickly." The bartender offered kindly.


    Eva smiled wryly at the bartender''s offer. "No, thanks. I''m alright. This drink is fine. Anyway, I am here to get drunk to my heart''s content for the first time in my life tonight!" Evaughed bitterly as she thought how ironic her life was. Thinking of how her life has turned out so far, she snorted in mockery at her current situation, and gulped her drink down in one go.


    After a while¡­she signalled the bartender to hit her with another ss of the same drink. Staring at her new ss of drink, Eva shook her head and smirked. Her eyes now looked a little unfocussed.


    Eva was starting to get really drunk. And she started having an engaging conversation with her ss.


    She pointed emphatically at the innocent ss sitting before her. "Now look at you. You have worked so hard and for so many long years. You have never experienced these kinds of things¡­" She then nced a little enviously at thedies recklessly dancing on the dance floor like they had no problem whatsoever in their lives.


    "All these normal things people usually enjoy." She added before she returned her gaze to her ss and continued scolding it. "Why? Because all you thought and cared about for your entire life up till now is that damnedpany which you thought was going to be yours forever. You never had a normal childhood and teenage life¡­ all because of your ridiculous dedication to earn as many degrees as possible, just so you could please and hope to impress your so-called family. And then you worked your ass off, giving your all. For what? Just to save the damnpany, even going to the extent of sleeping in your office for countless nights all alone. It still ended up not being yours! You never even had the time to pay attention to care for yourself and now look at you¡­ nobody values or cares about anything that you have done. Now your so-called family, that never actually considered you as their own, are even demoting you from your hard-earned position, so their beloved daughter can now take over. Even your fianc¨¦ threw you away as well. He must have likened you to some toy. Haha. What a dramatic life you have Evangeline Yo¡­" She droned on in a drunken state, not realising nor caring that she was looking so silly talking to a ss. Her smile faded and she gulped down another mouthful of her drink again.


    "That''s right, you''re not actually a Young. You are not even rted to them by blood! They never even considered you as their real family. You were just a pawn to them all along. Keep that in mind from now on. Make them all pay for casting you away, for treating you like some ve they could easily cast away whenever they wanted¡­ once they are done using you! Make them regret¡­ all of them¡­" Eva shouted out in anger, mming her fists on the counter. Damn her image. She did not care about it anymore.


    "And how are you going to make them regret what they did to you?" A deep and mellow voice suddenly spoke.


    Eva''s head snapped to her right and saw a man sitting next to her, looking so deliciously tempting in a ck suit. He was not looking directly at her but kept staring at his ss. She realised that even his side profile is so breathtaking.


    "I¡­ umm¡­" Eva did not know how to answer.


    "Do you have enough money and power to bring them all down?" The man finally nced over at her. And she was momentarily struck. His eyes were as dark as a moonless night framed with enviable thickshes and his face¡­ he was just too gorgeous to be real.


    Eva shook her head and instead of gaping at the gorgeous creature, she frowned at him.


    "I¡­ I¡­" she stammered and all of the sudden, she jumped from her seat and suddenly grabbed onto the man''s cor. "I don''t have enough money or power right now, but I will definitely find a way to bring them all to their knees! I''ll make them all beg!" She hissed, shaking with anger and frustration. "I will do everything, anything¡­ to make them all regret¡­ even if I have to sell my soul to the devil!" She said with determination shing in her beautiful eyes.


    The man smirked. He lifted his fingers and tucked some errant strands of her slightly mussed up hair behind her ear. "Be careful what you wish for, Miss. A certain devil here might really fulfil your wish and im your soul in exchange."


    "If that devil is really here, do introduce him to me, handsome. I would like to make a deal with him." Eva drawled out, smirking back at him.


    The man chuckled shortly. His eyes gleaming wickedly as if he''s looking at something very interesting. "How brave¡­ but I guess it''s because you''re drunk right now. You might want to wait until you are more sober, miss." His smile faded even as his eyes sparkled intensely. "Because once I introduce him to you, there would be no more turning back. It would be toote to regret."


    But Eva insisted loudly, "I am not drunk! Where is he? Tell me. And don''t worry¡­ even if he asks me to go to hell with him, I''ll dly follow. As long as he can give me all that I want."


    He only smiled. But then, he stood in a swift move and towered over her.


    Leaning over her face, he pinched her chin gently and tilted her face up to his before his deep and sexy voice echoed in her ears. "Alright, your wish is mymand. I will dly introduce you to him."

 Chapter 3 - 3

    <h4>Chapter 3: CHAPTER 3</h4>


    Eva''s eyes suddenly flew open, and she sat up quickly as her heart palpitated rapidly. She realised she had woken up inside arge room. The light in the room was bright. After looking around and observing the furnishings of the room, she noted that this room looked quite luxurious.


    ''Where am I? What''s with this extravagant room? Am I dreaming?'' These questions popped into her mind as she sat there on the bed, still unmoving. Then her head throbbed painfully. It felt as though a gigantic hand was continually squeezing her brain, trying to turn it into mush. Her hand flew to her head. And then she remembered what happened. She recalled that she entered a bar and decided to get a strong alcoholic drink. And she even asked the bartender to make it extra strong. It was no wonder she had gotten drunk. She remembered there was also a man involved somehow, but she could not remember his face.


    She could only remember herself putting her hand in his.


    Her eyes flew wide open at a sudden thought.


    ''Oh my god!'' she frantically checked herself, patting herself and taking stock of how she felt overall. She was still wearing her business suit and did not feel that her body was any different than usual. It was only her shoes and zer that were not on her. After a quick scan, she saw the missing items neatly arranged on a chair beside the bed she was in. Her sses were there too.


    She let out a relieved sigh.


    ''Nothing should have happened to me, right? I don''t feel anything amiss.'' She checked herself over again. And then she buried her face in her palms. ''Did that man bring me here? Oh my god, Eva¡­ what have you gotten yourself into!''


    She finally pulled herself and rose from the bed. ''Oh God, I stink like the sewers! Ugh!'' She scrunched her nose and grabbed her shoes and jacket and wore her sses.


    Barefooted, she stepped out of the room, and she gaped at the extravagant house.


    ''Oh¡­ my¡­ sweet lord¡­ am I inside an ancient chateau? Where on earth am I?'' Her eyes almost bugged out of their sockets as she looked around. The ce was massive andvishly furnished. Every single thing seemed to cost a considerable sum.


    She rushed towards the grand staircase. ''Marble steps¡­ bronze handrails, chandeliers, ballrooms¡­ this is definitely a house built in the 1800s!''


    When she reached the ground floor, she saw a gigantic firece with exquisite marble mantles and mirrored panels. ''Oh damn! There''s even a wicked firece too! How did I end up in a ce like this?''


    She looked around, mouth hanging open. The spacious ce was empty.


    Eva rushed towards the massive double doors. But before she could touch the doorknob, a voice sounded out and almost jolted her out of her own skin.


    "Escaping already, little kitten?" The voice was sinfully maic, and she felt inescapably drawn to it even before seeing the owner of that voice. Her skin prickled but not in an ufortable manner.


    Eva whipped around and saw who that voice belonged to. It was the beautiful man she met at the bar! She suddenly remembered his face after looking at him now. He was wearing a dark robe and his hair was damp. A ss of wine was heldnguidly in his hand.


    "You¡­ where am I?" She demanded, while trying to hide the fact that her heart was thumping wildly in its cage.


    "In hell." He smiled. A devilish smile.


    "What?" Eva creased her brows, taken aback by his answer. ''Was he trying to be funny?''


    He chuckled. "Did you not tell me earlier that you wished to meet with the devil?" A devilishly sensual smile swept across those thin but sexy lips. She could feel her blood rushing to her head at the very strange attraction she felt at his smile. This man felt like trouble!


    Eva red at him aggressively. ''Is this man trying to y games with me¡­'' Then in a sh, she suddenly remembered the things she had said to him in the club. She could feel herself choke on the words that she was about to shout out at him, and she faced palmed. She could barely hold in the groan that was threatening to escape past her lips. ''Ugh¡­ how embarrassing!'' And she screwed her eyes shut. Thankfully she had not yelled out those embarrassing words of disapproval. She would probably die of embarrassment if she had to apologise for her rudeness after being so brash. She praised whatever god that was watching over her for helping her withhold her poisonous tongue. She sweat-dropped as she saw a sexy and indolent smile curve on his lips.


    He walked closer to her. And then his forefinger was suddenly pressing gently but firmly on the lines gathered between her brows.


    "Easy there, pet ¨C" his voice sounded out and Eva felt as though it was a velvet nket being pulled over her sensitive skin. It gave her a weird sensation of a mix of both warmth and causing her to shiver at the same time.


    She caught his wrist and red at him. "Don''t call me that. I''m not your pet!"


    He chuckled then sighed. "You are being too serious, pet. Loosen up a bit ¨C" She flung his wrist aside and gave a very udylike snort at him.


    "I''m leaving. Thank you and sorry for the trouble I caused." Her words were curt, dismissive, and did not encourage further continuation for conversation.


    She turned and faced the door but¡­


    "Wait." He mmed his palm against the door right before her, making her heartbeat drum wild again. Then he bent and whispered in her ear. "If you think a simple thank you and sorry is enough for me¡­ then I will forward you my apologies. Sorry to disappoint you, Little Kitten, but this devil won''t be satisfied just by that alone. Especially, not after all the things that you did."


    Eva swallowed. ''Huh? Wait¡­ Things I did? What did I do?''


    "It seems you''ve yet to remember what you did, huh? Fine, then. I guess I''ll have to show you some evidence to convince you that I am not simply making things up." Eva shivered again at that mellow and sexy baritone that sounded just beside her ear.


    "E-evidence?" Eva stammered. He had some kind of evidence against her?!


    "Here''s the evidence, pet."


    Reluctantly, Eva turned around and saw him pulling on the ties that was keeping his robe closed.


    Then with anguorous smile on his face, he murmured sexily. "Right here, Little Kitten."


    His long tapering finger reached up and pointed at the two very obvious marks ¨C one hickey and one bite mark- that were decorating his neck and Eva''s eyes widened in shock.


    ___


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 Chapter 4 - 4

    <h4>Chapter 4: CHAPTER 4</h4>


    Hours ago.


    Back at the bar, the man had behaved very gentlemanly and led her out of the bar.


    Eva recognised her own car even through her drunkenness. She frowned at him. Did he not understand what she had told him earlier? Maybe she needed to make it more clear to him so he would not misunderstand her meaning.


    "Where''s the devil? You said that you''re going to bring me to meet with the devil. Are you telling me that this car of mine is the devil?" she red at him.


    But the gorgeous man chuckled softly in response. As if he found her reaction and her words amusing.


    "How adorable."


    "You¡­ you''re¡­! Are you trying to fool me here¨C" her temper erupted as she lost patience with this joker.


    "I am not, pet." His smile faded as he looked at her with a serious but gentle expression. "It''s just that, the devil has told me previously that he did not like talking to anyone who is still drunk. And you, my pet¡­ are so drunk I can bet you aren''t able to spell your own name forwards much less backwards. So, I am going to send you home for now. Don''t worry, I will introduce him to you myself the moment you''re nice and sober."


    "I told you I am not!" Her voice became loud. ''I. Am. Not. Drunk!'' Eva insisted to herself in her mind, not realising how unstable she was on her feet and raised her right arm somewhat shakily and pointed at the irritating man.


    She wobbled unsteadily and he stepped forward to catch and support her. The actions onlynded Eva into his ratherfortable and strong arms.


    "Hey! Be careful of your steps. What''s your home address? Or is there anyone I can call to pick you up?" The man gently asked. His face no longer held the teasing expression, instead, there was a faint hint of concern for thedy who still looked as though she could faint at any moment. He thought that though she was all bluff and bluster, she currently looked so frail that a strong gust of wind would be sufficient to blow her away. He stared at her pale face and waited for her to respond to his question.


    "Anyone to call¡­?" She repeated tonelessly after a few seconds of nking out, and her face suddenly fell and became utterly sad. He caught the sh of pain and loneliness in her eyes before she lowered those thick and longshes, hiding those clear orbs from his view.


    She smiled bitterly before scoffing.


    "I don''t want to go home. And there is no one¡­ no one that I could call." She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. He could feel her taking in a steadying breath, trying to gather herself together and holding back from just falling apart and copsing in front of him, a stranger. He could feel her tenacious willpower. He had to give it to her for not just melting into a puddle of blubbering mess even though she was this drunk. That spoke a lot of her willpower. This chick has got spunk. And he grinned to himself.


    Then she turned those clear eyes at him. There was no sign of the pain or loneliness that he saw earlier in those unclouded orbs, but they now shone with a strong and stubborn determination again.


    "She dragged him inside the car. "Don''t think that you can go around wasting my time here as well. Oh¡­ and I don''t think it''s wise for me to drive, so you drive." She ordered him around happily as though he was her personal butler as she pushed him down into the driver''s seat. Then she walked around and sluggishly lowered herself into the passenger''s seat before propping her head tiredly against the headrest.


    "Alright, now drive." Shemanded him as her eyes were already closed to rest her burning eyes.


    But the man did not start the car immediately at hermand. He simply looked quietly at her.


    Eva opened her eyes as she did not hear the car engine starting and turned to look at why they were still not moving. She frowned when she saw the man looking at her without budging. "Why are you not starting the car? What are you still waiting for?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. "Could it be that you''re waiting for a bribe? Fine, fine!"


    She grabbed her purse, but after rummaging around, she found that she had no cash on hand.


    "Fine, what do you want?" she asked tiredly after sighing helplessly.


    At that moment, a couple bumped into the front of their car. Eva saw two people cuddling. The woman was kissing the man''s neck and then she clearly saw that the woman bit him. She frowned at the sight but when the man carried her inside the car, she blinked. After that, Eva saw the car elerate out of the carpark.


    She whipped her head towards the man who was seated in the driver''s seat. He was just staring at her as if enjoying his time just looking at her. He arched one of his perfectly shaped brows in an unspoken question.


    Her expression became serious as she continued staring on silently. And then suddenly, as though she had made up her mind, she crawled towards him.


    His eyes widened seeing that she had climbed over the handbrake.


    "Since I have no money right now, I guess this should be enough." She said nonchntly as she had settled herself onto hisp.


    Suddenly, she lowered her head and kissed his neck, copying the exact same thing the girl they saw earlier did. The man bit his lower lip and then released it in a very slow manner.


    "Mmm¡­ you smell so good." Eva blurted out the first thing that she thought. She was not one who normally let loose no matter the situation. This just went to show how far gone she was.


    "You must stop that now, pet. Or else you''ll regret ¨C" his eyes widened because she suddenly bit down on him hard on his corbone.


    He in turn, stiffened for a moment before he bit on his lip again, cutting off the gasp that he almost let out. His throat worked and then his hand was about to touch her back when she jerked and covered her mouth with her hands.


    His eyes widened. "Wait, you''re not ¨C" However, his protests were toote as they were cut off by retching sounds from thedy on him.


    She threw up on his chest. And he could only stiffen in shocked surprise, as she groaned and threw up once again. The stink of the bile mixing with the alcohol in her stomach rose as a cloying odour.


    Shaking his head in disbelief, he half bit down on his lower lip as he ran his fingers through his hair helplessly looking down at her.


    Frustrated, he grabbed her shoulders and attempted to push her away from him. But before he could open his mouth to speak, she suddenly passed out.


    He could only look at her, speechless for a moment while his hands were still holding onto her limp form.


    "Now you''ve done it, you little red angel." He murmured as he put her back to her seat. Then abruptly, he stepped out of the car.


    He immediately took his jacket off and signalled to one of the bulky guards at the bar''s door. The guard quickly approached him, catching the suit and shirt he had taken off and thrown at the guard.


    In just a few moments, he was half naked and standing in the cool night breeze. He looked like a god of the night as he stood there with all those perfection.


    Letting out another sigh, he raked his hand through his hair as he stared at the car. Then he finally entered and sat in the driver''s seat. Her head fell on his shoulder, causing him to look at her.


    After blinking at her speechlessly, he smiled wryly again then he reached out and grabbed her, arranging her to sit asfortably as possible on hisp and resting her face into his sturdy, naked chest.


    "Alright. Since you are so hellbent on wanting to go, I''ll bring you to hell now, pet. You really gave me no choice." He patted her head as he allowed her to continue leaning on him. And then, he finally started the car and stepped down hard on the elerator as Eva''s car screeched out of the carpark.


    Check out theic version on tapas app for free. ^^

 Chapter 5 - 5

    <h4>Chapter 5: CHAPTER 5</h4>


    Back to the present¡­


    Eva facepalmed, remembering everything that happened. Oh, goodness! Now you have really gone and done it, Eva! She yelled at herself in her mind. She could not believe she could be that bold of a woman when drunk to that extent.


    It was not like this was her first time ever drinking alcoholic drinks. But she had never let herself get drunk to this extent before. She was all about self-control and discipline when ites to alcohol, until this time. It was because she had always believed that nothing good everes from getting drunk. She had seen too many people that had gotten themselves drunk and ended up embarrassing themselves big time. And since she was that kind of woman, who was ever so uptight and cared so much about her reputation, she had always put herself under her own strict surveince. She never allowed herself to get on the loose.


    However, now that she had thrown away her guard, she had indeed ended up embarrassing herself. My god! Alcohol really gives one nothing but a headache! And following that, a heartache too!


    When she returned her gaze to him, he was still smiling. For some reason, his wicked mouth that had curled at the sides was making her heart nervous.


    Eva had met quite a bevy of good looking men before. Especially in her line of work, she had even met with a few top tier celebrities and other big personalities and she was proud to say that she had built quite a tolerance when ites to handsome guys. A few had tried to seduce her, some were young studs who were desperate for rich and sessful sugar mommies. But Eva had never let any of those superficial meny their hands on her. In fact, just one sharp de-like gaze from her and the men nevere crawling back to bother her anymore.


    But this man. She had been ring at him for a while now, she even made a move to grab at his cor like she was some violent alpha woman. Most men would definitely run away and ignore a woman like her, because she knew that most men were suckers for soft, sweet and delicatedies. She, however, was far from soft, never sweet, and certainly not delicate¡­ and that was probably one of the biggest reasons why Julian had thrown her away like trash now that she had nothing left to her name.


    So why? Why was this man still stopping her from leaving? Why was he still smiling at her as though he finds her interesting? She knew she was never interesting as a woman! This guy¡­ What was he up to? Him behaving this way must be due to some ulterior motive!


    "Fine. What do you want?" Eva huffed in slight irritation as her gaze sharpened again. "How much do you ¨C" She caught her lower lip between her teeth as her eyes looked around the house that was screaming with luxury once again before her eyes fell back on him. Did a man living in such luxurious wealth even need money? But what if he was not the one who owned this house? But¡­ he looked¡­


    Her eyes travelled over him from head to toe. Why the hell did she feel as though he was like some high ranked aristocrat as well?!


    Eva had met a few aristocrats in the past and though she did not have the opportunities to meet kings and queens, she had met her share of princes and other lower ranked aristocrats. This was how she had an idea on the kind of air surrounding them. And she was surprised that this man actually had an even stronger presencepared to all those she had met before. Who is this man? Or was her observation and senses ying a trick on her?


    "Who are you?" Eva finally asked, eyes narrowing slightly.


    "Who am I¡­" his deep voice drawled out. "How about you guess, pet?"


    Eva creased her brows. "I don''t have time to y a guessing game with you."


    "That''s a shame then." He just smiled. It was strange how he seemed to be so tolerant about her uptight attitude. Most people, be it men or women, could not wait to end a conversation with her, except when the conversation was revolving purely around business. So why did this man sound like he was trying to drag their conversation on?


    "Alright," he stared at her, his wicked smile fading. "I am the Devil."


    Silence suddenly reigned between them for a moment. It was so quiet that an invisible crow might as well be seen flying over their heads.


    And then her imagination kicked into high gear, and she could very well imagine him with horns and a tail.


    She pped her forehead with her palm and then her expression abruptly returned to her usual business-like fa?ade again.


    "If you are not taking me seriously, then I''m leaving." She snapped, frowning at him when the man sipped at his wine with such grace. His intense gaze shooting at her right over the rim of his ss was mesmerising. And she could not help but watch his Adam''s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed his drink. This man¡­ Why did she feel like he was seducing her? And how could a man exude such overflowing sexiness and grace just by drinking wine?


    Eva shook her head to clear her mind. My god, this man is truly dangerous! She told herself. This was definitely a man every woman must be careful with. With that almost unreal look and charisma, he is definitely someone who was cursed by countless cuckolded boyfriends and husbands as well as being worshipped by hordes of women.


    Just as she was thinking to herself, she felt his fingertip lightly brush over the skin between her brows again, as if to smoothen the deep lines that were furrowing there.


    "This line here will truly be permanent if you keep frowning so hard like this, my pet." He said and Eva roughly caught his wrist again.


    "And whose fault is it that I am frowning like this? I''m saying it for thest time, if you''re not taking me seriously then I''m leaving." Eva groused, feeling a massive headacheing on.


    "I am taking you very seriously, pet."


    Eva narrowed her eyes. Then she gave a small, very udylike snort.


    "You''re saying that you telling me ''I am the Devil'' is you being verryyy serious." She emphasised on the word ''very'' before sighing heavily, shaking her head. "I am not drunk anymore. So stop ying around with me. If you won''t, then just let me leave. I told you I don''t have time for games like this."


    "Alright, alright." He looked as though he had finally given in, and then his expression became serious, almost business-like butbined with a kind of unsettling grace. He stretched his hand out to her.


    "Gage. I''m Gage Acheron."


    Eva stared at hisrge hand. Gage¡­ Acheron¡­ where had I heard this name before? She thought to herself inwardly but no matter how hard she tried, she could not remember anyone she knew with such a name or surname. She took his hand with a business-like face and manner. As if she had just met up with a business partner for the first time.


    "Eva. I''m Eva You ¨C"


    Before she couldplete her surname, Eva bit her lower lip off, remembering her situation again. Her grandfather and her ex-fianc¨¦e. The fact that she felt they had disowned her now as soon as they found out she was not their biological family and the fact that her fianc¨¦ cheated on her and even¡­


    She clenched her fists tight and then she squared her shoulders. She refused to give others a show to see in front of aplete stranger.


    Making herself all tough and brusque, her eyes became fierce as she looked at him straight in the eyes.


    "Mr. Acheron. I am truly sorry for what I did to you. I was drunk and¡­"


    The scene of that moment when she bit him shed in her mind and involuntarily, she blushed. But again, she brushed it off quickly from her thoughts. Clearing her throat, she focussed on the matter at hand.


    "I know you don''t look like someone who is in dire need of money. But money is all I have to pay you for the inconvenience I have caused." She told him.


    He swirled the wine in his ss.


    "Hmm. That would be problematic, pet. But since I am the victim here, don''t you think I should be the one deciding on what kind ofpensation I want?"


    "V-victim?" Eva stuttered a little.


    Her eyes fell on the bite mark on his neck. And she felt the heat rise to her cheeks again.


    "Mr. Achero-"


    "Just Gage." He drawled as he waved off her earlier calling of his name. "No need to be formal with me, pet."


    "Alright Gage. What is it that you want?" Eva acquiesced to his request.


    A slow smile curved across his lips now. A smile looking so mischievously hot. Damn this man to hell! There is no need for you to smile like that!


    "I won''t ask for much, pet. I just want you to stay with me¡­ in this house¡­ until this bite mark and hickey disappear." He spoke leisurely, all the while still swirling the wine in his ss. "That shouldn''t be all too hard to do, right?"


    Eva blinked. Speechless. W-what?!


    A/N: Comic version of this chapter is out on tapas app. Go check it out for FREE.

 Chapter 6 - 6

    <h4>Chapter 6: CHAPTER 6</h4>


    W-what? He wanted her to stay in this dreamlike house with him until those marks on him disappeared? Wait¡­ would that not take quite a long time?! Both the bite mark and hickey, if left to heal on their own, would take at least seven to ten days or all the way up to two weeks. And from the little that she had interacted with this man, he would definitely drag it for the whole two weeks. That means a whole fourteen days!


    Eva blinked and her mouth gaped open in shock, very simr to a fish that had jumped andnded out of water. She could not believe what he had just said. But slowly, the surprised look on her face eventually turned into suspicion. This man¡­ he most definitely should be joking around with her. He was ying with me again, right? Eva thought, insisting to herself that there was no way this kind of man, who could live in such a luxurious mansion, was serious about what he just said. Right¡­?


    She turned her eyes to him and stared at him with a serious gaze now. Her expression had since changed from that somewhat silly and adorably shocked open-mouthed expression to bing all strict and business-like again.


    ''Right, I''m sure that anytime now, he is going tough the moment I fall for his joke!'' She told herself confidently as she focussed her gaze on him, observing his facial expressions closely as she waited for hisugh to erupt which would indicate that he was kidding the whole time.


    However, stare as she might, thatughter that she had expected did note. He had just stood there, looking at her with the same unchanging calm expression. It was as though he was still waiting for her response to his earlier proposition and Eva finally creased her brows. What?! Was he really serious about that condition? He was not joking?!!


    Her lips parted and her palms started getting a little damp as she felt nervousness running through her veins. She was speechless. She had fully prepared herself to be pped with some seriouspensation for her slip up, but he had just wanted her to¡­ wait¡­ Wait a minute!


    Eva''s eyes slowly stretched wide at the thought that came to her. There is no way¡­ could it be that¡­


    Her eyes narrowed and her gaze at him suddenly turned to be more using. There was even a sh of contempt that could be seen in her eyes as she was almost certain that this man was definitely making her stay for that. So, this man was just like the rest of them! Hah! She had thought that maybe he would be cut from a different cloth from those lowlifes.


    The sharp gaze she was currently throwing at him made Gage lift a brow slightly in question. He was wondering how this woman''s mind worked as he could see the in disdain that she was shooting at him with those clear and sharp eyes of hers. Then a slight frown appeared on his gorgeous face before he sighed as a thought crossed his mind.


    Running his fingers through his hair with a somewhat offended half-smile on his face, Gage broke the silence. "If you think that I am asking you to stay that duration so you can serve me in bed, then I''m sorry to disappoint you, but you''re wrong, pet." His eyeszily swept her form from head to foot.


    W-what? Was I wrong in thinking that way? Eva scrutinized his face and when she saw that he seemed to be serious about his proposition and that what she had thought of his so-called hidden agenda was not what it was, she could only blush in shame. But at the same time, she felt that she could finally rx a little. It was worth experiencing a little embarrassment if she could have peace of mind from men who tried to seduce her or y her.


    Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze and pretended to look around, being interested with the surrounding things. "So you''re saying that I''ll just need to stay here¡­ until my bite marks on you disappear?" She echoed his earlier conditions, as if she was still unable to believe it.


    He nodded. "Correct. Cause I''m in a dire need of apanion right now."


    Speechless again, Eva looked at him with a deadpan expression on her face. Huh? This man¡­ is he a kid in need of apanion just because he is home alone? Could it be just that simple?


    "My maid has run away, and I still need some time to look for a recement maid. So since you''re already here¡­ and you do need topensate me. Therefore, I guess this would be the most convenient arrangement I cane up with on such short notice." He added while nodding to himself, still looking very serious.


    Eva could only stand there and look at him, talking to herself inwardly. M-maid? So he was actually nning to make me his temporary maid? Is he even serious?! She was screaming out in her mind.


    "Any more questions Miss Eva? Don''t tell me that you aren''t satisfied with my conditions? You''re not going to tell me you would rather me bed you than have you stay with me and apany me, are you¡­" He trailed off when she red harder at him.


    And he shed that devilish smile of his again, causing her to not help but lose herposure for a moment. She was currently wishing for nothing better than to strangle his very sexy neck!


    "Fine." she bit out curtly and immediately, within the safe confines of her mind, she pped her own forehead. God dammit! Why do I feel like this sly devil is tricking me? But¡­ I do not really have a choice here, right? I have not seen anyone else inside this huge house aside from him. Could it be that he is really all alone and...


    ''Alright, rx Eva¡­ just calm down. No point getting your panties in a bunch. Let us go with the flow for now and just stay alert. We can y it by ear.'' Eva talked to herself and her internal monologue helped calm her down somewhat.


    Read in advance on my pa-treon.


    link ??


    /kazzenlx


    [chapter 6 ofic version is also out on Tapas app. ^^]

 Chapter 7 - 7

    <h4>Chapter 7: CHAPTER 7</h4>


    When Eva let out a deep breath, his smile widened and he patted her head as though patting a puppy.


    "Good girl." He said and his deep voice sounded amused. But when Eva red at him again, he chuckled lightly before removing his hand off her head.


    "Stop doing that. I''m not a child." She muttered as she patted her own head, trying to smooth out any stray hairs.


    "Alright, so from this moment on, you''re not allowed to leave this house until¡­" he pointed at the bite mark on his neck, his devilish smile not disappearing. "¡­this thing here disappears."


    He turned around and Eva could only stand there, watching him walk ever so gracefully towards the firece and plopped himself down into a plush cushion there, crossing his legsfortably.


    Eva bit on her lips as she began debating with herself inwardly again. Damn. What the hell did I just get myself into? All these are just coincidences and my awful luck for running into such a beautiful¡­ weird man, right? Right? But¡­ what if that handsome devil might actually have an ulterior motive? What if he is just luring me like¡­


    She face palmed, frustrated at her thoughts right now. Well, this was the very first time she ever encountered a situation like this. She did not know how to deal with a man like this when her cold treatment and res did not seem to ward him off her. And no way! There was absolutely no way this man would bother luring someone like her! If he wanted a woman, he could just make a call and goddesses woulde flocking towards him!


    "Come over here, pet." His sexy voice echoed and pulled Eva''s thoughts back to the present. She returned her gaze to him and saw him there, waving his hand elegantly at her. And Eva did not know why, but she just walked towards him without her even realising she had already done so.


    She immediately halted when she realised she was already less than five steps away from him. But she thought that she was still a little light-headed. She had been feeling her head throbbing for a while now since she had woken up. She knew that it was a hangover.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked when he saw her slight frown.


    "Don''t you think I should go home first?" Eva retorted quickly, trying to find a way to leave.


    Gage tilted his head slightly. "Why?"


    "Well, I don''t have any clothes with me."


    "I''ll get someone to buy you everything you need for the time that you are here." He picked up his phone and made a call as he was saying that. And as soon as the call was connected, he continued. "I need clothes for a woman."


    "Wait¡­ wait a moment." Eva was bbergasted at how quick his response was.


    Gage lifted a brow at her as he moved the phone away from his ear. "Our bargain is already finalized, pet. I said you can''t leave this ce until these marks disappear. You agreed earlier. No reneging on your words, pet."


    Eva was about to retort again but her head suddenly throbbed painfully, and her hand flew to her head.


    "Now go back to that room you came from, my dear pet and take a shower to freshen up. I''ll bring your clothes over in a few moments." He waved her off and continued talking to the person on the other side of the phone again.


    Eva could only bite her bottom lip in frustration and turned around. For some reason, she felt something peculiar when he had mentioned to her that their bargain was finalised. Was there really something or was it just her overactive imagination?


    Her head throbbed again, and this time she groaned out loud, pressing her knuckles into her temples hard as she ascended the stairs again. She realised that she really needed this shower to clear her mind. Maybe that would help her think of something to make him agree to let her go. Or maybe she would just wake up from this weird dream.


    ¡­


    A little whileter inside the luxurious bathroom, Eva let out a deep sigh as she soaked in the tub where she was submerged to her shoulders in hotvender scented water. This just felt like heaven to her! Then a smallugh escaped her lips as she shook her head a little.


    It seems that this was not a dream after all. She really hade across a devilishly handsome but mysterious and weird guy who wanted her to be his temporary maid. She was notughing because she was going to honour her end of the bargain and act as his maid. Cleaning was easy for her. Though she was raised in a rich family, when she was in boarding school, she had always done her own chores. She can literally do anything, except for cooking. She was totally bad at it. That was why that devil''s condition was not a big deal to her¡­ it was just that she had some trouble believing in it. And she really could not quite figure out if he was just doing this for fun or there was some other agenda he was nning at.


    The most frustrating thing was that she did not really have a choice right now. She could not afford to make a mistake and create another problem. Especially because this man looked to be filthy rich just judging from the mansion that he is living in. She, of all people, knew just how crazy extremely rich people could get when things did not go their way.


    When she was done with her bath and finally stepped out of the bathroom, Eva looked at the clothes that were already neatlyid out on the bed. It wasplete even to the point of having a set of undergarments!


    Speechless, Eva lifted the pink coloured pyjamas and nced at the skin-coloured bra and panties. The pyjamas had small bears printed all over.


    Again, Eva did not know what to say. When was thest time she had ever worn something so cute and childish such as this? Thinking back, it was about the time when she was still in high school. That devil¡­

 Chapter 8 - 8

    <h4>Chapter 8: CHAPTER 8</h4>


    Sighing, Eva hastily got dressed. She must speak to him again. Her mind had cleared up somewhat now after her bath, so she might be able to think of a persuasive reason to convince him to let her go. There was no harm trying her luck.


    When she reached the living room, Gage was still there but he was dressed now. Thank god! His ridiculously perfect body was truly distracting!


    Though¡­ looking at him now, she ended up pinching the skin between her brows because despite him wearing a grey shirt, he still managed to look as distracting as before. Shirtless or not! Damn this man!


    Prepared to immediately speak as soon as she reached him, Eva had just halted and opened her mouth when her stomach decided to ''speak up'' first.


    Silence reigned. A crow flew above them again. Then her stomach gave out another loud growl that could not be ignored.


    She face-palmed, her ears reddened hotly with embarrassment. But as she put down her hands and was about to speak to cover the rumbling sounds of her stomach, she was shocked at the sight of him suddenly appearing right before her and squatting down.


    Her eyes went as wide as saucers as she looked down at him, wondering what he was up to this time. Before she could say anything, she saw him putting a pair of white slippers before her bare feet.


    Her lips gaped open, never expecting this action from him at all. He looked up, looking absolutely handsome that she had to catch her breath.


    "Wear these." He said simply and Eva just blinked at that pair of white house slippers. She was dumbstruck.


    What¡­ what is he doing? Did he not¡­ had he not asked her to stay as the recement for his maid? Then why is he¡­


    "Anything wrong?" his voice nearly jolted her out of her skin. She snapped out of her daze, clearing her throat before attempting to speak.


    "N-nothing," she replied, averting her gaze from him as she hastily slid her cold feet into the warm fluffy slippers. She sighed out softly at how warm and toasty her feet felt in it. Inwardly, she was shaking her head hard as if to ward off some silly thoughts.


    "Alright,e along with me, pet." He then started walking and Eva followed obediently behind him for now, trying to regain her lostposure again. When she realised that he was leading her to the kitchen, she took a deep breath. Something popped into her mind. Alright, this was her chance. He was definitely going to ask her to cook! She remembered how everyone reacted when she had tried to cook before. She could still remember the horror on everyone''s face upon tasting her food. Well, she knew herself how awful her cooking skills were, so she totally understood why they had shown her that face. If this sly devil tasted her food, he would definitely throw her out, right? That was for sure!


    Silently, Eva uttered a ''let''s do it'' while clenching her fists tightly behind him.


    ¡­


    Momentster in the kitchen¡­


    Eva was sitting silently, drinking, suspiciously observing the man cooking, over the rim of her ss. When they had entered the kitchen earlier, the devil did not actually ask her to cook. Surprisingly instead, he had even pulled out a chair for her and made her sit and watch.


    When she had attempted to stand up and offer him some help, he ordered her to stay still and wait. This caused Eva to just sit there, looking utterly confused and speechless. What was going on? Was I not supposed to be the one cooking as the temporary maid? Why did it be him ordering me to just sit here to wait and just watch? Oh gods! I really have no idea what is going on here anymore.


    Eva pinched the skin between her brows again, feeling as though she was going to have another pounding headache again. I just cannot understand what is with this man and what is going on around here anymore. She kept telling herself.


    No matter how much she thinks about it, there was no way she coulde up with any logical reason for why he is behaving this way. She could not help but feel even more suspicious now!


    Sooner than she had expected, he was done cooking and a fragrant and steaming bowl of soup was ced before her. Eva salivated at the sight of the delicious food. She swallowed before her saliva could drool out of her mouth.


    When she lifted her eyes, he was sitting across from her, smiling.


    "Go on, dig in. This will be good for your hangover." He said, resting his temple against his knuckles as if preparing to watch her eat that way. "You watched me like you were trying to solve an intricate puzzle the entire time I was cooking. I''m sure you will see it if I put something weird in there."


    Eva cleared her throat before unceremoniously grabbing the utensils, narrowing her eyes a little at him. She scooped a spoonful of soup, blowing on it to cool it a little before sipping it, allowing it to coat her tongue before swallowing it. And wow! She felt her shoulder rxing just at the taste of it.


    "How is it?" He asked, looking so dazzling that Eva almost choked on her second mouthful.


    "It''s good," was all she could say. Damn you! How could you cook so well, too? This is bad. I am hungry and this is probably the most delicious chicken noodle soup I have ever tasted! She screamed in her mind. It was warm, with just the right hints of saltiness from the seasonings and sweetness from the root vegetables. The vours were so simple, yet at the same time soplex.


    He just smiled as he watched her devour and enjoyed the soup to the point that she seemed to have forgotten all about his existence before her.


    Then he pushed a te of French toasts before her as well.


    Eva was finally jolted out of her soup tasting heaven and stopped drinking before looking up at him. Her eyes narrowed with obvious suspicion now and said, "You''re not actually a male witch in disguise nning to fatten me up before eating me, are you?"


    Read the novel in advance on pat-re-on.


    /kazzenlx (remove the dash ^^)


    Read theic version for Free on tapas app

 Chapter 9 - 9

    <h4>Chapter 9: CHAPTER 9</h4>


    "You''re not actually a male witch trying to fatten me up before eating me are you?" Eva said suspiciously and Gage threw his head back andughed.


    The sound of hisugh was just so sexy, it was so pleasing to Eva''s ears it sparked tingles in her auditory canals and sent delicious shivers down her back. Not only did the man cook yummy food, even hisugh sounded so mouth-watering! My god¡­ this guy''s really too good to be real, isn''t it?!


    Surreptitiously peeking at him through her thickshes that were lowered, Eva realized he was truly looking so amused at herments that she had thrown out earlier. Then her eyes just subconsciously fell on his thin sinuous lips.


    A faint blush crept through Eva''s cheeks so she quickly averted her eyes from his tantalising lips and suddenly just blurted out inwardly, ''Damn this man to hell! Why did he have to look this handsome? I should be negotiating with him right now, not admiring his handsomeness like he''s some greek god! Get a hold of yourself Eva!''


    "Hmm¡­ What if I am indeed a male witch, pet?" he said as soon as he stoppedughing. He rested his head on his knuckles again as he stared at her, one sexy eyebrow lifted and a corner of his lips lifting. "What are you going to do about it?"


    Eva face-palmedically at the realization of what she had just blurted out. Her face reddened again as she wished that the floor would just open up beneath her and swallow her whole! ''Dammit!! Why the hell did I even say that out aloud!? What''s going on with me embarrassing myself like this? This devil is really making me embarrass myself big time before him and he''s even got the cheek to enjoy it! And right in my face too! Urghh¡­!''


    However, though she could feel the heat radiating off her cheeks, she bravely lifted her eyes to look at him, trying to keep her face as straight as possible, pretending as though she had not said anything embarrassing at all.


    Clearing her throat, she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "Well, if you''re indeed a male witch, I''d like you to help me find my phone. I can''t remember where I had left it. I just can''t seem to find it no matter how I look."


    Gage just smiled. "Ah, yes. Your phone." It was a suave smile that sent another round of shivers up and down her spine and caused her to be wary of his actions. He then casually slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the said phone before handing it to her in his outstretched arm.


    "I took it along with me when I saw it sitting at the bar''s counter just before we left. Because I noticed it was in front of you when you left it there, pet. I had just forgotten to hand it over to you a while ago since so many things had been happening."


    Eva took the phone back from him hesitantly, a little worried if he would pull a trick on her. Then she immediately flipped it open to give it a quick check.


    After turning on her phone, it immediately started ringing. Notifications for messages continued ringing one after another, telling her ¨C and Gage ¨C that there were tonnes of messages that hade in while her phone was turned off. Listening to the constant ringing of her phone''s notifications it surprised her as she had not expected any calls or texts to being for her. Then her ringing tone sounded. Looking down at her phone screen, she saw that it was her secretary calling.


    Eva stared at it for a few seconds, not knowing how to react. Then she looked at Gage and politely excused herself. "Sorry, I need to pick this up."


    "Go on." Gage replied casually and waved his hand, indicating him not minding her taking that call.


    Eva walked to a corner of the kitchen and swiped across her phone. "Yes, May? What is ¨C" before she could finish her sentence, her secretary cut her off on the other end.


    "Oh my god, ma''am! You''re finally answering your phone! Where are you? Did you see the news? Themotion it stirred up on social media is fanatical!" May did not give her anytime to respond and blurted out everything at one go, sounding so relieved that she finally managed to get to her boss.


    Eva frowned to herself. Whatmotion was her secretary referring to? "Slow down. What do you mean bymotion? My phone was turned off the whole time, so I have yet to check the news."


    The secretary eximed. "My god! Boss!! I''m talking about your announcement! You even made an announcement that you have officially stepped down as CEOst night, effective immediately!"


    Eva''s eyes widened as her secretary''s voice was still ringing in her ears. All the anger that she felt yesterday untilst night wasing back. "I never made any announcement." She bit out. Her tone was cold and sharp, sounding as des that would draw blood to whomever it was directed to. "I didn''t step down! They¡­"


    "I know, Boss. But now rumours are already spreading that the real reason why you submitted your resignation is because you have been found guilty of fraud and misconduct! My god! I''m not sure of what to do anymore, ma''am! My phone is ringing off the hook from the reporters that are trying to get an inside scoop on this. Where are you? Please tell me. I cane get you." Her secretary rambled on.


    Eva''s grip on her phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. What? Fraud? Misconduct?!


    She ended the call without answering and quickly browsed through the messages in her phone inbox and skim read all the texts asking her if the rumours were all true. Her fingers started to shake.


    Her phone rang again but this time, she did not bother to answer it. Her shaking just became stronger until the phone fell from her hand.

 Chapter 10 - 10

    <h4>Chapter 10: CHAPTER 10</h4>


    "What happened?" the sexy deep voice echoed as he bent and picked up the phone on the floor.


    Abruptly, Eva turned around and faced the wall obviously to hide her expression from him, from this stranger. "Nothing. Please help me turn the phone off," she managed to say in a small voice.


    Gage looked at her for a long while before turning the phone off as she had requested. Once that was done, his gaze fell at her shaking shoulders when suddenly, his head whipped towards the threshold.


    His mouth twitched a little before he spoke. "I have an unwanted visitor, pet. You wait here. I''ll be right back."


    As soon as he left, Eva buried her face into her palms as she screamed within her mind. ''What?! Fraud? Misconduct?! Are you all kidding me?! Why? Why must you go to this extent? How could you do this to me? Are all of you really serious about nning to destroy mepletely? Why?!''


    mming the side of her fist against the wall, Eva swore under her breath, "I will never forgive any one of you!" Her eyes were gleaming with anger and unshed tears. She would brand this mistreatment against her in her heart and would never forget it. "I swear I will make you all pay ten-fold for every single wrong you have done to me!"


    Ovee with anger, Eva walked out of the kitchen. She still did not know what to do or where to even begin. However, she just wanted to do something right now or else she swore she would totally lose it. First things first, she must leave this house so she could go and start dealing with this! If she were to just stay here and wait around, she might end up exploding in anger! No! She refused to just let those bitches do this to her!


    Her steps were hurried as she stormed towards the living room. But she suddenly halted the moment she saw Gage sitting leisurely and graciously in that same chair again. Her eyes fell to a man handsomely dressed in ck and wearing fine wire framed sses who was standing before Gage.


    Eva''s eyes widened as she recognised him. ''Wait! Isn''t that¡­ Mr. Park? That''s the infamous secretary of Mr. Carlson, the CEO of ACEON''s Enterprise! What is he doing here?!''


    And before she had realised, she had already hidden herself behind the wall.


    "Sir, Master sent me here to ask you onest time. If you''re still not interested in taking the CEO position for ACEON''s, the chairman will give the position to someone else. He has already prepared a list of candidates to choose from." Mr. Park informed Gage as he directly mentioned the fact that he was not the only person in the running for that position.


    Eva was taken aback as she thought, ''What? Wait¡­ this man¡­ he''s being offered the position as the next CEO of ACEON? My rivalpany? What the hell''s going on? Who is this man?''


    Gage only raised a brow and replied, "Hmm¡­ CEO, huh? But that''s a lot of work, Mr. Park." He drawled outzily and surprisingly, Mr. Park doesn''t look surprised at all at Gage''s attitude.


    "Oh,e on, Sir. You''re the one who co-founded thepany when you''re younger. You and I know you can handle this position easily." The secretary coaxed. He was patient and it seems like the man was already used to this.


    "I have already long since lost interest in this project, Mr. Park. You know that very well. If I be the CEO, I''ll most probably cause thepany''s downfall." Gage smirked evilly, a wicked smile saying that he wouldn''t even care if thepany would go bankrupt under his leadership. "Lack of motivation is a serious w, and you know you can''t force that. The only thing I can gain from this is more money. However, you and I both know how useless that is to me ¨C something that I already have a great amount of. Why would I want to work my ass off to earn more money when I already have more than what I can never even finish spending in this lifetime?"


    The secretary sighed, looking defeated even before he could start. How was he going to report back to his master?! "Err¡­ well, the master just thought that maybe you''re bored now and might want to work hard again?" He had to give some excuse even though it sounded some in his own ears after saying it.


    "Ah, I''d be bored to death if I actually took on that position, Mr. Park." Gage teased Mr. Park and smirked at him.


    Mr. Park sighed quietly before giving up on trying to persuade Gage. "Al¡­ Alright, I understand, sir. I will forward your message to the master so he will be able to start choosing from the list of candid ¨C"


    "Wait!" Eva''s voice echoed in the spacious living room.


    The secretary looked so shocked as he whipped her head towards Eva while Gage just smiled faintly as he turned over towards Eva''s way. But Eva''s gaze was so focused on Mr. Park she missed the smile that shed across Gage''s face.


    Hastily, Eva walked towards them, her face extremely serious and determined and almost scary.


    Mr. Park, who was already taken aback at the sight of a woman actually inside the mansion, was baffled again when he recognized the woman striding over to them with determined steps. "Miss Young?! W-w-what are you doing here ¨C" he was so shocked at her presence that he was stammering when he spoke.


    "She''s my guest." Gage offered his exnation, eyes sharply observing the behaviours of the two people before him.


    Mr. Park was dumbstruck as his head continued looking from Eva to Gage and back again, seemingly unable to ept that there was some kind of rtionship between these two persons.


    Eva looked at Mr. Park and addressed him, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Park. We''ll be back in a while." She then grabbed Gage''s hand and unceremoniously pulled him back into the kitchen.

 Chapter 11 - 11

    <h4>Chapter 11: CHAPTER 11</h4>


    Eva stared hard at him and then took a long deep breath before speaking, "Are you¡­ are you really going to reject that offer?" she asked, eyes narrowed.


    Gage shed her a lopsided smile. "Let''s just say¡­ I''m prettyzy, pet." He then winked yfully. "I don''t have a n to spend my bachelor''s life just sitting in a chair all day and even nights just to make more money I don''t even need. I''m already a filthy rich heir and even have my money working for me already, numerous investments and everything that I need to live a carefree life. So I''m actually retiring now."


    Eva pinched the skin between her brows. ''Arrogant bastard!'' She could not help but curse at him in her mind and wished that she could wring that sexy neck of his.


    Though she knew he''s just probably being honest, Eva still couldn''t help but want to¡­ ugh! She shook her head and her gaze at him then became extremely serious and determined.


    "Then hire me." She said. Although there was a tinge of desperation in her voice, her blue eyes were zing with nothing but confidence and unwavering will. At that moment, she looked like a tiger determined to get something. "Hire me. You may not have any idea who I am, but I am the CEO-¡­ I mean, former CEO of XY Corporation. Hire me and I promise to bring ACEON to the top again and crush XY Corp. in the process!"


    Gage''s eyebrow simply raised. But due to Eva''s desperation, she failed to notice that he didn''t look very surprised at all. "So¡­ You''re that female CEO who made XY overtake ACEON, hmm?"


    "Yes. That''s me. So hire me. I promise I can deliver what I say." Eva replied aggressively, eyes zing with nothing but determination.


    Gage rubbed his chin. His mystifying gaze scrutinizing Eva.


    "I know the chairman and board will not ept me, with me being thepetitor''s CEO. Wait¡­ even though now I am the ex-CEO, there is still no way that they would be willing to hire me especially if they hear the rumours..." she paused and struggled to keep her bearing straight. "That''s why you should ept the position and then hire me to do all the work for you, since your reason is because you''rezy. I don''t mind. All you have to do is appear here and there for some meetings and then cooperate with me in crushing XY Corp." Eva rushed and exined all that in one breath.


    Gage hummed as he continued rubbing his chin. "You really want to do all the work while hiding behind me as my shadow? You''ll not be getting any recognition at all by doing that¡­"


    "I don''t care. I''m fine with it. All I want is to take revenge right now. I''ll make them all regret. I told you, I will do anything to get back at them. I want them to feel the pain of losing something they treasure so much! And this is only the beginning. I intend to fully pay them back for their wonderful ''care'' of me with added interest!!" And her eyes zed with fury as she spat every word out. She definitely looked as though she was a she-devil ready to rain punishment down on those who wronged her.


    Gage kept his gaze on her.


    "I am being very serious. I told you, even if I have to make a bargain with the devil, I''ll do it." Eva hissed out as her eyes threw out sparks. It was evident that she was dying to get her revenge.


    "You did say that¡­ you said you are even ready to sell your soul to the devil." Gagemented with a peculiar look in his eyes.


    "Yes." Eva didn''t waver. "If that''s what it takes."


    "Alright," Gage noddedzily and anguid smile spread on his thin but sexy lips. He leaned against the wall as his gaze remained fixated on her. "Let''s make a deal then, pet. I''ll give it to you. All the things that you want¡­"


    Eva exhaled in relief after hearing him ept her ideas. But at the same time, she felt a little nervous now on what he will say next.


    "However¡­ Are you certain you''re willing to do anything in exchange, hmm? Pet?" Gage suddenly brought this matter of payment up.


    Eva nodded furiously and she quickly answered. "Yes! Anything!"


    Her unfazed expression and zing eyes made Gage smile. Then he cocked his head and crossed his arms. "Are you really sure?" he asked again and Eva felt like wanting to strangle his sexy neck again.


    "I. Am. Sure. Mr. Acheron." She said firmly, even stressing word by word.


    He sighed and suddenly bent to whisper in her ear. "How about¡­ Gage, darling?!" he almost purred as he smiled yfully, causing Eva''s mouth to step back as if scalded.


    She felt like she momentarily forgot all the chaos in her mind and heart. "W-what are you¡­" she could only stammer before sighing to take back herposure. "Will you please stop doing that? I am serious here¡­ please stop throwing me off!"


    "Alright, looks like you''re a bit rxed now." hemented as if he didn''t hear her and leaned against the wall again. Just as Eva thought he''s finally back to business again, he rubbed his chin. "But ''Gage, darling'' sounds great, right, pet?"


    ''Gage, darling your face!'' Eva barely stopped herself from voicing that out.


    When Eva started to re at him again, he chuckled shortly but his expression became immediately serious just as Eva was about to blow up.


    "Alright," his voice and the look in his eyes no longer have any hint of yfulness anymore. "Then I''ll be stating my price for the bargain."


    Eva waited nervously, twiddling her fingers as the man looked at her and still remained silent. Knowing that making a deal with a devil would always¡­ always cost something big, Eva prepared to brace herself. She knew this wasing. The price of the bargain.


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 Chapter 12 - 12

    <h4>Chapter 12: CHAPTER 12</h4>


    When his dark gaze stared into her eyes deeply, Eva''s heart palpitated even more. She had already prepared herself to expect the worst. Because she of all people was well aware of how this world works. If you want something big, pay something big. That was a given because the world just worked that way. And she was well aware that in making a deal with a devil, nothing will ever go right, except that she will get that one thing she bargained for.


    As Gage parted his lips, Eva subconsciously held her breath. "Marry me."


    Eva''s mind screeched to a halt. She could literally hear tire screeches in her mind. She was dumbfounded for a while.


    Eva blinked a few times, but she quickly managed to respond. "Wha¡­ What? Wait, wait!! What?"


    Gage chuckled softly as he was so amused at Eva''spletely dumbfounded reaction.


    "You¡­ you''re not trolling me, are you?" Eva narrowed her eyes at him.


    "I''m not trolling you, Eva." Gage''s expression became serious, and Eva could only look at him in shock and helplessness.


    "You¡­ you really want to marry me? W-why?" she asked. This was just too shocking. So shocking that she did not even know what to say. M-marriage? He could not be serious about this! Right¡­?


    He tilted his head to the side a little. "Isn''t the answer to that question obvious?"


    "You¡­ want a wife¡­"


    "Need a wife." He corrected her.


    Eva pressed her temples. "But¡­ but why? Is it because your old man is threatening you that he won''t give your inheritance if you don''t get married as soon as possible?!" Eva blurted out. She knew that this kind of thing happening was verymon in the upper sses of society. Many heirs were forced to get married by their family and most of the time, these heirs could only opt for a marriage of convenience.


    He tilted his head slightly again and then he nodded. Eva was so busy with her own thoughts that she missed the peculiar look in his eyes right before he nodded his answer.


    "But¡­ why me? I mean I''m just a stranger. Wait¡­ you''re just going to do this for a show, right? I mean you''re going to marry me then divorce me after a set time has passed once you received what you wanted, am I right?" Eva''s mind just kept giving her ideas. Ideas she knew were very much possible. She was not ignorant about these things because she was aware that these truly happen in their world. In their world, marriages of conveniences or marriages with benefits were the norms and love¡­ she honestly did not know if that still even mattered to them. Because she had seen and heard too much to doubt that.


    And this was the only exnation she could think of on why this man would even want to marry her. This man, who could easily marry any rich and beautiful girl out there just with that look and status.


    It still baffled her though why on earth would he even choose her. Her, an unwanted nobody who does not have the beauty nor even a status right now. Not to mention that her name was being ruined even further even at this moment.


    ''Maybe because he wanted a useful woman like you?'' her inner demoness whispered in her ear. ''You even offered to do all thepany''s work for him after all. And it seems he already perceived that you''re a verypetitive person and have all the skills to work for that position.''


    ''That makes sense. Or maybe¡­'' Eva thought to herself. ''He chose me because he could easily discard me when he didn''t need me anymore. I guess he might have perceived too that I won''t be the type of woman who would cling onto him. And maybe, he thinks that I''m the type of a woman who will sign the divorce papers without putting up any fight orints as long as I get my revenge.''


    Eva stared at Gage so intently as she thought about all that. Even though this man did not do anything bad to her ¨C yet, she would not be na?ve to think that he was doing this because of any other better reason.


    "Are you¡­ really sure? I mean¡­ of choosing me as your wife?" Eva asked. Her heart was still in chaos right now but in all honesty, this arrangement seems to be more beneficial for her rather than for him.


    "Why? You think you''re not worthy enough to be hitched to a handsome man like me?" he asked with a mischievous smirk and Eva could not help but feel her palms itch and wanted to smack him again. Why does he always love to throw her off like this?


    "Of course not." Eva replied. "I honestly think that you''d be lucky enough if you marry a woman like me." she lifted her chin as she said that, and Gage chuckled.


    "Not bad, pet. So that seems to be a yes, I assume?" his indolent smile widening at her posturing in front of him.


    Eva blinked and she felt like her mind was spinning where she stood. "Wait a moment¡­ don''t you think we need to take a little more time to think over this? I mean¡­ we should first discuss our conditions, right? Cause I am certain you must have your own conditions for this. And I need to know them all first before I¡­ before I make the final decision." Eva was taken aback on how blithe he was taking this matter.


    "Smart girl." Gage smiled. "However, I need to tell Mr. Park about my decision now. If I let him go back without epting ¨C"


    "No! Wait¡­! I¡­ just ept him now."


    "I can''t possibly do that pet. What if you suddenly change your mind and escape after I ept it?" Gage raised a brow.


    "I won''t escape¡­ okay, how about¡­ we sign a contract first? I don''t mean the marriage contract¡­ For now, perhaps we can just sign a formal agreement of our bargain."


    Gage nodded in agreement. "That sounds better, pet. Good call." And he winked at her.


    Then without dy, he took his phone from his pocket and made a phone call. "I need you to make a contract for me right now." he spoke to the person behind the phone before ncing at Eva. "Alright, wait here, pet. I''ll go chat with Mr. Park for a bit to keep him busy while our contract is being prepared. So while I''m speaking with him, you better use this opportunity to think about this all over again. Once you sign it, there will be no turning back."


    He stepped forward and passed her but stopped and stood behind her. Then he bent and whispered in her ear. "I''m giving you this onest chance to back out, Eva."

 Chapter 13 - 13

    <h4>Chapter 13: CHAPTER 13</h4>


    Eva immediately felt gooseflesh spreading all over her skin at the light touch of his breath and also coupled with the fact that he had just used her name this time. She whipped her head around, nning to tell him to stop whispering like that at her when he wanted to say something. That was just in teasing! But the man was already a few steps away and leaving. This damned devil!


    Heaving a long sigh, Eva paced back and forth. Herst chance to back out, huh¡­


    ¡­


    When Gage returned to the kitchen after an hour, he was already holding the contract in his hand. It was all nicely printed out and bound in a clear folder.


    "Alright, I told Mr. Park to wait for another hour." Gage said as he sat across from Eva. "Well¡­?? Still no change of mind?" he looked at her and raised an elegant brow.


    Eva''s instant reply to him was with a fierce and unrelenting gaze. After staring at him for a while, she opened her mouth.


    "No." Eva answered firmly, and Gage just smiled again.


    "Alright. Then why don''t you take a look at this first." He handed the papers over to her. "I am giving you a month to decide on whether or not you would marry me. And even if you do not ept my main bargain yet, I will still ept Mr. Park''s offer now and give you what you wanted. However, within that one month¡­ I have my own conditions. It''s all written out in there." He waved his hand at the clear folder that she held and nodded at her, indicating to her that she should have a read.


    Eva nodded at him then looked down at the papers in her hand. She was a little bit nervous, but she calmed herself and silently read the contract. She was pleased with what she had read from the content so far. But she knew it was too early for her to celebrate yet. She had not reached the part where the uses for his conditions were stated yet.


    Finally, she reached that most awaited part.


    [Condition #1: Party A must present to Party B one kiss every night.]


    ''Ka-boom!!'' She could literally hear the explosion that happened in her mind.


    Eva felt as though her brain had screeched to a halt again. She lifted her gaze and peeked at him over the edge of the paper. She wanted to ask if he was even serious about this section, but she managed to hold herself back.


    However, she had to rify on this matter. "One kiss¡­ when you mean one kiss¡­"


    Gage nodded slowly as he kept his avid gaze on her. "I meant it as how it sounded, pet. Just one kiss¡­ every night" he smiled at her devilishly. "It should not be that hard to do, right?"


    Eva''s mouth opened and closed a few times, speechless and not being able to make a sound. Only after a few tries, she finally choked out, "You''re saying that you''re not going to do more than just having that one kiss?"


    He nodded, his dark eyes gleaming mischievously but mysteriously.


    Eva could only take a deep breath andposed herself before dropping her head to continue reading.


    [Consequence if Condition #1 is not met: If Party A fails to present Party B with a kiss within one night, punishment will be meted out for Party A.]


    Looking at him again, Eva''s brows knitted together before she returned her gaze to the paper.


    [Punishment for failing to do Condition #1: Party B will be the one to initiate the kiss. Party B will be allowed to kiss party A however long or whatever way Party B wants. Party A has no right to deny Party B in this punishment.]


    WHAT!? Slowly, Eva peeked at him again. Somehow, the more she read through these conditions, the more she wanted to just¡­ What the hell is with these weird conditions?!


    ''Calm down Eva.'' Her inner demoness whispered to her, and she could only return her gaze to the paper, knowing that time was ticking and Mr. Park was still waiting for them.


    [Condition #1.1: Party A must not touch Party B while kissing Party B.]


    [Consequence if Condition #1.1 is not met: Party A must grant Party B one request. Request is fully up to Party B''s discretion.]


    Eva looked at him, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. He was just leisurely sitting there, leaning his chin against his knuckles as he stared at her in an almost innocent manner. Eva wanted to blurt out something, but she bit her tongue and refrained again. She rested her temple on her knuckle and continued reading, covering her face from his view with the paper.


    [Condition #2: Party A will be Party B''s bed warmer* every night.]


    Eva suddenly choked on her saliva at what she had just read. Her eyes sharpened and narrowed. Her fists clenched and unclenched a few times. She knew that this man would definitely ask for something big in exchange, but she really thought that he would not ask for this. Based on their conversation a little while back, she thought that he did not have such a thought of making her a... damn did she just get tricked by this damned devil? He even said beforehand that he was not keeping her to bed her, right? She was quite sure of what she heard earlier. Then why the hell did he ask for one kiss and no touching if this was his bargain all along?!


    She threw him a scornful look and Gage seemed to have immediately understood what was going on in her mind. "Oh, don''t jump to conclusions and get the wrong idea, pet. There''s a footnote there. Read it first." He even pointed one long and elegant finger toward the bottom of the paper she was holding.


    [Footnote: the term ''bed warmer'' is defined in literal terms.]


    Eva blinked at him owlishly, not quite able toprehend his words for a few seconds. "What¡­ what!?"


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 Chapter 14 - 14

    <h4>Chapter 14: CHAPTER 14</h4>


    "Yes, literally." Gage nodded and smiled. "You will be required to warm my bed, literally. Using your body, you go lie in my bed and warm it up until it is nice and toasty¡­ every night too."


    Eva could only gape at him. Utterly speechless now. Why was there such a person like this!?


    [Consequence if Party A fails to carry out Condition #2: Party A must permit Party B to do one intimate thing with Party A in bed. Party A is not allowed to reject Party B''s request.]


    A cough echoed out as Eva choked on her saliva again.


    [Condition #2.2: Party A must not touch Party B while Party A is doing Condition #2.]


    [Consequence if Party A fails to do Condition 2.2: Party A must grant one request from Party B.]


    [Condition #3: Party A must live with Party B within the stipted duration. (one month)]


    [Condition #4: Party A must be home before dinner every night.]


    [Condition #5: Party A must not get involved with another man within the stipted duration. (one month)]


    [Consequence if Party A fails to meet Conditions #3, #4, and #5: Party B is free to choose a punishment for Party A and Party A must ept one punishment.]


    [Other important details: Party B must not do anything to Party A without Party A''s permission. Party B must never impose any form of abuse on Party A. If Party A is not able to adhere to the consequences three times, Party B is allowed to revoke the contract and Party A will be held liable. If Party B inflicts any kind of abuse(s), Party A is allowed to revoke the contract and will not be held liable.]


    She flipped the paper, and she became even more speechless when she saw that that was thest condition. She even flipped through all the papers again just to make sure she had not missed out on any other conditions.


    Eva was literally dumbstruck now. She did not even know what to say or how to react.


    "That''s it? I mean, that is all, right?" Eva had to double check and ask. It somehow did not feel legitimate.


    A wicked smile curved along Gage''s lips. "You want more, pet?"


    "No!! No¡­ I mean, this ¨C"


    "Don''t worry pet. As long as you meet the conditions, you won''t even need to worry at all about the consequences." He winked at her as he said that. "However, of course, it''s still up to you to decide. So? What is your decision? Are you going to sign this agreement? Tick-tock, Pet¡­ time''s a running¡­"


    Gage looked down at his wristwatch.


    "You still have ten minutes. You can use the remaining time to think through it carefully and still have the chance to back off, Eva. It''s still not toote." As Gage said that, Eva looked down and stared at the papers again.


    And her inner demoness came out to banter with her about this like a devil on her shoulder. ''Are you really going to do this?'' she asked, and Eva''s answer was a firm ''Yes''.


    ''But don''t you think his conditions are way too suspicious? Let''s be honest, it''s almost ridiculous you know?! Like who the hell would ask for a literal bed warmer?''


    ''I know! But maybe he just needs a literal bed warmer because of maybe some trauma or something like that? You know some people really do have weird conditions, right? Perhaps he is paranoid of using a heater in his room because he is afraid it might identally catch fire? Or maybe Mr. Acheron can only sleep in a bed that is warmed by someone else''s body heat and that''s why he is asking for a literal bed warmer.''


    ''Well, you do have a point there. But what could have caused such a beautiful man to have this weird condition?''


    ''How would I know?! Rich people are weird anyways. And I, for one, don''t have the damn luxury of time to think about that right now! I know that this man is very suspicious, but this is my best and only choice right now. I told you. I will do anything to get my revenge.''


    And with a bitter smile that curved beautifully on Eva''s lips, she decided to take the plunge. That was right, there was no way that she was backing out of this! She knew that she could not find any bargains that were better than this now, no matter where she went. Especially because of the rumours that had already tarnished her name. If she did not go through with this, it would take her a really long time before she could stand up again, much less get the opportunity to exact her ultimate revenge. This deal¡­ this was the easiest, fastest and most sure-fire way for her to achieve her goal. As long as¡­ as long as Gage keeps his word, there was nothing she would not pay to achieve this.


    Slowly, Eva ced the paper on the table. Hershes fluttered before she looked at him with an intent gaze.


    Then she grabbed the ballpen.


    "You know that once you sign, there will be no more turning back, right?" Gage said when Eva was about to sign. She looked up at him again, her hands pausing in the act.


    "I am well aware of that, Mr. Acheron. I''ve signed countless contracts in my life, and it is impossible for me not to know that. Besides, this contract is pretty simple. I don''t need awyer to understand it."


    Gage leaned against his hands that were intertwined before him.


    "You really are one brave woman. Consider yourself forewarned." And his smile widened.


    He leaned closer and whispered into her ear. "But keep this in mind, Eva. Once this contract between us is signed¡­ you can''t run anymore." He was reminding her for thest time.


    "I''m not going to run. As long as you keep your word that you will not abuse me, I can live with your demands and do my job properly."


    "Good girl." He smiled at her, and Eva looked down and signed the paper with a flourish.


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 Chapter 15 - 15

    <h4>Chapter 15: CHAPTER 15</h4>


    After signing the contract, Eva stared nkly at her signature. There, she went ahead and did it. There was no turning back now for her.


    A long sigh of relief escaped from her lips before her determined gaze lifted and looked at Gage. Then she handed him the pen that was still in her grasp.


    Slowly, he took the pen from her, his gaze intent as he held her own. When Eva did not even blink nor falter, the corners of his lips lifted up in an alluring curl before he too, finally nodded and put down his own signature on the paper as well.


    Eva did not realise that she was subconsciously holding onto her breath as her electric eyes were glued onto his hands as she watched him sign the contract with a flourish.


    "Alright, now that everything''s settled," Gage broke the silence after putting the signed papers back in the envelope with much satisfaction. "Let''s start with¡­"


    He reached out his hand and very quickly swiped the pair of sses off the bridge of her nose. "... getting rid of this," he added with a grin.


    Eva blinked. Hey! "Wait¡­ What?!!"


    She frowned at him with confusion stered all over her small and delicate face. What does my innocent sses have to do with all of this? Could he not be so confusing?! She was having trouble just trying to keep up with his pace.


    He just smiled serenely and generously put her sses back onto her face, causing Eva to deepen her frown at him. She quickly adjusted her sses though it was already perfectly put onto her. However, she was a little shaken at how abruptly he had done that, so she needed to fiddle with her sses to calm her heart palpitations.


    Gage stoodnguidly. "We''re going out, pet. Get ready."


    "Mr. Acheron," Eva refused to budge and blocked his way and looked up at him with her stern face. "Since I am going to live with you from now on, I think it''s time for you to stop calling me ''pet''. I have a perfectly usable name. Please use it."


    Gage cocked his head to the right, then he shed a slow and gorgeous smile at her. "Of course, if that''s your wish¡­" he replied then his voice seemed to turn into something so deliciously sinful as the next two words rolled off his lips, "Eva darling¡­"


    Eva''s eyes widened and her cheeks instantly flushed bright red. She was thrown off kilter andpletely flustered. She had not expected that.


    A wicked half smile graced his handsome face as he pinned his gaze on her. It was as though her reaction to that little endearment had delighted him.


    "You liked that ¨C"


    "Absolutely not!" Eva''s voice was loud and insistent as she quickly retorted, trying her hardest to regain her shatteredposure. She refused to just let this man keep on ying around with her like this. Though she had signed a contract with him, she was not his personal ything nor his ve! She had her dignity!! Thus, she gritted her teeth and stared at him pointedly, daring him to continue calling her using that pet name.


    "Ahh¡­ What a shame! I really like that one better too," he winked at her yfully and then he slipped away from her so elusively. Eva could already feel her blood pressure skyrocket and forced herself to bite down on her lower lip and run after him as he had already gone on ahead of her with such a huge distance between them with just a few steps.


    "Wait a moment, Mr. Acheron." she called out when she saw him heading towards the main door. But he ignored her. "Gage!"


    He halted and looked over his shoulder. "Hm?"


    "I''m in my pyjamas right now. You can''t possibly want to bring me out dressed like this, can you?"


    His gaze travelled from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. He then gave an approving nod. "You look pretty good in those pink pyjamas though. I don''t see why not."


    Eva red at him heatedly and then proceeded to ignore what he said, thinking that there was just no way those words were uttered seriously. "I need to go to my house to get some change and pick up my personal things as well."


    "I''ll buy you everything you need¡­" he suddenly trailed off then he shrugged. "Alright, I might as well allow you to go and say your goodbyes to your lovely house."


    !!!


    Eva kept herself from rolling her eyes at hisment. Keep calm, do not lose your temper. Keep calm, do not lose your temper. She kept chanting this in her mind, over and over as she trotted after him.


    ¡­


    Inside Eva''s apartment


    While Eva was packing up her things, Gage leisurely looked around her living room. Eva asked him to wait at the parking lot, but the devil negotiated his way to go in with her. His reason was that there might be a paparazzi waiting to ambush her in front of her home. He wasing along solely for her protection.


    Though she was sceptical, Eva could only relent, knowing that he might be right. She must have been caught up in such big news rted to her ex-grandfather and her position in thepany that had been handed over to someone else.


    Once Eva was done with her packing, Gage broke the silence.


    "Do all of those things have sentimental value to you?" he asked, leaning his shoulder against the wall as he pointed to her luggage.


    "These are my important things." She retorted, narrowing her eyes at him.


    "I can buy you¡­" he closed his lips, stopping himself from finishing that line. "Alright. It''s fine with me even if you move everything over too." An amodating smile lingered on his lips as he bent over and effortlessly carried two of her boxes.


    Eva pulled on her baggage, and they finally left her house. However, as soon as they were nearing the elevator, she turned around and grabbed onto Gage''s arm. She had spied some suspicious movements further ahead and had spotted some familiar looking equipment.


    "Reporters are here!"

 Chapter 16 - 16

    <h4>Chapter 16: CHAPTER 16</h4>


    "Reporters are here!" she hissed with displeasure as she dragged Gage back inside her house.


    Upon shutting the door close, Eva looked at him. "Mr¡­"


    He raised a brow, causing her to sigh out in defeat. "Gage. I can''t let them see me with you. I don''t want your name being tarnished and dragged into the mud with mine when you just took on such an important position. My name has already been ruined and it will stay ruined until I prove my innocence. I want you to go ahead without me. I''ll wait here until they''re gone. They can''t be waiting here forever." She smirked bitterly as she said all that.


    "You don''t want anyone to see you¡­?"


    "Yes. I will make them believe that I had disappeared." Eva''s eyes glinted with an indescribable sh.


    "Thenter on you woulde at them out of the blue like a vengeful viin rising from the ashes?" Gage arched an eyebrow as he looked on at her.


    "That¡­ doesn''t sound so bad, does it?" She looked at him, feeling a little unsure of herself suddenly. However, the next second, her resolved firmed even further. She was determined to see this through¡­ even if it would cost her life!


    Gage leaned against the wallzily. "Only make a noise when it''s time to say check mate, huh. Nice move."


    "Yesss!!" Eva hissed out viciously. "I will y with them, slow and scummy, the way they had yed around with my life! I''ll make them think I''m dead if needed. Let them lower their guard and be happy for a moment. It''s more fun that way don''t you think? I will make sure to enjoy this game."


    "Clever girl." Gage smirked. "How evil¡­ I like it!"


    He put his hands inside his pocket and paced slowly before her in an elegant and leisurely manner.


    "I''m guessing this building is owned by your enemy as well, right? They actually let the reporterse all the way up here." hemented flippantly, and Eva nibbled the inside of her lips. Anger was gleaming dangerously in her eyes again as she clenched her fists into tight balls when she realised what Gage had stated.


    "Yes. This wholeplex is owned by my ex-fiance''s grandparents." She replied coldly with venomcing her voice.


    "I see. That makes a lot of sense then."


    ¡­


    Inside Eva''s wardrobe, Gage was scanning through her few sets of clothes while Eva stood behind him with her arms crossed together. He had suddenly asked her to bring him into her wardrobe as if he had thought of a n.


    "This is all you have?" Gage looked over his shoulder a little incredulously and when Eva nodded, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Where are your dresses?" She could detect a hint of helplessness in it. Why? Was he shocked at theck of clothes in her wardrobe?


    "Over here." She pointed to the other corner of the wardrobe.


    Gage blinked at the rows of ck formal and over the knee conservative dresses.


    "You want me to disguise¡­" she said and then she looked like an idea had popped into her head. "Leave it me to me." And a grin spread across her face.


    She shoved him out of her closet.


    Once the door shut closed behind him, Gageughed soundlessly as he shook his head. Then he made a quick call on his phone. "Have Eloise at this address this instant." His tone brook no dy.


    ¡­


    After several minutes, Eva stepped out of her closet.


    Gage who had wandered out into the living room and was now leisurely sitting on the sofa with one of his long legs crossed over the other, now lifted his gaze and stilled at the sight that wasid before him. She was now dressed in a lose ck hoodie, a pair of lose military print pants, a pair of ck sunsses and a ck face maskpleted the whole ensemble. It was a far cry from her earlier formal style, prim and proper long sleeved office blouse and a-lined pencil skirt. If he had not seen her go in with one outfit ande out with another with his own eyes, he would not even have thought that these two persons were one and the same.


    "No one will recognize me now, let''s go." She confidently said.


    Gage stood and approached her. Though her disguise was good, he remembered that there was a group of experienced hounds outside there. They were not the kind of people to be easily led astray by simple disguises. "I don''t think so, pet." He bent over and took her sunsses off. "They''ll be suspicious as soon as they see you and I can already tell, they would definitely mob you. Your disguise is pretty obvious to the experienced eye to the likes of those people chasing after you. You might be able to fool the normal folks. But these are experienced reporters who do this for a living."


    "I know but I don''t think anyone could tell this is me. They take photos all they want but it doesn''t matter as long as they don''t capture my face, right?"


    "The reporters have surrounded and blocked the exit, remember? They will mob you on sight and might snatch that mask off or even pull your hoodie down. Don''t underestimate what these pack of dogs can do." Gage sneered when he mentioned these reporters.


    "I will not let them do that. You will have to go out first. We can''t be seen going out together. I need to protect your name from all scandals at all costs. That is the least I can do."


    "No can do. I won''t leave you here ¨C"


    "Please listen to ¨C" Eva tried to cut him off and reject his idea.


    Gage pressed his finger against his own lips. "Hush, Eva. Let me show you a better way out of this mess that you are in."


    READ IN ADVANCE ON PATREON. JUST GO TO


    /kazzenlx

 Chapter 17 - 17

    <h4>Chapter 17: CHAPTER 17</h4>


    The doorbell echoed right after he said that.


    Before Eva could respond and move to open it, Gage had already walked past her and opened the door without even checking who it was that was behind it. Eva wanted to shout out to him that it might be some of those sneaky reporters creeping around on the outside of her unit.


    However, just as she stretched out her hand to call him back, a woman emerged from the door with a few shopping bags dangling over her arms. She had marched in confidently, smiling at the shocked Eva and greeted her with a bright smile and a nod.


    "This is Eloise. She''s a good make-up artist." He did not waste any moment and introduced the woman to her. As Eva was trying to catch up to what was happening, the woman named Eloise was already walking up to her.


    What? Who? Make-up artist?


    "Hi, Miss. Nice to meet you." The woman greeted Eva with the same bright smile.


    "Eva." Eva smiled back at Eloise reflexively, her professionalism as a top businesswoman evident in her quick reflexes. She then nced quickly at Gage, raising a brow at him.


    "She''ll dress you up, Eva." Gage told her before he nodded at Eloise. He even opened the door of Eva''s walk-in closet at the same time as he exined to Eva.


    Eva looked like she wanted to argue but Eloise''s smile made her bite down on her lips and she could just lead the woman inside.


    ¡­


    Time passed and Eloise finally emerged from behind the closed doors. "The make-up''s done, sir. She''ll just need to put on the dress." She reported.


    Gage gave her a slight nod of acknowledgement. "Okay, you may go. Thanks for the good job." He thanked her even without seeing Eva yet. That just showed how much he knew the quality of this woman''s work and the woman politely bowed her head at her boss before leaving the apartment, her shoes clicking crisply on the hardwood floors as she exited.


    The apartment then became quiet after the doors closed behind Eloise. Gage was tapping his long and elegant fingers on top of the couch as he waited for Eva toe out. But minutes ticked by, yet no Eva came out. Gage looked at his watch and thought that no matter howplicated a woman''s dress was, it should not take this long to get into it.


    He stood and knocked on the door. "You are taking too long, Eva." He called out to Eva.


    "Well, err¡­ I don''t think this dress is¡­" Her voice came out a little wavery and was heavily tinged with doubts. Gage arched a perfectly shaped brow before raising his hand.


    "I''m opening the door." He gave Eva a warning before turning the door handle.


    "Wait!" Eva called out nervously.


    After a few seconds, the door opened. He waited for a moment before he stepped inside when he did not see anyone stepping out. The instant he saw her, he stilled in his steps.


    Eva turned away, as if to hide her face. He could see her ears turning red and a smile shed over his handsome face.


    "I''ll get changed." Eva moved away when Gage caught her wrist.


    "No. You want to hide, don''t you?" He pulled her and stood her before the full-length mirror. "Take a look at yourself, Eva." His voice was nearly a whisper as he leaned over from behind her.


    Looking at the mirror, Eva swallowed thickly. The woman in the mirror looked¡­ so different. She was sophisticated, alluring and¡­ sexy.


    Her eyes stared at her own face that looked so unfamiliar to her right now, then down to her tastefully exposed cleavage and her legs ¨C legs which had somehow grown so long and enthralling. The red dress clung tightly against her as thought it was a second skin. This was the first time she had ever worn something this revealing!


    "This is how you hide in in sight, Eva. Of course, this will only work because nobody has seen you like this before." He educated her, smiling at her through his reflection in the mirror. Then he carefully put on an elegant pair of ck sses on her. And with just that, itpleted her all-new look.


    He was right. Even she could barely recognize herself in this outfit! She had never put her hair down whenever she was in front of the media or even when attending formal events representing thepany. Only when she was in her own home did she take off those old fashioned, thick sses of hers and let her hair down. Even she was so used to her usual look of being all prim and proper, the average officedy look, that this new guise she had on right now made her speechless. She could not help but stand there and gawk at her own reflection. It was hard to believe that the elegant and yet seductive vixen looking back at her from the mirror was actually herself!


    And now that she was wearing her ck sses, Eva was not seeing the proper and strictly formal businessdy anymore. She could not help but be amazed at the power of make-up and the right style of clothes on a person.


    "Hold onto my arm." Gage said as they stepped out of her apartment, and sheplied with his wishes. He had told her he would send someone to pick up her luggage. So all Eva was holding onto was her luxurious and tiny clutch.


    "Ready?" he asked in a low whisper and Eva nodded decisively. This was making her a little nervous but at the same time, an unfamiliar thrill zinged through her body. "Just walk confidently. Heads up, chest forward. Treat the reporters like they''re some irrelevant bystanders or even better, think of them as insignificant ants by the roadside."


    Evaughed softly as she heard how he described those people who were as vicious as a pack of wild dogs.


    "Let theme! I''m not scared of them. I''m just nervous that I might trip. I don''t wear high heels that often¡­" Eva replied as they walked down along the corridor. "Furthermore, I have never worn heels this high before." She gave a small nervousugh and her hands clutched Gage''s arm a little tighter.


    ___


    Read in advance on . Tap the paragraphment to see the link.

 Chapter 18 - 18

    <h4>Chapter 18: CHAPTER 18</h4>


    "Don''t worry. I''m right here. I won''t let you trip." he said those warm and reassuring words while bending a little closer to Eva.


    She could not help but tighten her grip a little more on his strong and muscr arm. Somehow, the solid and unyielding muscles she was holding onto made her feel more secure than she had ever felt before. It was strange how this sense of security, though gentle, was even stronger than what she had felt when she was still with her ex-fianc¨¦. But¡­ she had to admit that the warmth of their linking arms was a bit distracting. She had felt this when she grabbed onto his hand this morning as well. The warmth of his smooth and bare skin had made her feel something strange fluttering somewhere in the vicinity of her lower abdomen despite all the urgency that she had quickly let go before they could even reach the kitchen. Now it was happening once again. And it did not help the slightest even if there was the smooth fabric of his shirt between them. It did nothing to reduce or dull that fluttery sensation she was feeling.


    It was also unsettling how he was treating her so gently like this. She could feel his support even as they strolled along slowly, though nothing had happened to her yet.


    As they got nearer to the elevator, Eva took a deep breath. Somehow, she was not worried at all that she would get busted and be recognised even through her borate dress-up to not be identified. Her confidence was also oozing quite a bit, and she wondered if it was because of this imposing man who was walking next to her. No matter how he acts around her, Eva always knew that he exudes an umon aura. He was that type of a person who effortlessly makes the crowd open up for him without a single word.


    The sounds of her heels clicked as it echoed along the corridor as they walked, and atst they saw the elevator doors. Some reporters were still milling about there. They all turned their attention towards them. But none of them lifted their cameras and just looked as though in a daze, at the two people dressed like superstars and were wearing matching sunsses.


    The way they walked in unison, hand in hand, as if walking down a runway for couples made everyone seemed to fall into a trance.


    And just as Eva expected, the reporters automatically moved aside as they drew nearer. Still, none of them lifted their cameras.


    Everyone was quiet and the only thing that could be heard was the crisp sounds of her heels clicking against the floor as she took step after step. Until the elevator doors opened.


    Gage''s hand moved to the small of Eva''s back, then curled around and settled naturally on her waist.


    They both stepped inside.


    And when the elevator doors finally closed, the reporters snapped out of their trance. "Who were those two people? I don''t remember any celebrities living in this building." One of them said.


    "I think the man looks familiar."


    "How about the woman?"


    "She looks like a model."


    "I think she is an actress. She''s gorgeous and¡­ their presence is just insane! They must certainly be famous!"


    "But if they''re famous, why can''t we remember who they are?"


    "Did anyone manage to get a picture of the two of them?"


    All of them looked at each other and when they all shook their heads, all of them groaned or face palmed in frustration. They felt as though they had missed a huge news on those two mysterious celebrities.


    ¡­


    Inside the elevator, Eva let out a long deep breath as she unconsciously leaned into Gage''s embrace.


    "See? The easiest way to hide is not to hide at all, my pet." Gage said with a proud smile. Eva could not help but smile back. She had enjoyed the thrill. She could hardly believe that none of those reporters seem to even doubt their presence there at all.


    As their car drove out of the buildingplex, Gage began to talk about his ns. "I will be taking over in three days. So, you have three days to perfect your disguise."


    Eva looked at him with a questioning gaze.


    "From now on, you''ll be Evelyn Lee, my smart, alluring and sexy personal secretary and assistant." He exined her role beside him, ncing at her with a serious look that made Eva pressed her lips together.


    "Alright." Eva replied quickly without a tinge of hesitation. She knew that this was the perfect position for her to do all his work for him as she had promised. She needed to be stuck with him at all times if possible. That way, she would also be able to watch him closely. And it was not only to make sure he would not do anything scandalous that will ruin his name, but also to prevent anything that might possibly cause his own downfall. She was well aware that a man like him smells like trouble. That face and body of his was definitely a trouble ma.


    "Good." He nodded with approval at her decisiveness. "We will discuss more on this when we get back."


    When their car passed by XY corporation''s building, Eva kept her eyes glued on it. Her eyes hardened and viciousness shed deep within it as she sneered.


    "You''re not actually scheming up a n on how to burn the whole building down, are you?" Gage asked, humour gleaming in his eyes as he nced at her.


    "Yes, I want to burn them all to hell." She uttered absentmindedly.


    Gage smiled at her response.


    "You sound like a viin now."


    "It''s their fault. They had painted me as one. So I should not disappoint my dear ex-family members and make sure I turned out as how they viewed me as that ultimate villian."


    "How scary." Gagemented lightly as the corners of his lips curled up.


    Eva finally looked at him and saw the corner of his lips still lifted as his gaze was focused on the road.


    Her inner demoness came out and muttered. Why does he look like he is excited about something? Look at that gorgeous smile. Ooh¡­ it''s practically dripping honey! Yummm¡­


    Eva shook her head as is to clear her mind. ''I need to stop overthinking. He''s just probably excited to watch some drama in action.'' He told herself.


    But again, her inner demoness scoffed. ''You''re not serious, are you? You really think this hot devil is smiling like that because he''s a fan of drama?''


    ''Who knows? I just don''t want to think about him right now. He''s impossible to figure out anyway.'' Eva groaned then she clenched her fists as she looked at thepany building again through the side mirror.


    Just you wait. Just you wait¡­ all of you. You had better prepare yourselves for my return. I anticipate seeing your faces then!


    ___


    Read in advance on pa.treo.n. Tap the paragraphment to see the link.

 Chapter 19 - 19

    <h4>Chapter 19: CHAPTER 19</h4>


    "I''m going off somewhere and I won''t be back in three days." Gage informed Eva as soon as he parked his car in front of his mansion.


    "Three days¡­" Eva whipped her head around and looked at him with slightly creased brows. "Where are you going?" She wondered why he would suddenly go off somewhere for three whole days.


    He lifted a brow. His eyes gleamed with mischief again.


    "I''m a healthy bachelor, Eva. And I only have three days left before I get stuck with this new job that I''ve thrown myself into. So, I might as well go fool around while I can. Right?"


    "You can''t." She suddenly blurted out, serious.


    But her response seemed to amuse him rather than irritate him. He shed Eva a slow smile before leaning his elbow against the wheel and rested his temple against his knuckles. Then he trained his smouldering gaze on her without saying anything for a short moment, causing Eva to wonder if her blurting out things might have started things off on the wrong footing.


    "You''re acting like my wife already." He said sexily, as if he liked the very idea he just spouted.


    That made Eva blushed a little. ''Aah¡­ okay then. I guess he liked it instead?'' Eva thought to herself. But before she could retort, Gage continued. "Too bad you didn''t ept my proposal yet. I would''ve listened to you right now. Don''t you know that I am the kind of guy who listens to his wife''s orders?" He continued with a slight smile on his somewhat serious looking face. Eva did not know if he was just teasing her or was he actually serious in his statement.


    "N¡­No. I mean¡­ You mentioned in the contract that I needed to give you a kiss every night and warm your bed. If you leave, how would I be able to carry these requirements out then?" Eva acted as though she did not hear histest statement as she did not know how to respond to it. Just listening to him say it earlier was enough to fluster her internally.


    "This one''s on me. So it won''t be counted towards the agreed contract. And you didn''t say anything about this matter when we signed the contract." He replied, staring at her with full interest. Then his grin became even more yful. "You should''ve also counter suggested some consequences for me too, if I fail to be present by your side every night."


    Eva could not help but throw him a sharp nce at hisment. Why was he suggesting this now? And did he forget that the contract was already finalized when he had showed it to her?


    She could only grit her teeth and inhale a sharp breath. There was no use talking about that now anyway. The contract was already signed. What has been done, was already done. There was no point revisiting it.


    However, she could not just let him go running off like this. She understood that she was not in any position to stop him since she was not his girlfriend or even fianc¨¦e but... what if¡­ what if he was caught in a scandal and that would then ruin his name? That was thest thing she wanted to happen! Her ns for revenge had barely started! She could not have anything mess it up! Not even the person who would be the one providing her the opportunity to take her revenge. She was that determined to not let anything get in the way of her vengeance on the Young''s family.


    "If I be your girlfriend now, will you still go and fool around with other women?" she asked straightforwardly. Her question made Gage subtly raised his brow.


    "You think I''m the type of man who will get it on with other girls while I have a girlfriend?" His gaze was serious now.


    "Well¡­ men nowadays love to do that, don''t they? They''re always not satisfied with just one woman. It is a well-known thing that the more loaded a man is, the moredies he has by his side. And you, Mr Acheron, is the definition of loaded." Her voice weakened when she first spoke but hardened a little at the end when she said that. She had met too many men who seemed to view cheating as normal and a part of their lives. Even her ex-fiance¡­ that bastard! He must have had been cheating on her since they were back in college!


    Suddenly, he reached out and pinched her cheek gently, causing Eva to snap out of her thoughts and looked at him with confusion.


    "Worry not, pet. I''lle back to you without any scandals. That I can promise you." He shed her a small but reassuring smile.


    Eva blinked at him. How did he know she was worried of that? It''s like he could read her like a book!


    She shook her head to banish the thought and juat told herself that this man was just observant. It must be easy for him to deduce what she''s thinking. She stared hard at him, as if trying to scrutinize his every expression and judging if he was telling the truth. But eventually, she gave in and said with her signature no-nonsense tone.


    "If you don''t keep your promise, I will hold you ountable." And she levelled at him her gaze that was as intense as aser beam as an additional unspoken warning.


    His smile widened, looking amused again. "Of course."


    "I''m very serious here." She warned again.


    "I know. Also, just for your information, I don''t do girlfriend proposals, pet. I''m only interested in a marriage proposal."


    "What?!" Eva was taken aback at the sudden swerve in his approach.


    "So if you want to ground me, just do one simple thing." He let go of her cheek and rubbed the skin gently with the pad of his thumb even though he did not hurt her at all. "Marry me and I''m all yours."


    Her mouth dropped open at his proposal.


    A sexy chuckle echoed inside the car. "But there is no rush, Eva. You have a month to think about it. So take your time and think through it carefully."


    His expression then turned serious, and his tantalizing eyes seemed to suddenly be smouldering hot in its intent. He leaned back but his face was still tilted towards her. "Now since I''m still here and it is already night, what about you keeping your end of the bargain? You must give me my kiss before I go."

 Chapter 20 - 20

    <h4>Chapter 20: CHAPTER 20</h4>


    Eva fell silent at his words, her mind in a whirl at his sudden proposal. While she was pondering over his offer, her gaze wandered and somehownded at his mouth.


    She felt her pulse quicken.


    "Nervous?" a teasing yet wolfish grin shed across his features as he noticed her getting a little flustered.


    She sharpened her gaze at him while shooting off her rebuttal. "It''s natural for any first timers to feel nervous, Mr. Acheron."


    Silence reigned between them. A slow frown crossed Gage''s face then got quickly reced by surprise. "Wait¡­ are you saying that you''ve never been kissed before?" His eyes went a little wide as he asked that.


    "I''m saying that I have never kissed someone before, where I''m the one who needed to be the one initiating and doing the kissing." She started off exining clearly but ended up as something more than a mumble.


    "Oh," Gage leaned back again. She did not know which expression he had shown upon hearing her exnation as he faced away while putting his hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. "I see..."


    Whatever expression he had on earlier, it was now back to that rx and casual expression he always had on when he faced her again. Then his wolfish grin returned as well.


    Eva did not know how to react for a moment. But since he did not try to call her out on her admission, she decided to just pretend as if nothing had happened.


    Reaching over, he tucked a loose wave of her fiery hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered as he spoke. "Don''t worry, pet. Just rx. I''m totally fine even if you want to carry out a few trials to get yourself familiarised with the process. I''m giving you freedom to practice on me right now." Then he winked at her.


    That made her blush again. His voice sounded so tempting just now.


    "I don''t need practice, Mr. Acheron." She managed to keep her face straight and her tone steady as she answered him smoothly.


    Then without warning, Eva twisted her body, facing him fully now. Her other hand had braced herself on his seat while the other moved to touch lightly cup his face. But her hand halted midway, remembering his damn condition that she can''t touch him while kissing him and that she will be punished if she do.


    So she grabbed on his cor instead.


    Gage smile. "Bold gi ¨C"


    Before he could even finish that line, Eva''s lips unceremoniously crashed against his.


    He stilled at her brutish movements. She had literally crashed her lips on his. That was no kiss! It felt more like a punch ¨C just that she had used her lips instead of her fists!


    After less than a second of just pressing her lips against his, she pulled away.


    Their eyes met and Gage bit down on his lower lip. He looked a bit speechless as he continued staring at her.


    When Eva slowly retreated back to her seat, a breath that almost sounded like augh blew out from Gage''s lips.


    "What." Eva nced at him, adapting her straight face again. Her voice was t, and she had her brows arched. But her ears were still a little red. "You didn''t specify what kind of kiss I must give, remember?"


    An amused chuckle erupted. "Well, true. You are right again." He ran his fingers through his hair before he climbed off the car.


    Eva saw him walked around to her side, so she moved to open the door, but he managed to beat her to it. She stepped out but ended up getting trapped between Gage''s tall frame and the car.


    "That was one memorable kiss, I must say." He muttered softly, looking as though that kiss was still amusing him to no end.


    But a moment passed, and his expression changed. His gaze seemed to darken as he bent over her.


    Somehow, Gage in the dark turned out to be incredibly domineering.


    Eva suddenly realized that without bright lights and those yful smirks stered on his face, Gage seemed to look and feelpletely different than thatzy and rich-heir persona that he usually disys. Apletely mysterious air clung to him now and for a moment, she felt as though there was something off about him. And whatever it was, it had made the tiny hairs along her spine rose.


    "Spend these three days perfecting your disguise," his nonchnt yet firm tone distracted her from her sudden deep observation. "I''ve already arranged everything. So all you have to do is just focus on the things you needed to prepare for."


    "I got it." Eva nodded sharply as she voiced her agreement, all business like and serious.


    "Well then," his attention moved across her face and lingered on her lips a moment too long before his gaze shifted to her eyes again. He bent and whispered near her ear. "See you in three days, Eva." He said his goodbyes and walked back to the drive''s side and got back into his car as smoothly as he got out.


    His voice lingered in her ears and echoed endlessly in her mind even as she watched his car drove off and disappeared from her eyes. She absentminded reached over and touched her lips, remembering how soft and warm his lips were against hers when she had crashed her lips on his. She suddenly wondered how it would feel if they were to really kiss ¨C and not the peck on the lips kind of kiss.


    "Miss Eva?" someone called out, knocking her out of her little reverie. She blinked a few times beforeing back to reality. A very faint blush tainting her high cheekbones, the only proof that she had been drifting off on some pleasurable fantasy.


    When she turned, she was back in her normal no-nonsense self and an older man around his fifty''s stood there along with two maids behind him.


    The trio introduced themselves to her and then led her back inside the mansion. Eva found out that the trio have been the caretakers of this house for a long time now. The man was the butler, and the two maids were the ones in charge of keeping everything in the house as how it was ¨C clean and wless.


    When Eva asked them who was the maid that Gage had told her who had ran away, none of them could answer the question.


    Eva: "¡­?!!"


    ___


    A/N: Read in advance on pat. reon. Tap this paragraph to see the link.

 Chapter 21 - 21

    <h4>Chapter 21: CHAPTER 21</h4>


    Time passed and before Eva knew it, three days have quickly gone by.


    The agreed time for Gage to return was finally here.


    It was currently an hour to midnight, but Gage had yet toe back home.


    Eva was sitting now seated on his favourite ¨C she assumed ¨C chair by the firece, with aptop on herp. The past three days had been peaceful yet busy for her. She had not cked off and obediently abided by his words and did all the things that she needed to do.


    The only thing that had bothered her was Gage. That devil did not even have the decency to call or send a message to her at all that Eva felt like the man had just upped and disappeared into thin air. She had asked the butler and maids a few times already whether he was doing fine, but they had only assured her that the master would definitelye back.


    And the most frustrating thing was that Eva did not actually have his number saved anywhere at all! Sheter on told herself that if the man would still note home tonight, she would call Mr. Park and ask for his whereabouts. Then she would find that troublesome devil and drag him back if needed.


    It was now about a quarter to midnight when sleep finally caught up to her. She had been determined to wait until midnight but could no longer fight off her sleepiness and eventually dozed off on the chair she was seated on.


    The elegant clock ticked on as she slept peacefully, the faint sound echoing gently in the spacious living room. Just a second before the hour hand hit twelve, the door suddenly swung open smoothly without a sound.


    Gage strode in from the door. He was dressed in all ck, his dark hair tussled as though he had walked through a windy squall. A menacing aura clung onto him like a coat as he stood there, looking all dangerous yet still as tempting as sin.


    The instant his gaze fell to the firece and saw Eva sleeping in thefortable chair there, the darkness that seemed to be lurking in his eyes slowly receded until itpletely disappeared. He looked surprised at seeing her there, sleeping. Did she fell asleep waiting for him?


    The corner of his lips lifted before he glided closer to her sleeping form. His steps soundless as he took slow steps forward.


    When he reached her, he bent over, every movement so impossibly quiet. His gaze fell on theptop on herp, to her hands that fell to her sides that werex with sleep and then back to her sleeping face. She looked at peace and vulnerable. The usually fierce little red tiger was in a deep slumber and now looking like an extremely adorable little fluffy kitten in his eyes.


    A glorious smile graced his handsome face.


    He reached out to touch her but suddenly stilled his hand halfway. His gaze stared at his hand before retracting it back to himself.


    Then he straightened and quickly left the living room in silence. He went straight to the bathroom.


    Once he had undressed himself, he stepped into the shower. The water flowed down his perfectly toned body. As it reached the marble floor, the water''s colour was tinged in a little reddish pink tone, as if there was blood being washed away from his skin that waspletely free from wounds.


    ¡­


    The next morning, when Eva opened her eyes, the first thing that greeted her eyes was a man''s face.


    She shut her eyes tight then opened them again, blinking as though she was not believing what she was looking at. What a glorious face¡­ wait¡­ Gage!


    "Good morning," he greeted her warmly, smiling mischievously. His morning voice¡­ Eva felt like she had just been introduced to what an angel of the dark''s voice sounded like.


    She sprung up from her lying position in an instant. Even his morning voice and face was not enough to stop her from widening her eyes at the sight of the sun rays streaming through the window.


    "We''re notte already are we?" she looked at the clock and yelled. "Oh my god! We''re going to bete!"


    She jumped from the bed as if the house was on fire.


    "Rx Eva. I am the owner. So you don''t have to ¨C"


    "Get up and get ready!" she cut him off. But Gage just smiled andzily threw his head back on the pillow, shutting his eyesnguidly.


    "It''s fine even if we were to bete for a couple of hours, Eva. We''re the boss, they ¨C"


    Gage could not finish his line as Eva was suddenly looming over him, her shadow covering him. Her hand grabbed at his cor, and she red down at him.


    "No! I can never let us bete for the first day of work. Never on my watch! So get your ass of this bed or else¡­"


    He lifted a brow, his eyes gleaming with mischief.


    "Or else? What are you going to do, my little tiger?"


    Eva gritted her teeth in frustration. She could not believe this man was trying out her patience as soon as he came back! He did say that he waszy, but¡­ oh god¡­ was he really like this?! She was not sure if she would survive if this would be a daily urrence. She drew in a long breath through clenched teeth.


    He shut his eyes again, still smiling. "Do you know how the prince awakened sleeping beauty? I think that method would definitely work on me too. Why don''t we give it a try?"


    Eva''s jaw dropped. ''My god! What the hell''s wrong with this creature?''


    She looked at the clock again and realized that she did not have any more time to even argue with him anymore. Fine! She would give him what he wanted. She then bent over and unceremoniously crashed her lips against his. However, it was only for less than one little second. Then she pulled away immediately and hissed at him, looking for all the world to be an angry little tiger cub whose fur was rubbed the wrong way.


    "Now get up, damn it! Don''t you dare keep trying my patience, Mr. Acheron. Or I swear I will make you regret it!"


    He chuckled, letting her pull him up to a sitting position. "Another punch in the lips, my dear." Hemented teasingly, amused, but now letting her drag him off the bed. "I would like to dare and try it next time to see what you''ll do ¨C"


    "Just stop fooling around and get yourself ready. If we don''t make it in time, I''ll hold you ountable!" Eva barked at him as she herself rushed off to get herself ready for the first day at her new job.

 Chapter 22 - 22

    <h4>Chapter 22: CHAPTER 22</h4>


    "Where is Mr. Acheron?" Eva asked Eloise as they descended the stairs. The stylist was here to dress her up and make sure her make-up and everything else that was on her were perfect. Eva was not a pro in putting on make ups and dressing herself up as though she were some kind of fashionista. So despite her feeling ufortable with it all, she did not kick up a fuss nor resist any more and just listened to Gage.


    She understood that she needed to appearpletely different from the originally prim and proper Eva Young that people knew her to be. Her looks needed to be revamped and transformed from a in Jane into a femme fatale that was exotic and sensational. And though still a bit ufortable, she was eternally grateful for Gage to arrange someone to help her in this matter as she was totally helpless if she were to do it herself.


    From now on, she would be Evelyn Lee, Gage Acheron''s sophisticated and hot personal secretary.


    Eva was not nning to be styled by Eloise forever though. She might be ignorant of the ins and outs of make-up and dress ups for now. But she had already nned to ask and observe everything Eloise and her assistant were doing so that one day, she would be able to do all of these things perfectly by herself. Well¡­ hopefully. And she crossed her fingers behind her back.


    "He''s already dressed and prepped, Miss Lee. He''s currently waiting outside for you to be done."


    Eva sighed in relief at Eloise''s response. She was a little worried that the man was going to act difficult again and frustrate her with all his antics.


    Once she stepped out of the main door, the first thing she saw was him, leaning against the car. He was tastefully dressed in a tailored ck suit, well suited for his tall and broad frame and was now looking as handsome as the devil. He always was handsome though. But seeing Gage in suit was just¡­ it was as if ck suits were invented in the first ce just for him to put them on!


    When their eyes met, the corner of his lips curled up.


    "Hey, you are looking pretty great," he gave an approving nod as she noticed his eyes seemed to shine with an appreciative gaze.


    Eva just lifted a brow. He had said she looked pretty good in her pyjamas before. Now here he was telling her that she looked pretty great in this more like a sexy boss than secretary outfit she was wearing. The difference did not seem to be that great to him? She did not get how he viewed things and could only tilt her head a little, feeling a little bewildered at this man.


    Eloise had told her that Gage was the one who chose her outfit today. A tight ck high waisted skirt and a red V necked shirt, paired with a pair of ck pointy two-inch heels.


    The outfit entuated her womanly curves and small tapering waist that she actually ended up looking very sexy. It never ceased to amaze Eva how the clothes itself couldpletely transform one''s appearance and even the whole feel of the person!


    Hastily, Eva entered the car and informed their chauffeur that they needed to go now. Anyter and they would be no longer fashionablyte.


    Once they were out of the mansion''s gate, Eva spoke again. "Please speed up as we need to be there on time."


    "Easy, Miss Lee. There is no need to rush. Just sit there and rx, we''ll get there when we get there." Gage was calm as he said those words to her. Well, incredibly calm and rxed, as if he was not on his way for the first day of work, but on his way to a vacation.


    Eva could not help but breathe out slowly, controlling herself from losing her temper so early in the day. She forced herself to sit back and shut her mouth because he was right, she needed to calm down. Usually, she was always calm and collected no matter what. She was used to this, and she would never allow anyone to intimidate her nor throw her off bnce.


    But this was different because she had to put up an act and watch herself so that she would not mess up her disguise. She was always that woman who wasfortable in her own skin. She does not care if people mock her appearance and outfits.


    It was different if people try to mock her leadership and her brains though. She would even go as far as to demote someone whom she had personally caught ndering her intelligence and leadership, but she just downright ignored the ones who milled around, gossiping about her appearance even if she was hearing them with her own two ears. She did not give two hoots if her appearance or dressing were being called into question. However, any slight to her IQ and abilities¡­ she would go after them like the devil were on their heels.


    "Eva darling?" his voice and those words were like a spear that had shattered the walls she had created around her for her own personal space.


    "Stop calling me that, Mr. Acheron. We''re technically at work right now, so please address me ordingly." She shot him a strict look, expecting him to understand the situation and react appropriately.


    "You know¡­ for a moment there, you looked very much like Evangeline Young when you re and speak so strictly like that. Evelyn Lee should be a sweet and sophisticateddy, don''t you think?" Hemented lightly as his eyes returned a challenging look back at her.


    Eva was at the verge of biting her lip but thankfully, Eloise''s voice echoed in her head, effectively stopping her in time.


    A long and deep sigh was drawn out from her lips. She seriously needed to calm down. It would do herself and Gage no good if anyone recognises her uptight and serious personality now when she was supposed to be posing as Evelyn Lee.


    Suddenly, she remembered the thing that she had been pondering over while Eloise was doing her make up.


    "By the way, Mr. Acheron," she started, her expression was back to being calm by now. "Why did you sleep in my bedst night? Our contract stated that I only needed to warm your bed."

 Chapter 23 - 23

    <h4>Chapter 23: CHAPTER 23</h4>


    "You can''t say that it''s because I failed to warm your bed," Eva added, throwing him an interrogating look. "Last night was an exception because you did note home in time. As per our rules, if the fault is on your end, I will not be the one to be held ountable. However, this¡­ you¡­ jumping into my bed whatever the reason was, without first getting my consent is definitely something we should discuss right now. This needs to be ironed out right here and now." Her voice seemed to have gained a hard edge as she spoke thatst sentence.


    Gage was quiet but he was looking at her as if he was fascinated by something ¨C either on her face or something that she had just said. He half-bit on his lower lip and released it so sexily slow before that gorgeous smile spread across his face.


    "Of course, we can discuss it if that''s what you wish." He replied calmly, smiling, as he positioned himself and faced her fully.


    However, his reaction and the way he had easily conceded somehow made Eva''s brows creased a little. That simple? Impossible! She was dealing with Gage Acheron here. What was with those amused looks in his eyes looking at her as though he had done nothing wrong at all?


    "So tell me why, Mr. Acheron. You jumped into my bed because your bed is ice cold and not because of any other malicious reasons, right?" Eva asked him with narrowed eyes. ''You better say that is the case, you¡­ big wolf!'' was the thought that she allowed herself to say but only within the safe confines of her mind.


    He bit on his lips again and she was certain that he had done that just to stop a grin from spreading over his lips. However, his save was so wless that she could not seem to catch him tripping over his own reactions. "Malicious reasons¡­ mind telling me whatever do you mean by that? Perhaps, you can give me some clear examples? I don''t seem to be able to grasp what is it that you meant by that."


    Eva shut her eyes tightly and drew in a calming and stabilising deep breath. "You''re prolonging the topic again, Mr. Acheron. Let''s get onto it without beating around the bush, shall we?"


    "Rx Eva. This is not a business talk ¨C" Gage tried to diffuse the situation, but Eva cut him off.


    "Yes, but to me this is more than a serious talk."


    "Alright. Fine, as you wish." He sighed but the seemingly fascinated look in his eyes did not seem to fade at all. In fact, it had brightened up?? "You''re right. It''s because my bed is cold and¡­"


    "And?" She prompted, wanting to get to the bottom of it.


    "Are you sure you want to know the real reason? I think it''s better if you don''t know ¨C"


    "Mr. Acheron." She snapped at him with her signature strict working voice. "We need to finish this talk before we reach our destination. So please just say it out."


    "Fine. Since you had insisted so very much, Miss Lee." He sounded like he finally surrendered but still wore that unbothered and ''just chillin'' expression on his face. Eva felt like she wanted to give a nice tight p over that somewhat arrogant but good-looking face.


    His eyes held hers. "It''s because you didn''t let me go."


    Eva blinked. "W-what?" Of all the things she expected him to say, this was not it.


    Gage elegantly shrugged. "You fell asleep on the chairst night. So I had decided to be the ever so gant prince charming and carried you to your room. Just as I was tucking you into your bed and wanted to leave, you suddenlytched onto me and didn''t want to let go. You were hugging me and clutching hard on my shirt. And since it was already veryte, I didn''t want to disturb and wake you up anymore ¨C thus allowing you to just chain me to you." He narrated the events of the night before as though reading out a business report ¨C toneless and nd. No signs of mischief appeared even once on his expression while he was speaking.


    Eva had tried to convince herself that he was making up a story but¡­ she really could not see that yful gleam in his eyes that was usually shing across his eyes every time he teases her. In fact, his gaze looked downright serious and truthful.


    Blushing, Eva cleared her throat several times and looked away. "That can''t be, Mr Acheron. Why would I cling onto you?"


    He let out a sexy chuckle. "You looked really cutest night, Eva," he mused, "¡­like an adorable little kitten. I really decided to stay docile and quiet because I knew that if I were to awaken that little kitten up, she would then proceed to turn into a fierce tiger and¡­" he threw her a heart-stopping look, "...I might get eaten alive."


    For a moment, Eva was speechless. But before she could open her mouth to speak, the driver pulled at her attention.


    "We''re here, Sir, Ma''am." The chauffeur reported and Eva finally realized the car had already stopped. Oh damn! How could she just forget everything when this man was¡­


    A soft groan left her throat and she hastilyposed herself. Now was not the time for her to pursue their conversation. Because¡­ now was showtime!


    "Are you ready?" she asked him, and Gaze just shrugged. Eva automatically stopped worrying anymore at the sight of him being super rxed, as if nothing amazing or interesting was going to happen. This man! She remembered how nerve wracking it was for her that very first day she had taken over XY corp.


    "Alright," she took another deep breath and when she opened her eyes, her expression was soft yet elegant. A delicate smile was now stered over her face. "Shall we go, Sir?" She said, now in her perfect mode of being Evelyn Lee.

 Chapter 24 - 24

    <h4>Chapter 24: CHAPTER 24</h4>


    "Shall we go, sir?" she said in a soft voice and friendly smile, perfectly in her role as the hot and seductive personal secretary of Gage Acheron.


    Gage stilled for a moment but eventually nodded as if pleased. "That expression really looks good on you, Miss Lee."


    "Thank you, Sir." She politely replied before moving to step out from the car first.


    There were already lines of employees waiting outside the entrance, ready to wee their new CEO to work.


    As she stood there, waiting for her current boss, Gage, she did her best to keep herposure. There must not be the slightest mistake nor crack in her new persona. It shoulde to her as easily as breathing and blinking. She had already practiced this over and over in thest three days, so she was quite confident she would be able to pull this off till the end.


    It should not be that hard since she had only needed to keep this fa?ade while they were outside of his office. Once no one was looking, she no longer needed to fake a delicate and friendly smile for show.


    Gage nced over at her before he stepped forward first. She fell into step right behind him smoothly without missing a beat as they walked past the rows of lined up employees, Eva noticed how everyone seemed to be in shock ¨C the kind of shock that was due to looking at a famous and never been seen before beautiful creature.


    It was really not surprising at all. This man before her could probably turn the heads of even the straightest men to the point that they would want him dead for being too damned handsome for his own good!


    Once the elevator they boarded closed, the entire floor burst out in furious murmurs as the employees immediately started whispering to each other.


    "Oh god! Our new CEO is handsome as hell!"


    "Yeah right, I nearly screamed like a fan girl!"


    "You''re not alone, girl. Our CEO is too handsome not to be a superstar!"


    "And who''s that woman? She''s so god damned hot!"


    "She''s the CEO''s personal secretary."


    "What?! Darn. I can''t even say anything to badmouth her and say she wasn''t suited to be our CEO''s secretary. Like¡­ who wouldn''t want to have a hot secretary like her working side by side with them the whole day? She looked like a goddess!"


    "What a pair! Sigh¡­ somehow, this feels like he''s already taken."


    ¡­


    Eva and Gage barely made it that they had met the chairman at the meeting room''s entrance.


    Mr. George Acheron halted and looked his grandson from head to toe. "I can''t believe that myzy grandson is finallying out from his den." Hemented, clicking his tongue in mock displeasure and shaking his head.


    "I also can''t believe it, grandfather." Gage replied. "Normally¡­ I should still be having my beauty sleep right about now."


    "Makes me wonder who managed to whoop your ass to get up and go to work."


    "A certain tiger," Gage muttered softly in amusement. "She didn''t whoop my ass though. She only punched my lips."


    "That''s one brazen tigress! She is certainly someone you deserve. So, it''s her, huh¡­??" George looked a little closer at Eva and smiled.


    Gage signalled at her and she stepped closer to the two Acheron males.


    "This is Evelyn Lee. My personal secretary. Miss Lee, my grandfather."


    "I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Acheron." Eva gave the old man her most beautiful smile as she epted his handshake, reminding herself that she was now Evelyn Lee.


    George leaned in a little closer to her. "You are thedy he''s currently hiding in his house, right?" One of his bushy and greyed brows lifted as he scrutinised her.


    The question flustered Eva for a moment and she could not respond to him immediately. "Uhm ¨C"


    "You and I must meet up and have tea sometime, Ms Lee." The old man leaned away and smiled at Eva before he turned and entered into the office room.


    Gage threw her another nce before they too, finally entered the office room.


    ¡­


    After the long meeting, Gage and Eva toured the building and did many more formalities for the take-over. Then just like that, the busy first day was finally over.


    However, it wasn''t nearly over yet for Eva. And thus, that was how they ended up still being stuck in the CEO''s office at eleven o''clock at night.


    The CEO''s office was all quiet and still. Eva was the one busily sitting and typing away in the CEO''s chair while Gage was lyingzily on the couch, looking at his tablet doing god knows what.


    When he nced at the wall clock and saw the hour clock hit eleven, he rose from the couch. With his hands stuffed inside his pockets, he approached the busydy, who was still ever so focused on her work.


    She looked like the world may crash and burn and she would still focus solely on her work. A smile was slowly formed on his lips as he sat at the edge of the mahogany desk, staring at her.


    Still, Eva ignored him. She acted as though she did not see him at all.


    His smile only widened at herpletely ignoring him. He had been gloriously ignored since the moment she had sat her tushie down on that chair and no one was around but them. And he looked plenty amused by that rather than being annoyed or angered by it.


    He silently walked to a door and when he came out, he was holding a wine and two wine sses in his hands. Without breaking the silence, Gage, popped open the wine bottle and poured it into the sses.


    The smell of the full-bodied wine pulled Eva''s attention from theptop. She finally looked up at him, so Gage offered her a ss.


    Eva epted it graciously and smiled at him. "Cheers to you, sir. Congrattions for being inaugurated as the new CEO." She uttered her genuine salutations after pulling away from the table a little to avoid any idental spilling of the wine over the important papers that were in various stacks on her desk.


    Gage shrugged but said, "Thank you, Miss Lee. Cheers."


    They both sipped on their ss and after that, Gage raised his ss again. "And cheers for you, too. This marks the beginning of your new journey."


    Eva''s eyes gleamed and her smile suddenly widened into a savage grin. "Thank you." The her gaze turned fierce as her smile turned dangerous. "Yes. This marks the beginning of my journey to vengeance."


    And their sses clinked together again.


    ___


    Read the rest in pa t  or read for free in tapas app

 Chapter 25 - 25

    <h4>Chapter 25: CHAPTER 25</h4>


    "I guess¡­ I''m going to be the one handling the investigations rted to your case." Gage said as he casually shifted from his position and shoved one hand inside his pants pocket.


    "My case?" she frowned a little as she eyed him over the rim of her wine ss.


    "Eva Young''s fraudulent behaviour and misconduct in her workce."


    Eva blinked. Then slowly, she put her wine ss down. The soft sound of the ss clinking against the desk seemed overly loud because of the sudden thick silence that nketed the whole atmosphere around the two.


    "You¡­ you will investigate the case? Why?" there was a genuine surprise and confusion in those blue orbs of hers as she looked up at him. She had not expected for him to voluntarily offer her his help on this matter. Though she had wanted to investigate, but with so many limitations on her right now, she could only reluctantly put it aside for now.


    He shrugged, twirling his ss before he tilted his head a little. "Why? Hmm¡­ because I''m bored?"


    The urge to re at him and grab him by the cor was so strong she barely stopped herself from doing so. If not for the reminder to herself that he was her current boss and contract partner, she was sure he would not get off with just a re. "Please answer me seriously, sir." Her eyes were directed at him with a sharp look.


    "I''m serious Eva. And this matter interests me a little more than those freaking endless paperwork. This would be a good past time for me as well, whenever I''m stuck with you like this."


    His exnation was almost perfect especially for a man like him but¡­ was it really? Was this alright? Would it really be okay if she let this man stick his nose into her case? What could possibly go wrong if she allowed this? There should not be any issues, right¡­? She was really tempted to ept his meddling into her business.


    "But of course, I need your permission before I start sticking my nose into your personal matters. And besides, I believe that you have already made some kind of ns to hire someone to do the job, am I right? Why look for someone else when a handsome and capable man is right here at your disposal?" he waggled his brows a little, teasing her.


    Her jaws literally fell to the ground. Really. This man and his antics.


    "I don''t think your handsomeness would even help ¨C" Eva muttered as she pursed her lips.


    "Oh, you haven''t the slightest idea, pet..." He shed her a slow seductive smile and drank his wine in what seemed like a slow motion without averting his gaze off hers. "Looks can do wonders too, you know."


    Well, after Eva thought about it, she realised that he was not wrong in the least. She was aware of how this world works. She was not that innocent on how things run though she herself did not partake of it. Beauty had always been an asset after all. But she had said that because she was not expecting him to do the investigation himself.


    When he offered that, she had honestly thought that at the most, he would just go and hire some top-notch private detectives to do the job while he just sat around and waited for the information to fall into hisp. Was she wrong? There was no way this pampered prince would do it on his own, right?


    "You''re not thinking of running around out there and y acting like a real detective, are you?" she narrowed her eyes a little, trying to gauge his intentions. But looking at his face, she could not even begin to guess his ns.


    "Why not? If the need arises, I''d dly go and see for myself. I am expecting to see some really interesting show to unfold rted to these matters."


    "Mr. Acheron." Eva could no longer take it because she could just tell that this guy was truly serious. She truly was at a loss for words about him most of the times. "You are a CEO, not a detective. So you really need not do something like this."


    "I''m just a CEO by name. You''re the real CEO right now while my job is just to sit back and rx." he corrected, looking quite serious. "And honestly, I don''t see an issue with it anyway. I can do the job smooth and clean for you, Eva. It would not evene at any extra costs and you''d be getting good service for sure. I''m giving you my word."


    A tinge of suspicion bloomed in her heart again. She just could not help it. She still could not understand why was it that this man that seemed to be aloof and above the mundane things of life, was now willing to do everything for her. Was this truly just because he was bored? Or was there an undisclosed purpose that he was aiming for that she had still not found out?


    "Fine. Since you insist, then who am I to stop your fun?" She was quick to give in, knowing that this was still a better option right now than the other option that she had. Sure, she still could not help questioning his motive, but she also could not fully trust anyone else right this moment that she might end up hiring. She also considered the fact that it would be much better for her if this man could at least be kept upied while she did the work that was meant for him.


    She still could not help but worry about him that she would suddenly see him in the news, sparking scandals left and right. She would never forget that this man reeks of trouble. And that was thest thing that she wanted to deal with. Her te was already full to overflowing with things that she needed to settle and n. Thus, she did not want him stirring up any additional problems that might need her to further divide her attention.


    Her eyes sharpened with warning the next moment. "But if you mess up and something bad happens, I will hold you ountable. You hear me, Mr. Acheron?"


    The corner of his lips lifted when he heard her call him out warningly, as his almost annoying confidence gleamed in his eyes.


    "Of course, you''d say that. But worry not, Eva darling. Because Gage Acheron does not mess up." He winked as he said thatst line. Arrogant devil! Eva could only roll her eyes at his self-confident im. She would reserve judgement and wait to see how he perform before giving anyments.


    ---


    A/N: Book is moved to another tform. Please visit my instagram @kazzenlx.x to see the link.

 Chapter 26 The looming threat

    Chapter 26 The looming threat


    So,st night was different to say the least, as I found myself getting some sleepter than usual. The food and...everything else hit the spot, taking my mind off the many thoughts constantly shing in my head. A hunter''s stamina was nothing tough at


    I went out of the room early in the morning to walk around the living quarters and observe thepound a bit more. Even though it was this early, there was already bustling activities with people and trucks moving about


    I enjoyed the cool morning air and looked towards the huge monolith a distance away, itching to go towards it and give it a go, but I calmed myself down and walked back to the living quarters. Someone quickly called out my name, it was Commander Kyle saying that the Vice Admiral was looking for me. I nodded at him to lead the way and found myself led into an office room that had an abundant amount of folders and papers lying around


    "I apologize for the mess, please have a seat" The imposing Vice Admiral has his usual air of confidence as I sat down opposite him


    I didn''t waste any time as I asked the thing that was heavily weighing on my mind. Magnar paused for a second before pulling out a red folder andying out multiple photos across the table


    "These are aerial pictures of The Barrens quite a distance away from the Empire. They were taken over a span of a few weeks"


    The pictures showed a terrifying sight of small dark dots that were uncountable, andrge mass that could clearly be seen in the middle of it all. Therge mass had a patterned obsidian shell that covered its entirety, only having arge head with pointed hornse out in the front


    The pictures gave me a shock because these things were probably even bigger than they appeared on there. The rest of the pictures showed a simr scene, making me prompt the general to continue as I didn''t grasp everything yet


    "These pictures were taken at a different location each time. They are moving"


    The Vice Admiral had a cold expression as he looked at the pictures and said this. My mind was moving to keep up as I took all of this in and asked him "How long do we have?"


    Magnar looked at me with a difficult expression before sighing "That''s the problem, we don''t know. It could be in a few weeks or a month, but we cannot correctly track them because of their unpredictability."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    I knew myself, and it was why I said this. Barely a week after I awakened and I was already standing in a position to hear information that many people had no idea about. If I was given another week or two? I was confident in getting much stronger than where I am right now. The question is, what strength will be enough to contend with the huge beast and the things it was bringing this way?


    A few weeks? Possibly a month? Phew, I let out a relieved sigh as I heard andughed out loud, startling the man before me. I looked towards him and said "If it is a few weeks, then we have more than enough time to prepare"


    I knew myself, and it was why I said this. Barely a week after I awakened and I was already standing in a position to hear information that many people had no idea about. If I was given another week or two? I was confident in getting much stronger than where I am right now. The question is, what strength will be enough to contend with the huge beast and the things it was bringing this way?


    I asked the Vice Admiral whether they were confident in pushing these monsters back and his reply was less than favorable, adopting a dark expression that contained a trace of anger. He spent the next two minutes ranting about how they were not fully prepared, but the people at the top were still hesitant to institute measures to prepare for what wasing


    The cities in the outer periphery of the Empire had to start the process of migrating soon, or the military needed to increase and institute its main defenses past those cities and prepare for the fight that wasing. Otherwise, a tremendous amount of people would be sacrificed for nothing


    I listen to this as my mind went back to all the cities I passed whening here, and one of the cities at the outermost of the Empire, Outer Bank X.


    My gaze turned cold when I looked back at the Vice Admiral. He saw my eyes and then said "I''ve already rallied the relevant people though. Even though there is still some push back, we have already begun the process of moving supplies and equipment to the front lines of defense in the outer perimeters"


    He continued when he saw my gaze calming down "While this will be an ongoing process to fortify our defenses on the border, we also need Hunters to lend their help in diving into dungeons and bringing out as many resources as possible. [Core]s, [Item]s, [Skill Book]s, they will all go towards the awakened soldiers that will be giving up their lives to fight on the front line"


    He finished with a sad expression as he mentioned the people that would be the first line of contact between us and monsters. I thought about all this and asked how they were doing things currently


    "We have 3 teams of 6 rank B Hunters alternating like clockwork to clear the rank B dungeon, [Mangrove Swamp]. The three teams are able to clear the dungeon 3 times a day and have a rest period in between, with other simr teams acting the same manner in nearby cities, but we don''t know if it''ll be enough." He looked at me as he said the next words


    "That''s where people like youe in. I haven''t met any rank B hunters that have been able to dive alone into a rank C dungeon repeatedly, so your power should be among the highest. I would love your cooperation to hasten this process with one of the teams we have clearing [Mangrove Swamp]" He said these words carefully while watching my face


    I thought over everything and the amount of time we possibly had before nodding my head. "When is the next team diving?"


    A relieved expression appeared on his face as he told me the next team was going in within an hour.


    We then discussed how the resources were split up between the hunter teams diving in [Mangrove Swamp]. The military would pay handsomely for all the [Core]s, [Item]s, and [Skill]s they received while providing for all their needs. If you became a hunter enlisted in the military, you would be given a rank with even more benefits


    I thought about everything and decided to go with the n of seeing the [Mangrove Swamp] while diving with a team. I would decide how to move forward from there. The talk with the Vice Admiral finished on a happy note, with him leading me to personally meet the rank B hunting squad I would be joining today


    Half the group had already gotten together and I got the chance to meet the first genuine rank B hunters. Their mannerisms were a notch above other hunters and their bodies seemed packed with power than could explode at any moment. These were rank B Hunters that could bring their attributes all the way to 250. When paired up with corresponding skills, it was a deadly force to behold ?iscover n??w chapt??rs ??n n0??e(l)bi??(.


    The first 3 that I met were 2 Berserkers, one holding a broad sword that was just as tall as him and the other holding long des on either side of him. The third one was a short woman that was about 4''1 in height, and she was surprisingly the Knight of the team. The power emanating from her in no way matched her stature as a huge tower shieldrger than her was strapped to her back


    I got acquainted with the three while the rest of the team came in. They were all rtively polite with a mild interest in their eyes when we were talking, with the only one different being the short woman who went by the name Lana Stone. She was staring at me with eyes that zed with fire as she showed much more interest than the others


    The remaining team members were 2 mages, a man and a woman dressed in long purple robes with long staffs sparkling with ice elements. Thest one was another Knight, this one with a round golden shield covering half of his body and a il on his other hand


    More introductions followed and the 6 usual rank B hunters that were about to dive into the [Mangrove Swamp] were joined by me.

 Chapter 27 [Mangrove Swamp]

    Chapter 27 [Mangrove Swamp]


    I didn''t like the [Mangrove Swamp] the instant we were transferred in. We appeared in the middle of muddy ground where I could feel my feet sink in a couple of inches. All around us were huge mangrove trees that shot to the sky. The smell was horrendous


    From the information the hunters gave me before we came, thisnd where we were transferred to was the innermost small patch ofnd surrounded by a muddy swamp. Our enemies would being all around us from the innermost ring of the swamp


    The swamp was special as it had multiple rings. The first wave of enemies we would be facing would all be from the first ring, and the moment all those enemies were killed, a barrier between the innermost ring and the second wider ring would dissipate.


    The moment that barrier dissipated, all the monsters from the second ring would rush towards you. There were 5 rings in the entire swamp, with the fifth ring releasing the BOSS. This really was a killer dungeon. I didn''t like the sticky and hard to move in environment, but my mind couldn''t help but think of the possibilities of this dungeon with my abilities


    To prevent theplete wipeout of the hunting squads, the hunters designated one of the monsters they faced with the title of [Princess]. They could kill all other monsters besides this [Princess], she had to be protected at all cost. Otherwise, the moment she dies, the 2nd barrier will break and more enemies will rush in before they could catch their breath


    I understood their entire system and soon began to feel the earth trembling beneath my feet. Humongous monsters wereing.


    The first one entering my eyes was a 4-meterrge alligator, its huge jaws wide open as it lunged at our group. I instantly cast [mes of Torment] and flung the thick pir of mes forward as if it were a spearheading directly into the open jaws


    SSSS!


    Sounds of meat being burnt rang out, with a burnt smell right after as the inside of the alligator was destroyed by the rotating pir of mes. I was thankful that this rank D skill had reached 100 proficiency and continued to be enhanced by support skills that allowed it to take down rank B monsters


    "Haha, good work newbie!" The short tank, Lana Stone, was holding the tower shield twice her size shouted as she and the rest of the group members moved to block and attack the other iing alligators


    "I''ll hold on to the [Princess]!" The other tank with a il and golden shield said as his body glowed blue and withstood the charges of other alligators. The berserker with the broadsword held his sword now enveloped with mes and swiped at the neck of another one, making a clear clean-cut as if there was no resistance from their scaly armor


    The other berserker with two swords struck out and unleashed a huge cross-shaped sword light that went forward to butcher another set of alligators. The two mages weren''tgging behind as they had already cast their spells. The area in front of them quickly became icy and froze all the iing alligators, which is when the berserkers came in and shattered them with a swing of their swords. The mages then pulled back behind Lana before continuing to cast other spells


    I liked their teamwork and began moving seriously myself. 10 golden swords appeared in the air and rushed down to each of the remaining alligators besides the [Princess], piercing their hard dry scales and nailing them to the ground


    I did this repeatedly a few times, taking down tens of alligators before the hunting squad looked at me in surprise after witnessing the enhanced power of [Smite] and shouted words of encouragement soon after as they went to reinforce the Knight with the golden shield on holding off the [Princess].


    "Newbie, I knew I felt something special from you. Don''t hold back!" Lana said as she went to help hold off the one remaining alligator, her small body powerfully moving therge tower shield as if it was weightless


    The two Knights rotated on holding off the [Princess] until 10 minutes passed when everybody had regained most of their energy, a sword bathed in mes ended its life. A sound was heard as if a bubble had popped, before even more tremors could be heard as more alligators rushed in


    The squad members always stayed in a tight-knit formation throughout, with the mages and I in the middle, the Knights and Berserkers on the outside. Even while being swarmed by tens of alligators, they held them off sessfully


    I was casting [Smite] after about every minute thereafter, cleaning off a majority of the alligators withoutpletely overpowering everything and making the short tank throw me even more fiery gazes


    The chosen [Princess] of this round was kept alive for 20 minutes before everyone was good to go once more. We repeated this process until the third and fourth barrier was released, the thrill getting to me as I watched these powerful rank B hunters throw out skills in simr power to mine


    The release of the fourth barrier was only done after a [Princess] had been held down for half an hour, the hunter squad regaining their strength at their peak before all of their gazes focused on the male mage. They seemed toe to an understanding as they nodded their heads and told me to not go away from them under any circumstances while we began clearing this next wave


    I nodded curiously as I waited to see what surprise they were going to pull off as I watched more than a hundred huge alligators desperately wing their way towards us. The mage held his staff forward as he was protected in a circle and aimed it toward the iing monsters. Thirty seconds passed with nothing happening, and then the heat began to rapidly rise all around us


    I was shocked as I looked up and saw balls of thick magma raining from the sky and barreling down to therge groups of alligators making their way here.


    BOOOM!!!


    Sounds like bombs were constantly going off could be heard whenever therge balls of magma fell down and burned everything around it, turning any that were near into mincemeat. More than half of the alligators were wiped out with this one attack


    My eyes shined as I looked at the heavily panting mage that had fallen to the ground. That type of skill...I wanted one!


    My heart was pounding as I reyed the scene of the raining magma balls from before. This skill, I really did want one badly. If I could grab a skill like this, with my abilities...I was imagining how I could easily clear outrge groups of monsters in seconds


    I was daydreaming too much as someone had to scream to get my attention back to the monsters. "Come on newbie, don''ty there gaping and let''s take care of the remaining beasts!"


    The miniature tank wasughing crazily as she went forward to block the remaining wave that had reached us. I clicked my tongue while bringing back my focus and cast [Smite] once more. I shaved off a majority of the remaining crocodiles by casting the 10 golden des every 30 seconds. With the 2 berserkers butchering with their swords, only a [Princess] soon remained. The moment this remaining alligator was killed, An unimaginablyrge TITAN would being for usn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    I was curious to see how they usually handled this BOSS if their mage chose to cast such a powerful skill just before to avoid being surrounded by hundreds of alligators. Which hunter woulde out with another surprise now?


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