Owned by a Rich Man |19+|

Chapter 11 - Anika

"I, I kept it carefully," The woman said in a small voice.

Leon looked at her well-behaved form beside him, and at the wrapper in her hand. A candy that he just casually got from somewhere was unexpectedly treated like a treasure by her.

He felt a pang in his chest as he pictured her, all alone and pregnant, holding this only wrapper as a reminder of him. Was she waiting for him all these years?

Leon drew her closer to him and swept the strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Do you want to be free?" He whispered softly at her.

This was Leon's original plan after he takes over his adopted father's empire. He no longer wanted to continue the cruel tradition of the family. Even though he wanted her so much, he could still swoon her slowly. But most importantly, he wanted her to have a normal life.

But who knew the woman would take it the wrong way?

She suddenly grabbed his arm with anxious eyes.

"Master, don't, don't throw me away.." She said in a stuttering voice.

In the woman's ear, his words of telling her to be free were evicting her out to the outside world.

The world is scary, she doesn't know anything or anyone..

She's scared.

Leon furrowed his eyebrows at the unexpected breakdown of the woman. He held her form again in his hands.

"Hey.."

"Master, I will, I will serve you, just don't throw me away," She whispered weakly. She crawled closer to him, ready to do anything he orders her.

Leon's heart clenched at the insecure and fearful little woman. She was clutching his arms, weakly but firm, as if he would run away from her.

"Darling, that's not what I meant," Leon helplessly palmed her face.

"I just want to free you, no longer locked up for you to see the world. From now on, you decide where you want to go," He explained in a gentle voice.

Of course, setting her free doesn't mean neglecting her. He would arrange everything she want and for her comfort. He didn't know that the woman was very timid to think otherwise.

The woman looked up at Leon. She gazed at his handsome and gentle face while digesting his words.

Free to see the outside world?

When she was young, she also dreamed to see what it is outside. But with the years of being locked up and knowing everything about their kind, she became afraid. She had settled to forget her childhood dreams and stay honestly in this tower. So much that she didn't know what she wants anymore.

If he was asking for her to decide, what does she really want?

She once again looked at the dashing man.

If she could..

"I just want to be with the master.." She whispered softly. Her young heart that anticipated a man for the first and only time in her life had taken root in her heart. The moment she saw him, she just wanted to please him, and be by his side. And until now, it didn't change.

Leon was taken aback by her words. He didn't know that the innocent woman would have this much deep feelings for him. But he thought, as someone who doesn't have anyone in this world, of course, she would depend on him.

And remembering their little goddess, he finally offered his second plan.

He collected her in his arms and placed her on his lap.

"Well, should we marry then?" He said with a small smile, looking up to the beautiful lady against him.

"Marry?" The woman looked down at him with a tilted head, her face confused and eyes questioning.

"Marry. You would be my wife." Leon's voice deepened as his throat rolled, staring at her plump lips in thirst.

"Wife, ah! Like the prince and princess?" The woman asked again in an innocent tone.

Leon raised his eyes back to her face, a bit stunned by her metaphor. And only did he realize that the woman he had was like a blank piece of paper.

It seemed she was more clueless about the world than he thought.

He sighed. But Leon would gladly take the sweet punishment of guiding and teaching her about the world. He was not a good guy, and deep inside he had selfish and possessive desires.

Now that his innocent girl had given him a chance, then he would tie her up beside him. He wouldn't let go of her anymore.

Leon felt a bit disgusted about himself as if he wasn't any different from the men that lusted and locked the goddess.

But this time, he wouldn't hide her. He would marry her and show her the world and give her anything she ever wants.

He covered his obsessive desires with a gentle smile and swept her hair to the back softly.

"Yes, we will be a family with our little daughter. Why don't you tell me about her, hm?"

The woman remembered her daughter and her face immediately brightened.

"Yes, daughter, she is very cute. She grew on my belly after that night, and mother said.." Her excited voice sounded by she eventually got shy and her voice softened.

"She is my and master's child.." She continued in a meek voice.

Leon pinched her chin to raise her head to look back at his.

"You should no longer call me master. I will be your husband," His deep voice whispered lovingly.

The woman was lost in his eyes and subconsciously echoed.

"Husband.."

Leon smiled in satisfaction and pecked her lips.

"Well, now we should think about what to call you. Your name, what would you like it to be?" Leon opened up about an important matter- building up her identity.

"Name? I will have one?" She said with a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Leon's heart clenched at her simpleness. How much was she deprived for her to be delighted about a small matter, something she should have as her right.

No matter, he would make it up to her. From now on he would give her the world if he can.

"Yes, sweetheart." Leon encouraged her with a gentle smile.

The woman was happy for a while, but then she tilted her head and pouted.

"But, what to name.." She said crisis, chewing her lower lip.

Leon stared at her biting her lip and wished it was him. But he forced down his beast as they were talking about an important matter.

"Well, think about what you like or love," He suggested as he combed her hair with his fingers.

"What I like? Then.. strawberry?" She said hesitantly.

Leon froze for a moment and broke into a smile.

"You like this fruit?" He asked amused.

"En!" She hummed as she nodded.

"Well, do you like this name?" Leon pampered, even with a funny name, it would be beautiful if it is on her.

The little woman thought for a while but then scrunched her brows.

"But, it's not as pretty as yours.." She said sadly.

Leon felt she was just adorable. He liked her coquettish and talking more. She was very timid and silent at first, but he learned that as long as he lead her on, she would eventually soften up to him.

"I don't know how to name.." The woman finally looked down in embarrassment.

Leon sighed and comforted.

"You will learn, don't worry. But for now, shall I give you a name?" He coaxed.

"Really?" She raised her head back in excitement.

Leon smiled and caressed her soft cheeks. He studied her beautiful face and a name came out of his mouth.

"Anika,"