Chapter 1: Runaway Fiance

It was noon when Katerina arrived at their mansion from Wilma's house, her best friend.  After jogging, she went straight to hang out with her and if her mother didn't call her, she would be home this late afternoon. Her Daddy gave her a rest today after her busy schedules last week.

At the age of twenty four, she was now the vice president of their company—Romano Real Estate.  They've got a very successful business that made them one of the most influential families in the country today.

"Good afternoon Señorita Katerina, Señora Felice is waiting for you at the dining table already," their butler Lucia politely announced.

"I'll be there in a minute, Lucia," she replied.

When she approached the table, her daddy Eduardo was already there too but a guest who was with them now caught her attention.  If she's not mistaken, the man was present at her twenty—fourth birthday party last week and he is also a current senator in the country.

She kissed her parents first before taking her seat.

"Katerina, I want you to meet my business associate, Don Valentino Castellanos. He is the owner of Infinity wine, Kumpadre, this is my unica hija, Katerina," her father introduced.

The visitor smiled at her.  "You have a very beautiful daughter Kumpadre," he praised and held out his hand to her.  "Nice to meet you hija."

She smiled lightly before accepting the man's handshake.  "Nice to meet you too."  The Don gently squeezed her palm which made her anxious.

Valentino was almost the same age as his father.  The man still has a stance and is handsome but it seems like she doesn't like something in the aura he brings.  She senses some dark, mysterious and dangerous personality behind the smile he's wearing.  She felt that the gentleman was only disguising himself.

Lunch took place peacefully between them.  They talk about business and she only talks when asked.  After finishing the meal, she was about to say goodbye but her mother stopped her.

"Stay Katerina, we have an important matter to talk about," she said.  Her mother's tone was too serious and she even saw her father squeezing her mother's hand that was resting on the table.  The scenery makes her wonder even more about what's going on.

The two looked at each other before speaking.  "You will be getting married next month, Katerina," her mother announced.

Katerina dropped the cutlery she was holding because of the shock.  What kind of nonsense is this when she doesn't even have a boyfriend and then they are announcing to her, her marriage?  Who will she marry?

She laughed to relieve the tension she was feeling at the moment.  "Is this some kind of prank? Y—you're just kidding me, right?"  She asked but she couldn't find the joke out of their faces.

Turning her attention to the other side of the table, she saw the Don staring intently at her.  Gradually, the anger that she feels for him emerges.  Is this the one she's going to marry that's why he's here?  Based on what she heard, the old man had no wife nor any children.

"Hija—" her father tried to touch her but she held up her left palm to stop him from reaching her.

She doesn't want to burst out.

"No… Just stay right there Dad," she said through gritted teeth.

"Hija please understand us, this is for our business," pleaded her mother Felice.

She stared at her in disbelief "...business? You call that business? Since when did getting married become a business to you mom?!"  She combed her hair with her fingers in frustration.  "People marry because of love and not because of fucking business!"

Tears started to fall from the corner of her eyes.  How could they do this to her?  Why are they forcing her to marry someone she didn't love neither she had known completely?  Is it that easy for them to marry her off without asking her opinion if it's okay with her or not?  She thought her parents loved her dearly but she was wrong.

"Language Katerina!"  Her daddy Eduardo shouted.

Her mother immediately patted her daddy's shoulder to calm him down. "Calm down honey, our princess didn't mean it. She was just shocked."

She shook her head.  Shocked was an understatement of what she's feeling right now.  It's not just shock, it's rage!  She felt betrayed by the people she trusted the most.  She feels like they just sold her to other people for business that is not necessary.

They were already on top, what more do they want?

"Hija, this is for your own good, okay? We are your parents and we know it will be good for you too," her mommy explained again but her brain was too preoccupied to listen.

"I won't marry anyone unless I want to, Dad, Mom," she uttered the last word before she stood up and stormed out  towards her room.  There she mumbled and cried.

She won't do it.  Her parents already know her, she was born stubborn and independent and she will stand up for that even if it means she'll stand up on her own feet from now on.

No one can dictate her. No one!

A few days passed and her parents' decision was still firm that she had no other choice but to leave them.  She wanted them to realize that the marriage was a bad decision. Maybe staying away from them for a few months until they give up and let her make her own choice for her life will do.  She won't let them manipulate her.

"What?! You're leaving?"  Wilma exclaimed on the other line.

"Yes Wilma, in fact I'm just waiting for midnight  so I can leave," she whispered.

She was currently in her bathroom leaving the faucet on in the sink so she wouldn't be heard outside just in case.

"Bestie, please don't do it. What you're thinking is a crazy idea. Do you think your daddy can't find you plus you said your fiance is a senator? They'll probably search the whole world just to find you," Wilma said worriedly.

She could feel the fear in her friend's voice but she was really determined to escape.

"I have already found a place. I'll transfer to a rural area, far away from technologies and etcetera. I would live a simple life where no one would recognize me. I'm sure they won't find me there," she beamed confidently.

"Rural? You mean you're going to be a province girl?!"

"If that would cancel the wedding then yes! I'll do anything Wilma. Anything!"

"Bestie, you don't know anything about how provincial life works, you don't even know how to cook! Oh god please listen to me. I'm the one who's afraid for you!"

She just shook her head.  No matter what Wilma says, her decision will not change at all.

Later that night she saw that the guards outside were almost sleepy and the light in the living room was already off.  Carrying her duffel bag, she slowly walked down the stairs.

Every step she took was very careful until she reached the secret gate at the back of the mansion where no one noticed her.  When she got out, she took one more look at their mansion before driving her bicycle away…

Goodbye for the meantime Mom, Dad…