Forced marriage: Dear wife, you can't escape me

Rita Jones and her friends sat around a table in the private room of skybar VIP lounge drinking some tequila shots. They had this ritual of meeting up once a week every Sunday evening to unwind at the club after a long week of working their asses off. Being independent career women, they didn’t need a man to take them out to have a good time. In fact, they could be big sponsors themselves. The atmosphere was harmonious. Soft music played in the background as assorted lights from disco balls twinkled in the room. "Rita, I saw someone that looked like Eric in town today," Glenda suddenly said, tilting her head back as she took her shot in one go.. scrunching her eyebrows and wrinkling her nose at the bitter taste. Glenda Anderson was one of Rita’s best friends, she was a lawyer running her own law firm. She was a blonde with green eyes and an average height. “It can’t be him, he left for City Z on a business trip last week,” Rita said, looking at the trading platform on her iPhone.

Rita felt emotional when her friends entered the room and her eyes welled up with tears. “Hey.. it’s okay, don’t cry, we shall figure it out.” Glenda said approaching Rita and pulling her into a hug. Rita finally had a chance to vent out her grievances and cried loudly with her head on Glenda’s shoulder who patted her back soothingly. Amelia who was at the other side of the table looked like she wanted to say something but bit her tongue after receiving a glare from Glenda. Glenda knew what Amelia wanted to say.. but Rita was going through a lot for her to hear words like ‘hate to say I told you so’. They had seen Eric being interviewed on the news and he portrayed himself as the new CEO, completely distancing himself and the company from Rita. After what felt like eternity but were just a few minutes, Rita finally stopped crying and sniffling. “What happened honey, we were shocked to hear the news so we immediately left what w

“Miss Jones, wait! Where are you going?” John shrieked as he chased after Rita who had run away the moment she realized who her husband-to-be was. “Back to prison!” She responded while trying to run fast in her high heels. “But why? Remember you can’t change your mind once you’ve signed the agreement and you signed.” John reminded while panting heavily. “I don’t care about the agreement!” John thought Miss Jones had a loose screw in her head. She was worried that her husband was old and had a beer belly but now she was running for her life after seeing the handsome Mr Stevens. ‘Was everything ok with her thinking?’ Christopher who had walked to the entrance narrowed his eyes as he stared at the fleeing Rita and John who was pathetically chasing after her. A surge of frustration arose in his heart. Even when she was in this kind of situation, she was still reluctant to be with him. ‘Was he really that bad in her eyes?’ Clenching

The next day, Rita woke up to an empty cold space on the other side of the bed. She figured Chris didn’t come home. “Oh well, even better. I don’t need to do any wifely duties.” She grumbled to herself and got up to have a shower. She planned to go to her house and get her things that were at least in her name. Including her late parent’s photos and her fluffy havanese dog, beanie. Rita dressed up in a light blue tank top, a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and sneakers. She was amazed at who ever prepared her clothes. No one knew her measurements but they were able to guess right. “When did they prepare them anyway?” She mumbled to herself and descended the stairs. “Good morning Madam.” Elizabeth and some other lady both said in unison. “Good morning, thanks.” Rita returned the greeting cheerfully. “This is Sandra, she’s also part of the staff around the villa. You shall get to know them all in due time.” Elizabeth said, introducing the plump-like lady who seemed to be in her late

Rita came out of the bathroom with swollen eyes after crying her eyes out. While in the bathroom, the reality of her situation hit her hard. She lost everything including her dog! ‘How dare Eric sell my favorite sports car just like that with no remorse?’ Rita wondered if he was always this cruel or she just didn’t know him in the first place. She felt like a fool after falling for a person’s fake kindness. ‘The earlier I understand that not many kind people are genuine, the better for me.’ Rita thought to herself. Being thrown out of her own house had left her completely traumatized. It didn’t help that, instead of being comforted by her husband, she was scolded harshly instead. ‘How could he be so heartless?’ She grumbled to herself. Chris had not come back to the room so she got on the bed and curled up at the edge of the bed. Anyone who saw her would take pity on her for she looked pitiful. But the thoughts in her head were