The Devil's Disguise

Chapter 6

"Back up for a second. What?"

He shrugged, taking my hands in his. "I'm offering you a job."

I glanced down at our connected hands. "I'm not sure this is how it's done."

"Well, no, obviously. But I'm really serious about this. Join my company. It'll be great. Money will be good, it's a nice place, I'll be there... Think about it."

I blinked a couple of times, trying to digest his words. "I'm not an aeronautical engineer, Rafael, nor am I very good with numbers. What will I even do?"

"I was considering, since a long time, to get a Personal Assistant."

"Oh," I scoffed. "You want me to bring you coffee, but exclusively. Is that it?"

He chuckled, shrugging. "Maybe. Does it matter?"

"It does. I just don't understand why you're doing this. If you think you can convince me to date you, I--"

"No, I don't think so. Because I don't date anyway. Can't you just accept something as a good gesture? Need every action have an ulterior motive behind it?"

"Yes. That's what I've been taught by this world. No one is just nice, Rafael. People always want something. What do you want?"

He closed the space between us, and gently touched my cheek with his two fingers. "I want you in front of my eyes all day long, Ms. Dames. Every second of the day. Whenever I want. Is that so bad?"

I gulped, letting out a small breath.

"I'll... I'll think about it."

"Alright, you have until tomorrow. I'll see you at the club and take your answer. I promise I won't force you. Good?"

"Good." I nodded.

"Great. Let me drop you home."

"No, it's okay. I already called a cab. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Good bye, Mr. Knight."

"See you soon, Ms. Dames." He winked.

- - - -

"I don't know what to do, Mom," I said, after I had told her the entire thing. I don't know what answer I was looking for, but my own mind had stopped working.

A part of me said this was fate working for me, that I was finally getting my share of good luck. Another part of me was convinced that this was plain wrong. Rafael Knight was attracted to me, and that was why he wanted me to work for him. I wasn't even qualified for his company, I had no experience at all. And even though I did not plan to date him, I felt like a gold-digger.

"You don't know what to do?" Mom squealed, making me flinch. "Why are you even thinking, you stupid girl? You will say yes to him, Lara. This is a huge opportunity and I will not allow you to let it go. The man wants to spend money on you. What if he decides to marry you? Our entire life will change!"

"I'm not gonna marry him, Mom. And nor does he want to." I rolled my eyes. Honestly, what had I even expected from her? "I shouldn't have asked for your opinion."

"If you say no to him, I will jump off the balcony. So you need so much money for my treatment that you are unable to turn him down."

I gaped at her. "What is wrong with you, you old, crazy woman?"

"It is what it is, Lara. I will not sit by and watch you give up something so amazing. He is Rafael Knight, after all. You will say yes to this job, and then you know what you'll do? You'll seduce him into getting you pregnant and then you'll get married to him. If he refuses, you will go to the media and defame him. Then he'll definitely marry you."

"You are a vile, wicked old creature. Disgusting." I stood up, my jaw clenched.

"Yes, as if stripping for men is so pure and divine. Think about it Lara, use your brains! You seduce men all night. What is another one?"

"I do not know those men, and they pay to get seduced. I will not do any such thing with Rafael. Besides, he's not dumb," I snapped.

"Men are dumb when they fall in love."

"Yeah, that's a lie. Men don't love, Mom. They only want s*x. Someone like you should know."

"And that is exactly why you should give him s*x and then get him to marry you."

I let out a loud groan. "You know what? Just go away. Forget I said anything to you. See you in the morning." I stormed out of the apartment, leaving her yelling about how I was being stupid.

I had barely taken a couple of steps down the corridor, when my phone started to ring. I picked it up and placed it on my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. Dames. It's me."

My heart beat picked up. "Rafael."

"Are you free?"

"How did you get my number?"

"You think your boss would refuse when I'd ask for it?"

"Right."

"So, you free?"

"Didn't you make sure of that?"

He chuckled, the sound birthing stupid butterflies in my stomach.

"I was wondering if you could come over to my place tonight. The club is stuffy, and I much prefer my own bedroom over that suite."

I blinked, my breath hitching. "Uh... is it necessary?" I squeaked out.

"Why? Is there a problem, Ms. Dames?" he asked, his tone lower. "Are you afraid I'll do something... inappropriate to you?"

I gulped, my heart already racing. "I mean, do you plan to?"

"Maybe," he chuckled. "Maybe not. My chauffeur will be outside your house in an hour. Will you dress up for me?"

"I'll wear what I wear at the club," I muttered. "Could we not do this at the club? Is this even a part of the deal?"

"Well, Elene did say you're all mine."

My cheeks heated up at his words. "Uh... I don't--"

"Wear a dress, not that stripper outfit. Something nice and beautiful. Preferably black. Be ready in an hour."

And with that, he hung up.

"Oh dear God," I whispered, running a hand through my hair. "What have I gotten myself into?"

I went back to the apartment, and probed through my wardrobe, searching for any black dress I owned. I happened to find one I had bought three years ago, which was probably too tight for me now. I had grown curvier lately, thanks to the exercises and diet I followed to make myself more... desirable, per say. Thank goodness it was clean, and just before I was about to try it on, I paused.

Wait.

Why on earth was I listening to him? Telling me what to wear was not the part of the deal. He didn't want the club outfit? He was getting sweats.

I threw the dress back into the wardrobe, and took a quick shower. After drying my hair thoroughly, I tied it into a messy bun. But, I did decide to apply makeup, because a part of me still wanted him attracted to myself. I put on a dark lip color, that would look good with my black sweatshirt and pants, and also applied eye-liner and mascara to make my eyes pop. My hair had beautiful natural waves, so I wasn't concerned about what I'd look like if I were to let them down. Satisfied with my look, I grabbed my purse and stuffed my phone in, before stepping into matching black converse. I think I looked pretty good even in sweats. Rafael Knight was lucky he was getting to--never mind. He was far more gorgeous than I could ever be.

The doorbell rang and I walked over to the door, to find his chauffeur waiting outside.

"I'm coming." I smiled.

He gave me a confused once over, before nodding and walking away.

Okay, did I not even look good enough for his chauffeur?

Meh. I was certain even his chauffeur had more money than I did.

I told my mother I was leaving, and hurried downstairs, to find his shining Devil parked outside our building. It looked so out of place in my area, that every person passing by was practically ogling at it. I quickly sat in and closed the door, glad to be behind the tinted glass of his windows. At least no one would be able to see inside.

The moment the car began moving, my nerves returned. Was what I had done smart? Or would he get pissed off and... what would he do? Punish me? It wasn't like he owned me. All I was going for, was a dance. I could dance well in sweats. But he had clearly asked me to wear a dress. Why did I decide to go against his wishes? Was I trying to get him mad? See his reaction? See what the famous Rafael Knight acted like, when he was disappointed?

I guess it was all three.

After what felt like forever, the car entered through a large, black and gold, double gate. The size of his mansion had me gaping, and by the time the car stopped in front of the main entrance, my mouth was hurting from hanging open for so long. The chauffeur cleared his throat, and I immediately closed my mouth, my eyes widening. I gulped and stepped out of the car, still in awe of the beauty of his mansion. It was modern, yet held a classic, elegant touch. Truly magnificent.

Before I could get embarrassed by the chauffeur another time, I gathered myself and walked over to the door. I rang the bell, taking a deep breath to brace myself.

I had expected one of his servants to get the door, but instead, I was greeted by Rafael Knight himself. Except, rather than his sweet, charming smile, he wore an almost wicked sneer on his face. Which dropped quickly, as his eyes raked over my outfit and returned to meet mine. The disappointment on his handsome face was clear, as he moved aside, gesturing for me to enter.

I walked in, hearing him close the door behind me. And then he was grabbing my arm and turning me around, pulling me to his chest.

"What do you think you're wearing?" he practically snarled, his eyes narrowed.

I sucked in a breath, shocked by his outburst. "Excuse me?"

"Were you not told to wear a dress?" he asked, his jaw clenched. "Here I am, clad at this time in a sleek suit for you. And you could not follow a simple instruction, Lara?"

I blinked up at him, taken aback by his roughness, as well as his tone.

"Let go of me," I stated.

"Answer my question. Why are you wearing that?"

"Because you do not own me," I replied. "Let me go."

He did as I had said, and I stepped away from him, breathing hard.

"I'm leaving." I tried to walk around him, but he caught my arms again, pulling me back to himself.

"No, you're not. You're gonna come up with me, to whatever room I take you, and you're gonna do as I say. Do you understand?"

"No, I do not," I replied, trying to push his hands off. "Let go of me!"

"Do not yell!" he shouted, making me flinch. "I can use this tone too, Lara, but I'm playing nice. It's better if you listen to me," he warned.

I gulped, staring at him incredulously, as my heart raged in my chest. This is not what I expected. Had I made a huge mistake by coming here tonight?

He took my silence for acceptance, and took my wrist. "Good girl. Come on now."

"Rafael, let me go!" I tried again, as he started to drag me away. "Rafael!" I yelled, trying to pull my hand out of his grip. He tightened his hold, dragging me to the elevator, and forcing me inside. "Let go of me!" I shouted again, as tears now formed in my eyes. The elevator doors closed and we started moving up.

"Relax, Lara. It's not like I've kidnapped you," he muttered, still holding my hand.

By now, I had tried digging my nails into his fingers, applied as much force as I could, and even tried biting. He had easily overpowered me, and was completely unfazed by my struggles. "Rafael! Let go of me!" I cried, a tear leaving my eye.

The elevator dinged, and he dragged me out, walking straight towards a door. I sat down on the floor, hoping that would make him let go, but all he did was bend down and pick me up, effortlessly throwing me over his shoulder.

"Rafael! Help! Someone!" I tried, my voice breaking. I had never felt so afraid before.

He walked into the room and put me down, before pushing me onto the bed.

- - - - - -