Chapter 3

Katarina

"We are here." The stranger announced as soon as we came to a huge golden gate.

He drove into the compound immediately the gates were opened.

I didn't have the time or the energy to fully appreciate the opulence of the place. I was too busy trying to figure out my next move

I was lucky to find such a kind man who was willing to help me even though he didn't know who I was. If he hadn't picked me up when he did, I was sure that I would have been captured by Kylan's men by now.

I didn't want to think of what Kylan would have done to me if he had been the one to find me instead of this kind stranger.

"Thank you," I said to the man as he opened his car door and rounded his car to open my car door for me.

He smiled, revealing his impossibly white dentures and I smiled back at him. It was a genuine smile but it felt frozen on my face.

He waved me off and held my hands as he led me down to the front door of his place.

"Welcome back sir." A man appeared at the doorway.

"Thank you, Festus. Make arrangements for our guests. Food and a warm place to sleep."

"Of course sir," Festus said with a small bow and scurried away, disappearing into the house.

We advanced further into the mansion and I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the place. But my admiration quickly gave way to a feeling of dread. I knew I was safe now but I couldn't help but feel worried. What if somehow Kylan finds me?

I didn't want to put this kind stranger in danger and what would Kylan do to my parents now that his investment was gone?

I didn't want to think about it but I couldn't help it.

"Are you alright?" The man asked beside me.

I glanced up at him.

"I'm okay, just finally feeling the effect of running sixty miles, I guess." I chuckled nervously.

"Sixty miles? Just how much of a monster is your husband to be?" His eyes widened. For the first time, I noticed his appearance. He was handsome, the kind that was equal parts sophisticated and rough. His black hair and blue eyes were a huge contrast that fit perfectly and his jaw was a work of art.

"Ex-husband to be." I clarified. I knew there was still a chance that I would be found by Kylan but I wasn't going to jinx my escape by calling him my husband-to-be.

"Yes, ex-husband-to-be." He repeated, his tone mimicking.

"He's everything you think but worse. I don't want to talk about this." I said, uncomfortable with his questions. I knew he was trying to help but the only help he could render now was to get me out of there as fast as possible.

"Of course. Come on, I'll take you to my room. You can freshen up there till Festus finishes with your room."

"Thank you so much. I wish you would tell me your name, I don't feel comfortable not knowing it."

"Fine. It's Jerome." He said as if he was doing me a favor by telling me his name.

"Jerome…" I tested the name on my lips.

"Thank you, Jerome."

"You are welcome."

Jerome took me upstairs to a bedroom that looked like it belonged in the castle of a medieval drama.

I quickly hopped in the shower as I honestly needed to relax.

Done with showering, I put on my wedding dress as it was the only thing in the room.

Shortly after, I exited the room and went down to the living room, uncomfortable with being alone in the room of someone I didn't know. He was being a complete sweetheart and a gentleman but I didn't want to take my chances.

As soon as I got to the ground floor, I met Jerome waiting for me. He was talking to someone on the phone but that didn't stop him from taking my hands and leading me to the kitchen.

I tried to listen in on his conversation but he was speaking a language that I didn't understand. Arabic to be precise.

We both settled down on the stool and the maid made quick work of dishing out food.

“Your dress,” he muttered, “I will inform Festus to get clothes for you.”

“Thank you,” I replied with a smile and immediately delved into the food.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I finished my plate of pasta in less than two minutes.

"How on earth did you finish that so fast?" Jerome's voice came as a surprise to me. I didn't realize he was done with his call.

"I'm sorry. I was just hungry."

I said sheepishly.

"No, there's no need to apologize. I've just never seen a woman eat that fast. You can have as much as you want."

"Thank you, Jerome. You are a lifesaver."

A weird smirk appeared on his lips that made me uneasy but I waved it off.

"You say thank you a lot, you know that."

"I'm sorry…"

"That too… stop apologizing to me."

"I'm sorry… I mean, okay."

"So, tell me, what are your plans?"

Jerome asked as he settled down beside me.

"Well, I need to skip town as soon as possible. Leave everything behind and start over."

"How can I help?" He asked.

"If you can get me a ticket, I promise I'll pay you back with interest once I'm finally settled."

A weird look crossed his face but before I could place what it meant, it was gone.

There was a long pause from him before he spoke up again.

"Alright, I'll get you your tickets."

"Really?" I asked, almost crying with Joy.

"Of course. If you feel unsafe here, I'll help you. You can pay me back whenever you want."

Just then his phone rang, stopping me from thanking him.

He placed his palm up, halting me from speaking. He picked up his phone call and began to speak in rapid Arabic again. Shortly after, He hung up.

"Well, I've got to leave for a while, business calls. I'll be back as soon as I can and then we can talk more." He said to me.

"Oh?" I said, my voice a little disappointed.

"Yeah. Don't worry, Festus will take very good care of you."

"Oh, alright." I smiled and watched him leave.

I had no idea what was going on but I didn't feel comfortable with staying in a mansion so big without the owner in it. Plus I had this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. I needed to leave as soon as possible. Maybe even sooner.

Done with eating, I went back to his room and rummaged through every drawer. I found some cash that I knew would me to the next city.

I took off my wedding dress, stole a T-shirt and sweatpants that were too big for me and ran out of the house.

I made sure that the coast was clear before disappearing from the mansion.