CHAPTER FOUR

– Lorelei –

I sat by the water fountain in our garden alone, looking for a distraction to clear my head from the drama. It's morning and I took a day off work. Today is Thursday. Richard and Elaine want me to move out of their house tomorrow morning.

I sighed.

The news was a shocker and I still haven’t read the document nor have I told Leo. I don’t want to scare him away. Part of me is scared that if he knows I’m entitled to another man, he’ll leave me. I shouldn’t be worried because I know he loves me but Leo and I never really met. I don’t know him aside from his social media presence which he showed me. I don't know if that’s the real him, the man I fell in love with or he’s just hiding under a facade, I won’t know.

I sighed, letting my legs play in the water, gently splashing around.

Him coming on Thursday would've given me the chance to get to know him better, bond and get close. I bit my lower lip in anger and clenched my fists.

But that has changed.

I hate my father! I don't know why a part of me thought he'd change but he keeps getting worse. He always finds a way to drain my happiness. What could he possibly gain from hurting his own daughter? I didn't ask to be born. He put his dick in my mother and had me now he hates us both and does everything in his power to destroy our lives. Tears soaked my eyelids and I blinked, averting my gaze to stare at the sky.

Crying won't solve anything! I have been strong for so long and I won't show any weakness today, even if things took a turn. I took a deep breath in then exhaled and wiped under my eyelids gently with my fingers. The document that seals my fate is on the fountain concrete basin, just by my side. The urge to let it drown in the water is high but that won't solve anything because I'm sure Richard has copies everywhere.

I doubt he even gave me the real copy. I cleared my throat and finally got the courage to check the contents.

The good thing about being an unwanted and unloved child is that I'm never really noticed. I get to do whatever I want or wander around without anyone caring about my safety, until I damage something. And no one but my mother will care. Richard is more concerned about the damaged property than my health.

I cleared my throat, trying to hold myself from bursting in tears as my eyes ran down the words on the paper. I laughed while reading because this is ridiculous. I don't have a say in my own wedding. This man practically owns me. It states in the contract that he decides what I wear, what I eat, the time I go to sleep, what I do, even when I pleasure myself.

It's so sick how I'm leaving the slavery of my father's house to another bondage in my soon to be husband's house. Yet it's funny. While reading this, the only thought that came to my mind was; why did I even bother?

Why did I work so hard.... study so hard... starve a lot to make a good life for myself if I was going to end up like this? Ace is rich but I doubt I he'll share that wealth with me. I believe that every man is just like my father. Aside from Leo.

Tired and drained of energy, I flipped to the final page. Something caught my eye.

My wedding isn't until Thursday. I picked up my phone from my thighs and checked my chats with Leo. It's the same Thursday.

I gasped in excitement. I don't know what time my wedding will hold but I just had the craziest idea. What happens if I run? Away from this country with the man I love.

It would be euphoric. I will change my looks and identity, won't have to bear the consequences of breaching the contract and I get to see Richard and Elaine suffer.

Something suddenly drained my spirit. What about mom? Father- I mean, Richard, will make her life hell when he knows I'm gone. My 'husband' will too even though she won't know anything.

Then she'll come with me. Once I get paid by Richard for yesterday's stock, I can buy tickets for both of us and flee. We'll be free from that psychopath called Richard and I'll get to be with Leo.

Fuck my pharmacy and my life here! Fuck them all!

I hurriedly tugged the document inside it's envelope roughly and sent Leo a text.

Me: Honey..., I was wondering. Would you like to change plans for a little bit?

I stared at my phone screen, anticipating his reply.

A soft ding caught my attention and my heart raced.

Mine (heart emoticon): Fill me in, princess.

I bit my lower lip. What I'm about to ask is incriminating. I don't know if I should even text it. If things don't go as planned, that would mean putting the people I love at risk and watching the man I love Dee me we'd another man. I don't want that. I don't want Leo to not want me anymore. I cleared my throat in desperation.

I have to try.

Me: Instead of spending time here with me, why don't we move together instead? I live with you and we don't have to be away anymore.

Leo is typing. This panic makes my forehead palpitate with sweat. Lots of sweat.

Mine (heart emoticon): Before I reply to this, I need to know one thing.

I gulped, reading his message. He's typing. My eyes glued my phone as I waited. The message finally dropped.

Mine (heart emoticon): You're not doing this because of me, right? You're sure you want to leave your family and friends? Not to please me, but because you want to.

Apart from Alexa and Rose with a few more friends, I don't think I know anyone who can make me manage to live this unbearable life for. All of my friends are rich and they can easily locate me if I want them to. But that would only put me at risk. I can't risk that. This has to be the hardest decision to make in a second but I need to have control over my life again.

Me: I thought about it. I want to be with you. The distance is killing me slowly. I miss you Leo.

I texted back.

Mine (heart emoticon): If this is what you really want, then I have no reason to fight it. It means the world to me that you're choosing to move. I love you Lorelei.

Reading that text made my heart flip.

Me: I love you too.

I turned off my phone and placed it on my chest. I have to pack. Since I'll be moving to my contracted husband's house tomorrow, this will be a perfect disguise for my real intentions. I'll live with him alright. All I have to do is share a house with a stranger. It's something I'm used to doing anyway.

As for mom, I just have to trick her into meeting me at the airport. I'll book a one way ticket for the both of us.

I forced my body out of the fountain and dipped my wet feet in my flipflops. When I get to my room, I'll think about this better and plan everything with Leo. For now, I just want to let my mind relax on this new plan. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.