The Gilded Cage

chapter 4

I'm not used to places full of noise and disturbance and can't stand them at all! And what amazed me was him following me to drag me behind him towards a corner in a dark, narrow alley, and at that time I couldn't even ask for help because I hadn't processed what was happening yet. But what was aggravating and nauseating was that he suddenly leaned towards me, and I didn't realize what happened until he moved away from me with a calm smile, so I raised my trembling fingers to my lips in disbelief!! He simply kissed me!! Kissed me as if he were greeting or doing a very normal, everyday thing!

He received a slap from me, and I unleashed a stream of insults at him, hit him with my bag, and kicked his leg. What provoked me more was when he kept eyeing me in bewilderment as if he hadn't done anything! So I didn't suppress my anger and found myself hitting him with my bag again on the head, and he simply fell unconscious due to his intoxication!

So I left him, cursing loudly with intense contempt and anger I couldn't suppress...

His faint laughter pulled me out of my reverie as he said: "What are you staring at?"

I answered him, pretending to be bored: "Rest assured... I didn't know I was staring at you!"

He asked with a cheerful smile: "Oh! And what were you daydreaming about then?"

I looked at him steadily and answered him with less confidence, rolling my eyes indifferently: "I was remembering how happy I was until you appeared today and completely spoiled my mood. Did he answer?"

He raised his eyebrows, saying: "No...!"

I let out a frustrated and puzzled hum, then whispered worriedly: "Could it be that he took money from both of us?"

He ruffled his hair thoughtfully: "Why not?! There are many fraud operations lately, and we might be victims of them..."

He added in a disapproving tone, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint: "By the way... you haven't told me your name yet!"

I looked at him firmly: "You're an indifferent person. In situations like these, you care about these silly matters!"

He raised his left eyebrow and muttered: "What if I want to address you? I'll undoubtedly need a name to call you! And what if—"

I interrupted him boredly: "Sorry, but I was born without a name. Also, I don't want you to address me at all; you won't be staying here long anyway!"

He smiled gently, relaxing his body on the sofa, then said in an impatient tone: "I'm afraid to say that this conversation is directed at you...!"

I stood up, saying impulsively: "I won't leave here, so sort out your affairs, you, and be logical; I can't find a house this easily as you think!"

He stood opposite me and muttered in astonishment: "Sort out my affairs? I'm busy and won't find time to search for another house!"

I sneered with intense sarcasm and sat back down, crossing my legs: "Yes, very busy... Who was at the club a few days ago? What a liar and provocateur! I bet you have all your time free to the point of feeling bored from this emptiness!"

— "What? Don't I have the right to entertain myself and relieve my worries a little? And why do you talk to me like this as if you hate me intensely, as if I'm an intolerable person!"

— "And why shouldn't I hate you! You anger me, and even your appearance seems provocative even in your silence!"

His left eyebrow rose in surprise, so I continued with resentment: "Yes, even this reaction of yours provokes me! Everything about you angers me!"

He laughed softly, then sat back down, saying slowly: "I hope I don't lose my self-confidence!"

I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to comment...

I jumped at his serious question: "How old are you?"

I answered him boredly: "None of your business..."

He asked me again with obvious stubbornness: "Do you live alone?"

I exhaled annoyed: "You're wasting your time!.."

He pursed his lips, thinking for a moment, then sneered, sighing: "That really seems to be the case..."

I turned my face away and grabbed the phone, trying to call again, and gaped in astonishment when I heard that the phone was switched off!

I whispered with wariness and intense resentment: "What's happening!"

He shrugged boredly: "We'll try later... And who knows, he might be a fraudster!"

I nodded: "That seems to be it! I won't forgive him if he's the type who cons people and runs off with the money... I will definitely sue him!"

He asked me calmly: "Did you take the apartment to live in temporarily?"

I eyed him in bewilderment: "And why should I answer you?"

He leaned on his elbow on the sofa, laughing: "Oh my God... why this aversion and extreme caution? Won't you tell me? Honestly, don't treat me like a criminal kidnapper interrogating you under duress!"

I ignored him and sat down tiredly, throwing the phone on the sofa. His voice came quietly: "Miss... I won't be able to leave this apartment. Wait until he answers so we know how to proceed..."

I stared at him carefully and silently until I muttered: "Charlotte..."