The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

5 | The Knight's Move

𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I roll the chess piece with my fingers, feeling the cool, smooth surface of the carved wood as I lean back in my office chair. I stare at it—none other than a black knight, its intricately detailed mane and fierce expression reflecting the dim light of the room.

So her name is Danielle, huh? Danielle Marsh to be exact.

I thought it was Jerry. Jerry Jamaica was a cute name too, but Danielle June Marsh just sounds better. Perfection.

She really looked like a fallen angel last night in her perfect yellow dress, her wavy brown hair styled like a princess.

I run a hand through my hair, brushing it back smoothly, and sigh.

What the hell is wrong with me? I'm supposed to hate her—someone who was forced into this marriage with me. But how could I? She's just so sweet and beautiful, like a blooming sunflower bathed in golden sunlight.

And perfect.

Yes, perfect.

The door cracks open. There's come two stupidos.

One is obsessed with the barista girl working at the nearby café just a few kilometers from here—she goes there almost every day just to see her face. As far as I know, our coffee machine hasn't broken yet.

The other is a freaking tall woman obsessed with money. Of course, money. She sucks at relationships. She's been a hopeless romantic for a while, but she's still good at managing the company's finances. The Chief Financial Officer, to be exact.

"Ah, she looks gorgeous as always," Minji says, throwing herself into the single sofa with a dramatic flair. She loosens her tie a bit while the other hand holds a paper bag—something she bought from the café. "Too bad she's just a part-timer there. I can't see her every day. But I've memorized her schedule already," she adds.

Hyein slumps into the nearby sofa with an evil laugh, her tall form nearly collapsing into the cushions. "At this point, I think you need therapy. You're obsessed with her!"

"Of course, I am. She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen, and she's mine. She just doesn't know it yet." Minji smirks devilishly.

I scoff cynically. These two psychos.

"Hae, how about your meeting with your future wife last night? Good?" Hyein throws questions, now finally focusing on me.

"Oh, yeah! You're so lucky, man. I wish my dad would've arranged my marriage with Hanni too," Minji mutters before taking a bite of her croissant from the paper bag.

"Minji, shut up! I swear to God, if you say that name again!" Hyein gives Minji a sharp dagger-eyed look, making some fake gagging sounds before turning back to me. "How did your meeting with her go last night, Hae? Satisfied?"

I put the black knight back onto the board, then stare at the complicated position of the chess pieces for a moment.

It's a mate in ten.

"Not so bad," I answer.

"How does she look?" Minji chimes in.

"Like a fallen angel."

Both of their jaws drop, mouths and eyes wide open as they look at each other, then back at me.

"Excuse me, I thought you didn't like her?" Hyein scrunches her eyebrows.