Chapter Two

Cheyanne.

Current day.

After realizing crying wouldn’t solve a damn thing, I calmed down for the first time after spending a week isolated in this place. I didn’t know where I was, I had probably been transported to the other side of the world but I know one thing, I wasn’t just going to sit and watch them treat me like a damn prisoner, if I was still alive, it meant they needed me to be alive.

So for the first time since I arrived, I finally ate; not the once I had done for just survival. I ate to my fill and took a very hot shower.

Maybe if I followed their rules and was on good behavior, they would let their guards down, and I’d have my opening.

I spent an hour studying the room and the guard shift—peeping through the curtains regularly and now I knew they always switched by exactly twelve pm noon and it took about two - three minutes for the next guard to arrive.

I overhead footsteps heading to my room, so I jumped into bed and pretended like I was fast asleep.

I heard the door creak open but kept my eyes shut.

“Miss Ivy,” a sweet female voice calls out. “Miss Ivy please can you get up so we can prepare you for your wedding.”

My heart dropped, and goosebumps gathered on my arms immediately. If I heard correctly she mentioned a wedding.

“Miss—“

“What wedding?” I asked, jumping to my feet. Eyes wide.

“Look, my name is Cheyanne, you should check the next room, they’re probably tons of girls here.”

The lady dials her phone and after speaking to the recipient for a minute, she walks over to me and hands it.

“Hello, Ivy,”

It was her, that woman who had come in here to threaten me the other time.

“You need to let me leave, I promise I won’t tell a soul. I’ll just forget everything that has happened.” I murmured, lips trembling.

“We had a deal, Ivy dear.” She simply said.

“My name is not Ivy, please just—“

“I didn’t want to do this, but you either do what they ask of you or your friend goes. Ohh, she’s currently having a fun date with a nice looking blonde guy…”

That was Gia’s boyfriend.

I shook my head rigorously, “No, no. Please don’t hurt her. Leave her out of this.”

“Then stick to the deal.”

“They’re talking about a wedding, what wedding? Who’s the bride?”

“Oh darling, my bad. I forgot to tell you about your wedding. I’ll be with you soon, so do me a favor and smile for the camera when the time comes.”

The call then cuts.

The first laugh escaped as a small chuckle. Then another followed and in the next second, I was clutching my stomach, gasping for air as I dropped to the ground in a fit of laughter till tears gathered at the corner of my eyes.

The lady just stood there, staring in utter shock.

“I’m—I’m getting married” I said, struggling to catch my breath. “Would you believe that?”

“Oh My God!! Where’s my husband?” I asked. “Wait, I’ll meet him at the altar right?”

“Ma’am, please get up, let's prepare you.”

“Okay.”

Change of plans, I guess I might have my escape today.

“I’m ready, let’s get it done!” I said, handing my hand up for a high five. She returns it, but slowly with her brows furrowed together like she wasn’t sure whether I was joking or having a breakdown.

In about two hours, when I looked into the mirror, I was a different person entirely. Bridal updo hair with curls that fell onto my face. For a forced wedding, the makeup seemed to do justice in hiding the pain behind my eyes. My chest tightened at the thought of falling to run away today. I didn’t care how much they spent on all these elegant things, especially the set of bridal designer dresses that were lined up to my left.

One word replayed over and over in my mind even as they brought a phone to my face to make a short video. Escape.

I lifted my chin, the corners of my mouth spreading into a picture perfect smile. Giving them exactly what they wanted. I didn’t need them careful of me.

“You look magnificent, a beautiful bride” the lady who I’ve learned to be Rebecca grinned as she dusted a highlighter over my cheeks, almost making me sneeze.

I simply nodded.

After we were done, I requested for a little snack, an energy bar specifically. They argued it’d run my lip makeup but I argued harder.

I was on my third energy bar when it was taken from me but I had managed to hide half of the bar in my underwear before I was squeezed into a dress, then finally the veil. I’d be lying if I said it was ugly, It was breathtaking but unfortunately not right for me.

But I leave it on and followed them into the vehicle, a limousine, I sank into the plush leather seats, with enough space to swing my leg around. The noise of the outside world faded once the door shut me in.

Rebecca had worn a simple silk champagne rose dress, sitting alongside me.

“Your soon-to-be husband is waiting at the church for you. Ivy”

Stupid bitch. It’s Cheyanne. But as usual, I nodded.

Every second brings me closer to freedom. I repeated this line over and over in my head to push down any brimming outburst.

Even as I smiled remained in place, my pulse hammered hard. What if there was no opportunity? What if I’d spent the entire morning brainstorming and planning an escape plan that would fall apart the second I stepped out of the car?

I wasn’t quite religious or a church-goer but if you pull me out of this one lord, I’ll forever praise you. In fact I’ll donate whatever is left of my properties to a charity home.

I caught the driver speaking into some nonexistent phone, it was only when he turned to give a firm nod to Rebecca that I saw the tiny earpiece in the other ear.

“We’re at the church now,” Rebecca mouths with a full mouthy smile on her face.

“I have a question.”

“Who’s going to walk me down the aisle?”