Chapter 3

Carmilla had been given twenty four hours to accept or reject the job proposal. Her father wasn't out of the morgue yet when she decided to call the lawyer and inform him of her decision. It was 8 am sharp.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror and then released a heavy sigh as it rang.

“Hello,” he said when he picked up.

"Mr. Hamilton?" She said tentatively.

“Speaking,” he said formally and she could almost imagine the man squaring his shoulders.

"This is Carmilla Lenoir," she began in a strong tone, only to add a in a rather meek voice, "I'm calling to say I accept the job offer."

It was freaking 8 am. It almost felt as if she couldn't wait long enough to call him. She face-palmed at that, hating her eagerness to work for the enemy. But then again, the enemy was offering a good deal. A deal she was sure she wouldn't land elsewhere given her inexperience.

"Very well," he said simply. "I'll inform Mr. King of your decision."

Please do, she mentally retorted. If I never speak to the devil again, it will be too soon.

But she had to interact with said devil, for he was her boss. She had to act professionally.

“Okay,” she retorted after a small pause.

“When can you start?” He asked.

“Next week,” she said. Sensing he was about to protest, she was quick to add, “my father died last night. My mother and I have a funeral to take care of. Surely you and your boss can understand that!

“I am sorry for your loss,” he said evenly, still using his no-nonsense business tone, and completely ignoring her spite.

“Thank you,” she forced out the words before biting on her lower lip in annoyance.

"If that'll be all, Miss Lenoir..." he trailed off, "just sign the contract and have someone deliver it to the company if you cannot come yourself given the circumstances."

"Yes, I will," she said tersely, as tears of pure frustration gathered in her eyes.

"Have a good day," he said, politely dismissing her.

She heard herself respond appropriately before she hung up on the lawyer mechanically.

How could they be so heartless as to want the contract signed on this very same day? She was true to her word. She'd never say something and then do something else. When she said she accepted the deal, she did... no matter how reluctantly that was.

She almost had half a mind to call him back and tell him to find someone else for the job - almost. She couldn't, no matter how much she wanted to, refuse the offer. It was almost too good to be true, and she'd be a fool to say no.

When she finally signed the contract, almost feeling like she had signed her soul to the devil, she emerged from the room, and found her mom laying on her sofa, still sobbing.

"Oh, mom!" She let out in a strangled gasp as tears threatened choke her as well.

Her mother raised her head and looked at her with bloodshot eyes. “What are we going to do?” She rasped out.

"I'll take care of you, mom," Carmilla tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. I'll take care of you." She repeated, her resolve now made of steel.

She would work for Joshua King for a year, take care of her mom and save up money to finish her studies in the process.

Just watch me, Joshua King, she told herself as she gathered her mom close. I'll make you regret ever thinking of taking over our family business.

** ** ** ** **

The funeral had been almost deserted. Now that their family went bankrupt, most of those they called friends didn't wish to be associated with the name Lenoir.

To the hell with fake friends! Camrilla thought as she looked around the nearly empty cemetery.

She wiped her tears from her face with a handkerchief, and when she looked up from where her father was now resting, she saw the devil approach the small gathering.

What was Joshua doing here? Had he come to taunt her perhaps?

She openly glared at him.

"What are you doing here?" She hissed through gritted teeth when he finally came to a halt next to her.

"I'm here to pay my respects," he said simply, his midnight blue eyes serious.

Her glare intensified.

"Your old man was a gambler and a bad drunk but he was still more honorable than most men," he shrugged unrepentantly, almost as if he hadn't just insulted her late father.

"How can you?" She screeched at him, wanting nothing more than to lash out at him.

She grabbed him by the collar of his undoubtedly expensive suit and tried to bring his face level with hers... keyword here being tried.

"You scoundrel!" She said hotly, tears flowing freely from her eyes.

“You’re making a scene, chérie,” he told her softly.

“And I don’t even care, asshole,” she countered.

"I do hope you'll be coming to the office on Monday as agreed," he said, completely ignoring the insult and the rough treatment.

She saw red.

“You signed a contract,” he reminded.

A binding one, her mind supplied.

“I'll be there,” she said as all fight left her at once.

He dusted off the vest of his suit and then after greeting her mother and telling her how sorry he was for their loss, he was on his nonchalant way.

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