Operation Hades

I analyze all of the girls before me. Each covered in heavy jewelry and luxurious dresses from head to toe. The most expensive make up they could find lathered onto their faces as an artist would his masterpiece. For a fleeting moment I wonder what they looked like, under all that make up and hidden insecurities. I shake my head silently scolding myself for not focusing on the task at hand.

None of them seem right. Sure they're beautiful and rich, but they lack the fire and innocence I'm looking for. I shake my head.

"You are all free to go." I dismiss distantly. I hear angry murmurs and whispers but I tune them all out. I don't care if they're unhappy. This is about my happiness. Not theirs. Over the next few weeks I kept my eyes opened.

I secretly tested the few potential candidates I found, but none of them were the right fit. Then I met her. Well technically ran into her. Summer Lewis. She was perfect. Perfect for him. Against my better judgement I let myself drift away into the memory that held my hopes and dreams.

"What if you had a reason to leave?" I inquire. He cocked his eyebrow with interest, prodding me to continue. "I'm sure it gets lonely down here... What if I found the perfect woman for you, but the only way you could have her was to leave this retched place behind?" I ask and he stands and slowly walks until we are inches  apart.

He towers over me a curious expression dominating his features. Despite what people's imaginations conjure up Hades was quite handsome. Yes, Hades the god of the Underworld. "And who do you have in mind?" He challenges.

"I don't know yet-" I start and he frowns. "But I will find her." I assure him and he steps back.

"I'm guessing you want something in return?" I nod.

"I want the Underworld and the power you posses." I state confidently. He looks at me and laughs.

"You want this 'retched place'? Why?" He laughs but I see a flicker of interest flash in his eyes. I shrug.

"Personal reasons." I say casually. He laughs a deep throaty laugh.

"I'm afraid that's not good enough." He deadpans. I roll my eyes.

"I have nothing outside of here. I crave power. No that's sounds insane. I just need something. I need to be able to control something. I like solitude and quiet. I just can't handle it anymore." I explain quickly. I feel a bead of sweat roll down the back of my neck as my cheeks burn with embarrassment. 'I must sound mad'. I think to myself. He looks at me with... sympathy? No. Understanding.

He knows the feeling. Then why would he want to leave?

"Fine. Deal. If you can find me the perfect woman," He starts. "You can have all of this." He gestures to our surroundings. The surroundings I desperately want to call my own.

Suddenly I snap out of my memory to see someone nudging me. Summer. "Um are you okay Max?" She asks hesitantly. I nod briskly.

"Fine. Now onto the task at hand. Finding you a dress." She nods in response. She truly is the perfect girl. She lives alone her only family died in a car wreck years ago. No one would miss her. She's innocent but not naive. She's kind but she won't let you walk all over her. She has a fire to her. He would love her.

For her sake I hope she loves him.

She was desperate enough to accept my proposition. Working three jobs she barely has enough time to eat and sleep. I assured her a luxurious life. One worthy of a queen. Besides she's just as lonely as him.

"I just have one question..." She trails off nervously. I roll my eyes but nod for her to continue.

"How do you know Hades?"

I suck in a quick breath. "My parents were killed when I was twelve. When they died I knew I couldn't live without them. So I killed myself. Died with them. When I got there he told me it wasn't my time yet. He made me return. Since then we've kept in contact. He watched over me." I relay the story to her and she gives me a look of sympathy.

I return to my cold exterior and continue dig through the store. Then I spot the perfect one. It's a soft pink and I know it would hit her in all the right places. It's not harsh but it has a certain spark to it. I quickly grab it and shove it into her hands. I gesture for her to go into the dressing rooms to try it on. She rolls her eyes and strolls into the dressing room. She comes out and my assumptions were correct.

It's perfect.

We buy it and I get her ready to meet him. Hades god of the Underworld.

~~~

"Sooo how exactly do you get to him?" Summer implores. I sigh and quickly explain.

"He gave me a ring so I could talk to him anytime I needed to." She nods pretending to understand what I'm saying. I roll my eyes at her narrow mindedness. I carefully press the blue gem in the center of the ring down. It slides down and back up like a button. I close my eyes and next thing I know we're standing before him.

"Hades." I greet him. He shoots me a wicked grin.

"Maxine." I roll my eyes.

"You know I go by Max." He shrugs.

"Maxine's more elegant." He explains smoothly.

I gesture towards Summer. "I present to you Summer Lewis." She nervously steps forward and he examines her. Hades shoots me a grin.

"She's great. Perfect almost. There's only one thing wrong..." He trails off and steps towards me. My breath hitches and I stare up at him.

"I don't want Summer. I want you."