Caged By The Devil [18+]

Chapter 17

Elena's POV:

I was wondering why he was behaving like this and what is even wrong with him. He really has no manner to talk with an unknown girl. He didn't even know me but here he is making fun of me.

I just keep looking at him while he was laughing because I have no idea what to say. I also don't understand what is so funny about his lame joke that he is laughing so much. But after a few minutes later, he stopped laughing.

"Sorry... Manners. Hey... I'm Christian Richards", saying that, he offered his hand.

"You can call me Chris", next second, he again said.

It was really strange how his moods changed so quickly. He was laughing a minute ago but now he is all serious and normal.

Brushing my thoughts, I also forward my hand.

"Hello... I'm Elena Martinez. Nice to meet you, Chris", I said sweetly although I don't think still it's a nice meeting or not.

I thought that maybe he also going to say the same, but he didn't rather giving me a playful smile, he leaves my hand which really make me feel somehow upset.

"Too much arrogance", I thought in my mind although I was willing to tell him that.

"So... Why are you here, Elena?", He questioned me with confusion like he has no idea why I'm here but I'm pretty much sure that he already knows.

"Wait... Can I call you, Elena?", When I was opening my lips to say something, he interrupts me.

Really... After calling my name nearly four or five times, he realized that he needs to take permission from me to call my name. I don't know what to think about him but all I realizing that he isn't like Anthony at all. Rather, he is way more different from his brother.

Without replying to him anything, I just nodded my head as a reply because I was afraid inside about the fact that he may interrupt me again by telling something stupid. So, I was preferring to be silent.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Tell me why are you here?", He again asked when I was being silent, looking down as I also don't know what I else I need to look. And it was hard for me to look at him because if I look at his face then my eyes automatically shift to his naked upper body.

"I...I... want to meet with you and.... talk to you about the contract", I replied.

I was still looking down, and I don't think that he is taking it nicely.

"Is something bothering you? Why are you even looking down? I don't think the floor looks much better than me or you're feeling too shy to look at me", he said, taking a few steps towards me and again stand near me, but no too closer like before.

And yes, his second guess was correct as I was indeed too shy to look at a guy who is shirtless.

But what about him? Why he haven't any shame at all to show off his body to a girl whom he hardly known?

Ignoring my all thought, I decided to look at him because I think I'm just wasting my time without talking to him about the contract for which I came here.

"Can we talk about the contract, please?", I asked straightly, fixing my eyes on him.

"Oh, yeah... I remember. That's why you come here", he said, pretending like he forgets about that.

I really want to tell him that how bad he is in case of lying as anyone could easily understand that his acting is utterly fake.

"Thank God... You at least can remember", I said sarcastically. But I don't think that he takes it in a good way

as anger started clouding in his eyes which was calm until now.

"Well... Wait for me in my study room. I will right back after a few minutes", saying that, he called the old lady and asked her to take me to his study room.

But one thing I don't understand why he even become so serious all of a sudden? He was making fun of me a while ago, but he becomes all angry and serious just because I was being sarcastic for one time.

Chris is full of arrogance and attitude, unlike Anthony who is gentle, kind, generous, and above all a down-to-earth person. Until now, I understand that except for their eyes, there is nothing common between Anthony and Chris. They both are literally different from each other, and it must be impossible for someone to recognize them as a brother if they didn't know since before.

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After that, the old lady takes me to the study room and left me alone. I took a seat on the chair behind the desk and starts waiting for him to come.

I started feeling really annoyed as he was still making me as it's already passed 15 minutes after I came to his study room, and yet he isn't willing to come. I was very much sure that he was making me wait for him intentionally as it may be his nature to make people annoyed.

Feeling depressed and bored, I started checking some business magazines which was present there on the desk. And in most of the magazines, there was Chris picture on the cover page which was only making remind his arrogant nature, so I refused to check those magazines anymore.

But all of a sudden, something caught my attention. There was a small photo frame placed on the desk which I yet not noticed. And my attention fixed on that because there wasn't Chris photos only rather Anthony was also with him. Although it was just a simple photo but my heart filled with happiness as soon as I saw Anthony in the photo and he was smiling brightly along with Chris. I really don't know the reason why I was being so happy after seeing Anthony's photo.

Without thinking twice, I took the photo frame in my hand to see it closely. I know what I was doing is a really dumb thing to do but I was feeling like I was missing Anthony although he isn't any special person to me. But again I was really wishing Anthony in place of Chris today because Anthony is the most incredible guy I ever met for the first time in my life.

Besides, Anthony is indeed a great guy as I won't feel so attracted after only one meeting. He really has a charming nature which still makes me happy whenever I think about him.

I was caressing Anthony photo with my thumb while being lost in my thought about him because his mere thought was making me smile.

"I hope you didn't get bored", I startled suddenly, hearing Chris's loud voice from behind.

And next second, the most unexpected thing happened. The photo frame slipped from my hand and dropped on the floor, and within a second the glass of the frame break into pieces, making loud sounds.

I was just stunned because I haven't the courage to move as I become so shocked and scared. Even Chris wasn't saying anything, and I also don't see his reaction yet as he was behind me. There was pin-drop silence in the room while I was looking at those broken glass pieces.

Although Chris wasn't uttering a sound, but I can guess that he must be fuming in anger and willing to yell at me.

I get up from the chair and look at Chris who thankfully decided to wear a t-shirt now and he was also looking at the broken photo frame.

"Did it take him so long to wear a t-shirt?", It's the first thought come into my mind after seeing him which I brushed off instantly because I have to apologize to him.

"I'm extremely sorry, Chris. I didn't do it intentionally. I'm really.... really sorry", I apologized sounding nervous which makes him look at me and there was confusion in his eyes without any anger.

I know he must be thinking that what the hell I was doing with his photo frame which he may ask me next second.

"It's okay... It's just a photo frame. Don't be so nervous", he said calmly when I expected him something else to ask but he reacts like nothing happened.

Although I also know that it's just a photo frame but I was really expecting that he will be very angry and barked at me.

Without saying anything more, he came near the broken frame and pick up the photo from there. And then, he went to take his seat.

"Why are you standing? Please, sit....", Chris told, keep looking at the picture of his hand and next second I again took my seat.

Although he was acting like nothing happened but I was feeling guilty and regretting for touching the photo frame. So, I decided to apologize again.

"Chris... I'm truly very much sorry for.....", He interrupts me and he is seeming annoyed.

"You don't to be sorry for this at all. But....", He stopped without finishing what he was going to say. I give him a questioned look as I left curious.

"Just don't try to break my relationship with my brother like those broken glass pieces", he said with different emotions in his voice.

"What!!!", I exclaimed in surprise although I understand the meaning of his words, but I don't understand why he even says that.

"Never mind..... So, tell me what do you want to tell about the contract", he said, leaning on his chair when I was still confused about what happened a while ago.

Although I came here just because of the contract, but right now, it was literally out of my mind because of the stupid incident which just happened. And I don't know how can I start talking about the contract, but I tried to forget what happened and start concentrating on the matter for which I come here.

But again I feel wordless because I can't understand that from where I need to start talking about the contract as I find my mind fully blank now. So, without thinking more I asked him directly which is the only thing I want to ask him and also wants him to agree.

"Can you please cancel the contract?", I know I was sounding unprofessional, but I just trying to be straight forward.

"Come again", he said and chuckle slightly.

I was sure that I sound clear enough for him to hear but he is asking me to say that again.

"Can you please cancel the contract of the project which my dad signed when he was alive?", I sound more clear this time but he again smile sarcastically while I was being serious.

"So... Are you asking me to cancel it just because your dad isn't alive?", He asked, raising his brow acting like he was confused when I'm sure that he must know the reason as the current situation of our business isn't unknown from anyone.

"It isn't possible for us to invest such a huge amount of money at this time and also, I don't think that it will be possible in the upcoming years. And you know that, right", I said, sounding helpless.

I started praying that he felt a bit of sympathy for our company and become agree to cancel the project and if he does that then, I will be grateful to him in my entire life.

"Yeah... I know that. And I'm really sorry for that. And I think I should agree with what you said", he said with pity on his eyes and it was totally unexpected although I also wanted this.

"Really", I said, smiling slightly as I can't help myself to feel happy.

"Nah....", He said and started laughing which fade my smile instantly.

"So, That was a joke", I think and feel hurt. I feel more disappointed seeing him laughing.

"Tell me... Are you even heard what you said? I mean How could even think like that?", He said, sounding serious this time, but I don't find anything to reply.

"I already invested my part of money and it's your turn. But you asking me to cancel the project so that my money goes in vain. Are you really that dumb or trying to earn pity from people?", He continued, but I just keep looking down because I already lost the courage to look at him as I was feeling insulted.

I was literally regretting coming here and meet with him because now I'm very much sure that he never going to cancel the contract.

"Now I'm not surprised about the current situation of your company as the business is run by such an inexperienced and dumb girl. I don't think that you're capable enough to be the guard of that company", he was saying sarcastically which was really making me cry because I never felt this much insulted before in face to face.

"Listen... I know that I'm inexperienced and don't even deserve to be the CEO, but I wasn't willing to be. Even I was forced to be the CEO", I literally cried while saying that.

But I managed to hold my poor tears in my eyes otherwise he will start calling me a crying baby.

"So... What can I do? Is it my fault that you're the worse example of a CEO?", He questioned me curiously.

"I didn't say that. I just ask you to cancel the contract, and that's it. You're the one who is digging this matter more", I sound angry for his useless talk but he just chuckles.

"I'm willing to record what are you saying and let you hear so that you can realize, how ridiculous you sound, Elena....", then he said.

I was feeling like to exit this place right now as he was getting on my nerves. I was scolding my dad in my mind for signing this damn project before his death as even after dying, he snatched away the peace from my life. Only for my dad, today I'm here and being insulted by an unknown person with whom I was never even supposed to meet.

"You know... I know what I'm saying, and I also know how stupid I'm sounding but I have no choice. We can't invest this much money when we don't even have it", I said and he gives me a thoughtful look.

I again start hoping that he will be agreed this time.

"If I calculate all of your current wealth then I think you can pay one-third amount of money. And as I'm a great and kind man, I will give you time to pay the rest the money later", I left wordless after hearing him because I can't even imagine selling all of this wealth. And I would like to die before doing this.

"I never going to do that. Selling all the wealth, is the last thing I want to do... Chris", I said and I can't hold my tears this time. The mere thought of losing everything which belongs to Stefan was breaking my heart.

"Then what can I do in this case?", He said simply and he was right. He is really nothing to do with my problems.

"Chris... The contract was signed by my dad, and me....", He interrupts me.

"I know what you are going to say, but it all going to be useless and you simply wasting your time here. I don't even interested in where you will get the money and you have it or not. I just want the money invested in time which is next Monday and you have only six days left", he said which makes me lose the last hope.

"So, it's a No from you", I asked sadly but he smiled.

"It isn't a No rather I have nothing to do. I'm feeling bad for you, but I have no other option, Elena... I just can't cancel the contract. And anyone in my place would do the same", he said and I find it's useless to stay there anymore. So, I started leaving without saying anything more.

But before leaving, I turned around to correct his thought.

"Anthony wouldn't do the same if he was in your place today", I said firmly.

His reaction was saying that it was really bitter for him to hear what I said and he wasn't expecting me to tell this at all.

Before he comes up with his reply, I already left from his study room.