Caged By The Devil [18+]

Chapter 15

Elena's POV:

2 Months Later

Although I become the CEO overnight, but it turns out the worse thing ever happened with the company. From the beginning, I was trying to learn but being the CEO wasn't easy at all rather it was way harder than my thought.

Being a girl with zero knowledge and experience of business, all my responsibility as a CEO, started seeming a nightmare for me. I was trying hard to enhance the quality of a CEO and do my responsibility perfectly, but I was failing in each step.

Although Lizzie was with me all the time and trying to help me every second as much as she could, but I was the one who lastly messed up everything because I wasn't worthy enough to take a decision perfectly. Even in one month, I become the disappointment of every employee, and there was hardly any employee who wasn't talking about me behind my back. Few times they criticize me in front of me, and they also said that I don't even deserve that position which I also know and agree.

Whenever any important meetings happen about new projects, I hardly understand what going on during the meetings. In the meetings, there always present many official figures of other companies, and in front of them, I can't even talk properly because some of them used to give me dirty looks although they're my dad's age.

Even one day, I exit from the meeting room being emotional and it was hard for me to hold my tears anymore because I said something stupid for which they all started laughing at me. Until now, I have become the laughing stock many times of these official persons which make me feel nothing but ashamed. And after that, most of the time I send Lizzie to attend meetings instead of me.

It doesn't matter how much Lizzie helped me because lastly, I have to decide on which projects I need to invest in. I always find all the projects the same, and the revenue from them also the same, so it seemed impossible for me to pick the one which brings profit to the company instead of loss. But I ended up picking those projects which brought nothing but continuous losses in our company, and the irony is that our company never faced such losses in years.

I started reading various business books, but it wasn't helping me a bit rather it was giving more pressure on my dumb mind. I don't know how dad and uncle did it, but I was failing horribly in the case of the right investments. As a result, the share of our company was dropping ridiculously which cause our company to take a huge amount of loans from the bank.

Day by day, I started feeling vulnerable and more helpless because I put all the property at risk. I wouldn't be worried if all this wealth really belongs to me or I'm the owner of it which I'm not because it all belongs to Stefan and Aunt Jenna. And I have to return to them all of these but currently, I'm on the path of losing them because of my continuous failure.

When I thought that I have going to have a peaceful life as my father died but my life becomes more complicated without my realization. I shouldn't be worried about business nor I should feel shame for failing again and again but I can't even sleep a night peacefully after being the CEO. It was seeming like peace doesn't want to even exist in my life because my life again becomes painful and full of regrets.

I really don't know what I need to do about the business to make things right and make everything like before because right now our company is nowhere in the list of the most top companies when our company used to rank at the top in Miami. And I can't explain my feeling when I thought that the reason for our company's failure is only me because I'm one of the most dumbest girls ever exist.

Sometimes, I thought to contact Anthony because I was sure that he must help me but I never find the courage to contact him when I remember the rejection, he got from me. Although he said to ask for help whenever I want but I think it's the most shameless thing to do for me. And again I left helpless, and there is no one on my side to help to get rid of this s**t.

*********************

I was in the office and was going through some files to sign. Although I have no desire to come here and do all these stupid stuff but in my fate, there written nothing better than this.

Feeling bored and depressed, I took a blank paper and start drawing random designs on it which was making me a bit of relief. Since childhood, I was interested in arts and crafts which make me wish to be a fashion designer, but now I'm dealing with business.

When I was drawing on the paper while losing on my own thoughts, Lizzie appeared there all of a sudden. Earlier, her appearing like this, really scared the hell out of me because she used to appear like this with the news of our loss or any kind of bad news related to our business. But now I don't feel scared that much as it's become a regular thing to hear.

"You again start acting like a stupid, Elena?", Lizzie yelled at me and snatched away the paper from me in which I was drawing. Although I become a bit angry, but I don't show it to her, thinking that maybe she is right.

"What happened now?", I asked sounding careless which make her frown hard as she was being disappointed by my behavior.

"Behave yourself, Elena. Nowadays, you're taking everything lightly when the world going to collapse around you", she said like as usual.

Releasing a sigh, I again asked her what happened but her face clouded with sadness. I realized that maybe something serious happened this time.

"Did you check the mail that I sent you a while ago?", She asked, but I nodded my head as I didn't.

I started feeling like I'm really being careless recently without being serious. But what else I can do when I'm also a human, and I want to live some days normally without any worry. But it's seeming like how much I try to live normally, my life wants to be more rude to me.

"What is the mail about?", I asked while I was opening the laptop. But Lizzie remain silent without replying to me.

As soon as I opened the mail, my heartbeat stopped a bit as at the top of the mail there was a logo of Richards Company which makes me reminds only about Anthony and I started picturing his handsome face on my mind. Without reading the mail, I start smiling because the mere thought of Anthony, was bringing a smile on my face after a long time.

"Seriously... Why are you smiling like a fool? Are you finding the mail romantic or something?", Lizzie's curious question brings my back from my thought and next second, I started reading the mail being sure that there must be written some sweet words from Anthony.

But my smile starts fading as much as I was going through the mail because it was the most unexpected thing I ever received. My happiness turned into disappointment and worries after reading the mail.

"What the hell is this? Is this some kind of joke?", I asked Lizzie sounding shocked.

The mail was about a project which my dad signed with Richards Company when he was in California, and the project contains a huge amount of money which is triple in the amount of our current wealth. But the most horrible thing is that the contract of the project is confirmed and signed and also the Richard Company already has invested their part of the money. So, now it's our turn to pay the money which is more than impossible for us in the current situation.

"I have no idea, Elena... Honestly, I'm really afraid. I can't even imagine what could be the result of this. They already invested their money according to the contract, and now it's our turn. And we have no choice because the contract is already signed", My heart starts beating crazily due to fear after hearing her because she is right as we can be bankrupted because of this damn contract.

But I feel a sudden relief when I remembered about Anthony about whom I already forget after reading the letter. And I don't think that I need to feel worried as he must be agreed if I ask him to cancel this project by considering the situation of our business.

"Okay... Relax. I will talk to Anthony. He must be understood......", Lizzie interrupt me without letting me finish.

"Didn't you check the whole mail? It isn't from your so-called Anthony. It's from Chris Richards who is another Richards brother. And he sent the mail to remind us about this project", she said, leaving me clueless. I was hoping it's Anthony but unfortunately, it turns out his brother.

"Chi...Chirs", I feel like déjà vu while I spell his name realizing that I also said this name before. Then I remembered that Anthony also mentioned about his brother that day.

Although I yet don't know whether Chris is kind and generous like Anthony or not but I may hope that Chris must have some mutual personality like his brother. And I think that he will also try to understand our situation as Anthony surely did if he was in his brother place.

"What do you think? What will you do?", Lizzie asked, sounding worried.

"I have to talk with Chris Richards and tell him that it's impossible for us to invest in this project right now", I replied her simply without thinking much.

"What if he doesn't agree with you? How can you be so sure?", Lizzie asked again.

She was curious and it was obvious as I was being way more sure. But I was really sure about the fact that Chris Richards must be agreed to cancel the contract.

"I'm just hoping that because I know Anthony who is indeed a good man. And I don't think that Chris is different from his brother. Maybe he turns out more generous than Anthony", I told her but her reaction was saying that she doesn't put her trust about what I was saying.

"I want to meet with him. Is he comes here to Miami?", I asked as I was willing to talk with him about the project as soon as I can because of the amount of money, still making me worried more than anything. I just want this project got canceled so that I could feel relief from the fear of losing everything.

"No... Not yet. But I heard from his manager that he is arriving in Miami within two or three days. And.....", Lizzie stopped as she was hesitating to continue.

"And what?", I feel curious.

"I don't think that they are going to cancel this contract at all. Because they also invested a huge amount of money and Chris Richards is seeming very serious about it", Lizzie said which was the last thing I wanted to hear.

Lizzie was destroying my last hope, but I don't think that I need to listen to her and remain afraid every second. Because Now, All I know that, Chris is Anthony's brother, and he must be as understandable as Anthony and I can hope for something better.

*********************

Author's POV:

Two months ago, Chris suggested Anthony of establishing a company branch in Miami and when Anthony heard the name of the place, he left surprised as he couldn't figure out why all of a sudden Chris wants to establish a branch there. Although Anthony didn't agree with Chris's proposal but Chris as usual didn't pay any heed to Anthony's decision and finally establish a branch of their company in Miami.

After the company built, Anthony told Chris that he wants to be there as inside his mind he wants to be near Elena which Chris understands pretty easily and then, he directly denied saying that it was his plan to build the branch there, and that's why, it will be only him who has the right to run the branch. When Chris was behaving like stubborn, Anthony decided to let him do what he wants.

But as the day goes by, Anthony starts becoming desperate and frustrated thinking that he has a chance to be near to Elena, but he loses it. So, he used to request Chris to change his mind and let him go there but Chris denied him all the time which left Anthony helpless.

***********************

"Are you sure about going there? If you don't want then don't need to force yourself. I can go instead of you", Anthony said sounding serious at the same time desperate while Chris was getting ready to leave for Miami. Chris chuckles slightly, feeling the desperation in his brother's voice.

"Don't you think that at the time of my leaving, you need to say something else other than request me using different ways? I'm not going to change my mind now. Besides, it's better if you stay here and be the favorite CEO of every employee ", Chris said, smiling playfully.

"I'm not telling it for you or me. Rather, I'm telling it for mom. She doesn't want you to leave her. And we both know that you're a momma boy then why are you leaving from here", Anthony's frustrated voice makes Chris laugh.

Chris never thought that his brother could behave in such a way just because of a girl. Although Anthony yet not told him that he wants to go there for Elena, but it wasn't hard for Chris to guess that.

"Duh...I'm not leaving forever. I'm just going there for business purposes, and maybe I will come here frequently. And I also told that to mom, and she has you and dad... So, I don't think that I need to worry about mom anymore", Chris said which left Anthony wordless.

"But Chris......", This time Chris interrupts without letting him finish what he was saying.

"Why so many excuses? Just confess it that you want to be there only for that girl, Elena", Chris said, giving a serious look at Anthony who was feeling like he caught red-handed.

"N...No... It's not for El... Elena at all", Anthony shuttered which only proves thy he was lying.

"Don't lie, Anthony..... Anyway, if you want to give her any letter or any message that then it's your chance. I think I can give her your letter or message if I turned out that lucky to meet her ever", Chris said sarcastically but in reply, Anthony said nothing. Being angry, Anthony start leaving from Chris's sight.

"Aren't you willing to say be a goodbye", Chris said from behind which stopped Anthony on his way. Then, Chris went near Anthony and hugged him.

"I will miss you, brother....", Chris said sounding sad as it was the first time he is going somewhere leaving Anthony when most of the time it was Anthony who left.

"Then Why are you even going there? Stay here... I can go there or we can appoint anyone to run the branch", Anthony said, hugging him back. But next second, Chris broke the hug and gave him a disappointed look.

"I have my own reasons... I mean I want to be there until everything works perfectly. You don't need to be worried", Chris said and left from there without waiting for Anthony to say goodbye.