Caged By The Devil [18+]

Chapter 3

Elena's POV:

After hearing me from behind, Aunt Jenna turned around and our eyes meet, making my heart fluttered with happiness. But I instantly feel pain when I saw dry tears in her eyes which was proving that she was crying.

I went to her and gives her a warm hug. I really don't want her to be sad on this day but what else a mother can do when she has to celebrate her son's birthday every year without him and also not knowing whether her son is still alive or not.

"How are you? I really miss you very much", I said while hugging her.

I can't explain how good it feels whenever I hug her. It really makes me feel like I'm hugging my own mother and whenever I come to Aunt Jenna, I don't feel the absence of my mother. I really wish that I would stay with Aunt Jenna every moment as living with my father make me think always to kill myself.

"I'm fine, sweetie. I hope you're also doing great. I was eagerly waiting for you", Aunt Jenna said with affection in her voice. Every time I think that how can someone have such a pure heart and how can someone be so generous like Aunt Jenna is.

After everything, she still loves so much like she did before. She never tried to blame for anything rather she always shows me the love and affection of a mother which I don't even deserve. I'm really lucky enough to have a mother figure in my life like her who is such a blessing for me.

"You were crying, weren't you? I'm really sorry, Aunt Jenna. I'm such a failure that I yet not succeed to stop your tears", I said after breaking the hug. I was ashamed for being unable to find Stefan and I consider myself the only reason for Aunt Jenna's crying.

Every time I promised to me that I won't come back to Aunt Jenna without Stefan but every time I'm failing to keep my promise as I still don't have any progress to find Stefan back.

"I wasn't crying, dear. It was just... Actually, my eyes were aching", Aunt Jenna said which was a lie so that I don't feel bad.

"Okay... No more lies. Come inside, I brought cake", I said with a smile on my face as Today, I don't want to remain sad anymore.

After that, we both went inside the house from the garden. I asked Aunt Jenna to cut the cake like every year, and she did. I can't ignore the tears which were floating in her eyes with every unspeakable grief and her tears were like the stabbing of a sharp knife in my heart.

At the time of Lunch, there were all Stefan's favorite dishes which was smelling delicious as always. And I can't even imagine how happy Stefan would be if he was here.

"So, Are you leaving after lunch?", Aunt Jenna asked me while we are eating our food. Although she asked me simply but her eyes were clearly saying me not to leave, so I decided to stay here until dinner. I know it will be a problem for me as my doubtful father is going to ask me a lot of unusual questions, but I also wanted to stay some more time with Aunt Jenna.

After lunch, we went outside for a walk and was talking about random matters. When after coming here, I got a chance to talk with her, I feel that I'm still alive as my father never let me have any friends or talk anyone which always makes me feel that I'm dead inside. But talking with Aunt Jenna, bring my soul back.

"Any new information ab... about Stefan?", Aunt Jenna finally asked, heaving a sigh. I haven't any words to answer, so I shook my head as 'no' which I do every time. I was feeling angry with me as I continuously failing in one job, and I still giving her the same answer as every time.

"It's okay, dear. Don't be sad. You will find him soon", Aunt Jenna said, caressing my cheek.

"Why... Why are you still so good to me? You probably need to hate me and drove me away from you as I still failing. And you also need to blame me for everything, but you don't. I don't deserve your love, Aunt. You must hate me the worse way you can. Why are you so great?", I said her and can't hold my tears anymore.

I really wanted her to hate me when I also hate myself. I didn't want her to give me the affection which seems a blessing for me because I want myself to suffer the pain of not having love from anyone.

"Don't cry... Please, don't talk like that. You're the only loving person, I have right now, Elena. And I won't be alive anymore if I start hating you", Aunt Jenna consoled me.

"But I......", I interrupted by her.

"No, Don't blame yourself. Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault. And I also know, there wasn't any single day that you passed without grief and without blaming yourself. So...stop blaming you for everything", Aunt Jenna said and I don't think I will stop blaming me until I could make everything right and complete my responsibility which is still unfinished.

At night, I left from there after completing my dinner, and I was thankful for the fact that I could spend the day being happy, unlike my other days. Within this time, my dad called me numerous times which I completely ignored as I don't want him to ruin my happy time, and I don't even care about his concern for me.

When I come back home, I find the hallway lights are turned off and I thought my dad went to sleep and it was a relief for me as I don't need to answer his long list questions, and I wasn't even willing to explain him anything.

But at the time, I was going to my room, the lights turned on suddenly making me startled.

"Where have you been since so long?", I heard a furious voice from behind which make me gulped down in fear.

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

Author's POV:

"Hey...Chris. What's up, brother? I was going to call you", Anthony said after receiving the call of his younger brother Chris.

A few days ago, Anthony came to Miami to offer a business deal to Mr. James Martinez. Basically, it was Chris who gave Anthony the idea to make a business deal with Mr. Martinez as it will be good for their company. And Chris also asked Anthony to confirm the deal by any means as Chris doesn't want to lose the opportunity to have a business partnership with Mr. Martinez. Anthony also agreed with Chris as it will be great for there company also. And that's why Anthony come in Miami with the proposal of the deal although he wanted Chris to come here but Chris refused and ask him to go.

"It seems like you forget me after going there? No calls....No texts.... Might be having a great time?", Chris teased which make Anthony laugh.

"I'm really missing you, Chris. I was actually so busy the past few days that I hardly get any time to talk with you", Anthony replied, feeling sad as he realized that he doesn't give Chris a single call since yesterday.

"Don't lie...I know how much you miss me? Anyway, what about the deal? Did Mr. Martinez agree with our proposal?", Chris asked sounding serious. He was really hoping to hear something positive as he doesn't want to lose this chance.

"No... He didn't. He directly refused", Anthony replied which make Chris silent.

"Okay, I'm kidding. Mr. Martinez agreed with the deal instantly. Even he was feeling lucky as he got a chance to have a partnership with our company", Anthony replied and start laughing as he could sense the disappointment of Chris through the phone call. Chris feels relief after hearing what Anthony said.

"That's sounds great. You scared me", Chris said which makes Anthony curious.

"Really... I scared you. Come on, it's just a simple business partnership, and it isn't even a big deal. But somehow you seeming more interested in this partnership, unlike others. May I ask the reason?", Anthony sounds confused as he never finds Chris so interested before about any other business deal.

"Ummm... There isn't any reason, Anthony. I just.... want to have a partnership with this company, That's it. By the way, your flight is tonight, right", Chris changed the topic as he doesn't want Anthony to ask him more questions being suspicious.

"Nope... I'm still in Miami and right now in our penthouse. Honestly, I missed the flight of tonight. So, I'm coming tomorrow morning flight", Anthony replied.

"You missed the flight. But Why? Are you okay?", Chris asked feeling worried.

"I got a dinner invitation from Mr. Martinez in his place. So, I have to miss my flight", Anthony said and Chris becomes silent for a few seconds as he falls in a deep thought.

"Hey, are you there?", Chris thought broke by Anthony.

"Yeah...Yeah... So, you were at his place and having dinner for so long that you have to miss your flight", Chris asked suspiciously.

"Honestly no... Mr. Martinez wanted me to meet with her one and only daughter, Elena Martinez. So, I....", Anthony cut off by Chris.

"Did you meet her?", Chris questioned but the excitement in his voice caught Anthony's attention.

"No... I was eagerly waiting to meet her by wasting my time, but she didn't show up. There wasn't any sign of her", Anthony replied, ignoring the excitement of Chris although he is wanted to ask him about this.

"Why? Where was she? Why she didn't show up?", Chris sounds utterly furious.

"Okay... Now you're behaving strangely. So are you having an interest in Elena by the mere mention of her?", Anthony asked playfully which make Chris realized how stupid he was sounding.

"No, I actually... Forget it. Tell me, when Mr. Martinez is coming here in California?", Chris asked being serious again.

"Within tomorrow maybe", Chris smiled slightly hearing Anthony's reply as he was waiting to hear this.

"Well... I'm looking forward to meet with him", Chris said and both brothers end their conversation after talking a few more times.