CHAPTER 2

-ELYNA

I rushed straight to the message. 

"Hey, Elyna, what's the trouble? Why should we escape?" were the words that enveloped the message from Raphael.

As I remember that my parents are waiting for me downstairs, I sent a message to Raphael, while shaking and abruptly grabbing and putting my silky black coat on and slamming the door behind, as I made my way downstairs, "I'll call you and explain everything in 30 minutes, my parents are in need of my attention now."

As I reached downstairs, my parents' attention fell on me with a great stare, as if they required an answer from me.

"I was looking for my slippers and found them under my bed...I'm sorry"

Mom gave little attention to what I said, spoke less of Dad, and an on rushing order of instructions with gestures accompanying them found their way out of mom's mouth.

"Just prepare the dinner, the pasta and meatballs; use the pasta that is in the first drawer under the cupboard, the meatballs are placed within the white container in the fridge…don't forget to dice them"

My feet found themselves in the centre of the kitchen, which was not far from the living room, as my eyes and hands searched for the ingredients my mom wanted us to have for dinner.

"Okay, I see it, mom."

As I prepared dinner, and placed the pasta in the boiling water, I used the time to message Raphael, as he was online.

"My dad married me off to Hugo Dubois, and we are set to get married on Friday."

Within a few seconds of the message being sent, Raphael responded back.

"Really?Why?" responded Raphael, with shocked and confused emojis.

As the pasta reached serving temperature, and I prepared myself for serving my parents the dinner, I prompted Raphael once more.

"So, we need to escape by the latest, Thursday evening".

As I served my parents their dishes on the dining table, appreciation toasts started coming in, which was a common thing, when I cook.

"Thank you, Elyna," mom stated.

"What a delicious aroma! You'll surely make a great cook for a wife. Mr Dubois will definitely be enjoying your cooking soon" 

As dad uttered those statements, I stormed back into my room with agitation and anger clouding my memory.

The statement made by dad was surely done in order to get me irritated, as that is how things go between us when there is a disagreement. Dad ensures he has the last say in everything, even at the expense of his own daughter's happiness.

Mom and dad's confrontation could be heard from my room, as I could hear mom, for what seemed vouching for my sake.

"Jules, what was that for?"

"The wedding is on Friday, she should get over her petty feelings. She's not a kid anymore…" a firm voice resounded from my dad.

The moment I entered my room, I pulled out my phone from one of the pockets in my black coat and put Raphael's number on the speed dial.

"Ralph, we need to leave this city as soon as possible, before Thursday."

"Tomorrow?...Now I'm really confused. You haven't explained why your dad arranged your wedding with Mr. Dubois" questioned Raphael, as I could hear his confusion through the phone call.

I felt compelled to inform him of the details, as he is my preferred half.

"Remember, my dad's company has been in debt way before the economic meltdown, and it has been getting worse. He has been given till Friday evening by the state to file for bankruptcy."

"Okay, but how do you enter the picture now?" a confused Raphael intrigued.

As my voice settled below a whisper,

"Mr Dubois has already agreed and signed to clear the debt, as he will be given 30 percent of the company's share…and have me as his wife."

Raphael responded with a tone of someone who is shocked with excitement.

"We are talking about the Elegancy Group CEO right, the billionaire?"

"Yes, that's him, ...we need to figure a way to escape before Thursday" I replied anxiously waiting for Raphael to decipher an escape plan.

"Elyna, there's no need to leave. We can use this opportunity to gather wealth, which could set us up for a lifetime" Raphael replied, trying to sell me off the escape plan.

This mischievous inquiry from Raphael triggered a side that I rarely show Raphael. 

" What the fuck are you saying? Are you fucking crazy? "

"Elyna, who told you running away from Mr.Dubois would solve the problem? Huh, this guy we are dealing with is feared amongst the whole of Paris. He could make me, you, your parents imprisoned for life with just a snap of a finger. The best thing to do is to use our brain, and that is ; get married to him, slowly take his wealth and then we leave!"

I could hear Raphael switching from an irritated to an excited tone, as he spoke about his plan to accumulate wealth from my nightmare, instead of figuring out a plan to leave the city together.

"I thought you loved me Raphael, all of this is for your selfish needs. Not once did I hear you take my consideration at heart...Raphael, who told you that my family will be imprisoned if I don't marry Mr Dubois?

Raphael responded, with a plethora of stuttering and a voice below a whisper, trying to avoid the questioning of who told him about my family's potential imprisonment.

"Elyna, that's not the case…uh, well in…in arranged marriages that's what usually occurs, don't you see it in series?

My doorknob opened slowly while making a squeaky sound, and I knew it was mom, as this is her signature way of sneaking on me.

" Elyna, your food is getting cold. Don't mind your dad, come downstairs and eat your food…who are you talking to on the phone?"

Hanging up my phone hastily, I responded.

"It's just Raphael, mom. I was letting him know of my situation."

"Come on, it's been a long day. You need to eat something." Mom, being my mother of course, drew me to her stride, hugging me as we made our way to the dining area.

"Take time to enjoy dinner, okay darling" mom cheerfully instructed as she pulled my chair across, with a single hand, so I could gather a seat.

"Thank you mom"

I responded with a defeated smile, as confusion bamboozled my mind. As I ate my meal, I just couldn't envision my life as Mr.Dubois' wife, and tears began to fall uncontrollably from my eyes, without me even realising I was crying.

"Arise, Elyna, it's your wedding day!" Mom exclaimed as she entered the room, strutting the curtains widely open across the long metered windows, letting the early morning sunlight permeate through the room.

"Elyna, the wedding is in three hours. Wake up, it's your special day!"

I groaned, my back flat on the bed, hands stretched out wide, with my left eye slightly open as all hope was lost, and acceptance of my new reality ushered in.

"Huh, already?"

Mom took the initiative to remove the duvet from my stride, as she noticed my reluctance to get up.

"Yes, get up, it's time to shower. We already have some guests waiting for you."

"Guests? Who is waiting for me?" I was intrigued as I got to my feet in search of my slippers.

Mom came behind me and ushered me towards the bathrooms direction while explaining who those guests were.

"Mr. Dubois brought make-up artists and some of his assistants to ensure we had all the help needed to arrive on time for the wedding".

As I reached the bathroom, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, placing my left hand across the edge of the coral white basin.

Thoughts about if this new life was worth taking bombarded my brain, or I should just end it here.

My gaze dropped towards my right hand as six pills, which originated from mom's medications for her stroke, resided in the centre of my palm.

As I contemplated on taking these drugs, I just couldn't bear the pain that I would cause my family, particularly my mom. The affection that I share with my mom is second to none. Not even the love I have for Raphael comes an inch close.

I dropped the drugs into the toilet, which was a few inches away from my right hand, and venomously struck the flushing handle.

I proceeded to remove my gown from my body as I strutted towards the bathtub, before a subtle knock on the bathroom door was heard, followed by mom's voice.

"Elyna, finish up. It's almost time. We have to leave" 

"I'll meet you in my room within 10 minutes" I replied, with a voice below a whisper, with a sudden flood of tears pouring from my face into the bathtub.

I knew I had to compose myself for the wedding, but I couldn't help myself from feeling overwhelmed from such emotions.

As I left the bathtub, and stood across the mirror, reaching out for the lotion on the counter, applying it across my arms,legs and neck, ensuring it gently blends into my skin.

This lotion had great significance in my life, as it had been a gift from my grandmother, who passed away a few years back.

"Always use this lotion on your special days.It will bring you good luck and make you feel beautiful." These were the words that accompanied the lotion.

I closed my eyes, trying my best to focus on the happy memories I shared with my grandmother, hoping it would channel the confidence needed to embark in this new journey.

Despite not wanting to be involved in such a wedding, I found Hugo quite attractive and charming, from the pictures I've seen of him. Thoughts about how my life would be living with him, and if I would love him, but most importantly if he would love me too.

As I entered my room, I was greeted with broaden smiles ready to do me a makeover, with my mom in the door front ready to handover the wedding gown.

Mom could see that I had been teary, as my countenance had been gloomy.

"Here, cheer up. This in our best interest"

"Good morning, Mrs Dubois, we are ready to perform the makeover duties" requested one of the guests with a broad smile, carrying a huge bag that seemed to contain the makeover items.

Irritated by that name, I replied hastily.

" Yes, do quick…"

As they performed the makeover, acceptance of my new reality started sinking in, and I recalled Raphael's plan of using me as a way for him to accumulate wealth, while disguising it as it's beneficial for both us, seemed to be a validating point why my dad hates him with so much passion. 

As I adorned the wedding gown and looked in the mirror, I was taken to a trance, and could just see the moving lips of the people around me as an ineffable feeling took precedence over me as I moved one step closer to my new reality, the prison that could last a lifetime.

"Elyna Blanc, do you accept Hugo Dubois as your lawful, wedded husband?"

Proceeded the priest with a firm gentle voice as he raised his gaze upon me

I stared at Hugo's perfectly chiselled jawline, with his big bugged-like eyes sending me into a plunging trance.

My dad took a firm grip on my hand that sent me back into reality, as I turned my gaze to the left, I noticed my mom holding a reassuring smile on her face, which reminded me why I was doing this, for the the people I love, my family.

With a deep breath, I responded with a hesitant quirky voice.