Trapped in Cruel Fiancé's Love

"Next week you have to get engaged to Nayla."

Those words came out of David's mouth, Elvan's father, firmly and coldly, as if it couldn't be objected. However, Elvan, sitting in front of the man, immediately scoffed in annoyance.

"Don't joke around, Dad. It's modern times now, I'm free to choose my own partner in the future."

"Nayla's family has agreed. This was the agreement we made seven years ago as a form of cooperation to unite the companies. I don't want to hear any rejection from you," David stared at his only son seriously.

Elvan chuckled bitterly instantly. He truly couldn't believe what his father was saying. The words he least expected came out of his parents' mouths in his twenty-three years as an only child.

"Have you forgotten my rights as a child to choose freely, Dad? Why do you always force things?" Elvan dared to retort.

"Elvan Ganendra!" Laras immediately rebuked with eyes full of emotion, Elvan's mother sitting beside David.

Elvan turned, his gaze surprised; once again, he didn't expect what he was witnessing now. Elvan chuckled blandly as he looked at his mother. The young woman rarely defended him.

"So, Mom also agrees? You're both really selfish, aren't you!"

"Don't you dare oppose, Elvan. Have you forgotten our efforts in raising you all this time? Your father will see you as disobedient if you continue to reject our final request. Your father is not asking for much; you just need to agree to our decision to get engaged to Nayla."

David's expression, flat without a smile, made Elvan sigh deeply. Once again, he had to give in to the selfishness of his parents, which never seemed to end.

"I'll do anything as long as it's not that ridiculous arranged marriage. You know I'm still young and still in college. My future is long ahead; it's not the time for me to be engaged, let alone get married," Elvan clenched his fists with a hardened jaw.

Laras sighed deeply, her gaze implying firmness. "You can still go to college after getting engaged. Then, after you graduate, you will marry Nayla, and you can even continue with a Master's degree. Don't think we haven't planned your future, Elvan. We have arranged everything perfectly."

"Don't worry, we're not doing this because we don't care about you," added David.

Elvan smirked thinly; he had no more hope of refusing. Even if he could, it would mean being a disobedient child, and he didn't want that to happen.

"But why does it have to be Nayla? She's a girl I don't know at all," Elvan protested.

David looked disdainfully at his only son, who had been struggling so hard just to say 'yes'. "Don't protest too much, Van. She's the best choice we've found!"

Elvan expressed his frustration loudly, fed up with his annoying parents. "Fine, once selfish, forever selfish. You and Mom never understand how I feel."

"Elvan, watch your words!" Laras snapped with explosive emotions. David beside her rubbed her hand to help her control herself.

Elvan sighed deeply, then stood up, followed by a thin mutter from his lips. He gazed at his parents alternately with seriousness.

"I know all this time I've just been a burden in Mama and Papa's eyes, but it's okay, I will accept this arranged marriage for you. Whether I can endure it in the future or not, don't blame me if it turns out my heart isn't for her."

"Love cannot be forced, Dad, Mom," Elvan added.

David and Laras fell silent. They no longer spoke as Elvan left the living room and climbed the stairs to his room. David took a long breath, while Laras rubbed her temples, feeling dizzy.

"That child truly doesn't understand gratitude. I'm worried we won't be able to collaborate with Antonio's company." Laras rubbed her throbbing temples.

"Don't worry. We've done our best. I'll make sure he can't escape." A faint smirk appeared on the corner of David's lips.

***

The dark-toned room was where Elvan headed. He closed the door, then slumped onto the bed with a long sigh. "In this modern age, why does arranged marriage still exist?"

The issue escalated when Elvan found out that his fiancée-to-be was Nayla, the college student known for her spoiled behavior on campus. Not only that, according to his classmates, Nayla was a talkative woman.

"What a stroke of bad luck. Out of all the women out there, why does she have to be my fiancée? Damn it." Elvan continued to grumble while covering his face with his arm.

Unfortunately, his frustration was in vain as he couldn't refuse, let alone escape. Otherwise, all the privileges he had received so far would be taken away by his parents.

Before Elvan could close his eyes, he cursed annoyedly upon hearing his mother's voice from outside his room while knocking on the door. Elvan got off the bed to open it lazily.

Laras entered immediately after the door opened. She stared at her son seriously. "Today, you and Nayla have to try on engagement clothes and rings. Mama wants you to be nice to Nayla at this first meeting. Understand?"

"Why all of a sudden? Couldn't it be tomorrow? The event is still far away, Ma," Elvan retorted. He honestly didn't feel like meeting the girl. Truly. Very reluctant.

Laras shook her head vigorously, hating objections. "You know I don't like refusals. Willingly or not, you can't protest. Get ready quickly; you have to pick up Nayla at her house. I'll send you the location via chat. Understand?"

At this point, there was no way for Elvan to say 'no'. The truth was he couldn't object to Mama's orders no matter how. Elvan finally sighed reluctantly.

"Understood."

"Hurry downstairs and get going, you know Nayla doesn't like waiting long," commanded Laras, responded by Elvan's lazy nod.

Laras left the room, and Elvan followed behind, closing the door. Before descending the stairs, he took a deep breath to neutralize his suppressed frustration. He repeatedly restrained himself from uttering curses.

"I hope she'll hate me." Elvan hurried downstairs and walked towards the car garage. He hit the steering wheel and then sighed heavily.

"I will make her regret accepting this arranged marriage." Elvan clenched his fists tightly while holding the steering wheel, then closed his eyes for a moment before stepping on the gas pedal.

"Excuse me." Elvan began knocking on the door when he arrived in front of Nayla's rather luxurious house.

Shortly after, someone opened the door from inside, and the person he guessed was the girl named Nayla. Elvan was momentarily surprised as he saw Nayla wearing only a black tank top that exposed her midriff and jeans. Not to forget, the girl's stomach appeared slim and smooth.

"Eh, aren't you the famous senior on campus, Elvan Ganendra?" Nayla widened her eyes, covering her open mouth with both hands.

Elvan closed his eyes; it was only the beginning and it was already like this. He then tried to remain patient and opened his eyes again, looking flatly at the girl in front of him.

"Uh, yes."

Nayla furrowed her brows for a moment before her eyes sparkled again as she recalled something discussed by her stepdad and stepmom the previous night. Nayla was truly happy at this moment.

"Oh my goodness? So, it's really you, Elvan, my future partner? Goodness. You look even more handsome up close! No wonder you have so many fans on campus!"

Elvan squinted sharply at that reaction. He had to force himself to take a slow breath; this was truly unexpected. His hope that maybe the girl would hate him was now dashed. Instead, she was thrilled to see him.

"Can we leave now? Where are your parents?" Elvan redirected the conversation, trying to hold back his emotions.

"Hmm? Where are we going? Why would you need to meet my parents?" Nayla responded innocently. Although, it was just a pretense to prolong her conversation with Elvan.

"I want to ask for their permission. Aren't you forgetting that we have to try on clothes and rings now?" Elvan sighed softly, with his fists clenched at his sides.

"Oh, right, forgot. Hehe." Nayla grinned widely, making her eyes resemble crescent moons. Her acting was truly professional.

Elvan sighed lazily. "Where are they? I don't want to be accused of kidnapping you without permission."

"You don't really need permission. Because they're not at home either. It's better if we leave now," Nayla cheerfully suggested. She then hurriedly closed the door.

Nayla had already liked Elvan since she saw him earlier. Well, she was actually one of Elvan's fans on campus. If usually she could only admire from afar, now that they were face to face, Nayla would declare today as the happiest day of her life.

Elvan sighed deeply again, then raised an eyebrow as he observed Nayla's appearance from head to toe. "Wait a minute, do you want to flaunt your body? Can't you change your clothes first?"

Nayla followed Elvan's gaze, then furrowed her brows. "Huh? I'm still wearing clothes. Is there something wrong?"

"Are you stupid? Do you have to wear a tank top for trying on clothes? Are your wardrobe lacking in material?" Elvan retorted sharply.

Nayla pouted in annoyance. "Ugh, this is my favorite top, you know. I'll just put on a jacket later. Plus, there I'll be asked to take off the top again. Might as well wear this."

"So, you don't want to change? Fine, do as you please. I won't be responsible if something happens," Elvan muttered. He then turned around to head to his car.

"Oh, hold on!" Nayla said while holding Elvan's arm.

"What now?" Elvan brushed off Nayla's hand.

"Is something really going to happen? You're not serious, are you?"

"Why would I lie?" Elvan retorted.

Nayla stepped closer, making sure of Elvan's response. "So, what will happen if I keep wearing the tank top?"

Elvan squinted sharply, immediately pushing Nayla's forehead slightly to keep her from getting too close. He then took a long, annoyed breath and couldn't believe how foolish Nayla was.

"You talk a lot, don't you!"

"I'm just asking, Elvan. If I keep wearing this, what will actually happen?" Nayla innocently replied, trying to clarify Elvan's stance once again.

Elvan harshly rubbed his face. He truly couldn't believe he had a fiancée as naive and innocent as Nayla. Besides, she was very talkative, making Elvan half irritated.

"You'd better quickly change your clothes or we'll cancel the fitting today," Elvan threatened.

"Ugh, you didn't answer my question earlier. What's wrong, huh? This is the most comfortable outfit I have, you know." Nayla crossed her arms.

"There'll be a man whose desires will surface when he sees you like that. But it's up to you, I'm just warning you," Elvan finally muttered because he didn't want to hear Nayla's complaining again.

Nayla suddenly widened her eyes. That response was beyond her expectations. "Are you serious? Don't tell me you're one of them?"

"No! Except me!" Elvan spontaneously replied with a lie, even though Nayla's guess was correct.

Nayla was startled by Elvan's sudden high-pitched voice. "You're so harsh."

***

After fitting clothes and rings for the engagement event next Sunday, Elvan took Nayla home. Initially, the girl wanted to walk around for a bit, but Elvan refused because he was very tired. Physically and mentally exhausted. Dealing with Nayla was extremely taxing.

In the car on the way home, Nayla frowned and grunted repeatedly. Elvan, seeing this, just sighed lazily and had no intention of persuading her.

For Elvan, from the very beginning of this encounter, Nayla had been very troublesome. Not to mention how talkative she was, he wanted to leave her behind at the store they were at before. Luckily, Elvan still had a conscience.

From the start, Elvan had intended to make the girl hate him in hopes that she might talk with her stepdad and cancel the arranged marriage.

Unfortunately, Elvan didn't know what was going through Nayla's mind after her response of hatred to him.

Did she still like him? Or had she started to hate him?

"Why did you accept this arranged marriage?" Elvan finally tried to ask directly.

"Because you're handsome," Nayla replied spontaneously.

Elvan was taken aback, then sighed harshly. "I am handsome, everyone knows that, but you should reject this arrangement because I won't like you."

Nayla turned to look at Elvan from the side, pouting with raised eyebrows. "Ew, are you gay? Rejecting a girl as pretty as me? You should be grateful to be engaged to me."

"Don't speak recklessly! I hate you doesn't mean I dislike women! I'm not gay, dammit!" Elvan's face looked angry as he scolded.

Nayla flinched slightly, reflexively turning her head to the car window. She didn't like being scolded, and Elvan's response surprised her.

"That's a usual response, Elvan. I was just kidding."

Elvan grunted. He always disliked girls who were dramatic and easily emotional like Nayla. "I won't like you, let alone fall in love with you. So I warn you, my decision to accept this arranged marriage is out of necessity. You shouldn't fall in love with me either."

"Why? Why can't I?" Nayla spontaneously answered.

"Because your feelings will hurt, I don't want to take responsibility," Elvan honestly answered. Leaving Nayla momentarily silent, once again shocked by the man's response.

"You can like someone else, and vice versa. After we are engaged, you should not seek attention from me when we are on campus. You have to pretend not to know me," Elvan continued, without considering Nayla's feelings at all.

Elvan even tried not to care about his words that might have hurt Nayla's feelings. Because Elvan just wanted the girl to hate him.

Elvan also planned to be romantic only in front of their parents. Outside, of course, he would treat Nayla as a stranger.

That was his plan, but isn't life always full of secrets?

And Elvan hoped everything would go according to his expectations.

Nayla laughed bitterly after being silent for a while and just listening. She then turned to look at the charming face of Elvan. "What if I'm already in love with you?"

Elvan let out a long sigh, he wasn't affected by that statement. But rather felt extremely disgusted. He could definitely tell that Nayla was now emotionally affected by her words. It was better that way, and Elvan liked it.

"I don't care. The most important thing is I've warned you about the consequences if you fall in love with me. It's up to you if you want to maintain that feeling, but I don't want to take responsibility because I won't return your feelings of love."

"Because no matter what, I will continue to hate you," Elvan firmly continued.

Nayla felt a stabbing pain in her heart. "You're so cruel."

Nayla immediately averted her gaze to the car window again as she couldn't bear it anymore. A small, hollow laughter filled the air, followed by tears glistening in her eyes. Elvan was truly ruthless even in their initial meeting.

"And you should hate me," Elvan responded with a smile.

***

Embarrassed and greatly annoyed by Elvan's current situation.

How come?

Can you believe that Elvan had to go to the convenience store to buy women's pads and pain relievers because of Nayla's unexpected period.

Damn, Elvan truly regretted not speeding up his car to get home quickly and avoid this unfortunate fate. He wanted to be angry and refuse, but Elvan was also upset at the sound of Nayla's pained cries while holding her stomach.

"Why couldn't you hold it until we got home? Where am I going to put my face if I buy something like that?!" Elvan snapped in frustration, still not getting out of the car after parking it in front of the convenience store.

Nayla didn't reply and all that could be heard was the sounds of pain coming from her mouth who knew for how many times. Her face also paled and cold sweat dripped from her forehead.

Seeing Nayla like that, Elvan harshly rubbed his face and sighed irritably. He cursed in his mind, trying to push away any compassion and maintain his emotional facade.

"Damn. I can't bear to see this!" Elvan thought, as much as he hated Nayla, but damn, seeing the girl in pain truly made him feel sorry and compassion arose involuntarily.

"Please, buy them, Elvan," Nayla whispered softly. She curled up on the car seat, clutching her stomach painfully.

Elvan took a long breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again after calming his mind. Whether he liked it or not, he would consider today's tragic event as a first and last for his lifetime.

"I'm doing this out of necessity. Remember that," Elvan said before opening the car door and heading into the convenience store with stiff steps.

Nayla remained silent, though she smiled happily in her heart. It felt like she already had a handsome husband like a Korean idol, even though he was very harsh and unfriendly.

On the other hand, Elvan hesitated to walk to the sanitary pad aisle because there was a female guard standing in the corner, while he was in front of the snack aisle not far from the pads.

Then, the item he was looking for was right in front of the woman. Suddenly, the pain relief medicine was also on the right side shelf. Unexpectedly, there was a mother shopper who was browsing through the items.

Elvan appeared confused and disorganized as he had been only glancing and repeatedly touching some snacks. In reality, he had no intention of buying them.

Elvan grumbled internally, feeling trapped and unable to return home quickly due to his pride.

But he was also embarrassed to ask, so instead of directly taking the pads in front of the woman, he waited for her to leave, although he wasn't sure because it seemed like the woman had been watching him.

Damn. He wanted to help, but now he was trapped in embarrassment. How annoying.

"Hello? Can I help you? I noticed you haven't picked up any items and have only been touching them."

Elvan almost blacked out when the woman walked closer to him. He swallowed hard, then turned around and awkwardly smiled at the woman in front of him.

"Um, could you please grab a pack of pads for me? I really have to do this," Elvan nervously replied, after struggling with his repressed embarrassment.

The woman seemed to understand and nodded. "Certainly. Please go to that aisle over there and you can choose the brand and size of the pads you want. By the way, do you also want to buy pain relievers? Let me get them for you."

Elvan cleared his throat, although he let out a relieved sigh as at least the woman was perceptive. "Yes. Thank you in advance."

The woman nodded, holding back a broad smile before walking off to the medicine aisle. She rarely discovered men who paid attention to their partners like the recent customer, she thought.

While Elvan, who had been holding back embarrassment the whole time, let out a relieved sigh without dwelling on what made the woman smile at him.

"That girl really made me feel harassed. Just wait, if something like this happens again, I won't care," Elvan thought to himself, clenching his fists at his sides.

***

"Um, thank you for earlier, Elvan. And I'm sorry for causing you trouble on our first meeting," Nayla said apologetically in front of Elvan. They had now arrived at her house.

"I don't want that to happen again. Even if it does, I won't care," Elvan retorted.

Nayla blinked, then pursed her lips. "Oh my goodness. Don't be so cruel. You're going to be my fiancé. A woman should be treated gently, Elvan."

"Our relationship is just a status. I won't really consider you my fiancée, let alone pay attention to you. Except in front of our parents," Elvan responded firmly and coldly.

Nayla frowned slightly. "But what if someday you eat your own words? Like, what if you suddenly fall in love and care for me?"