5- Intriguing Woman

"W-Who is she, Lucifer?" Mrs Grave asked. Flabbergasted to see a woman in his life who dared to do this. Lucifer turned to her and stood up. He finally gave her his real look which flickers with malice, anger and gloom. He didn't say anything, just grabbed her arm and dragged her with him. "H-hey! What are-" "Shut up." He ordered. He dragged her back to her room and pushed her away. He locked the door and turned to her. The clicking sound of the door being locked, gave her chills. She swallowed the lump in her throat when he took faint steps towards her. Heart pacing abnormally fast, legs becoming weak as apprehensive thoughts weighed her breaths. "Why am I here?" She asked in a bare whisper. His sinister gaze was not removed from her fretful ones. Her back hit the wall as he put his hands on either side of her, trapping her in his arms. "What do you-" "Shh... " He put his index finger on her lips and continued in a low tone. "You don't even know how much trouble I have saved you from, Red." She shivered violently when he called her name. "What trouble?" He took a step back and took out his phone. "I guess I have no choice. Now Dad and Mom have seen you." He sighed and called Harry. "Hello, We will do what you said at the hospital, Harry. Get the papers and come here in thirty minutes." And he cut the call with it, turning his attention back to Red. "W-Why are you doing this?" "Your very existence created upheavals for me." He sighed, taking a seat. "What do you mean?" She asked. "Every girl died except you. And I have to conceal you-" "Because you don't get caught." She hissed. "Yes." "Why?" "It was my enemy who wanted to ruin me. He kidnapped my employee's family and threatened him to do this." "Why the girls?" Red gradually began to regain her posture. "Randomly." He shrugged. "All because to destroy you, he killed nearly twenty girls!" Red shouted in appall. "I don't like noises, Red. Lower your voice." Lucifer put his finger over his lip to indicate to her to shut up. "I was living my life happily, starting my dreams and you fucking trampled over it." She scowled. "It wasn't me. I don't care." Lucifer said, using his phone. "Harry is coming. Stay here until then." It wasn't a request. It was an order. Red grit her teeth and sat on the bed, pulling her hair in frustration of how such an upside down turn her life has taken. "The trouble you were talking about before?" "I will tell you when he will come." He said monotonously. "Fuck it, I am leaving." Red said and stood up to leave. The moment she held the doorknob, Lucifer grabbed her arm and pinned it over her back as she winced in pain. "Let me go." She struggled but he did the same with her other hand, pulling her back. "Don't make me force you, Red." He hissed, tightening his grip over her. She was writhing to get out of his grasp, he pulled her close, keeping her in place to soothe her, he began to say. "Please. I have no intentions of hurting you." His voice became soft, nuzzling to her neck. Looking at her with an earnest gaze. "Trust me. I don't." He whispered, loosening his grip. His words were tender enough for Red to ease at a point. Red lowered her head, curling her hands in a fist and was about to push Lucifer away but then the door knocked. Red freed her one hand and opened the door, forgetting the fact her back was pressed against his chest as he held her other hand back and the closeness- not to mention. When the door opened three figures. Harry, Mr and Mrs Grave's eyes almost popped to see such a sight. "H-Here you go." Harry said, handing the papers. Red took it and closed the door. "What's in it?" She asked, narrowing her eyes in irk. "They are marriage license papers." "Wha-WHAT!?" Red staggered to hear his absurd words. "Are you out of your mind? Why would-" "Just listen." He said exasperatedly, losing his patience with her. Red gave him a wrathful look and sat on the couch. He cleared his throat and began to say, "Now listen. I have perished the existence of every doubt. There is no proof that a bunch of girls from America were smuggled here and in that condition..." He paused. "If cops spot you, the one who will be at loss would be you. No one will believe you, you will be stuck here for God knows how long." He smirked menacingly, taking a seat and leaned back with a triumphant look over his face. "You can't be serious..." She whispered in fright after knowing she was stuck in a severe affliction. "What will I do now?" She covered her face in her hands, at the verge of crying. "I have a proposal for you, Red." Lucifer said seriously. "What?" "Fake a marriage with me for a whole year. Get a new identity. Iris Grave, my wife." "Why does it have to be a marriage...?" She asked in a depressed tone, displeased by the idea. "Because that's the price of your liberation." He smirked. "I need you to fake the marriage for my selfish purpose and you can get back to your world." He leaned in close to her face, lifting her chin, his dominant demeanor converting into seductive again. A minatory look lingered over her face when he leaned dangerously close to her face. "A year and you will be freed." He seductively said, brushing his thumb over her lips which were shaking. "Of course, that's not it. Tell me the amount of money and I will provide it to you." He pulled away. "A year of your life with a new identity to slip easily out from England and go back to America without facing tribulations, leading a smooth life as my wife and any amount of money you want." He said, extending his details to lure her in his trap but it didn't reach her ears as a trap but a source of light and an arousal to her haunting intentions. Red tension faltered gradually as she raised an eyebrow. Her mind cleared up a bit and she found this trepidation as an opportunity now. She leaned back and put her one leg over the other and thinking about it for a few minutes, her thoughts turned into resoluteness. "We just have to pretend, right?" She asked with a smirk. "I can see you are interested." He smirked back. "It's not enough." Red said, taking the papers in her hands. "What else do you want?" "One million euro as compensation and attending every fashion gala happening in England. Whenever, wherever." She licked her lips temptingly. Thinking of it as a chance to gain experience. "Are you serious?" He mocked. "Can't do it?" She asked. "How will I be related to the Fashion Industry?" He asked. "Your name revolves around the world, Lucifer. Surely it includes famous fashion brands as well." She smiled venomously. The air abruptly changed and there was no more fear or distress, it disappeared as if it never existed. Now, They are negotiating the contents of their future contract. "I won't have time for it." he said. "I don't care." She shrugged. "What if I refuse the other condition?" He asked. "What If I scream and call everyone here, telling your Dad about his son's intentions?...It will be a worthy sight." She warned in a low sweet voice. He frowned and took the marriage papers from her. "It's nothing but a show." He mumbled. "I know." He signed the papers and gave it to her. "You know how to get things going your way. You have the option to go to the police as well." He said, giving her the papers to sign. "I considered it an opportunity. I wanted to become a fashion designer and attending the fashion shows will surely help to gain experience and the money... Well, it's for fun." She signed them as well and handed it back to him. Lucifer let out a suppressed laugh and shook his head. "You are an intriguing woman, Red."