A Deal with the Devil

CHAPTER 4

"Let’s talk," seryosong sabi ni Lexie habang ako ay papaupo pa lang sa couch. Napangiwi ako dahil ang seryoso ng mukha nito.

"Don't give me that look," nakabusangot na ani ko sa kaniya. Tumaas ang kaniyang kilay at pinag-crossed ang kaniyang mga hita.

"Why?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. I sighed.

"Hindi naman ako kriminal para tingnan mo nang ganiyan. Tingnan mo nga iyang mukha mo sa salamin para malaman mo," nakangiwing sabi ko sa kaniya. She blinked and picked up her phone to look at her face using the phone's screen.

"What? Hindi naman ah. Ganda lang nakikita ko, girl." Mayabang itong tumingin sa akin. Napangiwi ako sa kaniya at magsasalita na sana nang bigla na lang siyang nag seryoso.

Iyong tipong nakakatakot talaga ang mukha. Napalunok ako at umayos nang upo sa couch. I blinked in surprise when I realized that my heart is beating faster than its normal beating.

Ba't ba ako kinakabahan? My goodness, si Lexie lang iyan.

"So? Anong plano mo?" seryosong sabi niya. I looked at her and then sighed. Truthfully speaking, I don't really have any plan to tell her about my revenge. Pero naramdaman ata nang babaeng ito ang aking binabalak.

My plan is too risky and I can say that it's fifty and fifty for me. I’m still not sure whether he will accept my offer or not.

"First, I need to make Alexander my ally," I said in a serious voice. Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata.

Well, I never really tell her about that.

Alexander is a very powerful and influential bachelor. I need to make him my ally at any cost.

"Ha, that's why you're so obsessed with him. But you know that he's not easy right?" nag-aalalang tanong niya sa akin. Tumango ako sa sinabi niya.

I know that making Alexander my ally is not easy. But still, it's not impossible. He's someone who use people for his gain. Hindi ito nakikipag-deal kung wala siyang nakikitang halaga sa nakipag deal sa kaniya.

Kaya ko ba talaga 'to?

"I know, that's why I planned to propose to him half of our family's territories," I said in a whisper. Her eyes widened.

"Once I get back out properties, I'll give to him half of it or maybe all of it. If it doesn't work, I have a backup plan. It's not important to me anymore. I just want my father to be free and of course justice for my mother," mahina kong sabi sa kaniya. Nanubig ang aking mga mata kaya dali-dali akong yumuko para hindi niya makita.

"Narine..." naiiyak na tawag ni Lexie sa aking pangalan sabay yakap sa akin. I closed my eyes tightly to stopped myself from shedding a tear.

Is this the right thing to do? Will revenge be able to heal my broken heart? Will it make my mother and father happy?

Please guide me...

"Pray for me friend," kinakabahang ani ko sabay tingin kay Lexie. Mahina itong tumawa sabay taas ng kaniyang kamay. She gave me a fighting sign.

"Ganbare!" she said in a cute voice. I look at her dumbfounded. Did she just say goodluck to me in Japanese?

"Seriously Lexie..." I sighed and took my bag and envelope.

I've been staying here in Lexie's aunt's house for a week now. In those days, I came up with different dialogues and proposals so that Alexander would be interested and make a deal with me.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib, jusko kinakabahan talaga ako.

"Tara na Lexie." Tumango siya at nagsimula na kaming maglakad papunta sa kaniyang kotse.

Habang kami ay nasa byahe ay tahimik lang ako habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. I'm trying to calm myself down. My heart is beating so fast.

Mom, dad. Can I really do this?

I closed my eyes and thought of our happy memories when mom is still alive. If only my father's friend didn't betray our family for his greed for power and money, then this wouldn't happen right now.

My father is a very rich businessman in the country. Our family's company is very well known in the city.. But then one day, my father's friend betrayed him.

My father was scammed and was accused of something that leads him to jail. All our properties were confiscated. I was thrown out in our mansion and was bullied in school.

My mother just die and we didn't even get the chance to investigate her death. Those police officers, they won't even let me see a glimpse of my mother's corpse.

When I remember those days, I can't help but feel rage. I'll really make them pay tenfold.

Especially the man who caused our family to be like this. Colt Alonzo, my father's trusted friend.

I never really thought he would betray us like this. He was like a family to us. But it turns out, all those words and actions were fake. He didn't even care about us.

I can still remember his cold eyes as he watched me beg.

"What?! Where are you taking me?!" I asked as I tried to struggle. Mahigpit na nakakapit ang dalawang lalaki sa magkabila kong braso. My heart was pounding so fast as we headed outside our mansion.

What happened? Where's mom and dad? Why are there a lot of people inside the mansion taking our things?

"Hey!" I shouted and wriggle even more. They didn't say anything and just tightened their grip. Napaigik ako at nagsimulang manubig ang aking mga mata.

These guys, what are they doing?

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makita ko kung sino ang nakatayo sa harap ng mansion. A hope suddenly arise within me.

"Uncle! Help me!" I shouted to the man standing in front. Nagtama ang aming paningin. Napaigtad ako sa lamig ng kaniyang tingin sa akin.

What? Is this really uncle Colt? Why is his stare so cold? He usually looked at me softly and always had a warm smile.

"Uncle..." I called him. Tumigil kami sa harapan niya. Tiningnan lang niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Help-"

"Throw her away," he said coldly. My whole body froze and my mind became blank for a moment.

"W-what?" I stuttered. He didn't say anything and just stared at me coldly. His eyes were so cold that it sent me shivers.

"U-uncle, please h-help me..." I said begging. Lumapit ito sa akin at hinawakan nang mahigpit ang aking mukha.

"Help you? Why would I? Throw her out," matigas na sabi nito. My tears started to fall because of his words.

Is uncle behind this incident? Why is he doing this?

I sighed when I remembered that scene. It really broke my heart. I never thought he's only faking everything and he only cares about himself. His greed for money and power are the reason why we are miserable right now.

"Narine, we are here." I opened my eyes and look at Lexie. I didn't notice we already arrived. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang kotse at lumabas.

Sumalubong sa akin ang malaking building. I gasped in awe.

"Ang laki naman," Lexie said in a whisper. Napatango-tango ako sa sinabi niya. Ang laki naman talaga ng building. Ito ang main building kung saan naglalagi si Alexander. Good thing it's only an hour of driving

"Lexie, I'll go now..." I said softly to my friend. She looked at me with worry plastered on her face. I tried to smile at her.

"It's okay, I'll be okay." I tried to assure her when I noticed her unshed tears.

"Jusko naman lexie, hindi naman siguro ako mamamatay 'di ba?" natatawang tanong ko sa kaniya. Umiyak kasi, jusko hindi naman siguro ako papatayin ni Alexander.

"At nagbiro ka pa talaga, batukan kaya kita!" inis na sabi nito. Tumawa ako nang malakas.

"Sige na, I'll go now." I said with a smile. She nodded her head.

"Ayusin mo ha. Kukurutin talaga kita pag uuwi kang umiiyak," may diin na sabi nito. My smile widened at her words.

"Of course, if it fails. I'll just seduce him," I said before flaunting my butt. Napangiwi ito.

"Lol, I heard Alexander likes women who have big boobs. Wala ka namang dibdib eh," pang-aasar niya sa akin. Kumunot ang aking noo at sinamaan ito nang tingin.

"Anong problema mo? Suntukan na lang?" inis na sabi ko. Tumawa ito at tinulak na ako. Inis ko siyang nilingon.

"Pasok ka na doon, baka hindi mo maabutan si Alexander sige ka." I let out a soft sigh and nodded my head.

"See you later!" She smiled and nodded her head. Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa malaking building.

"Woah!" nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa ganda ng design. I wonder how much money Alexander spend to build such a building.

Habang ako ay naglalakad ay napapatingin sa akin ang ibang mga tao na nasa labas ng building. I can't help but sigh. Today, I wore a red off shoulder bodycon dress.

Napangiwi na lang ako habang naririnig ang kanilang mga bulong.

"Who's that? So pretty and hot."

"Damn. Ang hot pare."

"Sana all."

Bakit ba kasi pula pa ang sinuot ko? Iyan tuloy litaw na litaw ang kaputian ng aking balat. I originally planned to wear the gray one, but Lexie insisted that I should wear the red one.

Sabi pa niya

"Kung aakitin mo si Alexander, dapat pula suutin mo. Mahilig sa pula mga lalaki."

Everytime I remembered her words, I couldn't help but sighed. She really thinks that Alexander won't accept my proposal and I don't have any choice but to seduce him.

Who does she think I am–

"Ah!" I let out a scream when suddenly a man bumped on me. Napalunok ako at napapikit.

What the, bakit ba lagi akong nababangga?

Napaigik ako nang tumama ang aking pwet sa matigas na seminto. I opened my eyes and glared at the person who bumped on me.

Sumalubong sa akin ang mukha ng isang lalaki. He's around 30s and he's wearing a glasses. May mole sa ilalim ng mata nito.

"What the hell!" he hissed. Kumunot ang aking noo. Nag bulong-bulungan ang mga taong nakapaligid sa amin. I let out a sigh. May biglang lumapit sa akin para tulungan ako. Napatingin ako sa kamay na nasa aking harap at sa nag mamay-ari nito. The girl smiled at me.

Kinuha ko ang kamay niya para makatayo. Mabilis kong pinagpagan ang aking pwetan at nagpasalamat sa babaeng tumulong sa akin.

"Thank you," I said with a smile. She just shook her head and smiled at me.

"Are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong niya. Tumango lang ako a kaniya. She let out a sigh of relief. Bumaling ang tingin niya sa lalaki.

"Apologize to her," inis na sabi ng babae. Kumunot ang noo ng lalaki at mas lalong sumama ang kanyang tingin.

"And why would I do that? This b***h bumped on me!" he said angrily and pointed his finger at me. Kumunot ang noo ng babae at sinamaan din ito ng tingin.

And what the hell did he say? b***h? Nag-init ang ulo ko pero bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay inunahan na ako ng babaeng tumulong sa akin.

"How dare you! Ikaw na nga ang namangga, ikaw pa ang may ganang magalit. Guards! Throw this jerk out," malakas na sabi ng babae. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa sinabi niya.

Mabilis na lumapit ang mga guards at hinawakan ang lalaki sa magkabilang braso at sinimulang hinatak pa alis. ang lalaki.

"What the! Don't touch me! Hindi niyo ba ako kilala!" the man shouted and went wild.

"I'm the secretary of Mr. Alonzo. I won't let you get away with this!" malakas na sabi nito bago ito nahatak ng tuluyan. I let out a sigh when everything became peaceful again.

And what did he say? Alonzo? Kumabog ang aking dibdib. Hindi naman siguro diba? Is this a coincidence or-

"Hi! I'm Beatrice Wynknight," nakangiting pagpapakilala ng babae. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa apelyido nito.

"What's your relationship with Alexander Wynknight?" I asked curious.

"Ah, he is my cousin and I'm his temporary secretary. What's your name?" nakangiti nitong sabi. Mas lalong nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa sinabi niya. Is this destiny?

"I'm Narine by the way," pagpapakilala ko rin sa kaniya.

"What are you doing here? If you need something, tell me. I can help you," she said smiling. My heart beats faster. Should I grab the opportunity now?

"Ah yes, I wanted to meet Mr. Wynknight," nahihiyang sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Okay! I can guide you to his office. This is the first time I saw you. May appointment ka sa kaniya?" nakangiti nitong tanong. Napaigtad ako sa tanong niya at nahihiyang umiling. She let out an 'oh' sound. Kinabahan tuloy ako.

"It's alright. I can help you. Normally he doesn't like talking to someone he doesn't know and doesn't have any appointments with him. But since I like you, you're an exception," she said smiling. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa kaniyang sinabi.

What did I do? Why am I so blessed right now?

"Oh my, Thank you so much." I said with a big smile. She just nodded her head and we began walking towards the entrance.

This is it, I'm going to meet him na. Napahawak ako sa aking puso, shet na malagkit. Kinakabahan ako.

"Ahm, by the way, who was that guy?" I asked. She turned her head to me.

"Ah that? He's the secretary of Mister Colt," she said nonchalantly. Napatigil ako sa paglakad. I can feel myself slowly getting out of breath.

Malakas ang kabog ng aking puso. What the hell is he doing here? Don't tell me they are business partners? Did my source betray me? No, based on his expression, I think it's the opposite.

"Narine?" napatingin ako kay Beatrice. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya ng tipid at nagsimula ulit kaming maglakad.

"i’m sorry. W-why was h-he annoyed by the way?" nauutal na sabi ko sa kanya. Napatingin siya sa akin.

"Well, his proposal was rejected. Hindi niya ata matanggap kaya nagwala muna siya bago umalis. I was just accompanying him outside when he suddenly bumped you." Napatango-tango ako sa sinabi niya. Bumalik ang tingin niya sa daanan. I covered my mouth with my right hand to hide my smile.

I let out a small chuckle secretly. I never thought this would be fun.

"Hmm?" Napatingin ako kay Beatrice na nakakunot ang noo habang nakatingin sa akin. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at umiling-iling.

"Shall we go?" I said excitedly. She chuckled and we headed inside the building.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata ng makapasok na kami sa loob. Kung maganda ang design sa labas, mas maganda sa loob. And it smells nice too, amoy Alexander Bryle Wynknight.

"Miss Beatrice, who is this pretty lady beside you?" A man wearing a bright smile approached us. I smiled awkwardly when I noticed most of the employees here were looking at us.

"It's Narine, my friend," Beatrice said with a bright smile. Mas lalo akong na awkward. Wait what? Friend? Friend na kami? Ang bilis ah.

"H-hi," I smiled awkwardly. The guy flinched and didn't say anything. Mas lalo akong nahiya. Napansin ata ni Beatrice kaya malakas nitong hinampas ang lalaki sa braso.

"Hey Kalix! What the heck." The man named Kalix blink and started blushing. Nilagay nito ang kanyang kamay sa likod ng ulo nito at nahihiyang ngumiti sa akin.

"I-I'm sorry! It's just that you're so pretty I almost lost my breath," nahihiyang sabi niya. Nawala ang ngiti sa aking labi.

"Omg! So corny," nakangiwing sabi ni Beatrice. Napatango-tango ako sa sinabi niya. Kalix froze and became dumbfounded.

"You're really helpless," Beatrice said, sighing and pat Kalix on the shoulders. I let out a sigh and watched them carefully.

Kalix has this gentle vibe around him while Beatrice is fierce. Beatrice has a mid length ash gray hair. She's really pretty. No wonder she's one of Alexander's cousins. Her face says it all.

"We're going now." Parang asong napatango-tango si Kalix. Tumawa kaming dalawa ni Beatrice and we started heading to where the elevator is.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib. Sobrang lakas nang pagkabog nito. It's beating so hard and fast that I think it will leap out from my mouth any moment.

"Are you nervous?" she asked with a smile. Tumingin ako sa kaniya at tumango.

"Don't worry, he won't bite just..." Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang magsimula itong tumawa. What the, why did she stop? He won't bite just?

"D-do you think he will accept my proposal?" I asked nervously. She stopped from laughing and looked at me warmly.

"Well, to be honest. I don't really know. My cousin is a very difficult person. But don't worry, if it fails just seduce him." Then she laughed again. I stared at her blankly.

"My friend also told me to seduce him if it doesn't work out, should I really do it?" nagdadalawang isip na tanong ko sa kaniya. Mabilis itong tumango.

"Yes! Just kidding. Just do it confidently, he doesn't like it if someone doesn't have any confidence is trying to make a deal with him. He's a man whose confidence is as high as this building." And she laughed again. Napatawa ako ng mahina sa sinabi niya.

"Do you think I will be able to seduce him? My friend said he likes boobies. Wala naman aking dibdib, puwet lang," nahihiyang sabi ko dito. Her eyes turned into my chest and to my butt. She then sighed.

"It's the opposite actually, " nanlaki ang aking mga mata.

"R-really?" I asked stuttering. Nagsimulang uminit ang aking buong mukha.

"Yes, so do what I said okay? If your proposal fails, just flaunt your booty." And she laughed loudly. The elevator door opened and we finally arrived at the top floor.

Nagsimula kaming lumabas at sumalubong sa amin ang malaki at malinis na opisina. I gasped in awe as I looked around.

"It's pretty and elegant, isn't it?" Tumango ako sa sinabi niya. Umupo siya sa isang desk at nagsimulang magsalita.

I just look at her while she's busy talking to someone. Is that Alexander? Am I really going to meet him?

I let out a sigh.

"Ah, yes. I'll tell her," seryosong sabi ni Beatrice bago binaba ang telepono. Tumingin siya sa akin at malawak na ngumiti. Kinabahan na naman ako.

"Narine! You can meet him now," she said smiling. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. I thought Alexander would be busy and so hard to reach. I never thought I would be able to meet him this easily. The only thing left is how can I make him my ally.

"Good luck!" Nakangiti akong tumango kay Beatrice. She guided me to where the door of Alexander's office is. Ngumiti muna si Beatrice bago ako iniwan sa harap ng pinto ni Alexander.

Nagtaas baba ang aking dibdib habang sinusubukan pakalmahin ang nagwawala kong dibdib. Can I really do this?

"You can do this Alkina Narine, if it fails, remember to seduce him." Pampalakas loob ko sa aking sarili. Napangiwi nalang ako, aakitin ko ba talaga ang lalaking iyon?

Napaigtad ako ng biglang bumukas ang pinto. Dahan-dahan akong pumasok sa loob. A cold chilly wind embraced my whole body.

I stopped walking when I felt a cold gaze on me. Napatingin ako sa gitna at napalunok nang makita ko ito. The man was looking at me coldly. His eyes are cold and his presence are very intimidating. I gulped.

'Oh please, help me!'