Elena's breath quickened as she stood frozen in the middle of her apartment, that subject reminding her, "You're mine indeed. "You've always been mine." She was shaken by his kiss, her mind and body at war. With every move he made, she felt caged in her own world.
Damian cast a look back as he strode from her apartment, darkly pleased. "Take your time, little bird. But do not take too long. "I have my limits." Then he was gone, leaving her behind to wrestle with her emotions.
She locked the door behind him and sank into the couch, her legs quivering. The folder he left behind on her coffee table reminded her of how he could manipulate her emotion or action.
The sun did not help in the morning. Elena was busy at her bookstore all day, but every customer and every ringing phone was another possible extension of Damian's power.
Her best friend Rachel arrived by mid-afternoon. Rachel had red hair and a fierce personality. She also had a very sharp tongue. Whenever anything was wrong, she could pick up on it easily.
"Elena, what's going on?"Rachel asked while holding her hips with hands.
Elena hesitated, unsure of the amount to reveal. "It's... complicated.".
Rachel sat down, her eyes narrowing. "Complicated how? Is this incident related to the businessman who is pestering your family and friends?".
Elena's head snapped up. "You saw him?".
"Yeah, I saw him. The way he watches you is really intense Elena. And not in a good way.
Elena let out a sigh and ran her hand through her hair. Damian Steele is his name. He's... Well, he is definitely different than most men. He's powerful, controlling, and... obsessed with me.".
Rachel's eyes widened. "Obsessed? Elena, that isn't romantic, that's dangerous.".
I know, said Elena with a breaking voice. "But he knows everything there is to know about me, Rachel." I'm worried about debts and father's health. "He's using it all to trap me."
Rachel took hold of her hands tightly. You must struggle against that evil. Don't let him win.".
"I don't know if I can," Elena said, tears coming to her eyes.
Rachel's expression softened. Elena, you are much stronger than you think. Do not allow him to take that from you.
Damian stood in his office, gazing outside at the city. Victor walked in the room with a firm expression.
"She didn't agree," Victor said flatly.
Damian smirked. "She will. Elena has to understand that it won't work.
Victor hesitated before speaking. Are you sure of this, sir? She's different from the rest. She won't break easily.".
Damian replied, "That's precisely the reason she is mine." Elena is not a conquest. She's my salvation, Victor. She does not know it yet.
Victor agreed but looked uneasy about it. "What if she never does?"".
Damian's eyes darkened. "Then I'll make her.".
That evening, Elena was sitting in her apartment looking at Damian's folder. Everything in there made her realize he had gone too deep into her life. Her debts. The hospital bills of her father. The bookstore's financial struggles.
She checked her phone when she got a buzz. A message from Damian.
"Time's up, little bird. Have you picked your answer?".
She was shaking as she typed back.
"Leave me alone, Damian.".
He replied almost right away.
"Wrong answer.".
A few minutes later, the power went off in her house. She went to the window and noticed a black car parked outside. She became worried at how far Damian would go to get to her.
Her phone buzzed again.
"Come to me, Elena. "I will come to you."
With no other choice, Elena was outside Damian's estate again. Before her stood the towering gates - the cage which he was building for her.
Victor was waiting for her at the entrance. "He's waiting for you.".
She trailed him within, her heart pounding at the entrance. Damian sat behind his desk when they arrived at his office, gaze cold.
"You are testing my patience, Elena" he said, getting off his desk.
"And you are crossing every line," she answered, trembling.
In a heartbeat, Damian was crossing the space between them, his hand tilting Luna's chin up so that she had no choice but to meet his eyes. You're worth all the trouble in the world, Anna." She tried to shove him away, but tears gathered in her eyes. "You can't just bulldoze your way over me. "Why me, Damian? What did I do to deserve it?He looked away for one moment, and she noticed his expression soften slightly. "Because you make me feel awake, Elena. You are the only thing in this world that is not corrupted by greed or treachery. You're pure. "I'm not going to lose you." Damon let her breathe for some time. "I have something to talk to you about." Let me know if you have any further requirements. "Marry me, Elena. Be mine in all senses of the word. I'll wipe away all of your problems in return. It'll be taken care of. Your debts, your father's health, the bookstore. You're not serious," she said "Oh, I'm dead serious," Damian said, dangerously low. Consider it as a commercial arrangement. But in this deal, you'll make more than money. "You'll get me" is what Elena said as she shook her head. "You are crazy," said Elena. "And you are mine." No matter how hard you try to resist, we're aware of the inevitable outcome. Say yes, Elena. Say yes, and I will take care of you.