Unlikely Contract

Annabelle, David, and Anne returned to their house after Alexander left in his car, leaving them hungry and craving a snack. Feeling responsible, Annabelle and David volunteered to buy something from the peanut shop nearby. As they strolled through the streets, they chatted and laughed, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

Meanwhile, Alexander was driving back to his mansion when he noticed Isabella waiting for him on a white couch. The sight of her brought a mix of emotions, memories of their tumultuous past flooding back. Before he could react, they were engaged in a heated argument about why Alexander had been seen escorting his personal assistant, Anne, earlier that day.

"I saw you."

Fixing a cold hazy glare at Alexander, she said to him, " I put a trail on you right from the company that only both of you were left there at the moment. What a wreck hole!"

With escalated uptightness, the young woman continued, while Alex was just there, not listening to whatever she had to say, "You even took her home, Alex. Is it now in the rules of your company that an employer has to take his employees to their houses? It would have even been better if the treatment is subjected to all of your workers, but it is only her? Don't you think what the public would be gossiping about you?"

"Anne is my personal assistant, and I can give her whatever attention I like. My business is not your business, so I suggest you put a stop to your unnecessary confrontation and leave."

Isabella sneered and said, "You are telling me to leave your house just because I made mention of her? I was right about you guys are into something else than work."

"What?" He asked like he was surprised about something. "It's nothing new I am sending you out of my house. Do not make it seem complicated."

With that gross expression, he began to walk into the elevator, making her dumb-founded.

But when he was about to close the elevator's door, Isabella interrupted.

"Why have you never let me enter your room? Every other persons must have entered, it's only me, right?"

"Nope,"he said in a calm voice and enthusiastic countenance,"no one has ever entered my room except one. And in case you ever know, I am doing you a great favor."

"A great favor, my ass! What kind of a boyfriend won't allow his girlfriend to enter his bedroom?"

Alex breathe in and out, " That's how she messes up our conversation."

Just as the argument was escalating, Eugene arrived on the scene. He calmly intervened, trying to mediate between Alexander and Isabella, urging them to put the past behind them. "Let's not dwell on what's already done. The important thing is to move forward," Eugene said in his soothing voice, attempting to reconcile the two.

Later that evening, Eugene decided to visit his favorite peanut shop for a moment of solitude. However, as fate would have it, he bumped into Annabelle, just like the last time they crossed paths. But something was different this time—her peanut didn't sprawl on the ground.

Recognizing Eugene from their previous encounter, Annabelle couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—surprise, frustration, and a lingering annoyance from the unresolved debt. "Hey, you still owe me money from last time," she said, her voice tinged with irritation.

Eugene, ever the composed and enigmatic figure, stood his ground, his face unyielding. "I have no obligation to pay you for your carelessness," he retorted coldly, fixing her with an intense stare.

Unfazed by his demeanor, Annabelle was about to continue arguing when David quickly stepped in to caution her. "Annabelle, hold on. Look at his jacket," he said, pointing at the embroidered symbol on Eugene's jacket—a striking red mansion.

Annabelle was flabbergasted as she realized the significance of the emblem. The Red Mansion was known to be associated with powerful and influential individuals, and she had unknowingly tangled herself in an argument with one of its dwellers. "I...I had no idea," she stammered, her anger dissipating into concern.

Eugene, recognizing the fear in her eyes, took advantage of the situation. "You should know better than to argue with people from the Red Mansion," he warned, his voice tinged with a hint of menace. "You could get yourself into serious trouble."

Feeling cornered, Annabelle pleaded, "Please, I didn't mean any harm. I'm sorry, and I promise it won't happen again."

David, sensing an opportunity for forgiveness, added, "Maybe there's a way for you to make amends, Annabelle. Eugene, if she's willing to make it right, what would you like her to do?"

Eugene paused for a moment, considering the situation carefully. He realized that he had an opportunity to make Annabelle understand the gravity of her actions and also fulfill a need of his own. "If you want to be forgiven, then you must do something for me," he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

"What do you want me to do?" Annabelle asked cautiously, uncertain of what he might demand.

"I need you to act as my girlfriend for one night," Eugene said matter-of-factly. "Next week is the Red Mansion's anniversary day, and every person must attend as a couple. I don't have feelings for anyone, so I need a temporary companion for the event."

Annabelle's eyes widened in surprise. She never expected such a request, but she quickly realized the gravity of the situation. "Alright, I'll do it," she agreed reluctantly, realizing that it was her best chance at making things right.

They entered a nearby café to discuss the details of their unusual agreement. Eugene explained the expectations for the Red Mansion's anniversary party, emphasizing the importance of their acting like a genuine couple. Annabelle nodded, her mind racing with both excitement and apprehension.

As the conversation progressed, Annabelle mustered the courage to ask for something in return. "If I agree to be your girlfriend for the night, I want something after that. I want to be your friend," she said earnestly, her eyes fixed on Eugene's.

Eugene hesitated for a moment, his past haunting him, reminding him of the reasons he had distanced himself from friendships over the centuries. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea," he said, his voice tinged with reluctance.

But Annabelle persisted, presenting him with heartfelt reasons why he should give friendship a chance. "You don't have to let your past dictate your future. I promise I'll prove to you that friendship can be worth it, even for someone like you," she said, her voice filled with determination.

After a moment of contemplation, Eugene finally relented. "Fine, we can be friends after that night. But remember, this doesn't mean I'll change my nature. I can't fall in love," he warned, revealing a deeply buried secret about his true identity—an ancient vampire.