Caged By The Devil [18+]

Chapter 11

Elena's POV:

He asked so sweetly that I find it's hard to reject his request, but I had to because I also have some other things to do after going home. And I don't think that it will be a good idea to go with him as I already proven enough of my stupidity and if I spend some more time with him, he must be considered me one of the most stupid and weird girls he has ever met. Besides, I'm not good at interaction with unknown people because I hardly got any chance to talk with any people because my dad never let me make friends nor he let me talk with anyone for which today I turn into an antisocial person.

He was waiting for my reply while I was kept standing without uttering a word because I wasn't finding any suitable reason to give him which doesn't make him sad after I reject his request. And I don't know why I was feeling a sudden urge not to make him sad when I barely know him.

"Ummm... Lizzie is waiting for me in the car, and I don't think I can come with you, Mr. Richards. I'm really sorry", I said and started feeling bad all of a sudden for saying no on his face. As I expected, he seems unhappy after hearing me.

"You don't need to worry, you can ask Lizzie to leave. I can take you home", he again said which surprised me because I didn't think that he is so eager to have a cup of coffee with me.

After hearing him this time, I realized that it will be insulting to him if I again said no to him. So, I decided to go with him as it's a matter of couple hours and I don't think that I will regret it at all if I have a cup of coffee with such a handsome man.

"Okay... But first let me tell Lizzie to leave", I agreed which brought a bright smile in his face, and it was worth seeing.

I called Lizzie and asked her to leave. But when she heard the reason, she becomes shocked as it was hard for her to believe that I was willing to go somewhere with Mr. Richards when a while ago, I wasn't even willing to meet with him.

After that, me and Mr. Richards get inside his car. On the way to the coffee shop, he was asking about me like my hobby, my study, my future plan, and many other stuffs, and I lied most of the answers because I don't want him to know about my problems and messed up life and feel pity for me.

Although everything I was telling him about me was sounding way more boring but he was listening very much eagerly.

"So, you want to be a fashion designer when your dad left a great opportunity of business for you. Come on... You're his only heir. You can easily be the present CEO of his company", he said and I don't think that it ever going to happen as if anyone can be the CEO of the company then it's only Stefan, not me because it all belongs to him.

"No...I can't be the CEO overnight because it's....", I stopped when I realized, that I was just going to tell him about Stefan and I don't think that I should talk about Stefan with him when he was the business partner of my late father, and I can't trust anyone who is related to my dad.

"I mean I can't even imagine myself into business when I studied for other professions. Actually, I'm not quite interested to be a CEO or involved in business, Mr. Richards", I said nervously as I was thinking that he is going to doubt me.

"Why don't you call me by my name? Am I seem too official to you, Elena?", He asked and I feel relief as he didn't drag the previous matter more.

"Of course not... It will be my pleasure to call you by your name, Anthony", I said, looking at those familiar eyes which was holding many emotions while he was looking at me.

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"Tell me something about your personal life if you don't mind?", Anthony asked, taking a sip from his coffee. I become curious this time as I can't figure out, what he actually asked when I already tell pretty much about my life although everything completely lies.

"I already told you. There is nothing else to say", I replied.

"No, I actually..... I'm asking you about your...I mean, Have you any boyfriend?", He asked after a long hesitation, and it was clear that he also feeling uncomfortable asking that and I can't understand why he suddenly get interested in this matter. Although I feel weird after hearing this type of question, but I don't want him to feel guilty to ask this so I decided to answer, pretending normal.

"No...No...I haven't any boyfriend", I said with a forced smile on my face. His eyes shine with happiness as soon as he heard my reply.

"So....you yet not fall in love with anyone", He sounds curious at the same time happy and this time he left me wordless because I start reminding the love of my life whom I love more than I can describe in words and he is the only person whom I love in my whole life. I decided to remain silent because I don't think that I can explain my love for Stefan to anyone.

"Elena...Are you there?"

"I'm really sorry. I must be making you uncomfortable with my stupid questions. Please pardon me. I really forget that I met you just now. But honestly, I find you very close to me within this short time", he said, looking deep into my eyes and I was failing to understand the emotion of his eyes which was silently saying many things.

"It's absolutely okay... I can understand that you're feeling pity for me as I'm an orphan and also worried about the fact that I can make any wrong decision about my life. But I won't do that because my life makes me more mature than my age", his face clouded with sadness after hearing me and I can't understand what wrong I said.

"I'm not feeling pity for you, Elena. I'm worried about you being alone", I surprised as it was seeming like he really means what he said, and it was really unexpected that he worried about me when he gets know me a while ago. I keep looking at him with surprise in my eyes.

"Although I met you a while ago, but I heard about you and I also knew you", I really can't figure out how he easily understands what I was thinking.

"Re... Really...You knew me", I asked although I was willing to ask how he can read my mind. He smiled and I was sure that it was for my surprised expression.

"Yeah... Your dad told me about you. Even I came to meet with you but unfortunately, you weren't at your house that day. Anyway... Can I tell you something, Elena?", I feel curious as he is asking for permission all of a sudden.

"Anything you want", I said because I also become eager to hear what he wants to tell me by taking my permission.

"I know it's not going to sound good at this moment but.....", I interrupt him.

"Just say it, Anthony", I said, sounding more confused and eager. He keeps staring at me for a few seconds then again starts saying.

"Your dad... Your dad wanted me to marry you, Elena. He also talk with me about this when he was in California. I hope you also knew about it", my mouth fell open in surprise. I never thought that my dad was arranging my marriage behind my back without even asking me and he didn't find it necessary to tell me about this. I again start feeling disgust for my dad and feeling relief about the fact that he died before he could force me to marry a man without my will.

"You don't know about this", Anthony asked curiously after seeing my shocked reaction and I shook my head because I really haven't a f**king idea about this.

"Oh... I thought your dad must be told you before", he sounds utterly sad and I really feel bad for Anthony. I don't think that Anthony has any fault here when my dad is the only one who must be begged Anthony to marry me after seeing his wealth and money.

I start feeling humiliated all of a sudden in front of Anthony as I can't even imagine what he was thinking about me all the time after my dad begged him to marry me. I decided to apologize to him so that he doesn't take my dad's words seriously and forget about it.

"Anthony... I'm really sorry for everything my dad told you to marry me. Actually, he didn't even tell me and I'm hearing about this from you for the first time. So, you don't need to worry about what my dad forced you to do", I apologized to him but he gives me a curious look after hearing what I said. I was really praying not to hear that my dad already sold me to him without my knowing.

"Wait... Are you thinking that your dad forced me to agree to marry you?", He asked curiously and I simply nodded as I was sure that my dad did exactly this. But I can't understand why Anthony seeming so curious.

"He didn't even force me nor requested me. I agreed to marry you by my will, Elena", I just keep looking at him without a blink, and it was hard for me to believe that he agreed to marry me without even knowing me.

"Why?", I sound way more shocked and confused.

"Why not?", Anthony questioned me back firmly, and honestly, I didn't find anything to reply.

"It's true that I didn't know you that much nor I met with you that time but something really made me agree with your father to marry you although I never met you before in my life. But after meeting you today, I think I took one of the best decisions by agreeing with your father to marry you", Anthony said with passion in his voice by making me wordless again. I wasn't ready to face this situation, and I haven't idea about how I need to react after hearing what Anthony said but all I know that I can't let him drag this matter anymore.

"Anthony...I really appreciate that you agreed to marry me and I'm also grateful. But you and me, is not going to happen", I really tried to say as genuinely as I could so that I don't hurt his feelings but his face clouded with sadness hearing my rejection.