Chapter 1 - The Escape

“You’ll be in big trouble.”

“I already know that.” There was a hint of sarcasm as I looked back at the small window of the bathroom stall where my bestfriend Ariel was standing, pushing the backpack that she prepared for my escape.

My escape. As exaggerated as it may sound, I found this very moment as my escape. 

The Coachella was the perfect event, the only event that I had to get away from all the craziness in my life right now. 

I just turned 21 and in a few weeks I would be shipped out to marry someone I barely know. I was being sacrificed to grow my father’s empire even bigger.

It took a lot of time convincing my Dad to allow me to consume my tickets for the Coachella this year. I told him it was my last hurrah before shipping out to some secluded farm in Italy. Before meeting someone’s CEO’s son who is most probably like me, trapped in this business deal forged by our powerful parents.

Of course I was not allowed to go out that easy. I had two bodyguards with me. “In case I did something crazy” as quoted from my father.

But I had my own plans. And Ariel was there to help me go through it.

“Your cash is inside the small black pouch where your napkins are.” She said, holding both of my cheeks with her hand. Call me every 6pm thru a payphone on Jack’s phone. Jack was his younger brother. If you need anything, money, tell me and I’ll wire you. Use the fake ID that I gave you. Call me if you need anything.” She kissed me on the forehead.

Just 10 minutes ago we were scrambling to change my clothes and attach the wig that Ariel prepared for my escape. She took a skinny jeans from her closet, a black top, a black jacket and a cowboy hat. I took a last look in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize myself as I placed her large sunglasses to cover my face. I was about to put a face mask but Ariel stopped me the last second. 

“This will look weird on you. Let’s overdo your lipstick instead.”

So there I was, at the other side of the bathroom stall saying my goodbye to my best friend. There was no one around but with broad day light shinning on my face, I know people will soon frolic around this area. She took my hand before one last time. “Call me Genevive, everyday if possible. You stay safe.” I could still see the worry in her eyes. I nodded and help her cheeks for a few seconds, assuring her that I’ll be alright.

I jumped from the barrel that Ariel had initially placed on the other side of the stall to help me out of there. 

There was a mix of fear and excitement as I walked away from there. There was no looking back. I had to go on and claim back my life.

There was a crowd headed in front of me headed to the left of the field where the band Cat Panda was playing. I needed to blend in to get to the entrance gate to get away from there. 

Blending in was easy and somehow I felt a bit of courage knowing that my disguise was working. It was a huge event afterall and thousands of people were there. I might actually be able to pull this off afterall.

I jumped with the crowd for a few minutes before I saw one of my body guards, 20 feet away from where I was standing. 

They already knew. I had to get away from here.

I started moving away from the crowd, increasing the gap between me and my bodyguard.

But when his eyes looked ay my direction, I knew I was caught.

I ran frantically, bumping with bodies as I moved without aim. 

The crowd helped because I knew my guard was having a hard time catching up with me.

I ran and ran and was able to get past the main event area to the are where the trailers were parked. I tried to catch my breath and act normal, trying to open up the nearest trailer but to no avail.

I tried to the second one, a much bigger one with the window blinds half-opened.

It was unlock.

I let myself in and headed to the back of the trailer, unknowingly locking the door behind me. I have been to these types of trailers before. There is usually a room at the end of this type of trailers. The half opened blinds were also a risk. 

I tried not to make any sound as I found my way to the end of the trailer. There was indeed a room there, separated by a sliding door from the rest of the other areas. I slowly slid it open incase someone was inside.

The coast was clear.

I sat down and finally gave out a sigh of relief. That was close.

But I knew that I was just halfway from getting out. I needed to get away from here without being noticed. Maybe later, when the sun is down.

I looked at the mirror and saw the line of sweat close to where the wig was attached to my head. There was a tissue on the dresser. I tool a sheet and dried the edges of my wig.

Looking around, I did not realize how neat the room was. There was a personal refrigerator inside. I suddenly felt thirsty. Looking inside, it was filled with Fiji water and some fruits at the bottom. I took one. There were too many inside I guess they wouldn’t notice if I took one.

Sitting on the bed while sipping from the bottle, I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I had to recall where the entrances and exits were located and devised several ways on how I could get out from there.

And when I do, I need to find a ride away from the place as soon as possible. 

The risks of getting caught and the repercussions of this choice are huge, but I had to try. 

As cliche as it may sound, I wanted to marry for love. 

I slid the water bottle on the side of my bag and gently placed it beside me on the bed. My head was aching. It was a bit warm inside but it felt that the airconditioning was just recently turned off. The heat was bearable.

But I found myself feeling sleepy.

Maybe a nap wouldn’t hurt. The event is just starting and whoever owns this trailer still had a few hours before leaving.

These were all assumptions but I had nowhere else to go till the sun goes down.

I carefully lay on the bed, slowly and trying not to mess with the bedsheets. I felt my sould slowly drifting away as sleep began to catch on.

—

“Dad, its 2024. Arranged marriage do not exist anymore.”

“You do what I say.” William Anders voice sounded final. And me, being the submissive and model daughter knew that anything I say after would be invalidated. It wouldn’t matter.

He was not asking me to get married to a guy I haven’t even met. He was telling me to. And I was left to no choice but to obey.

—-

I walk up feeling cold. Then there were voices. I grabbed my mouth to avoid letting go of a surprised gasp when I heard people talking outside the room.

“What time was it?” I thought. I knew I overslept.

“Okay, now, go to your rooms, I need to rest now.” One of the voices said. It was definitely a man.

“Don’t be a bummer. We don’t have anything scheduled for tomorrow. Let’s party outside.” Said another voice.

“Nah, I will be driving tomorrow so I wouldn’t risk of having a hungover.” The other guy replied. I felt the sliding door shook a bit. He was probably holding on to it.

I slowly took my bag and tried to remove the crease on the bedsheet as fast as I can before quietly hiding myself inside the built-in cabinet. I had nowhere else to go. Tucking myself as far as the corner of the cabinet went, all I had manage to do was pray that whoever enters the room would go straight to bed and sleep.

Without making any noise, I listened as the door to the bedroom opened.

I heard the soft squeak of the bed when the guy sat on it. He sat there, not moving and not making any noise for about a minute. I held my breath.

Then I heard him talking again. I covered my mouth just to be certain that I was keeping myself quiet.

“Hi Mom.” The man was talking again. “We just finished our set a few minutes ago.”

The woman on the other side of the phone said something inaudible for me.

“Yeah, I’ll be coming to your place tomorrow.” He paused.

“Why, what happened?” I was curious about what they were talking about.

“How long will you be away?” He said, he sounded disappointed.

“So I wouldn’t be able to see you till next month then?” He was indeed disappointed.

He paused for a while, listening to what the his mother was saying on the other side of the phone. 

“No Mom, I’ll be staying for two weeks in the cabin still. I really wanted to rest and spend my vacation there. It’s ok, take care of Aunt Lisa. She needs you right now.” There was assurance in his voice now. “I’ll call you again tomorrow. I love you.” He said before I heard the soft thud of the phone on the bed.

“You can come out now.” He then said.