Chapter 3: It’s just for tonight.

Roxana

I keep turning on my bed, Aaron’s words replaying in my head. I have to leave this house tonight. That’s the only way I can escape this arranged marriage and be with the man who truly loves me.

Checking the time for the hundredth time today, I get out of bed.

It’s 6pm.

Almost dinnertime.

Once my parents and Zendaya go to dinner, I will slip out through the back door and head straight to Aaron’s.

My feet slap against the warm rug of my room as I walk into the closet.

Packing a few of my clothes into a backpack, I place the bag on the bed.

My hands shake as I zip it up. I heave a sigh.

My eyes scan my room, the familiar fragrance filling my nose, and I briefly close my eyes to breathe it in deeply.

I can’t believe I'm leaving everything behind tonight.

On my dressing table are my favorite romance novels.

I go over and run my fingertips across them. My heart tightens in my chest.

They’re the only things I’ll miss.

I open the first book.

“ The beast’s angelic pet”

It’s one of my favorites.

About a sweet, loving princess sold to a heartless beast that everyone fears.

A laugh escapes me.

Turns out fairy tales exist, but mine is a nightmare, the one I'm trying to escape.

Like, who still believes in arranged marriages?

I slam the book shut. My eyes fall on the paper I dumped less than two hours ago.

My breath catches. I put a hand on my chest.

I scan my eyes over it.

There are so many expectations for the bride:

*The bride has to be young and cultured.

*The bride has to be of noble birth.

*She has to obey and submit to her husband.

I keep reading, growing bored.

Just as I’m about to toss it into the trash, my eyes fall on the last item on the list.

*The bride has to be a virgin*

My hand trembles slightly.

I swallow hard, feeling a lump forming in my throat.

Virgin!

I can’t help but read more.

It states she must be a virgin because a virgin ritual is performed on the wedding night, where the bride and groom go into a room for consummation. The groom’s family waits outside for good news.

If it’s discovered that the bride isn’t a virgin, she faces harsh consequences.

I read through the list of possible cruel punishments.

The paper hits the floor before I realize it.

Along with my jaw.

I stagger, holding onto the wall for support.

What did I just read?

How can this be happening?

My vision blurs, tears well up.

How could he do this to me?

Marco.

He knows I'm not a virgin.

He’s the only one who knows, yet he still agrees to give me to Tristan.

So I could be killed?

Or punished?

My whole body shudders; I drop onto the bed to keep from falling.

How could he be so cruel?

Simply because I'm not his daughter?

I wipe away the tears that have already stained my cheeks.

It doesn't matter now. I'm leaving tonight.

Far away from them.

Far away from Tristan.

And they will never see me again. I will make sure of that.

A knock sounds on the door, breaking my thoughts.

“Roxana, it’s your mother. Open up.”

I wipe the tears with my sleeve, compose myself, then go to the door and yank it open.

My mother stands there, with a fake look of concern.

I know she doesn't really care about me—not as much as her first daughter.

I'm a mistake.

The one she regrets so deeply but has no choice but to live with.

“Hi, Mom.”

Her eyes scan my whole body.

“Have you been crying?”

I shake my head. “No, Mom.”

Her shoulders sag a little. “It’s not as bad as you think. Your father and I want what’s best for you. And this is.”

I almost roll my eyes. “I'm fine, Mom. I know you want what’s best for me.”

She laughs, her long blonde hair—similar to Zendaya’s—bouncing as she moves.

“Of course. Dinner is ready. I came to call you.”

“I won’t be dining tonight. I want to sleep. See you tomorrow, Mom.”

I slam the door before she can say more.

I don't move until I hear her footsteps leaving, then start packing the essentials into the tiny backpack.

At dinner, Marco asks my mother, “Where’s Roxana?”

She shrugs, sitting beside her husband. “I think she’s having a hard time accepting her marriage to Tristan. I'm sure she’ll get over it by tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” he questions, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Dad, don't worry about her. She’s not a kid,” Zendaya says, shoving a mouthful of food in her mouth.

“Okay, then.”

They continue eating, completely forgetting about me.

A few minutes later, I'm walking away from Marco’s huge mansion.

I keep going until I'm far enough from the house, then dial Aaron’s number. It’s not reachable.

Shit!

What am I going to do now?

I don't have money for a cab

Or any way to get to his place this late.

As I keep pondering, the rain begins to fall.

Turning the road into a blur of shadows and cold.

I run for shelter, ignoring the wetness slapping against me.

I find a small house, standing under the roof until the rain stops.

I keep trying Aaron’s number, but it keeps ringing without answer.

What am I going to do now? His house is far from here.

A loud lightning strike makes me shiver, dread spreading.

Drops of water hit my toes from my drenched clothes.

I hug myself, the cold seeping in.

While I wait for the rain to stop, a new thought hits me.

Sandy’s house, just a few minutes’ walk away, could be my refuge for the night. I can leave early tomorrow.

My family won't notice I’ve gone until morning, and by then, I’ll be long gone.

So I run.

Headed toward Sandy’s house.

When I arrive, I knock on her door.

A few minutes later, she peeks out, eyes wide when she sees me.

“Oh my God, Rox, what happened?”

“Can I come in?” I ask.

She opens the door wide, and I step into her warm living room.

“Come into my room. You need a shower,” she says, heading inside.

I follow, wet and cold.

It’s just for tonight, I tell myself. Tomorrow, I’ll be gone.