Call your Getaway Driver

(RIA’S POV)

 

I should be dead.

 

I nod shakily to Edmond’s words, my tongue too tied to reply.

 

Edmond Cozen is just like the rumors say.

 

He is terrifying, scary and wicked!

 

And what?

 

I’m supposed to white-wash him?

 

With what chemical?

 

Is there even a chemical for that, because if there isn’t, then I’m screwed.

 

Where is Racquel when you need her?

 

She’s the one who accepted this. Not me.

 

I clutch my wrist shakily, “I understand”

 

I need to avoid his eyes. They are scary.

 

My feet take another step back, only to hit the wall.

At this point, I can only pray to melt into the wall.

I want to disappear from here.

Cos’ seriously, I really drew the short stick in choosing my family. I’ve got a father that hits me whenever he feels like, a mother that emotionally torments me, an elder sister that puts peanuts in my food just to see how long I can take it.

Now?

A husband promising me a cage worse than death if I cross him.

Nobody has it worse than me.

I promise you.

 

Edmond scoffs, taking three steps back and I can finally breathe.

“Call off your get-away driver.” he says.

 

“Hmm?”

I raise my eyes to his.

 

Oh dear.

It will be a blessing to survive today.

 

“The bastard you were calling with the stolen phone. Call him and tell him to leave this place before I break his legs!”

I shake involuntarily, the power in his voice rendering me useless for a long stretch.

“I did not call any get away driver.” I say.

He gives a short, sharp laugh humorless but directed at my words.

“Right? Do I look like a fool to you?”

Edmond’s voice drops to a lower octave.

I don’t like this.

In movies, this is how the good girl usually dies. Aaaaargggghhhh!!

I don’t want to die.

Going back home is not possible at this point.

I feel like the frog added to water that was constantly boiling until the frog died.

“Are you mute?”

Edmond voice pierces through my thoughts.

I shake my head first, before remembering his question.

“No, I’m not.” I answer softly.

If there’s one thing which I have learned while staying at home, it is that weak women get everything.

Weak in everything.

At least, that’s what mum says.

She says weakness shows that I’m delicate. This is why my degree in Physics is useless for finding a husband.

Racquel on the other hand, followed mum’s teachings and has a flock of men at her fingertips.

But, it did not matter to me.

I had Tom and that was more than enough.

I had a degree in what I love and a man who loved me like crazy. Tom was perfect in all areas, he had the looks, the kindness and even very gentle towards me. Even mum accepted him, even though it was because of his wealth.

But he was not as rich as Edmond.

Must be why agreed with Dad to make me take Racquel’s place even after Racquel disappeared.

Hmmph.

Money… this money again.

“Do I have to bang your head through a table before you answer me?” Edmond asks.

My stomach drops.

“No, you don’t.” I quickly say.

“I already answered you. I said that I’m not mute.”

Edmond looks at me with irritation, throws his head back and starts walking away from me.

He moves to the edge of the wall where he was when he slammed his foot in Gia’s chest.

Speaking of which, where is that girl?

I turn my head to look for her.

“Oh dear!”

Edmond was back in my face suddenly.

“Are you fucking with me, right now?”

“I told you to call your damn get away driver! If you think of turning me into a fool, I will catch the bastard, cut him into pieces and feed him to you.”

A gasp escapes my lips, my palm flies to my chest.

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes threatening to fall and embarrass me further in the presence of this man.

I sniff quietly.

“I do not have a getaway driver.”

“So, you stepped into the sound and lightning office to pee?”

My eyes follow Edmond’s eyes.

I freeze on the spot.

When I chose this door earlier, I didn’t even pay attention to which door I entered. I just wanted to get away from this man and call Tom!

What would be my believable excuse now?

I swallow my dry saliva.

Where is my smart brain now that I need it?!

I wring my hands on the ball portion of my skirt.

“I do not have a get away driver. I was just overwhelmed about the party and Gia coming onto you so strong like that. I wanted to collect my thoughts in one place.”

Hey! See me.

That lie flew out of my lips with zero cracks.

I didn’t know I could lie like this.

I guess you never speak against it until you try it.

My eyes watch Edmond warily.

Will he believe me?

I squeeze my face and pull my best ‘believe me’ pitiful expression.

I’m no Racquel but at least, I can imitate her expressions.

Edmond stalks towards me, every stride slow but steady. Every step he takes removes a strand of hair from my head.

I feel like my head will go white from mental stress by the time he reaches me.

“What are you guys doing? It’s time for the bride and groom’s first dance!”